We are accustomed to saying, “Good morning,” but when you are suffering it may be difficult to know what is “good” and where that “good” can be found. Every human knows hardship. Today we will see firsthand from Paul’s personal experience how we can thrive in the face of suffering by taking to heart 1 Thessalonians 2:1-2.

Vision is vital. Whether it be in parenting, coaching, or running a business, a lack of vision can create a lot of confusion. God desires for Fellowship Bible Church to continue to thrive with a clear, Christ-centered vision. This Sunday we will see what God’s vision is for a LIFE-giving, disciple-making church in Colossians 1:28-29.

What are believers in a thriving church known for? The answer to this very important question may likely surprise you as we shall see this Sunday when we look at 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10. A truly thriving church is identified by three specific traits.

There are two key characteristics found in any church that is on track with what Jesus intended for His people. The health of Fellowship, and any church, can be measured in part by the prevalence of these two traits that the Apostle Paul highlights in 1 Thessalonians 1:5-8 as we will see this Sunday.

Every parent wants their children to thrive. God is no exception. There are certain elements that must be present for a church to have genuine spiritual health. In 1 Thessalonians 1:1-4 we find three key features of a thriving church that is “growing deep and reaching out.” As we will see this Sunday, the signs of life are everywhere when God is manifesting these traits in His people.

If you want to know how to live with hope in this upcoming year, then you will want to take to heart the powerful words Jesus gives us in Matthew 6:25-34. So much of our peace, sense of well-being, and perspective will be directly tied to how we see God applying this life-giving passage to our hearts. I am praying that 2021 will be a significant year of growing in the grace of Christ for each of us and all of us as a body of believers in this new year.

Ten months ago, our economic, social, and community health prospects indicated a bright future in many respects. In a matter of days that bright outlook dimmed as we found ourselves in the throes of the unexpected, the unthinkable—a worldwide pandemic. It has taken lives. It has affected our political system and challenged the greatest healthcare system in the world. It has genuinely altered the way we live. Multiple sources have given us unfamiliar and often conflicting advice and instruction for health and safety. While we may have been blindsided, God has not. As His children, we must turn to His word to learn how to reflect His light in the face of the unexpected.

This Sunday we are going to discover the heart of a worshipful life that is displayed in one of the most overlooked songs of Christmas. In order to really know the joy God gives to the world in sending Christ, we need to have humility. This song of praise, “The Magnificat” found in Luke 1:46-56, will show us exactly what humility of heart looks like as it exalts the greatness of our God.

Every one of us has sung, “Joy to the World”. The question is, “How do we live with joy?” We begin to answer this question by considering an often-overlooked scene in the Christmas story recorded in Luke 1:39-45. These were life-changing events for Mary and Elizabeth and will be for us as we look at them this Sunday.

Weekly Bible-based messages of encouragement and hope. Grow Deep in your faith and Reach Out to our world! Get connected at fellowshipwaco.org!