Robert Simmons, Leadership & Life Coach

05/29/2026

Letter to a Friend
Letter #2

Dear friend,

I hope you considered what I wrote in the last letter. To become a Christian and lock down your eternal destination the Bible says:

BELIEVE

> Jesus came to this earth from heaven
> He lived a sinless life
> Jesus died on the cross for your and my sins (shortcomings/wrongs)
> And that He was raised from the dead after three days of being in the grave
> Confess with your mouth (tell others) that you believe this

Pretty straight forward, right? Do these things and you will be saved.

Let me expound a little on what this looks like.

There is a verse that seems to contradict the words of Romans 10: 9-10, 13.

James 2:19, “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.”

James is telling us that the demons “believe,” however, they are not saved. So what is it? Is salvation wrapped up in believing or isn’t it?

When we read a little further James explains himself.

James 2: 20, 26, You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

What the Bible is teaching us is not that we have to do things to earn our way to heaven. It is telling us that if we truly believe there will be a change in our lives.

We will be different.

“Different” does not mean “Perfect.” But our desires will start to change as God begins to teach and draw us closer to Him and His ways.

You see, being a Christian is not a formula. It is not a magical prayer. It is not about being sprinkled or dunked in water. It is not about being part of some religious organization.

Christianity is about having a relationship with Jesus Christ.

John 14:21, “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”

When you get married, you will come home from work.

When you get a job, you will show up for work.

Want to join the military? You will go to bootcamp and start the transition into a Soldier, Sailor, Airman, or Marine.

If a person has a relationship with Christ, he/she will show up and a transformation will begin to occur.

This transformation is not overnight. It takes time. A new Christian is like a baby growing up. Baby food, crawling, whining and crying. Eventually more solid food will be on the menu and then walking, then one day you will run and be all grown up.

The takeaway from this letter is this:
• Believing is trusting in Jesus Christ
• If we believe, there will be a change

Perhaps you have heard of the “Sinner’s Prayer?”

"Dear God, I know that I have sinned and done wrong things. I am sorry for my sins. I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins and rose again. Please forgive me and help me live for you. Thank you for loving me. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Breaking it down these words are guiding us to:

• Admit that we are sinners and need God's forgiveness.
• Believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died for our sins and rose from the dead.
• Repent by turning away from your old way of life and turning toward God.
• Surrender our life by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior

This is a prayer that is often used to help lead people to Christ. While it is helpful in guiding us into the Christian life, it can be deceiving. It can give a false sense of salvation.

If a person believes the words they are praying, then there will be a change. His/her life will begin to look different. Their desires will start to shift. Again, it is not overnight, but their appetite in life will begin to change.

Here is my suggestion friend.

If you are ready to trust Christ, use the Sinner’s Prayer now.

And if you are serious, which means you are ready to walk in a new direction, the Bible tells us the Lord Jesus Christ will step into your life and you will be saved.

I am going to leave you will this to bake in the oven for now. But if you did pray this prayer I encourage you to share it with someone. Call me, or tell someone you know.

The more you share your decision, the easier it gets and the more change you will experience. Trust me. I have been there.

God is wanting to do something new in your life. Trust Him.

Your friend,
Robert

05/26/2026

Letter to A Friend
Letter 1

Over the years I have lost many friends from this side of the earth. Some I knew their eternal destination, while others I am not so certain. The most heartbreaking part is that while some I knew were headed for the streets of gold, others were not.

Over the same years, I shared my faith to some degree. After all, when Christ consumes your life you can’t help but reflect Him. Even when your life is not what it should be.

Yes, there was a season in my life when I was not living out my faith. Some call it backsliding while other sayings are blunter, saying I turned my back on God. I go with the more blunt version.

Looking back I realize I was mad at God. I never verbally said it, but that is what it was. Things did not turn out the way I thought it would. So, like a child who did not get what he wanted, I had a spiritual fit and ran away from home to do my own thing.

