“I used to feel so far from God, like I had to work my way back to Him after periods of inconsistency in my time with Him, seasons of unbelief or self-sufficiency, or other sins. I was also convinced God had lost His patience with me.Then I’d try harder and eventually fail again.
Finally, I’d get defeated and wonder, “What’s the use in trying?”
But now I know it’s not about trying harder. It’s about turning sooner. It’s about confessing sin and turning back to God’s gift of grace.
Grace is God’s “undeserved favor.” We don’t have to earn it, and we cannot lose it when we act undeserving. Grace is God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Yes, grace cost a lot, but Jesus already paid for it. Because you see… it is “by grace [we] have been saved, through faith—and this not from [ourselves], it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:8). And God’s grace not only saved us from eternal hell, it saves us from the hell we put ourselves through daily with guilt, shame, self-loathing and condemnation.
Some people ask if grace is a license to sin. A confident woman knows that it’s not. Instead, she realizes grace is the security of knowing God’s love is guaranteed for her because she trusts in Christ. Really understanding His sacrificial gift accomplishes the opposite of granting a license to sin. When we grasp what Jesus did for us, we want to return the gift of His life by offering ours to Him, even if our offering isn’t perfect or even perfectly consistent.” ~ From Chapter 10
Our word for the week is GRACE
Download and print our word for the week in a PDF or in MSWord.
Our verse for us this week: “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourself; it is the gift of God -” (Eph. 2:8)
Our prayer for us this week: Lord, thank You that I can approach Your throne of grace with confidence and receive mercy and find grace to help me in my time of need. Because of Your mercy and forgiveness, my guilt-induced doubt is replaced by grace-induced confidence. Help me trust You with all my heart and not lean on my own understanding, acknowledging You in all my ways so You can make my path straight. Those who know Your name trust You, Lord, because You have never deserted those who seek Your help. In Jesus’ Name, amen. {See Hebrews 4:16; 1 John 1:9; Proverbs 3:5–6; Psalm 9:10.}
Let’s Chat: What is one area of your life where you need to receive more of God’s grace and give yourself more grace too?
Please click “share your thoughts” just below this post and do just that. {If you are reading this via email please click here to return to my website to connect with us!}
Discover more from Renee Swope
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Hi everyone, I do hope my post gets read and hopefully helps somebody along the line.i will never forget the help Dr Papa temple render to me in my marital life. i have been married for 4 years now and my husband and i love each other very dearly . after 3 years of our marriage my husband suddenly change he was having an affair with a lady outside,i notice it then i was praying for divine intervention the thing became more serious i told my pastor about it we prayed but nothing happen. my husband just came home one day he pick up his things and left me and the kids to his mistress outside at this time i was confuse not knowing what to do again because i have lost my husband and my marriage too. i was just checking my mails in the office when i saw someone sharing her testimony on how Dr Papa temple help her out with her marital problems so i contacted the email of Dr papa i told him my problem and i was told to be calm that i have come to the right place that i should fill some information concerning my self i did after 30 minus he called me again congratulating me that my problems will be solve within 48 hours. he told me what went wrong with my husband and how it happen.that they will restored my marriage but i will make a free donation to their Papa home anything my heart told me. to my greatest surprise my husband came to my office begging me on his knees that i should find a place in my heart to forgive him i quickly ask him up that i have forgiven him.friends your case is not too hard why don’t you give Dr papa a try they work surprises because i know they will also bring back your husband. contact him via [email protected]([email protected])
Am miss naomi from Canada “I have many problems in my life and have been to so many spell casters with no results and as a result of this, I ended up in a huge debt.One day I used internet and felt some kind of strange but kind and gentle force as if someone was guiding me to search for spell casters. I can’t remember the words I typed in the search engine but I was directed to priest oremi, the great spell caster . And that was it! I felt so lucky to have found the testimony of this lady called Mrs patience . It all happened so naturally and easily and I am glad it did. No words can express the feeling I had.Despite all the bad experiences I had with FAKE spell casters on the internet in the past, nothing could stop me from reaching my dreams, so I ordered a spell from priest oremi. I had sleepless nights and was very worried because I promised myself I won’t approach a spell caster for help but did as it was time for me to help myself, stop