Women's Ministry

Thanks and giving are two concepts that should be easy for any Christian to understand, right? We give thanks to God our Father for all the wonderful blessings in our lives, but how do we react when things are not going as well? Are we still thankful? Are we still willing to give to others so they can see the love of Jesus?

When l was asked to write this blog, l was all ready to put what I had to say on the page and talk about the holiday season and why everyone should give from their hearts and blah blah blah, and God said, “No, that is not what I want you to say. I want to speak to the women who feel broken and lost, who are having a hard time in this season being grateful and giving from their hearts, just like you used to be.”

A couple of years ago, Chris and I were really struggling financially, and we were in a place where being thankful for what we had was the last thing on our minds. We had a two-year-old, and we wanted to do all the fun things with him, but unfortunately, our bank account said, “Think again.” We decided to get creative with our “dates” out with Connor. We would have a backyard cookout, picnics in the park, anything that would make a memory and didn’t cost a dime. One Saturday, we decided it was a beautiful day to go to the park and have a picnic and let Connor feed the ducks. As we were discussing what to eat and how the price of how much everything had gone up, we found our way to Popeye’s, again, having a picky two-year-old that would only eat chicken and mac and cheese. The chicken was great, but the price was ridiculous. Chris and I continued to complain after we paid for our meal and headed to the park. Did God not provide? Should we have been thankful that we had the money to get ourselves something good to eat? Yes, but we were not.

At the park, we enjoyed our lunch, and we had enough biscuits left to feed the gophers and ducks. It was a beautiful afternoon. As we walked down the sidewalk, I noticed an older gentleman digging in the trash for our leftover food. Up until this point in my life I had been very sheltered and had never seen a homeless person, let alone someone digging in the trash for food. My heart was broken and instantly I heard a soft, still voice say, “Have I not provided for you and for him?” As a family, we walked over to the gentleman, gave him the box containing our extra food and some cash, and let him know that God loved him and was watching over him.

As we were walking back to the car, I was so upset with myself for not being thankful for the simple things that we take for granted in our lives. We had the money to pay our bills, go out to eat, take our kid to do something fun. We were not the Joneses, but we were comfortable, and yet, we were still complaining that it was not enough.

How do we remember to give thanks to God and give from our hearts when we are in a season of lack or sorrow? We pray to our Father, who knows our hearts and our situations, with humility and grace and have faith that He works all things out for good. Reflect on the Father and His amazing love for you and the many times He has walked with you through the valleys and climbed to the top of the mountain with you.

“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!” 1 Chronicles 6:34

Give Him thanks every day! Not just for all the good things in your life, but for the trials and tribulations as well, because that is how we become closer to HIM! Seek Him, trust Him, for He loves you. Jesus is the ultimate proof of how much He loves us. So, remember, even when we are broken and bruised, we always have a reason to be thankful and give thanks from the bottom of our hearts.

We want to thank Randi Cason for sharing this post.

⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7

For most of my life I have been anxious! Queen of the “what-ifs”, but I have learned to give thanks to the Lord in all things. Before, I would always ASK the Lord for everything, and if I had time, I would thank Him for what He did for me. A godly man spoke over my husband and I a few years ago that in our later years of life, we don’t really need much of anything, so why not spend most of our prayer time thanking God for all our blessings. This was a revelation for me, and I have changed my prayer life by thanking Him first, and if I have time, I ask Him for things. The good thing about this is I don’t seem to need much by the end of my prayers.

 ⁷ Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7

This was a hard-fought battle for me. I know a lot of you know that I came from a very poor family, broken home, and a spirit of poverty hung very heavily over my home as a child. We didn’t have much, so MY money was very precious to me.  When I became a Christian and was told I needed to give 10 percent of MY money to God…really?! I had been living paycheck to paycheck for many years, so let me tell you the way I learned the lesson of giving to the Lord cheerfully.

