“Jesus did not die on the cross just to get us out of hell and into heaven.
He died on the cross to get Himself out of heaven and into us.
It’s what we were we made for. It’s why we long for glory.
The truth is, we were created to reveal glory – just not our own.
God created us in His image to reveal His glory by giving visibility to His invisible character within us. Christ in us is the hope of the glory. (Col 1:27)”
From Chapter 11, A Confident Heart
***
Our Word/Phrase for the week is: Created for Glory
Download and print our word for the week in a PDF or in MSWord.
His WORD for us this week: ” I have become its )the church’s) servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27, NIV)
From My Heart:
I am feeling sad and proud today!! I didn’t want to write this post because it’s our last one Word of the week for this go-round. It’s our last week together in my first online study (so I”m sad) but we did it ( so I’m proud)!!! Even if you aren’t yet reading chapter 11, I’m still proud of you because you’re here today which means you haven’t given up!!:0) Friend, let’s commit to throw off anything that hinders us this week so we can run with endurance and finish strong together — staying connected and committed to the end.
Staying Connected:
Please share your thoughts about what I shared from Chapter 11 at the top of this post. What are your thoughts us being created for glory – but just not our own. What are some other ways God is speaking to you so far in chapter 11. {If you’ve never commented before – I hope today is the day you do!!! And if you are a regular – don’t be shy please. I want to hear from all of YOU!!
{Just Click “share your thoughts” below this post and do just that. And if you are reading this via email click here to connect through the comments on my website!}
Discover more from Renee Swope
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Also meant to tell you that I told our women’s Bible study group about the book & they have decided to make this our next book study! Lovin’ it!
That is so encouraging!! Thank you for recommending it to them. I love that!!
Lovin’ this book! Thanks so much, Renee!
Renee, thank you so much for this study! I needed it so much and have enjoyed it more than any other study I’ve ever done. This is the first study I’ve done with the actual author and it made a difference! I felt like you were more like my friend walking me through this than some stranger! I am walking about VICTORIOUS because I was Created for Glory! Praise the Lord!!! This is now my “go to” book for gifts! I pray that everyone who reads this book will be as blessed as I was! Thank you again for this extra time you have provided to us!
I agree with Tasha and I am right there with you Tasha, Renee has walked us through it as a friend and not a stranger. And I for one am greatful to her for doing so. Renee you have such a Christ like heart even Jesus calls us friend. I am so grateful to God for Him putting you in my life.
I’m really excited about the realization that I’m not only forgiven for my past but that God is going to use it for good… I’m unsure of how that will happen and I do have a hard time wrapping my mind around being an avenue that Gods “splendor” can be seen. I am seeking Him diligently, I want to know Him and live with Him as my priority, my focus.
What a beautiful study. It has shook me to the core. I needed to see and believe what God sees and believes about me. Thank you for SPELLING it out for this busy mother of 5. We just celebrated my youngest sons 1st birthday yesterday, and today is a day of getting an infusion for a disease I know God is healing me of! Complete healing! Just sharing this, hoping a few others may come along and pray for healing as well as my son Chase (he is one of my 2 yr old twins), he too needs a touch from Jesus’ hand…he’s experiencing developmental delays and will have tests on May 8th… I can already see the hand of God moving on my precious boy.. I stand firm that he will begin to grow mentally, socially and physically…that he is going to be used for Gods glory in Mighty ways!! Praise Jesus Name!
Many blessings to you Renee..I plan on keeping my eyes open for any conferences you may do my way! I’m in South East Indiana…approximately an hour East of Cincinnati Ohio.
Angella, prayers are being sent up to our Heavenly Father for healing for your son Chase, for you, and for all your family. Thank you for sharing, Angella.
Thank you so very much! God Bless!
Thank you Renee … I so love the final word above … we are All Created for Glory … only HIS glory … yes and AMEN
This book has been wonderful and I now know why God screamed in my ear that I need to read it. He screamed because I ignored him the first few times I saw it. Renee you have such a way with words and I feel like God wanted me to read this now because I needed it right now. Your words were perfect and very comforting. As for the statement I above I agree that God made us to reveal that inner character of his within us. He has a plan for us. We need to be confident in him as well as confident within ourselves to put that plan into action and have the faith he is there with us. I will miss reading your post and being part of this study. Sad to see it end.
