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How to Guard your Heart by Laura Grace

gate heart Be a Gate Keeper! Guard the Soul 

I think there are a lot of Christians out there, like me, who truly do not know how to guard their heart. First and fore most we must give more weight to the voice of the Shepherd than anyone else.

We don’t need pretty lies of exaggerating how wonderful we are, and we don’t need Input from amateur counselors or the peanut factories. We certainly don’t need help allowing unbelief! 

Because we are “word of God” people, we think if we can’t rebuke it, cast it out or get it gone via spiritual warfare, we are failing somehow. Not true.

Some people just ‘are what they are” and we must learn how to deal with it!

  1. Step number one we need to keep learning and meditating on who we are to Jesus. that knowledge must become so real to us, nobody can talk us out of it. If the voice of someone else’s opinion of us screams louder than what God says, we must reinforce what he says about us until it’s more real than anything else. 
  1. In keeping with that train of thought, the accuser of the brethren (the devil) is always going to try to remind you of your past. That’s his job. He is evil. He isn’t going to stop so you must learn to overcome him with YOUR TESTIMONY. You speak it to him: “I am saved, God’s child, I’ve been forgiven of that” and if the person who is allowing the enemy to “USE THEM” to accuse you keeps it up, start to ignore it. It’s the best defense you have. IGNORE IT. You can’t argue with demons.

 

You can’t cast them out of someone who wants to stay that way. No, they may not be demon-possessed- they just listen to his lies and it’s become a part of them, like WEEDS. You cannot go into someone else’s garden and start yanking weeds out. You are trespassing! You are going to have to ignore it and tend to your own garden. Not what you want to hear, but true. Change the subject, dodge the questions, or say “I don’t want to talk about that right now.”

 

  1. Do not ask for counsel from those who have no clue what you are talking about, or what you have been through. I don’t care what their credentials are or how much they “seem” to care. Ask God who you should talk to about something. SEEK HIM FIRST! He is your Shepherd, your counselor and your friend, and he is always listening. 
  1. You live in the world, so best to get started learning how to cope with things. Go to a rest room or go outside and pray. I’ve done this over the years, went to my car. Prayed, or even went to a restroom, prayed in whispers asking God for help, wisdom and guidance. I assume everything I go through he is RIGHT THERE WITH ME because he said he would be.

 

  1. Family can be the hardest, because they knew you before you knew Jesus. Family has expectations that often feel like obligations. If we are a good sister, daughter, mom or son we will do this or that supposedly. Jesus told his own mom he was going about the Father’s business, but another time he did change water to wine because she asked him to do something about the situation. There are no pat answers, we must learn to say; “I am praying” I am “seeking God” and let everyone know (including your family) you are on a mission to do God’s will. We are not born “being like Jesus’ It’s something we are walking out.

 

  1. Whatever weapons you know of right now (with God) use them, he will add to your skills as you use what he gave you. I started out a Lutheran Just ‘praying the Lord’s prayer” and now I know all kinds of spiritual warfare tactics. God is not in a hurry. You are in a school called life and he is willing to walk with you as your Father and help you to grow.

 

  1. Learn from your experiences, write them down. Use a Journal use the computer and ask God to teach you in EACH situation how to handle it better next time. I have noticed things I run from I will usually face again, so best to learn to overcome it.

 

  1. Give that other person the benefit of the doubt, whenever you can. Did they mean to hurt you or were they hurting themselves, distracted, or just clueless? We need to ask God “Why is this happening? Or “what do you want me to learn from this?”

There are some people who are just plain bullies, but what about the mandate to love them?Do we keep taking the hurt?

If I tell someone something wounds my soul and they keep doing it anyway, I am probably going to pull away from that person.  When you go, say a prayer and give it to Jesus. Be willing to be reconciled later, if that’s what he wants you to do. 

WHEN we guard our heart it’s not just against people. WE protect our heart from becoming bitter, angry, full of self-pity, and a host of other things the devil sends at us. There is no end to the things he will try, to destroy our very hearts. Do you know why?

BECAUSE my friends, that’s where the word of God gets planted and takes root. It’s where he speaks to us. It’s where rivers of life flow out of us!

Satan would rather take you out than take out a church building. If he can take you out, he has stopped the flow of God’s spirit to hundreds, or perhaps thousands of people due to the ripple effect. (you touch a life, they touch a life, and so on and so on and so on).  Some people gaurd a church building more zealously than they protect their own hearts from the evil one. It’s a full time job! 

 

 Guard your heart! It’s where your inheritance lies. It’s worth fighting for.

