Day 332 - What Is The Flesh?

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength (Vol. 1) - # 327

         

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.

Well, in this day’s writing Michael exercises his discipleship muscles and gives some of his most specific observations about this dastard thing we know as “the flesh.” I love it!

We can make a copy of this writing and get busy helping ourselves and others to see the basis for a lot of our thinking and actions. Amen.

DAY 332

             

What Is The Flesh?

Job 34:15, All flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust.

John 1:13, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

No one can be born again by the will of the flesh, insidious in its ability to take the eyes off of Jesus. It is impossible, for in the flesh are the senses of man that constantly need feeding. One may think of them as instinct gone amok. The flesh constantly screeches for attention and has a thousand methods at its disposal to get it. Senses in the body and soul (mind, will, and emotions) are given attention whether with pain or reward, feeding or starving, or conscious avoidance or obsession. Any consideration given them keeps them alive and in charge. The greater truth is that the senses want to be activated; the lesser truth is how they are stimulated, which is by eating from the tree of good and evil. The desire for food (wish fulfillment or fantasy) will keep senses alive just as much as condemnation from eating too much. Look at the anorexic or observe the obese, and both scream “flesh in control.” Either an overwhelming desire for sex or the self-condemnation from looking at porno will loudly proclaim that the flesh has regained control. The senses in the soul lead to pride, whether in thinking of oneself as intelligent or stupid; both are still flesh, just as is thinking of what one can do or not do or of being caring or not caring. Again, flesh is simply the senses of body or soul being in control. People in the East have a tendency toward denying the flesh in an attempt to appease it, while those in the West feed it in an attempt to appease it. Of course, the Westerners do not come out ahead, in that nothing is enough to satisfy it; like a tick, flesh will feed until it explodes and destroys itself. Nor do those in the East really have an advantage, since there is ultimately no way to withhold from the flesh.

Nevertheless, the flesh is flesh and is hostile to God, which explains why flesh desires to be in control so that man is flesh-centered. If man becomes Christ-centered, the senses of flesh would not be fed but would be subdued before Christ. The flesh can never be more than a slave, and a rebellious one at that, for by the works of the flesh will no flesh be justified. Believers and non-believers alike have flesh. The saddest thing is to witness someone who has abandoned his will to flesh. I meet many Christians that struggle with the sin of homosexuality but are not homosexual, and someone meeting them would never guess their particular deed of the flesh. However, meet someone who has by choice yielded to that area of the flesh, and it is evident in his or her body. Just a few minutes with that person reveals the object of their fleshly leanings. 

Now, why would God put us in flesh? I am not talking about a physical body but the accompanying anti-God desires of the senses that reside in the physical body and in the soul. Well, it has been said that the greatness of a man is not determined by what he does but rather by what he refuses to do. The man who feeds his flesh through adventure and the procession of praise for victory or the mockery for defeat is not as great a man as he who says, “Not my will but Thy will be done.” Having flesh and its senses allows man the unique opportunity of choice, of living on the earth but not being of the earth, of living to God and not to senses, and the discovery of something higher in this life, spiritual fulfillment. Flesh, or rather the call of the senses to stay alive, is a constant reminder that we must move our eyes to Jesus. It is another stronghold allowing us to stay focused. If God is for us, then who can be against us? Again, the flesh is never a friend; we may buffet it and make it a slave, but it will never be a friend. The flesh is a strange thing in that it cannot live on its own but must thrive on something that is living. It adapts to resemble the thing on which it lives, but it is not really a living thing. When man dies, his fleshly condition dies.

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

Boy howdy, what a piece of information that can be of such great benefit to so many.

I think of two questions that constantly grieve me:

1.     how is it that Believers have Truth that our New Birth is nothing of the old (this and other great verses telling us just that), yet so many will judge the actions of flesh in observing whether they think someone has been Born Again?

2.    Why do so many Believers spend so much time focused on “the flesh” instead of moving the eyes to Jesus and staying focused on Him?

What is up with “the church” these days?

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 331 - What Is Not The Will Of God

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength (Vol. 1) - # 326

         

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.

Very few things enter the discussions of Believers as much as “Is this the will of God?”  How sad.  Michael points out the simplicity of knowing God’s will.

