Top

Renee Swope

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

(Week 2) To Be Known Is to Be Loved

If you’re reading via email, please click title above (“Known”) so you can read it to my website. This post includes a powerful video and a FREE download that won’t come through via email.

_____________________________________

From Chapter 2, A Confident Heart

“Jesus knew Sam’s  (the Samaritan woman’s) story and He knows yours. The Greek word for “know” is yada. It means a deep emotional experience; a bonding between two people when one truly feels the emotions of the other. Jesus knows your pain, fears, doubts, and disappointments. He understands your dreams and desires.

Although some of us feel uncomfortable that God knows so much about us, it is good to be known, to be listened to and not judged. Jesus is the only One who can meet our deepest needs to be accepted and delighted in simply because of who we are. We can offer nothing but our presence, and He will desire us just the same…

Christianity is the only faith that offers a relationship with the living God. We don’t just know about our God; our God wants us to know Him. We were created for that kind of relationship. He wants us to find lasting soul-security in knowing we are valued and pursued by the One who knows and loves us—the One who created our inmost being and wove us together in our mother’s womb (Ps. 139:13). Have you let the gospel of God’s grace move from your head to your heart, so that you know without a doubt you are known intimately and loved completely by God?” (p. 40 printed copy)

_____________________________________

Our word this week is  “Known”

Our verse of the week is: Jeremiah 1:5 – “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart…” (NIV)

This week’s video message is one that shows us we are known and loved.  Please click the arrow below to watch this video – all the way through. You’ll be so glad you did.

(from video script)

I WANT TO BE KNOWN
I want someone to look at my face
And not just see two eyes, a nose,
a mouth and two ears
But to see all that I am, and could be
all my hopes, loves and fears…

And YOU know me
You actually know me
all of me and everything about me
Every thought inside and hair on top of my head
Every hurt stored up, every hope, every dread
My past and my future, all I am and could be
You tell me everything,
You tell me about ME
And that which is spoken by another would bring hate and condemnation
Coming from Youu brings love, grace, mercy, hope and salvation
I’ve heard of One to come
who could save a wretch like me
And here in my presence, You say
I AM HE…   ( read full script here)

_____________________________________


Today’s Assignment:

  • Read this week’s memory verse (Jeremiah 1:5). Ask God to remind you all week that He knows the way you long to be known, pursued and loved!
  • Start or continue reading chapter 2. Remember, take your time and highlight or underline sentences that resonate in your heart.

Connect in Community:

What sentences in Chapter 2 are resonating most with you?

Discover more from Renee Swope

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Comments

  1. Jeremiah 1:5…wow, God first showed me this verse when I was a child. I was born with a birth defect which made me have a hard time understanding why God would allow this to happen. When I opened my bible to this verse, my question was answered. Thank you for sharing this with us. I pray for each of us P31 women that we will all discover God’s love in each of us!

  2. The sentence that resonated with me was …. “Oh how I longed for someone to see past the exterior facade and look into the secret places of my heart”. I knew that the Lord was wanting to get to know me and wanted me to get to know him … believe him along with believing in him … but for two years I was stubborn, too busy, too embarrased to ask for his forgiveness and help. there were times when I felt so lonely and desparate for someone to just ask me I was a Christian and not to be condemning about it but to lovingly help me get my relationship straightened out and back on track. It’s hard to be vulnerable. It’s hard to be brutally honest about my innermost thoughts and fears… but it brings so much healing and freedom to know that in spite of all we do and lack, the Lord loves us all the same … and we want to be known by him and he wants to know us!

  3. I have secrets that no living person on this earth knows but me. Things I will never confess outloud, however I know Jesus knows. I pray every night that I have been forgiven (I know I have) but can’t get rid of the guilt. I also pray that the guilt will be lifted from my heart. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

    • Hi Janiece – hand it over to God. I am praying for you. Please meditate on the following Scriptures, they will help you.

      Romans 3:23
      1 John 1:9
      John 3:17

    • Hi Janet – hand it over to God. I am praying for you. Please meditate on the following Scriptures, they will help you.

      Romans 3:23
      1 John 1:9
      John 3:17

    • God can take it from you and remove the guilt from your life. I had to be forgiven of a very painful decision I made in my life. I sought out christian counseling and through much study of the scriptures and the help of a very compassionate, and loving woman….i have left it all behind. God is in the healing business, mind, body, and spirit. Prayers going up for you Janet.

    • Janet,

      I too continue to ask god to forgive me for many things I am not proud of in my life. I struggle with forgiving myself. I believe I need to seek out counseling like sherrie. Thank you ladies for sharing your stories. I am learning so much from this book and from you wonderful women.

