Day 141 - Hopeless

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 240

         

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.

Hopelessness, what a state of mind to be in.  Yet, Michael points out one of life’s greatest truths in this day's writing…how to step out of hopelessness.

DAY 141

Hopeless

. . . having no hope and without God in the world. –Ephesians 2:12

I was standing talking with one of the brothers in Odessa at the Black Sea when a very old, neatly dressed, small woman with a cane approached and began to speak. Though I did not understand her Ukrainian words, I understood her look, one that vexes me more than any other and is observable in many parts of the world. I have seen hunger, emotional hurt, desperation, panic, fear, and anger written all over people’s faces, but this one look captures my attention, disturbs my spirit, and causes sleeplessness. The look is that of hopelessness, a blank stare seeming to convey a feeling akin to what would be experienced if a person were walking alone on a country road at night surrounded by fog, in a deep darkness like Pharaoh experienced, a darkness that could be felt! I reached in my pocket and gave her five dollars, nearly one month’s retirement pension. Her face remained expressionless as the tears formed in her eyes. She grasped my hand and kissed it, then turned and walked away. I despise hopelessness, especially when I see it on the face of a believer. What is its primary cause? “Thou will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is set on Thee” (Isaiah 26:3). When a believer lacks hope and peace, the first question that is to be asked is, “What is your mindset?” There is no peace when the mind is set on oneself. When the mind is set on Jesus, its true dwelling place, we have peace and hope. His presence brings hope. But no one need take my word for it when he can so easily find out for himself.          

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

That great truth Michael points out begins with the opposite of what the text scripture describes.  The text: “without God in the world.”  The truth begins: “with God…”

If we will but soak on the last 6 sentences, we would find Jesus, our hope.  And as Michael points out, don’t take anyone’s word for it…each of us must find out for ourselves.

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 140 - Holy Terror

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 239

         

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.

Michael speaks of something not many Christians give a moment’s thought to: to come into contact with pure holiness and light is, on the “fright scale,” much worse for the children of the Light, than darkness.  God’s Awesomeness is more powerful than we give credit to.

DAY 140

Holy Terror

Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?" --Revelation 6:15-17

There is a magnificent cathedral in Hamburg, Germany, called St. Michael’s. What I like the most is that adorning the front of the church is the statue of the fallen angel Lucifer, so muscular, so full of anger, so frightening, and yet lying flat on the ground, wings broken, and a foot on his neck! Towering above him is Archangel Michael with his shining, peaceful countenance. He holds his enemy down with one foot and points a spear, which is the cross, at the head of Satan. The scene is awing to behold. It is more correct to portray one angel defeating another than to portray God fighting something that is created, but it got me thinking how we are so fearful of darkness, things that go thump in the night, and evil. Many movies and books have been developed to play on these fears. As children we would see “The Mummy” or “Werewolf” and not sleep for several nights. However, those things are not as frightful as God. To come in contact with darkness does not frighten the children of the light, but to come in contact with pure holiness and light is, on the fright scale, much worse. 

We learned early on in life that contrast makes us uncomfortable. For instance, teenagers offer free cigarettes to their friends who do not want to smoke. What will the greatest contrast be like when man stands before a light so pure that it will seek out every bit of darkness? Each dark spot in man will be burning like a red-hot ember! We need a good movie to be made about real fear that comes from seeing holiness, from seeing God. 

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

Years ago, some were preaching and drawing attention to a particular question: How BIG is your God?  That’s a question that needs answering.  Just as how HOLY is your God?  What is it like coming into contact with the Light and Holiness of your God?

Our answers give insight into whether we have seen “that movie,” or not.

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 139 - Heavy Loads

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 238

         

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.

If the subject of today’s writing wasn’t so serious, it would be hilarious.  How can man get life so out of kilter?  Oh, Michael explains how…and HOW we can stop the insanity.

DAY 139

Heavy Loads

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you. --I Thessalonians 4:11

“Do not let down and do not stop working; the time is near!” “Are you doing all you can? People are dying, so where is your vision for missions? Get up! Go around the block preaching; there are those in your neighborhood who need saving!” “How can you enjoy your sandwich in the restaurant? Do you not know that sinners surround you?” “You only have so much time; do not waste it on anything but ministry!” Blah . . . blah . . . blah!

