Book Review: GRACE by Max Lucado

The book, GRACE (More than we deserve.  Greater than we can imagine.) by Max Lucado was a refreshingly quick read filled with the deep and yet uncomplicated truth of God's unending hand of grace upon the lives of those who accept it.

I chose to read the book titled GRACE by Max Lucado, because the whole concept of grace is a bit confusing to me from an application stand point.  After reading this book, I have cultivated  a deeper appreciation of what it means to accept the grace of God in my life.  As with every book that I have read from this prominent author, I would highly recommend it.  I am confident that if you read this book, you too will experience a sense that enough is really enough and we do not need to do flip flops or run marathons to earn God's approval, we simply need to accept His grace. 

One of the most powerful and yet basic conclusions reached within the first few pages of the book is that grace is God changing you, rather than you changing first to "clean up your act" so that you are good enough to meet Him.  This premise is the foundation for the remainder of chapters that are filled with relational examples of how God's grace is for you and I today.  Max also utilizes the characters within the Word of God to illuminate the love and power of God's unfailing grace in their lives and thus showing the parallels within our own lives.

As an added bonus, this book has a "Readers Guide" by Kate Etue.  It is organized nicely into twelve studies with the intent to work through one study a week.  This section can be used as a small group study, or individualized for a personal quest to enhance your understanding of God's grace. 

The whole premise of grace might seem overwhelming, however, the book: GRACE by Max Lucado brings tangible meaning to the word with scriptural verification that provides the reader with a renewed sense of hope and a deeper level of responsiveness to the Savior.  

I would like to thank Thomas Nelson Publishing for this complimentary copy of GRACE by Max Lucado provided to me through BookSneeze.  The opinions  given in this review are entirely my own.  

Katie's Hope

Psalm 119:59(MSG)
When I took a long, careful look at Your ways, I got my feet back on the trail You blazed.

Trailblazers.  Those people who literally burn a path through the thick brush and tangled web of obstacles that stand in their way to accomplish a very specific goal.  Webster's New World Dictionary defines a trailblazer as:  a pioneer in any field.  A pioneer being one who goes before preparing the way for others.  What an inspiration those individuals are!

I believe the Lord frequently uses people to motivate and inspire us into action.  In fact, this verse today defines God Himself as the initial trailblazer and the ultimate guide for all of our endeavors.  The Bible, of course, is full of people whose stories shake us off the couch and infuse us with a plan of action to change circumstances for God's glory.  My personal favorite trailblazer in the Bible is Esther.  In the book of Esther, I read about a young lady thrown into a kingdom of luxury in which she could have used to absorb herself in personal comfort, but instead, when made aware of a deep need within her Jewish family, bravely chooses to stand before the King on their behalf in an attempt to save them all.  Despite it being against the law for her to do so, punishable by death I might add, she is so convicted of her assignment that she proceeds forward stating, "If I perish, I perish."  (Esther4:16).  Hello?!!  What?!  Who does that?!  Seriously?  Only someone empowered by God with a genuine conviction that the Holy One of Israel has truly paved a trail clear for her!  That's who. 



Katie's hope is to bring clean drinking water to all those without.

Enter my new friend Katie.  She is a modern day trailblazer at the ripe old age of about 18!!  I am so excited for you to meet her.  Her hope in action has ignited within me a fresh fire and new desire to serve Him more!  As you read her story, I'm confident that you will sense the passion that God has given her;  A passion that is highly contagious and graciously given in response to the recent request she laid before the Lord.  She simply asked God to "break her heart for the things that break His."  What a brave prayer.  What an incredible role model.  And now, without any further writing, it is my pleasure to introduce to you~Katie Kearbey.  (Click on her name to go to her story!)    

Lord,
Thank you for the amazing passion You have given Katie to help Your children all over the world tonight who are suffering from water born diseases.  Please give her new ministry, Splash of H2OPE, funding and resources to provide clean drinking water to those families in need.  Bless her with the wisdom, resolve, and persistence of Esther.
In Jesus Name,
Amen   

Following His Light Into 2013

Psalm 119:58(MSG)
I beg you from the bottom of my heart:  smile, be gracious to me just as You promised.

