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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Thank you for sharing Pillar. I also listened to some of the music videos. The Lord loves us so much there are no words to tell of His love for us. I just hope and pray I can see and appreciate His love for me and be content and not complain. I am unable to share my story but I believe God will use me to share privately with loved ones who are in similar situations as I am in so there would hopefully be no condemnation. “I would be still and know HE IS GOD. Worry and anxiety indeed takes so much away from us and in my case if I can only trust God and know and believe He is with me always I would be a more confident person with courage. I do depend on people a lot and put my Trust I jn people well I need to practice what I say and apply it to my own life. Surrendering all is difficult but I know its the only way for peace in my soul. I understand and know some but I find it so hard to work at it in my own way of living. God bless you- Angela
I had the story of Martha whispering in my head, being talked about in sermons, opening in my Bible and finally highlighted in Renee’s great chapter.
W.O.R.R.Y=
W.orry
O.nly
R.obs
R.est from
Y.ou
That sums up the brokenness in my thought-life. No matter how hard I fight it, I always end up being defined by it one way or another. And yes, even God gives me the verse over and over to help me get out of the rut:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
It is a great tragedy to fight these battles in the mind, and then have to keep fighting it. You always have to be on guard, always get the armor up. But if only if I could just RESIDE in Him and COME to Him (or even RUN to Him) and sever the doubt, the hurt, the past, the fears that even birth that worry into my mind – how much MORE I could accomplish the right things through Him, and above all, how much more I can ENJOY HIS PEACE.
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:2
Like Renee said, differentiating between Good things and GOD’s things is a great way to eliminate a lot of the striving that causes worry. It has been a difficult lesson to me in the season I’m in. God is constantly reminding me that I’m here to please HIM, nothing else, no one else (even myself). And if my REST in Him PLEASES HIM….HOW MUCH MORE SHOULD I STRIVE TO LET GO!
Jesus surrendered everything for us….He is our role model – If only we could willingly surrender it all too.
I believe through it all, the more we KNOW Him, the more it will be easier to LET GO!!
“When things you want to control start to control you, ask God to help you let you let go and trust He is in CONTROL.” p. 178
Hello Renee I did join the conference call it was very helpful to hear you speak and thank you for sharing your story. I honestly would like to be able to tell when God is speaking to my heart and not me in the flesh taking control and doing things my way. You had said its an impression on your heart. I long to be at that place with The Lord. Thank you so much for this book Renee and this study. I am kindly asking for prayers I m going to drive out of state for the first time and I am anxious and nervous. I pray I pay attention and follow the directions correctly and get to my destination safely.thank you so much.
Hi, AAngie ~ I hope your trip went well and gave you confidence:)
Two thoughts that have touched me so far in chapter 9 are: 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.” Matt. 11:28.
(page 161)
Take the time to read Ps. 139:1-5 – what a blessing to know that He knows all about us.
(page. 165) God notcies and He cares (page 164)
He loves us so much!!!
Hi all 🙂
I love reading the responses they have helped me so much! I’m not alone in this at all!
Yes I agree about the bossing my heart around as I have had so many bouts of depression and despair because of losing my Job a few months ago.
But God is good! i have a temp job for 3-4 weeks right when severance pay was over 😀
Daily bread you know 😀 just in time. And I was just reminding myself this morning God loves me and he is never ever late!
amen to the daily bread – just in time.
God’s perfect timing. 🙂
Oh Renee,
Instead of bossing others around, boss your heart around by reminding it who God is…love, love, love that!!!
You are loved…not because of what you do but because of who you are. This is so freeing. Just this weekend, a church friend gave me grief that I should do more to help the church. I was offended. I already usher 5 hours every other weekend, mentor an inner city child, and work full time; on top of that I have two kids. I got offensive and wanted to say look at what all I am already doing? It’s not my fault that you are a stay at home mom with tons of family help and your husband pays for everything, is what I wanted to say. It still offends me that she gave me a hard time that I should do more. After reading chapter 9 today, I highlighted “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” I also highlighted “Jesus warned that the enemy comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” The most important thing I highlighted was “When we find the important balance between talking and listening to God, we position ourselves to hear what He has to say.” I usually pray for what I need and what others need but now I will pray and listen for God. I cannot thank you enough for this book. It has helped me so much with working towards a confident heart.
Praise God –
God’s perfect timing is more than i can imagine !
I just recently wrote about how I was worried about my job, worried about my future, worried about certain things…
i didn’t understand.. why certain things were happening.. i really didn’t but like every detail every bitter event or happy event meshes together in God’s perfect timing…
this time of mourning and anguish was not in vain… i have a better understanding of trusting God, trusting God’s plan, guarding my heart even with the things i enjoy, putting God first and prioritizing better…
i am nothing, but in God I am made.
Praise God…
there are so many things I still have to do as my responsibility, but now i know and believe with a confident heart God’s promises are His awesome promises.
