Day 171 - It Is A Relationship

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 191 

         

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 have observed for over 25 years that most Christians really don’t know HOW to have a “relationship” with Christ due to the breakdown of family relationships, even in Christian homes, which has led to most not knowing WHAT a relationship really is.  If someone doesn’t “know” WHAT a “relationship” is, how can they know HOW to have one?  And fellowship is out of the question…

DAY 171

It Is a Relationship

This is the day the Lord has made: let us rejoice and be glad in it. --Psalm 118:24

A friend was sharing a very painful experience from his past. His father had become ill and was in need of constant attention, so he went to his father’s aid and daily took care of his every necessity until the day of the father’s death. However, the son was vexed by the realization that the reason he was caring for the father was that he knew that as soon as the father died, he would receive the inheritance. He said that it would have killed his father to know the true motive behind his son’s service. Serving the dying parent that raised, nurtured, prayed for, and worried about the child simply for a monetary reward was not the relationship the father desired, though I suspect that same story could be told over and over again.

           

Often we hear something like this: “You must persevere in Christianity for the reward. Yes, life is miserable, but keep heaven in mind. Keep attending the meetings, doing your devotions, and studying the Bible, for in the end you will receive the reward of heaven.” However, there is no mention of a relationship. John 15 - 17 makes it quite clear that a relationship is available for us today. God desires fellowship with us today. Much is said in Scripture concerning today. “Today if you hear His voice” (Hebrews 4:7). What a pity if we serve with only the reward in mind, when the very fellowship of God is our reward now.

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 one of the most basic, fundamental aspects of life as a Christian…”It is a relationship.”  Not a religion, not a set of rules, not a role we are to play, not a reward system for “doing good.”  Being a Christian begins with becoming a Christian…a birth, a spiritual birth.  It is amazing how often this truth becomes lost in all the discourse about life as a Christian.

Every birth establishes a relationship.  If a person is not born into a family, there is no relationship.  There may be relations…how one relates (acts or responds) to another, but in every relationship there is the foundational standing that one is the family member of another.  I am a Christian simply because I have been BORN into God’s family.  No one, or no action of mine, can change that.  Whether someone proclaims me to be a “good” family member or not has nothing to do with whether I am a family member or not.  But man cannot stand for things to be that simple.

Has Michael pointed out perhaps the greatest deceit the enemies of God have played upon Christians???  …the reward vs the relationship?  the activities vs the access?  the future vs fellowship (today)?  Michael draws us to READ John chapters 15, 16, & 17 again…and to look for the fellowship that is available to us TODAY, because of our relationship in the Family of God.  Hallelujah!  Amen!

What could Heaven hold for us, the children of God, compared to walking with Him today?

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 92 - Fathers Who Lead

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 190

         

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. 

Father’s Day is this coming Sunday, June 19.  There is a great need for biblical fatherhood in this day and time.  It seems incredible that media messages could overshadow biblical directives, especially concerning leadership in the family.  Is that what has really happened?  Michael draws attention to something that has been going on since the Garden of Eden…

DAY 92

Fathers Who Lead

Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? –Hebrews 12:9

Throughout history we can identify some who were born into the position of leadership and others who were chosen to lead. However, the Bible indicates that in the family, every man is commanded to lead. The world, by contrast, has taught that the family is ruled by the wishes of the majority. All types of media have subtly spread the impression that children should be consulted before making decisions and that the wife need only submit to the husband if he is in mutual submission to her. Accepting these diluted definitions of leadership has produced a generation of Christian fathers who are what might commonly be called passive dads. The father is not to rule through consensus; he does not take the counsel of children. Rather, he seeks God for guidance, which he will find in every situation. Leadership inherently involves followers, who will always have high expectations of a leader, and rightfully so. When we submit to a leader we desire that he be better than us, for our identity becomes intertwined in his. If we submit to a righteous man, then our self-esteem goes up, we feel good about being his servant, and we even see the glory of being subjected to him. We admire and appreciate him as well as desiring his direction, with the hope that he might lead us to the place where he is, for obviously he knows the way and is respected for it. When he asks of us things that we do not understand, we obey, trusting that somehow it will benefit us. Therefore, the two most frustrating things to a follower about a leader are when he cannot be respected and when he will not lead.  

