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.
{If you are reading this via email, click here. You can only see the video on my blog, not in an email.}
Please {like pretty please even if you don’t normally watch video posts} click the arrow to “hear” today’s message from my heart to yours. I don’t want another day to go by without you knowing this…
{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. 🙂
Let’s Connect {and how to enter today’s drawing}:
I’d love to hear your thoughts about today’s message… and this is an easy way to enter today’s giveaway too. Just click “share your thoughts” right below this post and do just that – share your thoughts. {I love to read them! And pray over you when I do.} I’ll be there reading and sharing my heart with you too.
For More Daily Encouragement join my Confident Heart Facebook page.
Receive My Posts in Your Inbox
If you aren’t already a subscriber, sign up in my right sidebar where it says “Receive Email Updates” — and you won’t miss a thing! I’ve got more giveaways, short video messages and lots of encouraging posts I’m working on for the coming weeks.
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.
Renee, the video was a great visual reminder of what Jesus can do if we allow Him into our hearts. We become so concerned with things of this world, we forget, at least I sometimes forget, this is only our temporary home. We can’t be filled by things of this world because we weren’t made for this world. It’s easy for me to forget that so thank you for a much needed reminder.
Wonderful illustration, Renee!
Your example reminded me how I sought happiness in all the things society tells us that we should have to be happy. Even after achieving some of those things, I still felt empty and sad. People would tell me all the time that I had such a wonderful life and should never be sad or want for anything. I felt so ungrateful that I had a degree, a nice car, great job, and an awesome husband. I just could not understand it myself. But, oh! It was not until I encountered God and his unconditional love for me that I started to feel complete. I started to realize I could have all the riches, but without my Father’s love I would always be searching for that thing to make me whole.
Should be “years” not yours”. Computer is on “auto-pilot”. 😀
Thank you so much for the Video and for the PDF
I already posted a comment on youtube. In addition, I “Thank the Lord” for you being in my life and giving me Hope and Inspiration!
God Bless
You are my rock.
Wow. Very awesome. Long journey here after the 18 wheeler hit me. He has drawn me closer to Him through this. It’s a life changer. Now I am praying he will change me and He has done so. I am gleaning so much from your teaching. I really appreciate your video message today. So many yours spent on being accepted… holding my jar out. I am so thankful that you see what we need and have the courage to teach it. Blessings.
Michelle
I struggle so much in this area. I love God, follow Jesus but still feel empty at times. Just recently I was complaining to my husband that I feel empty inside. And how true this is! My schedule is full yet I feel empty, insecure and not confident. What a great reminder that our hearts are created to be filled and fulfilled only by God alone! So often I look to my husband and other people in my life to fill those empty places and get frustrated and disappointed when that doesn’t happen. I want God to fill me with love and assurance, confidence and security. And that’s exactly what I am going to ask Him for! Thanks, Renee!
What a great illustration, thank you for reminding us that the things we use trying to fill those empty places in our lives does not work; and only the living water of God’s word can fill us. Thank you so much for the video
Thanks for sharing that powerful video, I know it’s not by accident that I’m apart of bible studies. God.is clearly giving us message through you, and I welcome it with open arms. I love the demonstrations from gift box to water. I. Will share that with my family. I have a lot to learn & will to accept what ever God is calling me to do. Thank for writing this book, I so love reading chapter 3 so far it’s my favorite. You are a true inspiration, and one already being blessed by being apart of it. I know every chapter will be like a new beginning, and I know that I will be fulfilled,and my confidence will be greater than my I can.imagine. thanks Lord for sending so many people to me on my journey. Thanks God for living inside of me, and thanks for loving me unconditionally. I one day to never let you go, because I know that you will never leave me or forsake me. You met rock. Love you Renee, and I will continue to pray for a speedy recovery for your mom. Amen!
It’s very hard for me to get out of the HABIT of using things/ppl/activities to fill me up, I guess I need to find Jesus as my new obsession, what’s ironic about this whole thing for me is now that I know these other things are of no worth to my worth, I don’t even want to do any of them, does that make sense to anyone out there?
Great message!
I learned so much about how I’m trying to replace God with possessions,and how they will always leave my heart wanting more.But if I let God fill my heart with more of him,I will never feel empty or alone again.
Thanks so much Renee!
Kayla, I also have replaced God’s special space with possessions many times. It’s not fulfilling.
