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Renee Swope

Encouraging and equipping moms to parent with God's grace and confidence.

{Week 8} You are God’s Masterpiece

Our word for the week: MASTERPIECE

Be sure to print it and post it everywhere! You can download in a PDF or in MSWord.

According to Distionary.com, a masterpiece is:

  1. a person’s greatest piece of work, as in art
  2. anything done with masterly skill
  3. a consummate example of skill or excellence of any kind

God’s WORD for US this week:
We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.“ Ephesians 2:10, NLT

Let’s Connect: As you read Chapter 8 , what are some sentences or verses you’ve underlined or highlighted so far? Click “Share Your Thoughts” below and do just that. Can’t wait to hear what God is showing you. {If you are reading this via EMAIL CLICK HERE to return to my website to leave comment.}

[The winner of my  “Living in God’s Promises” Gift pack Giveaway which includes a $10 Starbucks OR  Target Gift Card{you choose}, 2 copies of A Confident Heart, and a copy of my Letting God Fill the Empty Places in Your Heart message on CD is: Melissa S.   Congrats!! We’ll be emailing you for your mailing address.]

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Comments

  1. To Renee and many others in this study, I admire your ability to listen for and hear God’s Word speaking directly to you. I have been in an emotional slump for a while now and have been praying for God to reveal His plan for me. While I am disappointed in how my life is going, I am trying to use this “waiting” period as a time for God to use me where he needs me most. (And I do need to feel “needed” )! I know it’s about God’s timeline, not mine, but I am feeling a bit weary after a couple of years of this. An idea that has resonated with me from a few chapters back is that He will not always make “something” happen, just because He can; I need to make something happen. I appreciate that because, as a sufferer of anxiety, I have been praying for God to “fix” me- He can do it, so why hasn’t He? I now understand that I need to participate in my own recovery (I’m still working on that!) But, as a single person (my husband left me due to the intensity of my anxiety) and childless (my life’s dream is to be a mom) I am seeking how God can use me with that desire and training (I work with special needs students), but I am not sure what that is. How do I descern what He is trying to do with me and not be so stubborn! That is what I hope to continue to learn about through this study! IT really helps to even communicate these thoughts and get it off my chest!
    God Bless you , my online sisters!
    PS- i wish I live near some you you weary moms- I’d love to offer you some respite! 🙂

    • I so understand what you are saying Tina…I suffer with anxiety also and wonder what happened to the Fairy Tale life I dreamed of…it sure didn’t turn out as I had planned. But we began this study with my life verse…”For I know the plans I have for you…., ” So I am trusting that His plan is better for me than the one I dreamed of…God bless you and than you for sharing your heart…Love your sister in Christ…Peggy

  2. I have been sitting at Starbucks this morning doing my Bible Study and waiting to head on the next stage of my journey. I take my son to school (10 miles), then I wait until my daughters have gotten to school before I finish the next 15 miles to school. The point between is a Starbucks (imagine that Renee).
    So, this morning as I am reading the blog (before it shut down), I am thinking how I have let “Jesus Take the Wheel” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcR8N_v0ymQ. In the past 27 years since I saw Florence Littauer in Redding, CA I have develop my personality a lot. I am still a Melancholy with a fight for second of Sanguine and Phlegmatic. I say it is a fight every day! Part of letting the Lord have control is between this little voice that says, “Party, Party, Party” and another that say, “Take it easy, you are moving way to fast”. The stronger Melancholy voice is saying, “Would you two make up your mind, I need to be getting going with the program…there is stuff that needs to be done and I mean done correctly.”
    Then I get a Hot Flash!!! These things are like false labor; you breathe through them and then go on. I remember not too long ago I had just pulled into the shopping center after driving the 20 miles from school on the freeway and one had hit about mile 18. I stopped and my heart was beating I was sweating and my “compassionate” teenagers says, “Mom just go get a Starbucks and get on with the program.”
    This chapter has been a reminder that when Jesus takes the wheel to our life, we don’t need to strive, worries or overdo. He knows what my mind can hold, He knows how much needs to be done and He knows what the outcome is. He knows the future. Today He knew the blog would have trouble, He knew the young man at the table next to me would come to Him as Lord and Savior and I would be here to rejoice with the great cloud of witnesses. He Knows the future and I know He hold my hand.

