Denisse Copeland - Set Apart: Stop Comparing, Own Your Giftedness, and Rest in Jesus

2021 by Denisse Copeland

Published by Baker Books

a division of Baker Publishing Group

PO Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287

www.bakerbooks.com

Ebook edition created 2021

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

ISBN 978-1-4934-3026-0

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations labeled BSB are from The Berean Bible (www.Berean.Bible), Berean Study Bible (BSB) 20162020 by Bible Hub and Berean.Bible. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations labeled ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2016

Scripture quotations labeled ISV are from the International Standard Version, Copyright 19952014 by ISV Foundation. All rights reserved internationally. Used by permission of Davidson Press, LLC.

Scripture quotations labeled MSG are from THE MESSAGE , copyright 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Scripture quotations labeled NCV are from the New Century Version. Copyright 2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations labeled NKJV are from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations labeled NLT are from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Italics added to Scripture quotations reflect the authors emphasis.

The author is represented by MacGregor & Luedeke Literary.

If youve ever wondered whether you are enough, then please pick up this book! While sharing her journey, Denisse reminds women that we dont have to be enough, because Christ is enough for us and in us. Dive into these chapters to find encouragement and peace as Denisse points to the truths of the gospel.

Lauren McAfee , author of Only One Life and Not What You Think ; ministry coordinator at Hobby Lobby Corporate

Set Apart is an extraordinary message that leads us to rediscover our unique calling and identity in Christ. No matter where you are or where youve been, Denisse Copelands powerful words rooted in the truth of Scripture will help you find greater courage, clearer vision, and stronger faith. We live in confusing times, but Gods calling for you to be set apart is clearer than ever. Read this book! Youll be so glad you did.

Dave and Ashley Willis , authors of The Naked Marriage and hosts of The Naked Marriage Podcast

Reading this book was like sitting with a girlfriend over a cup of coffee and leaving feeling refreshed and strengthened. The comparison game is exhausting and does not lead us to peace and joy. If youre tired of striving, worrying, and comparing, read this book and share it with someone you love.

Ines S. Franklin , teaching pastor at Mariners Church, Irvine, CA; founder of Trochia Ministries

Denisses heart is so evident that reading her story will leave you feeling refreshed, recharged, and renewed. Her words are like sweet, warm honey over a hurting heart. If youre ready for real life change and to finally walk in who God says you are, you need to read this book.

Tiffany Rogers , blogger and life coach

No matter where you are starting from, God wants to help you live the most incredible set-apart life. Denisse is amazing, and she has so many important stories to share that will deeply affect your faith. She will help you see that God has a great plan and purpose for youone that will set you apart and be so amazingstarting right where you are in your everyday life.

Matt Brown , evangelist, author of Truth Plus Love , and founder of Think Eternity

Have you ever longed for a big sister, mentor, or honest friend to encourage and guide you through the ongoing struggles of life? Look no further. Through relatable and engaging stories and with solid biblical principles, Denisse will draw you in gently, leaving you with a greater hunger for the transforming power of Gods Word and the overwhelming love of Jesus.

Alisha Illian , author of Chasing Perfect and founder of Women RePurposed

I dedicate this book to Jesus Christ,
the Son of God,
for teaching and showing us how to live
as a set-apart people for his glory.

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

Our Set-Apart Sisterhood

R ASHAWN, can you help me straighten the house? I called.

Im watching a sermon, babe, but Ill help you when Im done, my husband answered.

I looked at the clock. Less than an hour till Bible study started. The clock was ticking, and I was ticking with it! I was pregnant, tired, and getting madder by the second.

We host a Bible study at our house on Thursday nights. Every week I prepare by trying to create an environment of peace and love. I want people to enter our home and feel at rest. Whenever someone walks in, I want them to feel welcomed. Its tough to lovingly welcome people when my minds spinning on all the cooking, cleaning, laundry, and parenting stuff I didnt get done, so I try to finish all that ahead of time. That way I can focus solely on hosting others once Bible study starts.

This Thursday had been an extra busy one. Rashawn was at work all day, so it was just me and our son Aiden in the house. Me, a toddler, and a pile of things to do. Not a great combo. My goal was to get everything done before Bible study, but then...

You know how it goes. Our baby was extra cranky. Unexpected issues came up. Dinnertime rolled around, and Rashawn came home. We had less than an hour till the guests showed up, and the house was a disaster. Like, an actual disaster.

Thats when I asked Rashawn for help.

And he answered that he was watching a sermon! How do I argue with that? Hes listening to the Word of God , I reasoned. But I also fumed inwardly: All Im asking for is help straightening up the house; I dont think Im crazy!

Clearly, I wasnt going to get any help from him, so I went into turbo mode, knocking it out myself, though with less of a cheerful spirit than I care to remember. Angry thoughts boiled in my mind: Im so tired. This is too much, but no one else is going to get it done, so I guess its up to me... again.

All the while, there was my husband, listening to a sermon to prep for Bible study. I love that Rashawn is a man of Gods Word, but didnt he see how much I needed his help? By the time people arrived, I felt drained. Even though hosting is one of my primary spiritual gifts, that night I had worked myself into a fury of anxiety and frustration.

Been There, Done That

Have you ever been there? Working, working, working maybe toward a really good purposeand ending up drained, frustrated, and exhausted? Youre not alone. The Gospel of Luke records the story of a woman in the same situation:

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lords feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, Lord, dont you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!