Beloved : greatly loved; dear to the heart.
When God led me to this word and verse today, it dawned on me that there is a reason God calls us His be-loved.
It reminds me that I don’t have to “do” anything to be loved — by Him.
I just need to know I am loved.
When I live loved…
I can be still in the midst of my striving and know that He is God.
I can choose Him as a resting place for my restless heart that is consumed by all that concerns me.
I can stop scurrying and hurrying because my doing doesn’t define me or my worth.
I can rest secure knowing that His banner over me is Love.
You are loved…not because of what you do but because of who you are.
HIS {greatly loved, dear to HIS heart} be-loved!
***
Our Word for the week: Beloved
Download our word for the week in a PDF or in MSWord. Be sure to print it and post it all over your house or office so you can remember you are God’s be-LOVED!
Let’s live loved in His PROMISE for us this week: “Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields [her] all day long, and the one the Lord loves rest between His shoulders.” Deuteronomy 33: 12, NIV
Today’s Assignment: Start or continue reading chapter 9. As you read, highlight or underline things you want to remember, promises your heart needs to hear. Take time to journal what God is showing you.
Connecting in Community:
I would love to know what one or two things you’ve read so far in Chapter 9 that you feel God is speaking to your heart about. Are there verses or sentences you’ve underlined or highlighted? Click “share your thoughts” just below this post and do just that.
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This entire chapter touched me! I slowly read this one, soaking up the Scriptures you wrote in this plus KNOWING, KNOWING, KNOWING HE WORKS OUT MY PLANS FOR ME! And of course:
TRUST, TRUST, TRUST!!! Watch out for the “Martha life-style”, focus a lot on “Mary life-style” but of course I have to get things done, but never ever skip at D.A.T.E. with my JESUS!
I need to remind myself that no matter how rejected or not loved I feel on earth, I will always be God’s beloved. I need to carry that visual reminder with me.
One of the parts that stood out to me in this chapter was that God doesn’t promise us understanding, but rather peace in the midst of not understanding.
I have been contemplating a weekend away and I loved reading that you actually did it. I am sure I would be the same way – distracted by so many other things initially – but I think it would definitely be worth it.
Thank you for sharing about the things that have happened in your life, and particularly in this chapter about losing your memory and brain power. I am experiencing the same thing, it is better at times and worse at times depending on what is going on in my life. It is so frustrating, but it is helpful to know that I am not alone in this and that there are things I can do (stop worrying, talk to God!) that will help.
And I loved the last paragraph – talk to Jesus instead of yourself, boss your heart instead of others, God wants us to seek Him, He wants to sit with us and give us His perspective and fill our hearts with CONFIDENCE each day. Amen.
Deut. 33:12 is a beautiful verse. As I was reading it, I got this image of Jesus carrying me on His shoulders through. He promised to never leave nor forsake me and He takes care of me just as a father does for the children he loves. God loves me, and I am His beloved child, and he carrys me through my problems. Not behind or before, but carrys me. That is a beautiful thought. Thank you Jesus, I love you.
WOW! THERE ARE MANY THAT RESONATE IN MY HEART! The one that caught my attention a whole lot was when Renee showed us how damaging worry can be is: Worry Only Robs Rest from You. The other one was that Mary had a listening heart and Martha had a listing heart. The difference is we give Him our lists and our hearts, saying, “Lord, this is what’s on my mind. This is what I’m worried about,” but instead of telling Him what to do, WE STOP AND ASK, “Lord, what is on Your heart? What are Your thoughts toward me? What are Your thoughts about this situation?” AND THEN WE LISTEN! When we find balance between talking and listening to God, we position ourselves to hear what HE HAS TO SAY.
Those hit me to the core! I can see that I am like Martha and have a listing heart, but God has shown me all a long that He wants my listening heart! Funny how He has been showing me this over and over again and now I am finally listening!
Chapter 9 answers
1. Weekly
2. Yes. I feel guilty and start crying
3. Sometimes. There are things He does not want me to be doing
4. I would have made time to talk with Him. My many things include:job, Abby, marriage
5. Turn off TV and IPad,, yes there is someone that I can ask to be accountable to for spending time with God.
6. Come to me, all you are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest ( Matthew 11:28) Show me Your ways, Lord, teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long ( ps 25: 4-5) Help me dwell in the shadow of Your wings so I can find rest ( ps 91: 1-2)
7. Read His Word, Pray His Promises. I can relax in the midst of my busy life by walking, listening to worship music, talk with friends
Chapter 8 Answers
1. Motherhood, I need to embrace who I am in Christ including: beloved, cherished, chosen, accepted
2. Phlegmatic, sanguine. Pretty happy with personality God gave me but if I could change I would like to be more assertive with others about my feelings instead of shy, be less emotional
3. Yes
4. Typing, encouraging others, Writing notes
5. The servant perceived his master as harsh, I don’t think I have buried my abilities that God has given to me.
6. 12:1- god gave us spiritual gifts, 12:4-7- god is the source of all spiritual gifts and different gifts are given to everyone. 12:11-12-He decides who gets each spiritual gift. 12:17-20- the body is made up of many parts therefore each believer has their own unique spiritual gifts.
