Rules for Eavesdropping...

If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. - John 14:14 (KJV)

Strictly speaking, if you are going to eavesdrop on a conversation you can't, realistically, say a promise made to a participant is a promise made to you.

You can say if one meets similar conditions as the participants it could, possibly, apply at the discretion of the promisor, but you can't think the speaker a liar because what was promised to someone else wasn't done for you, a bystander.

Just because I tack on the "...in Jesus Name!" to my prayers doesn't mean I should expect, magically, get what I ask for, no matter how much I want it.

On the plus side, however, Jesus made some wonderful promises we can claim with certainty. Note the "He that..." and the "If a man..."

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. - John 14:21 (KJV)

Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. - John 14:23 (KJV)

Eavesdropping on Christ's conversations is well worth the effort, you just have to apply common sense eavesdropping rules.
- fritz

A Paradigm Shift for Difficulties...

Therefore, when he (Judas) was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. John 13:31 (KJV)

If you were in Jesus' position (I know, but just try to imagine) how would you characterize your most difficult experience yet to encounter?

When Judas went out to betray him and ultimately cause his crucifixion Jesus, knowing this, said that he was "now" glorified and that God was glorified in him. Would you classify your betrayal and demise that way?

Think of the most difficult thing you currently face. How would things be different if you saw it as God getting glory in your life through that event?

It may not change the event, but I would change your experience of it and the overall result.

- Fritz.

"Those that know..."

In Texas about half way between Houston and San Antonio in a little town called Schulenberg is a diner, Frank's. Just before you get there used to be a billboard that simply read, "Those that know stop at Frank's".

It was the only advertizement they needed; they have good food and reasonable prices, and a lot of people know it, mostly by experience and word of mouth.

It's that way with Jesus; those that know Him know to trust him. He is not a dead religion, He is the Living Savior.

And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. - Psalm 9:10 (KJV)

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

The word, "SHOULD", causes more trouble than any other word in the English language. We get in our minds what "should" happen if things were as they "should" be and it blinds us to reality!

Technical support tells me over the phone their instructions "SHOULD" have worked, and they think they have done their job.

We think God's blessing "SHOULD" insulate us from being oppressed or from hurting when bad things happen, and we wonder where God is and why it didn't work for us.

Do with "SHOULD" what Mattress Mac says do with an old lumpy mattress,"Throw it out!" 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)

It is, precisely, in those "fiery trials" that God's presence can become more evident, not less!

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 evident.

- Fritz

Lesson from a Plasterer's Patch...

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.

Someimes 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.

"...now he hath promised, saying, 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)

"Let" and "Put" - Not the same

"But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield." - Psalm 5:11-12 (KJV)

Two biblical terms to understand: "Let" and "Put" - One is to not prevent something that would automatically happen if allowed, the other is to cause something to happen, as an act of will and intent, which would not automatically occur.

We dare not confuse the two.

To "rejoice", here in the original language, means "to brighten up" and goes along with shouting for Joy; an emotional high or exuberance that is felt and expressed. The rejoicing is "LET", not "put"; it is a natural occurrence for a particular act.

"Trust", on the other hand, must be "PUT" somewhere. It won't automatically happen without a choice.

I think the reason some are depressed and distraught most of the time is because they "LET" their trust fall where it may while trying to "PUT" joy in their lives.

By God's grace I shall "LET" my joy occur as I "PUT" my trust in Christ, who is My Redeemer, My Defender, My Wisdom, the Great "I am", who surrounds me with favor like it was a shield.

- Fritz.

The One who knows all, judges last; the ones who know little pre-judge.

I saw something while reading the story of Jesus healing the Man born blind in John chapter nine.

The man's parents, when asked about the healing, were afraid to answer because the Jews had already decided to expel anyone favorable to Jesus (John 9:22). The Pharasees had judged Jesus to be a sinner because he did not follow their rules on sabbath keeping (John 9:29). All throughout the gospel, everyone is pre-judging based on little to no knowledge of the truth. When Nicodemous tells the temple leaders the law does not allow pre-judging before the accused has a chance to be heard, they shut him down (John 7:50-52).

God, on the other hand, knows all the facts yet time and again waits until He, personally, interacts with the one deserving judgment.

Primary example - Sodom and Gomora:

And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know. Genesis 18:20-21 (KJV)

God already knew the terrible things going on, so why did he say, "I will go down now and see"? This has always been a puzzlement, but I think it points out God's loving nature. Even though He knows everything perfectly He waits, giving every opportunity for change, every opportunity to be shown wrong though He never is.

This may be why there will be a great judgment at the end where everyone will stand before God for the final judgment, when the "Books will be opened" (Daniel 7:10 and Revelation 20:12) though God knows from the beginning.

-Fritz