Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Day 274 - The Ice Climber

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 94
         
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. 


It is somewhat easy to see why so many Christians misunderstand verses like the one in Michael’s writing today…reading Scripture in English and “understanding” what the Bible is saying by using our definitions of the English words (which are almost as varied as the number of people actually reading any verse!) in the current day’s usage, leads to many not really having a clue as to what God is telling us.  We have a perfect example in Michael’s first sentence: how many read Romans 8:7-8 and ever think “flesh” as “that condition of being under the influence of something other than Jesus”?



DAY 274

The Ice Climber 

Because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. --Romans 8:7-8


The flesh is that condition of being under the influence of something other than Jesus. Made from the dust of earth, it is always dragging the soul (mind, will, and emotions) into the things of the earth, wanting a kingdom in the dust from which it came. The flesh, when exercising power over the soul, silences the Spirit of Christ within. Flesh is an amazing thing and brings us face to face with the fact that apart from Him, there is little that separates us from animals.

I like to think of the flesh as an ice climber. Where I live there is a sport made of climbing up frozen waterfalls. This is dodgy business, and the climber must be careful to find a place for the pick and spiked shoe. A tough spot is at the top, where the water last flowed. At this point the climber must actually go up at a grade that slopes away from the surface. Sometimes I pray, “Jesus, make me like that ice that is at an angle and so difficult to cling to. The flesh is looking everywhere for a foothold.The flesh will have me thinking of being offended or of those I have offended, of self-righteous acts and unrighteous acts, and of guilt or justification. Positive or negative, it does not matter to the flesh, just so long as it stays in control. It insidiously uses anything to gain ground, and I am still amazed at what will keep the flesh ascending. However, it has trained me and worked for me, for now as I feel its climb to control, I know that I have moved away from the Lord. I move back, let Him tilt me a little in His arms, and the flesh goes tumbling.

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


Michael gives us an outstanding illustration with his “ice climber” picture.  We must constantly be aware (it is good to use “pictures” to be able to “see” something going on right before us!) of the “flesh” and its efforts to take us away from being under the influence of Jesus.

First of all, words have meaning, so we must walk, talk, or read with correct wording so that the correct meaning is always before us.  There is one Greek word in the entire New Testament for this “flesh,” as talked about in Romans 8: “sarx.”  Dr. Spiro Zodhiates says, “as implying weakness, frailty, imperfection, both physical and moral; the opposite being ‘pneuma’ (the spirit)…also as opposed to ‘to Pneuma Hagion’ (holy, meaning the Holy Spirit)…as implying sinfulness, proneness to sin, the carnal nature, the seat of carnal appetites and desires, of sinful passions and affections whether physical or moral.”  So, anyone reading Romans 8:8-9 and thinking “physical body” has clearly missed what God is saying in these verses.

Secondly, Michael makes some superb statements we must all be aware of:
  •    “The flesh is that condition of being under the influence of something other than Jesus.”
  •           “The flesh, when exercising power over the soul, silences the Spirit of Christ within  
  •      “The flesh is looking everywhere for a foothold.”
  •    “The flesh will have me thinking of being offended or of those I have offended, of self-righteous acts and unrighteous acts, and of guilt or justification.  Positive or negative, it does not matter to the flesh, as long as it stays in control.”


And, ultimately, Michael gives us God’s answer to when we step over into the “flesh”: “I move back (to Christ), let Him tilt me a little in His arms, and the flesh goes tumbling.”  Isn’t that so easy?!?  So, why has the church continued to work in the “flesh” by telling folks the way to move away from the “negative” is to move toward the “positive”?  Why?  Wrong definition of “holy.”  Think about that…


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

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Day 54 - Complete In Him

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 93
         
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 what is one of the most simple, yet another most misunderstood or plainly not believed truths of scripture, Michael points out one of the marvelous riches that is the possession of every Believer by virtue of being IN CHRIST.