I trust in His plan, and time table.
Thank you for the encouragement.
Oops, I was laughing hard at the part when Renee took her puppies meds….my mind was faster than my fingers……
I read chapter 9 on Monday morning and monday night!!!!….and scanned through it again this morning..I kind of giggled when Renne asked us to share two things that spoke to us or high lited sentences, verses…..Ive hightlighted the whole book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!………;O) I have been totally blessed….this was another WOW chapter… Page 164 Worry Robs Us…it robs us of our confidence that God notices and cares about the details of our lives…and He cares. Page 158 Distractions and temptations…159 Concerns consume us… I loved “Try to control things and they end up controlling you”…On friday my youngest had all four wisdom teeth pulled out…as I saw her being taken back to the room, I started to feel anxious…I wasn’t going to be there for her at her side…Was she going to be taken care of like I do???? I was being distracted, then I remembered Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing…I felt the Lord will not leave her alone….I felt better, sat there and crocheted and prayed, until she came out, when she came out she was crying and wanted her “daddy”….he was waiting at home, and she was so happy to see him…we got her settled and the day began, meds, ice packs, cold smoothies….at the end of the day I thanked God for the peace, strength and patience I had all day. I thought of Matthew 11:28, Come to me all who are tired and heavy laden and I will give you rest…Thank you God….
Renee, I laughed so hard with the part about the I was sitting on the deck reading and people, walk early in the morning, and there I was laughing….all by myself!!!!!! The mental seizure part was my favorite…..As I read on I have to admit I was a Martha alot of my life, in the last few months I have slowly become a Mary..I love sitting and reading in the morning and then just going over scripture during the day and going back to the book just to re read things or share things with my oldest daughter…(.I bought her the book when I got mine for the study, she got to chapter four and stopped….I have been praying for her to continue)..
Beloved, WOW how awesome to think we are greatly loved by God…I feel warm inside…He just loves us just because, sisters…we don’t have to do anything as Renee says, He just loves us
I have trouble memorizing, but have found myself thinking of scriptures, and I am now using my Strongs concordence, its amazing how many I actually remember, not actually where they are, but some of the passage, and Im writing them down and have started with index cards, a couple at a time…..I have not been so motivated as I am now, I am so grateful for this study…My biggest worry is that my children are ok, safe and healthy…I heard God whisper…”I will take care of your children, I promise, trust me”…..there are times when satan just prowls around…”fine time..how old are you…youve tried all this before, and never stuck to it”…..I thought…”Whatever dude, nothing can stop me now!!!!!!!!!!!!!” I feel so free, yes I still have some healing with my past, but, I know God loves me, and He is in control….Psalm 46:10 Be still and know I am God”
I could keep writing all day……just one last thing, Kelsey posted a link to Amy Grants song Don’t Try So Hard…you all have to go to it…I wasnt sure how to post it on my comment, just scroll and you’ll find it…It will bless you….There’s are part in the song that says ” Your lovely even with your scars” Praying for all of you….
Anna, you are a great writer! Thanks for all that you shared!
Thank You Diane, actually, I never shared anything with anyone until I started this study..I can’t believe how easily things have come to me to write..I love it. I will pray for you, and all of us to continue to dig deeper into studying the Word, it has made me realize that without our Savior, I wouldn’t be where I am today…God Bless You
I love this study but still feel like Satan is constantly trying to deceive me into thinking God is mad at me or that I haven’t truly trusted Jesus as my Savior. How am I supposed to get past this? I want to be secure in my relationship with God but feel like such a failure…
Those are complete lies from Satan. Even if what we’re feeling or believing seems true, if it goes against what God says about himself or you then its not, period…no matter what your head or feelings tell you. Refute the lies with scripture and soon your feelings will follow. ‘Whosoever calls on the name of The Lord WILL BE SAVED!’ I looked up where this passage was from and it’s actually in many different books! That’s how much God means it 🙂 and one I have to constantly speak over myself to come against lies & false guilt is ‘There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.’ Romans 8:1. So no, Hes not mad at you. You are the absolute apple of Gods eye, he can’t help but smile when thinking about you. Think of the love you have for your children (or a loved one) and times it by a billion 🙂 looking up verses on Gods love and meditating on them has really helped me in this area. As Renee says, you are his Beloved!!
I do take things to God but forget to stand back and listen to what He is saying to me.
Chapter 9 spoke loudly to me. My husband says my middle name is Worry. I’ve underlined just about every sentence in this chapter. A few of the things Renee wrote that shouted at me were: Sometimes I feel like I’m having a mental seizure. My thoughts get divided in many directions and I lose control of my thought processing system. Too often, instead of talking to Jesus, I think a lot of times we just start talking to ourselves in our heads until our accumulations of concerns become worries. I thought I was the only one that heard voices in my head 🙂
My main worry is about finances. I’m comsumed by it. Several significant events have happend in our life over the last 7 years. Thank you for the promises on Page 171 and 172. This is an everyday battle for me. I to, take depression medicines. I have tried going off of them, but decided I live a more productive life with them. My pastor said when people come to him for counseling, the first thing he asks is – Are you in the Word? Sadly, I am hit or miss. Mostly miss. The section on Spending Time with Jesus was very, very helpful for me. It has helped me get motivated.
