Building #8 What is Integrity?

February 3, 2018February 3, 2018 Laura GraceLeave a comment

INTERGRITY 2

“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.” Proverbs 10:9 “…In teaching, show integrity” Titus 2:7

What is integrity? It’s doing the right thing when nobody is watching. It’s having a moral compass or having ethics do to things the right way (according to God). The old sin nature it to just “see if we can get away with stuff.”

The best example of integrity toward ourselves I can think of, is the story of the three little pigs. The three little pig story shows us the end result of either cutting corners, taking the easy way, and so on and so forth. What I do not see is the brick building pig having an argument with the other two on “the best way to build.”

He did not have time for it!

In this series, we are talking about building things that will stand the test of fire and flood. Wood, Hay and Stubble they will suffer loss (1 Corn 3:12) so we are not talking about your eternal salvation here, but making wise decisions toward God.

People always want to know (It seems) “What’s in it for me?” Having integrity may not produce instant gratification or results. Like the Three little pig story, you may not “SEE” a house very quickly, when you are doing things one brick at a time. In the end however, you will see a fire proof house.

Integrity produces trust worthy ways in us. It may take a long while, but we will soon see people trust us, believe in us, and would trust us with their very lives, all because we have proven we have integrity.

I am sorry this process (seems) to take so long, but it’s worth it in the end! Proven integrity, and the willingness to walk in righteousness through thick and thin, is necessary to building a house that will stand in the storms. Not only that, if we want to be an effective minister for Jesus, We can’t really help anyone without a solid place to stand. Let them build their house of straw…..(If they want to) it’s not going to stand, so do not worry about it. YOU do the right thing for you! 🙂

I leave you with this thought, as we ponder why so many tell us “hypocrites’ Go to church…….Let’s not be one of them.

Please Father! Fill us with integrity! and the desire to press on, and believe it’s all worthwhile. Amen! Pastor Laura Grace

INTEGRITY

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Christmas Story #8 You don’t have to have money to be generous……..

December 20, 2017December 20, 2017 Laura GraceLeave a comment

12 days extra extra Christmas story #8 Jesus is real. I testify!

One of my Life changing Scriptures is found in Jude 22 “And on some have compassion, making a distinction. 23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.”

If someone comes to me with a problem they are going to get the word of God, Prayer and Jesus! The way I see it, if they don’t want him they aren’t ready for help. And if they won’t receive him I can’t help them either. Now you know. I am radical!

The bible says a generous person will prosper. Now I don’t care so much if it’s financially but I Know it makes our soul prosper. We don’t have to have money to be generous. We can give our time, our love, a cookie, or even a prayer.

I met a guy one time in a housing project, he asked me to pray for him during Christmas time. He was “having such bad thoughts” he said.

After we prayed, he brought me a painting he had painted and said to me “I have to give this to you!” It was a nice painting.

I said why? “Because”, he says, ‘I just know I will feel better if I do.”
He gave me this gift and as far as I know he was fine after that.

I don’t know why he was compelled to do that, but he was having murderous thoughts and it was scaring him. When He told me, it kind of scared me also.

I just said “LET”S PRAY!” I know who the counsellor is. His name is Jesus!
You don’t need a minister license to represent Jesus. All you need, is faith If you don’t have any start today praying on little things, and read your bible!

Oh I forgot to tell you why he asked me for prayer! Everywhere I go I talk about Jesus. I don’t even remember how it came up, but as people oten tell me, Nobody can be around you long without Jesus coming up! (Good!)

I either drive them crazy or they ask me questions OR they run away! Why would we not tell the reason we are okay in this world? If hearing about Jesus drives them crazy, they are not ready for him. Yet.

Jesus is still the answer! so get your brave shoes on and next time someone has a problem, offer to pray with them. And if you need help. Ask me for prayer! I will be happy to pray for you and I won’t judge you. Jesus is not some picture on the wall to me or someone I was ‘told about” He is REAL! And he loves you! and thank you those who pray when I ask (You know who you are!) and I love you very much.

With Love,

Laura Grace

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

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The all about me people (by Laura Grace)

November 20, 2017 Laura GraceLeave a comment

GROWING TREE ROOTS.jpg

The All about me-people!

by Laura Grace:

We’ve all met them …….
at least once or twice
they want to be naughty
and pretend to be nice

It’s all about them, every time, every place
If they are not happy, they get in your face.

Now I know we forgive them (and pray for them too)
But honestly sometimes, what can we do?

We see them coming, we want to hide!
When we’re having a blessing, they’re along for the ride.

But when we go through a trial ……
THEY run and hide!
They wait til it’s over
and then they come back
It’s all about them (again)
And that, is a fact!

They will drain you
and pain you
and flat “wear you out”
use you
abuse you
and fill you with doubt

Now you are wondering “did I fail to love?”
Nope you did not! And here’s help from above!

If they won’t take God’s wisdom,
It’s not up to you
to save them from folly
so take heed what you do!

Let them go my sweet child
Let them go with a prayer
gather the wheat
and uproot the tare

I”m sorry this happens…..
And I know that there’s pain…..
But God is the saviour
and You: “Pray for rain”

Let them grow up,
They must suffer the pain
You Need to Grow!
Now, Soak up the rain!
Grow in the sunshine
Bask in God’s love!

And my child this is:
Your help, From Above!

Please don’t feel guilty …….
they are making a choice

Now you, please make yours
and don’t lose your voice!

