Day 10 - And Those Others

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 195

         

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. 

Michael speaks to one of the most interesting passages in all of Scripture.  Many Christians face what God talks about in Hebrews 11:36-40, and “why?” they wonder.  Let’s see what Michael says…

Day 10

And Those Others

---and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated ({men} of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they should not be made perfect. --Hebrews 11:36-40

Are you one of the “others” who has trusted God for a restored relationship, the health of a child, a godly home, the salvation of a relative, or just the simple stirring of God within that brings assurance? If you have trusted and not given into despair, then you are one of the “others” who give something to God that no angel in heaven can give Him, and that is faith. The “others” may walk in darkness, seeing nothing their whole lives, and yet stand fast, believing in a God they cannot see. Can you imagine how pleased He is? You are pulled on all sides to give up, and yet you have chosen to believe without seeing! You have stood fast in the midst of the reversals! The world is not worthy of you, and to it you simply do not belong! Your place is above, seated with the Father and judging angels! If you have believed and not received, count yourself blessed.

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

God gives us an amazing thought: “all these, having gained approval through their faith.”  Michael points out that it is not just that these have faith, but they have faith in the midst of all they go through…and “did not receive what was promised.”  This can only be a part of their life by the grace of God.

So, just think about it…to be “one of the others” is to have believed and not received.  To this God says you have gained approval from 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 3 - A Christian Cannot Sin

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 194 

         

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. 

What a title for today’s writing by Michael…it automatically draws some sort of response by everyone who sees it.  The question is: what is your response?  Do you initially believe “a Christian cannot sin”???  Let’s take a look at what Michael has to say, then speak our belief.

Day 3

A Christian Cannot Sin

No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. –I John 3:9

I really enjoy I John as the great book of abiding. If we are in Him, we will see exactly Jesus flowing from us. If we are not in Him, we will fail. We will have times when we are not abiding, and in those times He is greater than our sin. As we abide, His anointing is teaching us; we actually will not need a teacher (I John 2:27). I cannot say that I have ever surprised an abiding Christian with a truth he did not know.

Those that are born of God cannot sin! Do you sin? Does this mean that you are not born of God? No! Let me explain, for this passage has tripped up more than one believer. As a Christian you cannot sin; that is a fact. You do not believe me. Well, let me explain it this way. I say to the five-year-old boy, "You cannot drive a truck." Is my statement true? Yes! He cannot drive a truck. Later, the boy gets in the truck, inserts the key, turns the ignition, and moves the truck forward until it runs into a tree. At that point are you ready to admit that the boy can drive? No! Even though he has been turning the wheel, starting the engine, and accelerating the truck, we all agree that those actions alone do not constitute driving. He is not going to get his driver’s license any time soon. In the same way the Christian cannot sin. Oh, he may get in the seat and display the right actions, but he cannot go anywhere with it. Nothing is done properly, and we will not give him a license verifying that he is a sinner.

A woman told me that she was thinking of having an affair, of becoming an adulteress. I exclaimed, "You cannot!" "Who will stop me?" she wanted to know. I explained that I was not going to stop her, but the seed of life in her, Jesus, would never let her become an adulteress. "You may go through the actions, but you will not be able to get your license as an adulteress. You will never be comfortable doing that.” Although she did initially proceed down that road, she turned back. Her outer life could not maintain its stance against the Christ that dwelt within her.

Struggle reveals that a believer cannot sin. It really stinks to have one’s heart condemn him. One day the believer wakes up and says that it is just not worth it, and then he finds that Jesus is greater than the heart. Beautiful.

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

Michael points to the seed of life, Jesus Christ, within each Christian that works to prevent the Believer from sinning.  Truth is: the real person of a Christian is Jesus Himself.  His Life IS our life.  And Jesus cannot sin.  So, it is truth to say “a Christian cannot sin.”  And the Bible does not call a Christian a sinner…only a saint.  Yet every Christian still has some “flesh” that can sin, but it is not the real person.

Thank God that as a Christian our outer life (flesh) cannot maintain its stance against the inner life, Christ, that dwells in us.  The heart of Michael’s writing is that if sin is present in our life for a time, it cannot prevail.  Jesus IS greater than anything that presents itself against Him.  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 50 - Claiming Your Heart

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 193

         

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. 

Without question, the “heart” of man is one of the most important “parts” that we all should be concerned with, be totally aware of, be constantly “in touch with.”  Do you know “what” and “where” your heart is located???  And in this day’s writing, Michael presents some very interesting aspects of what the heart is involved with…

DAY 50

Claiming Your Heart

Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. –Hebrews 3:12

Problems are common to mankind. Jesus Himself, having the body of a man, living in a man's world, and relating to others, makes an obvious statement, "In the world you have trouble." Yes, problems do exist. However, we must remain mindful that problems can never become our primary focus.

           

In Matthew 17:1-9, the writer relates to us that Jesus took with Him to the high mountain Peter, James, and John. When Moses and Elijah appeared, Peter exclaimed, "I will build three tabernacles!" Of course it made sense to Peter to build one for each of the three, for Moses represented the law, Elijah the prophets, and Jesus grace and the new covenant. Peter made the mistake of equating the three. Immediately a cloud overshadowed them and the voice proclaimed, "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; hear Him!" The disciples fell on their faces, Jesus touched them, the cloud departed, and only Jesus remained.

