Things Above Thoughts
TAT 131 The Inch
In Revelation 13:11–18 we read of one who has worldwide control over all humanity. Without their approval no one can buy or sell anything! While they have control of the entire world they are also the enemy of God. How is it possible that such a person could obtain such control over this earth? Possibly because of fear!
Most of us believe that if someone put a gun to our head and said “deny Christ or I will shoot” we would not fear, we would say “pull the trigger.” But the greater problem, a lest fearful problem, is a problem of inches. Back in the early 1900s the government tried to implement a Social Security program which would require everyone to receive a specific, individual, number. It was met with such resistance the government had to first implement it as a voluntary program and stated, in writing, that the numbers would not be used for identification purposes. My Social Security card, obtained in the 60s, has, in writing, in capital letters, the statement “FOR SOCIAL SECURITY AND TAX PURPOSES – NOT FOR IDENTIFICATION.” The government has “inched” its way along to its present position with required Social Security and identification. Another example of “inching along” is realized in treaties the government made with some Native American tribes: “as long as the grass grows and the water flows.” Therefore it is true, it is not the gun we need to fear the most but the inch.
In this time of fear let us not establish a flimsy framework of control which can inch along into a worldwide system of control that can be used by a future antichrist.
On the bright side, it might be nearing the time for us to say – “just pull the trigger?”.
Things Above Thoughts
TAT #36
Darkness or Light
to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God (Act 26:18)
I love Paul’s call. He was sent to the Gentiles to free them from the darkness of Satan’s rulership so that they may turn to God. But how was he to do that? He was to “open their eyes.” Today we have a rampant problem with this and it is an ancient one:
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; (Isaiah 5:20)
Peter had this problem: after the Lord told him about His coming suffering, death, and resurrection, Peter rebuked Him because he held the “light” of a worldly view of suffering and death. So the Lord said to him:
But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” (Matthew 16:23)
Where is your mind today? Is it on the “light” of human interest or on the “darkness” of God’s interest?
Let us set our minds on things above and live in God’s wonderful true Light.
Things Above Thoughts
TAT #35
Foolish or Faithful
The Colossian believers are identified as “saints and faithful” (Colossians 1:2). “Saint” is a believer’s heavenly and eternal status. “Faithful”refers to one’s earthly walk with the Lord. The Galatians are identified as “deserters” and “foolish” (1:6; 3:1). Both appear to be God’s children!
What kind of child are you, a foolish deserters or a faithful?
Things Above Thought
TAT #34
Don’t Be Satisfied
Are you satisfied with your biblical knowledge? Are you satisfied with the frequency with which you learn biblical knowledge? Are you satisfied with your biblical study habits? Are you satisfied with your ability to help others understand the Bible? Are you satisfied that the biblical knowledge you have is accurate? Don’t be satisfied with biblical knowledge!
For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects,
(Col. 1:9– 10)
On October 29, 2015 / Character, Christian Basics, Endurance, Faith, Goals, God's Will for Me, Reigning, Satan, Sin, Strengthing, Trials, Victory
Things Above Thought
TAT #33
Victory
Christ was victorious over all of Satan’s attempts to rule Christ’s life.
Are you being victorious over Satan’s attempts to rule your life?
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)
Things Above Thought
TAT #31
Fear
We fear we’re losing our country to atheist. We fear God is no longer blessing our country. We fear the person we want as president will not be elected. We fear the terrorists. We fear our low-quality food. We fear for our jobs. We fear for our financial stability. We fear for our health. We fear for our next meal. We fear for our pets. We fear for this earth. Yes we live in an age of uncertainty but these fears have been around since Adam and Eve left the garden and began their toil on this earth. We fear not because of the uncertainty of the times we fear because our focus and goals are improper:
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)
Things Above Thought
TAT #30
Run to the Goal
Another day, another week, little by little time marches on toward eternity. Today it is our choice whether to march in time – either toward a timely death or toward an eternal inheritance.
Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! God has given us a new birth because of his great mercy. We have been born into a new life that has a confidence which is alive because Jesus Christ has come back to life. We have been born into a new life which has an inheritance that can’t be destroyed or corrupted and can’t fade away. That inheritance is kept in heaven for you, since you are guarded by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed at the end of time. (1 Peter 1:3-5 GWN)
I run straight toward the goal to win the prize that God’s heavenly call offers in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14 GWN)
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.
Things Above Thought
TAT # 28
Eternal Goals
This is just a simple reminder:
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)
And by the way this is not a requests or a suggestion, He wants the eternal best for us (Hebrews 12: 10) therefore this is a command.
Things Above Thought
TAT # 27
Heavenly Placement
While our salvation was secured by Christ and His intercessory death, God has made available different heavenly positions and benefits for us:
And He said to her, “What do you wish?” she said to Him, “Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your right and one on Your left.” . . . to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.” (Matthew 20:20–23)
Notice that Christ did not say those positions do not exist but that His Father would fill those positions “for whom it has been prepared.” In so doing Christ acknowledged that special places do exist and they will be filled by certain people. That leaves us with the questions:
Do we exercise Biblical Faith for His eternal will or for our present benefit (Hebrews 11:1)?
