Point Of Hope - Issue #23 - November 2015

Melissa's Heart Have expectancy! Expectancy about what God able to do.

Clean Hands Our hands are not only an extension of our arms but of our heart, as well.

SILENCE IS NOT AN OPTION WE ARE LIVING IN A TIME WHEN EVIL IS CALLED GOOD AND GOOD IS CALLED EVIL.

REINVENTION

GOD IS CALLING US TO REINVENT OURSELVES, OUR THINKING, OUR WAYS AND OUR LIVES.

STAFF Founder/ President Rev. Melissa D. Pearce

Copy Editor Barbara Watts

Contributing Writers Carole Shirley

Mary Beth Pecora

Deb Sompel

Shelly Hess

Katie Kline

Toni Hembree

Jule Van Gorp

Rev. Melissa Pearce

WANT MORE? Cant Get Enough?

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What's I nside 04 08

From Mel issa's Heart Have expectancy! Expectancy about what God able to do.

Signif icance Of Cl ean Hands Our hands are not just and extension of our arms, but also our hearts.

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Discovering Hope Where are you in your relationship with God?

Sil ence Is Not An Opt ion

We are living in a day when evil is called good and good is called evil

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Reinvent ion God is calling us to reinvent ourselves, our thinking, our ways and our lives.

Point of Hope is a publication dedicated to encouraging and equipping people of all ages w ith the Word of God. Our Goal is to provide readers w ith life applicable articles that w ill edify and strengthen their personal w alks.

3 His Word, Your Hope EnduringHopeMinistries.com

As I wait upon the Lord, I keep hearing Him say, ?Have expectancy! Expectancy about what I Am able to do.

Expectancy in Who I Am. Expectancy in the plans I have for your life.? I believe many of us have been in a season with God, and things we have become so accustomed to or even reliant upon have been shaken up by Him. Many of us have been in a season of transition.

Transition causes change, and change can be difficult if you are accustomed to a particular thing. Yet, our Father knows us so well, and He truly knows what is best for us. He knows when our heart starts to stagnate or become complacent. He knows when our heart becomes self-reliant. He knows when our heart becomes numb and cold. He knows when our heart becomes self-sufficient. He knows when it is time for a season of transition.

Webster?s Dictionary defines transition as "a change from one state or condition to another". And yet, going from one state or condition to another can be difficult, overwhelming and scary. However, ? the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline (NIV ? 2 Timothy 1:7). Because God is ? the way, the truth and the life? (NIV ? John 14:6), 4 November 2015 Point of Hope Magazine

WRITTENBY: REV. MELISSAD.PEARCE He will not allow us to stay in our self-destructive condition. As Creator, this goes against His character as the Author of Life. He desires for you and I to obtain life ? life in the fullest with Him. So, when we find ourselves in precarious situations, He starts to shake things up within our life.

When God shakes, He removes and re-positions. When He removes, it is not because He is angry or upset with you. He is trying to cut the cords that are choking the very life from you. Remember, when God is doing the shaking, you are in the Master?s hands! No matter what, you can trust what He is doing within your life, knowing the plans He has for you are ? to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (NIV ? Jeremiah 29:11).

Yet, I love the other concept of God shaking things up within our lives. He re-positions our heart so that life can dwell there and flourish. Complacency, stagnation, self-reliance and self-sufficiency are the very things He needs to shake out of our lives in order to have His life dwell and flourish within us once again.

God desires for you and me to go forth and live life in the fullest with Him. He never desires our heart to retreat or pull back from Him but to be fully engaged with Him. Don?t be intimidated or fearful at the shaking; learn to embrace the plans of God for your life at this very moment. In the end, you ? are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit (NIV ? 2 Corinthians 3:18).

Don?t resist the plans of God for your life; embrace them and Him. Rest in His unfailing love for you, and trust Him to bring you through. God needs you for His Kingdom plan, but He cannot use you if you are stuck in a pit!

