HABITS

Philippines Trip Update: Just over a week to go before departure. Praise God with me that He has prepared the way and will bless these Pastors and ministry leaders. Please hold the following prayers before the Lord over the next three weeks.
-finances for the trip 
-preparation of lesson plans and reading 
-good health, strength and daily stamina in the heat

-flight connections, travel safety, stamina for long flight

-physical safety in Philippines and safe in country travel

-perseverance, clear thinking, and wisdom in classes

-Pastors to be receptive, encouraged, built up in faith

-that I can be a rich blessing to these Pastors

-that I can grow spiritually, in humility and love

-unity and fellowship for our team

Habits are helpful. Habits can also be harmful.
For example, a daily habit of prayer can lead to growth in Christian character and a fuller fellowship with God. But prayer as a habit may rise no higher than the ceiling.
A habit can help you walk in the Christian way when you do not feel like it or don't know what to do next. A habit can also keep you from receiving new direction from God and stepping out of your comfort zone.
A habit can keep you from falling to sudden temptation, but a habit can also blind you to the power of the Spirit needed for sudden temptation.

We should form habits that reflect the character of God and lead to Christian maturity. We should put off those habits that turn us away from God. "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." Hebrews 10.24-25

 What we most need to do is to form habits and learn to walk in the Spirit in those habits. Then habits can lead us in the right path and cause us to seek the Spirit, and the Spirit can infuse the life of Christ to us in our habits. We need both discipline and spiritual life working together as we walk toward our heavenly home.