crying and stop feeling sorry for myself.I also knew there was someone out there who is capable of helping me.I ordered a spell from priest remi, and it took only a little more than 2 weeks for the results to show and it is getting better and better.I have never been so happy. Never ever did I think that I could find a spell caster to help me fix any problems.I am so glad I found priest oremi, he is such a gem, a kind person who has a positive impact on my life.His services are highly recommended. He is always there and responds to your emails which is very rare of a spell caster. I completely understand that some people have problems believing in magic and finding the right spell caster (I have been there) but priest oremi is a true practitioner who can REALLY help. Sometimes money is an issue but it is worth spending a few hundred if your problems can be solved. I believe it is a small price to pay. And a word of advice about staying positive…DO IT. When you are ordering a spell STAY POSITIVE during and after the spell work.Thank You priest oremi!! God bless you and your family. I didn’t happen to read Mrs patience testimony for just accidentally. It was very naturally, yet strongly fated and I feel so lucky.” don’t be scared he can help u if u need him via email him now out [email protected]
I am the happiest person on earth today because today My Seven years run away lover came back to me on his knees with tears on his eye begging me to please forgive him and accept him back, Dr.Grant a great Spell caster made this possible with the help of a spell. i saw his email address on the internet where a girl post on how Dr.Grant helped her so i decided to contact him and he told me that every thing will be fine and now i am happy because Dr.Grant is a man of his words because everything went well as he promised me. Are you having misunderstanding with your love or his your love seeing someone else? what is your problem that you which to solve? contact Dr.Grant today via email and every thing will be fine okay [email protected].
I PROMISE TO SHELL THE TESTIMONY
I WANT TO QUICKLY USE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK THE MOST POWERFUL SPELL CASTER TO ME WHO CAST A SPELL FOR ME TO GET MY LOVER BACK. MY LOVER LEFT ME AND RUN AFTER ANOTHER GIRL, HE CLAIMED HE WAS NO LONGER FEELING OUR RELATIONSHIP. HE BLOCKED ME OFF HIS PHONE AND MAIL. I TRIED ALL I COULD TO GET HIM BACK, BUT TO NO AVAIL. 3 DIFFERENT SPELL CASTERS DECEIVED ME AND GO AWAY WITH MY MONEY AND DID NOTHING FOR ME. A FRIEND WHOM PRINCE AYAWU HAS HELPED BEFORE GAVE ME HIS CONTACT AND ASSURE ME OF POSITIVE RESULT. I WAS ACTUALLY CONFUSED AND SCARED BECAUSE I DONT WANT TO LOOSE ANY MORE MONEY. SHE ENCOURAGE ME TO GIVE A TRY, I DECIDED TO GIVE MY LAST TRY, TO MY GREATEST SURPRISE, PRINCE AYAWU CAST A SPELL FOR ME AND MY LOVER CONTACTED ME IN LESS THAN 48HOURS AND HE ACTUALLY CAME BACK LOOKING FOR ME. HE PROPOSED MARRIAGE TO ME AND NOW WE ARE GETTING MARRIED IN 3WEEKS TIME. THANKS TO YOU PRINCE AYAWU, I WILL FOR EVER REMAIN GRATEFUL TO YOU. I ADVICE ANY ONE SEEKING FOR A REAL AND GENUINE SPELL CASTER NOT TO WASTE ANY MONEY OR TIME WITH FAKE SPELL CASTERS, JUST GO STRAIGHT TO PRINCE AYAWU NOW, HIS CONTACT EMAIL IS [email protected], I AM 100% SURE HE WILL HELP YOU TOO. ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU SIR, YOU ARE REALLY AS GREAT AS MY FRIEND TOLD ME
I never believe that there are people who can help people to get back there lover once,my husband who divorce me last year just because i was not having a children for him,so my husband never love me so my life was so bad,i did everything just to make him happy, he was not happy and i so much love him,so one day he came home angry and he told me that i should live is house that i can not given birth to a children that i should live is life that he had already call the lawyer that we are going to sign our divorce so when the lawyer came we sign the divorce,i now started living my life, so one day i was going to my friend place when i saw my old time friend,with are two kids when she now ask me about my kids and my husband tears fell off my eye she now ask me why was i crying what is the problem,she now told me to come to her house that we should talk about it,on Saturday i went to her house, when i told her all that happen,she smiled then i ask her, what is the problem that make her to smile or is she laughing at me she said no;that a man can help me to solve all this problem she said that prince ogbondu help her to get her husband back and make her to have children of her own so i told her that were is this man that can help people so she told me that this great man does not use black magic or voodoo power that this great man name prince ogbondu use Gods power to help people,she now call this great man for me we now talk on the phone, he now told me that he will call me later that he should do some prayer which he did and he call me and told me every thing that i should not worry that i am going to have children of my own he now said that my husband is going to call me back after 24hours,after the next 24hour my husband call me to come back to him that he will want me back again,now will are happy again in our marriage thanks to this great man prince ogbondu for his help and now i am three month pregnant i am the most happiest woman on this earth today thanks to him so if any body needs help contact him on his email [email protected] or call him +2348070687763 once again thanks to this great man for the help and the miracle he did for me prince ogbondu you are great