The time is now to fulfill your destiny with God! And this is just part of His process of bringing you to it!

Many blessings, ~Rev. Melissa Pearce 5 His Word, Your Hope EnduringHopeMinistries.com

IF YOU LOVE GOD,

SILENCE IS NOT AN OPTION

WRITTENBY: JULIEVANGORP

e are living in a day when evil is called good and good is called evil (Isaiah 5:20).

Christians find it increasingly difficult to discuss some topics without being accused of being intolerant, a bigot, a ?hater?or worse. As several florists, photographers, bakers (and Kim Davis) can already attest ? and perhaps many more of us will find out ? it can be very costly to take God at His Word and stand firmly upon it. Regrettably, the fear of reprisal from family, friends and even the government is causing many professing Christians to remain silent on certain subjects. In particular, the subject of ?gay marriage?and the LGBT movement.Some remain silent because they lack knowledge of what the Bible has to say about the subject ? because they are un-churched or have not personally studied it, or because their pastor avoids preaching on the topic. Others are confused and unsure what they believe because what they hear in the mainstream media from certain religious leaders, politicians, Hollywood stars and other media personalities contradicts what they have been taught to believe, and they don?t feel confident that they know how to respond to this crucial issue that has both temporal and eternal significance.

Rather than remaining silent when people say that a person who claims to be gay is born that way and has no choice in the matter, we need to speak the truth in love that, since the fall of Adam and Eve, ALL of mankind is born with a sin nature, and ALL of us will continue in our sin unless we receive a ?new?nature. It is only when a person receives a new nature by being born again through faith in Jesus?redemptive work on the cross that ANYONE ? gay or straight; male or female; rich or poor; black, white, yellow, red or whatever else might distinguish individuals from one another ? has the power to overcome the temptation to sin.

It is time that all of us in the Church ? Jesus?Bride ? speak up and stand on and for the Word of God ? regardless of the cost!

So, why focus on this particular sin rather than on any number of other sins such as fornication, adultery, lying, drunkenness, gluttony or gossiping? Because this sin ? which not so long ago was considered ?abnormal?even by the American Psychiatric Association ? has now been given legal standing in our nation and is promoted as an acceptable ?lifestyle?? one that is to be embraced and celebrated. Those who label it ?sin? are increasingly under attack, and they are the ones considered ?an abomination?and pressured to adopt the cultural view.

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WhoAreYouToJudge?

Rather than acquiescing to the accusation, ?Who are you to judge someone else?s lifestyle or choice?? we Christians need to make clear that we are not judging anyone. We must assert that we are not expressing our opinion. We are just agreeing with God, the Ultimate Judge, and what He has clearly stated in His Word regarding both the sanctity of marriage and the sin of same-gender sexual relations.

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it (1 Corinth 10:13).

We must make it clear that the sin of homosexuality (being a lesbian, bisexual, transgender, transsexual or any other choice regarding sexual behavior) is not the ?unforgivable sin.?The ?unforgivable sin?is refusing to receive Jesus?free gift of salvation!

Label SinFor What It Is

Why is it critical that we label sin for what it is rather than calling it a ?choice,?a ?lifestyle,?a 9 His Word, Your Hope EnduringHopeMinistries.com

?disease?or something else?

First, we can call something anything we wish. But calling it something does not make it so!Only God, Who created and rules the world, has the authority to call something sin; and He has already written what sin is in the Bible.Sin is rebelling against Him and going against His Word. Both the Old and New Testaments make it clear that same-gender sexual relations are sin because it violates His commands and His will.

You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination (Leviticus 18:22, ESV; see also Leviticus 20:13, ESV).

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality? will inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10, ESV; see also 1 Timothy 1:9-11; Romans 1:18-32; Jude 1:7, ESV).

