Day 255 - The American Passport

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 165

         

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. 

Next week I will be travelling to Africa on a mission trip.  One of the first things on my “trip list” is “Passport”…a reminder to make sure I take my Passport with me.  It is a “must have” in my possession item to enter the country I am going to.  It tells all that I am a citizen of the United States.  It lists certain information, and it gives me certain travelling privileges.  Beautiful.

Along with my American Passport, I possess and will carry with me another “Passport”…my Heavenly Passport declaring I am a citizen of Heaven, a child of God.  It signifies MUCH MORE than my American Passport. 

Michael traveled all over the world…numerous countries, numerous times.  He got certain privileges because of his Heavenly Passport.  I long to see the privileges mine gives me!  It has been a few years since I last used it in another country than America.  I recall a number of times it provided more than the world could offer.

(be sure and watch for a report of what my Heavenly Passport provided in 3 weeks)

DAY 255

The American Passport

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. --Philippians 3:20

The American passport is the most unique travel document in the world. Every other passport is the possession of the holder, but the U.S. passport always remains the property of the United States government. The holder does not own it, but rather it owns him and proclaims that the traveler is the property of the United States government. If other countries fully understood the position the U.S. government has taken concerning its citizens, they might allow no Americans to come in, because in a sense, America comes in with all of those individuals considered to be her property, and wherever that citizen stands is now possessed, in a sense, by the United States. Therefore, when an American traveler is detained or held hostage, the government has a moral and legal right to come and get their property, and they do come! This is why the Americans were among the first released from the Japanese embassy takeover in Peru years ago; the terrorists did not want the hassle. The American is by definition, then, an embassy, for wherever he is standing, that soil immediately under his feet is considered American. Because of this position, the American is always in a safe place supported by a force much greater than him.

Christianity has rightly been described as a “much more” gospel, for what it gives is always much more! Our citizenship, our passport, our protection, and our representation are much more than the world can conceive of or offer. Wherever we go, we stand in Christ. In Him, we are more than conquerors. In Him everything is given to us. We are His possession. To let the Christian into a business or home is to let in Christ. I enjoy the concept of American citizenship, but I love the power and reality of a heavenly citizenship. Wherever the believer stands is a safe place, with a force much greater than himself behind him.

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

Michael travelled so much.  Few will ever experience the extent of what he mentions here.  His words should bring great comfort to all who travel to a country other than their own…for “wherever we go, we stand in Christ.”  Amen!

Take a few moments and fully realize all that we have in Christ, whether at home or in a different country.  Soak on each and every testimony of what our Heavenly Citizenship brings to our life as Christians!

I will think of Michael as I enter Africa, and share the message of “there is nothing the nearness of Christ cannot cure/overcome/etc.”

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 151 - "I Feel So Guilty"

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 164

         

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 last week’s article, we saw Day 149 dealing with “feelings” regarding a Christian’s connection with God.  This week, we see a Christian’s connection with self.  This may be more difficult for some to deal with than the former, and may actually be a cause of the former.

DAY 151

“I Feel So Guilty”

I will go away {and} return to My place until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me. --Hosea 5:15

I must admit where I am before I can leave where I am. I must own something to disown it, possess to dispossess! Many suffer from guilt. There are many genuinely afflicted believers who need the revelation that Jesus takes away guilt and forgives and that there is no obstacle between them and Him. However, there are several reasons why guilt feelings sometimes will not leave, and those are what are addressed in this article. For one thing, for all of the believers who lack understanding of God’s willingness to forgive, there are an equal number who only feel guilty because of what the revelation of their sin has done to their image; it is not genuine guilt. A fellow slandered a brother. Later, he began to think that the brother was going to find out. He then started repenting and repenting, praying and praying that the brother would not hear about it. He was so sorry that he had said anything at all. However, after talking with him I discovered that he was not nearly so concerned that someone got the wrong impression about the disparaged brother as he was that others might get the wrong impression of himself as a slanderer! The guilt was merely based in self-image. Sometimes guilt is just a feeling with no center, as if the enemy wants we believers wallowing in insufficient joy. However, there are times when guilt is not relieved because there has not been true confession, which does not consist of going around telling everyone what terrible persons we are. True confession is to God for an offense against Him. I have heard people say, “Jesus, I confess that I made such a fool of myself.” What does that have to do with Jesus? That is embarrassment, self, and flesh. If we were not living to men, how would we know that we made fools of ourselves? Proverbs 28:13 states, “He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes {them} will find compassion.”

