Day 65 - Do-Do

Lee McDowell Christian Ministries                         LMCM

Nacogdoches, Texas                                                           Gal. 2:20  KJV

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 26

Michael’s book is available through:

Abiding Life Ministries International

Littleton, Colorado

(303) 972-0859       almi@abidinglife.com

Us old-timers (I’m talking about the ones blessed by having known Michael and Betty and ALMI for several years) remember the first time we heard Michael mention the “do-do religion” of the day.  And he said it in a church!  We muffled our laughs until our stomachs hurt!  Well, amen.

 But, oh did it change many lives!

Day 65

 Do - Do

 Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? --Galatians 3:2, 3

We know that the warnings in the book of Hebrews, chapters 3 and 4, center in the refusal of the believers to enter into the rest of God. Like the Galatians, they were trusting in their ability and had laid aside the work of Christ.

Our carnal side is accustomed to working in order to be pleasing rather than working because we are pleasing. Working to be pleasing feels natural, for we are conditioned from birth that our efforts will gain the desired rewards from others. The tree of the knowledge of good and evil encourages this distorted perception of living by teaching that doing evil will produce rejection and doing good will supposedly produce righteousness and acceptance. When we approach Scripture with this false theology, all we see are the do's, those things that we need to accomplish. The problem is that man has never been able to do enough to gain God's acceptance; that is the very reason that we need Christ. The belief that doing can replace faith will make us so discouraged that we will be forced to return to Him by way of the doing of the Son. Hence, we experience the goodness of God, which leads us to a deeper understanding of Christ and a submission to the work of the Savior within.

Here is an interesting Scripture in the Old Testament that describes what happens when man will not rest in the work of God.

"’This is the resting place, let the weary rest’; and

‘This is the place of repose’--but they would not listen.
So then, the word of the LORD to them will become:
Do and do, do and do, rule on rule, rule on rule;
a little here, a little there--so that they will go and fall backward, be injured and snared and captured.”
                      --Isaiah 28:12, 13

Either we rest or God will wear us out with the do's!

It’s really so simple, isn’t it?  And because it is so simple, we won’t believe or receive it, will we?  How sad.  Christianity “passes by” so many simply because it is simple.

What’s wild is this:  so many profess to be “Bible-believing Christians"…and yet when it is right there in front of us, God having said it…we show ourselves to be Unbelieving Believers.  Oh, my, how terribly sad.

Therefore, DID WE RECEIVE the Spirit by observing the Law, OR “by the hearing of faith” (KJV) ?  Did we “work” for Him, or did we simply “believe to receive Him and His faith”?  SO, THEN why is it we cannot believe that “living life as a Christian” is simply “by the hearing of faith” instead of “observing the Law”?!?  Either Christianity is ALL ABOUT HIM, or ALL ABOUT ME.  I decide.

Have you made your choice?

Years ago I heard about a football coach screaming at a referee over a call the ref had made.  He kept screaming that the call “stunk,” “it stinks,” “you stink!”  The ref threw his flag, marched off 15 yards against the coach’s team, and hollered at the coach: “How does it smell from here?!?”

When we enter into the “do-do religious activity”…I imagine God throwing His flag, making His Word “become do and do, do and do, rule on rule, rule on rule; a little here, a little there—so that (we) will go and fall backward, be injured and snared and captured”…CRYING OUT TO US: “How does it smell from here?!?...until we are “so discouraged (and tired of the smell) that we will be forced to return to Him by way of the doing of the Son.”

Have you realized how badly that “do-do religious activity” STINKS?!?  Ugh.  Abandon to Christ, simply believe, and REST.  He will complete the good work He has begun in us!  Amen, and 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

Day 64 - Do Carnal People Want Truth?

Lee McDowell Christian Ministries                         LMCM

Nacogdoches, Texas                                                           Gal. 2:20  KJV

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 25

  

Michael’s book is available through:

Abiding Life Ministries International

Littleton, Colorado

(303) 972-0859       almi@abidinglife.com

There is nothing more foundational to living life as a Christian than to be totally aware that we have the Holy Spirit living in us, have eyes that the Lost don’t have, have ears that the Lost don’t have, and have the Mind of Christ that the Lost don’t have.  What we do with these foundational assets goes a long way in determining how we live life as a Christian, AND…in interacting with the Lost.

Day 64

Do Carnal People Want Truth?

In whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. --II Corinthians 4:4 

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. --Isaiah 9:6

When Christ enters a heart, a person’s eyes are opened to see things clearly as they are. The illusion of the world is revealed--its inconsistencies and lies--and this knowledge is then used to turn him to the pursuit of the invisible kingdom, the kingdom of the Son of God. He is discerning and verbalizing things he never before could have and enjoying revelation that is so freeing. There is a problem, though, in that it is only natural for him to believe that others would like to have what he now possesses that makes a new worldview seem so obvious. 

For instance, it is estimated that across the United States 50,000 new laws are passed every year. In twenty years that is one million new laws. Each law could be construed as a means to take away a public right. At a minimum the government has determined that a million rights that we had twenty years ago may no longer be rights. In fact, the government does not seem to believe that we have rights that cannot be eroded, while at the same time an attempt is made to stir women into thinking that abortion is a right, a ridiculous assertion. However, it is quite clear that not all unbelievers would like to listen to this type of logic, and it is a mistake to believe that carnal man wants truth (neither did the believer when he was carnal). It is only as we love the TRUTH that true things become appealing and compelling. Therefore, our job is not to dissuade men concerning their inconsistencies and illogical thinking, but to persuade people of the TRUTH. Many Christians have gotten involved in politics because they saw things clearly and assumed that constituents wanted to hear true things. They were disappointed to the extent that carnal, fallen man does not want to hear true things no matter how intellectual or refined the thought might be. 

Michael Wells points to a great problem the church has always had…the battle between the Born Again and the Lost.  It is a normal, natural battle in that two spiritual entities are at war against each other…with full battle gear and mindsets that are in opposition to one another.  And as we have witnessed for so many generations, the only “winning strategy” for us Christians is to “win” one of the Lost to Christ! (The TRUTH).  Well, amen.  Why are we not doing it more???  Why, instead, are we trying to “win over” the Lost to our mindset?!?

A Lost person’s mind does not receive the things of God.  God has told us that specifically in 1 Corinthians 2:14.  How on this earth are we to believe otherwise, that is to “believe that others would like to have what (we) now possess that makes a new worldview seem so obvious”?  Nothing is more foolish and frustrating for us Christians!  It will never happen.  ONLY when a Lost person is “won” to Christ, can they begin to see and think “like Christ.”  And even then it is possible for the Christian to think “carnally.”  How about that problem?  Carnal Christians can be as big a detriment in this life as a Lost person can be.

The first message I preached after being called to the ministry of preaching (at age 36) was: “The Lost Don’t Know They Are Lost!”  Text?  2 Corinthians 4:3-6.  Born Again only a year earlier, this thought rang in my mind constantly…still does. 

Do you want to “convince” a Lost person you know, or other Lost folks around you, of a truth in life that they can’t seem to get?  Give them Jesus…they get the Holy Spirit and all that comes with Him; they will then be able to “receive the things of God.”  Simple, isn’t it?  Let’s be about “winning the world to Christ,” and not about trying to convince them they are wrong about things in this life.  That can be a waste of our time, energy, and money.

If you have any questions or comments you would like to make, write to me at the address below, or email to leemccm@gmail.com

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

Day 63 - Division of Soul and Spirit

Lee McDowell Christian Ministries                         LMCM

Nacogdoches, Texas                                                           Gal. 2:20  KJV

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 24

Michael’s book is available through:

Abiding Life Ministries International

Littleton, Colorado

(303) 972-0859       almi@abidinglife.com

When our focus is on the wrong thing, the wrong person, or in the wrong place, all perspective is out of place.  Hence, as Michael points out in this beautiful dialogue so many Believers are “looking for _______ in all the wrong places” and living defeated lives.  Check it out…think about where you are “looking”!

DAY 63

Division of Soul and Spirit

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. --Hebrews 4:12

Many are in the process of having soul and spirit divided.  Life is to be found within the spirit, yet many interpret quality of life in the spirit by what is happening in the soul. The day Christ entered the believer's life, He brought along a treasure chest full of all that is needed for successful living.  The chest holds acceptance, love, assurance, security, commitment, and daily help. This chest, however, lies in the spirit, though the immature believer continues to look outside of the spirit for fulfillment. He turns to the soul for completion through the intellect (if only he can understand how he acts), through a strong will (if he can only change what he hates and acquire righteousness), or through changing emotions (if only he could feel loved, accepted, and valued). He looks to the body for satisfaction in attractiveness. Fulfillment is believed to come through the accolades of others: children, mates, friends, family, parents, and co-workers. Titles and vocations promise to fill the emptiness.

