"First we build our habits; then our habits build us." -- Author Unknown
I came across this quote recently and it caused me to stop and ponder. Lately, I've been examining some of my habits and looking around at the world to compare. This is not good and I don't recommend it. God will call each of us to certain disciplines tailored to our own personal walk with Him and they are often tied to our destiny and purpose. I'm not talking about things like prayer or Bible reading. Those disciplines are for ALL Christ followers. I'm talking about the fuzzier issues (e.g. what television shows we watch, what we do with our spare time, whether or not we drink an alcoholic drink with dinner, how and where we shop and for what purpose, those kinds of everyday decisions). First thing I decided is that I should never compare my habits to my peers -- that fringes on judgment, which is sin. Second, I should not feel sorry for myself if God has asked me to abstain from certain things because He has probably called someone else to abstain from something I am free to participate in. And third, I must never waiver in those things that I know God is asking me to do. I found this list of three "principles in breaking sinful habits/acquiring new ones" and I think it applies here. I especially like number two. NEVER let an exception occur. Once you make the decision to not do something -- stick with it. Be consistent. The world is watching.
Principles in breaking sinful habits and acquiring new ones:
1. Habits are developed and reinforced by frequent repetition.
2. Never let an exception occur.
3. Diligence in all areas is required to ensure success in one area.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Vision
"You are good at reading the weather signs in the sky, but you can't read the obvious signs of the times!" -- Matthew 16:3, NLT
If 20/20 is perfect vision, then 20/10 is keener vision. I believe that the church will come into some very keen vision in the year 2010. Good visual acuity is important for a variety of everyday tasks, but probably is most important for reading text and interpreting symbols. Spiritual vision is more important – to be able to see what God is doing and flow with Him; to interpret the signs of the times.
God is always speaking to us, all of us. We are often moving too fast or are too busy to perceive His presence in our lives. Learning how to hear God's voice is a matter of training our own spirit to be still. In Psalm 139:17-18 we find that God's thoughts toward us are innumerable. In fact, they outnumber the grains of sand. Think of the last time you were at the beach. Picture the vastness of the sand! Now, add up all the sand in the earth ... and God's thoughts toward you outnumber that! How many of those thoughts have you caught lately? I keep a large hour glass on my dresser to remind me that God's thoughts toward me outnumber sand. I have no idea how much sand is in that hour glass, but it's probably more grains than I can wrap my mind around. Now if I could only wrap my mind around all the sand in the entire earth. For now, I'll just focus on God's thoughts for me today. God's thoughts provide the key to great vision. Catch those thoughts and you will know what He's up to. Blessings!
If 20/20 is perfect vision, then 20/10 is keener vision. I believe that the church will come into some very keen vision in the year 2010. Good visual acuity is important for a variety of everyday tasks, but probably is most important for reading text and interpreting symbols. Spiritual vision is more important – to be able to see what God is doing and flow with Him; to interpret the signs of the times.
God is always speaking to us, all of us. We are often moving too fast or are too busy to perceive His presence in our lives. Learning how to hear God's voice is a matter of training our own spirit to be still. In Psalm 139:17-18 we find that God's thoughts toward us are innumerable. In fact, they outnumber the grains of sand. Think of the last time you were at the beach. Picture the vastness of the sand! Now, add up all the sand in the earth ... and God's thoughts toward you outnumber that! How many of those thoughts have you caught lately? I keep a large hour glass on my dresser to remind me that God's thoughts toward me outnumber sand. I have no idea how much sand is in that hour glass, but it's probably more grains than I can wrap my mind around. Now if I could only wrap my mind around all the sand in the entire earth. For now, I'll just focus on God's thoughts for me today. God's thoughts provide the key to great vision. Catch those thoughts and you will know what He's up to. Blessings!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Prison
"The shouting grew louder and louder, and the men were tugging at Paul from both sides, pulling him this way and that. Finally, the commander, fearing they would tear him apart, ordered his soldiers to take him away from them and bring him back to the fortress." -- Acts 23:10, NLT
"Joseph's master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in the prison, the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden." -- Genesis 39:20-21, NIV
Here we find two scriptures where innocent men are put in prison and God is with them. I believe that God sometimes puts us in prison to protect us from our enemies and accomplish His purpose in our life. The prison can be an uncomfortable situation, illness, or circumstance. We may even lose our job because God needs to move us out; or we may have a friend just turn and walk away. As Christ followers, we need to know and trust that God is always up to something that will benefit us; He will bring us hope and a future. Next time you find yourself in prison, ask God: "Who or what are you protecting me from?" And even if He doesn't answer, you can know that His timing is perfect.
Today's prayer: "God, I've been in the "prison of illness & circumstances" and I've seen others thrown in there. But you O Lord are faithful and the One in whom I put my trust."
"Joseph's master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in the prison, the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden." -- Genesis 39:20-21, NIV
Here we find two scriptures where innocent men are put in prison and God is with them. I believe that God sometimes puts us in prison to protect us from our enemies and accomplish His purpose in our life. The prison can be an uncomfortable situation, illness, or circumstance. We may even lose our job because God needs to move us out; or we may have a friend just turn and walk away. As Christ followers, we need to know and trust that God is always up to something that will benefit us; He will bring us hope and a future. Next time you find yourself in prison, ask God: "Who or what are you protecting me from?" And even if He doesn't answer, you can know that His timing is perfect.
Today's prayer: "God, I've been in the "prison of illness & circumstances" and I've seen others thrown in there. But you O Lord are faithful and the One in whom I put my trust."
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