Posts

A mindset of selflessness

One of the biggest problems with the “Self-full” life as I like to call it is that this mindset will separate you from God. I know Romans 8:38-39 tells us that nothing can separate us from the love of God”. I am eternally grateful for that. I live in that and rejoice. But we can certainly put distance between ourselves and God’s Spirit. This life we have with Jesus is a relationship, right? Selflessness moves us closer to the other. I actively set aside my way and my agenda to see the other, to listen, to give them my attention and love. Selfishness is the act of pulling away, moving the attention to myself, not the other. In order for God to do his work and have his way in my life, I need to let go. Jesus set a wonderful example for us. When asked about his purpose and mission, Jesus simply stated “…to do the will of the Father.” Of all the universe size things Jesus could have said, he basically just said …selflessness. I cannot hear God or follow his Spirit when I’m listening to sel...
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Substack daily posts

I'm planning to start posting daily on Substack. Good stuff coming your way! https://substack.com/@stephendodson3?utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page
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Control your mind - Surrender

The ability to control your mind begins with surrender. Jesus said, " Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." Mt. 10:39 (ESV). The "for my sake" part means selflessness. It means purpose, right-ness (righteousness), goodness, and  new life.  The person who surrenders control of their mind to God's way will find control. Those who seek control within their self will lose control. This statement works because God's way works. Jesus is not so much making a promise granted only to those who follow him, worship him, or agree with his teaching. He is speaking truth. His is explaining how life works in his kingdom.
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Control your mind - It takes time

A friend told me recently that they were able to overcome their fear and anxiety in the midst of a worrisome situation. I rejoice with them but also would warn them that more tests will come.  The meaning of the word overcome implies an ongoing repetition of a positive outcome. It doesn't matter how small or how seemingly insignificant the victory may be. It only matters that we continue to grow in our ability to keep our head up and find a way through. It takes time to develop the spiritual and mental awareness needed to change our response to whatever difficult situations come our way. It will require you to depend more and more on your relationship with the Holy Spirit. Be open and honest with him. Allow him to lead you, teach you, help you, and walk with you through every situation. He is our refuge in the midst of every storm. When the storm comes, our first response is to escape. Sometimes, the best response is not to find a way out, but to find a way through. We get through ...
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Control your mind - Start with prayer

The fight begins with prayer. No matter where your mind is or what challenges you are facing, start with prayer. Ask God for help. Invite him into your day. Surrender the thoughts of your day ahead of time. Begin your day from a place of openness and belonging. Don't start your day defeated and downcast. No matter where you are or what struggles are raging through your mind, make the choice to pray. Remind yourself that above everything else, no matter what, God's love is unending, unfailing, and ever present in your life. 2 Cor. 10:1-5 (CSB) " Now I, Paul, myself, appeal to you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ — I who am humble among you in person but bold toward you when absent.  I beg you that when I am present, I will not need to be bold with the confidence by which I plan to challenge certain people who think we are living according to the flesh.   For although we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh,  Since the weapons of our warfare...
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The nature of selflessness

Pure selflessness is difficult for human beings. Its alien to us, yet still there in the core of our created being. Selfless action and attitude rise above the natural confines of humanity. It means reaching for something wholly other and finding it. It's the act of receiving from God and letting that gift flow through us like water or a breath of wind.  Selfless contends with our own thoughts, plans, agendas, personal hopes and dreams. It extends far beyond our own comprehension. We can't hold on to it or replicate it. We can only be a vessel or a conduit for its presence and just get out of the way. When we do, it will bring life wherever it goes. Selflessness is Christ, it is the Way, it is Truth, and it is Love!
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At some point

At some point in every society a decision is made to seek truth within oneself. At that point everything is relative and all things begin to die. The only hope is the light in those who seek truth that comes from above. Those who allow that new life to be born in them have something true and authentic to give to those who are dying. So don't critize or stand in judgement. That is a selfish response. That is looking within and not above. Be open, be kind, be a servant, be transparent and let the life of Jesus Christ shine through you.
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Get it done - Willingness

Getting anything done will require some willingness to move forward. To be honest, that can be difficult.  We are always willing to change when looking at a better situation for ourselves. The idea of being healthier, fitter, and richer are things we all wish for. We're willing to do what it takes to get there until we're not. Until we have to put the work in and move from expectation to action.  Building healthy relationships takes time and self-sacrifice. Building a successful business takes a lot of work and a willingness to live each day in reality rather than expectations. There is a barrier between willing and doing. Thats where most of us get stuck. We must push through that barrier, or we'll never get anything done. 
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Wisdom for life

The answer to how best to interact with anyone is to openly share what God has given you. Share love, kindness forgiveness, mercy and grace. Everyone needs these things!
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Hungry to learn

Sharing this post I saw this morning. So true! "Be so hungry to learn that you stop pretending to know everything. Embrace curiosity, ask better questions, and find mentors who challenge your thinking. When your ego shifts from needing to be right to needing to grow, every interaction becomes education. You’ll be too learning-focused to let pride block your progress." Stoic Productivity  
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Get it done - Weariness

Another obstacle to getting thigs done is weariness. You finally overcome self and decide to make a change, to do that thing you know you should do, then you do it again and again and again and...Doing the right thing can get tiresome.  Unfortunately, that's not always something we can freely discuss, especially in a church environment. Historically, most churches run on the 10% of the church community that does 90% of the work, so if you need a break, that's not so convenient. I could write a book on that topic, but I'll save you the lecture. Getting it done means living in the truth and life God has prepared for every human. It's like a river that flows and bring life wherever it goes. There is nothing boarding and static about that. Change is expected. Knowing when to move and when to stay is essential. In Galatians 6:9, the Apostle Paul's tells us to keep sowing truth and do not grow weary in doing good. The good is always walking in the Spirit and a yielding to...
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Get it done - Don't deflect

