As for me and my family...

… we will serve the LORD!

We begin by reading Joshua 24:14–28.

God had given Israel all the land He had sworn to give to their fathers and had given them rest after He had delivered their enemies into their hands.
Joshua, already advanced in age, gathered all the people to remind them of all the LORD’s kindnesses and to exhort them to cling to the God of Israel and to fear Him.
He encouraged them to serve the one true God and to put away idols, placing before them a fundamental choice: “choose today whom you will serve!”
He himself concluded with this frank personal resolve: “As for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.”

In response to the people’s decision to walk the same path, he urged them to remove the foreign gods and to turn their hearts resolutely to the LORD, the God of Israel.
This is a firm and clear stance that, over time, requires will and endurance, since all kinds of opposition and temptations can lead us away from such a commitment—if indeed we have proclaimed it for ourselves.
Such a decision is a true pledge to our God and against the world; it demands courage and determination, for trials, mockery, and scorn will not be long in appearing if we stand firm.

Jesus warned us: “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, and I chose you out of the world, for this reason the world hates you.” (John 15:18)

So let us not be surprised if we meet with opposition, rejection, and indifference; this is normal, because we no longer belong to the world and we are classified, cataloged among the “troublemakers” and the killjoys!
Peter confirms it well: “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial among you, as though something strange were happening to you. On the contrary, rejoice insofar as you share in Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed.”
(1 Peter 4:12–13)

Let this be, for us who have given our lives to Christ and repented, a source of joy and encouragement to persevere in this commitment and not to give up… the rewards are at the end of our faithful walk with the Lord.
Perhaps you have not yet made this decision to place your whole life in the Lord’s hands and to serve Him no matter what; then I encourage you to do it without delay; He is waiting for you!!

A few pointers for your personal life with God:
• Devote time each day to prayer; it will draw you closer to God.
• Study the Word daily and regularly to understand God’s will for you.
• Attend services and gatherings regularly to praise God, to glorify Him, and to be in fellowship with other believers.

Franz