    • Wow…Deena…you sound great!! It is good when we are focused and know what we want to do…for me anyway! I feel so much better at the end of the day when I have let Jesus take the wheel…I fight it, as we women do, but it is a good day when I stay focused as you strive to do…I am struggling with it and it seems my addictive personality comes out when I am not focused. I start something and then something else and I (my bad habit) smoke to much and then it seems I have been eating, picking to much like an oral fixation is what I need…Not sure what that is about but it is what it is and I work on being better at this life daily…

      I am encouraged by what you have said and love that I am not the only one that struggles with the different parts of my personality…God Bless you my sweet sister…<3

      • Peggy, I will pray for you today. I am struggling all the time too. Some days, like yesterday, help me remember what I am focused on and the outcome of it all. When that boy was being witnessed to and he said, “Why is the flag at 1/2 mast?” and I was able to explain it was for the fireman that was killed last week. Then I shared how a fella at our church had stood up and said that he had been able to tell the man of God’s love for him just days before he was killed in the line of duty. I keep goosebumps every time I drive by the cross on the HWY with his fireman’s helmet on it. I don’t know where that fireman is today as far as the Lord, but the teenager will be with us in heaven.
        Today I struggle too. We are in the 4th year of a probate suit. Today we see the doctor to finally show that we took care of my mother-in-law and kept her out of State care for years before she went into the nursing home. I never thought it would come to this, I have wanted to just walk away and say take the whole thing, just leave me alone. BUT God had a bigger plan. I am still here and I am still in the fight. Whatever the outcome, I have to believe, He is in control.
        Love you too sister.

        • Wow…you are dealing with huge stuff and yes you must let Jesus keep driving and sit back and let Him have control of the road ahead of you…I am speaking to myself also with the things I am dealing with in my life…i just so understand your feelings, maybe because we have the same struggles in our personality types…I really don’t like putting a category on who I am, i am a child of God, and he made us to be like Him…So I strive to do what Jesus would do, but we live in a crazy, broken world and sometimes I have to step out of my comfort zone and press on toward my goals, that lead to His goal of the Heavenly prize…Am I making any sense…Sometimes my hands write faster than they should…Thank you for your prayers as I pray for you…One thing, hang on to those precious teen years…My sons are 38, 33 and 28 now …all married and i so miss those years!!! I miss them!! So love on them and enjoy…Just like your teenager said…I love it, they are so wonderful to be around…My boys are doing so well, praise God, I am so proud of them…

          God’s plan was so different than I had planned or is it the choices I have made???? I live so far from my speciial two sons, by choice, following my husbands wants…now I am 1200 miles away from reaping the benefits of all we did by enjoying them and my grandchildren…Thank God for technology, but I wish I never moved away…Is that wrong thinking??? I guess I am venting to Jesus, and the recepiants of it are anyone here who will listen and possibly validate my truth…

          Thank you for sharing your heart Deena, which in turn has helped me share mine…God Bless!!

    • I learn so much from that age group!! My oldest son reminded me once he will be picking out my nursing home!!Yikes! They really do see what is going on esp in the car!!

      • Lou, i am chuckling here because that’s exactly what my youngest grandson told his mom a while back! You’re so right—-Yikes!!

    • "From the perspectives of wild ecosystems, that may not matter much, since anthropogenic climate change is so abrupt compared to the normal rate of change prehistorically. But from the perspective of human-managed landscapes, it matters a lot, since humans can certainly do a lot of adaptation over the course of thirty years (different crops, new more drought-tolerant crops, irrigation in areas where it currently isn't used, etc)."I'm sure those advocating for systemic climate engineering will like this conclusion. Nature is screwed so carte blanche.

  3. Hello Renee and everyone doing the Study, I’m doing this study at the same time I’m leading a 12 Step Study using Celebrate Recovery Material and it’s interesting to me how the Holy Spirit is weaving the material so beautifully together. I’ve been leading Recovery Groups for 8 years now having the honor and joy to witness modern day miracles right before my eyes as the Holy Spirit is transforming the lives of the women He’s asked me to shepherd over a 9 -12 month period of time. Each year I choose a gift to present to my sisters in Christ as they ‘Graduate’ from their First Year on the Road of Recovery and this year I’m going to purchase ‘The Confident Heart’ for each one. I’m so glad I listened to the Holy Spirits prompting to join the group and to do the study! As I’ve been on my own Road of Recovery for 8.5 years allowing the Holy Spirit, to peel off the layers of hurt, bad habits, compulsive behaviors, worldly thinking and acting to reveal to myself, my family and those in my sphere of influence the me God always intended me to be, I’m blown away. Thank you, Renee for hearing the prompting of the Holy Spirit, for shutting off the voices that most certainly were not the voice of the One who loves you and created you to be His Masterpiece… I’m still in process (as we all are) nevertheless, I’m so excited to be who I am in Him and doing what I’m doing for Him that life has real meaning even in through the storms of life – He is so GOOD. You’re such a blessing in my life I wish I could thank you personally for doing such a great job on this study… May our great God and loving Abba Father continue to use you in a mighty way for His Kingdom! with love, peace and lots of joy… barb :O)

    • Barb, do you have a website relative to your ‘recovery/recovering’ program?

