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?”.

TAT 146 The Joy of Suffering

On April 3, 2024   /   Joy, Suffering  

TAT 146 The Joy of Suffering

Whenever suffering comes into our lives some of us think about Job. God pointed Job out to Satan because Job was God’s faithful servant. There was no one like him on the earth, blameless, upright, fearing God, and turning away from evil (Job 1:8). Because he was the best of the best God allowed Satan to afflict him in order to settle a dispute between God and Satan (Job 1:9–11). So Satan went forth and killed all of Job’s children, took all of his businesses from him, and left him completely destitute (Job 1:13–19). After all this Job did not curse God he fell to the ground and worshiped God. He said “naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:20– 21). Through all of this Job never sinned. Some of us also remember what Job said later: “Shall we indeed accept good from God and not except adversity?” (Job 2:10). But few of us remember what Job said later after the suffering reached its greats height: “Why did I not die at birth, come forth from the womb and expire?” (Job 3:11). Job wished he had never been born! No matter how strong we are, each of us has a breaking point. But even when that breaking point is reached there is a single joy that stands above all others joys.

When the fires of their trials were the greatest three men experienced this joy (Daniel 3:25). After the LORD intervened in Job’s suffering, Job said: “I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear; but now my eyes see Thee;” and Paul said: “that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death;” (Philippians 3:10).

Yes, the single greatest joy that suffering can bring is a greater intimacy with our LORD Jesus Christ. There is Joy ahead of us all, let us not take our eyes off of that Joy.

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TAT 145 VICTORY IN THE FACE OF DEFEAT

On April 3, 2024   /   Victory  

TAT 145 VICTORY IN THE FACE OF DEFEAT

Satan schemes are enormous. They are worldwide and, when successful, will turn the world against those who are dedicated to living their lives for the Lord Jesus Christ.
The world will be coming up with good answers to bad situations, but the answers will only be good, they will not be godly. So how do we stand firm for our Lord, The Lord? The answer is always the same, to continue to live a life of Biblical Faith. So once again let’s make sure we understand BIBLICAL FAITH.
Faith assures us of things we expect and convinces us of the existence of things we cannot see. (Heb. 11:1 GWN)
What does that mean?
Answer:
By faith he (Abraham) lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. (Heb. 11:9-10 NASB)
Abraham expected, and was convinced, that God was going to provide a city, for him; a city which God had built! But he died without seeing that city. Today we are facing a similar situation. Presently, God is not providing heaven on earth. But let us follow the example of Abraham, and just as he is now living in that promised city so shall we.
The things of God we cannot see are real. When we are assured of that fact it is easier to live by Biblical Faith – daily. If we are not living our lives for eternal goals we are not living by God’s faith, Biblical Faith.

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TAT 144 The Two Normals

On March 22, 2024   /   Spirituality, Values  

TAT 144 The Two Normals

For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, (Matt. 24:37-38 NASB)

The above verses tell us that life was going on as normal in “the days of Noah.” But on closer examination we find that there was another normal.

By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. (Heb. 11:7 NASB)

Noah’s normal life was to live by faith—to do what God asked him to do—to build an ark.

Therefore there were two normals existing simultaneously. That existence might have looked something like this:

Society continued on with their dinner parties – Noah continued building the ark.
Society continued on with their marriage and funeral customs – Noah continued
building the ark.
Society continued planning for their retirement – Noah continued building the ark.
Society never missed an opportunity to enjoy the activities of their society – Noah continued building the ark.

Presently, “the days of Noah” are quickly returning, or have returned, to this earth. But it is still possible for me to live a normal life of faith.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Heb. 11:1 NASB)

If I live by Biblical Faith then I live with God’s eternal plan in view and His future eternal goals are the goals for my earthly life. If that is not my focus nor my goals then I am not living by Biblical Faith. (See also Heb. 11:10)

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TAT 141 Hasten?

On March 18, 2024   /   End Times  

TAT 141 Hasten?