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

The words that grab my attention the most in Michael’s writing are these: “Accepting these diluted definitions of leadership.”  Ever since the garden, the devil has been testing God’s people over and over with the same old question: “Yea, hath God said…?”  Changing the definitions of critical words simply challenges and changes things God HAS SAID, and God’s people have allowed biblical directives to fall by the wayside.

This has also enabled the world to teach different and false ideas (humanism…humanistic philosophy) which have been accepted by default of the changed definitions.  There are even many Christian leaders who teach false ideas thinking they are biblically correct.  The concept of a “passive dad” being acceptable in Christianity is unacceptable.  The idea that one is not a leader if no one is following is unacceptable.  The man in a household is THE leader simply because God has said so.  Following the man’s leadership is a choice of obeying God, and not simply choosing to follow his leadership.

Michael points out three crucial issues for Christian husbands and fathers:

1. GOD says every man is commanded to lead his family.

2. The man is to live a life so as to be respected.

3. The man is to BE the leader of his family.

And Michael points out the beautiful aspects of submitting to a righteous leader.

This Father’s Day, it is time for a revival among Christian men, to stand up and lead.  Families and churches are crying out for such.

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 122 - Got a Word?

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 189

         

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 is a beautiful day’s writing…drawing our attention to something we should give thought to, if not great emphasis for the sake of being able to witness to Christ when speaking to others about our relation with Him.  Have you ever given this any thought???

DAY 122

Got a Word?

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you . . . –John 14:27

Sadhu Sundar Singh had one word that kept him at the feet of Jesus, something that every Hindu seeks, in vain, to find. It is the Hindu word for peace. In Jesus he had found peace. When questioned about his faith by the Hindus, he would often say, “Peace, peace, where else could I go for peace but Jesus?” An old man God worked through to bring Christ to the remote area of Eastern Nepal had a different word. His word was revelation. Jesus had brought him revelation, knowledge of the heart instead of the head, something that could only be found in Christ. Upon being beaten and left for dead for preaching, he would not surrender his calling to do so or acknowledge any but Jesus. His reason: “Where else would I go for revelation?” I was traveling with one of my Indian teachers, told him of the two men, and asked what significant word he held dear. Without hesitation he said, “Because! Because He went down, I have gone up. Because He died, I live. Because He experienced hell, I will experience heaven. Simply because. The word because is keeping me near.” So what is your word?  What is the word that keeps you at the feet of Christ? My word is welcome. I remember being in His presence, and there was so much going through my mind; I was thankful, I had been forgiven, and I appreciated all that He had done through me. Before I could say a word, He spoke that word to me: “Welcome.” I did not have to say a word; I was welcome! Everything was okay! Then He said it a second time, “Welcome,” but the meaning was different. He was welcoming me into His presence, into participation with His Son, and into the revelation of His Son. Again, I was welcome! It is a little word that means so much to me. He is happy to say, “Welcome,” to me. “Welcome” keeps me at His feet. When I asked Betty, she had one word, with. He is always here with us to the end of the age, and He will never leave nor forsake us. Because He is with us we have everything. There are many words that believers have sent me. What is your special word? 

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

First of all, simply highlighting Michael’s and Betty’s and two other’s “words” in yellow does not mean I am making their words less important than having Sadhu Sundar Singh’s word highlighted in green…  His happens to be “the word” that I first gave to a minister at a church back in the late 70’s when asked why we were visiting his church: I told him I was looking for some “peace.”  Unfortunately, I didn’t find any “peace” at that church, mainly because I didn’t find Jesus there.

But, I am pleased to read of Michael’s sharing the different words from a couple of Saints from all around the world, as well as his and Betty’s, that speak of just how a word can minister to each believer’s heart.  And that there can be perhaps innumerable words for the innumerable number of believers all around the world.

