Saturday, August 27, 2011

Habits

A big part of summer fun is the feeling of freedom, a release from the structure of the school year. And yet a big part of relief when school reopens in the fall is the return of that very structure.

It is the habits that revolve around the structure in our lives which form our lifestyle. It is easy to acquire bad habits when our self-discipline slacks up.

Scripture exhorts us to practice all kinds of good habits. For example, Jesus modeled a very important habit for us. He often drew apart to spend time in prayer. Psalm 1 tells us to be in the habit of delighting in the law of the Lord and meditating on it day and night.

Heb. 10:25a urges us, "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another. The book of Proverbs reminds us over and over to get in the habit of seeking godly wisdom. Many verses tell us to be in the habit of obeying what God tells us to do in the Bible. We should continually be in the habit of passing along the spiritual truths which we have been taught. In II Timothy 2:2 Paul exhorted his young friend in the Lord, "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others."

It is crucial to our well-being to banish bad habits, change some of our so-so habits, and build good habits, because, as our habits go, so go our lives.

Father, may the words of our mouths, the thoughts of our hearts, and the habits of our lives be pleasing in your sight. Amen.

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