7. Yes to both questions
I immediately thought of my son when I read this chapter. We can learn so much from children. When my son was going through cancer treatments he was so at peace. It was hard to explain and harder to fathom how an 8 year old with stage four cancer accepts things as they are with no whining. Once when my husband was getting on a plane to go from WI to Houston for radiation, Alex jumped in my arms, put his hands on the side of my face and said, “Dont worry mom, God knows what He is doing!”
This resonated even more: My son and I were in a hospital room during his chemo and a nurse asked him if he wanted to talk to a counselor or psychologist about anything that worried him. Alex said he was going to worry only about what he could control. He couldn’t control the cancer or response to the chemo but he knew who could and he talked to Jesus every day.
Out of the mouth of babes….
Wow, I guess-out of the mouth of babes! God was really working through Alex wasn’t He! Those are precious memories – thank you so much for sharing them, Wendy. God really blessed you with Alex didn’t he. I am sure he blessed many through him as well. Have a GREAT day.
Thank you for your comments. It means a lot. I shared your thoughts with Alex and he said he wasn’t doing anything special. Only what God wanted him to.
WOW! He is a very courageous and strong young boy! Thank God for the gifts of little ones! May God bless you and your family. I am going to pray for Alex and you.
Thank you for your prayers! I know the innumerable prayers helped Alex through this.
Interestingly enough, about 3 months before Alex got sick with cancer I told my mom I had a strange feeling. A feeling that he wasn’t going to be on earth for long and that God put him here to teach us something…
I have learned volumes from him.
Wendy, ….”that God put him here to teach us something” brought tears to my eyes and a thump in my heart.
My youngest granddaughter’s little baby girl was taken back to Heaven last year. Xoey was not quite 5 months old. I never got to see her or hold her, but everyone who did said she was a little loving angel.
A woman who had just lost her husband held her and wouldn’t let go of her all evening. Afterwards, she told my daughter that Xoey was a little angel who had saved her from sinking deeper into depression, because from that evening forth, she knew she was going to be okay.
I so agree that God does give us little ones down here on earth, according to His timing, to teach us. Life is so precious, we must cherish the time (and the memories) we have with our family.
Wendy, i will lift up prayers for Alex and your family too.
Thank you so much, Lois. I’d love to talk to you more. I am so sorry about your great- grandchild. There are no words except to say she is living in paradise.
If you’d like, my e-mail is [email protected]
Wendy
Wendy, i am unable to get an email message sent to you. It keeps returning to me.
Sorry Lois. I forgot the “w”
[email protected]
shame on me for not proof reading!
This is the most personal chapter so far in the book. Since I have shared that I suffer from Anxiety, this chapter resonated so much with my heart. I too have been exhausted over this disorder. Even though I am taking medication, and it does calm the thought process, the physical wear is still very relevant. I loved the WORRY (worry only robs restfrom you), this is just so true. Also the insert of Max Lucado’s % of worry was, in my opinion, spot on. If we can really only influence 8% of what we worry about, then we should only be worried 8% of the time…To share just how much this chapter resonated with my heart, I usually have my journal with me, to help me share what it was that spoke to me. Today I don’t have my journal with me as I type this. It was so dear to my own life and my own struggle with anxiety, it was like this chapter was written by not only Renee, but myself. With the exception of the WORRY and % of worry. However, both made perfect sense to me.
I LOVE this- “Sometimes I have to boss my heart around!” :-):-):-):-D Well said Renee Swope!
I thought that was cute how it was put….just imagine telling our heart what to do!!!!! I believe it can be effective though… 🙂
I like that one too!
I read chapter nine while I waited for an appointent at my drs office. It was such a comfort, knowing Im not alone in feelings of being overwhelmed at times. One sentence blew me away :
Martha was more focused on serving Jesus than seeking Jesus.
And the reason wny it blew me away is because I know that I am a Martha – there, I admitted it. I’m always the one running around like a chicken without a head, wanting things just perfect. Im the one who wishes to have everthing in control. It’s taken so long to understand that God is the one in control, and that I have to trust Him – even if I do not understand. This is slightly mind blowing. I must trust God even if I don’t understand. He’s not going to steer me wrong. Sometimes I forget that God is not a man. He will not steer me wrong, and He wont abandon me. I need to seek Him more.
Well said! It is also mind blowing to me too.
Chapter 9 was definitely meant for me. I grew up around a family of habitual worriers and needless to say, I picked up the habit. I’ve learned that when you worry, it breeds negativity and not a positive thought comes to mind let alone out of your mouth. My husband, who is fortunately a positive person, would frequently and lovingly get after me, because he grew tired of the negativity. The Lord used him to positively influence me however, this chapter really shed light on what worry is. Bottom line, it’s lacking trust in God. As I read what Renee wrote about worry, I started to cry because the Lord reminded me in 1 Peter 5:7: “Give all your worries and cares to God because he cares about you”. Also, Philippians 4:6: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God”. I needed these reminders because as hard as I try not to worry, it’s difficult when so much is happening around you.
