Praying God’s promises — it’s changed me.
That’s why I included a prayer, at the end of each chapter, weaving together Scriptures from that chapter and others I sensed God wanted us to engrave on our hearts.
“Praying God’s Word has been one of the most life-changing ways I’ve learned to live in the security of His promises…and isn’t that what we all want?
“One way God tells us that confidence will come is when we ask Him for what is already part of His will. ‘This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us’ (1 John 5:14 NASB). So there you go: we can be confident we are praying God’s will when we pray God’s Word!” p.25
But that’s not all.
Romans 10:17 tells us that “faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” so let’s pray these promises out loud again and again.
Out loud. Yes, even if it seems weird. Find somewhere you can be alone to speak these truths where you can hear them, and let them echo in your heart
Trust me, it makes a difference.
“When we pray God’s words out loud, and hear them, the Holy Spirit engraves them on our hearts and writes them in our thoughts. We internalize God’s truth and our faith grows as we are transformed from the inside out!” p.25
Let’s pray this week’s prayer {together}:
Lord, I pray that You would give me a confident heart in Christ. Take me beyond believing in You to truly believing You. Help me rely on the power of Your promises and live like they are true. You say blessed is the one who trusts in You and whose hope and confidence are found in You. Those who hope in You will not be disappointed, because You work all things together for good for those who love You and are called according to Your purpose.
When self-doubt tells me I can’t overcome my insecurities, I will believe Your promise that all things are possible to whoever believes. I will not throw away my confidence, because You say it will be richly rewarded. I will persevere so that when I have done the will of God, I will receive what You have promised. My confidence is in Christ and I am no longer one who shrinks back and is destroyed, but one who believes and is saved! In Jesus’ name, Amen. {See Jeremiah 17:7; Isaiah 49:23; Romans 8:28; Mark 9:23; Hebrews 10:35–36, 39}
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{Special Gift & GiveAway}
Chad Lawson, my friend, award-winning composer and pianist , has graciously shared his beautiful, Spirit-filled Song of Prayer below. Watch and listen below for FREE. {If you’re reading this via email please click here to visit my website to watch}.Friend, you don’t want to miss this – trust me.
Even though it will probably be hard at first, please pause to soak in this God-gift that was filmed while Chad listened to the Holy Spirit. Chad simply played what God laid on his heart. You’ll see the joy of Christ in Chad’s smile but more than anything, you’ll experience the peace of God’s presence through his music.
You can find and download A Song of Prayer on Itunes ($1.99) or Amazon ($.89)
{Today’s Give-Away}
3 Special Order Song of Prayer CDs
To enter to win one: Click “share your thoughts” below this post and describe how you felt or what you sensed God whisper as you listened to Chad’s Song of Prayer. Also share one or two of your answers to questions you feel comfortable sharing about from the end of Chapter 1.
Remember, if you’re reading this via email please click here to visit my website and participate. All entries must be put in the “share your thoughts” section.
This is a beautiful piece…i can really feel gods love overflowing onto us in this very moment….i feel the emotion inside trying to come out…It seems like a song of surrender, or maybe thats just what it says to me today. A very talented pianist indeed . Thank u so much for sharing this blessing with us renee. Peace& Love
Tonight I am exhausted. I have a 5 month old baby girl who didn’t sleep well last night and didn’t feel good today. Listening to the music I could feel the long hard day just fall away and a sense of peace fill our little apartment.
Right now in my life there is a lot of change and uncertainty, a lot of prayers that seem to go unanswered. I am feeling very hopeless, discouraged and tired. Romans 8:28 spoke to me most out of this chapter. After a bunch of difficult circumstances it is hard to believe that there are better ones coming. It is hard to be confident that the next change around the corner will be good and not something else bad. It feels like thing will always be this way. I think my attitude is the thing that hinders me the most.
Thanks for leading this study for us!
I have always love piano music. As I listened it was just a great peace fillling me. If I could I would have gone to sit by a small stream or beach. Very beautiful. Very soothing.
My earliest memories of insecurity started in elementary school. I was always the last one they picked for the games in gym. The kids picked on me -I guess because I was shy and backwards. I was kind of nerdy too. That’s ok though. I realize now they were the ones who were insecure and also needed the Lord.
