Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Day 206 - Natural Emotions in An Unnatural Place

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 90
         
Michael’s book is available through:

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

Notice:  this email is part of a BLOG, called Living Life With a Capital “C”Why a blog?  So that many can receive the weekly thoughts I express on Michael’s writings in an easy manner.  In the event you sign up to receive the weekly emails (see info at bottom) and then sometime in the future stop getting the emails, please remember you can go to the BLOGSITE and read each posting each week.  Then let me know (my email address below), and I will work to correct the problem.


Emotions are a dramatic part of our everyday life.  What we know about our emotions, how we handle their response to life’s situations, and whether we are aware that God wants to heal damaged emotions, constitute a major portion of the reasons so many are living a life controlled by emotions brought on by past events rather than Truth (Christ).

Michael gives us a clear picture of the difference the decisions we make at life’s “Y’s” can make in our lives…sometimes yielding seemingly impossible situations.  What about Truth, though?  “For with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37).


DAY 206

Natural Emotions in An Unnatural Place

For the sorrow that is according to {the will} {of} God produces a repentance without regret, {leading} to salvation; but the sorrow of the world produces death. –II Corinthians 7:10

There are many Y’s in the road of life. Many have gone right instead of left, heading down a path from which return is difficult. It is no secret that the Church today finds itself coping with a subculture in which extramarital affairs are commonly occurring. How does this happen? There are the simple, obvious root problems and solutions: “The lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the boastful pride of life.” Many are looking for spiritual needs (love, acceptance, assurance, security, and significance) in the wrong places. Having experienced rejection from self and others, they look to another person to love or validate them. An easy solution is repentance and a turning to the One who does love them. Then there are those who are just plain stupid. I remember a traveling salesman telling me that he hated staying at a particular hotel. “There are many single women there, and I always end up having an affair!” The obvious solution, which apparently had escaped him, was not to go to that hotel! These are the easier problems concerning affairs, when at the root there is very little emotional attachment.

However, when there is emotional attachment, the problems escalate. It deserves repeating that there is a Way and a not the Way. Jesus is the Way, and every other way is not the Way. The world's way of premarital sex and cohabitation is not the Way, and it is a road from which it is difficult to return. In one survey (not that I trust surveys) 40% of all affairs took place with a previous boyfriend or girlfriend. Obviously there was an emotional attachment from the past that was never broken. I am vexed by every young woman who, having been convinced that she would marry a fellow, goes to bed with him, and months later she goes to school to find the boyfriend no longer talking to her and dating someone else. The girl has been living in an unnatural situation where emotions were expended at a level of marriage, but life did not make a return on the investment. For the girl it is the turmoil akin to divorce, but for the boy, a mere switch of dating partners. Some situations are better left avoided, but many have been told the perfect Way to live, and if they fall short they cannot see any other avenue. 

Often I am asked, “Is it possible to fall in love with two people?” My answer is, “Of course it is. That is why I stopped dating once I got married!” It is not difficult to have emotions for someone other than the mate. Often I draw a circle and call it “natural situation.” Within the circle I draw another circle and call it “natural emotions,” wherein one would list feelings of love and affection for the spouse. Both the emotions and the situation are legitimate. Next I draw another circle called “unnatural situation,” and within that circle I draw the same little circle called “natural emotion.” Here is where I find many who are having an affair. They have all the natural emotions that come from dating and spending time with another, and yet they are in an unnatural situation with someone other than their spouse. Being in such a situation brings no peace and is exactly why I say that we are to stop dating once we are married. What is the solution to withdrawing from an unnatural situation? It is difficult, for even though many actually hate where they are at, they cannot deny the feelings that they have for another. To simply kill the emotions does not work and will only produce another unhealthy situation. This is because it is unnatural to attempt to eradicate natural emotion, which cannot be eliminated cafeteria-style, exterminating a little here and a little there. The person would be left with dead emotions in the natural situation of the marriage; he would no longer feel for anyone.

The reader may be asking, “What is Mike talking about? It is silly to speak of married people having feelings for someone other than their mate or married people returning to their mates and still struggling with emotions for another! If I were the mate in that situation, I would just say, 'Get a life, and when you decide you can love only me, then and only then return!'” I know what you are thinking and understand why you are saying it. However, these are real situations that I have had to deal with regularly in believers' lives. If the article does not apply to you, praise God and move on.

