Happy Monday! It’s day 2 in the first week of our Online Study and I”m so glad you are here!
Here’s today’s message: Please click the arrow below to watch it. I share how we can make sure our lives are BLESSED and not cursed as well as some share things God’s laid on my heart for us. I also announce our key word and verse for the week!
After viewing it, be sure to read below. I’ve got an assignment and answers to many of the questions you all have sent in about the study :-).
[If you’re reading this via email, CLICK HERE to find the video on my website.]
Todays’ Assignment:
Download our Word for the Week: BLESSED (double click the word) to download your FREE printable promise and word for the week, as many times as you want. Stick it everywhere and live like it’s true, girl, cause God wants this for you!
Please read Jeremiah 17:5-8. As you read it, ask God to show You His truth in this passage as it applies to your life – and how it relates to Chapter One where I listed the lies “doubt” whispers or shouts from the sidelines. They really are curses aren’t they?
Journal your thoughts in your notebook and ask God to help you notice this week when you’re tempted to put your hope and find your confidence in the wrong things and people. Then ask Him to help you turn to Him each time for confidence and security that comes from His approval, acceptance and unconditional love.
Don’t Get Overwhelmed if you haven’t read Chapter One yet. I want you to do that first, then watch the video. If you have time answer today’s question. The rest of the week we we’ll be getting to know one another, reviewing the chapter, answering questions at the end of the chapter and discussing them here.
Connect in Community: If you feel comfortable, I’d love for you to be part of the community we’re building here! I want to pray for you. I want to hear from you. Seriously, your thoughts matter to me!! When you have time, share them and read others’. Feel free to stop back by any time. Click “share your thoughts” below this post to be part of today’s conversation.
How Our Online Study Will Work (since I know it might be confusing)
My blog/website will be the “living room” of our online study. We’ll meet here to read my posts, watch videos, find out our assignments and download free resources for the week. The primary place to share our thoughts, prayers and questions will be in the comments section under each post.
As time allows for those who want to, we’ll linger “in the foyer” on Facebook and Twitter. Some will and some won’t. It’s totally up to you! I’ll be there at least a little bit almost every day. BUT the most important gathering place will be right here on my blog.
How will you know when it’s time to connect here? I’ll notify you four different ways.
I’ll Facebook and Tweet it. I’ll send you a note through the Online Study list and include a link back to the post. And, if you’re signed up for Email Website Updates, you’ll receive the whole post in an email that day too. But you’ll need to click on a link to come back to my website to watch videos, download extras or comment and connect.
Remember this is a journey and we’re just getting started. Give yourself time to read today’s assignment and yesterday’s, memorize this week’s verse, pray it out loud and let God love on you! Click “Share Your Thoughts” to do just that!
{Remember, if you’re reading this via email, CLICK HERE to find the video and leave your comments on my website.}
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One way I can practice hearing God’s voice is to stop and consider the thoughts that come to my mind. Rather than brushing them aside and moving on with my day, I need to ponder them and see if they may be the Holy Spirit prompting me. There have been many times that I had a thought, but dismissed it only to find out later that it was the Lord trying to help me. If I had recognized that it was information from God instead of just a random thought, I would have saved myslef some trouble. I want so much to become more sensitive to the Spirit of God. The Bible teaches us to pray without ceasing. The only way to do that is to have constant open communication with God. It’s like realizing He’s right beside us all the time. Anytime He needs to speak to me, I’m right there and He can turn to me and speak, and I will turn and listen. If I need to speak to Him, the same is true. When He hears my voice, He will turn to me and listen. Wow! What an awesome privilege we have – an open ear from the God of all creation. I want to always have an open ear for Him as well. Praise God for His patience with us as we learn how to hear him more clearly!
I am more convinced now than Ever that God is really trying to do A New Thing in my life and I must share with all of you girls the confirmation of that through this past Sunday’s sermon at our church (which I missed bc I did not get up in time to get all 3 of our children ready which I felt guilty about) anyway. Please listen to this and it COMPLETELY ties in with Renee’s book and her message to all of us. I think this is what I needed (I have doubts and insecurities that I am doing/hearing the right thing) to JOLT me yesterday after I went through some troubling thoughts and fears (I know, who gets scared and insecure after reading God’s word? LOL!!) after reading Jeremiah 17:7.
If you need EXTRA encouragement, and you just think that what Rene is presenting to us is not reachable, not doable, not possible, God does not mean this for YOU, then I implore you to listen to my pastor talk about BIG FAT FAILURES and how God uses them! I have listened to this twice yesterday and I intend to go back often to be reminded of HIS Power and HIS Might!
