Today I am linking up with the lovely Holley Gerth and pouring out some encouragement, some refreshing Coffee for your Heart. We’d love for you to join us and share the love as we lift each other up.
As you may know, our family’s One Word for the year is Joy. In the stress, sadness and seriousness of life it is easy for joy to be overshadowed and overlooked. But, today I am sharing some of my favorite Imprints Photography photos that capture a lot of this joy stuff.
As I revisit these people, these moments, I am reminded afresh of the joy that Jesus imprints on our lives. These dear ones are not famous in the world’s eyes, but they are famous to me- living lives for Jesus and loving one another in their community. Doing big things for God as they walk the path He has set before them. The road has not been easy. Things like cancer, loss, lack, fears, waiting and wrestling have impacted their stories, BUT, Jesus has impacted their lives and that has made all the difference.
As you view this photo journey, I hope you are reminded and encouraged afresh to en(JOY) those around you and thank God for the gift of loved ones. Today let’s choose to let go of the little things that annoy us about our families and cuddle up to them instead.
Jeremiah 31:13 “…For I will turn their mourning into joy, and I will comfort them, and give them joy for their sorrow.”
2. The Promise from Psalm 103
Philippians 2:1-2
“If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.”
Luke 19:37-38 “And as He was now approaching, near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began praising God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen, saying, ‘BLESSED IS THE KING WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.'”
4. Joy in Everyday Moments
Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
5. Choosing joy one day at a day
Psalm 51:12
“Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit.”
6. Joy comes in the morning
Isaiah 52:8-9 “Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices, they shout joyfully together; for they will see with their own eyes when the LORD restores Zion. Break forth, shout joyfully together, you waste places of Jerusalem; for the LORD has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem.”
7. Full of life, full of love
Romans 15:13 “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Deep Breaths:
1. We often look for joy in the people and things around us, but true joy comes from within and in Jesus we are not without it. Take a moment to reread the Bible verses in this post. Consider memorizing one…to sustain you in the hard times.
2. Do you count all the ways He loves? If not, start a list right now, and turn them into prayers of thanksgiving. I am thankful for you! Your presence here brings me great joy.:)
3. Take a listen to Mandisa singing about this Joy Unspeakable!
Everything you do is joyful and puts a smile on my face!
I love your post. The photos are pictures of what hurts right now… and yet the Scriptures with them give hope!!
Thank you for stopping by Hope- praying that you feel God's strong embrace and His love that understands those hurts.