tremendous benefits of "being weak"

how many of us recognize these three tremendous benefits of our “being weak”???

the Apostle Paul made this strange statement (end of verse 10) that few ever stop to really grasp the totality of its importance for all Believers…

     “And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in

        weakness.  Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of

        Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches,

        in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then

      am I strong.”  2 Corinthians 12:9-10

“for when I am weak, then am I strong” – sort of negates the idea of trying to be “strong” for Christ’s sake, doesn’t it?

Think on these 3 tremendous benefits of our “being weak”:

1.     humility & sympathy – how do we boast in efforts of our weakness?  yet, how tender we can be toward the faults of others when we stay cognizant of our weakness!

2.    turn to Christ – ever notice when we are helpless, we turn to prayer.  when our strength is exhausted, in our weakness we reach out a hand for His.

3.    Christ’s strength becomes ours – Paul acknowledged all things done through him were actually the strength of Christ (Philippians 4:13).  Paul acknowledged his weakness, received Christ’s strength by the grace of God.

We have opportunity to recognize these benefits and enjoy Christ’s strength, just like the Apostle Paul did.  Well, amen.

Lee McDowell Christian Ministries

There is nothing the presence of Christ can’t overcome

(email) leemccm@gmail.com

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

Strength in weakness???

when will we learn there is Strength in weakness?

Wise men realize their weakness and their dependence.  Unwise men never recognize their weakness and live in independence.

The Apostle Paul gave us the classic declarations of a Saint recognizing weakness and dependence on God:

     “And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.”  1 Corinthians 2:3

So, how did Paul ever minister in such a powerful way as we know he did?  Well, he gave us his answer:

     “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and His grace which was bestowed upon me was

       not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God

       which was with me.”  1 Corinthians 15:10

Saints living in Holy Spirit learn quickly that with Christ’s presence the very thing that is their weakness can be transfigured into HIS STRENGTH.

His presence overcomes at the point of our weakness.  DO WE HAVE A MINISTRY OF WEAKNESS?

My friend, Michael Wells (Abiding Life Ministries Int’l) has two volumes of My Weakness for His Strength that are my “workbooks” for living in weakness, enjoying Christ’s strength by the grace of God.  These are available at 303-972-0859 or www.abidinglife.com .  Over 700 applications of Christ’s strength for our life in this life (virtually every issue or situation you will ever face).

Lee McDowell Christian Ministries

There is nothing the presence of Christ can’t overcome

(email) leemccm@gmail.com

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

"Christ crucified" has the answer to every ill of mankind...

"Christ crucified" has the answer to every ill of mankind.  How is that?

Think about it.  In Christ’s crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection we find the atoning work of Christ.  Can’t His atonement lead folks to live in love and peace with one another?  Those whose sins have been washed in the blood of Jesus Christ and are abandoned to God will live Lives of love, peace, and righteousness.  Those Saints will only seek the heart of God in every aspect of life.  If ALL people were like that, every public problem would be on the way to being solved…no more hatred, no more “racism,” no more murder, no more theft, no more divorce, no more …(name it).

What can wash away my sin?  Nothing but the blood of Jesus! 

Tell someone about God’s “Easter” story…

Lee McDowell Christian Ministries

there is nothing the presence of Christ can’t overcome

(email) leemccm@gmail.com

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

Impossible to become a Christian by...

why do Unbelievers try to become a Christian by “being good,” imitating the life of Christ?

Is it because the Saints have not done a good job of sharing some simple truths of God’s plan of salvation?

Listen, it is impossible for an Unbeliever to become a Christian with any other “action” other than believing.  That’s why the New Testament stresses so much about the Saints being Believers.  And for sinners to “believe.”

But also, trying to imitate the life and example of Christ while still clothed in their sinfulness (result of being physically born “in Adam”), sinners are trying to put holiness into sinfulness…God will not have that.

The only way a sinner can be Born Again is by the death of Jesus.  John 12:23-24 gave the illustration of the corn of wheat, a parable of His death and resurrection and bringing forth “fruit” (Born Again Believers).

This is the heart of the “Easter story” and the Resurrection!

Need more info?  Call or write/email me, and I will be happy to answer any questions.

Lee McDowell Christian Ministries

There is nothing the presence of Christ can’t overcome

(email) leemccm@gmail.com

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

No amount can save or rid...

Isn’t it amazing…

that no amount of knowledge, ability, experience, wealth, or religion can save a soul or help men get rid of the sense of guilt or emptiness that tortures them?

Only Jesus can handle all of the above.

Lee McDowell Christian Ministries

There is nothing the presence of Christ can’t overcome

(email) leemccm@gmail.com

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

"I apologize." or "Will you forgive me?"

what do you typically say…

“I apologize” or “Will you forgive me?”

Since words have meanings, and we want to say what we mean at all times, let us take a look at these two “sayings” and what they mean…therefore what we are saying each time we use them.

Just looking at the two in the title gives you an indication of the critical aspect of the two.  One is a declaration, the other is a question.  One makes a statement to someone, the other asks a question of someone.

Perhaps the most critical aspect of the two is this: “apologize” (in any form) is NOT found anywhere in the Bible…wanting “forgiveness” IS.  In becoming a Christian, do we declare to God that we are sorry for our sin(s), or do we confess that we have sinned and want Him to forgive us our sin(s)?

How does someone “forgive” someone who has just declared to them an “apology”?  There can be no forgiveness given to someone on the basis of just hearing them make a declaration to me.  THERE IS NO RECONCILIATION WITHOUT ASKING FOR FORGIVENESS.

And with no reconciliation, there can be no unity.  This is what creates so much of the disunity in churches and families today…when “church discipline” went out the stained-glass windows back in the early 1900’s, one of the end results was the beginning of “no discipline” in homes and the start of the breakup of families.

Often we hear just a simple, “Sorry.”  No “I am sorry.”  There is no communication of personal accountability, much less just an apology.  (there is a lot more behind what is said than what most people recognize and realize)

We need to return to a time where “apologies” are acceptable ONLY in such minor incidents where a “hurt” has not occurred…like, “I’m sorry, I apologize for drinking the last Dr. Pepper that you had set aside in the refrigerator to have with your lunch.”  Even then, many people would have formerly asked the other to forgive them…

It should be UNACCEPTABLE to “accept” (permit) someone giving an apology when a “real hurt” has occurred.  UNITY (be of ONE ACCORD) is one of the most critical teachings of God to His people in the New Testament…check it out!

Lee McDowell Christian Ministries

(email) leemccm@gmail.com

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

TRUST In the Starting Point

we must realize…

TRUST IS THE STARTING POINT

God has told us that out of our heart* comes everything we do.  The one thing God also says is that we must TRUST HIM from our heart*.

          “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not to thine own understanding.

              In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”  Proverbs 3:5-6

* There is big understanding we must have…each Christian has 2 hearts.  One is left over from our physical birth that God gives all new humans (a spiritual heart, not the physical one beating and pumping blood…part of the original “soul” each human is physically born with).  The other one is a NEW spiritual heart that is part of the NEW Soul all Christians receive at the New Birth.

When God speaks about “all thine heart” in Proverbs 3:5 (like virtually all other times He speaks as such), He is talking about the New spiritual heart.  The Old one could NEVER trust in God!

When we know this, we are able to recognize and realize which heart we need to be sure we are operating from.  And which one our actions show we are operating from.  And make a change if need be.

BUT, without TRUSTING GOD we get nowhere to heading down the paths God would direct us down…

Lee McDowell Christian Ministries

(email) leemccm@gmail.com

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