As you might imagine that did not work out well. I almost lost my marriage and every friendship I had. If God had not rescued me there is a good chance I would not be here to write these words today.

It is during these years of pretending the desert was an oasis that I found people who were hurting and searching. I had the answer, but my life did not look much different than theirs. They were seeking something, someone different. Not the same messed up life they were trying to escape.

In conversations God would come up. Despite my backsliding lifestyle, I would still share what it meant to be a Christian.

Whether my words had any value I do not know. I do know that the Bible says God’s Word does not return void. So whether the words are from a Donkey’s mouth, or a pastor’s pulpit, if it is God’s Word then it has value. With that truth in mind I trust that the seeds I planted fell on some fertile soil along the way despite my life choices.

When I was living for Christ, when I was not and now that I have returned, I have been asked time and time again, “Where am I going when I die?”

The question is asked in various ways. “What is a Christian?” “Why do you go to church?” “What do you think happens after we die?”

No matter how the question is posed, the curiosity is the same. People realize there is more to their existence than what this world is offering them. My friends and many others are searching for meaning and for purpose.

I am writing this letter on behalf of all my friends. To those I was not a who I should have been for them, as well as those I know today.

The Bible says that when Christians find themselves before God that Jesus will wipe away every tear. I suspect some of those alligator tears we will be shedding will be because of our friends who missed eternity with God and we are faced with the truth that we had the answer, but never told them the good news.

Worse, we were not reflecting being any different than them.

Unlike other writings, the writers hide the answer being sought within the pages. They want the reader to read everything before they share the solution. Somewhere in the chapters and many words is what the seeker is seeking.

I am not going to do that. I am going to give you, my friend, the answer straight up front. I am going to give it to you many times loud and clear throughout. Yes, I will provide the context and deeper meaning. I will share what a Christian life looks like and how to walk with the Lord.

But the answer to your question, I am going to be straight up and clear.

If you want to spend eternity with God. If you are thinking there is more to this life here on earth. Should you be one of the ones who are realizing that what this world is trying to sell you is not delivering on it’s promise…the answer is:

• Believe Jesus came to this earth from heaven
• He lived a sinless life
• Jesus died on the cross for your and my sins (shortcomings/wrongs)
• And that He was raised from the dead after three days of being in the grave
• Confess this belief with your mouth (tell others)
*You will be saved*

While this is really one thing, I have broken it down to help a little.

Do you want Biblical context?

Romans 10:9: "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

Romans 10:10: "For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved."

Romans 10:13: "For, 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'"

Yes. Salvation is simple. But let me be honest, living it takes strength and courage. More than most are willing to do.

This is letter one dear friend. I will provide more in following letters. But for now, I have given you the answer to the test.

Do this and you will be saved.

Your friend,

Robert

05/25/2026

Religion overcomplicates salvation. The world oversimplifies. Satan loves both.

05/24/2026

What is “a Christian?”

05/04/2026

HUMILITY

When I was stationed in Millington Tennessee, I was heavily involved in my local church. I led Bible Study groups, when the pastor was absent, I often filled in for him, and I served as a lay minister on staff.

We decided to have a Men’s Conference, and I was the primary speaker for the event. I poured everything I had into that event. I studied for months and practiced nearly day and night on my presentation.

The day came and the auditorium was full. Men from all of the community was there to attend the conference. My talk went beautifully just as I had planned. The day was a huge success.

This success led to a lot of excitement. Many of the men went home to tell their wives about the day, and in turn told them they wanted to come to my Sunday Bible Study class.

The following Sunday my class doubled. I had more than 70 people show up eager to hear me teach again.

It came time for me to do my thing and teach. I opened my computer to the lesson and began. After 10 minutes, I was done! I mumbled over my words and tried to come up with content. I asked questions in an effort to stretch the class out to its intended 45 minutes, but nothing worked.

Embarrassed and red in the face I told the class, “I have nothing else,” and I sat down totally humiliated.

What happened? How did I have such a successful men’s event only to bomb a simple Bible Study class that I had led for years?