    • I too, Janet, have guilt that weighs heavily on my mind and in my heart. I have found myself sabotaging relationships and positive thoughts because I do not feel worthy. I pray that He will guide me through a more peaceful journey and help me to understand that I am worthy and that my imperfections do no negate His love for me, that is difficult for me to absorb. If I have sinned and feel guilty, I have a hard time understanding why He would continue to love and not judge. I am working on understanding and accepting His love with my whole being.

    • Hi, Janet

      I have been in a similar situation and found Psalms 32:5 comforting:

      “I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I did not hide; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”; And You forgave the guilt of my sin.”

      …..the GUILT of my sin……………

  4. He is there waiting for us when we’re going through the motions, aware of what needs to be done, but unaware of how to do it.

    This one line spoke volumes to me because I know what it is to be going through the motions….knowing there needs to be change…but unaware of just exactly how and what to do. It’s never dawned on me to just look up…to Him. Because He’s there, waiting.

  5. The part that really resonated with me in ch. 2 was the line that said ‘today can be the day the gospel of grace moves from your head to your heart’. I’ve always said I’ve had a figuratively blocked artery because my brain could ‘think it’ but my heart just couldn’t make it real. I hope I am moving ever closer to healing without major surgery 😉

  6. Having grown up in an alcoholic home with an absentee father. He was present in the home but absent emotionaly. I have spent the better part of my life running and searcing for something that was missing in my heart. Looking to find my security in other men who always disappointed me. Sabotaging my life over and over again. Causing a lot of pain in others lives as well.
    And not until recently d…id I find if I place my security in my heavenly Father that I have found the peace and love I have so desperately craved all my life. I love where you stated He left Himself as a love letter nailed to the cross of Calvary declaring the depth of his perfect love. It is wonderful to pray in the prayer the part about when I feel insecure, insignificant, or unloved, remind me of Your perfect love that has the power to cast out my fear.To place all my trust in Jesus that will never fail me!!

  7. What a powerful video, Renee the section that talks about (Below the surface) The only way He could satisfy the thirst of her soul was to help her see it. He could offer her living water, but first she had to want it, ask for it, and then receive it. then Jesus took her conversation below the surface, thats how I began my journey with Him. My life was so much like Sam’s and God began to heal my broken heart and show me how much He loves me and sometimes I still struggle with trying to please others and have a problem saying no when I should, thank God he is not finished with me yet. we are all being transformed by the renewing of our minds.

    • Thanks Marsha,
      I used to say I am the lady at the well! But like you, God showed me His love for me. I have come a long way – but I am so glad He wants to finish me.
      Merrie

  8. Wow! What an amazing chapter and video. Several things stood out to me but I keep going back to two statements in the chapter. (1) If we only live on the surface with God, we’ll never experience the intimacy we long for or the accecptance and security he offers. Jesus went beyond the surface with Sam but he did it every so tenderly drawing her to be able to trust him and thus relationship was created. Sam made a choice, she could have turned and walked away but she accepted his love and that leads to the second part of chapter 2 that hit me hard (2) We are worth his love because he chose to give it to us- We are his! Gods love is perfect thus we do not have to be. He is made perfect in our weakness. What a wonderful thing to know but we have to do more than acknowlege this we have to breath it in and let it become a daily part of our life…renewing of our mind! How wonderful it is to serve a God that can meet us wherever we are. A God that that we do not have to be perfect for…”because his love is perfect, I don’t have to be” how freeing is that? Amen!!!

    • Hallelujah Stacy!!
      Like the song “I am free to dance Iam free to sing …. I am free to live for You I am free!! And yes the acceptance part of being known, if one is truly transparent you can’t keep being known hidden. The love of Christ will be seen by others, and then their choice of acceptance.

      • Another song comes to mind that I listened to today: Remind Me Who I Am to You by Jason Gray. The video is on http://youtu.be/QSIVjjY8Ou8
        Check out this video. It is exactly what God has shown me this week through this chapter. I pray that all of us will know that we are loved by God and that He is showing all of us that we are to be ourselves to Him and know that He wants to meet us where we are. God bless all of you. Your sister in Christ, Kimberly Stiver

  9. I started re-reading the second chapter on my way to school, when I came upon the sentence that really made me think about my life.You see, I am a high school student, and sometimes I feel that I am a shell when I am around people even with my friends, and every time, I d say “I’m Fine”, “I’m OK”, I was never convinced. “Sometimes I think we tell people we’re fine even when we’re not, because we want to be fine. Or we hope that by saying we are fine, eventually we will be.” It made me realize that in order to be fine, to be OK I have to have GOD in my heart.

