Author: Laura Grace

I was that "unpopular" weird kid, that didn't fit in anywhere, in High School. I guess I never knew my place in life, until Jesus took me in. I've been rejected, misunderstood, left out, bullied, abused, scandalized, and labeled. In 2002 I got on a bus and left a marraige of sixteen years, that was fraught with abuse and heartache. In school, I used to be so afraid to stand in front of the class and speak, my hands would visibly shake, and I could not look at my audience without being terrified. Years later, I find myself leading a school music production, speaking in front of churches, and walking around with confidence, because I know the King of Kings is at my side. My ministry, prayers and blogs are directed toward those who feel like they were never enough. You never fit in. If I can help you in any way, if you need a special speaker to speak hope to the hurting, or if you would like a copy of my Testimony book (Grace to the Rescue) let me know. I am here for you. https://www.amazon.com/stores/Laura-Grace/author/B00DLYKCOQ?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=2ee12b01-8592-43a4-b4b8-daec0a37d906 With Love, Laura I can be reached at sisterzeal@yahoo.com
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That Golden rule……….

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                                                          THE GOLDEN RULE

Matthew (7:12): “In everything, do unto others as you would have done unto you……”

……I want to be candid here. I have lived 62 years, and I find this passage doesn’t always work so well IF I treat it as a stand-alone scripture. My Mom taught me this one when I was very young. “It’s the Golden Rule” she said to me.

Throughout my life (and I took it seriously) I have brought people gifts because I really love to receive gifts for no reason! My Own mom for a long time said “You should save for Christmas or birthdays, why are you giving me a gift for no reason? Or at times, she did not like the gift. She wished I hadn’t “wasted my money” on this or that.

People whose love language is getting help will offer “Help” but then you run into someone like me, who had to always do it alone and is not comfortable with giving directions on HOW to help. We who always did it ourselves (and got used to it) don’t mean to reject your offer, it’s just we don’t know how to “not do it alone.”

I’ve had times I hit the nail on the head with a gift, while other times someone felt like “they had to return the favor” and wished I had not given them a gift at all! I’ve offered hugs to people who don’t want one. I’m sure others I failed to hug because that’s what they truly needed! The verse “Do unto others as you would have done unto you” does not work all by itself. Why? Because everyone has different expectations and needs. We are different.

A piece of advice that helps one person might offend another. “What do you think I’m stupid?” (is how they may feel!!). It takes a brave person to go out and “TRY AGAIN” when you have heard all the time how much you have failed to “hit the mark” On doing for others (the right thing at the right time!!).

But there is another thing my mom said to me, “it’s the thought that counts.” When I was a kid, and I was sad because I got a puzzle (and I don’t like puzzles) she said, “Just think they thought of you.” “They took the time to wrap it” and she would make me sit down and write a thank you card.

Growing up is hard. Especially in relationships. My prayer life and asking God “What do they need?” “What do I say?” “Please guide me” comes from the pain and heartache of failing.

Honestly, if I hadn’t failed, I probably wouldn’t have turned into this crazy Christian that prays about EVERYTHING. And still, even at that, I make mistakes. I don’t always hit the mark. I always don’t say the right thing at the right time (or get the right gifts!!). But my heart really is set on being a blessing (everywhere I go). I guess if I had one wish it would be “Please see my heart.”

We are all (hopefully) Growing up TOWARD the head which is Jesus…….Let’s not be so hard on each other. Let’s just cheer each other on. -Laura

PS: And don’t give up! Practice Makes Perfect!

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We live in a world of extreme thinking

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Ecclesiastes 7:18-20 “…..a man who fears God will avoid all extremes”

Wow. This says a mouthful. I’ve been observing and thinking about extremes lately. It’s in politics. People are extreme about sharing their opinions, (invited or not). Extremely liberal. Extremely Conservative.

Years ago, the Lord literally arrested me with the passage of scripture above. He let me know, I was being extreme at the time. We were denied ice cream as a kid, so we get obsessed with ice cream. Or fun. Or money. Whatever we didn’t have, that’s what we tend to crave the most.

I see it in the church too. We were denied spiritual gifts, so that’s all we think about. In my case, I went through a time I did not cherish the old hymns as I should have, simply because I was afraid of being stuck there, and not experiencing all God had for me. I got extreme.

I was extreme about spiritual warfare at one time, and pretty much thought everything bad was the devil. Truth be told, everything bad or twisted DID originate from him. But whether (the enemy) shot a flaming lie in to our minds which has to be extinguished (Ephesians 4) or whether he planted a bad seed that grew into a giant weed (Matthew 13), depends on the particular situation. We need to see and discern.

