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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…
There are many religions but did you know that 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. And we were created for that kind of relationship.
Jesus created us to have 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)
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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…
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Today’s Assignment:
- Download Free Printable PDF of this week’s word and verse — or find it here in a Word doc format.. Please print it and post it everywhere so you can remember God KNOWs YOU and He loves you!!
- 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 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. (Remember to go to my website to do this)
- Optional: I’d love for you to share one of them on our Confident Heart Community Page and/or share them with me on Twitter (@reneesswope). I’d love to retweet them! Also let’s use #AConfidentHeart so we can encourage one another and find them easily.
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I’ll announce last week’s winners in my Weds. post.
I will post my thoughts about chapter 2 later, but what a powerful promise that HE knows me! My husband is in the military and will be deploying again later this year.. and it is encouraging to know that before I even approach His throne.. He already knows my circumstances and is leading the way step by step.
This video was amazing as are all the comments. I too, struggle with my emotions, sometimes quite overwhelmed. Today, I am encouraged and reminded that we are not alone even when we feel like we are. That we are known and loved. You are a beautiful group of ladies, and you all have touched me. Thanks be to God and thank you!
Loved the video. Good message. I have struggled with this part of my life. What stood out to me from the chapter was that Jesus is right there waiting in the midst of our imperfect lives, when our pain and failures confirm our self-doubt. Jesus knows our story. I want to be known and be loved. I’m loved by the savior. Right now I am dealing with a broken heart over a situation at the church I attend. But I know that God is right there waiting. He is my healer. Just keep me in prayer through this study.
You whisper and tell me to my face
what all those glances have been about and
You take the time to really look at me
But don’t need to get to know me
For to be known is to be loved and
To be loved is to be known
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
God knows me – He knows me better than I know myself. It’s been a very difficult week, but by God’s grace, I have been who He wants me to be. I give Him the glory and praise. It has been tough, but with prayer and confidence in God, I made it through. Praise the Lord!
Isn’t that so amazing and terrifying at the same time- “He knows me better than I know myself.” I often think I am hiding things from Him, when He actually wants to reveal things to me about myself!
This really resonates with me also. 18 years ago I had severe post pardum depression. I was listening to Satans lies. Like you are no good, you are worthless, no one loves you, you are a terrible person etc. During that time, I started writing music. God showed me that he knew my WHOLE life story and everything that has happened to me and he loved me. He heals the broken hearted and binds up all their wounds. Psalm 147:3
Here is one of the songs I wrote called “He Knows”
https://fbcdn-video-a.akamaihd.net/cfs-ak-ash4/v/232143/974/2172384425606_36754.mp4?oh=bbd45e26c518884bf48cfd51e1b46aea&oe=4F9F5120&__gda__=1335841056_f3071a12aea50a1bb43ba3b912b177fd
The whole video spoke to me, but specifically:
To ask for a drink is no big request but to ask it of me
A woman unclean, ashamed, Used and abused
An outcast a failure a disappointment, a sinner.
I feel like I am Sam, I am her. I feel like why would Jesus see anything special in me, when there are so many other people he could call upon. But what I often need to remind myself is that Jesus and God often call upon people who themselves do not feel special, but they have a special purpose for them.
Amanda…we are so hard on ourselves and yet God wants us “as is”. I love what Renee wrote in chapter 2: “Jesus in 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.”
Just be available sweet Amanda and He will use you in ways that you realize just how special you are to Him.
Thanks Lelia! I really think this study came to me at the perfect time.
I have read the chapter and so much resonated with me. Especially the way you viewed God as you were growing up. I could totally relate with this since this was the way I looked at my dad. I always thought that God was just like my earthly father and he was not a loving person. How wrong I was in this feeling. Now I realize that God is my father and he loves me so much. Just wanted to let you know I am taking a week off from Face book and videos so I will not be able to watch the videos since it will be like watching television. My 12 year old is doing TV free week and we cannot watch videos or be on Face book at all this week. I finally discovered one thing that I will try with this experience. Set my timer for only 30 minutes a day for facebook and that is it. I am finding myself on it alot.
I just sobbed listening to this … God has healed so many wounds and yet here I sit realizing the gift of being able to really see and still scared of being seen and known.
This was His perfect timing – I am known. I can be safe being known. Praise God!
Can I share that video?
Yes! There is a “share” button on the upper right hand side of the video. 🙂
I never want to go further in this (or any) bible study. It is going to pull at my heart strings, it is going to dig into the very depths of my soul. that is a place that I don’t even go. Yet here again, with this video, the words touched that deep dark place, and I saw, just how much hurt and pain I try to conceal.
These are the words that jumped out at me:
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But that’s too much to hope for, to wish for,
or pray for
So I don’t, not anymore
Now I keep to myself
And by that I mean the pain that keeps me in my own private jail
The pain that’s brought me here at midday to
this well
To ask for a drink is no big request but to ask it of me
A woman unclean, ashamed, Used and abused
An outcast a failure a disappointment, a sinner.
No drink passing from these hands to your lips could ever be refreshing
Only condemning,
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I know that feeling. I am that feeling. I don’t ever feel like I will be set free from those feelings. I hide it well on the outside. No one knows the pain that lives inside.
