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Renee Swope

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

{Week 1} To Be Known Is to Be Loved – chapter 2

Jerem 3.5

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We’re going to read chapter 1 and 2 this week, so today I wanted to lead those of you who are ready to go with me to the next chapter.

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…”

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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 below. Please click the arrow to watch it  – 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)

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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. If you already did or you are just starting, read it slowly and highlight or underline sentences that resonate in your heart. Journal your thoughts if you want the lessons to stay with you.

Connect in Community:

What about today’s video or sentences in Chapter 2 resonate most with you?

  • Please click “Share Your Thoughts” below this post and do just that.  (REMEMER: If  you are reading this via email, you will need to click here to go to my blog to watch the video and share in the comments section.)
  • Optional: If you are on Facebook and/or Twitter, I’d love for you to share your favorite quotes on our Confident Heart Community Facebook Page and/or share them with me on Twitter (@reneesswope) I’d love to retweet them! Also let’s use #AConfidentHeart as our hashtag. 🙂

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Comments

  1. Renee, I read with interest the statement that you wrote to Ashley…

    “Salvation is not a feeling, it’s a decision. I just want to make sure you know that. Salvation is about turning to Jesus and turning away from sin and our self-focused life. That is the first step of saying “I do.”

    I also struggle with the salvation question…. I know I made the decision but than I also get confused and feel that no one could love me and I’m not good enough….. Thank you for the words of your response.

  2. The video was powerful. Jesus met the woman at the well. He met me when I was very young. But my concept of God was skewd because I am the adult daughter of an alcoholic who walked away from the ministry when I was two. My mom faithfully prayed to God but it would be seventeen years before my dad would walk away from alcoholosm and return to God. How did this affect me? Too many ways to be recounted. I married young. I had many years of self loathing for mistakes I made, I have walked with God for many years but some times I isolate because of things in my life. Now I run to the Jesus who met the woman at the well. I am forgiven and redeemed. Neil Anderson writes in the booklet “The Steps to Freedom in Christ some truths about God. I have put them in the positive for you. My God is intimate and involved not distant and disinterested. My God is kind and compassionate not insensitive and uncaring. My God is accepting and filled with joy and love not stern and demanding. My God is warm and affectionate not passive and cold. My God is always with me and eager to be with me not absent or too busy for me. My God is patient and slow to anger not impatient, angry, and rejecting. My God is loving, gentle and protective not mean, creul, or abusive. My God is trustworthy and wants to give me a full life, His will is good, perfect, ans acceptable not trying to take the fun out of life. My God is full of grace and mercy, and he gives me the freedom to fsil not controlling or manipulative. My God is tenderhearted and forgiving, His heart and arms are always open to me not condemning or unforgiving. Lastly, my God is commited to my growth and proud of me as His beloved child not a nit picking, demanding perftionist. I am the apple of His eye. Today, I am still married, I have a good relationship with my dad and my husband but I still struggle with my own insecurities but in my heart I know I am loved. Blessings…diana

    • What a wonderful way to draw close to God by seeing how He blesses you! Thanks for this encouraging post!

    • Thanks for that. I need to constantly remember Gods goodness and not focus on the negative things in my life. I think i might copy those God is phrases so I can put them up to look at regularly. Or get the book! I strugle with finding turths to replace the rubbish that constantly comes into my head, to take every thought captive. My days are very up and down, one day very positive that I can do it because of Gods strength and believing him for the futre,holding onto the hope and promises given to me and/my husband; then next day struggling with it isn’t going to change and my husband’s choice of seperation and wanting a divorce is the outcome, rather all that God has given us and promised us. I constantly have to trust God that he is in control and to focus my eyes on him- the light and the truth. That only God can change my husband and soften his heart. that I can change and be the women god called me to be despite my circumstances. He is Lord of my life and I love him. He is my healer and my redeamer. I can be an example to my children to keep my eyes on him and to praise and worship him because of his goodness. He has been my help, my strength, my shelter. He has provided for me, by givng friends around me when i need them, for finanaces, for support. I can look back and see how he is drawing me closer to him, how he has put the right people in place at the right time for different problems or moments of need. Yet I still struggle on a day to day basis with my insecurities and self doubt, and then as Job would be I find Gods strength to carry on to pick up my feet and stand tall, because of my God is greater then the things of this world. and as in ephesians through my faith I can see the bigger picture, not looking at things with a tunnel vision( as in driving) but seeing the bigger picture and being more aware from a wider perspective.
      My God is great and he is faithful. it is because of him that that I can do this. I can look after four young children, stay in my faith, and he still uses me to bless others, to share at church and contribute by his leading. He still uses me and speaks thruogh me, he still uses me as his vessel no matter what the circumstances and all glory goes to him.
      It is amazing! His ways are higher than our ways. It might not make sense to us but he knows what he is doing he sees the bigger picture. He is in all and above all.
      I get excited about what he has for for me and that there is so much more. I have to trust he will show me the way and that his timing is perfect.
      Babs.