Absolutely beautiful…and it makes me sad that I haven’t kept up with my own piano playing since I’ve had my kids. My piano sits there, and often I want to play but don’t have time. What he did, I used to do! One of my answers to this week’s questions referred to this: 2.Insecurity has kept me from doing many things, like playing piano for others, going to gatherings with many people I don’t know well, asserting my opinion when it should have counted, etc. 5.The thing that hinders me most from living with God-confidence on a consistent basis is not being surrounded with other believing women. Right now, “those who hope in Me will not be disappointed,” speaks to me more than anything. I do have a few close friends who are believers, but the ones I see the most are the ones who aren’t willing to share this part of their lives often. This online study is my attempt to surround myself with believing women.
I feel the same about my piano playing, but I am fortunate to be able to listen to my 13 year old son play daily. He not only makes stuff up but plays music beautifully. The other day I sat down and played for about 20 minutes and it felt great. My son even asked me if I enjoyed playing. It is a great getaway from the stresses of life.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful song and introducing us to Chad’s music. To be honest, there is a situation that is weighing heavily on my heart. Instead of feeling like there’s an exciting God-filled challenge to learn from and overcome, I am feeling very burdened and weighed down. Please pray for me to see myself and the situation through God’s eyes, not Satan’s.
Lord I want to believe – help me in my unbelief! I need your presence in my life. I feel my prayers have been unanswered for so long…. why can’t I hear you, why can’t I sense you? My confidence is gone. This book makes me want it and have it in you, but why can’t I accept what you want to give??
Tammy…keep pressing forward! He hears the cries of your heart. His response time may not always be what we think it should be, but if you keep seeking Him, Jeremiah 29:12 tells us that he WILL be found. He’s worth every step and tear…keep going forward sister! Will be praying for you.
Contentment — I hear it….. Knowing God is there and He’ll provide your needs…..maybe not alll of your wants, definitely your needs. This bible study keeps reinforcing that we’re never going through things alone… I tell myself over and over again…. I’m not alone……and I can do it….
The music that Chad played was awesome! I felt the peace of God surround me.
Thank you for putting this video on for all to listen to.
I so loved this song! Listening to it was like God telling me to tell him my problems. Then at the fast part was like God shouting while jumping up and down…”Hello…..I am here for your! Telll me everything. I love you so much! You mean so much. Let me take all of the grief and struggles that you bear and make things better.” Then back to the slow part…..”I love you….rest in my arms, cry if you need to cry! I love you!”
Truly a beautiful song
Question 3—When doubt whispers “I can’t, things won’t change….it’s hard..” I just so want to throw in the towel and say….”Yup….its hard” and give up. Question 4: When reading the bible verses I think that maybe, just maybe things could be different.
Question 5–What hinders me from living with God Confidence is not truly believing—it’s always been this way so why should it change now.?
I have been struggling with depression for the last 9 years, done the meds thing, the counseling thing, and now struggling with alcohol addiction. I am sooooo hoping to break free from all this stuff with the help of God and this bible study. So far….it’s not working but I am giving it time.
Julie…I want to encourage you to hang with this study. Sometimes we don’t see the changes in us until much later, but others do.
Your question to #5 makes so much sense. I think of the woman in the Bible who had issues of bleeding for 12 years in Luke 8:42-48. In the book of Mark it tells us that she had spent all she had on seeking help and nobody could help her. She was defeated for 12 years, but up until the day she was healed she had never sought Jesus for help and when she did, the Bible tells us she did not go “unnoticed”.
Keep walking toward Him in faith that He notices you and has healing available to you also. 🙂
Will be praying for you!
Still listening…I feel such peace and God’s presence.
What hinders me the most are daily defeats and my own negative self-talk. I appreciated the exercise of writing down these negative feelings and doubts and tossing them in the trash.
The promise I am clinging to is “See I am doing a new thing!”
This music refreshes my soul. There are moments I can hear the words. I’ve been very much church hurt. I’ve spent a few years floating from one church to another, while returning and then leaving again to where the hurt was inflicted. I had finally given up and have not been to any church for a few months. During listening and praying in this music, I heart several times, “go back to church”, then I heard “go back to church, for me”.
