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Are you praying for your town (or city?)

Laura Grace4 Comments

l town

 
What if one person prayed in every single town? Do you think it would make a difference? I believe it would. Genesis 18 says God agreed to save Sodom and Gomorrah over 10 righteous men (see below) WOW.
 
Remember Miss America Pageants? “I want world peace” they often say. Where does world peace begin? IN YOUR House and IN YOUR TOWN. You can’t beleive for something you have not achieved yet in your own household. Amen?
 
I’ve been praying for my town for quite some time now. IN fact, ever since I arrived here when I hear of issues here I pray about it. The school, the church, the local library..Post office…..
 
I’ve trained myself that when I hear of a problem (in my surrounding area) I go to God in prayer and petition him to help, to fix it, and make declarations of faith over the situation.
This keeps me busy! After that there is church, my famiy….Friends, loved ones….And yes of course, the Nation! I”ve seen many answers to prayer already! (many!!) even down to “help them find a good librarian and town Clerk!” When I lived in another town (Pictured below) I prayed for that town (daily) for years!
“Father I ask in every town in this nation, every government entity, every place there is Father, Raise up People to pray for their towns (and cities). Help them believe they make a difference too! IN Jesus’ name! I thank you that you hear the prayers of those crying out secretlly to you Father Help us to take heart and be encouraged that “People are praying”
IN Jesus’ name! amen!
 
Genesis 18:16-33 Abraham pleads for Sodom:
 
“31 And he said, “Indeed now, I have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord: Suppose twenty should be found there?”
 
So He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of twenty.”
 
32 Then he said, “Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak but once more: Suppose ten should be found there?”
 
And He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of ten.” 33 So the Lord went His way as soon as He had finished speaking with Abraham; and Abraham returned to his place” NKJV                    -Laura Grace, Author, Grace to the Rescue, Grace to Soar 
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“Tit for Tat” is not all that. A Message about Justice……..

Laura GraceLeave a comment

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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A Good day!

Laura Grace2 Comments

me and TIm.jpg

     Tim and I had a great day the other day, I wanted to share about it. We didnt’ go to the Bahama’s and we didn’t go to Disneyland.

We BBQ’d and enjoyed some corn from a friend nearby, who brought me some corn on the cob, just because they remembered how much I love it. it’s funny how a still day, no wind hardly, BBQ smells emerging from the charcoal, and the dog laying there in anticipation of a bite can eminate such a wonderous atmosphere. 

Suddenly, all the pain, fear, and turbulence from the past months just went away. I don’t think it was because of the BBQ.

It was just a reflection of the peace that had emerged inside me from acceptance, love, forgiveness, and just letting go of all the pain and allowing God to take over. 

I know there are a lot of people who don’t believe in God, but then again, there are many who call on him in times of trouble, who don’t normally call on him otherwise. 

I do believe in God, as I have seen evidence he exists time and time again. I wrote books about it too, but they are not selling too well right now, but that’s okay! 🙂 

My success does not depend on what man has to say about me, so no worries there. Here’s the thing, God said in his word there is nothing better than to eat, drink, and enjoy the fruits of our labors. Isn’t that awesome?

He didn’t say there is nothing better than to work your buns off, or there is nothing better than to sacrifice to the flames, or be a huge success in this world’s eyes…..

He said “Via his Servant’ 

“So I commended enjoyment, because a man has nothing better under the sun than to eat, drink, and be merry; for this will remain with him in his labor all the days of his life which God gives him under the sun.” 
Ecclesiastes 8:15
Wow!
Why do you think this is? Nothing better, he says? I agree. That BBQ and Corn was just awesome. And so is the loving man I shared it with.  Just think, the wisest man in the world said these words…….so let’s not do over-kill on performance, shall we? 
-Laura Grace 
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My Dad passed away……

Laura GraceLeave a comment

Dad and me 2017.jpg I know many of you haven’t heard from me for a time. This blog is called “Grace to Grow Daily” so I feel a little bad about not writing, for so long. This is my Dad. His name was Jack Swensen, and for all who knew him, he was quite the mystery sometimes. He told me one time, “Maybe I’ll 

write my memoires one day.” He Loved Racing, and he loved cars, especially Mopar engines. He was a fine mechanic and a good friend to a chosen few. They used to call him “Smilin’ Jack” a long time ago, and he was always smiling, I’ll give him that. 

