“If we want to live beyond the shadow of our doubts, we need to position our thoughts and our hearts to dwell in the shadow of the cross, each and every day.” A Confident Heart, Chpt 11
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
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Every time doubt threatens to cast a shadow over our hearts, let’s run back to Jesus, turn toward the Light of His Truth, and stand in the shadow of the Cross. In the shadow of the Cross – everything changes:
When you feel inadequate, God says: You are CHOSEN.
“‘You are my witnesses,’ declares the Lord, ‘and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he’” (Isa. 43:10).
When you feel afraid, God says: You are REDEEMED.
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine” (Isa. 43:1).
When you feel unloved, God says: You are LOVED.
“You are precious and honored in my sight, and . . . I love you” (Isa. 43:4).
When you feel forgotten, God says: You are REMEMBERED.
“See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands” (Isa. 49:16).
When you feel insecure, God says: You are SECURE.
“Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders” (Deut. 33:12).
When you feel unable or unstable, God says: You are ABLE.
“The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights” (Hab. 3:19).
When you feel worthless, God says: You are CALLED.
“Youare a chosen [woman], a royal [priest], a holy [daughter], God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Pet. 2:9).
***
I’d love to know which of these promises speaks most to your heart today – and if you’re feeling brave – why does it resonate with you? Also, for those in my online study…what are some thoughts or verses you’ve underlined in Chapter 11? Are there certain things that you want to remember?
{ click “share your thoughts” and do just that…I love to hear from you!}
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It’s nice to hear I’m chosen, called, not worthless. I feel that way today, worthless, and it’s good that I don’t need to go by my feelings but what God’s Word says about me. I’m so glad I am a special possession to the Lord. Those times like today when I know my husband I’m separated from is busy looking for someone else, and I feel such pain knowing I’ve lost him and my family, (so many problems/issues), that I will never lose my Lord. HE considers me worthy of love and HE is so worthy of my praises always.
In one of the posts that you responded to Renee you said how God never wastes anything and I’ve always found that to be true. Romans 8:28 has been a favorite of mine for a long time–knowing that he can turn around even the bad things in our lives and use them for good. We just can’t lose when serving Christ.
I join with all the ladies in thanking your for sharing your life with us through this book. I was able to relate and cringe and cry through it all–because I see me in those pages too.
blessings to you and your family and with the next study as well,
beth
I have LOVED doing this study! Renee, you have been such a blessing to me during this walk. ALL of your facebook comments and emails have caused me to continue to look to my saviour. I have learned sooo much from this book that my daughter (18 yrs) is going to participate in your next study. I really wanted to take the words of the week and all the “You are Chosen etc” to heart – I am in the process of cross stiching all the words in a mini quilt. Thank you again Renee for all that you have done to help all of us ladies become confident women in Christ.
Brenda,
What a wonderful way to keep his word visible; I love the idea of your quilt, perhaps you could post a picture when its complete?! It also reminds me that His word is a covering for us. Praise God for all of you creative ladies and for Christ who made us what we are and what we are becoming.
These are great! Thank you so much! The one that speaks the most to me today is the one that reminds me that I am secure in God. I struggle with security and anxiety, so this truth is very touching to me! 🙂
I would like to read your book it looks good. I would like to try to be apart of the next study. i would like to be apart of your giveway. I think reading your book would help me be more confident in my journey.The video shawdow of the cross is AWESOME!
The things HE says about me are ALWAYS soooooooooooooo much better than what I have to say about me! So glad that the words He speaks over me are not only nicer, not only more loving, but they are also the TRUTH!!!!
The big one for me recently has been Him speaking the word CHOSEN over me. I did not choose Him, He CHOSE me. ME! The gal who feels so scattered most days. The gal who wrestles with her sharp tongue. The gal who some days just wants to run away instead of press on. He actually CHOSE me and has plans for me. Oh, the volumes of love and worth that speaks over this heart of mine.
You point us to HIM, and that is always such a blessing, friend. Love you bunches!
