Lee McDowell Christian Ministries LMCM
Nacogdoches, Texas Gal. 2:20 KJV
Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 7
Michael’s book is available through:
Abiding Life Ministries International
Littleton, Colorado
(303) 972-0859 almi@abidinglife.com
In another exciting discourse on “the will of God,” Michael gives us some of the most stimulating thoughts that change our “focus” on LIFE. Are you as tired of the “yin and yang” as most Christians are (but, perhaps don’t recognize it; or, don’t know what to do about it!), who have fought and argued over what is “good” and what is “bad.” And have been sorely disappointed in how much teaching from the church has left little to enjoy in life? And how “Christian Buddhism” has dominated the preaching and teaching for so many years in the Bible-based churches? (maybe all churches for that matter). “I have decided to follow Jesus” takes on a whole new meaning with the insights into “Thy will be done” that Michael Wells introduces to his readers in Day 276. Be sure and soak on the highlighted items…
Day 276
The Joy of Following
Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter (finisher) of (our) faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. --Hebrews 12:2
Buddhism, with its yin and yang, comes from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, teaching that no matter how much good is done, evil is always making its appeal at a person’s heels. It also teaches that in choosing the life of good, one would be forgoing the pleasures that come from evil. This causes a tension within the follower. Evil offers so much in the temporal, the Buddhist admits to that. However, the good person must deny himself of these temporary pleasures. The Buddhist would have us believe that he has given up his will. However, it is his will to do only what he perceives as good. The will of a Buddhist is quite alive and is the center of his life. He is not living in faith but living in what he perceives will make him the happiest; the reason that doing good looks better than succumbing to evil is simply because evil is not perceived as making him as happy in the end. A good person is the positive piece of film that was created by the negative, the evil person. Both have so much in common. Both want to do what will make them the happiest. Both want the freedom to choose what will work the best for them. Both want their own will. Both are creating an image. Both want to be equal to God. Both want to create in their image. Both want to persecute those who will not agree with them. I bring this up because this cursed tree and its teaching, reasoning, and thinking is thrust upon the believer from almost every quarter from the time that he first accepts Christ.
Our will is not the issue. Our concept of good and evil is not the issue. Our highest goal is not image, equality, being right, comfort, or discomfort. His will is the issue and is so much higher than anything that comes from the tree of good and evil. “Thy will be done” is our prayer. In losing our will, our determination of what is good or bad for us, we have not given up anything. In following Him we are not losing something, denying ourselves something, or missing out on what the world has to offer. Our will for His will is one of the greatest favorable exchanges that there is. Our will, good or bad, is temporal; it is of the earth. It has no power. His will is of heaven and has an eternal power.
I question that we know what it is to possess the will of God when we speak in terms of what has been lost to follow Him. What is lost is often spoken of with a fondness. “I had and could still have money, women, houses, respect, and security. I gave it all up for Jesus.” Was it something that was liked but that had to be renounced for Jesus’ sake in order for the person to be a Christian? Or was it something that Jesus, through grace, revelation, love, and mercy, allowed the individual at last to throw off? “Oh, I cannot go to that place, move to another place, take a different job. You see, I have given up my will to do only what is His will.” When I hear people say that it sounds so much like they really would like to move and take a different job, but they have chosen something higher than the rest of us, having decided to forgo selfish indulgences to simply walk with Jesus. As long as following His will is communicated as a sacrifice, we have not yet known what His will is. Doing His will is not denying oneself the things he would really like to do. His will is not competing with the world. His will is not a good force fighting a bad force. Christians are deceived into believing that by doing His will, they are missing out on some of life’s pleasures, such as the respect of men (good) or the indulgence of the flesh (evil). The will of God is not the opposite of the will of man, not good fighting evil. God’s will is the revelation of the heart and mind of God; it is very personal to Him. To be allowed into His will, to do His will, is something to which nothing on the earth can be compared. The will of God is not something that we enter into because of the fear of punishment or the promise of reward. Just being in the will of God is reward enough, bringing joy and filling us.
I remember traveling on the back roads of India in the famous Indian Ambassador (an Indian-built car that’s style has not changed since the early 1940’s). My Indian teacher unexpectedly pulled me close to his side and began to whisper, telling me his family’s most intimate details and concerns. I paused to take it all in. My teacher was telling me, the student! This is not done in India. I was being invited into the most secret place of his heart. I knew the significance of the moment was that I was being included as the culmination of years of travel and fellowship. Though a weak analogy, it illustrates the privilege of being allowed into someone’s heart. To know the will of God is to be privy to His heart and participate in it, a very special privilege. Jesus was not burdened by the will of God but genuinely delighted in it; it was His food. Being included in God is not giving up anything. It always brings joy, even when the will of God is a cross.
The prayer “Thy will be done” does not reflect thinking in terms of giving up my will to do His will. My will is rubbish; I have learned that I do not want it in any way, shape or form. I want to be in His will, in His heart, to do His will, to let His will be done. Think of it! To know that He can put me down to bring me up, take me out to put me in, let me come apart to remake me, and all of this is His perfect working. His will is nothing that I ever thought it to be. My weakness is a magnet for His strength, His perfection loving my imperfection.
To think He invites us to participate with Him in His will! We gladly participate. In His will nothing is going wrong, but it all is working toward the revelation of His glory. “Father, let Your will be done in my life.”
One of my favorite words is “focus.” Concentration on the main thing(s), paying particularly close attention, getting into the zone…all these are basically the same as “focus.” Anyone who is good at what they do, accomplishes much, is one step ahead of the crowd…they know HOW to “focus,” they know how important it IS to “focus.” God has taught us this: “Fixing our eyes on Jesus…” That’s focus !!! With “fixing our eyes on Jesus,” we understand that our focus is on His connection to our Heavenly Father so that we know “God’s will is the revelation of the heart and mind of God.” The mind of Christ in us as Christians, gives us this ability! Amen. Period. It is not that which the church argues about, seeks after, always strives to be “in.” Michael makes it plain and clear what our focus must be on, and what it gives us. Well, amen!
Yellow – VIP, Very Important Point Red – GP, Greatest Promises
Turquoise – UR, Unfathomable Riches Pink – PV, Priceless Victory
Lee McDowell Christian Ministries
P. O. Box 633244 Nacogdoches, Tx 75963 936-559-5696
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