Thoughts
on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength (Vol. 1) - #
281
Michael’s book is
available through:
ABIDING LIFE MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL
Littleton, Colorado
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Back in the early 1990’s I had a church member who
appeared on a popular morning talk show, and after the program was over we were
talking in the TV station’s lobby. The
program host spoke some astounding words: “Sad to say, I believe we have
created a monster…the ‘talk show.’
People love to talk about a problem, but they never take any action to
do something about it.” How astute has
that statement proven to be!
“Talk Shows” abound, and actions are nowhere to be
found. That’s “arguments” for you…
DAY 245
Silence in
Arguments
And they
were saying this, testing Him, in order that they might have grounds for
accusing Him. But Jesus
stooped down, and with His finger wrote on the ground.
--John 8:6
Arguments have their roots in pride and
are calculated to prove intellectual superiority, but they lack power. I have personally won arguments against those enslaved to drugs
and alcohol, but they went away still slaves. I have won many arguments
concerning marriage, but those couples, too, went away to visit the lawyer. I
have won countless arguments with philosophers, psychologists, evolutionists,
atheists, and cult leaders. They all went away to worship the image they were
seeing in the mirror.
Jesus divided His dialogue with men into
two categories: argument and ministry. Argument He usually avoided.
Some came requesting food or power, not ministry, and from those He withdrew.
Some sought to draw Him into a melee, and we find Him quietly drawing in the
sand rather than heatedly presenting His point. Why? His response would have only fueled more debate with
those who had a vested interest in not moving at all from their position.
Jesus came to minister.
If by His own Holy Spirit
He was made aware that ministry was not possible, Jesus simply withdrew or
refused to speak. As an Indian friend says, “The refusals of Jesus
define Him!” For we do, in fact, know more about Him from His refusals than
from His accomplishments. He refused the best seats, refused to make a loud
noise proclaiming Himself, He refused to hurt the one who was hurting, He
refused to minister spiritual truth in the power of the flesh, He refused to
defend Himself, and He refused to condemn the woman caught in adultery.
Like Jesus, we must have a goal of
ministry, not dialogue. When we begin to talk to our child, friend,
co-worker, or pastor and realize we are standing there alone, without the power
and witness of the Spirit, it is time to be quiet and draw in the dirt. If He is not ministering, then
neither should we. Remember, the issue is not who listens to us, but whether we are listening to
Him.
Yellow – VIP, Very Important Point Green
– IT, Incredible Truth
Red – GP, Greatest Promises
Turquoise – UR, Unfathomable Riches Pink
– PV, Priceless Victory
Well, Michael has shown us what the TV ‘talk show’ host was speaking
of. And then he showed us Jesus’
answer. And Michael points us to WHO
(not ‘what’) our focus should always be!
As could be expected, when the enemy had no TRUTH to discuss, they
always turned to attacking His character.
Same for us today. Truth does not
need to be defended, just proclaimed…or, written in the dirt.
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
(blog)
www.leemccmviews.blogspot.com
P.O. Box 633244 Nacogdoches,
TX 75963 936-559-5696
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