Day 24 - Being Nosy

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 82

         

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 multitudes can receive the weekly thoughts I express on Michael’s writings in an easy manner.  In the event you sign up to receive the weekly emails (see info at bottom) and then sometime in the future stop getting the emails, please remember you can go to the BLOGSITE and read each posting each week.  Then let me know (my email address below), and I will work to correct the problem.

When was the last time you were convicted of being “nosy”?  Or, when was the last time you were confronted by someone about being “nosy”…asking them personal questions that were nothing more than being “nosy.”  Well, get ready for an eye opening discourse by Michael in Day 24’s writing from My Weakness for His Strength.

p.s.  Do you own one of Michael’s books, MWfHS?  If not, contact ALMI (see info above) and get you one…you will be blessed!

Day 24

Being Nosy            

Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; and they have no storeroom nor barn; and {yet} God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds! --Luke 12:24

I had to laugh one day when a brother questioned an elderly prophet of God: “How are you supported?” The old man responded, “Why are you asking? Did God tell you to give me something? If He told you to give me something, even if I am covered in gold and jewels, you had better give it. If He told you not to give me something, and I am in the ditch, naked and starving, do not give. So what did He tell you to do?” At that the man went silent and looked at the ground. The old prophet said, “So you were just being nosy,” and walked off. I have often been asked the same question: “How are you supported?” It should be obvious. Without tricks, gimmicks, endless mailings and appeals, or manipulation to attract them, I am supported by those who have heard from the Lord and responded accordingly. I often answer the question by saying, “I am a bit embarrassed. I have a friend to whom I tell my needs, he has a father that is very rich and has many contacts he can contact, and the money is sent to me.” I can see the look in the questioner’s eyes as he goes from wondering how I could be surviving in such a small ministry to thinking how lucky Mike is to have such a friend. “My Friend,” I continue, “is Jesus. His Father’s children are my supporters.” Many just cannot believe that God provides. Often a couple engaged to be married will tell me they are calling off their wedding because of finances. My response is always the same: “Did God tell you to get married? If He told you to and you do not, you will have worse problems than unemployment!” The lesser gives way to the greater. If God tells a believer to do something, he should do it and not shame himself by being unbelieving, for with the call will come the provision.

How was that?!?  Ha!  My guess is not too many have ever had someone respond to one of their “nosy” questions with an answer like the elderly prophet gave!  But, just as a prophet should, he gave truth to the questioner that met the questioner right where the question came from.

And how wonderful are Michael’s words to us…

1.     Supported by those who hear from the Lord (many cannot believe the Lord speaks to His sheep in such a manner…they say it’s not in the Bible) and respond (give) to ALMI accordingly.

2.    All this without tricks, gimmicks, endless mailings and appeals, or manipulation to attract them…

3.    Many cannot believe that God provides.

4.    A believer should not shame himself by being unbelieving and not acting when God has told him to do something.

Why is it that so many Christians are responding to God’s instructions in an unbelieving way?  Why is it that something as simple as believing God will provide, God will take care of His children, AND God will give an abundance to be able to give to every good work (see 2 Corin. 9:6-8) is NOT believed by so many Christians?

I think God is wondering the same thing without being nosy.

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

To access ALL past weekly blogs, go to Living Life With a Capital “C” by logging onto www.leemccm.blogspot.com  

If you desire to get a weekly email of this blog, look to the top right hand side of the web page, enter your email address in the box under “Follow,” then click on SUBMIT.  You will receive a “confirmation email,” and when you click on the link and “confirm,” you will receive all new posts via email.

NOTICE: a new 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

leemccm@gmail.com

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

Day 23 - Being Built

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 81

         

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 multitudes can receive the weekly thoughts I express on Michael’s writings in an easy manner.  In the event you sign up to receive the weekly emails (see info at bottom) and then sometime in the future stop getting the emails, please remember you can go to the BLOGSITE and read each posting each week.  Then let me know (my email address below), and I will work to correct the problem.

