BOTH HANDS OCCUPIED

Life should be a joy for all. That is one of the most intricate ‘shoulds’ of life! For life to be joyful there has to be freedom from wants and the means to live with meaning to ‘BE’. If life has to have some meaning it has to be livable with enjoyable content. Content is the sum total of what is received and what is made of the available inputs. Intelligently put to use, these factors are expected to be sufficient to make life worth a try.

But often life turns out to be hardened and complicated deprived of any joy. No one wants to have a hard life. No one wants to be dealing with conflict all the time. More often than not we are engaged in sorting out hardships and conflicts, large and small.

All of us seek comfort and try to gain it at any cost. In our efforts to gather comfort we make life harder by our chosen lifestyles. And then life often turns out to be burdened, weighing us down with heaviness of heart. But it does not have to be so if we learn the art of handling our burdens intelligently and shedding the weights that weigh us down.

We all go through life with two different baggages holding one in each hand. In one hand we hold the baggage of our ‘Past’ and in the other our ‘Unique Self.’ The size of the baggage that holds our past would depend on all that we have passed through, our interpretations of it and our reactions. The more we go through it, revise it, rejoice in it or reject, repent or react, the baggage keep increasing in bulk.

The unique self is the sum total of our identity formed from our inheritance, attitudes and reactions. In other words, it would depend very much on what we are born with and how we allow our experiences to influence our reactions to life. Our pattern of behavior that contributes to the formation of our unique self is controlled by many and variable factors.

We carry our past ‘History’ and our present ‘Unique Self’, unwittingly allowing the past to exert a large influence on the progress or regression we make in life.

We carry our past ‘History’ and our present ‘Unique Self’, unwittingly allowing the past to exert a large influence on the progress or regression we make in life. Imagine walking with two big baggages, one in each hand, and trying to enter any normal sized door. It is not easy. The problem is even more after gaining entry into any particular space we are not inclined or free to put down our baggage. We tenaciously hold on to our past and our personal dispositions which make us unique. Voluntarily giving up these things amount to losing control and that is a terrible threat. Giving up control is not easy. But accepting the fact that the Lord God is in control is the releasing truth that give us freedom to BE.

Past is deadweight around our necks till we allow the Lord to receive it from us.

Wherever we go, whatever we do, these baggage are our constant companions coming in our way and blocking our progress. Past is deadweight around our necks till we allow the Lord to receive it from us. The Lord Jesus specifically says “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” Mat.11: 28.

Our present dispositions and entrenched attitudes of our unique self caution us and allow us to take actions in selected and confined manners allowable within our limited perceptions. Our progress is impeded if the baggages are of unmanageable size and shape.

The sum total of what is said is that we limit ourselves in the strangle hold of our past and unique self. The limiting may mean lack of positive progress or movement in a wrong tangent leading to negativity.

The past of every person is distinctly different from others. We would have to deal with an infinite variety of experiences to make some meaningful generalization out of them. Greater and longer persevering study is called for making sense out of the infinite variety of individual experiences. It will be good for you to learn a new spelling for past. What is PAST is DEAD. No one should go around cuddling the past and spending precious time analyzing the past. Learn from the past and then burry it for good, for our Lord God has already cancelled our past sins and wrong doings. Why carry it and create impediment to our progress in life?

Your ‘Unique Self’ too can become a huge baggage if you do not see it as what it is and keep it in manageable size and shape. Every person is unique and generalizations are not easily possible here too. That would largely limit our understanding of the baggage problem. But we have to make a beginning somewhere if we are to get freedom from the limiting heaviness of these baggages that limit our progression in life.

I chose to talk about this subject because an understanding of the ‘unique self’ will help us to effectively deal with some typical problems faced by our children in school. Learn the art of burying the past and administering your ‘Unique Self’.

Everyone is unique, because everyone is created unique. A precise classification is impractical. For the sake of an easier understanding we will consider three major categories as THINKER, FEELER and DOER. The basic characteristics of the three groups are listed separately below.

Try to identify in which group you may fit in, based on these characteristics. Remember none is a pure ‘type’. You do not have to feel lost in case you seem to feel not distinctly belonging in any particular type. All of us are variable and interesting combinations with infinite possibilities.

