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Scripture for the day: Joshua 24:14-15 So honor the Lord and serve Him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone. But if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve .... But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Thought for the day: Song-writer Billy Joe Shaver once wrote:
Hey I'm just an old chunk of coal
But I'm gonna be a diamond some day
I'm gonna grow and glow till I'm so blue pure perfect
I'm gonna put a smile on everybody's face
I'm gonna kneel and pray every day
Lest I should become vain along the way
I'm just an old chunk of coal now Lord
But I'm gonna be a diamond some day.

With that in mind, let’s look at what may be one of the most familiar passages in the entire Word of God. It is written on countless plaques, set in countless homes and churches all over the civilized world. It's been printed on houses and cast in concrete in more places than any other bit of God's Word; in many cases, I'm afraid this scripture has become almost meaningless precisely because of its popularity. Like so many things we have in abundance, the challenge and commitment associated with this scripture has been lost on the vast majority of those who display it so proudly.
Now, if we are to reclaim the real meaning of these few words, we must, I believe, pause from time to time as Joshua did, to recount all the Lord has done for us. In remembering, we bring perspective to our lives. In recounting our past we restore meaning to our present and give direction to our future. So, let's spend a few minutes in reflection this morning, remembering how far the Lord has brought us.
Here are a few questions to answer for yourself. Be specific (no Sunday School answers, please).
1. Before I met Jesus my life was headed _____________ ('nowhere,' 'downhill,' 'for hell' are not sufficient answers; go into greater detail with yourself)
2. When I met Jesus, He brought me out of ________ ("sin" is not sufficient - be more specific)
3. Over the past _______ months / years, He has brought me through the following wilderness experiences (list them for yourself):
4. Over the past _______ months / years, He has provided me with the following blessings I did nothing to earn (list)
5. Over the past _______ months / years, He has given me victory in the following areas where I have struggled (list)
Now, based on your answers to the above questions, does the statement, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" take on more meaning? I hope so - it did for me. Do you see why the children of Israel were so quick to answer Joshua when he put that challenge to them? As they were reminded again of all the Lord had done, their hearts were stirred with love and gratitude for the God who had rescued them. Our own memories should be equally stirring.
Now go take on your world.  -  Bill