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. 🙂
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I do not know how to say thank you AGAIN. I am so deeply grateful you have shared your heart with us. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 is being lived out in each page of this book. THANK YOU!!
Every since I was a child, I would hear parents compare their kid with me, in front of me. I may have been a kid, but I did have functioning ears, thank the Lord. But that root of trying to literally “measure up” drove me to “prove myself” throughout my life. And even if I did achieve, no praise would be sufficient to cover the insecurity of that potential comparison game that could take place.
But then another twist……heavens forbid instead of receiving praise, I would hear another parent still trying to praise their kid to make themselves feel more “secure” instead of even acknowledging my achievement. And I, knowing their need for self-praise, would not dare to even mention anything more about myself to “outdo” them, because I knew how they were feeling – insecure.
But it could still potentially leave me with a downcast spirit…why? Because that was the test of whether or not I do things “UNTO GOD OR UNTO MEN”. When I find my worth in Him and praise Him for what I could accomplish through His grace, alllllllllll the other “comparison games” would shrivel to dust, where it belongs, rather than polluting my heart and mind. I would have nothing to “prove” because glory belongs to GOD, and I am made by HIM.
“God never intended for us to compete with each other; He wants us to complete one another, celebrating and encouraging each other’s strengths while discovering who He created us to be.” – Beautifully said Renee!!
I realize that these traps in our mind ROB us of opportunities to use our spiritual gifts, amongst many other things. Isn’t it sad? We are actually cheating ourselves from becoming all we can be because of the “SHADOW” of fear, of doubt, of whispers and thoughts of others. We should FOCUS – like horses wear BLINDERS as they run their race so they aren’t distracted by the other horses next to them or other potentially fearful situations. And with that FOCUS, pursue the desires of our hearts as a tool to becoming more like HIM.
“But just as a target is designed to narrow the aim of an arrow, God uses the desires of our hearts to narrow the focus of where He wants our lives to make a mark for eternity.” – That truly helped me so much this week Renee, no more people pleasing, no more selfish pursuits but make the choices to live a goal oriented, purposeful life, lead by God Himself – one decision at a time.
Thanks so much for sharing! I like the analogy of horses wearing blinders during a race to stay focused instead of distracted by the competition. It saddens me that so many parents are using their children to find security instead of looking to God. They may not realize that their actions hurt not only their own children, but other children as well. But I’m so thankful to see that God has brought you to a place of focus on Him. May He bless you abundantly today!
Thank you so much Julie! May He bless you beyond your dreams as well!!
Going through this study I have read many ladies saying something like “this chapter was so written for me.” I think to myself something like “it was a good chapter, but didn’t feel as if it was written for me.” Until I read this chapter….. now I can join in the rest of the ladies and say that this chapter was so written for me!
Although I am currently working on the whole comparison-issue, I still find myself comparing myself to other ladies. I highlighted a lot in this chapter, but the one thing that struck me was on page 137 where Renee writes, “God never intended for us to compete with each other; He wants us to complete one another.” WOW, huge! The Lord has allowed me to have a humbled spirit and a new view on others, and that is…. We are all sinners, I that I am no better than anyone else. I have also realized that each one of is uniquely packaged and that we all make up the body of Christ. The Lord continues to give me the strength to be appreciative of other people’s gifts and talents. I have to mindfully choose not to allow Satan to play mind-games with me. I rely a lot on Isaiah 26:3 “Those with sound thoughts You will keep in peace, in peace because they trust in You.”
I needed this today. Started the day having one of those feelings. I struggle regularly at work feeling that I am never good enough. I want to be promoted to manager so bad but I just cant seem to get there. I compare myself to those who seem to be on that path. I can’t help but ask why I don’t get the same opportunities. No matter how hard I try it is like I’m invisible. But later in the day I just had to pray and turn it over to Him. Maybe what I want isn’t the path I’m supposed to take. Maybe I need to be content with the position I’m currently in. After my prayer at lunch the rest of my day went much better. This weeks lesson was apparently the message I needed today.
Seems like many women compare their insides to the more seemingly beautiful and confident outsides of other women. It’s funny because one of my favorite lines is ‘everyone has a story and we should take time to understand it’ then I do not take the time to understand it before I think “well, she seems to have it so together”. At the age of 54 I am finding the little girl inside who wants to know the Father who loves her “this much” and, even more, beyond my wildest dreams! I am in the beginning stages of finding me, with the help of a counselor and this study (this study was first and prompted such a desire to stop doubting who I am and to begin believing it). Unfortunately my husband and children grew in our relationships with each other with the damaged, doubting, uncertain me. I know that there will be very difficult times ahead, but believe that God really will grant me the desires of my heart as I begin to know His desire for me. God is good!