Another hindrance to getting things done is our habit of deflecting. If there is something in front of that we know we need to do or should do, we deflect and find something else to do instead. We rationalize in our mind that this other thing is something that needs done as well. The problem is that we keep shifting away from that thing we really don't want to do. Deflecting gives us that feel good feeling like we accomplished something and we're on the right track. Thats fine, but not if we keep deflecting. Be the kind of person that gets things done. It may take a little longer for some things. It may take a while to get up the courage or find a way, or just work through all the hindrances, but just getting it done is what's important.
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Get it done - Failure is an option

Don't let the possibility of failure stop you from getting things done. What's important is that you get out there and try. What's important is that you say no to self and no to the excuses. Push past the barriers and try. Smart goals are important. Set specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time specific goals. If you do that and you fail to reach your goals along the way, don't give up. Get up the next morning and try again. You can do far more than you think. You are far more capable than you think. Be the kind of person that keeps moving forward a little bit more, then a little bit more, and keep going. Keep getting it done!
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Get it done - False sense of self

Another hindrance to getting things done is our own false sense of self. Many people lack the mental awareness to honestly evaluate their life and make changes when needed. Their own self-identity is very accustomed to being in change and does not like change. Self will always tell you everything is fine. Self will bring up one excuse after another why that change is not necessary. Self will build up and foster a false sense of identity in your mind to block your view of reality. It wants you to believe you are already healthy, well-adjusted in your relationships, financially responsible, and spiritually open and growing. If we do not practice control over self, it can be very difficult and near impossible for many people to break that pattern. Step one is to recognize that self is the root of the problem. Step two is to make a decision to go to war. You need to start winning some battles, no matter how small or insignificant. What matters is that you, the real inner you, is the one wh...
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Get it done - The fight with self

Why is it so hard to get things done? Because self will fight you every step of the way. Because we would rather talk about change or think about it and plan it rather than actually doing it. Procrastination, deflection, and living with the expectation of change is always easier. Those things give us the illusion of change without the hard work and without the results. Sometimes we just don't know how to proceed, we can't see the next step, or we need some help. This can frustrate and paralyze us to the point of just giving up. If that's the case, then the next step is to break that thing down into smaller steps. The next step is to find out how to get some help getting that thing done. Maybe the next step is to ask some questions or write down the problem or have a discussion with someone. Move forward by doing whatever it is you can do no matter how small or seemingly insignificant. Any movement counts as long as you keep moving and keep doing your best.
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Get it done - The way forward

I'm not the only one with things in my life I want to do, should do, or know I need to do, but don't do, are afraid to do, or have not yet done. The only way forward is just get out there and do it, start, take a step, write it down, make a plan, have a conversation, anything to get moving.  It doesn't matter how small the step is or how many steps it takes. It doesn't matter how others do it or how it's expected to be done, or even how you think it should be done. Just start.
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Healing - Hold fast

Healing is such a difficult topic. I've struggled for many years to find a workable theological understanding on this topic. Many of us believe in healing because it's in the Bible. It's good to put our faith in the Scriptures, but that faith has to reach deeper into our life experience than just because the bible says so. It can be more comfortable for us to redefine healing to fit our experiences. We use prayer for healing as a perfunctory task asking with faith in our words, but not in our heart and spirit. We ask if healing is for today, does God still do miracles, or is healing a gift for some and not for others? I've seen God heal and answer prayers for healing. I believe he can heal, but who and how and when he heals and when he does not is still difficult to navigate.  I've prayed for healing many times myself for different ailments. Often God has brought me through, the issue goes away in time, or the doctor helps correct those issues. I've come to reco...
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Palm Sunday

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Palm Sunday is a wonderful event to remember and celebrate. I wish we had a better understanding of what these events mean. I wish we could feel and experience them in person. One day in eternity, I hope I can go back and live these moments in time. To see the triumphant entry, to see the empty tomb, to hear Mary proclaim that he is risen, what wonderful moments in the history of humanity. Even to kneel at the foot of the cross and worship proclaiming "Blessed is the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!" True worship and adoration are due only to the one who is worthy and blameless and completely selfless. Jesus could not take one thing for himself, not one thought or action that was not fully selfless as he poured out his life for us all. He gave himself fully for the restoration of creation and humanity. It is only this full selflessness that is worthy of praise and worship. Jesus is the only one worthy to ride into that city on that donkey and be praised and a...
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Jesus calling Mathew

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I've always loved this scene in the movie, The Son of God. The kind of love Jesus demonstrates toward Matthew, the tax collector is overwhelming and moving. This is the love of God that is poured out to all of us. Love must come first, not piety and judgment. In this scene, Matthew feels the distain and judgement of the crowd and in particular the scorn of those who profess to know God. In this one encounter with Jesus, his shame turns to brokenness and a plea for forgiveness. At that moment, it doesn't matter what he has done or who he is or what others think of him. All that matters is the call to come, believe, and follow Jesus. There is forgiveness there for all the past sins. There is healing and acceptance waiting for him when he steps out toward Jesus. Love must always be first!
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John 10:10

John 10:10 (ESV) "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." This is one of my favorite verses. So profound and foundational for our spiritual wellbeing. Don't let the enemy steal from you. He tries many times every day to take from us and hinder the good things in our lives. Be aware of this. Fight this!  You need to know the voice of God's Spirit. Learn to recognize the feeling you get when something is not right. Recognize when your thoughts, decisions, moods, and responses to things start to shift away from the place where you are walking in step with the Spirit. Fight relentlessly to protect that circle of peace around your life. Stay in the place of refuge and never surrender the good things in your life.
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