The Habit Patterns of Your Life
One of my favorite preachers at my home church in Vandalia, MO (First Christian) was Jim Cook (whose son Tim would later become a close friend in Moberly, MO). One of the phrases I remember Jim Cook using over and over was to talk about the “habit patterns of your life.” Habits can be good or bad, depending on the habit and what it reinforces, or where it leads us. The habit of cussing, for example, is a bad habit, reinforcing the use of unnecessary and sometimes hurtful words, leading to trash talk that does not reflect good Christian character. The habit of telling your spouse you love them is a good habit, reinforcing your care and commitment.
Jim Cook would say, “Pay attention to the habit patterns of your life, because they give evidence to the direction you are going, evidence as a Christian if you are on the right path or not.”
Justin Early (author and speaker) has said, “We are all living according to a specific regiment of habits, and these habits shape most of our life.” It’s true, don’t you agree? One habit I created for myself during my working years was to start each day with the Bible and prayer. My wife Rexanne would leave for work about an hour before I had to leave (she had to drive from Lebanon, MO to Fort Leanard Wood, about 30 miles). Once I was up, showered, and dressed, I would have a light breakfast while reading a chapter from a book of the Bible, reading through the book over the course of days or weeks. Once finished with the daily reading, I would pick a key verse and write it in a journal along with my thoughts, to reinforce what I’d read. Then I would take time to pray for the day, for family, and for a variety of other things on my mind and heart. This habit helped me start each day with God and his way in focus. The habit of Bible reading and prayer is important for all Christians, the time and method used can vary for each individual.
In the book “Deep Discipleship” by J.T. English, he says, “We are not just minds that need to know doctrine but whole people who need to learn rhythms and habits that help us live into the story of God.” He emphasizes that doctrine is important, we need to know what we believe and why, but it must be complimented with daily rhythms and habits that “live out” what we believe. As we learn the Bible story, he says, we need to see ourselves as part of that story. Being a disciple is more than mental belief in Christ; it is also living for Christ. “Be doers of the Word, and not merely hearers, deceiving yourselves,” says the half-brother of Jesus (James 1:22).
What about the habit of church attendance? How important is that to you? Yes, I know, Christians are the church, not a building, but the writer of the book of Hebrews in the New Testament emphasizes our need to meet together, as the early disciples did (Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:24, 25). “Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some” the Hebrews text says. Not meeting together with other Christians to hear God’s Word taught, to sing praises, to participate in the Lord’s Supper, to have fellowship, to give toward the work of the church, is an example of a bad habit. The Christian is not immune to the schemes of the devil. We need routines that bolster our faith.
Jim Cook said, “Pay attention to the habit patterns of your life, because they give evidence to the direction you are going.” What do the habit patterns of your life say?
Jim Cook would say, “Pay attention to the habit patterns of your life, because they give evidence to the direction you are going, evidence as a Christian if you are on the right path or not.”
Justin Early (author and speaker) has said, “We are all living according to a specific regiment of habits, and these habits shape most of our life.” It’s true, don’t you agree? One habit I created for myself during my working years was to start each day with the Bible and prayer. My wife Rexanne would leave for work about an hour before I had to leave (she had to drive from Lebanon, MO to Fort Leanard Wood, about 30 miles). Once I was up, showered, and dressed, I would have a light breakfast while reading a chapter from a book of the Bible, reading through the book over the course of days or weeks. Once finished with the daily reading, I would pick a key verse and write it in a journal along with my thoughts, to reinforce what I’d read. Then I would take time to pray for the day, for family, and for a variety of other things on my mind and heart. This habit helped me start each day with God and his way in focus. The habit of Bible reading and prayer is important for all Christians, the time and method used can vary for each individual.
In the book “Deep Discipleship” by J.T. English, he says, “We are not just minds that need to know doctrine but whole people who need to learn rhythms and habits that help us live into the story of God.” He emphasizes that doctrine is important, we need to know what we believe and why, but it must be complimented with daily rhythms and habits that “live out” what we believe. As we learn the Bible story, he says, we need to see ourselves as part of that story. Being a disciple is more than mental belief in Christ; it is also living for Christ. “Be doers of the Word, and not merely hearers, deceiving yourselves,” says the half-brother of Jesus (James 1:22).
What about the habit of church attendance? How important is that to you? Yes, I know, Christians are the church, not a building, but the writer of the book of Hebrews in the New Testament emphasizes our need to meet together, as the early disciples did (Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:24, 25). “Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some” the Hebrews text says. Not meeting together with other Christians to hear God’s Word taught, to sing praises, to participate in the Lord’s Supper, to have fellowship, to give toward the work of the church, is an example of a bad habit. The Christian is not immune to the schemes of the devil. We need routines that bolster our faith.
Jim Cook said, “Pay attention to the habit patterns of your life, because they give evidence to the direction you are going.” What do the habit patterns of your life say?
Posted in Waking Up Eutychus