Shalom,

The devotional on our SWC website for yesterday and today had to do with habits. Here is a portion of these:

A habit is any action, conduct or behavior that you do over and over again. It may be a bad habit, like smoking, or a good habit, like brushing your teeth. This means anything you do twice becomes easier. It is God's way of helping you succeed. Some experts believe that when you do a specific thing repeatedly for 21 consecutive days, it will become a lifetime habit for you.

Make a list of new habits. Brainstorm for new habits. Make up your bed immediately upon rising. Use a highlighter pen to mark your Bible each day. Hang up your clothes. Make a daily to-do list each morning. Limit each phone call to five minutes. Rise the same time every morning. Keep an idea notebook with you at all times. Write at least one sentence in your daily diary or journal.

These are ALL good suggestions for developing good habits! It goes without saying that we should be stopping bad habits and replacing them with habits that build positive things in our lives. The very BEST place to start with good habits is the Word of God! In our Bible Reading for today we see this in Proverbs 9:10-11:

10 The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning (the chief and choice part) of Wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight and understanding. 11 For by me [Wisdom from God] your days shall be multiplied, and the years of your life shall be increased.

The basis for everything that we choose to do should be the Word of God! His Word IS Truth (John 17:17)! An attitude of reverence, respect and awe for the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible is the starting point for getting wisdom and understanding from Him! When we have this attitude and then put His Word first place in our lives, THEN we will have the ability to make wise decisions concerning every area of our lives. The Spirit of God within us, as born again, Spirit filled believers, will lead, guide and direct us in every decision so that we CAN have everything we lay our hands to prosper and be successful (Deuteronomy 30:9). Why would we ever choose any other way? THIS is the way that leads to the LIFE that Jesus spoke of in John 10:10:

10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).

AMEN! God's plans for US are GOOD, all the time (Jeremiah 29:11)! Let's choose that better way! Here is Hillsong Young and Free with "This is Living":

Shalom in Him!