New Years Resolutions

The Bible is such a wonderful Book! I find that the more I read and study, the more little pieces come together like a puzzle. It gives such food for thought. I was reading this morning from Luke 11, and in verses 24-26 it speaks of an unclean spirit coming out of a man and when he goes back, he finds the "house" empty and clean. Finding it thus, he goes and brings in seven other spirits worse than himself, making the latter state of that man worse than he was at the first. Trying to reform without repentance and surrender to Christ only leaves your soul empty and susceptible to the invasion of the devil in a worse way than before. If Christ were there, of course there would be no room for those demons to come in and take over again. During this time of the year, many people will make resolutions to do better in many ways: stopping smoking or overeating, keeping their temper under control, having a better disposition, reading their Bible every day,…the list is endless! But just how long do these resolutions last? Two months? One? Maybe not even as short as a week. And it is not that the person making the resolution is not sincere. So what is the problem? When a person tries to "do better" on his own, he builds upon a foundation of sand that cannot support him. Our firm foundation is Christ, and all other works that we try to do ourselves without him are "filthy rags". You can not use him just for the things that you need and then drop him off like a garment that your are finished with, but you can come to him in sincerity for the help you need in your life. If there are things about yourself that you would like to be different, look to the One that can change your life completely. He will not take the cigarette out of your mouth or lock up your computer so you cannot use it for sinful purposes, but he will give you the courage and reason to persevere and live a good life. He says, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28) Jesus is all that you need!