The True Meaning of Christmas

The True Meaning of Christmas

Artwork by artist Carol Moore
https://mooresartgallery.blogspot.com/

A Christian thought to ponder ...

As people flock to the stores this Christmas season, pushing, shoving, grabbing, and filling up their carts full of worldly things, I wonder how many of them stop to think about what Christmas truly means. 

Understandably, each person celebrates Christmas in their own way and for their own reasons, but for Christians, it is a day when all mankind received a gift – a gift of salvation. It is the day a Savior was born in the most humbling unadorned place - a manger in a stable. Jesus was brought into this world to fulfill God’s promise as stated in KJV Genesis 3:15, “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” Thus this verse testifies that God promises to redeem mankind from its fallen state, and the world's Redeemer, Jesus, will bruise the head of the serpent whose name is Satan. Although no one knows the exact birth date of Jesus, Christians began to celebrate Jesus’ birth on December 25th back in the 4th century. The hope was to reform and stop the Roman pagan celebration, traditions, and worshipping of their pagan gods (The History of Christmas).

Many of the Roman traditions are still celebrated around the world, such as the Christmas tree. Not only are these traditions still celebrated, but Christmas has now turned into a secular commercial frenzy. It has become about “I want” and “I need.” We have forgotten what the true meaning of Christmas is - Love (What is the true meaning of Christmas?). “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him" (KJV John 3:16-17). God sent his Son to save us all because He loves us all. No matter what sins we have committed, He loves us all.

Furthermore, Christmas is a day we should be thanking God for giving us such a glorious gift. We should celebrate Christmas with great joy and reverence.  It was the day that the Word became flesh. Christmas is a time of loving one another, giving to one another, and showing goodwill toward one another. All of these are characteristics that Jesus portrayed while He walked upon this earth.

Despite the many pagan origins behind many Christmas traditions and the commercialism that has enveloped the true meaning of Christmas, for many Christians, Christmas is the time to be still, stop and reflect, and thank God for His precious gift. It is a time to remember that over 2000 years ago, one night, in a little town called Bethlehem, a Savior was born in a manger within a stable, fulfilling the promise, the prophecy, and the ordained plan of God to save mankind from its fallen state. And as it states in Isaiah 9: 6, “his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

Resources

Got Questions Ministries. “What is the true meaning of Christmas?” http://www.gotquestions.org/Christmas-true-meaning.html#ixzz2nF09SPjL. Web. 16 Dec. 2013.

McGowan, Andrew. “How December 25 Became Christmas.” http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-topics/new-testament/how-december-25-became-christmas/. 7 Dec. 2012. Web. 16 Dec. 2013.

SimpleToRemember.com - Judaism Online. “The History of Christmas.” http://www.simpletoremember.com/vitals/Christmas_TheRealStory.htm. Web. 16 Dec. 2013.

Giving Labels

Giving Labels

Source: http://www.churchleaders.com

I am so thankful God does not nail labels on us as we tend to tack on each other in this world. Labels such as that person is a democrat, or that person is a republican, or that person is an alcoholic, or that person is a rapist, or that person is a murderer, or that person is woke, or that person is retarded, or that person is racist, or that person is a transphobe. Labeling people is something I am very guilty of and try to abstain from, but none of us can say we do not label people. Everyone is guilty of labeling one another, and this world is full of labels. 

I like one of the Urban Dictionary’s meaning of a label, obviously from a teenager, and it is not exactly the appropriate word choices or tone I would have used. However, the definition is clear, “pointless words (emo, goth, skater, preppy, poser, etc.) used to stereotype people because of what they wear or what music they listen to. Most people who label others have NO idea what they are talking about, in fact anyone who labels people are narrowminded ******** who have nothing better to do.”

As one can see, some labels can be very demeaning and very hurtful. Labels tend to stereotype and target people. The media is extremely influential at pushing labels onto people. It is no wonder people from jail or prison have such a hard time adjusting back into society when they get out as the media and people are so eager to place labels on them, showing little compassion or forgiveness. The people in this world would rather throw stones at “those kind of people” even if they have accepted Jesus into their life as their savior. What makes it even harder for them is  the enemy is bombarding them from all sides. The enemy hopes they will fall back into their previous lifestyle and give up all hope. The world hates them for their sins or ideology. How many of you would sit next to someone at church if you knew that person had murdered someone? Yet, just days ago, they accepted Jesus Christ into their life. I know Jesus would sit next to them. Would you let the label convince you to turn your back on them, condemn them, and judge them? Too many churches out there do not show acceptance and the love of Christ. And too many people in this world are focused on the things that hurt, offend, scare, or anger us. Labels are the focus when it should be Jesus Christ.

