“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12- NKJV) Here is the Giving Equation for this year and beyond: Read + Receive + Reach + Reap + Rest + Repeat = Giving Generously Wow! That seems like a lot?!?! But the truth is, God demonstrated to us how to give generously.  Jesus demonstrated how to give generously.  Therefore, as Christ’s Sisters, we too are commissioned to give generously.  So, let’s begin with Read. Reading God’s Word and spending intimate time with Him must be deliberate in order to be an unshackled giver. Over the next three weeks, the devotions will highlight three reasons for reading God’s Word. Reason 1: It Reveals Hide and seek is a childhood game adored by so many.  I remember being in grade school, anxiously awaiting recess time.  When recess came, those who wanted to play would all circle up, put their right foot in the center of the circle while someone began the “Bubble gum, bubble gum in a dish” countdown.  The seeker would proceed to the nearest oak tree found in the open field, also known as base.  The hiders would scurry trying to find the best hiding spot, as the seeker began the count to 20. “Ready or not, here I come”, the seeker would yell.  The hiders would be still as an ironing board and watchful as a lioness on the hunt while paying attention to the seeker’s every move.  The hider would only leave the spot when the seeker was far enough away for the hider to safely reach base, or the seeker was in heavy pursuit of another player whose location was no longer concealed.  But the occasion would happen that as a participant darted from hiding to make it to base, the seeker would catch a glimpse and set a new path to chase and capture. This childhood game ruminates in my mind as I consider reading the infallible Word of God.  God’s Word is the seeker, and we are the hiders.  According to Hebrews 4:12, God’s Word uncovers the state of the inner man.  So, although we may have spent our childhood years ducking and dodging from the seeker, as Abba’s dear Daughters, we must learn how to come out in the open and allow His Word to reach the innermost parts of who we are. This is one time when being captured is the best state to be in.  Only in this way can we be transformed. Now the transformation process is not an easy one.  It requires a denying of ourselves and daily cross bearing (Luke 9:23).  Recall, the cross is an ugly place with a magnificent outcome, even for us.  Pruning, correction, doctrine, and instruction are byproducts of allowing His Word to perfect and complete us (2 Timothy 3:16).  His Word reveals exactly what we should strive to emulate and exemplify.  Dear Sisters, let us be encouraged, let us be intentional.  Allow God’s infallible scriptures to mold us into unshackled givers. Let us pray: Abba, You are a Gracious Father! That’s who You are!  Thank You!  Now, Daddy, may we open ourselves to You and receive the regenerative power of Your Word.  There are skeletons, insecurities, vulnerabilities, hurts, temptations, and obstacles that have kept us from trusting our lives in Your Awesome Hands.  But, today, we surrender our will to Yours.  Make us anew!  Let us not run away from Your Word that correct and instructs.  Instead, let us run to Your Word.  For You, O God, chasten those whom You love (Hebrews 12:6).  We are no longer in darkness, but in Your marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).  Thank You for the patience, love, compassion, and guidance as Your Word transforms us into Your masterpieces.  It is in Your Mighty Name, we pray.  Amen!