Thoughts
on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 105
Michael’s book is
available through:
Abiding Life
Ministries International
Littleton, Colorado
Notice: this email is part of a
BLOG, called Living Life With a Capital “C”. Why a blog? So that many can receive the weekly thoughts
I express on Michael’s writings in an easy manner
Today’s
writing covers that age-old question…Jesus gave His answer in John ch.6. Michael gives us illustration of how the
Truth works out in our lives…
DAY 330
What Is It That We Must Do and What Is It That God Will
Do For Us?
“Do not work for
the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which
the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.”
Therefore they said to
Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them,
“This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” –John 6:27-29
“Are we just to sit around?” This is a typical question
from believers just realizing the length to which their self-effort has been
involved in their Christian walk. An airplane will
not come to my house and get me. I have to purchase the tickets, fight traffic
as I drive to the airport, and stand in a long line to get on the plane.
However, once I am on, the plane does for me what I cannot do for myself. It is clear in the Bible what is
man’s responsibility and what is God’s. Often the two meet. “If a man
does not work, let him not eat,” yet, “Why do you worry about what you will
eat? Look at the sparrow!” Man
is to work, but not for the reason that he thinks. Work is not to secure food
but is in obedience to the commandment of God. Work makes us healthy, happy, and content, as well as
less anxious and depressed. If man is fed when he does not work, he will
be discontented. Man works for different reasons, all good, but it is still God
that provides the food. The
Bible is replete with teaching that tells us what God does for us. He is the
author of salvation. We cannot make someone a Christian. He is the One Who causes all
things to work together for the good. Making things “happen” is not our
job. He gives us His
righteousness, His love, His victory, and His peace. We cannot obtain
those things through work. He
changes lives; we must rest as we look at others. I could go on. In
fact, I find that 95% of what
people are working for is already given by Him. Unbelief is what keeps people
working for what God has already supplied.
However, there are things that we must do
that God will not do for us. We must call on the Lord, humble ourselves, rest,
be content, take the blame, be offended, forgive, cast our fears upon Him,
refuse to let our minds dwell on Satan’s lies and accusations, and pray without
ceasing.
Then there are things we do and He does at the same time.
It looks confusing, but in experience it is not. Imagine you are offended by
your mate; you must own your weakness, acknowledge that you have run out of
fleshly love, and invite in His love. And you must walk across the room and
initiate restoration. What happens next has nothing to do with you; it is His
love flowing freely through you. It is Christ in you living through you as though it were you, but you
know that it is not you. It may appear to be you to those outside looking on,
but you know that it is entirely the Lord!
Yellow – VIP, Very Important Point Green
– IT, Incredible Truth
Red – GP, Greatest Promises
Turquoise – UR, Unfathomable Riches Pink
– PV, Priceless Victory
Interesting…almost everyone just realizing how much their self-effort
has been involved in their life as a Christian takes the position Michael
describes: “Are we just to sit around?”
In fact, in pastoring I have seen some who quit positions they have in
the church…”I don’t have to do anything; God will do it all.” But that is not what the Bible says, and not
what Michael illustrates.
Two things that are exciting about learning and living the truths
presented by Michael this day:
1.
We start
learning and living to watch for God in all things…just what He will do, and
what we must do.
2.
We start
learning and living in relaxation…knowing God’s way of life for His kids.
It’s almost hilarious, isn’t it…everybody wants a “list” to live by…well,
Michael gives us a good start of listing the things God will do for us, the
things we must do that God will not do for us, and the things we do and He does
at the same time. Happy list keeping!!!
To access ALL past weekly
blogs, go to Living
Life With a Capital “C” by logging onto www.leemccm.blogspot.com
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
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