Do I think that this bible study will help me knock this loose from my soul? I don’t know. All I can do is pray. (Mustard Seed)
Lord Jesus, I pray for my sister in Christ today. May she continue to see the light of Your Word revealed in her life. We ask that you set her free in Your Name. Give her eyes that see the confidence You have in her as Your Daughter. Amen.
Blessings to you. Thank you for sharing.
I”m praying for you too Sarah. I know you are afraid and I understand. It is scary. But Jesus wants to set you free from these feelings and love on you. Can you let Him do that – just love on you. Can you sit and let Him speak assurance and love over your hurting heart. I”m praying for you right now. We are here – you are not alone. We will walk with you through this one chapter at a time. You are worth the courage it will take. He has so much more HE wants to give you!!
I am just in awe. I am finding my heart isn’t as open as I thought.
So glad you are here and participating, Lisa! I think I understand what you mean. Blessings to you as we continue through the study!
I felt it when “You know me” was said. I have always casually thought, yes, Jesus knows everyone. But like so many of the promises we are learning, I never took that to heart until I studied the names of God. El Roi is the name of God I identify with the most, it means “The God Who Sees Me”. It was the name Haggar called God when he came to her after she was pregnant and ran away from Sarah (or was she Sari at the time, sorry I have forgotten). She felt alone, betrayed, and lost, and God spoke directly to her, just like the woman at the well. I had long since though lost the joy of finding out about El Roi. I let it become another fact in my brain, and not a piece of my heart as it was back when I first heard the name. I also never really thought about Haggar, or the woman at the well, and how they must have felt having someone see, and love them for who they were. I have felt I have to put on a facade at church, and around other women for so long, no one has been able to see the real me. I have worn that facade since I was a child though quite honestly. I didn’t want the pain of being made fun of back then, the bullying, and now put that facade on because I have been betrayed and hurt by my grown up friends so many times I gave up on them all, and on making friends all together. I am starting to realize though that God is the only friend I can really trust, and that I have to be much more cautious than I was in who I give trust to, or let my heart be opened up to. The child in my wanted so much to be loved, and filled, like Lysa said in the forward, that I was looking for a “fill up”. Holding out my cup and waiting for someone to fill me. Now I know I have to fill myself with God first. I have to bring El Roi/Jesus closer, and believe in His promises, believe they are for me. Once that happens, as someone wise here said to be, “God will bring the right people into your life”. I never consulted God about my friendships before, and now I know my every move should be talked through with Him. I am learning so much through these videos, the people here, and Renee’s book. Thank you Renee, all of you here, and for the video Renee, it was amazing, and really touched my heart.
What an awesome reminder about the story of Hagar as well- I had never really noticed before about her calling God “El Roi.” Amazing. Powerful. Thank you.
Oh, and isn’t it interesting that we were just talking about the Earthly Father/God as Father correlation at the end of the last chapter, and then Renee echoes it this week? What neat confirmation.
Interesting…I needed to hear this this week in particular. What stuck out in my mind was when she said that
“To be known is to be loved
And to be loved is to be known
And I just met you
I don’t know you but I want to get to”
I don’t know Christ all that well yet. In fact, I’m having a hard time trusting Him…me…anything. But, the verse this week gives me hope that He does know me. He knows what I’m going through. I’ve had a hard time…I’m fighting myself in many ways. But, he’s given me the strength to go through this….and face this huge Goliath in my life. And reading this book makes me want to dive deeper in Him. I don’t want religion…I want a relationship. I just visited a church yesterday and I was so discouraged. My partner and I didn’t like it. I felt uncomfortable and out of place. I was thinking about giving up on Christ. But, today’s verse (and beginning to read Chapter 2) and seeing the video today has made me stop and think twice about doing that. I will keep trying….because he does know me. I want to get to know Him. I wonder if its too late….if He’s forgotten about me…..but this verse reminds me He hasn’t forgotten. He won’t forget. He loves me and knows ALL about me.
Brooke, I hope that you will find a church where Christ’s love is lived out towards you. The beautiful and yet unfortunate thing about Christianity is that it is for imperfect people. Remember to not look to others as the image of what this faith is about because we all remain imperfect (but now covered by grace and striving to be more like Him) but look to Christ- He is the perfect example. Again though, it’s beautiful that His love is for us imperfect ones… we all need Him. He will never leave you or forsake you once you’ve entered into relationship with him (Hebrews 13:5)- a great promise to hang onto!
I remeber seeing this during the last study and how moving it was and is every time I watch it. It has been a “typical” Monday and a meeting ended on a less than positive onte and came homw to viewing the video and all the “drama” faded away. I am looking forward to diging into Chapter 2 tonight. Blessings to all my ACH sisters.
Blessings to you, Julie!
