Hi friends! I am so excited to start this “Confident Heart” journey with you!
We have just about 3500, from around the US and the world signed up! I’ve been closing my eyes and picturing us gathering together in small groups (cause I’m a small group kinda girl). Anyhow, it’s so amazing to be here with YOU learning how we can live beyond our doubts by finding our security and confidence in the power of God’s loves and promises for us!
The first thing I want you to remember is: This is YOUR journey.
You’ll be reading the chapters. You will be asking and listening for God to speak to your heart. You’ll be the one who takes time to highlight sentences, promises and quotes you want to remember. You’ll be looking for ways to apply and live what you are learning. You’ll be answering reflection questions and interacting with the group.
You’ll be doing the faith-work of not only believing in God, but really believing God.
I’ll be shepherding, leading, praying, encouraging, connecting and pacing us. I’ll be sharing more of my story – and inviting others who have to share theirs — so that we can see again and again that we are not alone in this journey and struggle towards a confident heart.
I’ll be praying for you, encouraging you, believing in you and challenging you – but you will make the heart investment and be the one who gets out pretty close to as much as you put in.
So, what’s my best advice?? Each time I do something new like this, I ask the Lord what I need to give up – so I can give more to Him. And this time is no different. I’m cutting back on checking emails all throughout my day (which I love to do) and saying no to some fun projects and other time-consumers so I can give more of me TO HIM and to you (for the next 10 weeks)!
Will you pray and block out at least 5 to 10 to 15 minutes every day to let HIM give you all that He has for you?! You are worth it….but more than anything…. JESUS is worth it, right? Are you ready? Here we go:
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(Day 1) Assignment
Please Read the Acknowledgements. This will just give you a peak into more of my current personal life. I think that’s an important part of building community and I’ll be asking you to share more about you later this week 🙂
Please Read Chapter 1. Please highlight verses and sentences that grab your attention or tug on your heart. What is God saying to you though this chapter? Write down what you sense God speaking to your heart in the margins of your book and/or in a journal/notebook that you’ll use throughout this study.
Let’s Connect: What sentences in Chapter 1 connect with you or resonate with your heart? What might you cut back on to make time for Him and yourself these next several weeks?
Click “Share Your Thoughts” below and do just that. {If you’re reading this via email, click here to return to my website/blog and connect with us in community.
Please Check Your Inbox: Our first Online Study Email was sent and in it I explain how our online study will work. Just want to make sure you know it’s there. If you can’t find it, here’s a link to it online.
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The line that really stood out to me from Chapter 1 is, I believe in God, but do I really believe Him? I never thought about the difference before, but it is powerful. I can’t remember a time I didn’t believe God was there, but there are countless times I doubted Him. I will be giving up my TV time to do this study. I am using my daily devotional time in the mornings, but will need more time in the evenings, too:)
I have been thinking a lot lately how I need to make more time to read and listen to God’s Word. One of the things I am going to start is reading as soon as I wake in the morning. Before I even leave my bedroom I am going to take the time to sit in my chair next to my bed and read. I actually did tried this when I woke up this morning in preparation for this study. It was great. I really enjoyed the quiet and felt that I was ready to begin my day when I was finished. I have also started listening to scripture studies on my phone during my workouts. This way I continue planting those important seeds for the entire hour I am working out. It has been great! The sentence that really stood out for me in the chapter was as follows “Self-doubt blocks the promise of God’s power and truth to change us from the inside out so we can live with a confident heart”. pg.22. Although many passages in this chapter struck me this one really stood out for me. I often find myself filling my mind with these type of thoughts. I see that my own doubt hinders my hope and belief that things can and will change. Many times I have wanted to branch out and try new things, for example lead a bible study in my home. This is something that I have wanted to do for some time, but have backed away due to self-doubt. I am praying that by the end of this study I will be ready to open my heart to what God is calling me to do and do it!
I am so excited that this study is being offered a second time around….second time around that is what the Lord is so good at doing for us. When I completed the last study I was so alive and ready to face the world but slowly doubt has crept it’s way back into my thoughts and so easily I have found myself just throwing away my confidence,forgetting it is “God-Confidence” that sustains! The Lord has been tugging on my heart to insure that he and I have personal time together, time away from the cares and daily duties of my life. I am so excited that you have challenged us to do this, I pray that each us will receive just the measure that the Lord has for us during this study! Thank you Renee for being faithful!