 

Laura Grace, Author, Grace to Grow Click here to Buy:

https://www.amazon.com/Grace-Grow-study-guide-Rescue-ebook/dp/B077L71XP1/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1525753636&sr=8-1&keywords=grace+to+grow+by+Laura+grace

 

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Prov 4:23

anger · anger management · angry christians don't accomplish much · arguing with fools · scream therapy with Jesus · Uncategorized

Scream therapy! With Jesus……

I remember the first time I read the scripture in Colossians: 

Colossians 3:8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 
Another version says “rid yourself’ of anger. 
Once I asked Him,  “how do I rid myself of anger?” I had read how stuffing things and just denying yourself the right to be anger can lead to physical problems (and it really can) so  many ailments have been linked to “stuffed feelings” so that’s really not the answer……..
Let’s face it we face injustice sometimes and it can be horrendous. In my case I was pretty young when the mountain of injustices just seemed to “add up.” 
It’s unjust to be abused, lied to, and to have people you count on to love you give you little pat answers when you are suffering, and are in pain. It’s unjust to have your spouse lie to you time and time again. People tell me just “let the past go” …..
to which I say NO there are people who need help out there! And my stories and testimonies will help them! I know this to be true. 
The real point is, if you have ever had a situation so unjust it about sent you into a rage, and you found yourself taking it out on others………
a good solution for that is to just get in a quiet place somewhere and say okay …….
JESUS YOU SAID one of your names is counsellor……
I took him literally on this one. what safer place than with God to let it all out? 
ME: “It’s not fair Father” I don’t know if I can take this anymore! I want to give it to you but I don’t know how! Father I’m scared! I am so angry! I don’t want you to kill anyone for me but I do want justice! Sometimes it seems like you don’t even care!!” 
You can always take the mask off with God (and you should) as he already knows what you are thinking, how you are feeling, and what to do about it. I wouldn’t recommend taking off your mask in front of others unless he leads you to do so. 
People can be very judgemental, harsh, and I don’t care how many laws they make, only God can teach a heart to be kinder and more like him (by his Spirit) so …..
Yep, do some scream therapy if you feel the top of your head might just blow off your body if you don’t get some relief. Drinking drugs and all that is a trap which helps for a moment (it seems) but has no lasting effect. Killing someone will land you in Jail. Holding it all in will give you physical problems like ulcers and the like! 
So Just go for a drive! Yell until your throat hurts if you have to. Cry a river of tears but when it’s all done………..don’t forget to ask Jesus for the solution and start with what do you want me to do? (my wise advice for today) 
with Love and blessings –
Laura Grace 
PS God knows the real solution to the problem. Truly He does!
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Lofty Lucy’s….Who are they fooling I wonder? Not even themselves!

She’s so right isn’t she? So confident in her own (Picture) Of herself she has in her mind! “Lofty Lucy” she is everywhere. 

I’ve had more people give me advice (their two cents worth) than I can shake a stick at, in my life time. What do you do with people like that? (Mostly, I ignore them!). 

Sometimes, I endure them. Mostly, people who act like they know everything, wind up being examples of who “we don’t want to be,” and sadly, most of the time they are pretty clueless about what is going on.

Why Do people love Peanuts cartoons? Well, because they tell the truth, they tell a story, one the most of us have lived (to some degree) and can relate to. 

I just brushed off another “Lofty Lucy” comment, just a few minutes ago. She was clueless about how childish she sounded. I think to myself “How sad,” For I really would have liked to have a meaningful conversation with you…..even a deeper relationship. But, it’s not going to happen, because lofty Lucy (For today anyway) refuses to grow up.

What about you? Moving forward in the personal Growth department?” I hope so! You will like yourself better if you do this, and God will be so happy! 

Laura Grace, author speaker, blogger, prayer warrior, and friend of God. 

agreement · anger management · arguing with fools · be humble · biblical divorce · discernment · disciples · disciplesofchrist · disciplesofjesus · divorced christians · eagles · eagleswings · friendsofGod · Uncategorized

Agreement? Is it necessary?

Agreement! When I was talking about relationships, in Grace to Grow, I mentioned what a struggle relationships can be, at times. I wasn’t kidding. If we stop and think about it, the main problem in marriages, friendships, and relationships of any kind is not “money problems’ as the claim, but agreeing or disagreeing how to spend it. It’s not so much “stress from a job” but agreement (or disagreement) on how to handle it. 

