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Published by joexiques1, 2016-02-10 20:04:36

Maidens of the Master - Volume 2 - Issue 2: Joy

Count It All Joy
Rachael C.
rejoice
Anna F.
joy in the midst
Elizabeth A.
the joy of the lord
Marit E.
god’s joy
Claudine R.
finding joy
Jessica G.
7
11
Dear sisters in Christ,
I’m so excited to release this issue and some of the up- dates we’ve added to MM. It’s neat to see what God is doing and what He has in store for this ministry!
How joyful are we? e world is a hopeless, sad and 12 dismal place without Christ, and we as His daughters
recipes 13 Marit E.
can o er to the world a message of the ful lment, joy and salvation we nd in Jesus! Rejoicing in the Lord and demonstrating that joy to those around us is one of the greatest testimonies of our God that we can give.
fulness of joy
Bethany X.
I pray you are blessed and encouraged by this issue of 14 Maidens of the Master!
Love in Christ,
Bethany
3 4
5
Joy


When I received the topic for this magazine issue, I immediately thought of James 1:2-3:
“My brethren, count it all JOY when ye fall into diverse temptations; knowing th , that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”
I wanted to share a few short thoughts I had relating to this verse and the topic of winter 2016!
Life isn’t all happy moments. My dad shared a short message in a few of our concerts last year, focusing on how God is always good to us, no matter what is happening in your life. There are the happy moments, the boring, mundane times, the routine tasks, and the hard times. And through it all we can choose to be joyful, resting in the knowledge that our God is holding us in the palm of his hand, in the shadow of his wings.
“Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.”
{Psalm 63:7}
We can choose joy because our God defends us.
“But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.”
{Psalm 5:11}
On a similar point, last August I went to a wonderful
young women’s retreat; one of the sessions there was on “Staying Strong in Hard Times”. The speaker made a point that was so helpful. She said, “It is your choice how the storm defines you. You can become bitter, or you can let the storm polish you.”
She used the Biblical examples of Naomi and Ruth. While Nao- mi chose to be bitter in her hard circumstance, Ruth chose to be joyful and to trust the Lord. For us young women, living in a modern age, we should always remember to choose joy in the hard times; we have every reason to rejoice because of the precious gift of salvation that Jesus gave us!
“And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord: it shall rejoice in h salvation.”
{Psalm 35:9}
Jesus is the reason for all true joy!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rachael is a seventeen-year-old young lady living on a farm in Ohio as the oldest of 9 siblings. She enjoys memorizing Scripture, photography, cooking+baking, playing instruments+arranging songs for her family’s music ministry, sewing, Bible verses in calligraphy, and all things to do with chocolate and co ee! She loves the ministry of midwifery and hopes to get more involved in the future.
Count It All Joy
rachael c.


Rejoice!
ANNA F.
Did you know that God is joyful? 1 Timothy 1:11 and 6:15 speak of God as “blessed,” and in both cases the Greek word actually means “happy.” Why is God happy? Wayne Grudem explains, “God de- lights fully in Himself and in all that reflects His character” (1999, p. 99). Since we serve a joyful God, shouldn’t we be joyful as well? When we are joyful, we reflect God’s character better to the people around us.
Joy isn’t an option or a good idea. God commands joy.
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” {Phil. 4:4}
What a wonderful command – God wants us to be happy! As 1 John 5:3 says, God’s commands are not burdensome. However, we must be careful to rejoice in God and in what pleases Him.
Some Biblical reasons for joy include rejoicing that your names are written in heaven {Luke 10:20}, and that your reward is great in heaven when you are insulted and rejected for Jesus’ sake {Luke 6:22-23}.
But throughout the Bible, the cause for rejoicing most often given is simply rejoicing in the Lord Himself. He is perfectly good and holy, and the source of all true joy. Knowing Him is the greatest privilege that any of us could receive!
A friend recently reminded me that joy comes through obedience.
This is most obvious in John 15:10-11:
“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in H love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.”
Jesus tells us to obey so that we will have His joy. But obedience is also tied up with love; Jesus said,
“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” {John 14:15}
So a lack of joy could come from a lack of obedience (actually lack of joy by definition is disobedience, even if we were obeying in ev- ery other area!), and a lack of obedience comes from a lack of love for God.
It’s easy to be joyful when we’re having a good day. When we don’t like our circumstances, joy can be one of the hardest choices to make. However, the Apostle Paul learned the secret of joy and is a good example to us. Even when he was suffering unjustly in pris- on, Paul could rejoice that God was working all things together for good. Read the book of Philippians to see his perspective. Like Paul, let’s choose to rejoice in the Lord no matter what, out of obe- dience to Him, so that we may show the world what a wonderful God we serve!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Although she wrote the above article when she was 17, Anna F. is twenty years old and the oldest of three chil- dren. Currently taking online courses from Liberty University, she enjoys studying and memorizing Scripture, cooking, and working with children.


