Above Average

Happy Sunday!

Dr. Norman Thomas, Jr. was our guest speaker today.  He is the pastor of New Life Church International in Lake Charles, Louisiana.  He reminded us that we didn't get Born Again just to go to Heaven, but we are to experience and spread heaven here on earth.  He gave us easy steps to fulfill our true purpose.

Romans 12:2 says, "And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you]." (Amplified)  God wants us to be practitioners, actively engaged in the Word. Until we leave this earth, or until Jesus returns we are responsible to complete the assignment he has given us.  You may think that you have been disqualified by past mistakes, procrastination, or sin, but Romans 11:29 says, "God never changes his mind about the people he calls. He never decides to take back the blessings he has given them."(Easy-to-Read Version)

Matthew 13:12 may seem a little mysterious and confusing.  Thank God for the Holy Spirit to teach us and various translations to make it easier to understand.  The scripture says, "For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath."(KJV)  At first glance, this scripture sounds a little unfair, but read the same scripture in the Amplified Version.  "For whoever has [spiritual wisdom because he is receptive to God’s word], to him more will be given, and he will be richly and abundantly supplied; but whoever does not have [spiritual wisdom because he has devalued God’s word], even what he has will be taken away from him."  Did you get that?  If you value and are receptive to the Word of God you will be given more. More what? Glad you asked! More of everything! Isaiah 1:19 says, "If you’ll willingly obey, you’ll feast like kings. But if you’re willful and stubborn, you’ll die like dogs.”(Message)  

The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, "Here’s what you say to those wealthy in regard to this age: “Don’t become high and mighty or place all your hope on a gamble for riches; instead, fix your hope on God, the One who richly provides everything for our enjoyment.” 1 Timothy 6:17 (Voice)  Did you see that?  God provides everything for your enjoyment!  He's not angry or bitter.  He's not waiting to knock you in the head!  He's waiting for an opportunity to bless you and show you off to the world! He wants your capacity to receive to be enlarged.  Dr. Thomas called it the Standard of Redemption. Jesus paid the price for us to be whole!  Even the word, "Salvation" or "saved" means complete, nothing missing and nothing broken.  We have to get in the Word and raise our lives up to the Standard.  I thought about my mother when Dr. Thomas said God did not create us to be average.  We were created to be above average.  My mother would not accept a "C" on our report cards!  "C" was an average grade and she instilled in us that we are not average.  God says, "But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted." 1 Peter 2:9 (Message)

We must speak, think, and act like God.  The only way we can do this is to meditate on the Word.  The Word of God is not just a book.  The Word of God is supernatural and it's alive.  Hebrews 4:12 says, "God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God’s Word. We can’t get away from it—no matter what."(Message)  Not only is the Word alive, the Word is Jesus!  John 1:1 says, "In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself." (Amplified)  Don't tell me you know Jesus and you don't know the Word, because the Word is Jesus!

Love and prayers, Cynthia