Christian Basics Archives - Things Above Ministries

Our Countries Freedoms

On July 4, 2016 / Christian Basics, Faith

Things Above Thought
TAT # 87 MY COUNTRIES FREEDOMS

Today, July 4th, we celebrate our country’s freedom.

I love the saying “Freedom is not free.” Many people died to bring us the freedom we enjoy today and for over 200 years we have fought and struggled to retain this freedom. I love my freedom and I love this country and it always brings me great joy to think about and compare many freedoms.

In this country many died to set us free.
In God’s country one died to set us free.

It was for freedom that Christ set us free . . . (Gal. 5:1)

In this country we depend on many for our continued freedom.
In God’s country we depend on one for our continued freedom.

It was for freedom that Christ set us free;
therefore keep standing firm
and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
(Gal. 5:1)

In this country we continue to fight and die for our freedom.
In God’s country we continue to fight and live in our freedom.

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live,
but Christ lives in me;
and the life which I now live in the flesh
I live by faith in the Son of God,
who loved me and gave Himself up for me. (Gal. 2:20)

In this country we have been free for over 200 years.
In God’s country we are and will be free forever.

But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one.
Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God;
for He has prepared a city for them. (Heb. 11:16)

I LOVE MY COUNTRIES FREEDOMS!

Living

On May 2, 2016 / Christian Basics, Faith

Things Above Thought
TAT # 81 LIVING

Recently I began to wonder what it would take to get me well and as the old saying goes, “to once again be placed among the living.” That led me to think about all the things that it takes to live here in America. Of course the basic necessities came to mind first: food, air, water, some degree of shelter, and rest. Then the secondary items came to mind: clothing, a job, and transportation. Then all the other “stuff” started flooding into my mind: education, money, credit cards, a good medical plan, haircuts, vacations, a hobby for mental relaxation, a lawnmower, a retirement plan, a savings account for a “rainy day”, a TV (to stay well-informed), a phone, a radio, a washer and dryer, and even mouse traps and flypaper. Oh my, how much – stuff – it takes to be placed “among the living”! After all if you do not have most of that stuff you would not be considered as “among the living” you would just be “existing.” Christ had a different take on how to be placed “among the living:”

But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” (Matt. 4:4 NET)

He was quoting from Deuteronomy:

So He humbled you by making you hungry and then feeding you with unfamiliar manna. He did this to teach you that humankind cannot live by bread alone, but also by everything that comes from the LORD’s mouth. (Deut. 8:3)

Be humble, be fed His Word and only then is it possible for me to be “among The Living.”

Prayer

On April 25, 2016 / Christian Basics, Endurance, Goals, Heavenly Witness, Prayer

How to pray? Make sure you know for what you are praying.

For what should we pray? For health? For safe travel? For a successful operation? For a good business decision? For a new whatever ? To handle money wisely? A good retirement? To be happy? To be safe? To have a nice house? To have a safe and happy family? That everybody else be godly so it will be “good” for me?

The purpose of this enlightenment is that 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)

And others experienced mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, sawed apart, murdered with the sword; they went about in sheepskins and goatskins; they were destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (the world was not worthy of them); they wandered in deserts and mountains and caves and openings in the earth. And these all were commended for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised. For God had provided something better for us, so that they would be made perfect together with us.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us, (Heb. 11:36–12:1 NET)

Or should what we pray for be the strength to be obedient so that God’s wisdom and glory will be revealed no matter how it affects us?

Matrix or Message?

On March 21, 2016 / Christian Basics, Darkness & Light

Things Above Thought
TAT #77 Matrix or Message?

“The deadliest Pharisaism today is not hypocrisy, but unconscious unreality.”
(Chambers, O. (1986). My utmost for his highest: Selections for the year. Grand Rapids, MI: Oswald Chambers Publications; Marshall Pickering. March 16th reading)

When our unconscious unreality sets in we truly believe what we have created is real and godly!
● In the garden the woman’s unconscious unreality was “nor shall you touch it” (Gen. 3:3).
● Some have an unconscious unreality standard by which they judge others (Mat. 7:1–2).
● Some have an unconscious unreality of salvation and godly living (Mat. 7:22–23).
● Pilate questioned: “What is truth?” and Job declared: “Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.” (John 18:38; Job 42:3 NASB, underline added)

The only thing that destroys unconscious unreality is conscious knowledge of God’s written Word and an obedient life to Christ based on that accurate biblical knowledge.

So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (John 8:31-32 NASB, underline added)

“ but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:7 NASB)

“He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.” (John 14:21 NASB, underline added)

Our unreal matrix or His real message? Choose this day which you will live in (Joshua 24:15).

New Country

On February 22, 2016 / Christian Basics, Faith, Goals

Things Above Thought

TAT #75 The New Country

After watching all the political hoopla on TV I am more thankful than ever that I have dual citizenship. I don’t speak much about it but many years ago I applied for and received dual citizenship status. It has taken some time and some adjustment but America is no longer the country of my primary interest. I am now making plans to move to my primary country of interest. I don’t know how long the preparations will take but that is of little importance to me. I rejoice in the fact that my primary country of interest adheres to God’s laws and treats its citizens with honesty, love, and fairness. If I could afford to move today I would but I have to resolve my debts here before I can move.

My primary country of interest:

All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. . . . But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them. (Heb. 11:13–16)

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, (Eph. 2:19)

My debts:

Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another . . . (Rom. 13:8)

For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel. . . . What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may offer the gospel without charge . . . (1 Cor. 9:16–18)

Your Greater Witness

On February 16, 2016 / Christian Basics, Christian Values, Darkness & Light, Endurance, Faith, Heavenly Witness, Witnessing

Things Above Thought
TAT #74

So you think your private life is private:

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 1:8)

The purpose of this enlightenment is that 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)

There are more watching than you know.

Fact #6 Among God’s saints, Godly truths and God’s character are being revealed to the rebellious angels in the physical realm (Job 1:8; Ephesians 3:10).

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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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All TATs can be viewed at www.things-above.org (Click on “Blog”)

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)).

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)

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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