Amen Jenny I totally agree with you. I too neede this book right now only I din’t know it at first.
I was in the middle of a year long study & decided to wait on starting yours because I really did want to finish my year long study strong! I did, however, read some of the messages & looked at some of the study plans. Now I’m almost finish with my year long study (absolutely thrilled & so glad I will finish the commitment I started) & very excited about joining your next on-line study in April…..in fact, I can hardly wait!!
I just want to testify to the fact that you will not be disappointed. It is an amazing study…life changing!
I agree with Angella you won’t be disappointed and it will be life changing it was for me.
Thank you renee, this book was definately God ordained and alonged
With the bible study. Am signing up for the next one¡ lol so much rev
alation. Chapter 10 am still trying to process that ¡ it has been life changing
For me literly it has help me pack so much insecurity and fear an say no
More am desined for greatness not shame, not fear, not sickness, not feeling
Sorry formyself¡ no more dwelling on my flaws and mistakes ¡ because is in
My weakness he is the strongest when I let my complete trust fall to him
Is by grace he’s wonerdful grace he takes my mess and makes it he’s
Messaged. That what confident heart has done for me. Thank you sister for
Your obidience and your honesty because it set me free also. Your are
Trully a masterpiece of our creator¡ thank u lord for renee. Continue to enlarged
Her tent and give her continue streanth and favored in all areas of
Her life for she is your faithful servant your voice to your daughters
Of hope love and streanth.and for every
Single one of this sisters¡ you have desingned us for your glory
Let your will be done in our life and raise us up father manifes
t yourself
In our weakness tranforming them into our biggest streanth¡
for is threw them your masterpiece are formed. In jesus
Precious named I pray.
I was surprised when I read your post this morning as I have been reading “A Confident Heart” on my Kindle. It’s different not having a book in hand because you don’t realize you are nearing the end!! I too, think that I will be re-reading the book often and consulting all of my notes again and again! Thank you for a wonderful study!
It will not surprise you to know I am at a Starbucks doing my study. Actually, I read the final chapter a couple of nights ago. When I began the study I was preparing for a new semester at school. I spent Christmas break wondering if I would be separating form my husband or not, getting a job, staying in school, and dealing with all the struggles of 4 kids in my house. I entered the study wanting courage and encourage to do the “tough love” thing and not be a door mate anymore. I reviewed my first chapter questions in my journal:
#4) “See, I am doing a new thing.” (Isa. 43:19) Yes, You have Lord… I am still with my husband, one of the kids moved out on her own with my blessings, the two older girls kept us up most of the weekend dealing with their boy-issues, my son is adjusting to his new school and I am an intern for my college, taking 12 units and started my own blog last week.
I have started “More than just a good Bible Study girl” by Lysa in my church ladies group. When this is over I am going to volunteer to lead the next Bible Study “Confident Heart”. Yes, the Lord is doing a new thing.
I spent 4 hours yesterday printing out the verses on cards with the “what my head says”, What God says” part too. I made two copies for my 17 and 19 year old girls. They didn’t get home until late and got all the “issues” iron out for the present.
I created a special place in my house for me when our oldest moved out. I now have a place to talk to God and listen to Him at home, not just at Starbucks. My internship is exciting too. I’d appreciate all of your prayers for my Blog. http://gis-butterfly.blogspot.com
Today I am going to declare my faith. I wasn’t sure how I wanted to approach this, but I got the Air 1 scripture of the day : 2 Timothy 1:9 and Colossians 1:27 are a great begging. Thank you ladies, maybe we can keep the facebook page going and continue encouraging each other from there.
Shalom ~
Hey, I love your comment and I also went to your lovely blog! So encouraging. I saw you like needlework and my blog is a large portion of cross stitching antique samplers. I also blog about my faith and life. Would love to have you or others on here at my blog. It’s http://www.feathersinthenest.blogspot.com/
To this last chapter of the book, it is a sad ending as I was enjoying al the sisterhood here weekly. I have definitely had a special blessing when this started. I signed up for the Athen GA meeting and something came up so I saw this online and I think I’ve actually learned more by taking this long, chapter by chapter than I would have at the meeting.
