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?”.
Things Above Thought
TAT #52
God’s Plan — TWO!
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).
Some say His plan for their life is to serve the poor. Some say His plan for them is to carry out the “Great Commission.” Some say His plan is for them to lead a quiet life, work with their own hands, and eat their own bread. But for some those “plans” end in failure because they were not actually God’s plan for their life. So how does one find God’s plan for their life?
First we must realize that God can have two plans for one person. The first plan is universal, it includes all of God’s chosen. God has a single plan which is for all His chosen, no matter who they are, where they live, or when they lived. This plan applied to all the saints of old, the apostles, and now applies to us. It is universal for all time. But sometimes God has a specific plan for certain individuals. This means that some of God’s chosen can actually have two plans for their lives! To understand that God can have two plans is a huge step. Therefore the next few TATs will examine these tow plans.
Two plans, who would have thunk it.
Things Above Thought
TAT #51
Godly Innocence
Gone are the days of our innocence. We out grew our toys and left old friends behind. Now we strive for important things. Our lives are ordered by the time sensitive task of important things. But as age continues to creep on the now important things seem to be dimming and the days of past innocence are coming back as fond memories. Isn’t it odd how the Bible tells us the truly important things are in the future and are forever and yet we seldom seem to look there for our innocence.
Set your mind on things above, not on the things that are on earth. (Colossians 3:2).
Things Above Thought
TAT #50
God’s Law
America takes another step into the darkness. A single law now stands against God’s law. God’s Chosen stand in disbelief, shocked and dazed. What do we do now? Maybe there’s someone we can ask. I know, let’s ask some of God’s Chosen in China, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Canada. Maybe someone there knows how to stand firm against governments that write ungodly laws.
But wait there is someone we can ask. Some of us may even know of him. He has lived under one of the darkest governments of all time, a government that actually hunted and killed God’s Chosen. Yet we know that he stood firm for many years until the government finally tracked him down and killed him. Some say he made notes on how he did it. Surely those notes would help us. If we can find them, reprint, and distribute them, maybe we can learn how to stand firm in our faith in the encroaching darkness.
Does anybody know where we can find a New Testament?
Things Above Thought
TAT #49
Direction
Well it seems many now have concerns about the direction of the USA.
As most of you know I love to confuse an issue with another question. So let me ask that other question. What is the direction of your life?
So grab your Bibles and let me “clarify” the above question with the following questions.
Who is your God, the government or Jesus Christ?
Do you love with a godly love or with the love that Adam loved Eve in Genesis 3:6? (Cross reference that with 3:17.)
If you were unable to communicate by words, in any way, and your only witness was your life, what would God think about your witness/life?
Which country do you love the most USA or your Hebrews 11:13 & 16 country?
Part of the activity of Things Above Ministries is to encourage and strengthen the remnant from the god of this world who appears to be rapidly constructing his single world government. And as he spreads this government the world gets darker. Therefore let each one of us “stand firm” on and in God’s light. But not just with words but with our entire being.
Things Above Thought
TAT #48
Fruit
Some questions have rolled in about the supreme court ruling requiring all states to recognize gay marriage. Please let me point out two more facts: 1) A poll revealed that the president’s popularity increased immediately after the ruling. 2) Most of the Christians I have talked to are disturbed about the situation. But I think there is a more disturbing situation, e.g.:
“If the roots of the tree are rotten don’t complain about the fruit.”
Things Above Thought
TAT #47
Spiritual Minded
Colossians 3:1–2 says to set your mind on things above? Does that mean we are to spend our days thinking about all the objects and beings in heaven? No, it means we are to be spiritually, or godly, minded. “So how do we maintain a godly mind throughout the day?”
The best way I know of is by the rule found in Deuteronomy 6:7:
You shall teach them (the Scriptures) diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.
Things Above Thought
TAT #46
Value
My life is important and valuable, I need to get the most out of it that I can. After all I don’t know when I’m going to die. If Christ came to show me how to have a wonderful, abundant life He was a poor example. He suffered a lot, was poor, and only lived to be about 33 years old and now He’s been dead for 2,000 years! Even if I live for over a hundred years that’s a short time compared to how long I’m going to be dead. How can I get the most value out of my life – NOW!?
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; (Mat. 6:19–20)
I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? (Matt. 6:25)
Live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
(1 Pet. 4:2)
Why do I value my present death and find Life so worthless?
Things Above Thought
TAT #45
Everything?
Because of the trial that Satan brought upon Job, Job lost his children, his money, his friends, and his status but he did not lose his wife, (Job 1:13–37:24). But many of Job’s day to day workers did lose everything, they lost their lives.
Am I willing to live righteously and lose everything or just lose what Job lost?
Things Above Thoughts
TAT #44
Prepared
Hostility toward God’s chosen is growing worldwide.
Are you prepared for an obedient life to the LORD in light of this?
Really?
How have you prepared for it?
Let’s go through a short check list:
1. Strong, intimate and consistent relationships with members of God’s spiritual family?
2. Consistent Bible study?
3. Consistent prayer throughout the day?
4. Recognizing and responding to the Holy Spirit tugging on your heart and working on your character?
5. A desire for God to use you to glorify Him with your coworkers and worldly friends who are now becoming contentious and hostile toward God’s chosen?
6. A growing desire to throw off religious beliefs which are created and promoted by human institutions and return to a simple life of obedience base on accurate biblical knowledge?
7. Feelings of inadequacy and a longing to be with Him in your eternal home?
I’m so convicted by my lack of preparation I think I’ll stop writing now and go study.
Things Above Thoughts
TAT #43
Understanding God’s Plan
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. And the LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.” And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.” (Job 1:6–8)
If you think you’ re only one, unimportant, person and that what you do makes little impact, then you have a problem. You have a problem of a lack of understanding. When you think you are small and unimportant you do not understand all the facts. When you understand God’s designed witness to the angels you realize you are important:
Through God’s spiritual family the multifaceted wisdom of God should now be disclosed to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly realms. (Eph. 3:10 NET, clarification added)
They are watching our daily lives to understand God’s wisdom and by this we glorify God!