    • Janely,

      Wow I wish I would have had the encouragement and confidence you have to seek the Lord like you are at your age!! It is also great to see you being more than fine as Renee spoke of on p31. I see FINE as being the opposite of transparency that I have been learning about in our cell group at church. I pray that you have someone close by and continue to use this forum to drop the masks of ok and be free to be you and me as sisters in Christ! Keep that flame goin girl it may flicker but the embers will still glow and those who you see will see the LIght of Christ in you.

  10. I try not to be known, I am not hiding because of being accepted or rejected. I just don’t care about being known or being associated with anything here on earth. The pertputal doom and gloom that God has allowed no matter what I do, obeying and serving him, just produce more hurt, suffering, and longing for Christ return. Watching this world spend out of control and involving me in this environment just brings chills to my mind and heart. I don’t care what people think of me, although I have respect for authority it is so corrupt especailly in our churches,locall officiers which more and more they are looking like cutls instead of Christ. I have leaned loneliness through adonement, from parents, siblings, friends,pastors, death of loved ones, and the only child that God lone me in this world. I have excepted illness even when I believe Jesus for healing as he said by his stripes I am healed, but also knowing that the illnesses where a thorn to buffet me. I have gone on and I don’t care what people think of me and how they reject me I know the FATHERS love for me is evident because of what Christ did for me by hang on the cross. I hold everything losey as if I hold on tight it is proudied out of my hands and it is a lost. Losing so much in life hear on earth is a constant battle. Never seemingly getting ahead. I force my heart and head to know the Lord through his word and gasping for breath in between it all. It doesn’t make sense here on earth, whereas the scripture states that the righteouness in us is choked daily. In answering the questions I reflected on a God that was on again off again, and I know better but I just have to ask why so much suffering and anguish in order to live in this world. I want be posting these things on F/B or twitter, as I am a college student, professional looking for work and I don’t need the world to know my deepest inner most thoughts. I journal anyway ACTS, Adoration, Cofession,Thanksgiving, and Supplication. I realize that my life could be worst, I must began to be thankful because my latter will be greater than my past!

    • Hi Lisa – you hang in there. Remember in this world there will be tribulation as the Scripture says but be of good cheer – God has overcome the world. The Scripture is John 16:33.

      You can make it – just continue to stand on the Word of God. We will cry sometimes and laugh sometimes but the Scripture also tells us that to everything there is a season.

      Ecclesiastes 3

      1To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

      2A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

      3A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

      4A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

      5A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

      6A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

      7A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

      8A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

      • I just listened to a wonderful sermon this past Sunday on these very verses. The Pastor mentioned how life has a rhythm…a beat to it…that we are constantly going back and forth between these ‘seasons in our lives’. It was comforting to know that God is in control of these ‘seasons’ as well.
        I too feel the sting of loneliness…as if no one really knows me…atleast not anybody ‘with skin on’…and yes…I too can feel the shame that God ‘knows everything about me’…but that can also be a comfort.
        My past is not something I would share with people…until it drove me to attempting suicide…then I knew I had to deal with it. I have since learned just exactly how merciful God was/is! Things could have been soooooooo much worse for me…but my Lord spared me.
        There is still so much to learn about our great God…the King of kings and Lord of lords…and I’m thankful He continues to draw me closer to Him.
        I can also relate to not wanting to be here any more…even Paul didn’t want to be here…he was very clear in Scripture saying how he longed to be with the Lord but that God sees fit for him to continue his work here…so…even if we long to be with Jesus…God must still have work for us to be doing here, now…let us all keep walking on in the journey that God has already prepared for us.

  11. “From a distance I look like I’m doing fine” really resonates with me. Going on to say: “…pretending to be fine when I’m not has led me into isolation and hiding”.(so much so that I really don’t know who I really am). I too have put expectations of perfection on myself because I thought that if I let others see who I really am, including my weaknesses and insecurities they wouldn’t like me or would think less of me. As a result I have come to realize I am very lonely. I don’t really know how to form a “close” friendship or relationship with other Women. I have spoken with God about this and I believe God has lead me to this study and study group to heal my insecurities and weaknesses and to begin to form those relationships.

    • Truly powerful words. This chapter helped me see that I am not fine. I had only perfected the wearing of the mask. Reading your honesty and all of the other ladies here helps in my own journey towards becoming transparent.

