Staff -founder / president Melissa Pearce
-copy editor Laurie Hamby
-contributing writers Jamie Clawson Katie Cline Pastor Chuck Hamby Toni Hembree Maureen Kurp Melissa Pearce Ronald Pearce Mary Beth Pecora
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Many of us are getting ready to celebrate the 4th of July – Independence Day.
This date
will always be recorded in the history books as the day we declared our freedom from Great Britain.
It was a new season in America’s history.
It was a time for liberty, freedom, and
prosperity. It was those three words: liberty, freedom and prosperity that struck a deep chord within me. As I took time to reflect upon those three words, I knew these were the “rights” God desires for His people. In Isaiah 61:1-2, Isaiah prophesies about the coming Messiah and the roles He would fulfill: “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted , to proclaim freedom
for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’S favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn….” God’s desire is for each one of us in the body of Christ to experience His ultimate freedom. Today, there are too many Christians in bondage.
I would define bondage as anything
interfering and/or prohibiting you from walking about in the fullness of Christ. saved and yet still be in bondage?
Yes.
Can you be
There are Christians who have received the Good
News and have made Jesus Christ their Savior and Lord who are bound.
This verse in Isaiah speaks of how He has
cannot have a captivated heart if it is in
“come to bind up the broken hearted, to
bondage.
proclaim freedom for the captives and release
We must be willing to give God all the pieces
from darkness for the prisoners.” God’s
of our heart, even those deep pieces hidden
desire is that His people be whole in Him.
in the darkest of our souls. We must allow
Many of us battle deep emotional wounds
Him to breathe life into our inner being
that need to be addressed by Him.
through His Word.
Yet,
Healing of the heart starts with us.
instead of dealing with our wounds, we try to
active.
conceal them.
double-edge sword.
Meanwhile, those same
His Word is living and
His Word is sharper than any Just as a doctor has to
wounds we think we have controlled are
surgically use a knife to get to the root of the
actually beginning to control us.
Unattended
matter, God – the Great Physician – knows
wounds dictate the way we think about God,
exactly what we need and how to perform the necessary surgery to bring healing to our
others, and ourselves.
Unattended wounds
hearts.
hinder our walk with God. Through our tainted our
So, let me ask you this question. What has
experiences and not His true character.
been holding you back from walking in God’s
Unattended wounds prohibit us from reaching
ultimate freedom?
our God- given destiny.
etched in the history books a moment in time
lenses,
we
perceive
God
through
Just as America has
to declare her liberty, freedom and prosperity, Here is the beauty of God.
He longs to bring
healing to your inner being.
He wants to fill
those holes in your heart with all of Him – with all of His love.
why don’t you do the same?
day to allow Him to set you free – for whom the Son sets free will be free indeed (John
It is His love that sets 8:36).
us free from our insecurities of rejection and
Jesus came so you could have
liberty, freedom and prosperity. our battles of feeling inadequate.
It is His
love that moves us from the place of fear to a position of faith.
It is in His love our
greatest wounds of bitterness and resentment become a place of forgiveness and grace.
He came so
you could have life in the fullest through Him. What we don’t realize is that He has already paid the price for our freedom; we just need to learn to receive it. May the Lord continue to direct you into
God desires for you and me to walk about in His ultimate freedom.
Choose this
He wants us to be
fully captivated by Him and for Him, but one
God’s love and Christ’s freedom.You can do it!
Not only do I believe in you, but God does!
~Rev. Melissa Pearce
On April 12th, Generation Hope held its very first conference called IGNITE.
Women in their 20s and 30s
came for the one-day event, and God definitely showed up!
Through teachings and hands-on participation
activities, God taught these precious women that He is always pursuing them, that He is captivated by them, and that He has glorious plans for their lives that unfold as they surrender their hearts to Him. When we encounter God or spend time at an event like this, it’s easy to walk away ignited! But what happens when we get back to reality, to our everyday lives with their demands and monotony?
Because once we’ve
It was a glorious day!
realize that God’s Word says there are seasons in our lives.
Ecclesiastes chapter
3 explains that to everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven (v.1,
experienced God in such an intimate and
NKJV). It goes on to explain what those
revealing way, life outside of those moments
seasons may entail.
can seem mundane.
in life and there are low points, and God uses
First, it’s important to
There are high points
them all.
He knows what we need when we
need it, but certainly those glorious moments with Him are something to be treasured.
Recognizing this fact will help keep you from sinking into a low place.
