friends forever

This past August I got to see my dear friend Sheila, who came all the way from Germany!! This was our third time seeing each other & oh what a joy it was to see her again!!

 This friend is one of my favorites to email! So many thoughts + prayers + encouragement in every email!

So thankful I got to see this friend. I miss her so much already. ♥

. . .

Don't worry about anything: instead pray about everything. }} Philippians 4:6

choosing to choose joy

When I pulled this book off the self to read it again, I randomly chose this bookmark for it. Later I thought about how much this bookmark goes right with the book. It reminded me of how much Katie taught me about joy. REAL joy. 

Before reading this book several years ago I hadn't really thought much of joy at all. But oh how this book & the stories + challenges within changed my life!

After reading Kisses From Katie is when I began my "joy journey with Jesus." I started finding & loving verses on joy. I started choosing joy each day, even when it was hard & I didn't feel like it.

Joy was my new word. A word that God used to change my life.

I actually don't think this bookmark was randomly chosen. I believe God chose this bookmark to remind me of the past things He taught me, how He cultivated a selfish girl's heart into one that began choosing to be selfless & choose joy always.

It's not always easy to choose joy, nor do I always want to! But the more I see God's hand in the good times & the hard times, the more I want of His joy. His joy & the strength from it gets me through.

I'll end with my favorite verse on joy, one that can get you through any hard day:

The joy of the Lord is my strength. }} Nehemiah 8:10

choose joy

Fear + sorrow depress the soul, but a joyous frame of mind energizes the soul. ♥

choose joy.

be joyful always

rejoice evermore.

pray without ceasing.

in everything give thanks. ❦

1 thessalonians 5:16-18

wonder & amazement.

At the beggining of Acts 3, we read the story of the lame man at the gate Beautiful. The lame man's friends would carry him to the gate and let him lay and beg for money. One day Peter and John came to the temple and the lame man called out to them. They went over and the man asked for money. Instead of giving him money (which they didn't have) Peter took the man by the hand and raised him up in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. And the man walked! It says in verse 8 that the lame man stood, walked, and went leaping into the temple with Peter and John. He praised God for healing him. 

The people in the temple reconized him as the lame man who would lay by the gate and beg. Now they saw him walking and praising God! And here's my favorite part: At the end of verse 10 it says: "and the people were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him." 

I want to be filled with that same wonder and amazement at the things which the Lord does. I want to praise Him openly for His blessings. I want others to see what God can and will do if only we trust + obey Him. 

May we leap for joy (Luke 6:23) at the things that the Lord does for us and those around us. //

. . . 

Thou hast made known to me the wyas of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. Acts 2:28

finding true joy.

Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day. 

-Henri J.M. Nouwen 

Isn't that quote so true?! Joy isn't just a one time thing and we're joyful for the rest of our lives. We have to daily go to Jesus and ask Him for it.

If you've been reading my blog for awhile, then you know how much I love that little word and that I strive to daily choose joy. It isn't always easy and sometimes I get grumpy. But I often realize how selfish that is and how much more satisfying it is to be joyful.

Finding joy isn't something we can do on our own. We can't find it in people or circumstances, but in Christ, and Him alone. Some things may give us temporary joy, but God is the only One who can offer us lasting joy.

I truly have so much energy when I am seeking the Lord and choosing joy! Just like Nehemiah 8:10 says, "The joy of the Lord is my strength."  That verse has become very special to me in the last couple of months. Some days I quote that verse over and over again because I need both joy and God's strength to get me through each day.

I challenge you to seek God in everything that you do and choose JOY. No one on this earth will give you more joy and fulfillment than Jesus Christ. //

{Are you seeking Jesus and choosing joy, even during the difficult times?}

. . .

Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, let God be magnified. Psalm 70:4

true joy.

For you are our glory and joy. 1 Thessalonians 2:20

radiant joys photo challenge // week 1

I was going to post these yesterday, but was having internet problems! Sorry about that! ;)

day one | a hot drink

day two | words

day three | a modest fall outfit

If you'd like to see Rebekah's photos, she is posting them on her Instagram account here. 

watching the stars.

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork." Psalm 19:1

Praising the Lord for a beautiful sky, scattered with sparkling stars. For sisters who lie on blankets beside me as we gaze up in awe of the beauty before us. 

We point out constellations and sing songs at the top of our lungs. We laugh when the songs get too high and our voices screech. 

Some of us scream and jump (we wont mention any names *ahem*) when a black cat appears behind us. 

We squeal in delight when a ball of fire --a shooting start-- glides across the sky. 

Moments like these I have to lift my hands to the heavens and say "Thank you, Jesus. Thank you for this marvelous night. Thank you for my sisters. For my parents allowing us to stay up a little later than usual. For shooting stars."

Most of all, t h a n k  y o u for creating it all. ♡

if you look close enough you can see the stars... :)

{Have you ever layed out and watched the stars or seen a shooting star glide across the sky?}

"He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names." Psalm 147:4

change the world...for one person.

"I have learned that I will not change the world. Jesus will do that. I can, however, change the world for one person. And if that one person sees the love of Christ in me, it is worth every minute. So I keep stopping and loving one person at a time. Because this is my call as a Christian."

Katie Davis Majors

Photo via: Amazima Ministries

a prayer to pray

 EPHESIANS 6:7

With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not unto men.