One of the most exciting truths for Christians, as individuals, is to know that our Lord Jesus Christ not only BEGAN a good work in us the day we were Born Again, but that He is CONTINUING that good work in us until the day He calls us home!

One of the things I thank God the most for in His introducing me to Michael Wells is that Michael got me off the treadmill of “me working for God” and introducing me to the scriptural truths of just how much God is doing a work in me…how much God is doing for me.  In this day’s writing, Michael points out two dynamic truths that really set us free to enjoy His working in us.

Day 23 

Being Built

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. --Philippians 1:6

I have worked in the building trade, and one of the most annoying things that can happen to a builder is to have the homeowner continually telling him how to do his job. I overheard a friend say to a questioning believer, “Do you really think God is waiting for you to come around and give Him some advice, because He is fresh out of ideas?” I laughed, thinking of all the advice that I have given God concerning the completion of the work He started in me. My personal issue is not what God needs to do to complete what He has begun, but what has He given me to do in the interim? What must I do? Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent” (John 6:29). Many respond, “I cannot just wait.” I like hearing those words, “I cannot”; they confirm the foundational reason that we came to Christ. “I cannot” is only a statement of defeat if not followed by “He can!” Not only that, He can finish the work without our direction.   

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

The two dynamic truths I noted earlier are these:

1)    My work is to BELIEVE.

2)   God’s work is to COMPLETE THE WORK IN ME HE HAS STARTED.

Now how easier can this life as a Christian be?!?  Gee, I get so tired of working with defeated Christians who are constantly beating themselves up over their failure to “be a good Christian.”  When will they ever listen to God’s Word and experience being a “victor”?

We’re in the middle of March Madness here in America…college basketball’s annual Trip To The Final Four.  I come from an athletic background…dad was a coach, I was a competitive athlete.  I liken the struggle so many Christians are fighting to something like this:  the game is over, the scoreboard says we won, the coach is telling us what a great victory it is, and even though the opposition fought strong against us and we may not have thought we had a chance, we just simply have to believe that we won…and my teammates won’t get on the bus, but instead are back on the court lining up for overtime!  What players are not going to celebrate, but resign themselves to an overtime struggle WHEN THE GAME IS ALREADY WON?!?

Now the game of life is not already over, BUT we already know the ending score!  Let us relax and enjoy the rest of the game knowing our “coach” is working in us to bring the ultimate victory, so our “play” along the way is satisfactory!

Let us BELIEVE God is working out all the “sin” in us, bringing us to that victorious life as a Christian we want.  Let us BELIEVE GOD IS ABLE to do that!  Let us SHOUT out to the Lord, “I cannot!”  He is waiting for that proclamation.  And then, and only then, will we relinquish the reins and cease the struggle…and see God do His work.

Let’s quit nitpicking every “sin” and thinking we are “sinners,” when the scriptures tells us explicitly we are Saints.  Well, amen!

To access ALL past weekly blogs, go to Living Life With a Capital “C” by logging onto www.leemccm.blogspot.com 

If you desire to get a weekly email of this blog, look to the top right hand side of the web page, enter your email address in the box under “Follow,” then click on SUBMIT.  You will receive a “confirmation email,” and when you click on the link and “confirm,” you will receive all new posts via email.

NOTICE: a new 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

leemccm@gmail.com

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

Day 21 - Be Convinced In Your Own Mind

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 80

         

Michael’s book is available through:

Abiding Life Ministries International

Littleton, Colorado

(303) 972-0859       www.abidinglife.com

This is a particularly interesting day’s writing from Michael Wells…simple, yet profound.  Not so much theology, but plenty of practicality that takes our theology and shows it to be REAL.  There isn’t much reality to anyone’s theology where there is a lack of being convinced in what one believes.  Read carefully what Michael has to say, and then ask yourself: Am I convinced in my own mind of that which I believe?  Of course, we are assuming I am starting with biblical truth to believe…

Day 21

Be Convinced in Your Own Mind

One man regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind. --Romans 14:5