  12. Wow.. that was a powerful video Renee! Thanks so much for sharing it with us. I am so guilty of telling people that I am fine. It’s like my catch phrase. I answer I’m fine, because I’m afraid that if I answer honestly how I’m really doing that I’d crumble into a million pieces. Then I think about how often we ask “How are you?” just out of politeness.. but do we really want the answer? What would we do if someone opened up their hearts and told us how they really where. Something to think about next time we ask. This sample chapter that you gave us, was what hooked me into the book study. Thank you for making me take a hard look at how I am, and at the walls that I thought I had taken down years ago, but I can see so clear as day now. I have a lot of work ahead of me and you have given me the inspiration to start on the journey.

    • this video was very good. its made me think on alot of things about myself and it is hard for people to really know how i feel, times when i am down or days that wish they werent what they are at times. i have had low-self esteen and i admit my confidence is not good either. just when i think things go right then something or someone comes along and then i am right back to where i was. i am trying so hard to be what god would want me to be, but then i know god will take me as i am. i am getting better at times. but its a journey,a process. i think as a woman gets older it doesget harder,there are sometimes alot of things to deal with,but then i take that to god as well. but these studies have been good of what i can get of them. i have some scriptures written down and have the word;BLESSED down and day 2 and day 6,so you can see i am not following along as well as the other ladies. but i try to get your studies via e-mail. but one day will get the book and study it myself. thankyou so much for sending some in through my e-mail its much appreciated. in christ judy hoff.

    • Me too…or I always say I am good, esp at my workplace. Same thing tho! It is very hard and even more difficult when people have made fun of you since you were in grade school. It is so hard to really say, “I am ok except for a few things going on right now….” And here at my workplace rumors spread like wildfire, so I keep my mouth shut. And it drives me absolutly crazy not knowing how to open up without being TOO vulnerable.

  13. One of the sentence that really hit me is: He (God) cares about every detail in our lives. But if we only live on the surface with God, we’ll never experience the intimacy we long for or the acceptance and security He offiers. I know that God knows everything there is to know about me but if I tell him the things that I am insecure about or doubting that it makes it real. If I don’t say them outloud somehow it doesn’t seem “real” or that I don’t have to face them. When I don’t talk with God about my issues then this hinders our relationship and then the devil is laughing because of my doubt that God or anyone else cares about me. I am so glad that I am reading this book and decided to join the study group. I felt Jesus leading me to this book and group. Having self doubt is tiresome and I want to break free from it and live my life with and for God!!

    • I know that God knows everything there is to know about me but if I tell him the things that I am insecure about or doubting that it makes it real. If I don’t say them outloud somehow it doesn’t seem “real” or that I don’t have to face them.
      WOW! I like that!

  14. Powerful video – and I am overwhelmed that God loves me so much. I love the verse Jeremiah 1:5 – just to think that he formed me in my mother’s womb. He knows everything about me – every hurt, struggle, victory in my life; Wow!!! I am loving this book.

    • Elaine

      I totally agree with what you wrote. I get overwhelmed that God loves me so much. It makes me feel wonderful and special. I am loving this books and it speaks to me in so many ways. I feel like it was a book written for me. When I first saw the book I heard God say you need this book and when I saw this study I got so excited.