His lies come in
many forms, but here are just a few that I’ve heard in the past: “What you experienced
The highs and lows you experience may seem as turbulent and chaotic as ocean
was just emotional.
waves, but how you react to them doesn’t
Why do you feel so good?
have to be.
big sham.”
After you’ve been touched by
God wasn’t in it at all. That was all a
“You can never really change for
God and sense that spiritual high, you can
good, so what are you so thrilled about?
choose to live in a new reality!
You’re going to be the same old you pretty
Take what
you’ve learned – what God has just showed
soon.”
Listening to that voice would surely
you or poured into your heart – and live your
drag anyone down!
life believing His truth.
gloves on when Satan comes around, and
So keep your fighting
rest assured that God’s on your side!
While it’s great to gain knowledge and understanding, until you go from knowing a
Finally, don’t let the things of this world steal
truth to believing it, it’s not going to change
what God did and what God wants to do in
your life.
Invest your energy into living in the
light of all that God has revealed to you.
As
you practice doing this, your mundane
and through you!
It’s easy to get caught up
in worldly things – careers, school, relationships, stuff, and the list goes on.
situations will be sparked with His illumination,
Make sure that the One you just had such a wonderful time with has access to your
and you’ll notice those low, dry moments
heart always.
happen less and less.
Him, and He doesn’t want you settling for
It’s also important to point out that the enemy of our souls hates it when God does amazing things in our lives.
Satan is a thief, and he
wants to steal all that God just taught you and planted in your heart (see John 10:10).
less!
God’s very best for you is
Experiencing Him more and more will
keep you ignited! Ignited for Jesus, Jamie
Did You Know That
our capacity to
positioned on the chair in my living room and I am seated with Him—pouring my heart out
receive depends upon our position?
to Him in my circumstances and allowing Him
When we are in a set of adverse
to remind me, through His Word (written and
circumstances, when trials hit us, where do
spoken), what He has established for me to
we position ourselves?
believe.
Graham Cooke, Author, has taught me this: We do not live in our circumstances, we live IN Christ!
This truth has opened my eyes
I come to Him in childlike simplicity
with uncomplicated trust.
Oh, that we may
be like little children… Yes, He is still Daddy, wanting to be our Dad,
to help position myself with Christ!
wanting us to position ourselves with Him,
Scripture teaches us that God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the
and IN Him!
heavenly realms IN Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6, NIV). When we encounter trials, we have a choice where we sit, where we position ourselves!
not have to fight this battle.
IN Christ in heavenly places.
Take up your
positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you… (2 Chronicles 20: 17, NIV). He continues, Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
We can sit in the circumstances or be seated
Go out to face them
tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.
We cannot
position ourselves in both, so a choice is
The story ends by saying, God had given [them] rest on every side (2 Chronicles 20:
required!
30). WHERE DO WE POSITION OURSELVES IN OUR BELIEF SYSTEMS?
For He has promised, You will
What do we
(Read the “rest of the story” in your
Bible…or online at Bible.com) WHAT DO
believe God has said about our position in
YOU HAVE TO FACE?
Him?
ARE YOU RUNNING FROM?
Do we see ourselves seated with Him?
That’s why I love to see myself upon the lap of Jesus in my prayer time, imagining He is
WHAT OR WHOM
God is still in the resting business! specialty!
It’s His
If He has promised that He will fight for us,
His character is a weapon against the powers
then why do we entertain fear and
of darkness.
discouragement?
enemy against you.
Standing firm is a position!
That is why we don’t have to strike back or
Lord, help us to position our belief system
His character disarms the
defend ourselves!
He is our Vindicator – the
and allow you to intervene as we position
One Who sets us free!
ourselves with you, seated in a heavenly
positions us to receive ALL that He has
place—a place of peace, a place of trust, a
He is the One Who
promised, for He is faithful! He has instructed us to give thanks in all
place of standing firm in Him!
circumstances, for this is God’s will for [us] When Jesus was accused, He did not
in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5: 18).
retaliate! Only the Spirit of God can give us peace When Jesus was misunderstood, He did not
when we are spiritually assaulted.
That’s
explain Himself!
why we MUST position ourselves WITH HIM and IN HIM, for man cannot attain this on his
When Jesus was attacked and assaulted, He did not strike back!
own…That’s why we must live as children of the Light, positioned in Him; being imitators
I hear many saying, “I am not Jesus!” I
of God as dearly loved children, living a life
remind you, He lives in you.
of love (Ephesians 5: 1).
positioned within you.
