When Having Faith Hurts (And we don’t get the outcome we desired).

January 31, 2019January 31, 2019 Laura GraceLeave a comment

What do we do when having Faith hurts us? I’ve experienced the devestation of not having the outcome I believed I woud have (after believing, with all my heart, for something to happen.) What I see is, God honors my Faith, but my timing isn’t always the same as His.

I used to stand outside my door every single day (praying in the morning) believing for a bigger house. The house we lived in at the time was so small, it literally felt like you had to “go outside to change your mind.”

This house was 643 square feet (total) including the porch area, and when my kids came to visit, we didnt have room for everyone to sit around the table.

At Christmas time, we sat in a circle, as if we were in a tee-pee, and the coffee table became one of the chairs. It was a small, small, very small house, and we lived in it for several years. During that time, God taught me to be thankful, while having faith at the same time for “something more.”

Now, we live in a double wide mobile home, which is a blessed home to us, but probably “lost its’ value” according to the world. However, we love it, and consider it an answer to prayer! We had to adjust our faith to receive this house however, because it wasn’t exactly what we were believing for. There really is a balance between “not giving up on your faith” and staying surrendered at the same time.

”

God did honor our Faith, but he also had us make some adjustments in the process of having Faith. By his Spirit, he challenged our thinking. Isn’t that what a good Father should do?

This is our house now: garage

God is smarter than we are, and it’s not that we should just “give up on having faith” nor should we just say, “Whatever will be will be.” God commends (and honors) people who have faith. Do not shrink back! (Hebrews 10:39).

Laura Grace, Author, Grace to the Rescue, Grace to Grow, & Dsyfunctional People.

Hebrews 11:35 “Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.

39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, 40 since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.”

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Being a Faith Person, in a cynical world

August 28, 2018August 28, 2018 Laura GraceLeave a comment

Good Morning!

I find myself thinking this morning, how difficult it can be to be a faith person, in a cynical world.

I am an oddity to many, and I perceive that many just wonder, (and worry a little for me) when they hear the things I believe, and the things I say, on any given day.

I am prone to speak faith over situations, and defy the laws of the natural with my words (and prayers). I don’t necessarily believe in “JUST” asking God for something, I believe in speaking faith words into the atmosphere.

Many do not agree with me, but they are a little bit afraid to argue, too. I can almost hear their thoughts.

“Should I say something to Laura?” “Doesn’t she realize she isn’t always going to “get what she says?” Or “does she realize God is Sovreign, and what happens, is up to him?” When I speak big things in Faith, I’m sure they wonder, “Is she going to be okay when it doesn’t “GO” How she thinks it will?”

Many often think I do need a “reality check.”. Know how I know? No, so I will tell you: I know by the things people (often) say to me what they truly believe.

They don’t believe they are cynical. They believe they are right.

Jesus really did say in Matthew 21 ” but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done.”

This does not mean every problem we have we just “speak to it’ and it goes away (according to our whim). However, there are times we do! And, things happen!

The “Blab it and Grab it” crowd gives Jesus a bad reputation! I don’t see Jesus speaking to every circumstance that was unpleasant, do you? So when we do this, our immaturity shows for all the world to see! And you give the gospel “a bad name” if you treat his word like a magical sceptor for your own personal gain.

Jesus did many different things at different times, as he “Did the Will of his Father in Heaven” (John 5:30). There were prophets in the Old Testament who spoke things (by Faith) some of it never happened in their lifetime, They still believed it.

A doctrine of man is when ONE thing he did, is emphasized to the point the full message of God gets distorted. If we want to be like Him (Christ-Like) we will reject none of his ways (or methods) but at the same time we will also not take one thing he does (or did) and blow it out of proportion.

I speak to situations when he leads me to do so. Those who have tried, or have seen someone, try to get rid of every problem Just by speaking Faith (when their hearts did not even believe what they were saying) Begin to get cynical, and think they have to “straighten out” Faith people, who seem to be ‘over the top.” It’s not one or the other, GOD”S WILL OR You Speaking Faith like he did!

You can believe for his Will AND speak Faith (to your Mountain) at the same time! The question is, what has his Word taught you to believe? Do you know what it says about every situation? (His word) or are you just listening to those who claim to know?

And why should we even believe them? Who are THEY to say what you should believe or not believe? Isn’t that between you and God, in your Covenant with Him?

Something to ponder,

By Laura Grace Author, https://www.amazon.com/Grace-Grow-study-guide-Rescue/dp/197333187X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1535463548&sr=8-1&keywords=grace+to+grow+by+Laura+graceGrace to Grow

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Defending my Heavenly Father….

April 23, 2018April 23, 2018 Laura GraceLeave a comment

I don’t take kindly to false accusations against my heavenly Father. In Fact, I think it stems from the devil. (the evil one)

When The Lord told Abraham Sodom and Gomorrah was going to be destroyed he pleaded with him saying “What if you find 10 righteous men?” Likewise, Moses interceded for the people. “Far be it from you Lord” They said, believing in God’s Mercy, Character, and Love.