Name:Walker roselin
Country:uk
i never believe there is real spell caster and I don’t just know how to start am just short of word’s ,Due to the help of dr drokoduwa, that has brought back happiness into my life that i have lacked for year,My name is michellewilson am from the United State of America,Am just so happy today because today has been the happiest day of my life and this happiness has brought me joy and am so happy,Because drokoduwa brought back my lover candy into my arms without any delay,After my lover left me for good 2years,i was in deep pain and always thinking because i truly loved candy,Until a faithful day i was searching for job online when say testimony about how drokoduwa bring back a broken home i ignore the testimony,Then again in which i had a lady list shouting in happiness about the great thing drokoduwa has done how dr okoduwa brought back her lover back into her arms within 36hours,when i had that goodness again i decided in contacting drokoduwa immediately,Because i was desperately in need of getting my ex back to life again,So i got in touch with him,Which then i told him my problem and he promised in bringing back candy back to my arms within 24hours,And then when i had that candy would be back to my arms within 24hours i was so happy and waiting to feel candy,And really candy came into my arms within 24hours,Begging me for forgiveness,i was so happy when i saw candy now my lover is fully back to my arms due to the help of this great spell caster who has brought back happiness into our great country(Usa)Please friend in need of help you don’t need to go far all you need to do is for you to kindly contact {drokoduwa} for help,Because he his trustworthy and straight forward,You can contact him on his private email ([email protected]) or call +2348138160870 just try luck by contacting he thanks
This is an amazing post. I loved the way you broke down the word GRACE, I’ve never seen it put like that.
Thank you for sharing.
My wife and I separated Last year September, I will agree I wasn’t true to myself and her. But i did all I could let her have a good life I did put all my energy into our little family as we have 2 beautiful kids.because I worked As a waiter she didn’t really like that for a career, she thought i didn’t want to do well in my life. last year as the harsh finance situation hit as we’ve been suffering with our finance for a while she decided to end our marriage. which i was very devastated!! to lose the love of my life, but a month after separation i went to France for 10days to clear my head. when i got back she wanted me back but she didn’t want romantic side of it a month after xmas she told me again that she cant do it anymore as our finance was at lowest. then we made a decision to end it to sort our lives out…but my prayer everyday for her to realize that i am not a loser all i wanted is to do what i could to put food on the table and roof over their head. since the second separation i am qualified football coach and fitness instructor and doing more toward my career but I don’t want to get into a relationship with another woman when my wife and I suffered all of this years when my career takes of shes not there to enjoy it with me..I really want her back in my life so i contacted this spell caster CHIFE OGWA who now help me to bring her back, we now have a happy family together with my wife. If you want his help you reach him via email at [email protected]
Blessings, Grace yes God Grace, the spelling out of what you think it means bring more clarity of it. God do so much that we take/took and still taking for granted. we all just want want want from Him and He keeps giving but yet we somethings thing it hard to give back, all He wants or ever wanted is our love our heart our trust, He thought me pacients for He carries so much for us. i it wasnt for His pacients ans love this world would have already come to an end, but he awaits on us that no one gets left behind, for those that cant see that and thinks Hes never coming back, dont wait till its to LATE God always keeps His promise lets promise to keep His.
Father i want to take this time out to thanks You for Your Grace, thank You for Your love thank You for been my Dad/Father/Papi without You i would be lost really i was not to far for that but You always seems to be there right there in my times of need and at time that i didnt call on You. Papi You holds my breath in Your hands You gived me life, You gave me this family dispite of who i was then cause You had a plan for me. Your Grace made me who i am today, You sent Your Son in my place to save me/us. some may ask whats the big deal, i see the big deal, there is no greater love that a Man that lay down His life for His friend/brother. and You sent Your Son to do that for me/us. Father sorry for the pain I have caused Him(Jesus) on that cross, sorry for not understanding Your Grace back then, sorry for pushing You away back then but thank You for still being here today with me/us and coving us with Your Grace in Jesus name i/we pray Amen.
