Life is hard. Some days it is easy and some days it can wear you out. From time to time, we can see the world around us and become discouraged by the turmoil and the problems. As Christians, we know that sin has cursed this world and is the root cause of the issues.
How can you stay motivated each week?
Remember why you began your spiritual journey. Think back to the moment you realized you were gogin to become a Christian, do you remember why you made that choice? Most of us made that choice because we knew Christ was our only hope (1 Peter 1.3-6; Ephesians 2.8-10)
Keep your goals in front of you. As humans, we can let the material cloud our vision, but we should not let the material get in our way of the spiritual. Remember to press onto the prize before us (Philippians 3.13-16)
Surround yourself with Christians. I know this may seem repetitive to here if month after month but remember to surround yourself with people of the same mindset (Philippians 2.5) and the same goals (Hebrews 3.13).
A habit is defined as “a settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up.” (1) Each of us have habits which developed over time; many from childhood. Studies have shown it takes 66 days to form a habit (2) and 21 days to break a habit (3). I am sure those numbers depend on the habit and the length it has been a habit, but forming a habit takes time.
To some, habits are bad and to others, habits are good. Personally, I believe it depends on the habit. Growing up I heard preachers talk about having a habit of Bible reading. This, of course, being a good habit would take time to develop but the benefits would be worth the cost.
How can you create a habit of church? Whether it is attending services, reading your Bible, or simply being an encouragement to others, how can you create a habit of church?
Start with your calendar – Creating a habit of church will start with your use of time. As Christians, we are to make the best use of our time (Ephesians 5.15-16). Make an appointment on your calendar to attend services, read your Bible, etc. Be sure to write it down on your calendar. Don’t assume it will happen; make it happen. We write down other appointments, why not make an appointment with “church things”?
Plan your Bible reading – Do not just plan to read your Bible but plan your reading. You can download a Bible reading schedule online or ask us to help you find the best reading plan for your needs. Start planning and reading today.
If acted upon, these two suggestions, done over the next several weeks will allow you to begin creating a habit of church. Remember, it will still come down to your continued actions, but I know that you can do it.
Mount Everest is the highest peak in the word at 29,029 feet. Over the years, thousands of people have reached the peak and approximately 290 have died during the journey.
In 1997, Jon Krakauer wrote of the 1996 Mount Everest expedition in which eight climbers lost their lives in a blizzard during the decent from the summit. His book, “Into Thin Air”, became a best seller. One of the survivors was Charlotte Fox. Charlotte had climbed all 53 of the 14,0000 ft peaks in Colorado and two 8,000-meter peaks. After her Everest ascent, she would become the first American woman to reach the summit of three 8,000-meter peaks.
On May 24, 2018, Charlotte Fox fell down the stairs of her home in Telluride, Colorado and died at the age of 61. The shocking news made a friend say, “it’s just so wrong.” How can you survive one of the most dangerous climbs on earth and then die on the stairs in your house?
Many times, we just never know. Death is certain for each of us, but we may never know when it comes. Death does not care about our accomplishments or achievements.
Since we just never know, are we prepared?
“And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes the judgement…” (Hebrews 9.27)
When Apple introduced the iPhone in 2006, Nokia had 50% of the world consumer cell phone market and BlackBerry had 49% of the world business cell phone market. Both companies essentially looked at Apple and said, “The iPhone is just a toy. It’s a passing fad.”
BlackBerry was so confident in its market dominance that it cut its research and development budget by 50% because, “they were so popular that they did not need to innovate anymore.” Within five years, that complacency caused both companies to fall from world dominance to corporate insignificance. *
Regardless of the enterprise – family, church, business, character, or health – complacency can quickly lead to undesirable results.
The Hebrews writer, addressing his readers said, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God.” (Hebrews 5.12) The writer goes on to say they are “unskilled” and not mature. The audience had become complacent in their spiritual condition.
Are you complacent with your spiritual life? Have you grown to a point where you feel you do not need to grow?
Remember the words of Peter in 2 Peter 3.18, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Are you growing? Grow it not just an option for Christians; from the words of the Bible, it is an expectation.
Just a few thoughts,
*Source: Master Your Time Master Your Life, Brain Tracy, 2016, p.124
At the end of June and into July, a rescue operation was underway to rescue a Thailand boys soccer team trapped in a water-filled cave. The world watched with intensity as rescue teams, local armed forces, engineers, and others tried to devise a plan to rescue the trapped boys and their coach.
Fortunately, all the boys and their coach were finally rescued due to the efforts of many people from around the world.
One of the main reasons the rescue was able to take place was the placement of oxygen tanks along the extended route to the cave opening. A Thai Navy Seal, Saman Kunan, was one of the rescuers placing those oxygen tanks along the 3.2 KM (1.9) mile route. After setting the canisters and beginning to return, Sgt. Maj. Saman Kunan, oxygen tanks deleted rendering him unconscious and later died.
When the full rescue operation began, and the boys, their coaches, and the rescue team was making their way out of the cave, they had plenty of oxygen because someone went before them and prepared the way to their rescue. In the same way, God has gone before and provided you a way to freedom by preparing a way for you to be rescued.
God sent His Son to be the sacrifice for your sins and the sins of the world (1 John 2.2). God knew what you needed while you were still in your sins (Romans 5.6-8).
God gave the best, so we can live the best life possible. Have you chosen the path of freedom found in Christ?
As the end of May approaches, so does the end of school. Before the days of summer begin, a few of our young people will graduate and take another step in life. For those graduating college or high school, the next step may be to further education or to a new occupation. Each person will find a different secular path, but it is important to stay on the correct spiritual path.
The wise man Solomon has provided some sayings which might aid each one, not just the graduates, in our steps of life.
Remember your parents instructions because they have experience and they care about you – “Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.” (Proverbs 1:8-9)
Remember to always trust in the Lord – “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)
Get wisdom and insight; keep learning – “Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.” (Proverbs 4:5)
When you plan, remember the Lord – “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.” (Proverbs 19:21)
To our graduates, we are proud of you and look forward to seeing where the Lord takes you. Remember to keep your eye on the prize of Heaven and press on every day towards the goal. (Philippians 3.12-14)
