Things Above Thought
TAT #12
Regret & Expectations
It seems that some of our expectations have produced regret. It also seems that some of our remembered regret causes us to lower our present expectations. Let us once again raise our expectations.
Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead, I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 3:13-14 NET)
Things Above Thoughts (TAT)
Spiritual Values
Have you ever considered what God thought about Job?
When Job was rich and had a wonderful family and was “the greatest lf all the men of the east” God thought:
“There is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.” (1:9)
When Job was dirt poor, with no family and probably the least of all the men of the east God thought:
“There is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man fearing God and turning away from evil.” (2:3)
After Job had verbally rebuffed his friends and spoken about his confusion with how God had dealt with him God thought:
Job was His servant and had spoken what was right about God! (42:7–8)
No where in the book of Job does God think any less of Job because of his physical situation or his mental confusion and honest examination of God. God only thinks about Job’s righteousness.
What do you think about? What does God think about you?
Things Above Thoughts (TAT)
Pitiful Me
Linda Ronstadt sings a sang “Poor, Poor, Pitiful Me” it always reminds me of American Christianity. Yes, the Lord has shed many blessings on us but most American Christians still seem to fall into the “Poor, Poor, Pitiful Me” category. If we are only seeking a blessing from Him this week we probably fall into the “Poor, Poor, Pitiful Me” category. Why is that?
Consider these two points:
“If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.”
(1 Corinthians 15:19 NIV)
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. (2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV)
So are you looking for a blessing – this week – or for those that will last – for all eternity?
Whether any person sees us or not each thought we think and each action we take is observed! Our words and our lives are always a present witness. This is what the Lord revealed in Ephesians 3:8–10:
To me (Paul)– less than the least of all the saints– this grace was given, to proclaim to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ and to enlighten everyone about God’s secret plan– a secret that has been hidden for ages in God who has created all things. The purpose of this enlightenment is that through the church (God’s spiritual family) the multifaceted wisdom of God should now be disclosed to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly realms. (NET Emphasis added)
Our smallest thoughts and actions are always observed in heaven and have huge affects on certain heavenly rulers and authorities for all eternity!
Therefore it can be said that the results of what we say and do today will precede us into heaven and accompany us throughout all eternity. So I say: “Let us watch the small pieces of our lips and lives, they are more important than we know.”
Monday, for most, the first day in the work week; why are you going to work?
Are you working to earn a living? Are you Living?
Are you working to support your family? Are you Supportive?
Are you working for your retirement? How does His Retirement look?
Are you working because it’s expected of you? Are you meeting His Expectations?
Are you working for worldly reasons or for His Heavenly Reasons?
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
(Matthew 6:33)
“What, if anything, helps Americans grow in their faith? When the Barna Group asked that question, people offered a variety of answers—prayer, family or friends, reading the Bible, having children but church did not even crack the top 10 list.
Although church involvement was once a cornerstone of American life, U.S. adults today are evenly divided on the importance of attending church. While half (49%) say it is “somewhat” or “very” important, the other 51% say it is “not too” or “not at all” important. The divide between the religiously active and those resistant to churchgoing impacts American culture, morality, politics and religion.” (barna.org or barnagroup.org)
Are people leaving the church or is the church leaving accurate Bible teaching and His disciples are seeking other sources of teaching? Today is a call to arms:
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:22–25 NASV)
Going through a trial that no one understands? You are in good company. Here is a partial list of some who were misunderstood; Noah, Joseph, Job, Moses, Hosea, Jeremiah, Zechariah, and Jesus Christ. (And I have to add that many, if not most, of the godly women in Scripture were misunderstood and taken for granted by the secular society.)
My favorite example of a misunderstood trial is Job. No human, not even Job, was told why he was going through the trial—it remained a mystery. But we are not Job. God has revealed more to us than He revealed to Job. Consider these three points:
1. Job chapter one and two reveals that Job’s trial was to settle a dispute to the heavenly host;
2. Ephesians 3:8–11 reveals that the purpose of God’s Spiritual Family (the church) is to reveal His wisdom to the heavenly host;
3. Ephesians 6:12 reveals we are still involved in that heavenly dispute.
So be encouraged; it’s not that no one understands your trial it’s only that no human understands your trial.
We are not going to be eternal beings; we already are eternal beings.
As this week crushes in on you with the pressures of this world, work, family, or inescapable boredom do something healthy for your heart:
“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 6:20–21)
Is today the first day of the rest of your life? Do you know how long you will live? Do you know what you are going to do with the rest of your life? Is your retirement already secured? If you know God’s big picture plan and have the eternal answers to these questions on the tip of your tongue then you are ready to live in God’s abundant life.
Everywhere in our New Covenant with God, He tells us of His plan and our place in that plan. His plan covers all creation, all time, and all eternity. He has revealed His plan for you and provided everything you need to carry out His plan. What a God! No guessing, no missed opportunity, no lack of intelligence, all we have to do is to go to the Bible and get it – get it all.
If you don’t know God’s plan and all He has provided for you as a Christian a good place to start is the book “from a DARKNESS to the LIGHT”. (Simply go to Amazon and type in “scverlin barton” and the book will come up.)
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)
Do we really believe this?
When you get in a dispute with your spouse, your children, your boss, your friend, or a complete stranger do you stop in the middle of that dispute and think of Ephesians 6:12 and realize that there is more going on than just a dispute with another person? One of the reasons we are here is to have a witness to the heavenly host (Ephesians 3:10; 6:12; Job chapters 1–2). Our struggles can start in the heavenly places but always glorify God in the heavenly places (Job).
In the book “from a DARKNESS to the LIGHT” the door to this situation begins to open and His light is shed on this long ignored biblical truth.