Tough

I was just thinking today about how surreal the battle of good and evil is. We go through life and just figure we are all doing either right or wrong and our choices lead us down the path we choose. I think of it as there are two people who claim to own a dog and they decided to let the dog choose who it wants to be with. On one hand there is God who has done so much for us and has promised us eternity with him and gave his son for us. The other side pits satan who offers us everything that is "good" which is the easy way out for most people. Satan is so enticing and the offers he has come into plain sight just about everyday for us. He knows that he is not the true leader of these people but he hates God so much that he is willing to deceive and break down any barriers that have been set up against him. We know what we get from both sides and we also understand the outcome of our decisions. The question is what are we going to decide? You can only pick one and you cannot sit and contemplate it forever nor can you jump back and forth between sides and expect that it will all be okay. It all comes down to where you want to end up and what is more important to you in this moment. Is it pleasure and everything that appears good? or is it satisfaction from Christ, peace, patience, love, and the promise of a lifetime? We get one shot to do things right and we only get first time experiences once and God has made every single experience in life a special one. If you throw any of those away, you know that it will never be the same again. Take value in everything that you do, every decision that is made leads to an experience or outcome so choose carefully what you will do and who you will follow. One side will tell you that it is okay and that it will not hurt but the other side is saying, "think about the future, think about what is waiting if you are just patient." God has a plan and he will not withhold anything from you, in fact he is excited to bless you and he will as long as you remain faithful.

Life is a struggle. Day in and day out we battle with emotions, actions, decisions, and people. Sometimes it is not as easy as just saying, "I am going to do this." You have to push yourself in EVERYTHING, not just the things that seem to interest you the most. If you forget about the little things, they will come back to bite you. I know that when I want something I go get it but I become passive or nonchalant about the things I do not think will be a big bother and this is where trouble finds me. 1st Peter 4:14-19 states, "If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgement to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, 'If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?' So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good." One might view this as a passage regarding persecution but I also think that in regards to suffering, we might sometimes feel that we are suffering by "missing out on life" because of the lifestyle we have chosen to live. I hope that none of you feel this way but if you do, do not lose hope because God wants you to continue to commit to him and trust that his way will be the best in the end. I think the biggest issue for me is believing that I can overcome certain things. I have a problem with it out on the baseball field and I believe that it carries over from the way I live my life. If it is hard for the righteous to be saved (which is us), what will become of the others? This is a powerful passage because it shows that we need to be diligent and not fear death but fear God more than death. Death could not hold Christ down and when he returns for us, it will not be enough to hold us down, we get to share in that with him. He is ruler over all and he knows what can and will happen so trust him and make your decisions based on what you know. I cannot tell you how to live, I can only provide you with the options and make sure you are informed. Battle through and know that everyday, God is fighting for you.

I hope you are all doing well, still praying for those who have asked for it. If anyone else needs prayer or wants to talk, my number is 480-292-1754 or just send me a message or comment.

God Bless,

Joseph Robinson