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Building in God #7 What is a Steward? Am I a steward of something? (read and see!)

TREASURE BOxFather please help us today to see what you see (In your Spirit Father) in Jesus’ name, amen” 

So we are on part 7 now, (building with precious things) which is based on 1 Corn 3:12, that we should build with gems and gold (VS wood hay and stubble) if we want what we build into our lives to survive (the storms) and fires and floods.

Being Fire Proof! What a concept eh? I want to be (how about you?). 

So what is a steward? Someone trusted (or in charge of ) something. Now, we do need to know if God has assigned us to this task. Our Job (we prayed for) now we are a steward of that. Our Home, our children, our dogs, cats, birds, even hamsters! Everything we are in charge of we have become a “steward” of that task.

God says if you are faithful with a little, you’ll be trusted with more (and more and more). Here is some scripture on this: 

  1. There are stewards of the mysteries of the gospel (1 Corn 4:1) 

  2. There are stewards over us, for a time until we mature (Galatians 4:2) 

  3. Stewards should be faithful or they can lose their jobs (1 Corn 4:2) 

  4. We are all called to be good stewards of something (1 Peter 4:10) 

  5. Laborers are Stewards so are Ministers. (Matthew 20:8 and Col 1:25) 

I did not include the parable of the unjust steward (Luke 16:1) who almost lost his job! When I write my blogs I normally do not include a lot of scripture as God has called me to Speak plainly and exhort (vs detailed teachings) but what I say always comes straight from the word of God as it’s base (or source). We need to realize not only is God watching our stewardship, but it benefits US to have a job with Him In His Kingdom! 

As in the show “Touched by an Angel” (which I dearly loved) we are all on assignment from God to be steward over something (or many things). These assignments are important. Our children, our dogs (cats) our homes and our jobs, as well as school studies God has assigned us to, people to pray for, meals to cook, money we have been given, and yes, ministries we manage and over-see, are all equally important to God. It’s all Stewardship. 

So what’s the message? (you may ask?) “Stay at your posts!” Do it Faithfully! It will not only benefit others, but yourself as well. Precious gems take time and heat to develop, and as you stay faithful to what God has given you, the goal of building in the spirit with Precious things comes into play.

The goal is not for someone to be impressed by your life (as in others and their praise of you) but are you building things that will survive the storms of life? This is what matters most!

This is important, my friends! How can Jesus say “Well done, good and faithful servant,” If we are not good stewards over what he assigns to us? 

I do hope this helps you “stick to your guns’ about Building on the Rock! And realizing that yes, in the long run, yes it is worth it to ‘do things right” in Jesus! You do have Time It’s not all for nothing! You will Stand when others cannot stand. so stick to it! 🙂 with love and blessings, 

 

Laura Grace, author, Grace to Grow, and pastor in training, Grandma, mom, and steward of many things. Peace! 

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Forgiveness & The “I love you” Project….

I LOVE YOU PROJECT The other day, (a week ago to be exact) I was having a really hard struggle. I didn’t know why, I just knew I was upset over just about everythingFrom A psychology view point it kind of looked like PTSD. From a spiritual view point, it appeared I was just touchy, or having anger issues. 

Because I am a preacher of seeking God and growing, I didn’t diagnose myself. I sat down and said “Father what is wrong with me?”

When I asked, I really expected an answer. God spoke to my heart. 

“You are in danger of being in offense, you need to forgive some people,” (He said). 

Not only that, he said a spirit of offense was trying to take me, he impressed on my soul.  I was baffled. “Okay so what do you want me to do, Father?”

This passage in Proverbs 18:19 came to my heart as well.

A brother offended is harder to win than a strong cityAnd contentions are like the bars of a castle.” 

My Impression was, if I didn’t do what God said, He wouldn’t be able to lead me. So I complied and said, “Okay, what, and who, Father, for I do not know (who or what?)”.  From there he led me to about 25 people and events, and I said them out loud and verbally forgave them (or the incidents) Sitting in my chair.

I also prayed it would be forgotten, and I would remember it no more. I released them all and I prayed to be clear of any offense, that would keep me from moving forward, with God, as well.  I made myself accountable to one other person.

Mark 11:25 says if we do not forgive, God does not forgive us. I have always wondered about that passage of scripture. What? You mean you take back the forgiveness you gave me Father? Nope. It’s more like this: Deliberate sin blocks out God. Ever feel like you are stuck? Stuck in fear, stuck in anger, or in my case “STUCK” in unforgivness. AND I didn’t even realize it! No wonder we need God. (every single day of our lives) and we need to seek him (first) and walk by His Spirit in Jesus’ name! He keeps us from stumbling or being stuck, but he is the Leader!

