What Is Normal? -- Peace Church, Loyal, Oklahoma USA

What Is Normal?

Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith.

But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.

We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat.

And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. 2 Thessalonians 3:1-15

In order to save our sanity I believe that most of us consider ourselves as “normal” and anyone who is very much different from us is either above average or below average. That attitude certainly has some advantages!

But it is not the best approach concerning spiritual matters. God’s Word never changes; however, our understanding of it grows over our lifetime. As we mature in Christ we see things in a different light.

When God asks you to do something your initial response should always be “Sure, I can do that with Your help.”

Our natural inclination is to rebel against some of God’s requests because they seem too big for us. However, Jesus said: “All things are possible to him that believeth!” Mark 10:27 (KJV)

God needs us to be a people of great faith.

Sometimes it seems that the world is falling apart. It isn’t! God is still in control and doing quite well! The reason for our fear and uncertainty is often the news media. Learn to ignore the dramatic pronouncements:

First, even the media expects things to go right, thus they only report the bad news. When you think about it, that isn’t so bad after all!

Secondly, the media often has an agenda that does not promote God.

Thirdly, the only way to sell news broadcasts and newspapers is to make everything dramatic. That’s called marketing; they do it quite well!

What then is normal? The “normal” that God intended was the Garden of Eden. Everything was perfect. Satan tricked Adam and Eve into sinning that fatal day. But God had already planned for our redemption.

Redemption includes restoration. Restoration requires commitment to God. Many Biblical characters were very powerful, dynamic persons because they were totally committed to God.

Problems are often “growth opportunities,” and God intends for us to win each and every time. He is always there to help us!

In our scripture Paul asked for their prayers because of the battle he was undergoing. Paul expected to win…but he understood the value of their intercessory prayers. Christianity was never intended to be solo work.

When they read 1^st Corinthians they interpreted it to mean Jesus would be back "any day now." Being a little lazy they just quit their jobs and were bumming off the other church people!

Paul told them to get back to work!

Everyone has difficult times.

Paul was a very dynamic man. Paul devoted his life to helping the Gentiles become established as a vital part of the church.

2 Thessalonians 3 is a prayer request, “Brothers, pray for us.” The prayer was not for peace and comfort, but “that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored.”

He also said “Pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith.”

He then shifts his concern to the church in Corinth: “But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.”

Paul was a man of love and concern.

Paul instructed them to keep working hard until Jesus does return… and to use their time wisely.

I believe that “What is normal?” is found in the Lord’s Prayer. “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

WHERE does God’s will need to be done? On earth as it is in heaven!

+ In your life

+ In your family

+ In our church

+ In our community

+ Our state

+ Our nation

+ The world

What is Satan’s will? Jesus explained it very well: "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (KJV "more abundantly") -John 10:10

Ephesians 3:20 - Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us….”

That verse applies to today, not to heaven! The Greek says that God wants to bless us “superabundantly!”

PROBLEMS ARE NORMAL… it is a part of the fact that Adam and Eve sinned and that each of us enter the human race as sinners.

However, WINNING IS ALSO NORMAL!

We can be “more than conquerors” (Romans 8:37) through Jesus Christ who said, “Fear not, I have overcome the world.” (John 16: 33)

If we are “more than conquerors” through Christ, who has “overcome the world” and we are to have peace in spite of trouble, then we should feel free to dream big dreams.

Yes! God can do even more than we could think! So for God to do that, we need to think of something so God can stretch our faith! What dreams do you have that are so big that you cannot imagine more? God wants to bless you even more than that – if you are willing to use the blessing for the glory of God!

And then our “Normal” will meet God’s expectations of “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

IMAGINATION

If you fear that the worst will happen, your own thoughts may help to bring it about. A writer once said, "Fear is the wrong use of imagination. It is anticipating the worst, not the best that can happen."

A salesman, driving on a lonely country road one dark and rainy night had a flat. He opened the trunk--no lug wrench. The light from a farmhouse could be seen dimly up the road. He set out on foot through the driving rain. Surely the farmer would have a lug wrench he could borrow, he thought. Of course, it was late at night--the farmer would be asleep in his warm, dry bed. Maybe he wouldn't answer the door. And even if he did, he'd be angry at being awakened in the middle of the night. The salesman, picking his way blindly in the dark, stumbled on. By now his shoes and clothing were soaked.

Even if the farmer did answer his knock, he would probably shout something like, "What's the big idea waking me up at this hour?" This thought made the salesman angry. What right did that farmer have to refuse him the loan of a lug wrench? After all, here he was stranded in the middle of nowhere, soaked to the skin.

The farmer was a selfish clod--no doubt about that! The salesman finally reached the house, and banged loudly on the door. A light went on inside, and a window opened above. "Who is it?" a voice called out.

"You know good and well who it is," yelled the salesman, his face white with anger. "It's me! You can keep your blasted lug wrench. I wouldn't borrow it now if you had the last one on earth!" -Bits & Pieces, May, 1991, p. 23.

‘Nuff said?!!!

Sunday, February 26, 2006

Please feel free to contact Pastor Leon Seaton by e-mail. He will be pleased to hear from you!

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