Thriving in 2025: Embracing God's Extraordinary Plans
Summary
In 2025, God has extraordinary plans for us, plans that will lead us to thrive, flourish, and blossom into the best versions of ourselves. Drawing from Jeremiah 29:11, we are reminded that God has meticulously crafted plans for our prosperity and success. This year, we are called to enter our prime, to be at the height of our influence and excellence. The imagery of flourishing like a palm tree and growing like a cedar of Lebanon from Psalm 92 paints a vivid picture of resilience, strength, and prosperity. Palm trees symbolize victory and resilience, thriving even in harsh conditions, while cedar trees represent longevity, strength, and wealth. This year, we are to embody these qualities, standing strong amidst challenges and growing in every aspect of our lives.
To thrive in 2025, we must be all in with our commitment to God. This means making Christ the center of our lives, prioritizing His kingdom above all else. We are encouraged to have a clear vision for thriving, to visualize what flourishing looks like for us personally. This vision will fuel our faith and guide our actions. Additionally, we must maximize our godly potential by being doers of the Word, not just hearers. This involves following God's script for our lives and making necessary changes to grow spiritually. Lastly, we are called to produce fruit for God, to actively engage in good deeds and lead others to Christ. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's purpose and open the door to His blessings.
Key Takeaways:
- God's Plans for Prosperity: God has plans for us to thrive in 2025, to flourish and blossom into our best selves. This involves entering our prime, being at the height of influence and excellence, and experiencing prosperity in every area of life. We are called to embrace this vision and believe in God's promises for us. [01:20]
- Flourishing Like a Palm Tree: The palm tree symbolizes victory, resilience, and the ability to thrive in harsh conditions. As believers, we are called to embody these qualities, standing strong amidst challenges and growing in our faith. This year, we will flourish like palm trees, resilient and fruitful. [05:23]
- Commitment to God: To thrive, we must be all in with our commitment to God, making Christ the center of our lives. This involves prioritizing His kingdom, being dedicated in our spiritual practices, and aligning our lives with His will. Our dedication will lead to spiritual growth and prosperity. [19:48]
- Maximizing Godly Potential: We are called to maximize our godly potential by being doers of the Word. This means following God's script for our lives, making necessary changes, and growing spiritually. By doing so, we become the best versions of ourselves and experience God's blessings. [33:46]
- Producing Fruit for God: Our purpose is to produce fruit for God, engaging in good deeds and leading others to Christ. This involves actively participating in God's work, mentoring others, and being a light in the world. By fulfilling our purpose, we align with God's plan and open the door to His blessings. [39:55]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:20] - God's Plans for 2025
[02:35] - Thriving and Flourishing
[04:09] - The Righteous Will Flourish
[05:23] - Symbolism of the Palm Tree
[08:52] - Community and Resilience
[10:03] - Growing Like a Cedar
[11:21] - Embracing God's Promises
[14:28] - Vision for Thriving
[17:55] - Meeting God's Conditions
[19:48] - Being All In for God
[21:24] - Prioritizing God's Kingdom
[23:39] - Dedication and Commitment
[28:26] - Prayer and Spiritual Growth
[29:31] - Vision and Belief
[32:33] - Maximizing Potential
[33:46] - Following God's Script
[35:52] - Growing in God
[37:12] - Producing Fruit for God
[39:55] - God's Purpose for Us
[42:34] - Community and Mentorship
[44:02] - Seriousness About God's Work
[45:04] - God's Amazing Future
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Jeremiah 29:11
2. Psalm 92:12-14
3. Matthew 6:33
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Jeremiah 29:11, what are the key elements of God's plans for us, and how do they relate to the message of thriving in 2025? [01:20]
2. In Psalm 92:12-14, what characteristics of the palm tree and cedar of Lebanon are highlighted, and how do these characteristics symbolize the life of a believer? [04:09]
3. How does the sermon describe the qualities of a palm tree, and why are these qualities significant for believers facing challenges in 2025? [05:23]
4. What does Matthew 6:33 suggest about the priorities of a believer, and how does this relate to the concept of being "all in" with our commitment to God? [21:24]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the imagery of flourishing like a palm tree and growing like a cedar of Lebanon in Psalm 92:12-14 help us understand God's vision for our lives in 2025? [04:09]
2. What does it mean to be "all in" with our commitment to God, and how might this level of dedication impact our spiritual growth and prosperity? [19:48]
3. How can having a clear vision for thriving, as mentioned in the sermon, influence our faith and actions in the coming year? [29:31]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that producing fruit for God aligns us with His purpose and opens the door to His blessings? [39:55]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current level of commitment to God. What specific steps can you take to make Christ the center of your life in 2025? [19:48]
2. Consider the qualities of a palm tree—resilience, victory, and the ability to thrive in harsh conditions. How can you embody these qualities in your personal challenges this year? [05:23]
3. What is your personal vision for thriving in 2025? Take a moment to visualize what flourishing looks like for you and share it with the group. [29:31]
4. Identify one area of your life where you feel you are not maximizing your godly potential. What changes can you make to align more closely with God's script for your life? [33:46]
5. Think about a recent opportunity you had to produce fruit for God. How did you respond, and what can you do to be more proactive in engaging in good deeds and leading others to Christ? [39:55]
6. How can you prioritize God's kingdom in your daily life, ensuring that your actions and decisions reflect your commitment to His will? [21:24]
7. Reflect on a time when you felt you were in your prime, at the height of influence and excellence. What factors contributed to that season, and how can you recreate those conditions in 2025? [02:35]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing God's Vision for Prosperity
In 2025, God has extraordinary plans for us, plans that will lead us to thrive, flourish, and blossom into the best versions of ourselves. Drawing from Jeremiah 29:11, we are reminded that God has meticulously crafted plans for our prosperity and success. This year, we are called to enter our prime, to be at the height of our influence and excellence. The imagery of flourishing like a palm tree and growing like a cedar of Lebanon from Psalm 92 paints a vivid picture of resilience, strength, and prosperity. Palm trees symbolize victory and resilience, thriving even in harsh conditions, while cedar trees represent longevity, strength, and wealth. This year, we are to embody these qualities, standing strong amidst challenges and growing in every aspect of our lives. [01:20]
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)
Reflection: What specific area of your life do you need to trust God with to experience His prosperity and success this year?
