God’s Plan & my plans

On October 30, 2015   /   Christian Basics, Faith, God's Will, God's Will for Me, Suffering, Trials  

Things Above Thought
TAT #56
God’s Plan and my plans

God wants me to be happy, prosperous, and satisfied so — is that how I should make my plans?
Well maybe, but first consider these:

“Afterward Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth.” (Job 3:1)
“He sent and had John beheaded in the prison.” (Matthew 14:10)
“And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised,” (Hebrews 11:39).
“But first He (Christ) must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.” (Luke 17:25)
“Although He was a Son, (Christ) He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.” (Hebrews. 5:8)

“for I will show him (Paul) how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.” (Acts 9:16)
“For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps.” (1 Peter 2:21)

“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews12:2)
“More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, (Philippians 3:8)

Just make sure that what you consider to be happy and prosperous, and also satisfies you, are the same “things” which Christ considers to be joyous and prosperous and satisfies Him.

Fact # 33: “I am here to serve God and carry out His plan, not to have God serve me and carry out my plans.” (Job 38; Isaiah 43:7).

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God’s Law

On October 30, 2015   /   Bible, Christian Basics, Darkness & Light, Endurance, Strengthing, Trials  

Things Above Thought
TAT #50
God’s Law

America takes another step into the darkness. A single law now stands against God’s law. God’s Chosen stand in disbelief, shocked and dazed. What do we do now? Maybe there’s someone we can ask. I know, let’s ask some of God’s Chosen in China, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Canada. Maybe someone there knows how to stand firm against governments that write ungodly laws.

But wait there is someone we can ask. Some of us may even know of him. He has lived under one of the darkest governments of all time, a government that actually hunted and killed God’s Chosen. Yet we know that he stood firm for many years until the government finally tracked him down and killed him. Some say he made notes on how he did it. Surely those notes would help us. If we can find them, reprint, and distribute them, maybe we can learn how to stand firm in our faith in the encroaching darkness.

Does anybody know where we can find a New Testament?

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Direction

On October 30, 2015   /   Character, Christian Basics, Christian Values, Darkness & Light, Endurance, Faith, Trials, Victory  

Things Above Thought
TAT #49
Direction

Well it seems many now have concerns about the direction of the USA.
As most of you know I love to confuse an issue with another question. So let me ask that other question. What is the direction of your life?

So grab your Bibles and let me “clarify” the above question with the following questions.

Who is your God, the government or Jesus Christ?
Do you love with a godly love or with the love that Adam loved Eve in Genesis 3:6? (Cross reference that with 3:17.)
If you were unable to communicate by words, in any way, and your only witness was your life, what would God think about your witness/life?
Which country do you love the most USA or your Hebrews 11:13 & 16 country?

Part of the activity of Things Above Ministries is to encourage and strengthen the remnant from the god of this world who appears to be rapidly constructing his single world government. And as he spreads this government the world gets darker. Therefore let each one of us “stand firm” on and in God’s light. But not just with words but with our entire being.

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Prepared?

On October 30, 2015   /   Character, Christian Basics, Endurance, Faith, Helper, Strengthing, Suffering, Trials, Victory  

Things Above Thoughts
TAT #44
Prepared

Hostility toward God’s chosen is growing worldwide.
Are you prepared for an obedient life to the LORD in light of this?
Really?
How have you prepared for it?

Let’s go through a short check list:
1.    Strong, intimate and consistent relationships with members of God’s spiritual family?
2.    Consistent Bible study?
3.    Consistent prayer throughout the day?
4.    Recognizing and responding to the Holy Spirit tugging on your heart and working on your character?
5.    A desire for God to use you to glorify Him with your coworkers and worldly friends who are now becoming contentious and hostile toward God’s chosen?
6.    A growing desire to throw off religious beliefs which are created and promoted by human institutions and return to a simple life of obedience base on accurate biblical knowledge?
7.    Feelings of inadequacy and a longing to be with Him in your eternal home?

I’m so convicted by my lack of preparation I think I’ll stop writing now and go study.

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FOCUS!