DAY 331

What Is Not The Will Of God

And out of the ground the Lord God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden. --Genesis 2:9

How often we meet believers who are looking for red lights that will stop them, because they do not know whether they are doing God's will. Did Adam and Eve spend their days in paradise looking for red lights? Obviously not! God told them from the start that there was a red light in front of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil that prohibited their partaking of the fruit. From every other tree they were free to eat, and those trees fed not only the physical hunger of man but also the desires of mind, will, and emotions, for they were pleasing to the sight. The tree of life (Jesus) was there, also, the One that would feed the spirit of man. Man was free to eat from all. God clearly told of the tree that was not allowed so that man would not have to walk through the garden examining each tree and wondering if it were allowed, living a life of exhaustion and worry rather than getting on with the enjoyment of life, the dwelling place, and God Himself. Man was to be free! It takes far too much energy to know all that is allowed; it is much simpler to understand the few things that are not allowed. God has the habit of telling us what the red lights are so that we can get on with abundant living and not be sidetracked by the constant examination of the permissible while missing Him. By knowing ahead of time what the red lights are, we can get on with living in the Kingdom of God and enjoying what we are doing.  

If you are confused in knowing the will of God, discern in Scripture what you are not to do and avoid those things; all else is permissible. We are to love our neighbor as our self, and when we are not doing this one thing, little else matters. Do you see how simple it is? If we avoid self-centeredness, we will find that 90% of what we do is allowable. It is permissible to move where we want, take the job we want, go on the vacation that we desire, and choose a place of fellowship and service; but it is not permissible to be bitter, judgmental, to participate in the deeds of the flesh, or to lack love and compassion, for all of these feed self-centeredness. Many strain over knowing the right car to buy when the real issue is whether they are loving their mates, not provoking others to anger, or not being competitive. 

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

As with so much in life, definitions cause our “rise and fall.”  Michael said this over and over and over.  “Will of God”?  The Greek for “will” means “heart.”  The heart of God.  How do we know His heart?  Read the Bible.  Discern Scripture.  God shows us what His heart is in virtually every matter of life.  At least enough to “choke a horse” as the saying goes in East Texas…enough to keep Christians IN His will for years to come!

Besides Holy Spirit will bring an “unh-uh” if we head in the wrong direction with a heart desiring God’s will.

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 328 - What If We Lost the Big War?

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength (Vol. 1) - # 325

         

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 takes a day off from the more crucial issues he typically addresses, and spends some time in a Latvian sauna.  Who says theology can’t make its way into a sauna???

DAY 328

What If We Lost the Big War?

All the trees of the field will know that I am the LORD; I bring down the high tree, exalt the low tree, dry up the green tree, and make the dry tree flourish. I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will perform it. --Ezekiel 17:24 

I have found that I can learn a lot from listening. One day I was sitting in a Latvian sauna. Knowing that the Latvians had suffered greatly under the Soviet occupation, what one man said was shocking to me. “I was in a remote area in Russia where the people had nothing, and I noticed that though in physical want, they were not in spiritual want. As I watched them, I began to wonder if we Latvians were not better off spiritually during the occupation than at present. I suppose that it depends on what one wants out of life.” To me that was an amazing statement; I had never heard a Latvian--or anyone from the former countries of Soviet occupation, for that matter--say such a thing. However, it is something I have wondered. Does history bear out that great revivals take place in the midst of comfort or in the throes of want? This fellow may be right in remarking that comfort is not the best human state when Christ can so easily be neglected and substituted. The Chinese Church grew from fifty thousand to fifty million under persecution. Considering facts like that, what would happen if we took a position that what Jesus was talking about when He said that we are to love our enemies actually meant, without qualification, to love our enemies? I have come up against arguments, so I know that loving an enemy is open for interpretation and that boundaries for such a directive are quickly sought by “rational” human beings. However, what if Stalin would have taken over the whole world? What if he had been allowed to kill every Christian, and, as in the early Church under Roman persecution, Christians went to the lions? How long could evil reign without good to support it? How long would it have been before Jesus would have come? What if every Christian loved his enemies and did not use force against them in keeping with Scriptures such as, “Father, forgive them,” and (Matthew 26:53 & 54), “Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?” Would Jesus already have returned? I understand that there are those committed to fighting evil, drawing the line against injustice, and seeing a Scriptural delineation between war and loving an enemy. I also understand the limited impact of my comments since, as was pointed out, I have not witnessed my family being taken off by evil forces. We feel that it is unthinkable to sit back and see our families murdered, and yet that is exactly what happened to the people in this place. The unthinkable has been done. It is not just a theory.