I just lost all I was typing up about my recent events and it is frustrating. But here goes; Basicaly i struggled last weekend when my husband came to visit kids and I really thought i was about to give up, then the next day at church which i only went to because of a friend getting baptised, God got me. I had prayer for renewal and I felt refreshed, and was reminded that it was a new day and even though i could hardly believe i was there after the blip i had the day before I could stand there and start a fresh, my eyes focused on God.
I have put my worth and value in my husband and am a succer for comparing myself to others, instead of looking to God and focusing myself on him, the author and perfector of my faith. I have spent the last year renewing my relationship with God and recently it has been a real battle of my mind.
But nothing is allowed to come between me and God and i am determined to press on towards the goal, I will keep refocusing on my creator. I really love alll the definitions of a masterpiece and we so need reminding of who we are in christ! I need lots of prayer in this time i am in, this season and want to embrace it and let God work through me. I also know that if the enemy is giving me such a hard time how much greater is God going to use me. He has so much for me, more than i could ever imagine.
I want to declare I’m in it for the long run. He is my God, my father, my healer, my redeemer. In Him Will I Trust!
As i have been stuck by feeling I have to please others and wonder if I have ever grown up and what on earth have i done for the last 33 years of my christian walk, I want to learn more about who I am and the way i tick and dig deep into what really is my hearts desire,what has God given me…..Thank you Renne for your inspiration and sharing your life with others, and writing this book. I pray many more women of God get inspired and wake up to who they are in christ and not as we see ourselves or the world sees us.
I believe God is going to use each woman on this coarse/ journey in new ways they never would have imagined as they give their trust to God alone and focus on Him.
I can wake each day now and think,” Today is a new day” and it has more meaning than ever before. “The mind is a battlefield” is a daily reality and don’t get me wrong i have good days. But God didn’t create me to be depressed and so I will keep feeding my mind and thoughts on him and worship him as it is powerfull and releasing to give him praise.
I love your testimony today. God set you up and now you are starting fresh. Praise the Lord. I will pray for you for sure. God Bless you Babs~ :)!
Thank you Linda i need all the prayer i can get. Thanks for the encouragement.
Thank you, Babs, for sharing these encouraging and affirming thoughts! Wow! Praise God! God bless you richly as you move forward in His loving arms, in the grasp of His righteous right hand. My word for this year is CLING! Your words enhance my thoughts on Cling for the year 2013. Yay! It’s all about Jesus!
Hi thanks Cindy i like your idea to cling to God.
It is interesting to see in the chart that when we are running on our own, we tend to see and do things from the weakness side , but as we draw from Gods guidance and fill our hearts and minds with his truths we operate more and more from the strengths side, Amazing how He changes our outlook and out come. You have truly bless me with this study,
That is so true, i haven’t figured which one i am as i can see bits in all of them but it made me think how i am now ( more on the negative side) and i have to change and see myself as God does so that the positives are stronger and I can become the person he created me to be.
If that makes any sense!
That makes complete sense! I was living to far in the negative side too. Taking a step to the Light side, Pun intended. Lol
Lol !
“God never intended for us to compete with each other; He wants us to complete one another, celebrating and encouraging each other’s strengths while discovering who He created us to be.” This thought on p. 137 got my attention. What a blessing to complete one another and not compete against each other!
This was just perfectly timed for me. I have been separated for 6 months after my husband told me that he was having an affair and no longer wanted to be married. I have prayed and prayed for him to be repentant and for restoration but Friday I found out that our divorce is final. I am in a place I never wanted or expected to be. I (and everyone close to us) thought that we had a great marriage and were doing well. This weekend I was again confronted with the reality that he has chosen this woman over me and feels completely justified in leaving our family (we have 2 children) because it makes him happy. I have really been battling with feelings of worthlessness and that I’m not good enough, not respected or valued while he dotes on his girlfriend and lives it up. So I desperately needed to be reminded of my value in Gods eyes. I know that I can’t base my self worth on the two of them, but I need constant reminders of Gods love and my value to Him-that’s all that matters. So thank you for the posts, the book, & the encouragement.
I really feel for you Tara as I relate to your story and am still struggling with rejection and yet holding on to the hope that God can change my situation but at the end of two years my husband can divorce me and i don’t get much say in it. I have to hold on to how God has helped me get this far with four children and put the right people each step of the way in my path. And be grateful I have my faith as I couldn’t have done it without God’s strength. I have been able to see the good already even though i am still going through it which is amazing in it self. How I have regained my confidence, found myself for just me, and actually caused me to grow closer to God. Satan wants broken families and marriages as God is opposite to that and it is the hardest thing to let go and trust God when all seems to be going wrong. God works all things together for good is something i try to hold onto.
