Likeminded

I am not liking my schedule this week in which I have so much free time. It gives me to much time to self destruct instead of being productive and getting things done. I know this should not be the case but it is hard to have so much free time in which one does not know what to do with their-self. I kinda got sucked in today unintentionally and by the time I had gotten myself out I was already guilty and had to ask forgiveness because I knew that I had let myself trip. I had God pick me back up and I immediately went to the word and I found a verse that will help me in tough times. I made it my verse to memorize for today and it is Mark 14:38 and Jesus says to Peter and the others who were sleeping in the garden, "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing but the body is weak." I thought about this verse and then realized this is me on any given day. I have the willing spirit and most of the time I am okay but when I let my guard down, my weak body allows me to crumble and I am unable to resist. I know that remembering this verse will help me through the times in which I feel like I am backed into a corner by temptation and I know that God will pull me through the time. The strength of the Lord is beginning to rise and I am going to push through anything I face. I can make it through and I feel I am proving that I can overcome.

"Understanding the Leader's Thoughts" is the title for today's devotion that I read. The scripture is found in Philippians 2:2 and states, "Then make my love complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in Spirit and purpose." Some background on the verse is that if we have encouragement from being with Christ and fellowship with the Spirit, then we need to do this in order to fulfill the joy of the Lord.  I think context has a lot to do with how one applies a verse I am not to keen on how the author of the devotional only uses one verse when he applies a topic and so I open up and look at context and then relate it in a similar manner. Pretty much what the author is saying here is that we should be like-minded with our leaders in how we approach things kind of just referring to being on the same page when it comes to putting ideas together and working collectively for the common good of the group. The author is trying to convey that we have a choice to be like-minded with our ministry leaders or we can be ignorant and just think they are doing things the wrong way. If God has imparted wisdom on these people, then their vision should hopefully become our vision in one way or another.  Another verse used is 2nd Corinthians 13:11 which states, "Finally brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. Paul is writing to those at Corinth telling them that they should strive to be perfect and let God take control and use them. It seems like a recurring them throughout the Bible especially Paul's letters.  The next verse is 1st Peter 3:8, and Peter writes, "Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another, be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Peter is telling us to be as one and love each other compassionately as if we were all family; he also tells us to be humble meaning we should accept that we are not always the best and we can be just like everyone else. We do not have to be on the pedestal all the time even though sometimes we believe we do. Being like-minded with someone is not a bad thing. Sure you probably want to get credit for something but why not share that enjoyment with someone instead of being conceited? Just imagine if you were on par with Einstein or someone who had a multi-million dollar idea, you would probably like that idea or you could get greedy and wish that they did not do it with you so that you could have all the glory. Being humble is a positive thing and will make like much more fulfilling than if you feel like you always have to be on top.

Good thoughts today and I have my first baseball practice in about an hour. Pray for me for that and hope that things go smoothly. Hope you all had a good day.

God Bless

Joseph Robinson