Wherever you are today, this biblical meditation, narrated by Lonein Lara, offers a quiet space to pause and reconnect with God.

To grow, you have to rest! Meditate on Leviticus 25:3-4.

Abide is a Christian meditation app that helps you experience peace and grow in your relationship with Christ through Scripture, prayer, and reflection.

Try Abide free for 30 days and explore our premium, ad-free meditations here: https://abide.com/peace

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Words are powerful. They can shrink us, define us, and follow us for years — long after the person who said them has forgotten they ever spoke.But the same tongue that tears down can learn to build up.

LINKS:
Read with us in April! 
Download Growing in Gentleness
Connect with Christie Thomas
Follow Everyday Prayers @MillionPrayingMoms

A Prayer for Gentle Tongues with Christie Thomas

The same mouth that wounds can become, as Proverbs says, a tree of life.That's not wishful thinking. That's the Spirit at work. "A gentle tongue is a tree of life." — Proverbs 15:4What would it look like today to speak words that give life instead of take it?

Reference: Ephesians 4:29

Prayer: Jesus, I’m sorry for the times when my words have been foul, hurtful, bitter, or harsh toward others and toward myself. Thank You for Your incredible, unmerited forgiveness. Please help me to speak gracious words that build others up and give grace to those who hear instead of words that only make me feel better for the moment. In Jesus’s name, amen.

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Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Have you ever wondered if you’re truly following Jesus or just doing all the “right” things?

In this conversation, I sit down with Natalia Drumm to talk about what discipleship really looks like in everyday life. Not performance. Not checking boxes. But actually walking with Jesus.

We talk about why community alone isn’t enough, how to know if you’re growing spiritually, and what it means to surrender control to God, even when it’s hard.

If you’ve been craving something deeper in your faith, this conversation will help you see what’s been missing… and how to take your next step.

And remember, I'd love to connect more on Instagram, where you'll find me at @donnaajones. And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode!

Xo,

Donna

Key Takeaways:

• How Natalia started “Girlfriends in the Word” from a personal need
• Why many women feel disconnected even in church settings
• The difference between being a Christian and being a disciple
• Why reading Scripture matters more than relying on other resources
• The danger of “performative” faith in today’s culture
• What it really means to abide in Jesus
• How to identify who (or what) is discipling you
• The power of multi-generational relationships in spiritual growth
• Letting go of personal ambition to embrace God’s assignment
• What it looks like to “die to yourself” in everyday life

What Discipleship Actually Looks Like

1. Know Jesus through His Word
   You can’t follow someone you don’t know—Scripture reveals who He truly is.
2. Abide, Don’t Perform
   Transformation comes from staying close to Jesus, not striving to impress Him.
3. Be Discipled (Don’t Go Alone)
   You need people ahead of you who can guide and pour into your life.
4. Disciple Others
   As you grow, turn around and help someone else follow Jesus too.
5. Surrender Your Will
   Let Jesus be King—release control and trust His way over yours.

Donna’s Resources:

Order a copy of my latest book - 

Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life: A Biblical Guide to Communicating Thoughts, Feelings, and Opinions with Grace, Truth, and Zero Regret. 

It is available anywhere books are sold– here is the link on Amazon. 

If you need a helpful resource for someone exploring faith and Christianity or simply want to strengthen your own knowledge, you’ll want a copy of my book, Seek: A Woman’s Guide to Meeting God.

It’s a must for seekers, new believers, and those who want to deepen their confidence in their faith.

Connect with Natalia:

Website: nataliadrumm.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/girlfriendsintheword 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliadrumm/ 

Podcast: Girlfriends in the Word 

Let’s Connect:

Instagram: @donnaajones    

Te invitamos a escuchar nuestro nuevo devocional, donde reflexionamos sobre un tema esencial en la vida cristiana: el carácter que glorifica a Dios. Acompáñanos mientras descubrimos cómo la valentía, gentileza, lealtad e integridad reflejan la gloria del Padre, y cómo el permanecer en Cristo Jesús (nuestra Vid verdadera) nos transforma para cumplir nuestro propósito eterno: Glorificar a Dios y disfrutar de Su presencia por siempre. Le pedimos a Dios que esta reflexión fortalezca tu Fe y te inspire a vivir con un carácter conforme su corazón.