Of course, all this got me to thinking of “my special word”…  Well, amen.

My thoughts led me to conclude that different words have been “my special word” as the years have progressed since I first became Born Again.  The first word back in 1980 was “forgiven.”  I could almost add the word “thankful” that my sins had been forgiven…it was quite a revelation to find the Truth of God’s forgiveness.  But, soon after, “identification” became a major revelation…who I was IN Christ!  “Excited” became my daily expression.  For perhaps 15 years those two words (identification and excited) dominated my life.  And I was in “full-time ministry” already for most of those years.

But, then, we met Michael Wells and “abiding” became our mantra.  Barbara and I became “empowered” by all of the truths involved in being a branch on the Vine!  The most empowering thing was that life as a Christian became all about Him, and not us!  Which led to another stage, “grace” & “grateful.”  Grace being that of recognizing it truly is Him and not me that is living this Life.  Grateful being the result of acknowledging His doing and me not having to do.

So, why so many words, instead of that “one special word”???  I guess it is like that old preacher joke: “hand a preacher a mic and you won’t get a ‘word’…you will get a sermon!”  This preacher couldn’t come up with just one word!!!

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 124 - Grieve Not The Holy Spirit

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 188

         

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. 

Just as Michael speaks all the time about our rising and falling with our “definitions,” he points out here that we can do likewise by faulty understandings.  There are several truths to be gleaned in Michael’s writing of Day 124.  Wonder if you have ever considered them…

DAY 124

Grieve Not the Holy Spirit!

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. --Ephesians 4:30-32

Why are we not to grieve the Holy Spirit? Many have taken this passage to mean that they can push the Holy Spirit to the place where He will either leave or God will severely punish them. However, we must first look at why the Holy Spirit is given. Acts 9:31, “So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.” The Comforter is technically a Helper. John 14:16, “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever,” and John 14:26, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” So, then, how does the believer grieve the Holy Spirit? Simply by refusing His help.

Often I have had the unpleasant experience of “helping” someone learn the computer. I must admit that most of the time it has been a grievous experience, for, out of necessity, the person learning must be at the keyboard, the control center. The problem is that he is always asking questions, and then before I can suggest the answer, he starts moving the mouse all around, madly clicking here and there and already creating a problem much worse than if he had done nothing. He wants help but does not want help, and I am grieved. I am the helper there to make his life easier, but to the extent that he refuses to listen, his life will be less than productive and he will know nothing. I was there for his good, not my own, and if he does not listen, I am grieved for him but have not cut him off. The same is true for our children. As parents we are helpers. However, if our young ones refuse to listen and go their own way, we are grieved for their sake. The Holy Spirit only tells us the things that will make us happy; if we follow, the Holy Spirit is not grieved. It is a difficult concept, but sin no longer hurts Jesus; He already died for the sin of all men. We are not to sin because sin hurts us, and when we are hurt, the Helper is grieved. Therefore, to be happy and not grieve the Helper, do the following, ^“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”  

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

It has been my experience as a pastor to see very few Christians ever giving thought to whether or not they are “grieving the Holy Spirit.”  Most of them because they do not think they have committed a “big” enough sin that qualifies for that.  To even think of “refusing the Spirit’s help” is not even what most Christians would consider as something that would grieve the Spirit.

The “difficult concepts” are those that keep us from experiencing God.

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 126 - Holy Spirit

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 187

         

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’ve said this a thousand times, at least…I will never forget the first time I heard Romans 8:11, that the Holy Spirit was living inside me as a Christian, and that He was there to “quicken” life in my body.  I am still learning all there is to know about His “quickening”!!!  Well, amen.