There are so many things I want to write….but all I can think right now is “WOW”. With tears in my eyes I watched that young girls say…
“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”
At 45, I look back on a life filled with a desperate child (even once grown) silently crying wishing someone would notice, but trying desperately not to be notice….if that makes any sense. My Father was a raging bi-polar alcoholic….the meanest person you would ever meet when he was drunk and the kindest, most generous man when he wasn’t. My Mother did the best she could for her six children, most of whom rebelled against our Father and our situation, causing my Mother more grief and heatache. I tried very hard to not to rock the boat, to be good so she wouldn’t have to worry about me too. In so doing, I became the one who didn’t need the attention and therefore wasn’t given any. While outwardly I was trying to go unnoticed and not cause any problems for anyone, inwardly I was screaming for someone to please notice me.
As I grew up, I did everything I was supposed to. I made good grades, got a scholarship to college, was the only one of my siblings to get a college degree. Everyone thought of me as the responsible “together” one…..not needing anyone or anything. But I desperately needed something, anything!
I went on to a successful career, a marriage most thought was storybook, two beautiful little girls. On the outside, I had everything anyone could want. But nobody really knew me. Had they, they would have seen a little girl desperate for someone to really know her, to really love her.
In search of that love, I went through two marriages, a career and a whole lot of sin too graphic to get into here, to finally realize Jesus was my answer. At my lowest low, I hit my knees and admitted I didn’t know Him, but begged Him to please give me relief from this life of loneliness. And to my utter surprise, He met me right there, in that moment, and I knew He knew. I didn’t know any scripture. I didn’t know the verse, but I KNEW he KNEW and I KNEW he CARED. The hole in my heart I had been trying to fill had found what it was missing – Jesus.
As I sit here now, the tears streaming down my face aren’t the tears of a lonely child desperate for attention, they are the tears of a woman redeemed. A woman who knows she will NEVER be alone again, because HE knew me, before I was born…..he was there with me every time I hid in my room trying not to hear my Father hit my Mother…..he was there when I longed to be loved…..He was there when I did the things I did to try to fill that hole…..He was always there and even though He has seen me at my worst, He still chose me to be His child and I am not alone.
Thank you for sharing the video. I wish I could speak to those girls who are so lost and alone…..let them know before they make all the mistakes I did that HE KNOWS, HE CARES and HE WILL ALWAYS LOVE THEM.
Blessings!
Redemption is HIS specialty, Girl! So thrilled that you understand it. God’s grace always exceeds any sin. Thanks for sharing!
Michelle I was sitting here reading your message and I can so relate to what you experienced. I too had most of the same desires and had an abusive father. He was so abusive I watched my mother have three nervous breakdowns. As a child I felt so alone. As a teenager that loneliness grew and as a woman that was divorced three times it really grew until… I called out to God during my last divorce. I felt that all my life people left me. But God was there the whole time. I am so thankful that we made it thru and that God held us up when we thought we couldnt go on and look at the new thing He is doing in this setting right here. I am so glad to FINALLY be KNOWN! Thanks for sharing and know that you werent the only one.
I read your writing and was blessed can also relate.
What a beautiful story of redemption- beauty from ashes. I LOVE hearing/seeing how God can take that which seems beyond hope and make it His- whole and alive.
So powerful! Too many of us get to know and then judge, condemn, dislike…even hate. Jesus doesn’t do that, and he doesn’t want us to either. He doesn’t want us to judge and condemn or even dislike. I wish this hold on us was not there, but it is and it needs to be dealt with, because until or unless it is….we will never ever be free.
I must rely on His power to set me free, to change me, to help me to think differently and to pray that others will learn to think differently.
Thanks for this video….
powerful video! to know is to be loved! the line I just met you I don’t know you, but I want to and also the lines you really know me and e everything about me! I loved the video. very pwerful! Thank you Renee!
I can relate to the emptiness felt by not having a father growing up. Going through relationships (friends/boyfriends) hoping for them to fill me up, but never to be satisfied. And not knowing how Jesus fit that role – until now. I have a deep desire to be truly known, and significant and after 30+ years of thinking that being kind, being popular, being social in all the “RIGHT” circles would make me feel known and significant, I am relieved to know that Jesus ALREADY knows me and I am significant to Him. It’s exciting to have that burden lifted! And knowing Jesus meets us wherever we are at in our lives is comforting and gives me “permission” to not be hard on myself for not “doing enough”. I am so thankful, Renee, for you, your book, and your desire to share your feelings about your own struggles and how Jesus changed your life by unveiling the well within you!
You are not alone, Angie! Many of the ladies in this study can relate and I so appreciate your willingness to be open and share on this forum. Blessings to you!
I love what Lelia says not to just read this as ” another good book’ but to relax ……mmmmm relax indeed
and soak it all in see what it is the Lord has for us each of us individually right where we are in our personal walks and through it may growth take place !!! I love the book Renee thank you for your wisdom and transparency !!!
Amen, well put…. God Bless 🙂
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 you brings love, grace, mercy, hope and salvation
Wow, this part of the poem really spoke to me. Loved being reminded that no matter my past, no matter the choices I have made or will make- HE still loves me! HE has nothing but love, grace, mercy, hope and salvation for ME! What a blessing to be reminded of this!!!
“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 you 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
To be known is to be loved
And to be loved is to be known
And I just met you
I don’t know you but I want to get to”
This whole poem spoke to me on so many levels. I am dealing with a son and his girlfriend that have and keep trying to portray me as a bad person. I know in my heart I am NOT. All I want is happiness and love for my family but some people want to break me down to my very core. I believe God put this bible study in front of me(I was just searching for inspirational quotes when I found this website)so that I may know He LOVES me, ALL of me!!
