Day 76 - Do We Not Have To Choose?

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 137

         

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 the weekly thoughts I express on Michael’s writings in an easy manner. 

“The good Christian life”…or, simply, “the Christian life”…neither is in the Bible.  And Michael shows us how we eat from the wrong tree so often while trying to live in a way God never speaks of…  This is a great “day’s” writing!

DAY 76

Do We Not Have To Choose?

By myself I can do nothing. I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but Him who sent me. --John 5:30

We make the statements, "All Jesus ever did, He never did. The Man who did everything did nothing. We are to let Jesus work through us as God worked through Jesus.” These statements prompt the question, "Do we not have to choose?" So often we hear about choosing correctly, about those Christians who refuse to do so, and about the issues of choosing and free will. However, the point is not choosing but what we choose. Of course we must choose; we choose to get up, go to work, eat, and so on. Again, the issue is what we are choosing. Once we establish the real point, we will come to a "Y" in the road. Go right and we will make the choices God wants us to make. Go left and we will be on the wrong road, where the emphasis is on choosing those things considered to be good: choose to pray, read the Bible, witness, stop the deeds of the flesh, and love an enemy. However, this is not the choice God wants us making. If we think the decision that we need to make is to lay down our sin, we are on the wrong track and can be sidetracked for years. It is easy to spot someone on the wrong road; he will say something like, "I should pray more, give more, do more witnessing, love more, be a better mate." This reveals a person that has made a wrong choice. So what is it God does want us to choose? First, choose to lose our kingdom, our glory, our pride, our righteousness, and our strength. This is the opposite of choosing to do better; it is admitting that we cannot do better. Second, we will be ready to choose to accept His righteousness, kingdom, glory, and strength. The third choice is to allow His life to flow through us, and we will then be living in dependence on the Son as He was with the Father. These three choices will produce and accomplish everything that was desired on the left road, but without the self-effort that leads to self-righteousness and the false sense that we are living “the good Christian life.” 

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

It cannot be said enough…Life as a Christian is coming to the realization and recognition that “Christ is our life” as a Christian, and all our efforts are not what God wants.  Life as a Christian is when He lives His life through us.  The Christian life (man has determined that…in fact, the two words never appear together in the Bible) is when we are trying to keep a list of doing the “good” and not doing the “bad.”   And we simply have to choose which “life” we will live.

May we find more and more Christians on the road that leads to making the choices God wants us to make.

Michael has given us three very simple choices we must make…how many will make them?

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 232 - Red-faced Monkey

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 136

         

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 the weekly thoughts I express on Michael’s writings in an easy manner. 

Can you give any experience in your life that testifies to the truth of today’s lesson?  All of us can!  In fact, in many parts of life “focus” is a vital part of any “success," or "failure.”  Focus, concentration, not losing either…we are all familiar with this.  Then why do we not “see” what our focus on sin does to us???

Great lesson today.  Thank God for the truth of it.

DAY 232

Red-faced Monkey

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. --Romans 12:2

When it comes to the topic of battling sin, one rule must never be broken, and that is that we are never to battle sin! It is a misplaced focus. No, we are never to fight sin if we desire to overcome it. Let me illustrate. There is a story of a fellow in India who was traveling from village to village selling a magic potion. The man would ask for a clean bucket, into which he would pour clear water and some of the magic potion. As he stirred the mixture, through sleight of hand he would drop in three or four nuggets of gold. When the water was drained off, there was the gold. In one community a moneychanger watching the demonstration asked if he could purchase the formula for 50,000 rupees. The fellow was more than happy to sell, and after receiving the payment, he turned to the moneychanger and said, "There is one thing you must never do while making the gold, or else the potion will not work. While stirring the water and adding the formula, you must never, never think of the red-faced monkey!" As you can well imagine, the moneychanger was never able to make gold! Wherever he went, from the Himalayas to the south of India, no matter how hard he worked to block it, the red-faced monkey would pop into his mind. So it is with sin; as long as it is made the focus, it will never be overcome. I have often commented that God has delivered me from many things, but not once was I freed from anything on which I was centered. 

           

Many have focused on their sin ten, twenty, thirty, and even forty years; their sin has become so much a part of their life that they are not even sure what they would do were they to be miraculously delivered. If 25% of thought life were concentrated on something consuming and immediate deliverance occurred, exactly what would replace that portion of mental energy? What would fill the vacuum? The solution to warring against sin is to set our minds on something other than the sin. This cannot not be done by consciously avoiding the sin, but rather by making the Lord the focus of daily thought life. If our focus is not kept on the things above but is allowed to traffic in the things of the world, we as believers will be led to Christian fatalism, the belief that this life in these bodies will constantly be given over to defeat and misery. Thus we will accept continual suffering as the norm and wait for the day we will be caught up into heaven. The truth is that all suffering has a purpose and, in the end, produces abundant living today.

