Thursday, June 20, 2013

Day 217 - Our Reality is Jesus


Lee McDowell Christian Ministries                         LMCM
Nacogdoches, Texas                                                           Gal. 2:20  KJV

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 42

         
Michael’s book is available through:

Abiding Life Ministries International
Littleton, Colorado
(303) 972-0859       almi@abidinglife.com

It is one thing to be a procrastinator.  It is another to be an “avoider.”  Michael shows how “avoiding,” in the context of all that is spoken of, is really unacceptable.


DAY 217

Our Reality is Jesus

For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. --Colossians 1:16, 17

I have often spoken of my trip to the interior of the Amazon with my brother when we met a man who was only a head. Yes, it is true, only a head. The rest of his body was no bigger than a book, with no arms, legs, or the appearance of a stomach. He was a head. Many see his photo and are as vexed as I was the day that I first laid eyes on him. We all wonder, “How would I cope with no legs or arms?” But for him it is not all that vexing, since it is his reality; it is how he was born, and he knows nothing different. It would be another matter had he been born fully formed until an accident turned him into that condition.

Today you, too, have a reality, a life that is all that you know, and one you believe to be very rich and full. If you had the opportunity to live just one moment in full abiding, you would find your life, your reality, to be terrible, nothing more than a shadow of what you could experience. You have only touched the hem of His garment, so to speak. To know Him in the power of His resurrection and to be like Him in His death, and then to accept how you live today would be intolerable.

There is surprisingly little written within the Christian community concerning the division Christ brings in families. In contrast, much is said about the need for forgiveness, understanding, varied personalities in relationships, coping with the controlling in-law, showing Christ's love, being long-suffering, and witnessing to the lost in the family. All of the aforementioned have their place and merit, but why neglect Jesus' statement that He came to bring a sword, that He would set parent against child, and child against parent (Matthew 10:34-37)? These words are neatly overlooked, and those who have found the sword operating in their own family have also found themselves being judged by other Christians as being less spiritual. When there are hiccups in the relationships of the spiritual person, the occasion is often used to look for something "deep" that is wrong with him. Because of such pressure from others who maintain that conflict-free relationships are proof of spirituality, many throw their own bodies in front of the sword that Christ would wield, remaining in miserable relationships and attempting to improve the flesh-life of others by pandering to it. In choosing to appear to be "conflict free," they are creating a lifetime of needless struggle with those who walk in the flesh.

It is my contention that Christ is more glorified through a believer's deliverance before an event than in the event. If the truth were told in all relationships, we would find ourselves delivered years earlier than when we compromise and concede in order to preserve a false peace.

"I have a mother who continues to attempt to control my family. What am I to do?" "I have a father-in-law who dominates all our family time; how are we to respond?" "My mother has a terrible marriage, so she gives all of her attention to my children. She smothers them and questions every decision I make concerning them. How does a Christian act in that setting?" "My parents will not work and insist on staying with us for prolonged periods. The stress is eating me up. What is your suggestion?" "My wife can never visit my parents' home without being criticized and maligned. What can I do to help?" What is our response to be to our relatives who are carnal, immature, and/or controlling? With the foundational principle at work of loving and praying for our enemies, we are first of all to tell the truth. The believer is not commanded to be silent concerning the carnal behavior of others, but only not to judge the persons engaging in that behavior. The epistles are written as an expression of the truth, and yet they do not judge the persons involved in the various wrong behaviors as worthless no-hopers. My wife has made many observations about my behavior that were helpful. She was not using those observations to say she was leaving me. I knew she loved me, was committed to me, and was staying. A brother once told me something about my behavior that he did not believe I would "swallow." He said, "Do with the information what you want; I will love you all the same." Taking up the cross and denying self will lead believers to tell the truth about another's behavior as the Spirit leads regardless of the conflict and rejection from which they might rather wish to escape. Have we told our mother, father, sister, brother, or child the truth about his or her behavior, or have we lied through our silence in order to avoid conflict? The sword will either cut away the flesh and bring freedom, as it did for me when my friend told me something that he did not think I would swallow; or it will cut away a carnal relationship when the truth is not received and the person disappears because he only tolerates relationships wherein self and performance reign, not truth. When we take the time and trouble to point out error in someone we love and we are rejected, the rejection is very revealing. For instance, if one of us waited five years to tell the truth, and we are rejected, it demonstrates that the previous five years of pandering to the flesh accomplished nothing. The truth could just as easily have been told the first day and the whole mess gotten out of the way. As the person to whom the truth was told continues to justify himself, tell others his story of being abused and unappreciated, label the truth-teller accusing and condemning, and even question the truth-teller’s mental state and commitment to the Lord, we will know the right decision was made to tell the truth. The truth is cutting that one off from false brethren as only truth can, moving all things to their proper place. 

