I have the worlds most ineffective electric blanket.
When it is cold, I push the button and the light comes on, but the blanket produces no heat.
So the question is, "Why do I keep pushing the button?"
Michele insists that that if you turn the control high enough, it does produce some heat.
However, I suggest that what little heat it produces is the result of 2 pugs laying around her. Those 2 little beggars kick out a lot of heat and snore like steam engines.
She thinks there is one single wire in the blanket that is still cranking out some heat.
I think that is called "wishful thinking".
So back to my original question, "Why do I keep pushing the button -- when I know it doesn't produce any heat?"
Perhaps a better question is, "How many people go through routine religious rituals knowing that it doesn't produce any heat?"
Remember the old definition of insanity? "Doing the same thing over and over and each time expecting a different result".
How long has it been since you had God answer one of your prayers?
"You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it.
You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it,
so you fight and wage war to take it away from them.
Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.
And even when you ask, you don’t get it
because your motives are all wrong—
you want only what will give you pleasure."
James 4:2-3
So lets stay with the prayer question. When was the last time you seriously prayed for something? Or, have you ever prayed for something and actually EXPECTED God to answer?
So is it possible that your Christianity has all the demonstrated power of my electric blanket? The light is on but it produces no heat?
So, HOW can you experience the power of God in your daily life?
#1. Make a daily habit of confessing our sin to Him.
Sin is what drives a wedge in our relationship with God, so confession removes that wedge. When we confess our sins before God, He promises to forgive us (1 John 1:9)
#2. Listen when God speaks.
It is through God's Word that you become “thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). So if you want to grow closer to God, ‘listen’ to God speak through it by his Spirit when you read the Bible.
#3. Speak to Him through prayer.
If reading the Bible is listening to God speak to us, speaking to God is through prayer. (Matthew 6:9-13) A helpful model to guide our prayer is the acronym ACTS, which is: Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving and Supplication.
#4. Find a body of believers where you can regularly worship.
Too often we approach church with a “what can I get out of it?” mentality. We seldom take the time to prepare our hearts and minds for worship.
(Psalm 95:1-2)
#5. A close relationship with God is built on a life of obedience.
Jesus told His disciples, “if you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:23).
James tells us, "draw near to God, He will draw near to you" (James 4:7-8).