During our building campaign at Harvest when we were planning to buy and restore the old Kmart building, we were given the opportunity to give over and above our tithe for a 3-year commitment. I was giving, but somewhat begrudgingly in my heart. That spirit of poverty had become a spirit of selfishness. But I was learning that ALL that I have belongs to God, not just the tithe. 

We were asked to pledge what we felt we could to our building campaign.  Of course, our expectations were pretty low. After all, they said “what we felt we could give.” When we filled out the form and wrote the amount we had agreed on, I felt okay but felt that it was going to be difficult for us. We did pray about it. Later, we got a letter in the mail from the church thanking us for pledging. When we read the amount that was on the letter it was considerably more than we had agreed on. I knew that we didn’t write that amount. Maybe it was a typo?

But what do you do? We didn’t feel we could call the church and say there was an error. So, we earnestly prayed and told God that if that amount was what we were supposed to give, He would have to help us. We really had to surrender everything to Him and repent for our selfishness. 

Let me tell you the best part of this story. We continued to surrender to God daily. We had 3 years to pay this pledge off, and can I tell you that we paid it ALL in about 2 years as we continued to give our tithe faithfully? But there is more. We kept asking God to guide us in our finances to become debt-free. We sold the house we were in at the time, bought a new house (to us), and in a couple more years we paid off our house, car, and all other debts we owed. We were debt-free, all praise and glory be to God. We did not do anything but surrender and obey. God did the rest. Looking back, I believe with all my heart God put that amount there on our pledge. 

At times when that spirit of poverty creeps back in, I remember what God did for us to teach us about giving with a cheerful heart. I repent and give thanks to Him.

Now that we are in another building campaign, we are still trusting God to help us give as much as He wants us to, and we know He will bless our giving.

Rejoice always.  Pray continually.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

Thank You Jesus for loving us so much!  

We want to thank Debbie Crosby for sharing this post.

November is normally the kickoff month for the holidays. Many people look forward to gathering with friends and family for Thanksgiving dinners, watching football, and starting their holiday shopping. It’s a time when people like to count their blessings and be more intentional about giving thanks. However, for others, it’s not a time of joy but rather a time of sadness, loneliness, or financial struggle. It’s easy for many of us to give thanks when things are going good in our lives, but what about when things aren’t going so great? We are quick to feel defeated and giving thanks may be the last thing we feel like doing. Paul states in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”. You may be wondering, “Well, how can I be happy, pray, and give thanks to the Lord when I’m going through the storm”? Although this may seem like a daunting or even impossible task, God wants us to do it. He wants us to see a beneficial purpose to every trial and have an inward sense of joy and peace that only comes from him. 

About 12 years ago, before I had given my life to God, I was a complete and total mess. I had no purpose in life and no sense of direction. I was just living to have a good time. Well, my lifestyle finally caught up with me. I went to court and just knew in my heart things were not going to go in my favor, and I had to suffer the consequences of my selfish and senseless actions. I had to endure the hardest trial I ever faced in my life: incarceration while pregnant. Yes, you heard me right. By the time I was sentenced, I was 6 months pregnant and had to serve a 9-month sentence, which meant I would have to have my baby in prison. It was a hard pill to swallow. I felt every emotion possible rolled into one. I had no idea how I was going to survive this. How was I going to leave my 2 older sons behind, but also bring my baby into this world alone? It was at this point in my life that I had reached rock bottom, and the only place I could look was up. It was during this storm that I surrendered my life to God and said, “God, I don’t know what’s going to come of this, but I trust you”. What should’ve been the scariest time of my life turned into a season of peace and trust. It was during this trial that I developed an intimate relationship with the Lord and grew closer to Him than I ever had before. Right after I had my son, I was accepted into a program where I got to keep my baby while incarcerated and learn life, parenting, and recovery skills. This was literally a blessing in disguise. What the enemy meant for evil, God turned it for good. When I was released from the program six months later, I came back home, reunited with my family, started attending church, got baptized, married my husband, finished my degree, and began my newfound life in Christ. God gave me a purpose, a sense of direction in life, and most of all, gave me beauty for ashes. It was in this trial that I learned to rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in ALL circumstances. I want to encourage you ladies to do the same because in the midst of the storm, we may not always see the bigger picture, but we must trust that God is working it all out for our good and for his glory. 

