“In the security of our relationship with Christ, God wants us to ask questions and look for answers that usher us into the depths of His redeeming love. He wants to give us the courage to live in the promise that He offers hope for our future despite the pain of our past.”
from Chapter 4, A Confident Heart
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Our Word for the week: HOPE
(Download in a PDF or download in MSWord). Please print it and post it everywhere this week.
HIS Word for us this week:
“May the God of hope fill [me] with all joy and peace as [I] trust in him, so that [I] may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13, NIV
Our Assignment for Today:
- Read the prayer at the end of Chapter 4 to begin your day. Start or continue reading chapter 4.
Remember, take your time and highlight or underline sentences that resonate in your heart. - Let’s commit to memorize this week’s verse together :)!
My friend Heather is a Word girl!! When she was in college she performed in over 14 plays and memorized hundreds of lines, so I’ve asked her to share some tips to help us hide God’s Word in our hearts this week. Here are a few she shared. I’ll post more each week.
Ideas for Memorizing Scripture
- Write the scripture on several index cards or post-it notes and place them in areas where you will see them frequently throughout the day. Examples: on the bathroom mirror, refrigerator door, in the car, at work, etc…
- Get a stack of index cards and on each one write one or two words from the verse, including the reference. Shuffle them up and see if you can put them in the correct order again. Save the cards and reuse common words found in other verses.
- Send the verse to friends and family by typing, texting, or writing it out by hand. You can look at the verse, but do not copy and paste! Try writing it at least once a day.
- Study with a friend, your spouse, or teach it to your kids! Quiz each other and keep each other on track. What a great way for families to spend time in the Word together!
- Change the wall paper on your computer to an image that has your Bible verse.
Connecting in Community:
As we read chapter4 this week, let’s share our hearts below – answers to the questions, sentences we’re highlighting, thoughts we’re thinking, feelings and fears we’re experiencing. This can be a hard chapter for some because it addresses our past and our pain. Let’s pray for each other each day and commit to memorize this week’s verse together! If you are in, leave a comment by clicking on “share your thoughts” and tell us how you plan to memorize it. I’m writing it on a ceramic plate in my kitchen. I’ll be praying it for you every time I see it.
REMEMBER: If you are reading this via email, click here to return to my website to connect in community. That is the best part of an online study, so I hope to see you there!
I learned a long time ago instead of asking “Why me?” I learned to ask “Why not me? That is how I dealt with my pass hurts and other issuses in my life.
I have a trick that I’ve always used when memorizing anything. I take the first letter of each word in a sentence and I create and memorize an acronym for it. It is so much easier for me to recollect the scripture when I do it this way. I also put it into my cell phone on my post it app to look at throughout the day. If you have an Android phone there is an app called “Versed” It is AWESOME! Unfortunately the iphone doesn’t have it 🙁 I was so upset when I switched phones and discovered this. lol.
I encourage you to check out the In-Courage blog today. It is very appropriate to this chapter.
A lot in this chapter. The part about forgiveness especially touched me. I really have a problem with this and I know it has really affected my life. I cannot move into future relationships or even find my calling from God until I let go of the past.
I am going to write the verse on index cards and have my son help me memorize it! Thank you everyone for sharing and listening and praying!
The OBS is just amazing! And God is so amazing how he ties everything in our lives together. For the past three weeks at church, we have been doing a series on Bridges: Building and Burning Relationships. Yesterday the topic was “Build a Bridge and Get Over It!” The focus was on forgiveness. And what I learned yesterday is forgiveness is not only for the offender, but the offended. When we forgive we are being set free from resentment, bitterness, and any other negative feelings that keep us from God. If we don’t forgive, out Father doesn’t forgive us. Matthew 18:35. Ouch!
I want to share with you how Pastor Ed told us how to get over it:
1. Lead out in Construction
See Romans 12:18
Cancel the debt.
2. Let go of your emotions
See Galatians 5:22-23
You don’t always feel like doing what’s right, but after you do you feel sooooo much better. Kind of like working out!
3. Lift them up to God
See Luke 6:27-28
4. Leave the situation to God
See Romans 12:19
I pray this will bless someone in addition to the wonderful teachings by Renee.
Oh! And to answer the original question I am going to write these verses on index cards and change the screen saver on my computer and iPad.
Thank you for sharing Courtney!! Such great counsel and wisdom!!
I am posting this on my computer here at work to let me see it at all times.
As I go over my daughter’s verses for this month with her, I will have her be my “teacher” and help me to learn mine also. We use: hanging the verse on our bedroom door and read it out loud each time we leave the room, make up a melody to sing the verse, and quizzing each other each night by reading the verse to the other person and leaving blanks for the person to fill in.
Hi everyone! I’ve not started chapter 4 yet but hopefully today will start reading. As far I’m wanting to share something. The marriage is hard! Been seperated long time and he’s in Christian treatment, try visit least once month for 2 days. He will be staying in treatment for long time. He working full time, church, classes. He want to change and improve himself by allowing God in his life. He raised in Chrisitian home and had problems with addict with drinking. I thought long ago I wanted it ended marriage and he want this marriage. Sometimes it hard to forgive but as times goes by I forgave him and rely on God more thru His words. Sometime I wish things would be difference in the past, but know it has nothing to do about it by his bad choices. My parent doesn’t want him aroind as he’s not welcome. I felt somewhat numb and asking myself am I stupid for wanting to stay in marriage? I need prayer please!
I’m praying for you Tracy!
Cling to God and his promises, dear one!
He will make everything new!
Thanks EM!
Love this verse! Yesterday I pretty much lost hope that certain situations will ever be different in my marriage. But this morning after reading and thinking about this verse, hope is slowly returning. If my situations never change, I want to be at the place that I can trust God and live with joy and peace regardless of my circumstances.
I Googled the verse and clicked on Images then saved one of the images to my desktop.
I will be using index cards as well. One thing I like to do is leave one on my nightstand so I read the card first thing when I get up in the morning and right before I go to bed at night.
This is a verse that hits home for me. Seven years ago my husband committed suicide. I was a 27 year old widow. The pain and problems that were left behind for me to take care of and deal with were overwhelming. There is not a day that goes by still that I don’t think about him and miss him dearly. I was angry at God for letting this happen in my life. Recently I have been drawn to healing myself and having a closer relationship with God. I feel very blessed by finding this bible study and working towards a confident heart and letting the Holy Spirit work his ways in me to be overflowing with the joy and peace of our God.
Hi Michelle,
It is my prayer that you are overwhelmingly blessed with a confident heart by this Bible Study. God tells us we should not be afraid because he is with us and that He will strengthen and help us. He will heal your heart if you give him your hand. Be fill with His hope, joy, and love by the power of His Spirit. Thanks be to Jesus!
Thank you Debbie!
I will pray for you. Suicide is a tough thing to deal with. A lot of unanswered questions, a lot of blame. Perhaps God put you through it so you could eventually help and offer hope to someone else that has gone through what you have. Do not lose faith. God knows His plans for you, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Continue to ask Him to show you the way. He will.