K
What an awesome video, staying in the shadow of the cross, not in the shadow of doubts! It’s amazing that in question #1 that is the first image I saw when closing my eyes to think of how I view God. I saw Jesus on the cross, and almost like I heard Him say. “I love you this much!” I also said that I have come a long way through this study, but still not exactly where I want to be. I said I would continue praying the prayers and the scripture promises out loud and refer back to your book often. I may join again in April, but not sure yet, . I think question #4 hit me the hardest this time, because I have been praying for someone to come along and encourage me, but maybe I need to pray that God will show me someone who needs my encouragement!
Thanks so much Renee for this study, It has truly changed the way I think about myself. Thanks again for being open and honest in all your teachings with us. And thanks to the LORD for loving us enough to die for us! He paid the price for me, I want to walk all my days in the shadow of the Cross!
Blessings,
Wow! Powerful video!
wow. what a powerful, crushing to my heart video. i get so caught up in the day to day worries that i forget how silly they are compared to the cross. thank you for reminding me and thank you from the bottom of my heart for this study and for the honor of letting me feel like your friend 🙂 you’re an amazing leader and sister to all of us..may God bless you in your work in Him.
I have underlined several favorite things in Chapter 11, but I love the part about “Is God Enough?” We all have struggles and I have struggled about having a strong faith. My head says he is enough, but sometimes it is hard to convince my heart. One day at a time…. Also I love that I am chosen and a holy daughter (1Peter 2:9). I love that you have already prayed over every woman that read this book and who will read this book. We will persevere. I am claiming Hebrew 10:35-36,39 in my life. Blessings to you Renee and thank you.
Elaine, blessings to YOU!!! I”m so glad you have been part of the study and that God is helping you move what you know in your head to that heart that has a hard time agreeing – I know we can all relate. That is why again and again I go back to what I share in…I think chapter 6 – that we have to change the way we think – or what we think – to change the way our heart “feels”. There is such a direct correlation 😀
Praying for you still!! And hope to see you here time and again in the coming months.
… I just saw the video…I can’t stop weeping…so much love…so undeserved.
I must say thank you for sharing the video and the timing is amazing….as we all enter into ‘holy week’….I ask myself, what can I do for you, Lord Jesus?…what can I do for you?
He is so worthy of our praise – our love – so worthy of all we can offer. HE gave it all for us – His life and death wrapped in measureless grace and unending sacrifice. May we worship HIM with all our hearts and all that is within us. Happy Easter!
When you feel insecure, God says: You are SECURE.
“When you feel unable or unstable, God says: You are ABLE.
“When you feel worthless, God says: You are CALLED.
I am going through a very sad season of life and it never seems to end. Overwhelmed by feelings of being a huge failure and dysfunctional. I came so close to Christ, or so I thought but now feel like I have even failed at that. Not feeling strong and missing friends very much. Is there a place for a woman in her mid forties who has failed at relationships, at finding faith and has no dreams of a future left? I also took so much comfort from the story of Sam at the well. I never thought life could be so lonely but it is and the past two years have not only shown me my own failure but that no-one is truly your friend. Each one lives to themselves only. People say Christ will be your all and will fill all the empty places and gaps but somehow, this doesn’t seem to happen?
praying for you “M” – please hang in there and no that this to shall pass – and you are not a failure. God sees you has a chosen woman, a royal (priest), a holy daughter, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light (1Peter 2:9)
Keep crying out to him and do not let the enemy get ahold of your thoughts. Keeping you in my prayers. Blessings, Elaine
M there are so many things you share that make me wish so much we could sit and talk and you could tell me what all has happened and how you got to this place. So much of what you ask are things I’ve answered or shared from my own life in my book. I’m not sure you have it and would love to get a copy to you. Please let me know.
Do you mind also if I pray for you for now?