Stacy
I struggle with the fact that I seem to have to continually rely upon others and bible studys to sustain my time with God. It makes me feel weak and even hopeless at times. I keep asking myself when will I have enough faith to do this on my own? The fact is, that I know I CANNOT do this on my own. Satan knows that letting go of control and allowing others to help me is an area of vulnerability for me and he is playing that hand over and over again. Rignt now, more than ever, God is working in my life and calling me into areas of ministry where Satan does not want me to go. He is creeping into my self-talk “Kris, you cannot do this, you don’t have enough strength or stamina to pull it off. You can’t even manage what God has already given you. Really, what makes you think you can do that too?” “Kris, you aren’t worthy to minister to others when you have to constantly rely upon others to minister to you”. It is so easy to believe that talk, when God’s Word tells me that is a load of bologna. God wants us to be there to encourage each other, he made us that way. Those who are ministering to me is doing so through God’s Will and His power, not their own.
This morning I am claiming this verse “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” 2 Corin 12:9.
I just remembered the chorus from this song from Third Day that really ministered to me once, and still does
” Please take from me my life
When I don’t have the strength
to give it away to You Jesus
How many times have I turned away
The number is the same as the stars in the sky
But every time You’ve taken me back
And now I pray You do it tonight.”
This is my first online study where I have actually interacted, so this makes a major stepping out of the shadows of doubt step!! I tend to be the girl that has faith in everybody else, but not myself. I look forward to the weeks to come! I want to devote time to God every morning which means no more snoozing my alarm!
So many things stood out to me in Chapter 1 but the sentence that hit me between the eyes was “Doubt and hope cannot live in our hearts at the same time.” I knew this but didn’t know it…..hope that makes sense! I will be giving up a some sleep during this study and changing up my morning routine. I have been looking forward to this since I signed up! Blessings to you!
Im ready to not just “believe in God, but believe Him”; the truth of His word. This was a powerful statement this week. I look forward expectantly to see what God does in all our hearts and minds.
Hi Everyone,
I am so excited to be part of this online Bible study. I having been struggling lately with many little things but none more so than just trying to stay in the Light. The statement in the 1st chapter that really spoke to me was, “You can only see the shadow because you have turned away from the light. Turn back toward the light.” I can relate because it seems that when things are not going well I look for answers or comfort or strength in all the wrong places. Isaiah 2:5 says, “Let us walk in the light of the Lord.” That is my desire for this study that I would walk in the light of the Lord and grow to depend only on Him and see my situations through His eyes. One way I will do that is to spend less time reading Facebook and more time reading HIS word. Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a LIGHT for my path.” Thank you Renee, I look forward to getting to know you through this study. Praying for all involved in this study.
I lack confidence and have so much doubt that I wasn’t even going to leave this sentence because I don’t think I have anything to offer or add to the conversation.
Hi Michelle,
Please don’t ever think you have nothing to offer to the conversation. You do! You never know when what you are feeling is something someone else is also feeling but cannot put into words. Speaking up may make a difference in someone’s life, so please don’t ever hesitate to share your thoughts with us all!
God bless,
Jennifer
I feel inadequate @ times, too. Everyone in my former Bible studies seem to know so much more about the Bible than I do. I was raised Lutheran and baptized as a baby. Since then I have gone to probably between 15-20 churches. I finally found one that I truly feel welcome at and was baptized in Oct. of 2007. I will cut back on tv and reading all the comments on facebook.
I’m going to focus each day that the Lord gives me. One day @ a time. I am going to trust Him to give me everything I need not necessarily on everything I want. I have truly been blessed with 3 wonderful teenagers! I have a great husband, who has started going to church for about 3 months now and is volunteering @ the church house, called “Helping Hands” one or two days/week. God answers prayers!!!! I also like the sentence about not just beieving in God but, believing God.
I am looking forward to this study and can hardly wait for my book to arrive in the mail. God Bless you!!
Sisters in Christ,
Laurie 🙂
Hey all! This is B from East Asia! (I came to US about 4 years ago from East Asia).
So..I caught cold last Monday and I still have a sore and dry throat today. However, I am scheduled to lead worship at a fellowship on Friday night. Over the past a couple days, I was thinking about letting someone else to lead the worship partly because I am concerned about my sore throat, partly because I feel like i have a “busy” week ahead, don’t really have “a lot of” time to prepare for it. When I read the below sentences from the first chaptor, I know i can’t find any more excuses to not to embrace what God has called me to do. Like it was written in the book ” I mean, if God calls you to do something, shouldn’t you feel confident about it? Shouldn’t you want to do it? Shouldn’t self-assurance be part of God’s equipping?”
