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Heavenly Value

On October 29, 2015 / Christian Basics, Christian Values, Eternal, Victory

Things Above Thought
TAT #26
Heaven’s Value System

“So how’s your TRUE BANK ACCOUNT looking?” That was the last line of last week’s TAT. No one responded to the TAT – that silence was a first. So to follow that disturbing (?) TAT let me quote our coming heavenly, judgement:

According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I (Paul) laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But let each man (you) be careful how he (you) builds upon it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man (you) builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built upon it remains, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire. (1 Corinthians 3:1–15)

Yes, our salvation is secure but there is more – there are many ETERNAL REWARDS and they will be secured in this life! Remember Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, their lives were dedicated to God and their eyes were on Him not the fiery furnace. Because of that focus, when they faced the furnace they made great permanent deposits in their TRUE BANK ACCOUNT. Just as did the “others” of Hebrews 11:35b–38.

. . . and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.

Living to glorify God is not always profitable in this life but it is always profitable!

Value

On October 28, 2015 / Christian Basics, Christian Values, Eternal, Victory

Things Above Thought
TAT #25
Treasure

Many of you have heard me say; “If your faith does not have a heavenly/spiritual perspective and eternal goals it is not the faith of the Bible.” The purpose of these TATs is to help us solidify a heavenly perspective and eternal goals. The next few TATs will be educational and hopefully a little challenging.

Heaven has a value system! Today, some “Christians” value money, power, and position, but their perspective of these are corrupted because of our old, sinful, nature. But it is possible to have a heavenly perspective on “money,” power, and position. Heaven has a value system, a power structure, and different positions available to us. Consider these:

Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” (Matthew 19:21)

Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. (Luke 12:33)

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 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 6:19–21; This is not a suggestion!)

Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you? (Luke 16:11)

So how’s your ETERNAL BANK ACCOUNT looking?

Endurance & Victory

On October 28, 2015 / Christian Basics, Endurance, Sin, Victory

Things Above Thought
TAT #24
Endurance & Victory

For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity. (Proverbs 24:16)

The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked. (Proverbs 24:16 NLT)

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!)

Songs

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

Things Above Thoughts
TAT #22
Songs

The information about the conflict between God and Satan is not new. Ever since this hidden information was revealed to Paul it has been readily available to us (Acts 26:18; Ephesians 3:9–10; 2 Corinthians 2:11). Our mothers and fathers even sang about it!

“For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe”
(A Mighty Fortress Is Our God)

“Though the wrong seems so oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.”
(This Is My Father’s World)

“The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him; his rage we can endure, for low, his doom is sure;”
(A Mighty Fortress Is Our God)

“Jesus who died shall be satisfied, and earth and heaven be one.”
(This Is My Father’s World)

“Sure I must fight, if I would reign; increase my courage, Lord”
(Am I a Soldier of the Cross?)

“Let earth adore, let angels minds inquirer no more”
(And Can It Be That I Should Gain)

“Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love; here’s my heart, O take and seal it; seal it for thy courts above.”
(Come, Thou Fount)

Stay strong and keep singing, you are in good company (Hebrews 12:1)!

Suffering

On October 28, 2015 / Christian Basics, Christian Values, Endurance, Eternal, Suffering, Victory

Things Above Thoughts
TAT #21
Suffering & Value

We all sin every once in a while but we have a loving Father:

And have you forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons? “My son, do not scorn the Lord’s discipline or give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves and chastises every son he accepts.” (Hebrews 12:5–6 NET)

But He does so (disciplines us) for our benefit, that we may share His holiness. (Hebrews 12:10b)

His discipline reveals His love for us and His holiness is only valuable to us when heaven is our value.

Heavenly Witness

On October 27, 2015 / Christian Basics, Darkness & Light, Endurance, Eternal, Faith, Heavenly Witness, Kingdom, Trials, Victory

Things Above Thoughts
TAT #20
Witness

No body knows the troubles you’ve seen!

You have tried to be faithful to God and you have seen much hurt and pain from all the confrontations and battles. Some of the pain remains with you today. But understanding yesterday’s battles from God’s perspective lessens today’s pain.

The Good of the battle:

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)

The Glory of the battle:

To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach 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 (that’s you) the multifaceted wisdom of God should now be disclosed to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 3:9–10 NET clarification and emphasis added)

In heaven – your pain is known and God is glorified by your faithfulness – in heaven!

Goals

On October 27, 2015 / Christian Basics, Christian Values, Endurance, Eternal, Faith, Kingdom, Victory

Things Above Thoughts
TAT #19
GOALS

What goals do you have for your life? Love, family, home, good job, money, retirement?
Check out these goals straight from the lips of our Lord:

Thus says the LORD of hosts, “If you will walk in My ways and if you will perform My service, then you will also govern My house and also have charge of My courts, and I will grant you free access among these who are standing here.” (Zechariah 3:7)

The above goals might add a little clarity to Matthew 6:20–21:

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.

If we are not living for eternity we are not Living.

Expectations

On October 27, 2015 / Christian Basics, Endurance, Eternal, Faith, Victory

Things Above Thought
TAT #18
Expectations

We expect governments to be fair and equitable. We expect society to exhibit a certain degree of social manners. We expect loved ones to be loving. We expect our friends to be friendly. We expect those who call themselves Christians to act like Christians. The LORD never asks us to have expectations of others. However:

The anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. (Romans 8:19–21)

All creation is watching, waiting on, and expecting – YOU.

Discipleship

On October 27, 2015 / Christian Basics, Christian Values, Eternal, Victory

Things Above Thought
TAT #16
Discipleship

Just read Oswald Chambers and once again he nails it.

Is your discipleship to Jesus Christ for His glory or is it all about the earthly blessings you can gather from obedience? Or, is sharing in His holiness enough good for you?

For they, our earthly fathers, disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. (Hebrews 12:10 clarification added)

The true Good that our heavenly Father has for us is His eternal holiness.

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