THE THINKER

• High mental energy.
• The thinker is honest and truthful.
• The thinker is analytical and can get lost in details.
• Loves order and over concerned about security.
• Loves quiet time and be alone for some time. (Danger of exceeding limits at times.)
• Tends to cultivate only one to three close friends.
• Tends to be melancholic and at risk of feeling inferior.
• Refuse to recognize own talents and ability, even when proven.
• Knows all that is bad about oneself.
• That quality makes the thinker to be a ‘blame-collector’.
• Perfectionist tendencies causing them to demand perfection from others too.
• Mood is determined by what is going on in the thoughts.
• Must want to think about something at all times, prefers reading before going to bed.
• Preoccupation with thinking makes the person prone to brooding and anxiety attacks.
• Not quick with advice or disapproval.
• But hoards all hurts and prefers to withdraw.
• Reluctant to share the sad thoughts occupying the mind and prefers to suffer alone.
• Extreme fear of the unknown.
• Reluctant to take risks and therefore tends to be a late bloomer.
• Likes to follow an inner list to do and a higher standard.
• Internalizes anger and does not indulge in explosive outbursts.

THE FEELER

• Relationships are more important than anything.
• Highly subjective and the ‘I’ is a major preoccupation.
• On the look out for ‘rejecting’ attitudes in others.
• Easily gets hurt and pouts when hurt.
• Ready to follow the morals of the crowd, easily gets into trouble.
• Is liable to be used by others.
• Life is an on going party whenever possible.
• Makes others feel important and cared.
• Very keen on pleasing people.
• Will go to the extend of allowing others to fail oneself.
• Good at manipulating others to have own way.
• Good empathizers and sensitive to the needs of others.
• Hardly any control over explosive bouts.
• Easily motivated.
• Very enthusiastic but unlikely to persevere.
• Desires popularity and tends to invite attention.
• Will readily reject anyone who indicates distance.
• Lavish in expressions.
• Prefer to talk ad infinitum and the subject is often ‘I’.
• Self-indulgent and easily gathers self-pity.
• Powerful ‘blame-giver’ whenever irritated.

THE DOER

• The doer is strong-willed and pushy.
• Gets things done through others.
• Never rests without accomplishing what is set forth.
• Easily projects confidence and wants to be ‘in-command’.
• Prefers independence.
• Does not suffer fools and lazy bums.
• Adept at twisting realities to suit the task at hand.
• In all stories ‘I’ am the hero.
• Obstacles are usually invisible.
• Many iron in the fire and makes anyone near to tend his fire.
• Inconsistent yet hates to be bothered by facts.
• Welcomes and enjoys challenges.
• Relatively out of touch with the hurts of others.
• Quick to explode and it is OK if others react exploding.
• Aggressive and energetic.
• Would tend to be creative but speed is the watchword.
• Others are ‘tools’ to accomplish objectives.
• Accepts aggression.
• Enjoys a good fight and tends to forget.
• Does not waste time in brooding.
• No qualms about blaming others.
• Powerful ‘task-giver’.

It does not matter in which group you may find your identity. Make it a point to choose what you think desirable and honorable according to you and in agreement with the Scripture, and then live it fully to your potential. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things…put it into practice” Phil. 4: 8, 9.

Keep both your hands free and clean to act effectively to get ahead in life.

Alex Mathew (Adapted from Mike Wells’ teachings)

If we see our mates according to the flesh and not according the heart, there will be heat.

At the meeting I have the people rub their hands together until they are hot. Next I explain that flesh against flesh creates a friction. There was agreement, since all were experiencing it. The point was simple: If we walk in the flesh and our mate walks in the flesh, there will be agitation. As long as we see people only in the flesh, it will, in turn, move us into the flesh, and the resulting friction will cause agitation and anger. Paul had the secret, which is to see no man according to the flesh. If we see our mates according to the flesh and not according the heart, there will be heat. However, seeing others according to the spirit will make us minister to their spirit and move them and ourselves out of the flesh.

“Why didn’t Jesus tell me?”

