Beloved: greatly loved; dear to the heart.
There is a reason God calls us His be-loved.
Because we don’t have to “do” anything to be loved — by Him.
When we live loved…
We can be still…. stop striving and remember that He is God.
We can choose to find resting place for our restless hearts in HIM
We can stop scurrying and hurrying because “doing more” doesn’t define us
We can rest secure knowing His banner over us is LOVE.
You are loved…not because of what you do but because of who you are.
HIS {greatly loved, dear to HIS heart} beloved!
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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The section under Discerning between Good Things and God’s Things was huge to me. I especially highlighted the sentence on my 174, “Often times we expect more of ourselves than God expects from us.” My life purpose coach and mentor remind me that we are human-BEINGS, not human-DOINGS. On the following page I also highlighted “We tend to expect too much of ourselves and think we can do more than is realistic…” So true! I am learning to slow down, and prioritize what is most important. I am also learning to lower my expectations on life and on myself because when I don’t get everything done on my list for that day, I am not walloped with disappointment. I grace myself! In my morning devotion time I ask the Lord to help me to do what He has called me to do for that day. Doing so requires obedience and flexibility because His plans are not my plans! Just last week, I had what I thought to be my day well planned out. But a call at 11:30 altered my plans, requiring a whole new plan for that afternoon. I remember praying to the Lord telling Him that I accept the change in plans, adjusted the best I could. At the end of the day, I had peace knowing that I did what He called me to do.
I also love the Scripture from Psalm 25:4-5 (pg 172) “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.” Amen to that!
Hi – I’m joining this online Bible study a little late in the game – but Chapter 9 was very timely… over the weekend my thoughts were filled with worry, worry about my job, worry about the future, worry of my failures in the past, worried why I cant move on, worried if i messed up too much that i cannot reclaim what i once had a passion for…. with a lot of confusion and questions to add to the mix
and I related to what was written on pg. 169 about how i see “others who were doing well despite their own crazy lives…. wondered how and why i had slipped into this pit” as well as on pg. 170 of feeling “out of balance” and pg. 173 “[Martha] probably had an idea of what the [event/plan/etc] was going to be like and how much she would enjoy it. But then nothing went the way she planned, and her heart headed to the pit.”
But I found encouragement in God’s promises mentioned in this chapter:
“My flesh and my heart my fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:7
“The Lord will vindicate me;
your love, Lord, endures forever—
do not abandon the works of your hands.”
Psalm 138:8
You may think it was late but it is God’s timing that you have joined us late! 🙂
amen! thank you –
lana – thank you for your encouragement –
i have a testimony – yes God’s perfect timing – please read below
Renee I really enjoyed reading this chapter. I have often been called a “worry wart” by my husband. He never worries about anything and sometimes I get aggravated cause I feel he doesn’t care about a certain situation or he would be worried about it but he constantly tells me if I would turn to the Lord when these worries come upon me that I would be so much better off. I will have to tell him that after reading your book that I will do better.
I am also doing a another bible study called “Stressed-Less Living” and it was kinda ironic that this weeks study is on worrying. This just lets me know that the Lord wants me to get it.
I worry all the time! My husband says I make things up to worry about! Like your husband – mine does not worry about anything!!
Girls, I am a member of the Worry Club too. My husband says if I didn’t have anything to worry about, I would certainly find something to worry about:) Thank you both for your expressing your thoughts. Your hearts and words are so encouraging to me. I pray you both have a wonderful day.
Girls! My husband says the same thing! Pg 164 says the enemy is a thief! One of his most effective robbery attempts is through a string of worrisome thoughts. Worry robs rest from us. Worry robs us of our confidence that God notices and cares about the details of our lives. Worry robs us of peace!!! That’s for sure!! John 10:10.– the enemy comes to steal and destroy”. I’m praying that Jesus will help us to see what worry is doing to us. I like Psalm 139:1-5, that Renee put at the top of 165.
I relate to you Renee, I’ve always been a Martha defender too, “Who is going to do all this work?”
Sitting at the feet of Jesus, “Who has time for that?”
As you said, “Sometimes we don’t even know what to tell our hearts to do, because we are so much in the habit of serving God more than seeking Him that we become depleted and distracted.”
When I’m seeking God, I’m seeking Him in my service for others. I need to take time for service to myself.
Chapter 9 describes my mannerism to the “T”! I am a big time worrier. I think I worry when there is nothing to worry about! I love the acronym on page 164: Worry Only Robs Rest from You. I can not count how many sleepless nights and blurry days I have had due to worrying. And the sad thing is as you pointed out on page 163 40% of the things we worry about never happen, 30% are in regards to the past, 12% is worrying about what others think, 10% is worrying about personal health, and 8% are only the things we really can change. ALL which of things that consume me. 🙁
Matthew 11:28 really spoke to my heart. “Come to me, all you are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” OH! Jesus is telling us to come to me, surrender yourself and your worries to me. Just do what you are equipped to handle, I will do the rest. I AM YOUR GOD and I love you.
