Day 105 - Freedom In Christianity

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 171 

         

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 these thoughts in an easy manner. 

I remember as a young boy learning that the word “is” means “equals.”  Seeing Michael use the word to show that “love” and “freedom” are “equalities”…they cannot be separated…gives us great insight into the totality of his opening statement.  I love his clear presentation of the choice we have, and the freedom to make a choice!

DAY 105

Freedom in Christianity

It was for freedom that Christ set us free   . . . --Galatians 5:1

Christianity is the only religion that uses the term freedom. It is not surprising, in that much of religion ultimately offers its adherents nothing but a whirl around emptiness, with all teaching leading to nothing divine, a doctrine without power, and a system that will not work in the world and must be practiced in relative seclusion. If not for manipulation, intimidation, brainwashing, control, fear, guilt, and bondage, maintaining a religious system would be impossible. Jesus is not a religion; with Him we have a relationship, and relationships are most enjoyed when those involved want to be with one another. I remember a fellow telling his wife, who could not decide if she wanted to leave or not, "When I come home from work at night and see your car there, and know that you are waiting for me, I must know you are there because you want to be there." This man had given his wife freedom to leave. He did not want a relationship based on duty, guilt, compulsion, or responsibility, but on love. Love is freedom. The believer is free to walk with Christ or not; Christ does not enjoy man’s attempts to walk with Him when he really does not want to be with Him. Who would?

If you do not desire to walk with Jesus, it is only because you do not know Him or have drifted away to the point that familiarity with Him is a thing of the past. For His character is such that you should be doing everything possible to be with Him. Jesus is secure in Himself and knows what fellowship with Him brings; you, therefore, are free to partake of His riches or free to walk in the dry desert bereft of His presence. I love freedom!

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

“ONLY” is a strong word, is it not!  Amen.  It is vital for all to know that “Christianity is the only religion that uses the term freedom.”  It is also vital to know that “Jesus is not a religion; with Him we have a relationship…”  Oh, that more of God’s children would really desire to want to be with Jesus more than they show, for Michael points out that it is then that relationships are most enjoyed.

“Love is freedom.”  How beautiful is that equation!  “God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him” 1 John 4:16 tells us.  Wow!  God and love and freedom are inextricably related by the character of God.  Now, pray tell me…why would any Christian CHOOSE to “walk in the dry desert bereft of His presence”???

Amen!  Amen!  I am free to partake of His riches!  The Lord Jesus Christ set me free to do that!  Hallelujah!  He knew what my fellowship with Him would bring.

that leaves me speechless beyond that point today…

oh, by the way…happy birthday! today to my youngest daughter, and her only daughter (our youngest grandchild).  same day…1/27.

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

1737 CR 2051    Nacogdoches, Tx 75965                                          936-559-5696

Day 197 - Man's Deepest Needs

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 170

         

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 these thoughts in an easy manner. 

It is interesting how God designed man, but allowed the fall of man.  It is interesting how fallen man has only one focus.  It is really interesting how God structured life to where fallen man has only One Who can meet his deepest needs, and at some point fallen man can turn to God and have all those deepest needs met.  Read how Michael so simply and succinctly puts all this into perspective!

DAY 197

Man’s Deepest Needs

He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.’ --John 7:38

Jesus knew who He was, where He came from, where He was going, who His Father was, and that all of His friends were going to deny Him. What was His response? He picked up a towel and washed the disciples’ feet! The behavior of others did not determine His actions. This is true freedom, the freedom from the actions of others. How many of us have our actions predetermined by others and, in effect, are not living life but merely responding to it?   

           

Being physically born from below, our life initially centers on the things of the earth. We look to another to meet our spiritual desires, desires that only God can meet, such as the affirmation of worth, acceptance, security, love, and commitment. We then find that this other first wants us to meet his or her needs. We are--as one lady said at a conference--two ticks with no dog! We then become angry and bitter toward the mate, the friend, the pastor, or the child. However, the anger does not stop there. We begin to hate ourselves for needing others’ love and acceptance before getting on with life. We hate having our mood controlled by the glance of another, the casual unkind word, the lack of interest in what we do, and the subtle hints at our inferiority. In short, we hate ourselves for not being free. We find ourselves under the control of others, slaves with hats in hand begging for our daily allotment of acceptance, security, and assurance. We hate what we have become: emotional leeches. We want to believe that others have created our feelings of inner ill will and misery; however, we know they have not; they have only revealed them.