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything”. James 1:2-4

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation“. Psalm 100:4-5

We want to thank Angelina Alvarado for sharing this post.

As many of you know, I opened Betty Faye Beauty Bar in the Fall of 2021, and in our business our mission has always been more than skin-deep. Yes, we love the artistry of beauty: the lashes, the brows, the fresh glow of a good facial. But my heart for women goes beyond the mirror. I wanted women to believe Song of Solomon 4:7. “You are altogether beautiful my darling; there is no flaw in you.” And still, I want every woman who walks through our doors to feel seen, valued, and reminded of the beauty God has already placed within her.

That same heart flows into so many other aspects of our lives that reflect our beauty as women. Because true beauty isn’t found in our features. It’s found in our friendships, our families, our faith, and how we show up in the ordinary and the hard.

Real beauty is shown in how we love each other in friendship. It’s in the quiet texts checking in, the coffee dates after a hard week, and the laughter that fills a room when women come together without comparison. It’s being a safe space for each other and offering grace when needed most. True beauty isn’t always loud. Sometimes it shows up in silence, just being with someone when they don’t have the words. That’s friendship, and that’s beautiful.

I see true beauty in mothers. Whether you’re a mother to little ones, grown children, or spiritual sons and daughters, the love of a mother reflects the nurturing heart of God. It’s messy. It’s sacrificial. It’s sleepless nights and prayers whispered over cribs and car rides. And yet, it’s also where beauty shines the brightest. There’s something breathtaking about a woman who gives of herself for the sake of someone else. Even when no one sees it, God does. He calls it beautiful.

The way we handle ourselves in our marriages is truly beautiful. In a world that often celebrates self, true beauty in marriage is found in humility, forgiveness, and choosing love. It’s in the quiet acts of service, the shared laughter, and even the tears that draw us closer together. Wives, your beauty isn’t measured by perfection. It’s reflected in your commitment, your strength, and your willingness to love like Jesus loves His Church.

One of the most powerful forms of beauty is kindness to others—especially when it’s unexpected. A smile to a cashier, a warm greeting to someone visiting church for the first time, holding the door, or offering a word of encouragement. These things may seem small, but in a hurting world, they shine.

We were never called to be beautiful for ourselves. We were made to reflect the One who is Beauty Himself: Jesus. 

Whether you’re in a salon chair or a church pew, my heart is for you to know this:

You are already beautiful. Not because of what you wear, how flawless your skin is, or what others think. You are beautiful because you were created in the image of God. You carry His spirit. His strength. His grace. And when you walk in that truth, you bring a beauty into the world that can’t be bought, bottled, or faked. Let’s be women who radiate true beauty. In our words, our relationships, our faith, and our everyday lives.

Let’s be women who reflect Jesus.

We want to thank Beckah Hunt for sharing this post.

I spend a lot of time on social media because I create content for different jobs. Lately, I’ve noticed a growing trend of women sharing about being supportive and submissive Christian wives. Maybe it’s just the algorithm feeding me more of that content but either way, I’m thankful for it. For so long, the message women received was that our value came from our outward appearance, not from our inward service to our husbands, families, and ultimately, to the Lord.

Now don’t get me wrong, I love doing my hair, putting on makeup, and finding the perfect outfit. But over time, I’ve learned that true beauty shines brightest in how I love and serve my family, my husband, and others.

I have two little girls, and I’ll never forget the day we found out our second child was a girl. I was so nervous! I often say that being a girl is hard, and I still stand by that. Growing up, I remember I desperately wanted highlights in my hair. My mom eventually gave in but understandably didn’t want to spend money on a full head of highlights (now as an adult, I get it, highlights are expensive!). So, she let me get two chunky highlights. I thought they looked amazing… until I got to school and some girls told me how terrible they were.