I prayed for a spirit of JOY at the end of this year and I believe that God is bringing me the tools (and the motivation) that I need and I have needed for so long to move along in my spiritual journey. I am SOOO encouraged that Jesus is with us right here and now in this study in this time of our lives and HE IS GOING TO DO A NEW THING IN ALL OF US!!!!!!!!!!
You can listen to this sermon below. Just press click on the link or copy into your browser and press PLAY.
http://cumcmemphis.org/media#!/swx/pp/media_archives/36077/channel/493/series/4401
After reading Chapter 1, there were so many phrases that were like neon signs lighting up truth for me. “Doubt keeps us from believing things can get better. Doubt convinces us that it’s not worth the effort. Doubt shouts from the sidelines: ‘It’s too hard” “You might as well quit’ Go ahead and give up. Just close the book now and walk away.” I’m looking forward to digging into God’s word on this subject that has plagued me for so many years – and had me turn to food or friends rather than God as my confidence.
I’m a little (ok, a lot!) overwhelmed by trying to read through all the responses. I’m not sure how to keep up with that, but I know that those I have read really resonate with me. I so appreciate being able to take this journey with you all and am so thankful of Renee’s vulnerability and tender heart as she shares with us.
After reading Chapter 1 several times the one line that jumped out at me was when telling the story about the shadow of doubt you stated, “I couldn’t help but wonder why opening my mouth also opened my eyes.” Then later in the chapter you show us the scripture 1 John 5:14, asking requires that we open our mouths. When we start to speak God’s word it is making that turn from the shadow of doubt and looking into His light. I am really enjoying the book and look forward to the rest of the discovery of A Confident Heart.
Wow….really insightful! I didn’t think of it that way at all. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Everyone,
I have struggled with my self-confidence for many years. On the outside I appear to have it all together, but the inside is another story. I”m praying for God’s healing and assurance to change my heart to make me into a true believer in him. The statement that spoke to me the most in chapter one was “In the shadow of doubt insecurity paralyzes us with statements like “I can’td do this. things will never change. My life isn’t going to get better. I’ll never have the confidence I need.
I have to continually address negative thoughts in my life, but I’m taking on a new mindset and claiming the victory !
i am so enjoying this book! it has helped the realize a lot about myself. i am still amazed at the amount of doubt we drag are sometime it really opened my eyes!
There are many feelings that I haven’t been able to fully deal with were brought to the light. Yesterday, I begin to listen, really listen & this is what I heard. Why all the “R” I am not sure but I feel the Lord has given me these “R” to remind me of what I need to do & what I want for this coming year. I will share this with you because just maybe it wasn’t just fro me…
1 JOHN 3:18
Dear Children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
Personally, I do not want to give the DEVIL ammunition by giving HIM the satisfaction of tearing me apart.
I choose to SHUT THE DOOR of drama & hurt that causes me to harden my heart towards those around me.
I want to be free of bitterness, fear and anger that I have let control me for far too long.
It has to STOP & it will begin with ME & MY GOD’S HELP.
I AM RETAINING things that God is speaking over my life and learning to listen. I STILL need to RECOGNIZE when HE is speaking & slow down. I want to REPLACE the negativity with positive actions & people in my life.
I want to RECONDITION my heart so that GOD can use me as HE sees fit.
I want to RECLAIM what is mine.
I want my emotions & my family RESTORED.
I want to take RESPONSIBILITY for my mistakes & failures BUT also know that GOD is the forgiver & HE is who I answer to.
I want to RESPECT myself. I have let others carve out whom & what I should be instead of letting GOD form & shape me to what HE wants me to be. I have been belittled, betrayed, degraded, run over, & torn down to where my self esteem & confidence was robbed from me for far too long.
I am not WORTHLESS. I AM WONDERFULLY & BEAUTIFULLY MADE. HE HAS PLANS FOR ME FOR GOOD AND NOT FOR DESTRUCTION. I have had to STAND on the WORD in order to function and hold my head up enough to go forward. i NO LONGER WANT to cave in to my circumstances or my situation.
I have to let GOD fight my battles because I CAN’T do it on my own.
God LOVES the BROKEN because he can take the shattered pieces and mold them back to COMPLETION IN HIM.
This is just what was laid on my heart that I feel is a WORD from God addressed to ME. But I know others have experienced great loss & hurt just as I have so I am sharing this with anyone who needs to open themselves up also.
thank you for sharing this post sandi, it was for me as well. i to have been through experiances that has cause me to harden my heart and hold on to things that i should not be holding on to.
