Good Morning, Family
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Good Morning Family
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
About Good
About Good
I grew up with ‘Good’ as my last name. Recalling
my high school days, one of my teachers (at the beginning of the school year) would
ask me if I had lived up to my name. Each time I was irritated and embarrassed that
he had singled me out. It was as though I was the only one who needed to answer
that question. That in turn reminded me of times I had been disobedient and
unkind to others.
Now contemplating
that word, the meaning of good causes different thinking. David indicates in Psalm 37 that when our feet are planted on a foundation
that is fixed on and guided by the Lord, we are right with God or good. When we
believe in and accept salvation through Christ, our identity changes from world
follower to Christ follower.
Being the child of God happens at salvation, and we commit to
listen to the Lord by way of Scripture, meditation, prayer, and mature
believers. Our focus is not to be on the world or its ways, but on the Lord and
His intent for our life. And His desire for us was established at the beginning
of time.
Verses 23 and 24 of this chapter are comforting. For when we are
His children He delights in our steps while believing in and trusting Him - with
belief being the first step. Walking in agreement
with Him he blesses us so that we are empowered through the Holy Spirit to move
along with a desire to please Him above all else.
Even when we fail at being good, He sees us as His beloved child –
good – holding on to us and helping us work through the steps that wounded our
heart and soul. He never let’s go of His own and He ever helps us
become spiritually mature with His guidance. How thankful I am that our Lord is aware of the failures and successes ahead
of us. Grateful that He catches, rescues,
delivers, and helps us through this life as we keep in step under His
watch and care.
by Joy Pedersen
Psalm 37:23-24 (AMP)
The steps of a
[good and righteous] man [or woman] are directed and established
by the Lord, and He delights in his way [and blesses his
path]. When he falls, he will not be hurled down,
because the Lord is the One
who holds his hand and sustains him.
Thursday, August 10, 2023
Love Defined
Love Defined
The primary ways to love are found in six Greek words:
Only three or four of these words are found in the original text of the Bible. Still, they all exist in scripture and are exhibited throughout scripture. In each Greek word, love is clearly an action and not feeling. Generally, we act based on a choice, and love is a choice.
When looking at I Corinthians 13 we see how love is to be expressed. Then because God is love, His very character is the definition of love. Looking for the truth on this subject, I looked for God’s definition. It is found in I John 2:6 (AMP):
Friday, July 7, 2023
BOOK RELEASE: Loving With All Our Soul
Joy Pedersen's newest book release is available now!
Loving With
All Our Soul
Loving With
All Our Soul
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.
Order through 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.
Sunday, July 2, 2023
INDEPENDENCE DAY
Independence Day
Just over
a month ago, Memorial Day acknowledged the contributions of individuals who
have fought for or are fighting to preserve 0ur freedoms here in the United
States. Fourth of July is a celebration of our independence as a nation. It is
a reminder of the freedoms that were established at the onset of our country.
The
definition of independence, according to one dictionary, is freedom from
control, influence, support, aid, or the likes of others. In some ways, it
feels like we have become rather dependent on other nations – politically,
industrially, economically, and socially. Freedom is defined as exemption from external control,
interference, regulation, etc. Listening to what is happening around us it would seem our freedom
is being threatened.
To remain
free as a nation requires being united as “We the People”, both for and
against things that could threaten our Constitution and Bill of Rights. United
means standing together, upholding truth, banning cruelty, upholding justice, and
caring for one another with respect and honor.
Adolph
Hitler’s reign is a classic historical example of what transpires when fear and
denial yield to brutality. A united goal and effort to gain freedom from the
control of one man would have changed history. National destruction and crushed
lives were the results of hate, misuse of power, and self-aggrandizement. Accomplishing the greater good for all
happens when united we stand. Divided we fall is the outcome of looking
out for self above all others.