    • How I wish there was a Celebrate Recovery program near me!! I used to go and loved it!! I had a small group and did all the steps, it was so healing for me. Then we moved and the closest one is 40 minutes from me and it is at night. If it was daytime I would still go!! Its in a not so nice section of town and I am not good out at night as it is…I never thought to look back through the books and materials…Thank you for the reminder BARB…God Bless you for leading, it is I am sure so rewarding and what a testimony to people and to our Jesus…God Bless…Peggy

  4. Been thinking about being His masterpiece…I am interested in art/creativity and bringing more of it back into the Body of Christ. I have dwelt on the thought that God says at the beginning of the Bible….”In the beginning God created…” How He declares Himself to be Creator God….and how we are created in His image. So, we are His masterpieces…created to create. Anyone who has created anything realizes how much care goes into their creation…so that they can display it for others to be touched by it. Is that how Creator God thinks of us…with skill and care He fashions each one according to the “message” He is looking to share with the world…that we might be enjoy being an extension of His creativity. If only we embrace His design (which can sometimes be the difficult part.) But Father knows best.

    • Carla, thank you for sharing your thoughts on ‘created to create’. Thinking down the path of ‘creating what God has given us’ to share with others, being an extension of His creativity gives me food for thought. Thank you Carla.

  5. Hello my sweet sisters…I so identify with so much in all the chapters…It seems to me anyway, that I go up and down…Feel good and not so good throughout reading these chapters…I know for me in this chapter…Just “You are wanted and you belong!” is what I have gone back to and try to believe…Being a Caregiver to the elderly, I do believe that I am using my gifts of Mercy, Encouragement, Helps, Organizing…But is it where i belong? I hear so much wisdom and so many life lessonsare gained through their lives, I listen and learn.

    My life lessons and what I have been through are what many women my age go through..That feeling of what now? Where am I going? Where is God leading me resognates throughout my days…I know I am a blessing to the clients I have, I do believe i have learned much and do help them in so many ways…Is this God’s calling for me? I question it, I ponder it in my heart…

    I am two personality types and they are opposite each other in characteristics…So , the part of me that is melancholy is satisfied with what I do, but the Sanguine in me wants to be around women, people my age and I have none of that except behind a computer. I am not complaining at all, I have much to be grateful to God and so many for, but am I satisfied that I am where God wants me? No, and time is running out in my life…the older we get, the more pressed I feel to be all that God wants me to be…I fail forward (I know that because i am still alive) but when Lord, when will I find Peggy’s niche??? I am frustrated and very fragile and God knows it…Jesus never leaves me nor forsakes me and I am grateful for that…Will we ever be satisfied??? I think not, until Jesus comes back…I press on…

    I love reading younger women’s stories with children, who are lonely frustrated, feeling like kids and laundry and cooking and cleaning and pleasing others is what their lives are…I was there, and now I am alone…But God!! I want to encourage all of you there that you have beautiful hearts and you are blessed to have this and studies and women in youur life at church or work that help you through…I cherish the memories…It seems I have forgotton how much I couldnt wait until my boys were grown and I had “freedom”!! I remember the things I cherish about those “Golden Years”…God Bless!

  6. I am behind and so was glad to have the link take me to week 7 so I could get caught up with that word of the week and some of the posts. I haven’t been posting here much, seem to be out of steam for that by the end of my day, but read as I can and always look forward to the email messages. The study has been so good and the thing that has really stayed with me, that I am really using and incorporating into my daily walk is the When-Then statements. This has been such an excellent tool and the Holy Spirit is really making me aware of all the self-defeating talk I have with myself all day long. I’m going through such a tough time right now emotionally, relationally and physically; it’s such a wonderful way to remember that none of this defines me but only what God says about me. I also am really being blessed by and starting to use the prayers you put together from different Scripture. I’ve heard of praying Scripture before, but putting together many different verses is such a great way to do this. Thank you.