He is
His Spirit is alive and
well in you (if you have received Him in your
For God is light,
God is love and in Him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5).
heart), and He has promised to fight for you!
THIS IS A GREAT POSITION TO BE IN!
Half the battle is believing what He has
THIS IS A GREAT POSITION TO STAY IN!
said…That’s why we don’t have to say
So next time, when we feel the need to
anything! (Selah)
“jockey for position,” let’s choose this one! Choosing to Stay Positioned Here, |
Galatians 5: 1It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
33
They answered Him, “We
are Abraham’s descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You
The American Revolution and the French Revolution occurred in the same historical framework.
free.”
The
will become free’?”
34
Jesus
answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to
French were emboldened by the
you, everyone who commits sin is
success of the American Revolution.
the slave of sin.
Thomas Paine was a supporter of France in the revolution until he saw the tremendous bloodshed as a result
not remain in the house forever; the
of the popular take-over of
Son makes you free, you will be free
government.
indeed.
The French Revolution had the
35
“The slave does
son does remain forever.
36
“So if the
The Pharisees thought they
guillotine; the American Revolution had
were free. They bragged about not
the divine hand of Almighty God. Both
being slaves to anyone (It seems
revolutions were committed to the equality of men. France sought equality
they were very good at ignoring all of those Roman soldiers running
through government but America knew
around). Many people reading this
the secret of true liberty. The writers of
will think, “I’m free; I’m not in
the Declaration of Independence
prison…” But let’s ask ourselves,
avowed, “… We hold these truths to be
“What does it mean to be free?”
self-evident that all men are created equal and are endowed with certain inalienable rights, among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness…”
When I was young, I thought freedom was to be able to do anything I wanted to do. I had enough money; I was old enough to
The only source of freedom is our Gracious Heavenly Father. Jesus was
make my own choices; I was free.
talking to the Pharisees in John 8: 31So
I soon found out that freedom was not the ability to do what I want to
Jesus was saying to those Jews who
do: it was the choice to do what I
had believed Him, “If you continue in
ought to do.
My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;
32
and you will know the truth,
and the truth will make you
There are impediments to our happiness when we chart the course. Did you notice the Declaration of
Independence does not guarantee happiness? Government is to ensure that the God-given, inalienable rights are not taken away. Too often they are not taken away, but like Esau who bartered away his birthright, we barter them away for a pitiful bowl of beans. How does this happen?
It happens because we go our own way. Isaiah nailed it when he wrote, “6
All
of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him. Bondage and slavery come from inside us and must be purged. The alcoholic is not free. The drug addict is not free. The insatiable shopper is not free. The bulimic person is not free. We have made ourselves prisoners by our desires. James warns us of this in chapter What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures
1
4:
that wage war in your members? 2You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. 3You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.
There are very few people who are free today. We are slaves to our work, ambitions, or our pleasures. We are always trying to get just a little more, a little farther ahead. But that “little more” is never enough. The path to true freedom is easy and hard at the same time. It is easy because it is easily doable. It is hard because it requires us to empty ourselves. Remember Isaiah’s phrase “… each of us has turned to his own way…?” and James’ warning, “…2You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. 3You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.” That is why freedom is hard.
There are three steps to freedom:
1. True faith in God This is much more than a belief in God.
James tells us that the devils believe and
are terrified. Faith is much more that believing that God exists; it believes that His existence is important to me. Faith means that we are aware of God communicating to us through his works (science), His Word (the scriptures), and His Son (Jesus, the Christ). Faith is dynamic! It seeks after God. It is insatiable to know God and why He has us on this planet. It causes us to dig into the Scriptures to find out what God is up to. We are in relationship with the Almighty. We want to know Him intimately. We want to know His thoughts, His plans, His feelings. Faith drives us to know God!
2.