DAY 126

Holy Spirit

But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. –John 16:13, 14

A model of man is often shown using three concentric circles representing body, soul, and the spirit, which is the innermost circle. Without any one of the three, man would not exist; the three elements must exist together in a constant intimate exchange. Man is made in the image of God, so we can apply the model to God. The innermost circle could represent the Father, the Source of the Source. The middle circle would stand for the expression of the Source, or thought and word. Hence, Jesus said He viewed the Father as the greater, because He is the Source of the thought and word; and yet, it is also true that neither operates alone, and thought and word are equal to the source. Jesus is the Word and the Father is the Source of the Word. The Word and Source are One. The activity of the Source and Word would be the Holy Spirit, for the Holy Spirit (Activity) is birthed from Source (Father) and Expressed Thought (Son). The intimacy between the Father (Source) and the Son (Expression of the Source) reveals the third part of the Trinity, the Person of the Holy Spirit. This is why Jesus said that man could slander the Father or the Son, but it was blasphemy to speak ill of the Person of the Holy Spirit, the best that can be produced from the intimacy between the Father and Son.

We think of a spirit in terms of angels and demons, yet in the language of the Bible, spirits also bring with them atmospheres. When visiting a house that has a spirit of conflict, it makes sense to enter into conflict. When visiting a house with a spirit of joy, it is easy to be happy. Joseph Stalin carried with himself an atmosphere of fear and murder. The Holy Spirit is not found in heaven, sitting on a throne to be worshipped. Rather, the Spirit that emanates from the Father and Son is a Holy Spirit, a Person with an atmosphere whose presence and power is so great that for those under His influence, being Holy makes sense and becomes possible. The Holy Spirit, when He comes, invades the world, pushes the world away, and brings a heavenly contrast. When a person finds himself in the presence of the Holy Spirit, that one’s life is immediately contrasted with the atmosphere of holiness. 

A woman had been married five times and was currently having an affair. She also had moved her son's homosexual boyfriend into her home and encouraged their relationship. One day when driving home, she stopped to ponder the mountains, and the Holy Spirit with His Atmosphere fell on her. At that moment she could see the evil in her life and was so ashamed that she was completely undone; her lifestyle no longer made sense, and she sought change. The Holy Spirit brings contrast. We can see why David said, "Take not Thy Holy Spirit from me." When the Holy Spirit’s Atmosphere, exuding from the presence of the Father and Son, encompassed him, he found power to live in holiness, power to seek wisdom for God's people, assurance that his kingdom must be God's kingdom, and loss of worry, doubt, and fear. Jesus said to the disciples in John 14 that this same Holy Spirit had walked with them, but it would come into them. The atmosphere created in the intimacy of God, the best of His love, would now dwell in them.

It is not ludicrous for us to believe that Thought/Word could become a flesh-and-bones person in Jesus. The people came to see the Word, and the Word was dressed in swaddling clothes. The people’s attention was not consumed with the clothing but with the Word that had become flesh. Why would it surprise us that an atmosphere of holiness would describe the Person called the Comforter? This Holy Spirit--with His Atmosphere that brings the presence of God to men, gives men power, renders irrelevant worry, doubt, and fear, and makes change natural--came clothed in tongues of fire. The clothes are not to be worshipped, but the awe-inspiring fact is that coming from the intimacy of the Father and Son, a Spirit has come that makes the life of the Father and Son possible and sensible. We can see why the people were praying "in the Spirit," why so much can be done "in the Spirit." The proof of the Spirit cannot be condensed to miracles, gifts, or fruit, all of which can be duplicated by the enemy. Two proofs that the Spirit has come in a person are that Jesus will be lifted up and men will be drawn to Him, and there will be a conviction of anything that is against Christ. These are things that the enemy never copies. We are to be filled with the Spirit, filled with His atmosphere that comes from the Father and Son. We see why the terms Spirit of Christ, the Spirit of the Father, and Holy Spirit can be used interchangeably.

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

Foundational truths and principles undergird Christianity.  When possible, some sort of diagram helps us to “see” and “understand” WHAT the truths are and HOW they operate in our lives.  Michael’s description of the three concentric circles illustrates the great creation of man by God that coincides with the Triune God Himself.  It is very important for correct teaching, adequate study, and pertinent application of the truths presented in Scripture regarding man and God in the three circles to be part of life as a Christian.  Without such, a Christian will flounder in understanding and wisdom as life goes on around them.