This discussion led to another. Americans seem to hit the panic button when they see people in physical need, so they come to the rescue with “things.” An interesting observation was made that every country that America rebuilds becomes consumed with materialism (Japan, Germany, Korea, and Great Britain were given as examples). I could see the validity in the point. Pictures of people without food are given more weight in the American churches than pictures of thousands bowing to Mecca. I have been guilty myself of telling stories of the incredible physical want in lieu of the horrific fact that hundreds of millions in India do not know Jesus. Well, amen, it was interesting sauna talk with interesting perspectives.

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

Experiencing family taken off by evil forces, or murdered in front of our eyes would surely impact one’s perspective.  And someone once said, “What we perceive, we believe.”  Not many of us have been in a situation face-to-face with anyone who has experienced what those Latvians experienced.  God allowed Michael to meet and hear some things that impacted his perspectives.  And I am grateful he shared these with us.  Hopefully we have been listening and have learned some things by hearing his report. 

We would do well to always be grateful we also have the LORD who is performing all the things He said He would…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 327 - What If Christians Did Not Fight Evil?

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength (Vol. 1) - # 324

         

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 addresses the issue of Christians fighting evil.  

Take time to consider all the questions Michael raises, and see whether you are “resting” or not.

DAY 327

What If Christians Did Not Fight Evil?

Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. –Philippians 3:13, 14

When in a country that was formerly a part of the USSR, several questions can come to the forefront of any conversation. At the center of the debate is what Christians should have done. We know what many did do, but what should have been done? First, I do not want to condemn anyone for what they did do. Liberians in Africa have told me of their own city's bombing. Everyone in the market, upon seeing the bombs coming, began to run. Old people and babies that had been dropped in the melee were trampled to death. How do you suppose the babies' mothers felt the next day? Fear causes many instinctive reactions. However, once the crush of fear is past, it is possible to think more rationally about what a believer should do. I always like to build a foundation before attempting to discuss such questions. 1) God is love. 2) He permits what He could prevent. 3) He does not cause all things, but He causes all things to work together for good. 4) He could send evil to hell as easily today as tomorrow.

There are several ways of looking at things from this foundation. What would happen if every believer followed the command of Christ to love an enemy without reservation? What if tonight every Christian were killed by evil? What would the world be like if evil men helped the rapture of believers by killing them? If every believer were killed, earth would instantly become hell, because God's Holy Spirit would be dwelling in no person, a case of men on their way to hell when hell actually came up to them. Would the killing of every believer hasten or hinder the coming of Christ? If evil is present in the form of a physical force, army, or government, and if Christians are tricked into fighting it in the power of the flesh, would we actually be hindering the coming of Christ? 

I talk to so many who came to a personal relationship with Jesus in a concentration camp in Siberia. What do we have to say about those things? Would the people have come to Him without Siberia? Some were persecuted and died immediately, and some lived years in a prison before eventually regaining their freedom. Did those who died miss out on something? I believe that we must see God, believe all things are in His hands, and rest. If we do not see Him, we will try to make sense--in a carnal, intellectual way--of all that happens. I think I can answer all questions with one word—God—because of the knowledge that we rest in Him!

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

A very intense and interesting decision that all Christians must decide.  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 325 - What Does a Normal Cross-Section of Christians Look Like?

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength (Vol. 1) - # 323

         

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.

Many people forget God’s “calling” to the Lost, who are those whose only “life” in them is “the flesh.”  The list of “perfect flesh” that Michael presents is something the typical church struggles with in its membership’s history.

God had an incredible plan from before there ever was “man”…to provide for the crucifixion of the root of “flesh” and the provision of Himself to become the Life of His new creation: born again Believers.

Pay close attention as Michael points out the true goal of God.

DAY 325

What Does a Normal Cross-Section of Christians Look Like?