I pray and hope that you will be able to stick close to God no matter what and that he fills your empty places at this time.
Take care
Babsxx
My heart goes out to you because I know what you are feeling. My divorce was final in 1999 after having been married 24 years. But I have learned since then not to look on it as like your life has ended, but a instead look on it as a new lease on life and one that will include what God has planned for your life. Remember that when one door closes another will open. As for me I have been married going on 9 years and my new hubby is totally opposite from my previous one. God will bless you just trust in Him and He will guide your path and will be with you all the way.
I believe I only commented once during this teaching. However, felt as if I had to share today. I finished Chapter 8 this morning and answered the questions. God’s timing is perfect. Last week I had lunch with a dear friend who has been blessed with having her own ministry–one of teaching and encouraging others. People from all over the country attend. As I sat and listened to her share how God planted the seed and how it came to fruition, I began to be very intimidated–especially when she invited me to one of her upcoming workshops regarding prophetic gifts. Without thinking, I said yes. Another friend who was with us could see that I was feeling a bit uncomfortable. And, of course, old Mr. Competition entered the conversation and Mr. Pity as well. Being the mature Christian that my friend is, she assured me that we all have a part in the Kingdom–regardless of what it is–sound familiar, Renee . . . 🙂
In any event, during my devotions the next morning, I was convicted by the Holy Spirit. I was so ashamed that I had “tried to narrow the playing field,” with my words. A gentle touch on her hand and a smile would have conveyed that I was happy that she was able to provide this Godly training for others who were led to participate. And then . . . here comes Chapter 8!
I live an hour from my friend and with two grands graduating this month, work to be done in my house, and having out-of-town company, I’m not be able to attend her workshop. I sent her a message apologizig for saying yes too quickly and that I may attend in the future when the opportunity presents itself. She understood perfectly.
One more thing. As I was recording my responses to the questions–especially No.1, this thought really resonated with me. God, as my Creator, gifted me with unique abilities and talents. Am I wiser and above Him to question what He has given me? It would be like returning a gift to someone who really loves me. This puts me in mind of Is. 64:8 . . . But now, Oh Lord, You are our Father, We are the clay and You our potter; And all of us are the work of Your hand.”
Thanks for confirming something I really needed to take to “heart.”
I loved the comparison trap on page 136-137: every time I compare myself with someone else, I can never measure up because I am comparing my insides with their outsides. Comparison causes us to compete with one another—god never intended that for me or for anyone else. The only way to break free from this trap is to embrace the reason you are who you are!!!! Loved that! So much freedom in those words. God uniquely planned my life–He is such a personal god– how could I have doubted ever. Amazing!
I love that chapter 8 addresses “the comparison trap”. We measure how we feel inside to how others look on the outside. What an error on our part! I am slowly learning to embrace the reasons God has make me who I am. Thank you, Renee for exposing something that could be toxic if not recongnized.
I completed the book however I needed a reminder that I am a masterpiece from god and I was hand picked for greatness. Today is hard because I moved to ga and I don’t have a job. It is so easy to get distracted from god and our blessings.
Praying for you Carolyn. “May the favor of the Lord our God rest on YOU; establish the work of Carolyn’s hands for her {Lord}– yes, establish the work of her hands.” Ps 90:17 In Jesus Name, Amen.
This wknd my relationship of 9 months ended. The one I knew was going to end (or continue) w/ me [finally] being able to walk down the aisle. I’m still not giving up hope that it still might one day, but the feelings that go w/ all that, and the ‘unknown’ or ‘what now God?’ are heavy. Then I got the email from Renee last nite and it said, “When you say, ‘I feel worthless’ ” “God says, ‘you are precious and loved by ME!’ “…I like to think of it as my “God moment”. God was pursuing me.
I am learning [or wanting to learn] to be completely whole in God. Focusing on Him. Leaving my relationship to the One in control. How I long to be a wife and mother. But, in my group of friends…I’m the ‘last man standing solo!’ To hear a friend say, “I hope to be done having kids by the time I’m 30.” I say, “honey, I’ll be happy to just be MARRIED by 30!” 🙂 God does promise to give us the desires of our hearts, right? So that means I keep trusting…praying…seeking His will for me now, and leave the rest up to Him. I know God is enough, but is it wrong to also desire somebody w/ skin? I love the quote at the beginning of Chapter 8. I know what I’m passionate about, I know what makes me “come alive”. But learning how to do that ‘solo’ AND the fact that I’m a phleg/melancholy is a challenge for me.
Renee, thank you for being a channel thru which God has ‘pursued’ me multiple times, thru this study!
