Radio personality Paul Harvey tells the true story of how an Eskimo kills a wolf. The account is grisly, yet it offers fresh insight into the consuming, self-destructive nature of sin.
First, the Eskimo coats his knife blade with animal blood and allows it to freeze. Then he adds another layer of blood, and another, until the blade is completely concealed by frozen blood.
Next, the hunter fixes his knife in the ground with the blade up. When a wolf follows his sensitive nose to the source of the scent and discovers the bait, he licks it, tasting the fresh frozen blood. He begins to lick faster, more and more vigorously, lapping the blade until the keen edge is bare. Feverishly now, harder and harder the wolf licks the blade in the arctic night.
So great becomes his craving for blood that the wolf does not notice the razor-sharp sting of the naked blade on his own tongue, nor does he recognize the instant at which his insatiable thirst is being satisfied by his OWN warm blood. His carnivorous appetite just craves more—until the dawn finds him dead in the snow!
It is a fearful thing that people can be “consumed by their own lusts.” Only God’s grace keeps us from the wolf’s fate.
How dangerous are Bad habits? Very! It is time to begin Good habits and stop Bad habits. Last Sunday we learned how to begin good habits and this Sunday we will focus on stopping bad habits.
How do you Start a good habit? Ask yourself the question: “Based on who I want to Become, what One habit do I need to Start?” The key is to make the Trigger and Action both Obvious and Easy. Start Small and let it Grow!
Let it become part of your Natural routine. We were reminded on Sunday that we are creatures of habit. For example, a 2006 study from Duke University found that 40% of actions you take in any given day are not a result of Decisions you make, but of Habits you have developed. 40%! Therefore, if you want to change where you are going in life and who you are becoming in life, you have to change your Habits.
How do you Stop a bad habit? Again, based on who you want to become, what one habit do you need to break? How do you do it. Make sure to join us this Sunday either in person or online.
It is all about becoming the person Jesus Christ wants you to be. He has a plan and purpose for your life. There are good habits that will help you get there (eg, daily Bible reading and prayer time, being a good steward of the resources He has entrusted to you, and many more). And there are bad habits that will hinder you from becoming that person. Be sure to develop the good habits/lifestyle and avoid the bad habits/lifestyle.
This Sunday, January 23, we will conclude our powerful teaching series on Habits. Please join us at 10:35am in the building or online for the Live broadcast on either Facebook (Honolulu AG) or our YouTube channel (Honolulu Assembly of God). It will also be uploaded later that afternoon here to our website.
The “Joy of Belonging” membership classes are happening now. (If you miss any of the sessions, please let me know. You can access a special page on our website with video of each week’s teaching.) The teaching is valuable for any and every Christian. If you are interested in membership here at Honolulu AG, these classes are required.
Coming Up: Our next Compassion Sunday will be January 30. Pastor Ron Peer will inspire and challenge us to be like Jesus. The 2022 Annual Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, February 13. All members are urged to attend. We will be hosting Oahu’s 2022 Connect East fun gathering for women and teen girls on Saturday, February 26.
Aloha ke Akua!