Joshua 24:15 "But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
Does it seem to you that the same people you have witnessed to time and again still cannot make up their minds to serve the Lord? You have spent countless hours telling them about the Lord only to have them leave and go try something different. Example, Door Number One. Behind door number one, they found some new friends that convinced them to go out on the town and have a good time. Just let nothing stand in the way of a good time, didn't matter what you did, as long as you were not hurting anyone, just having fun. And this was fun for a while, but it was not too long and they were back at your door. Miserable, upset with their life and wanted to hear from you what they could do to change, perhaps if you would tell them again about your God.
Once again, you take them in and begin to tell them of the wonderful Lord you serve. How He loves them no matter what they have done; if they are truly sorry for the way they have lived, the Lord will forgive them, and they can be saved, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. This time, they even go to church a few times with you and look like they are deciding to follow Jesus. A couple of months go by and you are thinking that your friends have finally made the decision that will change their lives. But then...
"Hey, did you know", they begin to tell you. "You don't really have to go to church on Sundays to see God, you can go fishing and hunting. God can meet you anywhere. And it is not really a sin to drink. I heard it on TV, so it must be okay". Once again, they have been lured away by what is more convenient, what fits their schedule, or rather what they would rather be doing than worshiping the Lord. Drawn away once again by what is behind Door Number Two. This time you decide you are not going there again. Just let them do whatever it is that they want, they know better; God will take care of them, you are not going to do it. How did this sound to you, did you make it a whole day thinking you could do this. You know the Lord will not let you leave them alone.
These are the people assigned to you. We all get assignments from the Lord. I don't know how God decides who we get to minister to, but He does and here they are. I believe some of the people are there to refine us, to shave off those sharp edges that we all still carry, to perfect our patience and love for others. But whatever the reason, and I don't look for Him to explain it all right now, we have these folks assigned to us. They are our responsibility to nurture and encourage in the Lord.
I believe some people just like to expand themselves and see just how far they can go before they HAVE to chose the Lord. Just live it up in the world, trying all the world has to offer as they think they have all the time in the world to do so. I don't believe this is a good idea. In fact it is a rotten idea. What if you are having the time of you life (as you would call it) and something goes wrong and you die? What will happen then? What if you die in the midst of your sin? Do you want to take that chance with eternity? Is what the world is offering so attractive that you would risk your soul for eternity? How long do you think you can put the Lord off. He is offering everything He has to you, offering to give you forgiveness, all His love, mercy, grace. He has laid it all out for you, including the death of His Son, for the forgiveness of your sins. God has come after you time and time again, using His chidren to witness to you, minister to you until they knew not what else could be told you, and still you hesitate.
The world, beautifully hidden behind doors of enchantment, excitement, unknowing adventures. You have opened doors one and two. What is hidden behind door number three. Are you going to go for the door or are you going to wake up from this trance that the enemy has put you in and realize what you already have been offered. The real deal, the known prize, Jesus Christ. The tangible you can feel, the knowledge of the life offered in Him, the eternal life gained through Him. Jesus is here offering all His love, His mercy and grace, deliverance from all the enemy's wiles, redemption of all sin, salvation and a relationship with the Father.
Or will you choose Door Number Three. Another door offered to you; don't think for a moment that it is from God, as this is an earthly door, one of satans. The enemy has gotten to you twice already. This door looks really good, satan is so good at covering over evil with what appears to be good, nothing harmful. Don't go there. The Lord is standing beside you, pleading, don't go there. Your friends are pleading, Jesus is here, you must choose Jesus. What are you going to do.....
Door Number Three opens.....Z O N K . I pray you did not choose this door but stayed with the Lord instead, solidifying your relationship with God and the body of Christ. Choosing to make Him Lord of your life, and Lord over your life.
This analogy may not be to your liking but the Lord is so wanting His children to stop going back and forth between Him and the things of the world. It is time to make a choice and stand on it. If you choose God, then begin to live your life for Him alone. Put Him above all things on earth. Don't let your relationship with the Lord be questionable. Show people who you worship. Be not ashamed of the gospel of Christ or your walk with Him. Become what the Lord wants you to be, righteous without blemish or stain, washed in the blood of the Lamb, His beloved child, who will reign with Him in eternity.
Thank You, my Lord for Your words. You are my life, my God and I choose You. There is no doubt or waivering in my choice, it is easy for me to make my choice You. I know You, I know You love me, You have taken me from ruin to redemption, from misery to magnificent moments with You, from lonely to most loved by the Father. Who else would I turn to, my God, after knowing Your great love for me; after spending time in Your presence, there is no one like You, Lord, no one. I am yours forever.
My Lord, I give you all glory, all honor, all my worship, only, to You this 17th day of February, 2011.
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