ROBBERS OF TIME!

(My definition of the title: time used that will feed our flesh rather than feed and restore our soul and spirit.)

As children of God, we are given the gift of “time” on earth to know God and be taught by His spirit “the way, the truth, and the life.” We are called to use our time to be a light and spread God’s love and goodness! It is in our “time” that we choose good or evil, heaven or hell. If the spirit within us is controlled by our flesh we cannot comprehend the things of God and we will certainly be led in Satan’s direction (evil). The truth will set us free. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again’” (John 3:6-7).

It takes the wise use of “time” to produce the knowledge of God and His plans for us. “He who keeps his command will experience nothing harmful; and a wise man’s heart discerns both ‘time and judgment,’ because for every matter there is a time and judgment” (Ecclesiastes 8:5-6). Our every word and action committed in “time” will be judged! God-directed use of “time” is the only way we can grow and produce fruit for His glory.

How can we answer His call to totally serve Him if we allow ourselves to be filled with flesh-producing forces by our dedication to fleshly pursuits? There is a “time” for everything under the sun and we have God-given responsibilities and duties to carry out for our souls and the souls of others. We have covenants to keep in a loving and righteous manner. ~A Time for Everything “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). 

It is our “free” time that can become a robber of our life in God. Our dedication of “time” to vain  pursuits will result in emptiness. The question isn’t “where is God?”  The important question is “where are we in God’s plans for us?”

We often use “God-given time” for our own destruction by filling “time” with things that do not profit us spiritually. The things we fill our precious “time” with can be robbers of our faith and dedication to God. We often are too busy to take time to talk with God. Talking to God in our spirit and hearing His word, is a connection that should never be forsaken for fleshly works. God must be number one in our lives. “’Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?’ Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind’” (Matthew 22:36-37).

We are built “up” or torn “down” by what we allow in our lives through our minds, words, and actions. Flesh will never produce anything but rotten fruit. If we walk according to the ways of the world, we will be filled with the works of the devil, and we cannot produce the works of God’s Spirit.  “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit” (JOH 15:2).

God has given time and seasons and they will not fail until time is finished and eternity begins. The most important of our worldly possessions is “time.” When our earthly time is completed, judgment and eternity begins. “Time” is our short space in life to seize our eternal goals and rewards. “He who keeps his (GOD’S) command will experience nothing harmful; and a wise man’s heart discerns both time and judgment, because for every matter there is a time and judgment” (Ecclesiastes 8:5-6). 

God does not accept professed ignorance as an excuse for not preparing ourselves in the time allotted to face God. Unbelief and ignorance will only seal our fate. “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:30-31). 

It takes only a few minutes for us to tell God we love Him and want to live for Him, but it takes a “life time” to prove our love and obedience. Each minute of our lives should be exciting and fulfilling because “Christ is in us, our hope of glory.” When we give Him our “time” He will use it to perfect us for His glory and kingdom. The only way for us to be complete and perfect in His sight is to yield ourselves to His daily molding of our entire being. “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:15-17).

When our minutes are spent allowing God to rule and reign in us and our family, our hours and days flow together in perfect harmony with God’s will. The years become a “life-time” given solely to God and His kingdom.   If we don’t dedicate our minutes to Him, they become hours and days dedicated to the emptiness and uselessness of self. Nothing is gained and much is lost (if not everything) through the misuse of “time.” “For man also does not know his time: Like fish taken in a cruel net, like birds caught in a snare, so the sons of men are snared in an evil time, when it falls suddenly upon them” (Ecclesiastes 9:12).

When our “lives and our time” is given to God He will work everything for our good and our lives will count for His glory. “Time” used for God’s glory will bring great blessings now and eternal rewards. “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,  21  who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself” (Philippians 3:20-21). “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God,  whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” (Job 19:25-27).

My prayer:  Dearest Father and beloved Jesus Christ Your son, I enter into Your presence with thanksgiving. You have given me time to repent and a revelation of my life to come.  I want to be ready and prepared to work and live according to Your “will.” I have placed my “times” in Your hands and ask You to put within me to will and do of Your good pleasure.  Forgive me the time I have wasted and help me now to make up for “lost time.” Help me to walk in Christ totally and be led of Your Spirit.  Give me the knowledge of my shortcomings so I will come behind in none of Your gifts and blessings.  Make me an example of obedience and love for You.  At all times keep me aware of Your presence and teach me to walk fully through the leading of Your Holy Spirit.  I pray for my family and others and I ask You to make me a bright and shining light.  Deliver me from all evil and may I dwell in Your presence forever. Amen.