Obedience to God’s Ways and Word God’s Word, the Holy Bible, is our guide for conscience and conduct. It is true in all
its ways. God has exalted His Word above His name because in His Word, He is revealed. His Word becomes our daily guide; what it tells us to do, we do, and what it tells us not to do, we don’t do. That may not sound like freedom to some because they do not understand the benefits of God’s Word. Here are some of the benefits of God’s Word: A. It makes us wise. The famous botanist, George Washington Carver, never took a book of science into his laboratory. He entered with his Bible and his notebook. He would get on his knees and ask God to show him how to make specific things from the peanut, and God would tell Him. Dr. Washington’s faith came from his reading of God’s Word. His wisdom came from depending on God’s Word and watching Him work. He believed God even when it went beyond his own experience. B. God’s Word makes us aware of our human condition. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Wise men are dismayed at the evil and destruction in the world today. In the founding of our nation, the Bible was the standard of education. It was the foundation of thought and action. Our laws are based on it, but we have ignored, denied, and derided the Holy Scriptures. We have removed them from the schoolhouse. It
is no longer the cornerstone of our system of justice. And we are surprised at why our culture is in a tailspin of debauchery. The only remedy for sin is repentance. C.
God’s Word also makes us aware of His grace and forgiveness. It tells us that there
is a Savior who took our sins in His own body. He was sinless while we are sinful. He was perfect, and we were marred and scarred by our own willful disobedience. 2 Corinthians 5: 21
He (God) made Him (Jesus Christ) who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we
might become the righteousness of God in Him. We have the ability to be free from sin. D. God’s Word gives us power and authority. When we follow God’s Word and Ways, we have that righteousness Paul wrote about. That is power over sin. The Bible tells us about God’s Kingdom and His Purposes for us. We are appointed to rule and reign with Him. 3.
Prayer is the third principle that brings freedom. Most of us equate our prayer time with spiritual shopping. We thank God for all the things
He done for us. We tell Him what we want, and we wonder why our prayers have little or no power. Prayer is not my heavenly ATM machine. Prayer is for me to get my marching orders for the day. Jesus mentioned something one day that intrigues me. He says, “The Father works, and I work…”
How did He know the Father was working? He spent time with the
Father. Prayer is not just us speaking; it is being with God and letting Him speak to us. What do you think God would say? If you are looking for scolding and rebuke, I think you might be pleasantly surprised. We have our greatest freedom when we are doing what God has made us to do. It isn’t what makes the most money or brings us the greatest fame; it is what we were made to be. We were designed before the world began… for the praise of His glory. Now, my friend, that is freedom!
~Pastor Chuck Hamby
How many of you are dealing with anxiety? and fear.
Or perhaps, you are being overcome with worry
Today, God wants to strengthen you in your inner being.
He wants to move you
from the position of anxiety, worry, and fear to a place of assurance, rest, and freedom. Merriam Webster defines anxiety as the fear or nervousness about what might happen.i
When
we are experiencing anxiety, worry, and fear, we are allowing our focus to be consumed by our situation rather than on God Who is in control of our circumstances.
We are placing
emphasis on our efforts instead of relying on God to manifest His works within our lives. You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you (Isaiah 26:3 NIV).
God tells us through His Word that when we keep our minds steadfast upon
Him, we will be kept in perfect peace.
If we are going to be steadfast, it means we have
to make up our minds and be unwavering. towards Him.
This is the attitude God desires for us to have
God doesn’t want us to be double-minded.
Double-mindedness only leads
us down a path of destruction caused by doubt and fear. This verse also indicates that we will obtain perfect peace when we rest in Him. in God, means to trust in Him. In other words, we have a choice.
We can choose to trust
God no matter the circumstances, or we can try to control the situation ourselves. sovereign and He wants us to realize His sovereignty. within our lives. for Him.
To rest
God is
There is nothing He cannot handle
There is nothing that catches Him off guard. There is nothing too impossible
He takes the impossible out all situations and turns them into possibilities within
our lives. When we place our trust in Him, He brings forth a peace we can rest upon. is not ordinary peace.
It is perfect peace.
His perfect peace is flawless.
Yet, this peace How many times
have we tried to “maintain” the peace within our relationships and/or circumstances, only to find ourselves running ragged?
What usually happens?
We find ourselves in the middle
of a battle, trying to keep order, yet we cannot keep up.
When feeling overwhelmed, we
must put our trust in Him. When we do, He will give us a perfect peace that brings assurance
within our hearts. God desires for you to continue to posture your hearts towards Him. this?
We’ll find the answer in Philippians 4:6-7:
What do I mean by
Do not be anxious about anything, but
in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And
the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. First, we must realize there is nothing too insignificant to bring before God. I have learned that if there is a situation that seems overwhelming, although it may seem trivial to someone else, it is important to God.
Because of you!
You are the one
bearing the burden, and God doesn’t want you to carry such heaviness.
He wants you to
come to Him for anything and everything.
Why?
Do not listen to the voice of man.