I was flipping through “A Young Woman Who Reflects the Heart of Jesus” when I came across something I had underlined:

>> Oh Lord, give me a heart of joy so I can follow in Your steps and gladly serve others. I need your help! When my heart grows cold or gets tired of serving, remind me of Yourself and how Your holy hands washed dirty feet. I want to become like You—I want to serve the needs of others. Please help me! Amen, and thank you. <<

Prayer taken from ‘A Young Woman Who Reflects the Heart of Jesus’ by Elizabeth George

Is this your heart’s desire? It’s mine! I don’t always have a joyful spirit, though. Sometimes I get tired of serving, too. But, should we tier from doing things for God? Certainly not! I have to keep asking Jesus to give me joy and to help me be a willing servant.

I think it’s something we have to keep working on. As we grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ, we will slowly be more willing to serve others and overflow with a joyful spirit.

Serving. It’s a simple and noble assignment. And it is perhaps the most obvious sign of Jesus in you. When you serve others, your service will become an awesome reflection of the heart of your Savior, the greatest servant who ever lived.

Taken from ‘A Young Woman Who Reflects the Heart of Jesus’ by Elizabeth George

COLOSSIANS 3:23-24

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

Psalm 5:11

But let all those that put their trust in thee R E J O I C E: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

~ PSALM 5:11 ~

JOY // my favorite word

Some time ago God showed me this word and ever since then I’ve been on a ‘journey,’ you could say, to find joy in the ordinary, to show others the joy + love of Jesus, and to apply it to my everyday life.

O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. 
{Psalm 95:1 and 2}

It never ceases to amaze me how often that little word pops up here and there. As I flip through my Bible, all the verses about ‘joy’ and ‘rejoicing’ jump off the page and into my heart.

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, rejoice! {Philippians 4:4}

Not only do the verses about being joyful catch my attention, but also the ones about being thankful. When we are truly joyful, we will be thankful and when we are thankful, we will be joyful!

The Lord hath done great tings for us; whereof we are glad. {Psalm 126:3}

I was flipping through my Bible and saw a verse I had underlined that really touched my heart: 2 Corinthians 7:16, “I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.” Isn’t it wonderful to have confidence in the Lord in ALL things? And because we have confidence, we can rejoice!

Rejoice evermore. {1 Thessalonians 5:16}

I struggle with confidence and once I read that verse I was very encouraged! When I am scared or worried about things, I need to remember that my true confidence comes from Jesus Christ and that I can trust Him. He will help each of us overcome our fears and worries; we just need to trust Him.

~ ~ ~

Are you struggling with something right now? Maybe you have a fear or something you just can’t get over. Maybe you are struggling in school or with a family member. Tell it to Jesus! He is always close by, waiting for you to call on His name for help. If you care to share with me, I’d love to pray for you! (If it’s something more personal, feel free to email me: agirlaftergodsheart15@gmail.com)

"I find joy in every day, not because life is always good, but because God is."

Mary Did You Know?

MARY DID YOU KNOW?

by Mark Lowry

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know
that your Baby Boy has come to make you new?
This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you.
Mary, did you know

that your Baby Boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy will calm the storm with His hand?

Did you know
that your Baby Boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little Baby you kissed the face of God?

Mary did you know.. Ooo Ooo Ooo
The blind will see.
The deaf will hear.
The dead will live again.
The lame will leap.
The dumb will speak
The praises of The Lamb.

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would one day rule the nations?

Did you know
that your Baby Boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
The sleeping Child you're holding is the Great, I Am.

{if you would like to watch a music video of this song, go here}

. . .

My aunt, Hannah, asked if I would pose as Mary so she could draw it 

for Christmas cards! This is how it turned out! ^^

Wishing you all a blessed Christmas! 

Remember that Jesus is the reason for the season. 

LUKE 2:10-11

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is

Christ the Lord.

DAY 17 // a song I'm thankful for

Growing in Wisdom // by Rachel {Wissmann} Busenitz

We are seeking treasure that money cannot give, looking to our Maker for how we should live. To see the world the way God sees, His perfect plan for you and me, 

growing in the wisdom of the Lord.

We are seeking for the truth, learning knowledge in our youth. Searching out our Master’s plan, growing in the wisdom of the Lord.

We need understanding and guidance from above. Following our Master, who leads us in Him love. We’re listening to His holy word, trusting Him at every turn, growing in the wisdom of the Lord. 

We are seeking for the truth, learning knowledge in our youth. Searching out our Master’s plan, 

growing in the wisdom of the Lord.

. . .

This is one of my new favorite songs from the Wissmann's CD, "My Heart, Your Home."
I like the part about "learning knowledge in our youth. . ." because that is what all young girls should be doing - using their single years to learn and grow in the Lord.

What song are you thankful for and why?

"find JOY in the ordinary"

DAY 5 // a word I'm thankful for

Joy. This very word thrills me! I want to challenge you to CHOOSE JOY each and every day!

Shout for JOY!

PSALM 32:11

"Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for JOY, all ye that are upright in heart."

New Blog Name! \\ Joyfully Living 4 Jesus

Hey girls! I hope you are having a beautiful day! 

I just wanted to let you all know that I changed my blog's name! It's now called: Joyfully Living 4 Jesus. I changed it because I wanted to be more 'original', plus the word 'JOY' is a favorite of mine. :)

. . .

PSALM 100:1

Make a JOYFUL noise unto the Lord; ALL YE LANDS.