Pride!

“Pride comes just before the fall.” Proverbs 16:18

I allowed the success of one event to fill me up with arrogance and pride. I had an inflated view of myself. I did not put as much work into the Bible lesson because I thought, “this is a piece of cake.”

As a result, I was embarrassed and humiliated. I had men come up to me to ask what happened. Their wives were excited to come hear me speak, yet I was horrible!

Humility must be at the forefront of the leader’s heart.

If we do not stay humble, pride takes a seat and will embarrass us at the most inopportune times.

That weekend God humbled me. He showed me that when I take credit for what He is doing in and through me, I will find out just how good I am NOT!

Thankfulness is the antidote to the sickness of pride.

It is impossible for us to think we are more than we are if we are intentional about being thankful for the things we have.

Pride says, “I deserve more.” It whispers in our ear that we are better than we really are.

Pride wants to build our ego up, and just when we are at the pinnacle, it slams us down to the ground laughing.

Take note of my hard learned lesson.

Don’t allow pride to whisper thoughts of how great you are in your ear.

Wake up each day being thankful, and keeping humility at the forefront of who you are.

05/02/2026

The conversations I have had to have with this young man over the past few years have not been easy.

Conversations a boy of that age should not have to have.

You wish one talk would do it, but that is never the case. It is an ongoing conversation to remind him the things that went on then does not have to define him now.

The bad decisions he made through the years as the result of what was done to him is forgiven.

The hurt, broken relationships and lost friendships were all from that little boy carrying things no one should have to carry, nonetheless an innocent young boy just trying to be a kid.

We have had to talk about forgiveness. How to give it, but also what forgiveness looks like.

Forgiveness doesn’t mean continuing to subject yourself to the abuser. You can forgive but you also have to protect yourself.

Yes, even if it’s family.

He has been reminded that it wasn’t his place to protect his sister. He didn’t know. What he knows now, wasn’t what he could see then.

We have cried, screamed in anger but also we have been reminded of the good. We try to not allow the nightmares to overcome the cherished memories that we did have.

Whether you are older in years, or young. No matter if it was decades, or yesterday. No matter how painful it might be.

Healing comes when we have a conversation with our younger self.

Unlock what has been put away. Dig up what has been buried.

The hurt. The damage. The anger. The inability to love, and trust. Let it out.

It is all that little boy who has been told to just be quiet trying to have a conversation.

He needs to know it wasn’t his fault. He needs to hear everything is going to be alright.

God will fill the void that others neglected. God will give the love he so desperately needed.

Have courage. Have a conversation with the younger you.

04/12/2026

The test is not can you get there.

It is can you maintain?

Change that last only occurs when we are willing to keep doing what got us to where we wanted to be.

We have to commit to not drifting back and making excuses.

Stay true to the goal.

Results are not random.
They come from staying committed over time.
Commitment turns effort into achievement.
What are you committed to today?

03/31/2026

Sin is never Satisfied Staying a Secret

02/17/2026

Satan was the highest ranking & most beautiful angel in heaven...but it wasn't enough...he wanted to be God.

Satan lured Adam and Eve with the same...they had a perfect world...but Satan lured them in with the bait of...you can be God.

Today we see the same tactics of Satan at work...You deserve...you don't have to answer to anyone...you can be your own god...your truth is truth...do what feels good...redefine God's truth into your own wants and desires...and the list goes on.

Married couples today divorce due to this same old trickery.

"I can do better." "I don't have to deal with this." "I want to be happy." "We drifted apart."

Yet...when they get to the next relational bus stop, it is the same, just more baggage to deal with.

Know truth and you will know the enemy.

If you know the enemy, you will know how to fight.

Too many are fighting the wrong enemy and wonder why they are not winning.

Personal relationship with Jesus and prayer equals victory!

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12

02/17/2026

When You Know Truth, the Lies Are Easy to See

"I am the way, the TRUTH, and the life" (John 14:6)