I laugh about it now especially because just last year I got the same chunky highlights again, and this time they were completely in style! But when I was younger, it didn’t feel funny at all. I remember how embarrassed and insecure I felt when the other girls at school told me how bad my highlights looked. At that age, so much of my worth felt tied to what others thought of me, and something as simple as a hairstyle could make or break my confidence.

Looking back, I realize how exhausting that cycle was chasing after trends, trying to fit in, always wanting to be “enough” in someone else’s eyes. Now, as I’ve grown in my faith, I’ve found such freedom in knowing that my worth isn’t defined by a hairstyle, a size, or anyone else’s opinion. It’s defined by God alone. Resting in His definition of beauty has lifted a huge weight off my shoulders. Instead of striving, I can simply walk in the identity He’s already given me.

As a mom now, I’m so grateful to know what God’s Word says about beauty. I love that more women are speaking up and reminding others that true beauty isn’t found in trends, but in how we live, love, and serve.

1 Peter 3:1–6 says:
 1Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 3 Do not let your adorning be external the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. 5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.

That paints such a beautiful picture of the power and influence a wife has, not through outward beauty, but through Godly conduct. Her actions reflect not only on her husband, but on God Himself.

As a mother of two girls, I take seriously the call in Titus 2:3–5 (ESV):
 “Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.”

For the past two years, God has given me the opportunity to live this out more fully by being at home with my family. We started homeschooling, and I’ve found myself cooking more meals and spending more time in the daily rhythms of home life. I’ll be honest, it hasn’t always been easy. I still work from home, so I’ve had to find creative ways to balance work, homeschooling, and family responsibilities. But in the middle of that juggling act, God keeps reminding me that each day is an opportunity to model service for my children.

We are slowly increasing their chores, beginning each morning with prayer, and taking time to talk through how to handle tough situations with grace and patience. These aren’t big, flashy things—they’re small, consistent choices that I pray will show all my children what it looks like to love and serve others. To me, that is true beauty lived out day by day.

And here’s the thing: even if you aren’t a wife or a mother, there are still younger girls and women in your life who are watching you. God calls each of us to teach, guide, and encourage the next generation. We all have the opportunity and responsibility to model true beauty, the kind that flows from a heart devoted to Him.

We want to thank Chelsea Criswell for sharing this post.

When I was a little girl, my grandmother often said, “Pretty is as pretty does.” I must admit, growing up through the sort of chubby, awkward stages of junior high, this saying did little to comfort me. It seemed like outward beauty was much more desirable because it was, well, outward! People could look at you and know right away that you were beautiful!

Having long since aged out of my teen years, I have learned over time that many women do not see their own beauty, even those the rest of us would say are simply gorgeous. In our society, women are tempted to compare themselves to every other woman who ever lived. If you were to interview every woman you know, or any woman on the street, and you were to ask them to tell you one area where they are lacking in physical beauty, most of them would easily answer. For example, my nose is too wide, my hair is too curly (or too straight), and my skin is not perfect. 

People can find the right make-up or even have plastic surgery to create just the look they desire. One woman I heard of had multiple procedures to try to look just like Barbie! The thing about all things outward, though, is that beauty fades.  The writer of Proverbs 31 says this: “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.” (Proverbs 31:30 NASB) No matter what I do today to become outwardly beautiful, in a few years’ time, I will have to repeat it, or it will fade away.

However, that inner beauty – here’s how Google defines it: “Inner beauty refers to a person’s positive character traits, personality, and qualities that radiate from within, such as kindness, compassion, empathy, and integrity, rather than physical appearance. It encompasses a beautiful heart and soul, reflecting a genuine and lasting essence that goes beyond superficial qualities like physical features and is experienced through a person’s actions, character, and how they treat others.”