“The out-and-out Christian a joyful Christian. The half-and-half Christian the kind of Chris- tian that a great many of you are -- little acquainted with the Lord. Why should we live halfway up the hill and swathed in the mists, when we might have an unclouded sky and a radiant sun over our heads if we would climb higher and walk in the light of H face?”
Dr. Alexander McLaren
“The world looks for happiness through self-assertion. The Christian knows that joy found in self-abandonment. ‘If a man will let himself be lost for My sake,’ Jes said, ‘he will nd h true self.’”
elizabeth elliot
“Joy distinctly a Christian word and a Christian thing. It the reverse of happiness. Happiness the result of what happens of an agreeable sort. Joy h its springs deep down inside. And that spring never runs dry, no matter what happens. Only Jes giv that joy. He had joy, singing its music within, even under the shadow of the cross.”
s. d. gordon


Joy in theKeeping a thankfulness journal has been something I have really enjoyed doing these past several years. It’s pretty simple and some- times the journal goes untouched during a full season of life, but it’s refreshing to sit down, look through recent journal entries/pic- tures, and update its pages with blessings. (Often with a steaming cup of tea nearby.)
It has also encouraged my heart to flip back through the pages and see many reminders of God’s faithful goodness through the years.
“He hath made H wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord gracio & full of compassion.”
{Psalm 111:4}
Typically, it’s especially fun and cheery to write down thankful things like sunshine, happy smiles + quotes from kiddos, laughter, adventures, frozen yogurt, dear people, yummy scents, sweet mem- ories. And truly, it is so good to be reminded of those gifts!
But when I was thinking of what to write for this article on the top- ic of Joy, I was also thinking of the convicting “rejoice evermore” verse in 1 Thessalonians and the the opportunity to praise Him through the rain, challenges, and hard things, too.
This is a journal entry from a couple years ago that was focused on a handful of more challenging things at the time:
Thank You, Lord, for...
~ Chemistry Tests ~
They give me endless reminders to turn to You for ever-needed strength. Thank You for carrying me through this opportunity to learn & grow!
~ Decisions ~
That I even have all these opportunities and health to do them! Give me discernment and wisdom.
~ Irritations ~
That remind me to go to You and convict me of my own glaring habits & sin.
~ Times of Not Feeling Needed or Beautiful ~
Because it cuts down pride & causes me turn to You.
~ Having To Wake Up Earliler Than I Like ~
That I get to live another day of life! Thank You for the sunlight filtering in the window and that I have a mom who is excited to talk to me as I’m waking.
~ Another Blanket of Snow ~
A lovely shade of white. Family shoveling parties. You know what You’re doing.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Elizabeth A’s days are brightened by spending time with Jesus, serving others, adventuring with her family, photo sessions, kiddos, the color blue, making new recipes, laughing with her brothers, and reading the truth of God’s Word. She would love to hear from you at www.joyfuljewels4jesus.blogspot.com


Midst
elizabeth a.
~ Goodbyes ~
Thank You for the blessing of even having dear friends that make saying good-byes so very tough. Thank You for creating another opportunity to say hello, if it’s Your will.
~ Grieving Alongside Neighbors ~
Thank You for the conversations and the community through this time.
~ Waiting ~
May You give me patience and may I not settle.
It does give perspective to journal thankfulness for both the easy & the hard, though joy in the midst is absolutely still a struggle for me, for sure! (I was certainly struggling with it today, to be honest. It certainly can’t be done in our own strength!) An encouraging verse comes to mind:
“For the joy of the Lord your strength.” {Nehemiah 8:10b}
Choosing joy in Jesus is strengthening, not to mention such a fabu- lous ministry to those around you who can’t help but wonder and ask how in the world you can be joyful in something hard – which gives you an awesome transition to share with them about Jesus!
Looking back, I’m grateful for lessons learned in harder seasons, that God’s purposes are greater than our situations, and that we can be joyful in Christ through either sunshine or rain. Have courage, sisters, and may He give us the strength to scatter the joy of Christ to those around us!
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that in you with meekness and fear.”
{1 Peter 3:15}
“He hath made every thing beautiful in H time.” {Ecclesiastes 3:11a}
“Oh that men would praise the Lord for H goodness, and for H wonderful works to the children of men!”
{Psalm 107:31}
Choosing joy in Jesus is strengthening!


the
Joy
of the Lord
Marit e. R.


