   Muscle memory isn't stored in your muscles. It's a procedural memory stored in your brain any time you repeat a muscle movement. Whether it's putting a golf ball or playing a violin, the muscle memory becomes stronger the more it's repeated. Have you heard about the 10,000-hour rule? Psychologists say that's the amount of time it takes to become an expert at anything. That's encouraging because it means anybody can do it, but it's discouraging because it means there are no shortcuts, no matter how smart or gifted you are. 

   Just like learning a foreign language, developing a spiritual mindset is a learning curve. Can you imagine being frustrated on the first day of a foreign language class because you aren't fluent? That's how we can feel when we aren't fluent in prayer, or strong in faith, or disciplined in our habits. Psalm 84:7 (NIV) says we 'go from strength to strength'. You'll be working on this for the rest of your life, one day at a time. You'll keep benchmarking. Your faith ceiling becomes your faith floor. 

   Make no mistake about it - spiritual disciplines accrue compound interest. And they pay off in terms of joy, fulfilment and power with God. 'Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace' (Romans 8:5-6 NIV).





— SCRIPTURE —

    'Everyone...ruled by the Holy Spirit thinks...spiritual things.' Romans 8:5 CEV
— SOULFOOD —

    Eze 14:1-16:52, Matt 16:1-12, Ps 1, Pro 14:29-32
    

Muscle memory isn't stored in your muscles. It's a procedural memory stored in your brain any time you repeat a muscle movement. Whether it's putting a golf ball or playing a violin, the muscle memory becomes stronger the more it's repeated. Have you heard about the 10,000-hour rule? Psychologists say that's the amount of time it takes to become an expert at anything. That's encouraging because it means anybody can do it, but it's discouraging because it means there are no shortcuts, no matter how smart or gifted you are. Just like learning a foreign language, developing a spiritual mindset is a learning curve. Can you imagine being frustrated on the first day of a foreign language class because you aren't fluent? That's how we can feel when we aren't fluent in prayer, or strong in faith, or disciplined in our habits. Psalm 84:7 (NIV) says we 'go from strength to strength'. You'll be working on this for the rest of your life, one day at a time. You'll keep benchmarking. Your faith ceiling becomes your faith floor. Make no mistake about it - spiritual disciplines accrue compound interest. And they pay off in terms of joy, fulfilment and power with God. 'Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace' (Romans 8:5-6 NIV).
 
 — SCRIPTURE — 
 'Everyone...ruled by the Holy Spirit thinks...spiritual things.' Romans 8:5 CEV 
 — SOULFOOD — 
 Eze 14:1-16:52, Matt 16:1-12, Ps 1, Pro 14:29-32

The Word For Today is a daily devotional by authors Bob and Debby Gass. Every day, tens of thousands of people across New Zealand are encouraged and uplifted by its relevant insights.

The daily readings resonate with people as they often speak into their current circumstances. Often readers express wonder at how a particular day’s devotion appeared to be ‘written just for me’

The Word For Today is a daily devotional by authors Bob and Debby Gass. Every day, tens of thousands of people across New Zealand are encouraged and uplifted by its relevant insights.
The daily readings resonate with people as they often speak into their current circumstances. Often readers express wonder at how a particular day&rsquo;s devotion appeared to be &lsquo;written just for me&rsquo;