The music is so soothing. I plan to use it a prayer room for background. It is hard for me to share myself with others. I have be insecure about myself as long as I can remember and never felt that what i thought or felt was important to others. Have spend most of my life keeping things to myself. I am learning to love myself so I can truly love others.
I am listening to this beautiful, peaceful music and really meditating on what it’s going to be like in heaven when we are surrounded by music and instruments we could never even imagine. God has created a song…..and I feel a glimpse of His love for us…just a sliver….it overwhelms me.
One of my prayers is that He teaches me what I need to know at the right time in my life. That He brings messengers and a message that speaks to what I’m going through right now! This bible study is that message for this season in my life. He is a detailed, caring, loving God who wants me to be what He created me to be. He cares about my success in Him!!
Today, I will go to a funeral of a man who witnessed Gods love and mercy firsthand. God gave him time to come back to Him. While he was not healed on this side of heaven, he is healed now…and listening to a song that we can’t hear……….yet.
I am so grateful to know Him more and more……..
What beautiful music!
As someone who has spent my life fearful of rejection and afraid I will never be good enough or measure up this music said to me that for God we are all good enough and anything done in faith and offered freely will always be a blessing. We just have to learn to let the presence of God in our hearts speak without fear that we will sound stupid or be somehow inadequate.
Chad’s music made me realize that all of us can find our own ways of speaking what God has put on our hearts, whether that is through music, writing, painting or even something as simple as stopping to tell a spouse, a child or a friend how much we love them.
I also realized how important it can be to stop the noise, inside and outside myself and just be in the presence of the God who loves me and loves us all.
Renee – Thanks for sharing this beautiful music and reminding me of God’s love and the power that peaceful reflection in God’s presence can give us all.
Renee, I hope you don’t mind if this is more than a few sentences. I started listening to this song after a week of some stresses that were still lingering in my mind and heart on Friday evening when my workweek was done. I heard the first 14 minutes and then felt I had to get dinner started and get busy doing the routine things that fill my time in the evenings. I kept watching Chad’s face and actually was concentrating more on what he was experiencing as he played than what I might receive from it. My husband and I (who work at the same place I do) talked before dinner about the stresses of the week and what we want our lives to be and how we deal with things that cause us stress and upset. And this morning I started the day with my normal routine of walking on my treadmill, praying, and doing a bible lesson and the Lord began to speak in that lesson about how peace and self-control and physical wellbeing are in His design for me but He is to be the source of those things. I noticed tension in my neck yesterday evening and it wouldn’t ease up even after a night of restful sleep. My husband had headed for town and would be gone for a while so I came back to my computer and started Chad’s song where I had ended it yesterday and instead of watching Chad I asked God “what do you have for ME?”. I remembered a time in the past when work stresses created so much tension in my body and I had put on a CD of peaceful music with oceans sounds and just let the music wash over me and it helped me physically. So, I laid on the carpet all stretched out and asked God to just let the music move over me and let me hear Him speak. And the Lord allowed me to release those stresses of the week to Him, to relive them only long enough to recount them to Him and just at the moment when I told the Lord I was releasing them all to Him the music intensified and, you know what, in the precise moment I felt the Lord telling me to just let my spirit soar to Him just like the music began to soar. I’m so thankful for the Holy Spirit abiding in me, moving in me, wooing me to Himself. I am thankful for His peace. This music opened the door for me to enjoy God’s presence in a fuller sense and I thank you (and Chad) for sharing it!
Beautiful. That is something i long for, to truly be in the presence of the Lord. I know that He is always with me but to just sit still and feel his arms wrap around me on another level is what I desire.
I closed my eyes and drifted back in time when I was a little felt for the first time the pain of rejection…
and now as an adult knowing I’ve been a good christian, daughter, sister…and my sister has rejected me and my mom, because her husband who is not a christian doesn’t want is in their lives…and she has drifted away from the Lord.
