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.
Word for the week: SATISFIED (Download in a PDF or download in MSWord). Please print it and post it everywhere so you can remember that God’s love can satisfy the thirst of your soul!
Verse for the week: “Satisfy [me] in the morning with your unfailing love, that [I] may sing for joy and be glad all [my] days…for I have put my trust in you.” Psalm 90:14, 143:8b, NIV
Today’s Assignment: Start or continue reading chapter 3. Remember, take your time and highlight or underline sentences that resonate in your heart.
Personal Update: Thank you for praying for my mom. She has a small fracture under her eye but no internal bleeding. Her face looks horrible so I am praising God she didn’t have more damage. Also, thank you for your sweet and fun comments about my silly Saturday video. I love sharing real life with you and wouldn’t want it any other way. Speaking of real life, I’m getting sick and this is the week we release my first teaching segment in the series of six videos we spent months filming and editing. I’m so eager to share this message with you! I just need to finish the handout and we’ll be ready to go. Please pray I’ll feel good enough to get ‘er done Tuesday so we can launch it Weds as planned. :-). (All things are possible for she who believes!)
Connecting in Community: Let’s 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. Also, if you have any other creative ways to memorize scripture please share that too! Lord willing, I’ll be back Weds with our video that Im so excited to share with you!!
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Well sisters in Christ I wanted to share with you what I read on today’s devotional from a book I have.
Blessed be the Lord, for he has heard the sound of my pleadings. Psalm 28:6
Thank you for hearing my prayers, dear Lord, and for being attentive to my needs and requests. Help me remember to speak often of the ways you have brought me help, deliverance, blessing, and encouragement. I want my gratitude and praise to bless you, today and always. I love you!
My need to pray increases as I realize how small I am; my desire to pray increases as I realize how great God is.
Quoted from My Daily Psalms & Prayers
…..and I felt that it was interesting that we read that the longing in our soul was put their by God, so that we would seek him to fill it. That’s very interesting.
I found that very interesting and I hope I don’t forget that.
God Bless
Jean
I do not consider myself an optimist or a pessimist. I consider myself a hopeful realist. When I read so many of the comments, I feel a bit discouraged. You seem so positive and uplifting and I wonder if this confident heart I seek is so very far beyond my reach. It’s all possible for the Lord….I know.
The 3rd chapter has been a struggle for me. Listening to Renee describe her acheivements makes me feel so small. I was rejected by the squads and clubs she was part of. I was told that I needed a husband, not an education, by my father. Didn’t have a car or the better things that many had. I never heard…at just the right moment…God telling me any answers or advice. Am I just listening incorrectly? Too much…too little. I’m 45 and first sought spiritual counseling from my pastor at 15…by making an appointment with him. There has always been this longing and searching in my soul…and a sense of indifference that I feel from the Lord…as though so many are so very precious to him and called to him…but I still feel so much like an outsider. Add to that my own struggle with clinical depression starting at 26. My self worth…..please Lord….please let me hear you speak to my heart, mind and soul….a message of hope and encouragement…of importance. Importance to Christ….
I’m trying. I’m reading, praying, using my index cards, journaling, making notes. If God did not bless me with confidence, he sure blessed me with a persistent heart and a hard head. I will keep pursuing.
I will go back and watch and rewatch the video from Chapt. 2. That was wonderful. I wish this wasn’t such a struggle for me. You all sound so CONFIDENT. Not I! Renee, you are so blessed.
God made each one of us different and special. Romans 2:11 “God does not show favoritism” Let’s honor God and make it our goal to gain a confident heart and let Him work through us!
