Loving and Forgiving

Loving and Forgiving

A Christian thought to ponder ...

How hard is it for you to break the chains of anger, bitterness and hatred?

How hard it is for us to forgive and love one another. And yet Jesus showed us time and time again love and forgiveness. Even when he hung on the cross, you did not hear words of bitterness or hatred escape from his lips, but only love, compassion and mercy, for he said in Luke 23:34, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” Why is it so hard for us to do the same? Let go of the enemy's plague of doubts, fears, anger, bitterness, hatred, and embrace one another with love and forgiveness. We should feel the warmth of our Heavenly Father's love overflowing within us towards others. Loving and forgiving one another is one of the hardest and biggest challenge's in life. It certainly is one of the biggest challenge's in my life. I have learned you have to lay all that bitterness, anger, and hatred into the hands of our Heavenly Father. Relying on Him, is the only way to bring you closer to being truly like Him. Right now, this very moment, call that person you have been angry at - a mother, a father, a brother, a sister, or a friend and tell them that you forgive them and that you love them. Break those chains of bondage and be set free.

Lord,

Please help us to be more like You.

Give us hearts that are set on fire and blazing with love and forgiveness.

Help us to reach others who are chained to hatred, bitterness, anger, filled with pain and help us to unleash the poison that swells within their hearts and souls so that they may experience Your overwhelming love .

Father we love you so much.

Thank you for your kindness, compassion, love and mercy you showed us all at the Cross. For we are truly undeserving.

Amen.

Love and Blessings!

Carol

God’s Great Hand at Work

God’s Great Hand at Work

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A Christian thought to ponder ...

Have you ever seen God's hand in your life and at work?

The trials, struggles, hardships, and disappointments that we go through in life are not a punishment from God, but they are allowed in our lives to test our faith, to grow our trust and love in Him. Peter states in 1 Peter 1:7 (NLT) just how precious our faith is to God.

7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

God is the Author of our story. We may not like how the story is turning out, but we realize it is a story that reveals His greater good and His greater purpose. As the apostle Paul enlightens us in Romans 8:28 (KJV), “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” But God will never let us endure more temptation than we can handle. As Paul states in 1 Corinthians 10:13 (KJV), “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

We will go through periods of rough times of grief, but in the end, we will discover the triumphant hand of God at work. For example, in John 11:17,  Mary and Martha waited four days for Jesus to come and heal Lazurus. During that time, Lazurus died, and they anguished over his death. Although Lazarus died, God’s great hand was at work to reveal a greater purpose and to bring God the glory. As you will see in the book of John, chapter 11:4 (NLT) it shows God's greater purpose and power, “But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” Jesus performed his greatest miracle by bringing back Lazarus from the dead. On that day, hearts were resurrected and made anew. The disciples and people then truly believed he was the promise foretold, the Messiah, the Son of God.

Without the trials and difficulties we go through in our lives, our Christian walk cannot flourish and grow stronger. We will grow complacent and not seek God in all things, if life is grand with no problems. He does not always answer our cries and pleas immediately, and sometimes He does not answer any of those cries and pleas at all. We must learn to wait patiently, quietly, and seek Him earnestly in prayer. Our walk with the Lord will grow, blossom, and flourish when our faith is tested. As James pointed out in James 1:3 (NLT), “For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” If we trust in God’s sovereignty, place all of our troubles into His hands, and let Him take control, we will realize that he has a plan and everything has a greater purpose. His great love for us has no bounds. We must place the pages of our hearts and lives into God’s hands and allow him to write His story onto our hearts and allow His great hand to work in our lives. 

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the work that you do in our lives. Help our love, faith and trust in You grow and flourish when we face trials and difficulties. Help us to be steadfast in prayer and ever seeking you in all that we do. Help us to surrender to You and allow You to write Your story upon our hearts so that we may share that story with others and the great hand of Your work within our lives.

I ask this in Jesus' name.

Amen.

Peace and Blessings to you all!

Carol

When Christians Feel Like Outsiders

When Christians Feel Like Outsiders

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Have you ever been amongst a group of Christians who know the Word, are gifted at speaking about the Word, and are on fire about the Word? They explode with such zeal and passion for the Lord, and they get so caught up in their conversation that they exclude you from their conversation. 

As you sit amongst the group and listen to the conversation, you begin to feel like an outsider. It is not that you do not have a heart for the Lord, you just have not reached their maturity in the Word, and you have not discovered your gifts yet.

