The Joy Project wk. 2

“Be JOYFUL always; pray continually;

give thanks in all circumstances,

for this is God’s well for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

 

This past weekend was the second weekend of “The Joy Project” at Quest Community Church. As I open my to the first page of my new journal, at the bottom of the page there was the verse that I quoted at the beginning. HOW FLIPPIN AWESOME IS THAT!!!! Not only did it say BE JOYFUL but it talked about giving thanks in ALL circumstances. Which, I think, is appropriate for the season we are going into now. Thanksgiving.

 

What would make your joy complete?

What is it that would make me happy?

 

Both of those questions are questions that Pastor Pete asked during his sermon. Granted, they were rhetorical questions but I could answer them at a drop of a hat. But after Pastor Pete continued on, I realized that I am already JOYFUL without the things I answered those questions with. I have the Love of Jesus. It took me quite sometime to fully be able to accept that but now that I have, I am overflowing. It is such an awesome feeling to be joyful even when the enemy is attacking you from all sides. 

 

“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.

Don’t look out for only your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”

Philippians 2:3-4

 

Those verses just really stuck out to me this week. As I continue on this journey with partnering with the people from K-State in our walks with Christ, I realized that sometimes I WILL need to put them and their needs and interests above my own. When I do that, I have a feeling that I will find a completely new joy because I was able to put someone above myself.

 

You are BEAUTIFUL.

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You may feel ugly some days. You may feel too big some days. You may even feel like you can’t go on for another second.

STOP!!

Because YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!!!! You were FEARFULLY and WONDERFULLY made!!!! God knew what He was doing when He made you!!!! You weren’t made by accident! You were made by the hand of God for the JOY of God! You are his joy project!!! Please, don’t you forget it!!

He LOVES us.

He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us, oh,
Oh, how He loves us,
How He loves us all

He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us, oh,
Oh, how He loves us,
How He loves us all

Yeah, He loves us,
Oh, how He loves us,
Oh, how He loves us,
Oh, how He loves.

And we are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If his grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
And Heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about the way…

He loves us,
Oh, how He loves us,
Oh, how He loves us,
Oh, how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us,
Oh, how He loves us,
Oh, how He loves us,
Oh, how He loves.

Yeah, He loves us,
Oh, how He loves us…
Oh, how He loves us…
Oh, how He loves us.

 

 

This…… 

“How He Loves” is my absolute favorite worship song to every grace worship music. I don’t think there will ever come a day that I am tired of hearing this song, that it doesn’t bring a tear to my eye, or light a fire in my soul. 

 

 

If only YOU knew….

If only YOU knew….

http://www.faithit.com/if-ever-woman-in-the-world-heard-this-message/

Click the link above!

 

It took me a LONG time to be completely comfortable being who God made me to be. 

I’m still learning to accept it.

 

It wasn’t until I was out in Indianapolis and this complete stranger came up to me and told me that I was the most unique and beautiful girl she has ever met that something changed in my heart. It was in that moment that my confidence boosted, my self-esteem got a little better, and I could walk with my head a little higher.

 

I have made a vow to myself to watch this video everyday until this is ENGRAVED in my memory! Knowing the way my brain works, I will be watching this video everyday, for the rest of my life… If I don’t forget about it! This video just reminds me of how PRECIOUS I am in the eyes of God. I was made by HIS choice and by HIS hands. There is no way God will ever love me any less. He IS going to love me REGARDLESS of what I do. 

 

Now THAT is a really big promise. But, I know without a doubt in my mind that God will keep that promise from now until forever.