Today, we gathered to focus on the transformative journey from merely surviving to truly thriving in our lives. We began by lifting our prayers for those affected by the fires in California, asking for divine intervention and support for those in need. We also celebrated the election of Alan Reisman as our new mayor, praying for wisdom and unity as he leads our city. As a community, we are committed to supporting one another, whether through prayer, participation in community events like the MLK Junior Parade, or through our ongoing fast, which challenges us to grow spiritually.

The heart of our message today is the call to move beyond a survival mentality. Surviving is often marked by a mindset of just getting by, holding on, or maintaining the status quo. However, God calls us to thrive, even amidst life's challenges. Thriving means embracing God's favor, standing firm in faith, and believing that we are more than conquerors through Christ. We are reminded that life's difficulties, like the ill-shaped pieces of a puzzle, can seem senseless on their own. Yet, when placed in the context of God's greater plan, they contribute to a beautiful picture of His purpose for our lives.

To thrive, we must first see ourselves as thrivers, not just survivors. This involves claiming God's promises and allowing His Word to shape our perspective. We explored the imagery of the palm tree and the cedar in Lebanon, symbols of resilience and strength. Like these trees, we are called to stand firm, rooted in faith, and to flourish despite adversity. Our trials are not without purpose; they are opportunities for growth and testimony, allowing us to extend our branches to others in need.

Finally, we acknowledged that the process of thriving often involves enduring challenges and setbacks. Yet, through these trials, God's grace is sufficient, and His strength is made perfect in our weakness. We are encouraged to trust in His timing and to remain steadfast, knowing that He is in control and working all things together for our good.

**Key Takeaways:**

1. **Prayer and Community Support:** We are called to pray for those in need, whether they are affected by natural disasters or personal struggles. Our prayers and community support can be a source of strength and encouragement for others. [12:39]

2. **From Surviving to Thriving:** God desires for us to move beyond a survival mentality and embrace a life of thriving. This involves seeing ourselves as thrivers, claiming God's promises, and believing in His favor, even in the midst of trials. [33:14]

3. **The Power of Perspective:** Life's challenges can seem like ill-shaped puzzle pieces, but when viewed in the context of God's greater plan, they contribute to a beautiful picture. Trusting in God's sovereignty allows us to see beyond our current circumstances. [43:11]

4. **Resilience and Strength:** Like the palm tree and cedar, we are called to stand firm and flourish despite adversity. Our trials are opportunities for growth and testimony, enabling us to extend our branches to others in need. [49:50]

5. **Enduring the Process:** Thriving often involves enduring challenges and setbacks. God's grace is sufficient, and His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Trust in His timing and remain steadfast, knowing that He is working all things together for our good. [55:33]

**Youtube Chapters:**

[00:00] - Welcome
[12:39] - Prayers for Community and Leadership
[15:35] - Church Growth and Community Involvement
[31:41] - The Challenge of Fasting
[33:14] - From Surviving to Thriving
[38:23] - Testimony of Resilience
[43:11] - The Puzzle Piece Perspective
[45:32] - Claiming God's Promises
[48:13] - Flourishing Like Trees
[49:50] - The Palm Tree and Cedar Analogy
[51:25] - Resilience in Adversity
[55:33] - Enduring the Process
[59:04] - God's Control and Timing
[01:00:49] - Strength in Weakness
[01:04:29] - Holy Spirit's Guidance
[01:08:11] - Trusting God's Plan
[01:10:11] - Invitation to Salvation
[01:14:04] - Closing Worship and Prayer

**Bible Study Discussion Guide**

**Bible Reading:**
1. 3 John 2: "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers."
2. Psalm 92:12-14: "The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing."
3. 2 Corinthians 12:9: "And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.'"

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**Observation Questions:**

1. What are the characteristics of the palm tree and cedar in Lebanon that were highlighted in the sermon, and how do they relate to resilience and strength? [49:50]

2. How does the sermon describe the transition from a survival mentality to a thriving mentality? [33:14]

3. What role does community support and prayer play in the journey from surviving to thriving, according to the sermon? [12:39]

4. How does the sermon use the imagery of puzzle pieces to explain life's challenges and God's greater plan? [43:11]

---

**Interpretation Questions:**

1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that seeing oneself as a "thriver" rather than a "survivor" can change one's perspective on life's challenges? [33:14]

2. How does the concept of God's grace being sufficient in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9) relate to the idea of thriving amidst adversity? [01:00:49]

3. What does it mean to be "planted in the house of the Lord," and how does this contribute to flourishing according to Psalm 92:12-14? [49:50]

4. How does the sermon interpret the process of enduring challenges as part of God's plan for our growth and testimony? [55:33]

---

**Application Questions:**

1. Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How can you reframe it as an opportunity to thrive rather than just survive? [33:14]

2. Identify a promise from the Bible that you can claim in your current situation. How can this promise help you move from a survival mentality to a thriving mentality? [45:32]

