Leading Our Households in God's Grace and Purpose

Devotional

Day 1: Daily Surrender to the King of Kings

True spiritual leadership begins with daily surrender and humility before God. Each day, believers are called to lay down their own will and desires, humbling themselves before the Lord and seeking His guidance above all else. This act of surrender is not a one-time event but a continual, daily rhythm that shapes the heart and sets the tone for leading families and communities in faith. When parents and leaders model this humility, especially in front of their children, it powerfully demonstrates that God is truly worthy of worship and obedience. [01:05:36]

Joshua 24:14-15 (ESV)
“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.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to humble yourself before God today, and how can you visibly model surrender to Him for those in your household?

Day 2: Remembering God’s Faithfulness

Living in God’s rhythm requires intentionally remembering and sharing the stories of God’s faithfulness in your life. It is easy to forget the ways God has worked in the past, but recalling and retelling these moments—both the struggles and the victories—anchors your faith and provides powerful testimony for the next generation. These memories become spiritual milestones, reminding you and your family of God’s goodness and encouraging trust in Him for the future. [01:10:44]

Joshua 24:2-13 (ESV)
And Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Long ago, your fathers lived beyond the Euphrates, Terah, the father of Abraham and of Nahor; and they served other gods. Then I took your father Abraham from beyond the River and led him through all the land of Canaan, and made his offspring many. I gave him Isaac. And to Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. And I gave Esau the hill country of Seir to possess, but Jacob and his children went down to Egypt. And I sent Moses and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt with what I did in the midst of it, and afterward I brought you out. Then I brought your fathers out of Egypt, and you came to the sea. And the Egyptians pursued your fathers with chariots and horsemen to the Red Sea. And when they cried to the Lord, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians and made the sea come upon them and cover them; and your eyes saw what I did in Egypt. And you lived in the wilderness a long time. Then I brought you to the land of the Amorites, who lived on the other side of the Jordan. They fought with you, and I gave them into your hand, and you took possession of their land, and I destroyed them before you. Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and fought against Israel. And he sent and invited Balaam the son of Beor to curse you, but I would not listen to Balaam. Indeed, he blessed you. So I delivered you out of his hand. And you went over the Jordan and came to Jericho, and the leaders of Jericho fought against you, and also the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. And I gave them into your hand. And I sent the hornet before you, which drove them out before you, the two kings of the Amorites; it was not by your sword or by your bow. I gave you a land on which you had not labored and cities that you had not built, and you dwell in them. You eat the fruit of vineyards and olive orchards that you did not plant.’”

Reflection: What is one specific story of God’s faithfulness in your life that you can share with your family or a friend today to encourage their faith?

Day 3: Choosing Daily Whom You Will Serve

Following God is not a decision made once in the past, but a daily, intentional choice. Each morning, you are faced with the question: “Whom will you serve today?” This choice shapes your actions, your priorities, and the spiritual direction of your household. Setting daily rhythms—such as prayer, reading Scripture, and speaking blessings—helps keep your family anchored in faith and demonstrates to your children that serving the Lord is a living, ongoing commitment. [01:15:09]

Joshua 24:15 (ESV)
“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.”

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to intentionally lead your family or those around you in serving the Lord?

Day 4: Removing Rivals to God in Your Home

To truly live in God’s rhythm, you must actively remove anything that competes with God for your heart and your family’s attention. This may mean letting go of habits, entertainment, or priorities that distract from your relationship with God. Just as the Israelites were called to put away foreign gods, you are called to examine your home and life for anything that has become a rival to God, courageously removing it so that your family can focus on what matters most. [01:22:50]

1 John 5:21 (ESV)
“Little children, keep yourselves from idols.”

Reflection: What is one “rival” or distraction in your home or life that you need to remove or limit this week so that God can take first place?

Day 5: Living Your Faith Publicly and Boldly

Faith is not meant to be hidden or practiced only in private; it is to be lived out boldly and publicly. When you declare your commitment to Christ openly, you not only hold yourself accountable but also encourage others and set an example for your family and community. Just as a wedding ring is a public sign of a covenant, your actions and words should clearly show that you belong to Jesus, both inside and outside your home. [01:28:33]

Matthew 5:16 (ESV)
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Reflection: Where is one public setting this week where you can intentionally let your faith in Jesus be seen and bring encouragement or hope to someone else?

Sermon Summary

Today’s focus is on what it truly means to lead our households in the rhythm of God’s grace and purpose. We began by lifting up the needs of our church family and community in prayer, recognizing that God is both the healer of our bodies and the mender of our hearts. Whether through miraculous means or through the hands of doctors, God is at work, and our response is to praise Him in every circumstance. We also remembered those who are grieving, those in need of healing, and those who serve in our schools and communities, asking God to move powerfully in every situation.

Turning to Joshua 24, we reflected on Joshua’s farewell address to Israel. At 110 years old, Joshua gathered the people to remind them of God’s faithfulness throughout their history—from Abraham’s call to the deliverance from Egypt and the journey to the Promised Land. This act of remembering is not just nostalgia; it is a spiritual discipline. We must regularly recall and share the stories of God’s faithfulness in our own lives, anchoring our families in the reality of who God is and what He has done.