That first paragraph seems to have to define my life for so long. I fell prey to addiction as well as severe anxiety with depression and have felt like I had to work my way back into God’s grace. For so long I did not understand grace. This book has been awesome for me. I love the feeling of learning how to stand confident. This chapter really stood out to me. Especially on the post where it says that it is not about working harder but turning sooner. I have learned that dependence on God is the one dependence that is essential for life.
I need God’s grace in the area of my depression. I need to accept his grace to be able to stand back up and keep moving forward/
GRACE…..something that I often feel not worthy of and never really understood the true impact it can make in your life. Even though I have been saved since I was eight I don’t think I really ever looked at what a wonderful gift Grace is from God. Areas where I need to ask for more help is how I talk sometimes to my husband and my kids. I sometimes let the everyday routines and to do list get my all worked up and then it comes out in my body language and tone of voice. It makes me feel so upset because over all I’m not like that and don’t like to be talked to like that either. So I guess I also need to know that I shouldn’t be upset at myself for making mistakes or having a moment but rather taking a moment with God before it gets to the not so nice stage. I have been bouncing around in the book bc Mommy duties have been first lately. My son had surgery and I just recovered from mine so I skipped a bit in 9 to start on 10. and it’s just a great chapter thus far. Each chapter has helped me and shown me areas in my life that I need to work on, but not alone with God’s help and love. Very powerful book and I thank you so very much for writing it!!
I am requiring God’s grace in the area of self-control. This includes self-control over my temper, my mouth, my thoughts, eating and drinking, and my time. I feel like I am constantly taking two steps forward and one step back. It seems like I can have a day when I am successful at one of these areas and then blow it totally in another area. I begin to feel like I just cannot get it right and the voice of doubt overtakes me. I love the line in Chapter 10 that says “Praise God that he is not looking for a woman who is perfect. He is looking for a woman who wants to walk with Jesus and find her confidence through her daily dependence on Him”. Rather than beating myself up over my failures I need to turn to Him and accept His gift of GRACE.
Renee I am in need of tons of prayer! My marriage is a marriage of faith & obedience not of the desire to actually be with my husband. A year ago I had an affair & since then God has brought me from severe depression, suicide attempts, war within, pain, hatred, sin, the list goes on. I have been victorious through Him. His grace has been more than sufficient. I stayed in my marriage out of obedience to Christ & not wanting to hurt anyone anymore & hoping that If I walk by faith, keep my mind set on Christ that in the end I will see His blessings on my marriage. To this day my walk with Christ is stronger than ever. I have learned more about God since all this happened but my walk with my husband not so much. Good man but not without fault. I still do not have the kind of feelings a wife should have for her husband. I try to do everything right, to lift him up etc. On the other hand also setting boundaries so that the problems we had before cannot enter in our marriage. I am not even attracted to him. Instead of making me feel at peace & content around him I am still annoyed & he makes me very anxious. This is not a new issue just one that still makes me want to leave & be alone with just God forever. I have entertained thoughts of him dying & what a relief I would feel just to be away from him. He is very clingy, needy, etc, again nothing new. I am not like this but step out of my comfort zone to please him. I am listening to myself as I write this & can hear all the advice of christians, counselors, science, God & thinking somehow all this still just isn’t working for me. I feel totally stupid for saying all this at the same time God has used me & my husband to help others with marital issues who are entertaining divorce. I know divorce is not what God desires for us & biblically I don’t have a reason to divorce. I know I don’t have to be perfect & have it all figured out to be used. The other day God once again brought me out of a dark place & I was rejoicing. I opened up a very painful place to my husband, something I don’t do easily but I was trusting God’s grace & strength to help me in hopes of a connection. Once again, I barely got started & he took over the conversation & made it about him & his pain etc. As usual I shut down & let him have the floor while I was even more hurt & quickly becoming even more angry & resentful. I don’t want to talk to him, see him, i just want him to leave me alone. This is something I have worked hard to overcome. I try to make my responses to him the same as I would respond to a friend. Anyway, I have continued in prayer, Bible studies, recalling scripture even in my dark time because it’s not God that I’ve lost confidence in, I have however quit blogging & speaking the things God lays on my heart. I had just started a blog the day I broke through & had to stop to go somewhere & thats when that happen with my husband & now I can’t even finish again. I am so mad at my husband for being a jerk! Of course now he’s all promising he won’t bring the affair back up, calling the counselor,etc. I have always felt like I was raising another child spiritually & still am even tho he has a spiritual life now he’s never had. Anyway, I have written a book & seriously need to get ready for work. I just need so much prayer & direction! Thanks for listening! I am so loving A Confident Heart! It always speaks to me even If I don’t have time to comment.
