The Power of Daily Habits

The Power of Daily Habits

A life is rarely changed by intentions.
It’s changed by habits.

You don’t drift into good health.
You don’t drift into strong faith.
You don’t drift into purpose.

You drift into distraction.

• Habits shape your life more than intentions ever do—and God uses small, consistent habits to chisel people into who they were created to be.
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MICHELANGELO & THE CHISEL

Every habit is a chisel.
Every repeated action is shaping something.

The problem:

but do my habits actually make room for Him?”

• God wants to change your THOUGHTS → to change your HABITS → to change your DIRECTION
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Matt 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Is God first?

1 Cor. 2:7 (Msg) God’s wisdom… It’s not the latest message, but more like the oldest—what God determined as the way to bring out his best in us,

Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.

What you think you become:

Here’s how life works for everyone:

• Thoughts influence actions
• Actions repeated become habits
• Habits shape character
• Character determines direction
• Intentions point the way. (What we hope for)
  Habits pave the road. (What we actually do)
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James Clear: 1% rule

• Change requires space,
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  *this week teaches that habits decide whether space ever gets created.
• How do we make room for RENEWAL.

Romans 12:1–2 (NIV) Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Do not conform. 

Worldly Mindset.

• Transformation happens by renewing your mind—again and again.
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Proverbs 23:7   “For as he in his heart, so he is.”

We are changing the way we are thinking..

2 Cor 10: 3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

• God usually doesn’t transform lives through one emotional moment. He does it through daily chiseling.
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The benefit. You will approve or walk in Gods will

Rom 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

• God works in small ways to produce big results.
• You must create Space for SPIRITUAL HEALTH HABITS
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Spiritual depth is built before it is felt.

Jesus Himself modeled this.

Luke 5:16 (NIV) “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”

Luke 4: He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read,

1 Timothy 4:7–10 (NIV) 7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.

 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

• Godliness is a lifestyle of Godly habits.
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 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.

Core Spiritual Habits

• Prayer – daily connection.
• Worship – realignment of the heart
• Scripture – renewal of the mind
• Service – expression of faith with other people.

First Steps People Can Take

• Set aside 5 minutes a day for prayer. Practice praying before a meeting.
• Attend one corporate prayer gathering during the 21 Days of prayer
• Read one chapter of Scripture a day
• Play worship music during commute or morning routine (think about God)
• Go to growth track and discover your connection and call
• Connect with a small group this quarter

• Spiritual habits don’t earn God’s presence—they make room for it.
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Make room for some PERSONAL HEALTH HABITS

Starting spiritual habits should lead you to make Physcial changes as well.

Capacity must come before calling.

Proverbs 3:7–8 (NIV) 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. (Stop and Start) 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (NIV) “Your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.”

First Steps People Can Take

• Go for a 10-minute walk three times a week
• Eat real food.
• Put the phone down 30 minutes before bed
• Create one quiet, screen-free moment daily
• Drink more water than coffee for one day

 

• RELATIONAL HEALTH HABITS Make us Emotionally well.

Growth happens in circles, not rows.

We need each other…

Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 (NIV) “Two are better than one… If either of them falls, one can help the other up.”

First Steps People Can Take

• Sign up for one Oasis Group
• Attend one group meeting, not forever—just once
• Be honest with one trusted person
• Choose presence over perfection
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Practice Kindness: 

“Be kind and compassionate to one another…” (Eph. 4:32)

Choose Forgiveness

“Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Col. 3:13)

Make Room for Listening;

“Everyone should be quick to listen…” (James 1:19)

Practice Humility;

“In humility value others above yourselves.” (Phil. 2:3)

Speak Life; 

“Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths…” (Eph. 4:29)

Pray for the Relationship

Habits don’t replace God. They make room for Him.

SMALL STEPS, LASTING CHANGE

Zechariah 4:10 (NIV) “Who dares despise the day of small things?”

God doesn’t despise small beginnings.
He specializes in them.

No one needs to change everything today.

But everyone can choose one habit.

One chisel.
One small step.
One decision.

And when people make room through their habits,
God faithfully shapes the rest.