As people shout from the housetops what they believe we need to think, it’s a cultivated and deliberate process to continue asking God what to think. “Give us your viewpoint Father, for we truly want to know!”

Those who do this are walking a lonely road, off by themselves somewhere. While the rest of the world shouts and argues, they are quietly reflecting on what the bible says, while simultaneously asking the Holy Spirit to help them apply those words in a truly effective way. A heart set on growing, is a heart set on God.

Please pray with me: “Father, in Jesus’ name, please forgive me of extreme thinking. Show me the areas where I have been extreme. Brace me for your loving correction. Help me stay humble. I want to learn.”

Amen Minister of the Lord and his servant, Laura Grace

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I’ve been busy……GROWING! Are you?

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Hi everyone! Today I am sharing a video I did with My husband, Tim. We’ve been married 21 years, and he’s been the strength and covering behind this ministry, so I am honored to have him with me today. I am doing videos and writing a book “Out of the Box” Sermons for laypeople and house churches.

Because of my husband, (and God in him) I have the faith to say what I do. And to step out and use my gifts for God’s glory. I am a regular person like you, dishes to do, bills to pay, job to attend. I work as a Librarian.

Please bear with me as I point out these videos, there will be more blog posts to come! (Promise) so Please don’t give up on me. I think of Jesus saying, “You won’t see me again, until you say blessed is he who comes, in the name of the Lord!” You don’t all know the trials I go through with feeling irrelevant, outcast, ignored!

And that is not said to generate sympathy, but for you to know I am a person like you, who suffers the human condition on a daily basis (and all that goes with it). Nevertheless, I have this treasure in a jar of clay, “JESUS!!” And the great things he has taught me/us by his grace! With Love to you all! Laura

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Folly and the enemies’ Folly …….

Laura Grace1 Comment

Proverbs 22: “Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
    but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.”

I will never forget the day I made a stance to discipline my child, and how the enemy came against me. I had been praying and reading the above passage, and even though I thought my daughter was adorable, I was beginning to understand the importance of discipline.

I was from a household where authority had been unjust at times and was afraid of doing the same thing. For that reason, I’d been a little paralyzed concerning discipline.

I was praying like this:

“Father, I know discipline is love, so please help me love my children your way, and discipline them when it’s necessary.”

I had just come out of the grocery store and was loading groceries into my trunk. My daughter, age 5, wanted to help, and went to grab the gallon jug of red juice out of the cart for me. I knew she was too young to successfully navigate the jug, so I said, “No honey, wait a minute.”

My plan was to let her unload something smaller, but she was not having it.

As I placed a bag in the trunk, she suddenly appeared with the jug, and slammed it down into the trunk in a moment of defiance. The jug was punctured by a metal object (Probably the jack), and juice went all over the trunk, onto the paper bags, and caused a lot of grocery chaos.

“I told you no!” I said in my loud mommy voice.

Within a fraction of a minute, a woman came out of nowhere and said,

“Ma’am, it’s not a big deal, you can go buy another bottle of juice.”

I wasn’t spanking her, but I was having a moment with her to reinforce what I said.

The woman continued to talk at me and even offered to buy more juice.

I remember for about a week after this incident, I struggled with whether I was too harsh. And why? Because the enemy sent someone to question my parenting, just when I had decided to follow the Lords’ ways. In 1 Peter 5:8 we are told to be sober and vigilant, as the enemy prowls around, looking for whom he can devour. And what is it he wants to devour most? (You ask?).

The seed of God’s word is his first target. If He can take that from you, your life will never be effective for Christ. I suggest reading Matthew 13, and the passage on seeds and sowing for further reference and contemplation, with the Holy Spirit at your side.

Here is food for thought: God’s ways are always going to go against the current of modern society.

Love you! In Him,

Laura Grace

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It’s time to hear from God, and truly know him………

Laura Grace1 Comment

It’s time to truly KNOW you have heard from God.

That he is and has been building your house on the rock.

I know many of you enjoy my writings, But I want you to be aware I am building a series on youtube week by week (on Saturdays). Feel free to subscribe if you are interested in knowing God and getting rid of the giant of religion. Religious teachings are a distraction you don’t need in your life during these turbulent and uncertain times. “Draw near to me” God says, and I will draw near to you. James 4:8. With Love! -Laura

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Do you want/need to hear from God?

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I am on a quest to do videos every Saturday about Hearing From God and building on the rock with him. It’s never too late to start! The Holy Spirit is our teacher and God wants us to build and be built up in him. He wants to speak to his people! (His Children).