Yes. God. I like what you call me to do! I like to serve you! I am so thankful for the gifts you gave to me and I like to serve you with the gifts you gave to me! But…..God…I am so lazy, so selfish, so not confident in Your power to change my lazyness and selfishness…please help me to be the lady you created me to be! Let me the daughter you are “proud of”!
Oh..if it is your will, please heal me. I don’t like being sick…but I know all things work together for those who love you. No matter waking up tomorrow with a sore throat or not, i know you love me and you will never leave or forsake me!
I am excited to begin this study. My life in the last two years has been one of constant testing and struggle making me start to doubt about my ability to discern Gods word. My confidence was constantly being eroded. In the last month I have been onvicted about thanking God for what I have and not dwelling on what I don’t have. I will be praying for all of you. I would ask for your prayers as I have just gone through bankruptcy because of an accident I was in 2 yrs ago. I am partially disabled but God has been providing; we were just able today to rent another home as mine was given up in the bankruptcy. Time is going to prove to be a very precious commodity! Cindy
Hello Cindy! I am sorry for what you have been through..It must be very hard for you and your family. But as Romans 8:28 says “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Thankfully, God is in control and He loves us!! Enjoy your new home Cindy. Have a joyful week!
Oh, Cindy. I feel your pain and struggle. We are in the same situation with my husband being partial disabled and having to file bankruptcy due to job loss. We have been tested over the past two years. But I’ve learned that God’s timing is perfect and He is faithful and we are still standing! I’m so glad you were able to find a home to rent. We were blessed to not lose our home (praise God!) but I still find the day-to-day struggle. I’m glad you found this study. Praying for you!
I am going to make this a priority before I start my morning routine of breakfast and such. I have come to realise that God is in control will look to him for help with my self doubt and worry. For years I have acted like nothing bothers me even when people have hurt me or treated me badly. I could never speak up and voice what I was feeling inside. I am learning to change that. I greatly look forward to participating in this study group as it is a first for me. God’s blessings to all.
To build my confidence remove the doubts I need to pray scriptures out loud (I am a silent prayer most of the time) When I pray God’s words out loud and hear them, the Holy Spirit engraves them on my heart and writes them in my thoughts. I internalize God’s truth as my faith grows and I am transformed from the inside out! My desire today is to have the Holy Spirit begin to engraving upon my heart.
“pray scriptures out loud” great idea, willnette! i am definitely going to incorporate that into my devotional time. <3
I am so excited and thankful for discovering your book…after reading just a few paragraphs, I realized that your book is what I need at this precise moment in my life because having a confident heart is something I never thought about but am severely lacking.
Over the next few weeks I am going to practice getting up earlier (and dressed because I’m a stay at home mom of 3 kids between the ages of 3 months and 4 yrs old so getting dressed and out of the house is the last thing on my mind!), eating healthier (I’ve been wanting and needing to lose weight for a few years now), and cutting back on my internet time…wow that’s a lot now that I think about it! But I’m learning to take everything one day at a time 🙂
Good night all and I think I’ll reread chapter 1 before going to bed!
There is not room for doubt and hope in yourheart. I am going to choose hope!
If there’s a like button, i will choose it. Like your comment!
I am so excited and scared about doing this study…Isn’t that statement proof that I NEED this study? I participate in Bible study at my church. We have one that begins in Sept and then another begins the end of January. When I am in an organized study, I have accountability to do my homework and to share with others how God is working through the study. I find myself drifting when I am not in an organized study, so when I saw this study was going to begin a few weeks after our last one ended, I thought, this is it! I have wanted this book, so what better way to dig into the book and to STAY in God’s word but to join in this study. But I have never participated in an online study, and I am doing on my own, so how can that keep me accountable??? Maybe I won’t be able to share my heart with others I don’t know, and on & on the excuses go. My confidence level is like a roller coaster, up one minute, down the next. Constantly in worry mode. My husband kids me by saying that I worry about what I am going to worry about.
I know that may sound a little silly, but I have to admit that is somewhat a true statement. When I read “the unknown is too scary” it echoed inside my head. That is exactly what I deal with daily. Sometimes I allow the “what ifs” in life to keep me from delighting in the good things in my life.
