We all chuckle at not keeping New Year’s Resolutions but as you’ll see from some of these, a lack of self-control can really hurt you.
Here’s a look at someone’s New Year’s resolutions down through the years.
RESOLUTION #1:
2021: I will read at least 20 good books a year.
2022: I will read at least 10 books a year.
2023: I will read 5 books a year.
2024: I will finish The Pelican Brief
There is no disease, no addiction, no demon, no bad habit, no fault, no vice, no weakness, no temper, no moodiness, no pride, no self-pity, no strife, no jealousy, no perversion, no greed, no laziness that Christ will not overcome as the enemy of his honor.
And the encouragement in that promise is that when you set yourself to do battle with the enemies of your faith and your holiness, you will not fight alone.
- John Piper, He Must Reign
King Henry IV of France once asked the Duke of Alva if he had observed the great eclipse of the sun that had recently occurred.
"No," said the duke, "I have so much to do on the earth that I have no leisure to look up into heaven."
"God created us to know him and love him and show him. And then he gave us a hint of what he is like: the universe."
- John Piper, Why Did God Create the World?
A forestry-service employee was recording the rainfall in his area. One drizzly day, his thoughts were apparently elsewhere as he typed "thirty three inches" instead of "thirty-three hundredths of an inch" into the computer.
It was obvious that the machine had been programmed by someone with a sense of humor, for this message quickly appeared on the screen:
"Build the ark. Gather the animals two by two..."
Featured Illustration items are well suited for introducing or illuminating a point in a sermon, speech, or devotional. Funny, moving, or perhaps even graphic, the point of them is the point you make with them.
Our collection of inspiring quotes.
A discussion about Truth and Reconciliation with two members of the Wiikwemkoong First Nation, and a member and Chief of the Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation.
To find and watch other parts of this video series, visit the playlist at:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsFiYkm76UF_Jrx2dFpJLuBqbUJ1NXNPA
Commenting on this, Thomas Brooks said, "It is sad to think how heart and time are so taken up with earthly things that we have no leisure to look to Christ and the things that belong to everlasting peace."
Yes, how foolish is the person who caters entirely to this temporal world! It gives only momentary pleasure, and cannot bring the eternal rewards of Heaven. Jesus told us, "...seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6)