For those who find themselves wanting to follow God and yet being pulled by emotion, what are you to do? Confess the Way! Jesus is the Way, and every other way is not the Way. Invite Christ into the center of the situation. Tell Him exactly where you are at and do not hide a thing, for “power is perfected in weakness.”

Just as an aside, I visited with a believer who was settled on having an affair. After years of rejection this believer had found someone who “truly loved” him. I knew no matter what I said he would go ahead with his plan. Emotions were ruling. After making my case for the Way, I said, “I know you are going ahead with the affair. Would you do something for me? Every time you leave the house, invite Jesus to go along with you. Invite Him into the center of your affair!” The person looked quite shocked, but I pleaded, “Please, invite Jesus to go along with you. Just pray, 'Jesus, come and go with me.'” The person agreed. Nearly one year later I saw him again, and he said, “Mike, I did what you asked. I invited Jesus to go with me always. I have broken off the relationship I thought I could never end. I have broken it off not because I stopped loving the person, but because Jesus always went with me and allowed me to move against the emotions.” See how Jesus brings everything into its natural place? I do not want to cheapen someone’s emotions, which in themselves are not bad, but the place where they are being exercised can be very bad. If you find yourself in an emotional affair, confess it truly, hide nothing, hold nothing back, tell the Lord, and invite Him into the center of it. He is the only one Who can move you back to a place of peace (natural emotion in a natural place). Leave the place of the unnatural by beginning to invite Him in. We have a God, He is real, and He will make a difference. 

One more thing about affairs is that they need not wreck and destroy the oneness of a couple any more so than does rape. Soulish love, mental oneness, emotional oneness, and even physical oneness do not compare with spiritual oneness. A husband and wife are one in Him, and nothing will change that. Forget what is behind, build on your spiritual oneness, and move on. Do not let a momentary event steal a lifetime of experienced oneness in the Spirit.

Many have gone down a road they should not have. Then comes the thinking that if only they could go back in time, they would do something different. Reality is that once they were back in time, they would be the same persons they were at that time, making the same mistakes. All this is true, but not the truth. We must end this article at truth, and truth is Jesus. Do you believe in Jesus? If so, you will answer the following in the affirmative. Do you believe that God causes all things to work together for good? Yes, all things, even the stupid mistakes that you have made. Do you believe it? I do, and I know we can all press on to the high call in Christ Jesus.

Yellow – VIP, Very Important Point      Green – IT, Incredible Truth        
Red – GP, Greatest Promises
Turquoise – UR, Unfathomable Riches           Pink – PV, Priceless Victory


Michael gives us such a beautiful truth when he says, “…there is a Way and a not the Way.  Jesus is the Way, and every other way is not the Way.”  But it is very important for us to be aware: “when there is emotional attachment, the problems escalate.”  This is where the enemy gets his hooks into many Christians, and many go un-helped in getting free.

I have highlighted several words, phrases, and sentences in this day’s writing that are important points worth our serious study.  But there is nothing like the Truth Michael presents to close out the writing.  Jesus is always the Answer…and everything else is not the Answer.


To access ALL past weekly blogs, go to Living Life With a Capital “C” by logging onto www.leemccm.blogspot.com 

If you desire to get a weekly email of this blog, look to the top right hand side of the web 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: a new blog on Michael Wells’ book, Sidetracked In The Wilderness, called Getting Out of the Wilderness.  You can access by logging onto www.leemcchristianministries.blogspot.com


Lee McDowell Christian Ministries
leemccm@gmail.com

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

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Day 205 - Missed the Will of God In One Area? Pick It Up In Another!

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 89
         
Michael’s book is available through:

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


In one of the most misunderstood, most mis-applied, and most-used form of control/bondage/condemnation teaching and preaching…the “will” of God has been one of the biggest “enemies” Christians have had for years and years.  And Michael gives us the most simple, yet profound, truth in his very first sentence in today’s writing.  Would to God that this writing would set many, many captives free!


DAY 205

Missed The Will Of God In One Area? Pick It Up In Another!