Wow…after reading everyone’s positive comments, I almost feel guilty posting this latest journal entry on the blog. Renee, glad to hear that your mom is doing well…I’ll continue to keep her and you (and all of you readers and bloggers) in my prayer. Here is what has been on my heart since beginning this Bible Study:
Reading these last two chapters, I kept thinking Renee could have been writing my story! The whole clinical depression thing, the mask, and holding out this empty, broken cup for others to try and fill…the cup that never gets full because everything seeps out of the cracks of my brokenness. I mean, even the positive stuff brings me joy for the moment, but then I’m empty again. I have shared this with friends at times, and they are very supportive, but I don’t want them to feel bad that they can’t be enough or do enough, so I either retreat back into myself, or busy myself again with things that do bring me joy – taking care of others, doing stuff at my church etc. – till I eventually have to creep back into the privacy of my empty, where I cry alone, so no one can see or hear me. Broken?? Empty?? Lonely?? Yes! All I have to do is hear those words and the tears well up in my eyes. And I do cry out to God, and pray, and read Scripture, and listen to worship music…and it does help some, but then I feel guilty that God doesn’t seem to be enough for me…wow, that hurts just writing that down. If I’m brutally honest with myself, the truth is that maybe I don’t want God to be enough. I’m just really tired of being single, and I’m afraid that, if God is enough, then maybe I’ll just have to embrace my singleness as His plan for my life. It’s so hard to let go and trust! And what about God granting the desires of our hearts? Why would He put that desire in my heart if that’s not what He wants for me. Or is that desire not from Him? But then there are other times when I sense that deep peace from God that tells me that He is there in my pain, healing those broken pieces of my heart through His love. It is at those moments that I do feel that all that matters is that moment…and maybe God really is enough.
Lisa, I understand what you are saying. I to am single and also have a desire to not stay single. I try and put my trust in the Lord. I wonder also what the Lords desire is for me. My christian friends and my devotionals instruct me to wait patiently on the Lord. It is sort of funny. This week I have meet a few single christian woman. Perhaps, the Lord is showing me that I am not alone; that there are other woman with in the same situation.
Lisa and Margene,
You are not alone, as I am also single and have the desire to not stay single. Some days are better than others. I really love what Tasha said, in fact, I am going to write it down. On the back page of my bible are quotes that I have found really helpful when I am struggling. One is a verse, Prov 13:12- “hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life” (worth this wait)
“As important as the reason why we wait, is what God is doing while we wait”
“The peace of God is the presence of God in the midst of our situations” (not in the absence of turmoil)
I have found those to be most helpful when I am disheartened by singleness or other situations that have came about. Also, I really love the song “Surrender” by Barlow Girl, the lyrics are wonderful. I encourage you to check that song out, it will really touch your heart.
Blessings to you. You are not alone.
Nina B.
Nina, thank you so much for these quotes and scriptures. I may not even be going through exactly what you girls are going through but they spoke to my heart today. Thank you so much!
My sweet sister…I will be praying for you but I would like to share something that God showed me a couple years back…the scripture, “delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart”…ok the word “delight” here means to be “plyable”…as in putty….as in “He is the Potter we are the clay”…. So now I want you to think about this scripture like this….”If I allow myself to be molded and shaped by the Potter…putty in His hands…then He will give me the desires of my heart.” – BY THEN, our desires will be His desires…
Now, I’m not saying it is God’s will for you to be single all of your life but maybe it’s all in the timing…
I pray this helps you in some way….but I WILL be praying for you Lisa…
It is good to “cry out” to the Lord. He hears you and knows your troubles. We, as believers, never walk alone. Hebrews 13:5 “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hold fast to hope and trust Him with all your heart and discover the blessings He gives you each and every day. It is amazing what He does for us when we let Him.
Just got home from work a little while ago, and it was so nice to read all your replies. I really appreciate your taking the time to reply…and the Scripture quotes…and those song lyrics! But I especially appreciate the prayers. Tasha, that “delight yourself in the Lord” quote had always troubled me because I thought I was doing something wrong (since the main desires of my heart weren’t being given to me)…but you gave me a new way of looking at it. And Nina, I loved all those quotes, and the lyrics to Surrender! And Margene, thanks for validating my struggles, and letting me know I am not alone. And Becci, thanks for those words of hope and encouragement. God does shower me with many blessings…and for these, I am eternally grateful. Praying for all of you too. Thanks again!
Wow, Im so glad that I came across this comment. I am always so heartened to see women who feel the same way I have. I too am a single woman – all of my friends are married or involved – Im the only one left. Sometimes this can be terribly lonely. I have cried out to God and asked why I would have the desire to be a married woman if I just werent cut out for it – if single is what I would die as. I asked Him to take the desire away if it isnt His will for me. He has not, and so I know I need patience and I find that I think He has granted me patience. There is so much in my life that I need to be ok with Him on, I dont mind taking my time, I know He is leading me and He is leading you also. Thank you ladies for sharing your stories, it’s good to know that you arent alone.