Thank you for your kind words and prayers Kathi!
I love this verse!! God has shown this verse to me 5x now since Jan.(3x in 24 hrs.) I have printed it out and posted it on mirror in bedroom and inside the cabinet door where my water glasses are. I can leave that door open when in the kitchen and see it.
God is my hope during a difficult situation now.
I love the idea of using index cards to help memorize. I used to do this in college! I’m going to get me some index cards Today! 🙂
I’m struggling in my marriage as well. I have been married 12 years.
I know God calls us to hang on, even when the ride is bumpy and he sustains us.
It’s difficult when the interest has melted away.
I know I must forgive him for past mistakes, and he for me.
I want to Honor God, and marriage covenant.
Often I feel like I don’t have anyone that understands what I am going through.
People can say they care, but they don’t take the time to really listen.
Thank you ladies for caring and listening. ♥
Father, God: Thank You for Em. Please help to continue to remain strong and maintain her relationship with You – leaning on, trusting in, and relying on You – Your great and deep love, mercy, and grace toward her. Please give her Your peace and help her to think clearly about all the issues surrounding these concerns. May she grasp the promise of having the mind of Christ. May any voices other than the voice of her loving, caring God be silenced, and the Truth prevail in her life. Thank You for wrapping your strong, everlasting arms around her and upholding her with Your righteous right hand. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
Thank you so much for your sweet prayer, Cindy! ♥
God bless you
The “really listening” part comes in, I think, by actually going through what you are going through. I believe that God allows bad things to happen to us so that we can understandingly listen to someone else who is going through the same thing so we can encourage them and offer them hope.
Hang in there Em! We will overcome! You are definitely not alone! Praying for you dear sister.
I had an earth-shattering experience yesterday that brought all of this into perspective. An ex boyfriend of 7 years contacted me after 5 years of not hearing from him. He is still in the same rut, living out the same pain which prevented him from committing to me so many years ago.
I am now married, with a beautiful 5 year old stepdaughter and my first baby happily growing inside my belly. I’ve been frustrated with the birth mother drama and some anger and resentment has creeped in to make me begin to distance myself from my new family.
As God brought back the painful memories of that broken relationship, the feelings of loneliness, despair and rejection flooded over me. I remembered how deeply I loved this man, but his emotional detachment and our lack of being equally yoked had brought me away from the Lord and in bondage to loneliness.
I stood watching my husband and step daughter getting ready for bed as if looking through a department store glass and the Lord spoke to my heart. He reminded me that those many years ago, this is EXACTLY what I prayed for and God fulfilled the desires of my heart.
My gratitude and love for my Savior, my husband and my step daughter flooded into my heart and washed out the doubt, pain and fear that had been trying to plant roots.
I know without a shadow of a doubt that my Redeemer lives. He has great plans for me and he delivered me from a life of pain, loneliness and despair.
The other trials and challenges will come, but the Lord assures me that I am exactly where he wants me to be.
Brenda,
Prayers of thanksgiving and praise for you and your family. May our God of love and hope live in your heart always. He does show us an amazing love, doesn’t he? Bountiful new baby blessings!
I am sure the pain you went through at that time was overwhelming but how awesome that you can look back at it now and see that you had to go through it in order to get where you are now. Thank you for sharing that uplifting message and I pray that God will continue to bless you and your family.
Why is it so easy to say I do? ( and mean it) we stand in front of God, family & friends exchange vows.. and then the waves of stress come along and you see your marriage in trouble but, feel paralized?? My husband and I got married on 8/4/2011.. We were a blended mixed family He has 3 kids and I have 3 kids.. ages from 19 yrs old to 7 yrs old. I remember requesting of my husband for us to seek step-family counseling time and time again.. I would request for us to read a scripture during dinner with the kids, and all I heard was yes, we will.. and nothing happened. needless to say my husband left me on Dec. 1, 2012.
I stop and I think to myself why didn’t I just seek the help???? but, I didn’t want to step on my husband’s role as the “Leader” of our home… he choose his kids over me.. I can’t understand it. I still remember when we were dating how he would talk about God and make plans for our futre together it was US against the world.. and then it didn’t happen.. My kids hurt, his kids hurt.. I mean what is the point? I pray for healing in my heart and healing for all of the kids.
Rosa,
I know your pain. Being in a blended family is hard work! It takes more preparation and planning than we know. When kids are involved it is even harder. It takes decades for the blending to work. Those relationships with our kids and the history we have always trumps a new marriage. It isn’t God’s design to commit and then give up, but as humans we get fearful.
I am praying for you and your husband and children.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
Brenda, Thank you for the kind words.. Thank you for the beautiful scripture.
Father, We pray for healing for sweet Rosa. Please help her not to give up, but to stay focused – eyes, heart and mind – on Jesus – who loves her greatly and deeply. We pray for healing for all the kids, too. Please draw Rosa’s husband to Yourself, as well, and heal him – emotionally and spiritually especially. May Rosa rest in your strong, everlasting arms, and lean, trust in, and rely on You. I pray any lies be silenced and she hear the still, small voice of her loving God – the TRUTH of His promises for her. Thank You for helping her to walk hand-in-hand with You through this different time. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
Cindy, Thank you.. I am taking it one day at a time. I know deep inside that My Daddy God loves me and he has a purpose for me and my children.. 😉
Rosa,
Heavenly God, because you love us, and fill our hearts with hope, we believe you will I heal Rosa’s heart and the heart of her children. You are patient and understanding with us, give this family guidance and direction and a listening heart so they will know the opportunities you have in store for them. Your love for us can not be measured, let them feel your presence. As they continue to trust, believe, and obey your word, remove the mountains from their path and bless them with joy, hope, love, peace, health, happiness, and prosperity. We live by faith and believe that what we ask in the name of Jesus, we will receive, Amen
Debbie, Thank you.. PEACE is what i desire more than anything.. Peace in my heart and soul.. this will take time.. I know that this strom will soon pass.. in Jesus name! 🙂
I am so sorry for what you have gone through, Rosa. We are a blended family as well, and it is difficult in ways and really hard to know where the boundaries lie. I will pray for you and your children.
Laura, I am sure you know how difficult it is.. May Daddy God Bless you and your Husband may God give YOU wisdom and a gentle response when things get rocky.. May your husband see you as a flawless angel.. and may your husband have the heart to always work things out when times become challenging with the kiddos. You are blesed Laura!
Thank you, Rosa!
I will be writing it on index cards & putting them in different locations in my house & in my car. I have started writing the daily word & verse on NotePad on my smart phone. And, I am going to write it over & over.
I’m committing it to memory, this is such an important study thank you everyone for your daily/weekly inspirations!