The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. –Proverbs 16:9

Anyone who feels he has missed the will of God in one area of life can pick it up in another. Here is what I mean. Imagine that you married an unbeliever. Many will hint or blatantly tell you that because when you came to a Y in the road you went left instead of right, for the rest of your life you must pay for it. The decision will direct all of your days. There is no need trying, since you have already messed things up. That is a lie. Just because you married out of the will of God does not mean that you cannot pick up the will of God today. You can move into His will and love the unbeliever, just as He does, “for God so loved the world.” You can share with your mate. Even in a worst-case scenario wherein your mate leaves you, you can still pick up the will of God today, which is to walk in the Spirit, gain the revelation of Christ, and come to know the One who knows you. There is so much in the will of God, but again, missing it in one area does not mean that you cannot pick it up in other areas for a life perfectly aligned in Him. I have seen many that married in the will of God but later did not pick the will of God. So what if ten years ago they chose the will of God? Is that helping them today when they are not? Remember, we are all in the process of growth. I am not going to hold the mistakes that my children made at age five against them, and God, whose plan is not thwarted by our decisions, continues to strive with us all of our days. We make the plan (an act of faith); He directs the steps (an act of foreknowledge). 

Yellow – VIP, Very Important Point      Green – IT, Incredible Truth        
Red – GP, Greatest Promises
Turquoise – UR, Unfathomable Riches           Pink – PV, Priceless Victory


Who in the church hasn’t heard others moaning and groaning over some idea or issue concerning “being in the will of God”?  Better yet, who hasn’t been one of those doing the moaning and groaning?!?  And who has gotten a victory and the peace that comes with simply believing the simple truth of Proverbs 16:9?  And check out Proverbs 3:5-6 while you are at it…  (which we will do in more detail in a couple of weeks).

So, let’s be honest with ourself: do we believe that we can “pick up the will of God in another area” when we have missed it previously?  Does Michael’s last statement (highlighted in red) “shake your tree” – as the old saying goes?

Look at Michael’s counsel in the middle of the writing: “…you can still pick up the will of God today, which is to walk in the Spirit, gain the revelation of Christ, and come to know the One who knows you.”  Amen!  This is life.  This is freedom.  This is victory!

There really isn’t a lot more to say about this…except: am I going to believe God, or believe man (those around me that are “unbelieving,” or those who are telling me that I will have to pay the rest of my life for a choice I made).  Well?

To access ALL past weekly blogs, go to Living Life With a Capital “C” by logging onto www.leemccm.blogspot.com 

Lee McDowell Christian Ministries
leemccm@gmail.com
P. O. Box 633244    Nacogdoches, Tx 75963                                         936-559-5696

Friday, May 16, 2014

Day 204 - Ministry That Wears Us Out

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 88
         
Michael’s book is available through:

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


I wonder if you will get the same out of this day that I did…God has no grandchildren, and I want to be a garden hose.

Enjoy!



DAY 204

Ministry That Wears Us Out

Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart.
      II Corinthians 4:1

I remember talking to a pastor that told me that his great heart for the people had led him to fatigue and depletion. I responded, “’A great heart of compassion led me to exhaustion’ sounds so much better than saying, ‘Playing God has led to my exhaustion!’” But it was playing God that caused his malady. It is impossible to become exhausted if ministry is the flow of Jesus’ life through us to others. We are not the source of living water, life, or wisdom, but rather the channel; I cannot imagine a garden hose getting that worn out! However, when we play God we strive to become the source; we attempt to get in our child's skin and live his life, we convict our mate of carnality, we force on others the building program, and we make disciples in our own image. We must refuse to play God and rest while connected to the Source. Does this mean we just lie around like the garden hose? Yes! The Gardener will cause the flow! We are to be used as the avenue for the drink, but we are not the drink.

A friend told me of a time that his children asked him for an automobile. He replied, “Why are you asking me? Go ask the person that I have to ask when I need a car. Go ask your Father in heaven!” If we continue to play God for others there is always the risk that they will not find God for themselves. God does not have one single grandchild. Everyone must find Christ for himself. There is so much in the discipleship process that God must do, and without His activity, nothing of lasting value will happen.

