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 I have observed others in a group grow quiet and withdrawn.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

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.