PASTOR’S CORNER, Rex Petty, Faith Tabernacle Church, Liberal

I will be retiring later this month from Faith Tabernacle Church, where I have pastored for more than 40 years, and there is a couple who attends named John and Monica Grant. They live in Adams, Okla. and have been coming to services on Sundays for more than 30 years, traveling 25 miles each way and more than 50 miles round-trip. They set a wonderful example of a household that serves the Lord!

Recently they sent me the following text: “Hi Rex, about one year ago our neighbor’s pit bull took off with our front doormat.  We couldn’t find it anywhere… in fact I gave up on it, until you shared your sermon last Sunday morning from Joshua 24:15 “AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD.”  This exact scripture, all in capital letters, was the exact Bible verse that was imprinted on our doormat. Our neighbors along with their dog moved away a year ago and the house has remained vacant. The grass had grown tall and there were several empty oil cans and trash laying around, so John cleaned it up and lo and behold, today, he found our doormat … believe it not in the neighbor’s empty shed!  We are tickled to have it back!  Thanks Rex.”

Monica and John jokingly said now they have their doormat back, one year after their neighbor’s dog stole it, they are back “Serving the Lord Again.”

That should seriously be the question, are you serving the Lord or following the crowd? If not, please use Joshua 24:15 to encourage and inspire you to make that decision. It is the most important choice a person will make in their lifetime!