“...Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord your strength.” {Nehemiah 8:10}
Joy is an essential part of our lives. For those who seek after God and His will, it is an important character quality to cultivate as well as a gift to receive. God has given it to us so that we can find Him and His blessings in the midst of the hurt and pain and suffering in our world.
It is His ultimate desire that we should find joy in Him—and that we would call out His joy in the lives of others. Joy comes from the fulfillment of our work and understanding. Joy comes after sorrow; it is a request, a choice and a gift we are given and give to others.
“For the Lord your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete.” {Deuteronomy 16:15}
Often we feel joy when we have finished a task, when our work is well done and it is time for us to be glad in the quality of our effort and accomplishments.
When I was in my freshman year of high-school, I took an extreme- ly hard biology class—a class that made me work, worry and cry. At different times throughout the year I nearly gave up on it, but I chose to keep on going and finally, when the year was over and I got a pretty good grade, I was so very glad that I had kept on going and finished well!
Have you ever had that sometimes overwhelming sense of gladness that comes when a job is well done? That is the joy that comes from fulfillment. It is a part of the design of completeness that God de- sires us to have.
We also receive joy that comes from an increased understanding of the Lord and His ways. Our relationship with our Savior is meant
to be the primary source of delight in our lives.
I have experienced this in my personal devotions when I under- stand a passage of Scripture more deeply or when I see God’s cre- ation all around me and marvel at His great creativity and care for all living things. The Bible says,
“Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now under- stood the words that had been made known to them.” {Nehemiah 4:2}
Joy also comes after sorrow. Life is full of ups and downs, moun- tains and valleys. After our mourning comes gladness; after a night of weeping there will be joy.
“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.” {Psalm 126:5}
God has promised us that after the hardship of the Winter seasons in our lives, Spring will come.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.”
{James 1:2}
When we persevere through hardship, learning what God is teach- ing us and clinging to Him, trusting that His plan and will is good, we will find the joy that comes after all our trials are over.
“May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests.” {Psalm 20:5}
To have joy, we need to ask for it. It is a request that we make of the Lord.
“When we persevere through hardship....we will nd the joy that comes a er our trials are over.”


“Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”
{John 16:24}
When we ask for the joy of the Lord, He will be faithful to give it to us and it will be a joy that transcends our circumstances and every- thing we face. It will be a wellspring of life for us, a deep source of spiritual water that all the droughts of life will not be able to dry up.
“He will yet ll your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.” {Job 8:21}
More than anything, joy is a choice. It is a deliberate act, a turning point where we say, “Yes, things are hard. Yes, I wish my life was easier. I thought that everything would be different. This isn’t how I would have chosen my life to happen. But God, You are still faith- ful and I take joy and peace in who You are.”
When we dwell on the awesomeness and sovereignty of God and when we understand that He has everything under control, we choose His will for our lives. Through this we can come to under- stand that there can be more joy in just following Him than choos- ing what we personally think is best.
“Come, let sing for joy to the Lord; let shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.” {Psalm 95:1}
Joy is a communal call, a cry to the whole world to rejoice in the greatness of our God!
“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy.”
{Psalm 98:4,8}
Jesus, who paid the ultimate sacrifice for us, is the most perfect ex- ample of choosing joy even though it would bring hardship.
“...let run with perseverance the race marked out for , xing our eyes on Jes , the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
{Hebrews 12:1-2}
Jesus went through all that pain and suffering for joy, the joy of giving all people a chance to come and be with Him forever.
Finally, joy is a gift that we give to God and to others. Each of us has great impact on the lives of those around us. Our influence can be negative or positive, but it is still there. Proverbs speaks to the joy that children can bring to their parents by acting wisely and up- rightly:
“A wise son brings joy to h father, but a foolish man despises h mother.” {Proverbs 15:20}
“Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart; then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.”
{Proverbs 27:11}
Joy comes from the love we give to others and in the life-lessons that we learn from each other. God’s people are wired to find joy in each other, in the gifts that each of us have and in the ways that we see each other growing in the Lord.
Joy is to be found in our close and edifying relationships with our fellow men and most of all, God.
“I have told you th so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Marit E. R. is a sixteen year old Christian girl and the second eldest of six kids. She enjoys hot cups of tea, early mornings, spending time with her friends and family and walking and talking with God. Her passions are writ- ing, cooking, speaking out for Jesus and growing into the woman God has called her to be. Her writing can be found at ndinggodsblessings.wordpress.com.


