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Overcoming Evil with Good…..

Out of a dark tunnel.jpg

I think because of written books like: Grace to The Rescue (a story of deliverance from a bad and not “God ordained marraige) and also Dysfunctional People, I’ve been pegged to a certain degree as “One who has not ever taken abuse,” and therefore, not an overcomer or a lover of my enemies……..

That’s not true. 

I have not written a book (yet) about the thousands of times I’ve lived this passage: 

Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
 
I’ve been hurt, mistreated, spoken evil of, slandered, stolen from, mocked, scourged with words, misunderstood, and the list goes on. I’ve forgiven it all, and I’ve done good to those who’ve hurt me, WITH a cheerful heart! 

 I spent 16 years of my life forgiving the same offenses over and over, and praying to have fruit and be fruitful, and using the opportunity to be strengthened in my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ I have no “regret” about the things I suffered in a very bad and abusive marriage..
Why? Because God turned it out for my good! I want you to remember however, even Jesus dodged the Pharisees because “His time had not come.” Likewise, Joseph was warned in a dream how to keep Jesus safe from harm. God is not expecting anyone to take abuse, to the point they die before their time. ECC 7:17  

-Laura Grace, author, Grace to the Rescue (available on Amazon) or http://www.lauragracebooks.com  
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God is not unfair, or unjust….He is not a “mean dad” either!

mean dad It breaks my heart when I find people have had the wrong picture painted for them, about God and who he really is. I know too, that it upset Jesus too, which is why he was so very hard on the Pharisees, and even on his disciples at times. HE CAME to make sure God was not misrepresented. That was part of why he came down here to earth, and had those 12 people follow him around. He made a way to reconcile us to God our Father, because it was not his will, nor his intent, for everyone to be seperated from God due to Adam and Eve’s sin of turning their ears away from him. 

When I was about 10, I was with some friends playing in the yard, and this one kid went and played with the charcoal in the BBQ grill. I remember the mom noticed it had been messed with, and tried to get us to admit “who did it.” I wouldn’t tell on him, and neither would his sisters, and he would not confess. She made us all bend over, and smacked us all with a wooden spoon. Not only did it hurt, it was humiliating, as well. I remember being very upset with her, and thinking how unfair that was. For years, I didn’t think the same about this woman, after this,  nor trust her judgement, because of her decision to punish us all. 

In a church setting, we are often not treated as individuals. We all get the same message, and those who are sitting there are often scolded, or even given a message that may only apply to one person in that group. There are times when ministers have dealt with hard or almost impossible issues with others, and wind up dishing out a type of “wooden spoon” sermon, which makes those who are trying to be good and follow God feel very discouraged. God did not intend for us to be without his guidance in our own (Personal) lives.

When Jesus said the Holy Spirit would teach them (John 14:26) He meant “individually, to you.”

What kind of Father would give a child with music abilities more football training? Wouldn’t a good Father notice and cultivate the gifts he put within his own child? Of course he would! God knows what you are good at, and whaf you are not good at. He knows what he wants to cultivate in you, and he’s not out to treat you like some soldier in an army, marching off to war. Tell me where Jesus gathered up a big army to go conquer the city and rid of of sin? Tell me how he made all the disciples be exactly alike, and march in unison to go reach the world for his causes? 

For the most part, Jesus dealt with people one on one, and so did his disciples. He cultivated and shaped Peter, James, John, and the others, into who he wanted them to be. He did not get on Mary’s case for not helping Martha with dinner, and he didn’t tell Peter he needed to be just like John. In fact, every disciple in the bible had their own unique style (and ministry). This is why the belief the Holy Spirit will teach you is so very important!

I have the bible on my side, because Jesus said to them, (and therefore, to us also), And He (the Holy Spirit) will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you”.… John 14:26 

God does not “spank everyone” when one person is naughty, He doesn’t insist we all be exactly alike, and he is not into ministry that produce “Cookie Cutter” Christians. Before you mention the Old Testament to me, remember this; Noah, Abraham, Hannah, (and many others) had a different outcome, all because they seperated themselves unto him. And you can do the same. 