You try to contribute here or there in conversation, but they are so wrapped up in their conversation that they ignore anything you have to say. This exclusion is making you feel more and more like an outsider. At this point, you want to leave. You feel like you do not belong, and you are an intruder. And as you start to think and feel you are an outsider, you begin to feel disconnected and alone. The enemy begins to whisper in your ear and fogs up your head with a wall of doubts. Doubts such as why are you here? You do not belong in this group. These people live and breathe for God. They know the Word inside and out, and you do not. The enemy continues to plague you with attacks of doubt, bringing you further down into his world of darkness, down into his dark, gloomy pits. You begin to think you are a fruitless tree, a bramble amongst the roses, a goat amongst the sheep, a building stone full of cracks unable to support the foundation, unable to achieve or be like this select group of people. So you leave torn and afflicted with the seeds of doubt the enemy has planted within your heart and mind. The enemy did his job well. He used this group of people to bring you down. He has managed to isolate you and knock you down. The enemy wants you to turn your back on God. He wants you to give up on praying and seeking God daily. He wants to see an end to anything and everything related to God. The enemy’s greatest joy is bringing us down into the deep, dark, miry depths in which he resides. But just when you are sinking as if you were in quicksand, the Lord pushes his hand through those dark, sandy depths, and pulls you up into the light.

I have felt like an outsider many times. I have observed others in a group grow quiet and withdrawn. I know I do not have the head knowledge as others do. I have to write down everything as my memory is not that great. I do not speak well either unless the Holy Spirit leads me to do so. I am a listener and an observer. I show my zeal for the Lord through my writings, prayer, and trying to serve Him wherever He leads me. One must never give up hope in our Lord. He would never want us to feel alone, disconnected, and an outsider. Just as many of us feel like outsiders, isolated and alone, so did Jesus amongst his own people who chanted, “Crucify him.” They scoffed at him. The Romans mocked Jesus, spitted at him, and beat him unmercifully. He faced the cross alone. Jesus was betrayed even by one of his own disciples. Another disciple even denied that he ever knew him, and the rest of his disciples fled in fear.

Just as it states in John 18:36, Jesus disciples would have stood by him. They would not have abandoned him. But just as this earthly kingdom was not Jesus', neither is it our home. Our home is with Jesus, in his kingdom. 

John 18:36 (KJV) “…My kingdom is not of this world: If my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.” 

Just like Jesus, in this world, we will be plagued with trials and struggles to test our faith. We must endure. We must not turn our backs on God and let the enemy win. We must encourage, protect, care for, and support one another. We should not exclude one another. And we need to be ever watchful, for the enemy is lurking in the shadows, ready to pounce on any one of us, like a lion pouncing on its prey, and bring us down.

So when you feel like an outsider, alone, disconnected from other Christians, think of the cross and the dear sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf. God has a specific purpose for every one of us, and we hold a special place within his heart. He loves us so much; and he will not allow us to settle in the enemy's hands. He holds our hearts in His hands, protected by His warm, loving, everlasting light. 

Just as it states in Matthew 28:20, He is always with us. He will show us the way, protect us, and provide us peace and comfort in our greatest need.

Matthew 28:20 “…And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” 

Heavenly Father,

O' Lord, you know each and every one of our hearts. You know all the emotions and struggles we battle through each day. Help us to lean on You and seek You in times of doubt and uncertainity. Inspire and encourage us to connect with sisters and brothers in Christ who are sitting alone, whose hearts maybe hurting, and who may be feeling isolated and alone. Help us to encourage and build each other up and not tear each other down. Please protect us from the enemy’s arrows of doubts, loneliness, and disconnection. Where others are on fire for the Word, may their joy and zeal infect each of us and burn a hope and desire within our own hearts. Let not this zeal and joy be used as a weapon by the enemy.

I ask this in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

Love and Blessings to you all!

Carol

Struggling to Have a Heart like Jesus

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Struggling to Have a Heart like Jesus

A Christian thought to ponder ...

Have you ever had God speak to you through certain passages within the Bible, through a study, a devotion, a sermon, or even through a song? Usually, the message is about something you need to correct within yourself. Well, more than anything in this world, I want to have a heart like Jesus. Today, I followed a rabbit trail and discovered something amazing and enlightening. For the first time, the light clicked on, and the Lord revealed an amazing truth to me.