Hie Reene
GREETINGS FROM AFRICA!!!!!!!!!!!!
i am so excited about this online Study. when i joined the Proverbs 31 devotional list i knew God had something instore for me. every devotional i would receive would be in line with what i would be going through in that season of my life. when i read a devotional from a Confident heart, i knew i had to get your book. by the way i live in Zimbabwe and i couldn’t find it anywhere. i later asked a friend of mine who was travelling to the UK to get it for me. Reene, i was so excited the day she gave me my book, when i first read it i was in utter shock, God gave inspired you to write a book that really spoke to me. i am going through a dessert season in my life and i had come to a point where i juss thought “things will never change” i thought God must be angry at me because everything in my life was going wrong yet i would see him breaking through for other people. My fiancee and i were supposed to get married last year but we cancelled our plans due to lack of finances, on the other hand the organisation i am working for is going through a rough patch and we havent been paid for the past 6 months. i am praying for a new job but nothing has came yet, i have sent so many applications and i was really really sinking into doubt, i am usually anxious and worried.
Thank you for this online Study, even if i am miles away i know this study is going to change my life. i am so excited to be doing this with you all
Sithembile, Blessings to you, sister! I live here in the US but soon enough, my family(husband and daughter) will be traveling out your way–Lagos Nigeria. To say we are excited, that’s an understatement. I can tell you, with all certainty, God will provide a way. As my family stepped into the path that God was leading for this mission trip, I too doubted that the money was possible. We just didn’t have it. But God! Through His blessings and others, we are leaving February 14th.
Know that God sees each and every concern you have and He cares! He will take care of you and provide a way.
Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?{Matthew 6:26}
Good morning to all of you,
Whew….. I am so glad to see an assignment this morning. I am such a busy woman and I just needed to get to my Tuesday assignment so I could get to my business!!!! Ha, the busy that I was up to was checking Renee’s blogspot about a dozen or more times to make sure that I did NOT miss anything. Guess what, DOUBT consumed me. Did I miss something, did I forget to sign up? Did I make a mistake in signing up. Did the email go into my spam file? Is Renee ok? Did something serious happen to her. Did I miss the memo that there would be NO assignment on Tuesday? Just look at the amount of precious energy and time and self esteem was eaten up by worry and DOUBT all eminating from my insecure heart!!! What a perfect illustration of what is stolen from me many many moments in my day!!! Don’t get me wrong I did accomplish many other things yesterday but worry about this study was pinched at the hem of my shirt just hanging on pulling at me. Sheesh!!! I am very grateful to be a student of this study!!
Be well ALL
Melanie C /MN
Melanie, doesn’t it amaze you how often we are consumed with thoughts that aren’t even relevant. We waste so much precious time on worry and that “thing” we worry about hasn’t even happened or it won’t even happen.
Keep resting in Him, girl. Whether the message were to end up in spam or you did miss a day, it’s not going anywhere in the long run. Keep your eyes focused on Him. Tune into what He’s saying as you prepare each day to live a life of God-confidence!
Blessings!
Oh these are such soothing words to my eyes that hits my heart!!! Thank you, Danielle. By my actions I often believe the more that I consider (worry about) something the more important it must be and therefore the better that I will be for having [done] it!! Clearly another one of those “lies” Renee wrote about. So for today, I will practice 1 Peter 5:7 and Psalms 55:22.
Blessings…Danielle
Melanie C/ MN
Well, I read the first chapter but have not done the questions in back. I think this is something I really need to invest in. I was actually going to commit to the made to crave but then I read the devotion on the P31 that Renee did about the book and I this is what I need. I’m in a place were I really need to trust fully on God and focus on him. My heart is broken and I am so unsure of what I should do, well I think God wants me to stick it through I’m just having a had problem dealing with that. My husband had an affair and I don’t trust him or that he wont call that women again. I know that the Lord has kept me here with him for a reason but now I’m having a hard time moving forward. I’m so disappointed and scared and unsure of what the purpose is. I want to fully rely on God and know He has plan for my life.
I bought this book many months ago, when it first came out I think, because I’ve always struggled in feeling confident. I didn’t finish the book. Then I signed up for an online study, that I didn’t keep up with. For some reason, this one feels different, and I guess God is speaking to me. I loved that Renee said we won’t do too much at a time, that we’ll slowly unpack the book. I feel like there is a better chance of me sticking with this. Anyway… so I’m getting up at 5am to start my day with this study, and then begin my work before my family wakes up, and I’m just proud of myself for getting going! Thank you Renee!
