God's Presence, Prayer, Worship

Our Values: Prayer and Worship

by hcfwomenLeave a Comment on Our Values: Prayer and Worship

freedomsPrayer and worship create an atmosphere where everyone can experience the presence of God. Pastor Brad expounded on these core values in a powerful way during the “DNA of Harvest” series. Download the talk as soon as you can!

I’d like to share with you what prayer and worship mean to me day in and day out. I don’t see how one can separate prayer and worship. Prayer in this season of my life feels more like an opportunity to re-align myself with God’s heart. I still pray to ask for things from Father, but I also want to sense an increased closeness to hear what He wants to say to me. I want a deeper relationship with Him. Prayer and worship give me a pathway to come to Him and enter into that for which my heart so deeply longs.

It’s a chance to focus my attention on Him and what’s truly valuable in life. Worship inevitably begins to flow from my heart when I wait upon Him. I can’t help it. The more I focus my attention on who He is, what He’s done for me, what I will accomplish in the earth for His Name’s sake, I just can’t help but be grateful and awed, humble and exuberant, fierce and at rest. He’s so interesting! Prayer and worship open my eyes to see Him. I don’t want to miss it because I’m more taken with my issues, my problems or my pain.

Father taught me through prayer and worship that I am valuable to Him. He knows what I’m faced with each day. He’s not going to hang me out to dry, so to speak. Sometimes my circumstances may not look like I’d hoped, but He’s promised to never leave me nor forsake me. Prayer and worship give me an opportunity to declare His truth over my circumstances. I’m not denying that I may not feel good or that I’ve messed up in some way. What I am doing is choosing to recognize that He is greater than my pain or my regret. I am still right with God through the finished work of the cross in Christ. I will make Him my focus and allow Him to transform me rather than trying to fix myself out of my own resources.

Take a moment to think about the things you want to pass on to the next generation that you possess right now. I want my kids to have learned from me that no matter what their life experience is, they can always rise above it with prayer and worship. They can experience what gold will not buy and education will not provide if they will humble themselves and fix their gaze on the Lover of their souls.

This post was written by Jodi Leigh LaFrance. To read more about her, click here.

Boundaries, Identity

Balance

by hcfwomenLeave a Comment on Balance

Balance Rocks_GraphicI am a stay-at-home mom with three part-time jobs: Zumba Jammer for Zumba Fitness, Zumba instructor for Bodyworks of Lubbock, and Zumba Program Coordinator for Bodyworks. I, as every other woman I know, am the master of multi-tasking—taking great pride in production and efficiency. Watch a movie? Sure! As long as I can get caught up on my ironing pile while we watch. Cook Supper? Of course! But let’s sort through the pantry while we’re at it. Have a tea party? Of course…while I fold laundry on the side. So you can only imagine how freaked out I was when the Lord challenged me to become a “single-tasker.” Is there such a thing? YES THERE IS! After all, we can only be in one place at one time anyway, right? Or can we? Sometimes I’m physically playing with my children, spiritually thirsty because of my lack of self-discipline that week, mentally going over choreography in my head for my next class, and emotionally drained trying to keep up with it all! How exhausting! So I decided to try this single-tasking thing out, and have discovered its incredible power to maintaining a peaceful, joyful, and balanced home!

When my boys are in school and Emma is napping, I get my Zumba jobs accomplished for the day: emailing, getting things ready for the next event, choreographing new routines, etc. I complete my work-related tasks with excellence, since I devote all of me to them. I can now switch over to another “category” of life when I pick up my kids—not worried about other things…just being completely present. This category includes all that mommyhood involves: training, cooking, disciplining, teaching, playing, comforting and loving on my kiddos. Zumba time: Time for another “switch.” I don’t feel guilty that I’m not at home picking up the house or spending time with my husband. I don’t get upset that I’m not on a girl’s night out or watching my favorite show. Nope, those aren’t in this category of life. What is, though, are women looking to be inspired and to stay motivated to live healthy lifestyles.

Then it’s time to run home. We have supper and hang out as a family making memories, and soon get ready for bed with laughter, stories, prayer, and cuddles. And yet again, another “switch.” A switch to husband time comes where I’m fully present and ready to be with him emotionally, physically, and mentally. What a blessing it is to our husbands when we are fully theirs!

