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“Tit for Tat” is not all that. A Message about Justice……..

praying woman.jpgWhy Should I?”

Often people ask themselves this, “Why should I?” show love or be honest, kind, or just? “Nobody else is” they say to themselves. Why should I do the right thing? 

To be called to do the right thing when others seem to always be doing the wrong thing is a very high calling. To become and example to others is a privilege. “Tit for Tat” is not all that. Getting even is unfullfilling. It makes you just like the person you were mad at, or angry with. Forgivness is liberating. IT”S A BLESSING! Trust me. Trust God! “LET IT GO”…….

Yes, I’ve seen some injustice that would make your hair curl (AND stand on end.) I’ve cried about it, lost days of my life being upset about it: NONE of which changed a thing about it! If I go and try to get even I’ll be unfullfiled, just as sad as I was before AND I’ll become like those who hurt me. Not a good outcome. 

 

Pray with me:

“Father I trust you to make things right! You are the God of Justice and you care about this more than I do! You see everything! I have decided to give all this injustice to you right now Father and trust you for the outcome! Help me forgive those who have trespassed against me, or hurt me or ……

Whatever they have done Father you saw it. I TRUST YOU. if Justice is you finally show them your everlasting love and kindness for them SO BE IT. I will rejoice in their salvation. I will hold no grudges ……..

Oh Father, Help me be like you! This (we) pray in Jesus’ name, Amen

Psalm 103:6 The Lord executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed.

-Laura Grace

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Building With God #2 When bad news comes: Fighting in faith, and becoming a son and daughter of God.

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“I shall come forth as Gold” (Job 23:10)
 
He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Psalm 112:7
What do you think (or say) when you hear “bad news?”
A Faith Person does not just stick their head in the sand
They are not “unrealistic.”
They don’t deny what is…….
They just deny it’s right to stay.
If an enemy comes up to you and says “I”m going to beat the stuffing out of you,” You are either going to tremble and prepare yourself for a beating ….Or, you are going to think quickly what you can use for a weapon to fight him off.
Maybe you’ll shout “DAD” “Dad, Dad DADDDY ” Or, kick him in the solar Plexis. You’ll either submit to God and fight (in faith) or you will wave the white flag and accept defeat.
It starts out with a bad report: (Your account is over drawn, you lost your job, your health is at risk) and then it goes to thoughts of “You” being homeless, dead, bankrupt, and broken.)
“You will not be put to Shame,” (Isaiah 54 shouts.)
“You will not be disgraced!” (the Prophet speaks further)
Now you have a choice. Believe that, or believe you are doomed.
In 2 Corinthians 6, after saying light should not agree with darkness, and not to consult with idols, says to not touch what is unclean, nor agree with Unbelievers.
“Come out from among them
And be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you.”
“I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and daughters,
Says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corn 6:17-18) NKJV
Prior to this, what is unclean is described to us. We are not to agree with idols, or be unequally yoked (with unbelievers). It says: You are the temple (And should not fellowship with darkness, and lawless persons) hmm …..
Something to ponder, and meditate on, right?
Fighting the Faith of Faith, along with you, dear Brethren,
with Love, -Laura Grace
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Christmas Story #8 You don’t have to have money to be generous……..

12 days extra extraChristmas 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 second mile…..according to Jesus…

a ROAD Matthew 5: 41 “And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. ” 

Right after Jesus sat on the mount (speaking to the multitudes) He continued to speak about other topics. One was this passage- (above) which came to mind this morning as I was pondering and waking up. 

You see, I have dreams in my heart, which I believe God placed there. Dreams of travelling, speaking, sharing all the treasures he has bestowed within me. Dreams of sharing with others (who are hurting) all the beautiful testimonies God has given me of redemption, healing, restoration, and reasons for praise! 

I have boldly declared “I will go” (travel and speak) but I seem to be ahead of my time in most everything I do. In Other words, Sometimes a vision is so real to me, I think it’s going ot happen tomorrow! I just want you to know everything I”ve ever said is going ot happen HAS happened. But not in the year or day I thought it would happen. 