We gave
up a life of independence for interdependence as followers of Christ. We are
dependent on him for our salvation allowing for personal freedom from sin. The
Bible reminds us that we need relationships - first with God and then with
people. So, we are to interact and count on one another and work together in
the Body of Christ. Our declaration of rights is based on the law of
love as found throughout scripture. Because of who He is, we need Him to comply
with what He says is loving. Looking at His name throughout the Bible, in
Hebrew and Greek, we find He supplies our needs through His character as we
call upon Him. For example:
·
He is Elohim - supreme God, strong One, creator
who makes all things from the universe down to the new in our lives as
believers, and He and rule sovereignly. (Genesis 14:20; 2 Corinthians 5:17)
·
He is El Roi – the God who is all seeing, Who sees
me in the good and in the bad times He is ever watching us. (Genesis 16:3;
Matthew 6:3-4)
·
He is Jehovah Jireh – provider of all things
whether it is a job, food, clothing, strength, friends, or more. (Genesis 22:14; Philippians
4:19)
·
Jehovah Rapha – He is the Lord that heals from the
Old Testament into the New Testament through Jesus. (Exodus 15:26; Luke
6:17-19)
God gives
people to walk alongside us, and He wants us to depend on Him to guide us in
those relationships. According to Ephesians 3:20-21, He is able to do much much
more than we could ever ask or hope for. As we lean upon and trust in Him He
faithfully helps us through all kinds of situations. And what are our freedoms?
We are
free from sin and it’s guilt, legalism, and power. We have freedom to enjoy God
(3 in 1), know Him, belong to Him, and own Him as our Lord and King. We have been given freedom with others to
serve, give attention to needs, and commune. And because of His love given
freely to us, we can freely love others out of this gift. For believers in Christ
freedom is eternal.
While
focused on independence remember the freedoms you richly enjoy first as a
believer in Christ and then as one who dwells in this nation.
Galatians 5:13 (AMP)
For
you, my brothers, were called to freedom; only do not let
your freedom become an opportunity for the sinful nature
(worldliness, selfishness), but through love serve and seek the best
for one another.
by Joy Pedersen
Friday, June 16, 2023
Father's Day
Father’s Day is a reflection and appreciation day. When I do this, my mind recalls the hard work Dad consistently powered through until the very day that he went to Heaven. He tended farm animals and tended soil and crops. He built houses and led men in the process. He instructed his children by word and deed ethically and spiritually. He helped his neighbors in need. He provided shelter, food, and clothing for his family – at times others. He prayed daily with the family after sharing the Word of God. Though imperfect, he served the Lord faithfully in all he did. He has been gone from this world for 37 years, but I am so grateful for the impressions he left on my life, and looking forward to seeing him again in heaven.
In a world where pleasure has become a primary focus, the eternal reward is often forgotten. Rather, working faithfully and responsibly we are to recognize all our works – manual and physical - are opportunities to reflect God’s love to others and then reap an eternal reward for our service in Heaven. Colossians 3:23 (ESV) is our reminder. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
by Joy Pedersen
Thursday, May 25, 2023
Memorial Day Appreciation
Memorial
Day Appreciation
A great price has been paid
by many for our country's freedom. So express gratitude for their service.
Greater still is the price that was paid for our personal freedom through Jesus
Christ. It is a freedom all mankind can share through trust and belief in
Him. When this happens, we experience freedom that can never be taken away.
This kind of freedom is spoken of in the book of Romans in the Bible.
Romans 6:15-18 (MSG)
What Is True Freedom?
So, since we’re out from under the old tyranny, does that mean we can live any old way we want? Since we’re free in the freedom of God, can we do anything that comes to mind? Hardly. You know well enough from your own experience that there are some acts of so-called freedom that destroy freedom. Offer yourselves to sin, for instance, and it’s your last free act. But offer yourselves to the ways of God and the freedom never quits. All your lives you’ve let sin tell you what to do. But thank God you’ve started listening to a new master, one whose commands set you free to live openly in his freedom!
by Joy Pedersen