We need to find out what we are. (Pastor, Prophet, Apostle, Prayer warrior, helps, worker of miracles, Evangelist, teacher, and so on……..). Ask Him! He’s listening! 

Laura Grace, Author,

Grace to the Rescue, Grace to Grow, and Dysfunctional People 

https://www.amazon.com/Dysfunctional-People-Laura-Grace/dp/1722365706/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?keywords=dysfunctional+people+by+laura+grace&qid=1550767699&s=gateway&sr=8-1-fkmrnull

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The best Job on Earth…..

kids group of Boy, do I remember when my kids were growing up! The fear that I would mess it all up, or do it wrong, or later they would have to be on a therapists couch (because of me!!). 😲

One thing I knew (gleaning from my own teen years), is that we don’t do something because someone “Said so!!”. Teens have this need to “Find something to beleive in” and if you don’t help them find it, someone else will!

 

I had reflected on this, in my early years, and knew we do what we do, because we actually BELIEVE in Something.  When I was a teenage, I had a poster on my wall that said If you can imagine it, you can achieve it, if you can dream it, you can become it.” 

Could I really become anything I wanted to be? Perhaps not, but the belief I could (at the time) was highly important to me. Let your child discover their limitations, and be there to catch them (with Love) when they don’t quite make it to the goal. 

It’s important to plant seeds, (and use every opportunity to teach life lessons if and when we can). Kids have a need to be inspired, over things being “required” of them. Requirements work for a season, but if you inspire them, it will probably last for life! Planting seeds involves introducing concepts, versus slamming down the gavel of learning and saying “This is how it must always be done!!” 

If you want your kids to lean on God, let them see you are leaning on God. If you want them to pray, let them see you praying about things (real life problems). Let them know you’ve had disappointments too  & be real with them! 

If you want your kids to be great, find what is great in them and cultivate that, water it, and trust God to make it grow! 

Help them to understand (as much as possible) why you are doing certan things and why it’s important. It’s a full time job! (but it’s worth it). 

I loved being a mother. Now I love being a Grandma too!

  It truly is…….
“The Best job on Earth”…..😊With Love, 

Laura Grace

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The Magnificent Mentor (Gods’ gift to me)

 

When I was young in the Lord, I had a mentor. I clung to her like glue! (Like Ruth and Naomi, kind of). I learned so much from her,and was so blessed. One time I asked her to pray I’d have a double portion of what she had, (this was years ago).

She prayed it! It was a treasure to my heart, and I was always full of expectation, that exactly what she prayed would happen. Now I am older than she was when all that took place. It’s hard to believe……but here I am…..almost 57. Yikes. LOL I”m gonna share a few things she shared with me that I never forgot:

1. “Hem me in” King David asked God to hem him in. He could not do anything but God’s will (was his prayer) that God would literally prevent him from doing anything else. I treasure and use that prayer to this day.

2. “The Vision of the Well” She saw a vision, a girl trying to draw water out of a well. Every time she brought the bucket up it was empty but she tried and tried again. soon she started to cry, and gave up……at that moment a rumble occured and the well spewed water in a giant guyser blowing the bucket into the air………She said God said “the girl is you, the bucket is your expectations of answers to prayer………” the water was God coming through bigger than she could ask or think!!

3. She put her daughter in a young Miss Pageant and fully expected her to win. In Fact she felt God had put a promise i her heart the girl would win. When she didn’t win, my friend was devestated. She cried, “why did you let me believe she would win?” (heartbroken) God said “Because, if I didn’t you would not have done all that you did, and all that you did was part of my plan.” amazing!!

I remember that story when my hopes get deferred…….

These are some of the treasures I carry in my heart. Now I have my own experiences with God but back then, I lived on her testimonies toward me (and they were seeds in my heart).

