Today is a new year and a new decade, a perfect time for new beginnings. Most people’s new beginnings are a result of events and circumstances just working out that way, there really wasn’t much thought, planning, or decision making involved in it. The statement that Joshua made to the people of Israel is still a good one for each of us.

Joshua 24:15 If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

The key phrase, “choose for yourself today whom you will serve”. I personally make that choice every morning saying, “Today, Lord, I will serve You, I will obey You, I will do Your will for my life, no matter how hard or difficult it is.”

Today choose to read your Bible every day with a plan. Today choose to spend at least 15 minutes with God in prayer every day using a prayer notebook or journal. Today choose to treat your church as the “Bride if Christ”, and this year ask yourself the question, what am I doing to make my church beautiful, healthy, growing, instead of asking what is my church doing for me. Make some choices on improving your marriage, your family, and your relationship with others in your life.

As my father used to say to us kids on the farm growing up, “Don’t just stand there, do something!”