Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Don’t Throw Away Your Confidence

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God,
you will receive what he has promised.Hebrews 10:35-36

Today we have a short video message based on our key verse. I recorded this message to encourage and equip you as we begin our Confident Heart journey! In my video message I share how we can stop throwing away our confidence and start throwing away our doubts instead! I also show you how to replace your uncertainties with the certainty and security of God’s promises – every day! Please click the arrow below to watch. [If you're reading this via email, CLICK HEREto find the video on my website.]

Don’t Throw Away Your Confidence PRINTABLE (click here)
Message Notes: Although the bideo and message notes say Segment 3, I decided to make this Segment 1 for us, so just ignore that little detail. You can download my video “Message Notes” in a PDF format here or in a MSWord doc here. I encourage you to watch the message once and let God just speak to your heart. Then watch it again and follow along with the message notes (if you want to) which include parts of the message, verses and blanks to fill in.
This Week’s Assignments: Please watch today’s video today and finish reading (or start reviewing) Chapter One. Then when you have time, answer the questions at the end of the chapter. I’ll post a PDF to download with our word and verse of the week here later today. (Heading out the door to a Dr appt this morning.) Then on Friday we’ll have another post where we’ll share/discuss our answers and get to know each other a little better.
Connecting in Community: Ok friends, let’s talk. What are your thoughts about today’s video message? Are you going to take the 7-day challenge and actually write down your doubts? What about printing the download? Where will you put a copy or two so that you have it with you to help you identify your doubts and replace them with God’s truth?

{Remember, if you’re reading this via email, CLICK HERE to find the video and share your thoughts on my website.}

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Sunday, April 22, 2012

{week 1} A Confident Heart Online Study (Spring 2012)

Hi friends! I am so excited to start this “Confident Heart” journey with you!

We have just about 3500, from around the US and the world signed up! I’ve been closing my eyes and picturing us gathering together in small groups (cause I’m a small group kinda girl). Anyhow, it’s so amazing to be here with YOU learning how we can live beyond our doubts by finding our security and confidence in the power of God’s loves and promises for us!

The first thing I want you to remember is: This is YOUR journey.

You’ll be reading the chapters. You will be asking and listening for God to speak to your heart. You’ll be the one who takes time to highlight sentences, promises and quotes you want to remember. You’ll be looking for ways to apply and live what you are learning. You’ll be answering reflection questions and interacting with the group.

You’ll be doing the faith-work of not only believing in God, but really believing God.

I’ll be shepherding, leading, praying, encouraging, connecting and pacing us. I’ll be sharing more of my story – and inviting others who have to share theirs — so that we can see again and again that we are not alone in this journey and struggle towards a confident heart.

I’ll be praying for you, encouraging you, believing in you and challenging you – but you will make the heart investment and be the one who gets out pretty close to as much as you put in.

So, what’s my best advice?? Each time I do something new like this, I ask the Lord what I need to give up – so I can give more to Him. And this time is no different. I’m cutting back on checking emails all throughout my day (which I love to do) and saying no to some fun projects and other time-consumers so I can give more of me TO HIM and to you (for the next 10 weeks)!

Will you pray and block out at least 5 to 10 to 15 minutes every day to let HIM give you all that He has for you?! You are worth it….but more than anything…. JESUS is worth it, right? Are you ready? Here we go:

______________________________________

(Day 1) Assignment

Please Read the Acknowledgements. This will just give you a peak into more of my current personal life. I think that’s an important part of building community and I’ll be asking you to share more about you later this week

Please Read Chapter 1. Please highlight verses and sentences that grab your attention or tug on your heart. What is God saying to you though this chapter? Write down what you sense God speaking to your heart in the margins of your book and/or in a journal/notebook that you’ll use throughout this study.

Let’s Connect: What sentences in Chapter 1 connect with you or resonate with your heart? What might you cut back on to make time for Him and yourself these next several weeks?

Click “Share Your Thoughts” below and do just that. {If you’re reading this via email, click here to return to my website/blog and connect with us in community.

Please Check Your Inbox: Our first Online Study Email was sent and in it I explain how our online study will work. Just want to make sure you know it’s there. If you can’t find it, here’s a link to it online.