I will be posting this verse by the mirror and on the fridge. We will be teaching our teen and preteen tonight. God’s timing for the need of this verse is absolutely perfect. I live in FL, and I just came home from AL helping my mom get set up with a home health care service that will turn into hospice care in a few weeks. She’s been battling cancer since November. God paved the way in providing what we needed to get help for Mom. It just breaks my heart to see her in so much pain. I was up there Thursday until Sunday, and on Saturday my husband calls me with the letter from my mammogram stating they want me to come back in for more tests. I’ve never really have had problems with anxiety, but that news about did me in Saturday night. But, I have HOPE! Thank you, Lord for this message you sent through this ministry. I love you, Lord!
Hi, Carol! I am praying for you as you go though this different time. Thank you for sharing your HOPE with us.
Father God, Thank You for Carol and for the HOPE she has as she walks through this different time. May she find supernatural rest and peace in Your strong, everlasting arms – Deuteronomy 33: 26-27 “There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, Who rides the heavens to help you, And in His excellency on the clouds. 27″The eternal God is your refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms; He sill thrust out the enemy from before you, And will say, ‘Destroy!’ Thank You, Father God, that You are Carol’s healer and her mother’s Comforter, as well as Carol’s Comforter. Thank You, that You know every detail of what is going on with her and her mother and You love them greatly and deeply. Thank You for wisdom for all involved with both of these precious women. Please calm Carol’s anxieties. Thank You for Your mercy and grace to walk through these different times on her journey with You. May You be glorified though all of these goings on. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
Thank you so much for your words, Cindy! Deuteronomy 33:26-27 has been the verse I have clung to during this time. God is so good to confirm this verse to me through your response. Thank you!
I found out today that I’m clear. Praise God! Thank you for your prayers! Please keep praying for my mother. She’s in a lot of pain at this moment.
Blessings to you!
Carol
Carol – I will be praying for you! I have been there with letter to come back in for a second look! It is very scary. I will be praying that you will be told that it is nothing! And praying for God’s will to be done in your life! Mine is just a sisk from taking hormones.
I will also be praying for your mother! I will be praying for her to not be in pain and for God’s will in her life to be done!
In Christ’s lovve,
Christina
Thank you so much for the prayers, Christina! I received news today that I am clear. Praise God!
Thank you also for praying for my mom. She needs comfort and healing.
She is such a precious lady. I love her so much!
Blessings to you!
Carol
Hi, I am going to print it off and post it in my cubicle at work so I and others can read it all week, and write it at the top of my prayer journal everyday this week.
I have ordered the book….But from this point I have learned so much in reading your post and doing the exercises…We do not realize the impact we can have on one another….I have taken thes words given , Known, Satisfied, Hope and printed them along with journeyling..
Thank you all for sharing from your hearts and allowing me to come into your lives and share lifes experiences…This has truely been awesome for me and encouraging for my walk with God!!!
Blessings to all!
Patty
I going to write it over and over. If I repeatedly write something it tends to stick in my head.
Pg. 79 – “You can’t go back and change the circumstances or relationships that have wounded you, but you can go back and process the pain with Jesus. In fact, you won’t move forward with God until you do. And left unresolved, the pain from yesterday can keep you from having confident hope for tomorrow.”
That paragraph just really spoke to me. I have a hard time letting things go, so this is a great reminder to let it go!
Hi, Kellie:
Thank you so much for this reminder. This goes along with so many of the comments we have seen and the prayers we are praying. God, please help us in this area – processing the pain with Jesus and fully possessing what is ours in Him! Glory! In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
Love the idea about changing my wallpaper in my computer, since I’m there most of the time. Loving the study!
On Saturday I changed my computer screen to this verse ~ had no idea this would be the verse for this week. It has been one of my favorites for a while now. I will use index cards and type on my timeline on face book. Looking forward to this week of study. Blessing everyone as we look to Our God of all HOPE!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
I have a quote board in my room where I put versus or quotes that inspire me, teach me, or touch my life, I read all of them each day at least twice, I will also put the verse on my IPhone calendar as a reminder for the week. I made the word hope in the verse in all capitals and a different color than the rest of the card.
I plan to staple the scripture print out to my wall or carry a copy with me; look it up and meditate on it from my Bible. I am still waiting for my copy of the Confident Heart book to come in the mail. I ordered it just Wednesday (litterally no funds before then). So I can’t wait to be on the same page as everyone else, literally!
On another note I’d like to share where I need prayer. I am considered a woman of great faith, a woman in ministry in my church and so are most of the women I hang out with. The feelings I am having have never been more accute than they are now that I’d decided to pursue leading in public singing/worship. Lately however, I am struggling with figthing back a barrage of insecure feelings about who I am and whether I am sincere and accepted fully both those around me and particular by my pastoral leadership. I often feel undersupported. I even worry about never being married because I have am tempted to think I have nothing to really offer but negative, unstable feelings and insecurities. At times I know its simply spiritual ware fare but other times feelins of being over looked, judged, misunderstood and underappreaciated are do real. I hate feeling this way and that’s why I have joined in on this Confident Heart Bible study. Please pray for a deep deep healing, truth, forgiveness and freedom for me. I want the heart and perspective of God over my life. And I was to freely walk in the secruity and faith Christ died for me to have.
Hi Taiye My Prayers are with you where ever you go today and God will heal all your pain and doubts . Amen In Crist Love
Praying for you Taiye. I think we are all familier with those feelings. I am just like you and have the hope and confidence in Christ to help me with my struggles like he has with everything else. I know he will with you….trust in him completely and pursue your dream. God Bless You!
That’s a very good prayer, Taiye! Thank you. I am praying for you, me and for others. God bless you richly!
Father, God: Please strengthen us in our inner men to receive that deep, deep healing, truth, forgiveness and freedom about which Taiye is praying. May the heart and perspective of God be over our lives. We thank You that this is possible because of the shed blood of our Savior and His continued intercession for us as He is at the right of our Father God. May we all freely walk in the security and faith for which Christ died. Thank You, Jesus, for dying in our place and all that affords. May we fully immerse ourselves in all that You are to, in and for us! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
God bless you richly, Taiye!
I’m using index cards and posting on Facebook. 😉
Each week so far I’ve shared the verse with my children as we homeschool. I write it out on our white board, print out and we use it for our copy work too. We start the day with His Word and it can spark some wonderful conversation. What a tremendous blessing to share with my kids!
I am going to place it on my bulletin board that I have in my kitchen. It is a great location as I will be passing by it several times throughout the day.
I’m posting it everywhere I am everyday so I will see it all day long. going to put on computer screen a;so. I will pray for everyone through out the day everyday. I’m going though some rough time now too and need all the prayers I can get. Please pray for me if you can. In Christ Love
Father, I pray that you wrap your loving arms around Angela today and comfort her. You know her troubles and I know you will take care of each and every one. In Jesus Name I pray — amen!
Thank you Tammy for your prayers I will be praying for you too. In Christ Love Amen
Praying for you Angela…God Blessings on you:)
I will be praying for you too Angela!
