Day 56 - Contrast Changes People

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 212

         

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.

It is an age-old truth that you can discuss God with anyone, but many will not discuss Christ with you.  Michael brings our attention to a great verse that gives us some beautiful advice that is simple to observe…especially by the grace of God.

DAY 56

Contrast Changes People

And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them. --Mark 6:11

As a believer you must understand that it is contrast, not conflict, which changes people. If someone will not be quiet and let others talk, do not bring it to his attention; simply be quiet yourself and let him talk. Contrast will be the loudest protest. There are some topics that you simply cannot discuss with certain people. Those topics are easy to spot, for when you make an observation, halfway through the sentence, before you have completed the thought, they will be disagreeing with you. Do you have to discuss those topics? If not, simply change topics, continue loving, and move on. The contrast is that you did not get upset over those things.

Over the years, through several hundred hours of lecturing, I have developed something of a thick skin. I have been accused of things I was not doing or teaching, of things I was doing, and of things I could not see I was doing. However, experience has proven that the best approach is to keep my eyes off the accusations and on the Father, to maintain moment-by-moment abiding. In that context, with His light shining on my problems, His might is there to set me free, and He is the One I want to please.

Yellow – VIP, Very Important Point      Green – IT, Incredible Truth        

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

Turquoise – UR, Unfathomable Riches           Pink – PV, Priceless Victory

Almost everyone acknowledges and possesses “a god.”  Very few truthfully acknowledge the One God.  So, therefore, Jesus gave us the peaceful advice: “If any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them.”  Almost hilarious, isn’t it, when you really “get the picture.”  In that day, dust was everywhere…dirt floors, etc., but more dirt outside.  Picture the guys or gals leaving a place where they were not welcome or the homeowners would not listen to them…Jesus said it will be a “testimony against them” when you shake the dust (from their floors) off your feet AS YOU STEP OUT ONTO the dirt of the ground outside their home.  In other words, you are silently and simply showing them their wrong.

And Michael tells us that this “contrast” is the upper road to take…instead of conflict…arguing with those who won’t listen and we cannot convince of their error.  That “convincing” is the work of the Holy Spirit.  Our not arguing will be our loudest protest!  State Truth.  Leave the “arguing” to God.

This reminds me of one time out knocking on doors while taking some info about our church to those in the neighborhood nearby.  A fellow answered the door.  He was a “member” (never went, but was a member) of a church of a different persuasion than ours.  Now listen, even when I offered to share a scripture with him, he said, “No.  We don’t have a bible.  We don’t use a bible.  We use the booklet our church gives us.”  I was stunned for a moment.  I really was at a loss as to how to proceed.  But God gave me a “push” toward the car!  Well, amen.  I now KNOW what God was doing.  He was living Mark 6:11 through me!

Having grown in grace, I now have the simple wisdom of Michael’s words: “the best approach is to keep my eyes off the accusations (or, rejection) and on the Father, to maintain moment-by-moment abiding.”  It doesn’t take me long to head for the car!

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

Day 53 - Communicate Feelings

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 211

         

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.

I have always called Michael the best “counselor” I have ever known.  His astute comments in today’s writing emphasize the reason for my trust in his words.

DAY 53

Communicating Feelings

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. --Psalm 139: 23, 24

Very few couples ever learn to communicate on the important level of how they feel. Most people live out of feelings, which should be communicated even if they are not based on fact. However, when beginning to describe how they feel, people often get bombarded with facts from their spouses intended to discredit what was said. It is interesting to watch the confrontation of a carnal person. First, he tries denial:  "I did not do it!" Second, there is the rationalization of his/her behavior: "I had to do it." Then comes the accusation: "You made me do it," or, "You have done the same thing yourself." None of this makes for great conversation that goes anywhere. The spiritual man does none of the above when confronted, neither immediately accepting (unless conviction from God previously existed) nor immediately rejecting the claims, but laying his heart before God and letting God probe. If what was said is true, then there is repentance. 

           

Let others tell you how they feel. You may be hearing only false feelings, but a spiritual response from you will help reveal this. Get in the other person’s shoes and understand the feelings and why they might be occurring, without responding in a manner calculated to defend yourself. This will help both of you move past those feelings to the Truth, Christ.

Yellow – VIP, Very Important Point      Green – IT, Incredible Truth        

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

Turquoise – UR, Unfathomable Riches           Pink – PV, Priceless Victory

Psalm 139:23-24 are a testimony of the great King David’s understanding of himself versus God’s knowledge of him.  And one thing that shows is that O.T. Believers did not possess the Holy Spirit’s indwelling…therefore the “uh-huh” and “unh-uh” He gives today’s Believers were not available to David.  So David would wisely ask God to reveal and lead him as needed.  Today, we have HIM inside us to do such, most often whether we ask or not, although it is never “bad” to ask God for His wisdom, His insights, His awareness of any of our “offensive ways,” and His leadership.

Michael shows us this translates to the disaster of carnal Christians not being able to (or, not wanting to) communicate their feelings when a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s nudging (and desire to walk with His involvement) could lead to less tension and better communication.

Interestingly, the Greek word for “communicate” in the New Testament is koinoneo, meaning “share with.”  Exactly what Michael is saying here!  Share with each other our feelings, not just facts.  And especially not arguments!

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

Day 46 - Christ's Gain

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 210

         

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.

In “Day 46” of MWfHS Michael embraces an idea that few would ever entertain, simply because of “forbidden thoughts” that legalists often thrust on Believers.  But Michael shows their inhibitions toward Truth lead to missing out on two great revelations.