Day 2: Flourishing Amidst Challenges
The palm tree symbolizes victory, resilience, and the ability to thrive in harsh conditions. As believers, we are called to embody these qualities, standing strong amidst challenges and growing in our faith. This year, we will flourish like palm trees, resilient and fruitful. The palm tree's ability to thrive in difficult environments is a testament to its resilience and strength. Similarly, we are encouraged to remain steadfast in our faith, trusting in God's promises and relying on His strength to overcome obstacles. By doing so, we can experience growth and victory in our spiritual journey. [05:23]
"The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God." (Psalm 92:12-13, ESV)
Reflection: How can you cultivate resilience in your faith to thrive amidst the challenges you face today?
Day 3: Total Commitment to God
To thrive, we must be all in with our commitment to God, making Christ the center of our lives. This involves prioritizing His kingdom, being dedicated in our spiritual practices, and aligning our lives with His will. Our dedication will lead to spiritual growth and prosperity. By centering our lives around Christ, we open ourselves to His transformative power, allowing Him to shape us into the people He has called us to be. This commitment requires intentionality and perseverance, as we seek to align our actions and decisions with God's purpose for our lives. [19:48]
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33, ESV)
Reflection: What practical steps can you take today to make Christ the center of your life and prioritize His kingdom?
Day 4: Maximizing Your Godly Potential
We are called to maximize our godly potential by being doers of the Word. This means following God's script for our lives, making necessary changes, and growing spiritually. By doing so, we become the best versions of ourselves and experience God's blessings. This involves actively engaging with Scripture, applying its teachings to our lives, and allowing it to guide our decisions and actions. As we grow in our understanding of God's Word, we are empowered to live out our faith in meaningful ways, impacting those around us and fulfilling our God-given purpose. [33:46]
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you actively apply God's Word to your life today to maximize your spiritual growth?
Day 5: Producing Fruit for God's Kingdom
Our purpose is to produce fruit for God, engaging in good deeds and leading others to Christ. This involves actively participating in God's work, mentoring others, and being a light in the world. By fulfilling our purpose, we align with God's plan and open the door to His blessings. As we invest in the lives of others and share the love of Christ, we contribute to the growth of God's kingdom and experience the joy of seeing lives transformed by His grace. This calling challenges us to step out in faith, trusting that God will use our efforts to bring about His purposes. [39:55]
"By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples." (John 15:8, ESV)
Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you can intentionally invest in and mentor to help them grow in their faith?
Quotes
God wants us to be in our prime this year. God wants us to be at the height of fame, of excellence, and influence this year. And another word that jumped out at me as I started thinking about this, praying about this, this really rose up in my heart, is the word blossom. And the word blossom means to flourish. You can see how these words all fit together, to develop. [00:02:54] (24 seconds)
So God's saying the righteous are going to blossom like a palm tree. The righteous are going to spread our wings. We're going to fly this year, right? I hate to think about it, but there are some songs that many of us are very familiar with, about flying. That's all I'm going to say about that. But the point is that God's saying that we will flourish like a palm tree this year. [00:05:23] (20 seconds)
And that really jumps into the scripture we just read where the Bible says that the righteous will bear fruit even in old age. And see, this is really God's picture for you, that you remember the Lord in the days of your youth, and you're still producing sweet fruit for God in your old age. And God is saying here that that's what the righteous will experience. [00:07:16] (22 seconds)
Another study of this said this about the palm trees, that they are flexible, that they survive winds and storms because of that, that they're actually made to be malleable. And so the idea we can get from this is to not be hard -hearted or stubborn, not even to be stuck in our ways about how God will fix the problems that we're facing. [00:07:55] (22 seconds)
Come on, this is the way things work with God, is that with God, you've got to accept it. You know, the Bible says in Hebrews chapter 4 about a group of people that the word of God that was given to them did not prosper. You know, the Bible says in Hebrews chapter 4 about a because it wasn't mixed with faith. [00:11:21] (17 seconds)
Be all in with your commitment to God. What do you mean by that? Well, let's read Colossians chapter three in verse four. It says, When Christ, who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. If we were to back up a couple of scriptures, we find out that the Apostle Paul is telling the church of Colossae to set their affection on heavenly things, to put their heart into things that God cares about rather than things that the world cares about. [00:19:48] (33 seconds)
He is not an appendage added on to my life. He is my life. You know, Matthew 6, 33 says, seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things. We'll be added to you. Well, the things are the food and the clothes and all the other things that we really like in this world. The problem we have sometimes is that we seek first the things that we want to add Christ to us. [00:20:56] (28 seconds)
Four things you need to do to thrive in 2025. Be all in with your commitment to God. Have a vision for thriving, for blossoming this year. Maximize your godly potential and produce fruit for God. That's number four. Produce fruit for God. John 15, 16 says, you did not choose me, but I chose you. [00:38:11] (26 seconds)
We just finished a series called Good Deeds and we talked about the types of fruit we should be producing for God. There's six good deeds we should be doing, winning others to Jesus, mentoring others in Jesus. That's called discipleship, serving others, right? Praying for others, giving to others. God wants us to be doing these things, producing fruit to Jesus. [00:40:01] (31 seconds)
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