I will place my verse in my bedroom and kitchen and attempt to write out a prayer using our verse to pray this week- I will repeat it over and over
My hear is troubled today. May the God of all hope fill Diana with all joy and peace as Diana rust in him, so that Diana may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15: 13 blessings
Diana I pray peace to your troubled heart and that and that JOY and HOPE will rise up and overflow through the Holy Spirit. I will lift you up today!
Diana, Im praying for you sweet friend. May the God of all hope
I am asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. And May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Eph 1:17-19, Rom 15:13
I’m going to use the suggestion of changing my wallpaper. Each time I see it on my computer I’ll recite to remember!
Chap. 4 hit home for me. Pretending things are fine and being afraid to show the not so happy parts is my unfortunate habit. I have prayed for God to heal this & slowly but surely I have been stepping out in faith more. I have a 20 year friendship that has been unbalanced for years, as I allowed this “friend” to repeatedly lie and abuse my trust. I finally felt the burden that it was me being dishonest if I didn’t address how these instances were affecting me. I have prayed for God to show me a way to address this. Another incident with this person happened this weekend & when I tried to speak with her about it, she literally started screaming in my face and turning everything around. I believe this person has many problems bigger than me & what was the topic that day. I pray to not harbor anger & I hope she finds help to overcome these things. I pray for confidence to move forward in love, and walk this the way Christ would. But I am hurt & trying to recover from being a perpetual doormat to so many in my life. I worry about things that could be said about me or what she will make up or how she will manipulate this. I just pray for God to strengthen me to break the chains of this abusive relationship. Say a prayer for me please!
Father God, Thank You for Katie: I pray she will be strengthened in her inner man for dealing with these situations/ this friend. Please prepare the heart of the first friend mentioned to talk with Katie, if You lead that way. Please prepare Katie’s heart as well. May she have your supernatural peace and hear your voice clearly. Thank You for showing Katie how to address this area of difficulty. Please help Katie not to harbor anger, but give it all to her loving Lord and Savior. We pray for emotional healing for Katie’s friend and for Katie, too, May Katie lean on, rely on, and trust fully in You, Father God – Abba! Thank You for Your great and deep love for us. May we never, never lose sight of that. Please help us to keep our eyes, heart, and mind fixed upon You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
God bless you richly, Katie!
Thank you, Cindy! You kind words & prayer bring tears to my eyes. It’s so lovely for a stranger, but a sis-in-Christ, to reach out & care. It means a lot.
Amen, Lord Jesus I agree with Cindy’s prayers for Katie!!
Wrap Katie in your tender mercy, your amazing grace, your courageous peace and confidence as she processes with you the honesty of her feelings and the reality of these unhealthy patterns in her friendship. Lord, bring her your love through others in her life, help her to see her worth and how valuable she is and not allow others to mistreat her. Help her see she is worth protecting even if it means losing that friendship. You are her best friend and I know you want the very best for her. Lord, be with her and give her a confidence and assurance that comes from saturated in your truth and secure your promises. In Jesus’ Name, amen!!
Katie my prayers are with you all the lady’s going through some of the same things. I too am fighting for a 20 year relationship that has and is rocky at best. I love him with all my heart but he will not let go of the past. He thinks I owe him everything I have ( not that I have anything) he thinks I should give him every penny I have or get, I work for him for no pay ( he and his dad said I get paid in the form of a roof over my head food to eat and everything else he gives me.) So to him I am only a servant in our home. It is even harder now that I have given My life to God. Sorry for going on about myself. I will be praying For you always. In Christ Love
Thank you Renee for this on line course. I will read, write, and listen to this verse throughout the week. By the way, I am loving this course.
I am so glad you are part of the online study Kathe!! Love how each of you are soaking up all God has for you. So encourages my heart!!
I love the statments on forgivenes and the path to hope. I will ask my PaPa to show me the broken places, ask the Holy Spirit how He was there all the time, and invite Him to enter into the memories with me. In doing this PaPa can bring freedom from being captive in these memories. But most important for me I will pray HIS promises. Guess that means I will choose to let go of my hurts and see Jesus has been with me on every journey I have ever taken. Now that’s freedom! Isaiah is my favorite book and as helped me understand PaPa’s promises for my life. Thank you Renee for the reminders.
Thank you, Dubi, for what you have shared here, Dubi! Wow! Praise God! May it be so for all of us on this journey. God bless you richly!
Amen, amen, amen!!!
I have to wear reading glasses, so I put the verse in the case and everytime I take my glasses out….there it is. This worked for me on our last verse. May God Bless our Study
Hi Dawn thanks I too wear reading glasses so I will do this too. thanks for sharing this. In Christ Love
what a great idea!! Love that Dawn.
I will write out on index cards and place in visible areas. I will also share with family for our weekly scripture. Praying peace and comfort over us all as we start this week. Be blessed ladies!
I will be posting the verse by my daily calendar. The hope of God is stronger than any other.
I too will be writing the verse on index cards. Planning to put one on my computer at work and share with my coworker. I also like the idea of listening to the verse so I will be doing that. I hope that everyone has a blessed day.
I just read the prayer. It truly spoke to me. I have said before that I get it in my head but I want to know it in my heart. “Open the eyes of my heart so that I can know the hope to which you have called me…” I want to believe what God is saying in my heart. I have heard “Open the eyes of my heart” in songs but this morning it felt different, more exciting…Can’t wait to soak in this chapter.
5 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
In Jesus’ Name, amen!!!!
Hi Mary Like you said its in my head but I want it to be in my Heart also I’m praying for us both. praise God for his Love for us. In Christ Love
Chapter 4 wasn’t hard to read, but I was mesmorized. I kept thinking “oh my gosh! oh my gosh!” I am currently coming to the place of living no more in the shadow of my childhood, my doubt, my insecurity. At one point or another, I have thought or experienced so much of what Chapter 4 shares. I just want to praise Jesus today for keeping me through all the years of my life so that I would be able to reach this place and know true freedom, true worth through Him!
I too no longer want to live in the shadow of my childhood. I still carry so much pain from things kids said to me. It is amazing to me how I can still believe those untrue things that were said yet I have trouble believing the word of God.
Oh, Mary I so relate! God, help us to move into fully trusting in and relying on You. Your Word is truth. You are our strength, our hope, our joy and very life! Please forgive us for holding on to the lies of our past, and please help us to finally and fully let them go, along with all that supports them. In the Name of Jesus, we rise up into your definition of us, we find our identity in You and no other. We also bow and surrender to You. Thank You for your mercy and grace and everything else You give us to help us. Thank You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
Jesus, I echo Cindy’s prayers:
God, help us to move into fully trusting in and relying on You. Your Word is truth. You are our strength, our hope, our joy and very life! Please forgive us for holding on to the lies of our past, and please help us to finally and fully let them go, along with all that supports them. In the Name of Jesus, we rise up into your definition of us, we find our identity in You and no other. We also bow and surrender to You. Thank You for your mercy and grace and everything else You give us to help us. Thank You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
Debbie, what a precious place GOd has you in and it gives me so much hope for each woman reading chapter 4 this week. We are all in different places but Jesus longs for us to find freedom from our past, our doubts, our pain and our deep disappointments. Not that they don’t hurt, but that they no longer have a hold on our hearts. Im praying this week’s prayer again and again for each and every one of you – and me too!!