While my Dad and I had our differences through the years, I always loved him. I can’t say I understood him very often, but love him I did, and I think deep down, he loved me as well. I know one time, he shot a dog in the behind because it came after me and scared me (with a pellet gun) and the cops came and said “do not do that again”. He said, “If it goes after my daughter, I will do it again.” 

He was supportive of my guitar playing and music, always asking me to do a song for him when I came to visit him. He loved Chicken, Pizza, Nascar, All kinds of racing, and collecting coins at the end. 

He didn’t treat me like his little princess, so much of the time I felt like he didn’t love me or want me, I must admit. In the end, I understood he didn’t know how to love me, because he really never experienced God’s love for himself. 

I just never knew (never knew) my friends, that losing a parent could be so difficult if you didn’t feel that close to them, really. I had no idea. There is a hole in my heart now, where Dad used to be. I must pray God fills that hole with himself, lest I spend my life in mourning. Father, would you please fill this empty space in my heart with you? Only you know what I need most Father……come Holy Spirit, fill my heart I pray with your goodness, kindness, love and blessings that can only come from you. 

 

In Jesus’ name….amen PS: I loved you Dad. 

 

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Death by Criticism! What does it mean?

Laura GraceLeave a comment

cROw

Some are experiencing “death by criticism” right now. And you need to fight for your life and extinguish those flaming arrows with prayer and the blood of Jesus Christ! Criticism should be constructive. Not destructive! 

Proverbs 26:17-19 “He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own
Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.

18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 Is the man who deceives his neighbor, and says, “I was only joking!”

Let’s think about dogs for a moment. What do they do? Our dogs used to fight over a bone (even if they each were given their own bone!). It was sport to them. Now, dogs to not have the make-up of human beings. They do not ask questions like; “How come you don’t go chew on your own bone?”

The nature of dogs is to fight over a bone, bite for sport, and if someone bothers their home or family “growl, snarl,” and maybe even bite someone! The Nature of crows is to eat your seeds (of Faith). 

 

And look at the passage above. How do you “throw” Death at someone?

James says “life and death” are in the tongue (and it can be an unruly evil full of deadly poison!). How so?

I had a friend who called me once, and said how some Christians told her how “messed up she was’ by a certain activity she was doing. I’ve heard countless stories of how someone “Christian” said “do you need prayer?” The person said “yes’ and the Christian (a representative of Jesus by the way) told them how God isn’t going to answer because of sin in their life.

It could be anything from smoking, drinking or living with someone not married yet, to not attending church, or listening to the wrong type of music. THEIR SIN is not your business! It’s God’s business! And their business! and if he has you say anything to convict them A HUGE dose of God love will go out in front of your words so that hearing about their sin will be so full of Love they will say THANK YOU For the conviction. That’s how GOD works! He is not a soul killer that kills people with the letter of His laws!!!!. The letter of the law kills the Spirit BRINGS LIFE!!! 

2 Corinthians 3:6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for theletter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

TELL ME one example where Jesus Said they could not be prayed for because of sin? IN fact, even for those IN Christ it says in James “and the prayer of faith will make the sick man well, and his sins will be forgiven.” (James 5). 

So then, death by criticism comes in many forms. The Spirit of God brings life, and a person’s hope is renewed that God’s going to help them.  When someone comes along and says; “He will not” because of sin, because this person is not doing what YOU did to get where you are at, or because God just doesn’t do that (according to You!) You are causing “Death by Criticisim” and you don’t even know what you are talking about. You are not God! You don’t KNOW what he will do or not do. Capiche?

                                  These Crow-like ways are NOT the nature of God! 

Faith is fragile when it first starts out. It’s like a tender young plant, and the seed of faith is growing into this beautiful & young (sapling, tree) and if someone comes along and “mows it down” with their words of Unbelief, jealousy, or anything else not of God, it’s like the crow who stole the seed in Matthew 13.

So (Christian) your job is to Protect the seed. Watch over it, guard it, and chase off the crows!

 The seeds of God are far more precious than any seed upon this earth! You need that garden of God’s word to live on! Don’t allow the devil to “kill your dreams” through others that don’t agree with you.

IF you are not all the way perfect, or right with God yet (in every area of your life), welcome to the club (of humanity). HE will show you what to do and when!  Find out for yourself what the Word of God says about his heart toward mankind! Find out for yourself! Ask him! Today!! Today is a great day to get started!