“What sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God…” (2 Peter 3:11–12)

Hastening the coming of the day of God???!!!! Come on Peter, don’t leave me hanging like that. I have been praying for His return, almost every day, since the mid 1960s. If there is more that I can do to hasten His return then just tell me what to do and I will (try to) do it! But, don’t tell me to hasten it without telling me how to do it!

As usual a further reading answers my question:

But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; (2 Pet. 3:13-15)

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TAT 140 Phil. 3:12–13

On March 16, 2024   /   Maturing  

TAT 140 Phil. 3:12–13

I know some of you struggle with Phil. 3:12. So, lets put a few verses between Phil. 3:12 and 3:13 to clarify.

Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of THAT for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. (Phil. 3:12)

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)

For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete. (2Co 13:9)

for the equipping of the saints 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.
(Eph. 4:12-13)

Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, (Heb 6:1)

grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (2 Pet. 3:18)

Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, (Phi 3:13)

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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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TAT 138 Values

On March 8, 2024   /   Values  

TAT 138 Values

And another of the disciples said to him, “Lord permit me first to go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Follow me; and allow the dead to bury their own dead.” (Mat. 8:21–22)

That seems to be a pretty harsh statement from our Lord, especially since the burial/funeral ceremony was one of the most valued and respected activities in the Jewish religious society, much as it is in our society today. So what is going on and why would the Lord say such a brash thing? Let’s make some simple observations about this passage and perhaps it will bring some clarity.

The passage. Christ had given orders to depart to the other side of the sea. One of the disciples ask for permission to first go bury his father.

Some observations. To follow or not to follow. At this time in history, and in that disciples life, he had a choice, he could follow the Messiah and hear the Words of Life or he could participate in the good, approved of, activities of his society. Which activity the disciple chose is not stated.

Clarity. This appears to be a value system verse. The value of good, and proper, social behavior pitted against the value of an intimate relationship with the Messiah. Maybe the Lord was not being so brash after all.

The choices we make and the activities we take reveal what we value.

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TAT 137 son, daughter, or Son?

On March 4, 2024   /   Christian Values  

TAT 137 son, daughter, or Son?

In the beginning of the book of Job we find that Job had seven sons and three daughters. The sons would gather together and celebrate their birthdays and they would even invite their three sisters to the celebration. After the celebrations were over Job would offer sacrifices for them, just in case his sons had send and cursed God in their hearts. Obviously, Job held a special focus on his sons. At the end of the book of Job, Job once again had seven sons and three daughters. But, now Job’s three daughters are now mentioned by name. Job also gave them an inheritance along with their brothers! This was done at a time when women were barely recognized and had little or no legal rights. Why the change?

It is possible that because of his undeserved trial (Job 2:3) Job could identify and sympathize with people of low worldly degree. It is also highly probable that Job had a new value system, a spiritual value system; one that would be elaborated on thousands of years later.

“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:26)

Are you just a son? A daughter? Or a Son of God? Maybe we can at least shed a little light on that question by those in our lives with whom we identify and value?

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TAT 136 Mind, Ears and Feet

On February 28, 2024   /   Character, Maturing  

TAT 136 Mind, Ears and Feet

Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. (Rom. 12:16)

Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? (Jam 2:5)

I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.
(3 Jn. 1:4)

He who has My commandments AND KEEPS THEM is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him. (Jn. 14:21).

Without obedience to God it doesn’t matter what we think, hear and do.

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TAT 135 Important to God?

On February 26, 2024   /   Uncategorized  

TAT 135 Important to God?

The LORD himself twice said this about Job:

“. . . a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.”

And the LORD said that when Job was in two completely different situations. In the first situation Job was the richest man in the East. In the second situation he was the poorest man.

An old sage once said: “It’s important to know what is important to God.”

It does not matter whether you are a Solomon, or poor and begging for breadcrumbs. What is important to God is blamelessness, uprightness, and turning away from evil. And in both situations, about Job, the LORD also said “There is no one like him on the earth…”.

That is ………….. what is important to God.

 

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