My heart too wants so much more! Seeking more of Him
Glad you’re a part of this study! 🙂
As you we’re speaking on the video the song “Only Jesus can Satisfy you soul” came to mind. Here is more from that song:
Yes only He can change your heart
And make you whole.
He’ll give you peace you never knew,
Sweet joy and love and Heaven, too.
For only Jesus can satisfy your soul.
Thank you for sharing with us in this video!
Wow! That was a great message! Exactly what I needed to hear. I’ve spent the better part of my life as a huge “people pleaser”. Trying to make everyone happy so they wont be disappointed in me and like me or love me. Through your book I’ve come to realize that all the people that I’ve been looking to to “fill me up” are mere humans, uncapable of what I really need.Im realizing that only God can satisfy my longings. I still struggle but I catch myself redirecting my focus backto God. Thank you for this study, Renee…..its helping me learn to be truly happy ONLY in Jesus!
I started doing this study cause I finally realized that all the THINGS I thought were suppose to fill me up, weren’t, I know God loves me to pieces, and I know his promises are true & I SHOULD believe, it is hard to let me go of the notion that something else could possibly fill me, it’s easier for me to see this cause we can see the THINGS materially & we can’t SEE the promises right away working for us, I keep reading verses over & over, it helps for awhile, I guss I don’t have alot of faith, I suffer so much from depression & social anxiety it’s hard for me to share with others how I really feel, I tried once & of course they said they felt sorry for me, I have a very hard time making friends cause of my low self esteem & insecurities, I’m always comparing myself to others & I never stack up, I hate being such a Debbie Downer compared to most everyone else’s posts, why am I not getting it? Anone else still having some problems & doing or reading certain verses that are helping, would like to know, I live out in country, so I feel even more isolated.
@Zoyie I hear what your saying what I have found is to find security in Jesus Christ, to get my self esteem from him, and what his word says about me, the devil comes to put doubt and lies in our minds, that I contrary to what God says. I have found this website helpful in telling me Who I am IN Christ.
https://www.bellshoals.com/uploads/WhoAmI.pdf hope this helps you, never forget you are not alone, even though may feel alone, Jesus is an ever present help in trouble. Our identity is only found in one Jesus Christ.
Thank you SO much, I printed the Who I am in Christ off already, I NEED verses to keep reminding me, it just feels so good that you cared enough to respond to my email, I so needed that today, Thanks, God is definately using you, PTL!!!
Oh, I loooove Neil Anderson!!!!!!! Thank you for posting this. I am going to copy this for myself as well.
I have been really struggling for the past couple of days, but I am believing that it’s because the enemy knows that my victory is right around the corner. I did something yesterday that I did not want to do; I told a friend what was going on in my head and heart instead of slapping a smile on my face and pretending that I was okay. Her response was to embrace my confession with so much love and to offer me encouragement as I purged it all out. I told her at one point that if God would just come down and tell me that He loved me, that I would be okay…to which she responded, “Maybe He is ;)” I am not sure that I ever thought about the fact that His silence may be a loving desire for me to open up and fellowship with other believers…
Thanks for listening! Praying for all of you.
So good to be reminded to put the Giver and the gifts in the right place. Too often I look to the gifts for my fulfillment, when God is the only one who can truly be my fulFILLment. I will let God, The Giver, My Wonderful Rescuer fill my soul.
I heard that story of the Samaritan women before, that is years back. I felt at that time, that I was like a robot. Only there to fullfill the needs of others. I felt empty inside. So I took part into a seminar weekend in a convent. After that I felt much better. Sometimes you have to remove the stones from the well, to get to the water. I removed the stones. But sometimes the same story has diffent meanings. So it is this time. I always, looked more or less to somebody to fill my emptyness. Although I alway pray to GOD and ask Him for guidance.I try to follow Him, although it is sometimes not so easy for me.
This video says so much. I have felt those “empty” spaces for the past several years and I am slowly letting Him fill them up. It’s taking time, but with the Bible studies, books and devotionals I am getting there!
