Day 54

Well, today I was able to manage a 68 on my first college final only to bounce back with an 81 on my next one and my Algebra final tonight hopefully is an the 80s to 90s range. I definitely prepared better for the last two finals and I know that I got the grade I deserved so the only person I can be upset with is myself. Slacking is not something I usually do but I thought I could cruise the rest of the way and I definitely was put in check. I know that next semester I will spend the whole semester making sure that I go 100% in the classroom as well as outside the classroom. With Baseball season around the corner, I will definitely be busy just playing club ball but there are many more important priorities that will need to come before in order that I can be successful all around. I will continue to seek God and try and eliminate some things that have consumed me throughout the semester such as laziness, arrogance, games, movies, facebook. I know that things have started to become sort of a priority in my life and in a sense, the correct terminology would be that they are becoming idols. We are warned to be cautious of setting idols before us whether they are physical or mental. 

It is said in Ezekiel 14:1-6, "Some of the elders of Israel came to me and sat down in front of me. then the word of the Lord came to me. 'Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and have put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces. Should I let them inquire of me at all? Therefore speak to them and tell them, "This is what the sovereign Lord says: When any Israelite sets up his idols in his heart and puts a wicked stumbling block before his face and then goes to a prophet, I the Lord will answer him myself keeping with his great idolatry. I will do this to recapture the hearts of the people of Israel, who have deserted me for their idols." ' 'Therefore say to the house of Israel, "This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices." ' " Sorry about the confusing quotation marks, the Bible was confusing me and I was trying to figure them all out and decided to just start putting them where I saw fit. Anyway, This is pretty much saying that we must learn to put God first and not let other things get in the way of our time with him, then these things become idols and that is against the commands of God. This applies to the Israelites at the time but in our age, this is more of an issue with video games, movies, internet, books, TV, sports, and work. Some of these are extremes but for the most part, we can limit how much of these activities we do and in other cases these are beneficial to us growing as well as surviving in life but they still should not completely consume us. We are told that when we put a stumbling block in front of us and then search for answers, the Lord will answer in regards to the idolatry in hopes of bringing us back to him and taking us away from the idols we have set in place.

I know that this is a struggle for me, as I mentioned, facebook can consume much of my time during the day. Video games and movies are also a major problem and I know that I need to make changes. It takes away from me doing my devotion at a decent time in the day when I am more comprehensive and can make clearer statements. I have let myself become somewhat consumed by things of this world, rather than using these things as leisure during my time here. I think that once I apply the fact that life is finite and that I can only do so much constructive stuff in the short time I am here, I should not spend my time with frivolous things that will be detrimental to my walk and to my effectiveness on this earth. I have talked about a higher calling and I feel that everyday and every step we take should be towards that higher calling. Sure there is time to relax but at the same time, we have tons of work to do and at this rate most of us will hopefully be disappointed that we could not do more when our time is done. If we recognize it early enough, we can make changes and I think that is what I started doing about 9 weeks ago.  My eyes have been slowly opened to so many things that I never knew and now applying everything is the real task, but I hope I can be the best at being who God wants me to be and I hope that I can instill change in myself as well as those around me.

Well, I head home tomorrow (weather permitting) and I will be in Oklahoma City for a day to spend time with some family at this time of year when family is the focus and we learn to appreciate some of the smaller things in life (hopefully). I hope that you all have been having an awesome week and I hope that everyone is encouraged everyday and that the buck does not stop with me blogging, but I hope that you will pass this on to someone who needs it or that you will just invest in someone else who you know is searching for something. Have a great night and God bless.

Joseph Robinson

Day 53

Well, I am just outside 9 hours from having to take my first final in college. Unfortunately there were there was a few inches of snow today and walking around is rather hard. I do not mind the cold weather and the snow is actually just another reminder of how great God is. He has helped me through so much this past week and I am finally beginning to grasp how to overcome the desires that my human nature has and to follow what God has for me. The Spirit is starting to take more of a role in my life and thanks to a great mom, I finally started to take things more seriously. I know there are people I can run to and I know that I always have more help. I am excited for break and the things I am going to be able to do to help people and the way things are going to change for me. Next semester is going to be two times better than this one and I cannot wait. I have some words of encouragement for all of you and it also applies to me and those that are helping guide me along.

Paul states in Phillipians 2:12-18, "Therefore my dear friends, as you have always obeyed-- not only in my presence but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and act according to his good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe, as you hold out the word of life--in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not tun or labor for nothing. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad to rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad to rejoice with me." This is pretty much how I feel when I post these blogs. I want people to be able to grow and strive to be great in order that I will know that I have been able to touch people's lives through my own experiences and insights into life. God is not just having me do this for me, he is having me do this to make a profound impact on people that will in turn impact other people.  There is so much that we must do to be pure and blameless but it is not impossible and God will be pleased with our goal to be excellent in everything we do. 

I know that it is hard to strive to so what God wants me to do and to do it without complaint or argument. But as I have said before, it is our duty to shine like stars and be like lights. I want to shine like the child of light that I am and I want to be pleasing in my creator's sight. I want to do everything that he has planned out for me and I want to be successful in his eyes. I am not one who likes to disappoint (unless it comes to those who want me to fail) but as Paul said, "continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and act according to his good purpose." For it is not the people of this world that I should fear, but I should fear God. The purpose is not for him to scare us into his presence but we should be conscious of what he has the power to do and we should want to do what is best for us eternally. Now if you are still a little skeptical about whether God really has the power to do what he says, or you are not sure if the whole heaven and hell thing is real, talk to me about it and we will see what we can come up with. There are always explanations in Christ but we have to be willing to seek the answers and be fervent in our search. Once again, "for our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm." Seek guidance in everything and do not give up. I have learned that over the past year and I have come a long way, if you want to know just how far I have come, ask me and I will be more than willing to tell you.  There is no compromise in salvation, it is black and white meaning there is no in between, it is either a clean slate that you and those who know you are proud of, or it is a dirty slate in which God wants to help you. There is no escaping God, there is only temporary hiding and in the end it will not be fun. 

