Day 248 - Someone Greater Than The Book

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 106

         

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.

Imagine that it is the year 2014.  You are stranded somewhere for weeks, perhaps months, without your Bible.  What would you do?  Would you have any difficulty being in touch with the Lord Jesus?  Would you have any difficulty growing in Christ?   Perhaps we Christians today have put so much emphasis on the Bible that we have missed the Word of God.  Michael gives us something to really think about in this day’s writing.

DAY 248

Someone Greater Than The Book

All things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together . . . so that in everything He might have the supremacy. --Colossians 1:16, 17, 18

Imagine that it is the year 700 A.D. Evangelists have passed through town, and you and a few others have accepted Christ as your Savior. They then leave town. There is no possibility of receiving a Bible, you have no further instruction, nor do you know when someone more learned might be arriving. What would you do? Would your situation be hopeless, with the prospect of growth in Christ an impossibility? How important would it be to "mine the riches of the Scriptures"? What would you do during your quiet times? How would you hide the Word of God in your heart?

           

Many today leave the impression that Jesus died sometime between 29 to 33 A.D. and yet man was never really saved until the printing press. Is He greater than the Book? History reveals that myriad believers have been in touch with the Book but out of touch with the Savior. This is a constant danger! Time has rendered its verdict! Perfect theology has not produced Christ-like believers.             

Once in my office a pastor stated that he would like to see New Testament miracles, but those would never happen until we became immersed in the "word of God." The miracles he wanted to see were the raising of the dead and the walking on water. However, when we are in touch with the Son of God, the miracles that we see may be as simple as walking across the room and kissing a grumpy mate. These small miracles come only from fellowship with the living Christ and the release of His life within us.

           

I lean on Scripture continually for my teaching, and it is Scripture that teaches, "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life, but it is these that bear witness of me" (John 5:39). He is greater than the Book! When He comes first, the Book holds life. When He comes second, the Book is lifeless. 

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

It is truth that myriads of believers are in touch with the Book but out of touch with the Savior.  And no matter how much theology they possess, they do not experience Christ’s life in their day to day living.  They speak truth, but they do not experience Truth living through them.

Therefore, they miss Christ and His miracles He would work through them daily.  Sad. 

It is particularly sad that the Scripture they hold so dear has given them God’s truth about their dilemma: John 5:39.  The Lord Jesus Christ spoke Truth to all that have eyes to see, ears to hear, and the very mind of Christ so that we could know He is greater than the Bible.  And as Michael concludes, “When He comes first, the Book holds life.  When He comes second, the Book is lifeless.”  Wow.

So…if I find myself stranded from the Scripture, I need to remember I am never stranded from the Author!  He will bring His Life to my life, His teaching to my mind, His everything that I need.  I need the Scripture to continually point me to Him.  Amen.

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

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 330 - What Is It That We Must Do and What Is It That God Will Do For Us?

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 105

         

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’s writing covers that age-old question…Jesus gave His answer in John ch.6.  Michael gives us illustration of how the Truth works out in our lives…

DAY 330

What Is It That We Must Do and What Is It That God Will Do For Us?

“Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.” Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” –John 6:27-29

“Are we just to sit around?” This is a typical question from believers just realizing the length to which their self-effort has been involved in their Christian walk. An airplane will not come to my house and get me. I have to purchase the tickets, fight traffic as I drive to the airport, and stand in a long line to get on the plane. However, once I am on, the plane does for me what I cannot do for myself. It is clear in the Bible what is man’s responsibility and what is God’s. Often the two meet. “If a man does not work, let him not eat,” yet, “Why do you worry about what you will eat? Look at the sparrow!” Man is to work, but not for the reason that he thinks. Work is not to secure food but is in obedience to the commandment of God. Work makes us healthy, happy, and content, as well as less anxious and depressed. If man is fed when he does not work, he will be discontented. Man works for different reasons, all good, but it is still God that provides the food. The Bible is replete with teaching that tells us what God does for us. He is the author of salvation. We cannot make someone a Christian. He is the One Who causes all things to work together for the good. Making things “happen” is not our job. He gives us His righteousness, His love, His victory, and His peace. We cannot obtain those things through work. He changes lives; we must rest as we look at others. I could go on. In fact, I find that 95% of what people are working for is already given by Him. Unbelief is what keeps people working for what God has already supplied. 