“Father today I ask you if this person reading has been stolen from by those who are like crows, I pray you would restore and re-assure them about their Faith, and allow them to see and know that Faith pleases you, it honors you, and those seeds of Faith in your word that have been planted “Must Remain” and be cultivated and watered. I pray for great crops in their lives today Father! and a Very great Outcome (and more testimonies of you!) In Jesus’ name! amen!” 

With Love and assurance God is for you, not against you!

Laura Grace, Author, (Grace to Grow) And an advocate for his Mercy (and grace).

 

Scripture Ref: James 5, Proverbs 26 Matthew 13 & 2nd Cor NKJV

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Broken Noodles…….(a teaching about sacred cows, and how we do stuff)

Laura GraceLeave a comment

spaghetti casserole

My husband informed me the other day, he doesn’t like it when I make spaghetti casserole. He said my spaghetti is good, he loves it but the breaking of the noodles just ruins it for him somehow. I love Spaghetti Casserole! This caused a big dilemna, because most of the time i do things “his way” but not this day. 

Don’t we all have a preference on how we do things? Some of us do, some of us don’t! In terms of spiritual food, some like teachings on discipline, some do not. Healthy food like Broccoli, Asparagus, whole grains, fruit, (and the list goes on) are not the cup of tea for some, but they are necessary to a healthy body. If you don’t like one, try to find one you do like (Fruits, Vegetables, all of it). 

It’s sad to me, that a lot of medical professionals have given up on counselling people to eat healthy. They know they won’t, so they just prescribe a drug (instead) hoping to keep them alive and going. Sometimes it’s the same in Christianity. We know people do not want to HEAR certain teachings so we pray and hope they’ll be okay. 

However, Most of us who’ve been studying the Word (of God) for very long, know that some things are necessary in order for a person to grow, stay healthy and even thrive as a Christian. 

I was pretty upset with my husband (I must admit) because I usually do things “his way” but in this case, spaghetti casserole was the way to go, in order to be efficient. I only had so much time to cook this food, and I am juggling a lot of responsibilities right now. I found myself (as a servant) Torn between should I have done it his way? Or not? 🙂 It’s a silly fight we had (and yes, it was almost a fight!!!). 

I have no idea why, but it’s human nature we get used to something (being a certain way) and in his case it sounded so understandable “Well I like your spaghetti the way it was.” 

HMM how many things are we like this about church? “I liked the songs we sang before” or “I liked the way that other pastor did it” Or “I just like it when we don’t have so long of a prayer time, or that long of a sermon, or this, or that (or the other thing). This is the sort of “striving” Romans 1 and 1 Timothy 6 mention the wrong kind of striving, while Phillippians 1:27 tells us what we SHOULD be striving for in the Body of Christ. 

We should be striving to have FAITH together (and stand strong, as one!) Instead of striving over what our little preferences are in terms of “FOOD” and how it’s prepared. 

Food is food! We need it to live! (spiritually and in the body). 

My husband’s a good guy, and I do love him dearly. He believes in being in the light and not mincing words about things. Therefore, when I said ‘I just wanted you to say THANK YOU” and eat it! “I make lots of food the way you wish me to, this time, I did not.”

And he did understand that, but see, I had the problem! I was worrying about whether or not I was being a great servant (or not) instead of resting in confidence over my decision to make “Spaghetti Casserole.” IN CHURCH we have got to be careful as we listen to teachings about “being a good servant” or even “being a good wife’ Or “being a great Pastor” and remember that THERE IS BALANCE In all things.

Don’t allow a teaching to become a sacred cow in your life. It’s good to learn about things,  but the moment we make it into a Sacred Cow (This is how we always Must do things!!!) Then it’s on it’s way to becoming a doctrine of men (and not the Gospel of Jesus Christ!!). Be careful! Staying on course is good, unnecessary dogma is NOT good! 

Why? Because we need the freedom to Move and BE and Walk by the Spirit of God! He will show us how to get something done “in a pinch” but if we get all stoic and stuck in how we do things, we may end up just that: Stuck! Not going forward! Refusing to eat because we decided we do not “Like something’ to be done that way. 

 

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Dodge the Stampede!

Laura GraceLeave a comment

BUFFALOs.jpg

!

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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Christmas Story #4 “the Cabbage patch doll”

Laura GraceLeave a comment

12 days 3.jpg

12 days of Christmas “Story #4” Cabbage Patch Doll.

