New Year's Resolutions vs. a New Life Revolution
As January 1 approaches, a lot of us start making all sorts of promises for the next year. And yet, the running gag year after year seems to be that no one ever succeeds at a "new year's resolution." The will-power seems to last for a week or two (if that) and then we're right back in the same old rut we were in.
And this doesn't just happen at the onset of a calendar year. We've all tried--on any given day--to change something about ourselves and failed. We try to break habits, addictions, sinful thoughts, and more...but guess what? In no time at all, everything comes crashing back down.
So what's the deal? If the cards are stacked so violently against our success, why do we bother to continue making New Year's Resolutions year after year? If we're doomed to failure, why do we keep believing it's so possible?
Because it is...just not the way we would expect.
You see, God is very clear on the fact that we are meant to change and be more like Christ. But He is also very clear on the fact that "will power" is not the answer. Actually, it's the opposite: We must abandon our own will and start serving the will of God. We must come to terms with the cross of Christ and put our sinful nature to death so that the Holy Spirit can birth new life within us.
Want to be free from addictions? Start by asking the Holy Spirit what issues in your past might be the root issue. He'll likely show you one or more instances in which your subconscious came to believe something that was not true. He'll show you inner wounds. He'll show you bitterness.
And when He reveals these things, it's your job to respond. A good friend of mine recently came to Christ and a few weeks later was set free from her addiction to smoking. Completely, 100% FREE! How? The Holy Spirit showed her some areas in her life in which she was holding bitterness and resentment against her dad. And as soon as she forgave him, the addiction lifted. She was occasionally tempted in her mind for a while, but she was no longer ruled by it. She even had a friend smoking near her who offered her a cigarrette, and she was able to refuse without any struggle.
Jesus is the answer! It's not about how much you "make up your mind" to change--that will never amount to anything! But the power and presence of God are transformational and revolutionary! It's time to stop making meaningless New Year's Resolutions, and start jumping into the New Life Revolution!
Ask God for the ability to repent and put your old life to death with Christ. Then ask Him to give you new life by raising you up with Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. Then start walking in victory by fostering your relationship with Father God, which Jesus made possible through His ascension into heaven.
This year, don't waste your time with another powerless New Year's Resolution. Rather, ask the Holy Spirit for a New Life Revolution! HE WILL ANSWER!
And this doesn't just happen at the onset of a calendar year. We've all tried--on any given day--to change something about ourselves and failed. We try to break habits, addictions, sinful thoughts, and more...but guess what? In no time at all, everything comes crashing back down.
So what's the deal? If the cards are stacked so violently against our success, why do we bother to continue making New Year's Resolutions year after year? If we're doomed to failure, why do we keep believing it's so possible?
Because it is...just not the way we would expect.
You see, God is very clear on the fact that we are meant to change and be more like Christ. But He is also very clear on the fact that "will power" is not the answer. Actually, it's the opposite: We must abandon our own will and start serving the will of God. We must come to terms with the cross of Christ and put our sinful nature to death so that the Holy Spirit can birth new life within us.
Want to be free from addictions? Start by asking the Holy Spirit what issues in your past might be the root issue. He'll likely show you one or more instances in which your subconscious came to believe something that was not true. He'll show you inner wounds. He'll show you bitterness.
And when He reveals these things, it's your job to respond. A good friend of mine recently came to Christ and a few weeks later was set free from her addiction to smoking. Completely, 100% FREE! How? The Holy Spirit showed her some areas in her life in which she was holding bitterness and resentment against her dad. And as soon as she forgave him, the addiction lifted. She was occasionally tempted in her mind for a while, but she was no longer ruled by it. She even had a friend smoking near her who offered her a cigarrette, and she was able to refuse without any struggle.
Jesus is the answer! It's not about how much you "make up your mind" to change--that will never amount to anything! But the power and presence of God are transformational and revolutionary! It's time to stop making meaningless New Year's Resolutions, and start jumping into the New Life Revolution!
Ask God for the ability to repent and put your old life to death with Christ. Then ask Him to give you new life by raising you up with Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. Then start walking in victory by fostering your relationship with Father God, which Jesus made possible through His ascension into heaven.
This year, don't waste your time with another powerless New Year's Resolution. Rather, ask the Holy Spirit for a New Life Revolution! HE WILL ANSWER!
Labels: Christian character, deliverance, freedom, gospel, new life, New Year, obedience, power, purity, the cross, truth, unity with Christ
posted by Art Thomas | Saturday, December 29, 2007
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home