What time is it? Time for Christ.

  What is time, and why do I feel so strongly about it?

  Time is so hard to define, because of how much power it holds. Time can grow beards, time can mend a broken heart, time can get a runner from start to finish, time can raise a family. We can't take back time. The beard can't ungrow, the whole heart can't be unmended, a runner can't run from finish to start, a family can't be unraised. What is done, is done. It can't come back.

  Heaven is eternal because it rests in a place untouched by the grip of time. The angels live in a single moment that lasts for eternity. Us humans can not comprehend such a magnificent thought, because we have only known the sound of a ticking clock. We've only known the sign of wrinkles and rust. Things get used. People pass away. 

Matthew 6:19-21 

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

    On the last day of creation, God did the most magnificent thing.. He rested.
  "Yeah, wut ev. He was tired." No, you don't understand. The Creator of the Universe RESTED. He made His masterpiece, and He decided to enjoy His masterpiece by RESTING in it. This means that God placed Himself in time. The one untouched by the grip of time, touched time. And rested.. What. A. Rebel. Isn't God awesome?
  Just mere seconds hold more power than any human. Two seconds can start a heart attack, make a silence awkward, cause a car crash, produce a child, lose a game of Minute to Win It, etc.
 

  Do you understand the power of time, now? Our time is so important.. We can spend our day serving the elderly for Christ, or ganging up on a group of teenagers. The difference can be life or death when it comes Judgment day. We can use our day to sign stacked paperwork, or we can use our day giving ourselves fully to God. (I am not saying working is bad. I am saying if you put work before Christ, that time can mean Heaven or Hell.) 

  The most important and significant worship we could EVER give our Creator is our time. Our Creator invented time, so He understands how we could get sidetracked from our personal relationship with Him. That is the very reason He created it. What FULLY devoted Christian doesn't have time for their God? What bride doesn't have time for her bridegroom? What children don't have time for their father? I believe God created time to rule out the jerks who want a free ride to salvation. Like a fast food worker who wants the money, but not the effort it takes to receive the money.

   God honors our time. It only takes 5 minutes out of your 24 hours to tell God how much you love Him. How much He means to you. The more time we pour out to Him, the more favor He pours on us. We can spend 5 minutes in His presence, or 5 hours.
  You know how WONDERFUL it feels to worship God? So why don't you do it more? Why do you spend 30 seconds praying, 5 minutes reading in your Bible, and 23:55:30 preforming actions that will not benefit in your eternal life? We are all guilty of this. Christ doesn't want 5 minutes and 30 seconds. He wants our SACRIFICE of time. Not our left over time. Christ gave HIMSELF. Why can't we sacrifice that 3 hours we were going to party away? We are called to follow the way of Jesus Christ, Christians! That includes His MANY sacrifices.
   "I am too busy to pray." You are too busy NOT to pray. If you've got so much going on that you can't wake up at 5:30am and tell God how much of a blessing He is by studying the word, then you need to PRAY for time. Carve out hours - you will get your reward.

 

Psalm 39:4-5

Lord remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered - how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. my entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.

Proverbs 16:9 

We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.

 

Pride isn't a gift of the Spirit.

  Ever met someone that left you completely awestruck? This question sums up my day.

  See, there's this guy that I went to high school with. (He's still in high school, I just started homeschooling.) Everyone talks about him, but in a GOOD way. He's well known for being an awesome follower of Christ. So when I found out I would be preforming with him for a complete day, I had mixed feelings.
  Half of me was excited. I was ready to see what God was working through this guy. I was thrilled. But the other half of me had the feeling of the need to show off. Half of me was the old Taylor. Half of me was the Taylor seeing the face of Christ.
  Before one side had the chance to win, Here (We're going to call Him Buzz. For Buzz Lightyear.) Buzz walks in, limping. He had messed up his ankle a while earlier, and had just got back from therapy.
   See, I am no expert on this kind of stuff. But when the anointing of God is seriously on a person, I can smell it on their breath. It is a green peppermint type smell. It's cold and minty when they speak to you. I believe some preachers try to fake this smell, also. I know a certain pastor who eats peppermints while praying for people, maybe in hopes that people will draw false conclusions, maybe not. Who knows. But see, when people eat peppermints, it's more of a smell, when the anointing of God is more of a peppermint, cold, comforting feeling. I think that anointed God smell was the first thing that I noticed about Buzz.
   While practicing a song, He asked me if I knew what 'Shekinah' meant. I thought for a minute, and said 'Uh, no, I don't think so.' In the middle of him explaining 'Shekinah' to me, I felt the complete peace of God. The feeling of wanting to rest in the Spirit and cry your eyes out in worship at the same time. That's when I knew this guy was one of the best people I had ever met. And he didn't even know my name.
   Buzz is the Christian I strive to be. He is the Christian I pray for, for my community, for my high school, for my country. He's the Christian who seeks God more than he seeks his daily meal. That is the anointing of God.
 
