Our Flourishing Place

The local church is where we . . . . . wait for it . . . . . GROW UP.  It is the place God uses to train and equip us for our purpose in life.  It’s where we learn to walk with God.  It’s where we learn to not be ruled by our flesh and the circumstances of life, rather live being led and guided by the Greater One in us.  It’s where we learn that it’s not all about us and how to partner with God and His plans and His purposes in the earth. It is where we learn who we are in Christ and what we have in Christ.  It’s where we learn that it isn’t the end when we fall, rather we receive strength to get back up and finish the race!  It’s the place where we draw strength and encouragement for ourselves and . . . . . . give out to others.  IF we are ever going to grow up and be fruitful for the Kingdom of God, being planted in the church He has called us to is imperative.  It truly is our flourishing place.  

Psalms 92:12-15
The [uncompromisingly] righteous shall flourish like the palm tree [be long-lived, stately, upright, useful, and fruitful]; they shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon [majestic, stable, durable, and incorruptible]. 13 Planted in the house of the Lord, they shall flourish in the courts of our God.14 [Growing in grace] they shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap [of spiritual vitality] and [rich in the] verdure [of trust, love, and contentment]. 15 [They are living memorials] to show that the Lord is upright and faithful to His promises; He is my Rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.