V.2.021 – When Resolve Becomes Habit with Craig Smee
V2.021
When Resolve Turns To Habit
Bugs
2020 Challenged our focus and our resolve…
But almost every year sees my resolve dwindle by January 15
Resolutions can be fickle.
Good habits provide rhythms.
BASAL GANGLIA
Resolutions, commitments, and promises are held in a part of the brain that goes to sleep, that’s why we often need reminders of what we have committed to. We need contracts to hold us to our promises.
But some things become so habitual that they become natural rhythms that we don’t even need to think about.
At first, a new driver has to sit behind the wheel and think and remind and recall the process of driving. But once you have been driving for some time when you get into the car, you go through similar routines automatically. The end goal, not the practice
Habits are stored in the part of the brain called the basal ganglia – a part of the brain that never goes to sleep.
Wholehearted vs Focussed
sincere, wholehearted, heartfelt, hearty, unfeigned mean genuine in feeling. sincere stresses the absence of hypocrisy, feigning, or any falsifying embellishment or exaggeration.
focused also focussed; focusing also focussing. Definition of focus (Entry 2 of 2) transitive verb. 1: to cause to be concentrated focused their attention on the most urgent problems. 2a: to adjust the focus of (the eye, a lens, etc.)
I don’t just focus my life in Jesus. I worship him wholeheartedly, rhythmically, without disruption!
Israel Starts a new era!
Commands that were given were focussed on for a moment. But wholeheartedness would breed habits and rhythms needed to carry them:
DEUTERONOMY 6:6
A Call for Wholehearted Commitment
1 “These are the commands, decrees, and regulations that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you. You must obey them in the land you are about to enter and occupy, 2 and you and your children and grandchildren must fear the Lord your God as long as you live. If you obey all his decrees and commands, you will enjoy a long life. 3 Listen closely, Israel, and be careful to obey. Then all will go well with you, and you will have many children in the land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you.
4 “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.[a] 5 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. 6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. 8 Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
V.2.021
Every year I want to upgrade my habits and rhythms.
Every year I want to add to my skill sets and abilities to be in an automatic and natural rhythm of worship (the expression of what God has purposed for me)
Three Words for VLC Brownwood
The start of new rhythms
Longevity – multi-generational
Prosperity – irrationally bless and do live open-handedly
Peace – confidence in my relationship with God and others
The Ten Habits of V.2.021 – Proverbs 3:1-2
1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, 2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.
Then He gives very specific details of 10 rhythms/habits – things that should become our natural habitual response no matter the circumstances.
1. LET LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS NEVER LEAVE YOU V 3-4
Proverbs 3:3-4
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
Definition of Love: Some define it as that fateful glance across a crowded room – I define it as a man with nails in his hands.
Definition of Faithfulness: keeping faith; maintaining allegiance; constant; loyal – [faithful friends], showing a strong sense of duty or responsibility; conscientious, accurate; reliable; exact [a faithful copy]
HABIT: Be Deliberate in expressing irrational forgiveness and grace and watch your natural response to difficulty and situations habitually become one of LOVE AND COMPASSION – Driving lesson – friend…
TOOL: Open (Rehoboth) approach – accessible team and frank discussion (Wednesday Night Live)
2. TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL OF YOUR HEART. V 5-6
Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. [Or will direct your paths.]
Definitions of Trust: firm belief in or confidence in, the honesty, integrity, reliability, justice, etc. of another person or thing; faith in or reliance on the person or thing trusted, confident expectation, anticipation, or hope [to have trust in the future]
Definitions of Acknowledge: to admit to being true or as stated; confess, to recognize the authority or claims of, to recognize and answer, to express thanks for, to verify receipt of (a letter, gift, favor, payment, etc.), to admit or affirm as genuine; certify in the legal form! to acknowledge a deed”
HABIT: The complete reliance on the Word of God. A seeking of personal revelation from every scripture we read and blind faith that what He has said is sovereign.
