October 2010

This month’s theme is Harvest. We will be talking about the changing season and about God’s Harvest.

We will also be looking at what JOY Blog is all about. This month’s articles will go back to what JOY Blog’s purpose is and what each part of JOY blog is for. Next month is the one year anniversary and I wanted to go back and evaluate JOY Blog and give you a better idea of what it is and also what it stands for.

You will also get to read JOY Blog’s Statement of Faith.

There are also a few changes for this month. Rachel R. is writing a new column. Her column is called “Helping in the Harvest”. Also Heather Grace is no longer writing for JOY Blog and there will be a few changes in YOU, including new columns. Please give us your feedback on YOU. Check it out to see what I am talking about!

If you have any questions, please ask. There are many changes and new things, but this is for you, so let us know what you want!

One great way you can do this, this month is by taking a quick 10 question survey. Here is the link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6LYT3KF
You can also just click on the right of this post.


JOYauthors,
Mandy and Rachel

JOY Blog Statement of Faith

Statement of Faith 

JOY Blog believes…

Mentors-

… That the Bible calls older women to “train the young women” (Titus 2:3-5). No matter how old you are, you are called to mentor girls/women who are younger than you. You should also be mentored by older and godlier women.

Trinity-

... That “the Lord is one” (Deuteronomy 6:4), existing in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19, John 10:30, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Hebrews 1:1-3).

Father-

… That God is our Father and we are His children. (John 1:12, Matthew 6:9, Romans 8:15, Acts 17:24-28)

… That the Father is Lord of all and the Maker of Heaven and earth. (Acts 17:24, Genesis 1:1)

Son-

… That Jesus Christ is God's only begotten Son. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless life. He was crucified, dead, and buried. On the third day He rose bodily from the dead and ascended to heaven. He is the only mediator between God and man. (Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6, Matthew 1:18-25, Mark 14:61-62; Luke 3:22; John 1:1-3, John 1:14, John 5:18, John 10:30, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 John 5:20)

…that “there is one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus”. (1 Timothy 2:5-6)

Holy Spirit-

… That Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit to be our “Helper” and to be with us until Jesus comes back again. The Holy Spirit gives us all different gifts to use to minister to people. We also should be able to see the fruit of the spirit. (John 14:15-31, John 15:26-27, John 16:7-15, Acts 1:8; Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 2:10-11, 1 Corinthians 6:19, 1 Corinthians 12:4-13, Galatians 5:16-18, Galatians 22-23; Ephesians 4:30)

Creation-

…that “God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).

The Bible-

…that the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is the inspired Word of God. There are no errors in any of its teachings, including creation, history, its own origins and salvation. It is the highest and final authority on all matters of faith, belief, and conduct. (Matthew 5:17-20, John 17:17, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Revelation 22:18-19)

… That “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man [or woman] of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (1 Timothy 3:16-17)

Salvation-

… That “salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to man by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

… That Jesus Christ is “the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6)

… “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8)

… “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”(1 John 1:9)

… That “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” and can fully redeem and powerfully use even those who consider they have been “the worst.” (1 Timothy 1:15)

… God “is patient, not wanting any to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

… That “it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)


Resurrection, Life Everlasting, and God’s Calling on our Life -

… that “our citizenship is in heaven and from it, we eagerly await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so they will be like His glorious body.” (Philippians 3:21) “And so shall we forever be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17)

… That until then, we believe we are to strive to “live holy and Godly lives as we look forward to the day of God.”(2 Peter 3:11, 12)

… That Jesus Christ will one day return in glory to raise the dead and bring salvation and judgment to completion.

...God will fully manifest His Kingdom when He establishes a new heaven and new earth, in which He will be glorified forever and exclude all evil, suffering, and death. (John 14:2-3, Romans 14:10-12, 1 Corinthians 15:51-54, 2 Corinthians 5:10, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17, Revelation 20:11-15, Revelation 22:12-17)

… That we are called to glorify God in whatever we do (1 Corinthians 10:3).

The Church and the Communion of Saints-

…That Jesus Christ is the Head of the church. The church is not the building, but is made up of all believers everywhere in the world. The believers are called to be baptized. The church is called to love and witness to others, preach the gospel, and worship God. (Matthew 22:39, Acts 2:41-47; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18; Hebrews 10:25)

The Deceiver and Culture-

…That Satan is God's enemy and his nature and objective is to lie and deceive.

… That Satan uses the various aspects of the culture to promote personal independence by taking us away from the unity that God calls us to have with believers. He also distorts the differences between men and women and tries to confuse their roles.

… That Satan wants to persuade people to not follow God's plan.
(John 8:44; Genesis 3; Isaiah 14:12-14; Ezekiel 28:12-18; 1 Peter 5:8; Ephesians 6:12; 1 John 2:15)

JOY Blog Purpose Statement

JOY Blog Purpose Statement

JOY Blog is designed to be a Christian alternative to what the culture offers girls! It is to encourage girls, about 12 and older. JOY stands for Jesus, Others, and You. The acronym is to help girls to remember to put Jesus first in their lives, then to serve others before ourselves, and lastly to care for ourselves in a godly manner.

JESUS Purpose Statement

JESUS Purpose Statement

The JESUS part is dedicated to Him. It is to help girls of all ages to come to better knowledge of our Savior. There will be devotions and other ways to come to know Him better. The overall purpose of this section is putting Jesus first in our lives.

Matthew 22:37-38
37-Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'
38-This is the first and greatest commandment.

Devotional Purpose Statement

Devotional Purpose Statement

The devotional is meant to encourage girls in their faith walk. It is to build them up and to give helpful ideas to grow in their relationship with Christ through prayer, Bible study and reading, and other things.

Add Your Comment Here… Purpose Statement

Add Your Comment Here… Purpose Statement

Add Your Comment Here is a place for girls to interact. It is a place for girls to ask themselves questions and think deeply about what they believe and then to share their answers with other girls.