A passage in the Bible comes to my mind... A young woman was brought to Jesus by the Pharisees. The Pharisees had charged her with committing adultery. The law clearly stated that she should be stoned to death for her sin. They ask Jesus what should be done to the woman? His reply was, "he who is without sin, let him cast the first stone." Jesus did not condemn her but forgave her and told her to GO and SIN NO MORE. The Pharisees labeled this woman as an adulteress. They were blind to what Jesus was trying to teach them – that we are all equal in sin. We are all sinners, but God gave everyone a chance to be redeemed through his son Jesus Christ. Jesus died on the cross for ALL of us, not just some of us. We each have the free will to accept him in our life or not. So do not be ashamed of your past sins nor feel you are not worthy. Ignore those who label you and take heart, for Jesus is your rock, and he will help you weather ALL storms.

Jesus commanded us to love one another, not persecute, judge or label one another but to LOVE. As He states in John 13:34, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”

I hope you all have a blessed week!

Carol

Extending Kindness

photo by scx.hu

Extending Kindness

The struggles inside church congregations are sometimes not always visible to the human eye. Sometimes you have to step beyond the scrimmage line or safety zone to see what a person is feeling deep down inside. Such as they might feel like an outsider, alone, sick, sad, or even suicidal. People are so good about hiding behind a mask. We tell each other everything is good or everything is fine. We keep to our little clicks and safety zones, afraid of fumbling, and we ignore that little whisper telling us we should go over and talk to that person, or visit someone who is ill, or provide a meal to someone in need, or extend a hand of kindness or good will to someone. You never know, by performing such acts of kindness, you might just cheer someone up or brighten their day. By extending kindness to someone you do not know or letting someone know that you care about them is a quality that Jesus showed throughout the New Testament. It did not matter to Jesus what race they were, what job they had, or what past sins they had committed. It is a quality that every Christian should strive for, and it is quality I think we all struggle with to attain.

In Galatians 5:22-23, it directs Christians to strive for Christ-like qualities, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, against such things there is no law.” The Holy Spirit is a gift from God who resides in each of us when we accept Jesus as our Savior. He is our helper, and our guide. To obtain the fruit of the Spirit, we need to stop and listen to the Holy Spirit, focus on the Word of God, and make an effort to be more Christ-like.

If we harden our hearts and ignore the Spirit, God’s divine purpose will not reveal itself, and we will miss out on beautiful, heart-enriching blessings from our Father.

May you have a blessed weekend!

Carol

Genuine Love

photo credit: sxc.hu

 

Genuine Love

Romans 12:9 (ESV) Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

Genuine love is something Jesus revealed to everyone he crossed paths with – to a blind man, to a rich man, to a prostitute, to his followers and disciples. He demonstrated his love countless times to people we would be afraid of, abhor, or judge. I have only known a few people in my life who have possessed this same rare beautiful trait. Genuine spiritual love is something I do not possess, but it is a Christ-like trait I pray to attain and model. Unfortunately, the enemy is always on the attack knocking and pinning me down to the ground, keeping me from reaching out to others and sharing this loving behavior as Jesus did.

For so many of us, to have and share genuine love towards each other  seems an impossible daunting task. Why is sharing genuine love such a hard task? Because for many of us, we tend to hold onto the past, despite the fact that we have asked for forgiveness from our Lord and Savior; we hold grudges, are hypocritical, we can hide behind barriers due to fear; many hide behind a false mask portraying a loving nature, when in reality it is all about displaying a great show, it is all lies. We constantly come up with excuses (which I am very guilty of) such as, “well, they don’t like me, or I don’t know that person, or he or she looks scary or weird, or I have problems talking to people,” the list of excuses goes on and on. All the while, the enemy snickers and slithers all around us, laughing at us, tormenting us, and trying to bring us down to our knees. He gloats when our hearts and souls are broken. The enemy thinks he has triumphed over each and every one of us. He knows if he can drive fear, doubt, hate, bitterness, anger, or deceit into peoples’ hearts, he scores points and prevents us from experiencing one of God’s greatest blessings - Love.

 As Presbyterian minister Matthew Henry pointed out so well, “The professed love of Christians to each other should be sincere, free from deceit, and unmeaning and deceitful compliments. Depending on Divine grace, they must detest and dread all evil, and love and delight in whatever is kind and useful. We must not only do that which is good, but we must cleave to it. All our duty towards one another is summed up in one word, love.” Love must be sincere without hypocrisy in order to be genuine. Love does not harp on the faults of others or on any scores that might boast our egos. True genuine love was when God gave his only begotten son to save us. As stated in John 3:16 (ESV), “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ died on the cross for all of our sins. There is no greater example or model of genuine love.

