The Goal: His Kingdom

Haven't you found that the Bible speaks a lot of plans and paths? God has a path for you to walk out, and this devotional is intended to help you as you begin a new year or even a new season of life.

As you walk in the purpose of God, you will find a life that has meaning beyond just you! When you are walking in your purpose, you are living a life of significance and impact, leaving a lasting legacy that reflects the love and goodness of God.

Paths and Plans

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare[a]and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. - Jeremiah 29:11

Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. - Psalm 25:4

The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. - Proverbs 16:9

In this devotional, we are seeking God for the plans and path he has for us, setting up some key foundational essentials that we can walk upon into his plan and purpose. To set up our year or new season well, as with any new journey, we need to leave some things behind and set some things in place - our checklist, if you will - that will be foundations for our feet on the way.

Be Anxious for Nothing; Seek First the Kingdom

Today, we'll look at Matthew 6:25-34. In this passage, Jesus is helping us decide what we are taking on the path with us and what we need to leave behind. He says, ..which of you by worrying [about what to eat, drink or wear] can add a single hour to your lives? Isn't that the truth! We need to take our eyes off worry and anxiety and put them on God, for he is our provider, and he will take care of us. He WILL provide for us; all he requires us to do is seek first his kingdom. So, how do we do that? The best way to know what his kingdom is like is to know Jesus.

There are going to be plenty of things that you could seek this year; you could seek more money, or you could seek your own plans, but Jesus is clear: seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. We don’t seek “all these things” which are outlined in the first verses: life, what you will eat or drink, clothes. The incredible thing is when you put God first and seek his kingdom, he takes care of the rest: clothes, food, and your daily needs.

So, as we seek his kingdom and ways first, we also have some 'do nots' to deal with! Do not bring worry, and do not bring things that will hinder you or consume you with doubt and fear. Spend some time today to contemplate what things you can leave behind as you seek God and his kingdom.

Prayer Point:

Father, as I begin this journey with you, I pray that you would help me establish my plans on good foundations. That I would have the right goal, to seek first your kingdom. I pray I am able to leave behind doubt and fear as I look to you and set a clear path in wisdom and in faith.