I was asked to help with music in my local church about three years ago, starting with the children in an after school program. That led to more singing (in the church) and later on, a semester of teaching music at the local school (grades K to 12) and this was without a teaching certificate by the way. AMAZING!

I can’t tell you how much it blesses my heart that even recently, I sang at church (a song God put on my heart to sing with guitar) and a local person chased me down the other day saying: “I forgot to tell you, that song was so great, please do that more often!!”. It’s 2017 now. Twenty years ago I was crying and asking God WHY He would not use me in church to sing. I had learned almost every song on guitar that church did at the time. EVERY SONG …It took hours to learn them all….hours and hours and hours of time……

I prayed “Thank you Father that if I am faithful you will TRUST ME to sing and minister to your people” …..(as I learned all these songs, and practiced them over and over) And I have to tell you….I had given up on the whole thing, a few years ago.

Oh sure- I sang at this one place but for the most part I’d “thrown in the towel” Given up…..said Okay Father what’s next I surrender! Obviously I”m NOT called to sing or do music in my local church! 

Now I’m in school (full time) Pursuing a degree at a christian college, I’ve written books, I’ve made brochures…..I’ve gone on some speaking engagements…..and I’ve done a mission trip this past summer in my local region. The pastor of the church I attend now is telling me “this other church” wants you to come and sing………” 

             I wanted to keep writing books…bag the singing…..Give up on it now…

 BEING REAL HERE! See it hurts to be disappointed, and if we don’t allow God to keep working in our hearts….we may just slam the door on him! 

Well? Do I go the second mile? Or do I just say “I have other plans now, Lord!”. I asked him to open doors! I asked him to use me! (for his Glory)….who am I to decide what I should or should not do? Who am I to say “this life is MINE I will do what I WISH to do?” …….hmm …..and when I asked him “Should I be singing or should I be writing books?” He gave me that passage (Matthew 5:41) “Someone is asking you girl!! What’s the problem?” ……Incidentally I CAN Do both if I trim some corners. 

So “Father I trust your timing! I don’t understand it, always, but I trust in you! I know whatever visions you have given me that you’ve put in my heart….will come to pass. Eventually ….they will! and please Forgive me for giving up all those years ago…….because I thought you were not quick enough to answer my prayers.” and Father thank you that when something in your word Is true FOR US you will cause it to leap off the page at us! Just like this one you gave me today! It’s for me Father! and I praise you for this! IN Jesus’ name. amen ……..Laura Grace, Author, Grace to Grow the Study guide (a self contained book With studies) Available on Amazon. 

DENTON 7 the grinch.jpg

This picture is me Christmas Concert 2016 directing the music program (Without a teaching certificate) but God was with me……..Laura Grace

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Disciple, or Follower? and Arguing with God …………

Jesus and me

I remember when I went from Follower To Disciple. How about you? A disciple learns from Jesus (Directly) and then Prophets, teachers, pastors and others enhance or solidify this experience. This is how it should be. 

Nobody can “make” a christian like you make a mud pie or a clay animal. You can try, but without the Holy Spirit Breathing the life of God into a person, they’ll still be just as dead. (inside). And worse yet, when the bible is used to create a monster called a pharisee, well, that’s another story too. I tend to avoid the monsters of pharisee-ism, and I dodge them (Just as my Jesus did!). 

Back to my story: I didn’t start learning FROM Jesus until I stopped arguing with him! Listen, how can God talk to you when you are busy arguing? I’ve read books that say “How to hear from God’ and even well, unconfessed sin seperates you (so they say) but listen, if He is my righteousness and paid it all, HOW CAN THAT BE? 

This double-talk has got to stop (law vs grace!) I came to the place where I said Father Jesus either redeemed or he didn’t! If He did then I’m Free (to hear from you) because you don’t see “SIN” when you look at me you see Jesus! Because he paid it all! (at the cross) and BROKE EVERY CURSE! I don’t need to go to some seminar to get free. Now maybe some do, and they get free, but only because their faith limited them to- “I have to get to that seminar, then I will be or get free.” 

