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Read Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25. This entire chapter invites us into deep gratitude for the unmerited graciousness of God. When Joshua strikes this covenant with the Hebrew people, he reminds them of who God has been to them and in response, who they are to be in the world. In essence, he tells them they may as well not commit themselves to following the Lord if they are not willing to commit their whole selves. 

Sometimes I find it hard to sacrifice certain parts of myself to God. I tend to want to hold on to my self-righteousness or my grudges or the wounds that help me to justify my own bad behavior. I sometimes catch myself worshiping at the altar of my ego or my pride or the opinion of others or my status. 

In what ways does God’s unmerited grace help you to live more graciously in your own life? What “idols” compete with your devotion to God? How can you dedicate yourself more fully to worshiping God? 

Offer a prayer of confession for those thoughts and practices that keep you from surrendering yourself fully to God and find assurance in the promise of another chance.

Read Psalm 78:1-7. An important part of continuing the story of God’s people is passing our faith tradition down from one generation to the next. 

Who are the people from previous generations who passed their faith down to you? What impact did their example have on the way you live out your own faith? What opportunities have you taken to share your own faith story with someone from a younger generation? What fruit do you see as the outcome of your investment in a younger person? 

Offer a prayer of thanksgiving for the saints who have been a part of your faith story and ask a blessing on younger generations who are at the beginning of their own.

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. When Paul talks about meeting Jesus in the air, I can almost imagine a welcoming committee going out to greet an honored guest. 

If Jesus was coming to visit your home, our church, or our community, what parts would you show off to him? What parts would you want to hide? What might you want to change in your life or in your community before the Lord would arrive? What is keeping you from making that change right now? 

Offer a prayer welcoming Jesus into every part of your life, opening up space for him to transform you from the inside out.

Read Matthew 25:1-13. This parable sounds a little bit harsh. What happened to the Good Shepherd who opens the gate for the sheep from other folds? What about grace? I wonder if this parable is less about wise/foolish or good/bad and more about how we wait. 

Do we stay alert to the continuing work of the Spirit, transforming and renewing us and those around us day by day? Are our eyes open to the needs of others? Do we hear the cry of those without a voice? Do we allow comfort and safe routines lull us into sleepy complacency? Do we expend all our energy feverishly searching for more oil (more friends, more allies, more money, more acclaim, more affirmation, etc.), while missing out on doors that Jesus might be opening for us? 

In prayer, ask the Spirit to continually fill you up with everything you need to answer the invitation of Jesus.