Tuesday, May 1, 2012

The Shelter of God's Promises

The sacred promises, though in themselves most sure and precious, are of no avail for the comfort and sustenance of the soul unless you grasp them by faith, plead them in prayer, expect them by hope, and receive them with gratitude.  ~Charles Spurgeon
 

I think ladybugs should have the cutest bug award.  Unfortunately, I still don't want them in my house.  Unless they are the kind Melanie made this week--cookie ladybugs! 

I'm a researchaholic and I'd love to share what all I learned about this little bug (like their wings beat 80 times a second) but you all might not find the facts as fascinating as I did.  For fun I'll share these myths with you:
  • If a ladybug lands on you in Brussels, the spots on that ladybug indicate how many children you will have. 
  • Many farmers around the world have believed that the spots on a ladybug tell the fortune of the next harvest; if there are fewer than seven spots, the harvest will be good. 
  • Some people believe that if a ladybug lands on you, you can count the spots and you will soon receive dollars in the same amount as the spots. 
  • In Sweden, if a ladybug lands on a young girl's hand, it is said to be taking measurements for her wedding gloves.
  • When people in France see a ladybug, they believe good weather is coming in.
Myths are fun, but I'm thankful I don't need to hang my life on the ladybug. What would happen in Brussels if I had three ladybugs land on me?  I love children, but at 50, I do think that would cause me to panic!  

No, I choose to place my confidence in something far greater than folklore or good luck.  I place it on the trusted, tried and true promises of God. I am "fully persuaded that God has power to do what he promised."  I read that there are 3,573 promises in the Bible.  In Herbert Lockyer's "All the Promises of the Bible" he claims there are 8,000.  No wonder Paul wrote, "Because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises" (2 Peter 1:4).


God-breathed promises, scribbled down by His scribes. God promised Abraham He would make him a great nation. Promise fulfilled. God promised Moses Pharaoh would release the Israelites from slavery.  Promise fulfilled. God promised Joshua He would be with him and give him victory over Jericho. Promise fulfilled. God promised Solomon He would give him great wisdom.  Solomon's wisdom is legendary. Promise fulfilled.


On and on throughout the Bible God promises, and His promises come to fruition.  Is it any wonder that, when I claim His promise to "keep me in perfect peace," I trust in the fulfillment of His promise.  I can take my needs to God, knowing He has promised to supply each one.  


Oh, the promises our Heavenly Father--

     Grace: amazing and redemptive

          Mercy: undeserved and wondrous

               Joy: bubbling and overflowing

                    Love: unconditional and abundant

                         Victory: triumphant and overcoming

The promises of God.  Inexhaustible and trustworthy.  I rest in them, they give me confidence and power.  Charles Spurgeon said,  “As you read God’s promises over, one after the other, you say to yourselves, “This is my checkbook. I can take out the promises as I want them, sign them by faith, present them at the great Bank of Grace, and come away enriched with present help in time of need. That is the way to use God’s promises.”


Jesus came as a promise from our Heavenly Father.  The Holy Spirit came as a promise from God's Son. With the fulfillment of those promises, I can rest--rest with assurance that all God's promises to me will be fulfilled. With Spurgeon, I am grasping them by faith, pleading for them in prayer, expecting them with hope, and receiving them with gratitude.


Standing on the promises of God our King,
Through eternal ages let His praises ring.
Glory in the highest I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.
* * * * *

Ladybug Blessings


I found this book (shown above) on Amazon ($6.99)and knew it would be a sweet addition to a little girl gift basket.  


This was a group project. Melanie cut the paper confetti lady bugs with her Silhouette.  She, with help from Landon and Morgan, also made the ladybug decorated sugar cookies. All I had to do was make the stuffed felt ladybug, wrap it all with cellophane and tie the bow around it. (Ladybug ribbon from Hobby Lobby.)


I made the felt ladybug from a picture.  I'd love to give credit to the one who originally made it, but I'm unable to locate it. I glued everything except the wings.  The eyes are black pony beads.  The flower is attached with a brad.  

Morgan gave the gift to her cousin, Makenzie. I hope they will always remember that God's promises are true!


Printable ladybug bookmark

16 comments:

Glenda said...

Another old song says, "For I've trusted and tested and tried it, and I know God's promise is true."

Your posts, so beautifully written, are always so encouraging!

Unknown said...

So beautiful the cake and the post!

Esther Asbury said...

What a pretty little gift! Love all the fun stuff you included in it - especially the ladybug pillow!
Enjoyed the promises from God too!

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

I think ladybugs are cute too but I do not want them in my house....The kids are so cute

RicKaren said...

What a cute gift basket!

joy said...

Wonderful post and inspirational:)

Breathing In Grace said...

Don't you just love trivia?!?!? Enjoyed reading about the little ladybug....and I totally agree, I don't want one landing on me if it means more kiddos....the hot flashes and night sweats are bad enough!!! ;-) Love your analogy!!!

Susan DiMickele said...

Wow. So sweet. Love these analogies too.

Kate @ Teaching What Is Good said...

Sweet post! I also love ladybugs. I'm SO thankful that God's truth surpasses all folklore and myths and THAT can be counted on!!!

Shari said...

I am so glad I can stand on God's promises! Thank you for stopping by Leaving A Legacy today. I love the look of your blog. It's beautiful!

HeARTworks said...

What a darling gift you all made for Makenzie! I don't recall any myths about ladybugs here in the Philippines, and I'm sure if there was, it would be equally ridiculous!
Thank you for your beautiful post about the promises of God! I stand on His promises and confess His promises because we will never be disappointed if we trust Him! :^) patsy

sharita Knobloch said...

Praise the Lord for God's blessings! Really enjoyed the parallels and thankful that God is greater than any legend or myth. He is alive! :-)

Anonymous said...

I think lady bugs...and sunflowers are God’s happy gifts to us...love all you made with the lady bug theme...made me smile...blessings to you~

Joan Hall said...

Pamela:

I too am thankful that I don't have to rely on folklore and superstition.

Your posts are always so encouraging.

Standing firm on His promises,
Joan

Crystal Ridlon said...

So cute! I love ladybugs!

Unknown said...

I can see that there is a God in your family! keep it up! it is nice to have a God that can help us in our daily living :)

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