Is God enough? It’s a question her circumstances bring her back to quite often. But over a lifetime, she’s come to the conclusion that not only is God enough, He has to be enough.
As a young child, she didn’t realize her need for God, but she did realize she had a need that wasn’t being met. She was sexually abused when she was seven years old. Her dad walked out on her family when she was eleven. Both left her devastated.
She didn’t understand how God could bring healing, so she spent years trying to heal herself. But nothing was enough to meet her needs. Nothing…
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This is my friend Melissa Taylor’s story. Maybe you read her Proverbs 31 Ministries devotion today. This is also the Melissa I talk about in chapter eleven, and the Melissa who is hosting a P31 Online Bible Study with my new book, A Confident Heart.
It’s going to be life-changing. I’ve known Melissa for over 10 years – and love her! She’s the real deal and I’m so honored she chosen my book as her next study. She is an amazing woman and a great group leader! If you are looking for friends to walk alongside as you learn how to stop doubting yourself and start living in the security of God’s promises, please consider joining this online Bible Study group.
Today, I’m announcing a new give-away that will include a copy of my book and a FREE series of Confident Heart Conference Calls that are an optional part of Melissa’s online study. They include 4 calls with Melissa and guests (including me and other women who have a passion for this topic).They normally cost $15 – but I”m giving one of you the whole series for free!
****
ENTER TO WIN… simply let me know if you are joining Melissa’s online study or reading the book on your own or with other friends…by clicking on “Share Your Thoughts” below this post. (If you are reading this in an email, click on the title of this post to visit my blog to enter your name, please).
To find out more details about Melissa’s online study and her story…click here to visit Melisa’s blog.
I’m praying for you today, to know the assurance of His promise to meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
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This book sounds so perfect for me right now. I would love to be a part of this.
I have your book and was tempted to start it but really want to wait until Melissa’s study starts. I’m signed up and ready to go. I was so thankful for your 7 day doubt diet. It was wonderful! Thank you so much for writing! God bless!
Hi Renee, I am doing Melissa’s study and looking forward to working thru ACH again!! Once my little man gets a bit bigger I’m praying and planning on doing a study with our Sunday school!! So exciting to see all God is doing with this and through you…encouraging as well! It was so good to hear your interview the other day! Blessings to you, Jill
I went through the 7-day doubt diet. I really liked it. It spoke straight to my heart. Doubting is something I struggle with big time! I do not have the Confident Heart book yet. I did sign up for Melissa Taylor’s Bible Study with the Confident Heart book. Hoping I will be able to get the book before then!
Thank you for your daily messages on Facebook! I do not have your book yet but it is on my list of books to be getting. Your book was first brought to my attention via Facebook and then once again online through a Christian bookstore. I have read – and enjoyed – chapter one that was in PDF format. Thank You. God Bless.
I signed up for the study being hosted by Melissa. However, I have been battling exhaustion and have serious doubts about being able to keep up.
As far as your question, “Is God enough?” My question is more along the lines of this:
“God is so good, but I am so inconsistent.”
I struggle with letting people know I am a follower of Jesus, because I have such a hard time consistently following. I get distracted. Depression envelopes me when I am exhausted. I remember a verse in the Bible about always being ready to give an account of the hope that is in you. However, it is easy to let the raging storms of life overshadow that hope.
I also struggle with the verses that mention running the race with endurance. I have hit a big wall. I question my ability often to even walk. (and running is definitely out-of-the-question!) How many times will I have to ask God to pick me up? When will the crippling anxiety cease? Why do I have such little faith? I feel like a child waiting for a first-rate scolding for her lack of faith, lack of endurance.
-Rhea
Rhea,
I am praying for you right now….and I feel exactly as you described sometimes. I deal with the “crippling anxiety,” on a regular basis. I deal with my past, but more importantly my present that is a result of my past… and I feel like I am at a fork in the road, not knowing which way to turn, both ways difficult…but which way it right? Which way is the way God wants me to go? Is God asking me to give up everything to prove my faithfulness to Him? A million questions go through my mind, my mind is definitely running a race! I feel so unworthy, and terrified. What if I make the wrong choice, am I turning my back on God? I cannot sleep, barely eat, I just keep searching, searching for answers online, at home, with friends, in the Bible, and I just feel like I am in a fog. I know God loves me, but it is so hard to remember when I think about all of the people I have hurt badly in my life, I want to know “What now? I’m scared but I trust You…” I know that I am “under attack”, especially now that I am making changes in my life for the better, and trying to dedicate my life to Christ, but it is hard for me to discern my voice (or the enemy’s) from God’s. Sometimes when I read the Bible I just cry, because instead of insight, I hear countless ways in which I have already failed God miserably. I have started praying and asking God for protection when I am reading His word, to help me keep out the lies that surround me, even when I am reading the Bible. My dear Rhea, I will continue to pray for you, and I pray that the Bible study will open your (and my) eyes to the truth, that God loves us, and He has a plan for us. Throwing my arms around you in “hugs” and prayer…
Emilea
Dear Emilea,
I wrote to Rhea above with you also in mind and hope you also will feel encouraged by what I shared with her.