SO Follow the Leader! (His Spirit) and you will do well. 1 John 1:7 (see the word IF)

After this he led me to buy cards that say I LOVE YOU! (I will be sending them out to people as he has directed.) Stay Tuned for the results of this directive! 

Laura Grace, Author, Speaker and Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Peace! 

 

 

 

 

 

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Building of God……And in God (Introduction)

God wants to Build (our house) Will be let him? Will we participate?

Cooperate? Take it seriously?

He has me studying about this right now. it must be important.

“O you afflicted one,Tossed with tempest, and not comforted,
Behold, I will lay your stones with colorful gems,
And lay your foundations with sapphires.

I will make your pinnacles of rubies,Your gates of crystal,And all your walls of precious stones. ” Isaiah 54: 11-12

Psalm 127:1 “Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain.”

Proverbs 24:3 “Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established…..”

1 Corn 3:10 “According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.

14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”

So how do you think we “build with precious things? Any takers? Feel free to share. I love to hear what others are hearing from the Lord about this.

rock on ocean me.jpgrock in ocean

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:” Matthew 7:24 

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Insulting Grace…..

 

What “insults” the Spirit of Grace is when you recieve Grace for yourself- and won’t give it. We all get upset with others at times- but Father please, help us always remember we are saved by Grace, and help us to always forgive quickly and remember that without even the grace of a great upbringing- We would be “no where” fast. Help us Father, to dodge abuse while at the same time maintaining a stance of Love Mercy and Grace.

In Jesus’ name! (amen)

Hebrews 10:29 “Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?” Matthew 10:8 …..

“Freely you have received, freely give” (in other words what you received by Grace, do not take credit for it as if you achieved this on your own.) Let us always remember Lord,

the very high price you paid to save us …..and may we always freely give, what you have given to us Father …..and Amen. -Laura Grace, Author, Grace to grow

CROWN

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Relationships! no more drama, not even for your mama! by Laura Grace

Relationships! Introduction: By Laura Grace Should I give up, shut up, put up my dukes? 

Relationships are one of the hardest things we will ever contend with in this life. Frankly Not a subject I have wanted to contend with OR address. Even in my book Grace to Grow, I talked about it being hard. but I didn’t say a whole lot about it. That’s because it’s not cut and dry. Every relationship is different. There are variations (Within) and while we all know there are basic principles in the word of God how do we know Which Principle to apply?

I’m going to address hard truths, talk about real situations, and share with you what God 
has taught me thus far about relationships……..

What about giving up? Did I fail that person? How do I know? How do I get closure when they won’t talk to me anymore?

How do I love them- yet avoid the drama? AS we begin……Let’s Ponder Matthew in chapter 5 where Jesus said “Blessed are the peacemakers” …….(Matthew 5:9) and 
explore how we make peace (in various ways) as we are BECOMING children of God.

Yes, I said becoming. (You’re being formed and shaped here, into his image!) Amen

“Father please, be with me as I do this series and I know you will be. Allow me to share from your heart to theirs “what works” and what does not work! For you already know! and you know all the persons out there who wonder about how you said make peace but yet you said at times there will be no peace in certain relationships…..

 

Give us understanding we pray (Father) In Jesus’ name. and we thank you for it too. 

 I ask you Father help us to undertand your word better, and how to apply it in everyday life! IN Jesus’ name! -amen

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A word about……Your heart (and the intentions thereof) by Laura Grace

heart and soul We’ve all heard those sayings, like this one: “I had good intentions!” Or how about this one? “The road to hell is paved with (good intentions!). That last one is a harsh one, in today’s society! Saying things like that could get you in big trouble! 

