Day 111 - Give Me

Lee McDowell Christian Ministries                         LMCM

Nacogdoches, Texas                                                           Gal. 2:20 KJV

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 67      

Michael’s book is available through:

Abiding Life Ministries International

Littleton, Colorado

(303) 972-0859       almi@abidinglife.com

Christmas is just a week away.  Many are going to department stores (or whatever kind of store that works for them) to buy presents to give to loved ones once again.  This is what we do this time of the year.  I wonder how many have given of “self” any at all during the year???  Giving of self is free. 

DAY 111

Give Me

And may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ. --II Thessalonians 3:5

I suppose that nearly everyone has a private box, drawer, or filing cabinet where precious mementos from the past are kept. As I was cleaning out my own drawer of this type, I could not help but notice a conspicuous absence of anything from my grandfather. He was the man who was the greatest influence in my life, and yet he had given me no pocketknife, screwdriver, coin, hand-me-down, gun, or anything! He went to the discount department store every Christmas and bought me underwear; on birthdays it was socks; all other holidays I was invited to his farm for a meal. The underwear and socks have long since worn out. Perhaps it would have been nice to have a little something from someone so loved, but I know that what attracted me to him and to other family members was never what they gave, but who they were. I just plain enjoyed their presence. I relished the family gatherings on the front porch of the farm, always followed by some type of work project like cutting wood or building fences or barns. The fellowship always made the work a delight. What my grandfather gave in fellowship and love had me driving to see him every chance I got. Though at times that was no small sacrifice, I never, ever thought about it in that manner. It was worth the trip just for the fellowship, not for any material gain.

What did Jesus really give the disciples? Not possessions, power, or prestige! He gave them Himself, His fellowship, with no contracts, business deals, or services. They had the opportunity to walk with God, to walk with life itself. I believe that we grow in the revelation of His fellowship day by day, and little by little the business aspect of why we stick with Christ gives way to the appreciation of fellowship, until we recognize that were we to die today, life would have been worth it just for the wealth of fellowship with Jesus. We have walked with God, and that is more than enough. The promise of heaven appeals to us because of the precious One we know will be there. We would choose His fellowship even without the promise of heaven! We need no other keepsakes to tuck away in our spiritual drawers, boxes, or filing cabinets. We are happy in fellowship with Jesus!

Sometimes I wonder about appeals made for coming to Christ. “He has a wonderful plan for your life” (the plan is in this brochure). “He will take away all your problems” (problems are the issue). “He will heal you” (look what I can swap you for healing). “He will change your marriage” (the service to be performed is obvious). “He will keep you from stumbling” (the barter system can work in your favor). “He will keep you from hell” (sounds expensive, what will that cost?). “The devil will no longer bother you” (did not think I could get rid of him). It sometimes seems that there is always a hook to make people come to God, and the hook is promoted as the real reason for coming. All things are given to us in the context of our fellowship with Him; therefore, our fellowship should be the issue, not what He is going to give. Fellowship is not a contract, an agreement between two parties for compensation from service rendered; that is called “going to work.” Fellowship is free! Fellowship does not entail any discussion toward agreement on what each participant will bring to the table; it is not the doing of business, it is the exchange of something much more important than money, the exchange between valuable persons. Any work accomplished within the context of fellowship is beside the point.

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

Turquoise – UR, Unfathomable Riches           Pink – PV, Priceless Victory

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonians telling them his desire was to see God direct their hearts to fellowship with His love, and Christ’s steadfastness…not to wanting a “blessing” (usually a “want” of something material) from Him.  I wonder at what age God’s kids have a turn of heart toward fellowship with God, instead of wanting some sort of “blessing.”  Or, what is it that grabs our heart in such a way (no matter what our age) that all we want is to walk with God…and not possessions, power, or prestige?  Makes me think of how so many kids never really “appreciate” their parents until they reach age 26, 27, or 28 (somewhere in there).  Until then, it’s what can the parents give, when will the parents stop controlling, or why won’t the parents let things be?

I like Michael’s statement: “All things are given to us in the context of our fellowship with Him (God).”  Are we growing in the revelation of His fellowship day by day?  Are we happy in fellowship with Jesus?

If you have any desire to interact with me on something Michael has written, and/or any of my thoughts, please note the email address just below my name at the bottom of this.

To access ALL past weekly blogs, go to Living Life With a Capital “C” by logging onto www.leemccm.blogspot.com   Look to the top right hand side of the page, enter your email address in the box under “Follow,” then click on SUBMIT.  You will receive a “confirmation email,” and when you click on the link and “confirm,” you will receive all new posts via email.

NOTICE: beginning in January, 2014, a new blog on Michael Wells’ book, Sidetracked In The Wilderness.