When My daughter was 4, almost 5, she really wamted a cabbage patch doll. I believed in God, but I had not given my heart to God (yet).

Anyway, I got her one, and well remember the ridiculous way people acted, shoving each other in store to get one, buying more than one and re selling them for double the price (or more). It was ridiculous. cab patch

On top of that hers got stolen, (in church no less) and that was the end of the cabbage patch doll. I have happier stories to tell you, but I must admit this was during my years of darkness.

I tried to find happiness in my own way, worldly things, and I was not a happy person.

I still loved Christmas lights, but I was convinced at that time in my life, if I only had more money I would be happy.

It wasn’t true. I’ve had more, I’ve had less. Happiness doesn’t come from how much we have (or possess) and certainly the cabbage patch doll turned out to be a very fleeting thing.

I am reminded of the book of Ecclesiasties, where the preacher said he obtained everything he ever wanted, and learned it was all vanity (and chasing after the wind). it’s a blessing to know God Loves us “through it all” even when we have wasted some of our time on vain pursuits. He loves us! so much! He is just happy to see us coming down the road…….coming home……

He doesn’t wait to chew us out or say “Done being stupid?” 
He just grabs us, fixes a big feast, and rejoices over us with singing and tears of Joy! What a great Father we have! “Our Father” who is in heaven (watching for us to come down the road to him!” ……with Love, (til next time) -Laura 

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I die daily…..

Laura GraceLeave a comment

arise in Him.jpg

Dying Daily- and God’s power to raise you up

I do die (daily). By this I mean that I let go of my (selfish) ways and let go of the outcome I desired.

I may hope to convince someone to see things my way but if they won’t: “I die to it.”

Every time I choose to just let it go, Pray about it, give it To Jesus instead of taking things into my own hands (because Of God’s word) I may not be applauded by the masses, but I am right with God.

There is a pastor who said to me: “Meekness is being at rest from the un-rest of your self-will.”

If we don’t see manipulation as a sin, we won’t stop doing it. But if we do see it, we will be face with ta choice: Keep doing what your flesh “feels like doing” or just let it go. (die to it!).

Praying for others who have let us down, frustrated us, hurt us, attacked us, or whatever else (I believe) helps take the sting out of this “death to self” that goes on when we let go.

It’s admirable! If you have been upset, agitated, angry at someone (and maybe for a JUST cause) And you choose to let it go, just because God Said (vengeance is mine, overcome evil with good, bless your enemies, and so on) You will be rewarded. Your reward is you have overcome, sin does not have dominion over you, because you have chosen God’s way (over your own). Not only that, you will be led in paths of righteousness, and God will produce the Fruit of righteousness within you.

I know the world often says: “nice guys finish last.” If you are just trying to be a nice guy to impress someone maybe that’s true. However, if you do something out of obedience to God, wanting to honor his word, you are promised a greater outcome. Dying to self is painful, but trust me, His Resurrection power will lift you up (into him) And his Power will sustain you (and keep you alive in Him).

 

1 Corn 15:31 I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

Romans 6:14-18 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. 15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! 16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?

17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. with Love, Laura Grace

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God’s Grace

Laura GraceLeave a comment

If I see one thing all through out the bible …it’s Grace. (God’s Grace) even before Jesus came people who cried out for mercy and grace received it. Cain who slew his brother got a degree of mercy (as he cried out for it) and there was Sampson the people of Ninevah whom Jonah said would be destroyed but they repented…..there was so many cases where someone even cried out to live after a prophet said they would die…. and God had Mercy on them…….

It’s evidence to me that God’s (heart) Never changes and never did change. He sent Jesus so we could KNOW him better. a Study of Jesus reveals the heart of the Father. Yes the Heart of the Father….It’s Mercy, and Grace ……


Not only what Jesus said but all the things he did!

But he does insist we come to him ….and, even when he knows people won’t stick with him he still blesses them anyway! Personally….I believe in covenant relationships with God (and if you can achieve it) with others as well.

this is a relationship like this “all I have is yours, all you have is mine” .❤

To me the bible is the most fascinating book in the universe! One you develop a taste for God’s word this “spiritual health food is all you are going to want. And by the way my school is done for the week and I am rejoicing! I took on a heavy load this year.

But God is with me! I got 90 percent on the last test. HURRAY

Laura Grace