Presentado por Luciano Goicochea & Mercy Cosme

CANAL EN TELEGRAM

GRUPO EN WHATSAPP

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

“Follow your heart” sounds inspiring—but Proverbs 3:5–6 offers a better path: trust God over your own understanding. Scripture reminds us that the human heart can be unreliable (Jeremiah 17:9), often shaped by emotion, culture, or pride rather than truth. Real clarity comes not from looking inward, but from surrendering fully to the Lord and allowing Him to direct your steps.

God doesn’t just redirect our paths—He reshapes our desires. As we stay rooted in His Word, He aligns our hearts with His will, replacing confusion with conviction. Instead of chasing what feels right in the moment, we’re invited to follow the One who sees the full picture and leads with perfect wisdom.

Highlights

• “Follow your heart” is cultural advice, not biblical direction
• The heart can be deceptive and influenced by emotion or pride
• True guidance comes from trusting God, not personal understanding
• God transforms our desires as we seek and obey Him
• Scripture renews our minds and anchors our decisions in truth
• Following God leads to clarity, purpose, and alignment with His will
• Obedience often requires surrendering plans we once held tightly

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Full Transcript Below:

Forsaking Following Your Heart

By: Emily Rose Massey

Bible Reading:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct[a] your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV).

Shortly after college graduation, I became a born-again believer in Jesus Christ; I repented of my sin and surrendered my life to Christ, committing to take up my cross and follow Him no matter the cost. Yet I still wanted to pursue my original plan to become an actress in Los Angeles. As a Christian, I believed I was called to be a light in a dark place, so I was supposed to use my talents for Christ in Hollywood. I was receiving mixed messages from trusted believers because they kept telling me to trust God with the plans to pursue my dreams. This just led to more confusion.

Trust God with my plan and my heart’s desires?

Again and again, the phrase “follow your heart” was echoing through my mind. This phrase seems to be very popular in American culture, even among Christian circles. You can find these three words boldly displ

Is busyness keeping you from being the neighbor God has called you to be?

In week three of our Words of Life series on neighboring, Bernie Dake and Major Sandra Pawar tackle one of the biggest barriers we all face: a busy life. Between work, family, responsibilities, and constant distractions, it can feel nearly impossible to slow down and engage with the people right outside our door.

Looking at the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10, this episode challenges us to examine our priorities. Are we truly too busy, or have we allowed busyness to become an excuse? What would it look like to create space for people in the middle of our everyday routines?

Major Sandra offers practical and refreshing insight. Neighboring does not require adding more to your schedule. It is about inviting others into what you are already doing. Whether it is a simple wave while taking out the trash, a quick conversation in the driveway, or opening your home in small ways, these moments can become meaningful opportunities for connection and witness.

You will also hear a powerful story from Salvation Army officers in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, who stepped into a growing housing crisis in their community. Faced with rising rent and increasing poverty, they responded with compassion and action, helping dozens of families find stable housing. Their story is a reminder that loving your neighbor sometimes means meeting urgent, tangible needs and walking alongside people in difficult seasons.

This episode will encourage you to rethink your schedule, reexamine your priorities, and rediscover how God can use your everyday life to impact others.

Don’t forget: You can also download our free devotional, “Mind, Body & Soul,” designed to help strengthen your walk with God through Scripture, prayer, and practical habits.

 CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

The book, THE ART OF NEIGHBORING on Amazon

The book, 1,000 CUPS OF TEA on Amazon

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith.  You can also become a regular supporter of this podcast on the website.

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If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange

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The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here:  https://amzn.to/41v1DKh

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To email John Stange directly, please send your message to [email protected].

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith.  You can also become a regular supporter of this podcast on the website.

.

If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange

.

The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here:  https://amzn.to/41v1DKh

.

