November 27- Flourish- Intro
For the next month, Monday through Saturday, we will be using a devotional called, Flourish. Today, we begin with the introduction and author information:
To flourish, by definition, is to have healthy growth. For plants and trees, many factors must come together. They sprout in good soil with sun and water. Over time, they develop green leaves and strong roots. If left alone, they may produce some fruit or flowers, but with attentive care like pruning and trimming, they can have many blossoms and abundant fruit.
The same is true for people. If we plant ourselves in the right place, get regular nourishment, and form deep roots, we can weather storms and anticipate a rich harvest of fruit. But that only happens when we follow His righteous ways. Consider this biblical vision of flourishing.
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; He is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in Him.” Psalm 92:12-15
Want this to describe you? We do! That’s why we wrote FLOURISH. It’s a journey that starts with reflecting on where you are planted. You discover your role in producing fruits and in withstanding inevitable challenges. You also find your purpose in God’s plan and learn how to avoid becoming firewood. We suggest ways to approach God in dry times when you may feel disconnected from Him.
As authors and friends, we offer you this 30-day devotional freely because we want everyone to flourish. Share it. Go through it with others. Learn together. We include Scripture readings, reflections, a prayer, and purposeful daily practices. We hope you encounter the Lord with others in community in a new way that positions you for a long and fruitful life.
Gary G. Hoag, Ph.D. (New Testament – Trinity College, Bristol, UK) is a passionate follower of Jesus Christ known widely as the Generosity Monk. He posts daily meditations at generositymonk.com and has written or contributed to more than ten books. He speaks all over the world, bringing a biblical perspective to a wide range of topics. He provides spiritual and strategic counsel for church and nonprofit workers. He serves as a visiting professor at multiple seminaries around the world. As President & CEO of Global Trust Partners, he helps Christian workers champion the faithful administration and governance of God’s work globally.
Jenni Hoag, M.A. (Cross Cultural Education – Biola University; Graduate Certificate in Christian Formation and Soul Care – Denver Seminary) is dedicated to helping people anchor their lives to Jesus. She serves as a teacher, curriculum designer, program supervisor, and spiritual director for various churches and schools. Presently, she speaks widely, posts a fortnightly Spigot (soulcareanchoress.com), supervises graduate students, hosts retreats, and provides one-on-one spiritual direction. She specializes in suggesting spiritual practices for individuals and ministry teams.
Linda Maris (J.D. Marquette Law School) is the President of National Christian Foundation Wisconsin (ncfgiving.com/ wisconsin), where she leads a team dedicated to inspiring and facilitating charitable giving among Christians across Wisconsin. With a passion for leadership, philanthropy, and community development, Linda has dedicated her career to helping individuals, families, churches, and nonprofits maximize giving for Kingdom impact. Her expertise in Giving Strategies and Charitable Estate Giving have helped to shape the organization into a trusted resource making a meaningful difference in the lives of people and communities in Wisconsin.
November 28-Flourish- Pause
Is there yet any seed left in the barn? Until now, the vine and the fig tree, the pomegranate and the olive tree have not borne fruit. “From this day on, I will bless you.” Haggai 2:19
Flourishing starts right here, right now, with you. Don’t try to figure out the mystery of it or you will never experience it. Thomas Merton in New Seeds of Contemplation says it starts with “the love of God and seed of solitude planted in your soul.” He explains, “If you have to live in a city and work among machines and ride in the subways and eat in a place where the radio makes you deaf with spurious news and where the food destroys your life and the sentiments of those around you poison your heart with boredom, do not be impatient, but accept it as the love of God and a seed of solitude planted in your soul.”
Regardless of the unfruitfulness of your past or the chaos in your present, God envisions a future in which you flourish. The love of God and the seed of solitude are the starting points for growth. They come together to form a pause that has the potential to shape the rest of your life. You must tune out the noise and nonsense to experience it. Soak in the truth that God loves you. Read that again. Revel in it. It’s true.
God, I don’t want to leave any seed in the barn. I want to flourish like a tree. I pause to receive the blessing you have for me. Amen.
Each day, we suggest an application. Our advice today is to pause. Do it daily as you go through FLOURISH. The first and most important action is to be still. Concentrate on the pause. Maybe set a reminder on your phone. As you pause, reflect on the truth that God loves you and wants to bless you.
November 29-Flourish- Good Soil
It had been planted in good soil by abundant water so that it would produce branches, bear fruit, and become a splendid vine. Ezekiel 17:8
What makes good soil? It’s not littered with rocks and roots. It’s not filled with weeds and disease. It’s free of those things. But it also contains air and organic matter. Good soil offers nourishment.