I am not a ‘new’ believer but I am a NEW follower. I have believed in God my whole life but I never took time out to really get to know him. I believe he put me in this trial for me to know him and love him!
I just pray God will soften my sons girlfriend’s heart so that I may be able to spend some time with my new little grandson.
Suzeanne , it is so hard when our children do that. For me, it felt like betrayal, but God reminded me that Jesus was also betrayed. God bless you as you walk with Him through this time. Saying a prayer for you.
Alot in Ch 2 spoke to me but especially your comment on Page 42 where, as a kid, you perceived God as distant, unavailable, unapproachable and someone to fear. I also feel that way. As I recall in my childhood, God was used as a disciplinary tool — “Behave or God will punish you” so you grow up fearing him instead of “knowing” him as your truest friend.
I am so glad to be a part of this Bible/book study. I grew up in surrounded by judgmental attitudes that I thought were justified by Christ. As I have grown in my knowledge and relationship with Christ, He has shown me how that judgmental attitude seeped into and became a part of my life. It made me doubt who I was in Christ, whether I could do His work or share His love…I wasn’t worthy. In turn I past those attitudes on to my children and turned others away from Christ, I am sure. As God has been healing my heart and attitude, He has graciously been working in and through our children, too. A patient and loving husband is an answer to prayer and has changed the history of our family from now on.
I relate to how “Sam” felt as she spoke to Jesus. Shame, unworthiness are ways Satan use to convince us we can not be about God’s work.
The poem was awesome! In the reading, the sentence that most spoke to me was on p37 – “if you’ve ever doubted God’s personal pursuit of you, let this truth sink in, my friend: wherever you are , He wants to meet you there.” hmmm, IF I’ve ever… LOL. Its a constant doubt. I will read this chapter several times until I really let the truth reside in my heart. There was so much in here that I related to. Thank you again, Renee for doing this study
Christianity is the only faith that offers a relationship with the living God. We don’t just know ABOUT our God; we KNOW God and He KNOWS us; our God wants us to KNOW Him. We were created for that kind of relationship. All other relationships pale by comparision to the relationship we have with Christ. And when we feel alone, lost in the shadows of despair, we are not lost at all, we are loved and hidden and protected in the SHADOW of his love, because he KNOWS us and he LOVES us. Keep me oh Lord as the apple of your eye, hide me in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 17:8
Loved the video! Had to watch it twice I was so mesmerized by the words, and the words are so true! That is what makes it so great!
The lines that really hit home for me were “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.
This is something I’ve always known, but watching this video and reading the words, Wow! Thank you Renee for sharing this with us!
Kelly, that was the section that struck me the most as well. So often we think we are hiding something from God, but we are not. He KNOWS us. Actually knows us- what we want known, and what we don’t, and loves us just the same. Amazing love.
This is so TRUE, but your right, reading and hearing the words hit home in my heart. It is true, sometimes we all think that what we feel, see, or doing is hide away, BUT it is not, God sees and hears all. So we are only fooling ourselves. Knowing the God is watching and protected me at all times is something that i keep close to me at all times. I am too thank you that the Lord loves us unconditional with all our flaws, mistakes, but that He also does not judge us and give us forgiveness if we ask for His love is amazing. Thank you for sharing,
God Bless
One of my prayers for each of you who are doing this study, is that you let your heart relax and don’t just try to get through “another good book”. That there will be moments in each chapter that you feel was written only for you. That God will get your attention as He did mine through this book and real change will occur.
No matter what…continue to flip each page of this book, answer the questions, do the hard work and God will cause change in your heart what you didn’t even know needed change. Allow Him to replace the aches and doubts that only His confidence and love is capable of filling. He’s worth the hard work, frustration you may experience and tears that might be shed throughout this book for the end results. Keep pressing forward into His grace and confidence. You are so usable to Him no matter what you have done or experienced in your life. He loves us as is….what a God! 🙂
I love your wisdom (as a woman who I know has read the book a few times) and I love your heart for our sweet community of sisters seeking Jesus and His heart for us (a confident heart) as we take this journey together. You are right – some of it can be hard work – letting Him love us and heal us and change us from the inside out.
Thank you for speaking confidence and praying encouragement over each woman here Lelia – including me!!
Thank you Renee! You are a real blessing to the women of God who are being changed by your obedience and your love for hurting women of God. Thank you a million times over!
Thank you! (As I feel guilty for joining in late.)
Hi everyone. This study has been really great. 🙂 I am not sure if this is acceptable or not but I was wondering if you could please keep me in prayer. I am currently in school, and need to pass my Greek final so that I will pass my Greek class. Right now I have a D in Greek, and it is kinda stressing me out. Also, I have to write a paper on Rev. 18:2, and I do not understand what most of the sources that I am using are saying. lol The paper is due on Wed.
