Flourish

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,

    they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;

planted in the house of the Lord,

    they will flourish in the courts of our God.

They will still bear fruit in old age,

    they will stay fresh and green,

proclaiming, “The Lord is upright;

he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.” - Psalm 92:12-15

How will we flourish?

*By believing God is good.

The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.  Proverbs 4:18

 But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.  Job 23:10

*By pursuing excellence

 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.  I Timothy 6:11

 *By focusing on what matters

Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share,treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of what is truly life.   I Timothy 6:18-19

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.  I Corinthians 15:58

Why do we desire to flourish?

For the sake of the Gospel

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:14-16

Seek the prosperity of the city to which I have sent you as exiles. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for if it prospers, you too will prosper.  Jeremiah 29:7