We all are in desperate need of love. Unfortunately, a lot of teenage girls and young women in this generation are looking for love in the wrong places. They look for it in a guy’s physical attention and affection—and too often the attention they get comes from dressing immodestly and performing sexually. Some young women struggle with taking drugs, cutting themselves, and other various addictions, which usually stem from the hopelessness they face because of a lack of feeling deeply loved. The end results include extraordinarily low self-esteem, teen pregnancies, diseases, and even suicide.
Some of the angst and hopelessness I’ve seen among young people today arises from the genuine loss of reasons to live. Perhaps they’ve never really felt accepted—at home, or among their peers. One big problem with so many people is that they surround themselves with their peers who are searching just as desperately as they are. When we hang around people who are speaking negative things into our lives, it’s tough to feel hopeful ourselves.
Where is God in all of this? Please know that God is passionate about His love for you. Everything else in the Christian life flows from that. We can get into a very legalistic place where faith just becomes religion, but the essence of the Christian life needs to be lived out from the knowledge of God’s extravagant love. Once we understand and accept His love, so many other things in our lives fall into place. Things start to make sense. I can’t imagine going through life without realizing how incredible God’s love is for me. I don’t know how people make it without this knowledge. This is the hope, truth, and life that this generation is looking for—and it’s found in Jesus!
The cure for the hopelessness that exists in the lives of so many people today is radical hope, which is recorded all over the pages of the Bible. In the Psalms David often proclaimed to God that he had put his hope in Him alone (25:5, 21; 39:7; 62:5). The weeping prophet, Jeremiah, knew that it was only in the hope of the Lord that Israel would rise from the ashes (14:22; 29:11; 31:17; Lamentations 3:21-24).
We should live in such a way that others see our actions and attitudes and want what we have. The apostle Peter gives this challenge, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).
The apostle of love, John, sums it all up so well:
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure” (1 John 3:1-3).
Do you know someone who is in desperate need of hope and love? Is there something simple you can do today to communicate God’s love in a practical way? What about composing and sending a thoughtful letter or e-mail, serving the person in secret (by dropping off a surprise gift in her mailbox, or having flowers or a pizza delivered), or some other kind of thoughtful gesture? Then pray for God’s love to break through the hopelessness that you sense.
I need to share through my life. From how I relate in my relationships with others to what I say onstage, the message is “we are extravagantly loved by God.”
It’s a message of hope this generation needs to hear. No matter where you’ve been and what you’ve done . . . you are loved.
Although most people think of the narrative Jesus told in Luke 15 as the parable of the prodigal son, in reality it is the story of the “loving father,” because the lesson to be learned is more about the father’s incredible love than the son’s rebellion. Most everyone you know at one time or another has played the part of the prodigal. They have either run away from God through willful, deliberate sin for a relatively short season of time, or have left the fold and sought to live their own way for an extended period. When that happens, what’s the appropriate response? Much has been written about the necessity for tough love from parents and friends toward one who has willingly turned aside to wallow in the mire of a pigs’ sty. But, even though the father in this story allowed his son his freedom (and even gave him his inheritance), he never stopped looking and waiting for his return home. And his message would always be, “You are loved.”
Is there someone in your life that needs to know he is loved? Do you have a friend who is broken and desperately needs to know that she is loved?
Our Abba Father’s love for all of His creation is far beyond anything we can possibly imagine. Pray for an opportunity to speak God’s words of love to the one who desperately needs to hear those words!
Rebecca
Need an encouraging word? You’ll find an encouraging word for today—and everyday—in Rebecca’s latest book “PURE” –a 90 day devotional for body, mind, and spirit!
REBECCA TALKS ABOUT "PURE" WITH TANGLE.COM .. Click Above to Watch Video Now!
RSJ CLASSIC VIDEO: WAIT FOR ME
REBECCA'S SCRAPBOOK -- EUROPE TOUR
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Influences
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SHARE YOUR STARBUCKS WITH REBECCA THIS MONDAY MORNING -- JULY 6TH!
Share your Starbucks with Rebecca this Monday morning July 6th when she's doing national co-hosting on Salem Radio Network's popular eye-opening morningshow "Doug & Kim in the Morning."
