Art Source: Brianna from wordplusdesign.com
“When God looks at you, He sees someone He loves. In Isaiah 43:4, God says, “You are precious and honored in my sight . . . and I love you.” When God looks at you, He also sees someone He knows. David said in Psalm 139:1, “You have searched me, LORD, and you know me.” You are not just one of millions of others, but are uniquely you. You are God’s prized possession, a valued treasure of great worth.” ~ Chapter 8, A Confident Heart
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Our word for the week: MASTERPIECE
Our verse for the week:
“We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10, NLT
Be sure to print it and post this week’s download everywhere! You can download in a PDF or in MSWord.
According to Distionary.com a masterpiece is:
- a person’s greatest piece of work, as in art
- anything done with masterly skill
- a consummate example of skill or excellence of any kind
Let’s Connect: As you begin or continue to read Chapter 8 {depending on your personal pace}, I’d love for us to share thoughts about the first few sections of the chapter. Are there sentences or verses you’ve underlined? Thoughts you’ve highlighted? How are you doing?
Click “Share Your Thoughts” below. Can’t wait to hear and pray over you today. Even though I don’t get to comment all the time, I am reading and praying over your comments. As time allows in my day, I’ll leave a note when I can. 🙂
Takin it down now i a good time with my peeps def love them true friends are hard to find love them
don’t find love; let love find you – YouTube: PLEEEEEASE WATCH IN 720P!! first i want to THANK YOU for 500+ subb… <a rel="nofollow"
That’s a good post.He argued that the “primary office” of a newspaper is accurate news reporting: in his words, “comment is free, but facts are sacred”
I started this study in April and then put it away thinking that I would start over and complete in June. In late May I was inwardly nudged to get started immediately. There have been so many things that I have identified with and need to focus on more intently. Chapter 9 has been especially touching. I don’t see myself as a worrier and my favorite verses of scripture are Philippians 4: 6-7. Yet the song “Search Me, Know Me, Try Me and See…” keeps playing over and over in my mind. Also the book, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, comes to mind. I know that God is using your study to show me that I’m not “fine”, that there are things hidden away that I need to deal with, and to give me a greater hope, perfect peace and a confident heart through Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit.
My thoughts have been tumbling around for days now – dreams and hopes from my 20s are fading and I’m realizing that many may not be possible. Now in my 40s perhaps I need modified dreams. Somewhere I stopped dreaming. My hope is secure in Christ, but my future seems teetery like I’m standing in the middle of a seesaw. I’m praying God shows me where he would like me. In caring for everyone else in my family for years now, I don’t begrudge the time, but I’m no longer certain where I fit into God’s plan. I’m heartened to think of myself as God’s masterpiece….such a treasure!
I love the reminder that we all have gifts and the lists of personality types and gifts we have. As women we have all learned to compare ourselves to others. While it is good to have role models, we need to be the best we can be. I spent years learning this nugget of truth.
Who am I? I was the one who did what others expected of me–even what they didn’t expect, but what I decided they expected. Me? Who am I? I am asking God that question–and am excited to see what his answer will be!!! God’s masterpiece….it doesn’t get any better than that!!! Thank you, Daddy God, for loving me 🙂
Here is a link to the page The Masterpiece that is on my website.
http://www.angel45-2b.com/themasterpiece.html
I have been busy listening to some gospel music while doing some of my chores this week and God has been speaking to my heart through the music. Had to wipe the tears away a few times, but this isn’t the first time that it has happened to me. God has been reminding me of the many blessings that I have received over the years and calling to mind the ministry that I was a part of many years ago. Through the reminder many of my questions were answered and for the first time I was able to understand and sweep up the pieces and carry on. I have learned to make web pages and have a web site that I have posted many stories and poems on and going through the files tonight sorting them out so that I can organize the site better. I came across a web page that I put together in the early 2000 and the title of it is The Masterpiece. I need to make a few changes in the graphics and hopefully will be able to share it in another message here. I am really enjoying and learning from this study, but haven’t posted except for a couple comments here and there. Thank you Renee for taking up the call.
