Day 3

Sorry for the late post, I had 2 baseball games today and needed a mental break when I got back at 6:30. I made it to church for worship this morning but was unable to stay for the sermon as I had to be at the field at 12 for the games. Don't worry, I don't go a week without being fed anymore and I will be listening to the podcast shortly. 

As I already said, today was a long day but I stood strong in the faith and was able to control myself in front of others and not conform in the way of my word choice and my actions. As I was praying for my devotional, I asked for mental strength and just for the Lord to find new ways to use me everyday. It's hard to be a servant for God EVERYDAY because we are tempted and are surrounded by Worldly things, but there is hope!

I went back to my Bible Quiz roots today and remembered a few verses in Hebrews. It is Hebrews 2:14-18. This talks about how Jesus shared in our humanity to free us who lived in fear of the devil. It explains that he had to be made like us in every way so as to make atonement for sins and help us when we are tempted since he himself was tempted.

The hope I was referring to in the first paragraph is Jesus Christ. If we want to live for him, we have to live WITH him. The two come hand in hand. He was made a human so that he was able to share the same experiences we go through and by his strength we are able to overcome. Jesus is superior to us, but he also shared in the creation with us and experienced with world in a bodily form, his only way out was through the cross and he knew that. It says that by his death he might destroy the one who holds the power of death which is the Devil. This applies to us in that is shows we have a loving Savior and Father who were willing to give up so much in order to give us a new hope. They cared so much about YOU that they made the ultimate sacrifice. As stated in DAY 1, what do you do in return? Do you knowingly sin and spit in the face of God because you know that you still have forgiveness? I am guilty of this and I don't deserve what God has given me. But this is where his mercy comes into play and if you can show that a change has been made, he will welcome you with open arms back in. Know that the strength of God is there when you ask for it and he will be there. If you do try to leave him behind and do it on your own, you might fall, but he will be there waiting to pick you back up and walk with you again.

I have tried to live my Christian life on my own, I have fallen into sin countless times and tried to justify it by saying "well I have forgiveness." This is not the way to live, it is almost as you are living without hope, except for when you want to look for it. If we earnestly seek him, he will do more than we could ever imagine and he will open doors for you. I have only tried to grow in God when he was doing great things for me and will honestly say that beginning this blog is the first time that I have tried to step out and grow when things are not necessarily going my way. I can't bear the thought of just cruising through a day anymore, I need more of God in my life and am pushing myself to be great in all I do and make sure it is for the glory of his Kingdom.

If anyone has prayer requests, I think I am able to handle praying for you. Just let me know. Also, if you would like for me to pray for you or you would like to speak more about topics with me, my number is 480-292-1754. I have always been there for my friends but was always afraid to share God and I have been selfish in that aspect. Also, if you are reading these and do not have a bible but you would like one, let me know and I will see what I can do. If numbers are not too high, I will gladly buy you one because everyone who wants one should have one.

God Bless
Joseph