Grace, Grapes, and Glory

by | Aug 9, 2016 | Encouragement | 10 comments

I’m delighted to introduce you to Lisa Worthy Smith. The analogy she drew from making grape jelly is a wonderful reminder for us when we feel crushed.

Now here’s Lisa…

Grace for guest blog with Debbie Wilson

After collecting the pods of juiciness, their first stop is the sink for a washing. They appeared pretty clean so, when a large hairy spider ran for his life, (over my finger) I almost did too. Two more crawlies were discovered and removed, along with those grapes that had not matured.

Their next stop was the cook pot. Now grapes have a tough skin, so it is necessary to crush them to reveal the succulent insides that ultimately provide the flavor for the jelly. The skin and seeds and insides are boiled all together for a good ten minutes. As the heat rises, the aroma of each grape is released leaving no doubt of what is happening.

Out of the heat, into the strainer, and back into the pot for another heating and mixing before the juice is carefully ladled into jars for sealing with a boiling water bath. The result? Beautiful sparkling grape jelly that will delight our tongues for the coming year!

I have felt like those grapes; maybe you have too. Crushed and, at times, plunged into heat that seems unbearable. Here are some things I have learned about how God uses those times to make something better out of us:

We may not understand why God removes anything that would be harmful. Click To Tweet
  • God has a plan for us. But we may not understand it when He clean us and removes anything that would be harmful.
  • When we’re squeezed to the point of being crushed—what’s inside comes out. It proves our faith is real.
  • The refiner’s fire releases the dross that contaminates our faith. The refining is a process that is repeated more than once, but His grace will not allow it to consume us.
  • As the grapes left their skin and seeds behind, so also will we be changed into something glorious! We will be sealed and preserved into His kingdom.

“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6,7).

“After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you” (1 Peter 5:10)

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12).

Dear Father,

Thank You for Your loving care through my life. I confess that I struggle in the times of the refining fire. Thank You for staying by my side through it all.

I pray You will give comfort those in the fire today and encourage those who feel alone in their time of testing. Thank You for the grace to endure it. I trust You with my eternity and with my today.

In Jesus’ name I pray.

About Lisa Worthy Smith

top 50 official logo and head shotLisa is the author of Christian titles including Oscar the Extraordinary Hummingbird and ‘Twas the Time Before Christ’s Birth. Her popular blog (Life In My Father’s World) is filled with stories of faith in everyday life including her precious schnauzer, and other backyard critters in her care. Learn more here.

Click here to comment.

Sometimes I link up with these great sites:

#TestimonyTuesday, #IntentialTuesday, #TuesTalk, #WholeHearted Wednesday#w2wwordfilledwednesday, #Wedded Wednesday, #Women with Intention,  #LivefreeThursday#Thankful Thursdays, #Grace and Truth, #Dance with Jesus

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

More From This Category

Opportunities for You Right Now

Opportunities for You Right Now

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline" (2 Tim. 1:7 NLT). In light of all that is going on with the coronavirus, I sent my weekly post out early. If you missed it, click here to read “What Would Jesus Say to You...

read more

Celebrating a Big God

My shoulders slumped when I remembered my upcoming appointment with the oncologist. How I wished my doctor’s appointment and my “speak and sign” at Barnes and Noble weren’t on the same day. I straightened and said out loud, “I will not die but live, and will proclaim...

read more

10 Comments

10 Comments

  1. Lisa Smith

    Thank you so much for the opportunity to meet your readers! You are a precious sister and I am blessed to know you!

    • Debbie Wilson

      Lisa, thank you so much for sharing your wisdom and heart with us! Many blessings on you and your work.

  2. Vicki Walters

    There are so many wonderful analogies that are all around, and you (Lisa) have a special gift to being able to apply them to God’s truth so aptly. Thank you for your wonderful insights!

    • Debbie Wilson

      Thank you, Vicki!

      • http://www./

        Framestone, haha… bro. kalau dia xleh nak janji OP habis susah la bro.. kita terpaksa jadik kipas susah mati sampai kita mati gak la.

  3. Ann

    Very apt analogy and one I will definitely remember!

    • Debbie Wilson

      Thanks, Ann. Always love hearing from you.

  4. Horace@pleasingtothePotter.com

    Wow Debbie! I never viewed my trials as grape jelly but I love the analogy! I am more of a preserves man myself (occasionally) I am thankful to go through the refining fire because I am in the Master’s hands. He is preparing me for what lies ahead. I have committed the scripture in 1 Peter 5 to memory to take my thoughts of myself and remind me to pray for my brothers and sisters in Christ. As followers of Christ we will go through trials but God will bring us through! Thank you for sharing and the beautiful prayer. Blessings to you and yours!

    • Debbie Wilson

      Thank you, Horace! What a wonderful example you are of interceding on behalf of the saints. And yes, He will bring us through! Blessings, my friend.

  5. Pam

    Thanks for this beautiful analogy! The crushing of the grapes and making grape jelly took me back to my childhood and teen years of helping my mother make grape jelly (and a yummy concord grape pie). This post not only gave me much to reflect on, but also brought back beautiful memories of time spent in the kitchen with my mother to savor!

Refreshing Faith Blog

Pin It on Pinterest