What is the oldest thing you own? Things just do not last like they used to. That is because they are not meant to last. There is designed obsolescence and perceived obsolescence.

What God is   can never be  . 

It is what He is building in you and building with you. He is building something that will last for all eternity.

God’s Design for Building a Thriving Life

1. Use the right  . 

You have heard the expression, “Garbage in, garbage out!”

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.  
1 Peter 2:1-3 

Take off and put on – do not let evil stunt your growth.

Spiritual milk has to do with and eludes to the word of God. 

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!                                  
Psalm 34:8

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.           2 Peter 1:3

2. Understand the  .  

You are a living stone in a spiritual house functioning as holy priest making spiritual sacrifice.

As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.                        
1 Peter 2:4-5

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.                                                                                              
Romans 12:1 

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession … 
1 Peter 2:9a 

• Chosen race – Called to go
• Royal priesthood – Called to speak
• Holy nation – Called to lead
• His own possession – Called to relationship 

We are chosen by God to go and lead others back to Him.

Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.                                 
1 Peter 2:10

3. Build on a solid  .  

Foundations make all the difference. In ancient times, the
cornerstone was …

For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”  
1 Peter 2:6

therefore, thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’                                   
Isaiah 28:16

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.            Ephesians 2:19–22

Not all   are equal!

So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,”                                           
1 Peter 2:7 

It begs the question … what are we building our life on? If not upon the foundation that God has laid with Jesus as the cornerstone, then our lives will never thrive.

I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.                                          
Psalm 118:21–24

We often quote this verse as meaning today, but it speaks of a specific day, the day of our salvation. The day that Jesus became the cornerstone of the temple that we are a part of and the day when that building will be complete.

Not  will believe.

… and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.                              
1 Peter 2:8

And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many shall stumble on it. They shall fall and be broken; they shall be snared and taken.”                                                     
Isaiah 8:14–15

4. Never stop   a life that   the way.  

… that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.                                                                                        
1 Peter 2:9 

God is building you for a reason and redeemed you for a purpose.

Jesus says to Paul on the road to Damascus …

… I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’                                                                                           
Acts 26:17–18

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.                                                     Isaiah 9:2 

Beloved, I urge you as   and  to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.                                                                   
1 Peter 2:11 

Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.   
1 Peter 2:12 

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.                                     Matthew 5:16

What do I need to do?

Start building a thriving life  !

1. Build your life on a personal relationship with   and His  .

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.                                                                            
John 14:6 

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 
2 Timothy 3:16–17

2. Live into your intended  .

• Chosen race – Called to go
• Royal priesthood – Called to speak
• Holy nation – Called to lead
• His own possession – Called to relationship

Chosen by God to go and lead others back to Him.

3. Decide that your   will help others find  .