What Gives Habits Power?

Habits are easily formed, but once they’ve secured a dwelling place, they seldom take their leave. Mark Twain wrote in Pudd’nhead Wilson, “A habit is a habit, and not to be flung out the window, but coaxed downstairs a step at a time.” Have you been against the cutting edge of a powerful, embarrassing habit that was hard to break?

An old English proverb states, “Habits are at first like cobwebs but then become shackles.” Habits can be formed by thinking something is cool, perhaps necessary for acceptance into a preferred peer group. You’ve noticed how words and speech patterns are habitually formed by those who need to fit in.

As you commit yourself to what is righteous and godly, you obtain the power to break the binding chains of a bad habit. As a bad habit is coached from its position of prominence and power, you can, with God’s help, construct a new way of thinking and behaving. So give Jesus Christ his place of power and prominence and he will give you courage to change.  

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I ask God from the  wealth of his glory to give you power through his Spirit to be strong in your inner selves, and I pray that Christ will make his home in your hearts by through faith.   

~Ephesians 3:16-17a Good News Bible

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The 'Inner' Doctor

Medical doctors are aware of patients who refuse to participate in recovering from a serious illness. Entrusting yourself into the care of doctors by following their supervision requires faith and trust. Louis Birch wrote, “Illnesses change us by making us consider our past and future. Illnesses give us a chance for health and life itself.”

Ralph Beicher, a Swiss physician, discovered that treatment is a cooperative effort of the doctor, patient, and the ‘inner’ doctor. The ‘inner’ doctor sets off an alarm when something is wrong and seeks ways to get treatment. The determination to recover releases the mind, body, and spirit to work against a disease.

This happened to a woman Jesus healed from an incurable bleeding condition. Imagine her attitude toward life and the opportunities that were available to her once she was restored to health. Jesus told her, “Your faith made it possible for you to be healed.” God gave her a second chance for life and happiness.                 

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I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources, [the Father] will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.

~Ephesians 3:16-17 New Living Translation

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Faith's Priorities at Christmas

It only takes a moment to re-center your faith’s priorities on what will matter for all eternity. Does that sound a bit difficult if your Christmas Day seems full of chaos? Perhaps your day hasn’t been that bad, but right now it’s pretty stressful. This can be the time for you to refocus and think of who Jesus is and what He means to you.

God’s Word whispers that His name is “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace.” Re-center your mind of these names and let them find a resting place in your heart. Jesus said, “My peace I give you,” and his strong peace is for eternity. What a wonderful gift! Now God bless and keep you, and Merry Christmas!   

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For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,

And the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

~Isaiah 9:6 New International Version

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

~Luke 2:11 New International Version

Then God gave Christ the highest place and honored his name above all others.

~Philippians 2:9 Contemporary English Version

I pray that out of the glorious riches of his resources he will enable you to know the strength of the Spirit’s inner reinforcement – that Christ may actually live in your hearts by your faith.

~Ephesians 3:16-17 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English