Now, not every minute of our day can be compartmentalized with no “overlapping.”  But I’ve learned to engage where the Lord has me, and pursue peace, not chaos. You know what else I’ve learned? It’s okay. When I follow His peace in every area and circumstance, while fully engaging in that moment, it’s all okay. I do things with excellence, passion and purpose because it’s WHO I AM, not because it’s what needs to be done. I rest in His peace and my identity in Him.

This post was written by Brandi Wilson. 

Faith, Parenting

Faith Through the Journey of Motherhood

by hcfwomen1 Comment on Faith Through the Journey of Motherhood

faith in seasons of motherhood_GraphicIt takes faith through the journey of motherhood.

I remember waking up under my bed with my eldest child. I don’t know how we got there, but we did. I also remember being so tired that I slept in the closet to try and find some “me time,” only to wake up in the morning with my three youngest sleeping next to me.

Motherhood can be very tiring, yet very rewarding.
I remember when my children were toddlers; “Mommy” was their favorite word. Each child had their own personality. I remember them running around at the Amarillo Zoo. As a young single mom, I had to put my faith to work. I had to ask God to teach me to love my children like he did. I was pro-active. I took parenting classes and stood on faith that God would continually give me wisdom to know how to raise my children. It’s sad to me now, thinking back to all the time I spent worrying. Worrying that I would mess up as a mother. Worrying that if my child messed up, it would make me look bad.

I learned that when I became a mom, it wasn’t about what people thought of me, but about raising my children in the way they should go. My job was to love them, train them, nurture them, encourage them and discipline them. It took faith to accomplish this. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). I realized that the world had a different view on parenting. I wanted to be the mother God called me to be, so I began my life journey as a mom.

Time passed, and I was able to see all my children grow from children to teens. I had to remember what faith was. I had to stand my ground even when I felt like throwing in the towel. Hormones were raging, and the world encouraged me to give up. But I believed that no matter what kind of influence the world might try to have, that I—their mom—had the greatest influence of all. I realized that it didn’t matter what I said as much as what I did; children are great imitators. Even though my children were growing, I continued to go to parenting classes/conferences.

I have 4 children, so I learned that each one responded differently to growing pains.
I had to remind myself that my teens were not perfect, just as I was not perfect. When they struggled, I loved them through it. I prayed, encouraged, and continued to discipline as needed. Just because they were getting older didn’t mean they didn’t need parenting. Life was crazy busy. I had two band nerds and two choir nerds. Three of my children were 17 months apart (yes, a set of twins). They were busy with school activities and were gone from home more and more. The more they were gone, the more my faith grew. I had two options: 1) to worry, or 2) to have faith that the teaching/training they received would not depart from them. When I felt like worrying was gaining ground, I would talk to a friend for words of encouragement, or ask a friend to pray for me. I have had a great resource of friends through the past 19 years, and they are a treasure. When one of my children would struggle, it was like testing grounds for me as a mom. Did I really believe that God had this? That he had good plans for each one of my children, to give them a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11)?

As of May 2011, all my babies are grown and have graduated high school. My youngest two are 20 year old. Wow! Where does the time go? I know now how important it is to take advantage of every opportunity because they grow fast. Faith is dear to me. I lean on her a lot. I am now entering the Empty Nester season, and my children are each following their dreams through Christ. I have parented the best way I could. Now it is time to once again put faith to work. I pray for each of my children, in-laws, and grandchildren, and then I step aside and allow the Holy Spirit to help them.

I am here for them and always will be. I don’t always have to give advice or fix the situation. I can listen and encourage. I can give a hug, laugh and cry with them—and at the same time, have faith that what God began in each of their lives, he will bring to completion. My journey as a mother has been life-changing. It has taught me the fruit of the Spirit:

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Just in case you’re wondering, I haven’t arrived, but I am enjoying the journey of motherhood.

Proverbs 31: 26-28
“She opens her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looks well to the ways of her household, and eats not the bread of idleness. Her children rise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her…”

P.S. My most favorite thing to do is have all my children jump in bed with me and just talk about life.

This post was written by Becca Cruz. 

Boundaries, Fruitfulness

My White Picket Fence

by hcfwomen1 Comment on My White Picket Fence

white picket fencePsalm 16:5-6 “Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.”