I also declare my faith and during the last 11 weeks, my life has changed in many ways. Some I knew would in recovery of a divorce but many, many struggles that could have put me down but I seem to be blessed every day figuring out a way, putting it in God’s hands and faithfully knowing that He would never leave me like my family did. He would be here and I pray especially at night on my back porch as I look over the mountains and put the end of the day in God’s Hands. I have learned alot, in that putting positive thoughts, graceful and strong words of His wisdom around the house for reminders that I will make it.
Thank you for this online class. It’s made a huge difference in my life and I tried to pass that on and put your class motif on the right in the beginning of my blog’s side bar. I also posted on FB.
There are so many women without confidence and me included in some times but the positive thoughts and the timeline was very introspective.
Jennifer
Awesome Deena! Busy, exciting, and trying times!!! Let God redeem your marriage. He can work through really really broken places. School is a GREAT choice. Good for you!
This book and online study were just what my heart and mind needed and at the right time! Renee, you will continue to be an inspiration for me. I am so happy that I found you and Lysa in my life through PRO31. I am a few chapters behind in reading, so I will hopefully be able to finish those up this week and end with everyone else. God Bless you all. This has been a wonderful journey!
I struggle with feeling inferior and this study has helped to change my focus on Christ’s view of me. Thank you for allowing God to work through you and show Himself through you. I have learned so much.
I also have been so blessed!! I have grown over the past 11 weeks so much! My family and friends even notice the new confidence I have. I am sad this is our last chapter. I almost cried this morning!! I feel like I have made new friends that I am never going to see again! Thanks Rene for being obedient to your calling and for writing this book and sharing such personal stories with us! Love, Love, Love you!!
I read this last chapter last night. This book has been such a blessing. I started this study with a lot of unanswered questions (who I was in Christ, and what purpose does He have for me), and though I do not yet know what His purpose is for me, I feel so much hopeful than when I began this journey with you wonderful women. I have found more peach in my heart these last 11 weeks than the entirety of my walk with Christ since it really began in 2009. I have also attended 2 amazing seminars that companion well with this study. I have allowed Christ and my husband more access to life than I had been and though the outcome may have been not the most positive, I knew that with Christ I could get through whatever it was. Wouldn’t you all know, He blessed me beyond measure instead and that was more than I could’ve hoped for given the circumstance. Our God is so gracious and faithful ladies; there is no other like Him and I am so blessed to have learned all of this in the company of godly women across the continents.
Blessings to you all.
I am sad too that we are at the end. It is my second time through the book and with the online bible study. Congratulations Renee on this most amazing online study – your first! I continue to grow reading through the book again and I thank God for bringing you Renee, this book and P31 before me! May God continue to bless you and your teachings through the next Confident Heart online bible study!
God loves you Renee, and so do I!
Thank you Linda!! What a sweet blessing you are to me and Jesus!! I know you have blessed HIM and so many others as you have been seeking Him and living in the power of His promises for you. I’m so glad you were part of this online study!!
Hi, This has been an uphill struggle for me to get through the book…not because it isn’t good, but because of situations around me (and struggles in my head/heart). I will be reading chapter 11 soon. What God showed me is that even though I have been feeling weary…I haven’t given up. (Just like you said in the post on top of this page.) I was thinking that before I signed on and read your words.
Perhaps sometimes, even if we look a bit bedraggled at the end, just still “being there” is what counts. In my weakness…He is my strength.
Even more, what you said about Jesus desiring to live His life in us and through us. When you are weak, you realize this is the ONLY way it could ever happen…and to Him be ALL the glory!
Thank you for your work…and perseverance….I know that when you work to help others become free…the enemy is on your tail. So may you know you are “encamped” about by the Angel of the LORD (Jesus)…because you fear His Name. God bless you!
Oh Carla….parts have made me weary as well! I am finishing the race though! I won’t be one of the lovely ladies…..glistening with perspiration and looking pretty in a brand name jogging suit and new running shoes. I’ll be one of those dripping with sweat, ragged worn out shoes and snags in my clothes from falling down a good bit. HA But He has been with me, lifting me and encouraging me the entire time. It’s so been worth it.