God Bless!

Carol

Planting Seeds of Faith

Planting Seeds of Faith

The word “seed” appears in the Holy Bible 279 times. God’s Word is like a seed, as it states in the Bible, Luke 8:11 (KJV), “…The seed is the word of God.” His Word, like the seed, is alive, living, life-sustaining, and powerful. If taken care of properly, it will burst its way, spiraling up from the ground, spewing out the dirt, and boldly, faithfully growing and reaching towards the light. God’s Word is the light, it never dies, and it never changes. 

Photograph from sxc.hu

©Alicia Jo McMahan

If Christians help plant God’s seeds in the hearts, minds, and souls of nonbelievers and tend and care for it properly, it will have a chance to grow. Peter states in 1 Peter, “having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever” (1 Peter 1:23 KJV). If God’s Word is within your heart, to help it grow, you must soak up the Word by reading it and by sharing the Word with those who are lost.

Therefore, it is up to Christians to share God's word by planting seeds of faith into the unbelievers hearts and minds. The joy of sharing God’s word with the lost, is they maybe saved. The enemy may try to convince us that sharing God's Word is a waste of time and energy, or someone may be offended, or the enemy may throw other obstacles in our paths. Nevertheless, we must place our hope, faith, and trust in God. Let God take control and change peoples hearts. Our job is to plants the seeds. If it is God’s will, he will help the seed grow through you or through someone else. God will bring the seed to life, not man.  

It is our job to plant the seeds of God's word and pour out our love, patience, understanding, and kindness to others. Let God do the rest of the work. 

God Bless!

Carol

 

Pleasing God

Pleasing God

photo by sxc.hu

 

A Christian thought to ponder ...

One constant battle I have within my marriage is my husband is always telling me I need to be more social. Well, I am not the social butterfly that my husband has become. I am the opposite of my husband. I am an introvert and a loner, and I have difficulty speaking to people I do not know. Sometimes I even stutter or freeze up because my brain doesn’t want to move with my mouth. Nevertheless, you know that saying, “Opposites do attract.” However, I often feel I can never please my husband because I am not the social butterfly he wants me to be. 

The enemy will often lead me down a road of depression, doubt, and fear. I often feel that my husband should have never married me and that he should have married someone more like himself. I often feel like an outsider at church, struggling to get into the gate, unsure of myself, scared of what others may think of me but knowing there is a fierce burning desire inside of me to yell out at the world how great God is and share it with everybody. Unfortunately, I let the enemy control my anxiety, fears, and doubts, and many times I let the enemy hold me back from sharing the Truth. But I have discovered through prayer, trusting God, and learning God’s Word that being a wife is not only about pleasing my husband; It is about pleasing God. 

There are several ways I have discovered to please God through the Word that I think is important for Christians to strive for each day.

Faith -  The first way to please God is through faith. One must have faith in God and believe that God loved the world so much that he gave his only begotten Son, Jesus, and that Jesus died on the cross for all our sins so that we may have everlasting life. “But without faith, it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6.

Love - The second way to please God is to love God. He is our creator. He gave us life, and He loves us. How could anyone not love the creator who created the beauty that is all around us and gave us life? “…to love the Lord your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,” Deuteronomy 11:13.

Trust - The third way to please God is to trust in God. Trusting God is a hard step for many Christians to follow because we live in a world that is all about "me". When the enemy is lurking about, it is a constant struggle to depend upon God. The world teaches us to do everything on our own. We tend to forget that the Father wants us to call upon him and rely on Him. We need to lay everything into his hands, and believe that he will take care of everything. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5.

Forgive - The fourth way to please God is to forgive one another. A forgiving spirit is a quality many of us fall short of and something we should all strive to attain; our example is in Jesus, and what better role model to follow as he forgave us all and died on the cross for all of us.  “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32.

Thanks - The fifth way to please God is to give thanks to God. Giving thanks to God is something many of us forget to do. It is important to thank God for the blessings he bestows upon us. Would any of us be where we are today and have the things we have if it were not for God?  “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

Prayer - The sixth way to please God is to pray. We tend to let the things of this world be our excuse as to why we do not pray, such as, I have to go to work, I have to go to the gym, or I have to cook dinner. There can be no end, but you would not be able to do any of these tasks or partake in any of them if it were not for our Heavenly Father.  Why do we only seek Him in our most dire time of need? We need to be seeking Him at all times, telling Him how much we love Him and how thankful we are for all the blessings he has given us. “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”  Philippians 4:6.

