Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Day 175 - Justification

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 152
         
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 today’s writing, Michael takes us back to “self-justification” and gives us some startling truths that very few have taken the time to see the hole they are digging for themselves!  Or, perhaps have never known these truths.  WOW!  This is some priceless information to know and use for everyday life. 



DAY 175

Justification

Because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight---
Being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus 
For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. --Romans 3:20, 24, and 28

I have heard some wonderful arguments concerning justification of self. Any number of times I have sat listening to eloquent reasoning, and after the person has made his case, he or she asks something like, “Would you put up with that? Can you see how it makes me feel? No one deserves to be treated this way, and what about the children? Should they have to put up with it?” 

Everyone has some form of self-justification, and often people make some very good and strong arguments that would, in fact, justify their actions if they were living under the law. Therein lies the downside. Judging and justifying indicates a willingness to have God judge and justify. Who is that heady? I do not want to be justified; I want to live under grace. I want Christ’s life in me to take the initiative to love and to bless in my daily interactions. I want His grace toward me. I want life. Observe the one justifying himself; is there a lift in his spirit? Do you want to be like that person? Does he exude life? We are not suited for self-justification; it depletes us, empties us, and leaves us under the law. No, thanks!

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



The truth sets us free, God tells us.  There is some dynamic truth in today’s writing.  Doesn’t the first paragraph just make us stop and think about how easy it is to go into a diatribe that sounds so familiar to his example…all the while not realizing how much we are moving to “self-justification” and opening ourselves to God judging and justifying us…and bringing on a “drop in our spirit.”  Goodness.  I want to be like Michael: “I do not want to be justified; I want to live under grace.”

And it is very important how Michael takes us to know and desire “Christ’s life in me to take the initiative to love and bless in my daily interactions.  I want His grace toward me.  I want life.”  Once we experience a great moment of His Life living through us…we will not want anything else!

Good-by Law!  Hello Grace!  “Jesus, come and be my _______________.”




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

NOTICE: another 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
(twitter) @bleemc67    (email) leemccm@gmail.com

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

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Day 184 - Leverage

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 151
         
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 very idea of a “leverage point” is not something many are familiar with.  Life is relatively easy for most of us, no matter where in the world we live.  However, when we read Michael’s writing today, it makes us aware of just how the enemy can easily get us “moved out of Christ.”  Read about “Leverage” and see if you don’t recognize something that has caused you to protect your “self.”



DAY 184

Leverage

 I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me. --John 14:30

Satan is coming, and he has nothing in the Son of God. Satan is constantly looking for a leverage point, something in our flesh--the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the boastful pride of life--with which he can move us closer to his goal. Often in the mountains I find myself wanting to move one of the large rocks off the driveway. I have a pole and a rock, but without a leverage point, usually a large piece of timber positioned under the pole, that rock is going to stay put.

Where we hold our image the enemy will always find a place of leverage. In Jesus there was no such leverage point. We have nothing in which to boast except the Lord. If we have considered ourselves crucified and buried with Christ, there will be no leverage point from which the enemy or his disciples can move us.

After a conference a fellow came up to me to say, “I do not think you are very holy!”
I did not waste time, but replied, “Oh, in my flesh dwells no good thing. Just the other day I was cussing a fellow that pulled in front of me. Can you imagine? I can tell you more if you would like. I promise you, I am worse than you perceive me to be. I have no holiness, and that is why I need His so desperately.” What did the fellow say? What could he say? There was no leverage point. If in pride I had defended myself, the man would have succeeded in moving me out of Christ. What do I have to defend, anyway? God gave me, along with every person, the death sentence.

When your mate accuses you of being stupid, what harm is there in admitting to it? Once you do, the leverage is gone. When the boss accuses you of causing all of the problems, admit that you are a problem. There will be no more leverage. The enemy has a thousand ways of getting you to protect yourself, the same self that was crucified. Tomorrow, at work, at home, on vacation, the ruler of this world is coming for you. He has nothing in you, for it is no longer you. It is Christ in you.

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



Wow!  How many times have I “defended myself,” and unknowingly allowed someone to move me out of Christ…  But what a marvelous truth: He (the enemy, or someone he uses) has nothing in me, for it is no longer me.  It is Christ in me.  Christ in me can keep anyone or anything from moving me out of Himself.  Hallelujah! 

Isn’t it beautiful to know how easy it is to take away the leverage from the enemy!