Keep going. Don’t look at your failures – look for God’s love for you. He no longer sees your failures because Jesus became all of that for you. God sees the righteousness of Christ when he looks at you. Your tears are precious to God because He sees that you long to please Him…
Marla
Dear Emilea,
I had you in mind when I was writing to Rhea above and hope you will also find encouragement in what I shared with her.
Keep going. Don’t look at your failures because Jesus already became all that for you on the cross. Look for God’s love for you. When He looks at you He sees the righteousness of Christ. Your tears are precious to Him because he sees that you want to please Him.
Marla
Thank you Marla, you brought me to tears… I am definitely going to review the verses you recommended with a renewed heart and mind. Thank you so much again for your reply.
Emilea
Dear Rhea
It doesn’t matter if you keep up…just decide that you want to keep going. Yes, the Lord rewards faith but if you will look at Isaiah 42:3 it states that “A bruised reed He will not break and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out”. Also if you read that verse within the context of what God wanted to show us through Jesus in Matthew 12 you will see that the Lord is full of mercy and offers compassion that is above the “law”. He is not standing over you waiting to “scold” you or punish you. My prayer for you is that you will begin to gaze upon the God of grace and see the one He loves looking back at you in the mirror.
I also want to encourage you to look into the Word to find out a little more on the subject of faith, God gave each of us the gift of faith. Do you realize that? It is within you waiting for you to exercise it. Simply speak out loud that you have the same spirit of faith as every other child of God as stated in 2 Corinthians 4:13. Notice the “speaking” part. And in Romans 12:3 it states that God has dealt you a measure of faith. You have also received a “spirit of power, love and of a sound mind” 2 Timothy 1:7. Even as you begin to speak and practice repeating these words of God out loud you will begin to push through the storms.
Let’s look forward to the book and bible study as a gift from the Lord through Renee and Melissa.
Marla
Rhea,
God loves you just for you…and you know what?…. He loves your honesty! Girl, I have been where you are earlier in my life and still struggle with it here and there…we are human. The fact that you wrote this means you are enduring, the fact that you care…means that you are enduring…the fact that you joined the Bible Study…means you are enduring…wow..that didn’t come from me…must have been God 🙂 He loves you dearly and I guess He wanted to say that through my fingers on this keyboard!!!! Be blessed…isn’t He awesome!!!!!
Your Father and me, Lori
I signed up for the Bible Study. I am waiting to read the book until then. I don’t want to forget what I’ve read between now and then. Can’t wait, so excited to be a part of this journey.
Would love a chance to do the study. We are administering a 12-step Celebrate Recovery program and this study sounds like it would be a perfect fit for some of our participants.
I am doing the online study and I have finished the book. Honestly, it has changed my life! I finally realized what my spiritual gifts are and have surrendered them to God. I finally realize my personality traits and why I do some of the things I do, and why I don’t have to do them! It has been absolutely fantastic and I have been singing the book’s praises to everyone I know. Thanks for sharing so much of yourself!
I sincerely hope nothing will prevent me from attending A Confident Heart Bible study.
I signed up and will He will make a way…..because I’m confident in Him and He IS enough : )
May He continue to bless you and your ministry~
Renee, I am in chapter 3 and plan to join Melissa. As I’m reading today, I can’t help but wonder if you wrote this book for me. Everything so far applies and answers my questions. I would hug and kiss you right now, but you are not here with me. I can’t even express in words how I feel as I read the book. God bless you and your ministry. I do hope I’ll meet you someday.
I have my autographed copy of the book and will be doing the online study, I can’t wait for it to get started….Lisa
I am doing Melissa’s online bible study. There is so much going on right now, and with my son deployed, I really need this bible study. Thank you for this opportunity.
I will be doing her on line study with a friend or two, depends on how many I can get to join me!:)
Thank you for allowing God to work in you & through you in such a powerful way. God’s timing is perfect (like that’s a surprise) I just received your books & looking forward (though I know it will be difficult) to begin them. Thank you also for sharing about Melissa’s on-line study – I’ve just signed up & I know that will be an important part of growing & healing. Blessings! :o)
I signed up for Melissa’s online study today and downloaded your book on my Nook on Monday! can’t wait to start!
Just saw this offer….thanks in advance on behalf of whomever wins….i am interested in doing this study because A) I need to have a heart more confident in God; B) lots of life upheavals of late that keep me home and need to guard against the isolation that could bring; C) found the 7 day Doubt Diet awesome and spot on!
I have signed up for the online study with Melissa and will contiue to claim my victory in Jesus’ name.
God Bless.
Thank you so much for this opportunity! Blessings!
I have been getting the studies online and love them how ever I don’t have the funds at this time to purchase her book our I would have it. This is just wonderful to be able to have these studies coming to me by way of email. It’s a wonderful way to start my day.