Episode 111 :: Denisse Copeland :: Simply Advent : Emmanuel, God With Us through Offering a Place to Belong

Today I get to share my conversation with incredibly sweet Denisse Copeland. Denisse is a wife, a Mom, and an author of Set Apart: Stop Comparing, Own Your Giftedness, and Rest in Jesus. She was born and raised in Puerto Rico and at the age of 16 she and her sister moved to the U.S. with essentially no English, and with no sense of belonging along with a gigantic amount of culture shock. Denisse struggled to find her place, and eventually began looking for it in toxic relationships, partying, and more. One night though, in her desperation and broken heartedness, Denisse cried out to God and He began to make Himself known to her. She found that through the gift of Jesus’ love for her and His desire to have a relationship with her life would never be the same,and now she spends her days sharing that same truth to other women around the world through her ministry Set Apart Daughters. 

This episode is one for those of us who struggle to believe that God really loves us, no matter who we are, where we’ve been or what we’ve done. Or for the one who is struggling to believe you do truly have a purpose in life. Denisse encourages us to remember who Jesus has been to us, and look at the gift of love that came down to be with us and sent the Spirit to dwell within our very skin, and made you on purpose, for a purpose.

While we spend the first half of this conversation about having a right vision of he Lord, or of yourself,  then in the second half, we will think through how to practice God’s presence with others. However, with Christmas right around the corner, we talk about how to honor people, no matter our relationship status with them, practice boundaries, and also be led by the Spirit in order to love God and love people in a Spirit-led manner for your heart, and those you encounter. I hope this episode encourages you and equips you as you walk out your days. 

There is so much left in your story friend. You have a purpose. And you matter. Your story matters. 

Connecting with Denisse:

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Podcast

Website


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References:

-Francis Chan

-“This Little Light of Mine”

-Boundaries : When to Say Yes, How to Say No to take Control of Your Life

-The meme with the sheep (you’re welcome) 

-The shepherds of Christmas possibly were shepherds that watched over the passover lambs

-Hear more from street chaplain Lindsey Krinks about the power of “seeing” people experiencing homelessness in our conversation here and her incredible book Praying with Our Feet: Pursuing Justice and Healing on the Streets. 

-Sermon on “love” from Fellowship Bible Church Murfreesboro, TN by Monty Waldron


Scripture References:

Psalm 34:8-Taste and see that the Lord is good

1 Peter 2:9- He calls us out of the darkness and into the Light

John 8:12- He is the Light of the World

Matthew 5:14- A city on a hill cannot be hidden

John 4- The Samaritan Woman 

Matthew 8:27- The disciples, who is this man?

John 15- Abiding in Jesus 

Galatians 1:10, Colossians 3:23-24- Seeking only God’s approval 

Matthew 14:13-21- The Lord will provide with what you have

Luke 9- When He sent the 12 out with very little, but He provided

Deuteronomy 29:5- Israel’s clothes or shoes didn’t wear out, the Lord provided

Luke 2:1-20- The shepherds running to find Jesus 

Matthew 12:21- Jesus came to bring hope 

John 3:16- Love came down 

Matthew 1:23- Emmanuel, God with us 

John 14:15-31, Galatians 2:20-Christ is in me (through the Holy Spirit)

Exodus 20:12, Ephesians 6:1-8- Honoring your family, no matter 

John 13:35-They will know you by your love 

1 John 3:18- Don’t just love with your words, but by your actions

Philippians 4:8-9- Whatever is true, noble, lovely… think about these things 

Romans 5:10, Colossians 1:21-23, You were once enemies of God 

John 10:10-The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy, but He came to have life to the full 

John 10:1-18- the father of lies being your father, My sheep know my voice

Ephesians 5:8, 1 Thessalonians 5:5-  Now we are children of the Light/Day 

2 Corinthians 3:18 -Being transformed into the image of Christ

Ephesians 4:20-24- Shedding the old skin 

Luke 2:4-7- There was no room for Mary and Joseph

Luke 2:8-20-The angels of Christmas (with the shepherds)

Luke 10:38-42- Mary and Martha 

Genesis 16:13- Hagar-you are the God who sees me 

Luke 1:37 Ephesians 3:20- The Lord can do anything 

Matthew 11:15- He who would have ears to hear, let him hear

Acts 2- The spoke in languages the crowd could understand (via tongues and the tongues of fire)

Deuteronomy 14:2, Ephesians 1:4-8- You are set apart 

Connecting with Emily and Simply Stories Podcast:
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*Intro and Outro music is from audionautix.com