If these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful . . . —2 Peter 1:8
When we first begin to form a habit, we are fully aware of it. There are times when we are aware of becoming virtuous and godly, but this awareness should only be a stage we quickly pass through as we grow spiritually. If we stop at this stage, we will develop a sense of spiritual pride. The right thing to do with godly habits is to immerse them in the life of the Lord until they become such a spontaneous expression of our lives that we are no longer aware of them. Our spiritual life continually causes us to focus our attention inwardly for the determined purpose of self-examination, because each of us has some qualities we have not yet added to our lives.Your god may be your little Christian habit— the habit of prayer or Bible reading at certain times of your day. Watch how your Father will upset your schedule if you begin to worship your habit instead of what the habit symbolizes. We say, “I can’t do that right now; this is my time alone with God.” No, this is your time alone with your habit. There is a quality that is still lacking in you. Identify your shortcoming and then look for opportunities to work into your life that missing quality.Love means that there are no visible habits— that your habits are so immersed in the Lord that you practice them without realizing it. If you are consciously aware of your own holiness, you place limitations on yourself from doing certain things— things God is not restricting you from at all. This means there is a missing quality that needs to be added to your life. The only supernatural life is the life the Lord Jesus lived, and He was at home with God anywhere. Is there someplace where you are not at home with God? Then allow God to work through whatever that particular circumstance may be until you increase in Him, adding His qualities. Your life will then become the simple life of a child.
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May 12, 2014
Journal Entry for Today-JDV
Lord, I did not quite “get this devotional”. I thought that whatever we do that helps us get and stay connected to You would be a good thing. Should I take a look at my own habits? Should I reconsider a daily devotional at the same time with David Mondays through Thursdays? Is Chambers saying that this habit is misplaced?
And God says…”There are those that allow the habit to become so established that they forget the original reason for the habit was to get and stay connected to Jesus. That is the litmus test. Does the habit establish or strengthen your connection with Jesus? If so, continue. If not, well….you know the answer to that. Beware of spiritual conventions and patterns that do not help establish or maintain connection with Jesus. Seek first the kingdom of God, which is Jesus, and everything else you need will be provided. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Acknowledge the Lord in all your ways and He will make your paths straight.”
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