Things Above Thoughts
TAT #95 Knowledge
It is time for us to use our knowledge wisely.
Please remember 2 things:
“You cannot fix Babylon with Babylon.”
And
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. (Hos. 4:6)
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!
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.”
Things Above Thought
TAT #79 Why
Many are starting their weeks with a common question “Why?”.
Remember;
Fact #31. I must have a heavenly view of life and eternal goals before my earthly life will make any sense (The book of Job & Col. 3:1–2)
Fact #32. The logic of cause and effect, which only considers the physical realm and physical information, is incomplete and inaccurate because it does not consider the spiritual/heavenly information (Job chapters 3–37).
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All Numbered Facts are provided in the free pamphlet “A Glimmer of Light”; Go to “Publications/Free Publications/Glimmer of Light”.
Things Above Thought
TAT #76 Obedience
“I begin to realize there is a distance between Jesus Christ and me; I can no longer be familiar with Him. He is ahead of me and He never turns round; I have no idea where He is going, and the goal has become strangely far off.” (Chambers, O. (1986). My utmost for his highest: Selections for the year. Grand Rapids, MI: Oswald Chambers Publications; Marshall Pickering.)
Fact #10 “My obedience to God may not always be understood on this earth but will always be understood and bring glory to God in the heavenly realm (Job1:1–38:1).”
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All “Facts” are provided in the pamphlet “A Glimmer of Light”; see “Publications/Free Publications/Glimmer of Light”.
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)
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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Things Above Thought
TAT #73
We are to have an answer ready for anyone who would ask about our hope (1 Pet. 3:15).
We are to always speak the truth (Eph. 4:25).
We are to speak the gospel (1 Thes. 2:4).
We are to exhort (2 Tim. 4:2).
BUT, there are times when we are to keep silent.
Job was victorious in his testing on what he did not speak (Job 1:11).
Job’s friends were a failure because they did speak (Job 42:7–8).
Fact #18 “Sometimes all I have to do to glorify God is to keep my mouth shut (Job 1:11).
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)
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!