Renee, I started reading the book last year and so I have been rereading. It was amazing to go back and see most of chapter 3 highlighted – I remember where I was when I first read it, I remember the time of day, and I remembered why I highlighted each phrase – I feel like I could have written so much of it myself. I kept on reading and thanking you and thanking God that He led you to write this. It felt like someone was looking into my heart. That doesnt often happen.
Sorry for the typo, it should” I am planning on hiding God’s word in my heart” This is my first time posting so I believe my brain is working faster than I am typing from excitement.
I am planning on hiding God’s word in my by keep every week word and scripture a notebook that I carry can with me every where including work, outtings or just sitting in my bedroom on my bed. My notebook actually sleeps in the bed with me so I have those encouraging words with me at all times. I am so thankful for the thoughts of the women you work with Lisa, who are willing to share with all of us to help us grow. I am thankful for everyone who is a part of this study. I am blessed to have a community of believers (woman) who has put having a confident heart through Christ as a top priority along with myself. I am already as result of this study and looking forward to so much more. Be Blessed and Satisfied everyone.
Authorine
January 31, 2012
Renee I am so happy about this chapter and the verse ,it became part of my morning prayer. I will say it all day. I know that I am saved and satisfied with Jesus and I thank Him everyday for all of His blessing. Glad to know your mom is okay. Bless all of you Jesus’girl out there
lLove you all
Renee, I don’t know how you read all these comments. It takes me forever! Praise the Lord for everyone sharing! You all are doing so awesome. I am almost caught up now. I can really focus on what’s going on. I just love this scripture. I’ve never read it before and I’m totally going to post it, on my phone, desktop, kitchen cabnet, I want to memorize this. I may even put it at the dinner table. I have been printing the word for the week and coloring them with highlighters (no color ink in printer) then putting them on my kitchen cabinet where all can see. My daughter (9yrs) came home yesterday and saw those words. She was like “awww.” I’m so glad they are touching her life also. 🙂 keep on keeping on girlies!
What a perfect “word” for me today as I read this! I plan to re-write that verse and put it everywhere in my house and in my car. I will likely make a notecard and slip it into my badge for when I am at work. I am a nurse so it will come in handy reading and re-reading the card! I believe it will bring me comfort just to slip away from my fast-paced day for 5 seconds and read it. I have verses that I alternate, but this one is JUST perfect for me right now!!
Also, I do alot of reading, particularly at night. I am old-school and like to read with a physical book, so I think I will make a ‘bookmark’ of that verse and be constantly reminded of it.
So glad to hear the good report on your mom, Renee.
Blessings to my fellow study mates this week! 🙂
Nina B.
Praise God I am feeling the SATISFACTION of living in His love.
Hi everyone, it is a blessing to read your posts…I have a request, my book was on my phone which broke yesterday, I have read the chapter but did not get the prayer at the end written out. Could someone type it here for me to ready, I won’t get my new phone for a couple of days and I want to make sure I pray that prayer daily. Thanks so much! Have a blessed day!
Lord, I pray that you would guide each of us through your truth and teach us, for You are our God and our Savior. Teach us to put our hope in you every day. Help us to stop looking to others and to other things for our fulfillment. Cause us to search You with our whole hearts. Give us a thirst for you that only You can quench. Remind us daily of Your unfailing love. Teach us to grasp how wide, how long, how high and how deep your love is for us. Fill us with Your love that surpasses our knowledge and our understanding. Fill us with the fullness of Yourself. Satisfy us with your unfailing, unconditional love. I thank you that your love never fails. I thank you that you love is unconditional. I thank you for first loving us. Glorify and honor yourself in and through us. In Jesus’ name. Amen
I copied and pasted from the Facebook post. Hope this helps!
Kim,
The prayer: “Lord I pray that you would guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior. I want to learn how to put my hope in You all day, every day. Please help me stop searching for fulfillment in anything or anyone but You. My soul thirsts for You; my body longs for You in this dry and weary land where there is no water. Satisfy me each morning with Your unfailing love so I can sing for joy all the days of my life. I want to be rooted and established in Your love.
I want to have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep the love of Christ is. I want to know this love that surpasses knowledge that I may be filled to the measure of the fullness of God. Thank You that Your love never fails, even when I do. Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You and praise You as long as I live. In Your name I will lift up my hands, Amen.”