3. Think of someone in your community who is struggling. How can you extend your "branches" to support them this week? [49:50]

4. What specific steps can you take to deepen your spiritual roots, like the palm tree, to withstand life's storms? [51:25]

5. How can you incorporate prayer and community support into your daily routine to help others and yourself thrive? [12:39]

6. Consider a time when you felt weak. How did you experience God's strength in that situation, and how can you apply that experience to current or future challenges? [01:00:49]

7. What is one area of your life where you need to trust in God's timing and remain steadfast, knowing that He is working all things together for your good? [55:33]

Day 1: The Power of Intercessory Prayer
In times of crisis, such as natural disasters or personal struggles, the power of prayer and community support becomes evident. Prayer is not just a ritual but a profound act of intercession that can bring comfort and strength to those in need. As a community, we are called to lift up those who are suffering, whether they are affected by fires in California or facing personal challenges. Our prayers can be a source of hope and encouragement, reminding others that they are not alone. By coming together in prayer, we can create a network of support that uplifts and strengthens each member of our community. [12:39]

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." (James 5:16, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life is currently facing a challenge or crisis? How can you commit to praying for them consistently this week?


Day 2: Embracing a Thriving Mindset
God calls us to move beyond merely surviving and to embrace a life of thriving. This shift in mindset involves seeing ourselves as thrivers, not just survivors. It requires us to claim God's promises and believe in His favor, even amidst trials. Thriving is about standing firm in faith and recognizing that we are more than conquerors through Christ. By embracing this mindset, we can experience the fullness of life that God intends for us, even when faced with difficulties. [33:14]

"But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream." (Jeremiah 17:7-8, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel you are just surviving? How can you begin to shift your mindset to one of thriving in that area today?


Day 3: Seeing the Bigger Picture
Life's challenges can often feel like ill-shaped puzzle pieces that don't make sense on their own. However, when viewed in the context of God's greater plan, these pieces contribute to a beautiful picture of His purpose for our lives. Trusting in God's sovereignty allows us to see beyond our current circumstances and recognize that He is working all things together for our good. By adopting this perspective, we can find peace and assurance, even in the midst of uncertainty. [43:11]

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How might this situation fit into God's larger plan for your life?


Day 4: Resilience in Adversity
Like the palm tree and cedar, we are called to stand firm and flourish despite adversity. These trees symbolize resilience and strength, qualities that we are encouraged to embody in our own lives. Our trials are not without purpose; they are opportunities for growth and testimony. By remaining rooted in faith, we can extend our branches to others in need, offering support and encouragement. This resilience allows us to thrive and flourish, even in the face of challenges. [49:50]

"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 life today? What practical steps can you take to stand firm in your faith amidst adversity?


Day 5: Trusting in God's Timing
The process of thriving often involves enduring challenges and setbacks. Yet, through these trials, God's grace is sufficient, and His strength is made perfect in our weakness. We are encouraged to trust in His timing and remain steadfast, knowing that He is in control and working all things together for our good. By surrendering to His plan, we can find peace and assurance, even when the path ahead is uncertain. [55:33]

"Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!" (Psalm 27:14, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's timing? How can you practice patience and trust in His plan this week?

So God wants to prosper us in all areas. That's not just financially, because look, he says in all things. and be in what? Health, just as your soul prospers. He said, I want you to be prospered physically, mentally, financially, as your soul is prospering every area of your life. Well, let's go to the Old Testament. King David, what did he say? Psalm 92, verse 12, the righteous. [00:47:44] (30 seconds)


Those that are planted in the house of the Lord. How many of you are planted in the house of the Lord? How many of you are planted in the house of the Lord? How many of you are planted in this house? Or if not, if you're visiting, you're planted in the house. Raise your hand. It doesn't say those that are in a pot. Yeah, there it is. But those that are planted. You can have a tree planted in a pot and you can move it from place to place. [00:48:46] (27 seconds)


Palm trees have a different root system than other trees. Palm trees root system doesn't get smaller and smaller. Even the giant oak trees that we have around here, as you go down into the ground, the roots get smaller and smaller, but not with a palm tree. They stay relevant. The same size all the way down. And they go down and they work their way around rocks. They work their way around sand. They work their way continually going deeper until they can hit some form of moisture that's going to bring life to them. [00:51:25] (34 seconds)


I don't understand why there's suffering in this world except it's a fallen world everything you're going through is not God's fault God hadn't left you just because you're going through a difficulty and we'd love to claim the promise that Colson comes forth right today and strong but sometime we have to go through a process before we see the provision that process can be a lot of things it could be a setback it could be a delay it could be a trial it could be a sickness it could be a disappointment. [00:55:33] (39 seconds)