Misdiagnosis Secondly, if we ?misdiagnose?something, we won?t know to take the necessary action to remedy the situation. For example, if I have swallowed something poisonous, I need to know what I swallowed in order to take the appropriate antidote.If we do not label sin for what God clearly states it is in His Word, rather than humbling ourselves and going to the Great Physician Jesus to seek the forgiveness He promises to all who confess their sin, we continue in our sin and ultimately receive the penalty our sin deserves ? death and eternity in hell.In other words, if we refuse to acknowledge that our sin is indeed ?sin,?we will not realize our desperate need for a Savior Who alone can deliver us from our sin.

Can you imagine being around someone who has an incurable disease and not telling them there is 10 November 2015 Point of Hope Magazine

an antidote if you know there is one? Could you stand by and do nothing as they (or others) celebrate the person?s condition, because they are ignorant of its fatal nature? Would a loving person say or do nothing, if it was in their power to share the antidote that could save the person?s life?

IsSilenceALackOfLove How can we as Christians be silent, when we know that belief in Jesus?atoning work on the cross is the ONLY way that sinners can be saved? Wouldn?t remaining silent when you have the ability and God?s command (Matthew 28:19) to share the necessary means for salvation be the ultimate act of ?hatred?? And wouldn?t remaining silent also be an indication of your lack of love for God, Who sacrificed His beloved Son Jesus to be the ?antidote?for sin?

Have you extended the love of God by sharing the Gospel with anyone taken captive by our culture?s lies and the sin of same-gender sexual relations?

It may be costly, but be encouraged and remember: Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matthew 5:11-12, ESV).

And, when you hear people misuse the phrase ?Love wins!? - REJOICE! God Who IS love (1 John 4:8) DOES win! And all who are found faithful will share in His victory! ~Julie Van Gorp President, True View Ministries

SHELLYHESS

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REINVENTION I hear that word everywhere lately! I believe God is calling many of us to reinvent ourselves, our ways of doing things and our ways of thinking, our ministries and even our businesses.

Continue........

The Lord has been speaking to me recently through the 1993 box office hit, 'Jurassic Park', directed by Academy Award winner, Steven Spielberg. Recently, the fourth film in this series of motion picture sensations was released. This fictional quartet of thrillers centers around a park where scientists have recreated dinosaurs based on the DNA of a dinosaur found in the blood of a fossilized mosquito. The first film features a prominent scientist (played by Jeff Goldblum) who questions the wisdom of the park?s creator in making all female dinosaurs to keep them from reproducing on their own. He states the following: ?Life will not be contained. Life breaks free. It expands to new territories. It crashes through barriers? Life finds a way.? Sure enough, as we observe later in the film, dinosaur eggs are found

in the wilds of Jurassic Park, meaning the dinosaurs had found a way for life to come forth, just as Jeff Goldblum?s character warned they would. As the dinosaurs in this fictional movie, we too must find a way for life to come forth, to change and adapt to what the Lord is doing in this day or to reinvent ourselves, so to speak.

Recently, I have continually been instructed, under the teaching of Christian pastors and ministry leaders, that I can?t sit and do nothing but assume that if the Lord said it, He will automatically do it, and I don?t have to do anything. In fact, this journey is about partnering with the Lord, working together. There are many practical steps to success that you and I can also take toward reinvention.

Good Habit s

TIMETO REINVENT YOURSELF

In his book, 'The Greatest Salesman in the World', Og Mandino states, "Good habits are the key to all success." What are some good habits you need to establish in your life to help you reinvent the way you think and believe and act? Write them down.

Imagine doing them to get a vision for what it looks like to do these things and learn to own them. The Bible says, ?Where there is no vision, the people perish? (Proverbs 29:18, KJV). Another translation says it this way, ?Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint...? (Proverbs 29:18, NIV). It sure seems easy to cast off restraint when trying to establish new habits, doesn?t it? Ask the Lord for a revelation of new habits and a new vision of what the reinvented you ?looks? like. Meditate on what He says and on what you see ? take ownership of the vision and learn to see you in a

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There are many ways the Lord is moving on the earth and in our own life that are different from what we are used to.

new way. What you put constantly before you will be what you focus on, and you empower what you focus on in your life. Explore the vision you are focusing on to ?get to know it.?