Whatever you are doing and whatever you believe, be convinced in your own mind that it is right. There are many beliefs that I hold because fact and faith have met at a point called truth; I am convinced of such beliefs and will not budge from them. I do not make any of them a test of fellowship except for those that center directly in Jesus. He was the Word that became flesh, it was the Father working through Him, and He did take my sin and my old self to the cross, thereby conquering sin, Satan, the world, death, captivity, and hell; and He ascended to the Father, where He remains alive today. There are many more things surrounding Him of which I am convinced. The important thing for a believer is that he be convinced in his own mind. This is precisely why I will not make decisions for people but rather stand beside them as they make the choices, some of which are very difficult. Once, because I said nothing against an abused woman seeking a divorce (in reality, she never ended the marriage; he did through years of abuse), I was accused of promoting divorce. First, I have given much of my life to the hope that God would work through my words as I advised couples in order to prevent divorce, but it is true that I did not tell the woman to get a divorce or not to get one. Am I the one that will stand before God for her actions? Do I know all of the issues? Do I presume to understand all the workings of God in a life? Though God said to stone the adulteresses, He had His man, Hosea, marry one! Believers need to hear God and be convinced in their own minds. I want them still to be convinced in their own minds five years from now. If God has spoken to them, who am I to tell them that they cannot hear His voice? “But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God. So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:10, 12). On another occasion I was asked why I did not work harder to stop a divorce. I just looked at the person and said, “I am not for divorce. However, neither am I for child abuse, drugs in the home, verbal abuse, causing little ones to stumble, thievery, lying, or adultery. In this situation, how did you come to the conclusion that out of all the variety of sins the husband was bringing into the family, the primary consideration was that the woman was guilty of divorce?” I suppose that we pick out one sin, the one failure that we have not had, label it as being the most important, and camp there in order to lay claim to self-righteousness. I am not favorable toward any failure; however, a true cross-section of the Church proves that these things occur. One man actually had the hide to tell me this: “If my wife really believes what you are telling her--that she can wait on God to see how He uses this present situation in her life--then she should not mind if I move my girlfriend into our basement apartment. I will sleep three nights a week with my wife and four with my girlfriend until I decide which one I want to be with.” I nearly went off beam at his using the wonder of God’s “causing all things for good” as an excuse to sin! I gave him an earful, but later, when she said she was divorcing, I kept silent. I only asked that she be convinced in her own mind.

Whatever you do, be convinced in your own mind that you have heard Him and are moving with Him. He is the issue. If you listen to others you will only be confused. “Brother, you are disregarding the Scriptures!” Well, may that never be! It is just that I put them in a different order when looking at them. I first go to the Scriptures that deal with cause and then consider consequence. Divorce is a consequence of a cause. If the man were not drunk and beating his family, would the suggestion of divorce ever come up? You who hate divorce, are you willing to commit to ceasing your condemnation of the one who sees that as the only way out and to taking time to disciple the man, taking responsibility for his actions? I did not think so; you are just comfortable judging an easy target. On the other hand, I have witnessed God do wonderful things in those prepared by Him to have humble and broken hearts. Those, no matter how bad marriage got, never were convinced in their own minds to leave, and that conviction bore a different fruit. I am just happy that it is not my place to pretend to sort things out; I leave that to God. 

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

One of the first things Michael points out: Christianity is individuality…each one of us is responsible for OUR salvation.  No one ever is a Christian just because someone else is.  And no one can blame anyone else for making, or not making, choices for them.  I must make my own choices.  I must be convinced in my mind what I believe and make choices based on my beliefs.  I am responsible.

James tells us to not be double-minded (actually the Greek says double-souled…which brings up another discussion for another time).  Truthfully we are double-minded, but James is talking about “making up which mind we are going to function with…make up that mind.”  And Michael gives some beautiful advice that Barbara and I have operated with for many years now: don’t make decisions for people, but stand beside them as they make their choices.