The reason I'm catching all the hell that I am in my life is because he's about to bless me. He's about to open some doors and the enemy is so scared that he's going to do everything to get me discouraged. You see, when you see a setback or a difficulty, you think it's a mistake, an accident. No, could be that it's strategic. Could be the delay that you're in. You're experiencing right now is an opportunity for God to do something beyond anything you could ever imagine in your life. [01:01:52] (32 seconds)


Regardless of your current circumstances, God's going to see you through to the other side if you will trust and obey and endure. Yep, you've been diagnosed with a life-threatening sickness. Find a promise of God. Stand on his word. Yep, your business is failing, but God's answer is for you. Yeah, your marriage is on the rocks, but give God first place in your life. [01:08:43] (33 seconds)

I thank the Savior. This is on, this is, I'm on. All right, throw me in the other mic. Thank you, sir. Thank you. Man, it's great to see you guys today.

We're going to take some time to pray, and you can remain standing, or you can be seated if you want. And if you get tired, you can rest a little bit.

But first of all, we want to pray for the fires in California. We have friends that are being affected by this. And we want to pray. And then second of all, we want to pray for needs that are in your life, and some other needs that are today.

So would you join me in prayer?

Father, we come to you. We faced hurricanes, and we faced a lot of disasters here. And Lord, we pray for our friends that are in California, and those that we don't even know. I know Pastor Mel and Des, the flames and the smoke are getting close. They're close to their house there, and so we just pray for them, and we pray for those. We pray for the churches. We pray for those churches that are opening their churches for people that are just displaced.

We thank you for Convoy of Hope that we support, that is on the ground right now. And Lord, we ask in your grace and your mercy, humbly, that you would send rains, maybe quench the wind, 80, 90 mile an hour gusts. Lord, we just pray. And we pray that in this, that what the enemy intended for evil, that you can turn out for good. We just pray that in your name.

And Lord, we pray for the needs that are here today. If you're here today and you have a need in your life, physically, emotionally, spiritually, would you just raise your hand? We want to pray for you. Those of you who are watching online, do the same thing, or just put in the chat host there that you have a prayer request.

If you see somebody's hand up, would you just go and gently lay your hand on their shoulder, on their arm, and would you pray for them right now as we continue to pray?

Lord, you said for us to pray one for another, to encourage one another, lift one another up, stand in the gap for one another. So Lord, I pray today for people who came in today and they came in with a need, a disappointment, a sickness, a frustration. And I pray, God, that in the midst of that, that you will show your glory and your strength and your power.

Lord, we just thank you for what you're doing. We thank you for what you will do. And we just give you the glory in your name, in your name, in your name.

Well, one more prayer we want to pray today. We have a newly elected mayor. He's one of our own. He's Alan Reisman. And so proud of this young man. So I'm going to ask him to give us a few prayer points that we as a church can pray for him, for our city. Isn't that awesome?

And then you, church, to me, we're families. But just stretch out your hand. What an awesome, awesome, awesome responsibility, Alan.

God raised you up for such a time as this.

Father, I pray. I pray for our mayor, Alan Reisman. First of all, we're just so proud of this young man and his heart, his integrity. And God, I pray from the top of his head to the sole of his feet that you'll saturate him with your Holy Spirit.

And God, as he prayed and asked for unity and to carry forth the agenda for this city to grow and as we're growing and expanding to be able to know how to do that. To be able to reach back to the old heads of this city and to reach out to the new people that you're bringing and bring them together in such a way that we're not a divided city. It's not them against us, but it's us moving forward in your kingdom for such a time as this. You're raising up Alan Reisman. Grace him, fill him with your spirit in Jesus' name. Amen.

Let's continue to worship.

We're grateful for your rope. We do something more than life itself. We're precious.

What are you doing? Integrated it can become an endless fire. Amen.

Well, it's great to see you today. Looking through and the house is almost full today. So, you know, some people come in a little later. So if the usher asks you to sort of squash in, squeeze in, please cooperate with that. That'll help us. Thank you for helping spread the word of how the church is growing.

Hey, if you don't have your notes, raise your hand. They'll give you a copy right now. Let me just mention a couple of things. Thanks for all those of you that are watching online. We pray for those of you that are sick and we pray that you get healed quick.

All right. And this week, Friday, I mean, Saturday, we are participating in the MLK Junior Parade downtown. And we're looking for motorcycle riders, walkers, bicyclers. And you can go to our website, find the information and sign up. We'll be joined down there. We want to support our community. We want to stand as a church. And we've always done this since they've done the parade. We've always been there. So I really encourage you to come. Come and stand and watch and cheer us on and support our community.

Also, we're in the midst of the fast. How are you guys doing? Are you hanging in there? People say, well, it's a little tough. Well, it's supposed to be tough. If it's easy, you know, it wouldn't be for people like you. But you're not wimps and for whatever level.

And I think Elisa said it really good this week or somebody did that if you fell off the wagon, just get back on the wagon. Don't beat yourself up and feel bad. You know, if you grabbed a Snickers bar when you thought you were grabbing a banana, you know, look, those things happen, happen to the best of us, you know.

