The Daily Dozen Habits

The Apostle Paul wrote young Timothy, estimated to be in his late thirties: "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." (1Timothy 4:12).

Notice that the evidence of Christian maturity is not seen in what you know, but what you do; not in your learning, but in your lifestyle.

Whether we are in our prime years, middle age, or the afternoon years of seniority, we all have the potential 'power of influence' known as 'Exampling'.

How do we acquire these habits that when woven together become an exemplary lifestyle? In my search of the Scriptures I have found what I call the "Daily Dozen" - 12 habits of highly effective servants that are to be practiced daily.

1. DAILY IDENTIFICATION WITH CHRIST - (Practiced by all true disciples through the centuries) - "Then he (Jesus) said to them all: 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'" (Luke 9:23 NIV). This represents a conscious decision. The word 'decision' means to 'cut away from'. We must choose to accept the verdict of the Cross that cuts us away from our old life that is rooted in the nature of the fallen man. In taking up our Cross we are relying on the full strength of the new nature of the indwelling Christ to produce a life of obedience to God. Thank God daily for the fact of your co-crucifixion, resurrection and ascension in Christ. Rise in the morning with the words of the Apostle Paul; "For to me to live is Christ." (Philippians 1:21).
2. DAILY WATCHING - "Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway." (Proverbs 8:34). This means that we leave a sufficiently large parenthesis in our actions to carefully look for and observe what God is doing and discern what He is saying. We must begin our days by tuning into God's channel and remaining alert to His instruction and leading. Turn off the TV and give God more air-time.
3. DAILY PRAYING - In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus said, "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." (Matthew 26:41; Psalm 86:3; 88:9). Three times a day Daniel got on his knees to pray when it was politically incorrect to do so. (See Daniel 6:10) Paul exhorts us to habitually pray (1Thessalonians 5:17). Do not neglect your throne rights as a child of God!
4. DAILY PRAISE - (practiced by the Psalmist) "Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws." (Psalm 119:164 NIV). Habits are more easily formed when you link them to other activities. Speak something praise-worthy about God when you wake (or shower), when you eat breakfast (what some call saying 'grace' or 'a blessing' is really to be praise), on your way to work, at lunch, on your way home, at dinner and upon your bed at night. Be an example in pure and God-honoring speech.
5. DAILY KEEPING COMMITMENTS - "So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows." (Psalm 61:8 KJV). What commitments have you made to God and to others that require some follow-up action today? Give attention to your commitment to your spouse, children, parents, employers and friends. Have you bitten off more than you can chew? Are you chewing someone else's meat?
6. DAILY BIBLE STUDY - "Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." (Acts 17:11 NIV). Try linking this activity to another activity, such as a family meal, or a morning quiet time.
7. DAILY FELLOWSHIP -(practiced by the early church) "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ..Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts." (Acts 2:42, 46 NIV). If you cannot fellowship with someone in person, connect with someone by phone, fax, or E-mail.
8. DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT - "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." (Hebrews 3:13 NIV). Who can you encourage today?
9. DAILY WITNESS - "So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there." (Acts 17:17 NIV). One of the reasons cited as to why God used D.L. Moody was because he purposed to share the gospel with someone every day. The days when I have practiced this have been my happiest.
10. DAILY GIVING - (practiced by the early church) "In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food." (Acts 6:1 NIV). Instead of "random acts of kindness" how about "purposed acts of giving"?
11. DAILY RENEWAL - (2Corinthians 4:16 NIV) "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed." Therefore we need to learn how to identify with that part of our being that is being renewed - We can choose to live out from our spirits - with Spirit controlled minds, and mind controlled bodies. As we grow older we can say: "I'm doing much better than I feel. Thank you."
12. DAILY MONITORING - WE LIVE AS THOSE WHO MUST GIVE AN ACCOUNT - For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ." (2Corinthians 5:10 NIV). "Therefore pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things; for as you do this you will insure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you." (1Timothy 4:16 NASB). The habit of daily journaling helps us keep perspective on our progress towards free and holy living (1Thessalonians 4:11-12; 1 Timothy 4:15-16).

May your pioneer advance be evident to all (1Timothy 4:15),

David MacAdam, Pastor/Teacher
New Life Community Church