Captive to Something How?
October 29, 2009 by admin
Filed under Articles by Mike Wells
“Therefore it says, When He ascended on High, He led captive a host of captives, and He gave gifts to men” (Ephesians 4:8).
So many of us, at some time in our Christian lives, believe ourselves to be enslaved to something. It is either a returning habit or a new one, but the slavery seems very real. We have said it before but God cannot, as a shepherd, lead someone that is sitting. We must move to be led, and that means that we must move into a truth to discover the reality of the truth. He has taken captive everything that could have held the believer captive. We are free! Growth for Christians does not comprise a series of efforts to make us free but a series of revelations that make known our freedom. We look at our Red Sea and wonder how WE will part it to obey and go forward. In reality, we step into it and discover that HE is the one that parts it, but only so far as needed for us to place one foot at a time in it. That is the life of faith. It is a lie that we are enslaved or captive to anything but Christ. However, the voice of sin, Satan, the world, and flesh are so loud that sometimes we sit in the chair and bemoan a condition that we do not even have. The glory of God is in choice, and there are none freer to make a choice than the believer. I have counseled people in a variety of situations, among which are several prisons, orphanages, alcohol and drug treatment centers, and with couples in troubled marriages. I have given them information and witnessed some miracles, but it was not the information that ever set the people free; it was their choice to act on the information and to walk in the freedom Christ had already given them. The one dispensing information can never take the credit for a changed life; it was simply that the believer chose to walk in a freedom that was given by Him. I am happy that being obsessed with Betty long before she knew it, that upon her discovery of my love, she chose me. I chose her first, but she responded by choosing me. I am happy that she was not forced to marry me but responded to my choice with her choice. God has chosen you, He chose to set you free, and now you will thrill Him by choosing to walk in it. It is a hard pill to swallow, but if you can choose not to go shopping naked, you can certainly as a believer choose not to walk in what you believe to be a behavior to which you are held captive. Admit where you are so you can leave where you are. Admit that you are choosing to stay in your state and let God work with your honesty.
Spiritual Pregnancy!
October 8, 2009 by Mike Wells
Filed under Articles by Mike Wells
We are pregnant with the great truth of Christ in us.
Rev. 12:2, and she was with child; and she cried* out, being in labor and in pain to give birth.
We are pregnant with the great truth of Christ in us. We must give birth to it. Has anyone told you what a spiritual pregnancy will look like? You are carrying something that is eternal. There are many symptoms, and here is one: You must have continued revelations of yourself, your flesh, in order to have continued revelations of Him, which come from need. You must see your need for Him in an area before He will be your life in that area. You must see yourself as selfish before He can become your selflessness. Don’t be discouraged but be realistic. We can easily think of three things the people at work do to annoy us, three things our mate does, three things the children do, and three things that are done at church. But can you think of three things you do in all these areas? Do you really believe yourself to be so pleasant and perfect to live with? Stop examining others, come under His light (“Search me, oh God”), see your weakness, accept His strength and have a move in God, a revelation of Jesus.
The Revelation of Self and Then the Revelation of Him
October 8, 2009 by Mike Wells
Filed under Articles by Mike Wells
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. ” Matthew 6:33NASB
My partner, Ray Andrews, says this: “If you are depressed, you should first ask what it is that you are doing that you know you should not be doing. The second thing to ask is what you would like to be doing that you should not be doing.”
It is a good point, for depression often (not always) has its roots in the desires the flesh is exercising or wants to exercise. The way of the flesh is to do what you like and hate what you are doing. This all causes depression. Depression, then, can have its root in desire. We seek God for what we desire (our will), and if we don’t get it, we get depressed. If we get it and then discover that it was not really what we imagined it to be, there is more depression.
Do you know that if you have ever prayed, “Thy will,” then “Thy will” is exactly what you are getting? But you thought that “Thy will” would be something spectacular, comfortable, and blessed as defined by the world, including harmony in marriage, obedient children, and more.
Let me explain. He is bringing to each of us the revelation of Christ that we NEED. To prepare us for that revelation so we will not be exalted and destroyed, He is giving us what we are getting today. The revelation of Christ can completely destroy us if not preceded by His will. Paul says so. He explains that a thorn was given him so that in the abundance of revelations, he would not be destroyed.
What you are getting today in “average” life is everything you need to precede His revelation. Remember, the purpose of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to give you peace as you come in line with His will. This is the greater time, wherein He is going to use the lesser (in the worldly churches’ view) believer, and this is how you are prepared.
Stand fast. Don’t be discouraged. Today’s hiccups, rejections, conflicts, abuses, and concerns are what are needed to prepare you.
