15 But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord."
The people had to decide whether they would obey the Lord, who had proven his trustworthiness, or obey the local gods, which were only handmade idols. It's easy to slip into a quiet rebellion-going about life in your own way. But the time comes when you have to choose who or what will control you. The choice is yours. Will it be God, your own limited personality, or another imperfect substitute? Once you have chosen to be controlled by God's Spirit, reaffirm your choice every day. (Verse and commentary is copied from the Life Application Study Bible Reading Plan on YouVersion. Check it out at YouVersion .
Any Dr JOE comments will be in BLUE :0) )
I struggle with letting food control me, or the latest project, or money, or schedule. I need to keep turning it all over to God in every moment. I'm trying to recognize the feeling I get when I'm trying to fulfill my desires of the flesh and instead turn to God for fulfillment.
John 1
1 In the beginning was the Word (John was writing for the Greeks who were into Logic and their word Logos was like the center of meaning for them. Logos is translated "word" and John is referring to Jesus as The Word), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.2 He was with God in the beginning.3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcomet it.
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John (Now he's referring not to himself, but to John the Baptist.).7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him (The leaders of the Jewish faith rejected Jesus because they were expected a different kind of savior).12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God( Wow, think about that offer!).
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (Anyone need a little more grace and truth in your life?).
15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, "This is the one I spoke about when I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.'")16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God andt is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.
The Jews believed that the way to be right with God was to follow all the rules (The Law), Jesus' teaching was radical. Through surrendering our lives to Him and letting Him dwell in our hearts, we are forgiven, are made so right with God that we are called His children. Jesus is the Law in my heart!
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