If you were God, what would you do to divide soul and spirit to force the believer to look deeper and discover all the riches of Christ that dwell within the spirit? That would be important, for if the believer could discover that true life is within, then nothing outside him would be able to destroy him. It does not mean that the believer would live the life of the unaffected (as a Hindu), but it does mean that the believer would be able to sing hymns in prison. First, would you not make all knowledge fail and emotions sink and lose their attractiveness? Second, would you not allow the will of man to fail him as it loses control in some area of life? Finally, if you were God, would you not cause both the world and all those in whom the believer trusts to fail to meet his deepest needs? 

This is the dark wedge, the sword that God drives between soul and spirit. "The word of God is living and active, and sharper than a two-edged sword, able to divide soul and spirit." The "Word of God," naturally, refers to Jesus. He personally does the work of dividing, and when the separation is occurring, many believers despair and consider this experience to be the most difficult of all; they become frantic, worried, confused, angry, and bitter as they clamor for the return of happiness in the flesh. 

However, we should be encouraged that it is through this very experience that we grow to become men and women of faith. The whole process is called the baptism of fire, whereby the leaven of the past is totally stopped. [This is in reference to the means of preserving wine from becoming vinegar in biblical times. Once the wine had reached its peak fermentation, the entire container was lowered into a fire, killing any leaven that would continue the fermentation process.] We learn that nothing outside the spirit can ultimately destroy us. We discover our freedom from all that used to hold us hostage. We learn how sufficient He is to supply our every need. And when the process is completed and we enter into ultimate productivity and true humility, we may possess nothing outside of the spirit, but neither does anything possess or hinder us. We now understand the great emptiness that resulted from seeking life outside the spirit. Those lesser things we trusted have dried up. Future confrontations by external adverse circumstances will not stifle and hinder the release of life. We have walked the path intended for those who would experience the very deepest work of the Lord. We cannot emphasize enough to others the importance of completing the course and learning about life in the spirit. We are free, we have found the life within, we live out of the treasure chest, and we are thankful.

             

(underlining is my emphasis)

Amazing, isn’t it.  Christianity is all about Christ, not us.  When we are born again, we get His Spirit (old, Adamic spirit is crucified).  Christianity is all about focusing on our new Spirit, not about the soul (mind, will, and emotions) or the body.  Yet, not only immature believers, but many in church leadership, seminary professors, etc. focus on everything BUT our Spirit.  Passing mention is given, but their real focus in on everything but our Spirit.  And LIFE is in our Spirit, the Holy Spirit of God. 

It is important to see that Jesus has us in a process (wow!  “baptism of fire”).  He is doing the “dividing,” which is causing much consternation.  But, if we will “look to Him” we will find His peace as He takes us through the process.  Why is it we cannot believe Philippians 1:6?

Spend some time soaking on Michael’s words, asking the Lord to reveal to you just where He has you in this “process,” and asking Him for His peace to continue walking with Him till He completes His “good work” in all particular areas of your life.

And, be greatly encouraged by Michael’s testimony in the last part of his dialogue!

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

Day 181 - Lesser Versus Greater

Lee McDowell Christian Ministries                         LMCM

Nacogdoches, Texas                                                           Gal. 2:20  KJV

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 23

         

Michael’s book is available through:

Abiding Life Ministries International

Littleton, Colorado

(303) 972-0859       almi@abidinglife.com

Michael Wells could pinpoint like none other a small difference, a small focus, which when the “lesser” was preferred over the “greater”…Michael could show just why so many lives were snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.  May we seek fellowship with Christ above all else, and let “all that needs to happen” happen!

DAY 181

Lesser Versus Greater

For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. --Romans 1:25

In seminars I like to emphasize the denial of self and spend a good bit of time examining and understanding the self that is to be denied. Denial of self is important to ministry and to the lives of every believer. The way of self is not the Way! Daily there are families, lives, and churches being destroyed because of self. However, we have a saying that lesser truth must always give way to greater truth. The denial of self, exchanged life, and abiding are all truths, but not the greatest truth. Every believer must be careful not to worship a lesser truth but allow the lesser truth to bring him to the greatest truth. We can run the risk of worshiping and serving something created rather than the Creator.

