Day 95 - Feeling Overwhelmed

Lee McDowell Christian Ministries                         LMCM

Nacogdoches, Texas                                                           Gal. 2:20  KJV

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 59   

Michael’s book is available through: 

Abiding Life Ministries International

Littleton, Colorado

(303) 972-0859       almi@abidinglife.com

A profound truth: REST comes from simply abiding.  All the “doing” is not of Him.  Soak on the words of Michael in today’s study, and get a picture in your spirit of just what you need to drop off the schedule…

DAY 95

 

Feeling Overwhelmed

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel about on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves. --Matthew 23:15

If one were to take all of the lists of the emphases from every group or denomination and stack them on his desk, he could make a complete collection of all things that presumably urgently need to be done by the Christian. All of the books on prayer, spiritual warfare, marriage, family, authority, church, witnessing, forgiveness, abuse, counseling, spiritual experiences, and intellectual pursuits could be stacked up; he could just keep adding, placing on top whatever all the groups say that believers really need to know and do. One might want to start in the city next to mine, where there are over two hundred international ministries, each distinctive and each with its own special emphases. Next, if the person is strong enough, brave enough, and has the will power, he can dive in and start doing all of the above. How long would it take him to be exhausted? See how high Jesus set the bar? He did it for a reason: to exhaust us and push us to something much more simple, abiding. Simple abiding; I love it so much. I do not need the list of what Jesus did; I have exactly Jesus dwelling in me. Simply acknowledge that in Him we abide. Throw away the stacks, sit back, and let Him show us what He will do through us today. We will not be able to compete, and others will try to condemn us when they see our freedom, but the Lord’s works, true works, will put them to shame. Rest in Jesus just for the joy of it. No one can keep all of those lists but Him, and even Jesus did not keep them all at once! We will keep what we need to keep in His order as He keeps it through us. It is not passivity, for we must show up; that is the one thing we must do. We can put our hand on our hearts first thing in the morning and say, “Jesus, You are welcome here. Come and live what needs to be lived this day.” Enjoy the blessed rest.

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

Wow!  The Scribes and Pharisees abound today, don't they!  And just like in Jesus' day, 99% of them are not coming close to keeping all the "lists" they dole out.   And I have seen many Christians that have felt like a "son of  hell" after reaching a point of total exhaustion trying to be the kind of Christian these teachers and preachers talk of.

How many of us have had the lists???  And how many lists???  And how many have made the effort to be “strong enough, brave enough, and have the will power” to “dive in and start doing all of the above”???  And how many have been exhausted, or perhaps…burnt out???

The biggest question is this: how many have come to the point of abiding and resting in Christ?  And watched Him “do” as only He can do…through us.

Here’s some more questions to ponder:

1.     Do you have a book you are reading right now that is pointing out something or all
          that you need to do to… (you can complete that point).
2.    Do you have a list you are working on?  Lists?
3.    Have you rededicated yourself recently?  Or, resolved to “do”…?
4.    Have you ever made note of how long it has taken you to get exhausted trying to
          complete a list?
5.    Are you still wearing one of those WWJD bracelets?  Or, one like it?  Still have
          one around???
6.    Has the awareness of having “exactly Jesus” dwelling in you become real to you?
7.    Do you really believe Michael’s words: “We will keep what we need to keep in His
          order AS HE KEEPS IT THROUGH US?  (caps are my emphasis)

If you have any desire to interact with me on something Michael has written, and/or any of my thoughts, please note the email address below.

Lee McDowell Christian Ministries

leemccm@gmail.com

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