Good morning everyone, Praying chapter 4 will truly enable me to let go of some terrible baggage I have carried since I was a child. I will memorize this verse!!!
Amen, Debbie: Praying with and for you. Please include me in those prayers. Just this weekend, I was talking with my husband about still feeling like that little girl who was made fun of and laughed at. I believe that still hinders my entering into conversations more confidently, and maybe into just life. As I shared this with him, my voice quivered and I could have cried. I sometimes ask myself, “When am I going to grow up?” “Will I ever grow up?”
Father God, thank You for Debbie. You know all about the baggage of which she writes. Please help her to lay it all at Your feet, never to be picked up again. Help her to cast her care upon You. May anything that supports that baggage be rooted out once and for all. Thank Your for the shed blood of our Savior, Jesus, that does so much in our lives, among them is healing, delivering and restoring. Praise You, Jesus. May we keep our eyes, hearts and minds fixed upon You and all You have afforded us through your death, burial and resurrection. Thank You, Jesus, that You live to ever intercede for us. Thank You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
God bless you richly, Debbie!
I can so relate to you. I was raised by a Mom who verbally abused me so by telling m I should never be have been born (I was her third child) and I was a “mistake” God made. I saw myself this way until I accepted His Love for that little girl and saw her as God see her. It took a lot of work – and now I will still hear those words “I am God’s mistake” once and awhile but I am ready with His Word “I am His masterpiece”. I think that is the key – His Word as ammunition against the words of the enemy (whether the enemy uses friends, parents, etc.). Now as soon as I hear the enemy, I answer Him back – and answer Him strongly with confidence – with His Word. By the way, who is smarter ? The people who made fun of you as a little girl or God (the Creator of this beautiful world)?
May you – and that litte girl – learn to see yourself as God sees you. (By the way, Josh McDowell wrote an excellent book called just that See Yourself as God Sees You)……. a precious chld and His masterpiece!
Thank you, Rita, for what you have shared here. Praise God! “…accepted His Love for that little girl and saw her as God sees her.” Wow! Yes! “His Word as ammunition against the words of the enemy” – may I add, and our flesh and the world. Whew! God is most definitely smarter! 🙂 Hallelujah!
Besides being smarter, He, your Creator, knows you better than anyone …… He knows every minute inch of you ….. and He loves every minute each of you. Let that little girl in you crawl up in His lap – and let Him hug her so she feels how truly precious she is ! He loves her so much ! And He knows how truly wonderful she is – She is His Masterpiece (my constant weapon for any enemy whether the devil, the flesh, or the world). Have a great day in His Love !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for sharing your heart, Rita! So glad you are battling the lies of the enemy with the truth of God’s Word! One thing you might also remember is that GOD NEVER MAKES MISTAKES!!!!! Bless you, dear sister!
Hi Rita REMEMBER GOD DOES NOT MAKE MISTAKES. God Love you as you are In Christ Love
Praying for you Debbie. Just take this chapter in one page at a time. Jesus is right there with you leading you into truth and grace, hope and wholeness. He’s with you and He will never leave your side. You are loved!
I’ve written the verse on a post-it-note and I’m placing it in my “path” to see it often. I’m also emailing to my self to put on my phone & tablet to look at throughout the day.
I plan to place the verses on index cards around the house–bathroom, kitchen, car, my quiet corner–and the car. Thanks for the great ideas!
What a wonderful verse for this week. I will be copying it down & putting it in my car to study as I’m busy with carline & running errands. It will also be a great verse for me to pray this week as I prepare for surgery on Wed. My to-do list is a mile long & I only have 2 days to get it all done. Please pray that God will give me His Joy & His Peace as I follow His priorities for my list. Pray that I will yield to His list of priorities so that I may love my family well in these next 2 days. Pray also for a quick & smooth recovery.
Yes, Mary B.! I am praying with and for you. Father God, please be through the surgeon’s hands, and may the surgery go smoothly, to Your glory and honor. Thank You for peace for Mary and her family. Please help her to how to prioritize that to-do list and rest in Your loving care as she prepares for the surgery on Wednesday. Thank You for Your joy to be full in her during this time. We do ask for a quick and smooth recovery. Thank You for Your hands on this entire situation, wrapping your loving arms around Mary and her family and for Your strong, everlasting arms that are underneath them as well. Praise You, Father God, that You are in control and will carry Mary and her family through this different time. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
God bless you richly!
Amen I’m Prayer for you also In Christ love
Mary B – I will be standing in pray with you and Cindy for healing and a quick recovery! In Jesus’ mighty name Amen!
Praying for you Mary B. Love seeing your sweet face and smile in the comments. You are a treasure!
I will be placing my verse in my car and in my bathroom.
I am going to write the verse on index cards and put on the bathroom mirror, car dash, and in the kitchen, That way when I see it I will remember to pray for everyone taking this course and to memorize the verse.
btw, regarding hope, I recently came across the quote: “Forgiveness is the giving up the hope of a different yesterday.” I adapted it to: Forgiveness requires us to give up the hope of a different yesterday and place our hope in Christ alone! – amen. placing our hope in the future, in Christ alone. that is where i remain anchored. Have a blessed day, ladies.
Thank you for posting that quote on forgiveness. I LOVE it! I am struggling in a marriage with a man who doesn’t love me anymore. He has tod me that He has felt unloved and pushed away for years. Because of this he has found comfort with other people. I have apologized for the past and told him that I can’t change the past but we can change the future. Your quote really hit home with me today!
However, how does one continue to have hope when the past is constantly being shoved in your face every day?
I know God can restore and heal my marriage but my husband and I have to be willing to allow God to heal and one of us isn’t willing. Trying to hang on and trust but some days it is so hard to believe!!
Thank you again for the quote.
Thank you for sharing and my heart breaks for you. I believe that regardless of the actions of others, you can find hope in God’s promises, that He will deliver you and heal you. Don’t give up, He will give you guidance on what to do next. You’re in my prayers!
Rebecca,
Your post touched my heart deeply. Whether or not your husband ever chooses to allow God to heal your marriage, you can heal anyway. Keep your eyes completely on God. Stay in His Word and on your knees…and draw strength from your sisters here. You will be in my prayers. Remember by sister, you are loved, you are a treasure and God has wonderful plans for you.
Julie and Rene,
Thank you for your kind words. I truly needed them! :)I am holding on to God, some days better than others, but I’m not giving up.
I have loved this study and reading the posts of all my sisters. It has been encouraging to me!
Again, thank you so much for your responses and especially your prayers.