She Looks Happy, But Is She Real l y?

The 2003 movie, 'Mona Lisa Smile', stars Julia Roberts as an Art History Professor at traditional Wellesley College in the 1950?s. Betty Warren, a college senior (played by Kirsten Dunst) finds herself as a real-life depiction of Leonardo da Vinci?s portrait of the Mona Lisa. She explains this to her mother one afternoon while looking at the painting and saying, ?She looks happy, but is she really?? She feels this way because she espoused the traditional belief systems of Wellesley College and, as a result, ended up in a marriage with a man who didn?t love her. Yet, on the outside, she kept

up appearances ? that she was happy and everything was okay. She got into this marriage (knowing that he didn?t love her) because of what she had been taught. Much to her chagrin, these traditional beliefs did not serve her well. She ended up divorcing her unfaithful husband and, much to her surprise, reinventing herself! All the while, Ms. Katherine Watson (Julia Roberts), her Art History Professor, spent the entire year trying to get the girls to consider a new way of thinking.

With some, she was successful. At the same time, these girls attempt to teach Ms. Watson a few new ideas as well. I believe we are in a season where the Lord is shining a light on any wrong belief systems we have based on the wrong teaching we have received. He wants us to let go of old teachings and understanding in certain areas and consider a new way of thinking and doing.

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You?re Not Required To Like It .

In the ?Mona Lisa Smile?movie, Ms. Watson exposes the girls in her class to more modern art. She says to them, ?You?re not required to like it; you are, however, required to consider it.?

When the Lord shines light on wrong understandings and belief systems that we have and speaks to us about new ones, we need to consider them. Imagine our life with them, think on them and talk with Him about them, until we are able to come fully into agreement with them. In other words, we need to be willing to reinvent ourselves. There are many belief systems based on religious tradition that actually have nothing to do with the truth of the Word of God. Consider that for a moment. There are many ways of doing life, business or ministry that were fruitful in past seasons but today are out of date and obsolete.

There are many ways the Lord is moving on the earth and in our own life that are different from what we are used to. Are you willing to let Him? There are some of you who have the ?all or nothing?mentality about some things. For example: 'The way I pray is to journal, but I have two toddlers right now and a husband who travels a lot. So, my prayer life can?t include journaling. I just can?t pray much right now, because I need to journal when I pray.' Consider something new during this season. You may find that what works best right now is to get up early to walk and pray before the kids are awake and without journaling, other than to jot down a few main takeaways on your return. Or, take your phone and record your main takeaways as you do your walk and before you arrive home.

Consider a new way of doing things that establishes good habits that work for this season. It has been on my heart lately to pray, ?Lord, if I have been pounding on the front door, 16 November 2015 Point of Hope Magazine

and it won?t open; help me have the good sense to go in through the back door instead!? Not only has this been working for me in my life but I have also shared it with two friends who have seen huge changes in their life as well by just being willing to consider a way different than the way they?ve been doing it.

Consider This: By being willing to do things differently, God has been faithful to reveal new back doors that we didn?t even know were there. Philippians 3:13 (NIV) says, ?Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead? ? We all (myself included) have to be willing to let go of the way it used to be, what we used to do, how we used to think, how it used to work and who we used to be; and press on to what is fitting for now and for what lies ahead. I like that this version uses the word ?straining,? because we have to decide to make these changes and then purposely go about making them, which (like straining) isn?t always comfortable. Exercise can be straining, too; and it often isn?t comfortable, but it?s good for us. It?s a habit that leads to success. Get practical and get moving ? with good habits that promote success and new belief systems and ways of doing things that fit what the Lord is doing in this season. ?Never put off to tomorrow what you can do to-day?

(Thomas Jefferson writing to Cornelia J. Randolph, ca. 1805-1810) for time is of the essence!