And we have a brochure out there that'll help you with the fast. And man, those of you that have been doing the daily little reels, it's just so good. I mean, just so amazing, so wonderful. And thank you. Thank you. We're looking forward to seeing some great results at the end of this fast.

Well, let's pray.

Father, we love you. We so sense. I look across this church this morning and I see all the people that you've brought. And I just say, Lord, may you be glory as you draw people into your house. Thank you, God, for those that serve.

Thank you as we look into your word today. I pray that, Holy Spirit, that you would help me to say what you want me to say. Don't let me say anything I shouldn't say, but help me to say it in the right way, not to bring confusion, but to bring clarity.

And I pray at the end of this service today, above everything else, be edified, and the devil will be terrified in the name of Jesus.

Well, it's been one of those nights. The Lord kept me awake all night long, got me up at 3:30 this morning praying for you. So if I spend a lot of time weeping today, it's just the overflow of what I'm sensing. And I hope you're sensing the same thing.

We're in this series called "Today is the Day." And really, the inspiration has come from Mel Fisher's expedition off the coast of Florida to try to find a sinking treasure. And so he went through that for 35 years, I think, a long time, and he lost his son in the midst of all of that. And he found over half of a billion dollars worth of treasury, and every day he would tell his team, "Today is the day."

Would you say it with me? "Today is the day." Chris took us off last week with a great teaching.

Today is the day to be all in. How many of you want to be all in? Say amen.

Well, today I want to talk about another aspect of this that months ago the Lord laid on my heart. Today is the day to move from suffering and surviving to thriving.

How many of you ever made that journey from surviving to thriving?

So what is surviving? You say, well, isn't surviving enough? You know, we wear those t-shirts, "I survived Hurricane Katrina," you know, "I survived divorce," or "I survived," you know, a lot of stuff came to my mind, but I won't say it.

And so if we're not careful, we develop a survivor mentality and we become the victim, and we play the victim, and we always talk about the victim. Well, 20 years ago something happened to me, victim, victim, victim, victim, and we're in survivor mentality and not thriving.

Surviving is sort of like, well, pray that I can just hold on. If I can just make it through another day, just another week, just another year, or you know, just pray that I can maintain status quo. Just pray that I can keep my head above water. You know, I'm sinking. And you know, just pray I, you know, I've been an addict all my life. I've asked God to deliver me, but it hasn't happened, so I guess I'll just live with it.

I'll just live with it. My marriage is dull and dry, but I really don't expect it to change, so I guess I'll just survive. I'll get by.

No, today I'm going to challenge us not to just survive but to thrive. You may go through the fire, you may go through the famine, you may go through the flood, but God's favor is on you, and you're coming out the other side.

Here may, here should be our prayer: I may be knocked down, but I'm not knocked out, and I'm not going to stay down. Today I'm getting up because I'm going to learn to thrive and not just survive. Amen.

Well, thank you for wearing your "Maggie Strong" shirts today. For those of you who don't know, these shirts are in honor of my personal assistant that has been under an attack of the enemy for six months. For six months, she has been under the weather, has been close to death more than one time.

But in the midst of all of that, even when I would call her and she could barely talk or couldn't talk, she would text. I never heard whining, but I always heard the voice of a winner.

And so today, as an example of this series that we're in, to be a thrive and not just survive, she's actually with us for the first time in six months. Maggie, would you come and join us on stage?

I asked Maggie to just give me a little blip, and she gave that to me. But today she was able to come and stay close to her Lonnie. And so I probably made this hard for you to follow up with all my tears.

Your faces. We missed you.

I know. Never. Never. It's not a example of where some of you are today. Maybe it's not cancer. Maybe it's divorce. Maybe it's a financial crisis. Maybe it's sickness. Maybe it's a loss of job. For whatever it is.

But my desire is that today is the day that we realize we don't have to just survive, but we can thrive for the glory of God. That may not be that you feel it. I mean, even as Maggie came up today, she was so weak, and we didn't know she was going to be able to make that.

But it's not about, as she said, it's not about us, but it's about Him.

So how do I move from just surviving to thriving? And I think just two things I want to talk about today.

Number one, you got to see yourself thriving, not just surviving. See yourself thriving. Look at your neighbor and say, "See yourself thriving." Tell them you're not a survivor, but you're a thriver.

Sometimes we have to survive before we thrive. We all go through difficulties.

Anybody here never had a difficulty? All right. We all go through setbacks. We all go through loss. We all go through disappointment, all of those things. And when it happens, it doesn't make sense.

Pastor Ben, in between, before service started, I said, "Help me with my theology," you know, because sometimes things happen to people that are innocent. And he was sharing with me the tragic story of his son, the battle that he had with slowly dying and struggling in the midst of that. And the question is all still, why?

