Picking it up

As you all have noticed, I have taken a sort of hiatus this summer from the blog. I took time to relax after work and have done many things such as playing baseball and hanging out with friends I have not seen in almost a year. I had my girlfriend Chelsi come to Arizona and visit so that she could meet my parents and some family and I have spent time in California with my brother whom I love very much even though he tries to boss me around and he can get on my nerves at times. I find that during the difficult times, it is easy to be in the word but not necessarily easy to be an imitator of the word. We make plans and we know how we always want things to turn out but sometimes we have to step back and let God's plan and his work take it's course and guide us through life. If we are in line with his plans then what we have planned should not be a problem but if we force the issue, that is when we need to step back and take a long look at what we are trying to do. It is never easy to walk alone or to make major plans on our own but that is why God IS always there and he is waiting with open arms for us to return to him when we walk away. I would not say I have necessarily fallen this summer but I have not exactly been seeking God with my WHOLE heart like I know I should have been. I know this blog has been a blessing to many people and it has also helped me when I am going through rough times because it helps me actually evaluate the word for what it is worth and actually apply it. I want to (seriously) get back on track with this and pick up right where I left off. I want people to expect great things from God and to know that there will be something for them to read every night or whenever they come on here to read it. Sometimes I forget that it is not just me being a blessing unto others but God being a blessing through me and that cannot happen unless I do what he has asked of me. We see in 1 John 2:4-6 which states, "The man who says, 'I know him,' but does not do what he commands is a liar and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did." This illustrates that in order to know him, we must follow him. It is not just a statement of faith or a simple "I know him" but it is truly following what the word says and doing one's best to uphold the truths found within His word. We all make mistakes but how we respond to those mistakes is what our integrity and wisdom is made up of. Do we continue to be foolish and make the same mistakes or do we learn from our mistakes and move forward?

John the Baptist is quoted as saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." Most people would probably say he was crazy just as some of the people of that time thought. He was quoted saying that thousands of years ago and the Lord has not returned. However, the Bible also warns to always be ready and we should not go to bed on any night with any doubt in my mind where we would go if the Lord returned in the night or the next day. When you make a mistake or sin, it is easy to say that you will ask forgiveness later but why wait when you can make amends with your creator right then and there. Sure you feel like you are not worthy but he feels as though you are. We serve a patient, loving, understanding, and humble God who cares about us very much and will welcome us with open arms as long as we are sincere. 2nd Peter 3 talks about the day of the Lord and the return and I find comfort in verses 14-18 which state, "So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that out Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes in the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do other Scriptures, to their own destruction. Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of out Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. " My bible acknowledges that sometimes the Scriptures can be hard to follow but they have been written so that we can gain understanding in Christ and grow in knowledge and depth of insight. We all have within us to do whatever God has called us to do, I mean people wrote the Bible based on what was inspired in them by God. They could have just said, "oh no, that is too hard and I do not think I could ever do something like that," but they believed in what they were being told and they believed in their purpose and they never gave up. If you look at great people in the Bible throughout history, the ones who persevered and never gave up were the ones who are remembered for what they did. If you want to be remembered before the Father and leave your mark on people in this world, you have to keep pushing and fighting the good fight because perseverance is key in the fight to never giving up on God or the plan he has for your life.

I know it has been a long time but like I said, I am going to get back on this and we will make another run at what God has in store for this blog and the people who read it. Please keep praying for me and if you need anything please let me know. I have a friends and family overseas in foreign countries who need prayer and I pray for them daily. Keep pressing on and seeking his plan for your life. I hope you all have been doing well and I hope you all continue to read and start reading again.

God Bless,
Joseph Robinson