Not once, but twice on page 24, I am reminded that one thing that I must do is “CHOOSE” to believe God’s promises. As a parent, I tell my children that they need to choose the right thing in every situation. It may not seem to be the best choice, but it must be the right choice to match what they know is true to their convictions. They will have to answer for every choice they make. Good or bad. SOooooooo why do I have such a hard time practicing what I preach??? I just need to make the right choice, to choose God’s promises instead of the enemy’s lies. His promises are SO MUCH BETTER!!!
Thanks for doing this & pray I can remain committed!!
Oh…. when I am doing a study… I go to my bedroom an hour early so that I can dig into the study and God’s Word. I am also limiting my facebook and the time I spend blog hopping so that I can be better with my time management.
I have been reading all the post from the women. But yours stuck out to me. From the little information in your post; on the surface I can point out how different our stories are. But what really struck me was how similar our struggles with the “whatifs” are. I am not a parent and on May 7th will celebrate our first anniversary. I have let those “whatifs” steal away joy, peace, and forgiveness from my life. Not because God has not tried to place them in my life but because of doubt and fear.
From your post I gather you need the accountability help Bc you are a wife, mother and …(very busy) . I on the other hand I am unable to work for health reasons. I do not have a problem with having time its that with out having someone to be accountable to I tend to be highly motivated in the beginning and the end. Its the middles I struggle with. I would love to offer up an idea that maybe we could work together on this study. If you are on facebook look me up @ Sarah Gustin Eaton.
So one thing I want to share is a while back I took a pretty intense online course where in addition to regular assignments, the teacher required us to post one of our own comments and reply to at least 3 others DAILY! (Sounds simple, but wasn’t) While at the time, it felt much different than the “easy” online coursework I was expecting, I learned more from that class than most in the classroom. I encourage any one of us who are struggling to connect at any time during the study, just apply that standard – or something similar – and it will change what you get from this!
There was a lot of information that stood out to me in chapter 1. But the one sentence that keeps speaking to me is “beyond believing in Him to really believing Him by relying on the power of His words and living like they are true no matter what my feelings tell me.” That was powerful to me. Being a woman brings a lot of different emotions to the plate daily, between hormones, stress, and self-doubt I sometimes doubt God’s love for me. I forget that He tells me I am fearfully and wonderfully made. This quote from the book reminded me that God still loves me even on my worst day. How I feel does not alter God’s love for me.
It’s 10:30pm EST Monday night. I’m back again reading through almost 100 new comments since I was on earlier today. You all bless me so much with your “thank yous” – I am a words of encouragement girl and you are filling me up. I love leading this study and honestly, just seeing you comment to each other makes my heart so happy. We need each other – we need to know we’re not alone – and when you comment and share your journey or your doubts – another woman reads it and nods her head. You remind her of those very truths. She is not alone. Someone is here who is so much like her.
I wish I could comment on every single one of your comments and some days I might get to but I’m thinking I better get to bed now. My eyes are crossing and I’ve got a big meeting for our P31 devotions all day tomorrow. I’ll be back to catch up with you thought so keep sharing your thoughts from chapter 1 and letting me know what adjustments you are going to give yourself the gift of a little more of God’s love!!
The sentence that really spoke to me was, “He’s led me beyond believing ‘in Him’ to erally ‘believing Him’ by relying on the power of His words and living like they are true no matter what my feelings tell me.” I really struggle with that. I know what I am SUPPOSED to believe… I have been in church my whole life. My Daddy was a Preacher so I know the Sunday School answers. But sometimes I let my feelings rule my beliefs rather than the other way around.
During this study I am believing for some life changing stuff for me and my family. I need to turn off the TV more and spend less time on Facebook. I do both of those things to unwind after a stressful day at work, but in the end they just stress me out worse! I need to devote the time to prayer, Bible study, reading for this study and fasting to see answers for my family. I look forward to this study and getting to know some of you better.
Thank you Renee for doing this online study with us! I am so excited to be here. I had been involved in this study at my church last year, but I wasn’t able to complete it due to a fire that destroyed mine and 6 other townhomes. Since then, I have been consumed with dealing with all the details of rebuilding our lives. I have been putting everything else in front of my relationship with God. One of the sentences that really resonated with me is on p. 24. “we’ll do the most important thing first: spend time digging deep into the heart and character of God so we can learn to depend on His heart toward us.”
I will be giving up tv time and just laying down some of the tasks that still need to be done, but will have to get done during the day or at a later time. I am going to be going to bed earlier so I can get up a little earlier and start my day off by meeting with God and not rushing right into showering and getting kids ready for school.
I am so excited to see what God does here!!