My final prayer request is that I will be able to let go of a friend. It has been two years and for some reason I can’t let this friend go. I live in the dorms and this friend lives beside me and go to school with me. She is also part of the praise team at my church so every time I go to church I have to see her. I am still hurt that she doesn’t want to be my friend, and seeing her is just a reminder of all the things that I did wrong in our friendship. It is hard to see her interacting with others and having a great time because it makes me feel like there is something wrong with me since she doesn’t want to be my friend. In addition, we used to be really close and now all we say is hi when we see each other. People keep telling me its been two years she has let it go you need to too. I am not sure why I am still holding on to wanting us to be friends or us having an actual conversation. It is really silly, and I just pray that God would help me to see why I am still holding on, and what it is going to take for me to really let it go. Thanks all. 🙂 Hope you have a blessed day. 🙂
Jessica,
I will pray for your ability to accept the circumstances with your friend wishing to distance herself from your relationship. It’s difficult to loose a friendship you have come to value and even more difficult to not feel valued by that person. But this study is exactly what you need. God values you just as you are because that’s the way he created you! When one relationship ends, it’s an opportunity for a new relationship to begin. I will be praying for you to pass your Greek exam as well, such a difficult course!
Be blessed and be a blessing!
Thank you so much Lynn for the encouragement. I really appreciate it. 🙂
I’m a bit late reading this (past the paper due date), but I just wanted you to know that I am praying for you Jessica. I think ‘letting go’ of the friendship is good advice to the point of not letting it be a hinderance to you… but at the same time I don’t think there is anything wrong with hoping for restoration if you do not become overtaken by that idea. God can heal relationships… but sometimes I do believe He removes relationships that get in the way of our relying on Him. My husband broke up with me for a period of time in college, and I firmly believe that that was why- for God to refocus me on Him as my confidant and strength… and after a long time of prayer and healing, God did restore our relationship. There is always hope, but just be sure to not let it overtake your thoughts.
I have had “fire insurance” since I was 13 years old and thought I was doing ok. I’ve worked in church my whole life. Sad to say, at 60 years old I am finally realizing that my relationship with God is all one-sided. I’ve never listened to Him the way I should, never realized that He died because of His eternal love for ME. I’ve always known He died to make a way for me to be saved, but never thought about WHY. God loves me, He knows me, This poem and the others submitted above really make it clear just how much He loves me. This is my third time through this study and each time I learn more. Praise God for all of you. Thanks, Renee, for the opportunity to get to know you and so many other sisters-in-Christ.
Blessings to you, Ruth! He KNOWS your heart now. It is never too late to be in tune with Him.
My husband and I were just talking about the Samaritain woman last night and how Christ did not condenm ner and how we are not to condemn others that are in need to Christ love. What a great thought to be truely know by God. Thank you Jesus.
Sarah thank you for sharing. Your reply spoke to me. I have had three husbands and I know how that Samaritan woman must have felt but to be known by God is truly amazing. So called Christian friends have judged, condemned, criticized, walked out, lied to me and about me, yet God was there telling me He understood me. He knew my motive was pure but that I had been deceived. The one prayer I have is to never be deceived again when it comes to marriage. How painful but how necessary for me because it brought me to the feet of Jesus over and over again. I am so very thankful that I am KNOWN by HIM the all Important One! The only REAL Lover of my soul. Thank you Jesus!
I’m glad God knows me and my desires and allows me to get to know Him. I have longings that only He can fulfill
That was very good!!!! I’m 42, been saved since I was 13 but have been in and out of church for several years now. I’ve had some health issues that have brought me back to God, and I am so thankful that He is right there ready to take me back no matter what I’ve done, or where I’ve been 🙂 So grateful for this study and sooo many wonderful people here 🙂 Have a blessed day everyone!!!
The sentence…”Pretending leads to hiding and isolation” spoke to me. I hide my fears and loneliness which makes me feel more alone. It is hard for me to share my feelings with anyone except Jesus and I am so thankful for Him. I pray everyday for a confident friend.
Yep. Powerful words in that sentence and so true. I pray God will bless you with a confident heart and a confident friend.
I’ll probably say more later but for now the only word I have for this poem is POWERFUL!
This was a great poem. I must say the entire poem spoke to me. I am so grateful that God sees us for who we are and He accepts us. It is so awesome that we have such a great God who understands us when we feel that no one else does. He loves us for us, not for what we do. We have a faithful God even when we aren’t. God I love you!!
This chapter was such as great reminder that God REALLY knows me, and despite the shortcomings I have, he loves me as only a Father could. I’m learning to accept the differences I have that sometime isolate me from others, and make me feel that I won’t be accepted because I’m not like someone else. This walk of becoming a confident women is allowing me to accept those AND say to myself, “God made me this way, and I’m okay.” The confidence I have to say that is because of the love God has for me. He understands me better than I understand myself. That takes away the struggle for me of wanting to be understood by others.
i also want to know God i know there are many ways in knowing God. thank God i am part of this
I read it after listening, what a powerful message. No other words necessary other than, Thank You!