#grace to Grow (by Laura Grace)

Grace to Grow (the book) Is now available on Amazon WITH Study guide included

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Relationship #2 No Drama “YOU” are you who you want to be?

October 14, 2017 Laura GraceLeave a comment

Relationship 9

Relationships #2 YOU (Is at the core of every relationship.) Are you who you want to be?

“Being Real” is something we hear all the time. You should “be real” (They say). But it’s not defined. What does being real mean to you? Your anger (about social injustice) outrage (over the issues of life) or even grief, pain, sorrow…..(over untold Losses)

That’s not WHO you really are. is it? No. At the core or heart of relationship-is who WE are. If we don’t like ourselves how do we expect others to like us? If we are not at peace with ourselves, how can anyone else be at peace with us?

Can anyone MAKE us happy? (including God?). I am reminded of the story of Jesus and the man at the pool of Bathesda, (in John, chapter 5) where he said “do you want to be made well?”

Mental health is every bit as important (if not more important) than physical health. Many of us were “messed up” in our minds over things that happened throughout our lives. Abuse. Bullying. Social Injustices. And you don’t have to be a minority to experience discrimination, favoritism, and being left out by those ‘Elitists.”

It all hurts, and it all affects us (deeply) in our hearts.

A whole (Healed) Person has a Healed Soul and Mind. Did you notice Jesus dealt with this man’s heart? (and mind?) “Do you want to be well?”

Do you want to be made well? God asked me one time if I wanted Restoration or Compensation! (Wow!) I chose Restoration. Compensation is what you get when you sue someone over what was done to you. Or get “payment” for your loss.

I don’t want compensation. I want restoration! I choose life!

Even in relationships we have to ask this question: “do we want to get along?” (or do we just want to argue?). Do we want to do the work it takes to have a great relationship?

What’s important to us? What matters most? And truly “WHO” do we wish to be? A fighter? Scrapper? Conquerer? Leader of the band? Or do we wish to have our identity forever be “continual victim” because we believe this is our lot in life?

1.Who do you want to be? And why? God really wants to know! Let him know who you would like to be! Then ask “what he wants you to be!” This is relationship at it’s finest. TWO WAY (not one way).

2. Make peace with yourself (However long it takes)

3. Be a friend (to yourself) And receive all God has for you. This will make you a better friend to others…in the long run (and a better spouse, better employeee, and so on and so forth). This means “Being willing to take correction”.

You’d be amazed at the things I’ve said to Jesus. I came to the conclusion years ago…”He already knows” so.I may as well tell him the truth! Trust me, he can handle it. I’ve said things to God that are so shocking I waited for lightning to hit me! But it didn’t! His love enveloped me instead…….(I testify!)

You can’t “offend him” by telling him the truth! I feel like Giving up Father! I have had about enough Father! I need you to show me Father (And let him know what you truly believe you need from him). I will give you a clue however……that when we ask him for what he already wants to give us, it’s likely to happen a lot quicker.

1 John 5:14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. (NKJV) Peace! Until Next time, -Laura Grace

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The Favor of God

January 13, 2017January 15, 2017 Laura GraceLeave a comment

your-heart-lord-your-heart Acts 2:47 “they found favor”

The Lord’s Favor be upon us!

You know, the Lord’s favor comes upon us, when we least expect it sometimes. When you pray (for something) and something good happens, that is God’s favor. Now, we know Jesus quoted Isaiah 61, and we know that Jesus did not say he was limiting his favor to one year of blessing. In the year of Jubilee captives were made free (from debt) and property restored, (and many other blessings) but with Jesus, the day he walked into the lives of anyone, was the day of His favor, to them.

For some, favor was a healing. For others, it was listening to teachings and being fed with bread and fish. His disciples found favor in the sight of God, when they witnessed a storm miraculously calmed, or even had their nets laden with fishes, just because Jesus was their friend. They followed him, and the reward was very great.

The disciples lacked for nothing (good) but they had to trade their ideas about what was good, for Jesus’ ideas about what was good. It seemed good to them to build a temple in his honor, but he wanted them to just follow him (and learn), instead. Why?

In the book of Acts (Chapter 2) we see the early church celebrating, telling testimonies, breaking bread, and singing and worshiping. Why? Nobody had lack, everyone was taken care of, and their love for one another was abounding. In fact they were so “on fire’ if you will, their numbers were increasing daily. Everyone wanted to know what all the celebrating was about! People were getting healed, delivered, and set free from bondage, demon torment, and all kinds of things (and they were testifying about this!).

The Lord’s favor does not come of us impressing him with tall buildings, our great achievements in ourselves, or showing off to him how theologically impressive we can be.

The Lord’s favor is given to a humble heart, who just trusts in him. A willing heart who just follows him. An obedient heart, who does what he says, even if man is not impressed.

I have had so much favor on my life through the years, I have almost lost track. Thank you God for your favor! Thank you! I praise you! I rejoice over this! You are so awesome Lord!

PRAISE YOU! and I say this with all sincerity too, because God has done so much for me.

THANK YOU FATHER! PRAISE YOU LORD! -Laura Grace Author, Grace to Grow the Study Guide (Available on Amazon)

Psalm 90 “The Favor of the Lord be upon us”

Isaiah 61 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; because He has anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor…………

There are many more scriptural references, regarding the Lord’s Favor. http://www.blueletterbible.com