But we both talked about, we've learned to never put a question mark where God has put a period, because God understands it all.

You see, the thing you're going through right now would be like if you were, if you never saw a puzzle and somebody handed you a puzzle piece and said, "Look at this, isn't this beautiful?" You say, "Beautiful? This is an ill-shaped piece. Doesn't make sense. Doesn't feel good. It doesn't look good. How can you say this puzzle piece is something beautiful?"

Because you see, when you put the puzzle piece in its context, it creates a picture that's so beautiful. And you say, but by itself, it's not there. Some of you right now are holding the puzzle piece. You say, "How can God use this? How can this be from God?"

And I'm saying, I'm not saying that sickness and disaster is from God. I'm not saying that, but I'm saying that He is sovereign. He allows things in our life. He allows things to come. And right now it looks like an ill-shaped puzzle piece, but if we react in the right way and not just become survivors, but thrivers, He can put that piece in the final place and it all looks and He says, "Oh, now that makes sense. Now I understand why that I went through that."

And so how do I see myself? You say, "Well, Terry, how do I see myself thriving and not just surviving?" Well, you got to take a promise from this book. It's not just self-awareness that, okay, I'm going to do better. I'm going to reprogram my mind, I'm going to say these things. No, it's finding a promise in this book that I don't have to just survive, but I can thrive.

And one of my favorite ones is 3 John 2. Beloved, I pray that you may prosper. Say prosper.

Prosper in the original language here. Write this down if you want. Means to have a good journey. He said, "I want you to have a good journey." Also, it's talking about in all areas of your life.

Now, let me say, as soon as you say the word prosper or prosperity, some of our antennas go up. Oh no, prosperity theology. Okay, we don't bite total prosperity theology, but I do bite and accept being prosperous. All right, prosperity or having nothing. Which of those you think will God use?

God can take wherever we are. I've had little and I've had lots, and I'll tell you, I'd rather have lots. How about you?

I'm standing here today and I say, it's all right for you to be prosperous and for God to bless you and don't be embarrassed when He prospers you. And if you're struggling right now without a job, without financial support, I'm going to tell you, hang in there, learn that you're not a survivor, but you're a thriver.

And you're going to come out on the other side and you're going to say, "I've been there and I had nothing, but God brought me through that." And I'm thanking God that He's prospered me.

So God wants to prosper us in all areas. That's not just financially, because look, He says in all things and be in what? Health, just as your soul prospers. He said, "I want you to be prospered physically, mentally, financially, as your soul is prospering every area of your life."

Well, let's go to the Old Testament. King David, what did he say? Psalm 92, verse 12, "The righteous."

How many of you today would consider yourself righteous? Simply means that you're not, doesn't mean that you're perfect, but you're made righteous because of the blood of Jesus Christ. Would you raise your hand and say, "That's me. I am righteous."

Say it. "I am righteous. I am righteous."

It says, "The righteous shall just survive."

The righteous shall always whine and complain about they have nothing. The righteous shall always complain about how that they're going through the dark period of their life. Nope. The righteous shall whine. Flourish.

The Hebrew word here is the righteous will stand out. They will shine. Or I could say they will thrive.

And how he says the righteous shall flourish like a palm tree and he shall grow up like a cedar in Lebanon. Underline those two trees. We're going to go back and look at them in a minute.

Those that are planted in the house of the Lord. How many of you are planted in the house of the Lord? How many of you are planted in the house of the Lord? How many of you are planted in this house? Or if not, if you're visiting, you're planted in the house. Raise your hand.

It doesn't say those that are in a pot. Yeah, there it is. But those that are planted. You can have a tree planted in a pot and you can move it from place to place. Some people are just movers. They're one pot moved to another pot. They're never planted.

But it says those that are planted in the house of the Lord. You've found a place. The church is not an accident. The church is a place that God created to bring people together. The church is the fulfillment of His glory and His power.

If you've never found a church that you need to be part of, you need to find that and pray. And if we're not right for you, if our stylistics are not right for you, I've got a lot of great pastor friends in this town. I recommend that you go too.

But you need to get into growth track. You need to be planted in this house. Why should you be planted in this house? So that we have more people? No. So that those that are planted in the house of the Lord shall what? Flourish. They'll thrive.

The word flourish there means be vigorous in the courts of God. They shall bear fruit in old age. I'm claiming that one. And they shall be fresh and flourishing.

So why did he use palm tree and cedar tree? Well, we live in Florida, so we know a palm tree. We know when the hurricane comes. The hurricane puffs and blows. Blows all the palm branches off and they fall down.

And when the hurricane is over, that palm tree has been bent over almost to the ground. But somehow after the wind ceases, it's able to pull itself back up. And if you look at that palm tree, you'd say it's through. It's over. Just like some of you.

You've been through it. The wind has been through it. It's over. It's over. It's over. It's over. It's over. It's over. It's over. It's over.

