Above Average Living Formula
By Rhonda Stoppe
Is it your goal to be an average mom? Do you expect to raise kids who will have no positive influence on their generation? Of course not! No one wants to get to the end of their lives and realize they lived a mere average existence when they could have lived an OVER-THE-TOP life.
Jesus said, “I have come that you might have life, and life more abundantly” (John 10:10). That word abundant means “over-the-top”. Like a cup that is full and running over – Jesus gave us a true picture of how extraordinary the life of His followers should be.
In our Covenant with Christ, not only does Jesus promise to wash away ALL our sins, fill us with His Holy Spirit to “lead us into all truth” and empower us to do His will, Christ also promises, to those in a relationship with Him, the opportunity to live a life that is far above status-quo. Is this your heart’s cry?
Imagine…
you no longer have to wake up every day and settle for just getting through another day! Or face each morning with a list of how-to-get-to-the top. Do you know what I am talking about? Those things you are going to try to make happen to bring success for yourself–or your kids.
The over-the-top life that Jesus offers cannot be accomplished through manipulation, or merely pulling yourself up by your bootstraps to muscle through. On the other hand, the life that rises above the status-quo won’t just happen to you either. So what can you do? On your own–nothing. But God, who knows the plans He has for you, has given you a formula for living an above-average existence.
What is that formula? Ask anyone who has learned to live the life God intended and they will say: Prayer, diligently studying Scripture, and applying what you learn to your life are critical steps in abundant living. You have to appropriate the resources God gives to His children – live deliberately – as I like to call it.
Faithfully attending church and fellowshipping with other believers is absolutely necessary as well. (Do you realize that to “forsake the assembly” of yourself with other believers is to disobey the Lord’s mandate for His people?)
Yes, the Lord has granted us everything we need for life and godliness in Christ Jesus (2 Peter 1-3). As a mother, God will give you success as a parent if you choose to live in obedience to His ways. By the way, success doesn’t mean raising perfect kids, it means living in a manner that causes your kids to want to know your Savior.
Oh, that the lives of every believer were spent living in over-the-top obedience to Christ!
How Christians would shine like stars–as God intended–to the lost, if we strive diligently to ABIDE IN CHRIST (see Daniel 12:3). Will you allow God to do through you all that He has planned in the few years He has ordained that you should live on this earth?
Imagine how your children would be drawn to know the Lord if they witnessed your life full and overflowing with passion for Christ.
Will you join with me in praying, Oh Father, convict me when I settle for status-quo Christianity.
May it never be said of this generation that we settled for average when God offers abundance!
~Rhonda
Rhonda Stoppe is dedicated to help women LIVE LIFE WITH NO REGRETS.
Rhonda is the author of 6 books including: Moms Raising Sons to Be Men , and Real Life Romance Her newest book is The Marriage Mentor, is co-authored with her Pastor-husband, Steve Stoppe. (Harvest House Publishers) With over 30 years experience of helping women build a life with no regrets as a pastor’s wife, mentor, speaker, author, mom & grandmother. She’s appeared frequently on Focus on the Family co-host of The No Regrets Hour, and other popular Christian Radio broadcasts. Rhonda helps women to:
- Break free from regrets that hold them back
- Grow in wholehearted devotion to Christ
- Find victory over people-pleasing
- Have the marriage others only dream about
- Build a godly legacy to become more influential than they ever dreamed possible
Rhonda is passionate to share the gospel and teach women the sound doctrine of scripture. Rhonda and Steve have been married 38 years and live out their own real-life romance on their ranch in Northern California. To invite Rhonda to Speak at your women’s event, or to book the Stoppe’s No Regrets Marriage Conference please visit: www.NoRegretsWoman View: Promo Video & marriage videos
Bonus: Watch this fun video of Steve & Rhonda sharing their own love story.
Connect with Rhonda: FaceBook: Rhonda Stoppe No Regrets Woman Instagram: @RhondaStoppe Twitter: @RhondaStoppe Newsletter: NoRegretsWoman.com
