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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.

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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!

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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. I am in awe of God, the creator of the Universe, that he seduces us with His creation, that He loves us so much and just wants our love and obedience. And then to be reminded the “he delights in me”. Thank you for this reminder on this Valentine’s Day.

  4. God’s love is unfailing, YES, but is it unconditional? In Hebrews 10:36 He says, ‘You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” So we will receive his promises under the condition that we believe and do the will of God? Same being that my marriage has conditions….one being that my husband and I are lovers to each other only. If that condition is broken, problems happen.

    Renee, I needed to hear that video message again!!! The visual really helps to explain why and how we need to fill our empty spaces with God’s Love!!!! Then everything else will come into place.

  5. I am LOVED! I am finally believing that I am LOVED and that He rejoices and sings over me. Thanks Renee.

  7. i greatly long to grow closer to go each and every day!!! This study has me moving in that direction and I am excited to share this study with others eventually. Thank you Renee for your heart to help women to become all God has desired us to be. God bless

  8. The Lord showed me Zephaniah 3:17 as well as Psalms 23:1-3 as a word of encouragement last week to share with the ladies that I’m leading through this study! What an encouragement to find it as my devotion this morning and a reminder that the Lord “quiets” us with his love!

    The Lord had me focus on the word “quiet” in each of these verses. As I meditated on it, and read it in different versions, I was wondering where David was in his life when the Lord brought him to the quiet waters to restore his soul. He may have been in battle, running for his life, or dealing with his own fears. The Lord showed me that in that quiet place is where he restores, renews, refreshes and calms our fears. As He quiets us with His love He brings rest, refreshes, brings new life and calms our fears in that place, and doesn’t bring an accusation against us.

    The Lord gave me a picture of how I calm my child when he’s upset. Maybe it’s a bad dream and he wakes up in the middle of the night. Over the years whenever this has happened I will go into his room, sit by his bed and hold him and just rock and say “shhh, shhh” over and over again. When I start to do this he calms down or I will go in and stroke his forehead softly and after a little while he calms down and goes back to sleep. It’s in that quiet place there is the calming of our fears. He hovers over us, restores us, rejoices and dances over us and it’s in that quiet place where He doesn’t bring accusation but only showers His love on us. Zephaniah says “He is mighty enough to save you. He will take great delight in you. The quietness of his love will calm you down. He will sing with joy because of you.” What a promise to hold onto! 🙂

    • Suzanne – thanks for your post. This is what I am needing to hear, I need to meet Him there in the quiet place and let him calm me from all that is going on.

      • Kim,

        We all need to find that time to come away and spend time in the quiet place with the Lord. 🙂 In the rush and busyness of life, and all the other things that we deal with, it’s so easy to be overcome by it all! I pray that today you will feel the presence of the Lord hovering over you, loving you, restoring and refreshing you as you fix your heart and mind on Him. In this there is perfect peace! 🙂 Blessings to you today!

  15. I LOVE THE PART WHERE IT STATES “HE WILL QUIET” ME WITH HIS LOVE. I REALIZE THIS HAPPENS WHEN I’M READING HIS WORD. I CAN’T ALWAYS SEE GOD WORKING IN THE MOMENT, SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE HE STOPPED AT THE DOOR OF A SITUATION AS I ENTERED THE ROOM EXPECTING HIM WITH ME. THAT HAPPENED THE OTHER DAY & I WALKED OUT FEELING MORE ANXIOUS THAN THE HOPE I FELT WHEN I WALKED IN; HOWEVER, LATER WHEN I GOT BACK INTO THE SCRIPTURES & ALLOWED THEM INTO MY SOUL, I FELT MY MIND QUIETING & TRUSTING THAT EVEN THOUGH I’M NOT IN CONTROL OF OUTCOMES GOD IS WITH ME & MY FAMILY & HE WILL WORK FOR OUR GOOD.

  16. Thanks for sharing this. I have forwarded it to my 16 year old daughter who decided a year ago to try living with her biological father who has been estranged from her up to this point. The courts in my state decided that at 15, because my husband and I had raised her to be a responsible young lady with good grades and glowing reports from those who knew her, she was mature enough to make her own descisions despite some serious problems her biological father had admitted to in the same court 6 months previously. This weekend she came to talk to me with her boyfriend to tell me that she was pregnant, Her grandparents had kicked her and her father out of the house, and that she was currently staying with friends (without her father). Right now we are going back to court to attempt to gain custody. She very much feels alone as her grandparents, father and the boyfriends family have made some very hurtful remarks to her. While I don’t agree with the actions that have placed her in this predicament, I very much want her to know that not only do my husband, our children and myself love her, but God still loves her. Please pray for the situation, for a safe pregnancy and for strength for all involved. This is going to be a difficult time for all of us. We are not a well off family and are currently living with 5 people in a 3 bedroom house and are living paycheck to paycheck. I know and trust that God will make a way and will provide what we need.

  17. As my walk with the Lord continues to grow, His love within me grows as well. I have learned so much over the last two months as I’ve had to deal with my husbands addiction, time in rehab and complete transformation and focus. The Lord has truly demonstrated His everlasting love for me and my family, but He has also taught me that He is enough. Even when it doesn’t feel like my husband is head-over-heels for me or my daughter doesn’t appreciate me, His love and peace and joy can be mine! I have also learned that I must love my family unconditionally just as the Lord loves me. How precious and liberating and amazing is His love. I pray that everyone here will be able to experience this kind of love and the rewards and peace that come with it. Be blessed!!!!

