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Overcoming…..How do we do it?

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I’ve never liked physical exercise, nor been into sports.
 
Therefore, the athlete analogy in scripture didn’t do much for me until I read 1 Timothy 4:8. Now there is a scripture I can get my teeth into! 🙂
 
I can and do, understand the need to overcome obstacles in this life for there are many of them. We say we have faith for something “someone” bars the way. We (as christians) do too much of this “well it must not be God’s will” (type thing) giving up too easily. A Major part of our walk is to OVERCOME!
 
In fact, I would say that’s the biggest goal. Didn’t Jesus say “fear not I have overcome?” and saying in a nutshell, if I did, so can you?
 
Yes indeed, He did.
 
Christmas a lot of times is just overcoming obstacles, and I didn’t realize it until just now. God didn’t send it, (Christmas) people came up with it.
For many it’s an obstacle course.
 
It’s either an opportunity to get upset, or a chance to let God produce love, generosity, more fruits of the spirit, and whatever else he’d like to do IN US at Christmas OR any other time in our lives.
 
That’s all trials really are. Opporunities to Overcome.
Oh, so THAT”S why he said rejoice (when you have a trial)
It’s your big chance to overcome!
And you don’t even have to sign up for the Olympics to do this! 
 
YAY!!! I can Get the Gold! Go for the Gold! Hurray Hurray! And yes LORD, I will do it! Be with me I pray! as I go and JUMP over all these spiritual hurdles I face today!
 
cheering you on!
Your partner in this life in Christ Jesus!
 
Laura Grace
PS (Here’s the scripture I told you about!) #overcoming
 
“For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.”
 
1 Timothy 4:8 by Laura Grace (Author) 
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Dodge the Stampede!

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Stampeding (When someone “stampedes’ your blessing)

I just feel led to share this today. If you saw a herd of buffalo about to stampede the church building, you would shut the door, holler for Help……And keep them OUT would you not?

A stampede of fools is like a herd of buffalo. There are those who have this “gang mentality” and you cannot LOVE them out of it. You have to get out of the way. Shut the door! Keep them OUT Of your heart and your mind! Do not allow them to trample everything God has put inside your heart (as you open your heart to their treacherous doings!) ….

It’s okay in this case to stop TRYING to love, and just shut the door, get out of the way……Let them stampede on.. 

For those bent on foolishness there is no other way. Do you think you can stand in the face of a buffalo herd and keep it from Trompling you? No!

Then stop and think about what you are doing before you try to deal with these “stampeders” in the realm of the spirit! Get out of the way! They will not respond to your loving words (and not even to God’s words)

for right now…..you’ll just have to let them go..

a now word (Laura Grace) Author, Grace to the Rescue, Grace to Grow, Grace to Soar 

 

He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed. Prov 13:20

The wise shall inherit glory, But shame shall be the legacy of fools.Prov 3:35

The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness Prov 15:14

A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness. Prov 12:23

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When Giants Have to Fall…..

giants Good Morning! 

Facing any giants today? Monsterous Fears Maybe? 

You know, this may suprise you but …people don’t just wake up one day and realize “Hey I’m a giant slayer!”

Even those of us who DO stand up to those supposed “powers of darkness” had our days of fear and trembling, shaking and quaking, and wondering what to do next. Maybe King David was blessed in that, he did not have to listen to the news on TV every day, and hear about how many stood up to a giant and got killed in the process. See: We have it easier than David in someways (we live in New Testament times) but in other ways, we have it harder. Life was simpler in the days of King David, but the choice has always been the same. Trust God, or not Trust God. 

I do not mean idly sitting by, watching to see what God will do next…….

I’ve been writing messages for months now, as I face my own giants. I have faced many, in my time. 

This time, it was cancer. Oh yes, the big C. The name of the giant is different, the victory over it is the same. One day we will all face that last giant (death) And when God decides it’s our time, we’ll see that one defeated too, as we enter heaven forever, rejoicing. 

after King David slayed the giant, he faced a bigger one. Saul’s Jealousy and Rage.

Before he became King, He was chased around by Saul, who was so upset at David’s Victories, his own realization his time was short (as King) that he wanted to literally murder David. David’s men begged him to kill Saul, but he would not do it.  