I once read a list of what it means to live in self-denial. The problem was that self-denial was portrayed as the greater truth. The article emphasized that we must be forgotten, neglected, disregarded, bear every annoyance, be content with bad food, never refer to ourselves, look for correction and reproof, sound out every bit of rebellion in our hearts, and so on. True, but a lesser truth, for there was nothing in the article about Christ. As we fellowship with Him, all the above that needs to happen does happen. 

I will not spend the day focused on self-denial. As I have mentioned before, there are two ways to be controlled by self. One is by making every attempt to satisfy it, and the other is through doing everything to avoid it. Either way, it is worshipped by having attention. God is always to be the focus, and to the surprise of many, there are elements of self with which today He is not concerned about dealing. We must make the greater truth our focus, and then we may be assured that all lesser truth will not be neglected.

Every time I hear or see Michael mention “focus,” my mind instantly goes to “the hands” illustration he so often used.  Those of you who know Michael remember:  “The right hand is Jesus, the left hand is my problem.  When my focus is on my right hand/Jesus, then I can’t see my left hand/problem (he would shift the left to be ‘behind’ the right where the left hand was hidden).  But when my left hand/problem becomes my focus, then I can’t see my right hand/Jesus (of course that meant he shifted his left hand in front of his right hand, to where his right hand was hidden).  And when Jesus is my focus…”  Whatever he was trying to emphasize, he got the point across with that “hand” illustration.

Crazy…life is that simple.  God has made it that simple.  FOCUS ON GOD and FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD is our work.  God takes care of all the rest.  We have to learn how much HE wants to do for us.

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

Day 31 - Branches on Branches?

Lee McDowell Christian Ministries                         LMCM

Nacogdoches, Texas                                                           Gal. 2:20  KJV

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 22

Michael’s book is available through:

Abiding Life Ministries International

Littleton, Colorado

(303) 972-0859       almi@abidinglife.com

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if when a person became a Christian the Lord miraculously provided for all to go to a vineyard and work with the “husbandman” for at least two or three years…learning all the wonderful truths of planting, cultivating, pruning, etc., etc. working with the vines.  John 15 in its first few verses holds more Life than most ever discover. 

DAY 31

Branches on Branches?

I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing. --John 15:5

The heart of the believer is where God’s divine umbilical cord stops. Through that cord His life flows to the heart and then is pumped throughout the whole being. The eyes of the Christian become His, seeing what He sees; the ears hear things not spoken. The hands, feet, and strength, all are His. The heart of the believer is the place where the branch attaches to the Vine and receives His life. A branch properly attached to the Vine will find the full life of the Vine, and with it, the ability to accomplish what a branch by itself could not, such as bear fruit. Our collective goal as believers is to see every member so recognizing his attachment to the Vine that the supernatural flows out of him. However, we live in a world of kingdom builders, branches whose goal is having other branches attached to them, not to the Vine. They do not want the connected branches to succeed, to have their own ministry and calling, or, heaven forbid, to bear more fruit than they do, for they want the branches to be credited to them as their own fruit. Many “founders” of ministries view those around them as their possessions fastened to them, so they are not free with the people or able to hold them with an open hand. If one poor branch has the revelation of being attached to the Vine and begins to bear fruit and begin another ministry, he will always be remembered by the “grand branch” as an indebted traitor and taker. My advice to every leader is to let the people under him go, for it is only right that God attach them to Himself instead of to any person. Exodus 7:16, “And you will say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, sent me to you, saying, “Let My people go, that they may serve Me in the wilderness.” But behold, you have not listened until now.’”

If you are a branch attached to a branch, you must also let go. If you do not, when the branch fails you will find yourself falling. Attach yourself to the Vine and do all things as unto the Lord, having as your life source always the Lord Himself. Do not let a leader keep you in bondage with the promise of what he does for you; he did not call you or choose you, God did. Your allegiance is first to God. Do not be a branch on a branch.

It’s so simple, isn’t it?  HE is The Vine, we are the branches.  Apart from Him we can do nothing.  However, the exciting thing is this: attached to HIM we get ALL that HE is!  In the vineyard, everything hinges on the life of the vine.  Even having branches, or fruit, hinges on the life of the vine.  In Christianity, the Life and the Vine IS Jesus.  And His branches receive everything from Him.  His Life.

Life does not come from another branch (Christian).  It’s a lesson thousands need to learn, and benefit from.

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