When I think about this verse I think of a beautiful white picket fence surrounding a precious little home with a gorgeous yard. The grass is green and lush, and the flowers are in full bloom. The trees are large and cast a glorious shade. Hanging from one of the branches is a swing. On the spacious front porch are a couple of rockers. My husband Michael and I are sitting in the rockers on the front porch watching our three kids play in the front yard. It is absolutely heavenly! All that is inside the picket fence is mine! Outside the fence are my neighbors’ yards, all beautiful in their own unique way—none the same!

In the picture I described, the picket fence is the “boundary lines.” What is inside the picket fence is what God has given me: His best for me! It is who I am and what I was created for. All of God’s gifts and the wonderful treasures he has in store for me lie within this fence, these boundaries.

These so-called boundary lines were designed to be precious and life-giving to me. I have to choose to be thankful for them and enjoy them! This is not always easy. This verse in Psalms is a call to find who Christ has called you to be, who the Father created you to be, and live fully right there!

My boundary lines (who I am and what I was created for) never change, but how I live that out changes with the seasons of life. Part of what God has called me to be is a wife and mom! It is one of my greatest joys.  When my kids were little, I stayed home full time. But as they have gotten bigger I have taken on more things outside the home. As another example, I am not a public speaker. It is not my gifting. On the other hand, I love to pray, intercede, dig into God’s Word and minister to people by interceding for them and encouraging them. It is part of what God created me for. It brings life! Discovering this and being okay with it has brought such freedom to me. I have grown and begun to flourish in finding who I am, what my boundaries are, and staying within them.

All that God has for us is found within the parameter of our boundaries. So who are you? What are you created for? Where are your boundary lines? I challenge you to go before God and start asking him. He is longing to show you; He wants to give you his best! And his best is found within your picket fence 🙂

This post was written by Tissie Beasley. To read more about her, click here.

Faith, Parenting, Prayer

Unshakable

by hcfwomen3 Comments on Unshakable

Last family photo

Unshakable: (adjective) utterly firm or unwavering, incapable of being shaken.

Luke 6:47-49 tells us that anyone willing to come to the Lord and put His words into practice is like someone building a house on a foundation set upon a rock. The house can withstand any storm.

What we build our house upon may be all that is left after a storm passes…it matters!

Well, the only way to be unshakable is to have a solid foundation and you’ve got to start somewhere. Our journey started when I was told a diagnosis no mom wants to hear; death was inevitable for our unborn son. After an unexpected delivery at 28 weeks, he was diagnosed with 22 fatal conditions. He was beautiful, so very perfect in every way. After 3 surgeries, a few close calls and 66 days in NICU, he passed away peacefully as we held him.

His name was Callen Clark Wright and the journey of his incredibly short life changed our family forever…it made us unshakable.

When we first heard of a possible diagnosis, we laid the foundation for the situation before us and declared these things aloud: “We will not blame ourselves or each other, and most importantly we will NEVER blame God.” We had no idea what exactly was before us but we knew we had to have a foundation-a sturdy place to start.

During our time with Callen the one thing that remained true was that God was with us. Many people told us how they could clearly feel God’s presence and some could literally see Him. Most people do not understand how we are even still standing. Yes, the loss of a child is very painful in every way.

The grief process is not marked; there are no road maps to get through it, partly because it never ends. But there is hope. Hope that the foundation you built your family on will remain standing through the flood and will allow you to be unshakable in the midst of the process and eventually continue to build.

Being unshakable is not easy, and you cannot do it in your own strength. God is the key to becoming unshakable. He will help and guide you. God will bring joy from the pain. God is the perfect foundation to build upon because He is faithful, always constant, NEVER failing.

PRAY and call out to Him. God will meet you in your circumstance. No matter how small or big it may seem, He is still bigger. Nothing happens to us without passing through His hands first. He will allow us a chance to prevail and become stronger in our faith, but we must be unshakable in our relationship with Him to succeed.

Be encouraged! With God, YOU CAN DO THIS! All things are possible when He is your strength, your foundation, your UNSHAKABLE God Almighty!

This post was written by Victoria Wright. She attends the Plainview Harvest Campus with her husband Justin and two beautiful children, Caycen and Carly. 