I could talk for hours about how I came to the conclusions I have (about Faith) but you wouldn’t likely read it all (unless I write another book) and I don’t have time. What I will say is this: “The Holy Spirit” Has a lot he wants to teach you……

Will you take the time? The other thing is: Becoming a Giant Slayer takes time. David was out in the fields tending the sheep, meditating on God’s truths and principles. He was prepared for his day in the sun (and the days in the dark as well.) I don’t care what the giant’s name is, the answers is the Same. GOD! 

If you looked out the window and saw a stray dog molesting your child, you would grab whatever you could, run out there, and beat the thing half to death. GET OFF MY CHILD! 

When we face ANYTHING that threatens to destroy us the answer is the same……..

SATAN, GET OFF MY CHILD!!! In Jesus’ name! What weapon you use hardly matters. David used the one he was most comfortable with (A sling and a stone). Maybe your weapon is prayer, declarations …..speaking VICTORY SINGING …….What matters is to have a heart like David and realize “WHO ARE YOU DEVIL” TO torment the people of God? WHO ARE YOU (sickness, cancer, premature death, lack, poverty, etc) WHO ARE YOU OH MOUNTAIN? (to stand in the way of God?). 

As giant slayers…..we may have different styles. The important thing is: do we understand this concept? GOOD GOD (Very Good Father) vs BAD DEVIL (who hates us)

WHO wants to kill, steal and destroy? Not God! 

Jesus said: “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly”
John 10:10 
 
Father make them giant slayers today (all of your People Lord God) Let it get in them once and for all YOU have given us all we need in you to defeat every giant! in Jesus’ name! Amen   Laura Grace Author, Grace to the Rescue series 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Relationships Series #5 Control part 2 “The behavior police’ (Galatians 3)

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Relationships #5 Control (Part 2). The Behavior Police
 
They’re out there. “The behavior Police.” You just got saved or you decided to renew your relationship with Jesus, he’s loving on you, and you’re all on fire for him. You’re in love with him! You have returned to your first love. I am happy to report I am in love with my saviour again (Jesus) and I have no intention of letting anyone rip me from his arms, ever again.
 
There was a time (I well remember) when I was not ready for the stuff that happened in church. I thought it was always a safe place, a happy place, full of people who love Jesus.
 
Not always so. (Not always). sometimes there are people in there who just GO to the building and don’t KNOW Jesus (see 1 John) and on FB there are people like that also. they think they know him, but they don’t. If they DID they would not get in the face of one in love with Jesus with their pointy little finger, scolding you, telling you how you better SHAPE UP and do things right!
 
We don’t need to be scolded by those who are NOT our parents. One household runs different from another. It’s the same with God’s people. God has a plan for EACH Person and unless YOU Heard from the Holy Spirit you don’t Know God’s plan for Them!
 
Maybe they aren’t called to make the cookies for the funeral dinner. Maybe God led them to lead someone to Christ last Sunday instead of going to church. Maybe they are tired and God told them to rest. They belong to Jesus! (Not to you!).
 
What did Jesus say to Peter “Feed my lambs” HIS Lambs not YOUR lambs….!! Hmm…and they know HiS Voice! and should be encouraged that they know his voice! Not told to sit and be still in your little military school! 😐
 
We are not in a man-made religious army here. We are grafted in by Faith, receiving from the life giving vine (Jesus). Have you ever looked how a plant operates? Dead stuff is pinched off and new life streams into the new leaves that are growing. 🌱🌳
 
Soon the plant blossoms as it stretches toward the sun. All it needs is water, light, good soil to grow in, and everything must be attached to the vine. We don’t walk up to plants and “Scold them” into submission! We should look for ways to encourage others to stay in the vine and keep on growing (IN Christ Jesus).
 
I want so share a large segment of Galatians. It’s worth reading again and again. A reminder to stand firm in the Faith that first brought you to Jesus (and not be dismayed by the Behavior Police). Laura Grace
 
Galatians 3
 
O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth,[a] before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? 2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?
 
5 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.”[d] 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.
 
The Law Brings a Curse
 
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.”11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.”
 
13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”, 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”
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The power of one…..and the importance of one ……and the mandate to go……..

