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?”.

Strength

On January 23, 2017   /   Strengthing, Suffering  

THINGS ABOVE THOUGHTS
TAT # 97 Strength

I’ve always loved the story of the three men thrown into the fiery furnace. They were not harmed by the fire, they were joined by a fourth person, probably the Lord, and I’m sure had wonder, intimate fellowship!

Can you imagine being one of those three walking around watching the fire burn, but not being affected by it, and having wonderful intimate fellowship with the Lord? What a blessed situation! What joy! What excitement! What victory! But then the Lord turns to you and says it’s time to leave the fiery furnace and go back to your daily routine. The strength it must have taken for those three to obey the Lord.

Often our daily routine is harder than facing the fiery furnace.

But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today” (Heb. 3:13)

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Established

On November 21, 2016   /   Endurance, Eternal, Goals  

THINGS ABOVE THOUGHTS
TAT # 96 Established

The world is still in turmoil. Just when we think we have established political systems there is rebellion against them. Business practices that have been established for decades change overnight. Well established personal relationships are destroyed over minor disagreements. Everything that is well established and solid continues to change and disappear. Someone once said, “The only constant in this world is change.” Another has said “The only certainties in life are taxes and death.” But the older I grow the more I see those things which we thought were well established and permanent run off the pages of our life like watercolors running down a page of paper in the rain. It is then I praise God for one simple verse:

The children of Your servants will continue, And their descendants will be established before You. (Ps. 102:28)

Serve God in this melting world and be established before Him forever.

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Knowledge

On November 7, 2016   /   Faith  

Things Above Thoughts
TAT #95 Knowledge

It is time for us to use our knowledge wisely.
Please remember 2 things:

“You cannot fix Babylon with Babylon.”

And

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. (Hos. 4:6)

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Main Point

On September 26, 2016   /   God Satan Conflict  

Things Above Thoughts
TAT #93 Main Point

Here is a fun one many of you already know.

What is the most referenced, and or quoted, OT verse in the NT?

I’m sure you already have the answer since it’s one of the main objectives of the NT.

You’re right, it’s Psa. 110:1!

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Tradition or Biblical Fact

On September 19, 2016   /   Traditions  

Things Above Thoughts
TAT #92 Human Traditions or Biblical Fact

Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men. (Mk. 7:8)

In 1 Corinthians 14:26 Paul reminds us that when God’s family is gathered together it is to be an interactive meeting with individual participation. What do your church meetings look like? Participatory? Interactive? Sit and receive? While church meetings are good for receiving don’t neglect the commandment of God by neglecting His Family, your Family, for your church.

“Traditions are handed down in innocence and accepted in ignorance.”

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Labor

On September 5, 2016   /   Work  

Things Above Thought
TAT # 91 Labor

On this Labor Day holiday, in the USA, please let me share the below verses:

In all labor there is profit, But mere talk leads only to poverty. (Proverbs 14:23)

He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need. (Ephesians 4:28)

For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. (2 Thessalonians 3:10)

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Sin

On August 29, 2016   /   Sin  

Things Above Thought
TAT # 90 Sin

Sin has been describe in many ways, for example:

Sin is
“rebellion against God”
“rebellion against God’s laws”
“rebellion against God’s authority”
“adding to God’s Word”
“going beyond what is written in God’s Word”
“missing the mark”
“falling short of God’s mark”
“turning way from God”
“choosing to please self rather than God”

and

“Sin is choosing the temporal over the eternal.”

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Institutions or Heart?

On August 22, 2016   /   Character  

Things Above Thought
TAT # 89 Institutions or Heart?

All NT commandments are given to people to carry out, not to denominations, not to religious churches, not to governments. We cannot pay our churches or politicians to obey commandments given for us to obey. Political programs don’t fix moral problems and churches don’t have the authority to change God’s laws. In short: “You cannot fix Babylon with Babylon.”

Do you trust man made institutions and their laws or God’s heart and your Bible?

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Good Things

On July 18, 2016   /   Blessing, Prayer  

Things Above Thought
TAT # 88 ASK FOR GOOD THINGS

Oswald Chamber’s July 16 devotional was great as usual. He wrote on Matthew 7:11; “How much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?” I would like to take it one step further and ask: What are “good things”?

When was the last time you asked: “Please don’t bless me with earthly blessings but with eternal blessings.” Which of the two is more important? Which blessing is better?

Ask for Good Things—Godly Things.

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Our Countries Freedoms

On July 4, 2016   /   Christian Basics, Faith  

Things Above Thought
TAT # 87 MY COUNTRIES FREEDOMS

Today, July 4th, we celebrate our country’s freedom.

I love the saying “Freedom is not free.” Many people died to bring us the freedom we enjoy today and for over 200 years we have fought and struggled to retain this freedom. I love my freedom and I love this country and it always brings me great joy to think about and compare many freedoms.

In this country many died to set us free.
In God’s country one died to set us free.

It was for freedom that Christ set us free . . . (Gal. 5:1)

In this country we depend on many for our continued freedom.
In God’s country we depend on one for our continued freedom.

It was for freedom that Christ set us free;
therefore keep standing firm
and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
(Gal. 5:1)

In this country we continue to fight and die for our freedom.
In God’s country we continue to fight and live in our freedom.

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live,
but Christ lives in me;
and the life which I now live in the flesh
I live by faith in the Son of God,
who loved me and gave Himself up for me. (Gal. 2:20)

In this country we have been free for over 200 years.
In God’s country we are and will be free forever.

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)

I LOVE MY COUNTRIES FREEDOMS!

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