I am talking to the people who can’t afford that big seminar (somewhere in Texas, or wherever it may be). To become a disciple, your heart just needs to shift from FOLLOWER to LEARNER. Now you are following AND learning (take my yoke upon you, Jesus said). “LEARN OF ME” (He said) “the holy Spirit will teach you” (he said!) 

So, I took him at his word. (Crazy me!) Disciples Eventually become Apostles, Prophets, teachers (and the rest) if they keep on going (IN HIM!). I may go to a seminary or not but who Makes me (what I am) Is HIM (Plain and simple). 

Just laugh with me as I say this: “GOD cannot get through to you when you are busy arguing! Sometimes I get that feeling he is saying “are you done?” 🙂 

Followers follow so long as the blessing is flowing…….

Disciples understand that someday they are going to do great things, like he did. Followers are more likely to fall away……

As your friend I am here to tell you, God is not going to just “finish the work in you” all by himself. He needs your cooperation! I have lost track of how many times he has said…..”are you done now?” …..”ready for me to speak?” ……..

 

HMM …..With love and somber blessings, 

 

Laura Grace 

 

 

 

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She gave up her life and found it…. The fascinating story of Abigail……

In First Samuel 25, we find leadership           

A fascinating story……

One that answered many questions for me, years ago when I was seeking the Lord about whether or not he ‘hated women” in old Testament times. Hey, not a dumb question! If you are female and read the Old Testament stories, it can be quite disturbing!

Abigail was married to a man who was “of the descent” of Caleb, one of the two men, who took the land after Moses died. (Joshua was the other.) So her husband had a history of family, that trusted God.

Now, her husband refused to help King David (and his men) which was both a crime and a sin, at that particular time in history. HE KNEW the RIGHT he was supposed to do, yet refused to do it. In the new Testament it says “if you know to do good and refuse, to you it’s a sin.” Never thought of sin this way before? It’s the truth!

Now, Abigail did an amazing thing. She loaded up the donkeys with everything King David asked for (and then some) and bowed at his feet and said “Let this sin be upon me” and she pleaded for her husband’s life. See, King David was going to kill him for his infraction.

And, she did it without her husband’s permission. So, she was not submitting to his evil ways, at the time. so much for the “always submitting theory, eh?” 

I believe she was walking by the SPIRIT, AND she was living the words of the NT that Jesus said, “He who gives up his life for me, will surely find it.” I think she was walking by the Spirit because, we see no LAW in the OT that tells her to do what she did here. No 11th commandment, no former example for her to follow. Just the Spirit of God.

King David was so amazed, he not only commended her, but married her as well. Her husband’s heart turned to stone, which tells me he used to have a heart for God, but had lost it. 10 days later, the Lord stuck him dead physically, he was already dead spiritually by then. Abigail brought hope to me during a very difficult time in my life. A time when I was reading passages like “He who seeks to save his life will lose it, He who loses his life for my sake, will find it.” (Jesus). I too, once asked that someone’s sin be “upon me” and pleaded for their life. Instead of me dying, I was allowed to go free……….

Laura Grace, Author, Grace to the Rescue by Laura Grace           Available on Amazon

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Who wrote this book of sympathy? Compassion VS Sympathy

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Years ago, When I was studying and in prayer, (asking God to speak to my heart) Matthew 15:32 seemed to jump of the pages to me. In this passage, Jesus was moved with compassion, because the people had been with him, listening to him, for three days and had nothing to eat.

Yes, the very same Jesus who said; “It’s my food” to do the will of my Father in Heaven.” I don’t know why sometimes God “speaks’ or sometimes he points out something or sometimes, He gives us a dream (to interpret).

Maybe He likes being creative? Or maybe he has a deep reason, but whatever the reason, that day, He spoke to me by magnifying this passage to my heart.  THAT ONE REVELATION Revolutionized my thinking! 

I used to ask God, “So how come you gave me miracles of cheese, and other miracles take so much longer?” One word. Compassion. 