In case you don’t see this, they instinctively KNEW
God was good (and not out to destroy people!)

They had no teachings or books to hear all the things we can hear, or see for themselves the things we have at our disposal to see (and hear!).

Yet they KNEW, (deep down) God is good and that is
why they could intercede for Mercy, on behalf of the people of Earth.

If someone runs down your family, I would hope you would stick up for them, (if there is anything worth defending!) God is definately worth defending!

He doesn’t go around killing people for disobeying him. No. Like humpty dumpty falling off that wall, men do harm to themselves by not seeking his council, or following God’s ways.

God literally pleads with us, using men to do so. God woos us, sends us faith preachers, and men and women who are willing to stand up for him!

If We don’t listen, or turn a deaf ear to what these Prophets, Preachers and Teachers say to us, and make fun of those who are gifted by the Holy Spirit to minister, we do so to our own demise, and harm.

The gods invented by many ancient civilations were were made “in the image of man.” They were angry, treacherous and punishing. Our God is kinder, wiser, more loving, longsuffering, and more beautiful than any of us could ever be.

With his help, we can become like Him.

What a beautiful thing!

Love, Prayers and blessings,

Laura Grace

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In the Nick of time……(testimony time!)

April 18, 2018April 18, 2018 Laura GraceLeave a comment

I hope this encourages someone today. Through the years of hearing many sermons, I remember a preacher saying once “if you prayed in faith it will happen” but if you start falling apart you’ll be embarassed, when God comes through! I remember another pastor saying “God’s paydays aren’t always on Friday.” He was talking about God being our “Paymaster”

When God asks or directs me to do something I believe he will provide for it. I entered school last year being led of God to do this. I applied for pell grants and I attend a school that gives a military discount (since I’m a veteran).

Everything was all in place, and i’ve been so thankful for how things have worked out and how God has provided in various ways to make up for the fact that I”m not working much such as 100.00 showing up in the mail just when I needed it or someone taking me to lunch or someone else gave me fruits and veggies…..Just a lot of neat things have happened!

I’ve had to believe for the time to do school and the mental stamina to stick to it through thick thin and turbulence.

God has given me the strength WHEN I have faith for it! Not whine for it but have FAITH for it “Thank you Father” You will help me get this done today” How do i know he will? I have read his promises and planted them in my heart!

Everything with God is by Faith in receiving a promise he made in his word. It’s a fight! So now today I found out an audit done with financial aide caused a “balance due” From last Fall! (about 260.00) what a not so nice shock! But guess what? Some loving people gave me 250.00 toward school amd it came ‘in the nick of time” ……

Just sharing! I’m glad I didn’t faint! I have said, “Thank you that you will provide” as I ride this rollar coaster ride! God is always on time! Just have Faith that he is with you! He loves you! And where God guides, he provides! if you find out you were in yourself and not guided by him he will still rescue you! Isn’t he good? YES HE Is! with love in my heart for you all…

Laura Grace, Author “grace to the rescue’ and the story goes on!

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How Ministers feel sometimes (The question and answer committees)

April 4, 2018April 4, 2018 Laura GraceLeave a comment

Questions

It’s not that I don’t appreciate your help, and it’s not that I am snobby, or too spiritual, okay? It’s just that I am sitting here with a real big problem (that I don’t know how to solve) and am already battling in the spirit (With God’s help, of course) to fight off fear, worries, concerns, insecurities, and a myraid of other things. The last thing I need right now, is more stuff to worry about!

One thing ministers do not often talk about (and likely battle alone, or with the help of a few mature commrades) is what I’ll call the “questions and suggestions” trial- that seems to happen every time they ask for prayer.

Example: “Let’s pray for healing for_______” We pray. Person #1 approaches me and tells me how Aunt Hazel solved the very same problem. “Thank you,” I say. Person #2 tells me “Well you know they are backslid and haven’t been to church in awhile.” (I take note of it and smile). Person #3 tells me what healing video I should be watching (to help my faith) Person #4 Tells me about 3 others that need prayer for healing, Person #5 asks me if they have been to the doctor.

“Well, no I say, they don’t have insurance!” This leads to a big long conversation about help that is out there, which leads to me explaining why this person can’t get that particular help…….soon My mind is so clogged I forgot what the Lord just said to me about believing for their healing……..

Questions and suggestions and, not a single one of them asked GOD before they spoke …..

Nope, they just said the first thing that popped into their brain. (Like Peter).

So now I start to just ignore it all (and pray, and look to be so spiritual I am no earthly good!) It’s not lack of appreciation, but sometimes, we just don’t have time for it.

There are as many experiences as there are people (almost) and while some can be categorized, boxed up, and filed under “Help with______,” I have noticed the more possible answers I find (for any problem) the more stressed and confused I get!

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