I completely know where you are coming from Rebecca. My husband decided to leave me over a year ago and i was devastated and left with four children to look after. they are now9,6,5,and2. He wants me to change and i know i need to change and have done alot of changing, but he doesn’t see the change as he is too busy living his life. He won’t admit he needs to do any changing and says hes moved on, but he’s just moved away to a single life with a well paid job, only giving the minimum to support his family. He says he’s getting on with his life.
But we chose this life together, family , kids etc and I am getting on with my life. the one we created together. I struggle constantly with holding onto the hope we have in God and the promises he has given us. I am pro marriage and even though i am going through this time I too like someone mentioned , feel the pain inothers who are experiencing similar things and and it sadens me, but how much more it must saden God!
I have tried to keeplooking at the good that has come out of my time already.
1. My relationship with God has grown stronger( which puts a smile on my face to see satin defeated)
2. I have regained my self confidence and refound ( and still am) who i am. not only in Christ but just plain me.
3. I can do it. – look after 4 children
– work on the home /house work
– do practical things
– Build other friendships ( out side of my husband and kids)
4. Life seems worth living again. Despite my circumstances God is the centre, he is prioity and whatever happens he will never leave me.
I can TRUST God because he is my FATHER, my PROVIDER, my STRENGTH, my SHELTER
He is in CONTROL, not me, not my kids,not my husband, only God is in control. he is my alpha and omega.
I feel like i become preachy when I start writing like this but its me declaring it for myself.
I want to share a few things so I hope you (all) will listen. I Like renee would love to just pick up the phone and arrange to meet you all in person. I know thats not possible practicaly( in my own thinking i must add, as all things are possible through him who strengthens me), but it is exciting when you can see what a big family we have in Christ.
Our pastor was sharing on family at our church plant into the town I live and it was brilliant to see the comparisons. The one thing that struck me most was it didn’t matter when you joined the family, you were just as much a part of the family as anyone else. The question camr up….How many years you had been a Christian and I can’t believe I at this point in my life felt embressed to be the oldest Christian there at the time!
I look at my life and again the comparisons to others creep in, wondering why i’m not as good as another who maybe seems to have achieved more as a Christian.
No! His hope fills me and it does overflow to others, we may not see it but it must do. I have just gone through alot and yet my faith has kept me. I may not feel this hope as I focus on my circumstances, but I need to focus on him, the author and giver of my faith, and He gives me Hope. I know I have this Hope or I wouldn’t have made it this far.
Well I just sat there on sunday and thought of my church in tamworth being my family, my support then other churches and then my family internationally and all these sisters i have taking part in this journey of a confident heart. Wow God Is Big and thats pretty exciting.
To back track a bit. I can’t change whats happened and I can’t change my husband. I can only change me and not only that i have a big God who cares about my marriage and my immediate family; husband,kids just as much as the “BIG ” family I am part of. which reminds me ot the verse that goes something like ” if he clothes the flower in the field so much more will he clothe you, or the sparrow who finds food so much more will he feed you.”
I’m not sure I have done this right and this next post is supposed to follow my previous post, which i stopped typing as it was getting rather long!
I have been encouraged by reading what others have posted and how we can encourage and pray for one another. So I just wanted to share another thing which is outside of this group.
I have a story.
My friend has had some hard times of her own and she sent me a text, which was great. I then replied with a prayer. I then was having a hard time getting the kids to bed,being tired,and the whole struggle of being able to do this on my own. So I went outside from the noise and sat crouched up as small as i could because of the cold and rang my friend who i neded to blurb on.Not ‘feeling ok’. Thank God she answered the phone!,but instead of my own plans to pour out my heart, she began to tell me what had happened.
She said my prayer worked. that it was a miracle God “healed her car”. not only that her husband said if God can “heal the car” then he would go to church(again)! You see they spent a fortune on the car to get it fixed but it wouldn’t work. She is working hard to get this degree as it means she will get paid for what she does properly. Her husband has his struggles, which i won’t go into and she was fighting anxiety and stress levels…well you can imagine.
The bottom line is God answered my prayer for her and the whole situation and brought her hope and her husband hope that God is in control. And even in my struggle God still used me to bless someone else who in turn blessed me by sharing what had happened. that i can hold on to the hope he has given me and be encouraged that yes he is in control and he does want the best for us.
“That he is doing a good work in me….”
That you all have encouraged me and i think that you are a part of me as i was able to focus on God and send that prayer at that time. There is a purpose i am here typing and as much for any of you. There is apurpose i am going through my circumstances, drawing me closer to him. There is a purpose God chose me to be a part of this amazing family.
I can have joy and peace in him even in my circumstrances because he is my hope and my salvation, the rock on which I stand. All things come together for those whose Hope is in him.
Rebecca, I am going through the same situation. It breaks my heart to know that others are going through the same pain. I do not know how to get through this other than constantly reading the Bible and praying every word back to God for my marriage. It is so hard to know if I should let go of my husband or hold on tight. I do know that I cannot let go of God.
Same here. For now hold tight to God and my man that He gave me.
I just wanted to share my experience with this. My husband left me in 1999. I finally filed for divorce in 2002, feeling that it was the right thing to do after much prayer. Then in 2003 God moved me to the area where the rest of my family lives. My husband called and wanted to join us for Christmas in 2003. I agreed; my feelings for him were done (I thought). We enjoyed the visit and he went back to Georgia. We talked several times on the phone, usually about the kids and grandkids. One day, out of the blue he asked me if he could move over here. I was shocked and prayed heavily over this decision. He did and we have been married now for over 8 years. God knew he needed me to take care of him because he has gone through several illnesses. I have never been happier. I turned it over to God and He took care of us both. I had always believed that when I married him, I had married for life. Just keep talking to God and let Him decide what it right for you. He loves you!
Amen! What a wonderful testimony!!!
Praise God!!!!
Sammie thank you for your testimony. It gives me hope in my situation. My husband is also sick with a rare disease that no one knows much about. He has told me that he is dying. I hate the fact that I’ve hurt him and want to make it up to him and be able to love and take care of him in the time we have. I need to pray harder and ask God to change our hearts or maybe to just change my heart first! I want to love my husband the way he needs me to, the way God wants me to. At this point I’m not sure what that looks like. However, knowing that all of you beautiful Jesus girls are praying for me gives me hope and confidence already!!! 🙂 I love you all and so appreciate your openness and obvious love and devotion to our God. I will be praying for you all and asking God to bless each of you with His love and guidance!
Amen Pam! I’m staying with God no matter what! I am nothing without Him! He is my strength each day.
I too have a very difficult marriage. Instead of giving up I started a group of women who had unbelieving husbands or who just needed encouragement in their marriage. We meet monthly and prayed diligently for our marriages and help from God to change not only our husbands hearts but ours as well. That was 2 years ago and I am happy to say everyone of those women are still married and some have marriages that are thriving will love for one another. I am reminded daily that this is not my home and that I can choose to be a light in this marriage. God never promised us a great marriage or an easy life but He did promise us hope, forgiveness and unconditional love.