I was in the north of Italy when, not being able to read Italian, I parked the car in a no-parking zone. I got out of the car and noticed an officer writing tickets. At that I put two and two together and immediately turned around, got in the car, and pulled out. Not content with that, the officer waved me over and attempted to explain that I was going to get a ticket, which I only surmised from his waving the ticket book and pen and his appearing to be detailing in Italian my offense! Really, for all I knew he was writing free passes to the circus! I, on the other hand, was pleading my defense in English. Neither of us really knew what the other was saying. In the end we both threw up our hands in frustration and walked away. If the Holy Spirit is not working in someone’s life, he simply will not be able to hear anything of our translating and interpreting what God has given us to say. “HAVING EYES, DO YOU NOT SEE? AND HAVING EARS, DO YOU NOT HEAR?” (Mark 8:18) If we have been able to hear and see, it is because of the Holy Spirit. “But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear” (Matthew 13:16). Responding to what He allows us to hear and see is a different matter, but hearing and seeing comes from Him. Trying to make a person see and hear is wearing. Simply rest, allow the years to speak against the minutes, allow the person’s life experiences to witness to Life, and stay connected to the Source. Ministry then can come through us to another. 

Yellow – VIP, Very Important Point      Green – IT, Incredible Truth        
Red – GP, Greatest Promises
Turquoise – UR, Unfathomable Riches           Pink – PV, Priceless Victory



I trust you understand I got a whole lot more than the two items I mentioned at the top!  Was just laughing so hard at Michael’s pictorial that I couldn’t pass up the opportunity!  He is just so encouraging in all he says…

Look at all the green highlights…”incredible truth.”  That is what grasped me as I have re-read this day’s writing many times.  We have some foundational application of God’s truths that will help those of us ministering and those we minister to.  And, prayerfully, we hope they will see their part in receiving what the Holy Spirit is wanting to do to work in their life.  It’s that “response to what He allows us to hear” that is so critical.

First, I need to “refuse to play God and rest while connected to the Source,” and it is comforting to know that I need to “simply rest, allow the years to speak against the minutes, allow the person’s life experiences to witness to Life, and stay connected to the Source.” 

I like this “resting” and avoiding the “exhaustion, fatigue, and depleting.”  Amen!

To access ALL past weekly blogs, go to Living Life With a Capital “C” by logging onto www.leemccm.blogspot.com 

Lee McDowell Christian Ministries
leemccm@gmail.com

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

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Day 203 - Ministering With and Ministering To

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 87
         
Michael’s book is available through:

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



Michael writes about the realization that we are either “ministering with” another Christian, or we are to be “ministering to” that same person.  That’s an interesting revelation, isn’t it?

Two things I would recommend as you read Michael’s writing in Day 203 of My Weakness For His Strength, let the truths begin to show you just where every individual is in relation to your ministry AND let the Holy Spirit convince you of the incredible truth in the three “green” statements.  There is a lot of God in them!



DAY 203 

Ministering With And Ministering To


But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction.

--I Thessalonians 5:12

There are those to whom we minister and also those we find ourselves ministering with. Regardless of the capacity, we remember that service in the Body is not a pyramid scheme wherein those who know the most and sound the most Christian are at the top, while all others strive to reach the top (anyway, only air is to be found at the top!). Rather, we minister horizontally with the full knowledge that we have nothing that every believer does not already possess. However, in this horizontal relationship are those to whom we are called to minister, and it is always our desire that at some point in time we will labor with these very same brothers and sisters in ministry to others. We can tell those we minister to by their attitudes. If they are judgmental, argumentative, overtly or covertly cutting us to pieces, and pitting themselves against us, we know that these are the ones we need to minister to. We do not use their behavior as an excuse for having nothing to do with them. (Matthew 5:46, “For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax-gatherers do the same?”) Rather, we simply recognize that we cannot yet minister with them. We become so distressed when we discover that someone we thought was a co-worker is slandering us, when instead we could simply recognize that this person is not one that we are ministering with, but to. We need not be upset at the carnality of others, for we can remember our own. A long-time friend and I were watching a young man minister in what was obviously a great exercise in the flesh, since we noticed more of him than of Jesus. My buddy turned to me and whispered, “Do you know what really bothers me about that fellow? He reminds me of us when we were his age.” How true.

I have noticed that the only thing that can suspend an unfinished civil war is a common enemy to unite the previously warring factions. Often those who walk in the flesh pick a common enemy and draw up a truce to support one another in the fighting. Any of us might be picked as that common enemy, but again, this only reveals those to whom we are to minister.   