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

It didn’t take me long to think of something from my life (albeit it was from way in the past) that applied explicitly to the principal Michael teaches us today…  Years ago I played golf.  IF I stepped up to a tee and there was “out of bounds” to the right, and IF I let that become my “focus”…guess where I hit the ball?  In fact, I used to say that I couldn’t figure out why the golf courses that were built with homes snug up against the fairways didn’t make it “out of bounds” if someone hit their ball into the backyard of someone’s home…just have them get the ball and place it two club-lengths from the boundary and play on.  IF it wasn’t a hazard or penalty for hitting the ball there, a huge percentage of shots that went into those backyards (or, into someone’s windows!) would never happen.  WHY?  Because the golfer wouldn’t “focus” on the penalty and the place…they would never enter their mind.  They could focus on hitting the ball down the fairway.

Duh!  Am I going to set my mind (focus) on warring against sin in my life (in hopes of getting rid of it), OR “if ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth.  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.”  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 209 - No Anchors

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 135

         

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 the weekly thoughts I express on Michael’s writings in an easy manner. 

It is amazing how often a “3-letter word” can make such a huge difference in our life!  While the world continues to keep its focus on the “what” of an action, God wants us to focus on the “why.”  This is a beautiful picture of God’s Way to a full life of freedom and joy.

DAY 209

No Anchors

I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me. --John 14:30, 31

As a ship will never leave port if the anchor is not hoisted, often our flesh has an anchor somewhere in the world holding our spirits, and we never seem to be able to sail on. As long as we have a fleshly anchor, the enemy will have something in us and we will not be cut free from his oppression. If we shrink back in inferiority when we have to talk to people, why is that? There is a fleshly anchor that is holding us in bondage. Is it pride, so we do not want to make mistakes and appear foolish? Is it unbelief, so that we do not believe our value to God and instead walk in insignificance? See how an anchor keeps us from sailing? When we can be controlled by another's look or negative word, why is that? How can someone calling us rotten names wreck our day? It cannot unless there is an anchor. When outer events, words, and behaviors can shut a believer down, it is because there is something in him to which these events are anchored. We must not be consumed with what we are doing but why, for in the why we will find our freedom. There is something He would show us that must go. When it goes, we will be free, and when the god of this age comes through others' words and behaviors, he will find that there is nothing in us . . . nothing except Christ!

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

How many of us want a full life of freedom and joy?  Isn’t that really experiencing God…Christ’s Life in abundance (John 10:10)?  Amen!

So, when will we learn to deal with the “why” of our actions, instead of the “what”?  A “why” like unbelief or pride is the real culprit, and Christ is the solution to eradicating both from our life.

Jesus never operated from the “what” to do, but from the “why” to do it…even from His early childhood of 12 years of age (Luke 2:41-49).  And He didn’t ever have a “why” that was contrary to God’s heart.

What is God’s heart in everything for you and I?

This is such a simple lesson to learn, but as long as we let our focus remain as the world focuses on life, we will allow the enemy to maintain that fleshly anchor, and we will see inferiority and another’s control rule our lives.

God, come and show us the “why” that must go!  We want to be free!  We want nothing to be found in us except Christ!  God, come and take away the “why” that is keeping us anchored to the enemy’s oppression.  God, find us faithful to choose Your “why” in every matter where our choice makes the difference.

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 208 - New Radical Church's Advertising Program Offers Fuller Parking Lots Than WalMart

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 134

         

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 the weekly thoughts I express on Michael’s writings in an easy manner. 

Since some churches seem to offer as many programs as WalMart offers products, this day’s writing takes on a special emphasis: “this simplicity takes faith; unbelief will always make things complex.”