Obey -  The seventh way to please God is to obey God. Obeying God should be the heart of our Christian walk. Sometimes we fail, and we mess up; or we fall away and are disobedient to God. We should seek God's forgiveness and start anew. Our goal should be to strive to be Christ-like,  thwart the enemy’s plans, win over sin and temptation, and serve as witnesses for the Lord.  “But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.”  Luke 11:28.

Worship - The eighth way to please God is to worship God and only God. Do not worship idols or false gods. “Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.”  Chronicles 16:9.

Knowledge - The ninth way to please God is to grow in the knowledge of His Word. Dedicate time daily to His Word. Spend time with him, seek his Words and get to know him. “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;” Colossians 1:10.

Rejoice - The tenth way to please God is to rejoice in the Lord. The Lord is like a brightly burning candle. However, if we let the winds of the world blow in, that bright candle flame will get snuffed out. His light burns brightly in each one of us. We need to rejoice and share that light with others. Rejoice in all things of the Lord – for his blessings, rescues, miracles, companionship, and life. “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.” Philippians 4:4.

Spiritual Gifts - The eleventh way to please God is to exercise the spiritual gifts that He has given to us. He does not want us to neglect these gifts but to use them to spread and share His Word with others who may be lost. "There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.”  1 Corinthians 12:4-7.

Giving - The final way to please God is by giving. Being generous is not only tithing, but it also is giving of our time. For example, helping someone in need, helping at a church event, visiting someone who is sick. “Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee.”  Deuteronomy 16:17.

Pray you all have a blessed week!

Carol

Conversations with God

Conversations with God

As Christians, we tend to petition God in our most desperate times or during our greatest hour of need. Unfortunately, many of us Christians forget that we should seek God not only during our darkest times or during our greatest hour of need, but we should be seeking him daily. We need to be conversing with him every day, as one would with their own father. The Lord takes great delight in conversations with his children. His voice may not be vocalized, as it was with Adam or Moses, but one can hear his voice in the Word, in a Christian song or hymn, or through the Christian leaders within our churches.
 

photo from sxc.hu

Moreover, what better way to develop a strong, loving relationship and an everlasting relationship by having daily conversations with God.

Just as Adam talked with God in the Garden of Eden, so we can talk with God through prayer and worship. God is there for us in our need, whether it is providing comfort when one of our family members or close friends pass away or protecting us and calming us when our vehicle almost spins out of control and almost goes over a ledge. God is right there walking beside us as we discover the beauty of a flower or a fiery sunset that he created; He is there beside us, when we are sitting next to a bottle of pills contemplating about ending our life, pleading to us not to end our lives. He is our Great Comforter, our Great Protector and He loves us.. 

And despite our many faults and failings, we are precious to God, just as it states in Jeremiah 29:11 he has a plan for each and every one of us.

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

You are precious to him. Do not let the enemy win. Strike up a conversation with God this very moment, and tell him how much you love him, and tell him how your day went. Tell him you want him in your life. Have a conversation with God.

Moreover, what a glorious revelation to know and share with others that God is with us always and forever and we can have a conversation with the Lord anytime.

Philippians 3:20-21 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

May God Bless you throughout the week!

Calling Upon God's Name

Stock Photo by Lightstock

A thought to ponder...

Many of us Christians may seem fine on the outside, but no one can truly see what inward battles and struggles we go through each and every day against the enemy. The enemy viciously attacks us neverendingly to bring us down to our knees. Score one for the enemy, or so he thinks. 

However, we anger and infuriate the enemy when we are down upon our knees, looking up and seeking the Lord. When we are feeling worthless and empty, God beckons us to call upon His name. God loves each one of us, and He will never abandon us. He lifts us up when we are down. He holds us in His arms and comforts us when in distress. He brings us joy when there is sorrow. He gives us hope when all looks dim. 

King David sought refuge and peace in the Lord and knew God heard his pleas. In Psalm 55: 16-18 he wrote:

"As for me, I shall call upon God, And the LORD will save me. Evening and morning and at noon, I will complain and murmur, And He will hear my voice. He will redeem my soul in peace from the battle which is against me, For they are many who strive with me".

God hears our pleas and cries. He wants to wipe away all of our tears and fears. He wants us to call upon his name to seek him in all that we do. All we have to do is call upon his name: 

Lord, Jesus, 

I humbly beseech your help. Darkness surrounds me, and You are my only beacon of light. You are my anchor, my strength, and my guide. I cannot overcome these vicious attacks without You. Please help me to withstand the attacks from the enemy, and please place a shield about me to protect me. Help me to stay focused on you and help me to trust in You always. Thank you for your love, your mercy, and your kindness. Thank you for always being by my side and always listening to my prayers. 

May Your will be done. 

Amen.

May you all have a blessed week!

Carol