Where outer beauty fades over time, inner beauty deepens. 2 Corinthians says, “Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.” (2 Corinthians 4:16). Outer beauty has little to no effect on the people around it, but inner beauty ministers to the spirits of the people around it, by releasing the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. This is why Peter tells women: “Your adornment must not be merely external – braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.” (1 Peter 3:3-4).  Notice there is nothing wrong with looking nice on the outside, but the inner self is at least as important to work on, and it will become more beautiful over time. 

People were attracted to Jesus, not because of His outward appearance, but because of His heart.  “He has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him.” (Isaiah 53:2) Our inner man (or inner woman) is being made to look like the inner man of Jesus!  Paul says, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18) Oh, to reflect His beautiful heart! My grandmother was right!

We want to thank Sheri Warren for sharing this post.

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:30

Have you ever noticed that the most coveted, precious, and beautiful things in this world are the hardest to find?  Like diamonds and pearls, they come out of an environment of high pressure, heat, irritation, and sometimes pain. Gold and silver are hidden from the naked eye and must be searched for, dug out, or panned.

Before Jesus redeemed us, and the Holy Spirit came into our hearts, we were like that uncut diamond, the pearl still in the oyster or the gold and silver still in the earth, our beauty was hidden not only from the world, but also from us. The more we surrender and yield our hearts and minds to the Lord, the more He is able to cut away the things that are blocking His light shining through us, open the shell that has kept us hidden, and wash away the dirt and mud that has kept us under condemnation. 

I am still drawn back to that old nature of seeing that which is on the outside, not within. Genesis 3:6 says, “Eve saw the tree was good and pleasing to the eye.” Have you ever wondered why Eve was not afraid of the snake or repulsed by how it looked? In Ezekiel 28:12-19 it describes Satan as the signet of perfection, full of wisdom and beauty, every precious stone were his covering. It must’ve been a beautiful sight to see, and it drew Eve right into his trap. Satan sets the same trap for us today when we set our eyes and heart on the beautiful things of this world instead of using our spiritual eyes for discernment and wisdom.

Proverbs 27:19 emphasizes that true beauty is a reflection of the heart, God’s nature within us. The genuine qualities of a person’s character: love, kindness, wisdom, morality, faithfulness, being dependable. 

We have seen people with true beauty in action, in the floods, fires, and tornadoes. People risking their lives to save others, comforting those who have been affected by or have lost loved ones, taking food, helping in whatever way they can. 

Our family has been blessed to witness firsthand how God uses one of his own beautiful children to bring about His love and miracles. Our granddaughter, Kenzie, was diagnosed with lupus in her late teens. She had her first kidney transplant right after she graduated from college. After going through cancer and many emergency trips to the hospital, surgeries, and almost dying several times, she again was faced with kidney failure and two years of waiting to find a kidney donor. Through all this Kenzie never gave up her faith and hope. She lives her life with joy and purpose. Marrying the boy next door that she grew up with and is her brother’s best friend. She worked every day that she could and traveled all over the world. She never complained or felt sorry for herself, always had a smile, put others first, and truly has a servant’s heart. Kenzie knows who she is, and who she belongs to.

Our Heavenly Father heard our prayers and saw Kenzie’s tears and pain and sent her best friend Andrea from sixth grade to be tested for a donor. (This was not just a decision, but a sacrifice. It’s major surgery, which leaves you with only one kidney, pain, and time away from your life to heal.) Andrea did not consider it a sacrifice, because of her love for the Lord and Kenzie. She knew the testing would reveal she was a perfect match, and this would be the last kidney that Kenzie would ever need. This was also our declaration and prayer!

On July 7, 2025, Kenzie received not only her new kidney, but a new life where she and Brett can dream and make plans for the future!

THIS IS TRUE BEAUTY! It’s not just about the outward appearance, but about the reflection of God’s nature in us. “Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.” Psalm 34:5

Looking to God with love, faith and trust, we become radiant, reflecting His glory and goodness. 1 John 4:11 “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because as He is, so, are we in this world.”