What an awesome video, poem! This video really moved me this morning. I actually had chills as I was listening. It was a great message that all of really need to take the time to soak in. God does know us, and He loves us. I know there are many times that I shy away from people because I don’t want them to know me. I think that I am to complicated or that no one understands me. This morning I am reminded that someone does understand me and know and despite my shortcomings loves me. God knows all of my struggles, even before I do. Times when I feel alone I need to remember that I am not alone. I have God who knows me better than myself. Times when i feel that I don’t have any one to talk to, I need to talk to God as my father and my friend. Understanding that the Lord does know me and Loves me gives me such a feeling of peace. We all need to put our trust in Him and I know things will work out the way He intended.
I so agree,Kimberly! I’m a bit embarrassed to admit that I am guilty of looking to other people for acceptance, when the only One who matters, knows all of my faults,and has always accepted me! I am so blessed!
What a wonderful message. And I love this weeks word- known. During the hrs before surgery my body would not give the “sample” they requested but could not give one, So my friend who went with me stood with me and prayed that God knew – my inner body and knew what I needed and to touch those parts for a successful outcome and within minutes they were given what they needed.. When prayers were lifted to God and confidence was placed in the fact that we knew and trusted him, things came together. To have someone know us that intimately can be both a good thing and a scary thing.
That is an awesome testimony. Thanks for sharing. God truly does give us what we need but we must be humble enough to ask and to believe.
Today’s video was awesome. Though the words were powerful indeed…it was the delivery of the passionate young spoken word artist that truly resonated with me. There was the desperation that we all feel when we view ourselves as outside of love and then the tentative hope that there is someone out there that might just love us for who we are, the good and the bad…and finally the elation of truly believing that that love is true, is faithful, and yes is for us too. Thank you so much Renee for sharing!
I’ve always thought of the samaritan woman as someone else. Watching today’s video i realized she is me
Allmy faults and failures…she is me.
All the sins and ugly words…she is me.
When i refuse to go to church…she is me.
When i cry and hurt and feel alone…she is me.
I hide from the world and wonder why l’m alone…she is me.
I ask for help and then refuse it…she is me.
Known intimately by God…she is me.
Knowing He will always forgive…she is me.
I am less and more and Jesus loves me anyway.
May i never forget what is always the truth…she is me and is loved by the Savior.
Christine, I totally agree with you! She is me as well. Every single thing you said is ME too. I have excuses, reasons and feelings that cause me to think I am unlovable but he is telling ME and YOU he KNOWS us COMPLETELY and loves us anyways!!!
Hi Suzeann, I’mnot sure wherethose words came from because i dont usually have that kind of insight. My only explanation is Jesus. It was kind of scarey saying some of those things so i’mglad to hear i’m not the only one who feels that way. Makes me wonder how many women we could connect with if we were just honest about ourselves..May God bless us as we continue to reveal what we think is unloveable
To read what you wrote, Christine, sounds very confident but then to find out that you were a little scared to write some of that shows that God is is definitely doing a work in your heart. The enemy has done a good job of stealing some of our voices and I agree with you wholeheartedly…imagine the connection we could make with others if we were more open and honest with ourselves and others. Truly amazing! I have experienced that lately with my Pastor’s wife who decided to “get over herself” and become transparent with me and many others. It is such a sigh of relief to find others that seem to be so super spiritual struggle with alot of the same thing we do. I’ve learned that it is up to us to do something about it…such as going to God instead of waiting for Him to change us. Such a learning experience & it’s just getting started!
Like you, Kelly, I used to think that the leaders in the church were so much better. Now as I am grown and work full time in ministry myself I realize that we are all human. We all have our struggles and victories to gain in Christ for we live in a sinful world.
It’s kind of awesome to think that we have a Heavenly Father who doesn’t miss a single detail in every person’s life. Just like the Samaritan woman, He knows all of my struggles. It’s hard to fathom because we as finite human beings are never able to do that with one person, let alone a whole universe.
Hello Ladies
I am comforted to know that we are all so alike underneath. It makes sense when I consider we were all made in His image. I wonder if our different circumstances are all that separate us? Our sameness is the God part. Does that sound wierd? I am thankful that God is so generous and gives us forums like this to learn about Him and each other. God is the glue that binds us together. I’m looking forward to see what chapter 3 will bring.
Wow, Christine. Your words are amazing, and put Sam’s story into more perspective for me. She is ME too … and knowing that He went out of His way to meet her re-affirms for me that He’s ALWAYS willing to meet us where we’re at. Blessings to you!
Thanks Angie
It is comforting to be reminded thatHe loves us as we are, warts and all..This is my first online bible study and it is exceeding all my expectations. I look forward to getting to ” know” my sisters better. May He continue to bless us all.
Wow this was awesome! To be reminded that God really KNOWS me and STILL loves me…it’s amazing! He knows my every thought, my present, my past, and my future. He loves me…that’s all that matters to me!
Amen, for He is the only one we must answer too. God Bless
What a great way to start the day, to start this new week! Interesting that the sermon yesterday was about Psalm 139 (being a true follower of God, having an intimate relationship with Him, knowing Him, and Him knowing me!) and then this week’s chapter, verse, etc are all about KNOWING Me! I am one that wants everyone one to like me (I am sure that is most of us who are doing this study!! 🙂 ~ we don’t want to be rejected!) so a lot of times I don’t really show the real me, my real struggles, I like to be seen at the distance. Thank you for the video clip this morning! And thank you for this study!