For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble. --I Corinthians 1:26

I would add to the list in that scripture verse. There are those that have had divorces, affairs, rebellious children, depression, anxiety, failed careers, dissatisfaction, anger, disappointments, brushes with suicide, and more. This list reflects a cross-section of believers that is only vexing if our goal is to display perfect flesh. However, when our goal is the preparation and perfection of the spirit, we see that many of these things are necessary, for because of them there will occur the loss of self-glory, pride, righteousness, strength, and kingdoms. All of these things are hindrances that need removal before we can manifest the fruit of the Spirit and His life, which is the true goal of the faith. Well-adjusted flesh may make us comfortable and look quite nice to us, but it carries with it a self-satisfied stench to the Lord that proves it is not the proper goal of our lives in Christ.

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

It would be funny if it wasn’t so sad that the typical church dwells on the things of “the flesh” instead of focusing completely on helping its membership know, possess, and manifest the fruit of the Spirit and the Life of Christ.  And how terribly sad it is that the focus actually works to prohibit the true goal of God from becoming known to most and very rarely experienced.  Well, amen.

Thank God there are a few, like Michael, who teach God’s provision and God’s goal, and encourage the few who will listen to actually experience Christ’s Life.  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

(email) leemccm@gmail.com

(blog) www.leemccmviews.blogspot.com  

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

Day 322 - What About False Teaching?

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength (Vol. 1) - # 322

         

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 describes “false teaching” in many places as “teaching that lands at MY feet and tells me what I must do for God.”  He goes further and says that “truthful teaching” is “teaching that lands at CHRIST’s feet and tells me what He will do for me.”  I agree with both wholeheartedly.  Christianity is about Him, not me.

The issue comes when we encounter false teachers.  And Michael is spot on with his 4-pt writing in this day’s post.  Albeit it is a little humorous to see Michael give us 4 pts on anything…lol.  Actually he is giving us a good clarification of the issues and doing what he always does: take us back to “just Jesus.”

DAY 322

What About False Teaching?

If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. --I Timothy 6:3 & 4

Do we let people be deceived? There are a few issues here. First, we are to confront those things that are false and warn others. Second, we can follow a false teacher in two ways, by being fans and agreeing or by monitoring his words and actions to rebuke him; either way the attention is given to him and not Jesus. Third, often false teachers are not creating wrong hearts but revealing wrong hearts, such as when they get a following of people by teaching that Jesus wants us rich. This is appealing to what kind of people? What are their hearts for the Lord if they perceive that the goal of Christ’s suffering is our wealth? Fourth, everyone works for us. Let people who follow what life will not support eventually come to the end of themselves and the end of their trust in others; we will still be there to offer Jesus. 

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 320 - Weird Meetings?

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength (Vol. 1) - # 321

         

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 a great writing to begin the new year of 2019 with: uncomplicated, specific instructions, and direct to any issue we face.

In two beautiful verses we find two completely different situations that the Apostle Paul found himself addressing.  In one he gives a word of encouragement, in the other he gives a word of caution.  Both address the Christian and the mind. 

And, Michael points out the great differences in thoughts that can come from the natural mind all Believers are physically born with and the Spiritual mind (the Mind of Christ, 1 Corinthians 2:16) that all Believers have also.

DAY 320

Weird Meetings?

Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. –Romans 15:5 & 6

But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. –II Corinthians 11:3

Over the course of the years I have attended, witnessed, and been told of a variety of meetings and experiences that simply cannot be validated in the Scriptures. Attempts are made to authenticate and legitimize them through the Scriptures; however, most often this ends in a distortion of the Bible. So what about such meetings and experiences? Those that have such experiences will vehemently fight for them as justifiable experiences of the Spirit. Though many expressions are not consistent around the world, “other” types of experiences are. Some witness to having teeth turn gold, others to a cross turning to gold, uncontrolled laughter, pictures of saints that exude a fragrant and healing aroma, falling down and passing out, prophecies, people turning into pigs through prayer, and much, much more. I have heard many accounts, all told with sincerity and conviction. Again, what about such meetings and experiences?

First, I must keep it all in perspective and in the end really not care. Why? It is not because of lack of care for the people, but because even if the experience and meeting were legitimate, it was not my meeting or my experience, so why would I argue a standpoint? It is too easy for all of us to move into pride and trench in over a position. While Jesus was with the disciples, they were one. Take Jesus out of the center of any conversation and there will be division. I would not sacrifice my relationship with Christians over an experience that someone else had. It is far better to approach such experiences without an agenda of trying to prove or disprove. In comparison with my fellowship with a believer, I do not care. Therefore, I will often go quiet if I see that my observations would cause a division. This approach will not satisfy those that want to fight for the truth. However, the truth is not any experience but is Jesus.