Budgeting

Debt Free

by hcfwomen3 Comments on Debt Free

misc_decal_debt_free_blueWe reached a huge milestone in our financial life this week. We paid off my husband’s student loan and are now debt-free except for our home. What a journey!

While we were dating/engaged (can’t remember now!), we got involved in a “too good to be true” investment opportunity. We dreamed out loud about how we would spend the motherload just waiting to fill our bank accounts. It felt good to dream until we found out that our investment turned out to be a Ponzi scheme. I didn’t even know what that was at the time; just that the money we invested was gone. Thankfully, we didn’t invest more than we could walk away from and not be too sad. But when your heart is set on big $$$$, it can be a major let-down! We laugh about it today as we drive our used, but paid-for, vehicles, shop local sales, clip coupons and make out our monthly cash flow spending plans (thank you Dave Ramsey).

That was exactly eight years ago. I think it’s almost ironic that this week we finally said good-bye to debt. It feels really good. Here are a few things God taught us along the way.

  1. We learned financial discipline and faithfulness. God seems to be very comfortable with processes. He could’ve allowed us to make a lot of money in that Ponzi scheme, but in His divine wisdom He let us learn how to mature in our financial decisions. We’ve learned (and are still learning) how to work within the financial limitations we do have.
  2. We learned to do life in community. We have had to learn to receive help from others and it is humbling, but it’s not horrible. We’ve learned to bear each other’s burdens (think of someone under the crushing load of a boulder, not a backpack which each person can easily handle). God graciously sent people alongside us to teach us and miraculously give to us as an encouragement to stay the course. Now that we know what it feels like to receive help, we enjoy paying it forward as God gives us opportunity.
  3. Debt is slavery. It is very hard to be the extravagant givers our hearts long to be if we still owe other people and institutions money. Thank God Almighty we’re free at last!!!!

Galatians 5:1 says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Father God, thank You for giving us Your best in Your Son Jesus Christ. Thank You for giving us the resources we need to do life spiritually, physically and emotionally. By the power of the Holy Spirit help us to walk out our freedom every day of our lives so we might live and help others live life to the full. Amen!

How has being in debt affected you and your family? What are your stories of becoming debt free?

This post was written by Jodi LaFrance. To read more about her, click here.

Friendship

The Friendship Connection

by hcfwomen11 Comments on The Friendship Connection

girl friendOne of my biggest struggles this year has been in the area of friendships—specifically with other women. Not that I don’t have friends—I do. I have lots of wonderful, loving, godly friends. But this has been a season in my life where many of my friendships have been changing, shifting. And honestly, it’s been hard for me to deal with. Some of it has just been part of growing up and maturing. And some of it is because other people’s seasons have changed too. But, facing that was still painful.

I found myself in this place this year, and I will honestly say I did not handle it well. Bitterness and resentment started taking root in my heart. I was lonely, angry, and disappointed. Life had not turned out the way that I had planned.

But somewhere—even in the midst of all this mess inside of my heart—God found me. My moments of crying out to God (sometimes without words; just crying) became moments where God began to speak to me. He began asking me to “come away” with Him. He began speaking to me the truth of who I really was. And I began to believe it—truly believe it in my deepest heart. I think this is the first time in my whole life that I’ve really, truly said “yes” to who God says I am.

And as these truths began to take root—that I am a daughter, dearly loved, delighted in, precious—God began to soften my heart to the gift of repentance. Not repentance as a punishment, but just agreeing with how God sees the situation. Agreeing that this anger and bitterness in my heart really had nothing to do with the people that I had inwardly leveled it toward. Agreeing that my heart is too precious to carry the weight of such things—things that bring death. God gently spoke that He wants to bring me life. Joy. Peace. Laughter. That He is a good Father, and He delights in giving good gifts to his children (Mt. 7:11).

And so God began opening my eyes to the gift of friendships, all around me, that He is blessing me with. Older women, younger women, women at my work, women living in another country…Over and over, I heard God say, “This is a gift…this is a gift.”

And finally, my heart said yes.

I think this quote sums it up beautifully (from Christine Hoover at http://www.GraceCoversMe.com): “We are not guaranteed or entitled to heart friends. They are gifts of grace, and when we catch glimpses of sisterly love, we must receive it as such with deep gratitude.”

Gratitude, yes… A heart of thanksgiving puts it all into perspective.