To email John Stange directly, please send your message to [email protected].

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We have all known the frustration of staring at a blank page, a problem with no obvious solution, or a situation that demands fresh thinking we simply do not have. Creative blocks are not reserved for artists — they show up in the middle of ordinary life, when we need to find a new way to connect with someone we love, navigate a conflict at work, or simply figure out what to make for dinner. And in those moments, most of us never think to do the one thing that would help most: ask God.

James 1:5 holds a promise that is far more practical than we often give it credit for. God gives wisdom generously, without finding fault, to anyone who asks — and that wisdom is not limited to the grand decisions of life. It is the creative spark for the everyday problems, the nudge toward a perspective we had not considered, the quiet settling of a stressed mind that finally allows a new idea to surface. The God who designed the fractal pattern of a snowflake and the complex rhythm of the human heart is the same God who is eager to collaborate with you in the ordinary moments of your day. He does not think your problems are too small to warrant His attention. What matters to you, matters to Him. So the next time you feel creatively stuck, you don't have to stay there. Your Master Creator is ready to pour out exactly what you need — all you have to do is ask.

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Today's Bible Verse:

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." — James 1:5, NIV

Ponder Today

1. God is the Master Creator — the same God who designed every intricate detail of the natural world is eager to share His creative wisdom with us in the ordinary problems of daily life.
2. Creativity is not limited to artists — every person uses God-given creativity every single day, from solving problems at work to navigating difficult conversations with grace.
3. James 1:5 is a guarantee, not a suggestion — God promises to give wisdom generously and without fault-finding to anyone who asks, which means we never have to stay stuck alone.
4. God's answers to our creative prayers don't always come dramatically — sometimes He answers through a gentle nudge, a fresh perspective, or a quiet peace that allows a new idea to finally surface.
5. Our daily tasks are opportunities to collaborate with God — when we invite Him into our thinking, even the most mundane problems become moments of partnership with the Creator of the universe.

Today's Prayer

Dear God, I have reached the end of my own ideas, and I am so grateful that Your wisdom never runs out. Please give me a fresh spark of creativity for the situations I am facing today — my projects, my conversations, my problems, and more. Clear away the fog of stress and open my eyes to possibilities and solutions I have not yet noticed. Thank You for being a God who gives generously and never judges me for needing Your help. I am looking and listening for Your creative ideas today, trusting that You will give me exactly what I need. Thank You, God. Amen.

Enjoy Today's Prayer?

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Don't forget to grab your free scripture journal at ⁠⁠⁠PrayingChristianWomen.com/journal ⁠⁠⁠today!

Where do you turn when the noise of the world is deafening, the demands on your time are endless, and you desperately need a quiet place to anchor your soul?

Join Jaime on the Praying Christian Women Podcast for a deeply personal devotional on Psalm 62 — a profound invitation to step away from the chaos of living and make God alone your refuge from busyness and betrayal.

Jaime unpacks David's experience with treachery and the exhaustion of dealing with people who bless with their mouths but inwardly curse. Rather than simply looking outward at the offenses of others, she turns the mirror inward. With gentle vulnerability, she leads a time of confession, challenging us to examine our own integrity, hidden judgments, and the ways we might be double-minded in our own thoughts and words.

We also dig into the striking, subtle shift between verse 1 ("My soul waits in silence") and verse 5 ("My soul, wait in silence"). Jaime explores how waiting on God is not a passive resignation, but an active, intentional quieting of the endless media and mental inputs we consume every day. She shares how we can practically coach our restless, weary souls back to stillness when the turmoil of life makes us want to run.

Come ready to unplug from the striving and step into intentional white space. Let this psalm remind you that while the world spins in a blur of endless activity and shifting truths, you have an unshakable stronghold. Because He is the rock. He is the anchor. And He is the quiet refuge where our souls can finally be still.

Discover More:

Explore additional episodes of Praying Christian Women, Mindful Christian Prayers, and other Christian podcasts at Lifeaudio.com

Check out our new podcast, Christian True-Crime Junkies!, on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere you listen to podcasts!

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