JESUS IN US

Author unknown (rewritten by Elaine Norrell)

I saw Jesus last week,

He was wearing blue jeans, digging through the mud and debris.

He was standing in a once raging and flooding river, praying, and crying as he worked.

For just a minute, he looked a little like one of the many other volunteer rescue workers

But it was Jesus! I could tell by his compassion, courage, and determination.

I saw Jesus last Sunday

He was teaching a Bible class.

He didn’t talk loudly or use long words, but you could tell he believed what he said.

For just a minute, he looked like a leader in the church

But it was Jesus! I could tell by the truth in his loving voice.

I saw Jesus yesterday,

He was at the hospital, being a kidney donor to my granddaughter.

They talked, laughed, and prayed together quietly.

For just a minute, he looked like our granddaughter’s friend Andrea

But it was Jesus, I could tell by the tears in his eyes, and the smile on his face.

I saw Jesus today.

He was praying on his knees all alone.

He then began to cry for those he prayed for.

For just a minute, he looked like a lady from our church.

But it was Jesus! I could see the love and compassion poured out in his prayer.

I see Jesus everywhere, 

Taking food to the sick, welcoming others into his home, being friendly to a newcomer, and for just a minute, I think he’s someone I know.

But it’s always Jesus! I can tell by the way he serves.

May someone see Jesus in you today.

We want to thank Elaine Norrell for sharing this post.

What makes a person truly beautiful? The answer is easily lost in a world saturated with superficial standards and fleeting trends. While culture intentionally points to outward appearance, physical features and material presentation, as believers, we are called to look beyond mirrors and media and turn instead to hear what God says about true beauty. Scripture tells us exactly the opposite of what the world says.

“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:30

Last summer, I traveled to visit my parents, who had recently moved back to my hometown, Xi’an. It had been many years since I last set foot there, and the city had transformed in countless ways. One afternoon, as my parents and I were out for a stroll, we were approached by an elderly woman with a warm, familiar presence.

My mom smiled and said, “Mrs. Tang, do you remember my daughter? She was just a little girl when we were neighbors.”

In that moment, it struck me—this gentle woman was the kind-hearted grandmother who used to live next door, always greeting us with a smile. Amazingly, she hadn’t changed at all.

A vivid memory came rushing back: I had been walking past her front yard one day when she called me over and asked if I could read her a book. But this book was unlike any I’d seen before—it had no cover, and the pages were filled with handwritten words. She gently opened it to a page titled “The Gospel of John.”

I began reading, a bit awkwardly: “In the beginning was the Word…”
The phrase made little sense to me at the time. I paused and glanced up at her, puzzled—and then I saw it. Her face. It seemed to glow with a quiet radiance, almost otherworldly. I never forgot that moment. And many years later, when I encountered Jesus for myself, I finally understood what I had witnessed that day.

True beauty is not about what one looks like, but about who one is in relationship with God. It is spiritual, not superficial. It is found in a heart that reflects God’s love, a mind that is renewed by His truth, and a life that seeks to glorify Him. The world may overlook such beauty, but in God’s eyes, it is precious. This “unfading beauty” does not age or diminish, but grows stronger and more radiant with a life lived in alignment with God’s will.

“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psalm 139:14

Truly beautiful people are ones who recognize their divine origin. They understand the profound truth that each person is a unique masterpiece, purposefully and intricately crafted by the hand of God. When we embrace the reality that we are created by a perfect Creator, we can embrace our worth without the need to conform to the world’s ever- changing standards. This is the beauty that endures, the beauty that God cherishes, and the beauty we are called to pursue.

We want to thank Yanna Elliot for sharing this post.