I remember when I first got with Tim, there were so many things we did not agree on, it simply amazed me! But, we did agree on the main thing. The main thing is, What are our core beliefs, what are our goals, and where are we going? What do we both want? 

So many churches have split and split again over issues (that they could not agree on!).  You know, we can agree with our spouse we are going to a destination. We may not eat the same foods, but we can discuss and hopefully agree on the same restaurant. Amos 3:3 says “How can two walk together, unless they agree?” Good question!

We don’t have to agree about everything. What we wear, our taste in music, certainly many things to not require agreement, UNLESS we are doing those things as a team. if we have one cup of flour and can’t agree what to make with it (pancakes, biscuits, or?)

We might have a problem. We can defer to the other (out of love) but after a time, the injustice will be in our faces. We may feel “it’s our turn to pick” and by golly, I want pancakes today! Agreement is important.

Really, how can we walk together, unless we agree? We need to remember, even in the early church world, they did not always agree on what needed to happen (or what needed to be done.) There were times The Lord said, “Don’t worry about them” You, follow me! Walk on! Your anointing carries you into your destiny…………….

And there will come a time you will walk to that place alone, with God. Just remember with him, you are never alone. Remember to make peace with the situation, forgiving those who did not seem to agree with you or maybe refused to agree with you! There are times we take the narrow path, don’t let it shake you (Good words, hard to do) when you find yourself on this narrow path (with God) and trust in His re-assuring Spirit that tells you “yes, you are on the right path right now.” Have Courage! Take Heart! Where God guides you, he will provide for you all you need to full fill your mission and calling, in Him. 

Peace love and blessings, Laura Grace 
anointing-will

anger · arguing with fools · believingformiracles · bullies · bullies in America · discernment · justice · politics · prayer · relationship with God · righteousness · Uncategorized · wisdom

Miracles and Justice obstructers who quibble over details……

funny-protest-signs-15.pngThere’s an old saying, “lead me, follow me, or get out of my way!”

Here lately, I have been noticing again, people’s propensity toward arguing.

Jesus dealt with it too, just in a different way ….

Father God summed it up for me one day in my Study time with him when he said, “My way is not to argue and fuss over how to do something, or pick apart how people do it.”

The Pharisees were always so worried about details. Quibbling about it. “Is he supposed to be healed on Sunday?” “Is that really godly?” People feel very free to just dive in, and it’s their God given duty to tell us WHAT we should believe in. Many of them, the very same people who defend their own freedom of speech, pounce on others, telling them how wrong they are! It’s amazing! This to them apparently, is helpful somehow?

“Did you know your socks don’t match?” (Helpful hint for today?) Maybe I only have two socks, and these are it!

There are justice obstructers out there, and they quibble over details, all the time.

THEY STOP THE RIVER OF LIFE, from flowing!

These are the sorts Jesus got upset at. I never once saw or heard of him saying “come on boys, I heard someone down the street is about to commit a sin. “Let’s go stop them!” never heard him say there should be a law against this, Never once heard of him saying, “Hey, you are not in church today, YOU SLACKER!” …………

I have never heard of the ministry of arguing (from Him), jumping on people’s cases, or like Doc Lynch recently said on his face book page “getting wrapped around the Axel” over things people say. Think about that one! If someone is aruging and fussing over what we say, instead of listening, or trying to discover maybe why we said it, all they do is stop the vehicle from moving forward. So back to what I said, Lead me, Follow me, Or get out of the way! I’m willing to explain why I believe what I believe, in a peaceful discussion over it!

Anyone who is not this way, who has to holler over the top of you, rant and rave, freak out, call you names, or any of this kind of stuff, is definally NOT a person I want to follow.

I want someone who leads me to Peace, into Righteousness, into Love, and into a deeper understanding of my Heavenly Father.

 

How about you? -Laura Grace

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Becoming Miracle Minded #1 Don’t fear false hope……

MIRACLES DO HAPPN

Dear Father in the name of Jesus I pray….be with me today as I share this message and give me living hope, that what I say shall prevail, over every scheme of the enemy, and that it will help pull down strongholds, break barriers, crack doors wide open, and break every chain of bondage. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

“Don’t get your hopes up,” ever heard that expression? It’s a definite self-preservation stance. There are people who will risk rock-climbing, bungee jumping, or most anything dangerous, and yet they fear one thing the most: FALSE HOPE.

There are atheists who believe we must protect ourselves from this, and there are Christians who are far more terrified of “looking like a fool” than they are of death itself.

Don’t kid yourself, every minister of God who ever stepped out in Faith, said things like “you will get your miracle today,” faced the fears of false hope, before they ever said it.