The first point that hit me was when Renee wrote “Too often, instead of talking to Jesus, I think a lot of times we just start talking to ourselves in our heads until our accumulation of concerns become worries. Yet Jesus invites us to come and talk to Him. He promises a resting place for our restless hearts. He says “come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28)
This happens to me all the time. I just start thinking of all that I have to do and how I am going to get it all done and still be good mom, wife, childcare provider and then I begin to worry instead of talking with Jesus and saying Lord here is what is on my mind, how do you want me to take care of it. What do you want me to get done, what is your will for me.
The verses that have hit me and shown me what I need to do when worries come over me is Psalm 73:23-26:
Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory;
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my hear and my portion forever.
I also was very blessed with the be-loved not the do-loved.
My dear sisters…Missy, I too was comforted by Psalm 73….It was what I was goiing to write about…I am so saddened by so many of us in such a state over our children, grandchildren and our own lives right now….There are so many things that pull on our heartstrings…After Psalm 73…Renee wrote…”I love how he replaced his confusion and defeat with the refuge of God’s strength and comfort” If we could (for me anyway) just remember that every moment we start to worry!!!! I know it all in my head and sometimes i just cry out “Jesus, Jesus” because i don’t know what else to do…
I struggle with being far from our two sons, they live 1200 miles away!!! I miss them, I miss being in their lives, watching them live, being with our two year old grandson…The older I get the more I wonder why we ever moved away…It was right at the time but I have tried everything possible along with many breakdowns and struggles with addiction myself…I say “God you knew I would feel so much anguish over this, You knew I would feel this way” Why did You allow it??? I know we make choices in life and have to live with the consequences, God allows that in us, but WHY??? I miss my home, my sons, their families, my friends…We were always so close, they were always at our home for something….I don’t understand and I struggle and then i say “God you can make a way where their seems to be no way”!! Why don’t You? What are you trying to teach me….why haven’t i learned something yet???? Oh, the questions and sadness that go through me…..
I am sorry, I just vented lots but if it isn’t this it is what each of us deal with in life. We all have different struggles but mother’s hearts, grandmothers hearts and so much we cannot do. God is in control, not me…I feel i let go of that …but have I??? I am sorry and I love the Lord with all my heart and soul but I just am sad over so many people hurting…
Yup, we live in a fallen world and Jesus told us it would be hard but He would not leave us…I know that in my head, tell my heart Lord….I am praying for all of you and am grateful for the encouraging words from many of you…This study is hard truth, but Renee you have done a beautiful job of putting all the right things down to read and try to put into pur lives…I have sayings all over my computer, my cupboards and my mirrors…I just have to live it all…May God richly blesss each and every one of you and thank you if you read this for letting me share my heart even if some of it seems like aI am a crazy woman after God’s own heart….
dear Peggybythesea, i like that, reminds me of seashells and mermaids.
When i was taking care of my 4 month old great granddaughter, we watched Nemo, a colorful underwater animation, at least 3-4 times a day. She and her 3 year old stepsister were fascinated by the colors, and amazingly, i too enjoyed it each time (for five months). So, i have an affinity to the water and love your name.
As your family is miles away, my family too is far away. I dearly miss each and every one of them and miss those hugs and kisses from the grandchildren and great grandchildren. My daughter tells me, you are here, mom, because that’s where God wants you right now. When He wants you somewhere else, He will open that door for you.
When i have heartaches, i pray the Psalms, write notes and dates beside the Psalm i am praying. That brings me peace, calming down a stirring tummy. And you know, i too have cried out “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus”, both awake and asleep.
Thank you, Peggybythesea, for sharing your heart.
Thank you Lois…I know I am not alone and I am prayoing for you also…Thank you for validating my pain…I do have to start writing again, I have over 15 journals that i have written in over the years and for some reason , wriiting again…I dont know I guess I need to just do it….Focus my eyes on Him rather than me…I know that is true for me also, that this is where God wants me right now…For what, i dont know but i have to continue to strive to be closer to Him…Thank you for listening to me…God Bless you…
Thank you for reminding us we are where God wants us to be right now. When He wants us somewhere else, He will open that door for us.
I needed to hear that! God wants me to know that He has me where I am meant to be. When it is in His timing (not mine!) He will open the next door. I just need to be patient and trust in Him!
I also worry about my Girls salvation if they will ever accept Jesus as their savior!! I would also like to ask all of my sisters to pray for my girls salvation!! Thank you! Renee i liked what you said about your devotion time with the Lord that your time it was like drive thru devotion than the five course meals my soul needed i do that sometimes!! But thank God I do not do that any more!! And i pray about everything most of the time!! Lois i will pray for your Grandson.
Thank you Joyce for praying for my grandson, and i will be happy to pray for your girls’ salvation too.
In “Are God’s Promises Big Enough for My Problems?” (page 171), Renee lists the steps Paul gives in Philippians 4:6-7 for God’s peace in the midst of our problems/worries, which are 1) stop worrying, 2) start praying, and 3) keep thanking God. We will most assuredly do that for our children (and any worry/burden). We have an awesome God. Thank you again, joyce.
I needed to hear this so badly today and I am so thankful it came through when it did!!
From my heart, thank you so much!!