See Ps. 25:5; 90:14; 63:1; Ephesians 3:17-19; Ps. 63:2-4
Thanks so much!!
I want to share something WONDERFUL that has happened with sharing “A Confident Heart”. I have been called to work with our local Special Olympic’s Athletes. Always wanted to share my love of horses, and now I am offically a “coach”. One of our athletes has become very dear to me. Was taken advantage of due to her disablility, but tries very hard to help others and is a sweet heart. I am only on Chapt. 2, and as I read page 39, I wrote her name next to, “But it’s no big deal, I’m fine”. That is what she often says. I know there is plenty of hurt there. Sunday, when I had some time alone with her, I showed her that I’d written her name by that section, and we talked about the woman at the well. She would read it (she is advanced), and then I would stop her to talk about what she had just read. A week ago, she told me she hates men and God is a man, so she hates Him. After talking about the woman at the well, I asked her, if she had ever asked Jesus into her heart. She said no, and I asked her to think about it. Shortly after she asked if I would help. I did not feel capable, but we talked about it, what it meant and I was called away, for a short time, and told her what she needed to do, but that we would see the local pastor that eve. I came back and she said she had asked Jesus into her heart and wanted him to help her and show her the path she needs to be on. I see so much potential there and told her so. She hadn’t cried for a long time, and was frustrated about why she couldn’t. She called me last night, and asked me to pray with her, it made me tear up and after amen, she was crying. Please keep us in your prayers. She and I are now going to back up and begin the Confident Heart study from the beginning. She has so much to teach me. 🙂
Chris,
Wow what an amazing story. I know you will be an encouragment to one another. I will be sending my prayers your way.
I love this verse!!!!
I am thanking God that your Mother is doing well and praying for you to get better and an extra boost of energy. I love the idea of post it notes everywhere and my computer screen is now plastered with the verse. This will help me in my time of need when these verses come in handy.
“Satisfied” is the perfect word for me this week. I am also following the “Made to Crave” study w/Melissa Taylor. I plan to write out the verse in my spiral bound index card notebook. I will keep it on my kitchen counter and move it to my placemat so I see it whenever I sit down to eat.
So glad to hear that your Mom is on the mend…praying that you will be able to get the rest you need & feel better too!
Love the verse for this week! Feel like it is a powerful reminder that when we start our day with God He will satisfy the needs of our heart so that His joy will overflow from our lives into the lives of others. I have recently started trying to do my devotional time first thing in the morning & it’s amazing what a difference it makes in my whole day! I pray that all of us will be filled with God’s unfailing love & joy each & every day! 🙂
Renee,
Just wanted to let you know Im glad your mom is just fine 🙂 Good luck with your release!
I will practice memorizing this verse by reading it each morning when I awake. Hope everyone has a blessed and productive day. Yesterday I got the chance to catch up on some rest. #Thankful in spite of
I love the verse of the week. I think putting it on my computer background is a great idea too. So glad your mother is doing better. Will be praying for your health too! The study is going great and amazingly uplifting for me. I have been sharing with my sister and she too is enjoying. Thank you so much for your time and effort that you put into helping others. Your love for God is contagious 🙂 Thanks again,
Good morning all,
Renee, so glad that your mom is feeling better. Thanking God that healing is the children’s bread and we claim it on behalf of your mother. In Jesus’ Name. Amen and Amen.
Heather, thank you for the suggestions on memorization. I could really use as much help as possible because it seems the older you get, the older you get. Lol.
Thank you all and be blessed.
Love,
Michelle
Love the verse and the word for the week. I read the entire chapter three and things are finally clicking with me and the confidence thing. I guess I needed to do this book twice to just get the meat out of it and I think I did. I am glad to hear your mom is doing well. Will keep praying for her. I have a book of index cards on my desk and I write the word out and am able to look at the word for the week.
Thanks again,
Jeanie Kelley
Renee- so thankful for the good news about your Mom and praying for healing for your body this week. I found an app for those with Iphones or Ipads called Bible Verse Companion. It’s free and it will let you put a favorite verse on a background picture. You can use it as a wallpaper and post it to Facebook. So I have our verse of the week as my wallpaper on my phone and will be writing it on post its and index cards.