Day 270 - The God of the Whole Earth

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength (Vol. 1) - # 295

         

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.  If you are not getting these weekly postings via an email, go to the website: www.leemccm.blogspot.com …in the top right corner there is a place to register to receive each post.

Ever wondered what it is like to travel among the nations around the world and see how the different peoples treat others who do not share the same “God”?  Actually, it is difficult to use a capital “G” in a statement like that.  There IS only 1 God.

Read Michael’s “trip report” in a couple of countries who don’t receive OUR God, but are adamant about everyone believing in THEIR god. 

What word would you use to follow up that statement with?

DAY 270 

The God of the Whole Earth

Do we not all have one Father? Has not one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously, each against his brother, so as to profane the covenant of our fathers? --Malachi 2:10

It is interesting that in other religions we are told about THEIR god. Many are threatened with death if they do not accept THEIR god. I remember seeing the “great” god Kali; he is a rock with a robe on him, covered with the blood of goats. I had never heard of THEIR god. I was whisked away to a back room to have him explained to me and to be given the opportunity to follow him. If we do not follow some of THEIR gods, we can be threatened with death. On a layover in Mecca I was not allowed to leave the plane for fear that I might touch the ground and defile the place. THEIR god did not want me. Herein lies the difference with the Christian message. We are not going to others to talk to them about OUR god; we are talking about the only true and living God; how can there be another? “Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also” (Romans 3:29). We are not to be telling them of another God; we are telling them that they have our God. Our God is their God and Creator whether they believe it or not. They cannot choose to make Him God, as in other religions. He is God. They can acknowledge it, but the acknowledgment will not make it so. They are not our enemies; they just need to be brought back into the family. For many hundreds of years they have opted out, led by the men of pride. The Man of humility would bring them back. There is only one God.

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

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

(email) leemccm@gmail.com

(blog) www.leemccmviews.blogspot.com  

P.O. Box 633244   Nacogdoches, TX 75963              936-559-5696

Day 268 - The Forgotten Man!

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength (Vol. 1) - # 294

         

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.  If you are not getting these weekly postings via an email, go to the website: www.leemccm.blogspot.com …in the top right corner there is a place to register to receive each post.

Michael tells us “every creature other than man lives under compulsion…man can choose…”  Wow!  We could take hours to contemplate those two statements couldn’t we?

But, look at what one man’s choice was…

DAY 268

The Forgotten Man! 

Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that Thou wouldst bless me indeed, and enlarge my border, and that Thy hand might be with me, and that Thou wouldst keep {me} from harm, that {it} may not pain me!” And God granted him what he requested. --I Chronicles 4:10

One fellow in the Bible prayed, his request was granted, and we never hear from Jabez again! Why? This is an awesome example of choice. Every creature other than man lives under compulsion. The caterpillar must become a butterfly; the tadpole must become a frog. Man can choose what he will become. He can choose earthly comfort or he can choose maturity. Jabez chose comfort. His choice is in stark contrast to the choices made by men we continually read about in the Bible. Listen to Solomon’s choice (II Chronicles 1:10), “Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can rule this great people of Thine?” The result followed in verses 11 and 12, “And God said to Solomon, ‘Because you had this in mind, and did not ask for riches, wealth, or honor, or the life of those who hate you, nor have you even asked for long life, but you have asked for yourself wisdom and knowledge, that you may rule My people, over whom I have made you king, wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. And I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings who were before you has possessed, nor those who will come after you.’” What would you be, a Jabez or a Solomon? Both were God-worshippers, both lived upright lives, but they made different choices. Look to Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who never sought an earthly kingdom, freedom from pain, or to be delivered from trouble. Because of this, His kingdom will endure forever, by His stripes we are healed, and Life (capital L) came out of death. Again, what do we want? The frightening thing is that we can have what we want.

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

Comfort or Maturity.  Two choices.  Our choices lead us in specific directions.  They are more important than most give credence or concern (carefulness in making the decisions) to.

Would we be a Jabez or a Solomon?  (That ought to be a simple question to answer correctly…only one of those God ever spoke of how wise he was.  In fact, the other, God never ever again mentioned his name or interacted with him, according to Scripture.  Just saying…)

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

(email) leemccm@gmail.com

(blog) www.leemccmviews.blogspot.com  

P.O. Box 633244   Nacogdoches, TX 75963              936-559-5696

Day 267 - The Flesh, The Great Equalizer

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength (Vol. 1) - # 293

         

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.  If you are not getting these weekly postings via an email, go to the website: www.leemccm.blogspot.com …in the top right corner there is a place to register to receive each post.

This is one of those “WOW!” days of Michael’s writings.  One that could take a lot of folks by surprise, even shock.  But meditate on what Michael says…it will help some in a remarkable way.

Day 267

The Flesh, The Great Equalizer

. . . and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. --Romans 8:8

I used to hate my flesh; I could only see it as the enemy. If only I did not have it. I was looking forward to the day when I could slough it off, being free at last. Much has changed. I no longer hate my flesh; I accept the need for it and the wisdom of God in putting me in the flesh, for it keeps me near to Him. For that reason alone I would be grateful for it. If I move but a bit from Him, my flesh returns, I get miserable, and I go running back. Who could really hate such a thing? The flesh is also the great equalizer. A “great” man can be preaching, move into the flesh, and instantly he is no better than the bum he may be looking down on. I have watched a “great man” in a restaurant when the meal is not as he ordered it. There is an explosion and unkind words. Instantly he must reckon with his roots; he, too, is flesh. There are no “great men,” but little men with a great God. See how the flesh equalizes, keeps us humble, and therefore, keeps us safe?