Lord Jesus, you know the sadness and hollow places in M’s heart that have left her feeling so alone and empty. So confused and weighed down by pain and loneliness. Only YOU can be her comfort and speak into those hurting broken places. Only You can be ALL that she needs. Only You can send someone to be Jesus with skin on and help her feel your presence in a way that is tangible. Please lead her to a believer in Christ – a follower who knows your grace and truth and will help her break free from the lies that are defining her right now. Lord Jesus, you know we are so fragile and so vulnerable. Would you surround M with your angels and minister your comfort and peace to her heart today and just give her something to hold onto that tells her you are there – you see her – you know here – you love her and you will never leave her. Give her the strength and steadfastness in her mind to believe our promises and rely on the power of your Word that chases the enemy away. We speak Jesus, Jesus, Jesus over her now and thank you that there is healing in Your Name. We claim it now for our sister in Christ. Your beautiful daughter who You cherish and love. In the Name of Jesus we pray – Amen.
Renee, what a beautiful heartfelt prayer to our Lord that you have lifted up for M; i prayed this prayer for one of my daughters with similar feelings as M. May ‘there be healing in His Name’ for both of them. I shared the Shadow of the Cross video with all my grandchildren. I know they will be as blessed as i was. Thank you Renee, you are a dedicated, loyal, and loving servant of our Lord.
Amen.
I know a little of what M may be going through. My life seems over too with no future. Nothing in my life has ever worked out and not only not worked out but ended in such heartache…dreams that little girls have…all of the looking like they were going to happen and tragedy struck…and alone still. All I can do is picture Jesus right in front of my eyes at all times, personalize verses, listen to God’s Love Letter. There is a video on Youtube called God’s Love Letter. It is based on bible verses but in the format of a letter that Jesus is reading to you. Have to listen to it every day. Seems like there is no reason for me to be here. Counseling failed, people don’t understand, Christian pastors/counselors don’t understand. They’ve had everything in their lives go right…or at least if they went wrong, right came just right along behind…..all my life dreams have had dead ends. I don’t see any future or any hope. Honestly I wish I was not here anymore. All I can do to get through this life is picture Jesus in front of me, personalize verses, concentrate on Jesus constantly. It doesn’t even feel like my volunteer/working w/children/thinking of others and doing things for others is meaning anything anymore. I’m also thankful for Renee’s lists of “what I say about me” “what God says about me.” I will have to read those daily…maybe hourly just to get through this unhappy life. I am a Christian and I love the Lord with all my heart…but I’m not happy. People don’t understand that…if you are a Christian there is no reason you should not be happy. I am just thinking that everyone can say that because they’ve had all their happy life things happen so they can concentrate on being positive and they don’t really have to experience that God is all they have…they have family. Praying for you M. I am there with you.
Dear Sherree
Praise to God that you have the sight to see Jesus standing in front of you and I pray that you come to the time just like in the book where the question: Is God enough? The answer of yes is understood. Although it seems like an easy question to answer yes with, I don’t find it easy to feel like yes even though I know its yes. Does that make sense? But the part of your post that really caught my attention was the not feeling like the volunteer/working with children is meaning anything. I work with children every day and I have learned by doing this for so very long that usually you don’t see the meaning until a long, long time when you catch the drift of information of what the children are doing later in their lives. No matter where the child comes from, every child needs as much loving, caring adults around them, that I have learned. Some days you may be the only kind adult who gives them a smile. Truly. So I can not but only imagine that you are very important to those to whom you are ministering. May God’s peace surround you now and always.
Renee, thank you so much for this prayer. It’s hard to accept doors have closed and to know I made such poor choices and caved in to fear. My life is being ruined by this fear and insecurity. I do have your book and found it a marvellous aid and of such comfort. There was so much in it that I identified
with and it helps very much in making sense of things.
Sheree – I have prayed for you too . Very grateful for these forums.
Yes!
When you feel unloved, God says: You are LOVED.
“You are precious and honored in my sight, and . . . I love you” (Isa. 43:4).
That is one of my favorites too!
Renee: What a powerful video! It brought tears to my eyes as I once again was brought face to face with what Christ suffered for me on the cross. How can we live a day without acknowledging His sacrifice?
