Dear Faith Family, 

“Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord.  And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”, (Joshua 24:14-15). 

Henry Taylor established a small store before the Civil War that was known as the Taylor and Moore Company. William Wellington Mast, another prominent figure, purchased half interest in the store from the Taylor family in 1897. He and C.D. (Henry’s son) Taylor continued to operate the Taylor and Mast General Store until 1913, when Mast became the sole owner. The store had everything from “Cradles to Caskets.” 

If you’ve hiked the wooden floors at one of the Mast General Stores, you’ve probably salivated over the almost endless barrels of candy.  From Mary Jane’s to Zotz to Cow Tails. 

Years ago, Cassidy (a young girl) waltzed into a Mast General Store with her parents.  Can you imagine the view from a little girl’s perspective?  Her parents introduced her to the candy barrels.  And…they told her that she could choose one piece of candy from the entire selection!  Yes, you read that right, ONE!  I know, I know, you’re probably thinking: “That was mean!”  Right? 

But isn’t that what Joshua told the Israelites?  Choose this day.  We like options.  We don’t like to be locked in to just one flavor.  What we have to know is that to choose many is to “unchoose” God.  He’ll not share His rightful place as Master with another.  In fact, He makes it quite clear that we are not able to serve God and another, (Matthew 6:24). 

So choose today.  Don’t put it off.  Make a conscious decision today that you will yield your life, your plans, your time, your abilities, your resources, your energy – well, I think you get the idea – to the living God.  Choose to do what He wants.  Choose to be obedient to His Word.  Choose to speak truth rather than lies (that includes deceitfulness).  Choose kindness rather than cruelty (yes, even behind the wheel of your car!) 

One more thing?  I wish that one choice fit all.  You know, choose today to serve the Lord and live happily ever after.  Instead, it seems that the choice to serve the Lord is a daily commitment that requires His help to make each day, in fact each moment.  So, choose.  Decide, with His help, that you will serve the Lord today, right now.  How will you serve Him right now?  

Chosen to choose, 
Pastor Karl