We are habit oriented people...for better or worse!

Walking with Jesus Christ is fueled by a life-changing encounter with the God of universe. We experience His love, grace, and presence, and it changes us! But there comes a point in our walk with God that requires faith, discipline, and a focus on the right habits. When you look closely at the great men and women of the bible, you quickly discover the mature Christians understood commitment and understood habits. Every successful person understands the power of habits.

In the church growth world, it is widely known churches grow in newer areas where homes are being built. Churches can certainly grow in established areas, but one of the big challenges in established, older, areas, is people have developed their habits and routines. These people are less likely to change their weekend habits and visit a church. They find comfort in their routine-oriented life. This is the way people are wired.

As a pastor, I see people "get out of the habit" of walking with God, attending church, serving, whatever. It always starts with just one weekend. Maybe they can't go to church for a legitimate reason (So it begins). But then the second weekend comes along. Maybe it's another legitimate reason. But after a while, missing church isn't all that bad. After a while, they convince themselves maybe they don't need church. Maybe they need to go to another church. The loyalty to that local church weakens. They convince themselves "it's time for a change". They convince themselves they are still "Christians", and many they start living a more self-centered life. The enemy knows we are habit-oriented creatures. It's missing your bible reading one day, then two days, then a week, then a month. You convince yourself there's a noble reason why you got out of the habit. It's about family time, kid time, or your time. But the end result is the same. You got out of the habit.

The best way to get back where you need to be is to jump back in, regardless of how you "feel". What I've discovered is people who throw themselves back into doing what they know to be right, God delivers. God has a special message for them to encourage them to keep the course. You can get back in the habit of walking with Jesus Christ. You can get back in the habit of committing to His Body, the local church. You can get back into the habit of reading the bible. You can do it! Your habits determine your life with God!