The same is true for us. We must remove the rocks in our lives. They could be likened to issues from our past that we carry with us. We must dig them out and give them to God. Weeds are like destructive behaviors, and disease appears as unhealthy patterns we need to unlearn.
Like plants, we also need air and organic matter to nourish our souls. Think of air as creating space in our schedules. And consider organic matter as food that gives us life. We must feed daily on what is good and true.
This work can be described as cultivating and nourishing the soil of our heart. When we clean out what does not belong in our lives and create margin to nourish our souls, we position ourselves for flourishing.
God, I want to clean up the soil of my life. Teach me to make space for what my soul needs to grow into a splendid vine. Amen.
Get a journal and a Bible. Sit quietly. On one side of the paper, list any rocks, weeds, and disease in your life. Surrender those to God. On the other side, list life-giving things. Ask God to help you add those to the soil of your soul. Be sure to include the Word of God. Not sure where to start? Open your Bible to the book of Proverbs. Read a chapter a day this month to nourish your soul.
November 30-Flourish- Deep Roots
But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Mark 4:6
This is Jesus talking to us. He says that without roots, plants wither. He knows roots provide stability and nourishment. But He wants to give us more than a botany lesson. Jesus wants us to grasp that without roots, we wither. We need roots. They symbolize strength and depth.
Richard Foster starts his book, Celebration of Discipline, with this statement. “Superficiality is the curse of our age. The doctrine of instant satisfaction is a primary spiritual problem.
The desperate need today is not for a great number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people.” How do we move from shallow and superficial to deep and rooted? Let’s learn from plants. They grow over time by looking for water. Likewise, how we spend time impacts our root growth. For example, scrolling through social media or binge-watching TV shows might be fun activities, but in excess, they may prevent us from growing deep roots spiritually.
Instead, we gain depth if we do intentional activities like reading and study. When we pursue that which builds us up and makes us stronger, we grow roots. Remember, without roots we wither.
Jesus, I am starting to see that many of my choices have left me with shallow roots. I trust you to help me form deep roots. Amen.
Have coffee with a friend. Talk about this devotional you are reading. Invite them to join you. Share things that consume you (and make you shallow) and what you will choose to consume instead (to grow deep roots). Hold each other accountable. Don’t try to develop roots alone. Grow together.
December 1-Flourish- Blossom and Beauty
For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business. James 1:11
There’s a pursuit more valuable than financial riches. Many find that hard to believe because the world teaches us that money is the key to happiness. Many think money offers security. And it can intoxicate those who possess it, leading them to hoard wealth. Some try to amass more and more thinking they won’t have to worry about anything. But be warned because those who put their hope in money never have enough.
So, what should we do as we go about our business? We think it is helpful to pause and ask ourselves if we are aiming at the right target. When we do, we realize that money can’t buy the best and most beautiful things in life: love, friends, community, and the list goes on.
If we shine the light of the sun on the fact that many people scurry and worry about the wrong thing, here’s what we see: the secret to retaining blossom and beauty is to live for something more valuable than money. When we live for God, our blossom and beauty only get better with age, just like a tree. It grows tall, receives rain and light, and shares the gifts of beauty, shade, and fruit. That’s our role. It’s how to flourish.
Holy Spirit, teach me to value real beauty so that I can share my gifts like a tree. Amen.
Go outside. Look at a tree. What causes it to blossom? What makes it beautiful? What does it enjoy and share? How does reflecting on this tree teach you something about your own purpose and existence?
December 2-Flourish- Strong Branches
Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.” Luke 13:18-19
The world has a skewed definition of success: amassing power, collecting possessions, and enjoying pleasures. God desires more for us. He wants us to enjoy and experience abundant life with Him so our lives flourish and display the unmatched nature of the kingdom of God.
If that sounds too heady, consider the illustration Jesus uses in today’s Scripture. He wants each of us to see that an itty-bitty seed can flourish to become a huge tree. If we follow Him and His ways, He can make our tree so strong and healthy that birds make homes on our branches.
As this still might not be clear, think along these lines. Jesus realizes that if we go after the wrong things in life, our bad decisions will destroy us. Seriously, if we idolize power, possessions, and pleasures, we will never be satisfied or strong.
Remember, He desires more for us. When we put things in the right perspective, we grow healthy and strong, and even become a safe haven for others. That’s His desire for each of us.
Jesus, save me from chasing after things that leave me weak, empty, and unsatisfied. As I follow you, make me healthy and strong. Amen.
It’s coloring time. Get two pieces of paper. Draw and color a tree that illustrates your life right now. Now make another tree that is flourishing beyond belief. Ponder. Ask God to make you that tree.