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” 1 Peter 2:9 NKJ

One afternoon, many years ago, I was flipping through the TV channels, when suddenly, I stopped on a program that captured my attention. What I saw was Rebecca St. James leading hundreds of people in worship. Hands and voices were lifted high as the rain gently fell. It was as if the presence of Jesus was visibly pouring down upon them. Something came alive inside of me that day. I thought, “I want to sing and lead people in worship like that!” …. and to my heart came the reply from the Lord that I will never forget. “Count the cost.” What did the Lord mean? What was the Lord asking of me that day? I really wanted to find out, whatever it was….

I have always known that worship is not just about getting behind a microphone and sounding pretty. Worship is not about lip service or that dreaded word: “performance.”  It is not an activity reserved for Sunday mornings or Wednesday evenings. It most definitely is not something you check off a box and get over with. It is certainly not the “warm-up act” to the sermon. So, then what is worship, really? The answer is found where worship is first mentioned in the Bible.

At Harvest we often use the phrase “The law of first mention.” With worship, we see it in, Genesis 22:5. “He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there, we will worship and then we will come back to you.”

Abraham was going up the mountain with the intention, as per direction of the Lord, to sacrifice that which was his most loved and most treasured possession, his only son. Even though God provided the ram for the sacrifice, we can see an incredible picture of a heart willing to sacrifice it’s most loved and treasured possession. We also see that worship is connected to sacrifice and will cost you something. Count the cost…

The word most translated “worship” is the Hebrew word Shacah, and it means “to prostrate, bow (self) down, crouch, fall down (flat), humbly beseech, do (make) obeisance, do reverence, make to stoop, worship. This is the word used in Genesis 22. The second most common word used for worship is the Greek word Latreuo. Latreuo means “to minister to God”. I love this translation as it describes our role as a “royal priesthood,” called to minister to God, as well as to others. Isn’t that where our hearts should be in worship? To seek to minister to God more than to please others?

There is a story in all four gospels that I believe accurately depict these two words for worship. Dr Luke recounts it like this…

“ ³⁷ And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, ³⁸ and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil.” Luke 7:36-38. John’s gospel says that the oil’s fragrance filled the room.

This “sinful woman,” believed to be Mary of Bethany, came to meet Jesus for that very purpose: to minister or latreuo Him, to bless him and love on Him. She poured out what would have been the equivalent of one year’s wages to anoint her Jesus. She gave to Him what was most valuable and most precious and most costly. She then bowed low or “shacah” at His feet when no one else in the room did. Mary remained behind Him, avoiding the attention. Her humility and reverence inspire me.

As her tears and oil flowed, insults came as well. Jesus rebukes them, as only He could see the depths from where her worship came. The insults did not deter Mary from her humble, sacrificial worship at His feet. Not even the insults nor the opinions of man could keep Mary from her worship. That was a sacred and holy place for Mary, at His beautiful feet.

The feet where she sat and hung on every word (Luke 10:39)

The feet at which she fell when she learned He was calling for her after her brother’s passing (John 11:32).

The feet that she was now anointing (Luke 7:38)

This was the place her love and her worship began and it’s where it begins for us as well. “You must sit at His feet, or you will never anoint them; He must pour His divine teaching into you, or you will never pour out a precious ointment upon Him” -Charles Spurgeon.

“Count the cost” was an invitation for me to dive deeper into what it truly means to worship. At the time, I was only looking at worship from the outside in, and the Lord wanted me to see it and live it from the inside out. I was being called to look beyond what I was seeing and discover what it would cost to live a life, not only just a moment, that was createdto worship.

The cost of giving my best to the Lord regardless of circumstances or feelings.

 The cost of choosing to obey even when it’s hard or not convenient.

The cost of humbly bowing my wishes, desires, pride, and ambitions at the feet of the Jesus and saying, “He must increase, and I must decrease.” John3:30

The cost of offering myself as a “living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God,” which Paul saysis our “true and proper worship” Romans 12:1 

“The greatest worshippers in the Bible were all people who were willing to humble themselves before God- to submit to His way instead of their way.” – Zach Neese “Howto Worship a King.”