Please pray for my mother for my sister to come just like the Prodigal Son, and to know that mom and I love her and want the best for her and her marriage, and has always loved her unconditionally….but most all to from my sister to come back to the Jesus that loves her and doesn’t want her to be an unequal yoke. Please pray for us, and specially for my sister, her name is “Mary”
YES!!!!
Did anyone notice the “Jesus Loves Me” integrated in the music at the 27 – 28 min mark?
Before that I was just relishing the peace of Christ. When I recognized those familiar notes…that is when the tears fell. Oh, that this hardness in my heart would melt away and I could return to the intimacy I used to have with the Lord. (Of course, He has had me in a maturing process/wilderness for several years now)…praying for the hard ground of my heart to be plowed, for the rain to fall, and for the silent work He has been doing in me to begin to blossom!!
i am not sure it that is what I thought the song was , but yes i did hear a tune that I have heard before. I thought that it was just me. Thank you for your and confirming that I did hear something I knew.
I heard “What has washed away my sin, nothing but the blood of Jesus”…
I am listening as I am responding. It is so beautiful. At first it sounded sad to me. Then as a closed my eyes sensed the ocean, just roaring free. As I listened more I felt like it was the perfect background music for private prayer time. I gave me a sense of the four seasons. The seasons of life that we go through. Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. Of just nature, things dying off in the winter, coming back new in the spring, living through the summer, then preparing to die for the winter to come back vibrant in the spring all a new again. I feel our spirits are like that sometimes. life going through the cycle. none of this could have been possible if it were not for the love of Our God and Savior. I love you Lord. Thank You for Jesus.
Peace! Be STILL and KNOW that I am God. The Still Small Voice. Heal me and I will be Healed. Nothing can separate me from the Love of GOD!!!!!!
Cathee,
That has been “my verse” for the last 13 years. That is exactly what He reminded me of while I was listening!!
When I heard Chad’s music I was automatically filled with God’s Spirit. It southed my mind and heart.
Thank you for having Chad play for us.
Thank you for the music and the first week of study. God is working in my heart.
Thank you Renee and Chad…”Beautiful”, I began to weep immediately after I hit the play button. Tears of joy and a little sorrow. My 17 year old son and I have had some struggles here lately and as I began to listen, The Lord gave me tears of sorrow for how I feel right now about the situation, but they quickly turned to tears of joy for The Lord spoke to me…change is coming to renew and restore, trust me…trust in your Father. From the chapter questions: describe a woman with a confident heart – Like a solid, rooted tree. Knowing whom she is in Christ. Strong, bold in Christ….not caring what others say or think of her. Does not sway with the wind (the wind of others condeming, un-Christ like opinions whispers). A confident will be given the task, but may be afraid, not sure of one’s self, but know that she would not have been given the assigment without the tools given by Christ to complete the work. I believe that Christ will not give you something he knew you could not handle. You will already be equipped. A confident woman is not afraid to fail…(oooo, this is a BIG one for me, I don’t like to fail and let people see my failure). A confident woman is sure of who she is in Christ, who the Lord made her to be, no compromise. ~ God Bless
Melinda…you have encouraged me today as I too am going through some heart hurts with my 17 year old son. Thank you for sharing your heart. And I loved the last sentence you wrote: “A confident woman is sure of who she is in Christ, who the Lord made her to be, no compromise.”
No compromise…thank you! 🙂
As I listened to this song, tears poured out. I felt a sadness for all the things that I had missed because of my self doubt. As the song went on I felt Jesus touching my heart and releasing me from the pain in my soul that has consumed me for so many years. I listened to the song again as I read through the posts and I cried tears for all of you. I realized that I am not alone in this struggle and heard God’s telling me that he is here for all of us.
I first had feelings of doubt and insecurity as a very young child. Having been adopted I always had a sense that I had been thrown away and was not good enough. My relationship with my parents was based on performance and I felt like I could never be good enough for my mother. She always compared me to my brother or other people’s children. She was highly critical and as a result spoke words of failure over me. . I have forgiven her and understand that she too had suffered as a child however I carried these feelings of inadequacy throughout my entire life.
A woman with a confident heart would know who she is and what she is here for. She would know her purpose in life and be able to trust God to accomplish his purpose through her. She would be at peace with herself and with others. Her life would be organized and stable and free of turmoil.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful music and for this study.
