Strength in Weakness (Part 2)

Praise the Lord, Everybody!

This week we continue with what God said is, “ . . . not JUST a Word for the local church – this is a Word for the body of Christ!” Now part two of Strength in Weakness!
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STRENGTH IN WEAKNESS (PART 2)

Some people are moving forward in the THINGS of Christ without having the MIND of Christ. But I declare that before we go any further in the things of God (here meaning the work of the church) we should be sure that we have made a decision to fully take on the mind of Christ. I used to really enjoy this movie called Stuart Saves His Family. In the film Stuart Smalley used to speak of ‘stinking thinking.’ I want you to know that there is too much stinking thinking in the body of Christ. Well what is stinking thinking? Any way of thinking that conforms to or parallels the world’s way of thinking. The world’s way of thinking about things is exactly opposite of God’s way of thinking.

Isaiah 55: 8-9: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

WHAT IS GOD’S WAY OF THINKING?

Luke 6:27-38 

27But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,

28Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

29And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.

30Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.

31And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

32For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.

33And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.

34And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

35But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

36Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

37Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

38Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

People love to quote Luke 6:38, but rarely include all of the behavior listed in the previous verses that work along with giving to produce the good measure, pressed down shaken together blessing!    

So many believers have bought into the devil’s lies instead of letting this mind be in us which was also in Christ Jesus. We have taken on a mindset that says, “I am not going to be weak. I am not going to be stepped on. I’m not going to be anybody’s doormat!” Won’t take down – won’t take low. Refuse to apologize. Saints nowadays say – I’m not going to apologize! I didn’t do anything that I thought was offensive so I’m not taking down. But what does the Bible say?

(next week the conclusion of Strength in Weakness)

In Service for the Master,

Evangelist Lisa Y. Mitchell