  3. there were some things that I underlined as I reread chp. 2 today. One of the sentences that caught me was that He is there in those mornings where we can’t stop criticizing ourselves for messing up the day before. I’ve done things and not done things that have caused me to not pray for days or even weeks because I knew God was upset with me and if I didn’t go to him I didn’t have to hear what he would say. Anyone else? I still knew that He knew what I had done or didn’t do that he had asked me to do. But God is merciful and never leaves us even when we leave him. One of the questions at the end asks us when we need his assurance and his presence the most. I guess I need it the most in the midst of chaos and when I’m feeling alone and unloved. When I get time it helps to put worship music on and just get lost in his presence.

    • Love your realness Pam. I think we’ve all been there.

      It’s kind of like how Adam and Eve thought they were hiding from God in the garden. He knows. He knows where we are … He knows what we’ve done … even before we’ve done it …. He just wants our obedience to ask for forgiveness.

      Love how you put your worship music on!

      Blessings and prayers as God continues to transform your heart into a heart like his. I always have to remember … progress not perfection.

      Donna

      • Thank you Donna. I’m really trying to let God work in me and trying to lean on Him and trust His word. I’ve been a christian since I was a teen but I’ve also walked away from him for periods of time. I’m hoping with the help of this book I can finally let God show me where my insecurities started so that I can finally be whole and free. He is the potter and we are the clay and may He mold each of us into a vessel He can pour through.

  5. Im doing this study, and just started learning to spend time with the Lord daily every morning this is something i have struggle with so long to do, its always worked againts me. I ask for prayers please because i find i have had alot of things coming againts me lately, one i had freinds i was close to, drop me and hang out together without me, just throw me aside like yesterdays dirt. I have had a good freind that i have been with for 8 years be discouraging to me, and tell me things that dont even make sense and now we are barely talking, she wants me to except things her way or its the highway. I have also my fiances parents having troubles and it effecting me, i have health problems and depression i have had my meds changed and i need something that is more than what i have to make me feel the way i should, i know how i need to feel, i dont think im using medication as a crutch like i was told by my freind of 8 years, but i believe that it is helping me live a somewhat normal life. I am cranky alot lately and short with people. I just dont know what to do our believe. Please pray for me. Thank you

      • Lisa,

        Go back and read page 23 through page 26 of Chapter 1 again especially the scriptures. Take note cards and write the scriptures on your note cards. Read and reread each scripture and claim God’s promises for you. And add this one to collection:

        Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

        God loves you with an everlasting unfailing love! Take it! Claim it! Believe it!!

        Praying for you.
        Donna

        • Donna was just looking for prayers, that would be much appreciated, i have and will try many things, prayer is what is needed now.

    • Father God, in the Name of Jesus, I lift Lisa to You. Thank You for Your deep and great love for her. Please help her to be strong in her inner man and to keep her eyes, heart and mind fixed on You. Please help her to rest your in Your strong, everlasting, arms – Your embrace, and help Lisa to hear Your voice and words of assurance, and yes, perhaps words of correction – but always in love. Thank You that You love us enough to discipline us and not leave us where we are. Thank You we can know You have our best in Your heart. Father, You know Lisa’s heart to have quiet time with You. May nothing get in her way, may voices other than Yours be silenced and she hear clearly your still small voice – as she reads Your Word, sits quietly before You, or is listening to a message from another brother or sister in Christ. I pray that the lies of the enemy, her flesh, and the world would be silenced, in the Name of Jesus, and bound. We pray for the cleansing, purging, preventing, preserving, persevering, blood of Jesus to flood Lisa’s life and refresh her in Your love, mercy and grace. Thank You, Father, for Your unfailing, unrelenting love. Thank You that You are her healer. May she be healed physically, spiritually, socially, emotionally and mentally by the stripes Jesus bore. Please help Lisa to lean on and into Jesus as her very best friend and let Him lead her to friends with whom she can relate and whom she can trust. Please help us all to let go of the past and move forward in our Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank You!