Over the years I have had similar experiences to yours of people walking up to me and telling me that they had a word from Jesus for me. The words have been as varied as the people. Some have told me I was out of God’s will to be traveling to minister and needed to return home immediately. Others have told me that the Lord was telling me to go out. Go out or come in, which is it? All purport to be speaking on God’s behalf. How do we know the difference? There is no doubt that genuine words from Jesus can come through the conduit of another believer, but His word will not be an attempt to create something in us, but to witness to what is already there. God is a very intimate God and doesn’t tell our secrets to others; He is far too confidential for that. Therefore, someone’s telling me about a “hidden sin” or a “dark heart” is not received. When a word does come that could be construed to be negative, it will–if it is truly from the Lord–lift the spirit, for with the word will come the power and the truth to set me free. There is another problem with some so-called “words of the Lord.” The carnal will use them as a method of manipulation, invoking the Lord’s name and our love for Him to move us in their direction. Saying, “The Lord said . . .” really means, “Keep off the grass and don’t question me.” A sure sign that this is happening is that the one speaking refuses to be questioned. The carnal want theirs to be the last word. Probably the most pertinent question when judging if something is from God or man is simply, “Why didn’t Jesus tell me?” Any parent will tell you that when one child is representing the parent to another sibling, something isn’t right. If I want to tell my child something, I simply tell him, I don’t send another to speak for me. If God wants to tell us something, and we know His sheep hear His voice, why would He send someone else? There are examples of His doing that in the Old Testament, and the people knew exactly what the prophet was talking about; it wasn’t something vague or something that they couldn’t see was wrong. This brings us to one other point, which is that the carnal make things vague to protect themselves. It reminds me of the Indian fortuneteller standing on the corner and saying to each person passing by, “You seem happy, but something is wrong deep inside!” On any given day, he would be spot on for at least half of the people. God has no need to be vague, and the “words of the Lord” calculated to appeal to the flesh are. “You are going to have an expanded ministry!” “You are going to have all your riches returned to you!” “You are going to have healing!” It is all so appealing to the flesh. I would rather hear, “You are in Him, and so being in Him, He will bring the revelation of Christ in you, the hope of glory!” Carnal men want to give a word that is spectacular. Again, always question the motive behind what is being said to you. Is the motive to move you toward Jesus? The “word” should bring neither condemnation nor exaltation; it should be about Him. Now, I have received tremendous encouragement from the words of believers that were not from them but from Him. Therefore, don’t let all the phony words deter you when a blessing is to be had. Simply judge what is being said.

“Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John, and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were marveling, and {began} to recognize them as having been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13

Are we happy to be in the company of the Unknowns? To go into the ministry of the unknown, ministering to the Unknowns? This is the true ministry of faith. He came, God in Man, unknown! He didn’t attempt to make Himself known, He wanted the Father to be known. Divine humility! Amazing! We too are to be unknown. We are making Him known.

Why are we unknown? Being unknown keeps us safe. Being unknown will keep the elect from kingdom building, self-righteousness, glory, and image. All these things must be broken at His feet. It is the kind of wealth that we don’t need and belong to Him. We must lose everything to discover the power of the life within. It is crucial that we are unknowns. Amazingly, we are entrusted with the greatest message and kingdom and no one wants to know us! We represent Him, we have direct access to Him, and no one wants to know us. We will judge angels and no one wants to know us.

A ministry of the Unknowns, a company of the Unknowns, all with the same vision to remain attached to the life of the vine, the life of the vine to flow out of the Unknowns. We are all one, yet all different; all tapped into the same life, not branch to a branch but a branch to the vine. The ministry of the Unknowns is a WITH ministry. Unknowns band together. Unknowns are not recognized. We work without recognition.

This world’s system is not an accident. It is all permitted. It is all in the plan of God. It is all there for a purpose: the breaking of kingdoms, righteousness, pride, strength, glory. It is all in the plan of God. Permitted. It is, well, nice, that He is using man’s stupidity. It all works to His end. Nothing is bad. This is the best possible life. How do we judge that things are good or bad? The soulish judge them on the basis of their outer life, their soul life. The soulish don’t like their outer life broken. They fight against being Unknown. However, everything must go that hinders the release of the life in me. Nothing is bad that accomplishes that. Being Unknown accomplishes that, and remember, we are known by Him!

“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 old 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, don’t 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 he walked off.

I have often been asked the question, “How are you supported?” It should be obvious. There are no tricks, gimmicks, endless mailings and appeals, or manipulation. 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, I tell him my needs, he has a father that is very rich with many contacts, he calls them, and the money is sent to me.” I can see the look in their eyes as they go from wondering how I could be ministering in such a small ministry to thinking how lucky Mike is to have such a friend. “My Friend,” I continue, “is Jesus. His father is the Father, and His children are my supporters.”

Many just can’t believe that God provides. Often an engaged couple will tell me they are calling off their marriage because of finances. My response is always the same, “Did God tell you to get married? If He told you to and you don’t, you will have worse problems than unemployment!” The lesser gives way to the greater. If God tells you to do something, do it. With the call will come the provision. Don’t shame yourself by being unbelieving.