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

NOTICE: another 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
(twitter) @bleemc67    (email) leemccm@gmail.com

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

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Day 183 - Let The Dominoes Fall

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 150
         
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. 



Sadly, this speaks of too many Christians…”certain that the last domino will fall at a place not desired.”

Take a look at how Michael very simply gives us God’s remedy for falling for the lies of the enemy that paralyzes, restrains, renders resignation-pessimism-and hopelessness.



DAY 183

Let the Dominoes Fall


What then shall we say to these things? If God {is} for us, who {is} against us? --Romans 8:31

I have met several people who believe me to be quite mad, in denial, unrealistic, and constantly seeing things through rose-colored glasses. While my glasses may rather be blood-colored, it is true that I see things differently. Remember as a child setting up all those dominoes in rows? What great fun it was to finally push them over, knowing exactly where they would end. Imagine today standing in the middle of a gigantic row of dominoes on the left and right, stretching out of sight. The choice is to push with left hand or right, having no idea where the last domino will fall. Many stand paralyzed, restrained, resigned, pessimistic, and hopeless; they close their eyes and push if they must, certain that the last domino will fall at a place not desired. I do not see it that way. I can push either side and know where the dominos will fall. The last one will fall at the feet of the Lord. There is nothing to worry about; God is for us. 

In my day-to-day life I often describe an event by saying, “CATS! I came up cats!” It means that I was turned upside down and dropped from a high place. The expected outcome was that I would break my neck. However, the Lord mysteriously turned me over so that I landed on my feet. Cats! Everything is “cats” for me. He uses my enemies, He permits what He could prevent, and He uses the evil and flesh of men to reveal that He dwells in me. Poverty reveals His provision, sickness breaks pride, and want releases faith. Loss of control reveals that He is in control. I could go on, but why? Everything is “cats”! I do not see situations; I see Him. I may allow a situation to steal my awareness of His presence, but in His presence there are no losing situations, and His presence is ours for eternity.

I met an old Welsh preacher, well into his 90’s, full of life and wisdom. He was such a delight to be with. He was blind; it seems that as he was preparing for ministry, he discovered that he was going blind. I asked his daughter, “What was it like growing up with a blind father?”
“Well, it was not difficult! I never did, and never have, heard him complain!” 
He then said to me, “I am grateful that I am blind. If I could see I might have ended up like David. God knew what I needed. This has been the best.” He was not in denial. The dominoes had simply fallen, with the last one landing at the feet of Jesus.

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


Anyone who knows anything of Michael’s teachings remembers his great illustration of the “2 hands.”  On the one hand is a “situation.”  On the other hand is “Jesus.”  I choose which hand to look at.  And the closer He is to my eye, the more the situation disappears.  Hence, God’s “remedy” for all the negatives we face: “don’t see situations; see Him.”  This leads to pushing any ole row of dominoes and knowing that the last one will fall at the feet of our Lord!

Oh, we can choose to allow a situation to steal the Lord’s presence, and power, and provision…but a quick turn to Him and I have no “losing situation.”  Ever since I learned from Michael this truth about “seeing,” many situations have gone from defeat to victory in a matter of a swift glance toward Jesus!

Come on, Saints…If God be for us, WHO can be against us?!?



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

NOTICE: another 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
(twitter) @bleemc67    (email) leemccm@gmail.com

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

Saturday, August 8, 2015

Day 180 - Lazy Personalities

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 149
         
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. 


Michael has long shown that each of us is primarily a thinker, feeler, or doer.  And we are very capable of having one of the other two “unique selves” as a strong part of our life.  But, in today’s writing, Michael makes sure we understand that we cannot be “lazy” in our dominant personality…read on and find out how and why…



DAY 180

Lazy Personalities

Accept one another just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. --Romans 15:7

