TAT 139 Correlations

On March 15, 2024   /   Trials  

TAT 139 Correlations

We have all read a verse or a passage from the Bible which reminded us of another passage or verse. Whenever I read the opening line of the New Testament found in James 1:2–4 I automatically think about two other passages, 1 Peter 1:7 and 2 Corinthians 4:16–18. When I read them one after another they need no further explanation, clarification, or teaching. Those three passages are listed below in consecutive order and read thusly:

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.
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;
Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

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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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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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Why?

On April 11, 2016   /   Endurance, Faith, Trials, Victory  

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”.

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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).”
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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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Suffering #2

On November 2, 2015   /   Character, Christian Basics, Christian Values, Endurance, Eternal, Faith, Goals, God's Will for Me, Strengthing, Suffering, Trials, Victory  

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!

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