Man is the
one who limits God when he places conditions on what he believes is of importance to God. Go to Him about anything! How are we to come before God?
He desires for us to approach Him with our prayers and
petitions, as well as our thanksgivings.
All three - prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings,
position our hearts in a humble posture towards Him. able!
We are acknowledging that God is
God’s peace fills not only our hearts but our minds.
within our lives.
A guard is someone who protects us.
His peace becomes a guard
If God’s peace is acting as a guard
within our hearts and minds, we will rest with assurance that He is in control, as well as walk in the freedom He has ordained for our lives. God wants you to realize He is for you and not against you. an overcomer.
He has equipped you to be
He wants you to rest in Him, knowing He is in the middle of all of your
circumstances and will bring about the end desire for your good.
Too many people are
being paralyzed by fear, worry, and anxiety of the unknown versus setting out and fulfilling their God-given destinies. God also wants you to realize what He has placed within you.
For God has not given us
a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7 - NKJV).
Today,
God wants you to recognize who you are in Him and how great and awesome He is. had equipped you with His power to face any task that is within your life.
It’s time for youto
declare: Move over anxiety, worry, and fear because I am an overcomer in Him. with the power of God Who will see me through any circumstance. and there is no turning back.
My God is for me and not against me.
can separate me from the love of God. is Mighty.
My God is Great!
has enabled me to do so.
My God is Able!
Rev. Melissa Pearce
My mind is made up There is nothing that
I will fulfill my destiny in Him because He
His spirit reigns within me and my focus is on Him to see me
Not only do I believe in you, but God does!
In Him,
I am armed
I am no longer being hindered, because my God
through! You can do it!
He
Encouragement in Parenting from Psalm 139 Parenting is no easy task.
It's a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year job that
can drain and overwhelm us.
There are joyous and wonderful times, but when trudging
through the day-to-day of it all, parents often feel like they're coming up short for their kids. While Psalm 139 can be applied to many areas of life, let's take a look at it in light of parenting and find encouragement and comfort to press on. O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. you perceive my thoughts from afar. are familiar with all my ways. Lord.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
You discern my going out and my lying down; you
Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O
You hem me in – behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.
Such
knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain (Psalm 139:1-6, NIV).
1. Don't compare. There are countless ways to compare ourselves against other parents – from how you feed your kids, to milestones they reach, schooling, achievements, activities, and the list goes on!
You will be drained even more if you are constantly trying
to keep up with the parenting style of someone else.
God says that He is familiar with all
[your] ways (v.3) and that [He hems you] in behind and before (v. 5). you to be another parent.
He doesn't ask
He asks you to be who He made you.
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the
heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become
night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you (Psalm 139:7-12, NIV). 2.
Don't live in guilt. We all want to be the best parent we can be for our children;
but if perfection is your goal, you will certainly
have, and them, the parents they have. If only
fall short.
you would slay the wicked, O God!
We all make mistakes every day.
Away
Maybe you promised you weren't going to
from me, you bloodthirsty men!
raise your voice today, and you remembered
of you with evil intent; your adversaries
that promise the tenth time you yelled at your
misuse your name.
child.
Regardless of where, when, or how
you fall short, God is there – ready to forgive and redeem.
Where can [you] flee from
[His] presence? (v.7) Your days and years
They speak
Do I not hate those who
hate you, O Lord, and abhor those who rise up against you? I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies (Psalm 139:19-22, NIV).
of parenting will go much smoother if you learn to walk in forgiveness. Condemnation
4. Be sold out to Jesus!
crushes you lower; forgiveness raises you
of your love and commitment, and He longs
back up to be all that you can be.
to be your everything.
For you created my inmost being; you knit
Him wholeheartedly, your kids will see that
me together in my mother's womb.
and learn from your example.
I praise
you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
He is worthy
As you seek after
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there
is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23-24, NIV). 5. Pray!
Communication with God is
paramount when we have such important jobs as Christ-followers and parents.
God
How precious to me are your thoughts, O
will lead you as you seek Him and ask for
God!
His guidance.
How vast is the sum of them!
Were
I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you (Psalm 139:13-18, NIV). 3.
the best example of a parent – Him!
I am
praying encouragement and comfort for you
Take heart that God made you
on purpose, with a purpose. And that goes for your children, too!
Parenting is no easy task, but God gave us
Not only that,
but He purposely gave you the children you
as you continue parenting your children. Don't give up, because God won't give up on you! ~Jamie Clawson