           

Are you attempting to drink at a well that holds no water for your inner man? Do you look to your boss, your mate, or your parents, begging them to give what they do not possess? If so, then you have received the misery that you deserve. The end result is not only hatred toward those who fail at being God for you but also hatred toward yourself for being in such a pathetic situation. Anything that you make out to meet your deepest needs is a god, albeit a false god, that in the end must fail you.

We see today many who have made government god, demanding from it the things that God would give. As is normal for the carnality of man, they selfishly demand that god (government) intervene in everyone’s life but their own, in order that others might be forced to meet their needs by not intruding on their comfort zone. However, nothing will meet the deepest longings of the heart except Jesus, who meets those needs and has structured life in such a way that no other can. Once disillusionment with all other sources of true love and acceptance has occurred, people can look only to God to meet the deep needs. He made each one of us for Himself, and in Him we all must find life. The answer, as always in the deep Christian life, is for the simple and the weak. Those who have lost the strength to pull the world toward them or drag themselves toward it may humbly say, “I have a God. His name is Jesus, and He meets all my needs.”

           

We are not to desire to be lottery Christians, those who would buy spiritual lottery tickets to obtain in an instant what others have gained through a process. A lottery Christian wants to gain the fruit and maturity of spiritual men and women without going through the process of having doctrine, people, mates, teachers, vocations, or places fail them. God is not making mushroom believers but oaks. One is immediate; the other is a lifetime in the making. To discover that the world does not meet our needs is not a pleasant experience and normally takes some time. 

One last point is that upon discovering, believing, and experiencing that Christ meets every need of man, we do not then withdraw from man. On the contrary, we are driven to man, but with a much different attitude. We do not run to others begging for life, but our desire is to impart to them some essence of the Life we receive. 

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

Many years ago I heard a preacher say this: “Roses are red, violets are blue.  And my disposition depends on you.  AND WHEN IT DOES, I am in trouble!”  Crazy, isn’t it?!?  And way too many people, both Christians and not, live day by day with this idea hanging over their heads.

“Two ticks with no dog!”  Two people struggling to get “the other” to meet their needs.  Hopeless.  Helpless.  And yet, the “ticks” seem to never find their “dog” they are longing for!

This day’s writing is worth spending a lot of time wrestling with each sentence, asking God to open the truths within each.  And asking God to get “me” to the point of “true freedom, the freedom from the actions of others,” and to the point of “the simple and the weak.  Those who have lost the strength to pull the world toward them or drag themselves toward it.”  And then to “humbly say, ‘I have a God.  His name is Jesus, and He meets all my needs.’ “  Well, 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

1737 CR 2051    Nacogdoches, Tx 75965                                  936-559-5696

Day 174 - Junk

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 169 

         

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 these thoughts in an easy manner. 

Many people today call it clutter.  Michael has called it junk.  It is all the same thing…pitiful.  And yet we cling to the stuff…or, it…or, that…or, them.  You know what I am saying.  Anyhow, Michael gives us a great take on what we need to do with…

DAY 174

Junk

More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ. --Philippians 3:8

One day I noticed a little old man living by a river in a shack so absolutely full of old junk that there was barely any room left for him; therefore, it was understandable that he spent his days outside the house just sitting and protecting the place, though what he owned was utterly worthless. I thought about what a blessing a flood would be for this fellow. He would, for sure, see it as a great tragedy, but I think not, for in a flood he could escape, and yet his stuff would be lost, washed downstream. Life would begin anew, and hopefully he would see that the value of his life was greater than the sum of all the junk with which he had surrounded himself. Each week I see believers that have been caught in some type of “flood”; all that was held dear has been swept away, expectations have given way to a sad reality, and they are initially devastated. All they see is the death, but I see death as a prelude to life, the removal of unnecessary junk that hinders our focus on Christ. Remember, the proof that Jesus presented to the disciples of His resurrection was that He bore the marks of death. Without death there is no life. The wisest thing to do on the cross is rest, for struggle only prolongs the misery. Rest during, in, and after the flood. All that is rubbish is being washed away for one thing, to reveal His life. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” (Romans 8:35) 

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

In the town I grew up in, there was a junk place called Jack Heard’s.  Jack had anything and everything someone might be looking for to replace something that was broken or a part of something that was missing.  It was so “junky” that folks would say when things got like that at home, or at work: “it’s beginning to look like Jack Heard’s around here.”  Of course, no one went there very many times…just very rarely.  Which leads me to think of all the JUNK that I allow into my life (items, activities, endeavors, etc.) that lie around taking up space and hindering an uncomplicated life.  I don’t “go there” very often, but have to “deal” with them virtually every day.

