Tell us your name and where you're from?
My name is Tiphanie Hayward and I’m from Rancho Cucamonga, CA.
What is your faith story, Tiphanie? What can you tell us about your personal life testimony?
T: So growing up, my parents put me in private school and I was introduced to God through school; but didn’t really understand what a relationship with God was. Fast forward to being an adult: after high school, I decided I can do everything on my own. I started working like crazy, including bartending and partying. Eventually it caught up to me and I fell asleep at the wheel one night after drinking too much. I totaled the BMW I bought, crashed into another car, and got arrested with a DUI. Soon after that, I lost all three of my jobs, and in my mind, I hit rock bottom. Of course with everything gone, I ran right back to Jesus. I couldn’t understand how I got to that place. That was in 2017, but since then God has done some amazing things within me. I stared getting involved in church, realized I had a passion that I never knew I had. I love this journey I’m on with God. I can’t wait for my future and everything that’s going to come.
What is your favorite scripture and why?
T: Right now, my favorite scripture is Psalm 25:
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame, let not my enemies exult over me. Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O Lord! Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. For your name's sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great. Who is the man who fears the Lord? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. His soul shall abide in well-being, and his offspring shall inherit the land. The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant. My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net. Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses. Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins. Consider how many are my foes, and with what violent hatred they hate me. Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you. Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.
I’m in a transitional season where I’m completely leaving my emotional past behind and trusting God with my future. I pray this Chapter everyday right now.
If there was one nugget of wisdom in your walk and growth in Christ that you would want to leave us with, what would that be?
We should live our lives as though it was being written about in the Bible. Any one of our stories could easily be in the Bible. We have the same relationships with God as the people we read about. So everyday ask yourself how would you like your story to be told.
Do you have any resources (devotionals, books, studies) that have helped you that you would recommend?
Some books that have really helped me are: Crash the Chatterbox , The Bait of Satan, and Boundaries.
Thank you Tiphanie! Where can we find you online?
Instagram: @tiphsworld
Facebook: Tiphanie Hayward
Podcasts: Time to Blossom (coming soon)
Take-a-way:
Tiphanie's story reminds us that God's heart is toward the best in us. I love that she challenged us to remember that our stories could be parallel to any story in the Bible. Today, she asked us "How would you like your story to be told?" If you are journaling, let's meditate on that today.
Prayer:
Lord, we start today by saying Thank You. Hebrews 12:2 reminds us to look to YOU as the author and finisher of our faith. Today, I pray that trust is built in every reader in you to re-write our stories. We pray along in agreement with Tiphanie, Psalms 25 over every reader of this blog today. We pray that you continue to guide us, that you teach us, and remove everything that doesn't serve us, as we develop a friendship with YOU. We thank you for your grace and we surrender again today as today is a great place to start again. In Jesus' name, Amen!
Love you and praying for you Selah family!
Love, Raaya
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