Mike Paschall . com

Another devo entry.  Happy New Year!  -mdp-

“…knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin.”  Romans 6:6-7, NAS

My friend Michael Hindes tells the greatest story that illustrates the powerful truth of this passage.  Growing up in the tough streets of Pontiac, MI, presented lots of sullen opportunities to see humanity at its weakest.  Although there was more than enough conflict in his own home, often Michael’s father would have to bear arms and intervene at the neighbor’s house when Mr. Taylor would drink too much.  Jack was a mean drunk, a fighting drunk, which put Mrs. Taylor and the kids in harms way.   Many years after leaving the neighborhood, Michael visited the old stomping grounds and paid a visit to the Taylor home.  Mrs. Taylor was plenty cordial and extremely warm to Michael’s visit.  He asked Mrs. Taylor, “How’s Jack?  Has he stopped drinking?” Her response said it all, “Jack is dead.  He doesn’t get drunk anymore!” In that simple response we find the truth that we all can tap into.  We can come into agreement with the completed work of the cross that actually killed the power of sin and death over our life.   In short, we do NOT have to sin.  We can actually say no the things that once controlled and manipulated our life.  We no longer have to be a slave to sin.  We have a choice.  How?  Because we’ve been crucified with Him!

I had never considered this idea I’m about to convey here, until I heard it from my British friend Anthony Chapman.  Traditionally, we take this day and begin to plot a New Year’s Resolution for some change in our life.  Whether we need to begin to exercise, lose weight, learn a new skill, quit smoking or even change our behaviors in relationships, the weight of a resolution is that we change our mind or restructure our thoughts that pumps us up into legitimate motivation.  The only problem with this whole resolution concept is that we too easily lose that motivation and or interest by the end of January!  Too many great intentions are discarded like a soiled paper napkin.  I know that a couple days after New Years, the health club where I work out will be full of new members in cute little workout clothes and dazzling new running shoes.  By February, 75% of them will still be paying their dues, but no longer attending because they like the notion of being in shape, but no longer willing to pay the cost to be in shape.  Chapman’s thought is we really need a New Year’s Revolution!   That means that something old dies and something new is born.  The old regime, the old thing that has power in your life now, must die and the Spirit must birth the new thing, with new power!   You need a Jack Taylor!  Yes, you need to change your mind, but you also need to activate the truth that God will help you overcome in the Spirit and in the natural!

So, before you make some resolution of how you’re going to change, why not first identify what needs to die.   Then call upon the power of Christ to transform your thoughts and action.  Prophesy and activate your spirit to come into alignment with that power to change.  Then expect to move toward that thing or change what needs to happen next year, with the full expectation of complete victory!