If we are to live a life of worship, fueled with a passion for our King, then how we worship should show Him and the world how much we value him. 1 Peter 2:9 says that we are a chosen generation to worship and praise our true God. This tells the world who He is and how He has called us out of darkness and into His light. And isn’t that light marvelous?! What a privilege that has been given to us by the Lord!

We want to thank Julie Posey for sharing this post.

Three years ago, I decided to homeschool my children, and I pulled my oldest out of school during his first-grade year. I expected it to be a challenge, because I did not feel fully equipped to do it. Well, I did it anyway, and to my surprise, my son breezed through the curriculum I found online. It was so easy that we finished his first-grade curriculum by the first week of May. That is not to say that we did not face challenges, but little did I know that the one who would struggle would be me! Teaching the kids was fun, and so fulfilling, but I had a strong feeling of restlessness.

Before homeschooling, every day after I dropped them off at school, I would create a to-do list of things I needed to get done. I would run around town and set an alarm for pick-up. Being home with the kids, at first, was fun, and then the first week went by, and I realized I had not found the time to go grocery shopping, clean the house properly, or even pick up the mail. I was overwhelmed at that point, because I was certain that all the other things that I needed to get done were important. I must admit that I tried to do it all, but it didn’t last long. I could not homeschool, continue my online business, and run errands all in one day, because being home with the kids was taking up all my time.

It was at that point that God revealed to me the things I was prioritizing over my family. So, I slowly learned to do less and enjoy more. I had a simple prayer for God. I asked him, “God align my desires with yours.” I had no idea what that simple prayer would do for me. Whenever I felt restless, I said that prayer, and peace would come over me. Slowly, God filled my heart with the desire to sit and enjoy school with my kids. I started to see that God’s desires for me were simple and brought me peace and contentment.

I was no longer finding worth in productivity, but, instead, in God’s presence. I started to prioritize reading my Bible every day. The more I prayed for God’s desires in my life, the more I longed for His presence. My desires kept me empty, but He filled my cup and opened my eyes to what true worship is. Homeschooling was a challenge, because I had to be selfless, but I could only do it with God’s help. In 1 Chronicles 16:26-29, David is singing a hymn of worship to the Lord that sums up what I experienced, “For all the gods of the people are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and joy are in His place. Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name; bring an offering and come before him. Worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness.”

Seeking His desires and not mine gave me freedom, and it helped me get through the day. I said that prayer many times, and I still do to this day, because I needed to let go of the idols I was worshiping. I desired to serve my children and husband. Everything else had to wait for another day, and sometimes I would simply forget about it altogether. My desires were often shaped by the things of the world and not His Word. Romans 12:1-2 says, “Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. Do not be confined to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”

Paul urged the people to do this, because God’s will for our lives surpasses ours. Our bodies are temples, and therefore, our lives can be presented to God as living sacrifices. My time spent in His word revealed to me more of who God is and what His desires are like. I was able to point out what desires came from my flesh, and which ones were of Him. He renewed my mind and gave me discernment of what His good and pleasing will for my life is. He did not give me a five-year plan for my life, or even a one-year plan to follow. However, He helped me get rid of my idols and bring true worship to my home. I had discovered what it was to worship at His temple.

I pray that this encourages you to seek God’s will for your life and experience true worship in His presence. For me, that was serving my family through homeschooling. It might be different for you, but one thing remains: we were all made to worship. 1 Peter 2:4-6 says, “As you come to Him, a living stone – rejected by people but chosen and honored by God – you yourselves, as living stones, a spiritual house, are being built to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ, For it stands in Scripture: See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and honored cornerstone, and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.” When I said the simple prayer, “God, align my desires with yours,” I did not think of how much that would change my life. My desires conform to the world, but God’s desires do not, and that is good. He reminds us that the more we look and act like Christ, the more we will be rejected by the world. The best part is that we are chosen by God. Trust in him and lay down your life as a sacrifice as you seek to worship him with your life, because he declares that those who believe in him will not be put to shame.

We want to thank Mayra Ramirez for sharing this post.