As we celebrate the New Year the world makes their resolutions. Unfortunately, these resolutions quickly dissipate when the routines of daily life and the insufficiency of the flesh become reality. No matter how lofty or noble their resolutions may be, without the spirit of God they simply lack power. Even as Christians, our human endeavors are doomed to failure without the spirit of God working in us. Therefore each of us should resolve this year to live each day in the will of God.

It takes great sensitivity to know the will of God each and every day of our lives. A few years ago, I became determined that I would live each and everyday for Jesus. I wanted my time to be completely lived for the Lord! Therefore, I asked the Lord to make "all my days profitable and productive". This may sound like a very noble prayer. But it wasn't. What I really meant was that I wanted God to help me to accomplish more of what I wanted to do and not what He wanted me to do. This is what James referred to when he said we do not get an answer because of our wrong motives when we pray. (James 4:3).The Holy Spirit arrested me by allowing me to see the end result of my prayer.

At first, it seemed I got a lot done and I felt good. Gradually I begin to feel frustrated because I although I was progressing, I felt no inner peace. I thought accomplishment would bring me happiness. It did not. I repented of wrong thinking and asked God by His grace to help me to live each day in His perfect will. He has made each day gloriously profitable and productive. I should mention at the time, I was a full-time mom and wife. This is important because I believe it is stereotypical to think only those on a business/career track can be obsessed with doing.

Overall moms tend to push themselves way beyond reason. It is dangerous to find our worth in what we do. I have learned that my daily accomplishments are the result of God's grace in my life and not my own efforts. Our own efforts can keep us from seeing the will of God. Knowing God's will is something even seasoned saints' struggle with occasionally. Yet, there are certain indisputable truths we know about God. We know He calls us to live holy chaste lives. He eschews sexual immorality, lying, deception, covertness, etc. We know He is a holy God who requires holiness of us!

Therefore, the will of God for many this New Year simply begins with getting rid of these clearly evil vices. For some, He may require you to get rid of the pornographic magazines under your mattress. For another it may be to stop using the telephone to gossip under the guise of requesting prayer. The will of God, first and foremost, is to conform us to His image. Therefore anything that prohibits transformation, like known sin is not the will of God. Truthfully, each of us knows the secret sin in our lives. If we say that we have no sin, then pride is the prevalent secret sin. Or as James says we deceive ourselves if we refuse to look at ourselves in the mirror of the Word. (James 1: 22-25)

There are also sinful attitudes the Lord may be calling us to abandon so that we can be a true reflection of Jesus. The Lord demands purity. Scripture clearly dictates that those closest to the Lord had pure hearts. The Lord even required the Israeli high priests to be meet stringent requirements before they entered the holy of holies where the presence of God dwelt in the tabernacle. That tabernacle is figurative of the church today. The church today cries out for more power but purity is a prerequisite of that power. And purity begins in our hearts. Therefore, we should ask God, like David to cleanse our hearts so that we may be clean. (Psalms 19:12-13).

After we have laid our secret sins before God and sincerely cried out for holiness, or purity of heart we become more like the Lord Jesus. In this process of sanctification, for it is a process and not an event, we become more like Christ. It is He who makes us. He uses time redemptively because He loves us. His mercies are new every morning. Although, we may stumble we can still get up and start all over again. And, as I have often counseled, time does not heal old wounds, it merely gives us the space to change our reaction to the hurt.

Time is a gift God uses to transform our character. And as my pastor has often said decisions are not made in a moment of time but are rooted in our character. Therefore, if we want to make changes in the way we spend our time, we need God to change our character. God's immense love for us causes Him to continue to prod us to change. Change is not easy but it is necessary for growth. This year can be a bountiful year for the church. Many have prayed for revival but revival starts in our individual lives and families. I know many yearn for a greater measure of God's spirit. Cry out to God for a greater depth of His holiness. Abandon youthful lust. Flee sin. Discipline your flesh. Re-dedicate yourself to prayer and fasting.

It is not a time to compromise. Commit to setting aside one hour per week to seek God's will for your life. Turn off the television. Mark it on your calendar. Pray and ask the Lord to make your days profitable and productive for Him. He will do it for you.