fbpx Top

Renee Swope

Encouraging and equipping moms to parent with God's grace and confidence.

Read An Excerpt: Chapter 1 & 2

Living Loved (and a give-away!)

 Happy Valentines Day! I hope you know just how much…

You are LOVED

Welcome online study sisters and new friends hopping over from my Encouragement for Today devotion. I’m so glad you are here! In my devotion, Because You are His, I talk about the love of a mom watching over her children – and how God says He watches over us just like that. Not only does He watch over us – HE DELIGHTS IN US!!{ Zeph. 3:17}

And with His love, He calms our concerns, quiets our fears  and speak promises of assurance to our hearts! Scripture says He sings over us, too. I have a feeling the song He sings over you today is written just for YOU, describing the beautiful woman He’s created you to be, while gently leading your heart to know and rely on His love more and more each day.

Oh how I want to know and rely on His love…His unconditional, unfailing, patient and kind Love. How about you? In this short video m message today, I  share one of the most important truths I’ve ever learned about God’s love. I’d love to share it with you. Maybe we can connect over lunch or coffee right here at my kitchen table. 🙂

“Message Notes” are 1to download in a PDF format here or in a MSWord doc here.

__________________________________________

Let these truths sink into your heart today…

You are CHOSEN. You are LOVED. You are ACCEPTED.

(Download His Promises and print them for keeps!?)

Although God may not send His love covered in chocolate or delivered in satin covered boxes, let’s remember today how He left Himself as a Love letter nailed to the cross of Calvary, declaring the depth of HIS unfailing love for us – forever! I pray that you will live in HIS love today today…bringing the empty well of your heart to Jesus –  so He can fill it!

__________________________________________

Living Loved Give-Away



Click “share your thoughts” right below this post and do just that.  In celebration of Valentine’s Day, each one who participates will be entered to win my “Living Loved” give-away which includes 2 copies of my book,  A Confident Heart, a Starbucks gift Card, a Godiva chocolate bar and a “God’s Heart for You” day-bright DaySpring calendar.

For extra chances to win: (Leave a new comment for each extra entry please.)

  • Facebook a link to this post and give-away
  • Tweet a link to this post and give-away
  • Blog about this post & give-away and link back
  • Pin a link to this post and give-away

Oh, and there’s MORE! After you enter to win my give-away, hop over here where I’m a guest in the Blitz of Give-aways at www.RooMag.com today, too!

Comments

  1. Each week I print out the word for the week and I’ve posted them around my bulliten board in my office. I have had so many co-workers and students comment on them. Also when I am feeling overwhelmed and stressed I just look at them and reread the verses and remind myself I am satisfied, known, blessed, hopeful, and I have the only Light that matters in this world. Thanks so much for sending those out!

  2. What a great book. I will be going through it more than once. I want to get this deep into me. Perhaps I could read the book while enjoying the Godiva at Starbucks. Not a bad thought.

  3. Thanks, Rene. Today I’m celebrating being “joined for life” to Jesus. As a single woman, Valentine’s Day hasn’t been something I’ve celebrated much in the past. But this year I can’t help celebrating being so loved by Jesus. I love His fierce, fiery love that puts Himself between me and everything that might separate me from Him. And I love the way he loves me and welcomes me even in the moments when I’m struggling again to surrender to his love. Celebrating some more at http://hearingtheheartbeat.com/2012/02/14/joined-for-life/

  4. Freedom in Christ is the place to live…focused on Him rather than me or those around me. I am constantly amazed by HIS love and grace and I stand in AWE of all that HE has done for me. Proud to be a chosen daughter of a King who calls me BEAUTIFUL! Praying that each and every day I show HIS love to others in the abundance of HIS love flowing to me. Thank you for sharing your story as an encouragement to women like me who have lived defeated, divorced, and doubting far too long…

  5. I know that I am going to have to read this book more than once. I sure wish I could consume this into me. Make it real to me. I see a lot of truth in this book and a lot of challenges. Thank you for writing it. For this I would delve into the Godiva at Starbucks.