Yellow – VIP, Very Important Point      Green – IT, Incredible Truth        
Red – GP, Greatest Promises
Turquoise – UR, Unfathomable Riches           Pink – PV, Priceless Victory


Everybody seems to like “pyramid schemes” because there is the “promise” of bigger and better things to come.  Of course, once we get involved in one of those schemes, we find that very few ever get to the top of the pyramid…bummer!

But, when we find “ministering horizontally,” we have such great relief and peace and enjoyment for that is truthful Christian fellowship (two fellows in the same boat, rowing in the same direction!)…even when the other fellow might be someone we minister to!  How beautiful is that!?!  And what a change that can bring to a Christian group!

I remember first hearing Michael talk about “ministering with”…I got so excited I couldn’t see straight!  It became so comfortable to work alongside another, to have a part in ministry on the other side of the world, to enjoy the presence of Christ in all that was done.  Oh, that service in the Body could never be presented as a pyramid scheme, but as the “horizontal shuffle”…everybody in step with those we are either ministering to, or ministering with!  Tell me, how’s your dance step?

To access ALL past weekly blogs, go to Living Life With a Capital “C” by logging onto www.leemccm.blogspot.com 


Lee McDowell Christian Ministries
leemccm@gmail.com

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

Friday, May 2, 2014

Day 201 - Malfunction

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 86
         
Michael’s book is available through:

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


It seems like I am constantly saying, “It’s the fundamentals (building blocks) that are so critical, yet it is the fundamentals (building blocks) that seem so lacking in the lives of so many Christians.”  And therefore, life for them is like the house built on the sand that falls badly.  In one of the simplest, but yet so critical writings in Michael’s book, this day’s examination of John 3:6-7 is profound.  See if you “own” the fundamental truths from this lesson…


DAY 201

Malfunction

Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying you must be born again. --John 3:6, 7

There was something inherently wrong with man from the start. Man could not, as he was created, provide God with what He wanted, which was someone to love, someone with whom to fellowship, and someone that understood His heart. Man was created with a weak spirit that could either be drawn to heaven or attracted to things of the world. The lusts of the fleshly soul looked to everything outside the spirit for fulfillment; in short, it was fed by the world. Man lived in the fantasy that fulfillment and happiness could come through the world's events and offerings.

Upon receiving a new born-again spirit, the Spirit overcame the outer life’s appeal, and man could now begin to be filled within and be freed from what the world offers. "Out of your innermost being will flow rivers of living water.” At this point man had something much more significant in common with God than with the world, and the reality of the things of God could be sought by man. There was now fellowship on a much deeper level as what it meant to be made in the image of God became revealed. Life was no longer found in the fantasy but in the reality of giving, serving, loving, forgiving, and redeeming; for now he was content to die an unknown, die abused, die without money, die losing, and die totally free.

Yellow – VIP, Very Important Point      Green – IT, Incredible Truth        
Red – GP, Greatest Promises
Turquoise – UR, Unfathomable Riches           Pink – PV, Priceless Victory



Michael uses a succinct title…”malfunction”…to set the stage for writing about the devastation of:
1.     A person who hasn’t been Born Again and received the Spirit of Christ.
2.    A Christian who hasn’t learned or grasped the fundamental truths (building blocks) that are a part of life as a Christian that provide the Life to be lived that overcomes all the world throws at us.
Both are a malfunction of God’s intended life for mankind.

A person without Christ is simply flesh.  A Christian has the new born-again Spirit, Christ’s Spirit.  And “rivers of living water,” Christ’s life, can flow out of the Christian who is aware of His Life within and will allow Him to “be” what the flesh can never be.

And one of the most important aspects of enjoying Christ’s life is to know that through Him we can understand God’s heart (what the NT calls His “will”).  The very meaning of the Greek word behind “will” describes God’s heart on a matter.  It is not a mandated work or a perfect plan, but a foundational heart-issue with God.  And, listen, not only to know God’s heart, but to experience in life His heart flowing through our life.  Don’t I remember Michael saying something about “rising and falling with our definitions”???

Michael has written a spectacular piece showing what is wrong with man (all mankind…none escapes this) from the start (birth), and the only way man has hope of overcoming and being freed from what the world offers.  Well, amen & amen!


To access ALL past weekly emails, go to Living Life With a Capital “C” by logging onto www.leemccm.blogspot.com 

Lee McDowell Christian Ministries
leemccm@gmail.com

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