The Shelter of God's Promises [Paperback]

Sheila Walsh (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2011

“In these uncertain times, I know 100 percent that I can stake my life on the unshakeable, unchanging promises of God!” —SHEILA WALSH

Where do you turn for shelter in the worst storms of life?

You know God’s promises, but are they for you, are they for now, are they for this? If you look to your circumstances alone, it may seem that God has forgotten you. But He hasn’t. He can’t. And He wouldn’t even if He could. God is the only promise maker who is always a promise keeper. And God’s promises will never fail you!

In The Shelter of God’s Promises, gifted Bible teacher and inspiring Women of Faith speaker Sheila Walsh searches Scripture for what God has promised us, what God’s promises mean, and how encounters with Christ are the eternal fulfillment of His unrelenting commitment to us. Through vulnerable storytelling, new insights, and an in-depth Bible study, Sheila offers powerful, heart-filled teaching on ten bedrock promises of God, providing the foundation for daily confidence, joy, hope—and shelter.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Sheila Walsh, Women of Faith^® speaker, is the author of the award-winning Gigi, God's Little Princess^® series, God Loves Broken People, The Shelter of God's Promises, and a new fiction novel, Sweet Sanctuary. Sheila lives in Texas with her husband, Barry, and son, Christian.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (February 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400202442
• ISBN-13: 978-1400202447
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (107 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #74,897 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Sheila Walsh is an author, speaker and Bible teacher who has sold over 4 million books. Her heart is to show what happens when your real life meets the Word of God. She is the author of the #1 best-selling line of Christian books for little girls, "Gigi, God's Little Princess." Sheila is the creator of Children of Faith and the Gnoo Zoo, a ministry to children that communicates God's love for them. She is the author of several books for women including "Honestly," "Gifts for Your Soul," "Living Fearlessly," and "The Best Devotions of Sheila Walsh", "The Shelter of God's Promises" and her latest book, "God Loves Broken People and those who pretend they're not." As an accomplished musician, Sheila has recently released the CD "Beauty From Ashes." Sheila, her husband, Barry and their son, Christian live in Dallas, Texas.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars You'll Find Shelter! January 12, 2011

By Cherie Hill VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Sheila Walsh manages to brilliantly present the power in the Promises of God in her PAGE TURNER, "The Shelter of God's Promises." The book is broken down into categories of God's Promises:

Provision- I Don't Have Enough
Peace- I'm Afraid and Feel Alone
Confidence-I Can't See God's Plan in this Pain
Love- I Don't Believe that Anyone Could Really Love Me
Grace- I Have Failed
Hope- I'm Broken
Strength- I Feel Things Are Crashing Around Me
More- I Know There's Something Better
Home- I have a Future

Each Promise of God that is covered is one you are in desperate need of. Whatever you're facing, Sheila Walsh presents God's Promises to you with power that leaves you experiencing nothing but peace. I'll admit, I have not previously found Sheila Walsh's books to be powerful or pertinent in my life . . . mainly because I felt she shared too many personal stories that did not help her connect with her readers. At times, in the past, her books that I've reviewed seemed to show that she was disconnected with what she was writing, as well as the women who are suffering deeply. (almost forced writing, if you will) But, "The Shelter of God's Promises" is different. Sheila Walsh stepped aside and allowed God to write through her. She allowed His heart to pour out onto the pages, in order to connect you with your Heavenly Father who dearly loves you. Her writing seemed effortless, although I know otherwise . . . but the words flowed so wonderfully and each teaching grabbed your heart so tightly that you'll find it difficult to put this one down. The Biblical teachings Sheila uses and each Scripture that was chosen is woven together in a tapestry that will have a profound impact on your spirit. You'll find the shelter your soul is desperate for . . . you'll find the faith that will never fail . . . and you'll find the strength to carry on through your storms of life through the promise of God's presence.

This would be a perfect Bible study book. There are questions in the back, although it would be easy to form your own discussions and questions. Also, there is a study guide available that is sold seperately.
This is a winner for Sheila Walsh! I HIGHLY recommend it!