   Thank you God for Faithful Mentors! PS Later I had another Mentor…..a God send at exactly the right time. And I will be someone’s mentor (at times)….we all help each other and do our part! Peace!     -Laura Grace, Author, Grace to Grow 

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A Clean House (Spiritually Speaking, that is) De-Cluttering and Unclean. What does it all mean in New Testament living?

clutter.jpg Hi! Greetings in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ! (who had me studying about clutter, just this morning!). 

 “Clutter” is not a word that’s in our bibles, but we now it exists. Don’t believe me? Check out the picture (above!). Do we see why we should not limit our terms and uses of language to bible language only (now?). Clutter is a real thing! 

So often, we clutter our minds with opinions, useless information, all the jokes we saw online yesterday, and at Christmas especially, most of us get all cluttered up with the festivities that go with “Christmas.” It’s all good clutter, isn’t it? And yet sometimes, it is clutter, nonetheless. 

     It’s wierd how a study on Clutter this morning, (just one word the Spirit gave me) wound up being a study on uncleanness too! I had a friend just recently, who told me a mouse was in her trap and she wanted it disposed of. She said “I have mice” what should I do? Incidentally, she didn’t want to use poison, mostly because she didn’t want dead mouse-bodies laying around (where she could not see them.). 

     No, clutter is not the same as “dead things” (which were a big deal in Old Testemant times). God had special rituals listed in the Book of Numbers on how to get “clean again” and in Leviticus, and even 2 Kings, uncleanness was just a very big deal in those days. 

     Why? Why was touching dead things such a very big deal to God Almighty? 

     On top of that, why did God give Peter a Vision (Acts 10) and tell him not to call any man unclean? (Acts 10:38). Just as “back then” science had not developed to a place where people understood say “How to cook a Lobster” (and not get sick) or nobody knew that they needed to use Chlorine or something anti-bacterial to protect themselves after handling “dead things” (in order to protect and preserve one’s life), therefore, God listed everything that would bring his children harm, or potentially bring them harm, and deemed it all to be a big fat ‘No no.” 

     We understand clutter makes it hard for us to find “good things’ (which we have lost in the pile of clutter) and we easily understand “germs’ make us sick, dead bodies carry disease, and mold or mildew can especially cause immediate sickness (or even death!). 

     At the same time, we tend to clutter up our lives, and ignore the warning signs that we are spiritually “sickened” by all the things we expose ourselves to in this life.

     We want God to “clean up the mess” and we need to get after it ourselves! “Clear the Way” (John the Baptist) “Prepare for his coming (answer) and not just the coming of him as the last trumpet sounds. See? We’ve got work to do!

     How often do people cry out to God (for answers), and wonder why they can’t find or even see the answer from him? We get “clutter of the soul” and wonder why we can’t hear God, when he promised “the sheep will know his voice.”

   What about the audible clutter in our lives? (Noise Pollution). We listen to many things, think our own thoughts, and spend a whole lot of time stressing out, trying to figure out how to solve a problem! 

     At the same time, we wonder why we can’t hear God very well? We clutter up our lives and wonder why we cannot SEE Him? Didn’t you promise I would see you, God? Maybe the answer is “right there” and we can’t see it, because of the clutter! 

     James had the answer “Purify your hearts” He said (in other words, de-clutter, get the junk out, and pay attention to him!). We want living water, but we mix it up with the defilements of this world (and wonder why it doesn’t refresh us!). 

     Ponder this awhile! (to be continued) ……With Love, 

Laura Grace, Author Grace to Grow, Grace to Soar…….(etc and so on). 

 

 

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Being a Faith Person, in a cynical world

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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Pride (the sin of Pride) it hurts YOU.

People get hurt, don’t go to God with it, then they want to protect themselves from further hurt. We often think, ‘oh what’s the big deal?” I am just fine! As if saying we are fine will make it okay. No. We need to ask God to heal the hurt, or if we are offended, take away the offense. It’s like a big sliver in your heart, and it leads to other (nasty ) things at times. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. 