So, who wrote this book of rules, I wonder? The one that says “This” deserves sympathy, and “that’ does not? We have people who understand: Maybe that person needs a miracle of the rent paid, a piece of pie, (and coffee) or some cheese to give them hope! God did 3 cheese miracles for me, by the way, it’s in my book. How often I learned, not to tell certain persons of my issues, for they might say “WELL now I know a person who is sick an dying in the hospital” (and try to SHAME me for daring to ask God for some cheese!). 

“Shame on you” Condemnation says, “People are really suffering, somewhere, and here you are whining about your shoelaces being tangled up!” 

SO I did not just learn from what Jesus said, but from what he DID! HE did not feed the whole world that day. He did not go start a soup kitchen. He fed the kids that were following him, listening to him……….and they wouldn’t have starved……

“Lest they faint on the way home” He said, and sometimes, God does miracles so you do not faint in your faith (before you reap a harvest!). 

Human reason can get us into a lot of trouble (with our faith,) you know? it really can. Because if we do not understand God’s heart (behind what he does) we will not understand Him If we don’t understand Him, we will ask amiss. If we ask amiss, we will not receive His miracles. (book of James) 

He fed the people following (and listening to him) that day….

a very big clue (into the heart of God) 

Your partner in the Faith and knowing Jesus, with Love,

Laura Grace 

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Milk, it does a body Good (eat, drink it in) A spiritual perspective on God’s food.

food-pics

Faith works through love………...Galatians 5:6

Through. In. If we have faith (but not love) we are like clashing cymbals! What does that mean? Usually when people hear cymbals clashing, which are not lightly used in harmony with the other instruments, people plug their ears! Do they not?

God doesn’t want us plugging our ears. He isn’t going to say to a cymbal banger or a loud noisy gong “Yep you keep on going honey, if they don’t like it, they can lump it!” No!!

So what is my point? There are so many scriptures, hidden within, (like in cake mix) to this little message, it’s hard for me to break it down. I could! But deep down in your heart you know if what I am saying is right. This gathering with believers thing (church) was meant to be a blessing! If you are going to church and it’s helping you love AND walk in Faith, so much the better! If you are not being treated very nice, and you feel like you are getting further from God (and not closer) Maybe it’s time to find another church!

While you are looking, walk with Jesus awhile. Invite him to guide you! He will, you know. Why? He loves you! Sometimes our faith has to work through HIS love for us, until we learn how to let faith and love work through us. See? So that’s why sometimes things change (we are growing!) Once upon a time we just prayed and his faith (or his love) were there for us, and he answered. But now he says; “You have Faith.”

See, anytime we get stuck on “how we used to do things” we get stuck. If I was in class and a 6th grader told me “Well, we used to have nap time, and ABC’s.” I’d say, “Yes that was then, this is now!” That is what God meant by “some of you ought to be teachers by now” but you need milk, not solid food!” Why? Well maybe the milk was sitting there (year after year) but they never drank it in (to their spirit!) So, I can put a glass of milk in front of a child, day after day year after year, if he never drinks it, does it benefit him?

Of course not! Love keeps putting the glass there. That’s what God does for us!

Love for ourselves makes us finally pick it up, quit saying we don’t like milk, and drink it in! That’s how it is with things of the Spirit! We eat the word of God (like food) we drink it (like milk or water) and we don’t sit around talking about how good milk is or how good food is without eating it ourselves! Many Christians are on a potato chip and milkshake diet…….or, they talk about things they have never partaken of……

Picking and choosing! We can do this, but we will not grow up to be strong that way! Well this message contains both Faith and Love! Father I trust you to bless every person reading this! Help them to see, that we do need to “Drink in” Your Words and “eat” the food you have put before us, every day. Help us to believe by faith, it makes us stronger, and nourishes our soul! Father that we don’t need to argue about beliefs, we just need to see ‘your word is good’ and eat it, and partake of it together!” In Jesus’ name “remove the “Strife, and the yeast of the Pharisee” IN Jesus’ name we pray, amen

Laura Grace Author, Grace to Grow