Strengthing Archives - Things Above Ministries

Spiritual Thinking & Religion

On December 18, 2017 / Faith, Spiritual Gifts, Strengthing, Traditions

Things Above Thought
TAT 122 Religion – Going or Being?
Area #1 of testing our spiritual thinking test.)

EVERY SCRIPTURE is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16–17 NET emphasis added)

I have applied these things to myself and Apollos because of you, brothers and sisters, so that through us you may learn “not to GO beyond WHAT IS WRITTEN,” so that none of you will be puffed up in favor of the one against the other. (1 Corinthians 4:6 NET emphasis added)

. . . not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How do these nations serve their gods, that I also may do likewise?’ “You shall not behave thus toward the LORD your God, . . . “Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; YOU SHALL NOT ADD TO NOR TAKE AWAY FROM IT (God’s Word).” (Deuteronomy 12:30–32 emphasis and clarification added)

Having no regard for the command of God, you hold fast to human tradition. He also said to them, “You neatly reject the commandment of God in order to set up your tradition. (Mark 7:8–9 NET)

Worldly Religion verses God’s spiritual family? How do we tell the difference?
Is your church trying to perform many of the duties in the New Testament or are you?
When you go to church do you utilize your spiritual gifts or do you simply sing and hear a sermon (1Corintheians 14:1–40)?
There are only two offices in God’s spiritual family, bishops and deacons, and their duties are to be the spiritual parents of God’s spiritual family (1 Timothy 3:1ff). How many offices does your church have?
Do you feel comfortable with your religious traditions but uncomfortable with the simple Word of God?
Summary: Any operational model of the church that is not found in the Bible has “added to” the information from the Bible!

Bottom Line
Spiritual thinking people are people dedicated to the Lord God not to public opinion, popularity, or tradition. Do you “GO to church” or are you BEING a part of God’s spiritual family?

Health and Body Building

On November 13, 2017 / Endurance, Faith, Goals, Strengthing

Things Above Thoughts
TAT #118 Health and Body Building

We are spiritual beings living in a physical world but do we view and perceive the physical world from a spiritual mind set (Colossians 3:1–2; Romans 8:4–5)? Do we truly believe that spiritual thinking and a spiritual active character impacts our physical world? Over the next few TATs we will examination five areas of our lives that can provide answers to that question.

Area #5 Personal Health – Body Building
A healthy lifestyle is to eat right, exercise and get plenty of rest. Many of us have heard this all of our lives. Ecclesiastes 8:12 says that even a sinner may lengthen his life but is that a good thing? Do we actually want to live longer in a sinful state? Consider these points:
Eat Right: Christ told us that we cannot live on bread alone but that we should live on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. He also spoke about living, eternal water (Matthew 4:4; John 4:10–14).
Exercise: 1 Timothy 4:7b–8 tells us “bodily discipline (exercise) is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” Proverbs 4:10–22 tells us that godliness is healthy. Psalm 38:3 and 31:10 tells us that sin produces unhealthy bones. (Even during times of unjust suffering, when illness may come upon those living a righteous life, godliness can see us through that illness (Job)).
Rest: Lastly Hebrews chapter 4 tells us there is a 24/7 godly rest for God’s people who are obedient to God.
The bottom line here is: If we are focused more on our physical health than our spiritual health, just what type of body are we building? (See also 1 Cor. 3:10–14)

Big & Little

On April 24, 2017 / Blessing, Strengthing, Suffering, Trials

Things Above Thoughts
TAT # 105 Big & Little

Oswald Chambers wrote: “Readiness for God means that we are ready to do the tiniest little thing or the great big thing, it makes no difference.”

Whether the Lord calls me to big things or little makes no difference to me. BUT the results are important to me! I want to do little things and receive big results and blessings. I do not want to do big things and receive little results and blessings. Nor do I want to simply stand firm on a little godly ground in my life and receive big persecution!

Big blessings with little effort and little suffering, that’s me!

Truth, Testing Intimacy

On April 17, 2017 / Character, Faith, Maturing, Strengthing, Suffering

Things Above Thoughts
TAT 104 Truth, Testing, Intimacy

Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
Do not add to His words
Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar. (Prov. 30:5–6)

Our opinions do not create, establish, or validate truth.

When we add our opinions to God’s word we become liars—enemies of Christ.
But when we obtain accurate information from God’s written word we can take refuge in Him—intimacy with Christ.

When God’s word in me is tested then my lies are revealed and my intimacy with Christ can grow.
Don’t fear testing it can lead to intimacy.

Strength

On January 23, 2017 / Strengthing, Suffering

THINGS ABOVE THOUGHTS
TAT # 97 Strength

I’ve always loved the story of the three men thrown into the fiery furnace. They were not harmed by the fire, they were joined by a fourth person, probably the Lord, and I’m sure had wonder, intimate fellowship!

Can you imagine being one of those three walking around watching the fire burn, but not being affected by it, and having wonderful intimate fellowship with the Lord? What a blessed situation! What joy! What excitement! What victory! But then the Lord turns to you and says it’s time to leave the fiery furnace and go back to your daily routine. The strength it must have taken for those three to obey the Lord.

Often our daily routine is harder than facing the fiery furnace.

But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today” (Heb. 3:13)

The Battle

On April 18, 2016 / Endurance, Strengthing, Suffering, Trials, Victory

Things Above Thought
TAT #79 The Battle

I need the battle. Without the battle there is no struggle. Without the struggle there can be inactivity and that can be confused with victory and peace.

When I’m in a period of inactivity I let my guard down and one of Satan’s flaming arrows finds its mark. The battle then returns but now I’m wounded and weak, down on one knee; facing the dirt not the heavens. What do I do?

Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. (Eph. 6:13)

Even when I’m wounded, weak, and down I will once again take up the full armor of God and stand firm against Satan’s attacks.

Let us not be inactive, it is now time to take up the full armor and prepare for the evil day – the battle is coming.

Obedience

On March 15, 2016 / Faith, Strengthing, Suffering, Trials

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).”
*****
All “Facts” are provided in the pamphlet “A Glimmer of Light”; see “Publications/Free Publications/Glimmer of Light”.

Suffering #6

On November 30, 2015 / Character, Endurance, Strengthing, Suffering, Trials, Victory

Things Above Thought
TAT #62
Suffering #6

Not everybody suffers the same but all suffering can have the same results!

1. Suffering because of sin. This suffering points out the need for repentance and after repentance I can glorify God and continue on toward perfection.
2. Suffering because of trials that God sends to test my faith. Because these are godly trials I can glorify God and continue on toward perfection.
3. Suffering because I am growing old and living in this world. This provides good opportunities to apply and grow in my faith to glorify God and continue on toward perfection.

Fact #9 All unjust sufferings on this earth pays huge benefits for all eternity (2 Corinthians 4:16–18; 1 Corinthians 3:8–15)

Fact #28 All suffering and trials can strengthen my faith (Job; James 1:2–4).

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)

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