Usually we hear such things from someone who is in “full-time ministry” with no other job commitments. In the majority of the places to which I travel, those with whom I minister have full-time jobs and consider all of their activities to be an extension of ministry. “Ministry” must be redefined; it is not constant talking! Saint Francis said that we are to do everything possible to share the message of Jesus Christ, and then if we absolutely have to, say something! That is an overstatement, since the world must see but also must hear. The beauty of our “religion” is that we do not have to get out of the world, like the Buddhist, in order for it to work. It works right where we work! We do not have to move up a priestly ladder climbing toward heavenly work and moving away from earthly work. Our faith has its impact in the everyday tasks. As we live in Him and He lives through us, life’s activities are filled with Him. I Corinthians 10:31, “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Paul did not separate our work under the headings of “secular” and “religious”; he combined it with the use of one word, all. “Do all to the glory of God.” Separation of the all that a believer does has led many to feel as though they are second-class believers, who then become dissatisfied with their vocations while looking for “the great Christian someday,” a day when ministry will fulfill them. Considering the list of admonitions at the start of this article, how do any of them apply to the first thirty years of the Savior’s life? He had a Kingdom to start, apostles to train, the whole of mankind to save, and yet for years He continued to work at a carpenter’s bench! In Him we see that the life of heaven and the life of earth can become one in the daily tasks of humanity. I remember succumbing to the teaching that spirituality equals activity. I felt condemned if I were not witnessing to everyone I met, yet the effort was rarely fruitful. I then discovered rest and became motivated to live for the glory of God. I stopped pressing for salvation decisions and began looking for ways to love. Rarely a week goes by that I do not find myself witnessing, but now it is natural, not contrived of my own doing, and it is fruitful. I love Christianity, for there is nothing else like it; it is unique, absolute, and it is the way.

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

Pretty easy, isn’t it?  Get rid of the activity, discover rest, live for the glory of God, find your life actually being His Life…natural, fruitful, unique, absolute…The Way.

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 138 - Healing

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 237

         

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.

Michael gives us some great “steps” to recognize, acknowledge, and follow when we  encounter, either personally or of a loved one, a terminal illness.  It will do us good to soak on what Michael gives us this “day.”

DAY 138

Healing

Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full. --John 16:24

Though death is something everyone will experience, it is written within man not to obsess on death lest he get nothing else done. He would not get in an automobile, join the army, take an airplane trip, or go ice skating or hunting because of the thought that those activities could lead to death. Often the closest we come to confronting our own mortality is when we experience firsthand the terminal illness of a loved one. In this situation, what is the sick one to do? First, he recognizes that death is an enemy. Many believers submit to death rather than fight it. An elderly saint told me that he did not want to die yet and be with the Lord in heaven. “It has taken eighty-five years to learn what I have about Christ and the Christian life. I want to stick around and share it with as many young believers as I can.” To that I say, “Amen!” Second, the ill person can discern if God has, indeed, told him that it is time to leave and go be with Him. These first two issues are crucial for him to deal with.

What are those of us who love the ill one to do? It should not come as a shock that anyone is dying, "inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once” (Hebrews 9:27). Since we are all born to die, we must see that the process toward death and what the process accomplishes are actually more important issues than death itself. First, we are to pray with absolute confidence for the loved one's healing. I prayed for the healing of my grandmother, grandfather, and mother right up to the very moment that they passed away. Why? Praying for the sick is commanded, and if I pray in faith, even though the person is not healed, I enter into the category of the “others” of Hebrews 11:39: “Having gained approval through their faith, [they] did not receive what was promised.” Frankly, though the physicians diagnose, God will have the last word. I will pray, and if I do not receive that for which I ask, I will continue to trust and love God.

Second, every event in life occurs to create faith, and we are not of those who rebel against faith. As a young parent I had to come to grips with my inability to be omnipresent for my children. I began to be full of fear of the park, of their walking to school, of the bullies, and of influences in homes that I could not control. One day, on my knees, I acknowledged, “Lord, these are Your children. Thank You that You watch over them and allow nothing to enter their lives that will not be used by You.” My eyes and heart could rest. The loved one is the Lord's, but we forget! What is coming into the ill person’s life has first passed through His hands and will be used for His purposes. What we see is part of a necessary process. At this point in my life there is absolutely not one single thing that has happened to me that I would change. All of it has been for my good. God shows no partiality, and everything that happens to the ill person is for his good. This awareness stirs faith. If the end of illness is death, then a loved one has gone to be with the Lord. I have a friend who loves hunting and was able to take a trip to Africa to hunt. When asked where my friend was, I would say with excitement, “He is hunting in Africa!” I said it with a lift in my voice, for I was happy for him. To say a loved one is with the Lord is not a depressing statement.

Third, we come to understand that we all need suffering. In the one who is ill, suffering is good preparation for the laying aside of the worn-out body that had heretofore encased the soul and spirit but is not suited for heaven. Suffering brings the greater acceptance of the temporal, for though much of life has consisted of the physical, the suffering person is ready to lay aside the body and leave the material world. At the same time, watching the suffering of a loved one prepares us to let go of him more willingly. I have known many who have lost a loved one instantly through something like an auto accident or suicide (there is also a process, which we have not discussed here, for those who undergo instant death), and those understandably need a more extended process of letting go after the fact of death. In the end, we see that God is, in fact, in all things. “Thou dost make Him to rule over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things under His feet” (Psalm 8:6).

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

With Christ as our Life (Colossians3-4 and others), filled with His Spirit, “we” will ask “in Christ’s Name” and whatever life brings our way, we will “receive (from Him), that our joy may be made full.”  Don’t you like that word, “made”?

Nothing puts everything into proper perspective like seeing that God is, in fact, in ALL things.  Thank you, Michael for this reminder.  Thank You, God, for Your words in Psalm 8:6.

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