Thoughts
on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 228
Michael’s book is
available through:
Abiding Life Ministries
International
Littleton, Colorado
Notice: this email is part of a
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You
better have your spiritual thinking cap on when you read this week’s
writing. Michael sort of takes us
through the back door to get to the freedom he speaks of, and the freedom we
all desire so much.
DAY 108
Purchasing Freedom From Others
Do nothing from
selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as
more important than yourselves. –Philippians 2:3
As in every other aspect of the Christian walk, we want
the spiritual work God will accomplish in us, but we do not want the
experiences that bring it. I cannot say I blame the believer that
avoids the experiences that gain his freedom. I am grateful that since I was first aware of Him, He has
answered my prayer: "Father, all that You wanted to accomplish in man
through Your sending Jesus, accomplish in me. When I complain, please do not
hear me. When I fail, let it be covered in the blood of Jesus." I have not wanted the experiences
that accompany learning to be free from others, but He has been faithful to bring them anyway,
and I thank Him.
We purchase freedom from others with the currency of
pride. Let me illustrate. A woman had a very
critical, judgmental, and unloving husband. His attitude and behavior when
arriving home dictated hers. Why? Pride. She felt she deserved to be treated
better, for she was set apart for Christ. The treatment that Jesus received from others was not
good enough for her; she deserved nicer. She was in bondage and needed
to purchase freedom. Since the currency would be pride, she was instructed, "Each time your husband
comes home upset and angry, you are to go sit in his lap and give him a
kiss." She could see that freedom would be a costly purchase. However, she paid up, and today she
is free.
A husband with an
unfaithful wife finds himself in court. The judge awards the home, most of the
income, and child custody (with the exception of one weekend a month) to the
wife. She is angry
(attempting to justify her affair) and uses every opportunity to gain advantage
over the husband. She refuses to drop off the children, tell him of
school events, or make him aware of medical concerns. She tells the children,
"I must protect you from your father." He is working sixty hours a week to provide, attempting
to be an active parent, and wanting his children to grow in the Lord. He is
also a slave to his wife's behavior. The solution for him is to buy his freedom
with pride. Love the judge,
the wife, and the circumstances; make the support payments, allow the abuse,
and be free. Look deeply into the face of the one who is bringing the
discomfort and ask the question, "Do I want that countenance?"
There is an employee whose promotion came because of his
ability to point out the flaws in others. This week you are under his
microscope, and you have come under bondage. Buy your freedom with pride.
Go to him and ask, "Can I do something extra to help you? I know you must
be under stress." You will be amazed at the freedom that comes.
Freedom is not cheap, and yet it is purchased with a
commodity that you should never have possessed, pride.
Since it is a currency
that does not belong to you, feel free to spend all of it! In the end you will
have a wonderful portfolio of freedom.
Yellow – VIP, Very Important Point Green
– IT, Incredible Truth
Red – GP, Greatest Promises
Turquoise – UR, Unfathomable Riches Pink
– PV, Priceless Victory
Michael gives us one of the most powerful Life-giving scriptures
relevant to all of our relationships and fellowships. No matter who or what we encounter in life, a
Life of humility is God’s way. How many
of us have prayed a prayer like Michael gives us his example of regarding ALL “experiences
that accompany learning to be free from others.”
“Paying up” all pride brings humility.
And look at the results…freedom.
Beautiful!
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
P.O. Box 633244 Nacogdoches,
TX 75963 936-559-5696
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