Romans 8:28 – “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”  NASB

The question to ask on this New Year’s Day – “What Are You Living For?”  That may sound strange when connected to the text I have chosen for this topic, but if you will permit, I believe you will understand.  I want to address the last words of that sentence, “to those who are called according to His purpose.”  The focus is His Purpose, and that begs the question for each of us: “What Are We Living For?”

I heard a preacher reveal his technique for sharing his faith in witnessing using two straightforward questions.  He would first ask, “What do you do for a living?”  The responses are always the typical Doctor, Lawyer, Teacher, etc.  We all do something or aspire to do something in life as a vocation.  That opens the door, and then he asks, “What are you living for?”  That is an entirely different world, and there is usually silence because most do not truly have a clear picture in their minds of what they are living for. 

We are living for something, even if we do not know what it is or how to articulate it — what?  Some people invest their entire lives pursuing wealth, some fame, some approval, some seeking love and to be loved.  The question is valid: “What are you living for?”  What is your purpose in life?  What is it that keeps you moving from day to day, project to project, and venture to venture? 

You are investing your life in something – what?  The additional question is: will it be of eternal value or of temporal value?  Jesus asked the disciples, “Who do men say that I am?  What are people saying about me?”  They gave a list of what they were hearing, and then He asked the pointed question, “But what about you?  What do you believe about Me?”  Peter gave the timeless answer of eternal value, “You are the Christ!”

That reality allowed Jesus to direct their thinking and lay before them His Purposes and the various paths they could choose.  In a very real sense, He was saying, “Now that you know who I am, are you ready and willing to take up your cross and follow me?”  He cautioned that the world would never understand what they were doing or why.  He reminded them that they could turn to this world; it was an option.  It was not a good one and would prove fatal, but they had the choice.

I heard a powerful sermon about Jesus’ life, and the list given would be considered a failure by most in this world.  He was born in obscurity, never went to college, never owned property, never held public office, never wrote a book, and had neither a wife nor children.  He made powerful enemies.  He was crucified as a common criminal on a cruel cross.  That is not a picture of the pathway to success in the eyes of the world and much of the church.

If you are pursuing a career, your reward is that career.  However, if your life is the pursuit of a mission, you are laying up eternal treasures.  Someone said, “A career is something you choose for yourself, but a mission is chosen for you by another.”  The life pursuit called for in the Bible is never about careers but missions.  The Bible is not opposed to careers; thank God, some have invested themselves in various occupations.  The Bible is not against wealth; thank God for those who have amassed fortunes and invest them in people and God’s kingdom.

If we make our lives a Mission, we do not waste time as we do if we are only pursuing a career.  Benjamin E. Mays offered some valuable insight:  He wrote, “I have just one minute, only sixty seconds in it.  Forced upon me – can’t refuse it, didn’t seek it, didn’t choose it, but it’s up to me to use it.  I must suffer if I lose it, give an account if I abuse it.  Just a tiny minute – but eternity is in it.”

C.T. Studd eloquently declared: “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, Only, what’s done for Christ will last.”  On this New Year’s Day, you may or may not make Resolutions, but I ask that you consider the eternal question – “What am I Living For?”  I also pray that your response will become – “For the Purposes of God.”  I also pray that your declaration will be more than an offering of piousness without purpose, but that you will become a Matthew 6:33 person and you will ‘seek first, Him and His purposes.’

I pray that 2026 will be the greatest year you have ever lived, and you will see more accomplished than your wildest dreams, hopes, and aspirations.  Remember, “Only one life to live, ‘twill soon be past, Only, what’s done for Christ will last.”

 Have a fantastic day and a fantastic year!

Exodus 4:10 – “Then Moses said to the Lord, “O my Lord, I am not an eloquent man, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant, for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.”

As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, the words “useful and useless” filled my consciousness.  That may sound strange, but it was the emphasis of the Spirit in my mind.  All we are and do fall into one of those two categories.

I never cease to be amazed and amused by Moses in his wilderness encounter with God.  His humanity was glaringly apparent.  Forty years earlier, he envisioned being Israel’s deliverer.  That plan failed, and for 40 years, he’s been in hiding.

Suddenly, God revealed Himself in an unusual way (that’s just like God).  You would think that the burning but unburnt bush and the voice of God, as well as the signs, would have ended all resistance, but it didn’t.

In Exodus 4, after God details Moses’ assignment, Moses pushes back.  This is the same Moses who was educated and trained in Egypt.  A man powerful with words who said, in Exodus 4:10 – “I am not eloquent, neither heretofore nor since Thou hast spoken to Thy servant; for I am a stutterer and slow of speech.”

