4 Jul, 2006

"Dependence" Day Celebration!

God gets a really good view of a lot of fireworks.
Fireworks at Washington Monument.As the DCLA 3Story Event ends today in Washington DC, over 12,000 students will celebrate with fireworks on the Washington Mall along with about a million people!

Joshua 24:14-15

Choose Whom You Will Serve

14 “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. 15 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.” (ESV)

Today's scripture is the story of Joshua challenging the Israelites to choose to always honor, obey and serve God. Though they talked like they would always follow God, they soon started worshiping other "gods" and idols. As a result they faced God's judgment. ?

When our country was first founded, our leaders declared a dependence on God. Now our culture is following many other "gods" and idols.

We have the incredible privilege of celebrating our nation’s birthday today, but God wants us to stop declaring our independence from Him and live in dependence on Him in every way.

The best way we can connect to God’s Story in today’s scripture is to daily declare a personal dependence on God. Each of us must choose between living for ourselves or for Jesus Christ.

Make a written list of how you practice independence from God and confess it to Him. Keep it where you will see it every day for the next month. Let Jesus make the necessary changes. As you abide in Him, He will abide in you. Depending on Jesus will become a great habit!

If you see fireworks tonight, thank God for your freedom in America and pray that she will come back to a dependence on God.

Pray…..God, thank you for our freedom in this country. Thank you for the freedom from sin you have given me. I confess the ways I have been living in independence from you. Jesus, help me to stay connected to you every day…that’s when the real “fireworks” will be displayed to this world! Amen….

When you go see fireworks tonight, do all the “oohs and aahs”, but you might have an interesting conversation with someone by asking them:

  • Do you think God is watching fireworks? How many?
  • What do you think God wants from us – independence or dependence?
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God's Story is brought to you by Youth for Christ. YFC works with young people on campus and in the community in over one hundred countries around the world so that they might have an opportunity to become a follower of Christ and be a part of a local church.

Our writer, Byron Emmert, has been with YFC for over 30 years and has served as Campus Life Staff, in leadership for DCLA, and as an author and speaker. Byron is available for speaking at youth or adult events and conferences. For booking, write to byron@3Story.org.

Byron and his wife Linda live in Minnesota and their family includes two married sons and daughters-in-law, a grandaughter, and a daughter in college. He loves sports, deep dish pizza, and spending time with his family.