Thank you for the opportunity to express my thoughts. Even if no one reads this, it feels good to get it out there.
I read this Sharon. I’m a worrier too. I am spending a lot more time with Jesus and I’m writing scriptures down on notecards. It helps to read through my scriptures each morning and at night before I go to bed. I am praying for both of us! I don’t want to learn things from this wonderful study and then walk away and forget. I want to walk away with a confident heart!
This song by Amy Grant has been very encouraging to me this week. I hope you are encouraged as well.
Thank u for sharing that song it was awesome 🙂
Kelsey….Thank you for this link, I loved the song….blessed
Thanks! I loved that!
I can’t wait to read this chapter today, but I have tried several times to hear the conference call amd I get a “page not found” errot. I emailed the host and was asked twenty questions about operating systems and software so I assume it is because I am doing it from an Android?? Or should I be able to from my phone??
I love this chapter because , I can relate to Renee when she says she feels like there are 12 voices talking in her head. I have allowed fear and worry to paralyze me. And it seems like every time I step out to do this one specific thing that God wants me to do. Someone always speaks to my insecurities . I am a person that 50 people can give me positive feed back and 1 person can give me a negitive and I allow that 1 neg to consume me. There voice and words will consume me. I have to say I am more mad at myself because I allow this to happen every time. I want to get to a place where I am obedient to God and not allow the enemy to come against Gods work in me . So I ask in all seriousness for you guys to pray for me, as I want to beat this thing. It has been tormenting me for yrs now and I don’t want it anymore, when I told God that , this study fell in my lap. That is why I love God soooooo much because He loves us . Thank you ahead of time for all your prayers as I know you will move moutains for me . I am expecting to be free after this study . God says to expect and I know he put this study in my life right at the right time. P.s. I had a vision in my prayer time that I was sitting in a chair and every time I tried to stand up someone would push me back down . I have come to realize that I am allowing them to do that to me . I am aware it is the enemy but I allow it to keep me there . Thank you sisters in Christ
I just read Chapter 8 last night so I’m behind, but wanted to share this. As I read Renee say that since God knows us, has a purpose for us, & loves the way He made us, she hoped we could say with confidence that we are “fearfully & wonderfully made,” I prayed God would help me really believe this. Well, I switched over to my Bible Gateway app on my phone this morning. Guess what the daily verse is?? Psalm 139: 13-14. 🙂
Hi Renee – I’ve noticed that sometimes messages come to me in waves. Today I was at a workshop and one of the speakers talked about the Slow Food Movement, as an analogy to education, and how education takes time. Same with relationships. Same with unlearning bad habits or old ways of being. I used to worry so much that my friends used to label me as “the worrier”, and if they found posters or verses related to worrying, I would be the recipient, but unsure how to change or apply such ideas to my life. I love how faithful God is in encouraging and teaching through the lessons and experiences of our life, and how He places people in our life to drive home His truth. It was 15 years ago that someone talked to me about Martha, and challenged me to consider how my approach to work and life was like that of Martha. This week, the light bulb came on – and I understand that what my co-worker was telling me in such a loving and caring way was God’s truth. A seed was planted then, and I did consider Martha’s life and her dilemma; in fact, many times I would ask myself, what would Mary do? I am not nearly the worrier I used to be, and this liberation from the chains of what if is like a new lease on life, on life with a purpose beyond my own comprehension. I am grateful you… and the many sisters in Christ who share similar burdens, and similar hopes. May our hearts be open and our minds be strong.
Amen!
“You are loved…not because of what you do but because of who you are”.
What a profound statement! We often think we are defined by what we do or what we have accomplished in our lives! But in all actuality we are loved just because we are!
God does not require for us to earn His love; He gives of it willingly and freely! No matter how we have sinned! No matter what job we have or don’t have! No matter how we look or want to look! He loves us JUST BECAUSE!!
I just had to share that because it spoke volumes to me as I read it! 🙂
I loved Chapter 9! The statement that really jumped out at me was “Not only does God want to give us peace that surpasses our understanding; He wants to surpass our need to understand with promises that are bigger than our problems.” Sometimes we think we need to know why something is happening, but if we trust God with every aspect of our life, we can rest and be at peace, knowing that He is taking care of us NO MATTER WHAT!!!!! Instead of striving to know WHY, we can live one day at a time listening to His voice, or simply following even when we can’t hear Him speak. That is truly “blind faith” and I know that touches our Father’s heart. We just need to remember He is always good and will always do what’s best for us. He is so amazing!
AMEN!!!