Things Above Thoughts

TAT 131 The Inch

In Revelation 13:11–18 we read of one who has worldwide control over all humanity. Without their approval no one can buy or sell anything! While they have control of the entire world they are also the enemy of God. How is it possible that such a person could obtain such control over this earth? Possibly because of fear!

Most of us believe that if someone put a gun to our head and said “deny Christ or I will shoot” we would not fear, we would say “pull the trigger.” But the greater problem, a lest fearful problem, is a problem of inches. Back in the early 1900s the government tried to implement a Social Security program which would require everyone to receive a specific, individual, number. It was met with such resistance the government had to first implement it as a voluntary program and stated, in writing, that the numbers would not be used for identification purposes. My Social Security card, obtained in the 60s, has, in writing, in capital letters, the statement “FOR SOCIAL SECURITY AND TAX PURPOSES – NOT FOR IDENTIFICATION.” The government has “inched” its way along to its present position with required Social Security and identification. Another example of “inching along” is realized in treaties the government made with some Native American tribes: “as long as the grass grows and the water flows.” Therefore it is true, it is not the gun we need to fear the most but the inch.

In this time of fear let us not establish a flimsy framework of control which can inch along into a worldwide system of control that can be used by a future antichrist.

On the bright side, it might be nearing the time for us to say – “just pull the trigger?”.

Suffering #6

On November 30, 2015   /   Character, Endurance, Strengthing, Suffering, Trials, Victory  

Things Above Thought
TAT #62
Suffering #6

Not everybody suffers the same but all suffering can have the same results!

1. Suffering because of sin. This suffering points out the need for repentance and after repentance I can glorify God and continue on toward perfection.
2. Suffering because of trials that God sends to test my faith. Because these are godly trials I can glorify God and continue on toward perfection.
3. Suffering because I am growing old and living in this world. This provides good opportunities to apply and grow in my faith to glorify God and continue on toward perfection.

Fact #9 All unjust sufferings on this earth pays huge benefits for all eternity (2 Corinthians 4:16–18; 1 Corinthians 3:8–15)

Fact #28 All suffering and trials can strengthen my faith (Job; James 1:2–4).

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Suffering #5

On November 23, 2015   /   Character, Christian Basics, Christian Values, Endurance, Goals, Suffering, Trials, Victory  

Things Above Thought
TAT #61
Suffering #5

Jesus Christ came and enable us to be obedient to Him. Can obedience bring happiness? Absolutely! Will it always bring happiness in this life? Absolutely not! (Just ask Job, John the Baptist, or Paul.) Is obedience better than happiness? Absolutely!

If our sole purpose of obedience is to make us happy now – who are we serving?

If we suffer in this life for His eternal glory we will be happy for all eternity.

Fact #27 Even when I’m hurting, questioning why, and wanting to die, it is still possible to be in the center of God’s will (Job1:21–22; 3:1–26; James 1:2–4; 1 Peter 1:6–7).

(The numbered facts above come from the pamphlet “A Glimmer of Light” found on the web site.)
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Suffering #4

On November 16, 2015   /   Character, Christian Basics, Endurance, God's Will for Me, Strengthing, Suffering, Trials, Victory  

Things Above Thought
TAT #60
Suffering #4

“Why do you write so much about suffering?”

When the Lord God came to Adam and Eve after they had sinned He did not say “there, there everything is going to be alright. From now on I’ll take care of everything and make you happy again.” Instead, He told them there was going to be hostility, struggle, trials, and pain throughout their lives (Genesis 3:8–24). He told them exactly how it was going to be, He didn’t “sugar coat” it. His main objective was not to make them happy! He prepared them for what was ahead.

We have placed ourselves, and our world, under Satan’s rule and there will always be suffering. As America slips into greater and greater darkness the suffering of the obedient will probably increase. Be prepared.

Eternal goals might not include our present happiness.

Fact #27 Even when I’m hurting, questioning why, and wanting to die, it is still possible to be in the center of God’s will (Job1:21–22; 3:1–26; James 1:2–4; 1 Peter 1:6–7)).

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Suffering #3

On November 9, 2015   /   Character, Christian Basics, Endurance, Faith, God's Will for Me, Sin, Strengthing, Suffering, Victory  

Things Above Thought
TAT #59
Suffering #3

Fact #30 Trials can come into my life that are for God’s purposes (Job 1:7).

What are the other times that God wants me to suffer?

God constructed the laws of cause & effect and actions & results. One such law is that disobedience to God (sin) can bring suffering. Therefore certain pain can be a result of sin. This pain can be used to recognize our sin and repent. It can also be considered to be from God and therefore good. It’s just like our visit to the ole Doc: “ Doc, when I do this it hurts! Well if it hurts when you do that then don’t do that.”

For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. (1 Peter 3:17)

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Suffering #2

On November 2, 2015   /   Character, Christian Basics, Christian Values, Endurance, Eternal, Faith, Goals, God's Will for Me, Strengthing, Suffering, Trials, Victory  

Things Above Thought
TAT #58
Suffering #2

Fact #30 Trials can come into my life that are for God’s purposes (Job 1:7).

There are times that God wants us to suffer!?!
When does God want me to suffer?

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2–4)

In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; (1 Peter 1:6–7)

And if the above does not happen then:

If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. (1 Corinthians 3:15 underline added)

God wants our faith to be perfect and complete thus producing eternal praise, glory, and honor. Godly suffering produces such results!

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Suffering

On October 30, 2015   /   Character, Christian Basics, Strengthing, Suffering, Victory  

Things Above Thought
TAT #57
Suffering #1

Fact #30 Trials can come into my life that are for God’s purposes (Job 1:7).