For the next month, Monday through Saturday, we will be using a devotional called, Flourish. Today, we begin with the introduction and author information:
To flourish, by definition, is to have healthy growth. For plants and trees, many factors must come together. They sprout in good soil with sun and water. Over time, they develop green leaves and strong roots. If left alone, they may produce some fruit or flowers, but with attentive care like pruning and trimming, they can have many blossoms and abundant fruit.
The same is true for people. If we plant ourselves in the right place, get regular nourishment, and form deep roots, we can weather storms and anticipate a rich harvest of fruit. But that only happens when we follow His righteous ways. Consider this biblical vision of flourishing.
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; He is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in Him.” Psalm 92:12-15
Want this to describe you? We do! That’s why we wrote FLOURISH. It’s a journey that starts with reflecting on where you are planted. You discover your role in producing fruits and in withstanding inevitable challenges. You also find your purpose in God’s plan and learn how to avoid becoming firewood. We suggest ways to approach God in dry times when you may feel disconnected from Him.
As authors and friends, we offer you this 30-day devotional freely because we want everyone to flourish. Share it. Go through it with others. Learn together. We include Scripture readings, reflections, a prayer, and purposeful daily practices. We hope you encounter the Lord with others in community in a new way that positions you for a long and fruitful life.
Gary G. Hoag, Ph.D. (New Testament – Trinity College, Bristol, UK) is a passionate follower of Jesus Christ known widely as the Generosity Monk. He posts daily meditations at generositymonk.com and has written or contributed to more than ten books. He speaks all over the world, bringing a biblical perspective to a wide range of topics. He provides spiritual and strategic counsel for church and nonprofit workers. He serves as a visiting professor at multiple seminaries around the world. As President & CEO of Global Trust Partners, he helps Christian workers champion the faithful administration and governance of God’s work globally.
Jenni Hoag, M.A. (Cross Cultural Education – Biola University; Graduate Certificate in Christian Formation and Soul Care – Denver Seminary) is dedicated to helping people anchor their lives to Jesus. She serves as a teacher, curriculum designer, program supervisor, and spiritual director for various churches and schools. Presently, she speaks widely, posts a fortnightly Spigot (soulcareanchoress.com), supervises graduate students, hosts retreats, and provides one-on-one spiritual direction. She specializes in suggesting spiritual practices for individuals and ministry teams.
Linda Maris (J.D. Marquette Law School) is the President of National Christian Foundation Wisconsin (ncfgiving.com/ wisconsin), where she leads a team dedicated to inspiring and facilitating charitable giving among Christians across Wisconsin. With a passion for leadership, philanthropy, and community development, Linda has dedicated her career to helping individuals, families, churches, and nonprofits maximize giving for Kingdom impact. Her expertise in Giving Strategies and Charitable Estate Giving have helped to shape the organization into a trusted resource making a meaningful difference in the lives of people and communities in Wisconsin.
November 28-Flourish- Pause
Is there yet any seed left in the barn? Until now, the vine and the fig tree, the pomegranate and the olive tree have not borne fruit. “From this day on, I will bless you.” Haggai 2:19
Flourishing starts right here, right now, with you. Don’t try to figure out the mystery of it or you will never experience it. Thomas Merton in New Seeds of Contemplation says it starts with “the love of God and seed of solitude planted in your soul.” He explains, “If you have to live in a city and work among machines and ride in the subways and eat in a place where the radio makes you deaf with spurious news and where the food destroys your life and the sentiments of those around you poison your heart with boredom, do not be impatient, but accept it as the love of God and a seed of solitude planted in your soul.”
Regardless of the unfruitfulness of your past or the chaos in your present, God envisions a future in which you flourish. The love of God and the seed of solitude are the starting points for growth. They come together to form a pause that has the potential to shape the rest of your life. You must tune out the noise and nonsense to experience it. Soak in the truth that God loves you. Read that again. Revel in it. It’s true.
God, I don’t want to leave any seed in the barn. I want to flourish like a tree. I pause to receive the blessing you have for me. Amen.
Each day, we suggest an application. Our advice today is to pause. Do it daily as you go through FLOURISH. The first and most important action is to be still. Concentrate on the pause. Maybe set a reminder on your phone. As you pause, reflect on the truth that God loves you and wants to bless you.
November 29-Flourish- Good Soil
It had been planted in good soil by abundant water so that it would produce branches, bear fruit, and become a splendid vine. Ezekiel 17:8
What makes good soil? It’s not littered with rocks and roots. It’s not filled with weeds and disease. It’s free of those things. But it also contains air and organic matter. Good soil offers nourishment.
