Day 154 - I Will Not Stand In Persecution

Lee McDowell Christian Ministries                         LMCM

Nacogdoches, Texas                                                           Gal. 2:20 KJV

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 72

Michael’s book is available through: 

Abiding Life Ministries International

Littleton, Colorado

(303) 972-0859       www.abidinglife.com

James wrote that “the trying of your faith worketh patience (perseverance).  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”   

Paul wrote “we glory in tribulations also knowing that tribulation worketh patience (perseverance), and patience, experience (proven character); and experience, hope.”

So the “trying of your faith” and “tribulations” are one and the same…leading to “wanting nothing” and “hope.”  Michael points out a great truth in that process: it is our admitting our weakness to stand in those “tryings” and “tribulations” that brings the power of Christ to our life.

May this beautiful writing of Michael’s bring great victories to struggling Christians world-wide!

DAY 154

I Will Not Stand in Persecution

. . . and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. --Romans 5:4-6

While reading a devotional on sacrifice, I noted that a question was posed that went something like this, “Are you willing to be poured out for others, to be a doormat?” The gist of the thought was that a believer must decide today that when those opportunities come, he will pour out his life. I think all such challenges should be met with the attitude of praying, “Lord, You know me. I would save my life at every opportunity. I have learned from Peter that it is easy in this moment to say, ‘No, never,’ and then when faced with the opportunity not to deny You, not to rise to the test. I am weak. But this I would ask: When the moment of pouring out comes, would You grant me the grace to turn to You, to recognize abiding, and thus let the life that has been poured out, the life of Jesus, be poured out again through me?” Some consider the Christian standard of behavior to be higher than any other, and they consequently suppose their job is to raise the bar even higher for other believers. If that must be so, then I quit now! I know myself, and in my flesh dwells no good thing. The standard that Jesus set is higher because He was the One keeping it, and the only hope I have is that He live it through me. If I abide in Him, He will pick the moment when I will be poured out, and it may not be a spectacular event. Often it can be some simple interaction with a relative or acquaintance, and I find myself immediately offended. I can let the stirred flesh be used of God as a warning that I am moving into self-love. If I say amen, admit my condition, and invite Him to flow through me, I can walk toward the person and love him or her. Afterward, I will have been poured out, and it will be a pleasant experience because it was actually His being poured out through me. I refuse to jump on the bandwagon and sing the lines of a chorus that say, “I will ever seek You, I will never forsake You, I will always love You, and I will be holy for You.” It is better to learn from David’s mistake when he said those things and then had an affair. I will not throw words at commitment. Sometime today I will completely walk in the flesh, and it is that awareness that makes me turn to Him the second I get up. I do not want to surround myself with people who say, “I am ready for the persecution. I will not deny the Lord. I will witness to the end.” They will be the first to deny Him! I want to be with those who fear their ability to stand, who are nervous about witnessing, who are afraid to make judgments, who have not been to Bible school, who fear their own wisdom, and who do not see how they could be fit for ministry. They will stand, for He will make them stand!

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

Unquestionably a very colorful “day’s” writing!  More so than that of the highlights I have made…Michael pours out a picture in 3-D, full color, HD…of exactly two things:

1.     Our weakness to actually think we can make commitments we will never break.

2.    Christ’s power when we admit our weakness.

No wonder the great Apostle Paul proclaimed in the power of the Holy Spirit, “…for when I am weak, then I am strong.”  Of course that was one verse after he had quoted the Lord Jesus Christ having said to him: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”  Hallelujah!

Soak on all the things Michael points out today…especially those highlighted.  For how many of us could say with Michael, “Sometime today I will completely walk in the flesh, and it is that awareness that makes me turn to Him the second I get up”?  And, “I know myself, and in my flesh dwells no good thing”?  Well, amen!

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NOTICE: a new 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

leemccm@gmail.com

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