Our church is doing a fast five. When I was thinking about a devotion to do God reminded me that I had purchased this book but hadn’t started reading it . After I read the first chapter I went to my email not to look for this online study but for another devotion I get online, and there it was day one. How cool is God. I must need this interactive part. I do need to start back at the roots of my salvation again. I used to meditate on scripture and use it to over come the cursed areas in my life, but have gotten away from doing that. Thank you for the scripture and the verse of the week, Rene.
I joined the online study group first but now I see Renee’s website and blog and I think that this will be a much better way to do this book study. It will be nice to be able to read so many other woman’s comments on what we are reading and learning. I read the first chapter and answered the questions…they really got me thinking. I am hoping that participating in this book study like this encourages me to be a more BLESSED person. I would like to be a woman with a more confident heart.
I feel truly called to this study. I began reading the book a few months ago and lost momentum when I had no one to study and converse with about certain topics. I now am following the activities and look forward to a rewarding study. Spending more time in God’s word and believing Him are my individual goals this week.
Wow! I just started the study today and I’m blown away. I sense God speaking to me at every turn and I feel my heart and spirit being renewed. This is just the beginning. I’m so excited! 🙂
I love the promise that Renee mentions from Isaiah 49:23- “Those who hope in Me will not be disappointed.” What a fantastic phrase to hold onto when you begin to doubt that God is for you, when His timing is not in our desired timing… we will not be disappointed. I am grabbing on to this promise for my time in this study… I will not be disappointed- He will use this to continue the good work He has started in me and will complete in me.
I agree, I love that verse as well…It applies to me very much. Hope, it’s all I have sometimes to pull me through my day.
Girls, I was just in one of those “funks” today that we get in from time to time & not sure what caused it. Anyway, praise God with me tonight. One of our church members had a baby today. She had already gone through surgery while the baby was in the womb…amazing…and her water broke today & she had a 3 lb 7 oz baby boy. He was breathing on his own. God is so awesome! Please keep this little man in your prayers & praise God!!
I wanted to share that I read something today about how Satan questioned Eve (much like he does us) – is that what God said?? Are you sure thats what He said? It sounded so familiar. It made me realize that maybe its not me causing the self doubt but Satan magnifying it, if that makes sense!?
Yep, we’re going to talk a good bit about the enemy and his schemes in the book. He’s definitely one of the main voices who lies and disguises his voice to sound like ours so we believe him. He was the first who cast doubt about God’s heart into a woman’s soul and he does the same to us every day. SO glad you are seeing that already. Great to see how God is revealing truth to us as we go.
Also, praying for the little guy who was just born!
Thanks, Renee!
Absolutely! I struggle with his unwanted whispers ALL the time.
I am relieved to discover that I am not the only person with so much self-doubt. Kim’s comments could have been mine. I am afraid that I won’t “get it”, that I will NEVER understand and accept God’s love for me personally. But I am going to go through this study and just pray that God will honor my efforts. Honestly, it is so very DIFFICULT to trust God – I am afraid that He will hurt me….I know that sounds horrible, but it’s the truth.
Troyanne, I understand. God not only understands how you feel but he really cares. I too feel like the little turtle at times – hiding inside myself so that no one hurts or pokes me. 🙂
It has taken me a while to figure out that Satan is the reason we have sickness, pain, anxiety, depression, guilt, and every other thing that is miserable in our world. Satan is the reason we are all believing that we are ugly, useless and unwanted, etc. He is stealing away what God wants to give us. And that is joy and peace! It is so hard to find joy somedays, or even some weeks unless we focus on God. I have been dealing with some health issues and I have to remind myself that being sick is not God’s will for me. I believe God allows us to go through hard times to draw us closer to Him and to show us His grace and mercy. He allows it because we live in this fallen world full of sin. But if we rely on Him for all that we need and put our hope in Him, He will give us a peace that only He can give. (John 14:27) God will never hurt us! He turns Everything that Satan means for harm and uses it for our good. Sometimes I know it is impossible to see, and we may never understand it until we get to Heaven, but God Loves Us!!!! (Romans 8:28) Satan is the sole reason for all of our hurting! He wants to kill, steal and destroy everything good in our lives. (John 10:10)
What I do when I feel horrible, I write out the promises from God from His Word & carry them with me. I read them every four hours or so. As if I was taking medicine. Scripture is like soul medicine, I guess. 🙂 It has helped me so very much!
I have a long way to go, I struggle with fear of not being liked and fitting in. I often feel like I am not good enough or that I am useless. (My childhood was filled with not being wanted by my dad & girl drama) God is showing me how He can use me in little ways. I am so excited about this study!! It has already changed my life!