On October 30, 2015   /   Character, Christian Basics, Christian Values, Endurance, Eternal, Faith, Goals, Suffering, Trials, Victory  

Things Above Thoughts
TAT #41
Focus

Doing the Lord’s will is not always enjoyable. I know that sounds like heresy to some Christians but look at Job, Abraham, Moses, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, Paul, and of course our Lord Jesus Christ, they all had lives of great suffering but they endured. Why were they able to do so? I also know I am called to suffer (Heb.12:2; Col. 1:24–28; 2 Timothy 2:3).
James tells me that suffering can make me perfect and complete (James 1:2–4). But why is it important for me to be complete and perfect? Hebrews 11 and 2 Tim. 2:12 answers that question – to prepare me for a particular spot in God’s eternal kingdom. I know my salvation was achieved by Christ and is secure but there is more possible, (1 Corinthians 3:14–15; 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 22:5).
The strange thing about my suffering is that when I focus on the joys, comforts, and present rewards on this earth I become less comfortable and less intimate with my Lord Jesus. Present earthly joys, comforts, and rewards blind me from the joys of my present sufferings. But when I focus on the future eternal joys and intimacy with Christ then my present sufferings seem to disappear.
It is my eternal focus that strengthens my present endurance in all my sufferings and turns those sufferings into joy (Heb. 12:2). Look at the focus of each of the following verses.

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see.
(Heb11:1 NET Bible)

For if only in this life – I – have hope in Christ, – I – should be pitied more than anyone – else.
(1 Cor. 15:19 NET Bible, personalization added)

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)

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb. 12:2)

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Improvement or Perfection

On October 30, 2015   /   Character, Christian Basics, Christian Values, Darkness & Light, Endurance, Eternal, Satan, Strengthing, Trials  

Things Above Thoughts
TAT #37
Improvement or Perfect?

Paul lived under a dictator who demanded that the citizens revere him as a god and killed all who disesteemed him. To improve on that problem Paul wrote volumes on government improvement? No he wrote:
Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, (Titus 3:1)

Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. (Romans 13:1)

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. (1 Peter 2:13–14)

Paul suffered much for his faith—many imprisonments, close to death several times, 195 lashes, beaten with rods three times (number of lashes unknown), stoned, three times, shipwrecked and drifted for 24 hours, in frequent danger from and in the environment, in the cities, also from robbers, from his own countrymen (Jews), from Gentiles, and from false brethren. He labored through hardship, many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst (often without any food), and without proper clothing to protect him from the elements. Apart from all that, there was the daily pressure of concern for God’s spiritual family (2 Corinthians 11:23–28). To improve on that problem Paul wrote volumes on the “getting even” aspect of faith? No he wrote:

malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.
(Titus 3:2)

It seems to me that Paul had a “hidden” agenda:

“for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11–13 emphasis added)

Paul’s “hidden” agenda was equipping us so that we could work in the service of building up (perfecting) other saints, helping each other mature to the fullness of Christ.

So how’s all our “building” coming along today? Are we working for human improvement or godly perfection?

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Peace

On October 29, 2015   /   Character, Christian Basics, Endurance, Goals, Trials, Victory  

Things Above Thought
TAT #32
Peace

Did you have God’s peace when you woke up this morning? Did you have it on your way to work? Did you have peace when that situation came up? Do you have God’s peace right now? God’s peace can be momentary or continual. His momentary peace depends upon applying the right biblical truth to the needed situation but His continual peace depends on an established godly character which comes from years and years of achieving momentary peace.

But practicing the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ, who is the head. (Growing takes time, Ephesians 4:15 NET)

A harvest that has God’s approval comes from the peace planted by peacemakers. (A harvest only comes in its proper season, James 3:18 GWN)

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Strength

On October 29, 2015   /   Christian Basics, Strengthing, Suffering, Trials, Victory  

Things Above Thought
TAT # 29
Faithful

How in the world do I stay faithful to the biblical knowledge I already know?

We must continue to hold firmly to our declaration of faith. The one who made the promise is faithful. We must also consider how to encourage each other to show love and to do good things. We should not stop gathering together with other believers, as some of you are doing. Instead, we must continue to encourage each other even more as we see the day of the Lord coming. (Hebrews 10:23-25 GWN)

This is not a “Sunday Church” meeting this is a gathering of trusted believers for the encouraging and support of each other.

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No Fear

On October 28, 2015   /   Christian Basics, Darkness & Light, Satan, Trials, Victory  

Things Above Thoughts
TAT # 23
No Fear

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for You are with me (Psalm 23:4)

David did not fear anything evil had brought or could bring upon him because God was with him.

If we are not living with our eternal Lord Jesus Christ, then we are in fear for and of  “today’s self”. God has made daily eternal life available to us in which there is no fear of evil.

(Now if I can just get over my own stupidity. Back to His Word!)

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