Lee McDowell Christian Ministries

leemccm@gmail.com

P. O. Box 633244    Nacogdoches, Tx 75963                                          936-559-5696

Day 57 - Crying

Lee McDowell Christian Ministries                         LMCM

Nacogdoches, Texas                                                             Gal. 2:20 KJV

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 66       

Michael’s book is available through: 

Abiding Life Ministries International

Littleton, Colorado

(303) 972-0859       almi@abidinglife.com

I heard a pastor give testimony several years ago of the positive results of his church “crying out to God” during their services through corporate prayer when one of the members came forward asking for prayer from the congregation.  I have tried this at churches where I have pastored, including one now, and have seen God respond to the “cry” of His people.  Michael opens new insights into something as simple as a baby’s cry, and how we can benefit from this knowledge.

DAY 57

Crying

Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting. --Psalm 126:5

Whatever Jesus did or said had eternal significance. Often I like to go through the gospels and only read the red-lettered words of Jesus; I love to hear His teaching. I thought recently that I should ponder the very first thing that He ever uttered while living as a Man on earth. Actually, it was not a word, but a sound, a cry. The first thing that came out of the mouth of Jesus was a cry. What is the message in God Himself crying, what does the cry of a baby solicit from us, and what have our own tears taught us?

The cry of a baby demands examination of the situation by the parents and their provision of what is needed. A cry is a proclamation of helplessness, dependence, trust, and need, the recognition that “I cannot.” If Jesus would acknowledge His existence in such a way, then should we not also? When we cry, we are heard by the same Father in heaven who heard Him. 

There is simply too much stress that comes from not crying. Several years ago a chemical was discovered in the brain of anxiety-ridden people. For years chemists have attempted to neutralize the chemical in hopes of bringing relief to the suffering. To date no medication has proven effective. However, if the tears of the afflicted are analyzed, one will find the anxiety-causing chemical being released. Tears acknowledge the true condition within that we cannot always see or express. We were not created to be God but to need God. Trying to fulfill a job description for which we are not created causes anxiety. Tears are proof that we have begun to give up on playing God. It is pride that keeps us from crying out and therefore keeps us in misery. 

If we humans run to the sound of a cry and act on behalf of a distressed person, how much more will the Lord respond to the cries of His children? Just as parents do not always pander to a child’s every cry, the Lord does not always intervene immediately to relieve our sources of misery; but as we acknowledge, “Apart from You I can do nothing,” look for the Great “I CAN” to eventually move in. Both our waiting and His moving build faith.

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

Turquoise – UR, Unfathomable Riches           Pink – PV, Priceless Victory

Note the criteria Michael gives in getting rid of stress:

1.      A cry is a proclamation of helplessness, dependence, trust and need, the recognition that “I cannot.”

2.    There is simply too much stress that comes from not crying.

3.    If the tears of the afflicted are analyzed, one will find the anxiety-causing chemical being released.

4.    We were not created to be God but to need God.

5.    Trying to fulfill a job description for which we are not created causes anxiety.

6.    It is pride that keeps us from crying out and therefore keeps us in misery.

 It is astonishing that the chemical found in the brain of anxiety-ridden people is actually released when the person cries.  It is almost as astonishing that doctors and those working with the anxiety-afflicted persons have ignored God’s remedy, and…oh, well, what would we expect from those who ignore God?  Man, ignoring God, has always turned to a chemically-balancing drug instead of God’s remedy for dealing with a chemical imbalance.  Duh?  Something going on in man has caused the imbalance in the first place.  Godly people want God’s wisdom to find the cause of the imbalance and how God has intended man to deal with the cause. When man ignores God, God lets man’s mind wander to man’s attempts at solutions apart from God’s ways of living and solving problems.

Pretty simple analysis from Michael, isn’t it?  So, why don’t more Christians “cry out” to God?  Why don’t more Christians come to the church, the staff, or to another Christian to get support, instead of bearing so much anxiety?  Why hasn’t the church created ministry opportunities that the members feel comfortable with, to bring their anxieties and get the relief that God wants to provide?

The Great “I CAN” has answers to ALL problems.  When we proclaim our “helplessness, dependence, trust and need, the recognition that ‘I cannot’“, then the Great “I CAN” WILL move in.  What are we waiting on???

If you have any desire to interact with me on something Michael has written, and/or any of my thoughts, please note the email address just below my name at the bottom of this.

To access ALL past weekly blogs, go to Living Life With a Capital “C” by logging onto www.leemccm.blogspot.com   Look to the top right hand side of the page, enter your email address in the box under “Follow,” then click on SUBMIT.  You will receive a “confirmation email,” and when you click on the link and “confirm,” you will receive all new posts via email.