Two other things are very important for us to glean from Michael…(1) “If God has spoken to them, who am I to tell them that they cannot hear His voice?”  Absolutely!  Goodness, Jesus Himself told us every sheep (Christian) HEARS His voice.  Why do so many Preachers and Christian counselors negate our GOOD SHEPHERD speaking to each sheep by trying to tell the sheep what they should be thinking, instead of telling them: go spend time with your Shepherd until you hear His voice and are convinced in your mind of His truth.  (2) “I have witnessed God do wonderful things in those prepared by Him to have humble and broken hearts.”  Wow!  How could we ignore, or negate, someone “PREPARED BY HIM TO HAVE a HUMBLE AND BROKEN HEART”?!?  Michael is so right…God is in the “preparing” business.  This should be the message, if anything other than “go spend time with your Shepherd,” that anyone tells a Christian: James says in 4:6, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”  Deal with your pride, and get humble…then go spend time with your Shepherd.  Well, amen.

To access ALL past weekly blogs, go to Living Life With a Capital “C” by logging onto www.leemccm.blogspot.com   Look to the top right hand side of the page, enter your email address in the box under “Follow,” then click on SUBMIT.  You will receive a “confirmation email,” and when you click on the link and “confirm,” you will receive all new posts via email.

NOTICE: a new 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

leemccm@gmail.com

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

Day 20 - Basic Religion

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 79

         

Michael’s book is available through:

Abiding Life Ministries International

Littleton, Colorado

(303) 972-0859       www.abidinglife.com

 Years ago I heard Michael say, “We rise and fall by our definitions.”  Those words, along with “Say what you mean, and mean what you say” (from another minister), began to rumble around in my brain until I began to decide to try and  use words that had no double meanings…illus: “hard,” as compared to “difficult,” when used in saying something like, “This is a hard task.”  Is it hard like in concrete, or hard like in difficult?  Why not use “difficult” to start with?  Michael’s writing today is one of those illustrations of terms misleading or confusing us depending on how they are used.

Day 20

Basic Religion

For everyone born of God has overcome the world. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes Jesus is the Son of God. --I John 5:4, 5

Religion at its most basic point is man’s attempt to be like God through mind, will, or emotion. This first appeared in the Garden, where religion took the place of relationship. Man does not like his own condition and aspires to ascend and be as a god; God does not like man's condition, either, and so He intentionally descended to become a victorious man who lived as God would on earth, and though worry, doubt, fear, anxiety, sin, the enemy, and depression would come calling as temptations, He rejected and overcame them all. He now gives us this life of a victorious God/Man that we, too, might live a life that is free. Jesus is the ultimate definition and fulfillment of religion, for He was the man who was, in fact, God, able to take away all superstition, all that is inconsequential, and all irrelevant arguments, leaving us with true, full, and abundant life. The kingdom of God within us brings its own set of invisible laws that, when observed, bring happiness. The enemy would have us believe that we are unhappy until we give in to sin, and yet sin brings misery. True happiness comes when submitting to the laws within and is possible only through receiving His life. The kingdom of God does, in fact, equal life. 

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

I have no idea when man started using the term “religion” in relation to Christianity.  But, by the very definition of the word, it involves something man does, or must do.  I have never heard anyone try to define or describe “religion” by saying anything that resembles a “relationship.”  Why?  Perhaps simply because a “relationship” involves the interaction of two people or things, or multitudes of both.  Have you ever had anyone ask you, “What relationship are you?”  No, it is always, “What religion are you?”  And even then, there are further questions to determine what “something man does, or must do” you are trying to live by…example: the Baptist set of “somethings” or the Methodist set, or the Catholic set, etc.

So, when talking about “Christianity” are we talking about “something man does, or must do” OR “the interaction of two people”?  Obviously, God’s Word tells us it is the latter.  So, man goes about life missing God because of using a wrong word for the relationship God intended for Himself and man from the beginning.  That in itself is terrible, because the multitudes miss God for eternity.  But, even those who have found God have difficulty in life because they turn from “relationship” to “religion” to live by.  How sad.

Michael gives us God’s answer to life for a Christian: With Jesus, God "gives us this life of a victorious God/Man that we, too, might live a life that is free."  Beautiful!  It is Him living His life through me that I live a life that is free.  Well, amen.