However, there are things that we must do that God will not do for us. We must call on the Lord, humble ourselves, rest, be content, take the blame, be offended, forgive, cast our fears upon Him, refuse to let our minds dwell on Satan’s lies and accusations, and pray without ceasing.

Then there are things we do and He does at the same time. It looks confusing, but in experience it is not. Imagine you are offended by your mate; you must own your weakness, acknowledge that you have run out of fleshly love, and invite in His love. And you must walk across the room and initiate restoration. What happens next has nothing to do with you; it is His love flowing freely through you. It is Christ in you living through you as though it were you, but you know that it is not you. It may appear to be you to those outside looking on, but you know that it is entirely the Lord!

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

Interesting…almost everyone just realizing how much their self-effort has been involved in their life as a Christian takes the position Michael describes: “Are we just to sit around?”  In fact, in pastoring I have seen some who quit positions they have in the church…”I don’t have to do anything; God will do it all.”  But that is not what the Bible says, and not what Michael illustrates.

Two things that are exciting about learning and living the truths presented by Michael this day:

1.     We start learning and living to watch for God in all things…just what He will do, and what we must do.

2.    We start learning and living in relaxation…knowing God’s way of life for His kids.

It’s almost hilarious, isn’t it…everybody wants a “list” to live by…well, Michael gives us a good start of listing the things God will do for us, the things we must do that God will not do for us, and the things we do and He does at the same time.  Happy list keeping!!!

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

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 89 - Faith Versus Works in Discipleship

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 104

         

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

Faith versus works…the age-old battle in Christianity.  The spiritual versus the physical.  Michael Wells gives a clear, uncomplicated, direct discourse on how man can choose to position himself against God in the everyday issues of life.

DAY 89

Faith Versus Works in Discipleship

However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth? --Luke 18:8

Two ways problems can be approached are from a position of works—as in, “What must I do to improve the situation?”--or from a place of faith: “What must I believe and what must the Lord do to resolve the predicament?” A works position is based on unbelief, and the cause of misery is believed to be a wrong choice, lack of natural love, another person, finances, or a myriad of other natural events. The search for a solution lends itself to thoughts of, “What should I do?” or “What should I do if others are making me miserable?” The person attacking problems from a position of works has not yet come to believe that the nearness of Jesus will cure all of his ills, so he labors with the notion that Jesus will not help his particular circumstance. Since Jesus is not perceived to be the answer, he has moved into unbelief, and it is unbelief that will always ask him to do something.

Often I hear, “I just do not love my wife.” Of course, this statement really means, “I find my mate unlovable, and she must change before she can be lovable to me.” However, it is my experience that once there exists an attitude of, “I do not love you,” no amount of change on the part of the mate or hours of personal discipleship will affect that attitude. “Trouble lies not in the trouble but in the heart’s attitude toward the trouble.” The works person would always rather examine the problem over and over again and skirt the issue of any wrong attitude of his own toward the trouble. Analyzing the problem allows the focus to be on someone or something else; examining the attitude puts the focus squarely on him.

I am not saying that the problem is not significant, but on a scale of one to ten, the problem may be a one to God and a ten in our attitude toward it. The problem and the attitude are two separate issues; the works person wants to make them one to keep attitude and personal responsibility from ever being addressed, while in truth, attitude is the greater issue. During a person’s first discipleship session, I will explore his mindset in detail before addressing the problems. Once his way of thinking has been exposed, the problems become a lesser issue. In subsequent weeks if the person continues to rehash the problems, I know that our first discussion never really sank in. It is only as a person places his confidence in another, in Jesus, that he will move into the problem, through the problem, and out on the other side. 

