Small Practices, Lasting Impact

Weekday Posts
Written By Dean Collins

By Dean Collins

All of us have habits. Many of our habits are obvious to those around us and often more than we realize. You likely have a friend, a coworker, or even a family member who annoys you because they have a habit of: 

  • Clicking their pen

  • Crunching ice

  • Interrupting conversations

  • Making bodily sounds

  • Texting you late at night 

Not all habits are bad. I suspect there are people you admire because of their personal discipline and the healthy habits they maintain. When you were young, your parents taught you the good habit of brushing your teeth. Your parents, but more likely your dentist, taught you the good habit of flossing your teeth. You may have learned the habit of saying thank you when someone does something for you. 

Many of the Psalms and Proverbs give us models or examples of good habits. And often these behaviors come with very specific instructions.

Habits can be unintentional in their beginning and, depending on the habit, can lead to good or bad outcomes. But spiritual habits, the right ones, will always lead to good outcomes and growth.

Here are a few good habits just from the few passages listed below. These are habits we can develop and lean upon for growth, life, and victory. 

1) Call upon the Lord daily.

2) Set a guard over your mouth.

3) Do not incline your heart to evil.

4) Don't busy yourself with wicked deeds.

5) Remember the days of old and learn from them.

6) Ponder God's mighty works.

7) Let God's Spirit lead you to higher ground.

8) Pray for God's blessings upon your family and those around you.

So today, look for one new spiritual habit you can develop, and watch God work in your life and through your spiritual discipline. 

Receive and pray the blessing below in Psalm 144 today and watch God work!

“May our sons in their youth be like plants full grown, our daughters like corner pillars cut for the structure of a palace; may our granaries be full, providing all kinds of produce; may our sheep bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields; may our cattle be heavy with young, suffering no mishap or failure in bearing; may there be no cry of distress in our streets!” Amen.

Your Time with God’s Word
Psalms 141:1, 3-4, 143:5-6, 10, 144:12-15, 145:14 ESV

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Dean Collins

Pastor, campus minister, counselor, corporate employee, Fortune 500 consultant, college president—Dean brings a wide range of experiences and perspectives to his daily walk with God’s Word. 

In 1979 he founded Auburn Christian Fellowship, a nondenominational campus ministry that still thrives today. In 1989 he founded and became executive director for New Directions Counseling Center, a service that grew to include several locations and counselors. In 1996 he became vice president of human resources for the CheckFree Corporation (3,000 employees) till founding DC Consulting in 1999. He continues part-time service with that company, offering executive leadership coaching, organizational effectiveness advice, and help with optimizing business relationships.

His latest pursuit, president of Point University since 2006 (interim president 2006-2009), has seen the college grow in enrollment, curriculum, physical campus, and athletic offerings. He led the school’s 2012 name change and relocation from Atlanta Christian College, East Point, Georgia, to Point University in West Point, Georgia. Meanwhile, he serves as board member or active volunteer with several nonprofits addressing issues ranging from global immunization to local government and education. 

He lives in Lanett, Alabama, with his wife, Penny. He has four children (two married) and five grandchildren. He plays the guitar, likes to cook, and enjoys getting outdoors, often on a nearby golf course. 

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From Failure to Faithfulness