Thank you Renee for reminding me that when I am stressing, I am depending less on God and more on myself when He is waiting, willing, and able to help me.
Courtney, I worry about everything also! My husband tells me that I make things up to worry about! I will pray for you to turn everything over to God and not take it back. Would you please pray the same thing for me?
Thank-you,
Christina Beebe
Christina, my OBS sister! Yes, ma’am. I will be praying that you will remember that God is sitting and waiting, waiting for you to be vulnerable and cast all your worries on Him. And that you remember that He gives us enough strength and grace for THIS day and not worry about tomorrow. And while you are praying to Him, He wraps his arms around you and reassure you that you do what you can and he will do the rest. He will never forsake you or give you more than you can bear. You are the apple of His eye and he loves you. God wants nothing but the best for you.
I will be praying for you daily. Worrying is a terrible disease that can lead to our demise. As strong women of God, we can’t let that spirit of worry rob our joy and separate us from the love of God.
He loves you and so do I!
Courtney
I have recieved a email from YouVersion the Bible App and they have studies for the week on Confidence.Just thought I would share.
I thank God for sharing in this study. As I read Chap. 9. I recognised this is also for me. When I read page 162 about making a list of what makes me worry and weary I decide to make the list. When I finish make the list, I burn it (literally) and denounce it. Then I replace them with the scripture verses on page 172 -173 by speaking out those verses loud. I will continue to repeat these verses. Pray for us.
What a good idea. I am a hands on girl myself and I have written out lists before and then torn them up, but your idea is new. During the last two years I have made tremendous strides in leaning on Jesus ( now that’s a good song….but I digress ) and find so many of Renee’s findings are what I also have learned. I just am not able to put it down on paper like she does. Thanks Renee for your obedient heart. This is my first blog….ever and I have really enjoyed reading your comments and lifting you up in prayer. I only wish I had tried to connect sooner.
Thanks, Renee, for sharing about your stress induced depression – I am still on medication to help with the same diagnosis although I was so unwilling to give into that, God gave me other HUGE symptoms that respond to the medication used for depression that I couldn’t possibly ignore them; however, I was still able to ignore what was really going on, if I had chosen to do so. God,, in His all knowing, had several other plans fall into place to bring me, finally, to a place of healing. Being a part of this study has helped tremendously and I thank you!
I was thoroughly convicted by my answer to question #4; could I drop everything if Jesus came to visit? My answer was YES, then I realized that Jesus wants to spend time with me every day and is only limited by me! In my healing process, spending dedicated time to Jesus has been my biggest focus, but I have never really thought of it as Jesus visiting – I will certainly do that now!
Chapter 9 was terrific and very timely. I had to travel for a family event and on route, started to feel sick. I have a history of a particular health issue and each time I feel sick, I am instantly worried if that same issue would repeat itself. This time was no exception, but God was gracious and I was ok throughout the event and was able to travel back. God showed me that it is important to trust Him, especially when things look bad. While it is normal for me to worry about a past sickness re-emerging, He is in control and He knows how to heal me. I don’t need to panic so much all the time.
I will say though, being sick in and of itself may be bad, but it’s not as bad the feeling of complete helplessness, even if it’s temporary. Not being able to do certain basic things like drive a car or read a book, or just chores around the house, it’s an emotional roadblock. But as Renee in this entry, God loves us regardless of what we do or don’t do. I’m thankful that He is faithful and continuing to teach me how to walk by faith and not by sight.
AMEN!!
I continue to be encouraged in the face of discouragement as I press on through The Confident Heart. I appreciate how you share your struggles boldly. It helps me feel less alone. Persevering. Praying it seeps in…residual doubt remains. That is what I am discovering. Pressing on.
With you, I am encouraged in the face of discouragement, persevering, pressing on. Blessings
Meant to say, not able too listen to the conference call…
Sorry.
Morning
I was able to listen to the call, as it comes up error…so bummed…that was a worry for me of not knowing how to do something so simple….my most worries are my family…spiritual walk….I feel responsible even knowing there adults…but it’s also a desire to see them where I know they can be…
So back and fourth I go….
Blessings
Patty
I am still trying to figure out why some can listen to the call and some can’t. I know how frustrating that is. Someone at the P31 office told me it has to do with the computer or browser you are using – which is above me in technical abilities :).
Here is the customer service number 877.482.5838
If you can call and let them know what is happening when you try, I think that may be the best option b/c they will know what questions to ask you to help you get access.
