Really, seven days?

Summer is here and we are tasked today with remembering the words of Joshua from 34-hundred years ago.  It comes from the book of Joshua 24:14-16:

It sounds easy enough on Sunday.  We all agree with that.  But what about Monday morning?  Monday morning when it’s already 82 degrees and the lawn needs to be mowed.  Or Monday morning when the kids are all demanding mom’s UBER service take them here, there and everywhere?  Or Monday morning when work is the last thing on your mind?

How do we serve the Lord the other six days of the week?  

I tell the people at the church I am serving that I do not take attendance.  I know that everyone cannot be there every Sunday.  And I believe that is helpful and true.  Church should be a place people want to be, not a place they feel obliged to be.  At the same time, I think getting in the habit of being at church as often as we can does strengthen our resolve the other six days of the week.

So, I believe that is step number one.  Make worship a priority.

Notice I said worship.  Normally that means church, and I encourage folks to go.  I had a service one time ( in my previous assignment) where we had a Thursday night service, and nobody came.  That was rough.

If you cannot be at your home church every Sunday that doesn’t prevent you from worshipping elsewhere.  On vacation Kathy and I always plan ahead on where we will worship whether we are in Hawaii or Houston.   We also find moments of worship in the car singing along with the radio on KLOVE or whatever is playing off your phone.  There are always times and ways to worship.

Do you need to tell your pastor you won’t be at church Sunday.  It’s a nice courtesy, but I don’t think it’s absolutely necessary.  Some of the folks I serve do that, but honestly most don’t…and I still like them.  LOL.

Here is something I was given several years ago.  I try to remember the Jesus Prayer 24 hours a day.  “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a Sinner.”  If you cannot think of what to pray, try that.  Pray it often.  It brings the Holy Spirit into your thoughts, I promise.   Print it out and tape it to the mirror to greet you every morning.  Put it on your phone.  Pretty soon you will have it memorized, and it will change your life.

Step Number Two.   Yesterday I challenged the church to consider who is the Joshua who has influenced your time.  And I also told them the time will come when they will be Joshua to another.

Joshua played second fiddle to Moses until Moses died.  That’s when Joshua became the leader who the Jewish Diaspora needed to lead them all the way home to Israel.  He was quiet, unassuming until God called him to serve.

Be a Joshua and recognize those who have been Joshua in your life.  Maybe it was your dad.  Maybe it still I your dad.  Or maybe it is you?

Are there people in your life who are struggling with heavy burdens.  One way to bring worship further into their lives is to help them.  And it will help you too.  Worship and service in God’s name are inseparable.  That doesn’t mean you have to be Billy Graham, just yet.  It means humble service to others and a simple, “you’re welcome, glad to help, God bless you,” when you’re done.

I’ve been walking the neighbor’s dog for the past couple weeks as she recovers from a broken ankle.  No ministry, really.  (She’s Baptist.)  No ministry but simple service in Jesus’ name.

Don’t take the summer off from faith in Jesus Christ.   Take up the cross of Christ every morning.  Share your faith.  Believe, serve, worship, and love in Jesus name.