“But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will (choose) to serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15
“Choose” what does that word really mean? It is defined “to pick out or select (someone or something) as being the best or most appropriate of two or more alternatives.” When we say the word choose, it implies that we have a choice. It means that we have the opportunity based on our own individual personality and beliefs to make a decision. We are not forced into it, but freely make the decision our self. Although we choose numerous things each day, today, I want to focus on our actions. Do we choose the actions that are godly, or ones that cause us to live in the flesh?
I am convinced today that lost people are no longer going to come to church simply because we invite them. You see the lost are on the outside, and see nothing that they really need on the inside. Why? The reason is simple I think. Although we proclaim to be Christians, as a whole, we simply do not “choose” a daily walk with Christ. We do not choose to be pleasant at our job. We do not choose to show respect on the ball field. We do not choose to show respect to our husband/wife or our family. We do not choose to forgive. We do not choose to show mercy or grace. We simply choose to live life the way we want, and then in return expect others to choose to treat us kindly, or God to extend us grace. Please don’t think about other people you wish would read this devotion because it applies to them, but internalize it for yourself. If we are all honest each of us has a part of our attitude that we can improve. You see we cannot make choices for others, but we can be responsible for our self. We can look at our own life and see where we are falling short, and choose to change it. No matter what is going on around us we can be godly. My dad would always say, “You don’t worry about everybody else, you worry about yourself”. I can see how this is true today.
I am responsible for approximately 140 kids in my ministry, and their parents. If you look at that number, even if I deal with only one parent and their child, that is 280 people. If only half have two parents come the number is 350 people. I have to resolve in my mind everyday to do my job to the best of my ability. I will never make this many people happy all at one time. My point is that I have to take care of my own actions because that is all I can control. I have to choose to walk with Christ, do what he has called me to do, and have faith he will take care of the rest.
You see no matter what we are facing we always have a choice. We can always choose to control our words, our actions, and our attitude if we truly desire to do so. No one can cause us to sin, unless we willingly do it. It is a daily choice to take up our cross and follow the Lord. It will not always be easy, it will not always be fair, and it will always cost us, but the rewards are endless. Remember there is no one at fault but ourselves, because we always have a choice no matter how difficult the situation. What will we choose today- godliness or worldliness?
“Choose” what does that word really mean? It is defined “to pick out or select (someone or something) as being the best or most appropriate of two or more alternatives.” When we say the word choose, it implies that we have a choice. It means that we have the opportunity based on our own individual personality and beliefs to make a decision. We are not forced into it, but freely make the decision our self. Although we choose numerous things each day, today, I want to focus on our actions. Do we choose the actions that are godly, or ones that cause us to live in the flesh?
I am convinced today that lost people are no longer going to come to church simply because we invite them. You see the lost are on the outside, and see nothing that they really need on the inside. Why? The reason is simple I think. Although we proclaim to be Christians, as a whole, we simply do not “choose” a daily walk with Christ. We do not choose to be pleasant at our job. We do not choose to show respect on the ball field. We do not choose to show respect to our husband/wife or our family. We do not choose to forgive. We do not choose to show mercy or grace. We simply choose to live life the way we want, and then in return expect others to choose to treat us kindly, or God to extend us grace. Please don’t think about other people you wish would read this devotion because it applies to them, but internalize it for yourself. If we are all honest each of us has a part of our attitude that we can improve. You see we cannot make choices for others, but we can be responsible for our self. We can look at our own life and see where we are falling short, and choose to change it. No matter what is going on around us we can be godly. My dad would always say, “You don’t worry about everybody else, you worry about yourself”. I can see how this is true today.
I am responsible for approximately 140 kids in my ministry, and their parents. If you look at that number, even if I deal with only one parent and their child, that is 280 people. If only half have two parents come the number is 350 people. I have to resolve in my mind everyday to do my job to the best of my ability. I will never make this many people happy all at one time. My point is that I have to take care of my own actions because that is all I can control. I have to choose to walk with Christ, do what he has called me to do, and have faith he will take care of the rest.
You see no matter what we are facing we always have a choice. We can always choose to control our words, our actions, and our attitude if we truly desire to do so. No one can cause us to sin, unless we willingly do it. It is a daily choice to take up our cross and follow the Lord. It will not always be easy, it will not always be fair, and it will always cost us, but the rewards are endless. Remember there is no one at fault but ourselves, because we always have a choice no matter how difficult the situation. What will we choose today- godliness or worldliness?
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