Hurt can lead to things like self-righteousness (not seeing their part in what happened) so in fear of being hurt again. People put up walls, justify the walls, stay behind

PRIDE PICTure.jpg(those walls), and eventually after much time goes by, they get cemented in pride, believing that the decisions they made, the walls they erected, and the refusal to go To God with it all, was perfectly justified.

     The sin of pride hurts US, and limits what God can do in our lives. Sometimes when people finally cry out WHAT is going on, Father? “HELP ME!” God responds, but the help he sends, sometimes, is breaking the pride, which leads to the “Blessed to be Broken” message many talk about. This process is painful. 

     You don’t have to wait to be broken, you can talk to God about Pride today, and ask him if you have pride.  He can remove it more gently, IF we ask him to convict and correct us today. We have a choice. the Easy way….or the hard way…..:) 

   

     Pride hurts others, but it hurts you more than anyone else. Sin is like a weed, ask God to yank it out of your heart. You can speak to it “Pride you have to go out of my soul!” I command this pride to be removed today, in jesus’ name!” I’ve done this. I was amazed at the supernatural experiences i had, as a result. 

Sin (Pride, Self rightousness, and others)  First and foremost,  hurts YOU. God loves you, he wants the best for you! Pursue a relationship with him today. It’s not too late! 

Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
24 And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.

 with love, …….. Laura, Author, Grace to Grow 

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A Good day!

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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Paper Dolls & Cookie-Cutter Christians

paper dolls 2

I was thinking about God not staying in his box this morning, and trying to think how to describe my Christian Life! Instantly I thought about Paper Dolls. If you remember them you are probably a little bit “Over the hill” (Like I am!). 

I had some paper dolls as a kid. The clothes were cut out and put onto the paper doll, which was usually made of cardboard. They were cool, but if you would have ever had a paper doll smaller or larger than the clothing, none of it would have fit. 

Thankfully, God doesn’t design clothes like the ones made for paper dolls, and expect us to fit even though we do not fit! Sometimes we feel like we need to be trimmed to fit the clothing man has designed for us, because it doesn’t quite fit, and we look funny! What fits YOU may not fit ME! But that doesn’t mean I’m defective. 

I”m sure when someone (like me) stands and quotes a scripture like the one below, it seems to cause rebellious rabble rousers to say YEAH! And bible teachers to cringe.  Do we get what God is saying here? Paper dolls

And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’  (Matthew 15:9 NKJV) 
There are actually several scriptures where Jesus warned about doctrines of men, or even our lips honoring him, and our hearts being far from him. Was he getting on our cases? Does he not love us anymore? Sure he does! He is not MAD at you. He’s trying to help. 
When we thought “Dad” was mad at us as kids, we tended to want to hide, or run in terror. When we are scared (of God) we cannot even hear what he wants to say. Such is the case with many who read this scripture. 
No God’s not on our cases. He just wants us to see that if we have a one-size-fits-all teaching and Sunday sermon, and ways of doing things, and bible studies that are formatted in a way that does not FIT everyone and we try to say; “Make it fit!” We are acually harming the very people we hope to love. God will adjust the teachings and methods (To fit the doll) not cut down the doll to fit the clothing. See? Because his word is written in such a way that his clothes will fit everyone (who desires him) 
God has Grace on upon us. Peter did not do what James did. Paul did not do what John did. They didn’t go to meetings and get in one accord by saying amen to the pastor and that was all there was to it! They all grew in Grace (And into their spiritual clothes- which God designed for them!). WE don’t have to feel like wretched weirdo’s because we are not the right size For the one-size-fits-all teachings of men. 
God wants to speak to YOU Today. Not JUST through your pastor. 
Teachers? Be willing to adjust the teaching (if need be) as the Holy Spirit leads you. 
Don’t be so rigid. This is not “Military School” it’s the living growing entity called…
    “The Body Of Christ” 
thanks for pondering with me; 
With Love, Laura Grace 
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Broken Noodles…….(a teaching about sacred cows, and how we do stuff)

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.