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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Jesus is Coming BackPraying According to God's WillWe Are Different For A ReasonLearning To Say NoGod Is Working In UsGod’s Plan Needs YouMinistry Happens Heart to HeartDon’t Abuse Your Free WillDo Your Words And Your Actions Matchup?Seek God FirstA Safe PersonTrust over WorryTruth Over ApplauseForgetting Your First LoveNever Stop WorshipingWalking Humbly with GodIt’s All About JesusPraise the LordPraying To Remind YourselfYou Made the TeamYour Pain Has a PurposeReal FriendsReplacing GodSpecific ConfessionSpiritual AlignmentThis World Is Not Our Home
2025
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Building Men Over MembershipsAre You Encouraging Others?Committing Others To ChristSharing Your StoryFaith Beyond Your FamilyGod’s Purpose In Your PainAligned PrayersPraying with PowerA Defining EncounterA Desire To ServeA Faithful and Helpful FriendRestoring Broken RelationshipsThe Power To RestoreA Guilt-Free LifeA Hand Of BlessingA Heart Of RepentanceAllowing God To Do The ChangingAre You Feeling Stuck?Trust His HeartBe Ready For InterruptionsFull of the Holy SpiritDefeating DepressionPowerful Prayers and a BurdenThe Triumphal EntrySurrender Your Life to ChristGratitude Is The Gateway To ContentmentGratitude Is A Defense Against AnxietyDealing With DoubtFocus On The WordGiving and ServingListening Instead Of Talking
February
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.