  6. Thank you and Thank God for one of my most memorable Valentine’s Days ever. How wonderful to know that He loves me so much and that He has a song just for me! I may not be pretty in the world’s eyes but I know He thinks I am beautiful. I have been struggling with feeling unloved and lonely lately but because my God delights in me I was drawn to your website only to have His love for me affirmed. If nothing else, today, I can draw from God’s Word and the blessing I received today from my visit here.

  8. I am learning more and more how much God really loves me. He loves me enough to give me a song or scripture at the precise moment I need it. We have an awesome God!!!! Oh how he loves me, and how thankful I am for His love.

  9. Renee, thank you for all you do to minister to us! You have always been my “rock” when I needed it! I thank God every day for that unconditional love he gives us. Oftern I ask myself how did I function before I truely knew of God’s love! Happy Valentines Day!

  10. Thank you! Today I needed this reminder. It is a day that holds memories of a traumatic and terrible time in my life. I need His love today so much.

  11. All my life–and I’m in my sixties!–I have had relationships that judged me, put restraints on me, made me feel unworthy! And I bought it!! Slowly but surely in my forties, I began to learn from God’s Word that only HE can fill those broken places with His amazing, unconditional Love! But still, every single day, I struggle to believe I am worthy to receive that! How sad it makes me to still struggle so much with thoughts and attitudes that things and people of this world have filled me with!!! I yearn soooooooo much to be filled with the Love of God, my Heavenly Father. Ironically, my earthly father, who died about twelve years ago, was the one person who seemed to love me “warts and all,” and I miss that more than words can say!! Your blogs and video messages have touched me deeply–you are bringing that balm in Gilead to my wounded soul! THANK YOU!!!

  12. Thank you, Renee! I am trying to teach this to my children, ages 6, 4, and 2. I tell them God loves them even more than Mommy does! This is almost unbelievable to small kids. 🙂 I tell them every day, don’t forget, God loves you! And almost every day I tell them, God has a plan for your life. I just keep thinking, if they know how much God loves them, they can’t go wrong!

  14. You are loved!! Those words are so special and precious to me. My mom abandoned me and my 2 siblings when were were 7, 5, and 18 months old. Nothing says “you are NOT loved” more than that. I was in my late 20s when I realized everything I was, and was not, was based on that first rejection from my own mom. When God’s loved filled that void in my soul…when I finally trusted Him enough to let Him in…..I was overwhelmed with His love!! My life has never been the same!! That is the message I share with my daughter, her friends, my friends and family….YOU ARE LOVED!!

    • You are so encouraging Kim. I think that is probably one of the hardest rejections to overcome and to hear you say how God loves you and how he fills the empty spaces in our lives, if we let him. Thank you again for your encouraging words. Yes, You Are Loved!

  15. Evn though I may not be the most beautiful, or talented or even the smartest; I know that God loves me with an unfailing and everlasting love that is free, indescribable and precious. Thank you, God, for Your unspeakable gift of Your Son! Where would I be without Your love and amazing grace!

  17. Happy Valentine’s Day to all!
    This year is certainly more beautiful because I understand true perfect love comes from God alone. I have let my Husband of 15 yrs (Happy Valentine’s Anniversary Ricky!) off the hook and this year I can truly say, I love him more each day because HE loves me!

  18. God is so awesome! He loves me when no one else will. During my times of doubt and confusion, He is always there!

  19. I have to say that I don’t completely fully grasp God’s love for me but I know without a doubt that His love has changed my life. I can rest, trust and confidently call out to Him because He loves me and loves you too!

  20. Thanks for this book study! I have learned SO much about God and myself. I haven’t had a chance to read the new chapter yet, but I really got a lot out of last week’s chapter. I found that while reading the chapter, I didn’t QUITE get it. But then that night, something small triggered it, and my husband just held me while I cried. I found that I was angry at a lot of people and didn’t even realize it! God is truly using this book to help me heal from my past and use it for His glory. 🙂

  21. Thank you so much for the video. It really helps to understand. I’ve been going through alot of emotions & feelings recently that i’m trying to figure out, it seems in some way or another alot of people are leaving out of my life. I’ve been feeling really alone & lonely & overwhelmed. My husband passed 5 yrs ago. He left me with 3 children. Alot of times I still feel that I will never have the unconditional love & protection that I fealt from him. I’m feeling that people & things are being taken so I can learn to depend & trust on our lord. I’ve been spending alot of time in his word & some bible studys. GOD is showing me alot. It seems that alot of days he puts me right where I need to be, so I can hear what he wants me to, so I can learn & grow & live in his truth. Thats how I ended up here. Its a blessing. So good things do come out of bad circumstances. I’m on my way to fill my jar with everything from our heavenly father. God Bless Happy Valentines Day!!!!