      Love you, sweet sister!

  6. How do I print out Chapter 2? I don’t have a book yet and I can’t find a download for Chapter 2 on this page? Do I have to subscribe every day? I watched the video . . . powerful, but want to read Chapter 2.
    HELP !!!!

    • You have to buy the book, or you can download a kindle version on Amazon, and either use a kindle, kindle app, or kindle for PC to read the book. Good luck!

  7. Renee, thanks for chapter 2 The Samaritan Woman. That story is my favorite because all of us can see ourselves in her. She lived a life that she was not proud of but Jesus still loved her anyway. We all want to be loved for who we are. 1 Corinthians 13, I had it read at my wedding because it explains the true meaning of love. There is heavenly love and there is earthly love and no comparison between the two. Earthly love is what creates the self doubt if only we are pretty enough, smart enough, have the certain name or have the big house or drive a certain car. But heavenly love, we don’t have to compare ourselves to anyone and feel very confident on who we are when we stay focused on the scriptures tell us. I am in my mid forties and never have I read the bible as much as I do now. One Christmas morning, I received a gift from my husband a new bible. He knew I wanted one that was easy to read so that I could better understand the scriptures. Its amazing how it is helping me to grow closer to God and to his son Jesus and now I am learning how to throw away the self doubts. God created me and therefore I am beautiful.

    • Lisa, I too see myself in the story of the Samaritan Woman, I cry everytime I read it, or hear it. I was so happy when I first learned that Jesus loves me, no matter what I have done in the past. I still walk with a mask at times, with other people. I have been hurt so many times, and I often have the perception that others are judging me, probably because I have already judged myself and found myself guilty. It is incredible that the Lord can love me, even though at times I have been so unlovable. That He knows me and loves me! Now that is something to be excited about! I loved the video, it really touched my heart. I pray that we all see ourselves the way that Jesus sees us, that we can truly feel the excitment that Sam felt, when she realized who Jesus is, and that He loved her enough to talk to her. He loves us so much, that He pursues us, He offers us unconditional love, living water, so that we can be satisfied, that the emptiness inside each of us can be filled, to overflowing….Amen <3

    • Love that Lisa. Earthly out performance based love and God’s action based love. I would add feelings to that list of earthly love. They are so fickle.

  9. I love spending time with you all here – Im really visual so I imagine we’re in my living room talking and each of you are sharing your thoughts. I love that no one has to worry about interrupting or saying too much or talking too long. Isn’t’ that the best?

    And as I read your stories and your thoughts, I’ve prayed for you today. I’ll hop back on tonight. For now I need to get to work – Im under a big deadline to turn in the manuscript for my Confident Heart devotions book – due this week {YIKES!}

    Im going to be thinking about each of you and what you have shared as I write – and ask Jesus to give me content that will speak to hearts like yours in this new book :).

    So honored and blessed to be on this journey with you!
    Renee

    • I’m behind in reading the posts but just wanted to thank you Renee for your book and this Bible study. I love that you are really taking this journey with us here. Also, I have been praying for you. I’m excited to see that this book will also be in devotion format. Thank you!

    • I’m catching up on the posts this morning. Renee I am praying for you as you finish writing A Confident Heart devotions. Praying for His Divine Wisdom & His Words as you seek to share His Truths.

  10. Video is fabulous! Heard of one to come who could save a wretch like me! I AM HE….those words keep playing over and over in my mind…Amazing Grace!

  12. This quote from the chapter just really struck me: “He wants us to go below the surface by asking Him to show us why we want what we want. Then we can ask Him if what we want is really what we need.” I think it takes all kinds of courage to ask this question because I know my motives are not always the purest. And I expect I’m afraid that what I want is not what I really need. Thankfully, I know that if I have the courage to ask the question, Jesus will be with me as I receive the answer, even if it’s not what I really had wanted to hear.

  13. Yada..Yada…now I understand. And know that I can start running into the arms of Jesus!

  14. Chapter 1 was incredible last night. It really helped me realize my self doubts and the reflection at the end of the chapter really helped. I am learning so much and stretching my faith through the help of this book.