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Are you on Facebook or Twitter? If so, be sure to join our Confident Heart Facebook Page and follow along on Twitter (@reneesswope) – using the hashtag #AConfidentHeart so we can find each others tweets.

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Saturday, April 21, 2012

A Note to Email Subscribers {& online study sign-ups}

Hi friends! If you are signed up to receive my Website/Blog Email updates, I’m truly honored to have you as one of my subscribers. I value your time and realize your inbox is probably really full. So, it means a lot that you would invite me into your already crowded space and busy days :0).

As you may know, for the next several weeks, I’ll be leading another online study of my book. Even if you aren’t part of the study, as a subscriber you will receive my blog posts and I’m praying God will speak to your heart in a special way by what is shared – even though you aren’t reading the book. He did that with so many last time, too.

I just wanted to let you know what to expect in the coming weeks – some of my upcoming posts may look familiar. But each week I’ll have a guest or two sharing their stories, and something new to keep it fresh and encouraging for you, too. I’d love to have you continue as a subscriber and journey with me closer to the heart of God during the coming weeks and for many more that follow.

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For Online Study Sign-up Friends

I just sent a Confident Heart Online Bible and Book Study confirmation email to almost 3000 women who signed up for the study that starts Monday!! Are you one of them? If so, I wanted to make sure you received it. {About 40 emails bounced back. So they are stuck in spam or lost in cyberspace probably due to accidental typos in email addresses during the sign up process but it can be fixed easily.}

Did you receive an email with my website banner at the top. Like the graphic above? If YES- you successfully signed up for my Online Study group list. If not, the details below will help you.

Are you reading this post via email – with my head shot in the top corner? If YES, then you are already an email subscriber.

If you cannot say YES to both please take a minute to do these things today:

SIGN UP for my Online Study group in the sidebar. {Please type your email carefully.}
SIGN UP to Receive Email Updates under the Online study sign up. If you don’t already receive them.
PLEASE ADD aconfidentheart@gmail.com and renee@reneeswope.com to your email account as an approved sender. And please check spam these next few days to make sure you are receiving emails. A few will be coming in the next two days.

Important Reminder: You’ll need a copy of the book, a notebook, a Bible, and a ready-for-Jesus-to-do-a-new-thing-in-you attitude! If you are waiting on your book, you can read the Foreword and chapter One on Amazon by clicking “Look Inside” here.

I’m so honored to seek the heart of God with you in the coming weeks. I’ll be praying daily over each of you, asking the Father, Son and Holy Spirit to do a transforming work in and through each of our hearts as we seek His more and more each day!

_________________________

Got any questions before we get started? Are you excited, nervous, ready?? Just click “share your heart” below. I’ll be reading comments and answering questions this weekend as time allows. {If you are reading this via email, click here to return to my website to leave a comment or ask a questions.}

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Thursday, April 19, 2012

New Online Study MONDAY {& my book is on SALE}

My book is now ON SALE for $9.99 ($5 off ) thru Proverbs 31 Ministries.

And all profits from my P31 book sales go directly to P31 ministry and are multiplied in building God’s Kingdom! {Also, I’m signing the first 500 copies purchased during this special offer with a prayed over and personal scripture too!}

*****

Can you tell I’m excited? I’d give my books away if I could so I love when they are on sale!! It’s especially fun since I’m counting down the days, praying through the details and lining up guests for my next Confident Heart online study!

It starts this Monday April 23rd and I would love for you to join us!

What if you already went through it? It is a book you can’t absorb all in one read! And each week, I’ll have a something new to keep it fresh if you’re going through a second time with me. In fact, I received this note this week and wanted to share it with you so you can hear from someone other than me

Renee, I just wanted to take a moment to tell you that I LOVED YOUR STUDY. It meant so much to me and I believe I have grown because I have replaced the doubts with His truth. I did your study with Melissa Taylor but again with you because there were so many things for me to get in my heart. Thank you so much for writing the book and for leading us through the truths you learned. Praying for God’s Blessings on you and your family as you continue working for Him. In Christ, Darlene {Thank you Darlene!!}

Again, I would love for you to prayerfully consider joining us! Here’s the scoop:

What’s Needed: A copy of the book, a notebook, a Bible, and a ready-for-God- to-do-a-new-thing in you attitude!