Hi Pam in reading Rebecca’s story and thinking of my own I too can have hope. We are not married but have been together for 20 years and it seems to get harder by the year, I have put my trust in God but he (Doug) could care less about himself are anything else. He has made me give up school to work full time at he business and now he wants me to cut back on my church involment. that I will not do, when I’m at church or with church family I feel complete and I will not give that feeling up for no ONE. Thank you for you post it touched my heart. IN Christ Love Amen
Hi Rebecca,
I had a sister-in-law once whose husband turned to drugs and alcohol and lived mostly out in is garage with his friends. My sister-in-law lived out her life in front of me and him by praying, reading her bible, going to church and taking her 3 kids very quietly not confronting him and let him live his life the way he chose. I know it was hard. But today he helps her teach a Sunday school class and I am saved because of this lady living her life for Christ quietly before us all.
1 I waited patiently for the Lord ; he inclined to me and heard my cry. 2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, Psalms 40:1-3 ESV
With God the future can be different, my heart cries out to God that he will come very close to you and show you the steps to take to come out of the miry bog that you are in. Please everyone who reads this pray with me for Reecca
Sorry Rebecca for spelling your name wrong
Psalm 40 has gotten me though some tough times. I am amazed everytime I read it because it reminds me of how far I have come with God’s help.
Thank you Sheena! We all can use more prayers!
Keep praying for your husband and I will be praying too. About 20 years ago my husband left me and our two children.There are faults on both sides. It was hard but the blessing was that we were all saved through it. When he first left he wanted nothing at all to do with us except what he had to. Some days it was hard to hold on to the hope that God gives us. I was the only one fighting just like you. I held on to Isaiah 54:5a ” For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is His name” and Phil 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”
I also had a wonderful Christian counselor and a wonderful positive Christian friend who helped me get through those 13 months, especially the times I didn’t think I could hold on.
Praying for you and your husband.
Christ love. Bonnie
Bonnie, God put it on my heart to respond to your comment. 39 years ago my husband walked out the front door and left me with two children also (ages 4 and 7). As he walked out the front door, he said “I will never paid child support” – and he didn’t. I discovered he had left only 400 in checking account and none in savings. He had moved us to Florida and I had no job. I was devastated to say the least. And by the grace of God, I not ony survived thrived. I am not going to say there was not some rough days but His strength got me through those – and His Love always surrounded me. And better yet, He surrounded my children with His Care and His Love. The children have grown into two wondeful adults, married terrific people …. and have four beautiful, healthy children (my pride and joy as a Grandma). So just let Him ….. just let Him ….. and most of all trust Him.
Rebecca – I will pray for you daily for healing of your marriage and God’s will for your life and marriage! In Christ’s love,
Christina
Christina, it means so much to me to know that you are praying for me! I pray that God will bless you for your thoughtfulness.
Praying for you, my son’s wife left him on Friday, they have two little girls 10 & 5. I am praying that satan is bound from destroying marriages!!
Rebecca I am standing in agreement with you for God’s healing power to restore your marriage.
Hi Rebecca,
I had the same thing happen to me almost two years ago. My husband said he had shut off his feelings for me because I didn’t seem interested in him enough. He also was having feelings for someone else. That road was crushing at first, but we made it through. It helped to have a christian counselor. He didn’t really think it would help at first, I prayed it would. I also read the book Power of a Praying Wife during that stuggle, it helped me see that I had left our marriage wide open because I never really prayed for my husband before. I pray for your marriage to be restored in a way that lines up with what God intended. I am sorry you are going through this. Don’t lose hope!
Hi Rebecca I to face my past everyday, my boyfriend just loves to bring things up on a daily bases just to hurt me. I turn to God for help. I have a place in my house where I go and close myself off and just get in His presences. Don’t every give up God is on your side always He will never stop loving you. In Christ Love.
Rebecca,
I was reading your words about how you want to forgive and that you are ready to move on and start a new and different future but your husband is not. I have found that when things need to change, there needs to be a leader and when the other spouse sees the changes, they may follow. You can move on, strive to forgive yourself and him and strive to be happy in Christ. When he brings up the past and does some blaming, say out loud, “I forgive myself.”
I will be praying for you. A great book you may want to look at is “The Power of a Praying Wife” by Stormie Ormatian
Thank you dKnigh for the quote about forgiveness. I am having a terrible time forgiving my former boss for laying me off. I was the main bread winner and currently there are no jobs in my house.
He knew that and he was also my Christian brother and he still let me go. Just business not personal.
I was so angry at him at God and now almost 3 months later stilll no job. I have asked for God to take the bitterness and anger away, for me to truly forgive but the hurt and anger keeps coming back.
I trust God to bring a new job then I waver and worry and fuss about losing our home and living in the car!
Sometimes my imagination is my worst enemy.
But to realize I can’t change yesterday but I need to forgive and move on and be free of it sounds wonderful to me 🙂
Debbie – My imagination is sometimes my worst enemy too! My husband was in a wreck with a semi 5 months ago (Thank you God he was not hurt bad!) and has to have a torn rotator cuff repaired. He is the only one with a job in our household (I am a stay at home wife and mom) and he will be missing 6 months of work as he recovers! You can probably imagine what situation my imagination has us facing!
I will be praying for you to find a job and for you to find a way to forgive your ex-boss.
In Christ’s Love,
Christina
Hi Debbie my prayers are with you and your family. He will lead you to a better job in time just keep trusting in God. In Christ Love
I am so sorry you are hurting. You are in my prayers. Trust God and continue to lean on Him. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'” I found great comfort in the verse recently. I posted it were I would see it all the time. When I got worried or frustrated, I would say the verse again and again. I am praying for you.
Thank you so much for sharing that quote on forgiveness. It is surely a good one. God bless you!
Thank you for sharing the Forgiveness quote, I have written it in the journal I am keeping with this study..God bless
Love this: Forgiveness is the giving up the hope of a different yesterday.” I adapted it to: Forgiveness requires us to give up the hope of a different yesterday and place our hope in Christ alone! – amen. placing our hope in the future, in Christ alone. that is where i remain anchored.
I am so stuck with yesterday dreams that never occurred. I always thought I’d forgiven the other person, but it keeps coming up in my mind. And, of course, I feel sad about the situation. When I realize that I’m getting into “that” cycle again, I say, “Jesus, Jesus” out loud. Later, I’ll remember doing that and realize that I’m not dwelling on the past anymore. Praise God!!
I’d also recommend listening to the verse. If you have a smartphone, or even via computer, YouVersion has several bible versions on audio. I listen, read, and write. Thanks, Heather, for your tips on memorization. I’m currently memorizing the book of John, and finding that I need to make connections or rote memorization will soon fade. Once I grasp some of the depth of God’s Word(s), it’s easier to hide in my heart.
I use the Daily Audio Bible from Bible Gateway as a tool for my daily devotional.