The same is true for us. We must remove the rocks in our lives. They could be likened to issues from our past that we carry with us. We must dig them out and give them to God. Weeds are like destructive behaviors, and disease appears as unhealthy patterns we need to unlearn.
Like plants, we also need air and organic matter to nourish our souls. Think of air as creating space in our schedules. And consider organic matter as food that gives us life. We must feed daily on what is good and true.
This work can be described as cultivating and nourishing the soil of our heart. When we clean out what does not belong in our lives and create margin to nourish our souls, we position ourselves for flourishing.
God, I want to clean up the soil of my life. Teach me to make space for what my soul needs to grow into a splendid vine. Amen.
Get a journal and a Bible. Sit quietly. On one side of the paper, list any rocks, weeds, and disease in your life. Surrender those to God. On the other side, list life-giving things. Ask God to help you add those to the soil of your soul. Be sure to include the Word of God. Not sure where to start? Open your Bible to the book of Proverbs. Read a chapter a day this month to nourish your soul.
November 30-Flourish- Deep Roots
But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Mark 4:6
This is Jesus talking to us. He says that without roots, plants wither. He knows roots provide stability and nourishment. But He wants to give us more than a botany lesson. Jesus wants us to grasp that without roots, we wither. We need roots. They symbolize strength and depth.
Richard Foster starts his book, Celebration of Discipline, with this statement. “Superficiality is the curse of our age. The doctrine of instant satisfaction is a primary spiritual problem.
The desperate need today is not for a great number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people.” How do we move from shallow and superficial to deep and rooted? Let’s learn from plants. They grow over time by looking for water. Likewise, how we spend time impacts our root growth. For example, scrolling through social media or binge-watching TV shows might be fun activities, but in excess, they may prevent us from growing deep roots spiritually.
Instead, we gain depth if we do intentional activities like reading and study. When we pursue that which builds us up and makes us stronger, we grow roots. Remember, without roots we wither.
Jesus, I am starting to see that many of my choices have left me with shallow roots. I trust you to help me form deep roots. Amen.
Have coffee with a friend. Talk about this devotional you are reading. Invite them to join you. Share things that consume you (and make you shallow) and what you will choose to consume instead (to grow deep roots). Hold each other accountable. Don’t try to develop roots alone. Grow together.
December 1-Flourish- Blossom and Beauty
For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business. James 1:11
There’s a pursuit more valuable than financial riches. Many find that hard to believe because the world teaches us that money is the key to happiness. Many think money offers security. And it can intoxicate those who possess it, leading them to hoard wealth. Some try to amass more and more thinking they won’t have to worry about anything. But be warned because those who put their hope in money never have enough.
So, what should we do as we go about our business? We think it is helpful to pause and ask ourselves if we are aiming at the right target. When we do, we realize that money can’t buy the best and most beautiful things in life: love, friends, community, and the list goes on.
If we shine the light of the sun on the fact that many people scurry and worry about the wrong thing, here’s what we see: the secret to retaining blossom and beauty is to live for something more valuable than money. When we live for God, our blossom and beauty only get better with age, just like a tree. It grows tall, receives rain and light, and shares the gifts of beauty, shade, and fruit. That’s our role. It’s how to flourish.
Holy Spirit, teach me to value real beauty so that I can share my gifts like a tree. Amen.
Go outside. Look at a tree. What causes it to blossom? What makes it beautiful? What does it enjoy and share? How does reflecting on this tree teach you something about your own purpose and existence?
December 2-Flourish- Strong Branches
Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.” Luke 13:18-19
The world has a skewed definition of success: amassing power, collecting possessions, and enjoying pleasures. God desires more for us. He wants us to enjoy and experience abundant life with Him so our lives flourish and display the unmatched nature of the kingdom of God.
If that sounds too heady, consider the illustration Jesus uses in today’s Scripture. He wants each of us to see that an itty-bitty seed can flourish to become a huge tree. If we follow Him and His ways, He can make our tree so strong and healthy that birds make homes on our branches.
As this still might not be clear, think along these lines. Jesus realizes that if we go after the wrong things in life, our bad decisions will destroy us. Seriously, if we idolize power, possessions, and pleasures, we will never be satisfied or strong.
Remember, He desires more for us. When we put things in the right perspective, we grow healthy and strong, and even become a safe haven for others. That’s His desire for each of us.
Jesus, save me from chasing after things that leave me weak, empty, and unsatisfied. As I follow you, make me healthy and strong. Amen.
It’s coloring time. Get two pieces of paper. Draw and color a tree that illustrates your life right now. Now make another tree that is flourishing beyond belief. Ponder. Ask God to make you that tree.
Posted in Daily Devotionals