Founder's Reflections #12 - Thursday, November 14, 2024 - The Transformative Power of Habits: Building Virtuous Habits in Christ

The Transformative Power of Habits:

Building Virtuous Habits in Christ

Good Afternoon my dear friends in Christ,

Thank you for being here today for another reflection at Jesus24365 Ministry. 🙏 Today, we’ll explore The Power of Habits and how small, consistent actions can shape our lives for God’s glory. As we reflect on the patterns we live by, let us focus on building habits that draw us closer to Christ and align our daily walk with His example. Together, let’s embrace the WWJD mindset ✝️—living each moment with intentionality and grace. Let us begin with a prayer: 🙏 "Lord Jesus, help us cultivate habits that honor You and strengthen our faith. Amen.

The Power of Habits 🌟

Every hero's journey begins with a decision to change, to answer the call to a higher purpose. Today, I invite you to reflect on your own journey. What habits are you nurturing, and are they drawing you closer to Jesus? Through the power of Christ, we can transform our daily actions to align with His will. Let's embrace this transformation together, as we build new habits through the strength only Jesus can provide.

The Impact of Our Habits 🌱

Today, my beloved brothers and sisters, I find myself reflecting deeply on the power of our habits. This morning's studies in Proverbs 14 and Psalm 49 brought me face to face with a powerful truth: our habits shape not just our days, but our destinies 🌍📚. Before I dedicated my life to my faith in Jesus, my habits were misguided, set by worldly desires and distractions. But when I committed my life to God's glory, everything began to change. New, virtuous habits were born, not by my strength, but by the grace of God ✝️🌿. Jesus Christ became my closest friend, guiding me through His Word, His love, and His example.

Overcoming Old Habits 💔

I understand firsthand how difficult it can be to break old, addictive habits. For years, I felt powerless, and I know many of you might feel the same way.

The struggle is real, and it can feel overwhelming 😔. But know this, dear friends: you are not alone, and with Jesus, there is always hope for transformation 🌈.

Evaluating the Direction of Your Habits 🧭

In every hero's journey, there's a moment when we must evaluate our path. Are the habits you've built leading you to the abundant life Jesus has promised, or keeping you in the shadows? 🌟 Reflect on your journey today—make a commitment to let go of what no longer serves your higher purpose in Christ. Let’s walk this path together, learning from Jesus and striving for the habits that bring us closer to Him.

Reflect and Ask Yourself:

We all have habits—the question is, where are they leading us? Are they drawing us closer to Christ or keeping us in the shadows? 🤔

Grace in Transforming Habits ✨

Richard Hooker, an influential theologian of the Reformation, once said:

God's grace invites us to transform and gives us the strength we need to build habits that honor Him. This grace is not passive; it is an active force working within us, initiating and sustaining our journey towards becoming more like Christ. If you are struggling to take that first step, I want to encourage you today. No matter how many times you've fallen, God's grace is there to lift you back up 🙏. Don't be afraid to start small—each small change is a step towards freedom.

As Psalm 49 urges, let's focus on what truly lasts—habits that are grounded in God's everlasting love and the victory we have in Jesus 🌟.

Patience and Understanding on the Journey 🕊️

Patience is a pivotal part of the hero's journey—a skill that helps us navigate the trials and challenges of life. Proverbs 14:29 teaches us the value of patience and the folly of quick temper. Through patience, we become more like Christ, allowing His wisdom to guide us.

We are creatures of habit, but we are also children of God. The Power of Patience and Understanding, as seen in Proverbs 14:29, teaches us:

"A patient person has great understanding, but a quick-tempered person displays folly."

Practicing patience creates space for healing, understanding, and wisdom.

Embracing Serenity, Courage, and Wisdom 🧘‍♀️

Reinhold Niebuhr, a prominent 20th-century theologian, reminds us to seek God's serenity, courage, and wisdom:

In forming new habits, we need God's serenity to accept what we can't change, courage to build new disciplines, and wisdom to choose habits that bring us closer to Him. Embrace the changes we can make while trusting God's will for what we cannot.

Take a Peace Pause:

Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and let God's peace settle in you 🌬️✨.