I want to stop and make an important distinction in regard to those you, as a believer, consider to be family. Do you find it easier to tell those at work the truth about their behavior than family members? Is it easier for you to accept the rejection of a brother or sister in Christ than an earthly brother or sister? If you answered yes, then there is a fundamental problem of your having forgotten to which family you primarily belong, the family with whom you became one through your true birth. Jesus reminds us that we are His family many times, such as when He said, "If they have called the head of the house Beelzebub, how much more THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD?" (Matthew 10:25). Your earthly family does not get special treatment simply so you can avoid rocking the boat! Because of the fear of rejection, it can take years to learn to love walking in truth, but it must be done! It is time to tell the truth about the controlling mother, the interrupting visits, the conflicting messages to the grandchildren, the alcoholism, and the divided home. Remember, I have already stated that we have no excuse not to love. Therefore, in one hand we carry love, and in the other, truth. Say the truth in love and let it divide, as it must. It is time!

A question might immediately come to mind: “What if I am wrong about my assessments?” Remember that if you pray before you speak, God is participating in your conversation. Also, if you are wrong, just as you have no excuse not to love, neither does the one to whom you are talking (even if he is an unbeliever).

It is valid to be vexed spiritually about the behavior of others. However, there is a deeper discomfort that comes from being silent about that behavior. Is it time to say something to your child that is involved in fornication? "I will be here for you, but not there for you. I disapprove of your behavior." Is it time to say to the controlling mother-in-law, "I will be judged for the success of this family; therefore, I will take the responsibility. Enough advice, manipulation, and control"? Is it time to say to the alcoholic father, "No more attending the Christmas party drunk and disruptive. I have decided to set a different example for my children"? Has the day arrived to tell the parent who calls to report all the marital and financial problems, "Why are you talking to me? Talk to the person I have to talk to when in turmoil; talk to Jesus. Good bye"? Christians are not called to a life of compromise. 

When you confront your family member, you will in all likelihood be rejected. When a child is told for the first time he cannot have candy after throwing a fit, he throws a bigger fit. Expect your family member to throw a fit. However, you must stand fast or you will create a monster. The end result may be years of isolation from your family, with your only consolation being that you told the truth. Expect the enemy to whisper, "What kind of Christian are you? You are keeping that person from salvation, and you must honor your father and mother." Do not listen. There is no greater honor shown those who begot you than walking in truth, and no one can blame not having a walk with Christ on the behavior of another. You are a Christian who allowed Christ to wield His sword in your relationships. 

To act on family matters is a faith act. Faith decisions are not made easier with time, for they are the same today, one year from now, or ten years from now. Time is never a variable. How long have you waited to tell the truth? Could it be that today is the fullness of time? When you do, things may not improve in the life of the carnal. However, you can get on making your family an example of Christ without interruption and turmoil. Do it! Decide what is right for your family, in Christ, and tell the truth. Let the division come if it must.

(underlining is my emphasis – Lee)

“Faith decisions.”  I love that reality, don’t you?  God never takes away our choices.  And the biggest choice I have to make is always: will I believe God, or not? 

How many times have I “avoided” making a “faith decision,” when ultimately I still had to make it?!?

I don’t think I would recognize a mulberry bush if I saw one, but there was an old saying when I was a kid…”If you keep doing what you are doing and don’t change, God will run you around that mulberry bush again and again until you decide to do things differently.”  I grew up wanting to avoid the mulberry bush!  I wonder how many Christians are chasing a “faith decision” around a mulberry bush…and how long have they been doing so???

Oh, yes…don’t forget to pray before you speak…surely you want God participating in your conversation.  He will.


Yellow – VIP, Very Important Point      Green – IT, Incredible Truth        
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

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Day 226 - Programs


Lee McDowell Christian Ministries                         LMCM

Nacogdoches, Texas                                                           Gal. 2:20  KJV


Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 41

         

Michael’s book is available through:

Abiding Life Ministries International
Littleton, Colorado
(303) 972-0859       almi@abidinglife.com


It is a startling fact: something can be true, but not the truth.  How many of us have ever thought of that?  Or, recognized the difference?  Subtle things can steal from us the fellowship and the freedom that is in The Truth!