Blowing on you. You've lost all your foliage. You lost all the greenery and you've been almost bent to the ground. But after the wind blew, you got back up and people look at you and say, "Oh, there's not much hope for you. I don't see how your marriage is going to stand. I don't see how your finances are going to stand."

But you know this, those that are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish like a palm tree. I'm like a palm tree. You can blow me over. It's just like, I'm going to keep back up and I'm going to keep on ticking.

And we know palm trees tolerate high temperatures and little rainfall. We all go through those desert experiences. Palm trees have a different root system than other trees.

Palm trees' root system doesn't get smaller and smaller. Even the giant oak trees that we have around here, as you go down into the ground, the roots get smaller and smaller, but not with a palm tree. They stay relevant. The same size all the way down.

And they go down and they work their way around rocks. They work their way around sand. They work their way continually going deeper until they can hit some form of moisture that's going to bring life to them.

So some of you right now, you've been through it. You've been through the desert, but you know what? Because your root system goes down deep into this word and the power of the Holy Spirit, come hell or high water or no water, you're able to say, "I'm still standing."

It's a desert experience. Nothing great is happening right now, but I'm standing for the glory of God. I'm not going to survive, but I'm going to thrive.

And he said, "You're going to be like a cedar in Lebanon." Cedars are known for their durability. They have a pleasant appearance and they have a fragrant smell. They'll grow 120 feet tall and their branches will extend out 30 feet. They're majestic. They cover.

You see, some of you've been through a lot. See, what you've been through brings you to who you are. The test has created your testimony. And in your testimony, you're able to put out your branches to other people that are going through the same thing you're going through or been through.

And you're able to create a cedar effect over them. And you give out a fragrant smell and they'll say, "There's just something about you." Walk in the room. Like Maggie said, "There's just something that's happening in this room."

Isn't that happened to you on your job? People say, "I don't know what it is about you, but when I get near you, I just feel the presence of the Lord." It's because you've been to hell and back. And now you're standing strong like a cedar and you're able to spread out the branches 30 feet in diameter and say, "Come on, stand under my shadow. Look at me. I've been down there. I was just a survivor, but I'm a thriver today."

If you accept that, give the Lord a hand clap right now. Amen.

Endure the process that comes with the promise and you'll receive the provision. What I find when I study this book, some of the promises of God are unconditional, but the majority of the promises are conditional.

That means there's something that I need. A lot of times we reach in here, we'll claim a promise from God, we'll confess it, and we believe that it should happen in the next 30 seconds.

Anybody besides me say amen?

Anybody besides me that doesn't have a lot of patience? You'd like to have it done yesterday?

Anybody? I would have loved for Maggie to have been healed a month ago, and I would have loved for you to have seen your breakthrough before today. We've been praying for these.

I don't understand why there's suffering in this world except it's a fallen world. Everything you're going through is not God's fault. God hadn't left you just because you're going through a difficulty.

And we'd love to claim the promise that Colson comes forth right today and strong, but sometimes we have to go through a process before we see the provision.

That process can be a lot of things. It could be a setback, it could be a delay, it could be a trial, it could be a sickness, it could be a disappointment.

Jesus went through the process of fasting. God says, "Thou art my beloved son in whom I'm well pleased." Yay, Daddy, I'm ready for ministry. Not quite, son. Before you walk into provision, says the Spirit, the Holy Spirit drove him in the wilderness 40 days and 40 nights through some of the most excruciating pain—the process.

But when he comes out the other side, ah, ah, get behind me, Satan. You're not going to stop what God is doing.

Some of you right now are in the process, but in the process, you can't give up on the promise that He's given you. And no, you're moving to the provision.

Look at James 1:2-4: "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles..." and then he says of any kind, just in case that your trouble you don't think is in there, just in case any kind comes your way.

So when I look at that, I could say in parentheses, the process. So dear brothers and sisters, when the process comes your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.

For you know, in other words, you know something. That's why I'm standing up here today, because I want you to know something, that God hasn't abandoned you. He gave you a promise. You're in the process right now that may be painful, may be difficult, but I know that on the other side of that, I know, I know there's something waiting.

And he says that when your faith is tested, that's the process. So how's my attitude? How's my actions? If God doesn't answer the prayer the way that I want or when I get, did I just give up? Do I quit?

No, I'm going to stand. And if He, I'm going to be like Job. If you, if you slay me, I'm going to still trust you. You're still God. I don't know all the answers.

I wish I could give you an answer of why you're struggling, of why you're trying your best to hold your marriage together, and it just seems like you're the only one, and you're firm. You're going to stand in that.

I wish I could tell you that it would be easy, but I'm just saying this. You claim the promise of God. You know the provision is coming, and you stand in the process that no matter what happens, though He slay me, as Job said, yet I will trust Him.

In the 1980s, a team of NASA scientists studied a colony of bees, and they took them into space. As the rocket left the earth, grabbing them, and they took them into space. And they took them into space. And they took them into gravity.