DAY 54

Complete in Him

But we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness. --I Corinthians 1:23

I rejoice to begin each sermon with this statement, “I have nothing that you need.” It is true! Anyone who has Christ is in need of nothing that I have. Paul says in Colossians 1:28, “And we proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ.” Any person in Christ is complete; if so, then what will I add to that completeness? I might spend some time expounding on what completeness in Him means, but I have nothing to give by way of an addition. The believer is complete.

In advertising I was taught that a hook is necessary in order to make a product appealing, cause it to stand out from others, and even make it an object of lust. Unfortunately, Christianity has become a product with apparently hundreds of brands that compete with one another. Careful listening reveals the hook adopted by proponents of each brand. Some travel around the world placing their feet on the soil they are to pray for, some know Greek, some boast in having received a one-time fix or an incredible experience, and some have even had an exchange. All of the hooks may sound good and have their own certain appeal, but the hooks are also exalted above the person of Christ. Many of these things will be revealed in someone’s completeness in Christ, but they do not make that believer special or more complete. I call it pyramid preaching when someone purports to stand above the crowd to proclaim his Jesus-plus addition, looking down on the lowly masses of believers, encouraging them to become like him, and all the while emphasizing his superiority and their inferiority in the faith. Pyramid preachers exhaust me.

The day you accepted Christ you moved to the top of the pyramid, and no one has something that you need, for you have everything in Him. True faith spends more time advertising Christ than it does the spectacular that comes from Christ. Rejoice in faith, Believer, for you are complete in Christ.


“Complete in Christ.”  How marvelous does that sound?!?  When I was Born Again less than two weeks before my 35th physical birthday, it seems the Lord, for weeks on end, led me to one great promise, one priceless victory after another as to WHO I AM IN CHRIST.  For the first 15 years of my new life I reveled in the unfathomable riches of my new heritage.  Then all of a sudden, God took it to another level: WHO CHRIST IS IN ME !

Completeness.  To realize all that I have and am through Christ is the most faith-building, encouraging, and energizing life-giving power.  The power that is Him living His life through me.  So relaxing, so peaceful, so comfortable.

I don’t understand how any Christian cannot believe this simple truth.

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



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, June 10, 2014

Day 210 - No Contribution

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 92
         
Michael’s book is available through:

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


In today’s writing, Michael hits on something that helps anyone who truly wants God to be recognized for having “worked” in their life.  We need to ask ourselves whether we have made some of the statements Michael points out regarding “our contribution.”


DAY 210

No Contribution

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes. --Proverbs 3:5-7

I am finding a new freedom in the little phrase "no contribution." We all hate to admit that we have no contribution to give the Lord. We make excuses and avoid that fact. "I did not pray enough before the meeting.” “I did not study enough before the Bible study.” “I should have been there." What you are really saying is, "Had I prayed, studied, and come, I could have contributed something.” God is I AM, the God without contribution. Add anything to I AM and you will not have I AM. Since God gets all the glory, then God must do all the work. I have enjoyed saying to God before my meetings, "I am making no contribution. Nothing! I have nothing. And with what You give me, I will be happy." If the meetings go well and people are blessed, amen; I did not make a contribution. If they do not go well, amen, I still did not make a contribution. Since I have nothing, I did not make a contribution. Whatever He gives me is more than I had. I came into the whole thing empty Whatever I get is also whatever I needed; it was the will of God. 


Red – GP, Greatest Promises
Turquoise – UR, Unfathomable Riches           Pink – PV, Priceless Victory


Oh how we don’t like admitting “we have no contribution to give the Lord.”  It’s so “unspiritual” to us, isn’t it?  I mean, from the time we first came to be a Christian we have been working to “obtain” some sort of spiritual status.  We were told we could do all sorts of things to be a “better” Christian, then we worked and worked to “be better.”  My goodness, if I am “better,” then I should have something to contribute to the Lord’s work!  And along comes Michael, and he tells me “I have no contribution to make”…”God is I AM, the God without contribution.” 