I believe that, deep down inside, all of us have been made to connect deeply with other women. So let’s ask God to give us the courage to see and pursue godly friendships. It’s sometimes hard, but it’s such a blessing.

This post was written by Heather Dillard. To read more about her, click here. 

Faith, Identity

Beauty, not the Beast!

by hcfwomen1 Comment on Beauty, not the Beast!

Beauty and not the beast_Graphic

The point God has taught me lately has not been anything earth-shattering, nor has it even included a “wow” moment. But I know that if I struggle with this sometimes, coming out to share it might help someone else who needs to hear this truth. I have found myself looking in the mirror and questioning, “Am I beautiful?” Sometimes my mind ponders if I exercise more, work harder, or if I am a nicer person it will add to the beauty that God sees in me. While all of this, in part, adds to a beauty of a certain kind, none of these things can change the way the Lord sees me. Even if I have messy hair, no makeup, and haven’t worked out in a week, that doesn’t change the fact that God looks at me and says, “You are beautiful!” He looks at a different kind of beauty: MY HEART.

I am learning that what this world calls character (excellence, habit, frame of mind, emotions, reputation, personality) God calls beauty. These things are shaping who I am and who I will be. Let me throw in here that even if I have a really bad day, and I am snapping at everyone in sight and have a self-loathing attitude, God still tells me that I am beautiful. At the time I might not be listening, but if I can learn to stop and breathe during hectic moments in my life, I know that I will hear Him confidently say, “You are beautiful!” Sometimes that is all I need to hear to change my attitude completely. He doesn’t put any measure on what I have done that day to call me beautiful. These portions of character are not instantly attained. In fact, it sometimes takes years to begin to make some parts of character a habit! I constantly ask the Lord for strength and little reminders of the goals that I want to pursue. I want a pure heart with a good conscience. Every decision that I make is something that will affect me and others around me.

In the last few weeks I have been reading and re-reading Romans 8. It still boggles my mind to think that I have the Holy Spirit in me constantly, and I have a choice to listen to the lying voice of the devil or the unchanging voice of the Lord! I hope that I never lose that awe of what God has shown me in this passage. I am a new person. I am not who I once thought I was. I am filled with the Holy Spirit who shapes who I am with every action or thought that I have! Who are we portraying? Are we portraying a selfish attitude or a willing spirit? We are His children and because of that His beauty is constantly in us! Will we allow Him to show who He is in our lives?

This post was written by Hannah Dillard. 

Family, Holidays, Recipes

These Are a Few of my Favorite Things….

by hcfwomen5 Comments on These Are a Few of my Favorite Things….

‘Tis the season…to relish the simple joys and extravagant gifts the Lord has filled our lives with…three of our favorites being Family, Friends, and Food!

Memories flood in of cozy nights and days nestled in our homes with laughter, snacks, games, fireplace crackling (or pouring smoke profusely into my house – it depends on which memory)…a silly family talent show, reading Advent devotions around lit candles, skyping with relatives far away, wrestling strings of obstinate Christmas lights (very calmly and serenely, I assure you) while watching “White Christmas” for the umpteenth time…always getting along in perfect harmony, peace on earth, good will to men. 🙂 Through it all, we are cementing these lasting, meaningful memories of what Christmas means into the hearts and minds of all our generations.

And what about our dear, true friends? Life would not be the same without them! However many you have, cherish them! This is the perfect time of year to find ways to make them a priority and express how much they mean to you. Worshiping together, caroling in the cold, preparing homemade gifts for others, shopping, putting up another friend’s Christmas decorations when she can’t, planning surprises, receiving surprises, sparkly outings, excited children, serving special meals, goofy white elephant gift exchanges, sharing recipes and EATING together!! These are a few of the memories we share with our bosom buddies from holidays of yore.

Speaking of food (and we were, weren’t we?), have you ever stirred cut-up chunks of old-fashioned gumdrop orange slices into your chocolate chip cookies? Mmmm…that says Christmas at our house! White chocolate popcorn and pretzels, sausage balls, bubbling wassail on the stove, spinach dip, cranberry coffeecake, fireside coffee, green chili cheese ball, pumpkin-anything, fudge…did I mention D’Ann’s gingersnaps?!  (See recipe below!!) I better go get busy! 🙂 The holidays may elicit a whole different set of delectable desires for you and yours. What speaks “Christmas” to your loved ones’ tummies and hearts? Go make some delish culinary memories for those tastebuds God gave us to enjoy!

