TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Then Joshua assembled all the tribes of Israel at Shechem. He summoned the elders, leaders, judges and officials of Israel, and they presented themselves before God. Joshua 24:1
TODAY’S MESSAGE
God establishes a special relationship with the family of Abraham in the first book of the Bible. But there’s a plot twist. The second book of the Bible finds the descendants of this family enslaved in Egypt. God works through Moses to lead them out of slavery, and then Joshua takes over as the people’s leader. After Moses’s death, God uses Joshua to lead his people into the land God promised Abraham. This week picks up as Joshua calls all the local leaders to one place. This is his farewell address.
Joshua’s message is that they have a choice. It’s between a God who has proven himself to be reliable or the unreliable gods of the surrounding nations.
We find ourselves with that choice today. We can choose to live the way God created us to live or choose to live like everyone else. We can choose to find purpose in God’s plan for us or our own plans. That’s what the RENEW sermon series is all about. We’re focusing at the start of 2022 on whether or not we choose God.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
In your own words, pray something like this, “God, work in my heart this week. As I think about what I base my life on, show me where I trust you and where I don’t. Help me to know you are reliable and can be trusted. I’m open to what you have for me this week. Amen.”
2022 BIBLE MEMORY PRACTICE
Develop spiritual roots and tap in the power of God’s word by memorizing monthly a Bible verse!
PSALMS 119:11
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