DAY 208

New Radical Church’s Advertising Program Offers Fuller Parking Lots Than WalMart

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself. --John 12:32

In the Christian religion (running rampant in churches and different from the Christian faith) so many things are incorporated just because they are contagious, rather than received because they inspire belief. If one church is having great success at bringing in believers from the other churches, pastors and committees flock there to discover and imitate the program, which can be quite complex, with everything needing to be timed to the minute. Songs must be ordered in such a way as to “lead people to worship.” The facility must be user friendly, and the latest pet social ill must be addressed with the utmost sensitivity. Well, amen! An older friend whose pastor was onto a new church growth plan stopped him by saying, “This plan costs too much and is too complex!” The pastor answered, “Do you not see that both parking lots are full?” The old man responded, “The parking lot at WalMart is full every Sunday, too. Now here is my plan for growth. It is simple and does not cost money. ‘If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto Me!’” The pastor shook his head and walked off, but what the old man said was true! We do so much work, when a focus on the crucified/resurrected Savior would ensure that He did the drawing. If God gets all the glory, then He does all the work. To hear many evangelists speak, you would think that they are doing the drawing. They have yet to learn the difference between a crowd and an audience. A fellow once said to me, “Wells, you know all the repetition of your message is not keeping people away; it is why we come. I like hearing that Jesus is everything.” I know, then, that it is Jesus Who will draw the people. However, this simplicity takes faith; unbelief will always make things complex. The way to life is narrow and will take a narrow mind. Man will not enter in through the broad way with a broad mind. The narrow mind believes the simplest of things. 

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

It is incredibly interesting how churches can get so caught up in programs and forget the Person.  Michael gives us the simple, yet basic emphasis that any and all activity in a church must focus on: “the crucified/resurrected Savior.”  This especially includes the preaching and SS teaching.

Two words summarize this whole day’s writing for me: “inspire belief.”  That is what Christianity could use more of today!

Here are the things that I see Michael pointing us to that should make a difference in any ministry we are involved in:

…inspire belief

…a focus on the crucified/resurrected Savior would ensure that He did the drawing

…if God gets all the glory, then He does all the work

…learn the difference between a crowd and an audience

…this simplicity takes faith; unbelief will always make things complex

…the way to life is narrow and will take a narrow mind

…the narrow mind believes the simplest of things

So, how much more simple can it be?  And why can we NOT keep these things our “outline” for ministry?  Well, amen.

I think I will start a new outreach emphasis: “Do you have a narrow mind?”

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 48 - Christians and Pain

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 133

         

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 the weekly thoughts I express on Michael’s writings in an easy manner. 

Michael points out one of the greatest benefits of being a Christian: WE have the LORD to rely on.  Therefore we do not have to experience what others without Christ have no hope against.

DAY 48

Christians and Pain

Our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. --Romans 8:18

The question often arises, "Are Christians supposed to suffer, to experience difficult times, and generally to find themselves unhappy?" Pain and suffering are realities common to all of mankind. The believer and unbeliever alike suffer outwardly from nature, the physical body, or from others, but a believer does not have to experience destructive inward suffering such as that which plagues those who do not know Christ. Christians have suffered calamities common to everyone in the world but not necessarily reacted in a like manner, whether with depression, anger, frustration, or discouragement. Life seems to deal its blows without partiality, and yet response is varied, depending on the inner attitude of the sufferers. It has been said that what becomes of us in the long run depends upon what life finds in us! Suffering leaves some bitter and others sweet! In the mountains it is not uncommon to see a half-dead aspen tree. The sun that shines on all of the branches brings increased life to some and quickened decay to the others, depending on what is inside the branch. Like the sun, suffering leaves some persons withered and weak while others, because of the life within, are stronger and more prepared for any amount of suffering.  

           

I remember discipling two women, each one suffering at the hand of an unfaithful husband who sought to justify his behavior by picking his wife apart. One woman became absolutely radiant through her suffering, for she found Christ to be her ally and her all; the other became bitter and, to be honest, quite ugly as her inward stress disfigured her. Two women undergoing the same event displayed different reactions. One possessed an inner life that had met rejection and overcome with love; the other had not drawn from the source of her inner life and had been overcome by the rejection. As a believer, I cannot always determine what happens to me, but I can direct how it will affect me. If I am driven to reliance on the Lord, then the event will make me happy and more useful, bringing me to a fuller life. Events of life can either make me common or spiritually alive. I need never deal with pain on a human level; I bring God into my pain, for He can take what appears to be senseless suffering and turn it into a fountain of spiritual life. Suffering can have its roots in evil, but the issue is not really the basis from which it came but where it is permitted to take me. Placing God in the center of pain allows Him to guide me to deeper life. The cross is the perfect example of God-guided pain, where great suffering became life, not only to Christ, but also to millions.

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

Michael draws our attention to that “inner life” (the Life of Christ) that provides the wherewithal to be the “overcomer” that God tells me I am. That word, “overcomer,” is a beautiful term, isn’t it?!? 

Oh, that we would always remember: “As a believer, I cannot always determine what happens to me, but I can direct how it will affect me.”  Whew!!!  Wow!!!  Would to God that He would make that one of the first thoughts that crosses my mind every time I encounter one of those moments/events that try to bring “destructive inward suffering.”

I would suggest we need to “soak” on the last 7 sentences of Michael’s writing today, over and over and over.  The result: “spiritually alive!”

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