Oh how I am LOVING reading so much about each of you. Gosh I wish we could all meet!! What an amazing group of women of all ages and from all places God has gathered here in HIS name! Makes me just about burst with joy! And now, I’m so glad today is here. Some days my written words come easily. Other days I just have to show and tell you what’s on my heart. Today is one of those days.
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{Are you a note-taker? If so, I created “Video Message Notes” in a PDF and in MSWord just for you. Even included blanks to fill in. 🙂
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Thank you Renee for reminding me of God’s unfailing love.
Wow! That was an eye opener for me. It really struck home with how I’ve been feeling…. I have so much to be thankful for, but feel so empty….
What a wonderful visual! Thank you Renee
I started out my day being tested. I had one of the moments when I got to work today where I thought why am I even here… Good news is I didn’t let that thought get as far as usual. I took a deep breath and listened to Chad’s Song of Prayer. (About three times lol).
I am learning to catch myself before I get to far down that road of doubt and redirect my thots. It sure does take a lot of concentration. I’m so thankful that even when I doubt myself I can look to The Lord and His Word.
This was good – I used your notes to take notes. This describes me – looking to my husband to be my everything, never content or happy complaining alot, always wanting more things, etc. I need to ask God to show me those areas and ask Him to fill me. Thank you.
Thank you very much for sharing with me a portion of how the contents of my jar should be. I received it in the name of Jesus. May God continue to use you to be a blessing to others. Amen!
Thanks for the reminder that possessions and positions do not matter to God. I am challenged anew to let God fill my life with what he chooses for me, not with what I think I may want.
I cried throughout the video…It really hit home. I understand that I have to fill up the PLACES with Jesus.I just don’t seem to do a good job at it. I will keep trying.
I’m right there with you. I know what I need to do. I just have a harder time doing it. We will just keep trying together!
Have a wonderful day!
Me too! I thank you for your honesty and encouragement! We are all this together!
You sisters have a wonderful day!
Hi Catherine You are not a lone I to full up with other things in stead of letting God fill me. I m trying to change and hope this study with all you sweet ladies and Renee will help me a long. Praying for you In Christ love Amen
Thank you, Renee for this video. It’s a great reminder of how much God loves us and only wants the best for us. I make my life so difficult sometimes for myself by looking to everything to fill me when I know it can only be filled and fulfilled by Jesus only. I see Him at work in my life though, taking things out of my jar and reminding me of this very message from Him through this video. If only I could “get it” from my head to my heart! And start living my life with more confidence, knowing, really knowing, that He is all I need. I’m so thankful I’m doing this study with you all.
Father God, I just want to take a moment to thank you for each and every lady here. Especially thank you for Renee and the Proverbs 31 team and for being obedient to their calling to help woman live a Godly life. Lord, we are so desperate to know you and live for you. It’s difficult with all the pressures and disappointments and struggles we go through. Remind us of what you went through for us so that we can live freely, joyfully and confidently. I ask you to be with each one as we study. Open our hearts. Help us to be honest. Show us what is in our jar that needs to be removed and help us to let go of them. In Jesus name Amen.
P.S. I am also praying for your mom!
Wow! I have felt misunderstood and empty all my life. I have a great family, friends, now kids and a husband. I have been so unhappy cause I have filled my life with people instead of letting God fill me. I have gone through times where I am on fire for God and then it slowly fades. But during the time I remember my heart being full. I need to remember that, stay with it and never give it up. This study is my life and for the first time not only do some of you ladies know what I am going through but now I realize God sees me and really does know my heart. That even though I am one person and I dont hold alot of significant positions in my life that God still sees me. What a wonderful concept.
How do I allow God to fill me with the intimacy I lack from my husband? It feels weird to think about God being able to fulfill that in me…. any thoughts or ideas?
Hi Tami. I’ve been where you are. Believe it or not, God actually can fulfill the lack of intimacy with your husband. There have been times when I have ached for someone to hold me. One night I was so lonely I cried out to God. I told Him I needed to feel an actual TOUCH from Him. In my mind I could see Him lying on the bed beside me, putting His arms around me. I could actually FEEL His arms around me! The comfort I felt was indescribable! God truly can be our everything!!! Praying for a breakthrough in your life, dear sister.
Thank you Renee for the outstanding illustration to remind us that only God can fill the empty spaces. I sometimes tend to forget that and then find I have a lot of empty spaces. I am going to work harder at filling my jar with “living water”.
That video was really encouraging. I do look to other things than looking to God. Its easier to look to people and objects than look to God because I cant physically see him. Something that Im trying to remember is that God loves me even when people fail me because none of us our perfect but God himself. Something that God showed me is that I have not griefed my dads death. he passed away in 96 and I have been angry and bitter ever since.I don’t know what to do. Any suggestions?