“So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, ‘If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’” John 8:31-32 NASB

Isn’t image interesting? If we could be free from image, we would be free indeed. But to be free from image, we must see God, not ourselves. In some Third World countries I am given great respect only because of skin color, dress, and money. People give way on the street, and few would argue with me.

However, if I were, say, a “common” tea picker, people would chase me away with a switch if I crossed their path. I would be dressed differently, my skin would be a little darker, and I’d have no money.

Image dictates a lot when we consider that all of us came out of the womb naked, and naked we will leave in the end. There is no difference in men; there are only images. Image makes us treat the poor man with contempt or compassion, and the rich man with respect or hatred mixed with the desire to be like him. The fear of the loss of image can keep us from taking a risk, making a phone call, looking for a new job, going to a restaurant considered out of our league, or disagreeing with the pastor. Some image groups can’t stand it that other image groups consider themselves better, so they use slander or riches to try to bring the others down and build themselves up.

Do you see why Jesus dealt so little with the world’s system? It is a circle; it is the same, and it goes nowhere. “All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing. What has been, will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one can say, ‘Look? This is something new’? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time.”

Once we are free from image, we will free everyone else from image. We will neither pander to the rich nor show compassion to the poor. We will minister to the individual! We will see beyond image to the exact need that Jesus saw in man. Our teaching will change; our emphasis will change. How to be free? We must admit where we are, to leave where we are. Admit that you are a slave to image, and ask that He free you. He will do it in a way you had not imagined. Many believe the way to the loss of image is to be humiliated through a sinful defeat. This doesn’t destroy image; it just draws attention to it and gives a person a different image. God’s way is different. You will see. Just ask

On a particular night a pastor gave me complete freedom. I spoke on one attribute of God I appreciate so much: faithfulness. I have failed, but He is faithful. He is faithful not to keep lists of wrongs, not to be provoked, to be faithful when we are faithless. I believe that God revealed a new aspect of who He is to many. The pastor took the stage and began to pray and then weep.

All were praying for God to reveal that He is a loving Father. All month I have been practicing allowing my soul to feed on His wisdom, His will, and His peace that are in me. I must admit that my soul was very full. When we began to sing “Hold me now and let your love surround me,” I was expecting just that. But love did not surround me! My soul was full of His love, and it began to flow out of me to others. I wanted to run and hug everyone, to pray for the sick, and to pray for those in distress. But it wasn’t me, it was Him in me; the overflow of my soul was Him, and I could see that His love in me wanted to take the form of flesh and blood to minister in a concrete way. I was not just preaching about love but demonstrating it! I could see how the Word became flesh; the soul of Jesus was so completely full of God, a human body could not hold it all, so it spilled out to others. “And the word became flesh and dwelt among us.”

Jesus can manifest Himself through us, and we receive the awareness that there is nothing that faith cannot do, nothing that Jesus cannot do. I see that I cannot schedule God. But as my soul is fed, I also see how I could pray for healing and another would receive it, for the Spirit is scheduling me. Christ is in us! Christ knows who needs what, and He can move through us to heal or help.

On this day, in the city Tawua, I watched God move from head to heart. We are vehicles for the living Word to take form. We are not Jesus, or God, or special, but we have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer we who live but Christ that lives in us. I will always remember the night the pastor gave me complete freedom. Amen.

“This is the day which the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Ps. 118:24

A fellow came to see me who was suicidal. He had fallen back into a homosexual act. He is not a homosexual or there wouldn’t’ be the conviction of God after the act. However, he was ready to “check out”. He definitely wanted the most recent failure to be the last failure. He was less than a conqueror and was done trying.

I looked at him and said, “Today, Brother, is the best day of your life. There is no way that today could be better. If you had perfect victory in the past, today would not be better. In fact everything, and I mean everything, that has happened in the past, is making this the perfect day. For today God is going to deal with your……” I paused. He knew that I was going to say homosexuality. However, homosexuality was merely the cobweb, it was not the spider.

He stopped me, “There is no way that you can say today is a perfect day.” I replied, “You won’t say that in a minute. For today God is going to deal with your unbelief and self-righteousness!” It was perfect; it cut him like a knife. It was God and he knew this was the real problem.

We sat there, talked, ministered, and God dealt with the real problem of unbelief and self-righteousness. In the end, he walked out the door, so happy, with a lift in his spirit. He turned and said, “This is the best day of my life!”

You see, we just think we know the problem. It is always consequence, not the cause.