In The Habit Of...

Each of us has many habits. Things we do quite regularly and with timely precision. Things we often do without realizing that it is indeed our habit. Habits guide us from the moment we get up out of bed and plant our two feet on the floor. Habits such as when we get dressed, brush our teeth, make our coffee and eat our breakfast. Our habits continue out the door. Which way we drive to work, which coffee house we stop at along the way, where we park, if we bring a lunch or go to the same diner every day and so on. Habits become ingrained in us so that they become our default behavior.

Did you know that we have spiritual habits too. They are not developed by doing something once or twice, but on a regular basis. To develop a godly habit, it sometimes takes discipline. For instance, we know that reading God's Word is beneficial to us in our walk with God. But is it our habit to read it? It takes discipline to set a time each day to read and pray. When we do it regularly it changes from a discipline to a godly habit. God's Word sets the tone and invites God to be our companion as we drive, work or play throughout our day.

What is your habit regarding church? Some are in the habit of being at church weekly, looking forward to worship, instruction, fellowship and encouragement. Others have the habit of coming occasionally, monthly, at Easter and Christmas or whenever. The Bible tells us to not "give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching" (Hebrews 10.25).

The church is God's plan, not man's. The church is part of God's purpose for you. When we are not in the habit of going to church, I believe that we miss out on the blessing that God has for us. You see, the church is where believers gather to minister to God. We minister to God through our worship. The church is also the place that we gather to minister to each other. We encourage one another, pray for one another, teach one another in love. When we have needs, we can bring them to the body of Christ and find mutual support and encouragement. It is through our time in God's Word that we find strength for today and hope for tomorrow, for we are learning to live our lives according to God's way as revealed in the Bible. We leave strengthened for another week, encouraged as we go out from our gathering and into a world that desperately needs Christ. As we exit, we enter the mission field. A world of opportunities to minister to those that need Jesus and yet are not aware of their need.

The habit of going to church begins with a discipline. Over time, a discipline turns into a habit. Being in church is a habit that puts us in the center of His will, making ourselves available to God for whatever He may have in store for us. What are you in the habit of doing?

Blessings,
Pastor Pete