One area I need God’s Grace???
He says: Loving myself and letting Him love me. 🙂
It’s Phyllis again, I just want to say I found help with Math! remember I was saying about the g.e.d. test I have to take and I was panicky about math! Well, I was encouraged to get in touch with someone from the cnib to help me tutor me with math, but as I was waiting today, I thought it’s good to see what we can do while we wait! I know God wants us to do what we can! So, I did my own research. In the google engine, I typed on line bas math for free! I always look for stuff for free because I’m on a disability pension that doesn’t give much and I live on my own.! Anyway, I found a lot. I found this great web site! g.c.f.freelearning.org it has tutoring online for free for basic math, i found help in addition and subtraction. I was able to hear a short video on what addition is, and the lady on the video gave a simple problem and below that was a video on simple subtraction! I said to myself this si perfect! This is the kind of help i’m looking for in simple basic math! I said thank you God! Renee, i want to say, you are such an encouragement! As I was saying earlier this study is not just a bible study to me, it is a self-esteme course! I listen to your videos and you are so encourageing! i beat myself up a lot about a lot of things! So, thank you! for doing this study!
HI I have really enjoyed this book. I really thought that I did not struggle with confidence but I have found that I am wrong. When I was a young wife and mom I felt like I could conquor the world and was full of confidence. but has I have gotten older and I am no longer a stay at home mom I have found that I have self doubt and a lot of it. I work in a cardiologist office as a medical assistant and I have been doubting myself more and more. My husband thinks that I have lost my confidence when our kids started leaving home. I have really gotten alot out of this book and I have recommend it to many ladies.
This is Phyllis. I was reading some comments, and I identify with a couple of you! I’m 48 and God has called me to go back to school. I will be doing online classes with Liberty university a bible program school of the bible for a year, and then, a bible diploma! Liberty university really believes in helping people with their life goals! I love that! i want to help people study and teach the bible on a voluntary basis. I’m ready to take the classes. I just need to get this silly g.e.d. test. I’m kind of discouraged, because, I did research online about what’s on the g.e.d. test, one of the things is math! many teachers have tried to teach me math! i just have a mental block when it comes to math! my brain doesn’t work for simple adding and subtracting. I am now trying to get help to study for the g.e.d. test, I mainly need help with math. I’m in the process of asking people for help! If I don’t pass this g.e.d. I won’t be able to make the program! I’ve always wanted to do this program! I’ve never been to bible school! I’m so excited! i’m praying a lot for help in math! I’m totally blind. i live on my own! I love this online bible study, as well as a bible study, this to me Renee is also like a good self-esteme course. I beat myself up a lot for trying to do things on my own and not trusting god, and I’m thinking God is getting impatient with me! Please pray for me! also, financially! to pay for this program! I’m with a web site called bible gateway that is sending me e-mails about wining scholarship for liberty! and I do n’t understand what to do to win! I keep getting these automated messages from them every time i e-mail. Remember I was saying I’m blind, I also have an amazing computer with speech program that reads everything! I have a key stroke command for everything! I am able to participate in this study! I can hear the videos read the comments, and make my own comments! Please pray for me about Liberty and please pray for me about not being too hard on myself!
Grace –
I need God’s grace in “Trust”. It has been so hard for me to trust. Maybe I expect too much from people; thats where I need grace! God has blessed me so much, and need to trust and find a way to break down the wall. I know until I surrender totally, that is when I will overcome. “Proverbs 3;5-6” TRUST IN the LORD !
Belinda 🙂
My 89 year old mom has terminal colon cancer. I have been staying with her since the end of May. We do not know when her last day will be but we know it will be in the near future. Along with hospice I, along with hospice, am her primary care giver and there is so much I am not sure of and I am constantly in need of God’s grace. Today is a difficult day for her. I know that God’s grace is sufficient but it is easy to forget it in the difficulty of the moment.
I know I need to give myself grace when I don’t exercise or eat right. I am tryiing to see my body as the holy temple and treat it right.