DAY 226

Programs

Woe to you lawyers as well! For you weigh men down with burdens hard to bear, while you yourselves will not even touch the burdens with one of your fingers. –Luke 11:46

 Often I go through quite busy times, where it seems that I am getting less and less done. There is so much to do to get ready for international trips, coupled with emergency calls that come daily. I just do not get the time with the Lord I need. I think how maybe when I get on the road I will have a little time, but then the Lord speaks to me. "If you avoided me eighteen hours of every day to do evil, it would be quite obvious to you what the problem is. But you have been taking eighteen hours away from Me to do good, and it is not so obvious." Which is worse, to draw away from the Lord to do evil or to do good? To do good is more dangerous, for doing good never appears to be the problem, and therefore the problem is able to hide. Good is the enemy of the best. Jesus is the best, and so I instantly put everything down and go for a walk to pray and let everything begin to fall into place.

Not everything that is true is truth. A teaching may come from Scripture and be true but not truth. How do we tell the difference between the two? True teaching that lands at my feet and tells what I must do is not truth. True teaching that ends at the feet of Jesus and explains what He does for me is Truth, for Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. If what we are hearing does not end at His feet, it is not truth. Few of the programs filling the churches are truth, and so they rival the work of Christ.


Do not be discouraged. God does not fight sin and evil, He uses them. Many need to go through all the programs and see how inherently incapable of bringing about true spiritual growth they are before becoming sick of them and willing to listen to a message of Christ as Life. I have had myriad programs and true things flung at me. People get so excited about a program and all that will happen as a result of all that I must do, they must do, and others must do. I just let them talk and then hand them my card. I know it is not Truth, and I will let the years speak against the minutes. Programs work for the Kingdom in that they contribute to the hard work of bringing a person to the end of himself and to ultimate emptiness. "If God is for us, who is against us?" (Romans 8:31)




Four or five years ago there was a TV series of movies (about 5 of them) on Hallmark channel that had one moment that grabbed my attention: the dad in one particular movie had a daily devotional time…seems life was not as busy as it is these days…where he went up on a small hill behind the family cabin, had a bench he kept there, and with his bible and a heart for communing with God he spent whatever time it took for him to connect with the Lord.  Many times throughout the movie, the dad was shown in that spot.  Most of us don’t have a spot on a small hill behind our “cabin,” and it is likely that many do not take the time to connect with the Lord.


Michael touches on a subject dear to the heart of most churches: programs.  I know a minister who was removed from his place of service because he didn’t have enough programs going for the folks to be involved in.  The people didn’t like having nothing to do!  In another church one fellow once said, “the Holy Spirit could leave this place, and the folks wouldn’t know it.”  Why have the PROGRAMS replaced the PERSON of Jesus Christ?  What is wrong with that thinking?  The answer is in Michael’s words: “A teaching can come from Scripture and be true but not truth.”  Jesus taught in parables “so the one without ears to hear and eyes to see” would not understand.  So many times there are things in Scripture that seem to contradict Truth as expressed in His grace…and may even be a contradiction…why?  For the reason Jesus said.  So we have to be very careful not to take something from Scripture and make it a doctrine, or a PROGRAM, when it goes against His grace.  And it is so easy and so subtle to bring the world’s thinking into our lives, and miss God. 

Here is how we identify Truth from Parabolic Teaching:  “True teaching that lands at my feet and tells what I must do is NOT TRUTH.  True teaching that lands at the feet of Jesus and explains what He does for me is TRUTH.”  This is a powerful explanation of the Truth that sets us free from the bondage of “good.”

Jesus, like the Shepherd You are, lead us to “walking and praying and letting everything begin to fall into place,” according to Your grace!



Yellow – VIP, Very Important Point      Green – IT, Incredible Truth        

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

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Day 225 - Problems


Lee McDowell Christian Ministries                         LMCM
Nacogdoches, Texas                                                           Gal. 2:20  KJV


Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 40

Michael’s book is available through:

Abiding Life Ministries International
Littleton, Colorado
(303) 972-0859       almi@abidinglife.com

Barbara and I will never forget the first time we met Michael and Betty Wells.  Expecting a quiet, relaxing, uneventful couples’ retreat with some friends in a neat place on the west side of Colorado Springs…the regularly scheduled speaker couldn’t make it…Michael Wells was available and subbed.  Being a pastor, we were asked to be in an “elite” group of the attendees that would serve as leaders of small group sessions, and that meant getting to meet Michael and Betty before the others.  Michael walks into the meeting and asks something like this:  “How many of you have any problems…and do you like them?”  The next 72 hours changed our lives, our ministry…we never look at problems the same as before that divine meeting!  (and that is just touching the hem of the garment, as the old saying goes).  Oh, I remember Michael saying something else…about liking Betty’s pecan pies.