I, also, love that you shared the different names of God in your book. I have been studying the names of God this year in a different study and am preparing a chapel message for elementary students in our Christian school using them and in a devotional to missionary wives that I write. .Isn’t it neat how God works all those things together? Thank you for your ministry to women! Your book has been such a rich resouce for me. God bless you as you continue giving and showing your heart and love for Christ. Your desire to please Him and do the work He has called you is very evident.
I love how God speaks to us about a certain topic through different ways and we know it’s Him. So encouraging!!
It’s been a huge blessing to walk through each chapter with you all too – so thankful we persevered and made it this far!! Can’t wait to start over in late April!!
I am actually thinking of doing the study again. It will start the week I am suppose to have surgery and will be given the results of the biospy of the from the cyst being removed. I think if possible this study would be great for me to have while recovering for the six weeks after surgery.
Thanks Renee for following God’s leading.
Amazing video!!! It really hit home to me what Jesus did for us. I have learned so much with our study. Thank you for this blessing. I have not posted very much nor read many of the posts. I think I will sign up for your next on line class. I know that I will learn more and being committed to the class will help me put to practice what I learn.
Renee thank you for starting this online study. I had your book and had read chapter one and put it down and not picked it back up until you decided to guide us through it. It has been fun to share and to read the comments from others. I realized that for a long time now I have been running away from God in some ways and not dealing with my feelings of doubt and feelings of being a failure. I decided I neede a little more help than just your book and have begun talking to friends more and sharing with them some of my struggles. This is helping and I know God has touched not just my heart through your book and online study, but the heart of some many others posting here and a lot who have not posted or shared. I am praying for each of you today and for Renee as she starts this again.
Powerful video thanks for the jump start into my day.
“He wanted me to depend solely on Him for my confidence.” “Empty your heart of all of you so you can be filled with all of Me” (p. 207). “God created us in His image to reveal His glory by giving visibility to His invisible character within us. Christ in us is the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27) (p. 209).
When I started this study, I was looking to have confidence in me, but I realized I have confidence in me because it is Jesus in me. He is my Source of confidence and just my Source.
Renee, I plan on doing the study with you again. I have received so much out of this study. I haven’t memorized all the verses, but I want to be able to say, “His Word is planted deep in my heart, and I believe it all.” So I will continue to work on my scripture memorization as I go through the study again (p. 212).
I have been so Touched and Blessed by This online Study.I really am saddened in My Heart that it is ending.But Thankful that now this Woman of God can take all I have been given and Apply it to my Life and Be really The Woman of God He chose me to be.You Sister Renee and other Woman that have been through this study this Journey have helped me in your Videos and testimonies as well I have made a Point to Surrender Myself Heart mind and Soul to God daily and ask HIm to use me as He Wills.I know that His Plans are not our plans and His will is not our Will.That is when we truly mess up is When we get out of The will of God.His Word says He will Lead and Guide my Footsteps.But in the past I ran ahead of Him trying to do everything my own way not Listening to that still small Voice and Direction from God how He wanted it.That includes My Marriage my bringing up my Children and just my daily walk with Him.Now I have the Security Promises you have given us in your Book to apply to myself and speak them to exsistance in my Life.I will not allow the storms of Life sweep me under I will stand Strong and With Confidence that nomatter what I face in the rest of my Journey here on earth.I will make a Declaration by Faith to God to live in The Truth of God’s Word and to wait upon Him and His Timing.I will Pray God’s Promises and share them with my Daughters and others as well that cross my Path.Knowing that Doubt is the opposite of Faith.God requires us to Walk by Faith.He wants Obedience and I Love Every Chapter in A Confident Heart This I will Leave with you When We stand with God no raging storm shall ever shake us.When we stand with Him the cares of Life can never Break us.For when we cry He dries our tears when we are Frightened He hides us from our fears and all our Sorrows disappear.When we Stand with Him;Thank you for the Names of God and how Precious are these we can Pray in. Our Fathers name we can shake the Foundation.God Bless you my friend may God Continue using you to be a soul winner and the other Woman is this study as well.Friends and Sisters in Christ forever.May we all be Neighbors in Heaven.