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

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

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

One could easily ask why it is that man (and we are talking particularly Christians here) seems to “always” choose to deal with the physical instead of the spiritual when facing life’s problems.  The answer seems to be very simple:

1.     The person has not yet come to believe that the nearness of Jesus will cure all his ills.

2.    The person chooses to act from unbelief instead of belief

3.    The person does not want to focus on their attitude or their own personal responsibility and allow them to become the greater issue.

Hey…who doesn’t want to put the focus on someone else…or something else?!?  Oh… the person wanting to place his confidence in Jesus.

Actually, it is truth that too many in Christianity have been taught to face the physical, and not the spiritual.  The teaching that “faith” is “what do I believe about God” is a foreign concept is most Christian circles.  The focus is usually “I’ve got to get more faith,” and then immediately one turns to “works.”

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

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 187 - Life Teaches Him

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 103

         

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

In today’s writing, Michael has us take a look at something far too many never associate with the “spiritual.”  Life for many is always in the “physical.”  Look carefully at what Michael writes and let God take you into the spiritual realm to gain some keen and mighty insights into daily life.

DAY 187

Life Teaches Him

I call heaven and earth to witness against you today. --Deuteronomy 4:26

As my son prepared for college, I gave him the following admonition. “At the university you will be approached with all manner of sins. I am not asking that you do not participate. I would hope that you would not, but I refuse to play the Holy Spirit hovering above you. However, if you ever find yourself in sin, ask yourself if there is a lift in your spirit. If not, stop what you are doing. All your life I have taught you about Christ, and now life itself will teach you.”

It is true that if something is not Christian, it is not natural. We say the Bible speaks to us with authority because God created it. God also created life, and life speaks just as loudly as Scripture. In fact, I believe that life is the greatest tool for witnessing that we have. We believers possess the only “religion” that the world supports. God created our faith, life, and world. I often let an unbeliever prove Scripture through his own experience of misery.

For just a moment lay aside theological knowledge and let me ask what life has taught you in regard to feeding the flesh, being bitter, hating an enemy, looking within, refusing to love, excusing disrespect, and avoiding God. While participating in these behaviors has life given your spirit a lift? Are you nourished by such behavior, or are you depleted? Stop, question, and think about your direction. What is life telling you? What life is telling you is consistent with Scripture. When I do roofing, I am careful not to let the hammer hit my fingers, as has happened several times in the past. Life has punished me when my fingers were hit. Jesus says to love an enemy. In the past I have chosen slander. Life taught me that slander hurts me. We believers have been taught far more through life than by reading, and why not? God is the Author of life, and for life to run smoothly, it must run in Him. Stop hitting your thumb.

How many of us ever stop to ask the question: “Is there a lift in my Spirit?” when involved in anything?  Perhaps the bigger question is do we ever even think to ask that question!?!  That question alone would eliminate much from Christian’s lives that God desires to be removed.

     You may be asking: “Why did Lee use a capital S in that question?”  Well, when we are Born

      Again our “old man” was crucified with Jesus…dead…no longer.  God gave us His Spirit to be

      our Spirit for all eternity (John 14:26; Romans 8:9-11).  So it is fitting and natural to ask if

      my Spirit has been lifted in any given situation.  By the way, just recognizing and realizing

      that we are primarily a Spiritual person would go a long way toward prompting us to ask that

      question.

Life can easily teach us that sin doesn’t fit us…it is foolish for us.

Therefore it is simple to understand that something not Christian is NOT natural for one of God’s kids!  We who are Spiritual have to do the unnatural to sin.  How does doing anything unnaturally make us feel?  Most times extremely dissatisfied and uncomfortable, as well as “depleted and not nourished.”  Well, amen!

Don’t believe me?  If you are right-handed, try going through a day with your right hand tied behind you and using only your left hand.  (Lefties do the opposite).  How does that feel?  Unnatural.  Uncomfortable.  Dissatisfied.  Need any more???

And when will we recognize and acknowledge that what LIFE is telling us is CONSISTENT with SCRIPTURE?

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 

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