To access ALL past weekly blogs, go to Living Life With a Capital “C” by logging onto www.leemccm.blogspot.com   Look to the top right hand side of the page, enter your email address in the box under “Follow,” then click on SUBMIT.  You will receive a “confirmation email,” and when you click on the link and “confirm,” you will receive all new posts via email.

NOTICE: a new 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

leemccm@gmail.com

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

Day 19 - Back To The Hub

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 78

         

Michael’s book is available through:

Abiding Life Ministries International

Littleton, Colorado

(303) 972-0859       www.abidinglife.com

I was relating recently in a sermon how “the peace of God” is of priceless value.  It takes most Christians a long, long time to come to the realization that if all we had was “the peace of God,” we would be as “rich” as we could possibly be.

Michael draws our attention to three of the most relative aspects of enjoying life as a Christian…”a deeper love of God, a keener awareness of His grace and power, and a renewed life of worship.”

Soak on “the Hub” mentioned in Michael’s words and see if all three become a greater reality for you!

 Day 19

Back to the Hub

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. --Philippians 4:7

A brother in Christ told me of his experience ten years ago when he woke up after a stroke to find himself paralyzed on one side. He described his frustration, anger, and bewilderment at his condition. Next, he related the end results of his stroke: a deeper love of God, a keener awareness of His grace and power, and a renewed life of worship. He concluded by exclaiming, “I wish everyone could know the Lord this way!” I observed his countenance and thought how if I could guarantee everyone who attended a weekend seminar what this man had, I could charge a $10,000 registration fee and pack the place. However, if I had to announce that the registration fee to bring people back to the center was not $10,000, but a stroke, I am quite sure that registration would drop off drastically. 

The registration fee back to the center is different in tone and severity for every person, but might include something like the loss of a loved one, dealing with a rebellious child, exhaustion from raising small children, illness, job insecurities, or myriad other circumstances that make us realize we need God alone in His rightful place back in the hub. In Him alone we find our rest, and no emphasis, doctrine, or experience we previously looked to for producing abundant life can tempt us back to be trusted. When others beckon us out by a new Jesus-plus emphasis, we think, Enjoy your detour; I am not leaving the center. We learn that nothing is bad that follows Him or arises from our relationship with Him, but anything that goes ahead of Him, purportedly supporting Him, is to be avoided and feared. We become voices for the center. I often ask myself the question, “Michael, what do your friends know you for? What emphasis stands out?” It prompts good reflection, for I want to be known for promoting life in Christ with nothing that must be passed through before getting to Him.

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

It’s interesting that the Holy Spirit speaks through Paul to tell us “the peace of God…will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”  This is after he has said for us to “rejoice in the Lord always” and “be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” (Phil. 4:4, 6)   And then I think back to God speaking to us through Isaiah in Is. 26:3, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”  So, from virtually one end of the Bible to the other, God’s peace and our mind are uniquely linked when we are centering around the “hub” Michael so eloquently speaks of in this day’s writing.

One item worth great notice: Michael’s words speaking of the “registration fee back to the center.”  Yes, none of us would “up front” choose one of those things mentioned, or a stroke, or _______________ (there are other circumstances some could mention), yet those who have “paid the fee” would never choose to go back to the “front” and miss out on the three great results that have come for having gone through our circumstance with God’s hand gripping ours all the way.

Look at the summary Michael gives us:

·         We need God alone in His rightful place back in the hub

·         In Him alone we find our rest

·         Nothing can produce what God can produce for us

·         Nothing bad follows Christ

·         Nothing bad arises out of our relationship with Him

·         We become voices for the center when we have Jesus as the hub of our life

I think all of us join Michael in “wanting to be known for promoting life in Christ with nothing that must be passed through before getting to Him.”  Amen.

To access ALL past weekly blogs, go to Living Life With a Capital “C” by logging onto www.leemccm.blogspot.com   Look to the top right hand side of the page, enter your email address in the box under “Follow,” then click on SUBMIT.  You will receive a “confirmation email,” and when you click on the link and “confirm,” you will receive all new posts via email.

NOTICE: a new 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

leemccm@gmail.com

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