Joshua’s challenge to Israel is the same challenge we face today: “Choose this day whom you will serve.” This is not a one-time decision but a daily act of surrender. Leading a household in God’s rhythm begins with humility—leaders on their knees before the King of Kings, modeling surrender for the next generation. Our children and grandchildren learn most deeply not from our words, but from our visible, lived-out devotion to Christ.

Daily rhythms of faith require intentional choices. We must set patterns of prayer, Scripture reading, and blessing in our homes. This means removing rivals—anything that competes with God for our affection and attention. Whether it’s sports, entertainment, or even good things that have become ultimate things, we are called to clear the way for Christ to be central in our families.

Finally, our faith must be lived out publicly, not just privately. Just as Joshua declared before all Israel, we are called to be bold about our allegiance to Christ, allowing our community and our children to see our commitment. This public declaration not only holds us accountable but also encourages others to follow.

Key Takeaways

1. Daily Surrender Is Foundational True leadership in the home begins with daily surrender to God. Humbling ourselves before the Lord is not a sign of weakness but of strength, teaching our children that the greatest power is found in submission to the King of Kings. Our families need to see us on our knees, modeling what it means to yield our will to God’s. [61:05]
2. Remembering God’s Faithfulness Anchors Us Regularly recalling and sharing the stories of God’s work in our lives is essential. These testimonies become anchor points for our families, reminding us and the next generation of God’s unchanging character and past deliverance. Forgetting leads to spiritual drift, but remembering fuels faith and gratitude. [70:11]
3. Faithful Living Requires Daily, Intentional Choices Serving God is not a decision made once, but a choice renewed every day. Setting spiritual rhythms—prayer, Scripture, blessing—requires intentionality, especially when life gets busy. Our children will follow the patterns we establish, so we must choose daily to lead them toward Christ, even when it’s inconvenient or costly. [75:09]
4. Removing Rivals to God Is an Act of Love Anything that competes with God for our devotion must be removed from our homes. This may mean reordering priorities, changing habits, or letting go of good things that have become idols. By clearing away distractions, we create space for our families to encounter Christ more fully and protect the hearts of the “least of these” among us. [80:54]
5. Public Faith Strengthens Private Devotion Our commitment to Christ must be visible both in private and in public. Declaring our allegiance before others not only holds us accountable but also encourages our families and community to stand firm in faith. Living out our faith boldly invites others to join us in following Jesus and strengthens the bonds of spiritual family. [86:37]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[49:44] - Praying for Needs and Anointing
[50:17] - Interceding for Community and Families
[55:09] - Introduction to Joshua 24
[56:30] - Reading and Honoring God’s Word
[57:49] - Joshua’s Farewell and Israel’s History
[61:05] - The Call to Daily Surrender
[63:43] - Modeling Humility for the Next Generation
[66:55] - The Power of Remembering God’s Work
[70:11] - Sharing Testimonies and Family Memories
[73:14] - The Daily Choice to Serve God
[75:09] - Establishing Spiritual Rhythms at Home
[79:38] - Being the Spiritual Metronome
[80:54] - Removing Rivals and Idols
[86:37] - Living Faith Publicly
[90:58] - Responding to God’s Challenge
[92:51] - Prayer of Commitment and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Joshua 24:14-15 (ESV) — > “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.”

Observation Questions

In Joshua 24:14-15, what specific choice does Joshua put before the people of Israel? What does he declare about his own household?
According to the sermon, what are some of the “rivals” or “gods” that can compete for our attention and affection today? ([01:22:11])
What does Joshua do before challenging the people to choose whom they will serve? How does he use the history of Israel in his address? ([01:06:55])
What daily practices did the pastor mention as important for setting a spiritual rhythm in the home? ([01:16:24])

Interpretation Questions

Why does Joshua emphasize the need to “choose this day” rather than making a one-time decision in the past or future? What does this say about the nature of faith? ([01:13:14])
The sermon talks about remembering God’s faithfulness as a spiritual discipline. How can sharing stories of God’s work in our lives anchor our families in faith? ([01:10:11])
The pastor said that children learn most deeply from our visible, lived-out devotion to Christ, not just our words. Why do you think this is so powerful? ([01:05:36])
What does it look like to “remove rivals” to God in a modern household? How might this be an act of love for our families? ([01:20:54])

Application Questions

The sermon challenged us to model daily surrender to God for our families. What is one way you could visibly show humility and surrender to God in your home this week? ([01:01:05])
Think about your own family history. Are there stories of God’s faithfulness that you haven’t shared with your children or grandchildren? What’s one story you could tell them this week? ([01:10:11])
The pastor shared about struggling to keep consistent spiritual rhythms at home, especially when life gets busy. What is one practical step you could take to establish or re-establish a daily pattern of prayer or Bible reading with your family? ([01:17:40])
Are there any “rivals” in your home—activities, habits, or even good things—that have become more important than God? What is one thing you could remove or change to make more space for Christ? ([01:22:50])
Joshua made a public declaration of his family’s commitment to serve the Lord. Is there a way you could make your faith more visible to your children, friends, or community this week? ([01:26:37])
The sermon mentioned that our children notice if we act differently in public than we do at home. Are there any areas where your public and private faith don’t match? What’s one step you could take to bring them into alignment? ([01:26:01])
The pastor encouraged parents and grandparents to “be the metronome” for their families—setting the pace for spiritual life. What is one new rhythm or habit you want to start in your household this month? ([01:19:38])

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Transcript

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