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For years i wondered where I fit in, in God’s church. I wondered what my job was. In church I felt like a kid who never got grown up enough to handle any sort of responsibility, no matter how Hard I tried. Oh sure I loved going to church but eventually, I (like any kid) wanted to do something too. All the jobs seemed to be taken, and my job was to sit on the pew. I just didn’t like it (is all) so for years I practiced guitar (Praise music) and prayed, sought God, what was I to do? 
Now years later, I understand the river (and the heart of a believer) will find their way into their true calling. 
My husband and I just got back from a vacation/ministry trip. He had a few days of Vacation, and we have not taken one since last year (at this same time) when we went to be a tourist down in Dillon, plus went to Virginia City. WE prayed, Packed up, and went on a Journey praying we would find those God wanted us to find (on this trip). Over the 5 days we found 10 stops and about 20 people we prayed for (total). We also were prayed for as we met with new friends who prayed and ministered to us as well! I had always wanted to see Silverwood (never have) a theme park near post falls ID. I wanted to do a lot of things, shop for stuff, go to this famous donut shop, just all kinds of things …..
but …we gave up our vacation and we gave it to Jesus. He used it to do marvelous things too! the memories of who I have prayed for and spent time with on this trip will be marked for eternity! I have no regrets that I did what I did. 
We prayed for a woman who is having a terrible time with her Dad, for another guy that is grieved about how he can’t find any good churches (in his town) as he said so many are falling into strange doctrines and wierd beliefs.
We stood and prayed for entire church complex and witnessed to the secretary in the church and encouraged her. I prayed with a little girl who was severely abused and another couple whose shop was going out of business. God led me to a homeless shelter/soup kitchen where he had me stand and give my testimony of how I got saved, and offered them hope with tears running down my face ……
The point is not to impress you but to say…..the river finds a way. If you can’t minister anywhere because the jobs all seem to be taken, Jesus has a job for you. I’ve heard so many pastors say “reach out to people” (on your job or wherever) but we all know that’s not so easy. Just think if Every believer spent some days of their lives saying who can I reach today Father? Who can I reach today? “Work through me today Father!” 
How many could all of us reach together? Probably everyone. 
To do this we can’t be concerned with Notariety or what WE are going to get out of it. In Matthew 10 Jesus said to his Disciples GO……..GO ………
I see nothing about anyone taking up an offering for them or having church back up. They just went……..and delivered what they had in their heart to deliver …..
YES my friends ONE (You) can make a difference, and that ONE life you touch, THEY MATTER (Jesus said so!) …….So now what are you waiting for? The world needs to hear and see the treasures God has put in your heart……..Amen? 
Matthew 18:12
“What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying?
PS: The Lord made sure we were blessed and still had some fun on this trip Isn’t he GOOD? yes he is. He is so Good! Praise Jesus! 🙂
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No labor of love is in vain……..but let’s define love again, shall we?

LOVE BLACK AND WHITE.jpgLet’s define love again, Shall we? the 1 Corn way. 

1 Corinthians 13:6
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
I can still hear Margeret Becker, playing on my cassette deck singing, “NO Labor of love is in vain…….precious jewels are changed to jewels in the rain……” (Never for Nothing, by Margaret Becker). I can remember how hard it was to beleive that. My book Grace to the Rescue, is only available on Kindle right now. It was my first attempt at authorship and no…I didn’t go to school for writing, and no publisher approached and me and said “Hey, you should write a book.” 
 