           

The highest part of a man's being is his heart, made only for one to occupy, that one being Jesus! If Moses and Elijah were not allowed to tabernacle on an equal plane on the mountain with Jesus, then should He have to share space in our hearts with our failures, our past, our mates, our children, other church members, sickness, or our financial situation? Many suffer from a crowded mountaintop; too many things occupy the place that only Christ is to possess.  He is, in fact, King of the mountain, and once we give anything equal standing with Christ, no matter how good it appears or how great was its value in the past, a cloud will immediately overshadow our spirits. We will sense defeat, anger, frustration, and fear. The enemy will whisper that in order to get rid of the cloud, we must focus on all those things that bring the cloud; they must be resolved. However, the Holy Spirit whispers the opposite: Forget what brought the cloud, focus anew on Christ, and light and life will return. Not until we fall to our faces, yielding to the voice proclaiming, "This is my Son," will the cloud and our spirits lift.

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

Michael tells us once more that it is our “focus” that dictates so much to our life.  If you have ever been present at one of Michael’s workshops or conferences, you are very familiar with his “hand” illustration…problems on one hand, Jesus on the other.  Every man makes choices all day long, every day, as to “which hand” to look at…(one in front of the other…one dominates our vision/focus).

Isn’t it beautiful to think that the “cloud” AND “our spirit” will LIFT when we look to Jesus!  The “cloud” goes away, and “our spirit” becomes our light and life.  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 106 - Freedom From Religion Is Freedom From the Kingdoms of Man!

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 192 

         

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. 

This week America celebrates another Independence Day.  And yet it seems the “freedom” we once enjoyed has been diminished.  In fact, many “freedoms” have actually disappeared.  Michael points out that this is what happens when we are focused on “religion or man’s kingdoms” as our freedom.  For too many, “religion” has become a bondage instead of a freedom…read on as Michael explains…

DAY 106

Freedom From Religion Is Freedom

   From the Kingdoms of Man!

And Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, “My son, your sins are forgiven.” But there were some of the scribes sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming; who can forgive sins but God alone?” And immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were reasoning that way within themselves, said to them, “Why are you reasoning about these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven’; or to say, ‘Arise, and take up your pallet and walk’?” --Mark 2:5-9

Men are kingdom builders, and kingdoms need subjects. We are raised to be subjects when told such things as, “You do not have to respect the President but you must respect the office of the President.” This may be translated to mean, “Whatever you do, you are not to come out from under our kingdom! What would a kingdom be without subjects?” Kingdom builders must offer something, for if they cannot, the subjects might go elsewhere. Now, kingdom builders never give anything of substance. All things of substance are hoarded for themselves. They merely give something with the appearance of substance in order to keep the subjects interested and loyal.  

Religion is a kingdom with leaders who must keep devotees in subjection. Out of necessity they must give something that cannot be attained elsewhere. Remember, it will only be the appearance of getting something; the followers never really get anything except more bondage. Every man everywhere knows he has sinned and fallen short. Deep within is a fear of the consequences. The Scribes and Pharisees were offering forgiveness, restoration, and freedom. The catch was that adherents had to jump through all of their hoops, and no matter how many were jumped through, they were always able to produce one more. The vast majority of people, wanting what was promised, continued to be in subjection. The kingdom went on until Jesus appeared on the scene, and in one little sentence He destroyed it all. He brought “whosoever will” out from under subjection. The sentence referred to is this: “My son, your sins are forgiven!” Jesus did not say, “will be,” or “keep trying,” or “check with me next week,” “complete your memory work,” or “take a little more time in prayer.” No, “Your sins are forgiven!” No hoops, no bondage, and no need for dependence on the kingdom of man! No more religion! Religion was destroyed at its basic foundation. Man is to be in bondage to no religion. Jesus has forgiven him and has given what others promised in exchange for devotion and servitude. Man is free! We belong to no kingdom but His.  

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

In real freedom there are NO “what if’s.”  Nothing can take away real freedom.  Nothing.

I was told when I was young…work hard, buy a house and some land…they bring you much happiness and freedom.  Then a “what if” reared its ugly head: “what if” I don’t pay my property taxes???  No matter how much I PAID for the land and house, I really don’t OWN them…they really aren’t mine…the government will come take them IF I don’t pay my property taxes.  Yikes!  The kingdom of man has got me!

And then I found out one day, “religion” offers NO REAL freedom.  There is always a “what if” somewhere.  Some say “one simple” sin can take away one’s freedom.  Some say that it is a “certain” sin that takes away one’s freedom.  Some say a “given number” of sins can take away one’s freedom.  But, in the end, the WHAT IF is when one sins according to some “hoop” they needed to jump through, and their freedom is taken away.

NOT WITH JESUS!  Well, amen!  Yet, how is it that we have the words of Christ eliminating “religion” and “man’s kingdoms” and the teaching of both is still prevalent today?  Michael’s text today is a prime example of “religion” and the “kingdoms of man” being one and the same.

Jesus Himself told us: “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in My word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free…If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (John 8:31-32, 36…bold words, my emphasis)

I love truth.  I love Jesus.  I can enjoy saying: “Jesus is all I have, Jesus is all I need, and Jesus is all I WANT!”  HE is real freedom. 

Thank you, Michael, for making this point so clear!

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