Daniel 1:8, “But Daniel resolved not to defile himself.”

A new year. A new decade. New possibilities. New adventures. New decisions to grow your spiritual life to make it alive.

Let’s consider some practical thoughts we can take with us into 2020. At the beginning of each new year I take time for personal reflection. I love to look back from where I’ve come and then look ahead to the road I’m headed on. I’m sure we’ve been challenged in some way to make this world a better place to live. In my reflection of entering this new year I have been reminded how good the Lord Jesus Christ has been to me and my family. My gratitude to Him is at an all-time high. I truly marvel at His majesty.

I am overwhelmed by the magnificent power He displays to those who love Him as well as to those who are coming to know Him; I am thankful for His mercy and grace that I have come to know so well; I rejoice in the Holy Spirit who dwells in me; I am speechless to think about that “Day” when my faith shall become sight. What will I say to my Lord and God who has saved my soul and who has cared for me throughout my days!?!

The Apostle Paul in writing to the Corinthian church challenged them to “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith: test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” (2 Cor 13:5). In this same chapter we are encouraged to “Aim for perfection…” (2 Cor 13:11). The goal can’t get any higher than this!

Here are seven questions that can prompt some deep introspection. When answered honestly, these questions can make us become better servants for the Lord. How would you respond to these personal questions as a part of your spiritual evaluation?

1. Have you sensed losing your delight, your joy in the Lord?

2. Have you reduced your prayer life and reading God’s Word?

3. Are you craving other things, the wrong things…things that aren’t good for you…things that will only take you away from your love for Christ?

4. Have you stopped taking God seriously?

5. Has God become second place in your life as you have become first?

6. Are you tolerating things that three years, one year, or even one month ago you told yourself you would never accept?

7. Have you been swimming in indecisiveness and sin?

It’s important to note how you responded to these personal questions, but there is an even more important question that we should ask as we start this new year:

“Do I want to know Jesus more?”

This is the biggest challenge that stands before us all – our desire, or lack of, to know Jesus personally and passionately and more than anything in this world! Romans 6 tells us that once we were slaves to sin, but now we’re slaves to righteousness (Rom 6:15-18). Our debt of sin is forgiven; new life is given and the promise of eternal life guaranteed. This is promised to us regardless of any hardships we bring into this new year.

Give your burdens to him!

We are told in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This passage is powerful and tells us that all who come to know Jesus Christ can be transformed into images of His Son—we can become PORTRAITS OF CHRIST!

As I look to my future from where I stand today I must show faith that can move mountains. I must trust in Him alone. The passage of scripture that was placed on my heart this past Sunday comes from Daniel 1:8, “But Daniel resolved not to defile himself.” To resolve means to make a decision; to come to a firm decision about something. From the very beginning, Daniel resolved in his heart that he was going to be committed and faithful to His Lord no matter what would befall him in the days, months, and years to come. What a mindset for us to strive for as we enter 2020.

When you resolve in your heart to not conform to the world, there is nothing that can get between you and the Lord Jesus Christ. Daniel’s entire decision making was made well in advance before any of his encounters with temptation, evil, and death. Daniel knew exactly how he’d respond beforehand in every circumstance that was to confront him in life. Because of this, Daniel didn’t flinch when his three friends were thrown into the fiery furnace because they knew in life or death God would rescue them; Daniel didn’t shudder when the king’s officials detested him because his character and reputation were defined by his God; Daniel didn’t retreat when he was to be thrown into the lion’s den because Daniel trusted his God to save him.

The secret? Daniel resolved in his heart not to be defiled (Read about these moments in Daniel 1-6).

I close with these key words/phrases the Lord has put on my heart to focus upon.

Remove…Cleanse…Restore…Heal…Motivate…Refresh…Transform… Infuse…Use me…Release me to do your will…Set me free!

Which word(s) can you relate to that can serve as a reminder of letting God be God in your life in 2020?

Oh praise His Holy Name. I will trust in the Lord Jesus to remove the dross that plagues my life that keeps me from praising him daily. I will enter this year with the commitment that I shall resolve in my heart not to be defiled by the world’s standards, rather, I shall make Him the living God of my life in all circumstances. The Apostle Paul puts it this way, “Be on our guard; stand firm in the faith; be men [women] of courage; be strong. Do everything in love” (1 Cor 16:13-14). What’s your resolve?

All I need is you.

It shall be gone, I shall be renewed.

Trusting in you I shall not be subdued.

God hears my very words and sees my heart.

To Him I owe my all.

It’s the hand of the Potter,

It’s the knife of the Gardener,

It’s the wisdom of the Creator

that forms all of my Tomorrows.

In Him I will trust. By Robert Lozano