      Jenny

  15. There’s three that resonated with me. First although we tell people we are fine, what we really mean is that we are Frazzled, Irritated, Neurotic, and Exhausted! Being honest about who we are and how we are doing is especially risky when it comes to our insecurities. Second we put up walls and hide our struggles, even from God, hoping we’ll convince Him and everyone else that we’re fine. This is one that I highlighted and wrote a response to in my Kindle. I put we can’t high who we are from God. God knows what we are feeling ALL THE TIME! Even if we don’t want to admit it. Third was slowly we begin to believe we have to be perfect to be loved and accepted. For much of my life, i put expectations of perfection on myself because i thought if I let others see my weaknesses and insecurities they would think less of me–and eventually leave me. …I too wanted and needed my dad’s approval and to this day still do. My parents divorced when I was not quite three and because of things that I have shared last week, I am still trying to come to realize that my dad is who he is and even though I wish for a stronger relationship with him, he is my dad and he loves me. I no longer try to measure up and least I try not to and when I feel like I am doing that I pray for God to show me that I am not only to my dad, but to every relationship I have. This one I wrote a response to also. My note said: It’s like Renee wrote my story word for word! I feel God speaking to me the same thing over and over again consistently since this Fri. to now (I put the dates down) in this online class and Road to Recovery class I attend at church. IS HE TRYING TO TELL ME SOMETHING I SHOULD APPLY TO MY LIFE?! AM I STILL TRYING TO MEASURE UP TO OTHERS AND NOT TRUST GOD?! The answer to that question is yes. I finished the chapter just now and when you, Renee, said just talk to God from your heart. with honesty and sincerity I did. I started to cry out and say what I finally realized one of my situations that needed to go deep beyond the surface. It’s about my dialysis. Yes, I am trying to no longer feel doom and gloom about needing dialysis but I now know why I felt doom and gloom is because of some people I know and one of them is someone very close to me (I do not want to name this person) say that God is showing them that He wants to heal me of this kidney disease and restore my remaining kidney (I have just the right kidney now, had my left one taken out in April of last year) if I just believe that He is going to restore this kidney. When one of the persons told me this I told him that God was going to heal me by giving me the perfect kidney transplant at His perfect time and I am finally at peace with that. His response was that I was not believing in God just like his deceased wife (she died last Feb.) didn’t believe that God wouldn’t heal her of her brain cancer. I didn’t know what to say! So, I started to cry. I had to tell him I had to go and hung up the phone. So when I talked with the one who is very close to me about this his response was that he felt that I wasn’t ready and maybe never will be for the commitment requirements for to believe that God wants to restore this kidney. He then said that if I couldn’t God has a Plan B for me and that is to give me the perfect kidney transplant when God feels that I have accomplished what He has set out for me at the dialysis center I am at. So, I now realized that I am trying to measure up once again. How can I ever have a personal relationship with God the way He wants me to if I can’t believe and I doubt if He will ever restore this remaining kidney of mine?! Talk about insecurities I still have them!!! What do you suggest I do? Please help me! Sorry this is so long, but I felt I needed to be honest with what I am feeling right now. I posted this also to Facebook. Again thank you Renee for having this Bible class. You are a blessing to us all.

    • Kimberly,
      There is no way to know if God’s plan is to restore your kidney, give you a perfect transplant or allow you to remain on dialysis. God wants us to trust Him with our future! How do these friends KNOW what God has planned for you? I don’t believe there are “requirements” that we must meet to receive healing..otherwise no one could be saved. Please have faith that God knows what is best for you and while you are waiting on Him allow Him to work in your life to make you more like Christ.
      You are in my prayers!

      • Thank you! I didn’t want to say this before, but feel i need to. One of the friends is my own husband. He says that God speaks things about me that I am not willing to listen to God on. I feel he thinks there are requirements or he wouldn’t be saying so. I like what you said about otherwise no one could be saved. Thank you again for your prayers.

        • Also I will have faith that God knows what is best for me and I will allow Him to work in my life to make me more like Christ.

  16. “Jesus is the only One that can meet our deepest needs to be accepted and delighted in simply because of who we are. We can offer Him nothing but our presence, and He will desire us just the same.” I am such a people pleaser but this reminds me that I have don’t need to be because I am wholly and completely accepted as I am, faults and all.

  17. Page 36 “Jesus could have chosen to be anywhere else that day, but instead He was there pursuing Sam.”
    WOW!!!!

    • I agree Anita. This gives me goose bumps. To think about how Jesus came in scripture…to the weak, the hurt, the sick, the shamed. Of all of the places He could have been or the people He could have spent time with, He chose to pursue the broken. He does the same with us today…He meets us right where we are in our weakness and our struggle, in our joy and in our celebration. He loves us and wants to give us His best and for us to give our best to Him. That is relationship.
      I think to the times that I have truly put my trust and faith in Him and how I have supernaturally felt His power at work in my life and it brings tears to my eyes…..He has been right there every single time. Not that He isn’t just as much there all the other times because He is, but those times that I have turned to Him in pain, in sorrow, in thanksgiving and in praise, His presence is tangible and there is not doubt of the relational presence of our Father.

  18. “Nothing could keep Him from wanting to be with you”(pg 37). Praise Him!
    I was priviledged to spend Friday night with a group of women who are displaced from their homes. My church has partnered with a ministry in our town providing a shelter in the cold months for homeless women and children. We hosted 12 women and 2 children in our gym.
    I think I might have met an angel. She was a beautiful woman who, although she did not come out and say it, by her actions and the things she chose to say, KNEW JESUS and BELIEVED HE KNEW HER. She is a daughter of the KING!!!
    Sam at the well came to my mind many times during the evening, getting to know just a piece of the stories, their lives. . . .
    I came away heartbroken that we could not host them longer, I hadn’t learned all that I was supposed to from these women.
    I am so thankful for the blessing I am receiving reading this book. I have always thought of myself as confident, but am realizing the areas in my life I attempt to hide from God. (Like that’s possible!)
    I have a story to tell . . . the one about how my Jesus met me at my well, and he’ll meet you too!
    Just turn around . . .

