“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!
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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!