I lost count of how many times I looked into the precious faces of my children, and they said to me “mom, what are we going to do?” (For we went through a lot of turbulence in our lives,” and my heart and mind would pray “Father please don’t allow me to give them false hope, show me what to say!” “Father please I need you to be with me, before I ever open my mouth!” ……

Well, He was always there………

But, where do these fears come from? I will tell you. Mostly, they come from those who did carelessly dish out false hope (In times past). Someone said everything would be okay and it wasn’t, or they said everything will be just fine and, it wasn’t fine.

However, that’s no excuse, for me anyway, to give up on the possibility of miracles, every single day of our lives. Signs and wonders follow those who believe (for miracles) Not those who do not believe for them. It’s very clear! So Let’s ask this question then,

Father, what miracles do you want me to believe for? Because I know you want me to believe for them! I know you are a miracle working God! This way, we have both submitted ourselves to God, (book of James) and we are resisting the devil, who says we should be afraid to hope…….

I have yet to meet a true believer who was ever sorry they had faith……..Sooner or later, regardless of the outcome, their faith is honored by God. They may not get it how they thought, when they thought, or maybe didn’t have quite the outcome they thought….

But a miracle did happen! I have seen it too many times not to believe this, with all my heart……..With love and affection, and I will say this again, don’t fear false hope! It’s not the damaging monster it claims to be.

 

Laura Grace

 

 

 

 

anger · arguing with fools · common sense christianity · correction · courage · discernment · end times · faith · fruits · fruits of the spirit · frustrated christian · grace · gracetogrow · gracetosoar · knowing God · ministry · perseverance · Uncategorized

Worried about America? Upset at how things are? I know, I was too for awhile….

a beautiful TREEhi! Laura Grace here! Yes, I get upset sometimes too, I really do. Scared? Yes, I am easily frightened without God’s help. But, here’s the thing. Fear brings Anger, Anger gets out of control (super easily) that rages out of control. We lose our peace, satan comes along and says it’s their fault, not our fault, if only THEY would straighten up and stop upsetting us this way! Oh My!

SO I asked God, (yesterday) Tell me what to read Father, what do you want to say? One word came to me. “Galatians”. It says the works of the flesh are obvious. Envy, Pride, lust, self-righteousness…….(the list goes on.) What’s the solution?

It’s not that we are taking a lukewarm stand against sin, or that we don’t care what’s going on in this world, but there is no getting around the fact, that God tells US to Grow! When we find ourselves feeling like the fruits of the Spirit, walking in righteousness, or learning of Him is too PASSIVE For our taste…..

There is something wrong. WE are supposed to be taking the land (Of our own soul) and expanding the territory of our own minds, TAKING THE LAND (of us) For Christ!

This will never change. God isn’t making any exceptions, to his rule.

We will not make a difference until we are more like him (First).

And, Anger can (and will) lead to sin if you are not careful……….

So, when someone tries to get me all upset (at the things that are happening) I want you to know, I am not sticking my head in the sand. I simply choose Jesus, and he said TO GROW! (and I am not done yet, and never will be,) Amen! -Laura Grace

PS choosing this road……TAKES GUTS! Amen

 

 

 

anger · arguing with fools · badpeople · bullies · bullies in America · fruits of the spirit · frustrated christian · Uncategorized

Anger ……….It may be justified but it’s bad for us!

Anger (by Laura Grace) Well, Did you ever wonder why God said Be Angry, and Sin not? Actually he said through his Apostle, and He had a great reason for saying it.

And it wasn’t to immobilize us or make us feel stifled. It wasn’t because He thinks we never have a reason to be angry. Like All his Commands, It’s for OUR SAKE! satan under our feetSo then, I’ve been angry many times, and I will admit it. I know, it just does not seem very satisfying if we are hurt, injured, abused, bullied, stolen from, lied to, kicked around, slam-dunked, or ANY of that and have to just keep our mouth shut! Right?

It seems weak, Doesn’t it? To Just say oh Father forgive them. Anyone who has taken years of abuse (which never seems to end) can relate. Right? Here’s some Grace to the Rescue, just for you! I was lied to so many times I lost count, insulted further by people who say things off the cuff, and do not even TRY to understand the problem. Sometimes it still happens. Then after a real hard day ( or week) There is always that unsuspecting person who does one more thing, pushes us off the edge (so to speak) and we find ourselves fit to be tied! Ever Happened to you?