The word "grace" is repeatedly being brought to my mind lately.  How timely that here it is again as I approach a New Year.  While my daughter and I sat together curled up by the fire reading the Word of God a few mornings ago , she softly said, " I hate that Christmas is over."  I thought about this and remembered back to when I was a little girl.  It was sort of a sad time, as the excitement and electricity of the season came to an end.  But, as the years have gone by and I have been blessed to be a part of many cherished Christmas celebrations, I have come to the realization that the week after Christmas is just as awe inspiring for me as the week before.  You might be wondering how that can be?  Simply because of a word that keeps creeping into my heart.  The word grace.

Taking time during this week after our Savior's birth and using it to recount all of the favor that He has poured over my family for the past year, gives me an overwhelming sense of who He is!  Reviewing all of the times when the Lord met our needs and gave us abundantly more than I could have even known to ask for or imagined, provides a confidence that comes only from Him.  It saturates me in His peace, and yet at the same time, allows a power to well up within me to face another year of security in Him.  He is very clear in His Word that He will take care of me!  He promises to sustain us and to walk us through even the greatest of trials!

Our family has some pretty big challenges that we are facing in the coming year.  I don't have any idea what you might be facing this year, but I do know the One you can face it with!  He is big.  You can count on Him to see you through the very toughest of circumstances.  His Word will give you clear instructions for how we can face every single day.  He will protect you and allow you to walk in places that you only thought you could crawl!  Now that is truly inspiring.  My prayer for my family and for you this year, comes directly from today's verse.  I pray that the Lord will smile upon us and be gracious to us, just as He promised that He would. 

I will be reading from the NKJV Bible this year.  I have chosen:  Jesus Calling Devotional Bible published by Thomas Nelson.  Feel free to join me in reading this translation or the one of your choice.  His Word is life changing!  I know that to be true.

Lord,
As always, You give us a new and fresh hope.  Thank you for Your words that brings us peace, confidence, and power to anticipate a New Year of wonderful blessings.  Show us our gifts and help us to use them to bring You glory in 2013.
In Your Name,
Amen
   

I'm Hungry

Psalm 119:57 (MSG)

Because You satisfy me, God, I promise to do everything You say.

As I ponder this verse tonight, I am taken back by the conviction of this statement.  The Psalmist is basically pledging allegiance to God.  He is clearly and concisely proclaiming that whatever God tells him to do.....he will do.  Wow!  How did the writer get to a point where he could proclaim this kind of undivided devotion?



I watched these two as they searched for food right outside my
office window a few mornings ago. 
 

I think I have the answer to this question.  It's found in the words leading up to his pronouncement.  The words..."because you satisfy me, God".  When we are satisfied by God, we too will pledge our complete allegiance to Him.  The question then becomes:  How do I allow God to satisfy me?  

To be satisfied by Him, I first need to be hungry.  Matthew 5:6 (NKJV)  states, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled."  So, therefore, to be able to commit our entire obedience to God, we have to first and foremost be hungry for Him!  We have to empty ourselves of everything and allow Him to fill us to overflowing with His spirit.  It is at that place, that we too shall be content and eager to take on everything that the Lord has assigned for our lives.  It is at that pivotal point that our words will become the Psalmist's words...."I promise to do everything You say, Oh God!"

Lord,
Thank You for this amazing time of year that allows us to come together and celebrate the gift of Your Son~Jesus Christ.  Please allow the trappings of this world to fall to the side, so that our focus can be found in You alone. 

In the Holy name of Christ,
Amen
 

Your Vote Counts And So Do You

Psalm 119:56 (MSG)

Still, I walk through a rain of derision because I live by your Word and counsel.

 

Your vote is significant today and you are significant every day!  Your voice matters!  One of the biggest lies pervasively present in our nation today is that you are insignificant.  If the enemy of your soul can convince you that you are too small and unimportant to make a difference, then perhaps you will be forced into a paralyzing stupor of inaction.  Inaction, on a day like today, is really action, right? 

 

 

Father,

As we live by Your word and counsel, give us strength to stand amidst the scorn and ridicule.

Only You know the heart of a man.  Cover our country in Your grace and protection and guide us into a future that will acknowledge that You are the source of life. 

In Jesus name,

Amen