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

Michael gives us some basic insights into dealing with the emotion of “guilt.”  This is a very important discussion for MANY.  Take to heart every word Michael has given us in this Day 151 writing.

I am grateful that I learned a long time ago that God wants to heal emotional “hooks” the enemy has gotten in Believers, as much as God wants to heal the actions we either committed or that others committed against us.  Prayer asking God to heal these emotional hooks is very effective.

Confession, then Asking Forgiveness (never Apologizing…that word is not in God’s vocabulary!), then Forsaking (if needed), then Reconciliation…this is God’s way for us to initially act when facing guilt.  But, often, the need for healing of the emotional hooks is what is missing in Christians’ lives.

     If you would like more info on praying for the healing of “emotional hooks,” then write me at leemccm@gmail.com

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 149 - "I Do Not Feel Him"

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 163

         

Michael’s book is available through:

Abiding Life Ministries International

Littleton, Colorado

(303) 972-0859       www.abidinglife.com

Notice:  this email is part of a BLOG, called Living Life With a Capital “C”.  Why a blog?  So that many can receive these thoughts in an easy manner. 

Michael discusses a big issue with many Christians…”feeling” this or that, instead of living what is truth.  And Michael lets us know the sad truths of just what seeking feelings is all about.

DAY 149

“I Do Not Feel Him!”

In order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. –Galatians 3:14

If I as a believer do not feel the presence of Jesus and go looking for Him, what am I actually seeking? I already have Him, but I am actually seeking to have my unbelief confirmed. If I do get the feelings that I have found Him, I have now been deceived, for He is always there, always with me, so I have just had an experience that is contrary to Scripture. We could easily make a list of all that we are in Him and all that we have already received; that would help us discover that we are working in unbelief to get what we already have. It is important to remember that what we receive, we receive by faith. The opposite of faith is work, so if we are working for what can only be received by faith, we have canceled our faith and the experience of it. Work does the exact opposite of what we think it will. Nearness to the Lord is given by faith; work for it and we cancel His nearness, leaving us to work all the harder and still never have the experience. It is a tightening spiral. Stop and acknowledge Him. Enter into rest. Stop seeking for Him. We already have Him!

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

“seeking to have my unbelief confirmed”…how sad is that?

“if…I have now been deceived”…how sad is that?

“I have just had an experience that is contrary to Scripture”…how sad is that?

“if we are working for…we have canceled our faith”…how sad is that?

“work does exact opposite of what we think it will”…how sad is that?

“work for (His nearness) and we cancel His nearness”…how sad is that”

How many times have we heard Michael say, “Why work for something we already have?”  Why “work” at all?  He points out that an opposite of faith is work.

And the priceless victory in Jesus, and all His unfathomable riches, are already ours…we just need to “Stop and acknowledge Him.  Enter into rest.  Stop seeking for Him.  We already have Him!”  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

Day 147 - Humility: The Secret To A Deeper Life

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 162

         

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. 

Today we see one of the simplest, yet most profound writings, of Michael’s book.  I guess I say that because God has gotten MY attention in James 4:6, “Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.”  I love God’s grace in my life!

DAY 147

Humility: The Secret To A Deeper Life 

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. --Philippians 2:5

We must remember that humility is not saying, “I am nothing,” but rather, “I possess nothing." This attitude allows us daily to secure the experience of His life within us. However, if we stop and listen, how much boasting about what is possessed do we hear? There is boasting of the past in what we had, of the future in what we will have, and of that bright child, the brilliant career, or those flashy material goods that we now hold. “Jesus Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness" (Philippians 2:6, 7). The dreaming about what we will someday possess or what we have already lost takes our attention away from the greatest thing that we possess now, in this moment, the presence of Christ, Himself, within! This is more than man in his wildest dreams, in and of himself, could ever attain.