Check out these words concerning the choice of David for the next King:

 The Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1Samuel 16:7
I was in church about three years ago, and I heard a woman say to another person, “I heard that minister didn’t even go to ministry school, He just preaches!” She was all aghast. I also remember my reaction which was to think, “So?” I pondered the disciples who became Apostles in the bible, and how they followed Jesus, learned of him, and were baptized in the Holy Spirit. They turned the world upside down, every one of them, without a “degree.” 
Fast forward now, to me sitting with a pastor’s wife, who said something like this: “Man does look at the outward appearance.” I realized at that moment, I had only pondered the second half of that passage, for most of my Christian life. 
You see……I had been telling her I didn’t understand why I am now in Bible College, pursuing a degree. I said “I felt like the Lord wants me to do this, but I don’t understand why. Well? Man looks (at credentials) … God wants me equipped (for EVERY good work) And if it means a degree……I will not say no to him! 
God does look at the heart, yes, over and above our (outside) appearance. He looks at intents, and our motives too. What God wants for us is first, and foremost, over what man thinks we ought to do (yes!). But we do have to keep in mind “our ministry” will be affected by how we look to others. I’m pretty sure God doesn’t need any “rebels without a cause” running around snubbing their nose at those who want to clean up their act, on the outside, as well as on the inside. 
I’ve lost track of how many times I have heard this statement: “You’re a people pleaser!” 
Really? They don’t know me. I (at times) do appear that way. What they don’t know is, I used to despise people! (before I met Jesus) and for those who really know me, they know I used to not care a bit what anyone thinks (about me). In fact, I went out of my way sometimes to let people know how much I didn’t care (what they thought). 
If I appear that way, it’s because I am intent on not losing any opportunity to get across God’s message (of love, mercy, healing, and grace!). I do not have to prove I care, or that I don’t care. God knows my heart. The crux of this message is to say this: WE need to know the motives of our own hearts! If we know why we do what we do, We’ll always have a ready answer for those who ask……
“Father I thank and praise you that you look at our hearts first, and not the outside appearance. However I do thank you also, that you get around to helping us clean up our act. You do clean the outside (and the inside) OF US so that we are more useful and Holy (set apart) for the great works you want to do for us. In Jesus’ name!”  Amen! 
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“Swing with me mommy” …..

colton swimming 3“Mommy, Swing with me”

Remembering when I was too stressed out to rest

By Laura Grace

How well I remember a summer day, long ago, when my children were ages 7 and 4.

We were at a park in Washington State, and I can still see myself juggling my purse, snacks, half a bottle of soda, car keys, and who knows what else.

We pulled up in the parking lot and my daughter ran full blast toward the playground. “Carolee wait,” I hollered, cringing as I saw a car pull into the parking lot.

My mom-brain was running full blast, eager to protect her from things like, well, cars that might drive too fast in the parking lot.

I was (and am) a committed Christian, taking my children to church every week, praying with them at night, trying to keep my husband happy, shopping on a budget, striving to become more virtuous, and reading books about how to organize my closet more efficiently.

I was attending bible studies, working part-time, and ran full-blast trying to have healthy meals on the table, send out thank you cards when needed, and remember everyone’s birthday on time. In other words, I was striving to do it all, and do it well.

I remember well I had a friend who said to me; “We have to strive to enter the Kingdom of God.” She was a go-getter, and new to Christianity like I was, at the time. She had leadership qualities, so I looked up to her.

I’m not sure she noticed Hebrews 4 which says, “Enter my rest.” PS (God was saying, “Settle down girl, or you’ll mess yourself up. Enter my rest (well-being found in him.)

So, on that great summer day, now so far away in my mind, I saw nothing wrong with what I was doing, which was, deliberately not resting, or enjoying myself! I needed to be vigilant! The devil prowls like a roaring Lion, you know? 

I was so busy being VIGILANT I forgot to Rest. 

I really thought I had to help God get everything done. I really thought if I rested, I was slacking, or not striving to “enter in” To the Kingdom. Goodness, talk about misunderstanding one word! (and how it can mess us up!) I was upset about this, and that, and the other thing and all the problems I “needed to solve.” right now.

I’m a Grandma now, and I’ve learned how to rest. I can sit and smile, look at the smudged faces of my grandchildren, and delight in every word they say without worrying they will grow up to be horrible people. And yes part of it is because my children have grown up, and they are quite obviously NOT horrible people.

This is not all because of my age, however. A few years ago, the Spirit of God arrested me, and reminded me of that day. “You only have memories of stress, He said, and now that day is gone forever.”

It is gone. I can still see my kids playing, and having fun, but I remember I did not have fun that day, and “come on mommy, swing with us” fell on deaf stressed-out ears. I can never retrieve that day.

Take it from an old war horse Christian and grandma; I can honestly tell you, there is nothing so urgent that you can’t take a few minutes to swing with your children, who are going to need those happy memories with you someday.

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Child like Faith (Don’t lose it!)

ask believe.jpg

Here is what I will tell you for today: Always Walk by the Spirit beware of doctrines of men. Let the Holy Spirit Guide you in all things.