{John 15:11}
Joy comes from the completion of a task and a new understanding of the Lord. It comes after sorrow. It is a choice and a great gift that we receive when we ask for it and can also give to others. It can be found in every circumstance, for joy is of God and God is in all things as our Provider and the planner of our lives. His blessings are ready for us.
Seek joy, and you will find it.
Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you. {Psalm 86:4}


God’s Joy
Claudine b.
As Christians, we are called to rejoice. As God’s children, we are called to reflect His glory. Our God is a joyful God. Many Bible verses tell us that He rejoices over His obedient children.
But what else does He rejoice in? The latter part of Jeremiah 9:24 shares three qualities that God rejoices in.
“But let him that glorieth glory in th , that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingk- indness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for
in these things I delight, saith the Lord.”
First, God rejoices in lovingkindness. This lovingkindness is the root and wellspring of His great goodness toward us. Psalm 107 is the Hall of Lovingkindness, if you will. It describes many ways in which God demonstrates this lovingkindness. He redeems His people from the enemy and leads them to safety. He shows mercy to the contrite in heart. He hears the pleas of repentant fools (anybody else need to raise a hand here?). He delivers sail- ors in danger. He starves the wicked and feeds the hungry. He humbles proud rulers. He blesses the needy and gives them large families. In every act of His lovingkindness, God enjoys Him- self! He loves every person that He created and desires to bless them.
Secondly, God rejoices in judgment. The perfect Judge nev-
er makes the slightest error or has the slightest doubt. As the Creator of the universe, God alone has the right to judge every- one. He alone knows all possible and actual thoughts, motives, words, actions, and events. Since He is perfectly just, He rejoices in judging and carrying out justice. Every sentence is perfect, and every judgment will be fulfilled.
However, God’s most stunning and beautiful judgment oc- curred about 2,000 years ago on a Judean hillside. When Jesus died, every person who believes was identified with Him. God looked at us, covered by His Son’s blood, and pronounced us justified. He accepted Jesus’ death to atone for our sins and pro- nounced us righteous. God delights in His perfectly fair judg- ments.
Thirdly, God rejoices in righteousness. The psalmist declares,
“Thy righteousness also, O God, very high, who hast done great things: O God, who like unto thee!”
{Psalm 71:19}
God’s righteousness has two sides. On one side, He is morally perfect. Every act God does is righteous and morally impecca- ble. He gave mankind the law, which demonstrates His perfect standard. Only Jesus completely fulfilled His own laws. On the other side, He is free from guilt and sin. (cont. on page 14)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Claudine is a 20-year-old homeschool grad. She enjoys playing ddle, classical violin and piano, singing, thrift shopping, and reading lots of books. God has been so very good to her.


