More to the Story - Chapter 7
"AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE"
“Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."
Joshua 24:14-15(NIV)
REFLECTION
The excerpt is from the Life Application Bible notes: I hope it helps.
“In taking a definite stand for the Lord, Joshua again displayed his spiritual leadership. Regardless of what others decided, because Joshua had made a commitment to God, he was determined to set an example of living by that decision."
“The way we live shows others the strength of our commitment to serving God. The people had to decide whether they would obey the Lord, who had proven his trustworthiness, or obey the local gods, which were only hand-made idols. It's easy to slip into a quiet rebellion—going about life in your own way. But the time comes when you have to choose who or what will control you. The choice is yours. Will it be God, your own limited personality, or another imperfect substitute? Once you have chosen to be controlled by God's Spirit, reaffirm your choice every day."
Prayer
“Lord, all around me are people, teachings, temptations, distractions, which draw me away from you into coveting, even worshiping other things, other gods. Lord help me with the focus and discipline I need to stay in your Word, to say yes to the things which honor You and no what dishonors you."
You can follow Pastor Jeff on Twitter @jefflampl
Thanks Pastor Jeff for reminding us to stay focused on what is important. It seems the number
ReplyDeleteof distractions available to us in our daily lives
keeps increasing at an alarming rate. Too many
electronic devices for our own good. Sometimes it's like I'm fighting the battles of Joshua in my
own life just to take back and keep the territory God has given me.
The statement "be controlled by the Spirit" can be an ominous one, but nevertheless its the key to the believer living by the new covenant.
ReplyDeleteIt easily rolls off our lips, but do we really know how to do it?
A little while back my nightly devotional was the prayer David said in Psalms that God "was the strength of his heart".
God looks past the obvious and looks straight to our heart, its our motivator-what makes or breaks us.
But, we have no power over our heart ourselves, only God. If we keep our heart closed to Him, we are choosing not to let Him rule it-we are denying its strengthening.
Ever since I've read this, especially at work, I find myself repeating it to the Lord at difficult times, "Lord, you are the strength of my heart".
"I don't need approval from others, I have your's. I don't need to compete for glory, when I have your's. I can choose to overlook illwill, because I have your favor. You are the strength of my heart, Lord, I can do this through your strength."
For me, its not the distractions, although they play a part, its how easily I can slip into handling my challenges and problems throughout life, not in God's way, but the world's way. I want to remember to take time before reacting, responding, deciding and know "God, you are the strength of my heart".
Thank you, Father.
Wow Lynda - that was so encouraging and uplifting. I need to print this and read it again and again when I start to take control. Thank you for sharing this.
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