Where do you want to be?

Well, today was a very busy day and I was running around pretty much from 8:30 to about 6 and then I did some studying and then headed off to club baseball practice. I like being busy because it helps me set up my priorities better. I know I should have found time for my devotional earlier in the day but I knew that I would get to it not because I was putting it off but because I was going to make time for God this evening before bed. I did not feel that I needed to do this but I wanted to be in the word and see what God had for me today. I learned quite a bit today and finally got to see a little into the life of an Athletic Trainer and I can say that it is pretty much everything I have imagined. It is the same way with God as we first get introduced to him and start seeking him, we begin to realize what we have been missing out on and I guess that is part of the reason why I felt I needed to start doing a daily devotional. I know it was something that God laid on my heart but I had to make the choice to follow what he was calling me to do. Was I going to continue to keep living the way I was living or was I really ready to start living for him and living a life of integrity. I should not be ashamed when I go hang out with my Christian friends because I think they are going to find out that I sinned or that I am just not a good person to be around because I sinned. I like to know that I am walking with God and can talk to them and be honest about what God is doing and I do not have to be like "well, I sinned today and I am a big screw up" instead I can say "God is doing amazing things and teaching me new things each day and I have stood strong.

As someone who has been trying to figure out where I am at in God and what he wants me to do, I always ask what I need to do and what choices I need to make in order to follow him and his plan. Tonight I was brought to John 15:16 which states, "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name." I am almost positive I have used this verse before but I used the whole paragraph instead of just one verse and so I did not concentrate just on this verse. It is awesome to know that God has chosen us and if we choose to walk away, he will not leave us but we get to choose where we want to be at. Are we going to be whatever he wants us to be or are we going to walk away and join the side of the devil? See he can tell when we are going through the motions and being "lukewarm" and he wants us to pick a side. If we do not want to be on his team then he can only wait and hope we make the decision. He has picked everyone to be on his team but sometimes we are stubborn and tell him that we would rather play for the other team. The only problem is that the other team is not going to win, sure they might have more fun but they are not effective in winning the championship. When we work to be a part of God's team, we are collectively working for one goal and following the only way to that goal. God wants us to choose him but he cannot make the decision for us, he has called us to him and we just ignore the call (sometimes). The cool thing is that if we hit a rough time or we walk away, he will come looking for us and try to find a way back in. We find this truth in Luke 15:4, "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?" Now God might not come looking for us personally but he is going to send people into our lives to try and help guide us back and build us up because it means more for him to have one person enter or return than it is to have 99 who already know, enter. I know that I have picked my side and I know where I am headed, can you say the same about yourself? Or are you just standing no God's side and are unsure about the pick, you might want to switch sides because you think the other side is better but you do not know what to do?

Some things to ponder, "Do you base your daily discussion on Christ's commitment to you?, How can His devotion to you inspire devotion from you?, What does it feel like to be chosen by God?" I will definitely be answering some of these tomorrow. Hope to hear some feedback from you guys! Discuss, don't be bashful!

Hope you all had an amazing day, I am praying for all of you. Let me know if you need anything.

God Bless,

Joseph Robinson