Why do I have to suffer?
Why is there so much suffering in the world?
Why does the Bible sometimes make suffering sound like a good thing?

Suffering is greatly misunderstood. Some say: “If there is a God why does He allow suffering?” I think what many are actually saying is: “If there is a God and He is in control why is He allowing me to suffer?” Some preachers say God wants you to be continually happy and prosperous but  Job, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, James, and Paul disagree. While there is a peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7) and a joy that is from the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22) there is also a call to suffering:

“For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,” (Philippians 1:29)

There are times that God wants us to suffer!

Enjoy struggling with that thought and wait for the next TAT ☺.

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God’s Plan & my plans

On October 30, 2015   /   Christian Basics, Faith, God's Will, God's Will for Me, Suffering, Trials  

Things Above Thought
TAT #56
God’s Plan and my plans

God wants me to be happy, prosperous, and satisfied so — is that how I should make my plans?
Well maybe, but first consider these:

“Afterward Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth.” (Job 3:1)
“He sent and had John beheaded in the prison.” (Matthew 14:10)
“And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised,” (Hebrews 11:39).
“But first He (Christ) must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.” (Luke 17:25)
“Although He was a Son, (Christ) He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.” (Hebrews. 5:8)

“for I will show him (Paul) how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.” (Acts 9:16)
“For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps.” (1 Peter 2:21)

“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews12:2)
“More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, (Philippians 3:8)

Just make sure that what you consider to be happy and prosperous, and also satisfies you, are the same “things” which Christ considers to be joyous and prosperous and satisfies Him.

Fact # 33: “I am here to serve God and carry out His plan, not to have God serve me and carry out my plans.” (Job 38; Isaiah 43:7).

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My Plans

On October 30, 2015   /   Character, Christian Basics, God's Will for Me  

Things Above Thought
TAT #55
So what about my plans?

I understand that God has a universal plan for me but since He has not yet revealed a specific plan for me can I make my own plans for my life? Absolutely! But be careful not to be like the people in Numbers 14:40–45 who made their own plans and then called them the will of God. When they tried to carry them out they were struck down by the enemy. Be like David in 1 Chronicles 22:7–9 who made plans to build a house for the Lord and called them his plans. Even though the Lord did not allow David to build the temple, He honored David’s plan by letting him provide most of the building materials for the temple.

The Lord loves the truth and He loves it when you think like Him! Therefore, make your plans to glorify Him and speak truly about them. Glorify God with your godly motives and thinking and when you make your own plans –  call them yours. AND, never forget His primary plan for your life is to glorify Him by learning the Bible and living by its rules—God’s universal plan for us all.

Glorify God by imitating God and taking responsibility for your plans and actions –  just like David did (Ephesians 5:1; Job 2:3).

Fact # 33: “I am here to serve God and carry out His plan, not to have God serve me and carry out my plans.” (Job 38; Isaiah 43:7).

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God’s Specific Plan For You

On October 30, 2015   /   Christian Basics, God's Will, God's Will for Me  

Things Above Thought
TAT #54
God’s Specific Plan For You

God has called you to be His and you feel very special—you should. Now you are wondering what is God’s will (plan) for your life? After reading the last TAT you feel very comfortable that you are trying to live God’s universal will for your life but you still wonder: “Does God have a specific will for me and how do I find it?

God had a specific will for Adam, Noah, Abram, Jonah, David, Isaiah, John the Baptist, Jesus Christ, Paul and many others. But, they did nothing special to find it! In fact Jonah, John the Baptist, and Paul were not even living according to God’s universal will when He revealed His specific will for their lives!

As one of God’s chosen all you have to do is to be concerned with living His universal will—learn the Bible and live by its rules. If God has a specific will for your life He will reveal it to you when He is ready. It is His will for your life, it is not your will for your life. Therefore it is His responsibility to reveal it to you when He is ready. All you have to do is to focus on living His universal will–learn the Bible and live by its rules.

And remember, God does not have a specific will for everyone! God’s universal will is more than enough for any of us and all of us. Don’t be so desirous for Him to reveal His specific will that you ignore His universal will—learn the Bible and live by its rules.

Fact # 33 I am here to serve God and carry out His plan, not to have God serve me and carry out my plans (Job 38; Isaiah 43:7).

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God’s Universal Plan

On October 30, 2015   /   Christian Basics, Faith, God's Will, Victory  

Things Above Thought
TAT #53
God’s Universal Plan

God has a plan for all who want to follow Him, a universal plan. This plan applied to Adam and Eve and to every person who wanted or now wants to follow Him. God’s plan is this – don’t make up your own rules for your good life, learn God’s rules and follow them.

Eve tried to make up her own rules for her good life, it didn’t work then and it doesn’t work now (Genesis 3:5–6; John 3:36). When we do not obey the LORD’s rules we set ourselves up as a god and make up our own rules (Genesis 3:5; Isaiah 14:13–14; Joshua 24:15).

So just where do we find the rules of God’s universal plan for our life? The Bible! See 2 Timothy 3:16–17 with special attention given to verse 17. But be aware that a simple single reading will not completely reveal God’s entire universal plan all at once. He did not design it to work that way and there’s too much information to grasp in one reading! Relax and keep reading it over and over and take time to enjoy each little bit of new information you find and understand.

God’s universal plan for our lives should be universal in our lives.

Fact # 33: “I am here to serve God and carry out His plan, not to have God serve me and carry out my plans.” (Job 38; Isaiah 43:7).

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