DAY 225

Problems

But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills. --Psalm 73:2-5

It is easy for the believer to become discouraged when comparing his life to the unbeliever’s and only the outward is taken into consideration. Since the unbeliever receives today his good things and the believer waits for his good things, a disparity could well exist. However, many believers have made the mistake of thinking that being a child of God means financial wellbeing, good health, and respect from his fellow man. The real head-scratcher for the believer, then, can be to find himself lacking in these while the unbeliever appears to be fulfilled in every worldly desire. David made an objective observation that the wicked do better! Today, when the believer is bombarded by the media and by observation with all that he "should" possess, the temptation to examine what unbelievers possess is all the greater; and many will make the assessment that they are lacking, they possess less, they suffer more often with illness, and they do struggle more. However, there is a trade-off that should not be ignored, for in possessing a life void of material and physical struggle, something else is created in the soul of man, such as pride, violence, hardheartedness, iniquity, an evil mind that knows no limits, malice, arrogance, oppression, boasting, and a big mouth (Psalm 73:6-9)! 

Let me ask a question: Would you like to be free from all sickness and monetary pressure to live a life of ease? What if I stood two people in front of you, one a prosperous unbeliever with a good job, a new house, an attractive mate, and children on their way to college driving new cars. The other is a believer who just lost his job, has a rebellious child, has told his children college is out of the question, has nicknamed his car the "Prayermobile" (never knowing if it will start), and has a mate with a terminal illness. Which person would you choose to be? Be honest! Which would you pick? I suspect on any given day you would pick the life of the unbeliever, or at least would attempt to negotiate a compromise! It is the tendency of man to want to accept Jesus as Savior and call on Him in the future but in the meantime live as the unbeliever. Even though the suffering of the believer delivers him from pride, violence, hardheartedness, iniquity, an evil mind, malice, arrogance, oppression, boasting, and a big mouth, the pull and appearance of the prosperous outer life of the unbeliever is too great, too attractive, too overpowering, and too appealing to turn down. We know we should be happy with Christ within, but we are not! What is the solution? What can make the life of a believer desirable? What can make suffering, a small home, lack of job security, uncertainty with the future, and even struggles in marriage appealing? Only one thing!

"When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood" (Psalm 73:16-17). There are many tasks in life that make no sense until they are begun. Often while in campus ministry I would have students tell me they were not going to date or get married. However, once they met that special person, they wondered why they had not dated sooner. I have observed those who, for fear of rejection, hate to look for a job. Instead they sit at home depressed, wishing for employment. Once they begin to look for opportunities, their countenances immediately change. Many, through fear of failure, never start higher education, but once they begin, the fear gives way to hope and wishing they had started sooner. Experience proves over and over again that once we are in the midst of something, it makes perfect sense. Often the problem is getting someone involved to the point that he can see the logic of what he is doing. Tell a drug addict his drugs are being taken away and watch his panic ensue. However, after being drug free, no longer controlled and free to choose, the wisdom in taking away the drugs becomes obvious to him. My point is that the things of God, the ways of God, the desires of God, the life of the believer, and those things given to the believer by God make no sense until we are in the midst of God. David was baffled until he entered the sanctuary! This Old Testament sanctuary is not the equivalent of the church building today; the sanctuary for the believer is the heart, the dwelling place of God. Once we turn within to Him to abide in His presence and bask in the life He has given on the path we are walking, the adverse circumstances make perfect sense. I will go one step further. All problems make us happy and give a feeling of being special. "I bear in my body the marks of Christ," said Paul with gladness.

When we compare the easy living of the unbeliever to ours, what are we to do when we apparently come up lacking? Should we strive for more? Should we bemoan our condition? Should we rebel against God in anger? Should we become depressed and withdraw? Should we question? No! We need only turn to Him for the life we are living to become special; we sense we are called out, we know we are not of this world, and we are happy.

Believer, do receive something today that will forever escape the unbeliever: inner peace, rest, and fellowship with our God. Turning to the presence of Christ within moment by moment will make your life in Him make sense! You will be happy, more than a conqueror, free from the power of sin, and sharing in all that He has. 

(underlining is my own emphasis…Lee)

Michael had written a book called Sidetracked In The Wilderness.  The organizers of the weekend retreat had mailed one of the books to us to read before getting to the retreat.  Having pastored for over 15 years at that time, I then knew this would be a dynamic time of learning. 

Let me ask you:  Have you ever looked at problems as Michael writes today?  Have problems in your life been “making you happy”?!?  …”feeling special”?!?  I didn’t think so.  But they can take you into the “sanctuary” if you will let them.  And inner peace, rest, and fellowship with God will be yours.  And your life in Him WILL MAKE SENSE.  Well, amen!

Yellow – VIP, Very Important Point      Green – IT, Incredible Truth        
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