Sunday's Specialty

Joshua 24:15

15 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.

Good morning to one and all on this special Sunday!

Two words are on my mind today: challenges and choices, and it is my hope to write something encouraging, yet provoking (with love), in this spoonful of tonic. Every day we are faced with challenges of some sort, and they differ according to our ages, professions, lifestyles, etc. To meet each challenge properly or victoriously requires a choice.

To name a few choices we might be facing today - some may find attending church a challenge; it may seem a struggle to get up and dress and meet with God and His people. That person must make a choice of whether to satisfy their flesh and take the day off, or push back fleshly wants and go find strength for their souls. The choice to not only attend church but to be a born again Christian will affect a person throughout eternity.

Perhaps you may be among those who are trying to change their eating habits. We live in a world of fast food restaurants, donut shops, cupcake shops, etc., and those places and foods create big challenges for someone wanting to eat healthy. So, choices have to be made as to whether to eat anything and everything we want, or to choose carefully only healthy foods, knowing that in the end those choices WILL make a difference.

Some may be faced with changing jobs, and that is another big challenge. One must carefully consider all the pros and cons connected with the choice to move from one workplace to another. Which job pays more? Does one job offer benefits that the other does not? Is the location of the new workplace closer or further away from home? So many things to consider with this type of challenge but, once again, a choice has to be made, and that choice will affect a person and his/her family in many ways.

As Jesus was being tried before His crucifixion, the people were given a choice of releasing Jesus or an imprisoned man named Barabbas. The crowd angrily yelled, "Give us Barabbas"; and when asked what should be done with Jesus,  the horrible shouts rang out, "Crucify him." The choice made that day by the angry mob and Pilate affected all of us. A murderer was released while the spotless Lamb of God was led away and crucified; yet, it was the will of God for that to happen, as His death brought salvation to everyone who believes. 

An old song comes to mind (author unknown) as I think about the choice made so long ago regarding Jesus. The call, or the challenge, continues to ring out to our generation: Who will you choose, the world or Jesus? Carefully counting the cost is required but the prize for choosing Jesus will have wonderful and lasting results:

I'll Take Jesus

Verse One

As they gambled for the robe He wore

The chose a worldly trail

Not thinking about eternity

As they soldiers drove the nails

Will we learn from what they've done

Or make the same mistake

Jesus or the world, my child,

Which one will you take?

Chorus

I'll take Jesus, I'll take Jesus

For I tried those worldly pleasures

And they failed

And when you see the gates of heaven

You'll hear the Master say

Me, or the world, my child, 

Which one did you take?

Verse Two

When the pages of my life have turned

And time has rolled away

The greatest deeds that I have done

Won't help me on that day

And all my earthly treasures

That I have laid away

Will be to me just a memory

And this you'll hear me say

(Chorus again)

Whatever challenge we find ourselves faced with today, let's pray for God's help in making the right choice.

Until tomorrow, Lord willing..............