🙂 Your note makes me smile so much that God is pursuing you. I had the hardest time getting that to post last night but kept sensing God telling me to not give up. He knew 🙂
You are loved Rhonda. You are so loved and pursued. Let yourself be sad and grief this hard break up, but don’t stay there. He’s got plans for you that the enemy would love for you to miss. Don’t get distracted. Stay close to Jesus and let Him love you through this and into the next thing He has for you!! You are a MASTERpiece!
Thank you also Ladies foe letting me know I’m not alone in the comparison trap. Your comments have blessed me.
I started chapter 8 last night. I must say that I am one who always compared myself to others. I always felt like I wasn’t as pretty as her, not as smart as her, wish I had her life, wish I had her friends, etc. I just didn’t feel good enought compared to everyone else. It’s funny because I sat there for 10 minutes looking over the Personality Plus charts trying to figure out which one fit me. I thought that I was the PHLEGMATIC: DESIRES PEACE fit me but my husband said that he thought I was MELANCHOLY: DESIRES PERFECTION. I know that I will get alot from the chapter.
Hi Tiffany,
You might be a little of both. My husband is 60/40 Phlegmatic Melancholy. It’s a natural blend so I bet you are too. 🙂
It’s a great personality to have – I married one 20 years ago. Smiles.
one of the many thoughts/statements from the chapter that jumped out for me the most was this “God never intended for us to compete with each other; He wants us to complete one another, celebrating and encouraging each other’s strengths while discovering who He created us to be.”
I think if more people saw each other that way…that we are supposed to complete, not compete, and celebrate each other, so many relationships would be different (friendships, work-stuff, etc.) Thank you for pointing out this truth! I pray that it will always be true for my interpretation of people.
I agree. I think it could make SUCH a huge difference in so many ways!! I think this study and the encouragement we get to share here is part of His completing process 🙂
I want to apologize for not being more interactive here. I love reading the post and comments here. I am a much slower reader than most. I have been so blessed by the book! I have been fighting lies a lot lately, and struggling with fear that lack of education, physicality, issues and my past will hinder me in the ministry God has for me. Knowing that God knows me, and calls me a masterpiece is reason to smile all day long!
No need to apologize TJ :). But we are glad to hear from you today. Love knowing you are here and how I/we can pray for you. When you struggle to believe God can’t use you, ask Jesus to remind you of all the people in the Bible that He used although they seemed like the least likely He’d choose. He doesn’t choose the wise or the perfect, He uses those of us that are ordinary yet willing to depend on Him and point others to HIM – the one that gives us joy, fills our gaps, loves us unconditionally and delights in everything about us.
YOU ARE His MASTERpiece!! You are just who He wants you to be. Now let Him use you today to let someone know they are loved, chosen, and special. The more you know that about yourself, the more you can graciously give that gift to others.
Hugs and prayers
Renee
Renee, I felt beautiful today, when I read your email…I am God’s Masterpierce. How awsome “God made me!”…….I love your book. I go back to it over and over for help and scripture, as I have more and more with my bible… I fall short everyday, I pray and ask God to seek me and find my errors, and conviction comes when so needed. I am not perfect, I am ‘failing forward’.. but I know that God is there to help me dust myself off…. I love the verse on page 137 Eph 2:10 it starts with (You are) God’s masterpiece. He has created (you) anew in CHrist Jesus, so (you) can do the good things he planned for (you) long ago”….I have been thinking about what God wants me to do and praying…I want to find what God “spiritual purpose” God has for me. I have found myself reading more and digging into scripture found my self just having these conversations with God…I read the whole chapter 8 in one day…I feel God has placed something upon my heart for me todo…I am praying about it and will let you know what happerns….Thank you Renee…God bless you and all the sisters…Anna
I love how He made you feel beautiful through today’s email. You are Ann!! Praying for Him to give you clarity as you seek Him about what He’s placed on your heart to do :). Your life is an offering to HIM!!
My prayers are with you Tammy that the Lord will help you and guide you — I have been through 2 divorces and a death in my life — that of my husband– through him and through prayer I have learned to Be still and let the Lord in and to help me with my prayers. I meditate and pray every day and have become a reborn Christian– It is never too late to have the Lord come into you life and help you. He is with you and will always be there to hold you up and carry you through all the ups and downs of your life. I will pray for you Tammy that your marriage will get better and that you will pull through. He will not let you down and will not fail you. We are al children of God and we all have our burdens to carry —
Being a disabled nurse I have seen everything and done everything for others that have needed my help. I have cared for the dying and the patients that are in pain. I know what it is like to have to deal with pain — I recently had back surgery for a pinched nerve and now I am able to walk and to help others through the gift of prayer and laying on of hands. I will see that the Lord will come to you and I will hold you in my prayers so that you will receive his coming. Ask the Lord to come into your life Tammy and he will hold you up.