I have always had this emboldened image in my mind as to what a person with a heart like Jesus should be like - a bubbly, outgoing, sociable person who had an angelic glow. A person who was always giving and serving. In my eyes, I have failed in achieving to be like such a person. I thought, I will never have a heart like Jesus, for I am so imperfect. I am at a loss as to what my gifts are, and I am not sure where to serve as I am shy, I lack the gift of speaking, I lack knowledge of the Word, and I have health issues. I am dirt poor which makes it hard for me to give or do anything to help out. How can I do His will and have a heart like His when I failed in all these areas? I thought to myself, Lord God, I am not perfect, and it is way too hard of a struggle for me to become like this person.

However, the Lord uses the struggles we go through in life to shape and mold us into being just like Him. I let the enemy’s tactics that plague this world throw fear, shame, doubt, ignorance, and envy at me to bring me down and interfere with what the number one goal of every Christian should be – to have a heart like Jesus and to be Christlike in all ways. Why? Because I have been so hung up on the struggle to become like this perfect person that I forgot that there is no perfect person. Jesus was the only perfect person that ever walked on this earth. None of us will ever be perfect. If we were perfect, none of us would have to seek God for help, guidance, comfort, and wisdom. It is important for us to remember Philippians 4:13 (KJV), “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

The Lord will provide us with the strength to get us through the struggles in our lives. As we depend on Him and seek Him daily through His Word and prayer, the more we will begin to be more like Him and to have a heart like His. If we lack the will and diligence and are bound and determined to have our feet in two worlds (this world and the world in which our Lord resides), we will never discover what it means to have a heart like Jesus and the enemy of this world will hold us back and will delight in seeing us fall and crumble.

The enemy knows I will never measure up. We all fall short of the glory of God. But to strive to be like Jesus and have a heart like Jesus can be shown in many ways daily and throughout our lives; For instance, it can be a smile, a hug, a touch, a prayer, an anonymous donation, providing a meal, or a helping hand. These little acts of kindness can touch someone's heart and show someone that they are thought of and loved. Sometimes we are limited in what we can do or say because of a disability, but that does not matter to Jesus. It does not mean we do not have a heart like Jesus or that it will prevent us from having one. We need only abide his commandment as it states in John 13: 34-35 (KJV), “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples if ye have love one to another.”

It is important to remember that the enemy does not want us to love one another, be like Christ, or do God’s will. The enemy wants us to be torn, confused, and inflict emotional pain upon one another. The enemy’s goal is to keep us from loving like Christ. We need to guard our hearts against the enemy, seek the Lord daily and ask him to put a hedge of protection around all of our hearts. Proverbs 4:23 (NIV), “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

We will continue to walk through this world, facing struggles as we strive to be more like Christ, but if we cast our worries upon Him, obey, and do His will, He will take care of our hearts.

Father God,

Please give us a heart that overflows with love for each other. A heart that is like Yours and one that long’s for Your will and not the enemy’s will. Help us to protect our hearts from the enemy’s attacks that would prevent us from having a loving heart like Yours. Enshroud us with Your love; help us to make You the focus of everything in that we do daily. Guide us, direct us and help us in our time of need.

Amen.

Love to you all and God Bless!

Carol

Fan or Follower One Must Stand Up for the Truth

Christian thought to ponder....

Are you fan of Jesus or a follower of Jesus?

I just finished the book, Not A Fan by Kyle Idleman. You can check it out here notafan.com . It is a book I think every Christian, young or old, should read. Idleman's book has deeply inspired me and my Christian walk. It has made me stop and think, where do I fit into these two categories: am I a fan of Jesus, or am I a follower of Jesus.

If you are a fan of Jesus, you do not strive to have a personal relationship with Jesus, and you are just a pew warmer on Sundays. You do not strive to be Christ-like in all that you do or say. Fans have a quasi-relationship with Jesus that is based upon their own ideas as to what a Christian is supposed to be and do. A fan's life is basically centered around oneself and not around God. It's all about me, me, me and serving oneself, and not focused on God and serving him. 

It states in Matthew 4:10 we are to only server the Lord God.

Matthew 4:10 "... for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve."

So, do you serve yourself, or do you serve the Lord? I think, if I were to grade myself, it would have to be a C+ mainly because I think I let my insecurities and health affect my ability to serve, especially in a public setting. I am so uncomfortable around lots of people and have a hard time going up and talking to people. I have to force myself to talk to people. I allow this insecurity and phobia to interfere with serving the Lord. I have also let school interfere with my serving the Lord. Presently, I feel more like an outsider in my church because I do not have the time to attend the women's Bible Study anymore or participate in other activities within the church. After all, 90% of my time is spent at school and studying.