    • I believe you are an angel, too. God bless you for listening to God to help these women and children.

  19. “To be known, is to be loved” I have a very hard time letting people get to know me. I want to be loved and I really wish I had some real friends who know and love me anyway. I was burned a couple of times, so now it is so hard to let people really get in, to really see me. I feel lonely in that way. I don’t seem to be able to talk to others and let them really know me. I know Jesus really loves me and He knows me. I have faith in that, but would love to have some real girl-friends to pray with, encourage and just talk together.

    • Keep looking, they are out there. She may be the most unlikely one! Look around at your church! She is probably looking too. Praying you find someone soon!

    • Michelle, I understand how you feel. I had been burned before too. By family & when I sought help from a church years ago they turned me away due to the fear of a threat by another announcing they would take negative actions on the church if I was helped. I felt it was totally hopeless. I did not trust anybody for years but God can & will heal. Just as he provided me a surrogate family as an adult no less- to guide, love, nurture & hold me accountable as well as trust he will do the same for you. Ask & you shall receive. If it is not anything of selfish nature – if its a basic need He will provide & I have confidence he will provide it to you too but dont shut down. trust God, ask God for wisdom with people . Get into a small group at church where it is more likely to have confidentially & true accountability with love that enables you to grow. But Michelle, I am here for you if you’d like to have a friend to talk to , no judgement. . feel free to contact me Michelle at my e-mail [email protected]. You are Loved by God – never forget it.

    • I so know what you are talking about. I can relate. I have been praying for years for a friend whom I can talk to without judgement. Who will accept me as I am, imperfect.

      • I also can relate. I was very isolated when i was married and when I was separated/divorced the lonliness was unbearable. I heard Joyce Meyer say “pray for a divine connection”. I started praying and through the years I had a beautiful christian woman come and walk along side me and has seen me through my divorce and into recovery. Matter of fact, I already knew her when I started praying, just not that well. It’s awesome to look back and see how God had it all planned out! Since then I’ve had other women, divine connections, join my journey. Godly women that I can cry with, laugh with, and be totally honest with. God is good!

        • Wow Lucy, thank you. I will definitely pray for a divine connection since I also wish I had a close friend or friends I can talk about God with. I know a lot of ppl at my church but I really don’t feel any connection w/ any of them. I feel that I have tried but they don’t seem to respond. It’s always been this kind of thing where you get together once or twice, talk about God/spiritual things and never see them again besides in passing. It’s sad and I’ve been surprised w/ their lack of interest in getting to know each other.

        • Lucy, thanks for the thoughts on praying for a divine connection and Michelle, thank you for sharing your thoughts. I often feel like I am a friend to many yet have no one to truly call a friend of my own. No one I can trust with my innermost thoughts. Last week as I was going through this study it hit me that what I want out of a “friendship” is that perfect relationship that only God can give me. I’ve been seeking him more this past week.

        • Lucy — I too experienced the redemptive power of Gods grace and mercy and DEEP love for me after my divorce. Never more condemned, forgotten, stranded, alone, despairing, God provided and still provides in ways I never thought were possible. For years, even while married, before I was married, it was a lonely path, a lie from Satan that I was never good enough, smart enough, funny enough, to be worthy of those friendships I saw flourishing around me, without me — feeling rejected. It was a lie that I chose to believe and nourished for many, many years. But God knows us — the deepest inmost parts of our hearts and I discovered that he never abandon me, never failed me, never forsaked me, but rescued me at time that allowed me to see Him for who HE really is — my ABBA daddy. I realized I was not alone, but permanently in relationship forever that had a love that I sought all along — truly the well spring of life HE is!!! I too found His love in a bible study group, found love in very unexpected places, with unexpected people. He is our only Hope and he does give life abundantly, He is there waiting and loving all of us right where we are –in our sin. No need to be perfect, not need to clean up — He takes us as we are and loves us just the same.

      • I can relate to all of you as well. So many times I have felt alone and scared. It wasnt until this past year when I became a christian and started getting involved with a bible study group that I was not alone. Even the ones that look complete on the outside, have fearful feelings. My group and I have been thru alot this past year and I am so glad that I am able to cry and laugh with them. They have made all the difference in my world and have helped me to grow in my christian faith. Just remember you are never alone, even when you thing that Jesus is not there, He is there right beside you or carrying you to peace.

