Gummy bear Christianity.

In a discussion recently regarding my faith and how I choose to live life now someone said to me, "don't you think you're taking it a little too far?" 

Very quickly, kindly and calmly I responded "Too far? Ha, No. I'm trying to go farther! I'm not even there yet. I've got a long ways to go! " 

Holy Spirit, come!

Listen...

Not everyone is going to get it.

Not everyone is going to understand. 

Not everyone is going to support you.

Not everyone who claims to know Jesus really knows Jesus.

Not everyone who claims Christianity is a follower of Christ. 

Not everyone that is in your life will be there to uplift and encourage you.

You will know them by their fruit...

Matthew 7:16-20

I'm not saying these things for them to be taken in a negative light but, I'm also not saying they should be taken lightly. In my opinion, these things should be taken into consideration in order to prepare you for what you may, if you haven't already, encounter in your own personal lives. Also, I don't claim to be perfect at any of this, but, I can speak to a lot of whats listed above because I was a lot of what's listed above and for a long time. Was.

I was completely deceived, living a jacked up version of the world's Christianity that sadly, is what has made so many lose hope in Christians today. This gummy bear, fake, tickle your ears and your fancy, watered down NOT Christianity is what the enemy is using to his advantage. Even more reason for the capital C church to stand up, speak up and let go of the crap that the world is saying is okay. We are called to be in the world but not of the world. Man Taylor you sure sound rough...you sound harsh, do you really need to be that way? ...100%. It took harsh reality and hardships to shake me and the ever-patient, loving and sovereign one true God to wake me from my own gummy bear Christianity. I'm not hear to sugar coat, I'm here to share. Sharing is caring and I care to do what He has called me to do. I hope by being real with you it can open your eyes or at least give you some kind of tip to dig deeper, look for yourself. If you are anything like me, I was raised in a southern baptist church that didn't preach all of the bible, they put Him in a box which is a very dangerous and deceiving thing to do. It prevents God's people from tapping into all that He has for them and all that He has called them to be.

There are so many with the head knowledge but, without the heart knowledge. 

Seek Him and you will find Him.

Matthew 7:7-8

Jeremiah 29:13

But, it isn't going to be easy...nothing truly good and meaningful is. It comes with it's challenges as it should. I mean this is the most vital and insanely important thing you could ever do for yourself and the most important thing you could ever share with those you love...the most important thing you can acquire in all of your lifetime. The key to life itself and life after death....of course its going to come with trials...all of hell is trying to keep you from attaining it.

The heart knowledge is key. You can know every book of the bible and say them in order, quote 77 different verses from memory and have perfect attendance at your local church but, if you don't have the heart knowledge of Jesus Christ and the revelation of what Hes done for you...if you don't die to self and surrender all, none of that will ever matter.

Matthew 7:21-23

How do I get this heart knowledge? 

You seek Him. You ask Him to show himself to you. You repent of your sin (that we all have) and ask Him to come into your heart. You ask Him to give you eyes to see and ears to hear Him and you open His word and feast. Read the word...aloud if you want the atmosphere to shift around you! Try it if you don't believe me. And you stay at it. Even if it's just one verse read on your hardest day, stay in His word. Stay consistent.

While working at MSG an old boss simply said "be consistent" and it stuck with me. Another while in that same role when asked what advice he had for me, said, "speak up if you want to be heard"....two simple yet powerful pieces of advice that I've taken with me and done my best to apply ever since..and it applies here too.

The Lord just wants your heart. He doesn't expect perfection, we can't reach that ever. That's the whole reason He sent His only son to pay the price we couldn't pay as the spotless lamb that was required...just so we could make it to Him, just so we could have the opportunity to choose to believe...that's how much he loves us.

So for someone to say to me don't you think you're taking it too far...

Again I say, I'm trying to go farther, farther to the Father. The more I grow in Christ, the more I see just how much I don't know! Just how much more I need Him. Not to mention, the more I know Him, the more freedom I receive...the more I seek Him the more supernatural peace and joy flows through me...chaos may ensue around me but peace and joy flow through me.

Isaiah 26:3

Don't let the world or those being controlled by the world lead you to believe you're doing too much or you're going too far in your faith. Those statements are based in and off of complete ignorance. Pray for them better yet, pray with them right then in that moment.

1 john 4:4

We will never be able to go too far because we will never be able to go far enough.

 Stay steadfast, eyes transfixed on the one who matters most

...and He will supply our every need.

Matthew 6:25-33

2 chronicles 7:14

Did you know you are so loved?

John 3:16

Love y'all,

Taylor