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Paul’s Trouble – Same As Ours

June 1, 2011 by Fritz

For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: – 2nd Corinthians 1:8

There is a bigger story just below the surface in Paul’s message of God’s comfort in stress!

When Paul first started his missionary journey God specifically told him NOT to go to Asia (Acts 16:6)! But eventually he went there anyway and mentions in several of his letters the personal stress and grief from Asia (2nd Timothy 1:15). Hindsight is 20/20 but this wasn’t the only time he pushed when the Holy Spirit said wait. (Acts 20:22-24, Acts 21:4).

It seems to be his way, is it ours? Should it be?

Paul was goal oriented; once set there was little stopping him. His heart was in the right place but his obedience was not always there.

Three (3) things this shows us:

  1. God’s guidance is for our benefit and we should listen more closely.
  2. Even deeply spiritual people have flaws and don’t always listen, bringing them personal grief which could have been avoided.
  3. God uses even our mis-steps to further his kingdom, to use us mightily, to grow us spiritually, and through it all his love comforts.

– fritz@langgang.com
Related Posts:
1 – Better Guidance: April 21, 2011

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Job’s Misunderstanding

May 31, 2011 by Fritz

The book of Job (pronounced with a long “O”) is viewed as a dreary story raising but not solving a haunting question — Why do good people suffer bad things?

Its writer, a wealthy man with many children, laments he had lived an exemplary life but was abandoned by God in his hour of need. His friends didn’t help much, giving him nothing but platitudes and accusing him of obviously being punished for secret sins. But he had no secret sins — even God said he was a good man! So, we’re back to wondering.

Then a new idea is revealed — a paradigm shift offered by Job’s youngest guest. We overlook the profundity of his words because we, too, are intent on finding the answer we want! Albert Einstein in 1926 once wrote:

Whether you can observe a thing or not depends on the theory which you use. It’s the theory which decides what can be observed.

Job’s youngest friend, Elihu, presents a different theory.

If you sin, what difference could that make to God? … Even if you’re good, what would God get out of that? … The only ones who care whether you’re good or bad are your family and friends and neighbors … God’s not dependent on your behavior. – Job 35:6-8 (Message)

Job, his friends, and we have an underlying premise that we somehow bless God by our faithfulness and that he (or life itself) ought to reciprocate just to be fair! — You don’t think that way?

  • When we take time to pray, do we say to God, “I’m here! It’s a sacrifice on my part, but I’m here so meet with me and bless me for it”?
  • When we read our Bible daily do we think God should be appreciative and should somehow show that appreciation?
  • When we turn the other cheek, share Christ with someone, go to church regularly, even tithe, do we expect that God should reward us for what we are enduring for his sake?

If God did nothing for us he would be completely just and fair for he owes us nothing — Ah, but he does so much!

Your thoughts? Leave a comment.

– fritz@langgang.com.

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No Logical Connection

May 30, 2011 by Fritz

And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed – Exodus 17:11

There is just no logical connection between what Moses did with his hands and what Joshua did on the battlefield — yet there it was, whenever Moses’ hands lowered the battle turned for the worse!

I probably would never have noticed, or if I did I would have wasted time trying to logically think it through first. Not Moses or his companions, they were focused on the results; if raised hands worked they would keep them raised.

Sir Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of England during World War Two, had an old saying,

“However beautiful the strategy,
You should occasionally look at the results.”

God is the senior partner, here; he does what he wants the way he wants.

Are there things you do that help or hinder your spiritual growth and victory? Whether there is a logical connection or not, go for what encourages and avoid what hinders.

You can figure out why later after the victory is won.

– fritz@langgang.com

Posted in Bible Characters, Explanations, Moses, Winston Churchill | Tagged | Leave a Comment »

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