DAY 46

Christ's Gain

In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. --Hebrews 2:10

On a recent international trip I was sitting on the front pew waiting to preach. During the song service I looked on the wall at a picture of Mary holding Jesus. God becoming a man! I have always thought of the great loss Jesus experienced in having to leave heaven to become a man. I had never before thought there was gain for Him, but there are two areas of gain that I see. First, though I know little about Him, I know He is the lover of my soul. God created man like a fine automobile, but a car cannot drive on its own. I have seen in the bottom of a ferryboat a tangled and beaten-up heap of cars after a storm at sea. Those lost cars had no drivers. Jesus stepped in to become the driver in man and to make the creation perform perfectly. He comes to dwell in each of us, to drive, so to speak.

Second, when spirit dwells in flesh, the spirit will either be perfected or destroyed. In heaven, without hindrances, spirit never really sees its limitations. This is partially the problem that Satan had, thinking he was equal to God. Putting spirit in flesh is redeeming for the spirit as the short course in revealing weakness. Once spirit has lived in flesh and found that it is conquered by flesh (spirit is willing but the flesh is weak), spirit enters into humility. Clinging to and empowered by God, spirit perceives something it never would have if not presented with that new level of need: a deeper experience of the glory of God as He meets the need. Spirit as it lives and is being perfected in flesh reveals the glory of God. Having descended and ascended, does Jesus see the Father differently? If so, is it gain? Jesus was made perfect through suffering. What does this mean for me? Jesus put Himself in a place of great need, but God did more than meet the need. So maybe God the Father will never seem the same for Jesus. Has the Father gotten even more wondrous and beautiful to Jesus? Maybe for the first time in my life, I am happy that I began as a man. Having God help me in my weakness gives me a view and experience of God that no angel will ever have. We are spirits trapped in flesh; in our weakness He becomes our strength.

Yellow – VIP, Very Important Point      Green – IT, Incredible Truth        

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

Turquoise – UR, Unfathomable Riches           Pink – PV, Priceless Victory

There is nothing to talk about any further…than to speak of enjoying all that Jesus IS to us:

1. Jesus came to dwell in us to become the driver in man and make the creation perform perfectly.

2. Spirit as it lives and is being perfected in flesh reveals the glory of God.

3. In our weakness, He becomes our strength.

Well, amen.

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

Day 121 - God's Children

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 209

         

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.

Elections, governments, and man-made powers are of this world.  And, as Christians, we are not of this world.  Interesting, isn’t it, living under these circumstance.  Well, Michael Wells gives us something to really think about in “Day 121” of MWfHS…

DAY 121

God’s Children

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. –Romans 12:2

Do you really believe that the Lord’s return and the end of this world will be prompted by the doings of politicians or polls? By the opinion of an entertainer who a short time ago was a waiter? Does the late-breaking news really mean anything? Why am I, as some accuse, being so negative? As a child of God a man is of greater importance than anyone in the world; his opinions count more, he is more unique, and he has more value. Do not forget it. We are to live above the world, not allowing it to tell us who our enemies are, whom we are to serve, who is important, or to whom we are to listen. At the heart of the world’s system are ticks attaching themselves to living things, God’s people, and trying to suck life out of us by continually telling believers we are in some way defective. The world’s system needs people and yet despises them. The “great and mighty” need the weakest to maintain their position, and actually, since they can never rise above the thing they need, they are really quite weak. It would be nice if ticks only took what they needed and left, but they never do. They always lay more eggs, and so the world continues to perpetuate itself.  

The pull of the world is unbelievable. Jesus could have extended His kingdom through government and worldly cooperation, but He fled from those at every point, so what business would we have courting what He avoided? Jesus steered clear of the world, so how could we consider ourselves strong enough to stand in its strongholds without compromise? I am privileged to meet with the most famous, special, and called people in the world every day, those who have been called out of the world, the believers. We are not of this world. Is that not good news? The standard of the world does not apply to us, and we are blest and happy to know one another. This kingdom is passing and will give way to His; in this we can rejoice. Be not conformed! We are in but not of the world. The Holy Spirit whispers, “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son.” This we must remember as we approach the world from which He, and He alone, redeemed us.

Yellow – VIP, Very Important Point      Green – IT, Incredible Truth        

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

Turquoise – UR, Unfathomable Riches           Pink – PV, Priceless Victory

The scripture verse for this day’s writing is a very interesting verse.  The Greek tells us “do not fall in with the external and fleeting fashions of this age nor be fashioned to them, but undergo a deep inner change by the qualitative renewing of your mind as the Spirit of God alone can work in you” (Spiro Zodhiates).  Reference 2 Corin. 3:12-18 for what the Holy Spirit has ALREADY done in Christians!  And specifically, the word “renewing” is such that makes a person different than in the past.  What is the most uncomplicated and least effortless way to do this?  Abide.  Move into the Mind of Christ God has given every one of His kids.  THAT is what Michael says over and over and over.  When we will do that?

JESUS has all the ideas and answers we need.  HE has any “supply” we need.  HE has all the protection we need.  HE has given us, as a child of God, a Spirit of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  Who, or what, in this world can do us better than that?!?

And here Michael describes for us the practical “work” to do: “We are to live above the world, not allowing it to tell us who our enemies are, whom we are to serve, who is important, or to whom we are to listen.”  Be not conformed!  Do not fall in with the external and fleeting fashions of this age (this world) nor be fashioned to them.  Well, amen!

Besides, “there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” (Romans 13:1). 

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