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

It is a very astute recognition of what humility is to say, “We must remember that humility is not saying, ‘I am nothing,’ but rather, ‘I possess nothing.’ “  Most boast of “I am,” or “I have.”  Of course, God is the One Who said, “I AM.”  Why, then, do we not think to stay away from saying that?  The Apostle Paul taught us that it is only by the grace of God that we can be anything.

Possess?  How many of us really have our attention focused on “the presence of Christ, Himself, within,” as our greatest possession?  How many of us let our minds drift (and dream) to “things” or “positions” or something other than Christ as our most prized “possessions”?

Thank You, Lord, that we Born Again Believers possess You!  And Your presence, along with Your grace that gives us the experience of Your life within, is ours when we acknowledge “I possess nothing, apart from Jesus Christ.”  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

Day 120 - God Is Love

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 161

         

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. 

My father was a math teacher and coach.  I learned early as a young boy that “is” means “equals”…2+2 is 4, or 2+2=4.  We can use that truth in every area of life.  Michael uses it to show one of the most exciting and most victorious results of this simple truth of “is.”  Have you been missing out on the magnitude and the power of what happens when we bring “love” into any situation?

(I need to stop and mention once again…I consider Michael to have brought the most helpful Christian discipleship materials to anyone who reads or listens to all he had to say.  Everything from Michael Wells is available @ www.abidinglife.com , and so much of it is of no charge.)

DAY 120

God Is Love

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. --I John 4:7-9

God is love. We are not told that God is understanding and reason, for these two do not bring lasting change at the core of man’s being. We are not told that God is willpower or emotion, for these also leave man unchanged. No, God is love. This simple statement affects every area of life. I have seen bumper stickers, protest posters, and music stating, “All we need is love.” That is true, but if God is love then we are just as correct to say, “All we need is God.” It is impossible to bring love into any situation--marriage, world affairs, politics, or relationships--without bringing in God, its source. So often in personal discipling I am made aware of the hatred couples have for each other, man has for himself and others, and families have for its members. It is easy to talk of understanding, false concepts of others, and learning to walk a mile in others’ shoes; however, as I speak of those things I see the strong resolve on the faces of the offended to continue hating. Therefore, God must always be brought into the equation. Where there is no Jehovah there is no love, period! 

I remember getting in on a political discussion with atheistic friends from another country and now living in the U.S. In the middle of the discussion I said that I wanted to tell a story, and I told one about Jesus. When I finished I noticed that their collective countenance had changed; the looks of frustration from concentrating on the inconsistencies of government gave way to peace and contentment, yet they were not believers. If we are created by Him and held together by Him, then the very mention of His name will bring a lift to our being. Doctors tell us that the human body runs best on love and that it cannot flourish in hatred. God is the love that body, soul, and spirit all desperately need. The next time you are in conflict, simply bring God into the discussion and watch the hostilities diminish. Do not bring teaching about God or pet theologies, but bring the living Christ into the equation and watch Him do what understanding cannot.

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

The heart of Michael’s writing this day for me is to know and remember I must bring the Living Christ, not some teaching about Him…and, may God forbid, any pet theology or “wisdom” I might possess…into every equation of life.  For years I was taught to get more Bible knowledge, but not more of Him.  Today, I want just Him.

And, today I can relax and disciple more effectively no matter Who I am working with or What they are dealing with…having these two things that come from having Christ:

1. It is impossible for me to bring love into ANY situation without bringing in God, its source.

2. I can bring the Living Christ, Who lives in me and all that He is in me, into ALL situations.

And don’t we know, and say, that all anyone needs is God?  Why do we then give them a thought about Him, a truth about Him, a theology about Him…instead of Him?

A friend named Mark and I were talking with one of Mark’s acquaintances this past Sunday morning.  This person was choked up with worries and fears about an upcoming situation.  But once we talked about them knowing they were “in Christ” and “Christ was in them,” and all that He IS was going to be theirs as they entered the real testing of their faith…they began to glow and walk in His peace, and to say: “I’m not going to say I have God, and then live like I don’t.”  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

Day 235 - Returning To The Place We Never Left

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 160

         

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. 

