TAT 208 Small But Important

On December 4, 2024   /   Christian Values, Endurance, Helper, Maturing  

TAT 208 Small But Important

After this Jesus, realizing that by this time everything was completed, said (in order to fulfill the scripture), “I am thirsty!” 29 A jar full of sour wine was there, so they put a sponge soaked in sour wine on a branch of hyssop and lifted it to his mouth. 30 When he had received the sour wine, Jesus said, “It is completed!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (Jn. 19:28-30 NET)

There is no activity in God’s plan that is so small that it is insignificant.

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TAT 137 son, daughter, or Son?

On March 4, 2024   /   Christian Values  

TAT 137 son, daughter, or Son?

In the beginning of the book of Job we find that Job had seven sons and three daughters. The sons would gather together and celebrate their birthdays and they would even invite their three sisters to the celebration. After the celebrations were over Job would offer sacrifices for them, just in case his sons had send and cursed God in their hearts. Obviously, Job held a special focus on his sons. At the end of the book of Job, Job once again had seven sons and three daughters. But, now Job’s three daughters are now mentioned by name. Job also gave them an inheritance along with their brothers! This was done at a time when women were barely recognized and had little or no legal rights. Why the change?

It is possible that because of his undeserved trial (Job 2:3) Job could identify and sympathize with people of low worldly degree. It is also highly probable that Job had a new value system, a spiritual value system; one that would be elaborated on thousands of years later.

“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:26)

Are you just a son? A daughter? Or a Son of God? Maybe we can at least shed a little light on that question by those in our lives with whom we identify and value?

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TAT 130 Goals

On February 20, 2024   /   Christian Values, Goals, Maturing  

TAT 130 Goals

Heb. 11:16 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.

Eph. 5:15–16 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.

“Making the most of your time” is in the middle voice; that means when we make the most of our time we will take part in the results. As one grammarian stated it: “to buy up for one’s self or one’s advantage.” Here in Ephesians & in Hebrews the goals are for eternal spiritual rewards. Are you “buying up” spiritual rewards for yourself? A good weekend project might be to list your top 5 eternal goals you have for yourself.

Two of my goals are:
1. To have free movement throughout all the people and beings in heaven (Zech. 3:7).
2. To have (produce) – a very small fire – on my day (1 Cor. 3:15).

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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”)

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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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Godly Innocence

On October 30, 2015   /   Christian Values, Eternal, Victory  

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).

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Direction

On October 30, 2015   /   Character, Christian Basics, Christian Values, Darkness & Light, Endurance, Faith, Trials, Victory  

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.

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Fruit

On October 30, 2015   /   Character, Christian Values, Faith, Strengthing, Suffering  

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.”

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Value

On October 30, 2015   /   Christian Basics, Christian Values, Eternal, Victory  

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?

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