I have compared myself to others for such a long time. I remember the first time was in 3rd grade! I have felt like I couldn’t possibly be like the people I admired, and I see, finally, God isn’t asking me to. One of the questions at the end of the chapter asks how to change this way of thinking, and it is going to take a lot! How are some of you overcoming this challenge? I am praying for God to reveal the personality He gave me and that may help me to focus on who He created me to be. I want to like that person!
This is such an important chapter in learning how not to compare ourselves with other women…their talents, their abilities, their gifts…and ‘heaven forbid’, even the way they look. 🙂 I think this needs to be the forefront on our minds every day – that God made us unique – and that we are supposed to be ‘us’, not anyone else. We have that talent, or gift or ability that we are supposed to have to balance out the Body of Christ, to use our gifts to fulfil our role in life. No one can do our job either! 🙂
Thanks Renee, for such a great reminder and teaching us how to view ourselves as Christ views us
Blessings to you all as we strive together to be the women God created us to be! 🙂
My favorite part so far is—–“When God looks at you, He sees someone He loves. When God looks at you, He also sees someone He knows”
I have heard that sound countless times…and never have I paid any attention to the message it gives. This really struck home with me today. I’ve been spending a lot of time in Isaiah lately, and am truly learning about the Lord’s emotions for me. As a divorced, single mom, it has been easy to feel ‘not good enough’ and that I have nothing to offer. This whole study has been showing me my true worth, that which is found in my Saviour alone. I have struggled with this chapter. Being so caught up in ‘life’ for so long, I don’t even remember what I truly love anymore. I have no idea what I really enjoy doing. This chapter has forced me to start to re-evaluate where I spend my time. Maybe it’s ok to say no to the supposed obligations and put some focus and energy into figuring out what really is important to me after God, and my daughter…
The verse about being God’s masterpiece just came across my path in another book. I confess I haven’t had the diligence to post any of the other weekly words around my home, although I kept them in mind. This week I decided to do morning devotions with my four older kids as I am fighting the fear of sending them into the world each day, so I liked the idea of posting that we are His masterpiece around our home.The kids loved it, and here it is again. The marvelous thing about being His masterpiece to me isn’t that we are so grand, but that He created us, on purpose, in detail, for a purpose. No matter what is going on in the world around us, we are right where He has led us if we follow Him. We are doing just what He created us for, and He will equip us for anything He leads us into.
Oh by the way the song made me cry and think how God really sees me. thanks I need that today of all days. right on time God is. In Christ Love
Hi Every one been away a while been real sick, but I still read my chapters. Chapter 8 really hit home, I do live my life according to others needs. I don’t think I have anything to offer with special gifts. Iam going to get the book you talked about Renee. Even if I don’t win one from you. I have done the spiritual gift assessment and I find it saids I am Giving, mercy, helps,serving, with some administration. I really don,t see my self like this.I still cannot get it thoughtmy head that God loves me after all I have done. I think I’m forgiving for some of the things I have done but how can he forgive everything? I done some really bad things and now I’m being ask to talk to middle school and high school kids about drinking and druging and what it can do to your life and what it has done to mine in the past before I gave myself to God. I don’t know what to do. I have been praying about it but don’t feel like he is telling me anything as of yet. Anyone got any advice for me?
My very FAVORITE part of chapter 8 is on page 143. “As we find our deepest delight in our personal relationship with God and allow His Word to shape our thinking and plans, the Lord promises to shape our desires as well. There is a connection between our delighting in God and discovering our heart’s desires.” The part about allowing His Word to shape our thinking and plans gave me a new perspective on Psalm 37:4.
I echo all these women about your words speaking straight to them, Renee. This study has impacted me so much and is totally redefining my thought life using the promises of God’s word. Thank you, thank you, thank you!