January 8, 2026 WEST

This powerful exploration of divine calling takes us through four foundational first chapters—Jeremiah, Matthew, Romans, and Daniel—each revealing how God prepares, positions, and empowers His people for extraordinary purpose. We discover that before we were even formed in the womb, God knew us and set us apart for specific assignments. The journey begins with Jeremiah's reluctance, his 'I am too young' protest met with God's unwavering assurance: 'Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you.' This theme echoes throughout as we witness Joseph's courage to embrace Mary despite social disgrace, Paul's passionate pursuit of the spiritually bankrupt in Rome, and Daniel's unwavering commitment to his identity even when given a slave name in Babylon. What emerges is a profound truth: God doesn't call the equipped; He equips the called. The almond branch Jeremiah sees symbolizes God watching over His word to perform it—a reminder that when God plants His word in our lives, it will bloom in its season. We're challenged to ask ourselves the pivotal questions: What are we called to be? Where are we called to go? And perhaps most importantly, will we maintain our witness when no one is looking? These stories reveal that our obedience today sets up generations tomorrow, that hard assignments often carry the greatest eternal significance, and that God's strength overcomes our human weakness every single time.