HABIT #4: Repeat daily.

READ IT

“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:9)

It’s easy to get the wrong idea about faith. I‘m not sure about you, but I grew up thinking that faith in God was a one-time decision. Walk an aisle, prayer a prayer, talk with a pastor, get baptized. Whether it was the last night of youth camp or revival, whether it was on a Sunday morning or by the side of your bed late one night, give your heart to God (one-time decision), and you’re good.

True faith is so much more than that. The command most often given by Jesus in the Gospels (22 times) is not “pray a prayer,” “make a decision,” or “walk an aisle.” Jesus’ primary command to his disciples is “follow me.” That’s why we’re often referred to as ‘followers’ of Jesus. What’s so important about that? The command to “follow me” is a continuous, lifelong journey. Giving your heart to Jesus isn’t the end of the race; it’s the beginning.

That same mindset must become yours when it comes to the Philippians 4 Challenge. The Bible’s command to “put into practice” the habits in Philippians 4 isn’t something you can ever truly complete on this side of heaven. The Philippians 4 Challenge isn’t about you completing a task and marking it off your checklist. It’s about instilling new habits and a new way to live. It’s about the journey. Embrace it.

WRITE IT

Share in the comments below and answer this question, “If you were faithful to practice the four habits of the Challenge consistently, where do you think you could be mentally, emotionally and spiritually a year from now?”

PRAY IT

Father, prepare my mind for the long haul. Give me the persistence, the endurance, the faithfulness to embrace a new way of living. Meet me along the journey and transform me.

LIVE IT

You’re two weeks into the Challenge! Live out the fourth habit “repeat daily” by finding a way to apply each of the other three habits today: “choose to be joyful,” “pray with thanksgiving,” and “think on noble things.”

Use #phil4challenge to spread the word about the Philippians 4 Challenge!