Keep seeking God and all he has for you. He has something special for each and everyone of us and accepting it is definitely beneficial to us. Do not hold back, go all out and continue to let him work. I hope you all have a good night.

God bless,

Joseph Robinson

Day 52

I have been thinking and I know that in the recent weeks I have not been putting in my best effort into this blog and that has also been a reflection of my everyday walk. That is not to say that I have taken a step back but I got sidetracked and sort of tried to justify missing days and not living the way I am supposed to but that is what I (and I believe we) tend to do everyday pertaining to sin and as to why we do not get into the word and spend time with God daily. It is because we always seem to be able to find a way to justify what we are doing in our lives and so that makes it appear okay. Unless one is preaching 24 hours a day or being a missionary and working 24 hours a day, then one needs to be in the word and living a life pleasing to God. There are other exceptions which I cannot possibly cover them all but I think you get the point. I am going to make it a goal as I did at the beginning to accomplish a longer streak of consecutive days than the first one I set which I believe was 13 days or so longer than the original 30 that I planned to do. God is preparing me for bigger things and this is just a stepping stone for me and I know that many people have been able to get something out of this and i am glad about that. I need to stay focused on the prize as Paul stated in Phillipians 3:14, "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ." I intend to be all that God wants me to be because he has a higher calling for me and I know that I can fulfill it.

As I was thinking about Finals week, I was struggling to find something that could somewhat pertain to it but at the same time, I wanted to just find something that would fuel a dying fire because I know that in some areas I can start to lack and I wanted to keep it going. Isaiah 12:1-6 states, "In that day you will say: 'I will praise you, O Lord. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.' With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. In that day you will say: 'Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, for the things he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.' " For those of you facing finals this week and need a little pick me up, now is not the time to turn from God and say you are too busy "studying." He can and will give you strength to get through the week and will give you energy to do well but you have to ask him for help and show that you are willing to put in the time to seek him in the midst of a stressful time. The verse says "I will trust and do not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord is my strength and my song." Do you believe that your finals are too tough for God to help you out with or that he simply does not care? Well how about this, if you finals are too hard for him, why would he care to know every single hair that is on our head or every thought that consumes our mind? NOTHING is impossible for God and if we praise him for who he is and hat he does, he will be there during our time of need this week. He cannot put more hours in the day but he can help you manage your time so that you have plenty of time for sleep and studying as well as those oh so loved study breaks! Give thanks to the Lord and make known unto those around you what he has done and is doing in your life and he will bless you greatly for that. Do not expect him to respond with helping you pick up for slacking all semester, but he will do what he can to help you and it also reflects the effort you put in as well. He wants us to succeed but we have to be willing to do it and we have to apply these concepts to life and not ignoring him until we need something.

I find that this applies to me not just during finals week but everyday as a teenager. I have talked to people who view me as a Christian and they see how I live everyday and I may not be the best representation but I give off a better view than some do. I am not saying I am better than these people but I have just learned that people DO watch and see what I am doing throughout the day and the things I say and I have made the necessary changes in Christ to insure that I have integrity and can be a good representation of Christ. I give God praise in most of the things I do (not quite everything yet, but getting there) and I know that he is pleased with me because of it. I understand that God was angry with the way in which I used to live but he still loves me and it is my job to give him the praise that he is do. He truly is glorious and has changed me so much this semester. I understand how much I need to rely on the Christian body and him in order to stay strong in him and not fall into the world. I have read a few books that have helped me grow by showing me how to sort of overcome the human nature inside me that is pulling me in several directions. God walks among us everyday in Spirit and for some of us, he reigns IN us. He is superior and deserves all the glory for he is great and worthy to be praised. He has given me so much and for that I thank him. He is an awesome God and I will live for him for all my days.

I wanted to mention a song in this blog because I have been listening to it all semester and I think that even just singing it out loud is one of the best ways we can give God praise (as with any worship song) but only as long as we mean what we are singing and they are not just words.

I can feel the way you are and I want more
Like a warm summer rain or the quiet after a storm
rain down on me your glory, Lord
Let my heart know the wonders of your ways
Cause I remember being lost and alone
But before you know, I find myself with hope
Hope to dream of endless fields
with waves of green and be taken away
I'm taken away with you
As I look up at the sky on this glorious night
I can sense you here with me

Oh, I couldn't count the times I've allowed this sky
to remind me that you are glorious
God, you are glorious
It seems every single day I'm amazed
at the way this world reveals your love
I couldn't ever find the words
to explain the ways in which you are glorious
God, you are glorious

And daily I will let my life be a tribute
to the ways in which you are glorious
I wanna live in you
I wanna breathe in you
I wanna be all the things you've called me to
I wanna stay in you
Put my faith in you
I wanna let my life reside in you
Let glory rain down on me
As I look up at the sky on this glorious night
I can sense you here with me

Oh, I couldn't count the times I've allowed this sky
to remind me that you are glorious
God, you are glorious
And daily I will let my life be a tribute
to the ways in which you are glorious

I pray that you all take this to heart and will apply this scripture in the way it is fitting to your life. I am sure there is more for everyone out there other than just what I gathered from it. I believe that giving praise to God is something we need to do everyday and not just at church or when we are with other Christians. It is healthy for us and will reap blessings beyond anything we could ever comprehend. I hope you all have a good night.

God Bless, 
Joseph Robinson