Virtuous Habits to Embrace 📿

The path to transformation is filled with small, consistent actions—habits that align us with God's will. Here are some habits that have made a profound difference in my journey, and they may do the same for you:

All of us are defined by the habits we cultivate. To truly follow in Jesus' footsteps, we must embrace habits that reflect His character and His love. Whether it's rising early to spend time with God or serving others, these daily practices are the stepping stones on our journey to becoming more like Christ.

Rising Early to Seek God's Wisdom 🌅

One of the most transformative decisions I made was to wake early and study the Word of God for two hours each morning.

• Overcoming Late-Night Distractions:

There was a time when I found myself turning to distractions late into the night, feeling anxious and restless. It was only when I made a commitment to wake early and dedicate that time to God that I began to experience true peace and clarity. Breaking those late-night habits wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. This habit has been instrumental in my journey, and I have seen my wisdom grow exponentially.

• Patience and Temperance:

Using patience and temperance has made my relationships with everyone I encounter—whether in business or personal life—much more enjoyable. I no longer need others to agree with me; I trust that God, through the Holy Spirit, will come when the time is right, in His own time.

• Giving Problems to Jesus:

Giving my problems to Jesus in prayer has resolved countless issues. In the past, I would feel overwhelmed by mistakes or perceived broken relationships, replaying them in my mind repeatedly. Now, I give these burdens to Jesus, and He works miracles.

• Seeking Forgiveness:

Asking for forgiveness from those I might have hurt has also become much easier, and I find immense peace in this practice.

Daily Gratitude Practice 🙏

• Gratitude 10X List: At the end of each business day, I have a Gratitude 10X list that starts with 'Thank You God for...' and I fill it in every day without fail before my work with Jesus24365 Ministry ends for the day. This practice has focused my attention on what I'm grateful for—from the small blessings to the large ones.

Trusting God's Perfect Timing ⏳

The Jesus24365 Ministry was even launched ahead of schedule because of the answers that Jesus provided when I had none. This is a testament to the power of building consistent habits of seeking God and trusting in His timing. The habit of waking early to spend time with Him and giving my burdens to Jesus helped me stay centered and open to His guidance, allowing miracles to unfold in His perfect time. I want to share a few virtuous habits that you can create for yourself, just as I have:

• Wake Early and Seek God: Start each day by dedicating time to study the Bible and seek God’s wisdom. Just as I spend two hours in the Word each morning, make it a goal to set aside time, even if it’s just 30 minutes, to connect with God before the busyness of the day begins. It will ground you in truth and fill your heart with peace 🌅📖.

  
  

• Daily Gratitude Practice:

  At the end of each day, write down three things you are grateful for. This habit keeps our hearts focused on God’s blessings, no matter what challenges we face. Gratitude transforms our perspective, helping us to see God’s goodness in every circumstance 💖✍️.

• Practice Patience:

  Patience is a virtue that takes time to develop, but its rewards are immense. Practice slowing down when things don’t go your way. Whether it’s waiting in traffic or facing a difficult situation, use these moments to pray and invite God to give you patience and understanding ⏳🙏.

  
  

• Serve Others:

  Make it a habit to serve others in small ways each day. Whether it’s a kind word, a small act of generosity, or helping someone in need, serving others reflects Christ’s love and strengthens our own faith 🤝💕.

  
  

• Regular “Peace Pause”:

  Throughout your day, take a few minutes to pause, breathe deeply, and invite God’s peace into your heart. Let this habit become a way to reset your mind, release stress, and stay centered on Christ 🌿🌬️.

  
  

• Write Down Your Values:

  Just as I encourage you to list three core values, make it a habit to revisit these values daily. Keep them visible, and let them guide your decisions, ensuring that your actions reflect your commitment to God’s will 📜✨.

  
  

• Seek Accountability:

  Find a trusted friend or mentor who can encourage you in your spiritual journey. Share your goals and habits with them, and allow them to hold you accountable. God often uses community to spur us on towards love and good deeds 🤝👥.

Let your habits reflect a heart aligned with God, and may His peace give life to your soul.

For the Kingdom,

Jeff ❤️

P.S. I’m praying for you to experience God’s transforming power in your habits today. If you're looking for gentle encouragement and practical steps, consider subscribing to Jesus24365 Daily. Let it be my daily gift to you, offering spiritual guidance and support as you form habits that honor Christ.