DCLM Higher Everyday 3 October 2023 — Challenge Of The Right Choice
DCLM Higher Everyday 3 October 2023 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Challenge Of The Right Choice
Topic: Challenge Of The Right Choice
Text: Joshua 24:13-22
14Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.
15And 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.
16And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods;
17For the LORD our God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the people through whom we passed:
18And the LORD drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land: therefore will we also serve the LORD; for he is our God.
19And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.
20If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.
21And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the LORD.
22And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses.
Key Verse: “And if it seems evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve…but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord’’ (Joshua 24:15).
Message
A choice is an act of choosing between two or more possibilities. John L. Mason stated that, “A fruitful life is not the result of chance. It is the result of right choices.” Joseph made a choice to obey God’s word in an unfamiliar environment where the God of heaven was disregarded. He became a prime minister in Egypt. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, made a choice not to defile themselves with the king’s food and God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom. Moses also chose to identify with the Jews rather than enjoy the sinful pleasures of the royal family in Egypt, and he became God’s instrument of deliverance to the nation of Israel.
The choice you make today will determine your future destination. Many youths don’t want to make the choice to obey God and follow righteous ways. They make regrettable choices like the prodigal son. How about you? If you are in their shoes, you can still make things right. It is left for you to choose the right thing. Learn from the fallen and choose wisely.
Quote: Choose wisely
Challenge: You can amend your ways.
Prayer for today: Lord, guide me in every choice I have to make.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