Michael gives us two excellent points of recognizing the indwelling of Holy Spirit in someone.  Yet it is possible for a Christian to “grieve” or “quench the Spirit” in such a way that His activities are hindered and negligible, thereby noticeable.

But Michael pointing out the tremendous positives God intended for each and every Believer to benefit from having the indwelling Holy Spirit are really the focus of this day’s writing…”This Holy Spirit--with His Atmosphere that brings the presence of God to men, gives men power, renders irrelevant worry, doubt, and fear, and makes change natural…”  WOW!  Why then, are so many Christians afraid (notice this is in direct contradiction to what Holy Spirit brings to a Christian!) to embrace, speak to, and call upon Holy Spirit to act in their life?

Remember what the Apostle Paul said about the work of the Holy Spirit in his life?  “But by the grace of God I am what I am…”  Well, amen.  Understanding “grace” as being the work of Holy Spirit is part of the knowledge, understanding, and wisdom Solomon was speaking of as being so important to us as Christians.

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 73 - Reversals That Lead To Life

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 186

         

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. 

Some of the most profound truths in Scripture get very little attention in many people’s eyes and minds…today’s writing is about one of those.  How many times have you heard someone talk about death and resurrection power, in their life?  Or that believers will not bear fruit without near-death experiences of their own?  Michael’s words might have a great impact for many reading this…

DAY 73

Reversals That Lead To Life

Just as it is written, “For Your sake we are being put to death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.  --Romans 8:36, 37

The kiwi plant of New Zealand must have a frost in order to bud and bear fruit and a later frost to force sugar into the fruit. When the weather does not thus cooperate, farmers will stress the plants to the point of death with a chemical in order to induce flowering and sugaring. It is the winter with its near-death experience that allows the kiwi to bear good fruit. 

Believers will not bear fruit without near-death experiences of their own; the proof of resurrection power will always be the marks of death. Winter under God's supervision is not a bad thing, though that is the season in which the enemy will take advantage and seize his greatest opportunity; his activity, we should remember, is always overseen by God. Surely it is for the sake of pride that Satan continues to operate under terms wherein God turns what was meant for evil into good. 

There was a fisherman whose fish were always fresh. In fact, he sold his fish alive, while the others found it impossible to keep their fish alive after taking them from the lake. It was discovered that his secret was to keep a catfish, a natural predator of the other fish, in the bottom of the tank to make the fish alert and active with their eyes on the enemy. 

The enemy is the one who keeps us active and alert, for though he may place marks of death on us, in Christ we are always alive.

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

The text for this day’s writing is smack-dab in the middle of one of Paul’s most quoted sections of writings, the last part of Romans chapter 8.  Yet these two verses are seldom thought about…except for perhaps the conquering part.  However, Paul speaks of a stark truth that we should not forget: it is Christ’s life that gives us the victory (not ours!) and delivers us from all the attacks every day.

Michael gives us two things to think about seriously…

1. as believers, we will not bear fruit without near-death experiences of our own.  How many of us have had these?  Do we recognize them and their importance?

2. the proof of resurrection power in our lives is the marks of death the enemy has placed on us.  Are we aware of these marks?  Do they impact us as they should?

Michael shows us the enemy’s activity are but a tool that God uses to keep us active and alert.  He is a loser.  He is ignorant, in pride, as Michael points out, where God turns all those marks into our good.  The enemy’s activity in our life works for our good in God’s hands.  Well, amen.

Yes, the truth is “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”  And that “if God be for us, who can be against us?”  “For I am persuaded, that (nothing) shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  That “nothing” I interjected is an all-inclusive and formidable list from the Apostle Paul!  Hallelujah!

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) @leemccm1    (email) leemccm@gmail.com

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

Day 107 - Freedom in Relationships

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 185

         

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. 

