Encouragher: Diary of a Disciple

By Joy Marie Johnson

Can you truly say you know Jesus Christ and that you are known by Him? Are you longing for a deeper understanding of who He is? Can you honestly say that you are a disciple, or are you simply doing church? How do you find a relationship inside the confines of religion? The journey from church member to disciple is one that is filled with separation, questions, chaos, and challenges. No one said following Jesus would be easy, but it is well worth it. According to Colossians 2:2, this book will draw you closer to Jesus and help you find a deeper understanding of His great love for you. You will be encouraged and gain confidence as you answer the call and walk with Jesus to become the woman of purpose He originally designed you to be.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Mar 20, 2015
• ISBN: 9781490873619

Joy Marie Johnson

Joy Marie Johnson is a devoted woman of God with a heart for encouraging others to live with purpose. Family is Joy’s primary ministry. She believes in finding balance in life as a Christ-focused woman. God has graced her to proclaim and teach His word with clarity and simplicity.

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Copyright © 2015 Joy Marie Johnson.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

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Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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ISBN: 978-1-4908-7360-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-7362-6 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-7361-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015904071

WestBow Press rev. date: 03/18/2015

Contents

ONE

FROM THE HEART OF AN ENCOURAGER

TWO

CONSISTENT

THREE

COUNTERFEIT

FOUR

KEEP PUSHING

FIVE

JESUS-OUR PERSONAL TRAINER

SIX

IT’S NOT PERSONAL

SEVEN

EXTREME MAKEOVER

EIGHT

TAINTED LOVE

NINE

HEART-HEADED

TEN

TRUE LOVE FROM THE HEART OF GOD

ELEVEN

SLEEPING BEAUTY

TWELVE

FROM WORRIER TO WARRIOR

THIRTEEN

WHY ME?

FOURTEEN

ENCOURAGE HER

FIFTEEN

PROVERB 31 PROCESS

SIXTEEN

FAVORED AND BLESSED

SEVENTEEN

FOOTBALL SEASON

EIGHTEEN

HANDS FULL OF CHANGE

NINETEEN

NOT ON MY WATCH

TWENTY

WHAT MADE YOU STOP?

TWENTY-ONE

DEAREST JACOB- FROM LEAH’S PEN

TWENTY-TWO

ANGER MANAGEMENT 101

TWENTY-THREE

USED

TWENTY-FOUR

READY! SET! GO!

TWENTY-FIVE

YOU CAN’T HIDE

TWENTY-SIX

THIRSTY

TWENTY-SEVEN

PARABLE OF THE STEAK DINNER

TWENTY-EIGHT

AN ENCOURAGER’S PRAYER

Dedication

To Jesus Christ the One who continues to be my Encouragement.

I recognize that anything I have belongs to You. I understand that You will bless it, and cause it to be multiplied. I pray that You allow this book to feed the hungry souls of women everywhere.

Endorsements

Through EncouragHer: Diary of A Disciple, Joy has graciously given hope; carved out of a life healed by God, touched by God, and wholly changed by God. Praise God in advance for the testimonies of victories He will accomplish through the lives of all who read and study this devotional. Amen and so be it. - Rian Robinson Worship Musician and Discipleship Instructor.

EncouragHer is a time release from God. I believe the heart of the author and her testimony will change the lives of every reader. I am excited about the healing, comfort, and freedom that will be made available as Joy shares her heartfelt story. EncouragHer will definitely edify believers and give seekers an increased appetite for more of God.-Evangelist Felicia Pervoe-Outreach Director Covenant Worship Center Church Berkeley Ca.

EncouragHer will help you understand and reach for your full potential in your walk with Jesus. Whether you are seeking more, in need of quiet time with God or ready to hear from Him, EncourageHer will show you just how important you are in God’s eyes and encourage your heart along the way! ~Ayesha Louis- Co-Founder of PAL Protecting Abused Loved 1s A Non –Profit Organization advocating for victims and their families impacted by domestic violence.

My Humble Gratitude

To all of you who pushed me to my purpose, this is my way of saying thank you from the bottom of my heart.