I found DAB this year because of P31 devo last in Feb and have LOVED it. the verse Psa 143:8 Let the MORNING bring me WORD of your UNFAILING LOVE….prompted me to stop listening to the radio and listen to DAB as I’m getting ready first thing in the morning and I have HEARD much from Father ever since.
Thanks I just looked it up and love it, I will use it daily while I am getting ready for work. AWESOME!!!
I have never heard of that but Im going to check it out. I love listening to God’s word. 🙂
I Have the same thing I love it . It helps me to remember things with the highlight features. I have a friend that I told about it and now she uses it. In Christ Love
I will wrtite the memory verse for this week on index cards and place them in visible areas. I just changed by computer screen.
I am printing out the graphic and putting on my kitchen counter. When I want to memorize a verse, I also text it to myself or write on a note card and carry with me throughout the day. I find that just saying it over and over makes it stick in my mind. It never ceases to amaze me that when I am in a situation and I need a word from God the verses just come. Praying God’s blessing over everyone as we take on Chapter 4 about the pain of the past. So thankful that God can heal all our hurts…the hardest part is letting Him. Let’s do the work so we can get to the other side of it! Have a wonderful day!
Great idea to text it to yourself, Anne! I think I’ll do that in addition to writing it out on an index card! I’m TERRIBLE at memory – my family makes fun of me because I always get cliches wrong. I get the general idea, but usually word it in a ridiculous way because I can’t remember things verbatim!!
This is a verse I really want to memorize. Some days hope can seem so unattainble!
I love what you shared and its’ my heart’s prayer this week too: Praying God’s blessing over everyone as we take on Chapter 4 about the pain of the past. So thankful that God can heal all our hurts…the hardest part is letting Him. Let’s do the work so we can get to the other side of it!
How do you let go of the pains of the past? How do you give it to God? I have a lot of trouble letting go or forgetting the things that people have done or said to me to hurt me. I hold on to it and I dont like that I do, but because of years and years of basically verbal abuse I have a hard time being around these people, and they are family so I do see them. I wear my feelings on my face, meaning you know when I am sad or mad. I cant cover up that. It is like I am just sitting the waiting for them to say something to hurt me again and when they do I do not know how to just let it be. I want to not let their words hurt and haunt me anymore but I am crippled by them. I wish I could just let it go, or forget everything that has been said to me, but I cant. I think also since it is from family it is harder to let go of cause I always believed that your family is suppose to love you and build you up and be there for you with out criticism, not judgement or talk behind your back and let you know that every choice you have made in your life has been wrong, mainly because it was not done how they would have done it. It is just so hard. I am almost forty years old and I still long for the approval of my mom and even my sister. I just want them to like me.
Holly, I feel your hurt as I read the words you shared. I have been hurt so very deeply by family also. It wasn’t easy letting it go for me either. I will tell you what it took for me to get past the pain and let God take care of it. I felt God leading me to study his word more, His word is all I had to help me. I got in his word more than I ever had before, I bought some commentaries by Warren W. Wiersbe (they are interesting and easy to understand) in his Be series they are so helpful. I would recommend starting with the one on James it is called “Be Mature” it is the one God lead me to do first. You can find them on Amazon’s web site the cost is only around 8 or 10 dollars. Read it along with your Bible in James. I pray you will do this, God can give you healing, Satan wants to keep you in the chains of pain and hurt. As long as he can pull you down God can’t pull you up. God said to me in my heart when I was studying in James; If I forgive you for all your sin’s and loved you how much more should you forgive those who hurt you. He said, each time you sin it is as if you have crucified Christ on the cross again. That really made me think, God forgave me and he says I am to forgive others and not hold it against them. You can’t always forget it you learn in time when the things come to mind you as God to help you to not think on these things but on good things. I will be praying for you Holly. I pray you can break out of the bondage of Satan, because it is hurting you and your life, your walk with God and your health, it isn’t hurting the people who hurt you. It will hurt every aspect of your life. Don’t let Satan use this to hold you back and in prison anymore. Read Isaiah 41:10 and stand on God’s promise.
I feel like I was looking into a mirror reading this!
I hate that I can’t hide my emotions and can store up
painful memories like I am a history book! I try to
give my pain to God, only to unconsciously snatch it
back!
Holly, I feel for you too. It is hard to forget when those we have trusted hurt us. One thing I believe the Lord gave me during prayer not long ago is this….”Do not receive what I (God) did not intend for you to receive.” Those spoken words which you know are not true of you and are not from God are not to be received in our hearts and minds. God never intended them for you. Praying for you.
I will post it on my computer desktop. My computer wallpaper is the Serenity pray.
I Am A Little Discourage Just Got Start. I Am Using My Mobile phone , Also I Have A Ebook On My Phone I Have To Order The Ebook But I Have To Pay 9.95 That’ No Problem My Phone Is Captializin Each My Day Is Starting Out
Don’t be discouraged. You have time to catch up 🙂 And we’re so glad you are joining us Cynthia.
If you need them, here are links to all of the posts from the first two weeks.
http://reneeswope.com/a-confident-heart-spring-2013-online-bible-study/
I’ll memorize my verse this week by posting it on an index card in different places in my home and car so I’ll see it wherever I am. I’m also going to print out the artwork and frame it and put in on my bedside table. I really need that this week.
Last week was really hard for me. I’m currently out of work and found out last week that I didn’t get yet another job that I had my heart set on. It hit me harder than i expected it to. I struggle with depression anyway, so I ask for you ladies to please pray for me as I struggle through this time in my life. I’m trying not to let it get me down and let Jesus fill me up like Renee’ showed us last week. I thank you in advance.
Blessings to all,
Janet
Janet thank you for sharing that. Lord I lift Janet up to you. Fill her heart with your hope as she walks this journey. Xoxo
Hi Janet I will be praying for you on this journey with Christ Love. Don’t ever give up. God is with you. Lord here our prayers. Amen In Christ Love
I have started a Bible study notebook where I am writing out the verses that are in each chapter along with the answer to the questions, the word of week and verse of week. Writing helps to stay in the moment of reading plus a reference for later when I can look back over the study. I like the idea of the verse of the week on cards. That would help me to think of them more during the week…thanks for the tips.
That’s a great idea Bonnie!!
Bonnie, I love your idea! I am going to make a notebook. I also think I will add experiences from my day that reflect the verse and the way my thinking is changing as we continue with the study. I like the idea of going back and reflecting on what I wrote and what I have learned! Thanks for sharing! Rachel
Great minds think alike! I started a notebook too. I am so excited about what God is going to do in my life through this study. Thanks for sharing. I will lift you up to The Lord in prayer. Annie C.
Thanks bonnie I’m going to start a notebook also. In Christ Love
What a great idea I am going to start a note book too- I like to add pictures from magazines or cards something that helps me connect with what I am trying to remember!
i am going to start a note book too- I like to add pictures from magazines or cards something that helps me connect with what I am trying to remember!
I am terrible at memorizing. I will write multiple times. It just may take a month to memorize one.
I will use youVersion a bible app on my windows phone to memorize it.
Emma