The astronauts noticed that one by one, the bees started dying off. Because when they got out of gravity, and they had to stop pushing to fly, they just became at ease, and without the opposition, they weren't who they needed to be, and they died. Every one of them.

I'm telling you right now, the process that you hate, the process that I despise, is the very thing that God is doing.

And I'm telling you right now, the process that you hate, is the very thing that God is using to test the quality of your faith and take you to the place that you can leave saying, "I will thrive with God's help."

I'm telling you today, God is still in control. It was Satan that had to ask God, "Let me test Job."

The old prophet in my life said to me years ago, "Terry, nothing passes God's, nothing comes to you that doesn't pass God's desk."

And he says, "God is still in control." And I'm telling you right now, the process that you hate, the process that you handle the furnace, okay, he can handle that.

The enemy may turn on the furnace, but God controls the thermostat of how much pain, how much adversity, how much heat. Don't allow yourself to lapse into survival mentality. Claim or blame God.

Just simply say, "God, I may not understand this, but I know you're in control. You said you would work all things together for good to those that are called according to your purpose."

I don't know how you're going to do it, but I know you can take this process and make it to your advantage.

2 Corinthians 12:9. And he said, "My grace is sufficient for you."

I read that and he says, "My power, my anointing is sufficient for you." In other words, he's saying, "You're going to be all right."

Look at your neighbor and say, "You're going to be all right. You're going to make it. I see you as a thriver."

He says, "My strength or my power is made perfect in your weakness."

Paul is saying, listen to this. The way to get power is to walk through weakness. To walk through weakness. Problems, to walk through setbacks, to walk through trials.

Therefore, most gladly, I would rather boast in my infirmities or my weakness that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

When you're in a storm and a trial and you feel so weak you don't think you can make it another day, just wake up thinking this, hmm, God's about to do something.

The reason I'm catching all the hell that I am in my life is because He's about to bless me. He's about to open some doors and the enemy is so scared that he's going to do everything to get me discouraged.

You see, when you see a setback or a difficulty, you think it's a mistake, an accident. No, could be that it's strategic.

Could be the delay that you're in. You're experiencing right now is an opportunity for God to do something beyond anything you could ever imagine in your life.

Anita, come on up. Will you help me? And I just want to, I kind of, give me the ball, Sean, if you will. It's football season, so I hope some of you are happy last night. I'm sorry the Steelers lost. But anyway, in life, just because we live in a fallen world, a lot of things are thrown at us, and we catch them or we choose not to catch them.

Have you ever wondered, as life throws things at you, why we catch some of the things that we catch? I mean, we reach out our hands and we catch whatever comes to us.

How many of you have ever caught something you wish you had never reached out to catch?

So, this deal comes to you, and you think it's the right business deal. But how about after about a week, you realize, nope, that wasn't a business deal that I should have caught.

Now, sometimes what comes our way is just the result of a fallen world. But sometimes it's a strategic attack of the enemy to say, "I'm going to destroy you, destroy you."

But here's a comment. Come on up. Help me, Princeton. I need some Holy Spirit help here. Come on up. Give Princeton a hand as he comes right now.

I think that if the Holy Spirit would take on a human nature, it'd probably look like you, Princeton, okay? You don't have to be tall in stature to be able to make a difference in people's lives.

Step on up just a little bit more, Princeton. Right there, buddy. Very good.

So, sometimes things that are intended for us, because I'm planted in the house of the Lord, now I feel sorry for some of you today that don't know Jesus, because you're on your own.

You got to figure, should I catch this or not? Is this mine or is it not? Should I catch this?

How many of you thought that person that you prayed for, this is the one? Aren't you so glad that that wasn't the one and you didn't catch that person?

So, sometimes, help me out.

Sometimes what is intended for us, the Holy Spirit intercepts. And what he's saying is, "Not now. Terry's not able to handle this right now. Maybe later, or not now. This business deal is not right."

I am so thankful that in my life, the Holy Spirit has often intercepted things in my life that would have destroyed me.

How many of you believe that?

But then here's what I know. At the right time, the Holy Spirit may turn and he may give to you what you prayed for, maybe in a different form or in a different way.

I love to receive things from the Holy Spirit's hands rather than just the hands of the enemy, wouldn't you?

Now sometimes, sometimes we try to wrestle things out of the Holy Spirit's hands.

I prayed and I prayed and I'll make this happen if it just destroys everybody and everything. This is my time. This is my, this is my time. This is mine. This is my ministry. I will raise up my ministry. This is my business. I will raise up my business.

And you miss God's timing. You're not willing to be hidden until God himself reveals you to someone. That's a word for somebody today.

You wrestle out the hands of God prematurely what He wanted to do for you, and you're not able to stay hidden until He raises you up.

But here's what I also know, all right? Sometimes the Holy Spirit is standing, and He's watching you, and He sees what's coming.