This brings me to the second point: a meeting or an experience does not create a heart for Jesus, but it does reveal one. Camping on this point has helped me, for I see both types of people attending such meetings. One person goes for the spectacular, for the seeking of the experience, all in the hope of creating a heart for God or obtaining a shred of proof that he is acceptable to God. This person is most open to deception. Some with this attitude are even leading the meetings! Perhaps we could liken it to “Christian pornography” in the sense that the purpose of pornography is to stimulate the fleshly body, albeit unnaturally. The body is to be stimulated by one’s mate, not by another through the means of a picture. In the same way, the mind, will, and emotions belong to God and are to be stimulated by His Spirit. However, “Christian pornography” would be allowing something other than God to stimulate the soul. Many in seminaries are addicted to “intellectual pornography,” for they are always looking for the thing that will stimulate the mind. Many organizations are driven by men who have their wills stimulated through fantasizing about great works, or “pornography for the will power.” Others are into “emotional pornography” through the stirring of the emotions in a meeting or an experience. It is unnatural to go to a meeting seeking something to stir the soul other than Jesus. When those with such a heart are describing the experience and are questioned, they will immediately shift course and say that it is all about Jesus, even though His name was never mentioned in the course of the description. Instead there was a forceful presentation of the experience and the meeting. This is a revelation of the heart. Remember that Jesus did miracles and generally told the people to be quiet about them. He did not want to draw people who were attracted by miracles. Actually, I believe that a false teacher is used of God to reveal false hearts; I do not mind when people go running to such a one, for they are obviously seeking something other than Jesus. Those things that stir the soul are, like the pornographic picture, substitutes for the real Person. In talking to a Pentecostal pastor and a Baptist pastor, I asked the same question. “Go back twenty years and think of the people in your church. Where are they today? How many are still moving forward?” Both pastors gave the same percentage; both have the same “results.” One can only conclude that it is not doctrine that allows for forward movement but the grace of God and the choice of man. The doctrine of a meeting can be completely wrong, but we must not neglect those who attend such meetings, for there is a revelation of the motives of their hearts. Faith is an amazing thing. There are those who believe that God will meet them at the Baptist church. Will He? There also are those who believe that God will meet them at the Pentecostal church. Again, will He? Many believe they will meet Him in the mountains; will they? He is everywhere. He can be found in any place at any time. Therefore, good-hearted people go to strange meetings and meet Jesus. Their hearts are revealed. The proof is in the fruit of their lives. I have known those that have had very abnormal experiences, and yet it is obvious they are moving up in Jesus, talking more about Jesus, promoting Jesus, and not pushing the experience. What do we say to such things? Well, amen! I do not have to understand it to witness to it. I know people personally that were outwardly going nowhere until the experience came and something changed to make them Christ-centered.

In conclusion, meetings do not create hearts but they reveal them. Go to any meeting with the right heart and that heart will be revealed. Go to the weird meeting wanting to create some kind of heart and any manner of thing can happen. That is why people with a right heart come away from really strange things blessed, and those with a wrong heart are led further astray. 

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

The book of Romans is regarded as one of Paul’s greatest theological discourses.  He gave the Saints in Rome a solid foundation from which to thrive in the Life as a Christian.  And as he comes to the close of his letter, he specifically speaks to the Mind of Christ in each and calls for them to be in THAT mind “so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Is it ironic that the book to all Believers in Rome with such a statement was written from the city of Corinth shortly after he wrote 2 Corinthians?

In that letter to the Corinthian Believers Paul shares “Life” more than doctrine, and just as he begins to share some personal experiences as a Christian he warns them to be aware of how easy it is to slip from the Mind of Christ back into the natural mind and “be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.”

The only soul in a Believer that will respond positively to Holy Spirit is Christ’s Soul (Christ’s Mind, Christ’s Emotions, Christ’s Will) every Believer has.  It is by the Grace of God and a choice to Live in His Soul that Believers move forward.  Well, amen.

Uncomplicated, specific, and direct.

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