  7. I am someone who has never had ‘goals’ or ‘dreams’ and have always felt less than others because of that. In fact my boyfreind broke up with me because i wasn’t ‘challenging’….that was 3 years ago but it has been something that has stuck with me because it cemented the self doubt I feel about myself….because by nature, I am not a goal orientated sort of person. I am struggling to still apply this study to myself and am desperately wanting a break through of some sort….but I wonder if Im expecting too much. Maybe it’s going to be a slow process instead of something that will happen in the shorter term. But I must say that i was encouraged to read that God gave me my personality so that I can impact certain people throughout my life. I may not be ‘challenging’ or have any great dreams or visions for my future but I do hope and pray that I can impact other people, simply be being me. Thanks Renee for that reminder.

  8. Okay, first of all…I LOVE this chapter! It is oh, so encouraging. I have many, many sentences and portions underlined. Why? Because I lived for so long feeling like I had nothing special to offer. At least, nothing that seemed as special as what I saw in so many others. So glad for the encouragement in this chapter NOT to compare. (Something I KNOW not to do, but can still use a good reminder to actually NOT do it.) And for the encouragement to discover our unique God-given personalities and gifts.

    One of my favorite quotes from this chapter…
    “God deliberately gave you the personality He wanted you to have so He could impact certain people through your life.”
    Wow! This tells me that there is nothing “wrong” with my personality. 🙂 AND that He does indeed have people He wants ME to impact. People I am DESIGNED to impact. That right there makes me feel special. And that means a whole lot to a gal who never did feel too special.

    Praying for everyone as we dig into this chapter and let God whisper sweet, sweet truth to our hearts!

  9. I can so relate to this. I also suffered for years from the disease to please. The last two years God has really worked on me in this area. It is so Freeing to start letting that go and to realize that I only need to concern myself with pleasing God and not others. This study has just cemented what has already been a work in progress so thanks!

    • Love that!! God always confirms what He wants us to know. Keep seeking, listening and following Him. You are on your way to living with lasting confidence in Christ!

  10. The “disease to please” hit close to home. That was me a few years ago. I’m finding my way out and this study is helping so much. A “work in progress” that is for sure. I have no idea what my true passion is. I will need to spend some time on this chapter.

    • So glad you are taking time to get to know the real you – the woman God created you to be. Praying you will identify, begin to understand and fully embrace her!!

  11. I am full of joy to receive this message! And I appreciate for explaining the definition, Jesus. I am glad to know the great new word ‘consummate’ today. Thanks, Renee, take a rest in the LORD and keep healthy!

    • Thanks for sharing how much this spoke to you!! Resting in Him this week. No event for three weeks and so far we are healthy here and my back is getting better!

  12. Just the word Masterpiece resonates in my heart. What an honor, and if that is how God values us then I can’t devalue anyone else either.

    • Yes, you are right. And the more we love Him fully, and our selves as He loves us, the more we can love others with grace and acceptance. It’s such a beautiful transformation!!

  13. hmmm…as I see the personality traits God deliberately gave me …reliable, organizer, needs stability, support, friendly (when not under pressure), perfectionist and stubborn I wonder what God is preparing me for in the ministry I currently volunteer/work at or if He will be calling me to another ministry.

    What would I do if neither time nor money was an issue?? I would give, give give! I would love to have my husband work along side of me traveling to serve in shelters, packing boxes for orphans and the destitute.

    • Sharon,
      I have similar traits as you and all i want to do is also give, give, give. I was a missionary kid for a few years and I want to clothe and feed those that had nothing. I most recently felt that God was leading me to help those in my local area and part of it will be volunteering and serving in shelters and hospitals. It is comforting knowing that there are others with the same desire.

      Renee,
      I love art and that “masterpiece” is the word for the week is really speaking to me. God used many different mediums to create us uniquely different.

  14. The one sentence that resonated with me is: “I tried to be who others wanted,expected, or needed me to be. I’ve been doing this for so many years that I lost myself out there somewhere. I believe God is entering me into a new season; one where I will find me and rediscover my dreams, passions and talents.

    • So glad you are reading along with us!! Praying you experience the depth of God’s hope, freedom, encouragement, affirmation and direction as you get to know the woman HE created you to be!!

  15. One of the things I believe is that in a healthy ME my gifts are a reflection of Jesus, but an unhealthy ME takes these attributes to an extreme and have a negative impact. For example, I am a nurturer, caring and compassionate, but when I get out of balance I neglect to take care of my own needs. God did create a masterpiece, but often I need to let the Master re-shape the piece.

