Habits for Life
September 14, 2018
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8
People who love life and have a future focus that wins embed a couple of pre-choices for attitude into their lives that become habits. In the message Sunday, Lead Pastor Dwight Mason urged us to develop habits in four areas. Let’s review them. They are life-changing!
Get the God habit.
Seek Him early and often, in good times and bad times. Make the pursuit of knowing Him the biggest focus of your life.
Get the people habit.
The people around you determine the course and direction of your life. Absolutely and for certain. Virtually every life wisdom expert will tell you, “Show me the five people you spend the most time with, and I will tell you where you will be in five years.” That is actually a biblical principle. Biblical wisdom repeatedly asserts that our companions affect us dramatically and permanently. This is why the Hebrew writer reminds us in Hebrews 10:25, “Let us (Christian believers) not neglect meeting together, as some have the habit of doing. Rather, let us encourage each other.”
Get the forgiveness habit.
When Jesus taught His followers to pray, He hit the importance of forgiving hard. He didn’t say, “IF we get hurt, IF someone does us wrong,” we are to forgive. He said we would be hurt, and He taught us to proactively forgive in advance each day those who would hurt us. It’s the most freeing way to live, and keeps us from looking back.
Get the gratitude habit.
Dad used to say, “It’s a great day to be alive!” He said it every day, not just on the good days. It’s because he cultivated the gratitude habit and saw each moment as a gift. It’s how he finished strong.
- This would be a good day to make yourself a few little signs and hang them around wherever you spend most of your time. “QUITTING IS NOT AN OPTION.”
- Pray: Lord, help me finish strong. May all of today’s decisions support that outcome.