Making a Choice: Building a Faith-Filled Household
Before one of Israel's greatest victories, a woman named Rahab made a bold choice to help Israeli spies without knowing anything about their God. Her decision not only saved her family but changed her future forever. Her story teaches us about making decisive choices in faith, even without having all the answers.
What Does it Mean to Choose God First?
Many people today struggle with putting God first in their lives. Common idols that take precedence over God include:
Money and material possessions
Technology and screens
Children and family
Busy schedules and activities
The key is to establish proper priorities with God at the top, followed by family and other commitments. When we give God our "leftovers" instead of our first and best, we're essentially giving Him our "doggy bag" rather than honoring Him as Lord of our lives.
Why Do People Struggle to Stay Connected to Faith?
It's easy to wander away from God's promises and faithful church attendance. Missing a few weeks can quickly turn into complete disconnection. Some key factors that pull people away include:
Culturally acceptable busy lifestyles
Screen dependence reducing quality family time
Constant pursuit of more possessions and activities
Lack of intentional celebration of God's provision
How Can Families Build Lasting Faith Foundations?
Joshua challenged the Israelites to make a clear choice about who they would serve. For modern families, building lasting faith foundations requires:
Making spiritual activities a priority
Praying and reading scripture together
Welcoming others into your home
Celebrating God's provision and victories
Passing down faith traditions to future generations
Life Application
Take time this week to evaluate what might be hindering your household from fully serving God. Consider:
What "foreign gods" (distractions, priorities, activities) need to be cast away?
How can you make spiritual growth a greater priority?
What traditions can you establish to pass faith to the next generation?
Questions to reflect on:
What has God already done in your life that deserves celebration?
What needs to change for your household to better serve God?
Are you willing to count the cost and make necessary sacrifices to put God first?
Make a commitment to establish new patterns that will set your household apart through faithful service to God. The path may not be easy, but building on the foundation of Jesus Christ will create a legacy that lasts.