  18. Thank you for this encouragement today! As a young mom of two sons I can relate to your story. 🙂

  19. Yes GOD has been working wonderful miracles in my life and is showing me how to fill my empty spaces and it feels so wonderful. He has also lead my husband to beleive in him even more.

    GLORY BE TO GOD.

  20. Thanks for the reminder this morning! A friend recently spoke at church about this and challenged us to think “because I am loved . . ” and see how if affects each day and each decision we make!

  22. I so needed to hear this today! This is another of one of those days in which it is hard to get through, since the death of my husband. Since his death I have had a hard time feeling loved by annyone. Just knowing that God is there and loves me. I just need to keep reminding myself of this and not feel sorry for myself.

  23. Can’t wait to watch the video tonight. I was able to share on facebook via my phone! Thanks, Renee! <3

  24. Happy Valentines Day, Sisters!! The same God who loved me (us) enough to put His Son on the cross still loves me (us) with that same love today! His love is unchanging!!

  25. Psalm 34:15, “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry.” (NIV 1984)
    When I read that verse after the visual you suggested, I pictured God listening for me ready to come and comfort me. Thank you for reminding me of His love for me! 🙂

  26. renee,

    what a beautiful analogy about God filling our hearts………..like all the”stuff” we attempt to fill it with. I so love your book, and it has enriched my journey to know the Lord so much more. Thank you and God Bless you!

  27. We should make it a habit each year on this day not only to remind our loved ones of how much we love them, but also to remind ourselves just how much our Father loves us. No greater love.

  28. I so needed to see your post today to remind me just how much He loves me and is watching over me. Yesterday was such a dark day in so many ways, but today is so bright. It’s so comforting to know that no matter what, He loves me and will forgive me and watches over me. I really needed this hug today. Thanks so much, Renee, for all that you do to remind us that He is the only one who can fill up our hearts!

  31. Happy Valentines to all!! Today’s post on fb was spot on for me and I just want to thank you for you truthfulness and obedience for this Bible study! God bless you!

  32. My cousin just had a great-granddaughter born this morning. No greater present than that. My grandma had twin boys on Valentine’s Day 90 years ago today. If you open your eyes and heart you can see God’s love everywhere. Love that.

  33. God’s Valentine to us reads “Be Mine”. I am so thankful that Jesus is my true Valentine. Bless you all today.

  34. I love your book…I would love to win copies to share with my daughter and my sons girlfriend.
    Thank you for sharing your confident heart with us…

  35. I loved your devotion today it touched me so much I teared up. I see myself doing the same things with my boys every night. I never dreamed I could love two people anymore then I love them. I love the feeling knowing that God my father in heaven loves me the same way. I love that he watches over me and sing to me through the day. It is nice knowing that no matter what my my father in heaven love me for me. Am so glad that am doing this study with you and that I have come to the point of putting all the doubt away and believing in God more and more everyday. PRaise God for the gift of my sons and blessing me with another day…
    I TELL ALL MY FRIENDS, FAMILY THAT YOU ARE LOVED BY GOD AND THE GREAT LOVE OF ALL TIMES.

  36. Renee, You are my inspiration! Whenever I am having angry thoughts of someone or feeling down, or WHATEVER… I always think about your words of encouragement. You are someone I will always look up too. Thanks for always knowing what to say and how to say it. Happy Valentines Day! Much love!

  37. Happy Valentine’s Day, Everyone!! We are so loved & so Blessed!! Have a wonderful day & remember that!!

  38. There was a time in my past that valentine’s day brought a lot of sadness to my heart. In developing and nurturing a relationship with Christ, those days are gone. Today I know that His love is enough for me and in Him I am made whole.

  39. So thankful for your book! We are doing this in my small group at church and I have already learned so much! We are ahead of you in this study but it has been wonderful to go back and re-read the chapters. I seem to resonate on more and more each time I read it! Thank you! Love you empty jar analogy and shared it with our ladies too!

  40. Happy Valentine’s Day to all! It’s Valentine’s every day with Jesus…..HE IS the ultimate Valentine, giving Himself to express just how much He LOVES each of us. WOW….I want to live in the overflow of His love and celebrate it daily by sharing it with others.

  41. I am just learning of Gods love I want to experience more of it i am ending a 13 yr relationship and I am learning to say those positive scriptures to believe in myself but it has been hard but I know God is with me and I am trusting by faith I will get over this what a perfect place to start with a confident heart

  43. Thanks so much for the encouragement. I have never
    Felt such peace as I have let HIM be my everything. So
    Wonderful to realize he loves me for me not for
    Anything I bring or anything I do. He is my satisfaction.
    I love Jesus!

  45. Thank you for your thoughts of encouragement today. We all need the gentle reminder that God does love us and watches over us. Hallelujah! I need to strt the day by turning it over to him and become willing to follow where he leads. Thank you for the chance to win your book.

  46. I would love to win a copy of your book. I need to remember everyday all day that God is love. That he loves me. I need to stop my self doubting.

  47. Thank you Renee for sharing your knowledge with us. Love your book. I bought the Kindle version and read it, then purchased a hard copy for myself so I could hilite areas in the book. I also purchased copies for my mom, sister, and a friend!! 🙂

  48. I am enjoying this bible study so very much. Thank You! I have a friend in church that I think could benefit greatly from this book. I have purchased one for her and am giving it to her as a Valentine’s Day gift. If we all shared this book’s message with just one person that needs to hear it, think how many more people we would reach. Love to all my Christian sisters.

  49. I love doing this study. It has really made me think about my past and how to move along to the future. God has really been speaking to me!