Please Take Me Home Lord

image by Lightstock

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

photo by photoxpress

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

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