  22. I feel like I’ve made some big mistakes in my life, some that have caused great amounts of guilt. I know God loves me but I often don’t love myself. I have great amounts of guilt and also worry, I can get paralyzed with fear by doing everyday things. It’s called OCD but I call it life altering. I need help today because I am so low. I hope for a confident heart.

  23. Reminders about UNconditional love are always timely – especially as I struggle with personal disappointments from those who I love so much…

  24. I have had to admit and realize that I am not in control, “God Is”… Its been a constant struggle day-to-day but I refuse to give up and let my enemies when… Im so thankful and grateful that he has lead me to this confident heart study and to all you ladies…. Thank you for your daily prayers and encouraging words and I am most grateful that you help keep me on the right path to his unfailing love… May God continue to Bless you and your families so that you can be a blessing to others… I want God to fill the empty places in my life and in my heart!

  26. Thank you for blessing me today. Because of some things in my past, it is hard for me to actually believe that God loves me as much as I know he does. My mind knows it and i’m working on my heart. Thanks again.

  29. I loved this teaching clip and have already told my daughter that she WILL be reading your book as soon as I’m done with it because I wonder if we were all able to apply these teachings to our teens, how their lives would be transformed moving forward. Thanks!

  30. On this day of Love…what better way to celebrate it…then to dwell in the love of our Heavenly Father. I am a single women BUT I KNOW ther is a man that loves me unconditionally and I love Him with all my heart, mind and soul. He has given me so much joy!! I never knew what TRUE love was until I met HIM!! There is no better love than the love of our Savior!! I am thankful for His grace and Mercy, for his forgiveness. This study is just confirming so much for me. I am learning to be confident in who the Lord says I am and this study has been helping me with things that I’ve been struggling with. Thank you Renee for leading this study.

  31. I really related to your analogy of the jar. All the stuff we want and need and yet we are not filled. This has showed me how I have been looking in the wrong places. First, I need Jesus and then what he desires for me will follow.

  33. “Although God may not send His love covered in chocolate or delivered in satin covered boxes” …I have to admit, this made me laugh, I absolutely love it! 🙂 How cool would it be if he did send chocolate just as he did the manna from the heavens…LOL..
    Truth is looking back in the past year Valentine’s Day, I thank God for everyone of them. In 30 years, this is my 1st Valentine’s Day as a wife! I turned 30 this past October and I was one who accepted the fact that I was going to live this life single and I had become perfectly fine with that! Looking back every Valentine became easier and easier as I grew closer to God and celebrated my singleness with the rememberance that I was truely never alone! I was excited that no one on earth could compare or give me the love I was experiencing through God. I was excited on Valentine’s Day a group of single girls could get together, go out to eat and talk about how God was moving in their life. Growing in my relationship with God made this day (Valentine’s) easier to cope with. Easier to lose the feeling of not being wanted, or thinking I wasn’t good enough or pretty enough.
    This past year, God blessed me with an amazing husband and I do thank him for that daily! However, when I woke this morning I still turned to my first true love and began my first conversation of the day with my first true love and Savior! So for all you single ladies, I completely understand how you’re feeling and where you’re coming from, but don’t lose hope. Celebrate your singleness with Jesus and long for his love to fill your heart completely! He WILL! 🙂 Happy Valentin’s Day to all! With Love!

  34. Thank you for your wonderful site. I am thankful to the Lord for the gift of love ~ unconditional love.

  35. For me, the most amazing gift God gives me each and every day is His unfailing grace. Without grace, I am nothing and because of His grace, I am able to love the people He brings into my life as He loves me. I know I am loved by my Abba, Father, and without question He smiles on me and sings over me daily. I am humbled by His love and thankful that even when I don’t see Him, He always sees me. I posted a few days ago on my blog about my love story with God and today I posted about the earthly love story He’s allowed me to be a part of. God’s kind of love is something I never want to take for granted.