Now if you are leading some sheltered life, one where you keep yourself in some gated community of sorts (some people do isolate themselves from others) I am not talking to you. If you interact with people a lot however, bad things are bound to happen.

So what do you do when your stupid-o-meter has reached it’s limit? When one more person says one more thing, and you feel like you are going to yell, scream, explode, cry, and at that very moment you think “Why am I being so nice all the time? What good does it do me?” That’s when you have to remember some things my darling fellow companion…….

#1 stress kills you not them #2 The hell fire of anger, burning in your soul does not produce righteousness or help you make wise decisions #3 God saw what they did #4 God doesn’t mind if we vent to him and tell him all about it #5 IF you keep or hold onto your anger you are likely to hurt people you love, people who don’t deserve it, and in the end, be almost worse than the person you are mad at. That’s 5 good reasons to settle down and pray! Can you think of more?

One time, Long ago, I was so upset at the complete unfair horrifying stuff going on in my life, I allowed myself to get worked into a big tizzy. My daughter was young, I said
honey just go play” (trying to contain myself) but in the end I wound up yelling at her because she would not stop. I can still see her face, stricken with horror ……

Wondering what she did that I could be so angry…….

Yeah…..and that’s the reason we have to give it to Jesus, and not nurture and harbor anger in our hearts. IT HELPS US! I am just Sharing my own thoughts and personal revelation here, but 9 times out of 10 I think, anger is fueled by fear it will happen again……

So face the fear, pray, decided if it’s worth doing something about it, and pray to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. K? We do make a difference! With Love and blessings

Laura Grace, Author Grace to the Rescue (available on Amazon)

Ephesians 4:25-27

 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”[a]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.

 

 

 

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Be Filled, not drained!

CUP OF LIFEHi there! Laura Grace, Author, Christian, every day human being, serving God on planet Earth! There was a song we used to sing in church: “Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up, Lord,” I just loved that song, Sort of a prayer song, you know?

Anyway, so we are vessels, the bible says, and when we learn to hold water, (of the Word) Then we are a container to help refresh others (my bible says).

However, there are those who will drain us, refuse to learn to receive (themselves) or some who even try to contaminate the living water (of our soul) with corruption, bitterness, or whatever they seem to be carrying around. This is where ministry gets tricky.

There seems to be this outcry now days, one in which everyone is saying, “don’t make me feel bad about myself, don’t judge me, don’t hurt me with your words!”

I by no means wish to Hurt anyone, and any good minister I know, doesn’t wish to do that either. Oh sure, there are a few out there, who could care less who they slay with their tongue, but there also comes a time the truth must be said, and as the saying goes, “the truth hurts’ There is really no way around it.

Therefore, while I believe in being kind, gentle, loving, forgiving, and merciful…………

If someone is contaminating my well, (of salvation) or polluting my living water with their ways, opinions, bitterness, and relentless arguments……I have to cut them off.

If I allow myself to be polluted and contaminated with the rudiments and beliefs of this world, the Living Water God has given me to share with others, will be of no value to anyone. And this is why my darlings, while we hope to be open-minded (to a degree) we cannot afford to be door mats. Mercy understands Holiness, Holiness understands Love, Love understands Righteousness, all of the attributes of God are hinged together, and cannot be separated. God does not separate himself from himself! Love you ….

have a great day (in Jesus) Laura Grace (Author) Grace to the Rescue series.

 

 

 

arguing with fools · corruption · discernment · eagles · eagleswings · end times · friendsofGod · Godsaves · Godsgrace · Godskingdom · KingdomofGodwithinyou · runtherace · secretplace · soaring · storms · Uncategorized · walkinthespirit

HOW do we Escape Corruption? and falling away?

RAINBOW FLOWERS

Good Morning! you know, God spoke to me, Back in March 2016

About Corruption. If We are constantly exposed to the elements of

This world, WITHOUT The continual preserving power of God’s Spirit,

WE can become corrupt. Revelation 2 talks about a corrupt church.

Many know, (down deep) they should not be holding a grudge, or

hating anyone, but they do it anyway. God doesn’t hate anyone, but

Corrupt Christians are bad examples………

Let those who have become corrupt, bear the weight of their own shame!

They know better. (They really do). Hebrews 10 and Hebrews 16 talks about

This very thing: You know better!

God writes his laws on our hearts…….

Corruption happens when Christians refuse to let God change them,

or let the Kingdom of God be built within them……

and like Judas, THEY KNOW BETTER!

I counsel you, God counsels you, Jesus counsels you (and us)

Go for the Gold! Ask for refining! escape corruption!

Laura Grace