Written by: ~Shelly Hess

~Jesus

SIGNIFICANCE OFCLEAN HANDS

MARYBETHPECORA

Did you know t hat hands are not onl y an ext ension of our arms but of our heart , as wel l ?

As I pondered this recently, searching for a deeper understanding, here is what I learned: The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior.

Psalm 24:4-5, NIV Here?s another Scripture concerning hands: The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me.

2 Samuel 22:21, NIV Why is t he cl eanl iness of our hands associat ed wit h right eousness?

This verse not only associates clean hands and righteousness, it speaks of receiving a reward! Yes! When our hands are clean, we are rewarded!

To those of you who know how often I wash my hands (especially before meals), you will love hearing this from me: We receive rewards from washing, and it?s more than simply removing germs. We are told that our hands are to be cleansed for sacred use!

I wash my hands in innocence, and go about your altar, Lord, proclaiming aloud your praise and telling of all your wonderful deeds.

Psalm 26:6-7, NIV In the Tabernacle days, before any ministry occurs in His holy place, the priests are to wash their hands.

Why is t he washing of hands required?

Washing is a sign of consecration.

Out ward preparat ion t o meet God symbol izes t he inward consecrat ion He requires of His peopl e.

Nevertheless, the righteous will hold to their ways, and those with clean hands will grow stronger.

Job 17:9, NIV

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As we are New Testament covenant people of God, we enter into the Presence of God by the blood of Jesus shed on the cross for our sins. (Selah) It is onl y by t he sacrif ice of Jesus t hat we can ent er and be made hol y.

When God l ooks at you, as a bel iever, He doesn?t see you, He sees Jesus!

What a God we serve! What a Savior we have! To die for us, so that we can be set free! Free from death, free from punishment; set free forever, to live forever eternally!

Grasp what t he Hol y Spirit is saying!

God requires cleansing for us! He washed us of our sins and cleansed us from all unrighteousness! He desires us to live for Him and be used for Him ? to touch people with our lives and with our hands!

Male or female, we are servants of God, washed by His blood ? contributors of His image!

They made the bronze basin and its bronze stand from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting.

Exodus 38:8, NIV In ancient times, mirrored glass is unknown, but highly polished bronze gives adequate reflection.

Women, you are mirror images of Jesus and have purpose in ministry to serve. Both male and female are His servants!

Then bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the tent of meeting and wash them with water.

Exodus 29:4, NIV What are t he specif ic rol es of women in service?

Women are gifted artistically. They are a talented part of the team, devoted in meeting the daily needs of the Tabernacle. They are the water providers, the ones who clean, worship and pray, as service to God. This devotion, appointed by God, has given them a permanent place to work for God! I find it interesting

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Lif e and Judgment Are Through t he Son John 5:18-24 Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God. 19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, ?Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. 20 For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. 22 For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, 23 that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. 24 ?Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

After Jesus healed the invalid man, it caused uproar among the Jewish Council. The Jewish leaders despised Jesus and wanted Him dead.

Who was Jesus that He could break the Sabbath and imply equality with God? Jesus knowing their hearts, continued to reveal His relationship to the Father.

Then Jesus answered and said to them, ?Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show him greater works than these, that you may marvel (NKJV).

Jesus further expounded on His relationship with the Father and how His relationship was based upon obedience to the Father. The obedience Jesus displayed towards the Father was not out of obligation, but of love towards the Father.

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Just as Jesus realized He could do nothing without the Father, we need to realize the same. We do not have the power to change people?s lives. We cannot take the impossible and make it possible. This is God?s power working within us. He is displaying Himself through us so others can get a glimpse of Him. Jesus also knew the Father loved Him. God desires for us to know the depths of His heart and the love He has for us. His love is not superficial or even temporal. His love is unconditional and everlasting. He loves us based upon who we are, not for what we can do for Him. Jesus understood that the Father would disclose the plans of His heart to Him. As we become more intimate with God, He will disclose deeper revelations of His heart and plans for His Kingdom to us.

Where are you in your relationship with God?