We often talk about the different unique selves of thinker, feeler, and doer. I have purposely said less and less about those over the years, because the mind of man can easily grasp the concepts, and by so doing, might avoid grasping the revelation of Christ in us. I do believe that our uniqueness is important to understand. Problems can arise when many want their personality type to be understood by others and so exert pressure on them to recognize it. Some use personality as an excuse to be lazy. For example, it is true that thinkers are not naturally social people, being more task-driven. I must understand that and not expect them to go door-to-door handing out tracts. On the other hand, they must see some of their deficiencies and put effort into functioning somewhat in social settings. Someone lacking communication skills, emotional skills, or relationship skills should LEARN SOME and not put the weight on the rest of the family to learn to cope with him. He can learn to give a hug, to ask a personal question about someone, and to verbalize how he feels. He can say, "I love you!" to the ones around him. Feelers can learn to carry through on a task, to clean the house, to be at a meeting on time, and to show the same interest and attention to their family members that they give a stranger. Doers can slow down, ask if there might be anything others need or would like done, listen and not react, let others in on the plan, and soften the facts. You see, our personality type is not an excuse to be lazy in the areas in which we are not naturally adept. We may be driving the people nuts around us. To say, "That is how I am, so live with it," is stupid. Thinkers want hugs but will not give any. Feelers want someone who will listen, but they will not listen. Doers want others to follow, and yet they will not follow. We must go outside of ourselves, recognize our weaknesses, own them, and invite Christ to be our strength. He will allow us to hug, listen, and follow. 

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



I find it very interesting that Michael points out that the mind of man (that must be the mind we are born with…Christians also have been given a “2nd mind” – the Mind of Christ”) might easily grasp the concepts of the “unique self” (thinker, feeler, doer), and yet at the same time, by so doing, avoid grasping the revelation of Christ in us.  It is imperative that every Christian gain the revelation of “who we are in Christ” and “who Christ is in us”…no matter how long it takes.  That would mean we must be careful to avoid anything that would delay or prohibit those revelations.  God wants to give us those two great revelations!

But it is incredibly interesting to recognize the actuality of some Christians using their personality to be lazy.  And then Michael gives us perfect examples of what this “laziness” is, to the point none should be able to avoid recognizing whether or not he is using it.

And then Michael brings us to the answer to every Christian’s tendency to be “personality lazy”…”We must go outside of ourselves, recognize our weaknesses, own them, and invite Christ to be our strength.  HE will allow us to hug, listen, and follow.”  Just like the Apostle Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Let us avoid the “spirit of sluggardness” pervading too many Christians today…




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

NOTICE: another 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
(twitter) @bleemc67    (email) leemccm@gmail.com

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

Sunday, August 2, 2015

Day 179 - Land Crabs

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 148
         
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 this day’s writing, Michael draws our attention to the fallacy of trying to figure out God apart from some simple truths that will never change.  Has your experience with God been something you could “systematize”?



DAY 179
 
Land Crabs

Who knows, God may turn and relent . . . --Jonah 3:9

I was once told that I had bad theology. My response was, “Of course.” Theology is the knowledge of God, and I would imagine that my knowledge is lacking in several areas. All I know of God for certain is what I see in Jesus; apart from Him I know very little, and what I claim to know is probably wrong. It is somewhat like the little boy who was asked by his grandmother, “What are you drawing?” 
“I am drawing God,” he responded. 
“But no one knows what God looks like!” she exclaimed. 
“They will when I finish,” he declared. 
Many proclaim with a similar confidence exactly what God is like. However, the longer we listen, the more we learn about the theologian and the less we actually learn about God. One brother asserted at a meeting, “I am not against theology; I have just, personally, had enough to last me until Jesus returns.”

I have always found the land crab interesting. He looks for a shell to move into, protects it with his life, eventually will find he has outgrown it, and so casts it off in search of a more suitable shell in which to hide. He never destroys the old one that is no longer good enough for him. Theology is just like that shell. With our eyes on the Lord we will always outgrow that in which we formerly took comfort, security, and pride. We are not crabs, though, and I wonder if we should not destroy the old rather than leaving it for someone else to put on, knowing all along that in the end it will be too small of an explanation for God. I suppose, though, that we all grow incrementally more than by leaps and bounds.
           
The Jews had God all figured out. It was simple: all prostitutes were to be put to death. But . . . then He told Hosea to marry one. The scribes and Pharisees knew it all, being experts in theology: the adulterous were to be stoned. They brought one such woman to the Living Word and found they had gotten it all wrong! Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go your way. From now on sin no more” (John 8:11). Theology seems to be something that we will always outgrow, but there are simple truths about God that we can always grow into. God is love! He is gracious! He shows mercy! And God is full of compassion! This type of shell is worthy of leaving behind for others and never destroying. 

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 absolute in his statement, “All I know of God for certain is what I see in Jesus.”  And then he gives us something that can guide us all the days of our life, “With our eyes on the Lord we will always outgrow that in which we formerly took comfort, security, and pride.”

Like a land crab, we need to grab the shells of Truth about God that we can always grow into.  And these we can always find Life in.



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

NOTICE: another 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
(twitter) @bleemc67    (email) leemccm@gmail.com

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