To all of the women who encourage and inspire me to walk in the purpose God has for my life: .Dorothy Galloway, Sharon Robinson, Gerri Rodgers, Sherrye Turner, Byra Brumfield, Yolanda Catalan, Jessica Long, Felicia Pervoe, Lavina Finley, Monica Murphy, Tosha White, Billie Jean Millhouse, Adrienne Clark, Lawanne’ Grant, and lastly, my First Lady Vanessa Macklin of the Glad Tidings Church of God in Christ in Hayward Ca.

I love and truly respect you all for your godly character and genuine witness to the grace and power of God. In one way or another you all have greatly impacted my life Thank you for being my Elizabeth, my Mary and my Midwife as I push into my purpose!

To the awesome and mighty men of God in my life, Pastor Jerry W. Macklin, my teacher, my leader, my Twin in the Spirit. I love you so much for your faithfulness first to God, and then to our church. GT has given me a solid foundation in Christ. My heart is overwhelmed with gratitude and I pray that as God blesses me to be more than the frozen chosen that you are proud. I love you Bishop!

To Pastor Kelly R. Woods, my Northside pastor, I love you so much for all that you have poured into me. Thank you for inspiring me to write. Thank you for taking the time to pour your wisdom into my heart. I appreciate you so much and love your genuine heart for the people of God. Continue to advance the Kingdom!

To Elder Eric Claybon, words cannot express how the S.O.A.K Ministry has impacted my spiritual growth and development. It was in the atmosphere of the prayer gatherings that I began to crave more of the Presence of God and where I truly experienced the fullness of His joy.

To my brothers Damien Armstrong, and Rian (A.B) Robinson I love you to pieces. Thank you for letting me vent! Thank you for every time you were there to hear my thoughts. Thank you for the hand to hold in prayer while I was in the process of writing this book. Thank you for your advice and for always encouraging me. I love you guys !

To Coach Henry D. Lincoln thanks for inspiring me to Just Write. …

I did!! God bless you Sir.

To my sons Khalil and Tariq,; my Joshua and Caleb. I love you both to my core. I pray that you will be inspired to reach for your dreams. I hope to always be an inspiration and source of encouragement to you both. Never will mere words be enough to tell you how much I love and appreciate you. Thank you both for always having my back. It was when times were hardest that you two saw me through with just a smile or a corny joke. I pray that you will continue to pursue God for yourselves and I know that He will do great and awesome things through my two best friends

I have nothing but love for my Sissy- poohs Net, Cathy and Chrissy. Tears flow as I write this. You ladies are the bomb! You have always been that push when I needed it. Thank you for your prayers, your wisdom and your love for me. No matter how often we talk, I always feel your love for me. I thank God for you all. Know that there’s a special place in my heart reserved just for each of you.

I honor my Mommy and Daddy. Remember when I would stay inside on weekends just because? Well, I was writing. I was making things up and being creative. Here I go again. I committed three and a half years to staying in the house to write for Jesus. I pray that you are proud of me. I love you. Mommy and Daddy and thank God for your sacrifice. Thank you for teaching me what it meant to be productive and to never give up.

To my big Little brother, I’m doing something big! I’m stepping out on the word and promises of God. I dare you to do the same thing! Go for your dreams!

My cousin Anthony, Man, I love you! Thanks for the talks and the prayers and all the wisdom you provided me. You were a part of this journey with me and I want you to know I admire your crazy faith! You are the best!

To my G.T. family, I love you guys so much. Thanks for your prayers and always supporting me and truly loving on me and my family. We bless God for you.

To My entire Unity of the Faith Fellowship Family, Let’s continue to strive to please Him and seek His will for our lives and watch Him do what He do.

To my Cheerleader, my sounding board, my husband D.J., I thank God for your support, your sacrifice, for your prayers and your encouragement. You’ve been my warm sweet potato pie and ice cold milk. I thank God for letting me borrow you down here on earth. Thank you for loving me completely. I love you always and forever will!

Lastly, I send kisses and hugs to the man who had part in giving me this gift of writing; my biological father Isaac Theodore Young. God promised me that He would reveal more about you to me. He said He would complete the work He began in you through me. I love you daddy. Thank you for every angel you sent to watch over and keep this little girl you named Joy. Heaven is a beautiful place and God let you see it. Rest in Paradise.

Foreword

The First Miracle of Jesus Christ was turning water into wine.