        • It seems like there is really a need here for women to find another woman to connect with. It makes me wonder if that is part of the reason why we ended up here, we lack real connections with others and that in itself can lead us to lack confidence and multiply self-doubt??? I’m lucky and already found a new friend through this blog, but it would be nice if there was a forum or something that could match gals with another who has the same need. It really goes to show how we all hunger for deeper connections!

    • Hi Michelle…I really understand how u feel
      Because I want the same things. The loneliness
      Of not have close friends is hard ad thinking its
      Because we are unlovable makes it even
      Harder. Even though I don’t know you, I
      Consider you my friend and sister in Christ!
      Thank you for being so honest and real.
      You have encouraged me to seek God as
      My most reliable and true friend!!’

      • I know exactly how you feel and want desperately to have a close friend who is there not just when you are in need but just because they love you and want to be with you. I did not know that so many others share this problem Michelle I will be in prayer for you also thanks for sharing your heart

    • Michele I will pray that you will find a close friend to help you with your walk with God. I know he is all we need but that extra love from a friend is nice to have also. Sometimes as women we just need that physical touch from a friend to pray with us to make it better. Someone to have a cup of coffee with and just sit and share our feelings, to cry with, to pray with.. my closest friend isn’t a christian so I know how you feel.

      Blessing to you

      • I am truly overwhelmed by all the responses to my post. Thank you all for the prayers and comments. God Bless all of you!
        Michele

        • Ive been reading all the responses to your post, and I want to thank you
          again for being so real and honest. Sounds like alot of us all feel the same
          way and are lonely………Thank you Michele for bringing us all closer to God,
          We need to be praying for each other!!!
          Blessings

    • It seems like a similiar heart cry of so many to find those kinds of friendships. I recently moved to a new state, and it is hard to find people who are willing to open up themselves to NEW friendships. Also, as a preacher’s wife, it is hard to find a friend who doesn’t just think of you as the “preacher’s wife.” I wish there was a place where women could connect with other women in their area. You would think that with
      8000 people in this study, that there could be great potential friendships in their area. It is nice to know I am not alone in praying for an authenic unconditional friendship.

        • Hi Amy,
          You are not alone in praying for that true authentic friendship. I live in the Cincinnati area and I know how it is to move to a new state and struggle to find a friend. Unfortunately, I have moved several times in my life and find it very difficult to find a friend; one you can count on when you just need a listening ear, and even more so to be that kind of friend FOR someone. I am actually surprised there are so many of us out there that can relate to this. You are right, you would think that there could be great potential friendships out there. I am so thankful for this bible study and our community of friends and sisters in Christ.

        • I live in Lakeview, Ohio (very close to Lima). I would love to be a friend and prayer partner for my Ohio sisters. I have had the same struggle with friendship, having changed schools and moved many times as a child. What about meeting for coffee sometime for anyone in the area? Praying for you all this morning to be encouraged and surrounded by God’s love all throughout your day =) I’m so thankful for Renee and this study!

          • Greetings from Dayton, Ohio! It is just like God to bring along this study at just the right time… After two years of illness and a complete disconnect from life I feel like I am taking the first tentative peeks out of a cocoon. I lost my job, we lost our church and my own inclination to be a loner was only magnified by the need for constant bed rest. I have a lot of confidence to gain and have been hurt many times. The walls are thick around me, but I want so desperately to see them crumble and have girlfriends that I can just call up or who will just call me to see how I’m doing. I don’t want gossip girls in my life…I pray for real friends with a real passion for Jesus to walk with me as we go deeper. It’s hard to know where to start. But the Lord didn’t heal me so I would stay sequestered. I want to connect – need to connect – with Him on a more real level and then with some divine connections perhaps.

            I know we have a verse of the week, but here is my verse for the last three years…Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” http://bible.us/Matt19.26.NLT

            God bless you Renee and all of you beautiful wonderful ladies!

          • My heart goes out to you, Stacy. My dad has suffered from a chronic illness since before I was born and I’m also a nurse, so I understand how sickness can affect your life. I’ve experienced being deeply hurt by friends, a painful beginning to my marriage and lonely years as a stay-at-home mom.
            Now looking back, I can truly say that I’m actually thankful for the painful times, because I learned to depend completely on Jesus. I felt His love like I never would have without the hurt. He is the sweetest, dearest friend. He was always there for me and He is the lifter of my head. What Satan meant for my harm, God used for my good. He is SO good. Always. He put in my heart a desire to be an encouragement to other women. I believe that when we allow His love to fill us to the brim, then it can flow freely to those around us. And that’s how we express our gratitude to Him for loving us, by sharing His love with others, by being “Jesus with skin on” to someone who just needs a hug.
            Just want you to know that I hear your heart and I see your pain. I’m praying for you tonight- that God will use all you have been through to bring you closer and closer to Him, so you can feel the unfathomable, unending, all-encompassing love of Jesus.

