We wanted to start the year well with Enjoyment, Expectation and Endurance.

We delved deep into 2 Timothy 2 and drew inspiration for the year ahead in the run up to our following Thrive series.

Here were the 3 basic goals of the series:

Enjoyment: 2019 is a gift from God. This year has never been lived by anyone before. Our lives are much shorter than we realize, and it’s self-sabotaging to fly past the fleeting gift of the gift God is giving. Rejoice in the Lord always.

Expectancy: 2019 is filled with promise. There are 1000s of promises in God’s Word. If you are already a follower of Jesus, perhaps you have sensed God speak personal promises to you, like he once did to Abraham. The promise God made to Abraham he makes to you: “I have plans to bless you, and to bless others through you.” God is able to do more than we can ask or even imagine. This is a great year to expect great things from God, and to attempt great things for God.

Endurance: 2019 is going to be challenging. It is much better to go into the year preparing for challenges and then find that things were easier than you had expected. Rather that than going into the year expecting ease and getting your unprepared butt kicked. When it comes to living life in general, and to following Christ in particular, hardships are guaranteed.

God wants you to grow in your joy, in your expectancy, and in your endurance. But God also wants us as a church to grow in our joy, in our expectancy and in our endurance.