   We had 2 'gig's. One at 11, one at 6. In between, the rest of the band and myself went out to eat, and just hung out. I'm not actually sure where Buzz went, but we all met together again around 4 for practice.
   For 2 straight hours I had watched this poor guy limp around due to his ankle. I knew from the start that the Spirit wanted me to lay hands on his foot and pray for him, but I was a bit hesitant..
I was a bit afraid I would have too much pride afterwards, because I had that spirit of pride before practice. I knew if it ended up healed, I would crave the glory for myself. I would want Buzz to thank me for it, instead of God. I would want Buzz to look at MY personal relationship with God, and think I was a good Christian because 'I' healed his ankle.

   I finally broke down and asked which ankle was bothering him. I laid hands on his ankle for about 2 minutes, praying in tongues. After I felt led to stop praying and ask him if his ankle felt any

better, his face completely lit up.  He started walking and jumping around with the hugest smile on his face. At this time, God completely took my pride away from me. I didn't want to be seen. I wanted the glory to go to God for the miracle, instead of myself. I was absolutely humbled. I wasn't proud of myself, I was proud of my God.

  What Christ reminded me of was this verse.

 Matthew 7:21-23      

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

  See, a person can preform healings all day long, and not have their heart in the right place. Just because my God is big, doesn't mean my faith is.

That was right before the service started, and at the end of the service, Buzz told me he had been wanting so badly to experience healing for something. Anything. He had been praying for healing.
Isn't it funny how perfectly God answers prayers?

God saw my pridefulness. He saw Buzz's craving for healing.
God placed things just perfectly.

"..but you have kept the best until now!"

Jentezen Franklin often has online podcasts that are simply amazing, to say the least. I love hearing his sermons while doing school work, practicing music, etc. It's a total blessing.

  Yes, I have mentioned Jentezen Franklin before. No, I do not get paid for talking about him, and yes, I would like for you to look him up. 

So, I was listening to one of his lessons on "The Power of Now" or something along those lines.

Here's my shortened, revised, and blogified version of what I got from it, that I felt led to share.

 John 2:9-10

  When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. A host always serves the best wine first," he said, "Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!" 

These verses are on the time Jesus turned the water into wine.
  A lot of preachers who teach about these verses say "Jesus saves the best for last!"
Re read these verses. Does it say the best came last? It says the best came NOW. Does that statement not give you chills? The best is now.

  I am a 15 year old homeschooled female. I didn't grow up in a religious house hold. Like every one else who lives in the south, we had Bible verses hung up on the walls, and a dusty Bible on the bed stand. But that's as far as anything went.

I was taught that God was real, but He wasn't REALLY real.

  I didn't grow up in church. My dad and mom have been split up ever since I can remember, so I go back and forth between houses. Visiting my grandmother on my dad's side was about the only Christianity I got into me. Oh, bless my grandmother .. She is such a blessing. She took me and my 1st cousin to EVERY VBS, every Sunday morning service, she gave me (and still does) every ceramic angel she could buy at yard sells. Angels that sang, angels that lit up, angels that made me smile by the very thought of them. I believe Christ used my amazing grandmother to open up the door to my salvation today. Moral of the small distraction, hug your grand parents while you still can. I waste no time letting my grand parents know how much I love and care for them. Be grateful for every opportunity they gave/give you. Pray for their wellbeing constantly. Anyways. Back to the point.

  My parents never raised me in church. I started going to church on my own much later on in my life.
So for a few years, I've been trying to get my mom in church. After 2 long years, I finally heard these words escape her lips "What time is church tomorrow? I may go with you."
  Oh, the joy! Oh, how the angels in heaven shouted and sang praises to God!
But my spirits were a little let down when she told me my step father was also attending, because she makes a habit of not stepping out when he is around. But the funny thing is, they came the next week. And the next. And this week, they are (Lord willing) continuing to attend Sunday morning service with me.

See, Jesus saved the best for now. During those 2 years of waiting, Jesus saved the best for then, as well. The days of 'marinating' is just as important as the day now. We can't have salvation without marination, and we can't have marination without salvation.
Laugh all you want at my choice of words, but it's only absolutely true.



"...but you have saved the best until now!"

NOW, family. Today is the day to turn your life around. Today is the day to start that ministry you have been praying for. What is stopping you?
Now is the only time we have. So why are we still laying in bed? Why aren't we off our tail-ends yet?
Start your volunteer work now. This very hour. We aren't promised next week, when we are free. We aren't guaranteed our next heart beat. Geez, family. Let's get up and serve NOW.

Jesus saved the best for now. Let's stop looking at what's coming up, let's stop looking back at our 'good ole days'. Let's look at Jesus, and receive His best.  

Our personal butler and homie-g, Jesus Christ.

  A few days ago, I decided it was time to catch up on decorating my stationery for pen pal letters. I also decided I wanted to hear a recent Jentezen Franklin podcast. So I (somehow productively) did both at the same time.
It was probably the best decision I have made in a while. (Though my decision in outfits this week have been extraordinary. Just saying.)
There was a quote that really made me stop what I was doing, and instantly write it down.

