TAT 146 The Joy of Suffering

On April 3, 2024   /   Joy, Suffering  

TAT 146 The Joy of Suffering

Whenever suffering comes into our lives some of us think about Job. God pointed Job out to Satan because Job was God’s faithful servant. There was no one like him on the earth, blameless, upright, fearing God, and turning away from evil (Job 1:8). Because he was the best of the best God allowed Satan to afflict him in order to settle a dispute between God and Satan (Job 1:9–11). So Satan went forth and killed all of Job’s children, took all of his businesses from him, and left him completely destitute (Job 1:13–19). After all this Job did not curse God he fell to the ground and worshiped God. He said “naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:20– 21). Through all of this Job never sinned. Some of us also remember what Job said later: “Shall we indeed accept good from God and not except adversity?” (Job 2:10). But few of us remember what Job said later after the suffering reached its greats height: “Why did I not die at birth, come forth from the womb and expire?” (Job 3:11). Job wished he had never been born! No matter how strong we are, each of us has a breaking point. But even when that breaking point is reached there is a single joy that stands above all others joys.

When the fires of their trials were the greatest three men experienced this joy (Daniel 3:25). After the LORD intervened in Job’s suffering, Job said: “I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear; but now my eyes see Thee;” and Paul said: “that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death;” (Philippians 3:10).

Yes, the single greatest joy that suffering can bring is a greater intimacy with our LORD Jesus Christ. There is Joy ahead of us all, let us not take our eyes off of that Joy.

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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!

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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.

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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)

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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.

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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”.

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Silent

On February 1, 2016   /   Endurance, Faith, Heavenly Witness, Suffering, Trials, Victory, Witnessing  

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).

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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).

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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 #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)).

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