One of the greatest promises Jesus ever made to us is His giving of HIS PEACE to us…not the peace the world gives or promises, but HIS!  Is it any wonder the Apostle Paul stated that this is the “peace that passes all understanding”?!? 

Read carefully what Michael tells us about OUR FAULT in not having Christ’s peace.

DAY 235

Returning To The Place We Never Left

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid. --John 14:27

There were two sisters. One left home and never wanted to return because she remembered it as a miserable place. The other left and always mourned for home; she could never return but always wanted to. She had never left home in her heart and therefore never really enjoyed her new family. What was the difference between these two sisters? One, in her heart, kept returning to the place she never left.

The prodigal son went to the pigpen, but actually he had never left it. There was a pigpen in his heart, and so he had only returned to the place that he had never left. We must leave the old place, the pigpen, allowing the Lord to destroy the place. Let me explain. For years I suffered with depression and suicidal thoughts. One day I prayed, "Lord, I am leaving this place of suicidal thoughts; You have destroyed it. I can no longer return there." Since that day, when the enemy brings the thoughts, I just say, "I cannot go there; that place is dead. Satan will have to tempt me with something else. That place I cannot return to." We have places of insecurity, depression, guilt, sin, addiction, and flesh that we must allow Him to destroy. How do we do that? It is simple! Just say, “Jesus, I give you that place. Please destroy it so I can never return there.” Once we pray, from that day forward when we are tempted to go there we can remind ourselves that the place is gone; there is no place to go. The truth is that we too often--like the prodigal son for a time--have not truly grown sick of the place and do not yet want to give it up. Do not worry; life is not supporting that decision, and we will come to a place where we are sick of it and allow Him to destroy it. 

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

It would do us well to often go back and read and meditate on God’s Word in Philippians 4:6-9...and find God's simple instructions on how to enjoy Him (God of peace) and His peace (peace which passes all understanding).

But, really, Michael gives us a simple truth that tells us why we are not able to receive and appropriate the truths of Philippians 4…”The truth is that we too often—like the prodigal son for a time—have not truly grown sick of the place and do not yet want to give it up.”  Ouch!!!  How does that feel?

And, yet, Michael gives us great hope…”Do not worry; life is not supporting that decision, and we will come to a place where we are sick of it and allow Him to destroy it.”  Yay!!!

How many are thinking right now:  “Lord, when will I ever get to that place where I am sick of “the place” (the pigpen, the old place, that _____________ ) ?”

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 221 - Political Comedy

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 159

         

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 the weekly thoughts I express on Michael’s writings in an easy manner. 

Today is not much different than any other day…all the politicians are jabbering about their solutions to the world’s problems, and people are barking that their person is smarter than everyone else’s.  Politics is front page and top line in every news source.  And God is never mentioned…  Michael gives us God’s perspective on all this.

DAY 221

Political Comedy

Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. --I Corinthians 1:25

Sometimes it is comical to watch the world and its wisdom. Leaders sit in their meetings acting as though the weight of the earth is on their shoulders and it will be their wisdom and cooperation that will make for a better world. They actually, in their pride, believe themselves to be the sharpest knives in the drawer. They never really help people, and the facts have proven it, for the issues haunting man are not addressed. Nothing is said about relationships with God, with family, or with self. Since they have no insight into the important things of life, they try to convince us that what they do know are the real issues of life. It is folly, for the foolishness of God is much greater than the wisdom of man. Jesus has the answer for believers, and we must not allow ourselves to be brainwashed.

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

Yes, the issues haunting man are not addressed…they are never enhanced, enlightened, or settled!  It’s the same ole same ole with man all around the world.  Is God laughing or crying???

But praise God, His foolishness IS much greater than the wisdom of man.  God’s wisdom in the Lord Jesus Christ provides the way, the truth, and the life for His kids.  Yes, Michael, thank you…”we must not allow ourselves to be brainwashed.”

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