As we step into a new year, my challenge for you is simple, but not easy: choose your Kingdom.

It seems increasingly clear that many Christians are living with divided loyalties, caught between two kingdoms. There is the lower-case kingdom of this world (with its anxieties, rewards, distractions, and constant noise) and there is the Kingdom of God, which calls us to seek first what is eternal and lasting (Matthew 6:33; Colossians 3:1-2). These two kingdoms move in very different directions, and over time, they shape us in very different ways.

Jesus warned about the subtle pull of security built on possessions. He told of a man who stored up grain for himself, convinced that his future was finally safe, only to learn that very night his life would be required of him (Luke 12:15-21). It’s a sobering reminder that we cannot store our way into peace, nor can we carry any of it with us. Wealth and comfort promise control, but they cannot secure our souls.

So the invitation is this: entrust yourself fully to God. Set your attention on what truly matters — loving your neighbor, walking in faithfulness, and sharing the hope of the Gospel with a world that is desperate for meaning (Matthew 22:37-39; Matthew 28:19-20). These are the things that endure beyond calendars and accomplishments.

And as you consider this challenge, be mindful of how easily the enemy tries to anchor our hearts to what is temporary. He draws us into endless debates that carry no eternal weight, distracts us with outrage and noise, and even convinces us that we are doing these things for the Lord, all while our focus quietly drifts away from Christ and His Kingdom (2 Timothy 2:16; 1 John 2:15-17).

As this new year begins, keep the main thing the main thing. Refuse to be sidetracked. Guard your attention, your affections, and your time.

2026 is a year you will never get back. What’s behind us cannot be changed, but what lies ahead can still be shaped by faith, obedience, and trust in God’s purposes. Choose wisely which Kingdom you will live for.

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Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”

— John 18:36 (ESV)

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Prayer for Today

Sovereign King, You reign with an authority that does not rise or fall with nations, trends, or moments. Your Kingdom does not come from this world, and it is not sustained by the power this world values (John 18:36). We praise You as the One whose rule is righteous, whose purposes endure, and whose truth stands firm when everything else shifts. You remain faithful across generations, steady and unmoved, calling Your people to live under Your gracious reign.

As we stand at the beginning of a new year, we acknowledge how easily our hearts drift toward what feels secure, visible, and immediate. We confess that we often measure life by what we can store, protect, or control, even as You remind us that life does not consist in the abundance of possessions (Luke 12:15). Turn our attention again to what lasts. Shape our desires so they are formed by Your Kingdom and Your righteousness (Matthew 6:33), and teach us to trust You with both our needs and our future.

Strengthen us to live as citizens of Your Kingdom while walking faithfully in this world. Guard us from distractions that carry no eternal weight. Keep us anchored in love for our neighbors and bold in bearing witness to the Gospel You have entrusted to us (Matthew 28:19-20). As this year unfolds, help us choose daily where our allegiance lies, so our lives reflect the rule of Christ with clarity, humility, and hope.

One Question

How does Jesus’ statement that His Kingdom is not of this world challenge my assumptions about power and success?

About This Site

My name is Ray Majoran; I love God and enjoy inspiring people through photography and writing. Every morning, I send an email featuring photos that I've taken from around the world, along with a Scripture passage and prayer. If you'd like to receive these emails, please feel free to subscribe. You can also read some of my plans on YouVersion.