Thank you, Renee….from my heart and soul. I will treasure this book and the notes I have taken….and this “retreat” like experience you have taken me on. My God, my God…..I needed it.
Way to go K!! So proud of you too – for persevering and believing that you are worth what it takes to get all that God has for you! And what an honor it is to be part of your journey – to be here cheering you on – praying for you and asking Jesus to remind you again and again of His truths that have set you free!
Carla!! I’m so proud of you for being here – when we show up He shows us in US and for us!! Praying for you to have quiet moments to steal away with Him to keep reading and letting HIM Love on you and encourage you. This is a journey and you are doing great – keep persevering my friend!! You bless me!!
This post is awesome! I’ve purchased some of the stuff online, but the thing I’m most curious about is the suntints, I brought au rose, are they sticky? Your blog is great! Yo&2#8u17;ve been bookmarked Kiewwa01 xx
This has been a great study…I am sad to have it come to an end but I feel like it is going to be a book that is on my must read once a year list just to keep the ideas fresh in my heart and mind. I love all the reminders of God and His faithfulness to us. Thanks for your teaching Renee,
I love the idea of reading it once a year – I need to do that too. Funny how God’s truths are new every morning and even when you write a book – you need to be reminded of them again and again. Stay in touch Beth — would love to keep hearing how God is working in your life and growing your confidence in HIM!!
It is amazing that we are already at the end of this study. I am amazed at myself at sticking with it to the end as i tend to start many things, but never finish. This book and the study that goes with it has really helped me with alot of my self doubt and my confidence around other people. I am a natural introvert, but am finding my voice because of the encouragement and teaching from an amazing teacher in you Renee. I know that God has been working in me, but still has some work to do. I find old habits try to rear their ugly heads, but with God all things are possible, and eventually I feel I can overcome them. And to know that we are chosen by God to carry out His word, and His love, just makes me feel….well….there is no words for it. God has blessed me through this study, and even though I wasn’t a regular commentor….i enjoyed reading many of the comments. Thank you again Renee and all you ladies that made this journey so amazing. Blessing to all thru the name of our Saviour Jesus Christ.
I”m so proud of you Sherri for sticking with it to the end and staying close to Jesus. I love that you drew encouragement from the study and others’ comments. I loved reading them too – even when I wasn’t able to comment. You all gave me just as much as I gave you!!
Praying this week’s chapter blessed you big!!
Haven’t read the chapter yet, but the fact that God has a plan for me and it is for His glory is Awesome!!!
Can’t wait for you to read the chapter and hear how amazing His plans are – just for you!!
This study has really blessed my heart and Im very thankful to you for sharing with us all! I will be going through it again and again because the truths are so very needed. I have written down the names of God and carry them in my purse, have one beside my bed and copied them onto my phone so that they are available to me at any time!Im really sad that we have come to the end also! I so enjoyed this study and it has me thinking in ways never thought of before! Thank you so much Renee
Thank you Kari for sharing how much this study has meant to you – and all the ways you are getting God’s Names in front of you. I love that you are putting them on your phone. That is a great idea!!
Praying you will keep A Confident Heart by your bedside and pull it out as you need to remember His promises and confidence in you as HIS child!! And if you want some extra encouragement, hop over here any time. We’ll be reading through the book again starting April 23rd.
Wow, I could not have said it better myself Kari! I too have been blessed by this study. It was challenging as well as refreshing. Yesterday, in my diabetic journal i had written the acronym for G.R.A.C.E. and on of the names of the Lord that i would think on. However, the funny is i wrote the acronym wrong instead of Riches i had put in Redemption. which works too because we have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus. I too Renee am sad because i truely enjoyed reading everyones post and was encouraged by their words though i did not post much it has truely been inspiring. What i learned in chapter 11 can be summed up in this. That i really know that God loves me just the way He created me and knows every part of me. My desire is to please Him with my life and to do that which he wants me to do. Renee, thank you for sharing your life both the ups and downs it was very encouraging. I love the story of Gideon. I have read it over and over again and trusting God to be my Jehovah Jirah- my provider and El Shaddai-My ALL Sufficent one. I will write them all down and keep them with me so i will remember who he is and also the ones that say who i am in him. Blessings to you Renee and again Thank you!