What To Expect: I’ll send an email with our reading plan and assignments for the week each Monday morning, and then post here on my website/blog about the topic of the chapter 2-3 times each week. We’ll interact and share our thoughts here, too. And I’ll have some guest posts, plus FREE video teaching segments, as well as music videos and more.

At Your Convenience: Because we’ll meet online, you can check in at your convenience any time of the day and week.

How to Sign Up: See the sign up box in the sidebar and please also sign up to “Receive Email Updates” . Then be sure to confirm your subscription so you don’t miss a thing.

Helpful Links:

Click here to find out more about the book, and links to purchase.

Click here to read the table of contents or here for Chapter 1 (an introduction and overview of the book).

For a full chapter and to get a better feel for the book, click here to read Chapter 2. *It’s s in a PDF so your computer might warn you, but it’s safe to open.

I’m so looking forward to setting aside time each week for us! Praying for and anticipating the new thing God wants to do in our hearts and in our lives!

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Monday, April 16, 2012

Radical Faith ~ Radical Confidence

On April 28th, I’m speaking at the Radical Girlfriends Conference in Tallahassee, FL - and I would LOVE to meet you there!

Tickets are only $15 for the event (or $23 with lunch included.)

Women from the surrounding area/cities/states are making plans to attend! Getting together and making a road trip because they want to have a day away to be renewed and to experience radical life and faith transformations! I hope you will join us this powerful day of worship and teaching as we get into God’s word and let God’s word can get into us!

You wont’ just leave feeling entertained – you will leave knowing God has an amazing plan for your life and feeling equipped to walk in it! Come find out how you can:

Live in the certainty of God’s promises despite the uncertainty of your circumstances and emotions.

Discover and live confidently in your God-given purpose, passion and personality

Overcome the weariness of worry as you learn how to entrust Jesus with consuming concerns

Break-free from people-pleasing and performance-based living so you can become the woman God created you to be!

To register click here.

Here’s something I just love about this event! Radical Girlfriends is designed to give back to the community at every event. A percentage of the proceeds from the Tallahassee event will be given to Chelsea House.

Helping At-Risk Women & Their Children

Homeless women and their children in the area face many challenges and are in need of help. It is the mission of the Good Samaritan Network to be a part of solution to this ever-growing problem. Through various programs, we are able to help meet the needs of the homeless; thus, offering them encouragement and hope in God. The Good Samaritan Network is a non-profit Christian charitable organization that networks with like-minded agencies and ministries for the purpose of restoration to individuals who find themselves facing at or near homelessness. It is our goal to reach out to the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of our ladies in need. (Serving at-risk women and their children in Florida’s Big Bend Region)

Click here to register for The Radical Girlfriend Conference (or to find out more details).

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Thursday, April 12, 2012

We’re On Spring Break

Photo Credit

We are on Spring Break this week so I’ve unplugged a little to rest, spend time with my family, play and re-organize our garage and closets. It’s a glorious thing! But since we’re on a “stay-cation” we are not completely unplugged because my boys love their social media connections too —so o you might find me on Twitter or Facebook every now and then. :-)

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Saturday, April 7, 2012

That’s My King

Happy Easter friends! We are on Spring Break so I’ve unplugged a little bit. But today we watched something I wanted to share with you. Our family has seen this powerful video message a few times. {Maybe you have too.} But it’s a message I just can’t get enough of.

I thought you’d enjoy watching it too as we prepare to celebrate and worship our risen King!! If you’ve never seen it, you’ll be so glad you did today!

That’s My King! from Albert Martin on Vimeo.

Resurrection Blessings,
Renee

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Monday, April 2, 2012

Does it get any better than FREE?

A Confident Heart Ebook is available for FREE!!! {But hurry - it’s today only}

My wonderful publisher has graciously given me the opportunity to give away FREE copies of A Confident Heart via Ebook as a celebration of you – and the life-change stories you have shared as you read A Confident Heart – as well as the culmination of my first-ever Confident Heart Online Study finishing strong! We just couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate over 8500 women from around the world seeking Jesus’ heart and learning to live in the security of God’s promises – together!

Download a copy and keep God’s promises right at your fingertips. It’s available here:

On Amazon for the Kindle here.
On Barnes & Noble for the Nook here.

