Replacing God
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
One of the tragedies that we see in our nation every day is that we have forgotten the Lord and have replaced Him with our activity. Think about that for a moment. Many people want to do the activities of religion, rather than actually knowing the Lord intimately.
They would rather talk about Him than talk to Him. They would rather do things to serve Him than to bow before Him. It is like this: we are focused on the product of spiritual awakenings rather than being focused on the producer of spiritual awakenings.
Do you realize that worship is more than singing in a service? Worship starts with the posture of your heart. You can sing as loudly as you want to, but if your heart isn’t in the right place, it means nothing.
Additionally, one of the best things you can do for people is to pray for them. God can do so much more in His power than we ever could in our own power. By praying and asking for Him to intervene, we are asking Him to meet the needs of others rather than trying to meet those needs in our own strength.
These actions of worship and prayer are the result of spiritual awakenings. They don't produce spiritual awakenings, but they are the result of spiritual awakenings! Sadly, that is where we are in this country. In churches, we are more concerned about programs, organization, architecture, and schedules! Why are we doing that? We need to be focused on bowing before the Lord Himself!
Don’t get so caught up in what you are doing for the Lord that you neglect spending time with Him. Give higher priority to your relationship with Him than your service for Him. Let Him work on you from the inside out, then watch how everything changes!
One of the tragedies that we see in our nation every day is that we have forgotten the Lord and have replaced Him with our activity. Think about that for a moment. Many people want to do the activities of religion, rather than actually knowing the Lord intimately.
They would rather talk about Him than talk to Him. They would rather do things to serve Him than to bow before Him. It is like this: we are focused on the product of spiritual awakenings rather than being focused on the producer of spiritual awakenings.
Do you realize that worship is more than singing in a service? Worship starts with the posture of your heart. You can sing as loudly as you want to, but if your heart isn’t in the right place, it means nothing.
Additionally, one of the best things you can do for people is to pray for them. God can do so much more in His power than we ever could in our own power. By praying and asking for Him to intervene, we are asking Him to meet the needs of others rather than trying to meet those needs in our own strength.
These actions of worship and prayer are the result of spiritual awakenings. They don't produce spiritual awakenings, but they are the result of spiritual awakenings! Sadly, that is where we are in this country. In churches, we are more concerned about programs, organization, architecture, and schedules! Why are we doing that? We need to be focused on bowing before the Lord Himself!
Don’t get so caught up in what you are doing for the Lord that you neglect spending time with Him. Give higher priority to your relationship with Him than your service for Him. Let Him work on you from the inside out, then watch how everything changes!
Recent
Archive
2023
January
Finding Godly MentorsYes and No in ScriptureFocus Like an ArcherSeeking the Presence of GodA Defining EncounterOnly by GraceOvercoming ExhaustionExcited and Expectant over PrayerThe Five Parts of PrayerThe Still Small VoiceThe Lord’s Amazing PowerHandling PersecutionDiving into God’s WordReceiving EncouragementA Desire To ServeGiving and ServingA Thrill RideThe Sweet Voice of GodGet off the BenchOut of AlignmentFrustration Is InevitableListening Instead of TalkingWatch God MoveWalking in the LightKnown by Your FruitThe Good ShepherdBoldly Stand for ChristHonor the LordPraying in FaithDealing with DoubtLearning To Be Alone
February
We Need One AnotherAlign with ChristA Heavenly PerspectiveAre You Robbing God?Coming HomeOur Need for CommunityShow up for OthersEncouraging One AnotherBe a Light to OthersProtecting Your MarriageTrusting Your SpouseBlaming OthersFacing the TruthWho Are You Serving?Politics and FaithSecond ChancesLay Down Your LifeReturning to the LordBe Sensitive to Your WitnessDefeating AnxietySuit up for BattleDon’t Stay on the SidelinesGive unto the LordUnconditional GenerosityPower in Jesus’ NameA Faithful and Helpful FriendHelp Bear Their BurdensYour Testimony and God’s Word
March
Witness with Your WordsActions and WordsPraying in God’s WillA Call to God’s ChurchA Personal AnswerA Public AnswerHave You Met Christ?Focus on the GiverSalvation Is SimpleCounterfeit TeachingBe Ready for the End Full of the Holy SpiritDo Not Quench the Holy SpiritImmeasurably MoreLiving in DenialTaking the Time To BlessPraying for UnbelieversA Word of BlessingDefeating DepressionTake Care of Your BodThe End Is NearStand on the Word of GodBe Responsible for Your ChildrenJesus Is Standing with You The Promise of the Holy SpiritPowerful Prayers and a BurdenPowerful Prayers and ConfidenceGod Draws Us to HimselfFind Rest in the LordDealing with ProblemsHandling Stress
No Comments