However, my relationship with Him has become more intimate than it has ever been before. Since he opened the doors for me to return to college, I seek the Lord daily; and I pray daily for the Lord's guidance, wisdom, and knowledge. I try to read the Word every day. Also, I will try to read a devotion, listen to a sermon, or listen to worship music on my way to school. On Friday mornings, I study the Word with a sister in Christ. On Saturday mornings, I participate in an online Bible study at the Women's Bible Café. 

In Idleman's book, it mentions how a fan 's light has been doused and is barely flickering. Even though I may not be able to show my passion for the Lord on the outside, as other Christians do, my joy and passion for the Lord burns zealously bright within my heart and soul and behind my pen. But I need to learn how to share and display my joy with others and share why I place my hope, faith, and trust in Him and not in the things of this world.

These insecurities hold me back from being a true follower of Jesus Christ. My social anxiety problems, my stuttering when nervous, my poor memory, and my low opinion of myself are just excuses. Also, I will let our finances hold me back. I let my past sins hold me back from being a true follower as well. All of these are excuses. The enemy drives it into my head that I am worthless trash. I  get it into my head that no one would want to associate with me or be my friend. Following Jesus, as Idleman points out, should be our top priority. And that means giving all of ourselves to him and laying down all distractions of this world, including the distractions of our insecurities and of our past.

So how will I be a follower? Well for one thing, I think this blog is one way to reach the millions of people who do not know Jesus personally. If I could reach just one soul through this blog, I would be ecstatic. Once this last school year is complete, I pray the Lord will open doors for me to serve Him with my art and web design. My hope is to start designing web sites for Christian ministries and non-profit organizations. Also, I hope to use my art and photography to serve the Lord. I would love to start a ministry of providing hand decorated hope boxes to women who are being released from jail or prison and facing re-entry back into the community. I want to show them our Lord is a Lord of love, compassion, and mercy through these hope boxes by providing tracts, a small Bible and other items. I have a heart for the elderly, so I want to help serve in this area. I am not certain what direction the Lord will lead me once I graduate from college, but I have full confidence and trust in him that He will open the doors and lead the way to where he wants me to serve.

And the Lord will lead us. We must place our trust in him, and as Idleman stated in his book, Jesus told Matthew in 9:9 follow me, and Matthew got up and followed him. 

Matthew 9:9 "As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him."

A follower can be anyone, a tax collector, an inmate, a disabled person, a black person, a white person, a poor person, a rich person, a welder, a waitress, a divorcee, anyone. God has a plan for each and every one of us. Heaven does not throw stones. There is only one requirement to be a follower, repent and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and believe that He died on the cross for your sins.

Are you ready to follow now? If not, when? Jesus didn't have a pillow to lay his head on at night or a place to call home. He reached thousands of people by preaching, sharing, and healing, and he sent his disciples out into the world to share the truth with others. 

Many Christians let the things of this world define who they are instead of Jesus and his message. So many of us have stepped back from the Truth that Jesus instructed us o go out and share to the world. We let fear keep us from serving,  and many Christians have compromised their beliefs. They do not know what it truly means to follow Jesus and obey the Word. When we took up the cross, accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we chose to follow Him and not the ways of this world. If we step back now in fear, the enemy wins. Fan or follower, We must be united and stand up for the Truth, live our lives like Jesus. It is important that our attitudes, hearts and minds reflect Jesus not this world. Something I think many of us have failed at, including myself. 

God Bless Brothers and Sisters,
Carol

Failing to Reach the Millions

Failing to Reach the Millions

The people that will be left behind during the tribulation will be people we failed to reach out to in brotherly and sisterly love. Throughout our lives, we have condemned, judged, and despised people. I am eternally grateful that my heavenly Father does not hate us, but he loves us ALL unconditionally. Just as he loves us, so should we love others, for we are to live for Christ. For if God did not love us, there would be no hope in this world, but because he loved us so much, he sent his one and only Son, Jesus, to take on the sins of this world. Jesus reached out to the multitudes of sinners, the lost, and the forsaken and gave them hope. Where many of us condemn and judge, Jesus showed mercy and love. Many of us shut the doors on people because of their past sins. We find them disgusting or vile. Yet, we do not know their true hearts nor the circumstances of their past. We see only what the enemy wants us to see. Only the Lord knows our true hearts, and He has changed the hearts of many.

