BOOK REVIEW: Grace is Greater

Idleman, K. (2017). Grace is Greater. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.

SUMMARY: Grace is Greater is an engaging writing with a straightforward message about the capability of God’s grace. The writer furnishes significant stories and profound personal experiences based on Hebrews 12:15. Grace is exhibited as a two-fold approach; first, understanding what grace is and then, experiencing its true potential on a personal degree. Idleman distinctly expresses, “God’s grace is compelling when explained but irresistible when experienced”. Three applications of grace comprise the narrative’s main sections: your past mistakes, your hurts from others, and your life circumstances. The writer crafts his delivery throughout the book with the main message being, “Grace is only grace if it goes both ways. Receiving it from God but refusing to give it to others isn’t an option.” A powerful ending awaits readers showcasing the immense depth of grace when applied.

My $.02: On many occasions, my prayer has been for God to establish in me a pure heart as in Psalm 51:10 in order to acquire a steadfast spirit. This is a struggle for me because of my own shame and guilt from situations I see in the rearview mirror as well as hurts and broken relationships I can’t seem to shake.

There are a few people from the past that I find it hard not to say, “Go get’um Lord!”. Yet, selfishly, I want grace extended to me. Call it what it is-unforgiveness. This book allowed me to take ownership for my actions and extend grace to others because of God’s unsurpassable love. Honestly, this book revealed how to supernaturally love others through the power of God’s grace given.

If you wrestle with regret and/or unforgiveness on any level, I would recommend reading this narrative. For those of you that have been able to overcome such adversities, the book offers great insight for everyone as life brings disappointments, weakness, and despair.

You will find the book in my library!

Don’t just take my word for it: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30259187-grace-is-greater

September 19, 2019 0

Who are you?

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14

Her daughter, his wife, their mother, her aunt, his granddaughter, their employee, a participant of a church, and the list continues. The world gives us many titles as we assume roles in our lifetime. But who are you really? If everything was stripped away including all worldly labels, who would you declare you are? I wonder what Job would have renounced after all was lost and his wife told him to curse God and die.

In Galatians chapter 1, Paul demonstrates complete confidence in stating who he was. It is evident within the first few verses that Paul distinguishes himself as a follower called by Christ. He even denotes his face-to-face conversion on the Damascus road. (Acts 7:54-8:3 and 9:1-31) Paul never wavers in his beliefs and continually exhibits a bold, whole-hearted following.

Growing up I had several identities: her daughter, their granddaughter, his stepchild, their cousin, her niece, faithful church attender, student, but never HIS daughter. The question always occurred, “Why is your last name different than everyone else in your family?” To my child mind, it echoed “misfit”. I not only struggled with self-identity but even wrestled with who God said I was. The enemy’s lie incessantly resonated and he tried to convince me that I was “unwanted”.

Psalm 139:14 reminds us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. We are all part of God’s divine design. He has revealed His love for us through Christ Jesus and extended grace to all. The Lord validates each of us as His creation numerous times in scripture. However, the Father allows His children to decide if they will follow Him. If Paul were alive today, I truly believe he would urge everyone to accept the life changing power of God’s grace and testify to the eternal blessing it brings.

Today, I know I am HIS DAUGHTER! I look forward to the day to receive my first warm embrace face-to-face with a Daddy who has never left me. It brings tears to my eyes every time I reflect on who I am in Him. The overwhelming love is moving.

So, who do you say you are? Make note of the scriptures listed below and use them to refute the enemy’s deceptions. Pull out the Sword and fight back the fabrication. You are God’s child!

Deuteronomy 28:13 The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom.

2 Timothy 1:7-9 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our LORD or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. He has saved us and called us to a holy life-not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,

Colossians 2:12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

1 John 5:18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them.

You might enjoy this devotional about how God delights in you. https://tinyurl.com/yxgahzhn

September 10, 2019 1

BOOK REVIEW: The Promise Principle

Hunter, P. (2017). The Promise Principle: A New Way to Encounter the Bible. Southlake, TX: Gateway Press.

Summary:

The book is based on a technique to use when reading and studying God’s Word. Hunter shares the strategy as a steadfast method to grow spiritually and rely solely on faith. The author shares numerous stories where the struggles in life seem to overwhelm individuals and control their everyday emotions. Readers are urged to study scripture through the lens of discovering God’s promises and deciding if the verse is a truth or a commandment. Then, Hunter encourages participants to apply the promise to a current circumstance and carry through with a prayer of thanksgiving or a request in faith.

My $.02:

We have been using the promise principle in our small group for about a year now. This technique reminds me of what I began doing as I learned how to effectively pray scripture into my circumstances. During the dark valley I was walking out life with scripture and guarding my heart from the circumstances by relying on God’s Word. The Promise Principle confirms what I was doing during this time:

a. not being tossed around emotionally by circumstances

b. using scripture to become steadfast

c. applying scripture to life by using the sword. (the weapon to fight)

I would recommend this book to those who desire infusion of God’s promises into their everyday life. The prayer format given is based on “me” language and not just a general overall covering. It requires each individual to make it personal. Application was the greatest take-away for me.

It did seem to be a struggle to implement the “I, me, my” language for some in our mixed adult group but like anything new, we all improved with practice. (Just keeping it real)

For more info: https://www.amazon.com/Promise-Principle-New-Encounter-Bible/dp/1945529148

September 6, 2019 0

BOOK REVIEW: Fervent

Shirer, P. (2015). Fervent: A Woman’s Battle Plan for Serious, Specific, and Strategic Prayer. Nashville, TN: B&H.

Summary:

The purpose of the book is to assist the reader in spiritual warfare battle. Based on the movie, War Room, Shirer presents ten areas and urges readers to compose “intentional, deliberate, strategic” prayers. The writer clearly portrays thoughts of the enemy and the schemes used for each topic. The chapters are backed by scripture evidence which identifies the attack plan of the enemy. The book emphasizes constructing prayers with great intent and precision. Scripture is highly advocated by the author. Readers will find pages of reference from God’s Word at the end of every chapter to assist them in writing the strategic prayers. Cardstock prayer cards are included for the self-written prayers.

My $.02:

Priscilla Shirer is a “shoot-straight” gal. She does not spend time “beating around the bush” nor “beating a dead-horse”. When I first read this book, I wrote ten reasons why I needed to read it. So, let me share those with you:

I wanted change.
I wanted freedom from everything that was holding me back from being ALL God needed me to be.
I wanted a “whole heart” for the Lord.
I wanted to accomplish His will while on earth.
I wanted to experience the promises of God.
I wanted to see my husband, children, and family living out what God had called them to do, be, and become.
I wanted God’s hedge of protection.
I wanted God’s favor on my life.
I wanted the enemy and his plans to go back to hell and stay there.
I wanted to encourage others for generations to seek the face of God first.

The strategic prayers are in my interactive growth notebook and ready for battle. They were not all easy to compose but Shirer’s guidance and encouragement allowed me to persevere.

For more info:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25245760-fervent

September 5, 2019 0