“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
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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!}
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This was a humbling ending to an excellent study. Thank you! God has touched my heart through your writings and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to read your book and be a part of your ministry.
Thank you.
Wow…thank you Renee for the book and this wonderful study! It has renewedChrist in me in SO many ways. Thank you ladies for all of your support, prayers and comments. I am sad this is our last week, although I will be continuing with my study, and re-reading this wonderful book!
I haven’t started Ch. 11…but I will tonight! I cant wait!
Thank you! And God bless you all!
Thank you Renee for this study. Chapter 8 really helped me. I had my bible study, girls I work
with and my husband do the personality traits. Most traits were similar , except my husbands.
Of course he sees me different then others, we are together most of the time :). I have been
praying a lot how I can serve god in the community and my church. He answered my prayers
through this study in chapter 8. The feed back that I received helped me balance my strengths
and weaknesses to discover where I needed to serve.
Blessings to you Renee and all you do! Thank you.
After reading Chapter 8, I prayed and became active in that area of my life, my passions and talents. I had applied to grad school and I have been in a process of waiting to hear back. Recently I overheard someone at work discussing my application and saying that she did not believe I would be good at my chosen field. Its a technical degree, one that requires skill. At first, I let her words sink in deep into my heart. This would have previously bothered me and caused self doubt, as well as negative thoughts for who knows how long. But immediately, I recognized that she doesn’t provide me with the skill, but God does. And He has gifted me, given me the courage to apply, and the confidence to know that it doesn’t matter what I do (whether I get accepted into the program or not).. but who I am in Him. I read my verses from Ps 139 and went on about my day, choosing to see that I am Christ’s child and His thoughts about me are what really matters.
I know this burst of confidence has been from my growing in Him through this study. I just wanted to say thank you for this book, the study, and for your time Renee. I have enjoyed the online aspect as well, reading other stories from people and seeing how everyone encourages one another in Christ. Beautiful!!
Asking God to be my peace. Since I am created for glory I need to fight the lies of satan. He has been fighting hard today. God is in control. He loves me–let me learn that is enough,please, Father
I am a news follower of your website, I brought your book a few months ago but only have gotten thru a few chapters. So I am looking forward to the studing with you in April. GOD Bless you always
This study has enhanced my leadership with my Sabbath ladies and sr hi Lenten prayer group. It has also made me more faithful to follow my personal spiritual disciplines. Having read this chapter that concluded with encouraging words, I set my alarm for 6am and text every student I have. The words were simple
Good morning, have a great day, remember you are loved. The response was overwhelming from the youth. “thanks, I needed that today”. “bless you too”, Going to be a great day”, “thanks for thinking of me,” I can count on you to remind me what is really important”. So never underestimate the power of encouraging words!
I forgot to say that there have been times in the last 3 years that I have been at the point of checking out on life. The times when the pain has been so severely bad that I almost turned my car into an oncoming log truck, the time I searched the house for any medications strong enough to do me in, the times I have thought of driving out into the woods to kill myself so no family member would have to find me. God brought me out of each of those times and if we seek him he will take that pain and trade it for peace. He is enough.
Becky, I feel for you. I’ve had thoughts of that nature before and wondered who would really care if I was not here. God brought me out of those times, as a survivor of domestic violence many times in my life though I have to say I wonder if any on earth, especially family would even care as they are so distant.
Through this course, I have let go of any promise that my adult children will respond and even though I don’t know why they choose to painfully hurt me, I know who the Judge will be one day and it’s out of my hands. I’m still in the peace recovery phase of a horrendous divorce where my life was threatened. I guess December was the lowest aftermath even though I tried to stay positive. I prayed very hard and serious and then met a wonderful Christian man that I know was meant to cross my life path. The pain of the years before the divorce still emerges without me wanting them to. I know that if I don’t forget it then I will ruin another person’s life and I’m trying real hard but I’m so ready for peace. Even until this week, so many months later I am still dealing with issues, legally and at home about what happened. So, I hope peace does come one day.
Jennifer Ann, thank you for your response, I pray Lord, you bless Jennifer with your peace and your comforting presence. I pray you put good people around her to help her be encouraged. I know you will give her promises from your word to that specifically apply to her life situation. Be encouraged Jennifer Ann. God bless you and heal every part of the bad memories, and may you be filled with hope. Love in Christ, Becky
Dear Sisters in Christ, I have been devouring Chapter 11 all this AM. I am sensing growth in the area of confidence, faith, trust from participating in this Bible Study. Renee, the Lord anointed your writing, and willingness to let us see your less than perfect parts, so that we know we are not the only imperfect Christian women and that God can use us too. August of 2008, I remember praying to the Lord to bring revival in my immediate family and extended family. Many family members had fallen away from their relationship in Christ. Since that date all but 1 of the items from Melissa Taylor’s devotion on pages 211 & 212 have happened. I at times have cried my heart out to the Lord “why when I asked for revival, have I seen so much destruction?” I am so much closer and dependent on the Lord since that day, my confidence and trust and faith have multiplied and I know, Yes God is enough. I am still waiting to see the fruit of my prayers, and the prayers of others for my family members. But I do know God is enough. I am more at peace than I have ever been, in my 33 years of knowing Jesus as my Savior. God bless all of you women out there and you are in my prayers.