*I was provided this book for free in exchange for my unbiased review through the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze program.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A calming reminder in the midst of chaos March 22, 2011

By M. Fry

Format:Paperback

I confess, I was hesitant when I received this book in the mail and I decided to neatly tuck the book away in a nearby drawer at work. Weeks dragged on and I walked in the familiar sense of shame. My recent divorce clouded my mind and I found comfort in isolation. I pushed away my "goody two shoes" friends and I felt too tainted to rejoice in God's presence.

The tragedy in Japan shook me down to the core, I was paralyzed with fear as a single deaf mother living in California. The rain fell on me and I wondered if I was slowly being poisoned with radiation. I did not trust the government and the news, I simply did not trust anyone and I trembled in fear as I held on to my five year old son. Did God forget me? Did my divorce from an unfaithful husband erase my name from the Book of Life?

The news served as fuel to my paranoia that was raging like an out-of-control forest fire so I decided to turn off the television and pick up The Shelter of God's Promises while armed with the dusty Bible. I have to say... that was one of the best decisions I've ever made. It is quickly evident that Sheila has a gift of words and she helped chase away the fears that were causing me to become blind to God's promises. With a mind that was finally vacant of fears, worries, and doubts... I was able to humbly approach God and listen to Him. I am a child of God and He loves me like a mother loves her child!

I finished the book in a couple of days since I was unable to put it down. I was sorely disappointed when the book came to an end but also thrilled that it is in my personal library. I will definitely be reading this book often throughout my life and I urge EVERYONE to read this book, especially when God seems so distant. It will be refreshing to your weary soul and be sure to have your Bible handy since there is a free Bible study included in the book!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Uplifting, but could be more impactful by incorporating some key truths August 25, 2011

By E. M. Miller

Format:Audio CD

Laying out various scriptures and elaborating on them, Sheila Walsh testifies of her own experience of standing on the promises of God and seeing His faithfulness over the decades of her life. She encourages other believers to cling to His Word for hope, peace, provision, and more. Since Walsh herself has not had an easy life, her own suffering with depression, loss of a parent through dimentia and death, and financial woes gives her a platform of personal experience and authority from which to speak. Furthermore, Walsh does her homework with research into cultural background and study of the original Greek words which give the scripture and promises significantly more meaning.

Particularly poignant were her insights into the story of the woman with the blood issue in Mark 5, a story I've heard touched on countless times from countless perspectives, but which had fresh meaning through Walsh's analysis. Likewise, her assessment that the saints are living far below the standard God has for His people evokes a resounding "Yes!" and is a message that all the church - especially in the West - needs to understand.

There are two major things missing from the book which I believe could give it significantly more impact. First, while Walsh spends a great deal of time stating the promises and their implications, she does not lay the groundwork for "claiming" them. That is, just like the children of Israel were rescued out of Egypt, many of them died in the wilderness before ever entering the Promised Land because they failed to possess the land. Likewise, many Christians today are wandering - floundering in the wilderness - rather than taking their rightful heritage that the LORD has said is for them. Ignorance, bondage, distraction, and spiritual laziness all play a role in this failure. In other words, the promises of God require something on our part, and Walsh does not devote much time expounding on that very crucial truth.

Secondly, Walsh talks exclusively about the "positive" promises of God. She does not address the promises of God which involve judgment. Certainly God keeps these promises, too. In a day in which many Christians are straying or being deluded by false teaching, and in a culture which likes to talk solely about grace but has less interest in holiness and spiritual disciplines, it is vital to realize that "when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death" (James 1:15). That's a promise that we can count on. For example, Christians need to know that whenever they follow through on temptations - sneaking a peek at porn when no one is watching, telling a lie, badmouthing political authority, resisting the Holy Spirit - it is a step towards death. The death is always spiritual and sometimes it is even physical.

Finally, the style of this book made it difficult to get through at times. Some of the personal anecdotes and injections of humor could be condensed from a couple pages to a paragraph, or simply omitted altogether (as some didn't even seem to fit). The verbose, ostensibly first-person method of recounting these made the book drag in some places when I would have wished simply to get to the point, but that is a personal preference.

All in all, Walsh offers some real encouragement for God's children. However, omitting some key factors that play a part in the inheritance of these makes the book "lite fare" rather than a solid meal.