Joshua challenged God's people with choosing whom they would serve. "Choose whether you will serve the gods of your fathers which were beyond the river or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord" (Josh.24:15). They pledged that they also would serve the Lord (vs.18,21,24). Joshua told them to put away their idols and stay true to the Lord. Interesting that Paul made a similar appeal to the Corinthians and by extension every believer in 2Corinthians 6. Believers are to be distinct and separate from any mixing of our faith with paganism and practices contrary to God's Word. We are, as Paul says, the temple of God--referring to the Church universal. But so is the local assembly (1Cor.3:16) as well as individual believers (1Cor.6:19-20).

Pretty sobering and exciting to realize that the God of the universe takes up residence among us, walks among us, is our God and we are His people--His sons and daughters (2Cor.6:14-18). What a blessed privilege. Let us take action to sever ourselves from what has no place in God's temple as rejoice in what it means to be God's children.

Is my life an offense?

Been reading through 2Corinthians and in 6:3 Paul states that he was "not giving offense in anything that the ministry might not be discredited." As I think about those words in context it is a powerful indictment against my pettiness, my selfishness, my immaturity in relating to others in ways that will turn them away from the Gospel. The gospel itself is offensive but Paul says that he made every effort not to add to the offense through a life that was hypocritical. Paul was under fire from the Corinthians and was defending his apostolic ministry, but the principle he articulates applies to every believer.

I need to ask myself, "Where in my life am I 'giving offense'?What sort of knuckleheaded behavior do I exhibit that is an 'offense'? Am I discrediting the message and ministry of reconciliation at ball games through the way I comment about the players, officials, coaches? Does my involvement in civic clubs/community activities attract or distract from the gospel? Do my business dealings reflect honesty, integrity, sensitivity or am I unscrupulous, insensitive and unkind.

Just making me think about the impact of my relationships with others and whether or not my conduct draws people to or drives them away from the Lord I profess to love and serve.

To Obey or Not to Obey?

I am struck by the example of Joshua as he lead the children of Israel into the promised land. As the conquest began we read repeatedly that Joshua "left nothing undone of all that the Lord had commanded Moses" (Joshua 11:15b). When you read the accounts of what Joshua did that Moses commanded it becomes readily apparent that obedience wasn't necessarily easy, sensible, or comfortable. In our culture we have become so accustomed to "doing what feels good" or doing what is in best interest that to go against what "we think is best" or what seems reasonable and to follow God's Word in our daily existence runs counter to what comes natural. To be honest when completing our tax forms, to resist the temptation to cheat in school, to stand up for someone at school or at work that is being ostracized, criticized and/or marginalized are not easy things to do but doing them is part of what it means to obey when it is not comfortable.

I'm challenged today to examine my own life and ask "why am I reluctant to obey in certain situations?" For example, why would it be such a temptation to not declare all of my income on my tax return? It really boils down to where my trust is placed. Do I really trust God enough to obey or am I going to trust in "money"? If a person chooses to disobey by cheating on his/her taxes he/she is really worshiping money rather than worshiping the Lord.

I need the Lord's help to examine the "why" behind disobedience so I can turn from idolatry and trust Him consistently.

In Psalm 65 we are reminded and challenged by the words, "O You who hear prayer, to you all men come." The reality that God actually hears our prayers is incentive for us to come to Him in every situation. Do we personally believe that God hears our prayers? Does our belief translate into behavior? The issue is not a matter of praying because we "ought" to pray, but praying because we "need" to pray, we recognize our frailty and God's glorious majesty. We take joy in knowing that God is in control and we come needy and expectant, dependent and confident.

The rest of the Psalm extols God's great works in our lives and in creation. All of His "awesome deeds" (vs.5) prove His power and wonderful control of all nature. He is in control and He hears our prayers so it is natural that "all men come" to Him.

Our reluctance to pray is only a testimony of our arrogance.