Much More Than We Can Imagine – Habits of the Heart

Hebrews 5:11 (Msg) 

    I have a lot more to say about this, but it is hard to get it across to you since you've picked up this bad habit of not listening.

Hebrews 10:25 (NIV) 

    Let us 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.

1.  Every habit we practice for our lives today will affect tomorrow and the future.

Luke 6:46-49 (NIV) 

    "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? [47] I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. [48] He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. [49] But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."

Hebrews 12:16-17 (NLT) 

    Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau. He traded his birthright as the oldest son for a single meal. [17] And afterward, when he wanted his father's blessing, he was rejected. It was too late for repentance, even though he wept bitter tears.

2.  The opportunities that change our lives forever often come in moments that our habits have either prepared or not prepared for.

 1 Samuel 13:13-14 (NLT) 

    "How foolish!" Samuel exclaimed. "You [Saul] have disobeyed the command of the Lord your God. Had you obeyed, the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. [14] But now your dynasty must end, for the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart. The Lord has already chosen him to be king over his people, for you have not obeyed the Lord's command."

Daniel 6:10 (NLT) 

    But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.

3.  Habits protect our obedience from sliding slowly into disobedience.

Matthew 23:3 (NLT) 

    So practice and obey whatever they say to you, but don't follow their example. For they don't practice what they teach.

If we have no habits to make our decisions for us, especially when we don’t feel like making healthy decisions, who will take over and make it for us? 

Our emotions and circumstances!

Matthew 7:12 (Msg) 

    "Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God's Law and Prophets and this is what you get.

1 Cor. 3:11 (NLT) 

    For no one can lay any other foundation than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.

Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV)

    "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. [25] The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. [26] But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. [27] The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

4. The more we practice certain good habits, they become part of our character and who we are, even if they are not part of us yet.

Psalm 119:34 (NLT) 

        Give me understanding and I will obey your law; I will put it into practice with all my heart.

1 Cor. 1:26-29 (NLT) 

    Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world's eyes, or powerful, or wealthy when God called you. [27] Instead, God deliberately chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose those who are powerless to shame those who are powerful. [28] God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important, [29] so that no one can ever boast in the presence of God.

The more we practice:

Reading, the resulting habit and character is good thinking.

Negative/faithless thinking, the resulting habit and character – pessimistic

Consistent devotions, the resulting habit and character is spiritual muscle

Opening our hearts, the resulting habit and character is good social skills

Gratefulness, the resulting habit and character is a joyful spirit

Our commitments, the resulting habit and character is accomplishments

Praying, the resulting habit and character is seeing supernatural results

Learning to depend on the Holy Spirit results in the character of power

Returning good for evil, the resulting habit and character is a gracious spirit

Keeping our words, the resulting habit and character is integrity

Going the extra mile for others, the resulting habit and character is influence

Choosing to be joyful always, the resulting habit and character is strength

Humility in learning, the resulting habit and character is wisdom

Serving others, the resulting habit and character is a maturing heart and spirit

Simplicity, the resulting habit and character is contentment

Choosing to see God’s best in others builds the ability – inspiring others

Praise and Worship, the resulting habit and character is faith and intimacy

Planning, the resulting habit and character is stability

Psalm 119:56 (NIV) 

    This has been my practice: I obey your precepts.