"God is not our butler. God is not our buddy."

How true is this? I mean, really. God is not someone we can snap our fingers at, and say "Job, please." or "New shoes, please." God is not our buddy. He is NOT our 'homie' and He is NOT someone we call when we need a ride, or $20 dollars, or someone to cover for us when we sneak out of the house. No, no. Our GOD is not limited to what we say. He does not answer our every demand. He does not cater to our opinions. He doesn't even CARE about our personal opinions.
I REPEAT. Jesus Christ, King of Kings, Lord of Lords does NOT care about our personal opinions.
Do not get the wrong idea, family. Jesus cares for us. He loves us dearly. But Jesus is holy. He is omnipotent and omnipresent. Just because "I do not like neighbor Carl, so I won't stick $20 in his mail box" when Christ specifically told us to do so, is unacceptable. When we finally meet Christ, and He brings up this situation, what are we going to say? "I wasn't feeling it." or "You know, I didn't like his attitude.." So.. We're ignoring our CREATOR'S orders, "because we weren't feeling it?" That isn't going to cut it. Stop being absurdly selfish, pick up your cross, and follow Him.

Back on subject.

I've really been caught up in this quote.

"God is not our butler. God is not our buddy."

Geez. It's a bit intimidating. I'm looking at the letters of this quote, and it's like they keep staring me in the eyes. The letters jump off the screen and mess with my mind. "God is not our butler. God is not our buddy."

God is not our butler.

I'll say "Hey, Dad. You love me, right? There's this REALLY awesome guitar this guy wants to trade on Facebook Swap, and since you love me, and all, I was kinda hoping you would let this guy want to trade his really cool guitar, for my much cheaper one.. I love you.. bye." and just expect God to do it for me.
 

But, the funny thing is, He answered my prayer. Just, not in the way I was expecting.
 

See, a few hours later, I looked at the post and DECLINED the guitar. My heart didn't want it. My heart was completely satisfied with the guitars I currently have. I don't need, and can not afford, a brand new guitar. I do not mean money wise, I mean spiritual wise.

I believe, if God would have answered my prayer, He would have become more and more like my butler; answering my every demand just because I ask Him. Isn't it funny how it should be the other way around? Aren't the servants supposed to cater to the one who signs the pay check? Aren't the created supposed to cater to the creator? Yet, we can not complete a simple task that He asks for, because we are "too busy" or "don't feel like it." Bologna, family. And yet, we're all guilty of it.

Why are we so needy? Why do we continuously beg and plead God for worldly treasures? Doesn't He teach us to store our treasures in Heaven, where moth nor rust destroy? Simple answer - Because we view God as our personal butler. It's like, instead of asking Christ to be our personal Savior, our Lord and Savior, we ask for Him to become our personal butler, our Lord and butler, but mostly just our butler. No Lord involved, until we get what we want. Isn't that great? (Sarcasm intended.) What are we, worldly?

 

 Romans 7:14-25  

   So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is the sin living in me that does it.

  And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can't. I want to do what is good, but I don't. I don't want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don't want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it's sin living in me that does it.  

  I have discovered this principle of life - that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God's law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God's law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. 

Romans 8:5-6

Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.

 

 

Please, read every bit of those verses. Read them twice. Mark them in your personal Bible.
Not sure where those verses tie in with this .. If you find out, let me know. But seriously, I just love those verses.

anyways..

Family, let's not be so needy.. Let's not beg Christ for things, yet, get upset when we don't get the answer we want. Let's learn to trust in His steadfast love. His burning desire to capture our filthy hearts. His longing for fulfillment in Him. He wants nothing but the best for us. Can we learn to believe that?

 Matthew 6:31-34
 "So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today."

 

God is not our butler.

God is not our buddy.
How often do we see shirts or posts that say "Jesus is my homie." or "Me and Jesus are tight" (I am not talking about the Jesus Is My Homeboy shirts. I understand the story behind that.) at first, I was like "Oh, that's cool! Reppin' my man J-e-z." But I got to thinking.. How disrespectful. God isn't our "buddy"..
I looked up the word "buddy" on urban dictionary, and here is what the definition says.

Buddy - friend, pal, compatriot, someone you don't know the name of, someone you don't want to tell the name of

"Someone you don't want to tell the name of" .. Does that not get your blood boiling?
But notice the part that says "Someone you don't know the name of."
What if - someone notices their blessings. Someone understands the earth wasn't merely created by mistake. Someone wants to know more, CRAVES to learn more. But has no access to more.
 Jesus Christ is their buddy. He is there, while they are left unknowingly, in their presence.

God isn't our buddy. We aren't ashamed to call on the name of Jesus in a public area. We aren't afraid to tell our family about the precious blood of Christ.
God isn't our buddy. We are past the place of learning His name. We are past the unknowingness.
God isn't our buddy.



Rest easy, family.