As soon as I get the internet back at my house, I want to buy this so I can listeen to it better. It is beautiful and I have always loved piano music.
I have always loved the piano and love listening to its sound. I have also wanted to play the piano as long as I can remember. Many times off and on throughout my life I have taken lessons. But when the lessons became harder, I would struggle with the confidence that I couldn’t do it and finally quit. Listening and watching Chad play so beautifully brought tears to my eyes. Not only because the song was so beautiful and peaceful, but it brought me to my knees to ask forgiveness for all the missed opportunities that the Lord has brought my way and I had tossed away because of insecurities. If only I would have known and believed of God’s promises as in verse Hebrews 10:35-36, to not throw away your confidence for I would have been richly rewarded. Preserve was not a word I was familiar with so I did not realize what was available to me.
I am 59 years old and have never had the courage to do a lot of things, even though I had wanted to do them so badly. Something as small as entering into a contest or giveaway just for the fun of it would bring all kinds of doubts and negative feelings. I would think people would see how dumb and dorky I was if I did. It has only been a week of this study, but I feel I have grown and I have decided today I will take a step of confidence and just answer the question irregardless of the thoughts and outcome. And you know what. After I wrote the words above, for the first time I felt a sense of freedom from a chain of doubt. I fought back and found it really wasn’t all that painful. And another thing I realized was after hearing and seeing the music being played, I found that the desire to play the piano is still there and I have decided to try again, only this time it will be with perseverance. The reward may be small to most, but to be able to say I finally did it would be so fantastic and so rewarding.
Thank you so much Renee and Chad for help making a difference. I am so looking forward to being a new confident person in Christ.
Kathy…I love what you wrote here…It has only been a week of this study, but I feel I have grown and I have decided today I will take a step of confidence and just answer the question irregardless of the thoughts and outcome.
Keep engaging yourself in this study…if you allow God to do what He wants with you, you won’t close this book being the same woman you were when you first opened it. God is good, Kathy.
And keep answering the questions because you never know who your boldness and transparency will help. 🙂
Great job!!
I felt this strong sense of reassurance…God whispering…”It’s going to be ok, I’ve got this”
Been trying to decide the next step to take in the job market…lots of activity here lately and the temptation to worry and fixate on it to the exclusion of turning it over to God. This song is a great reminder that God has definitely got this for me and for His glory.
Thank you for this song, Renee!
Helen 🙂
What a beautiful piece of music!!! Psalm 23 kept popping up in my mind while I listened to him play. I could envision walking with Jesus and him holding my hand….knowing and feeling like everything is just as it should be. Jesus is telling me he will give be rest from burdens, that he has great plans for me, that everything will be okay. The footprints poem also came to mind….and I could envision walking on the beach with Jesus and then all of sudden he’s carrying me because I feel so overwhelmed by life circumstances and he whispered as he carried me that everything will be okay, I will never leave you nor forsake you! Towards the end of the song it was as if we were heading back to our repsective places but I was with him laying in his lap just soaking it all up. Inspite of the lies that Satan may say I know that everything is going to be okay!! Renee, thank you for sharing it was amazing!!
The question that struck me most was #7….Something that I struggle with is when finances are so tight and things must be paid for, ie rent, food, gas among other bills plus our regular tithing, I, have in the past not always put God first because I fear and do not trust Him enough to provide for us. Like rent is coming due next week and my husband and I’s check combined will barely cover rent let alone everything else and so often in situations like this I will not tithe because my doubts and insecurities take over and say “well if you tithe you wont be able to pay rent or buy food, or buy gas, etc. And those same feelings are back. I am taking a step of faith and absolutely putting God first before my rent and trusting that He will take care of the rest.
Trusting God with my finances has been my biggest struggle as a Christian! He has been working with me and has been sooooo extremely patient too!
I am a Julie from Colorado too! What part of CO are you from? I am from the Boulder area
I am from Lakewood! Nice to meet you! 🙂
Julie i love the picture you painted while listening to the song, i couldn’t have done it any better. I also can relate to the financial worries and my tithing and being able to trust God with taking care of me. I am disabled and on a fixed income that barely covers the necessary bills let alone anything extra like tylenol or groceries etc. I will pray for you and you pray for me and we will get better at this trust issue we have. Praise the Lord for His patience with us! Hang in there i’ll be praying for you.
