As much as we might not like to admit it, we all have habits. Now habits can Be good or they can be bad. I've been told that some people who give up smoking Gain a lot of weight because they have a habit of having something in their mouths, And so they eat a lot more candy or lollypops than ever before. I guess in that Case they traded one bad habit for a lesser one. Be that as it may, we all have habits.

Some habits you wish you could program into your kids. Brush your teeth. Comb your hair. Clean your room. Turn off the light when you're done. You know, useful things Like that. Often times it is not the lack of our diligence that makes it hard for a habit like this to form, but instead it is sheer stubbornness on the part of the kid. They don't want to brush their teeth. It's a bother. Toothpaste tastes yucky. I don't see how it does any good, I still get cavities, and so on. What to do? Just shrug and let them have rotten teeth when They get big, wild tangled hair that people laugh at, and high electric bills? I think not. We try to encourage our kids, don't we, and we praise them when they do what is right without being told. They may not fully understand the good they are doing, but they learn to do it never the less. Habits, especially righteous habits, can be a wonderful thing.

Taking the Lord's Supper every Lord's day, for instance. In the little town that I grew Up in, the Baptist church I had reason to study with every now and then did not take it weekly. They did not even take it on the Lord's day! They did it on a Thursday night, I believe once a month. When I asked why they did this, I was told that taking it on a weekly basis makes it "common." They felt if they did it every Sunday that it would just become rote to them. Out of their (supposedly) good intentions, they completely missed the point. They ignore that through the bible Christ commands it be done WEEKLY. Second, he commands when it be done, on the FIRST day of the week. He also tells us HOW to do it, what things to use, and what it means.

It's all sheer stubbornness. They don't want to do it as the bible says. It's a bother Preparing the implements. The unleavened bread tastes yucky, some say. Many ask "I worship God in all other ways, why should I go through this charade pretending to commune with him?" It takes precious time away – they could be done and out of there, home watching football or taking a nap or whatever. And yet, and yet, so many of us may not fully understand the good we are doing, but we obey God and learn to do it never the less. YES, we should always strive for a full understanding of the things we do, but are we somehow evil, for obeying God?

I know this all sounds silly, but there are brethren who do not offer an invitation At the end of a service but have told me we should stop doing it, too. I happen to think this is one of our better habits, as a church, to reach out to the lost among ourselves without fail at every gathering. It's not a "service commandment," but it is a good thing. We care about the lost, especially among ourselves! Too "common," they tell me. It loses its meaning because we do it so much. So they never do it at all. Hmmmmm…

By this reasoning, we had better stop having bible studies. After all, we don't want to become too familiar with the word. And don't mention God to your unbelieving friend For the umpteenth time, because while this might have been the time he finally softens up And comes to a service with you, you're making it too "common." And don't bother Praying and thanking God for the air we breathe, or the health we enjoy. He knows all About it. And don't tell your wife you love her! She's probably got the message by now. It won't be "special." We don't want people to know we care about them, now do we?

Acts 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

Acts 16:13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.

Luke 4:14-16 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.

Romans 13:1-7 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.