Check out the devotionals below from our Elders…
COMMUNITY BIBLE CHAPEL | DEVOTIONAL
May 4, 2020
HABITS
We are creatures of habit.
The habits (routines) of our daily lives have a rhythm to them – a cadence to our day driven by our desires (both good and bad).
A research psychologist recently shared that “about 43 percent of everyday actions are done repeatedly almost every day in the same context.”
Now, throw in a worldwide pandemic, and our typical habits/routines are thrown out the window (or at least many are disrupted).
It’s been nearly 50 days since life as we know it went on PAUSE.
So I want to use this opportunity to encourage you to evaluate and focus on your habits.
A few questions to consider…
- What good habits have you maintained during this time?
- Are you reading more (your bible and “good” books)? If so, how can you maintain this momentum beyond the pandemic?
- What other habits have you added?
- Perhaps a regular family game time? Meals together? Family devotions?
- On the flip-side…what bad habits have you fallen into?
- Too much TV? Smartphone time looking at the news or social media?
As we continue to move forward in a world in which a regular routine may be uncertain at times, I would encourage you to.…
- Look to Jesus for hope and remember
- Evaluate and monitor your habits to remain focused on Him
- Note that our spiritual habits should not be driven by duty, but instead “the Joy of the Lord”
SPIRITUAL HABIT OF REMEMBERING
And we need to remember our hope is found in Him…
7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
PSALM 20:7
Instead of “chariots” and “horses” what are some things that you may be trusting in instead of God? There is strength in the habits that help us remember God. As we daily remember God – through our time in prayer and in the Word – we not only trust in Him more, but we thirst to know Him more too. So, then we remember “the days of old” like David in Psalm 143 (see verses 5-6), and recall all the great things God has done for His people.
And we can be encouraged that God will remember us. As Psalm 9:9-10 says…
9 The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. 10 And those who
know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.
Always remember… We have been redeemed, our sins have been forgiven, and there is hope in the blood of Jesus..
11 So, then, remember that at one time you were Gentiles in the flesh — called “the uncircumcised” by those called “the circumcised,” which is done in the flesh by human hands. 12 At that time you were without Christ, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:11-13
SPIRITUAL HABIT OF PERSEVERANCE
Jude 20-21 tells us…
20 “But you, dear friends, as you build yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting expectantly for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life.”
Quoting David Mathias from Desiring God Ministries, “God commands us, in reliance upon him, to participate in the process of our perseverance in the faith.”
How do we do that?
By “keep[ing] ourselves in the love of God.”
How? By building ourselves up on the foundation of our faith, which is Jesus Christ, the cornerstone (read Ephesians 2:20-22).
We are “living stones” (see 1 Peter 2:5) being “built up” and joined together as members of the body of Christ.
So our habits, though often focused on the personal, also have a very public discipline as well. Since our worship/fellowship together and taking communion require the presence of others, that is why it is important to remember and long for worshipping together again on Sundays.
Our identity and purpose is summed up in two simple commandments: Love God and Love Others.
The habits and desires of our heart should focus and channel towards both. I know just as well as any, that is not always easy.
But I remember, through grace I am (slowly) renewing my mind one tiny habit at a time.
Jason F. Schiellack