  15. I’m still reading through Chapter 2, but the video was amazing. The part that stuck with me most was “I want someone to look at my face….” down to, “Now I keep to myself and by that I mean the pain that keeps me in my own private jail…” Love that part because I know that feeling all to well! I have isolated myself and have tendencies to only have one friend at a time because I don’t feel worthy enough to be around a lot of people or I’m worried what they will think of me, do I talk to much , I’m not in the right social class, I don’t dress as nice, etc. That is a jail that is terrible to live in! Because of this I miss out or loose many great friendships. I’m too scared or insecure to try and fight for friendships to hold on to them. Because of this I’ve delt with feeling alone even though I’m surrounded by friends and family! Just a sense that I don’t fit in, so when she gets to the part in the video “For to be known is to be loved and to be loved is to be known…. AND YOU KNOW ME, ALL OF ME AND EVERYTHING ABOUT ME…” scares me to know He knows all of me, but what a comfort and honor that though He knows me, my thoughts, my heart , HE still loves me!! I can’t wait to continue on this journey and see how He changes me! Have a blessed Tuesday everyone!

    • I feel the same way too. We will OVERCOME as we go through this study together. Looking forward to victory! 🙂

  16. I truly believe that God will take me at my weakest spiritual moment…and that I WILL be strong enough….”for I am weak and He is strong”. Hold me, Lord, with a confident heart…..

  17. I’m very thankful for this study. Then enemy is constantly attacking and trying to keep me from doing this, and from me getting anything from it. Please keep me in prayer. My mind gets overwhelmed easily and I can’t remember things I’ve just read. Lack of confidence has kept me a prisoner my entire life. I need this badly!

  18. I loved in the video how she keeps saying, “For to be known is to be loved and to be loved is to be known.” How many times do we pretend to assume things about others when don’t really know them? How often do people do the very same thing to me?

    I’ve always loved the story of the Samaritan woman, which I believe is the longest recorded dialogue of Jesus. And we don’t even know her name. But perhaps that was the point. That Jesus knew it and that’s all that mattered. I can relate to her feelings of not worth staying for and not worth getting to know. How I’d love to hear Jesus’ tone when he told her that she has had five husbands. I can’t imagine how many times she had been condemned by others and now she is expecting to be condemned by Jesus. But He must have spoken with such love and gentleness that instead of feeling rejected, she felt accepted.

    And I’m amazed at the transformation. She was the village outcast who didn’t dare to draw water with everyone else. But one conversation with Jesus gave her the security and confidence to proclaim the good news to everyone in town. Her own fears of rejection and inadequacy were melted away by His love and wisdom that she wasn’t afraid anymore. And if the other villagers chose to reject her, then they would be the ones missing out! How the tables have turned because of Jesus.

    • Julie you have stated this “right on target”. This is also my favorite Biblical story of Jesus. He went to Samaria especially for her. Thanks for reminding me that once she had been filled with the living water, the opinions, and condemnation of others were of no concern to her. Also, despite how she had been treated, she wanted to share the good news with others. Praise Him Hallelujah!

    • I love what you said about tone, Julie! I think I often filter other’s tones through my insecurity and they sound so condemning. Jesus must have indeed been so loving and gentle that her own fears and rejection just melted away…and to think, He feels the same way about me! It makes me love Him all the more.

  19. Wow! I had read the script before I listened to it. The very last line is ringing in my ears: “Need it for our own.” We have the love Jesus for own. Praise Him. To really believe Jesus for me and live in and out of that love – that is another issue. I so want to do that. I do know of His love for me and am so thankful for it. May I honor Him with my love for Him and like Him, my love for those around me.

    I like your acronym for “fine” on page 31 Frazzled, Irritated, Neurotic and Exhausted. We need to be honest with one another. I had the blessed experience on Resurrection Sunday of spontaneously praying for a sister in Christ who was honest with me when I asked how she was doing? She told she was struggling with some things in her life. She was nearly in tears. I asked if I could hug her. She said, yes, and as I hugged her, and she cried, I whispered a prayer in her ear. Wow! That was God. He is so very good.

  20. “Because God is perfect, I don’t have to be”! So simple, yet so profound! I’m free already! Hallelujah!