Hi fellow journeyers! I felt a nudge today to share these thoughts that were spilling over in my mind and heart as I am ramping up my own personal toolbox for this study (which I am so excited about) (the study…not my personal toolbox!).
I have been reminded lately in my human friendships that “Friendship is not one big thing – it’s a million little thing.” I think this is also true in our relationships with our creator and savior. They are based on one big thing (Jesus on the Cross) but they are maintained and grown by the ‘million little things’ we do: Church, ministry, prayer, quiet time, service big and small (especially the small) etc, etc, etc. The list goes on.
Because I am quickly drawn into the trappings of my earthly world (work, single-motherhood, self-preservation and care) I have to create intentional ‘little things’ in my life that draw my gaze and focus back to God during the day…to weave God into my day and keep the relationship moving in the right direction, and not put my time with him in a box of 10-15 minutes of a sometimes rushed devotion in the morning (which is my nature). If I don’t practice these little things to help me, I find I slide quickly into the world and move away from God. It is a daily battle..not one I’ve won or conquered..I struggle greatly like everyone (i.e. I’m not saying I’ve mastered this process…never will.. not as long as I am in my temporary home here on earth, just trying to do my best one day at a time, one choice at a time).
Two of my ‘little things I’ll share (hoping others might share some of their ‘little things’ that keep them on the focused on the goal):
1. The first is for those of us who work and live an automated, electronic lifestyle. In my job I have to access MANY of my job functions(systems) via a username and password. In the age of electronic theft my employer requires that I change my password regularly to keep it secure. I have created a habit of making my password a bible verse reference. Previously it was ‘Philip4:12’ – which meets all the requirements of a secure password – it has letters (upper and lower case), numbers and special characters! (God knew what he was doing when bible references would make perfectly secure passwords! ). Each time I login I (try) to pause and recite and consider the verse for just a brief moment. I also use a program called ‘stickies’ which lets me keep electronic sticky notes on the desktop of my computer.(Can be found here if interested : http://www.zhornsoftware.co.uk/stickies/) I keep a sticky with the verse written out in its entirety on the desktop so if I need a refresher – there it is – all day long. I plan on using some of the verses from this study as my password as Renee shares verses that resonate with me. (I won’t say WHICH online..that would be uncool! ) 😉
2. This second one is yet another ‘little thing’ afforded by the gadgets of our modern world. Many times I curse all of the electronics in our lives, but these two habits are both possible because of my electronic world! (Blessed not cursed by electronics in this case…practicing the word of the week!! Haha!) Music always speaks so strongly to me in my faith journey and helps me find words when I don’t know how. It puts my feelings/thoughts into words, it creates prayers for me, it allows me to praise when I don’t know how to do so otherwise. I am not gifted in writing or performing music…just moved by it frequently. For some reason on Sunday the new song by Shawn McDonald called ‘Rise’ just struck me as my personal THEME SONG for this study. There are a lot of things moving and shaking loose in my life at once – including this study. Sometimes you feel like God’s plan in your life ran out of gas and stalled…other times you feel like you are in the left hand passing lane wishing you could put on the brakes. Anyway…this song speaks of rising from the ashes. And I am claiming this as a time in my life when I am RISING from the ashes (shadows) of the doubts that have held me captive for many of my 46 years! What I am planning on doing is downloading this song as my ringtone on my phone so that every time my cell phone rings…I hear the reminder to RISE from my shadow/darkness/ashes and connect my heart in that moment to what I am seeking in this journey with Renee: to stop throwing away my confidence and live in the assurance of the gift of the cross and the love of my creator and savior. (Partial lyrics from chorus of ‘Rise’: “Cause He who is in me is greater than I’ll ever be, and I will Rise!”). Maybe there is a song that inspires you and hearing it blaring out of your purse while you are in the middle of a crazy day is the thing you need to bring you back to God’s will for your day? Just a suggestion.
Sorry for long-winded post. I’m not usually prone to these outbursts…but as I said..I felt the nudge, figured it was probably God and tried to be obedient! Once choice at a time. Hoping some of you will share your ‘little things’…I need them!
Wishing you all a wonderful journey thorough this study and looking forward to walking along side all of you!
Your sister on the road to a confident heart,
Anne
Great info. Thanks for sharing!! I love stickies and music. Plan to share some songs throughout the study that will minister to us. Love hos God confirms His ways!!
What a beautiful prayer sent to from you found in my email box today. Thank-you.