WOW I have been reading the comments, I love it.
We are praying about moving. And I need clear direction
My son needs a job with medical benefits. My grandson has some health issues.
So this was the perfect music to enter His Courts with thanksgiving and praise
I sensed such peace and calmness listening to the music. Interesting enough my son immediately came into the room and asked “what is that? I heard dinging from the other room?” …He was watching his favorite TV show but the Holy Spirit lured him into my room with the music. My son is filled with the Holy Spirit and senses his direction. I am so grateful to have a son like him. Thank you Lord for sending him to me and sending YOUR SON TO DIE FOR ME! Such love you give us!
I was completely encouraged and the comments from others spoke to my heart. When other women open up and become “real” with their feelings it tells me I’m normal. I always feel like I’m the only one who battles these things, so I spend a lot of time alone. I am now searching for that 1 or 2 who I can confide in. I am going to start praying God’s promises aloud so I can own them.
I could make a comment on almost every post, you are all writing the words in a book that describes my life. I to feel like I am the only one who feels like this. This opportunity has been a blessing. keep sharing ladies because someone who is reading is saying AMEN! and it is helping them on their journey! Thank you! Let’s find that confident woman inside us!
Thank you for sharing this song. It brought me God’s portion of peace and joy that I needed for this day to begin. Things have been really difficult for me the last few weeks and where I thought myself confident and strong, God’s truth and good word is revealing deep doubts. Magnified by issues in my marriage, these doubts are attempting to cripple me. I breathe in God’s merciful love each day, but was fortunate enough to wake up to this blessing of music. It’s beautiful.
Beautiful. I wrote as I listened.What I felt. I thought maybe I should try to put it more eloquently, but here it is, raw:
Jesus is dancing with me. In a field where girls are laughing and playing, God is chasing after me, running with me, holding my hand. Laughing. Carefree. Tears are streaming. We slow and He walks with me. Through everything. Solemn. Where I’ve been anxious, it’s unnecessary. He’s solidly there. Knowing. Handling. Patient. Loving. Knowing. Being. Doing. Trustworthy. Offering His grace where I have not trusted. He holds me. He just curls up in the big comfy chair with me and holds me. He doesn’t make little of heartache. He sees. He is answering. He is beautiful. glorious. Praiseworthy. He IS. He lets the rain come because the rainbow is so beautiful. He consistantly offers His peace. True peace. Faithfulness. He fills me. Then He sends me. He showed me He is has always done this, my whole life, my whole journey. His beauty brings down walls. Without pain. With joy. He has healing and joy to give. He is steadfast.
His way. His time. Not the same as ours. His is right. Because He knows. He knows all and waits for our hearts to belong to Him. I am His. He leads this dance.
To me, a confident woman is one who refuses to stop loving, no matter what. Continues to open her heart to others to offer God’s love.
LeAnne,
I am so glad you didn’t “clean up” your writing. Raw was absolutely beautiful!! Thank you for sharing, I needed to read that for myself!
Totally honest here – I couldn’t stay totally quiet and listen. The music is wonderful, but my mind drifted to thoughts of what I need to do today (last weekend free before I have surgery on May 9th). I started reading through the stack of mail beside me and pretty soon I was unloading and loading the washer. I’m going to try again later as I know how much I need a 1/2 hour of quiet and rest with the LORD through this music.
I’m glad to be back for my 3rd time in this study. Each time I get a little more and am so blessed.
It took a while for my head to clear from all of the things swirling around in it. After that, the peace, calm, and deep relaxation were very sweet.
Wow, this is what I started my day with. Very peaceful. I love this.
The music: peace and persistence…at times an urgency…the ebb and flow of prayer, of life, of confidence…quiet gratitude and reverence.
A woman with a confident heart knows, and doesn’t forget, from where her confidence comes. A woman with a confident heart trusts God. A woman with a confident heart receives God’s promises as her truth. As He is, so is she in this world.