I am sad and glad. Sad that this is ending–I still need to read the chapter, but very glad I signed up again for the next one in April. It has been a blessing to me and it has given me the confidence to approach God with confidence and not to cower from him or run away. I still have a long way to go and I am glad you are offering this again. Thanks so much for a powerful study. It will go hand in hand with The Untroubled Heart by Micca Campbell. Blessings!
Dear Renee,
I have so enjoyed this study! As with all things God does, it came at just the right time in my life. I can’t thank you enough for you sharing your talents and love for Jesus with us. I may do this study with you again, as I tend to get even more the 2nd time!
Your friend in Christ – Jean
Gosh, I am so sad to see the study end but I am so excited to see what Christ is doing in me. Thank you for sharing your very heart and soul with us and allowing God to work through you. To be able to see that it is ok to fall and to teach us how to fall but most of all to keep our focus on Him and to trust that He knows what is best for us no matter what. Thank You Again!
Created for His glory…in his image…His righteous, redeemed, Holy, CHILD! If we could only remember this when we are in the midst of a battle and remind ourselves how beautiful God says we are and how very much we mean to Him… Thank you for a wonderful study and for helping so many to develop their “Confident Heart”!
This has been a great study. My eyes have been opened to things in God’s Word that I haven’t seen before. But I to Renee about it ending. It has been challenging and inspiring to read and I know I will be reading it again and again. I have also been sharing what I have been learning with other sisters from our church here in Colorado Springs, CO and I have sparked some interests in the book. So much that a couple of the sisters said they were going to take advantage of the deal at Amazon and have it either put on their phone or kindle I have it both ways because I just love the book so much. I heard about this book through the Proverbs 31 Ministries email devos that I receive and I love them all as well. I have thanked God for blessing you Renee for writing this book it is a book that so many women need. I being one of them.I love your heart Renee you have a devotion for God and it rubs off on others around you, so keep up the good work and keep in the race and keep inspiring others of Gods great work and healing powers. I now even have a new charater in the Bible to keep in mind when I struggle with my faith that is Gideon, what an amazing story that was to hear thanks for sharing it with so many Renee and also thanks Renee for sharing so much of your own story. Much of your story I can relate to so your not alone, not by any means. May God bless you Rneee and all of the other sisters as weel that have been doing this study with you. God Bless to all and have an awesome day.
I am so Blessed to have been given the Opportunity to get to know you and all the other Mighty Women of God from this online study.God has gave me the insight of knowing My Past doesn’t determine my Future.Who I was then is not Who I am now.I thank Him that He gives us a growing Grace so that we can become the Women of God he sent us to be.I Love the Part where you talk about in Chapter 11 As we become Confident in Christ we will then become a Display of God’s Splendor.The Lord lights my Path and all I have to do is listen to His Instructions to keep me firmly on the path of Righteousness.The Word saaids God’s Word is a lamp unto my feet and a Light unto my Path.[PSALM 119:105-107]I have taken my oath and confirmed it with Confidence that I will follow the Precepts that My Father has laid out before me.Therefore I will find all I need for Healing,Prosperity,peace and Contentment.[ST.MATTHEW 5:2-12]Peace is the Guardian of my heart and mind I refuse to let my heart be troubled any longer.When the storms of life come I will let Peace be the Anchor for my Soul.The Lord is Jehovah -Shalom He is my Peace.Therefore I fear Nothing.I will live out my days on this earth in a full and Abundant life.I love that Gideon built a Altar to the Lord and called it THE LORD IS PEACE.Sister Renee you have helped me get off the milk and now onto the meat of God’s Word.You are a Beautiful Reflection of God’s Love.I Pray many many Bless years in the Ministry for you and that you know what a Blessing you are and how you are a soul Winner[PROVERBS 11:30]You have left an iimpact on my heart I will never forget you my Friend and SIster in Christ.
