Winning Habits

Series: Winning Habits

Our habits shape who we become.

In the unity of the common faith and common knowledge of the Son of God, we arrive at real maturity—that measure of development which is meant by the “fullness of Christ.” EPHESIANS 4:13 (PHILLIPS)

Practicing healthy spiritual habits leads to spiritual maturity.

Spiritual maturity is BEING LIKE JESUS .

For from the very beginning God decided that those who came to him . . . should become like his Son. ROMANS 8:29 (TLB)

Facts about Spiritual Maturity (Life Goals)

1. It’s not automatic.

The Bible says in Hebrews 5:12–13:

You have been Christians a long time now, and you ought to be teaching others, but instead . . . you need someone to teach you . . . When a person is still living on milk it shows he isn’t very far along in the Christian life . . . He is still a baby Christian! HEBREWS 5:12–13 (TLB)

2. It’s a process.

In Proverbs 8:5 in the Good News Translation, it says,

Learn to be mature. PROVERBS 8:5 (GNT)

Continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 PETER 3:18 (GNT)

3. It takes time & requires consistency.

Take time and trouble to keep yourself spiritually fit. 1 TIMOTHY 4:7 (PHILLIPS)

4. It takes discipline.

Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness. 1 TIMOTHY 4:7 (NASB)

1. Committed believers are called DISCIPLES .

2. I cannot be a disciple without being DISCIPLINED .

3. The more disciplined I become, the more God can USE ME .

4. The mark of a disciple is CROSS-BEARING .

“Whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” LUKE 14:27 (NIV)

5. How often am I to do this? DAILY .

That’s regularly.

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” LUKE 9:23 (NIV)

6. What is involved in “cross-bearing?” WHATEVER IT TAKES to give Christ first place in my life!

Four Habits of a Disciple

Do not lie to one another, for you have put off the old self with its habits and have put on the new self. This is the new being which God, its Creator, is constantly renewing in his own image, in order to bring you to a full knowledge of himself.

COLOSSIANS 3:9–10 (GNT)

1. Daily Time In God’s Word

“If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” JOHN 8:31–32 (RSV)

2. Prayer: Talking with God

“If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, then you will ask for anything you wish, and you shall have it . . . In this way you become my disciples.” JOHN 15:7-8 (GNT)

3. Tithing: Giving Back to God

“None of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.” LUKE 14:33 (NRSV)

The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your lives. DEUTERONOMY 14:23 (TLB)

4. Fellowship: Enjoying God’s Family

“Love each other just as much as I love you. Your strong love for each other will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”JOHN 13:34–35 (TLB)

Definitions of Habit

“A continual, often unconscious inclination to do a certain activity, acquired through frequent repetition.”

“An established disposition of the character.”

Your habits determine your destiny. So, these are definitions of a habit.

• “A customary practice.” Webster’s II Dictionary.

GOD’S ASK/EXPECTATION OF US:

To COMMIT to the habits necessary for spiritual maturity.

In the past you voluntarily gave your bodies to the service of vice and . . . the purpose of becoming wicked. So, now, give yourselves to the service of righteousness—for the purpose of becoming really good. ROMANS 6:19 (PHILLIPS)

HABIT ONE

Daily Time in God’s Word

The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. It is God’s way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone. 2 TIMOTHY 3:16–17 (TLB)

SIX WAYS TO GET A GRASP OF THE BIBLE

1. Hear God’s Word

So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. ROMANS 10:17 (WEB)

WAYS TO HEAR GOD’S WORD

• Read your physical bible.
• Listen to the Bible on audio.
• Church services and studies
• Sermon video and audio
• Podcast

PROBLEM: We forget 95 % of what we hear after 72 hours!

How to Improve Your Hearing

1. Be ready and eager to hear God.

“He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” LUKE 8:8 (NIV84)

1. Deal with attitudes that prevent hearing God.

“Therefore consider carefully how you listen.” LUKE 8:18 (NIV)

Unhelpful Attitudes:

• A Closed Mind
• A Superficial Mind
• A Preoccupied Mind

1. Confess any sin in your life.

So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. JAMES 1:21 (NLT)

1. Take notes on what you hear.

We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. HEBREWS 2:1 (NIV84)

1. Act on what you hear!

But if you look closely into the perfect law that sets people free, and keep on paying attention to it and do not simply listen and then forget it, but put it into practice—you will be blessed by God in what you do. JAMES 1:25 (GNT)

1. Read God’s Word

Happy is the one who reads this book . . . and obey[s] what is written in this book! REVELATION 1:3 (GNT)

How often should I read God’s Word? DAILY

He should keep it with him all the time and read from it every day of his life. Then he will learn to respect the Lord his God, and he will obey all the teachings and commands. DEUTERONOMY 17:19 (NCV)

SUGGESTIONS FOR READING GOD’S WORD

• Read it systematically.
• Read it in a Bible without notes.
• Read it in different translations: The Message, Good News Translation, New Living Translation.

If I read approximately 15 minutes a day, I can read through the entire Bible in one year.

1. Study God’s Word

They accepted the message most eagerly and studied the scriptures every day. ACTS 17:11 (PHILLIPS)

Work hard so God can say to you, “Well done.” Be a good workman, one who does not need to be ashamed when God examines your work. Know what his Word says and means. 2 TIMOTHY 2:15 (TLB)

The difference between reading and studying the Bible is that you TAKE NOTES when you study.

The secret of effective Bible study is knowing how to ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS .

1. Memorize God’s Word

Guard my words as your most precious possession. Write them down, and also keep them deep within your heart. PROVERBS 7:2–3 (TLB)

Benefits of Memorizing Scripture

• It helps me resist temptation.

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. PSALM 119:11 (NIV)

• It helps me make wise decisions.

Your word is a lamp to guide me and a light for my path. PSALM 119:105 (GNT)

• It strengthens me when I’m under stress.

Your promises to me . . . are my only hope. They give me strength in all my troubles; how they refresh and revive me! PSALM 119:49–50 (TLB)

• It comforts me when I’m sad.

You spoke to me, and I listened to every word. I belong to you, Lord God Almighty, and so your words filled my heart with joy and happiness. JEREMIAH 15:16 (GNT)

• It helps me witness to unbelievers.

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

1 PETER 3:15 (NIV)

1. Meditate on God’s Word

[Those who are] always meditating on his laws . . . are like trees along a river bank bearing luscious fruit . . . [They] shall never wither, and all they do shall prosper. PSALM 1:2–3 (TLB)

Meditation is FOCUSED THINKING about a Bible verse that speaks to you, in order to apply its truth in your own life.

Why Meditate on Scripture?

• It is the key to becoming like Christ.

Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts. PROVERBS 4:23 (GNT)

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. ROMANS 12:2 (NIV)

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 CORINTHIANS 3:18 (NIV)

• It is the key to answered prayer.

“But if you live your life in me, and my words live in your hearts, you can ask for whatever you like and it will come true for you.” JOHN 15:7 (PHILLIPS)

• It is the key to successful living.

Meditate on it [the Word] day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. JOSHUA 1:8 (NIV84)

1. Apply God’s Word

Do not deceive yourselves by just listening to his word; instead, put it into practice. JAMES 1:22 (GNT)

“Whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” MATTHEW 5:19 (NIV)

“You know these things—now do them! That is the path of blessing.” JOHN 13:17 (TLB)

Action:

Take a 30-Day Reading Challenge

RockPoint Church Winning Habits Challenge