The beginning of a new year often has us reflecting to be better, do better, make life better for the upcoming year.  What if instead of making resolutions for the 2020 year, you made declarations?

What, do you ask, are declarations?  Declarations are statements of fact that you either know to be true or intend to be true by partnering with God.  You declare these statements to be truth in your life, based on your values and where you are headed in 2020, giving yourself 2020 vision for the new year.

The best declarations are ones that God has already declared about you.  You choose declarations then that are in agreement with Him and can live those out day by day with Him by your side.  A resolution is a statement, usually something that you determine to do, based on a change you think you should make and often has little staying power.

What would happen if you made declarations of what and who you wanted to be for 2020?  Spend some time in solitude and ask God for what He sees for this next year.  What is He declaring to be true about you?

Here are five examples I want to declare for the new year. Do any resonate for you?

I am blessed

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”  John 10:10b NIV

By keeping focused on what you have and what God is providing, Jesus reminds us we can have life and have it to the full.  You begin to see the abundance around you.  You can be grateful for what you have and look forward to what is to come.

I am doing a gratitude journal currently with a friend.  She and I are exchanging daily journal entries, looking for what we realize, even when things are not as positive as we would like.  We are both surprised and blessed by what awareness of gratitude is doing to change our attitudes.  In actuality, this awareness is bringing more blessings, because we are watching for them. I am humbled and amazed at what I see each day.

I am faithful

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 NIV

Faith is being confident in what is to come because God sees the bigger picture.  You can have faith that God can be trusted and give Him your hopes for what is to come.

For me, my faith is built on my prayer time and practicing seeing His fingerprints throughout my day.  By asking, seeking, knocking and listening, I receive assurance about what I do not see.  I will be faithful, even when the answer is no or wait because I know He sees a bigger picture that I do.

Currently I am praying with a friend for business she needs to help pay bills.  She needs 5 new clients this month.  We prayed together earlier this week, asking for God’s provision and counting on His faithfulness.  Already she has two clients of the five she needs.  He is faithful.

I am healthy

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?”   I Corinthians 3:16 NIV

When you really focus on your body as God’s temple, self-care can become easier.  Asking Him for guidance on what to eat, when to exercise, and what is needed for rest can provide surprising answers.  My problem is remembering to ask.

I want to treat my body like His temple this year so that I can best serve others from my healthiest spot.  I know He will support me in this quest.

I am what I am  

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. I Cor 15:10 NIV

The “am what I am” refrain reminds me of Popeye the Sailor man cartoons when I was a child.  He had no apologies for who he was.  God has no apologies on how He has made each of us.

We can live in freedom when we see ourselves as He sees us.   You can live with grace and strength and power through Christ Jesus.  I personally want to live more and more like that!

 I am creative

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.  Ephesians 2:10 NIV

What a wonder that each of us is God’s masterpiece.  You and I are creatives.  He has good works in mind for us, according to our design.  Isn’t that wondrous?

When have you given yourself permission to be creative?  What will it take for you to be anew in Christ?  The creativity He is birthing in me is more and more prayer and writing to hopefully encourage you.  What about you?

The Take Away

What declarations sound intriguing to you?  How are they different than your normal resolutions?  By making declarations this year, you may find yourself being aware of your day-to-day life in different aspects.

For example, if you declare you are healthy and a temple of God, how will that impact your day-to-day eating choices?

What about you is faithful?  What will look different about your days?  Will you have a daily prayer time?  Or find a spiritual discipline practice you want to try to become closer to God? Or even work with a spiritual director?

Each of the declarations brings to you some sort of action.

Here are examples of other declarations:

(Different Bible versions can be found on Bible Gateway.  Listed below are passages from New International Version (NIV) and The Message.)

I am loved   I John 3:1  NIV

I am a good steward   Luke 16:1-2 NIV

I am free from worry   Matthew 6: 33-34  NIV

I am living freely and lightly   Matthew 11:28-30   The Message

I am fully present  Psalm 46:10 NIV

 

If you would like to put your declarations into action this year with support, please contact me.  We can spend time together, discerning God’s best for you in 2020.

Let’s find out what God has in store for you.  I have spots available to support your best year yet! Contact me for your discernment session for 2020.

Happy New Year for 2020 Declarations!

Nancy Booth wants to create safe spaces for you, helping you find ways to have two-way conversations with God.  She loves encouraging you to look for ways He is at work. Nancy is a spiritual director and writer.  She would love to accompany you on your journey of discovery to hear and see more of the God who delights in you.  Peace, hope and freedom could be yours Contact her today..