I am still struggling to catch up and to be honest this was one of the most difficult books I have ever read. Not because it wasn’t a great book, but totally the opposite. Mostly because you have readers deal with some very difficutl things in their lives, which for me has been extremely tough to deal with and some things you have asked us to do, I just plainly could not. I don’t want to rehash stuff that is suppose to be forgotten and than I question if God really is telling me to do just that. To heal a part of my heart that I haven’t been able to deal with for years. I have shed many tears reading this book, but some things I just could not do on my own. So I am wondering can I do this bible study again, and also wondering if my husband could do this with me together. We both are going through some issues depressions seems to be a main one and both of us finding out who we are in Christ Jesus would really make the difference in how we value ourselves, each other, and how we live our lives. So Renee can this book be done by a man and can I do this study again but with my hubby? I really feel God calling me to this book, because how often do someone start out with a book and not finish it, and then get an email saying it is starting up again. Not by chance I don’t think but God appointed. And now your offering it again, and I still think this is God moving in my situation and teaching me something but hopefully with my hubby. Your response is greatly appreciated. Hugs.
Absolutely!! I would love for you and your husband to do this study together – and to be part of it here online in late April. If you all want, I can do a video with my husband and share our story of walking through all of this together and individually. He’s read my book once and just recently picked it up again because he needed to remember and apply some things again.
Let me know your thoughts – from those married and not married. :0)
Renee, doing a video(s) with you and your husband sharing together would be an excellent addition.
And, Thank you Renee for your dedicated devotion to helping us women. Can’t wait until the next study.
Renee this would mean so much to me and to him. I know that right now he thinks that it is aimed more for women and to have your husband relate to the book and inspiring men would be an absolute turning point to my hubby being commited to doing a book that isn’t just for ladies but for men too. Thanks so much for thinking of this and being so willing to be used to reach out to men as well. Love you for that! Hugs.
Yes, on you and JJ doing a video together! God introduced you to me during a webcast by Lysa TerKuerst during her Made to Crave study last year. You and JJ were both on the webcast. And feel free to include a little bleep of Aster! :0)
Renee – I just wanted to take a minute to thank you for this Bible Study. It truly has helped me come to terms with the fact that God loves us no matter. We need to be confident in His love and share our hearts with others. I too am sad that this is the last chapter. I pray you will do more online bible studies in the future. THANK YOU!
Page 207 “He wanted me to depend solely on Him for my confidence. He used that season to draw me into a place of sweet surrender.” God uses all our “seasons” for our good and His glory!!! Thank you so much, Renee for sharing your life, your struggles, your surrender to God with us!! You have made a wonderful difference in my life!!! This is the second time I have done this study and God continues to speak to me through it!!! Blessings and (((HUGS)))!!!! Anita <3
Renee, I know you probably hear this often, but this study came at a “God-appointed” time in my life. I heard about the study through the Prov. 31 devotional that I had been receiving via email. I have been a christian many years but have always struggled with fear of man and insecurities so I decided to check out the study, which began of course in the middle of Jan. Well, at the end of December, with much prayer, my family needed to leave our church after 20 yrs. and then shortly after my husband got laid off of his job after 14 yrs. We had been feeling change for quite some time and here it was. Well, many things transpired and we ended up moving to Alabama about 3 weeks ago. (I have only moved once in my life from AK to CA). Your study has been so instrumental during this whole time, because talk about the fear, doubt, and insecurities, especially the last 3 months. Each week as I would struggle through all the changes, and wondering whether God was with us, and as I read each chapter and journaled, you would say things that would hit home to how I was feeling. It would give me faith again and hope in God. I still have days where fear and doubt try to get me down because my husband is still looking for work and a place to live here in Huntsville, AL, but I pick up your book to read on and I feel God’s peace in your words and stories. On a side note, several months ago I had been sensing singing and worship stirring up in my heart again. (I was a worship leader for about 12 yrs before but haven’t been active in music for many yrs…too long of a story to get in to.) Your book, as well as God, has been stirring up those things in my heart and is giving me the confidence again to step out in the gift that God called me to many years ago. I thought God didn’t want me to do ever lead worship again because I was told that women shouldn’t lead. Anyway, thank you so much for the study. My story is still being laid out as my family is forging on in this new place and new church we are attending. I am excited because I am going to a conference in Birmingham that Lysa T. will be ministering. I am sad its ending too!
So sad that this part is ending, but happy that I can sign up again and keep reading on my own. I finished chapter 11, but will go back to it and underline the parts that stand out for me. Renee, it was great meeting you on Satuday at Faithlift. What a blessing you are. God has given you a wonderful gift. I am so excited for what God has in store for me, also. I am no longer going to doubt my self and keep continuing to seek God on a daily basis. I know that God will use my life to touch others, but most important to show my family that God is the most important person in my life and he has given me so many blessings. I will look back on my past to see how I want to live my future and it is defintely staying in prayer and being faithful to God and using what he will give me to turn around and touch someone else’s life. Blessings, Elaine