Rebecca will be live on air for two hours from Los Angeles -Doug will be in studio in Nashville-and all will be brought together by the miracle of ISDN line!
Tune in on live stream at: www.dkradio.com 7:00 A.M. -9:00 A.M. US Central. For international listeners-be sure and sync world time zones to hear Rebecca live!
Rebecca with Doug Griffin of "Doug & Kim in the Morning"
CHECK OUT MYSPACE MUSIC!
“Wish” –Rebecca’s lastest “sneak preview” of new music tops the chart on the RSJ MySpace countdown—it stays up this week on MySpace with hundreds of listens daily!
Here's some of what folks are saying about "Wish":
Hey BEC!! WISH ROCKS!! LOVE IT!!! Both the lyrics and the music ROCK!!! THANKS for yet another AWESOME SONG!!!!! -RSJFan19
Great job on the demo! It will be a great song, I know this because the hook keeps playing in my head. Very catchy! -Bill
LOVE the new song!!!!!! Excited to hear More! -- UnstopableGrace
Great new song. glad you're back recording!! --Sharlene
I have a lot of shoulda coulda's in my lifetime! I love it, this is why I love your music! I can relate! :) --CheleChestnut
IN CONCERT: "SHE" MOTHER/DAUGHTER EVENT-BOOKING IN FALL '09! Rebecca and her sweet friend and mentor, Evie join media executive, Owen McGovern, at a SHE concert
Fall '09 will again see the return of Rebecca's much-anticipated "SHE"
mother/daughter events! If you're interested in more information about details for bringing the event to your church -please contact: jonas@smallbonemanagement.com
LA WEEKEND: Rebecca and friends (including West Coast Pastor Miles Mcphereson and his wife at center and Sonny Sandoval of famed band P.O.D) rocked out at the Dakota Motor Company benefit concert over the weekend!
CATCH REBECCA’S “WORLDWIDE PODCAST” FROM GMA WEEK!
A major highlight of Rebecca’s GMA Week here in Nashville was an exclusive worldwide podcast with our media friends at New Release Tuesday! Host Bill Lurwick guided Rebecca through a great interview that includes all the latest scoops on her upcoming film “Sarah’s Choice,” her thoughts on worship, new visions for her career and ministry, and the promise of new music!
Beginning with the next issue of the RSJ bulletin, Rebecca will join us with her personal answers to your questions! If you’d like to submit a question, please send it via e-mail to us: rebeccastjames@rsjames.com Five questions will be selected for each bulletin and Rebecca will personally answer them for us
JOIN REBECCA ON FACEBOOK AND FOLLOW HER ON TWITTER!
Now there are even more ways to stay connected with Rebecca and her ministry. Come check us out on Facebook and Twitter. They are great ways to stay in touch with you!
Rebecca at GMA with the new, improved T-Bone on the set of JC-TV's "Real Videos!"
Kevin McNeese and Bill Lurwock of "New Release Tuesday" hosted Rebecca on Weds. for a podcast heard around the world from GMA!
Rebecca offers congrats to long-time pal Michael Tait on his new gig with Newsboys!
Lifeway.com editor Jeff Large was among the major media friends Rebecca interviewed with at GMA!
Very much in the national headlines this week--Miss California--Carrie
Prejean--met Rebecca backstage at the Doves. A dedicated Christian--Carrie told Rebecca "You've been a role model to me!"
Brad Schmitt--News Channel 2's famed entertainment reporter--and his cameraman, Brock, joined Rebecca for an interview--and lunch--at Nashville's Hilton.
Rebecca took Carrie as her guest to the EMI post party following the Dove Awards
THANK YOU AUSTRALIA-NEW ZEALAND!
Welcome Home, Rebecca, Joel & Luke and band!
RSJ and crew were jumping for joy over the reception that welcomed them to Australia-New Zealand over the past three weeks! Rebecca’s appearance at “Easter Fest ‘09” –Australia’s premier Christian festival—rocked the land of Oz with more than 10,000 concert goers joining the celebration!
Joel & Luke @ Easterfest
Then it was off to New Zealand for Easter week concerts and more wonderful audiences!