Ezekiel 36:26

Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

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The Lord knew Paul's heart. On Damascus Road, when Christ spoke to Paul, his heart changed. After that event, Paul began a journey of sharing the Gospel with many. The Lord also knew Peter's heart, and Peter's heart changed when he followed Christ. He knew Matthew's heart, and Matthew's heart changed when he followed Christ. And why did all these men's hearts change? Because Jesus reached out to them, revealed the truth, and showed them love, kindness, and mercy. The enemy takes delight in stripping others from knowing his love and the truth. We are helping the enemy win his battle when we behave just like him instead of Christ-like.

We are ALL children of God. Because of His love, there is hope, and there is still time to reach the millions who do not know Him personally.

Heavenly Father,

Thank you so much for loving us and for sending us your one and only true Son to die on the cross for all of our sins. As we develop a closer relationship with you Lord, I pray that you will open our eyes and hearts and reveal to us how you want us to share that truth with the millions of people who still don’t know you personally. What you sacrificed for us, there is no greater love. Help us to draw close to you and depend on you at all times and to see others through your eyes. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Ways to reach out to the millions

http://persecutionproject.org/

https://www.opendoorsusa.org/

https://www.persecution.com/

http://www.bibleleague.org/

http://www.prisonministry.org/index.htm

http://hopeaglow.com/prison_ministry.htm

Pray your week is blessed!

Carol

Please Take Me Home Lord

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It has been awhile since my last post. I have been working on some writings, but time has not been available to me to post them, due to school and studies. But tonight, I felt compelled to write this poem addressed to my Lord and Savior Jesus. It seems I talk to him more than anyone these days to guide me and to help me through my daily struggles. I would not have made it this far in my life without Him. Thank you Jesus for always being there for me when the fog enshrouded me with doubt, fear, hopelessness and tears.

Please Take Me Home Lord

The enemy despises me.

He hates me.

The enemy does not want me to be even present within Your great halls.

There is little comfort or compassion found within the enemy's halls,

only hateful penetrating eyes hidden behind masks

and ever changing chameleons’ visible only to Your eyes.

I yearn for Your company.

I yearn for Your friendship.

I yearn for Your kindness.

I yearn for Your love.

For there is none other,

none greater,

than You O’LORD.

Please take me home.

The enemy want's us to believe we are a hindrance to the people we love in this world.

The enemy wants our past sins to drag others down to the enemy’s gates.

The enemy wants our sins to keep others from blooming with Your glorious truth.

There are so many who are blind and innocent they do not see the enemy reaping about.

Please take me home.

For there is no other place I rather be than with You oh LORD

This world despairs me

The enemy attacks me silently

All seems hopeless without You LORD.

Please take me home.

For my home is not of this world,

my home is with You.

For you are the light that shines ever so brightly,

that dries my tears away.

You are my rock.

You are my inspiring hope.

You are the radiant truth.

You are my Savior.

Please take me home.

A Letter from Jesus

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A Letter from Jesus.

My Dear Children,

My world is not of this world.

It is a world that is not full of abomination, hate, conflict and darkness,

but a world full of divine beauty, unconditional love, everlasting peace and heavenly lightness.

It is a world where you will not find any stones, whispers or lies,

but a world full of mercy, quietude and sincerity that never subsides.

It is a world that will not mock or reject one due to their disability, age, race, gender or past, but a world that will accept all unequivocally with love that is unsurpassed.

It is a world where you will not find any disconnection, loneliness or sadness,

but a world full of genuine heartfelt unification, friendliness and gladness.

Those who weep in this world will smile in my world

Those who fear in this world will be fearless in my world.

Those who hold regrets in this world will be content in my world.

Those who harbor shame and guilt in this world will be released in my world.

Those who limp in this world will be able to run in my world.

Those who cannot speak in this world will be able to shout for joy in my world.

No amount of treasures in this world can uphold to the treasures that await in my world. To enter into my world, all a person needs is the key to unlock the door. The key is the knowledge and acceptance of the truth which is the Word of God and to repent from your sins and accept and believe in me that I Am Jesus, the Lord and Savior, the Son of the living God, who died on the cross for EVERYONE’s sins. No matter what sin a person has committed ALL are equal, YOU will be forgiven. Accept me, Jesus, as your Savior today and receive my promise and the keys to my world.

Yours lovingly,

Jesus

John 3:16 (KJV) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

I wrote this at a time when the enemy was striking me on all sides, weary of the battle and longing for a one-on-one conversation with our Lord Jesus, I wondered what he would say to me. Words of comfort and compassion came to my mind. I long for the day to enter His world and pray for those who do not believe to even see just a glimmer of the treasure I eagerly await.

May you all have a blessed day!

Carol

© Carol Moore