      • I too have been looking for a friend(s) that would be able to listen and hear the real words that come from my heart. As i would luv to listen to theirs. I am so blessed to have found this site and start this study with so many amazing women. You are all friends no matter where we live. We are impacting each others lives right now, by opening up here. God will do amazing things for us all; and will pur the right people in our paths. I am down here in Texas. If anyone is from this area holler..would luv to make a new friend. You are all so very special in God’s eyes. To be known is to be Loved…..that is what we want with our Father in heaven, as He knows us and wants us to come to Him.

    • To truly to be known and loved for all my imperfections is what i yearn for. I have a hard time letting people into my life who aren’t family because of being burned in the past. This passage this week just reinternates that God knows me and loves me just the way I am. I feel truly blessed to have such love.

    • I too deal with this same struggle. It is hard to really open up and let people in, so that they may know you, the real you. Praying for you and all the women who have come together to deepen our relationship with God. I am glad that I am not alone in this journey….Take Care, God Bless, and Stay Beautiful 🙂

    • I know how you feel Michele. I am only 22 and it is hard for me to have friends my own age that aren’t living life to the fullest without God. But I know God will answer your prayer for he has answered mine. I went from having friends at work to now attending 2 bible studies and having friends close to my age. God has just blessed me and he will bless you just keep praying and it will come when your least expecting it.

    • Hello Michelle; I can definatelyl relate to you. I have learned in the many friend-ship burns I have experienced that those lessons for me are exactly what I will not do to others. Personally the more I look up to the Father and learn to love myself correctly the more I see that these other women must be hurting inside too to be treating others the way they do. This was one of the lessons that GOD used to help me forgive my mother for leaving me at the age of two and never looking back. After many years of wondering why and wanting answers during a prayer writing time HE said you need to forgive your mom to be free…”seriously” I said, really I have to what??? But the more HE revealed to me the more I understood. GOD showed me how lonely and hurt she must have been to leave her only child with people that were not suitable to keep a 2 year old. Tears began to stream down my face as I started to visualize this happening and the healing started. I know it is not easy but with GOD all things are possible…
      I pray that you will be healed from the past hurts and that GOD will bring restoration to your heart and that you will have a meaningful, loving friendship. Don’t you think this community is a great start? Blessings to you!

    • Michele, Keep praying for God to bring special friends in your life. After my son was born and I started staying home I was so lonely. I only had one friend and I met her online through Weight Watchers. I realized later though looking back that God had me in that time so I could learn to trust Him and lean on Him more than people. It is eight years later and God has blessed me with the most amazing girlfriends I could ever ask for! I am closer to these women than I have ever been to any friends my whole life. Keep praying. Saying a prayer for you right now.

    • A book you might want to get and read: God, Grace & Girlfriends by Mary R. Snyder

      I’m reading it now – actually started it before this study and now I’m struggling to finish it because it is so hard for ME to juggle two different books at once! LOL

      Mary’s book is really good though and has some wonderful ideas =)

  20. “Embrace your imperfections in the light of God’s perfect love” (p.44) This sentence led me to the wonderful realization that our imperfections are not tragedies but rather opportunities! In their weakness God can work his mighty strength. He can do nothing but good with imperfections confessed and entrusted to him, praise be to His Name!

    • I do believe when we let our guards downs and allow ourselves to be vulnerable for one other that is where growth and healing take place. I struggle here and my prayer is that I can be the lady God created me, flaws and all be used for His glory. KNOWN…wow, God’s promise this week “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart…I can’t begin to wrap my tiny mind around that understanding the dept of my Lord’s love for (me) us!

    • “Embrace your imperfections in the light of God’s perfect love” I used this statement in a Bible class that I teach and it generated a lot of discussion. It helped some to see that God is perfect and we are only striving to be like him. It also shows a process element to Christianity. Each day is one step closer if we choose to follow Jesus example.

      • Thank you Barb, this has helped me to see that we can take it one day at a time and not always try to be perfect because His love is made perfect in our weakness. Jesus is our example, God Bless.

    • Wow, thank you for that insight. I underlined that very statement from Chapter 2. I’ve always viewed my imperfections as tragedies. You’ve given me something to chew on. An opportunity??? Could it be?