REBECCA PRESENTED WITH 2009 ARVELLA SCHULLER AWARD FOR POSITIVE CHRISTIAN CONTRIBUTION TO THE ARTS REBECCA WITH FILM COMPOSER, MARK MCKENZIE
This past weekend, Rebecca was honored with the Arvella Schuller Award. Read all about it here
AUSTRALIA "COVERS" REBECCA!
Prior to her traveling to the homeland next month for concert dates, Rebecca is the cover/interview subject of the current issue of Australia's popular "Christian Woman" --a favorite read in the Land Down Under!
CBN.ORG –CHECK OUT THE LATEST RSJ MESSAGE AND GIVE-AWAY
Rebecca’s guest appearance with James and Betty Robison on Life Today is airing in the U.S. and around the globe this week! It’s a wonderful opportunity to see Rebecca share her heart on what propels her through her life and ministry! Check it out through this link
CHECK OUT REBECCA'S NEW YOUTUBE VIDEO PLAYER
BEC'S COFFEE CHAT
Relevant cultural chatter from Rebecca on Movies and Books!
1/27 –Personal Message from Rebecca…
Dear Friends—I really want to especially ask for your prayers this week as I’m in LA working on the prep of the new film I’m involved with—working title is Sarah’s Choice. I play the lead in this pro life film. Please pray and agree with me for authenticity and God’s spirit to be with me in the role as we go from prep to filming. I’m sensing God’s hand on me with this movie—and your prayers are so important to me –and so appreciated! Can’t want to tell you more!
Rebecca
HELLO FROM HOLLYWOOD! Rebecca onset with Candace Cameron –To The Wall filming in LA
Rebecca sends greeting and updates from Hollywood this week where she is filming To The Wall. Filming was delayed over the weekend due to the horrific fires in California—but filming resumed and will continue for Rebecca through Sunday of this week.
Here’s her note by e-mail:
Hey everyone!
Here's what I know about the movie..
To the Wall is a faith and family film about two young guys whose dads died in the Vietnam war. The movie contains flashbacks from Vietnam, showing the friendship between their fathers. One is a believer, the other is struggling with matters of faith. Wayne and John, the young guys, embark on a journey to the Vietnam wall in DC, to see their fathers names and to connect with their history. Along the way, they meet my character, Annie and her cousin Ted, and we bring some lighter elements to the film.
I would love prayer for God's peace and joy to shine through me and for inspiration as I move into this new genre.
Stephen Baldwin and Candace Cameron are also featured in this film.
Bec
The film will debut in ’09 –we’ll have many more updates!
Dear Rebecca. I pray that you have a lovely week and month ahead and that God continues to guide you in your walk through life. May his kindest blessings be upon you. Daniel Daly, Canberra, Australia.
THANk you for your comment! We love you,Becky, & have followed you as your fan for years. I totally changed the whole layout of my MySpace page last night! We are a concert promotion company so we felt this much more represented us! Check it out & comment back on what you think!Thanks for YOUR prayers!!!! Cuz I REALLY needed them & as soon as YOU prayed for me , EVERYTHING changed better! (smile) So KEEP praying for ME daily & I WILL be praying for YOU daily & together in prayer, we will attack the spiritual warfare! God bless you!!!.....Because of Him, Love,Lowell!
Hello Rebecca, Thank you so much for the comment and also for your friendship. Your music is such an inspiration. May God continue to Bless You. Have a safe weekend. ~ Rich ~
Thank you Rebecca for blessing us with your friendship. I actually had the honor of meeting you at the Soul 2 Soul honor show a couple of years ago. May our Lord continue to bless you and your ministry with every possibility.
Ms. St. James, My daughter and I have listened to your ministry & music for several years. We had the privilege of seeing you in person when you were taping a TBN program in Nashville several years ago. I have recently published a book entitled "Turning the Tide for the Next Generation!" It retails for $13.95, however, I believe everyone needs to hear the important message and July 1-10, 09 I WILL E-MAIL YOU MY BOOK FREE if you want to read it. Visit my website http://www.deborahbradberrysolomon.com and if you want to read my book give me your e-mail address and I will send it to you free. This is just for MyS friends! Thanks for being my friend!
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
Hello Rebecca! I appreciate the comment! I am stunned that you wrote me a comment. I have always wanted to meet you and have loved your music since 1998! I like rock alternative music anyway! God bless you and I love you and i luv jesus.
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