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,

Promises, Promises

My parents after their vows!

How many times throughout your life has someone made a promise, a pinkie swear, a vow to you, only to break that promise and in the process, maybe your heart?  We put our words out there easily, lightly and then forget that those words meant the world to the person we spoke them to.  Promises are not always intentionally broken...sometimes just forgotten, or sin enters in, or we're careless.  Whatever the case, making a vow is a commitment that should never be entered into without the full intentions of seeing it through for the one to whom it was made.

Pinkie Swear

I carry a promise that was made to me, written on an index card, everywhere I go!  The one who made this commitment to me has never wavered, never strayed away from it and never broken it.  There have been times in my life when I have literally held onto that little index card with that promise on it, for dear life!  I'm pleased to say that I can share this promise with you!  You can carry it with you, in your heart, your wallet, your purse; you can tape it to your mirror and read it every morning before you start your day, with the full assurance that this promise will never be broken.

I carry the promise with me!

This promise comes from Someone who cannot break His Word.  He will never take it back or get careless or be fickle with His heart and His words.  His promises are "yes and amen"!!  Here is that promise.  It is written in Hebrews 13:5,6 and I love the Amplified translation.  "For He, God Himself, has said, I will not in any way fail you, nor give you up, nor leave you without support.  I will not, I will not, I will not in any degree leave you helpless, nor forsake, nor let you down, relax My hold on you, assuredly not!  So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper, I will not be seized with alarm-I will not fear or dread or be terrified."  


Have you ever had such a vow made to you; these sweet precious words!  What a promise to hold on to!  What comfort and peace come in knowing that He made this promise to you and is incapable of  breaking His Word.  I never understood the Scripture "Let God be true and every man a liar" until I read this promise.  We are human, we are fickle, we are sometimes weak; and though we have good intentions, most of our promises are broken.

Take heart, Dear One, if you are feeling let down by someone you trusted to keep their word.  There is Someone who will never ever break His promises to you.  Take rest, comfort and delight in knowing that He stands by His Word and is waiting for you to cry out to Him and receive His promises!

From His Lap,