TOOL: Word-based teachings and study guides for every message that we share. Regular communications, training, and teaching to assist you in your personal habit of acknowledging the WORD of God in your life.
Meaningful and generationally oriented Worship Experiences, Events and Memorable Moments
3. DO NOT BE WISE IN YOUR OWN EYES V 7-8
Proverbs 3:7-8
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
Wise in your own eyes…
Romans 12:3-5
3 Because of the privilege and authority[c] God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.[d] 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
HABIT: Build your relationship with God where meaningful conversations with Him become your guide and not your own understanding of the rules and regulations imposed upon you.
TOOL: First Wednesday night will be dedicated to a time of worship and prayer. Provide counselors, guides, and resources to promote your relationship with God and grow your God-oriented conscience in making wise decisions…Reliance on Holy Spirit Meaningful feedback loops. Establishment of an Eldership
4. HONOR THE LORD WITH YOUR WEALTH V 9-10
Proverbs 3:9-10
9 Honour the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
HABIT: Irrational giving starts where our planned giving ends. We will commit a set giving (first fruits)
TOOL: Transparency – leaders who have access to budget and finances. Simplified giving – Planned, Building and Community Outreach
5. DO NOT DESPISE THE LORD’S DISCIPLINE V 11-12
Proverbs 3:11-12
12 My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, 12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
HABIT: I am willing to change my thinking and think more like Jesus
TOOL: I promise to tread on your toes, to make you think, and to make you challenge your thoughts.
6. SEARCH DILIGENTLY FOR WISDOM AND FIND IT V 13-24
Proverbs 6:13-24
13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, 14 for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. 16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. 17 Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed. 19 By wisdom the LORD laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; 20 by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew. 21 My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; 22 they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. 23 Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; 24 when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
1. INFORMATION
2. UNDERSTANDING (Street Smart)
HABIT: Seek out wisdom and direction from God. Gather information and then meditate and discuss to deepen understanding. “Walk with the wise and become wise”. Avoid conspiracy theories and seek His WORD
TOOL: Groups
7. HAVE NO FEAR V 25-26
Proverbs 6:25-26
25 Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, 26 for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.
HABIT: Choose wisdom and faith, not fear, depression anxiety? –
TOOL: Counseling and pastoral availability. An extension ministry to guide and help you to healing and wholeness of heart.
8. DO NOT WITHHOLD GOOD FROM THOSE WHO DESERVE IT V 27-28
Proverbs 6:27-28
27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it is in your power to act. 28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back later; I’ll give it tomorrow” — when you now have it with you.
If you need anything do not hesitate to call…??? You ever got a call from someone saying – you know that you said I should call if I needed anything?
HABIT: I will become a habitual and irrational giver of my time and talent. I will find irrational ways of helping people that do not expect my help.
TOOL: Community Outreach local and international and TEAMS
9. DO NOT PLOT HARM AGAINST YOUR NEIGHBOR V 29-30
Proverbs 6:29-30
29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you. 30 Do not accuse a man for no reason — when he has done you no harm.
HABIT: My first response will not be judgement but acceptance so that others can easily experience the wonder of Jesus. I have a personal purpose that I will use whenever and wherever possible. Holding back in my purpose will hurt others as they will not receive the blessing that God has given me to share.
TOOL: Trained to help every individual realize their personal life purpose and engage on a transformational journey with Jesus to realize that purpose. Train others to help… Purpose Path and Transformation Journey
10. DO NOT ENVY A VIOLENT MAN OR CHOOSE ANY OF HIS WAYS V 31 – 32
Proverbs 6:31-32
32 Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways, 32 for the LORD detests a perverse man but takes the upright into his confidence.
HABIT: Word before conspiracy and hearsay
TOOL: Teachings and resources that help you understand the bigger picture of God’s Word. Communication Team
CONCLUSION
Blessing to you this year. May your mind and your heart be closely aligned to the will of God on your life and may you know his blessings for your obedience.