  16. You have no idea how this word masterpiece has changed me. I grew up with a Mom that always told me I was a mistake and should never have been born. I could go on and on about the verbal abuse I suffered as a child. My Mother was a Christian woman – at least I thought so and that made her telling me I was a mistake God had made was even worse for I believed it so. As I matured and got into His Word and became exposed to books such as yours, I began to hear the words “I am His masterpiece.” He told me that over and over in His Word. I am sorry that my Mom was such a hurting woman that she then hurt me. Now I listen to His Word and what it says about me and that is what I believe ….. and hopefully in heaven th she also now sees me as the “wonderful masterpiece He created when He created me” Thanks to all the people including you Renee that have helped me in this journey. And thank You God for blessing me with these inspiring people – and even moreso thank You God for Your inspiring Word where I can find how to truly define myself.

    • Praise God that He opened the eyes of your heart for you to see that you ARE His Masterpiece!!

    • I am SOOOOO THANKFUL God has shown you just how wonderfully made you are — His masterpiece created in Christ Jesus. Woven together for HIS purposes. What a trophy of HIS grace you are Rita!!

  17. “Rehearsing troubles results in experiencing them many times, whereas I was meant to go through them only when they actually occur”. Oh how I wish I could turn off the tapes in my head that play and replay negative situations most of which have not even happened. But the Word says, Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, …My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

    • Brenda,
      I know just what you mean. I was doing that very same thing this afternoon. I wish I knew how to just shut off the tape. Get rid of it once and for all.

  18. There are so many sentences and verses that move me in this chapter. I love this chapter. My favorite:

    “Another way God reveals His purpose is through our life experiences”. I don’t need to understand why I was sexually abused as a child or why my 8 year old son was stricken with cancer. God has a plan for me…and it IS a good one!

  19. The sentences that hit me hardest were “I tried to be who others wanted,expected, or needed me to be. I was fairly good at it. But I also suffered symptoms common to those with the disease to please.
    This is definitely me. I don’t really know what my passions and dreams are. I just try; to do what pleases the other person, but it makes me miserable at times, because I’ve learned you can’t please everyone!

    • Oh Michele! How I suffer from the same disease…. Amazing thing, although it makes me feel miserale at times but then often its what brings me joy…. So I try to keep in mind the times that it gave me joy to overcome the times when I feel miserable…

  20. Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go do that. Because what the world needs in people who have come alive. Harold Thurman Whitman

    This struck me because I think have have come to such a point of burnout that I wonder how do you even figure out what would make you come alive? When you feel so tired, weary and empty and feel like you have nothing left to give to anyone how do you come alive?

    • I remember hearing a sermon once on Elijah (I Kings 17) and how he was just EXHAUSTED, and God provided a time of refreshment for him. And the same happened with Jesus after He was tempted in the desert (angels came!), and even the breakfast that He himself fixed for his disciples after the Resurrection. When you start searching the Scriptures, you find example after example of how lavishly God provides rest for those who are so weary. I really think I almost started crying in church that day because as a mother to MANY little ones, the idea of even ONE uninterrupted hour of rest seemed unlikely — downright impossible, really. (I was imagining how wonderful it would be for angels — I’d even take RAVENS — delivering some food for me!) I’m in a different season now… my youngest is three…. but I am so thankful that God showed me how there are times where he doesn’t expect anything from you — instead He wants you to receive the refreshment He’s ready to offer. THEN you will be more prepared for the next “assignment” when it comes. Praying for you, Shanna!

      • Oh Shanna, I too have been there — that place of empty and exhausted and sinking like Elijah into a place of deep sadness and burnout. I felt guilty for resting or doing something that gave me joy. And for a while I didn’t even know what that would be. So I asked Jesus to just show me. Surprisingly He led me to start planting pansies or take 15 mins to just go for a walk and just talk to Him. It brough refreshment in ways I had never known. I am praying you will try that or something else. Just ask Him to remind you of something that has made you smile or laugh in the past — music, a movie, drawing, writing, cooking, flowers, reading — and then go do that first. It doesn’t. God wants to fill you up before you continue pouring out.

        I love the wonderful wisdom Rachel shared, too! My heart felt a sense of calm and “yes” deep in my spirit as I read her words. Thank you both for sharing so openly. Love hearing your hearts!!

        • I’m so touched by that quote that Shanna posted. Bc for the 1st time ever I actually have the time to search my heart and “do what makes me come alive.” But geez I have no idea where I’m going or what it is I want to do. I have a good job and my degree so I also tend to feel guilty for being so blessed and now having this time. I know it’s rare but if any of you have experienced this at some time in your life, please share what you did to search your heart and find what made you come alive. Doesn’t hurt to ask 🙂 Praying for all of you on here.

          All love,
          May

          • Thank you all for your sweet words and prayers. I know God has a plan for me and have been very touched through your book Renee. I am so blessed that you were led to write it for the rest of us. And I am praying for all of the women who are participating in this study.