He has seen the miraculous signs, heard the voice of God Himself, and resists.  God was not amused nor impressed.  God said, “Who has made man’s mouth?  Moses, stop this useless nonsense and be useful for a change!  Trust Me!”

Peter’s life was a transition from useless self-focus to useful obedience.  From the trial of Jesus until Pentecost, Peter was far more useless than useful.  After Pentecost, he was consistently and persistently useful.  He lost his FEAR!

Fear robs us.  Fear of death or physical harm is a powerful emotion in humans.  Uncertainty is terrifying to those who have not transitioned into a position and condition of Complete Trust.  Fear of death, loss, religion, and failure are compelling forces in our lives.

To be useful rather than useless, we must SEE JESUS!  See Him in our hearts and surrender all to Him. Remember, God uses what we have (Moses’ staff).  Peter said, “Such as I have, I give.” What we have given to God makes us useful.  Waiting for what we think we need makes us useless.  What will we be?

LORD, help us to be useful, not useless for Your Kingdom!

Genesis 45:5 – “Now, do not be upset and do not be angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me ahead of you to preserve life!”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, the thought of ‘Complete Trust’ filled my mind.  That means different things to different people, but what does it mean to God?  What does God’s view of ‘Complete Trust’ look like?  How is it demonstrated?  How does it affect attitude and outlook?  Do we have any examples other than Jesus?

In Genesis 41:16, Pharaoh had a second dream and called Joseph to interpret it.  In the previous verse, he said, “I hear of you that you can interpret.”  He had already done so years earlier.  Joseph’s response speaks to his recognition of God’s sovereignty and his dependence on God.  He said, “Not without God, I can’t.”

When Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt, and he revealed his identity, he said, (Genesis 45:5) – “Now don’t be grieved, nor displeased with yourselves, that you sold me here; for it was to provide for you that God sent me before you.”

That reveals ‘Complete Trust’ in God and a transformed heart free of every ounce of bitterness, with total forgiveness as a cornerstone.

Joseph’s ‘Complete Trust’ enabled him to fully forgive because he saw life through the lens of God’s purpose rather than as an individual event.  It wasn’t about Joseph but the Kingdom of God.  The events of life were classroom sessions of becoming.  The people involved were just tools or vehicles.  The real was the unseen in the spirit.  Joseph’s ‘Complete Trust’ transformed his heart and shaped his outlook and worldview.  Without it, he would have been retaliatory.

Joseph is a type of Christ, our provider!  Jesus looks for ‘Complete Trust’ in all, and from all.   Mark 12:28-31 is powerfully revelatory.  The commandments obeyed and practiced reveal the heart and exhibit ‘Complete Trust.’

We will not give God ALL until we reach a state of ‘Complete Trust.‘  How can I value another person to that degree unless I see God’s purpose, promise, and provision?

Complete Trust eliminates all doubt and produces fruit.  The parable of the fruitless fig tree in Mark 11, in the context of ‘Complete Trust’ and the commandments of Mark 12:28-31, reveals why Jesus was upset with a tree that looked fruitful but had only show and no produce.  The life of ‘Complete Trust’ produces because in Trust it obeys, and out of that obedience and transformation of heart, fruit is natural.

Our goal is‘Complete Trust.’

LORD, help us to set our hearts to completely trust You in all things, and at all times!

Mark 9:25-29 – “Now when Jesus saw that a crowd was quickly gathering, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “Mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” ²⁶ It shrieked, threw him into terrible convulsions, and came out.  The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He is dead!” ²⁷ But Jesus gently took his hand and raised him to his feet, and he stood up.  ²⁸ Then, after he went into the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we cast it out?” ²⁹ He told them, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”

As I prayed, read, and contemplated the Word of God today, trust was my heart’s focus—the simplicity and immensity of trust.  Before trust in God is solidified, enabling us to live in trusting obedience in all things, there is a time (like Jacob) when we wrestle with God.  In that time of inner struggle, a character change transpires.  That change brings everything into the proper perspective.  Then we live a life to trust!

Joseph’s success was the outflow of trust.  The disciples were trained in trust.  In Mark 9, we have the story of the demon-possessed boy.  The disciples could not cast out the demon.  Why?  Jesus explained in verses 28-29.  It was trust!  He said only by fasting and prayer.

Trust reduces self and elevates God.  It solidifies trust.  It is a portal, not a purchase.  It decreases self and increases God.  Mark 10:15 reveals a needed truth.  The simplicity of trust is the portal to the kingdom.  If we trust God with our all, we see Him as He is and live in eager expectation!

All things are possible if we trust Him (believe)!   Go forth today expecting God’s fullness to follow you everywhere!  Have a fantastic day in Jesus!