Let me know what happens 🙂
Praying!!
I too loved the conference call Renee. I have listened twice already and will listen again. I loved hearing about the different personalities. I had read a book about them when my children were young, but have not though of it since. Thanks so much for sharing about them. I underlined so much in chapter 9. I can so relate to what you said on page 159. “Even when we’re physically present in today’s tasks, our minds tend to live in tomorrow troubles.” WOW Lord help me to cast my care and live in today, knowing that You take care of today and all my tomorrows!! Thanks you for this book Renee, God bless you richly for how many of us you are helping to finally have a confident heart!! ♥
My dearest friend Renee thank you for being a friend in Christ to me and all these sisters that are in this bible study. I did not join your conference call on Friday sorry i missed it, I do enjoy listening to you. I will be honest and tell you I have almost finished this book but I do go back and reread alot. It is such a reference in times of need. God is great and greatly to be praised even in our darkest times. Illness has really taken my life and turned it upside down and at times it is a struggle to keep my mind on track. I doubt alot and feel very useless in my own existence but God is my strength and my joy and His plan is better than what I am in right now so I keep trying and look towards the promise of no pain and life eternal with God and His family. Thank you again so much may God continue to give you strength to touch sooo many hearts thru the word In Jesus name. Helen
First Renee I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for doing the conference call. It was absolutely amazing. !!! I loved reading chapter 9, because I am a worrier. My job requires a lot of traveling and on top of worrying I am pulled in about fifteen directions. There was one point just recently that I felt like so many people were pulling at me in so many different directions, that I was going to break in about a million pieces. This chapter made me stop and listen to God more clearly. My very favorite line in the book, ” I think I could more easily accept what God is doing if he’d help me understand why he’s doing it. But God does not promise understanding; He promises peace in the midst of not understanding”. So very COOL !!! Renee, I sooo want to be able to go to God with a listening heart and not a a listing heart. But, how do I know it is really God talking to me and not my inside chatter? I WANT TO HEAR HIM.
Christina, I love your question, “how do I know it is really God talking to me and not my inside chatter?” It’s good to know I’m not the only one w/ “inside chatter”. 🙂 I’ve been working on that the last wk, and it doesn’t come naturally, at least not for me! I’d be interested in hearing more on that as well!
You girls are NOT alone by any means!! Include me in that prayer!!!
I am a worrier too! I also have “inside chatter”! Please include me in that prayer!! Praying that we all allow God to quiet the “inside chatter”.
Hi, Renee.
Thank you so much for writing this book and leading this study. God in His sovereignty knew that this is what I (and how many thousand others?) need right now. I am blessed to be a part of this study and pray that many hearts will be touched and greatly moved closer to God through this.
Ladies, I would love to know what songs/hymns you find particularly comforting and uplifting. As we read about and talk about the importance of what we tell ourselves, and the need to put good stuff into our minds, I realize that there is a lot of silence in my life (despite the fact that I have 4 daughters whom I home educate) that often gets filled with negative self-talk in my head. I know that there is lots of good christian music, but would like to hear some of your favorites.
Blessings, and thank you all for all of the sharing from the heart.
I really should have said “God stuff in our heads” not just “good stuff” 🙂
If you enjoy listening to the radio…I recommend the radio station Klove. It is awesome! So many Uplifting songs and messages. They also provide Christian songs that can be downloaded for free. I hope this helps… God’s blessings!
I also homeschool, and we start the day with a hymn from a hymn a day book that tells the words and a little story about how the hymn was written. I love it, love hymns. The other tip I have for you is seeds listen online I don’t know the exact address, but if you google it, you should get the right page, and can listen to encouraging Bible verses. God bless you as you take every thought captive!
Hi Becky! I love listening to Christian music especially worship music. I find it really touches my heart and encourages me. One of my favorite albums right now is by Matt Redmond called 10,000 Reasons. I love the song called “Never Once”. It talks about how we are never alone because God is always with us. Jamie Grace is another singer I enjoy in particular her song God’s Girl. I listen to this music on a website called http://www.jango.com. You can input an artist that you like and it will play sings by them and similar type artists. It is a kind of make your own radio station site. 🙂
God bless you!
Edith
Thanks for the website Edith I love it. Had never heard of it and did not know it existed!!
I Am Redeemed by Big Daddy Weave. This song speaks so much to my heart. And I agree we need to fill ourselves with God stuff….there is so much other junk coming at us from outside and from within. Also another song that has always spoken to me is “He Who Began the Good Work In You” I’m not sure who did it. There are so many things we can choose to fill ourselves with, I pray that all of us will make the choice to be filled with positive, godly things and thoughts.
