Choose Whom You Serve

Choose Whom You Serve - Nathele Graham - twotug@embarqmail.com Joshua was a warrior for God. He was a man who trusted the Lord he served and that trust gave him courage. His name means "Jehovah is salvation" and his life reflects thetruth of his name. He had been one of the many who had been a slave in Egypt, and when Moses led the Israelites out of captivity, Joshua became a military leader. He had seen God's power when the Red Sea parted and the Israelites crossed safely. Joshua alsosaw the Egyptian army drown as they attempted to recapture the Israelites. Joshua witnessed many more miracles, such as God providing manna every morning and he saw the rock spew water when Moses struck it. Joshua witnessed God's power and that gave him confidenceto trust God. If others in that nation had the faith that Joshua showed they wouldn't have wandered for forty years. Joshua and Caleb were two who had scouted out the Promised Land and saw those giant hybrids, the Nephilim. They knew that God would be withIsrael in fighting for their land, but others were afraid. "But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the childrenof Israel, saying, The land through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants:and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight." Numbers 13:31-33. Joshua and Caleb were overruled because Moses listened to the men who were ruled by fear. They walked away from God's promise. Forty years later, they returnedto claim their land. Moses died and God chose Joshua to lead the battle. "There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." Joshua 1:5. Whenyou are walking with God, nothing can stand against you. Not even giants. Because of Joshua's courage, the promise God made to Abraham was finally a reality. Christians need to pay attention to God's words. Too many Christians forget that God is with us andwe need to stand against all enemies, including those who are attempting to stop us from assembling together to worship our Lord and Saviour. Eventually, Joshua's time on earth was at an end. He spoke to the nation, but he spoke words given by God. Starting with Abraham, he reminded the nation of all God had donefor them. God brought victory to Israel through many battles and temptations and they needed to remember all God had done. "Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other sideof the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD." Joshua 24:14. That's good advice. Maybe Christians should pay attention to Joshua's words. We need to put aside our fear and start serving Christ. "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose youthis day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15. Be it Egyptian gods, Amoritegods, or the political deep state of our own time, these are all demon-inspired. What about you and your house? Every day you make a choice as to whether you serve the God you claim to follow or to serve the god of this world. Christ must be first in a Christianslife. The people listening to Joshua were gung-ho. Of course they were going to serve God Almighty. "And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD,to serve other gods; for the LORD our God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the peoplethrough whom we passed: and the LORD drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land: therefore will we also serve the LORD; for he is our God." Joshua 24:16-19. It's easy to say the words but tough to follow through. Didthey forget to teach their children about God? Probably. The rest of the Old Testament tells us of the ups and downs of God's chosen people in their service to God Almighty. Instead of remembering all that God promised them and all He did for them, they weresidetracked and forgot to serve the LORD. Christians have the same problem. We forget what God has done for us and believe worldly people instead of trusting God to know best. The world is at a crisis point. There's never been a time in history when every nation is as firmly under the control of Satan as all nations today. Yes, my fellow Americans,I even mean the United States of America. The giants today are government control of every aspect of our life, forced isolation, censorship of free worship, wearing masks which remind me of the Muslim repression, and much more. It amazes me that Christiansare so easily silenced while criminals are allowed to riot and destroy at will. Christians are growing weaker. Understand this, God isn't weakening, but Christians are more willing to bow before government censorship than they are willing to stand firm uponGod's word. It's pretty hard to follow Christ as you cower in isolation in your house. Of course, sin establishments, such as abortion clinics, are still open. Things have steadily gone downhill since Christians first allowed evolution to be taught in schools.That lie even got Christians to question the truth of Scripture. Then prayer was taken out of schools. That's OK because we can teach the kids about God at home. Can we? Do we? When Mom went to work the important job of raising children was turned over toother people. On many occasions, there isn't even a God-fearing father in the house to lead the children on the right path. Schools began dictating morality and what a mess we're in now. God made our bodies to work in a certain way. There's a purpose for maleand female, but according to the deep state liberal mindset you can choose your gender. What happened to "...: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15b? Christians, if you aren't standing on Biblical truth then you are betraying God.Satan is roaring around like a lion ready to steal the souls of anyone who rejects God. Don't let your guard down. Remember, don't trust in sinful man but keep your heart, mind, and soul on Jesus. "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, asa roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world." 1 Peter 5:8-9. Remember what He has done in the past and know that Heholds the future. COVID-19 is an excuse for control. First, there was a panic: wear masks, close businesses, isolate, etc. This panic was fanned by the liberal media. They have a way of makingevil seem good, and this is exemplified by making it seem as if criminal rioters who destroy and kill are good, while law-abiding citizens and police officers are bad. These riots came on the heels of the virus panic, but those criminals don't seem to be requiredto isolate or wear masks. Strange. "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" Isaiah 5:20. How can any thinking person condone defunding police butcondone the violence and destruction by mobs of criminals? There's no sense to it at all. The only explanation is Satan is running wild. Christians have stopped standing against evil and don't stand for God. It's a sign of the very soon Rapture and the startof Daniel's 70th week. "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers,false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." 2 Timothy 3:1-5. We can see thesethings vividly in news reports. Wait a minute, what about "having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof"? That sounds very much like most Christian congregations today. The name on the outside claims to be Christian, but instead of serving God,it's government regulations that reign supreme. Preachers willingly don't preach the full word of God, especially the parts that call sin, sin. The people "social distance" even though Scripture dictates that we greet each other with a holy kiss, which todaymeans to hug and shake hands. It's too bad that we aren't more like Joshua and serve God instead of running in fear from the giants...or a microscopic germ. Did you know that various states have different levels of censorship on Christian gatherings? Some still aren't allowed to congregate, some are forbidden to sing, and noneare allowed to greet each other as a loving family with a hug or shake hands. Brothers and sisters, why do we submit to this? Do we follow Christ? Scripture says to lay hands on those who are ill. We are to gather together and sing praises to our Lord. That'sa Christian directive. When Peter and the other Apostles where threatened with jail, and worse, if they didn't stop preaching about Jesus Christ, Peter wouldn't be silenced. "Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God ratherthan men." Acts 5:29. Christians, it's time for you to decide whom you serve. Did Peter have more power than we do today? No, but Peter followed Jesus as a way of life. He believed with all his heart that the Gospel is God's truth, and didn't allow fear tocompromise his witness. Peter had made mistakes in his life, but now he was ready to stand up for Jesus. What about us? Are we ready to turn our back on Jesus and appease the non-believing government? Or, are we willing to take up our cross and follow Jesus? "But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settleyou. To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 5:10-11. Each of us has a name, but if we claim to be Christians, we bear the name of Jesus Christ. He is our salvation. Do you serve Him? The satanic world is trying to stop us. Choose whomyou serve. As for me and my house, we will follow Jesus Christ. God bless you all, Nathele Graham