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!
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2024
January
Building Men Over MembershipsActions and WordsPraying in God’s WillA Call to God’s ChurchFalse ProphetsJesus Intercedes for YouAre You Encouraging Others?Strengthening BelieversSalvation Is SimpleCounterfeit TeachingBe Ready for the End Jesus Understands Your PainLooking ForwardCommitting Others To ChristSharing Your StoryTaking the Time To BlessPraying for UnbelieversA Word of BlessingJesus Cares about YouThe PavementAre You Confessed Up To Date?Fighting Self-Sufficiency With PrayerBe Responsible for Your ChildrenJesus Is Standing with You The Promise of the Holy SpiritBe Aligned in PrayerI Am InnocentAligned PrayersPraying with PowerDealing with ProblemsHandling Stress
February
Come and SeeA Childlike FaithDon’t Miss OutWhy Support Israel?Praying For IsraelHow To Honor GodResisting EvilThe Lord Encourages UsJesus Is the AuthorityGod ProvidesLiving Out The Great CommissionMaking SureA Heart of RepentanceSharing Your FaithSubmitting to God’s WillSecure in Your IdentityHow Are You Filled?God Is All-SufficientJesus Is The Only WayPray, Just PrayNo Sin Is Too BigThe Purpose in PainFeed Your FaithStay in Love with JesusIt’s Only JesusRemember Who God IsGifts from the Holy SpiritThis World Is Not Your HomeBe Different
March
Admitting You Are WrongMoney Can’t Buy HappinessMy ConfidenceChanged by Christ Faith and UnderstandingDo Angels Exist?Falling at Jesus’ FeetBorn AgainThe Fullness of JesusExperiencing Christ’s FullnessThe Lord’s ProtectionPraying FriendsA Hand of BlessingBe StillYour Heavenly FatherBlessing Your ChildrenGod Is Our ProviderTime To StopSimply Follow ChristFathers Loving MothersEvery Knee Will BowWhen God Repeats HimselfThe Seven ChurchesTaking Up Your CrossMake Peace With GodGod Gives Free WillGod’s Healing PowerGo All in for ChristAbiding and RestingBelieving God’s WordWhat Hangs In The Balance Of Evangelism?
5 Comments
Gentle reminder we all needed to hear,
nif not done in Love…means nothing..
nour relationship with him, our priority..
nBlessed by your message!
I couldn't have said it better! Many go to the house of God but don't have a relationship with the God of the house! Blessings to you Dr. Dodd!
The Postures of the Heart ❤️ Psalms 103:1
I don't think people realize that they can have a relationship with our Father. If they don't get an answer right away they think He just listens. I see a lot of just doing for God and not asking Him what He wants us to be doing for His Kingdom
During my years of traveling for Christ, one of weaknesses in the Christian walk has been the business of building the edifice to the ministry rather than edification of Jesus in the power of the Holy One. It incenses me when I see a once Spirit filled Methodist church giving more importance to the great structure built by the hands of man than to the Holy Spirit who is the author and finisher of the Christian faith. Sadly, in today's society, that's the norm rather than the exception. The Way, The Truth and the Life, has been sacriced to the deadly sin of Pride and the unforgivable sin of Blasphemy against The Holy One of God.