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

God spoke through the Apostle Paul to give us two interesting points:

1.     “those who are in the flesh” – who is Paul speaking of besides the obvious from the actual words?  Christians.  That is obvious because of the context in which these words are spoken.  He wasn’t talking about Unbelievers.  He is talking TO Believers!  Now, that is a Truth that many Believers don’t want to recognize, especially when it comes to other Believers.  “Oh, they must not be a Christian…they still ____________.”  They do?  Their flesh.

2.    “cannot please God.”  This is a 2^nd time Scripture speaks of something that “cannot please God.”  (See Hebrews 11:6, “without faith it is impossible to please God”).  These are direct words.  Is there someone in us that would quickly speak up and say something IF we fall into the flesh?  Yes.  Holy Spirit.

Michael is a Christian talking about “his flesh,” and how he used to “hate” it, then he got a revelation from God that changed everything…his perspective and his response.  To me the beautiful thing that Michael shares is how he received Holy Spirit’s wisdom of his need for flesh, that it is something that God uses to keep us near Him.  Amen!

It is sad that so many Believers speak of the flesh as something a Christian could not have.  Wrong.  And that erroneous perspective makes many to be critical, instead of compassionate, toward a Believer struggling with their flesh.

Would to God that many who read this and have been defeated by their flesh, will get the same revelation and change Michael shared.

All sports enthusiasts would immediately say, “That makes it a whole new ballgame!”

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

(email) leemccm@gmail.com

(blog) www.leemccmviews.blogspot.com  

P.O. Box 633244   Nacogdoches, TX 75963              936-559-5696

Day 266 - The Flesh Of Man, Nothing To Boast About!

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength (Vol. 1) - # 292

         

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.  If you are not getting these weekly postings via an email, go to the website: www.leemccm.blogspot.com …in the top right corner there is a place to register to receive each post.

Barbara and I have just returned from a wonderful trip to Colorado that included spending time with Betty Wells.  I was also able to be with Noah Wells and Tim Lester in the ALMI office.  We were talking about the very thing Michael wrote about in Day 266.

And we even diagrammed HOW & WHY a Christian can think, feel, and act as Michael speaks of.  Knowing this can help lead many who are Sidetracked In The Wilderness to freedom.  (Michael’s book, SIW, is available from the ALMI office – see info in heading)

There is nothing like the victory in Jesus of getting out of the Wilderness and into the Promised Land of being FREE in CHRIST!

DAY 266

The Flesh Of Man, Nothing To Boast About!

Immediately the word concerning Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled; and he was driven away from mankind and began eating grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws. --Daniel 4:33

Man is flesh, flesh is animal, so what do you expect from yourself when you are in the flesh? What do you believe that God expects out of you? Do you really think that the depths to which you have sunk have surprised Him? He knows you! The problem is that you do not know yourself, and until you do know yourself, you will trust in, cling to, and rely on yourself. Let God lift His hand even for a moment, let Him subdue the Holy Spirit within, and you will see what, without Him, you really are.

It is amazing the things in which we boast. In an attempt to be like God we are constantly looking for that one thing that makes us a standout. Intellect is one of the most comical. There really is not much of a spread between the IQ of the learning disabled and a “genius,” but so much is made of it. Then there is wealth; around the world the man with money is about as close to being considered a god as one can come. We are fed the positives about mankind by manipulators to make us believe we are something other than flesh. Then there is great shock at what man can inhumanely do to others.

“The flesh is hostile to God.” This is an absolute. In the grace of God He may, as I mentioned, lift His hand and allow you this revelation. Being shocked at what you become is a revelation of just how blind you were to your true condition without Him. So many say to me, “I cannot believe I did that!” I can believe that they did whatever, and I know they are capable of doing far worse. Once we see what we are, we can see what He is and then come to our senses as we turn to, trust in, cling to, and rely on Him.  

But at the end of that period, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever;

For His dominion is an everlasting dominion,

     And His kingdom endures from generation to generation.

  All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,

  But He does according to His will in the host of heaven

     And among the inhabitants of earth;

     And no one can ward off His hand

     Or say to Him, “What have You done?”

At that time my reason returned to me. And my majesty and splendor were restored to me for the glory of my kingdom, and my counselors and my nobles began seeking me out; so I was reestablished in my sovereignty, and surpassing greatness was added to me. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride.” –Daniel 4:34-37

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

There is no limit to which the Natural man with his natural soul (mind, emotions, and will) can think or act in an evil way.  Oh, how Natural man loves to brag about his “natural soul.”  Trouble is, a Christian still possesses that same soul (little “s”) and we can think, feel, or act in an evil way just like the Natural man.

Freedom comes knowing that as a Christian we also possess Christ’s Soul (capital “S”).  And His Mind, His Emotions, & His Will MAKE us FREE when we Live (His Life) there, instead of in the little “s” soul.

Michael spells it out: see what we are (in the flesh), see what Christ is, trust in-cling to-rely on Him. 

Will we do that?  Victory and Freedom are one move away…

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

(email) leemccm@gmail.com

(blog) www.leemccmviews.blogspot.com  

P.O. Box 633244   Nacogdoches, TX 75963              936-559-5696