Have lots of great songs that help me and it truly is powerful to have them playing in the background of your day. Singing and listenjng to music always helps me when I am depressed, anxious, stressed, scared, doubting etc. “You Are My Refuge” by Paula Dunn. “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban also like Sheila Walsh singing it. “Here in the Shadow” , “Faithful God”, “Quiet Places” all by Shannon Wexelberg. “Angel by Your Side” by Francesca Battistelli. “Carry You” by Amy Grant. “Come to the Altar” by Rosie Wagner. “Even if” by Kutlass “Every Step” by the Crist Family. “Footprints in the Sand” by Leona Lewis and “The Altar” and “You are my Shepherd” by Trisha Brock . There are so many more but I hope you will listen to some of these and that you too feel God’s presence so strong believing that He is right there and will never leave you no matter what you are going through.
Hell Becky, thank you for sharing I am have taken on the task to home school my four year old grand daughter I just started so I will need all the help I can get. I love listening to music it helps to keep me calm. One of my favorite artist is Yolanda Adams one of her songs I love is the Battle is not yours, I also like Shirley Cesar I usually find their music and other artist on u-tube.
Please excuse the misspelling I meant to post Hello!!!!!.
Thanks, Bernadette.
Lord, bless Bernadette for the willingness and sacrifice she has made to home educate her granddaughter. Give her strength and encouragement as she launches on this exciting and worthy undertaking! Direct her to others who are homeschooling, and provide her with the support she will need to accomplish Your will in this.
I have been dealing with a lot of anxiety related to my unnecessary worry. This study is helping me begin to replace my negative thoughts with God’s promises & truth. The song I have listened to on KLoVE that has been most relevant to me during this journey has been “Carry Me”. I am not sure who the singer is but I heard him talk about what led him to write the song. He spoke of such fearful anxiety that he went to the hospital thinking it was a heart attack & I completely knew God sent this message for me. God wants to carry me through my fear if only I will let him by trusting Him. I hope this song gives you the courage to trust God as it has helped me on my journey.
Hey Suzanne, I am like you with unnecessary worry and anxiety. The song “Carry Me” is wonderful! Josh Wilson’s story seemed like God’s way of hitting me on the head to tell me let go of my worries and let Him carry me. Another great song, with almost the same back story, is “Need You Now” by Plumb.
Thank you, sisters, for the music suggestions and for the encouraging words. It helps so much to hear how you also struggle with unnecessary worry and anxiety, and the mutual goal of replacing negative thoughts with God’s truth. It is one of my biggest struggles as I learn to trust God with everything. This study has been a blessing, despite the pain, or because of the pain? God is definitely using the pain to push me to Himself as the ultimate source of comfort and healing. May He continue to bring us all closer to Himself as we journey through this with Him. Thank you, Renee.
Hi Renee,
I’ve tried numerous times downloading the recorded conference call from Friday and keep getting an error. I’m so loving this study and want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for using your gift to bless so many woman. It is a true blessing and gift!!! Thank you for helping us move from the hurt of our past and doubts into our true identity in Christ. Believing and walking in my true identity in Christ is something I have been struggling with for so many years due to a childhood past of sexual abuse and a 21 year verbal and emotional abusive marriage that ended last September. The Lord has begun the healing but it is a daily choice to not listen to the enemies voice and to choose to believe and walk in the security and identity of who I am in Christ and that He has truly set me free! Thank you again! God bless you!!!!
I agree with your post, Sindy! This has been wonderful, and it is a journey that will, that MUST continue.
For me, too, to use your words, “it is a daily choice to not listen to the enemy’s voice and to CHOOSE to believe and walk in the security and identity of who I am in Christ and that He has truly set me free!”
Bless you, Sindy!
I worry about past hurts and I hold on to them—the opening quote really spoke to me….I cant succeed in my future hold on to the past w a death grip
Hi Renee,
Just wanted to let you know what a blessing the conference call was to me on Friday. I have listened to it twice through since and taken notes because the points were so relevant to the season I am in right now. Thank you!
Regarding topic ideas for future studies, some ideas might be: listening to God’s voice (as you mentioned); unpacking what “surrender” means and how to do that on a consistent basis; going more in depth on a personality study as it relates to self-acceptance; and how to discern God’s purpose for our lives.
I also wanted to ask if you could please pray for me. With God’s help, I am making tremendous progress in many areas of life; however, I still have trouble knowing God’s heart and Trusting in His Goodness due to things from my past. Thank you for all the studies you have done that are helping me to progress in this area.
God bless you!
Holly
“Beloved” is such a sweet word for God to use for His ppl! reminds me of the texts in Jeremiah where He’s talking about backsliding, adulterous Israel, yet He addresses her as “Virgin Israel”..so awesome for God to fully know us and fully love us.