Don’t have a Kindle, Nook or other Ereader? You can download a FREE Kindle App on your PC, MAC, Iphone, Ipad, ANdroid and other electronic devices. Isn’t that amazing!? Click here to download FREE Kindle App.

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A Dream and A Prayer Come True?
Last April, during Spring Break, I sensed God daring me to ask HIM to do something only He could do – with my book. I didn’t know what to ask for…so I asked Him. Immediately He led me to pray for a way to give 1000 copies away.

I didn’t know that that would look like {each copy cost me $7} but I wanted to believe so I’ve given one book at a time and asked Him to make it immeasurably more. It’s been so fun sending copies to pregnancy centers, prisons, churches and libraries. Today, I’m wondering, could this be HIS way of answering?

I hope you’ll join me (please download a copy even if you have one) and ask Jesus to do more than we can think of or ask for? {Maybe over 2000 downloads!?}

Please Share With Friends and Family
Oh how I would love for you to forward this post (via email) or share a link to it on your Facebook or Twitter page! BUT remember this AMAZING FREE Ebook giveaways ends at MIDNIGHT! So be sure to let friends and family know to download their copy right away. I would hate for them to miss it!

Big smiles, prayers and blessings!
Renee

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Thursday, March 29, 2012

In the Shadow of the Cross

“If we want to live beyond the shadow of our doubts, we need to position our thoughts and our hearts to dwell in the shadow of the cross, each and every day.” A Confident Heart, Chpt 11

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

***

Every time doubt threatens to cast a shadow over our hearts, let’s run back to Jesus, turn toward the Light of His Truth, and stand in the shadow of the Cross. In the shadow of the Cross – everything changes:

When you feel inadequate, God says: You are CHOSEN.
“‘You are my witnesses,’ declares the Lord, ‘and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he’” (Isa. 43:10).

When you feel afraid, God says: You are REDEEMED.
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine” (Isa. 43:1).

When you feel unloved, God says: You are LOVED.
“You are precious and honored in my sight, and . . . I love you” (Isa. 43:4).

When you feel forgotten, God says: You are REMEMBERED.
“See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands” (Isa. 49:16).

When you feel insecure, God says: You are SECURE.
“Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders” (Deut. 33:12).

When you feel unable or unstable, God says: You are ABLE.
“The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights” (Hab. 3:19).

When you feel worthless, God says: You are CALLED.
“You are a chosen [woman], a royal [priest], a holy [daughter], God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Pet. 2:9).

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I’d love to know which of these promises speaks most to your heart today – and if you’re feeling brave – why does it resonate with you? Also, for those in my online study…what are some thoughts or verses you’ve underlined in Chapter 11? Are there certain things that you want to remember?

{ click “share your thoughts” and do just that…I love to hear from you!}

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Tuesday, March 27, 2012

{week 11} The Hope of Glory

“Jesus did not die on the cross just to get us out of hell and into heaven.
He died on the cross to get Himself out of heaven and into us.
It’s what we were we made for. It’s why we long for glory.

The truth is, we were created to reveal glory – just not our own.

God created us in His image to reveal His glory by giving visibility to His invisible character within us. Christ in us is the hope of the glory. (Col 1:27)”
From Chapter 11, A Confident Heart

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Our Word/Phrase for the week is: Created for Glory

Download and print our word for the week in a PDF or in MSWord.

His WORD for us this week: ” I have become its )the church’s) servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27, NIV)

From My Heart:
I am feeling sad and proud today!! I didn’t want to write this post because it’s our last one Word of the week for this go-round. It’s our last week together in my first online study (so I”m sad) but we did it ( so I’m proud)!!! Even if you aren’t yet reading chapter 11, I’m still proud of you because you’re here today which means you haven’t given up!!:0) Friend, let’s commit to throw off anything that hinders us this week so we can run with endurance and finish strong together — staying connected and committed to the end.

Staying Connected:
Please share your thoughts about what I shared from Chapter 11 at the top of this post. What are your thoughts us being created for glory – but just not our own. What are some other ways God is speaking to you so far in chapter 11. {If you’ve never commented before – I hope today is the day you do!!! And if you are a regular – don’t be shy please. I want to hear from all of YOU!!

{Just Click “share your thoughts” below this post and do just that. And if you are reading this via email click here to connect through the comments on my website!}

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