EPISODE · Nov 14, 2025 · 31 MIN
Greg Gifford (Part 2): How Habits Help Shape the Heart
from afterWord with Pastor Kent · host NorthCreek Church
What do you do when your desires don’t line up with God’s commands? In this episode of afterWord, Pastor Kent Dresdow sits down again with Dr. Greg Gifford—author of Heart & Habits and host of the Transform podcast—to explore how the Lord uses everyday obedience to reshape the heart.Building from Philippians 2:12–13 and themes throughout Psalm 119, Kent and Greg talk through the surprising way Scripture presents the relationship between discipline and desire. Under the Spirit’s work, consistent habits—attending Lord’s Day worship, giving, practicing fellowship, opening the Scriptures—can actually move the affections toward what God loves, even when the “want to” is slow to follow.From there, the conversation widens into the cultural currents forming the next generation: declining birthrates, delayed marriage, digital isolation, expressive individualism, and the way smartphones since 2007 have altered relationships and discipleship. Greg offers a pastoral appeal for churches to disciple young men intentionally, cast a better vision of the good life in Christ, and root identity in the local church rather than politics or online tribes.The episode closes with a needed reminder about the professionalism of ministry—why pastors must stay close to their people, resist platform-driven pressures, and cultivate long-haul faithfulness.If you want to understand how habits, obedience, culture, and discipleship intersect—and how God truly transforms the heart—this conversation will serve you well.Welcome to NorthCreek Church!In glad reliance on the Holy Spirit and Scripture, we exist for the glory of Christ, to make disciples who worship God, walk in love, and witness to the world.Connect With Us:Sunday Services: 9:00AM & 10:45AM Address: 2303 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek, CA 94598Online Resources:Main Website: https://www.northcreek.org/ NorthCreek Academy (TK-8): https://ncapschool.org/ Sermon Archive: https://northcreek.churchcenter.com/channels/19901 Church App: Download the Church Center App and search for "NorthCreek Church"
What this episode covers
What do you do when your desires don’t line up with God’s commands? In this episode of afterWord, Pastor Kent Dresdow sits down again with Dr. Greg Gifford—author of Heart & Habits and host of the Transform podcast—to explore how the Lord uses everyday obedience to reshape the heart.Building from Philippians 2:12–13 and themes throughout Psalm 119, Kent and Greg talk through the surprising way Scripture presents the relationship between discipline and desire. Under the Spirit’s work, consistent habits—attending Lord’s Day worship, giving, practicing fellowship, opening the Scriptures—can actually move the affections toward what God loves, even when the “want to” is slow to follow.From there, the conversation widens into the cultural currents forming the next generation: declining birthrates, delayed marriage, digital isolation, expressive individualism, and the way smartphones since 2007 have altered relationships and discipleship. Greg offers a pastoral appeal for churches to disciple young men intentionally, cast a better vision of the good life in Christ, and root identity in the local church rather than politics or online tribes.The episode closes with a needed reminder about the professionalism of ministry—why pastors must stay close to their people, resist platform-driven pressures, and cultivate long-haul faithfulness.If you want to understand how habits, obedience, culture, and discipleship intersect—and how God truly transforms the heart—this conversation will serve you well.Welcome to NorthCreek Church!In glad reliance on the Holy Spirit and Scripture, we exist for the glory of Christ, to make disciples who worship God, walk in love, and witness to the world.Connect With Us:Sunday Services: 9:00AM & 10:45AM Address: 2303 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek, CA 94598Online Resources:Main Website: https://www.northcreek.org/ NorthCreek Academy (TK-8): https://ncapschool.org/ Sermon Archive: https://northcreek.churchcenter.com/channels/19901 Church App: Download the Church Center App and search for "NorthCreek Church"
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Greg Gifford (Part 2): How Habits Help Shape the Heart
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