It came about because I could not tell my story without constant interuptions.
I would say what I’d been through, people would quote 1 Corn to me, and tell me I should read it. I read it 1000 times (or more) and, I lived it.
And no I’m not living in the past. I was on auto-pilot, trained to love, by the church and others. I stuck up for my church zealously too, I might add, and for those that advised me poorly. 
When People saw the abuse I was going through I thought standing up for 1 Corn 13, was standing up for Jesus! Nobody, and I mean nobody, was ever going to get me to give up on believing for my marraige to last.
Now that I have been (gasp) divorced, and yes re-married (for 15 years) I have added forgiving all the crazy, inconsiderate, mean-spirited, and even clueless people who tormented me for years with the very passages of scripure I loved. 
I fell in love with God’s word when I became born again 30 years ago. It came alive to me. My family will tell you I would not shut up about Jesus, and I would not stop witnessing and praying for people either. Thousands of times (Thousands) I said “THANK YOU FATHER FOR Healing my marraige!”
You have to remember, Jews were brought up in God with their parents inolved in the marraiges, along with many teachings about marraige. Nobody ran to a court house and got a certificate, back in those days, nor ran to Vegas and woke up saying “what did I just do?” There were serious laws (from God) about how a man treated his wife, and laws for the wife and children as well.
There was not crazed druggies making their spouse’s lives a living hell every day, after they married them in a spur of the moment decision on a court house lawn.
We’ve learned to say things (like little parrots) and it needs to stop. God hates divorce. He hates sin. He hates that you married the wrong person. He hates that you didn’t know him when you were young…….
He hates sin, because it seperates us from him. Living in sin on purpose keeps us apart from him and he loves us so dearly, he sent his son to die for us. Sin is walking in constant error, deeming something to be more important than he is. God told Adam and Eve not to eat from that tree, (of knowledge of good and evil) and they did it anyway.  
If you are abused, God loves you. He wants to help you. He came to make the captives free.  Yes I did 16 years of working on me, changing me, before I ever walked out that door. Yes I learned to love to forgive beyond 70 times 7. And I don’t regret it, but I did need to get out of there. Better to lose your hand or foot (spiritually speaking) than to be dragged to hell with them. 
Maybe you won’t have to get divorced, maybe you will. I don’t know. But God loves you enough to say, “You matter.” I made my laws for you, to protect you, because I love you my dear.” He said these words in his Holy Word: “I made the sabbath for man, not man for the sabbath.” Think about that for a minute, will you? 
I have copies of my book (Paperback) grace to the rescue, published in 2013 if you are interested in one, write me sisterzeal@yahoo.com
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Why the devil flees. A word on deliverance, and casting out devils……..

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This Morning, a thought hit my spirit, and I am giving God the credit for it. Back in the 90’s deliverance sessions were going on, everywhere. Sometimes, preachers who had been led to “cast out a demon” were so ambitious about casing out demons, they would be in prayer lines and try to push people over, or maybe they would smell cigarette smoke and try to cast out the demon of nicotine (in Jesus’ name.) 

First off, if you don’t believe in God, we probably better not have this conversation. At the same time, some don’t believe in God, just because he’s been misrepresented by those who are called christian. Which is exactly why, Jesus was so upset with the Pharisee types when he walked the earth. They were misrepresenting him, so he had to straighten them out. Why? His potential children, were being shut out, by them. 

Now when people say ‘go deeper” this is what deeper means. You touched the surface of what God wanted to say (via his word) and he wants you to get more depth out of that passage of scripture. In Luke 9:49 the disciples said “we saw someone casting out devils in your name, but we forbade them, because they don’t follow us.” 

Wow! Here we have early signs of elitism, and Jesus cut it off at the pass. “If they are not against us, they are for us,” he said. “Do not forbid them.” Wow! 

There are times I am going to believe for something (because God has put it on my heart to do so) and someone will come along and try to argue with me. I can tell they are not in the Spirit of God right now, so what spirit are they of? 

People who are proud of their “independent spirit” do not want to believe they are influenced either by God (and his truth) or the devil (and his lies.) It’s funny how a society so against black and white (concrete) statements, who want to believe nothing is that “cut and dried,” also want to know gravity always works, and the ground is very solid under their feet. Who would actually build a castle of sand? (on Purpose?).

Not I, and likely not you, either! But the truth is when we refuse to see there are two influences (God, and the devil) in the spirit realm, we risk listening to the wrong voice and building our spiritual lives on  the sand. 

Did you ever see Jesus command a religious spirit to get out of a guy? Me neither! WHY DID Jesus rail on the Pharisees so hard? He just was not nice to them! I can hardly get it out of my brain, how Jesus said “snakes, vipers, whitewashed tombs!” I shudder to think of the reaction, if we walked up to someone and said that, today. 

Why did he do it? Why did they not get compassion, since the devil causes all the bad things? I”ll tell you why. They were hardened by pride, in all of their supposed knowledge. They needed a hammer, taken to the rock of pride within them. 

And that my friends, is another way to cast out the devil, and his lies. -Laura Grace