  36. Thank you Lord for Your gift of unconditional love. Where would I be without it? You promised you would always hold my hand and never let me fall. You promised you would never leave me nor forsake me. You wrap your arms around me with your unconditional love that reaches down into the deepest part of me. Your Holy Spirit shouts phrases of love round about me. My heart overflows. You make my cup overflow on the darkest of days. I will sing of the greatness of the Lord forever for I am blessed beyond belief. I praise you my Lord and Savior forever, and ever amen.

  37. Sometimes I know this in my head…but my heart doesn’t always line up…Why is it we can know God loves us but still feel unloved. How do we make it tangible…something we can feel? I can say it to others and feel good about it…until I am alone and then feel empty…and a little scared…because I am wanted to feel close to God but don’t know how. (I think I’m believing a lie.) Looking for God to heal…make me whole. Praying that for others who are looking for that too.

  38. Thank you so much for this wonderful study. It has really helped me to understand how much God really does love me and wants only the best for me. His love & His will are perfect and all that I need is him. Puttin God first has made everything else fall into place. God Bless you & your family! Please keep up the great works in the Lord:)

  39. I am learning that God’s love is enough. That His unfailing love will and is filling the empty places in my life. This is my third year celebrating Valentine’s without my husband because of seperation which led to a divorce. After three years I am not sad but grateful that my Father has never stopped loving me and comforting me. My husband may have left but God never did. His love is unwaivering and satisfying. God is my Husband and I love Him for loving me. God is awesome and I know that His love fills me every morning, the holes of hurt and pain are filled by His love and the power of the Holy Spirit gives me the strength to move on and appreciate who He is in my life, husband or not. Thank you Lord for loving me!!

  40. Thank you for the reminder of how much He loves us! It’s so easy to forget in our daily living, with it’s challenges, disappointments, and hurts! Oh, how He loves us!!!

  41. I am so blessed to be loved unconditionally by my blessed Jesus. What more could we possible want in this world if we have that?

    S

  42. Thank you for the beautiful words of love. God spoke to me through you. I have been seeing Zeph. 3.17 all over the place lately. Your words help me to understand what that scripture means.

  43. John 3:16:
    For God so loVed the world = V
    that He gAve = A
    His onLy = L
    begottEn = E
    SoN, = N
    That whosoever = T
    believeth In Him = I
    should Not perish, = N
    but have Everlasting life.” E

    I love this…someone shared it with me a few years ago, and it helps me to remember that Jesus is my forever VALENTINE – a perfect gift of love, available to all of us. Thank you, Jesus, for your gift of personal, intimate, unconditional love for me and for each of my sisters (and brothers) out there today!

  44. God is showing me every day how much I am loved by Him. He told me this morning that I was His valentine! 🙂

    Thank you Renee for your video.
    Karen C

  45. Just what I need to help me get through the day. Life is not always easy but reading your post helps alot.
    Thanks,

  46. I can’t tell you how comforting it is to know that my Daddy in Heaven is singing and watching over me. He never sleeps, so there is never a time when I am out of his site. My heart longs for daily contact with my Father. Thank you Lord for always loving me, even when I don’t love myself. Thank you for Your love letter to me that You left on the cross. I am so unworthy but I am Yours.

  47. Thanks. God always seems to tell you what I need to hear. Sometimes we expect to get love from our loveones and it doesn’t happen. Instead we get just the opposite. Your reminder of knowing that God has everything we would ever need or want is so comforting. Love you.

  48. Grateful for your encouragement, Renee. <3
    In spite of this Singles' Awareness Day, I am in awe of God's love for me, everyday….:)
    Thanks for the video!

  49. Oh to feel God’s delight in me…and for Him to fill the empty places. There are a lot of empty spaces to fill in the chambers of my heart and mind. Cleaning out the old and making room for the new so that I could feel His delight in me.

  50. Love the idea of God singing over us with a special song for each one of us. God’s love is so beautiful and your words touch me. I am also participating in your Confident Heart Online Study and loving it all. Thanks Renee.