Each of us has our own personal little sphere of lives and hearts to touch. Don’t pine and whine for what you don’t have this season – get the Christmas reference?  🙂 – instead thank God for the people and the things and the extraordinary giftings you do have. Pour yourself into nourishing and nurturing right where you are and watch God multiply it while He magnifies Himself.

Let’s take the time in these coming weeks to slow down, be present to those near and dear to us, look into each other’s eyes, absorb the warmth of the festive lights and fragrances and music and flavors, and laugh a lot. Our fellowship is full of beautiful, incredible, life-giving, Christ-centered women – each of you!! Let’s be a sisterhood of Kingdom women who learn how to cultivate an atmosphere of celebration that comes from our abundant hearts, not necessarily from an abundance of costly decorations, or perfectly designed crafts (thank you, Pinterest!), or lavish piles of presents. Many love-filled Christmas blessings, joy, and peace be upon you as we embrace some of the best parts of the holidays – our treasured families (immediate and extended), our precious friends, and a yummy array of food to share!

D’Ann Cypert’s Famous Gingersnaps

(none better in the whole wide world)

¾ cup butter-flavored Crisco (now you see why!)

1 cup sugar

1 egg

¼ cup molasses

2 cups sifted flour

1 Tbls. baking soda

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. ginger

1 tsp. cloves

1 tsp. salt

sugar to roll in (no, not you – the balls of dough!)

Cream Crisco & sugar together. Add egg and molasses. Sift flour with other dry ingredients, then add one cup at a time. Mix well. Shape dough into large marble-sized balls. Roll in sugar. Place 1” apart on cookie sheets. Do not flatten. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes. Makes 3-4 dozen.

This post was written by Jill Brown, loving wife to Greg Brown, an elder at Harvest Christian Fellowship, incredible mom to two amazing young men, Levi and Luke, devoted teacher at Plainview Christian Academy and a loyal friend to all she meets.

Scripture

God’s Word

by hcfwomen1 Comment on God’s Word

God’s Word literally is breath and life. It says that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Wow, this is amazing to me! God’s Word became an actual living, breathing body through Jesus Christ.  Here at Harvest, one of our core values is the Word of God, and understandably so.  Psalm 119:105 says, “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. “ God’s Word is what leads and guides me, what keeps me on his path. It is His Word spoken to me. From a young age I have had a hunger and a love for God’s Word. The older I get the more I believe that hunger and love for his Word has been birthed from a longing to have a deeper, more loving relationship with Him, with Jesus who was the Word made flesh.  The son, Jesus, was the perfect representation of the Father’s heart towards me.  So much of whom God is, His character, His heart towards us, and His promises, are written in His Word.

God’s Word is a place I run to in times of need, when I am desperate to hear from Him, when I need His comfort and His truth. I am always in need of God’s Word; in good times and in bad, it is a source of encouragement and strength to me. God is always faithful to show Himself to me. The beauty of God’s Word is that it is His truth, and when we hide it in our hearts it becomes a resource when we need it. God’s scripture runs through my head throughout the day. He will remind me of specific verses He wants me to meditate on. Having God’s Word hidden in our hearts is not about becoming righteous. I am righteous because of Jesus, not because of what I do. My value doesn’t come from how much of his Word I know. Rather, His Word being hidden in my heart is a priceless treasure that I have as a tool and weapon whenever needed. It is part of my relationship with Him. Remember, the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. To me, it is a very intimate part of my relationship with Him.  I can tell a major difference in the way I respond to life when I am not meditating on God’s Word. In a sense, I forget who I am for a moment and revert to an old way of living. Psalms 119:32 says, “I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.”  When I remember God’s Word and walk in his truth it sets my heart free! It frees me to be who God created me to be, and that is a beautiful thing.

How sweet are your Words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (Psalms 119:103) My prayer for us as women is that we would hunger for God’s Word, that it would be sweet to us. I pray God’s Word would be life and truth to our hearts and souls and that we would find great joy in reading and meditating on it. Thank you, God, for this incredible gift you have given us in your Word.

This post was written by Tissie Beasley. To read more about her, click here.