“in bondage to others”…what a horrific thought, what a pitiful situation to have in life.  How can that be?  Michael gives us the reason many Believers are living this kind of life.  Take heed…(there is SO much TRUTH in this days’ writing!).

DAY 107

Freedom in Relationships

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. –Colossians 3:23, 24

Many have yet to know the freedom that Christ gives every believer. Many are still in bondage to others. I have mentioned this often, but it bears repeating. When another person's words and behavior can change our words and behavior, we cannot be Spirit-controlled, but we are other-controlled. A significant element of freedom is the abandonment of the control of others, for nothing brings as much internal conflict as being controlled by the behavior of others. Several Chinese Christians imprisoned for their faith were fed very little, had sparse quarters, and had been locked up unjustly. Yet the thing that vexed them the most was the attitude of the guards and their selfish cellmates! They were in bondage to others, a much worse state than bondage to circumstance, quality of living, or will. Christians suffer from bondage to the behavior of others, when we must learn the joy that comes from being free! When the Chinese group learned to love the guards and cellmates, expecting nothing in return, they experienced true freedom behind their bars.

Why do the actions of others affect us so? Why do our mate's attitude, teenager's mood swings, boss's jab, parent's control, neighbor's selfishness, and elected official's peccadilloes bother us so? What is the root? The source is our pride that places us on a throne, connives to have us be worshipped, builds us a reputation, exalts us above others, finds our identity in surroundings and possessions, wants us unique among the herd, brings us to believe in our superiority, and leaves us in bondage to all those who would not support its lofty goal of giving us ascendancy. However, Jesus came as a servant, not in pride, and His servanthood kept Him free. When pride rules, we are slaves to all that would hinder its success. When servanthood rules, we are free to love, forgive, turn the other cheek, and bless those who curse, for who could hinder such goals? Our desire must be freedom from pride and, therefore, freedom from the behavior of others.

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

Ok, let’s analyze and summarize:

·         many believers don’t have the freedom Christ gives

·         many are other-controlled instead of Spirit-controlled

   (notice this is from “when another person’s words and behavior can change our

     words and behavior”)

·         nothing brings as much internal conflict as being controlled by others’ behavior

·         bondage to others is worse than bondage to circumstance, quality of living, or will

·         we must learn the joy that comes from being free

·         the root of this bondage?  OUR PRIDE

·         take heed!  freedom comes from BEING A SERVANT

·         we must desire freedom

Way back in 1984 I heard a pastor use this riddle in one of his sermons:

     “Roses are red, violets are blue.

      My disposition depends on you. …and when it does, I am in trouble.”

What truth.

The Apostle Paul gave us the “secret”: Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,…It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.  Michael gives us the lesson.  The question that begs an answer is this: Is this a CHOICE we can make, or that we make?  This same Paul tells us in Romans ch. 6 that we “choose” to whom we yield our members to obey.  In v.17 Paul says we have “obeyed from the heart” (Greek: hupakouo), meaning we choose to obey Christ.  We choose whether to be in bondage or not!  That is what Michael tells us…”Our desire (which leads to choosing) must be freedom from pride…”  (Michael has 6 “days” in a row in MWfHS where he explores “choosing.”  Let me once again encourage you to contact ALMI and get one of Michael’s books!)

WHY do we not “see” that this bondage is our choice?  Is pride that “blinding”?  Yes, but (a HOLY “but”)…we should know that we are to guard against “pride” at all costs.  Michael lists some of those costs: “forgive, turn the other cheek, and bless those that curse.”  And God always gives us the choice to have pride, or have humility.

You might be asking why I use the words “take heed” twice…

The Greek for “take heed” is either blepo (direct the mind upon, beware of) or prosecho (pay attention).  35 times in the NT!  Used as that blunt directive to grab our attention or awareness…either “to do” or “not to do.”  All throughout Michael’s writing I seemed to hear God telling me “pay attention…get this”!  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