Hi Mary. I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. If God showed you that you haven’t grieved his death, then that’s the place to start. Allow yourself to grieve. Get alone with God and pour out your feelings–no matter what they are. Go somewhere that no one can hear you and cry or scream or yell, whatever you need to do to release the feelings. Writing your feelings down in a journal may also help you. If you need to, find a support group to join. Since God revealed this truth to you, He will help you on your journey. Just remember you are not alone. He is always with you and our prayers are for you. Take care, dear sister.
Thank you Renee,
My husband and I were just talking about feeling unfulfilled sometimes as we get older and the things we used to be able to “do” are not always easy or even reasonable for us to do. I can’t wait to share this with him because men are as vulnerable to a world that tries (and unfortunately often times succeeds) in defining worth. But for today, I think I will just go dance with the Lord to “El Shaddai” by Amy Grant. He truly does love us and yet so easy to let other things pop into that first place for priority. Thanks again.
blessings,
I sometimes have looked for gifts to fill my life instead of the real person that I should be looking to fill my empty jar. I have been looking for unconditional love and I have not been looking for the true love that I need to look for .Only God’s unfailing love will fill my empty jar and take away the empty places and spots in my life. I need to look at the giver instead of looking for gifts and items to fulfill my wishes. I have to change the direction I am going in and do what is best to get on the right path to God. Great video and a very hard lesson to learn. I am trying real hard to do this but it is not easy.
It’s funny, I have been hearing a lot about getting my priorities straight and making time for people. I struggle with trying to fit everyone and everything in my “jar” and like the illustration my jar is full but I am so empty. I long to be filled with the living waters and pray and hope that I an learn to drink it in. I know I am taking the steps to do just that and like all good things it takes time. Some days are better than others, some days are just plain hard but I know that God is with me know matter what and will catch me when I fall. I pray that I can put back the gifts and take the most important gift that I will ever be given…
I always used men to fill that empty place and now that I am alone, I use food still. I have been praying for God’s will with this situation….Thank you, Renee, for the video–what a great object lesson with the vase and toys–it really is SO simple–yet so hard to surrender completely to God and let Him in to fill all the voids in our heart, mind, body and soul!!!! I truly want this and Daddy God, with you all things are possible…..Thank you for You!
Me too with the food! Just last night I found myself stuffing my face and it was very apparent that I was trying to find relief and comfort in it. I yo you back and forth with starving myself to please and stuffing myself to fill that hole…I desire to find balance. Praise God that you have taken steps into victory as far as men go though! God does not despise small steps! “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin” (Zech. 4:10
I received this in an email and thought it would be nice to pass it on to
everyone here.
THE U IN JESUS
Before U were thought of or time had begun,
God stuck U in the name of His Son.
And each time U pray, you’ll see it’s true,
U can’t spell out JesUs and not include U.
U’re a pretty big part of His wonderful name,
For U, He was born; that’s why He came.
And His great love for U is the reason He died.
It even takes U to spell crUcified.
Isn’t it thrilling and splendidly grand
He rose from the dead, with U in His plan?
The stones split away, the gold trUmpet blew,
And this word resUrrection is spelled with a U.
When JesUs left earth at His Upward ascension,
He felt there was one thing He just had to mention.
“Go into the world and tell them it’s true
That I love them all – Just like I love U.”
So many great people are spelled with a U,
Don’t they have a right to know JesUs too?
It all depends now on what U will do,
He’d like them to know,
But it all starts with U.
That’s great! Thank yoU for sharing!!!
Awesome poem.
One day on a beach on the East coast of Florida, as the sun rose through the clouds and the waves beat on the shore, now smooth after high tide washed away all the tracks and castles, i felt God. He reminded me that HE was the God of creation. Each day is a gift. He keeps the world spinning, the tides in control, the stars, moon, and sun hung in space. AND HE LOVES ME! Boy did I need to hear that at that point inmy desperate life. I wish I could say I magically “got” it from my head to my heart, but that is still happening, over and over, and over. Each time I take my eyes off Him and focus on the things of this world I have to go back and be lifted up again, reminded that His love is unconditional, there even when I wander away. And this God of mine, He’s yours too. Just as He has been for women from Eve on.
Thank you for sharing. This is truly a blessing.
Love it
Thank you Bonnie for sharing this poem. I love it!!
Thank you Renee for the amazing video. It is so true. Our priest shared something similar once, it meant a lot to me then and you have provided an awesome reminder that I need to allow God to fill my heart as only He can!! God bless you!!
Hi Bonnie thank you for sharing this is great I love it, God Bless. In Christ Love
Wow, the visual of the gifts in the vase vs the Giver filling the vase is exactly what I needed. Thank you, Renee.
Thank you, Renee. A very special time with the Lord prompted by this study and your message today. In my journal I wrote, “a turning point”. The Lord continue to make you fruitful. Thank you also, Ladies, for sharing your hearts. Your words are just as encouraging.
What a great video and illustration, Renee. Thank you so much for reminding us that our thirst can be filled with God’s living water and it will fill all the empty places in our hearts and lives. The song Amanda shared–The Well by Casting Crowns–is just super. Thank you so much.