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Monday, August 22, 2011

The Spotlight of God's Grace

This summer our book club has been studying Sheila Walsh's book, "The Shelter of God's Promises".  The book takes the reader through a list of promises that God has made to His children; promises that we can hold onto when circumstances and the enemy would have us believe that we have been left "high and dry".  Promises that bring us through the really messy places in our lives when we feel like we have no where to turn.

One of the promises that we studied this week addressed the issue of Confidence.  God's promise:  "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."  Romans 8:28.  How does this give me confidence?  It let's me know that surely, whatever situation that I am going through, (the good, the bad, the ugly) God will cause it to work out for good in my life and He will be glorified through it.

That should give me confidence, right?  Do I really believe that he can take the most aweful of circumstances and bring good out of them?  What if I'm not living right?  What if there is sin around me that has caused my life to look like a train wreck?  What if life itself has wreaked havoc on me?  Sheila Walsh says this, "Christ knows all that is true about our story, the parts we own and the parts we would delete, and He invites us to bring them all into the spotlight of His grace."  Did you catch that last phrase?  "He invites us to bring them all into the spotlight of His grace." 

Reading those words caused something in my spirit to leap for joy.  When I think of something being brought into the spotlight, revealed, uncovered, it's usually means judgement and condemnation follow.  But when we bring our "yuck" into God's spotlight, He covers it with grace, washes us clean and makes us whole.  Think about that for a moment.  We are taught, as believers, to come boldy (with confidence) to the throne of grace.  Here is where that confidence I spoke of earlier, comes into play.  We can be bold and confident when we lay our "stuff" at the Lord's feet, because He's going to apply grace and mercy, not harsh judgement and rejection.  We need not fear being honest with him about our hurts and shortcomings.

So I would encourage you, Dear Heart, don't be afraid to lay your life before Him and let Him shine His spotlight of grace on it.  Be confident that He will forgive, make whole, restore...whatever it is that you need in your circumstances. 

From His Lap,

26 comments:

  1. Erin, this is written beautifully. I think I'm going to buy the book you're reading.

    "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28.

    Life for my hubby and I really feels like a financial train wreck as we've endured a long season of unemployment. But the promise I hold on to every day is knowing God has planned good to come from this difficult time. We've seen good from it for sure, and God is glorified through it.

    Our current trials are what brought about my desire to start my blog...to share with the world just how glorious our God is. That God turns our pain into something amazing and beautiful.

    Thank you for sharing this post.

    Blessings,
    Rosann
    http://www.christiansupermom.com/

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  2. Oh Rosann,
    My husband and I share in the same struggle right now. God's glorious promise to take care of us gives us confidence to keep moving forward, knowing that we solely depend on Him! I will pray for your circumstances. Be blessed and prosper even as your soul prospers!!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  3. I will have to get that book, read it and share w/others. It sounds awesome! Linda

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  4. Don’t I know it!! Wasn’t that the best and most mighty thing to learn out of this little study!!?! So much to be celebrated. Thank you for writing your amazing blog!
    Dianne

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  5. Linda,
    The book comes with a study and it's great to read with a group of other women. I hope it blesses you as much as it has blessed our little group!
    ~Erin

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  6. Dianne,
    I'm so glad to be going through this study with you. We have learned so much and have much yet to go. I can't wait to see what other promises will get us through this life!
    Love you!
    ~Erin

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  7. Oh how I love it when God speaks the same truth into both of our hearts! I blogged about confidence today too. So confirming - thank you!

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  8. Shannon,
    It's cause we're Sisters!!!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  9. Hi Erin - I am always awed by God's grace. I think we don't accept it as readily as it is offered to us because we are harder on ourselves.
    Great post
    God bless
    Tracy

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  10. What a blessing to read this today! Just this morning I said to my spouse, "I would love to finally reach a place in my life where I was confident in who I am, how I look,what I can do for the world." THank you for opening your heart and sharing!

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  11. Tracy,
    Why are we so hard on ourselves? We should never lose sight of the fact that we are sinners, but we should also remember that He forgives and makes us new when we ask Him to. It's what He loves to do!!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  12. Carl,
    You can be confident in who you are in Him!! He created you to be valuable and precious. He celebrates you and sings over you. And when you fall down or sin, He picks you up and makes you whole again!!!!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  13. You have a beautiful and uplifting blog Erin! Thanks for following me via voiceBoks. I'm adding your button to my site

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  14. As always, this is an inspiring post! That book sounds incredible and one I have yet to read. Will have to add it to my library!

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  15. Rebecka,
    I'm so honored that you stopped by!! Thanks for your kind words and for putting my button on your blog! I hope that you are blessed by my posts!
    ~Erin

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  16. Oh M, you will love the book!! God's grace and promises will take you through anything!
    XOXO,
    ~Erin

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  17. Erin - this is a beautiful post and something I needed to be reminded of today. I had the privilege of hearing Sharon Walsh speak at a women's event at our church last month. She touched on this very thing. I have not read the book, but hope to soon.

    Blessings,
    Joan

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  18. Joan,
    Thank you so much for stopping by! Thanks for your kind words. I'm glad my post blessed you. If you get the book, you will love it!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  19. I blogged about confidence yesterday and Jackie last week. I keep seeing repeated themes in our blogs which shows me God is working on so many of our hearts in similar Thank your this post and for reminding us to just believe these promises.

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  20. Shanda,
    Isn't God just so faithful. He must be wanting His daughters to realize that He is our confidence!! What a blessing to know He is laying the same things on our hearts!
    XOXO,
    ~Erin

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  21. He is SO Faithful!! All the time! And we can trust Him with everything!! Thank you for linking up, dear Erin!! :)

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  22. Anne,
    He is faithful and full of grace like no other!! Thank you for coming by!

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  23. I love this and am living proof that God can unravel the most twisted, tangled mess of yarn and make something out of it. Blessings to you, Erin.

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  24. Brandee,
    He makes us beautiful and when we mess it up, He will straighten us out again, if we'll let Him! You are a blessing!
    ~Erin

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  25. erin, i am so happy that i finally have some time to sit and enjoy some good ol blog reading. and so happy to have come across your newest posts. you seem to post beautiful lessons that i need o so much right now. i love this message and thank you for sharing.
    ps-i never knew you had music on your blog and scrolled down bc i thought it was a "jim brickman" song...destiny. love the songs on your playlist.
    happy thursday <3
    thank you for your words on my blog. i appreciate them! xoxo

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  26. Maria,
    You are truly a blessing. I love visiting your blog. Thank you so much for your kind words and I'm glad that my posts and my music bless you. Stop by anytime! I love to see that you've been here!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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Thank you for giving us a little nugget of truth from your heart!

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