As I listened to the music I closed my eyes and felt that I was in His arms and could sense how much he loved me and that I was His. I had felt so insecure since I was a small child because my uncle had told me that I was a disappment tommy father because I was the first born and not a boy. I found out recently that My birth certificate did not have a first name omit for over a wwek until my father got back from sea (he was in the Navy). For years I never felt like I made the grade with my dad because I was not a boy. all things work together for the good even though there are times along the way it is heard to see. Tank both you and Chad for sharing the music. It was so peaceful and beautiful.
Awww Cynde, I just picture your Heavenly Father and the joy He felt while forming you in your mother’s womb. And the day you were born…Psalm 45:11…the King is enthralled by your beauty. You are loved my friend by the King of all kings.
As I sit here listenin to this song I am amazed and in awe of how God can speak through simple black and white keys to the depth of my soul. There is something about a piano that speaks to the core of who I am. It is like I can see a baby grand piano sitting in the middle of a beautiful garden filled with flowers, birds, and all God’s little creatures all sitting in awe of God through the fingertips of Chad. I can hear God whispering to me to “Be still and know that I am God”. I have been through so many life changing events (alcoholic father, watching my mother die from breast cancer over a 6 yr period, being raped 5 months before my wedding, a terrible 9 yr marriage and no children(but oh how badly I wanted them), divorce) in my life and for many years was not a confident woman but through Christ Grace, Mercy, Forgiveness and Love I am growing more confident each and everyday. I have been blessed with a wonderful godly man who loves the Lord and is now serving as a Student Pastor and 5 1/2 yr old b/g twins! God continues to use me and my testimony to help others. I feel a confident woman is one who puts her hope and faith in the Lord. She truely believes she is beautiful because she was created by God to be a helper for others (man) and to know for such a time is this that God can use her for His kingdom. Thank you for sharing Chad’s song of prayer
As I closed my eyes to listen his songs with the calmness and then the music got stronger then calm again. Reminded me of the storms in life and that Jesus calms us in the midst of those storms to give us his peace and Love. Love and praises to our Lord Jesus Christ! 🙂
The music is awesome. Just the look on his face, there is such peace, serenity and delight. What wonderful music to listen to in the midst of a storm.
Question #2: insecurity has kept me from doing many things. I can remember even as a child being afraid to try new things because I knew I wouln’t succeed. The fear of failure has always been a part of me and that others would be disappointed in me.
I have really needed this bible study. Thank you so much for listening to God and what He put in your heart.
I agree fear of failing so something that I am terrified of. Even things that I know I am good at or things that people tell me I am good at, I am terrified of failing, not pleasing, not giving enough of myself. I need this study more than words can say and am soo Blessed that it is here. Looking forward to tuning in to my heart and the lord and finding that confident person inside me!
So beautiful! I just closed my eyes and let it be a prayer to God while I listened.
The main thing I’ve realized so far in the study is that although I believe the word of God, I gave up a while ago in believeing that it would ever work for me. I did all I could do and things just never get better. I keep hoping for a better life but things just don’t change. I know His word is true, but it doesn’t work for me.
Denise I will be praying for you. I feel very sad as I read your post. I was once like that.
What I started doing was calling God on his word. As I prayed my situation to him, I told him very
boldly but respectfully that God you SAID this about me and you SAID I was this to you, Lord
these are the things I have need of. This is what is going on in my family and my life Lord and
it doesn’t line up with your word. As you make a commitment to release it to God you will little by little
see change. And as you grow in the Lord you will have more confidence that his word is for you as well.
Be careful what you speak out of your mouth. Speak you change. What we do or say is a seed sown and it will reap a harvest. Everything that God did he spoke. The bible says what we bind and loose on earth is bound and loosed in heaven. Find scripture and speak out loud to your circumstance. This is our Mouth. We are so good at cursing ourselves with our mouth, why not bless and bring life to
our circumstance with our mouth. Gods word say life and death is in the POWER of our tongue. Start speaking life and don’t faint (meaning that no matter what it looks like you press on with what you are doing and speaking for change) please e-mail me any time you need encouragement. [email protected]
Found such incredible peace and calm in listening to this! I am dealing with anxieties in my life right now that I KNOW in my heart God will take care of in His time but for some reason, that one part of my brain that I can’t control won’t let it go. This is causing physical issues that affect me during the day and are causing me sleepless nights. As I close my eyes and just listen, my mind feels like it can just let go of everything…like I could just find that rest and stillness that I so desperately need right now. Definitely going to download this one and take that time to just listen to this beautiful music whenever I feel the need and let God speak to my heart.
