welcome and thanks for meditating with a vibe for more guided Christian meditations download
the abide app in the iTunes or Google Play Store have you ever considered how your habits are a
symptom of your priorities how they reflect each other well a tumbleweed might seem like
a ridiculous example of a healthy routine but these trusted symbols of Western ghost towns
and impending gunfights could be Paul's mascot think about this tumbleweeds grow for a season
holding hundreds of seeds and their spiky branches but when a tumbleweed is ready to
spread these seeds it dies and detaches from its roots but then afterwards the wind blows
the plant wherever it wishes and the tumbleweed faithfully drops seeds with every bounce well in
Acts chapter 17 verse 2 we meet Paul in the midst of unpredictable spirit-led travels and we learn
that he managed to build healthy habits even in the midst of uncertainty everywhere Paul went he
prioritized visiting synagogues and planting seeds it's easy to think about how you would
have healthy habits if only your circumstances were different right but the truth is that our
habits grow up around our priorities and Paul's priority it was God so take a minute to consider
your habits what do they reveal about your priorities how can you use your established
routines to glorify the Lord well join me as we meditate on how we can establish healthy
routines regardless of the circumstances as we read and reflect on Acts chapter 17 verse 2 but
first join me in a moment of opening prayer Lord I want to match my priorities with yours help
me to see where I could be as dashing healthier habits and give me the strength to pursue those
opportunities show me how I can build healthier habits when it comes to my relationship with you
and with the people around me help me to not be discouraged by circumstances or the day-to-day
stresses of a busy life in Jesus name Amen you know our priority for the next few minutes is
to seek the Lord and to learn from His Word we want to be able to consider the state of
our habits without anxiety or shame just seek a heart of humility here in openness to what
the Lord might be asking of you today find a comfortable spot with your back straight and
your feet flat on the floor if you can and spend a moment taking a few deep breaths right now
you
think about your day-to-day life for a moment consider the ways you divide your time between
work and errands and your social life and your relationship with God what have you prioritized
enough to turn into a habit will confess habits that you've built up that do not honor the Lord
or get in the way of doing so rest right now in his forgiveness as we move into today's meditation
you
trust that God wants the best for you he wants the best from your time so you have
the freedom to relax your grip on your schedule I'm sure something is going on today that wants
to get in the way of your time here don't let it Center your heart on the Lord's priorities
right now instead of the everyday stresses that seek to overwhelm you listen as I read from the
English standard version translation of Acts chapter 17 verse 2 and Paul went in as was his
custom and on three sabbath days he reasoned with them from the scriptures what stood out
to you from that passage listen again for any words or themes as I read that again and Paul
went in as was his custom and on three sabbath days he reasoned with them from the scriptures
stop for a moment to consider anything you noticed from this verse there might have
been a word or a phrase or even an idea that resonates even if you're not sure why so what
words and phrases grabbed your attention why might they have stuck out to you in this moment
you
parents and pastors and other authority figures can sometimes try to make their
habits ours you might have been told that you have to read your Bible in the morning
even though you're actually much more alert in the afternoon if you've been discouraged
by failed attempts in the past please know God is not angry he wants to help you find
the routines that work best for you so soak in that truth here for a moment
you
listen once again as I read this passage from Acts chapter 17 verse 2 as was his custom Paul
went into the synagogue and on three sabbath days he reasoned with them from the scriptures
so where my god be asking you to form some new routines know that god will not love you more
if you spend all your time reading the bible but he does want the best for you in this life
so where might he be asking you to form some new habits take a moment now to consider that
you
in the book of Matthew chapter 6 verse 21 it reminds us that where your treasure is
there your heart will be also Paul might not have always wanted to spend his time
arguing with people in the synagogue but his treasure was the Lord's glory
so his heart was for people to know the grace of Christ so where is your treasure
pause right now and consider that where do you want most to be right now and of why
you
Paul didn't just play lip service to his cause he showed up at the synagogue week after week
after week and he put in the work to create this routine a routine can be the result of
intentional action but it can also be the result of inaction taking the path of least resistance
so what are some small actions you can take to form new habits pause here now on that question
you
let's go back to the text one final time as we read from Acts chapter 17 verse 2 as he
had done in other places Paul went into it on three sabbath days he explained what was
written in the holy writings this version of the verse was from the worldwide english new
testament and it emphasizes the fact that paul maintained his habit of seeking to engage and
plant seeds for the duration of his travels it's hard to imagine lifestyle more unstable
and more unpredictable than being a nomad in the 1st century but let this encourage you
that God understands your circumstances and he has Grace rest there in that peace for a moment
you
I want you to imagine the fear and uncertainty involved in traveling to the edges of the known
world in the very first century Paul used his circumstances to create routines out of
chaos how would you allow God into your current circumstances to create routines that glorify him
you
so maybe you stopped at a certain coffee shop on the way to work or you work out at the same
gym several times a week well consider reading your Bible during this time at
the coffee shop instead of the newspaper or checking your email or try to start
a conversation about faith with some of the people you see at the gym every week consider
routines you've already built into your life that have the potential to be used for God
you
the Lord wants the best for you and part of that is taking care
of yourself so ask the Lord to help you protect some time for self-care
as you consider forming new habits make that's your prayer here for a moment
you
join me now as we close in prayer Heavenly Father thank you for the ways you've blessed me today as
by your grace that I have the opportunity to make choices and establish routines and I want
to use those routines to glorify you show me how I can use my daily routines like Paul did
as opportunities to glorify you and how I can begin practicing new habits thank you for your
guidance and it's in your son's name that I pray amen the Lord is excited about your potential
to form new habits not frustrated by any past failures so today move forward in that freedom
keeping acts 17 to in mind treat today like an opportunity to pursue the Lord's priorities with
your routines and ask him today to help you see how to take advantage of those routines
you have established and foster new habits that glorify we hope this meditation brought
you peace for more Christian meditations download the abide out in iTunes or the Google Play Store