Weekday Devotionals - Raquel
Thrive had its 12th “birth-aversary” this past weekend! Our family has been a part of 10 of those birthday anniversaries. Thrive was the first church we tried out when we were looking for a church home! We were newly married, I was a new believer, and we just had a baby. To look back over the past decade and see all the changes and spiritual growth at Thrive, I feel so honored to have been apart of it all. The good, the bad, the highs and the lows, and everything in between.
The “why” of Thrive: Lost are found and the found would grow. This is so true for our family…
Matthew 16:24-25 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow Me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for My sake, you will save it.”
I knew close to nothing about faith, religion, and what it meant to be a disciple, but I knew I LOVED Jesus and I just wanted more of him. He came in and swept me off my feet. I knew nothing would be the same and I didn’t want it to be. Funny story… walking in to Thrive that first time, I thought “Ewww” because I actually went to school at Spruce Creek High School. My initial thought was “I feel like I’m back at school. Yuck!” But, God had different plans. After that first visit, we were all in. We knew we had found our home.
John 15:12-13 This is My commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
A disciple is someone who’s character is being transformed through the ongoing act of laying down their life.
Who we were 10 years ago versus now is night and day. Thrive has been a huge driving force behind our spiritual growth over the years. Skip and I have pursued some risky things (the good kind of risk) for/with the Lord. Thrive has been a sounding board of encouragement and wisdom during those times. We have studied the Bible in depth and dug deep to know God more intimately through small groups, Bible studies, sermons, podcasts, etc. I am so grateful we have had access to all the resources our church has been generously providing. After being poured in to for years, we are able to go out in to the world and confidently evangelize and disciple to others in our community.
Thrive is a growing church dedicated to developing mature disciples who serve its community across generations. I often tell my son, “one day you will come to a fork in the road where you’ll have to choose if you want to continue life with Jesus or go off on your own living however you want. Life as a believer and follower of Jesus is not easier, in fact I would say it can sometimes be harder. But, life with Jesus is also so much more beautiful, blessed, joyful, and peaceful than life without him.” Colt was 4 months old when he was dedicated to the Lord at Thrive. This past Sunday he joined Growth Track because he said he wants to serve. It’s so cool to witness the next generation growing up learning about Jesus and wanting to be apart of all He has to offer.
Spiritual Maturity: Where there was impatience, there is now surrender.
Spiritual Maturity: Where there was relationship drama, there is now humility.
Spiritual Maturity: Where there was need for external validation, there is now contentment.
In service when I heard this, I smiled so big. Then I turned to my husband and found him grinning, too. We fist bumped and knew what each other were thinking. “We’re doing alright.” I am a retired “striver” I guess you could call it. My worth used to be tied to my success in all areas of my life. If I wasn’t the best, I was nothing. Unworthy of love. It was a long process, but Jesus showed me something so different. He brought healing to that part of my heart. Now, I can say I truly know what it means to be content and at peace with my life. We owe so much of that to Thrive in discipling us. Showing us that Jesus actually meant it when He died for us. I could finally stop striving.
Your choice to follow Jesus will never be easy but it’s always worth it. Pete shared a glimpse of the ups and downs throughout the 12 years, but look at the impact in the community because of one step after another in obedience. Hundreds of baptisms, thousands saved, countless people helped through outreach and ministries. The goal of Thrive is to help people take their next steps. We are proof that if you take that first step, then you’ll be able to take the next, and the next. Before you know it, you’ll look back and say “Wow. We’re doing alright.”
What’s your next step?
Raquel Simmons
The “why” of Thrive: Lost are found and the found would grow. This is so true for our family…
Matthew 16:24-25 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow Me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for My sake, you will save it.”
I knew close to nothing about faith, religion, and what it meant to be a disciple, but I knew I LOVED Jesus and I just wanted more of him. He came in and swept me off my feet. I knew nothing would be the same and I didn’t want it to be. Funny story… walking in to Thrive that first time, I thought “Ewww” because I actually went to school at Spruce Creek High School. My initial thought was “I feel like I’m back at school. Yuck!” But, God had different plans. After that first visit, we were all in. We knew we had found our home.
John 15:12-13 This is My commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
A disciple is someone who’s character is being transformed through the ongoing act of laying down their life.
Who we were 10 years ago versus now is night and day. Thrive has been a huge driving force behind our spiritual growth over the years. Skip and I have pursued some risky things (the good kind of risk) for/with the Lord. Thrive has been a sounding board of encouragement and wisdom during those times. We have studied the Bible in depth and dug deep to know God more intimately through small groups, Bible studies, sermons, podcasts, etc. I am so grateful we have had access to all the resources our church has been generously providing. After being poured in to for years, we are able to go out in to the world and confidently evangelize and disciple to others in our community.
Thrive is a growing church dedicated to developing mature disciples who serve its community across generations. I often tell my son, “one day you will come to a fork in the road where you’ll have to choose if you want to continue life with Jesus or go off on your own living however you want. Life as a believer and follower of Jesus is not easier, in fact I would say it can sometimes be harder. But, life with Jesus is also so much more beautiful, blessed, joyful, and peaceful than life without him.” Colt was 4 months old when he was dedicated to the Lord at Thrive. This past Sunday he joined Growth Track because he said he wants to serve. It’s so cool to witness the next generation growing up learning about Jesus and wanting to be apart of all He has to offer.
Spiritual Maturity: Where there was impatience, there is now surrender.
Spiritual Maturity: Where there was relationship drama, there is now humility.
Spiritual Maturity: Where there was need for external validation, there is now contentment.
In service when I heard this, I smiled so big. Then I turned to my husband and found him grinning, too. We fist bumped and knew what each other were thinking. “We’re doing alright.” I am a retired “striver” I guess you could call it. My worth used to be tied to my success in all areas of my life. If I wasn’t the best, I was nothing. Unworthy of love. It was a long process, but Jesus showed me something so different. He brought healing to that part of my heart. Now, I can say I truly know what it means to be content and at peace with my life. We owe so much of that to Thrive in discipling us. Showing us that Jesus actually meant it when He died for us. I could finally stop striving.
Your choice to follow Jesus will never be easy but it’s always worth it. Pete shared a glimpse of the ups and downs throughout the 12 years, but look at the impact in the community because of one step after another in obedience. Hundreds of baptisms, thousands saved, countless people helped through outreach and ministries. The goal of Thrive is to help people take their next steps. We are proof that if you take that first step, then you’ll be able to take the next, and the next. Before you know it, you’ll look back and say “Wow. We’re doing alright.”
What’s your next step?
Raquel Simmons
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