Melissa…praying for you! It is hard for the brain to catch up to the knowledge our hearts hold, but I pray that you will press forward to your Savior and allow Him to fill you with His confidence.
What a beautiful gift to enjoy on a beautiful Saturday morning. I’m up early with the window blinds open watching the sun come up and thanking God that I have this time with Him. In my hectic, busy, whirlwind life He blesses me with this time to relax and bring everything on my heart to HIm. Thank you Jesus. Following Renee’s suggestion to pray out loud and hearing Chad’s inspiration through music made me want to sing my prayers and sing the Bible verses I find inspiring. Sing a joyful noise unto The Lord!
My first memories of being insecure were from my childhood, although I can’t pinpoint the age. I just remember that because of my parent’s divorce I was pulled in so many directions, trying to please this family and that, I just always felt insecure about my place in the world. I’m praying that God will show me his way and give me confidence to be the Godly wife and mother he wants me to be. Looking to Him for strength and guidance and confidence in my marriage and family. I don’t want my children to ever feel those insecurities.
Thank you Jesus for this time to reflect and pray.
This is so beautiful. As I closed my eyes and listened I felt like Jesus and I were just strolling along in the woods together. It wasn’t a coming together for a “what can you do for me Jesus” but just simply a joy in being together. We strolled sometimes in silence, sometime sharing, often pausing to delight in the creation that surrounded us. When the first big intense part came with lots of repetition, I felt like we were near a waterfall just flowing down. Made me thinkg of HInds Feet in High Places where the water drops willingly offered themselved, pouring themselves down the waterfall in worship. Am off to go download a copy for myself. Then if I do happen to win, I can share this with someone else 🙂
Thank you!! j
Beautiful. I had also a feeling of nature. like when you see the nature stations and you see where they fast forward the blooming of a flower? That’s what I felt like. Thinking if the Holy Spirit gave him this beautiful piece how much more beautiful the music of heaven is, and wanting the blessing to hear it
That song was truly inspiring and beautiful what an amazing gift of God thanks for sharing with us!! Praying for you Renee may God bless you and multiply your every effort!!
This is totally awesome. Music has the ability to reach the soul when words fail. There is a peacefulness and yet a gentle excitement that i feel here. God often gives me words and music of my own when i’m going through trials in my life. He gives me awesome songs of encouragement, hope and the assurance that He is always with me no matter what. He will never leave me or forsake me. I especially sense God’s tenderness through Chad’s song of prayer. It calmed my heart. Thank you Chad and Renee for sharing. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!!
Wow….what a God-given talent He has. It puts you right in the throne room. Is was so calming and relaxing, just what I needed for a busy work day and busy night! A great way to get in the spirit before bed. Thank you for sharing Renee!! Have a blessed weekend on your conference! God is with you leading you. I am praying for you!
Such a peaceful piece of music…. allowed me to pray and just be real. To just sit and feel the warmth of Jesus’ touch and know that everything will be alright because I’m in His hands… I’m in His will and He is in control…. It was wonderful…
As for the questions, a confident woman is one that is not afraid or ashamed to be real. To understand our limitations, or imperfections but still feel important and capable to make a difference! To realize our confidence is in God.
Oh how this music takes me to a place of comfort and peace in the presence of my loving Heavenly Father…especially at the end of the day. 🙂
That was beautiful. I just closed my eyes and listened. I imagined myself dancing a song of prayer to God as he played. What came to mind as he was playing was how God’s Word is an anchor for my soul. His Word establishes and settles me so that when I pray His Word I know that he hears me. I do not feel like I am praying arbitrarily. I can have peace because He is the same and never changes. Thanks for sharing Chad’s music. Loved it!!!