Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Day 49 - Christians Do Not Need To Make Excuses

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 206
         
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 these thoughts in an easy manner.  If you are not getting these weekly postings via an email, go to the website: www.leemccm.blogspot.com …in the top right corner there is a place to register to receive each post.



As I make this entry (#206 out of 365, hopefully!) it is with a grateful heart for God bringing Michael Wells into our family’s life…and actually God, through Michael, pointing us to Christ within us.  On this day 5 years ago (10-11-11), Michael stepped into the presence of God in Heaven, while on a mission trip to Costa Rica.  It was a shock to all of us, but not to God.  We can think up all kinds of reasons God called Michael home that evening, but truthfully, only God knows “why,” and at that moment.  As we communicated with Betty this afternoon, she is living in the grace of God.  She is a dear friend who is a testimony of God’s love to her in the physical absence of Michael.  She is living testimony of “not making any excuses,” but living each day “in the light of God.”  Well, amen.



DAY 49

Christians Do Not Need To Make Excuses

What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? --Matthew 16:26

On a train in Europe I was sitting next to a couple of unbelievers and slowly beginning to talk about Jesus. They paused for some time before shooting me their pet trick question, "What do you think of holy wars? I do not see how we can call a war holy! It seems hypocritical!” I did not give a defense, though I knew he was talking about the Christians. Instead I began to talk about the Muslims, those most associated with holy wars, since they believe that their kingdom expands through the acquisition of lands. Once they have held territory, if they are ever forced to leave, they will have a holy war to repossess the place. Next are the Hindus, who, though forbidden to kill an animal, are allowed by their holy book to kill humans to expand their kingdom. These, too, are considered holy wars. The Buddhists also allow for the killing of people to protect or extend their kingdom. Finally, there are the Catholics, who through their holy wars were able to extend their kingdom and possessions. Holy wars as we know them are entirely an attempt to extend earthly kingdoms. All of this brings us to Jesus. He never had a holy war. His was not a visible kingdom made of land, possessions, and image. His kingdom is invisible; nevertheless, to make gains in this kingdom requires a war. One fellow had been listening intently and asked, "What do you mean?" “Christ would rather gain a man's heart than take the man's home. He would rather see the light of God replace the darkness in man. There is no comparison." "Interesting! Can I write to you and discuss this further?"

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



I really feel it only necessary to note that at this time in America, where I live, I hear many people, including Christians, in the context of political things happening every day…making “excuses” for the way things are in this country.  In the next three weeks’ postings, I will be using 3 of Michael’s “days” in MWfHS (that I haven’t used before) to focus on some dramatic truths from God’s Word as to what we are seeing unfold before our eyes.  These future writings will highlight the battle between which one of the two trees back in the Garden of Eden we choose to eat from.  Suffice it to say, “Holy wars as we know them are entirely an attempt to extend earthly kingdoms.” 




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

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