Start a New H.A.B.I.T.S.

Hebrews 6:1a reads, "Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity,…" 

This weekend at Harvest Church, we began the discussion about Spiritual Disciplines. Spiritual Disciplines are the regular or full-time performance of actions and activities undertaken for the purpose of cultivating spiritual development. The full-time, regular performance of actions and activities that cultivate spiritual development. Simply put, spiritual disciplines are what help to shape us to be more and more like Jesus.

So let me ask, are you practicing spiritual disciplines in your life?

As a pastor, I want to see people growing in faith. So this past Sunday, I introduced H.A.B.I.T.S. a tool to help us develop the practices of spiritual disciplines. On Sunday, we talked about six tools, habits, that we at Harvest, will promote as our process of individual growth.

This week here on the blog, I want to spend a little more time discussing each of the H.A.B.I.T.S. discipline. But first, 3 things I didn't say on Sunday.

1. Don't Freak Out!
When you hear that as a believer, you should be practicing spiritual disciplines, it can make you feel a little uneasy. Then to hear that there are 6 disciplines, well, that can be overwhelming. But here's the deal, don't freak out, because we're going to take these  disciplines one at a time.

The purpose of the disciplines is to help you grow, not be a challenge that causes frustration. So let's go slow, mastering each one along the way.

2. Be Realistic.
One of the things I think that too often frustrates us when we begin something new are goals and expectations that are set too high. We place before us a standard that when we don't reach it right away, we feel as though we fail and give up. So here is what I suggest, BE REALISTIC. More than anything you want these disciplines to become habits, so let's establish realistic goals and expectations. You'll see that when we get into each of the 6 disciplines our goals will be reasonable and achievable.

3. Get Excited!
You are about to begin a new and exciting leg in your faith journey! You are committing to moving forward from a place of just sitting around to a place where God is going to do great things! It's time to get started! So get excited! Tell your spouse! Tell your friends! Tell the Starbucks barista! Tell who ever you want. Just get excited!

Let's do this. Let's leave the nursery and move up into 'big' church!

So much more to come!

- jay 

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