I am so thankful to be a part of this study. I struggle with knowing and being known. But I want and pray to know God more intimately. Not survival mode, or based on what is needed at hand. But just to be with Him. Just when I think I am growing in this area, somehing happens in my life that completely throws me off course and causes me to doubt my growth and even who I am sometimes. I truly am seeking the Lord so that at the end of this study, I will have an unshakeable confident heart in Him alone.
Jamie…I know so much how you feel! I believe that the enemy works hardest when we are closest. When we feel that we are growing in Christ, the enemy is losing, and he doesn’t take that lying down. Jeremiah 29 is so helpful….when we seek Him with our whole heart, He will let us find Him.
I have to agree. It seems as though when I am feeling closest to God and so confident in my faith that the enemy.. the FATHER of LIES… steps up his game and tries his best to knock me off course. He sure is clever and knows where my weak points are but thank God that my heavenly FATHER knows me and loves me and walks with me every step of the way. I really don’t know I how I made it before I turned my life over to HIM but I am so thankful that he loved me enough to rock my world in order to get my attention. Thank you God for rescuing me!!!
The poem hit on so many things. I’m still trying to take in it’s full meaning. As I was reading chapter 2 a couple sentences really stood out to me. “If you’ve ever doubted God’s personal pursuit of you,Let this truth sink in, my friend, wherever you are, He wants to meet you there. He is waiting for you to stop, come up close, and turn your heart to listen to His. You don’t have to pretend things are fine when they aren’t. Nothing could keep Him from wanting to be with you.” I have been running for so long and yet He is right behind me all the time waiting for me to stop and turn around. I have put on a mask for so long of being okay when I’m not and I can finally take that off and let God begin healing me. He wants to go below the surface into the deepest parts of my heart that need healing and repair those areas but I have to be willing. What an amazing thought! He knows me and loves me as I am.
I asked the Lord to speak into my heart on the word “known”. I am sharing with you. I am enjoying this study and your book.
Being Known
Beloved,
I KNOW you.
I have always know you.
I will always know you.
I have known you every moment of your life,
Every coming in and every going out.
Not a secret has been hidden from Me.
Because I know you inside and out,
I love you.
I have been there through each season of your life.
Loving you during easy times and the hard times.
Loving you during times when you were unaware of Me,
As well as times when you drew close to Me.
I know every sorrow, every joy of your entire life,
Past, present and future.
And I say to you,
You ARE My beloved daughter.
Nothing will ever cause My love for you to dry up.
There will never ever be a time when I do not love you.
The invitation I offer is to COME to Me,
To lean on Me,
To rest in Me,
To allow Me to carry every sorrow, every sin and every burden.
Will you come afresh to lean on Me this day?
My invitation is to come as you are,
In order to become more fully,
Who I created you to be.
So Beloved daughter,
Come known (fully loved and accepted)
In order to know that you are,
Known and loved just as you are.
As you know Me more fully,
You will become secure in Me.
oh, joan! so beautiful! thank you for trusting the Father enough to share this with us. “The invitation I offer is to COME to Me, to lean on Me, to rest in Me, to allow Me to carry every sorrow, every sin and every burden.” thanks, also to the holy spirit for working this in your <3. it blessed mine so much. <3
You are welcome. Love when Abba speaks to us but it is intended for others as well. God bless you as you go to Him, lean on Him, rest on Him and allow him to carry the “stuff”.
Thank you, Joan for sharing this with all of us. It really spoke to my heart and I believe it was Spirit-inspired. What a comfort to be reminded, “I have known you every moment of your life.” Even when I was a small girl and before I could offer any service to Him in return, He loved me unconditionally. Thank you!
It helps me too when I remember that before I knew Him, He knew me but even more He loved us before we loved Him. Isn’t it amazing?
Joan,
Thanks for sharing what God shared with you. It reminded me to focus solely on Him as He knows everything right now.
God bless you and lead you as you lean and focus on Him. May He give you the desires of your heart.
Joan – Thank you for blessing us by sharing this. The invitation of our Father – To COME to him is so powerful. I have a friend who I plan to share your words with today.
Dear Karen, May His peace arise within you and your friend. God bless you.
This is such a beautiful poem! Thanks for sharing this!
Hannah, you are so very welcome. I simply love when Abba God speaks into my heart for me and for others. May your heart be at rest in His this day.
Joan
This was beautiful. Thank you for sharing this. It has always been the desire of my heart that I be KNOWN…”yada.” I’ve always looked for a man to fill that part of my life, and even though I’ve been single for the past 11 years, I’ve had a hard time believing Jesus could be that for me. This poem helps me to feel not only it’s possible, but accept it as truth-moving from the know in my head from what the bible says to the faith in my heart. Thank you! 🙂
Joan,
Thank you for sharing thiis. It’s beautiful. The line that resonated with me most was “There will never ever be a time when I do not love you.” There’s such comfort in that statement. Growing up I attended a legalistic church where you were judged on how you looked (no makeup or jewelry and we weren’t allowed to wear pants). We weren’t allowed to go to the movies. There was so much that was wrong and it was oppresive. And even though it’s been yrs since I left that church, a lot of that baggage is still with me. I need to be constantly reminded that God’s love is unconditional. Thanks again. Blessings to you!