And then I read the last ¾’s of Michael’s writing…wow!  What a blessing a “flood” would be if I would just “turn on the faucet” to wash away all which hinders or prevents me from focusing on Christ.  How come I allow life to take me away from LIFE???

So, as I begin 2016, I am looking at asking some probing questions that I am thinking will take me to more revelation of the LIFE of Christ.  Are there any such questions you could ask yourself? 

I am asking myself what progress I have made the past week, and what steps will I need to take this week?  And although I can’t think of any right now, some may need to ask what fears they need to walk straight into to make progress this week.

Well, 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

1737 CR 2051    Nacogdoches, Tx 75965                                    936-559-5696

Day 173 - Judging Spirituality, Perceived Versus Real

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 168

         

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 these thoughts in an easy manner. 

It seems like the more people who say, “We shouldn’t be judging”…they judge more.  And judging one’s spirituality has become a “sport” for many Christians.  Michael lays down Jesus’ standard for “spirituality” and tells us what Israel’s greatness was.  This day’s writing should open some eyes as we start another calendar year!

DAY 173

Judging Spirituality, Perceived Versus Real

Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. –Matthew 5:48 and 6:1

I know of a man who preached in a meeting where over 50,000 came to Christ. I heard of a woman who was one of the world’s great social workers. As attested to by eyewitnesses, a fellow raised a woman from the dead. Also, I have been where another woman started over 700 churches. Having traveled for years, this is only the beginning of what I have seen and heard. There is no need belaboring the point. Many, many believers have participated in seeing God perform great miracles and accomplish incredible tasks. My question is this: Were they spiritual people? The obvious answer would be, “Of course,” for too often believers judge the spectacular as being the earmarks of spirituality. But were they? Israel’s greatness was never to be found in the people but in their God. God accomplishes what He wills, and man takes the credit for it and uses it to build himself an image. To be honest, I do not know if these men and women were spiritual in the least. I have been shocked to see “great men” explode when they did not get the seat they wanted on the airline, when a car pulled in front of them, or when a subordinate questioned them. What one is at his worst is the level of true spirituality that he has achieved. Men on the platform often say, “It is only Jesus, praise God,” and then accept the praise of men. Actions speak loudly. One woman could not stand to be questioned. She would explode and leave those around her in a verbal pool of blood. Another preacher would get out of the car if anyone disagreed. Well, we all have our bad moments and the flesh never improves; it is hostile to God. My point is that none of us need to be fruit inspectors or more voices pointing out the hypocrisy of believers. That has all been done before. We must have a different way of judging spirituality than being brainwashed by the loudest, the spectacular, and the dominating. They have defined spirituality to describe themselves and their flesh. However, Jesus gives us the true definition of spirituality. If what He describes is part of a believer’s life, that one is a far greater success than any televangelist ever seen. We are blessed when we are at the end of our ropes. With less dependence on our selves, there is more of God and His rule.

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

Michael lays down Jesus’ standard for “spirituality,” but isn’t it interesting that the “judgers” never consider Jesus’ standard…perfection.

And how many people really acknowledge an awareness of Israel’s greatness…in Bible times or TODAY!  Man’s flesh can’t get away from trusting in man’s flesh, his own or others…

But, the staggering statement of Michael’s writing is his “What one is at his worst is the level of true spirituality that he has achieved.”  What?!?  Michael, that stings!  Yikes!  I don’t want to go there…  WAIT A MINUTE…look at what Michael says just a couple of sentences later: “…we all have our bad moments and the flesh never improves; it is hostile to God.  My point is that none of us need to be fruit inspectors or more voices pointing out the hypocrisy of believers.”  I love it!  He is correct.  And to me, Michael has pinpointed the exact issue that all the “judgers” neglect: “the flesh never improves; it is hostile to God.”  It is not our Christianity, but our flesh.  Our Christianity is Christ, Him, Christ IN us.  And He cannot be judged, for He IS perfect.  Hallelujah!  You can jump on my flesh all you want to, but you are barking up the wrong tree!

So, we ARE blessed when we are at the end of our ropes.  And less dependence on our self, less of our flesh, brings more of God and His rule.  Well, 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