Finding Joy
Jessica g.
Most of us know we ought to be joyful – it cheers ourselves and others up, it gives a good witness to nonbelievers, and so on. But I think we all have days when we lose our joy: it just doesn’t seem to be there, and we’re not sure why. At least, I know I have those days - sometimes when life is hard, or sometimes when it’s just boring and ordinary. But they can be overcome.
Here are a few suggestions that have helped me find joy:
~ Reviewing My Walk With God ~
True joy comes from God, so the only way to have it is to get it from Him. Meditate on God’s word, and the amazing sacrifice He’s given for us. Analyze your prayer and devotional life too. See if there’s anything you know you’ve done wrong, that’s sep- arating you from God and stealing your joy.
~ Considering My Health Practices ~
It’s a lot easier to be joyful and positive about life if you’re well-rested and in good health. A good night’s sleep often boosts optimism.
~ Counting My Blessings ~
Mostly we don’t realize how many things we have to be thank- ful and joyful about until we stop and count them. I heard a recommendation to write down ten things you’re thankful for
every day, and after doing so, I definitely recommend it as well. It’s amazing how all the little blessings add up, and it becomes a habit to notice the wonderful things God does for us each day.
~ Getting Out and Serving ~
It is no fun being self-centered, and true joy comes from serv- ing others because that’s how God made us. Doing something for someone else, purely for the reason of serving, brings such a satisfaction. It doesn’t have to be complicated, just washing the dishes, or making a sibling’s bed, or writing a note to a friend. It’s always a huge blessing to be a blessing.
~ Choosing Joy ~
Sometimes it just takes a conscious choice to be happy even if we don’t feel like it – just choosing to smile, looking on the bright side, stepping out in the knowledge and faith that God gives us joy, and going forward joyfully. And, choosing joy is always worth it. :)
Now the God of hope ll you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
{Romans 15:13}
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jessica believes everyone has a story worth sharing, and is enthusiastic about helping people. She enjoys making music, pursuing creative ventures, and chasing sunshine. You can check out more of her thoughts and ramblings at: jessicalg97.blogspot.com.au


(Cont. from p. 12) Jesus never broke God’s laws, even though He could have done so. God rejoices not only in His righteousness, but also in His children’s righteousness. God delights in “such as are upright in their way” {Proverbs 11:20}, “they that deal truly” {Proverbs 12:22}, and “the prayer of the upright”{Proverbs 15:8}.
In Isaiah 66:4, God condemns the wicked because they “chose
that in which I delighted not.” Do we choose, moment by mo- ment, the things that God delights in? A wise Christian pursues what God delights in. We can rejoice in loving others as God does, even when they aren’t lovable. We can rejoice in living just- ly and resting in the security of God’s perfect judgments. We can rejoice in obeying God and developing righteous habits in our life. When we choose to delight in the things that God delights in, we reflect the glory of our joyful God.
Recipes
marit e. r.
Grandma Myrtle’s Soup
Ingredients
1 1/4 pounds ground beef
1 1/4 pounds Italian sausage
2 small onions, peeled and chopped 6 cups beef stock
6 cups water
3 cups peeled and chopped carrots 2 quarts canned tomatoes with juice 1 cup peeled and chopped turnips 1 cup peeled and chopped rutabagas 2 cups chopped celery
4 cups chopped escarole
Instructions
Chop vegetables into small pieces.
In a large saucepan, brown the meats and sauté the onions together.
Add the water and beef stock.
Add all the other ingredients and bring to a boil.
Reduce to a simmer and cook for 1 hour. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and serve!
Serves 14


Fullness of Joy
Bethany x.
“Rejoice!” Even though it seems like we hear this word mostly in December, it’s actually a word that is applicable to us every day of the year. Our joy should be filled to the brim, overflowing, saturating our surroundings with our contagious happiness and fulfilment! But how do we achieve this joy?
When we study God’s Word, we find that many things in the Christian life are not gained by a mere ritual or formula. There’s no simple three-step process that will suddenly cause our lives to be filled with joy, if it has been depleted. Instead, it’s a lifestyle, a way of living that produces a joy unique to the children of God.
John the Baptist is a good example. Even though he could have tried to find joy in his many converts or his success as a reli- gious reformer, he ultimately found complete, full joy in simply pointing to Jesus.
“He that hath the bride the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: th my joy therefore ful lled. He must increase, but I must decrease.” {John 3:29-30}
His greatest joy was in exalting Christ, and that can be our great- est joy as well.
Jesus is the true source of joy.
“That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with : and truly our fel- lowship with the Father, and with h Son Jes Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.” {1 John 1:3-4}
Here we see the absolute secret of joy is fellowship with Jesus! Fellowship with Jesus in prayer, in His Word, in singing His praises, in doing His will. When our lives our characterized by unbroken fellowship with Christ, joy will be the natural side-ef- fect.
If we humble ourselves and make exalting Christ the goal of our lives, and when we live in constant fellowship with our Savior, we can truly experience what it means to have fullness of joy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bethany X. is seventeen years old and lives in the state of Florida as a daughter and a sister of two brothers. She enjoys reading, writing, singing, playing piano and violin, rearranging hymns, memorizing Scripture, and ed- iting Maidens of the Master.


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Photo Credit: Rachael C. Edited By: Bethany X. Proof-Read By: Deborah X.


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