NOTICE: beginning in January, 2014, a new blog on Michael Wells’ book, Sidetracked In The Wilderness.

Lee McDowell Christian Ministries

P. O. Box 633244    Nacogdoches, Tx 75963                                          936-559-5696

Day 58 - Daily Decisions

Lee McDowell Christian Ministries                         LMCM

Nacogdoches, Texas                                                           Gal. 2:20  KJV

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 65

Michael’s book is available through: 

Abiding Life Ministries International

Littleton, Colorado

(303) 972-0859       almi@abidinglife.com

Something came up this week in reference to someone making a decision about who they should date, perhaps consider for marriage.  As always, someone else was worried about whether the person would make the “right decision.”  Michael has some very special words about such a decision in this day’s writing…

DAY 58

Daily Decisions

He again fixes a certain day, “Today,” saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before, “TODAY, IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT   HARDEN YOUR HEARTS.” --Hebrews 4:7

I believe a common misconception concerning decision-making is that it is for the future, when decisions are just for today. God is the God of today, and therefore, decisions must be made in the light of our relationship with Him today. If a decision can be made presently that locks up the future, how is that living in faith, which is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen? Let me give an example. A young woman prayed and asked God to lead her in a decision concerning marriage. Everyone, myself included, believed that she was free to become engaged to a certain young man, and so she did. Several months later, when she called her fiancé at the university, she learned from his roommate that he was off visiting his fiancée in another country. She called the number the roommate gave her and discovered that her beau was breaking off his engagement to her in favor of marrying another. In conclusion, she stated, "I will never know what the will of God is; I believed it was His will for me to wed this man." Was she right in getting engaged? Had she heard the Lord? Did she make a mistake? I think not. The enemy would have us believe that a decision made today must affect all eternity; that simply is not true. Walking in faith means making decisions not based on outcome but founded in the principle of the Lord’s leading and what He is teaching today. I believe she made the right decision on the day she agreed to marry the fellow. Later, because of that decision and the subsequent breakup, God has done some wonderful things in her life. She drew near to God in her pain, discovered a comfort in Him that she had never known before, and was now moving again in faith. Only God knows the future, so a decision made today may not affect the future like we thought it would, but that does not lead to the assumption that we were erroneous in hearing the Lord when the decision was made. It was a steppingstone to the future. The important thing is hearing Him today.

"Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart." If I walk in the valley of the shadow of death TODAY, He is with me. However, if I want to ponder walking in the shadow of death tomorrow, He is not with me. If I move into the future, I will move alone. He is the God of today.

Michael’s first statement is what we Texans call “a mouth full.”  When I was a young kid I would sometimes “bite off more than I could chew.”  Mom would tell me to politely remove some of what I had in my mouth…chew what was left, swallow, then put the rest back and repeat the process.  Often people in life choke on a “mouth full” of something, instead of spitting some out, and chewing and swallowing only when appropriate.  With correct thoughts, it is easy to “bite off the correct amount,” then chew and swallow without choking on some of the most difficult things in life.  We cause trouble for ourselves because we think wrong about something, then make decisions that “choke” us for a long time, perhaps the rest of our life.

As Michael points out, God is the God of today.  He has told us we are not guaranteed another day.  He has told us to live in this day, and not to borrow from tomorrow (p.s. – borrowing is always wrong with God in anything).  So, why do we think all decisions we make today lock in the future?  The vast majority of decisions we make today can be altered or changed by another decision at a later time, as God leads.

The most important thing Michael is sharing is that we should not think we were wrong (erroneous) in what we heard the Lord say, or allow, when we made a decision that He leads us to alter/change in the future.  And, never let us think that we “will never know what the will of the Lord is” (that’s a form of “hardening of our hearts”).   He is the Good Shepherd, always leading us in His will.  Sometimes His will is a few more times around the mulberry bush (that’s a Texas saying also!) before we are back on the joyful road.

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

Turquoise – UR, Unfathomable Riches           Pink – PV, Priceless Victory

If you have any desire to interact with me on something Michael has written, and/or any of

my thoughts, please note the email address just below my name at the bottom of this.

To access ALL past weekly blogs, go to Living Life With a Capital “C” by logging onto www.leemccm.blogspot.com   Look to the top right hand side of the page, enter your email address in the box under “Follow,” then click on SUBMIT.  You will receive a “confirmation email,” and when you click on the link and “confirm,” you will receive all new posts via email.

NOTICE: beginning in January, 2014, a new blog on Michael Wells’ book, Sidetracked In The Wilderness.

Lee McDowell Christian Ministries

P. O. Box 633244    Nacogdoches, Tx 75963                                        936-559-5696