Sometimes it can be really hard to want to commit to something. Maybe a friend invites you to do something Friday night, but you think maybe something better will come up, and so you have difficulty committing.

And while your plans for Friday probably don’t really make a huge difference in the long run, when it comes to the things of God, commitment is important.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. – Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)

If you’re going to live the good life that God has planned for you, you’ve got to commit to it. That means you’ve got to determine that no matter what things happen, you’re going all-in for God.

Even when things are hard. Even when you don’t always get it, remember that God is there and He’s for you. Commit to follow Him. Let Him lead and guide your life. Doing that will always bring you lasting peace and happiness.

I broke my arm really badly once riding my bike to school. To get the bone set, they had to place two screws in my elbow.

After I had surgery to set my bone, they wrapped up my arm in a big brace to help me from moving my arm and damaging my broken elbow further.

Today’s Bible verse talks about setting our hearts on things above.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. – Colossians 3:1 (NIV)

When we set our hearts on something, we focus on it intently. The focus is so intense that we don’t allow any circumstances, situation or anything moves it.

We should be setting our hearts and minds so much on Jesus that nothing sways us. If we’re going to walk in the good things God has for us, we’ve got to make Jesus our focus above all else.

Today, if you’ve gotten your focus off Jesus, determine to change. Do what’s needed to get your focus on Him and what He’s doing and off yourself. God has good things in store for you if you’ll set your heart and focus on Him!

Have you ever taken time to think about the fact that God wants you to have a rich and satisfying life? God doesn’t want you just barely getting by, sad, troubled and unfulfilled. No. He wants you to have a rich and satisfying life.

But just because that’s what God wants doesn’t always mean that it will happen in your life. You have a role to play in it too.

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. – John 10:10 (NLT)

You’ve got to choose to believe that God wants good things for you. Then you’ve got to participate in those plans.

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You’ve got to grab on to the promises of God and let those be more real to you than the problems you’re facing. God wants a good life for you. Will you choose to partner with Him? Will you choose to live a full and satisfying life knowing that God has good things in store for you?

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. – Gal 2:20 (NAS)

Realizing that you are in union with Christ is really important. To really enjoy the Christian life, you need to get a revelation that you are united with Christ. God doesn’t look at you and see your short comings or what you once were. Instead He sees you thought the blood of Christ, raised up and seated next to Him in heaven.

When you begin to realize that God isn’t holding anything against you, and that you are identified with Christ it will change your whole outlook on life.

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In any challenge or situation that we face, we can realize that we identify with Christ. Everything that Christ is, we now are. So we are able to live life to the fullest knowing that God is always looking out for us.

Your choices are important. The things you choose today set you up for success or failure in the future. So as you’re starting off this new year, take a moment to think about which things you’re choosing.

• Friends
• Classes
• College
• Who to date
• Which job to take

There are many other choices, but all these choices are important. They impact your future and what you’ll ultimately end up doing for God.

So take a look at your choices. Are you choosing things you’d be proud of in a few years?

Are you choosing to go after God and His plan and purpose for your life?

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. – Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)

We can make our own plans, we can choose our own path. God gives us the freedom to do that. However, it’s when we choose to follow God, follow His plan and purpose for our life that we really experience a life of meaning and purpose.

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God is the one who knows what will fulfill you. So are you seeking what He thinks when you make choices? If you haven’t done so, consider asking God for His help when you’re faced with a choice. You’ll be glad you did!

Have you ever questioned your purpose?

Have you ever been guilty of questioning whether your life has a God-given purpose? I know I have, lots of times. I’ve had times where I’ve wondered whether God really had a plan for me. Other times, I’ve felt alone and totally forgotten.

Feeling like God doesn’t care or that you’re alone is normal. The truth is, God doesn’t leave you to figure things out on your own. Instead, He is there to lead you and guide you – even if it feels crazy sometimes.

However, in those times when things are hard, or when you feel forgotten, it takes faith to believe that God still has a plan for you.

It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. – Hebrews 11:8 (NLT)

Abraham was a great example of someone having faith to believe God, even when he didn’t feel it. He followed after God even when it seemed crazy. Abraham didn’t know where he was going when he started out.

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Abraham Made a Choice to Follow God.

Regardless of that, he made the choice to follow God. And that took faith.

Abraham had to trust God probably when he wasn’t feeling it. He had to look past what he saw and felt and he chose to trust that God had a plan for his life.

The same is true for you. God has good plans for your life. Will you trust Him enough to let Him reveal those to you? Will you do as Abraham did and follow those plans even when it seemed crazy?

 If you enjoyed today’s devotion and want to follow along with a PDF version, you can download our 10-day purpose planner. It’s full of devotions to help you discover your God-given purpose.

Be honest. Do you love junk food? My absolute favorite junk food is Cheetos, followed closely by nachos of any kind. I could sit, eat junk food, and binge-watch my favorite series and be pretty happy.

However, I’ve realized that if I fill up all my extra time with things like watching TV and social media, I don’t even have any time to hear from God.

That isn’t good. We should be making knowing God a priority.

Proverbs 20:27 – The spirit of a man is the lamp of the lord searching all the inner depths of his heart

God wants to speak to you. He wants to tell you about your future. He wants to reveal secrets from His word to you. The problem is, many times it feels better to eat Cheetos than it does to get quiet with God.

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You’re more fulfilled when you include God in your life.

In the long run, however, you’re going to be happier and more fulfilled when you include God into your life. When you get God in your decision-making process, you’ll avoid many of the mistakes and pitfalls that others will make. God knows you, He knows the things that will be good for you and if you’ll trust Him with your future, you’ll find out that things are so much better.

So this year, challenge yourself to put aside that bowl of Cheetos for a bit and focus on God. Learn to hear His voice and seek Him for your future plans and desires!

Want to Learn More About God’s Purpose for your life?

We’ve got a 10-day devotional designed to inspire you and challenge you to impact the world for Jesus.

Through thought-provoking questions and scriptures, you’ll start your journey to discover God’s great plan for your life!