Hi! I have been struggling for the last 5 years. My two oldest, are now 22 and 19 and are not walking with the Lord. My jar has been filled with idolizing the kids, their accomplishments, their beauty, their education, their future. I found my worth in them. So when they rebelled ( both of them ran away from home at 18 with men) , my world came crashing down. I felt it was my fault, I felt so empty. Chapter 3 and this video has helped me understand that I cannot fill my jar with God’s gifts. I can give thanks for the gifts He gave me in my kids, but they belong in a gift box, not in my jar. I can now visualize myself emptying the jar and allowing God to fill me. Right now I am like Sam I need to be filled up with living water that only God can provide. I pray that one day my daugters will realize that the men they are with are not going to fill the void in their life, I pray that they will return like the prodigal son, and will allow God to fill them up completely.
I have been blessed by this study~Thank you Lord for leading me to Proverbs 31 Women!
Beautiful illustration Renee, Thank you. I like visuals…when trying to “Do” everything (that never gets done), I forget to just “Be” at peace, “Be” in His presence, and “Be” filled with His Spirit. Again thank you for the illustration, I can see myself running around trying to “fill” my cup, when I need to rest in Him, ask and then allow Him to fill it up.
Thank you Renee for reminding me that the emptiness can’t be filled by anyone or anything but Jesus. The more I try to use other things, the emptier I feel, because it is one less ‘tool’ in my arsenal to meet my own needs. Thank you Jesus for being enough and for making me enough.
Thanks Renee for such a timely message. I loved question two at the end of the chapter about how what we have chosen to fulfill us shapes our thoughts and actions. It was hard to admit in writing that when I’ve done this – allowed something or someone to take Jesus’ rightful place in my life – I’ve become preoccupied, controlling, manipulative, and selfish as I concentrated on the object of my desire. Hard truths but important to recognize so I can see when I’m tempted to fall into the same trap again.
The note-taker in me thanks you for the note sheet as well!!
So in need of Jesus. I had this thought earlier when I was reading, that I act as a people-pleaser so that they will accept and fill me, but it doesn’t always work. I have to please God… that is the only aim.
Thank You Renee. Am learning. God bless you.
Absolutely wonderful! Oh my jar–full yet empty!
Love to listen to your voice- it is so calming, so reassuring– like God speaking through you!
Thanks so much
Treasure you said it all about Renee. I too feel this way. Praise God For giving us Renee, In Christ Love
And now I am rereading my comment seeing all the imperfections !!! LOL
This video got me thinking…I always wanted to feel valued. To feel special, more than ordinary, chosen. and where was I looking to find this, in being perfect…if I could just keep the house perfect, if I could just lose the weight, if I could do this job perfectly, be the good wife, daughter…..I would be valuable, special, accepted. Even with the Lord, I feel more like He begrudgingly accepts me because He has to be true to His word, rather than chosen. I mean, why would He really want someone like me, such an imperfect Christian !! Now I know in my head that these things are lies, the trouble is reaching my heart. It’s funny, the thought that occurred to me was the one I need to be accepted by most besides God, is myself. Maybe one of the reasons God is unable (not in the sense He can’t, but that I am unable to accept it) to fill my empty spaces is because I am too busy rejecting myself. I am trying to learn that my value is in Him alone, not in anything else, not even myself.
I can relate to wanting to be special so I would be accepted. I had to learn that God already made me special and I don’t have to work or earn that “special status.” I think that accept yourself is much easier when someone else is willing to accept you. I pray that you will receive His love and acceptance today. Also, no Christian is perfect, not even David, and he was called “man after God’s own heart.” So take heart and rest in Him!
Thank you Julie. You are right, about none of us being perfect…David is a “perfect” example. I will learn to rest in Him. It’s hard to remember that we are special because He created us and saved us, not because we earn it. Sometimes I think I need a neon sign in front of my eyes to keep me reminded every day !!! Thanks for being my “neon sign” today !!! : )
What a beautiful message Renee! I have been under the attack of Satan the past few days and he is trying to pull me down. I am new to my Christan walk and I am thirsty to get more and more knowledge. But, I have Satan knocking on my door all the time trying to bring me down. This video really showed me that God does love me in spite of everything that I have done in my past. It also showed me that I have been looking for acceptance in ALL the wrong faces and places. I must keep my focus on God’s love. He has the ONLY unconditional love..a love that never changes. I am enjoying this study so much! Please continue to inspire women..women just like me. God bless!
Thank you for this wonderful video. It is so difficult to not fall into the cycle of trying to find fulfillment through people and the things of the this world. There is such peace and relief in knowing that through God’s love we can find complete fulfillment and contentment in our hearts.