This is what really jumped out at me: “My invitation is to come as you are, In order to become more fully, Who I created you to be.” I’m having a really hard time lately because some recent minor surgery has changed the look of my face and I don’t recognize myself in the mirror anymore, so I’m feeling especially sad and ugly. But God wants me to come AS I AM in order to become more fully who I was created to be. God is creating me on the inside. I’m trying to remember that what I look like is not who I am, but it’s hard. However, it helps when God speaks to me through people like you – who I’ve never even met! He is so loving and awesome! Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful. Thank you.
Joan,
This is soooo beautiful and really spoke what I needed to hear in my heart! Thank you! Would you mind if I shared on my facebook page (Healthy Success with Kristy)??
My heart is so heavy and I have always been seeking someone to LOVE me even though the KNOW me. I have always said that once someone gets to really know the real me, they will no longer love me. I am too sensitive, too needy, depressed…too much! With friends and relationships, I have always found this to be true, or at least I perceive it to be. I so need God to fill those holes in my heart instead of searching for others to do it…that is what HE has been trying to tell me…
Thank you girl!
Kristy
This entire poem spoke to me….
I am recently divorced.. my husband left me a little over a year ago. He is a good man but so lost. The feeling of being unloved and abandoned and unworthy is overwhelming sometimes. But to know my Savoir loves me and accepts me NO MATTER WHAT is so soothing and fulfilling.
This online study came at just the right time. I need to get back on track and know it is not another person or thing that makes me feel worthy…. It is God. He made me and gives me the strength I need to be the mother, daughter, wife, friend, sister, person He wants me to be…
Blessings to all!
Dear Jan,
I can relate. Daily struggles when our hearts are broken can seem overwhelming, but God knows us and pursues us – sometimes in spite of ourselves – and He never gives up! Don’t be discouraged … He always “meets us where we’re at”. I LOVE THAT! 🙂 (PS – You belong to HIM so your not JUST Jan! You’re Jan, CHILD OF A KING!)
Sincerely,
Angie
I too have been divorced for just over a year. I also know what it is like to feel unloved and abandoned. I need to know that God is always there for me and loves me for who I am…no matter what.
Gail, I want to let you know that aim going to pray for you. You are never alone, God is always by your side. He will never ever leave you.
Jan, thank you for reminding me that It is not anyone else that makes me……it is God. This really hit home with me! I needed to hear just that !
Let me run back to town
this is way to much for just me
There are others: brothers, sisters, lovers, haters,
the good and the bad, sinners and saints
who should hear what you’ve told me
who should see what you’ve shown me
who should taste what you gave me
who should feel how you forgave me
Would that every person who meets the Saviour would feel these words deep in their soul and run back to those she knows with the good news.
“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 you brings love, grace, mercy, hope and salvation”
While there were several parts that spoke to me, this just jumped out at me like a flashing neon sign. It was soothing to be reminded that He knows EVERYTHING about me and still loves me. He brings me grace, love, mercy, hope and salvation. How great is that? I have been struggling with a lot of shame and conflicting emotions and this chapter has really hit home for me. I not only need to get back on the right track but I WANT to. I have fallen off the wagon. I am getting back on the correct path again and I feel so much better for it, it is just hard for me to resist certain temptations so please pray for me. Pray that the will of God overcomes the will of my temptations.
praying for you, Paula…That you would continue to walk in the knowledge that you are loved so fully, so amazingly…so unconditionally….by Jesus Christ…
I feel the same way. I know God is walking with me right now as I try to find a new job once again. I feel so scared since I have no income coming thru. I was reading the Bible and crying last night for I want a stable job. In addition, I feel like I’m letting my friends down but I know that’s the enemy talking. On the positive note, I do have an interview for this Thursday. Trusting in God. That’s all I need is Him. However, I like to see things visible which is sometimes is hard but I know that is where “Faith” comes in. In addition, He created me so who would know best.
Hello my sisters,
This week I am a little behind in responding but I was really impacted by this chapter because I remember the days that I was so obsessed with trying to be everything to everyone and making everyone happy and striving to be perfect and then berating myself when I just not reach the mark. so much of the chapter resonate in my spirit but I think the one that I want to mention is located on pages 39-40 ” Have you ever put on a facade that everything was okay when it wasn’t ? Have you ever been afraid to let people know who you really are? Wouldn’t you love to be in such a safe place that you could stop pretending and be real with God and yourself(and eventually other people) about where you are and how you got there?” the answer for me was a resounding” yes.” I am truly grateful to God that He provided a place for me to do that and I am also thankful for the timing of this Bible study with Renee and all of my beautiful sisters on this journey with me. The poem just really speaks to me about the grace of God who sees me as precious in His sight and who loves me unconditionally and only wants me to spend time with Him so that I can know Him intimately too. I am so amazed by His mercy and grace and I am eternally grateful for my salvation and I am learning to place all my hope in Him because God never fails me nor forsakes me. To God be the glory!!!