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Archive for the ‘Difficulties’ Category

>Knowing the Intent Helps.

Posted in Difficulties, tagged on January 19, 2011| Leave a Comment »

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Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you …” – Ephesians 3:13a

A woman told me she quit sharing prayer requests with her small fellowship group because they could not emotionally handle what she was going through.

It was strange to see – when she would share others would shrink away. She said she was handling her problems a lot better than they were!

The apostle, Paul, had a similar experience and told his followers not to faint for his tribulations.

He was doing well because he could see the big picture of the church at large, and him as part, being used to display God’s wisdom through difficulties.

“To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God” – Ephesians 3:10-12

Knowing God’s intent and knowing one is on track make all the difference!

– fritz

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"SHOULD" – Throw it out like an old Mattress!!

Posted in Difficulties, Explanations, Faithfulness, God's Power, God's supply, Suffering, tagged , on February 10, 2010| Leave a Comment »

The word, “SHOULD”, causes more trouble! We get in our minds what “should” happen if things were as they “should” be and it blinds us to reality!

Over the phone Technical Support tells me their instructions “SHOULD” have worked and they think they have done their job. Not!

We think God “SHOULD” insulate us from hurting and blame him when he doesn’t.

Do with “SHOULD” what Mattress Mac says do with an old lumpy mattress,“Throw it out!” and let the reality of Christ seep into your psyche:

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. — 1st Peter 4:12-13 (KJV)

Those “fiery trials” mature us and teach us God’s real faithfulness. It is easy to say God is wonderful when everything is fine, discovering God’s faithfulness in difficulty is more settling.

The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. – Psalm 9:9-10 (KJV)

I am discovering in the stressful, oppressive, times of trouble He hasn’t forsaken me but is, instead, teaching me how to put my trust in Him, and I am discovering how to let tomorrow’s threats of destruction not shake me because when those “tomorrows” have, in the past, become “today” they have always proved God’s grace was sufficient.

– Fritz@langgang.com

Also see: Let and Put Not the Same – February 2, 2010

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Lesson from a Plasterer’s Patch…

Posted in Crisis, Difficulties, Experience, tagged on February 4, 2010| Leave a Comment »

My dad, a plasterer, built and patched plaster, cement, and Stucco walls and ceilings. On small weekend jobs he would sometimes take me with him to “help”.

Fixing a bathroom wall in one of Houston’s underground walkways, he started beating around the patch area with a hammer. “Why are you breaking off more plaster”, I protested, “we are supposed to be fixing the wall not making it worse!” More plaster veneer continued to fall.

That’s when he taught me something I never forgot.

He told me he was not beating hard enough to damage the wall but that he had to remove what was already loose because if he patched over it the loose part would eventually fail and the blemish would be worse than ever. Removing the loose stuff was part of fixing the problem.

Sometimes we ask Jesus to fix our problem(s) and matters seem to get worse. We feel like the banging of life takes away more than we had hoped and we wonder why God would allow, even seem to purposely make, more to happen.

That’s when we need to remember He IS fixing the problem. He is only removing what would fall away anyway. He is ensuring his “Patch” (don’t go off on a tangent about the term “patch”) will hold. The repair is coming, be patient and confident.

“Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:” – Hebrews 12:26b-28 (KJV)

– fritz

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