Sometimes people hear different than others because of what God wants to do in THEIR life right now. I’m not going to talk to you about plumbing if your plumbing is fine. But If your roof is leaking lets talk about that. This is how God looks at things. He knows what is a priority in your life right now ACCORDING TO HIM.

He is the chief Shepherd. The one who bought you with a price. Other teachers and teachings should be confirmation of what God is already saying to you. Don’t just float around out there. We can use our Faith to be determined, to get in with God and say Okay.

Now is the day! Today is the day I start listening to you!! I am trusting God every person in the sound of my voice WILL HEAR from God ……Let’s believe together! “If two or more agree as touching anything it shall be done! Matthew 18:19.

It is my desire to build you up and encourage you in this area. And I’m trusting God is with me on this. WITH LOVE !! I’ll be doing this every Saturday until God says to stop. 🙏 Just doin’ my part. This is part 2.

-God’s Servant and yours, Laura

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What I learned from “A Few good men”

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What I learned from “a few good men” 🙂 (the movie)

A Few Good men, one of my favorite movies of all time. It’s in my top 5. 🙂 Since I am a contemplative person at times, I have wondered why. There are no scriptures in the movie, It wasn’t made by the Christian realm, but it is so full of truths!

1. Fear causes anger, The young attorney in this movie was fighting fear and counting the cost on whether he should fight for the two young men who were falsely accused in this movie, and rightly so, as one wrong move could have caused him to go to prison.

2. While he was struggling with anger, he lashes out at the young woman who is urging him to take the risk and defend these two young men. He does apologize later…….

3. While (again) no scriptures were mentioned, the young lawyer faces his fears, outwits his Goliath (a wicked general who has too much power and has abused it) and slays the giant in the courtroom. The battle may not be against flesh and blood but there are times giants must be faced. And we pray for those out there who are willing to face those giants, with wisdom and truth!!

4. The truth prevailed in this movie (Win Win!!) God is a lover of truth. If you don’t agree that’s fine but I think God even loves this movie. (Because it is so full of truth!!). And God loves truth.

5. One person of courage CAN make a difference. 🙏

With Love, Laura

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Jesus in a Body of Flesh …..

Laura Grace1 Comment

The hard thing about being transparent and real is some people may not want to follow you. We live in a world that looks for powerful leaders who never seem afraid or intimidated and promise us what we want to hear…..

However, Jesus wept. Lost his temper, Fell under the weight of the cross….

He got hungry, needed his friends, “Felt” forsaken at the cross. He was God in a body of Flesh. We have God within our body of flesh. We’re not going to be picture perfect every day of our lives! And it doesn’t mean God doesn’t live in us if our flesh (and it’s polished veneer) falls apart.

My heroes are those who fall apart, give it to God, & try again.👑 and they tell the truth! Not just what I want to hear.

Suffering is part of life. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers them out of them all! ALL means ALL.

Psalm 34:19 With Love, Laura

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Don’t Scare the Little Children of God

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I was talking to God one time and lamenting how I would like to share so many things he has shown me, but very often people just run away from me or act like I am freaking them out.

He said to me “Don’t scare the little children.” …..😘

Now, I know when God speaks to my heart. I’ve been hearing him since the 90’s and he says what he wants, when he wants, and it’s always in perfect timing! So I pondered what he said, and I asked for clarification, for it seemed like a strange word at the time.

I got to thinking how in my own walk, there were times what people would share with me flat “freaked me out!!”. A few years back, I had a woman share with me how visiting a Pentecostal church freaked her out. Her exact words were “it was like something out of the twilight zone!”. 😂She was not ready for that experience. Not prepared.

God wants to relieve our fears not add to them!

If you are a parent, you hopefully know better than to introduce certain things to your kids too soon. Now, you may not agree with me but I know what I say here is the truth. It’s not right to send children to war. It’s not good to tell them things that scare them half to death until the proper age, when it’s time, when it’s time and they are ready to hear it. ❤️

That’s why God said “some of you need milk, not solid food.” If someone is enjoying their chicken soup for the soul and praising God who are you to mess with them? Everyone will get where they are going (and supposed to go) so long as they have made Jesus the Lord and Savior of their life. And I will tell you something else God just reminded me of…..

It says in 1 Thess 5:11 “Encourage each other and build each other up” Not “scare the pants off everyone so they will get in line!!” …….Years ago I was under a pastor that got in this attitude that if you left the church something bad would happen to you. At that moment, he was not in the spirit with God! , Preachers make mistakes. This is why no matter What church you go to, retain the attitude that the LORD is your Shepherd.

Here is another passage for you to ponder, Romans 14:4 “Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.” Grace and Peace to you!

With Love, Laura Grace