From the Clear Hope Team

Dear friends, 

We ask if you would pray about giving towards Clear Hope Association and its upcoming needs.  As the first book is in print, funds are needed to continue the 2^nd book in the series. The Soul in Love. We can’t begin to express how labor intensive each step of the process is for Joy, but God is good.  We are already seeing individuals and relationships on the path of healing plus strengthening of faith in our Lord Jesus during group studies with the material. Would you consider partnering with us?  If you find it in your heart to give, please see below in our website for options. We are so thankful for the women and men that have been so faithful in their giving over the years.  Without you, this ministry would not be possible. More than ever, your prayers are needed. 

 

Book #1 The Heart of Love: Consider this book for your gift giving this year!

Doesn’t everyone want to feel deep love and intimacy? As followers of Christ, Jesus tells us to love with ALL our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Often, past events or people have hurt us and interfered with our ability to fully give and receive love. Left unhealed, a search for love through our afflictions often leads to poor choices and reactions that cause more hurt. Tired of the past impacting your present? Study and apply the truths of the Word with a heart moving closer and closer to the lover of your heart. 

Book #2 The Soul in Love:  Coming in the next few months! 

What is the soul, and what does it involve? Understanding how the soul fits into our spiritual makeup is important so we can love God with all of it. Enticements and choices made are often confusing and detrimental to maturity. It is important to look at the soul infected, influenced, inspired, and infiltrated. Are you hoping to increase your relationship with God and others? Committed time of introspection through these pages will help you examine your love life, wean out the things that hold you back, and lean into the One who loves you most.

Pre-Order your copy now! Order through Contact on our website. 

https://clearhope.org/

 Brief Biography: Joy Pedersen founded Clear Hope Association in 2004 to equip and build the family of God. She has served over 25 years in ministry using the Word of God to teach, write, and counsel. As a dedicated and effective communicator, she walks alongside others encouraging a deeper, more personal, and effective relationship with Jesus Christ. 

 

LET US ADORE HIM

 

LET US ADORE HIM

Our preparation for Christmas comes to a close this week. I like others are wishing you a merry Christmas. As I think of the original time when Jesus was born, celebration had just begun. The first recorded visitation with Jesus as an infant were the shepherds. How they found out is amazing. The announcement came directly from God by an angel surrounded by a bright light in the dark of night. There were no phone calls or emails or texts – instead, angels! So personal majestic and elegant with a choir of angels!

Their response after hearing, was to immediately go and see if it was true. They went with adoration for the Christ child. As we celebrate His birth, let us imagine being at the manger bed of Jesus like the shepherds. Let us adore Him singing songs, worshipping, meditation, and thanking Him for this love sacrifice that came to earth to bring salvation for mankind.

Luke 2: 8-18  (MSG) There were shepherds camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them, and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”

At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises:

Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the shepherds talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing.

By: Joy Pedersen

Dear Beloved

 

Dear Beloved, 

I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We have entered the holiday season that calls us in so many directions. Friends, family, and fellow brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ unite to celebrate with thanks for all that God has blessed us with. This climaxes to the birthday celebration of our King Jesus. As this happens my heart overflows giving thanks for each one who has been part of ministering through prayer, teaching, encouraging, and expanding in other Christ centered arenas. As I think of each person, it is as though you have been gift-wrapped with a beautiful bow and given to me. You are priceless gifts. My love is deep. 

Appreciatively, 

Joy Pederson 

Immanuel

 

Immanuel

 

Many years before Jesus birth, God promised a sign to reveal the fact that He would be making a personal appearance. At that time prophets and priests were the only ones who communicated directly with God. Isaiah was one of those prophets and he received the news that Immanuel was coming and there would be a sign to announce His coming – and let’s just say it  was unexpected!  Isaiah 7:14(AMP) tells us: “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Listen carefully, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and she will call his name Immanuel (God with us).” The ancients must have been puzzled at the sign recalling previous signs given by God. Hope and fear must have been stirred at the thought of God being with them.

When I ponder the truth of God with us, I know that it was not just for the time of his life on earth. Rather His name is eternal, Immanuel, forever. His presence is ever with us. The Holy One in the triune person of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. For me, reflecting on His being with us at all times and in all ways brings comfort, peace, and joy knowing His love and care are close at hand. May this bring clear hope as you consider Immanuel, God with us.

By: Joy Pedersen

Matthew 1:23(AMP) “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel”—which, when translated, means, “God with us.”

The Christ of Christmas

 

The Christ of Christmas

 

Singing the old hymns of Christmas is one of the favorite things of this season. They tell the story of Christ the Messiah, Jesus, birth and the miracle of how He came to earth. Reading Matthey 1 reveals the fact that Mary was miraculously impregnated by God himself by His Holy Spirit! This virgin mother willingly bore this child full term, with no clear understanding of what was ahead. God used a human to deliver Jesus as human. Amazing!

When I think of this plan devised to open the world to salvation, God’s love for mankind shatters pride and causes me to sing the messages of truth and blessing. With awe. How grateful I am for God and His love that humbly came to earth to make a needed salvation for mankind. How grateful I am for the willingness of Mary to parent Jesus (along with Joseph) here on earth. The Christ of Christmas is worthy of our praise..

By: Joy Pedersen

Matthew 1:18 (ESV)

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.

A Walk through Christmas

A Walk through Christmas

The hustle and bustle of this season can be split between great delight and difficult demands. The shopping, the parties, the church activities, people, and decorating vie for our time and energy. The joy of this season is best found when we take time to pause and reflect on Jesus through Scripture, prayer, fellowship, and music. 

Matthew 11:28–29(AMP) “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation]. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls.”

By: Joy Pedersen

Celebrating Jesus

Celebrating Jesus

Though we celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas, He has always existed – just not in human form. John wrote a book in the Bible to let us know who Jesus was from the beginning to the end of time on earth. This book helps us understand the character and heart of God through Jesus.

John reveals Jesus as the Word, Logos, who was with God and was God. So the first thing we find out about Jesus was not his birth but his eternal existence. As we enter this Christmas season, we are celebrating an eternal God in his humble state as a man. He revealed Himself and lived His life in a broken world so that we can experience His image – which we are made in.

Imagine! He lived what is taught throughout scripture, died the death of a martyr, and was resurrected. In many ways Christmas is a celebration of the wonderful mysterious gift of eternal life. He has made spiritual life possible for those who accept Him and they (we) will be with Him eternally.

John 1:1-3(ESV) “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made”.

By: Joy Pedersen