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 #41
Focus
Doing the Lord’s will is not always enjoyable. I know that sounds like heresy to some Christians but look at Job, Abraham, Moses, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, Paul, and of course our Lord Jesus Christ, they all had lives of great suffering but they endured. Why were they able to do so? I also know I am called to suffer (Heb.12:2; Col. 1:24–28; 2 Timothy 2:3).
James tells me that suffering can make me perfect and complete (James 1:2–4). But why is it important for me to be complete and perfect? Hebrews 11 and 2 Tim. 2:12 answers that question – to prepare me for a particular spot in God’s eternal kingdom. I know my salvation was achieved by Christ and is secure but there is more possible, (1 Corinthians 3:14–15; 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 22:5).
The strange thing about my suffering is that when I focus on the joys, comforts, and present rewards on this earth I become less comfortable and less intimate with my Lord Jesus. Present earthly joys, comforts, and rewards blind me from the joys of my present sufferings. But when I focus on the future eternal joys and intimacy with Christ then my present sufferings seem to disappear.
It is my eternal focus that strengthens my present endurance in all my sufferings and turns those sufferings into joy (Heb. 12:2). Look at the focus of each of the following verses.
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see.
(Heb11:1 NET Bible)
For if only in this life – I – have hope in Christ, – I – should be pitied more than anyone – else.
(1 Cor. 15:19 NET Bible, personalization added)
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)
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. (Heb. 12:2)
Things Above Thoughts
TAT #37
Improvement or Perfect?
Paul lived under a dictator who demanded that the citizens revere him as a god and killed all who disesteemed him. To improve on that problem Paul wrote volumes on government improvement? No he wrote:
Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, (Titus 3:1)
Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. (Romans 13:1)
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. (1 Peter 2:13–14)
Paul suffered much for his faith—many imprisonments, close to death several times, 195 lashes, beaten with rods three times (number of lashes unknown), stoned, three times, shipwrecked and drifted for 24 hours, in frequent danger from and in the environment, in the cities, also from robbers, from his own countrymen (Jews), from Gentiles, and from false brethren. He labored through hardship, many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst (often without any food), and without proper clothing to protect him from the elements. Apart from all that, there was the daily pressure of concern for God’s spiritual family (2 Corinthians 11:23–28). To improve on that problem Paul wrote volumes on the “getting even” aspect of faith? No he wrote:
malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.
(Titus 3:2)
It seems to me that Paul had a “hidden” agenda:
“for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11–13 emphasis added)
Paul’s “hidden” agenda was equipping us so that we could work in the service of building up (perfecting) other saints, helping each other mature to the fullness of Christ.
So how’s all our “building” coming along today? Are we working for human improvement or godly perfection?
Things Above Thought
TAT #34
Don’t Be Satisfied
Are you satisfied with your biblical knowledge? Are you satisfied with the frequency with which you learn biblical knowledge? Are you satisfied with your biblical study habits? Are you satisfied with your ability to help others understand the Bible? Are you satisfied that the biblical knowledge you have is accurate? Don’t be satisfied with biblical knowledge!
For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects,
(Col. 1:9– 10)
Things Above Thought
TAT #31
Fear
We fear we’re losing our country to atheist. We fear God is no longer blessing our country. We fear the person we want as president will not be elected. We fear the terrorists. We fear our low-quality food. We fear for our jobs. We fear for our financial stability. We fear for our health. We fear for our next meal. We fear for our pets. We fear for this earth. Yes we live in an age of uncertainty but these fears have been around since Adam and Eve left the garden and began their toil on this earth. We fear not because of the uncertainty of the times we fear because our focus and goals are improper:
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)
Things Above Thought
TAT #30
Run to the Goal
Another day, another week, little by little time marches on toward eternity. Today it is our choice whether to march in time – either toward a timely death or toward an eternal inheritance.
Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! God has given us a new birth because of his great mercy. We have been born into a new life that has a confidence which is alive because Jesus Christ has come back to life. We have been born into a new life which has an inheritance that can’t be destroyed or corrupted and can’t fade away. That inheritance is kept in heaven for you, since you are guarded by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed at the end of time. (1 Peter 1:3-5 GWN)
I run straight toward the goal to win the prize that God’s heavenly call offers in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14 GWN)
Things Above Thought
TAT # 27
Heavenly Placement
While our salvation was secured by Christ and His intercessory death, God has made available different heavenly positions and benefits for us:
And He said to her, “What do you wish?” she said to Him, “Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your right and one on Your left.” . . . to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.” (Matthew 20:20–23)
Notice that Christ did not say those positions do not exist but that His Father would fill those positions “for whom it has been prepared.” In so doing Christ acknowledged that special places do exist and they will be filled by certain people. That leaves us with the questions:
Do we exercise Biblical Faith for His eternal will or for our present benefit (Hebrews 11:1)?
Things Above Thought
TAT #26
Heaven’s Value System
“So how’s your TRUE BANK ACCOUNT looking?” That was the last line of last week’s TAT. No one responded to the TAT – that silence was a first. So to follow that disturbing (?) TAT let me quote our coming heavenly, judgement:
According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I (Paul) laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But let each man (you) be careful how he (you) builds upon it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man (you) builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built upon it remains, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire. (1 Corinthians 3:1–15)
Yes, our salvation is secure but there is more – there are many ETERNAL REWARDS and they will be secured in this life! Remember Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, their lives were dedicated to God and their eyes were on Him not the fiery furnace. Because of that focus, when they faced the furnace they made great permanent deposits in their TRUE BANK ACCOUNT. Just as did the “others” of Hebrews 11:35b–38.
. . . and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.
Living to glorify God is not always profitable in this life but it is always profitable!
Things Above Thought
TAT #25
Treasure
Many of you have heard me say; “If your faith does not have a heavenly/spiritual perspective and eternal goals it is not the faith of the Bible.” The purpose of these TATs is to help us solidify a heavenly perspective and eternal goals. The next few TATs will be educational and hopefully a little challenging.
Heaven has a value system! Today, some “Christians” value money, power, and position, but their perspective of these are corrupted because of our old, sinful, nature. But it is possible to have a heavenly perspective on “money,” power, and position. Heaven has a value system, a power structure, and different positions available to us. Consider these:
Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” (Matthew 19:21)
Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. (Luke 12:33)
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; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19–21; This is not a suggestion!)
Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you? (Luke 16:11)
So how’s your ETERNAL BANK ACCOUNT looking?
Things Above Thoughts
TAT #21
Suffering & Value
We all sin every once in a while but we have a loving Father:
And have you forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons? “My son, do not scorn the Lord’s discipline or give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves and chastises every son he accepts.” (Hebrews 12:5–6 NET)
But He does so (disciplines us) for our benefit, that we may share His holiness. (Hebrews 12:10b)
His discipline reveals His love for us and His holiness is only valuable to us when heaven is our value.