Isn’t it a great revelation from God to realize He doesn’t need my contribution, He doesn’t (in essence) want my contribution, and actually, He does get ALL THE GLORY when He does ALL THE WORK, and I make no contribution.  Oh, wait a minute…that presents another problem for me: I have to trust He will show up and DO SOMETHING, in fact, DO IT ALL.  Well, amen.  Can we learn what Michael has shared: “I am making no contribution.  Nothing.  I have nothing.  And (LORD) with what You give me, I will be happy…(AND) Whatever He gives me is more than I had.  I came into the whole thing empty.  Whatever I get is also whatever I needed; it was the will of God.”  Hallelujah!


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, June 6, 2014

Day 207 - Need A Babysitter?

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 91
         
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.  


The scripture used to start today’s writing is probably my favorite.  I so love the freedom God gives my spirit when walking each day in His truth.  Some Christians are not living the Truth of Proverbs 3:5-6 because some emotions and obsessive thoughts, and ongoing sin, prohibit them from doing as God says.


DAY 207

Need a Babysitter?


Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. --Proverbs 3:5, 6

I remember a couple with an out-of-control child. Every night cookies were put on every other step and down the hallway leading to the child’s bedroom. This is how they got the child to go to his room at night. You can imagine the luxury of dropping the child off at a babysitter's for a night's rest. Aside from all the issues this situation brings up, it made me think how emotions can be a lot like uncontrollable children. They wear us out, and we would be happy to drop them off at a babysitter's just to get a break from them. We need a break from our emotions and obsessive thoughts, so we stop off at the babysitter of drugs, alcohol, TV, gambling, videos, romance, and more. We want something else to take charge of our emotions and thoughts to give us a break. There is another option, though. When they are such a hassle, we should just desert them. We cannot control them, so we need to abandon them at God’s doorstep and admit that we are powerless and done in. 

It has taken me some time to come to the place where I could say that sin is stupid, but it is! It is stupid because it does not fit our new nature, the life of Christ. If I were to ask a group of farmers to wear dresses, high heels, and pantyhose for one week, I imagine that they would be quite uncomfortable. Obviously, it is because the attire does not fit their nature! They are men; they want men’s clothing. Likewise, we believers are uncomfortable when depressed, angry, unforgiving, full of criticism, or sinning simply because those do not fit our new nature, the life of Christ. If a believer goes to bed angry with his mate, he punishes himself. If a believer refuses to forgive, he punishes himself. If a believer returns to a past sin, he punishes himself. Someday in heaven it will be revealed that the commands of God were never a burden (I John 5:3). The proof will be in the fact that when they were neglected or disobeyed, His children were miserable. Whenever they were kept, we were happy! Dwell on this: Sin and punishment are one and the same. We need not punish a cancer for being a cancer; cancer is its own punishment. The woman caught in adultery was brought to Jesus. She never asked for forgiveness, and yet Jesus did not condemn her. Why? Her behavior had already condemned her; there was no need for Him to say anything. Sin is stupid! It has been said that the fruit of sin is either rotten or green, but never ripe, juicy, and satisfying. Sin simply does not fit a believer any more than the clothes and behaviors of the opposite sex.

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



In somewhat of a continuance of last week’s writing, emotions are the first mention we see Michael address.  Once again, we cannot let our emotions take us to a level of being uncontrollable. 

It is absolutely important that we join Michael in recognizing sin is stupid…all because it is “not who we are” in Christ!  It does “not fit our new nature, the life of Christ.”  If it is not who we are, why are we trying to be somebody we aren’t?  Recognizing Truth and recognizing sin for who they are…exact opposites…perhaps will help us to make some decisions we might not otherwise make.  But, in the end, Michael nails it: “sin and punishment are one and the same…sin is stupid…sin simply does not fit a believer.”


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.


Lee McDowell Christian Ministries
leemccm@gmail.com

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