Don’t allow the enemy to get you to put God in a box In other words “Limit him” on what he can or can’t do.

John 21:25 “There are so many other things Jesus did. If they were all written down, each of them, one by one, I can’t imagine a world big enough to hold such a library of books” (MSG)

The bible says if all the miracles Jesus did were written down- there would not be enough books to contain it all.

When we limit God and make him smaller than he is in our own mind because of our own understanding of scripture (OR someone else’s we have learned) We do limit the miracles he can do in our life. We really cannot get around words such as “let it be done to you” according to your Faith.

It’s sad when the doctrines of men limit God- and then cause disasters that God gets the blame for.

Remember sometimes jealousy can be a motivating factor in how we get advised (by others) and they are often not even aware of this. A sort of “you can’t have what I didn’t have” mentality.

“Father forgive them! Truly they know not what they do.” amen

We can grow and still maintain child-like faith.

-with Love, Laura Grace 

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We need a vision (Goal) Right? Without it we perish, or begin to perish.

Proverbs 29:18 says (KJV) without a vision the people perish. IN the NKJV it says “cast off restraint) and this because they have no revelation. anointed

They are both true, but the wording is just a bit different.

Then we have this passage: 

Colossians 2:18 Let no one condemn you by delighting in ascetic practices and the worship of angels, claiming access to a visionary realm. Such people are inflated by empty notions of their unspiritual mind.
Ascetic: the doctrine that a person can attain a high spiritual and moral state by practicing self-denial, self-mortification, and the like.
My goal is first, revelation from the Holy Spirit. Next is processing it and applying it to my life. As I see how it works for me, then I find myself wanting to share it with others. 
1. I do not want lies, or to be deceived by satan 
2. I do not want to miss out on what God has for me
3. I do not wish to perish or fall away 
Many times people get “stuck” over fear that one of these three things will happen. We go out looking for spiritual guidance, and we find all kinds of things that seem to be helpful, or promise to be Christ like, but they really aren’t. 
And as for the above passage (in Colossians) why would that condemn you? Because the bible says if anyone preaches another message other than the gospel (of Jesus Christ) “let him” be accursed. People IN the gospel of Jesus Christ cannot be cursed. People who are not can be. I know we’ve all heard about ministers who got cursed, and had to pray their way out of it and teach others their deliverance methods. But the truth is, Jesus is your captain and he knows how to train YOU for what YOU are dealing with right now. 
Be spiritually ready and open for vision (revelation from God) 
so when you get to the point “I GOTTA HEAR FROM GOD” 
Let me tell you something…..
He will speak to you (He speaks to me) but let him speak about what he wants to speak about! (Into your lfe) He speaks from within most times not into your natural ear You have ears inside you (in your soul) where your spirit man lives.
He will not let you be deceived if you do not wish to be and ask him for that. 
YOU ARE HIS CHILD! 
Ask him for Vision AND Revelation! 
He wants to talk to You! 
stop being afraid of it. 
With Love,
Laura Grace
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Destined for Greatness! He and We!

Hi! Good Morning! (or afternoon!) This morning I was reading some passages on Greatness, and the Greatness of God. In My Study, I noted that Mordecai (Who helped Esther achieve greatness in the book of Esther) was also Honored and called “GREAT.” 

If you don’t know the story, Mordecai counseled her, and gave her wise words of wisdom (From the Lord) and although another sought to exalt himself, Mordecai was exalted instead. So, when Jesus said “He who humbles himself” Will be exalted, he wasn’t kidding around. I also noted the following passage of scripture: 

Isaiah 9:7
Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
He Is speaking Of Jesus, ahead of time. (the Prophet Isaiah) 
“For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.”
Isaiah 9:6
Jesus was (and is) destined for Greatness. 
Because of Him, so are we! See? 
No plan can succeed against God’s Plan: EVER! 
Here is the best one: 
Acts 5:38
 And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; 39 but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.
and so it was that a Pharisee named Gamaliel defended the early Apostles, speaking words that prevented them from being killed. This man, was destined for greatness as well.  So you see? Sometimes God even uses “a Pharisee” 🙂 Peace! 
“THANK YOU FATHER” That because of You (and Jesus) we are destined for Greatness. Whatever that means to you, We know that you will surely achieve this, and that no plan can ever succeed against your Plan, Father God! In Jesus’ name! amen 
Laura Grace, Author, Grace to the Rescue