June 7, 2020


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Today's Bible Verse
"And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
Joshua 24:15 (KJV)



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Today's Bible Study
When Joshua, Moses's successor, is about to pass away, the Israelites gather together to renew the covenant and listen to him speak for one final time. He tells them that they have a choice: They will either serve the gods of the Amorites or the Lord. Joshua says that his family will serve the Lord. Today, this question is a serious prompt to think about our families and our own decision to honor the Lord in our lives.

Joshua tells the Israelites that they have to make a decision who they will choose. Like the Israelites in Joshua's day, we have to actively acknowledge the God whom we have decided to serve. We do not serve the Lord by accident or habit. It is instead the result of an often-difficult decision to trust and lean into His promises. Otherwise, we will inevitably slide into whatever is easiest or culturally acceptable--and a serious relationship with God is never an accident or the easiest path.


In the same way, we are called to intentionally guide our families in service to the Lord. What does that look like? It begins with each of us. Even if we do not live with family members, we are called to witness to them, daring to be different and self-sacrificing because we have God-given passion for others to know Him. On a practical level, this means we are the ones to show love. We should be the ones to remember birthdays, to give people rides to airports or hospitals, and even the ones to help other people move. We should show the love of Christ by doing the things that no one else wants to do.

If you are the head of the household, you have a special responsibility to make sure your family serves the Lord. And if you aren't the head of the household, and that person is not doing those things, then you are called to fill in the gap however you can. This can be challenging, but if our minds are made up that our house should serve the Lord, He will honor our efforts and give us strength.

Serving the Lord is difficult; helping your household serve Him can be even harder. However, the Lord will equip us, just as He equipped Joshua for so many years as Israelite's leader. We can rest assured that He will honor our faithfulness and help us honor Him.
Today's Prayer
Dear Lord, please help me to serve you in all that I do. Help me to be a productive and Godly member of my household, keeping you at the forefront of everything that we do and love. In Jesus's name, amen.
Yesterday's Devotional
June 6, 2020
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Yesterday's Bible Verse
"And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;"
1 Timothy 1:12 (KJV)



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Yesterday's Bible Study
In this verse, Paul writes to his acolyte Timothy. He thanks the Lord for letting him take part in the ministry, recalling his old life as a persecutor of the church. The Lord has enabled him--given him strength as another Scripture translation states--to do the work that He called Paul to do. Today, we'll consider how the Lord calls and equips people for His purposes.

If there was anyone who seemed unqualified as a Christian evangelist, it would be Paul. He was known throughout the realm as a persecutor and an executor of Christians; even when he was saved, other Christians were afraid of him. However, the Lord knew what He was doing with Paul. He gave him the right connections and avenues just when Paul needed them so that he would become the greatest missionary of his time.


The Lord met Paul right where he was. He did not expect Paul to become morally perfect before reaching out to Him; He called Paul first--and then He equipped him. The Lord gave him strength--intellectually, physically, and spiritually--to spread the Gospel throughout the nations. In this letter to Timothy, Paul remembers that it was the Lord who enabled him to do all that he did--it was not Paul himself. A stellar work ethic did not create Paul the Apostle; rather, a faithful devotion strengthened by the Lord Himself did.

Wherever God has called you, remember that you are not expected to be faithful in your own strength. It is the Lord who will empower you to accomplish His purposes. It is He who works miracles; our only business is to be faithful, right this moment. Ask the Lord to strengthen you, just as He strengthened Paul. He will be faithful to you and give you the strength to accomplish His purposes for your life.
Yesterday's Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for giving me strength even in what seems like impossible circumstances. Thank you for being with me always; for holding me up when I cannot hold myself. Thank you for your goodness to me, and please help me to continue to lean on you always. In Jesus's name, amen.
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