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
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
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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
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