See, that's how we explain, Maggie, that's how we explain the twins. That's how we explain what you're going through.

In the scheme of eternity, eternity, to use this to bring glory to myself and to expand my kingdom.

I never asked for a divorce. I never wanted to have a divorce. I never wanted to go through losing my job. I never wanted to have my friends turn their back on me. I never wanted to lose my family, lose everything I'd ever dreamed of. I never wanted to lose ministry. That wasn't my will. That wasn't what I had.

But I look back now, and I see how that God took that and how that He's used that to help restore so many other people who've gone through things like that.

I'm going to tell you, the setback, the business deal, the things that you're going through, the sickness, you wonder how, but you can stand in the middle of it, and you can squash, and you can cry, and you can quit and say, "I give up. I don't understand. God, it's not fair. Why?"

Don't put a question where He's put a period, but start looking because here's what you're going to see. You're going through that difficulty.

Often, the Holy Spirit just walks over beside you. He doesn't do anything. He doesn't take the difficulty out of your hands. He just stands there with you.

And then other times, when your hands are about to drop, He'll reach up, and He'll help hold your hands up.

Those that are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish. Thank you, guys. Give him a hand. Great job, Princeton.

Regardless of your current circumstances, God's going to see you through to the other side if you will trust and obey and endure.

Yep, you've been diagnosed with a life-threatening sickness. Find a promise of God. Stand on His word.

Yep, your business is failing, but God's answer is for you.

Yeah, your marriage is on the rocks, but give God first place in your life.

This week, a lot of things will be thrown at you, but let me remind you, you're not just a survivor, you're a thriver. You're like a tree, a cypress tree in Lebanon.

Wherever you go, people say, "Oh, there's just a fragrance around you." Palm tree. It takes a licking. It keeps on ticking.

The enemy hits you with your best shot, but you're rooted. You're anchored in Christ.

It's only a matter of time till your branches come forth and sing to the Lord.

Out of this today, would you give the Lord a hand clap?

Let me pray. Let me pray for you.

I know some of you right now are sitting there and you're just, you're just sort of, you're just, you're just, you're just shaking under the revelation that the Lord has spoke to you. Not what I said, but what He's personally speaking to you.

Some of you are sitting here today and the Lord's reassuring you that He hasn't brought you out yet, but He's going to bring you through.

There's a difference in the Lord bringing you out of something and bringing you through something.

I'm here to tell you today that God is going to bring you through if you don't give up.

It's not an accident that I taught this teaching today. It's not an accident about six months ago the Lord laid this on my heart, but today is the day.

Today is the day if you just start seeing yourself as not just a survivor but a thriver, knowing that you're going to come through the process and you're going to receive the provision.

As your head is bowed and your eyes closed, let me continue to pray for those of you today.

Now you'll say, you know what, Terry, when you talked earlier about feeling sorry for those that don't know Jesus, that's me. I don't really know Him. I've never surrendered my life to Him.

So anything that comes my way, I just sort of have to try to figure out on my own to take it or leave it.

Today's the day. Today's the day of your salvation. Today's the day of your salvation. Today's the day for you to say, "I surrender. I yield my life to you. I'd love for you to be the Lord of my life, to be my Savior."

Jesus loves you so much that He wanted you to hear this teaching today that you're not, you don't have to be alone.

You've been trying to figure things out on your own. Every January you have resolutions and I'm going to do better, I'm going to do better, I'm going to do better.

But today, but today He said, "I'm going to do better."

He's saying, "Nope, it's not just you doing better, but you let me come into your life and let me give you the strength. Let me send Holy Spirit to be with you."

Jesus loves you so much He died on the cross for your sins.

I know you think I'm unworthy. Yep, we all are unworthy. But He took our sins on the cross, not because we were worthy, but because of His grace.

If you're here today or you're watching online and you've never invited Jesus into your heart, into your life, would you raise your hand and make eye contact with me and let me pray with you today?

Thank you. Others today, just raise your hand and make eye contact with me. Thank you. Thank you.

Raise your hand with those that are raising their hands this morning. I want to pray with you and for you. And if you're watching online, just say, "That's me. That's me."

Church, would you pray this prayer with me today?

Today, Father God, thank you for sending your son Jesus to die for my sins. I realize I am nothing without you. I don't deserve you, but you died on the cross for my sins.

So today, I say, forgive me of my sins. Come into my life. Be my Lord and Savior and fill me with your Spirit. In Jesus' name, amen.

Church, would you celebrate with those who prayed that prayer today?

If you prayed that prayer today, please go to our first step on each side. We got some materials. Don't miss next week. Pastor Ben has the most amazing teaching.

Today is the day to walk in the power of resurrection. Next Sunday is going to be Baptism Sunday. If you've never been baptized, we're going to do it in both services.

Hey, don't rush out. Let's stand, sing some of this song, worship God in this song.