Verse of the Day - weekend 3/28

Through the Bible - Joshua 23-24, Judges 1-3, Luke 7:1 - 8:3

 

Good morning,

You have probably heard of the phrase "the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing".  It was said in reference to having a successful business but it can be related to our personal lives and to ministry.

The read through the Bible plan above is just finishing the book of Joshua.

Today's verse comes from chapter 23 towards the end of Joshua's life.  He issues a charge which is basically the same one that he started with at the beginning of their journey into the promised land.

 

Josh 23:6 "So be very careful to follow everything Moses wrote in the Book of Instruction. Do not deviate from it, turning either to the right or to the left. 7 Make sure you do not associate with the other people still remaining in the land. Do not even mention the names of their gods, much less swear by them or serve them or worship them. 8 Rather, cling tightly to the Lord your God as you have done until now.   NLT

 

If you have some time this weekend, take a few minutes (or longer) to read chapters 23 and 24.  You will see challenges, encouragements, and warnings that are just as applicable to us today as they were to the Israelites.

 

Chapter 24 contains one of the great verses in the Bible for Christian living.  It ties in closely to today's verse.  While in some respects the decision to receive Christ may be a one time decision, the choice to truly follow Him is one that must be made daily.  If you are a parent, it is one that you are making for your household with long term ramifications for your family.

 

Josh 24:14 "So fear 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. 15 But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord."   NLT

 

I'll close with a couple of verses in Proverbs 22:

Prov 22:17 Listen to the words of the wise;
apply your heart to my instruction.
18 For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart
and always ready on your lips.
19 I am teaching you today—yes, you—
so you will trust in the Lord.  NLT

 

May you choose for your household to follow Christ today.

 

In Christ,

Mike

 

Josh 23:1-12

Joshua's Final Words to Israel

23 The years passed, and the Lord had given the people of Israel rest from all their enemies. Joshua, who was now very old, 2 called together all the elders, leaders, judges, and officers of Israel. He said to them, "I am now a very old man. 3 You have seen everything the Lord your God has done for you during my lifetime. The Lord your God has fought for you against your enemies. 4 I have allotted to you as your homeland all the land of the nations yet unconquered, as well as the land of those we have already conquered—from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. 5 This land will be yours, for the Lord your God will himself drive out all the people living there now. You will take possession of their land, just as the Lord your God promised you.

6 "So be very careful to follow everything Moses wrote in the Book of Instruction. Do not deviate from it, turning either to the right or to the left. 7 Make sure you do not associate with the other people still remaining in the land. Do not even mention the names of their gods, much less swear by them or serve them or worship them. 8 Rather, cling tightly to the Lord your God as you have done until now.

9 "For the Lord has driven out great and powerful nations for you, and no one has yet been able to defeat you. 10 Each one of you will put to flight a thousand of the enemy, for the Lord your God fights for you, just as he has promised. 11 So be very careful to love the Lord your God.