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God is not “IN CONTROL” He rules and reigns, which is different.

Laura GraceLeave a comment

JESUS REIGNS.jpgRevelation 19:6

“And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!”

God is not “in Control.” He rules and reigns, which is a totally different thing. If He was “in control” Adam and Eve would not have had a choice, to obey or disobey. If He was “in Control” Noah’s obedience to build the ark would not have been credited to him as obedience. God (who is in control?) simply “made him do it.”

If God was in Control, it would mean he is unjust. According to that theory, he is picking and choosing who he will bless and not bless. He is deciding who will be saved or not saved. He just goes by his whims, because he is God. That’s superstition, not the truth.

He can guide us, but only based on the decisions we have already made in our heart. If we have decided we will do it God’s way (not matter how bad it hurts) Then he can guide us, to where we are supposed to be going next. That guidance will be based on God’s wisdom, and what is ultimately best, for us.

I see being guided by God’s Spirit is a lot like how a remote-control car works. There is an inner mechanism, which responds to the person guiding the car with this other device. 

 If the connection is broken, there will be no guidance, the car will just sit there. If we are not guided, maybe it’s time to ask if the connection is broken.

                                        We may need to allow God to put something IN US Before he has something to work with day by day, In His Guidance, of us. That’s why we study, and pray. You are not some special exception to this rule. 

God responds to prayer, which gives him access (to rule and reign) over the situation. He would not tell us prayer is so important, and then turn around and say, “I’m in control.” That doesn’t even make any sense.

                He Rules and Reigns.  now, he may want obedience before the request gets answered. He may say “Put mud in your eye,” Or “Go study this passage” Or “go to this church” or “Go see this person” (As that too, is guidance.) WE choose. Yes/No. 

If God were in control (of everything) there would be no reason to participate, no reason to pray, have faith, or even obey. There would be no reason for rewards in heaven, and the reaping what you sow concept would all be based on God’s whims, and not your own decisions.

The idea that “God is in Control” probably came out of frustration, for someone who wondered why things went as they did. “I was having faith,” they said, and “things went badly.” “What happened?”

Someone told them well, “God is in control” and it’s up to him, for he is God!

Was God “In conrol” when Annanias and Saphirra decided to lie (and listen to to the devil rather than God?) Books of Acts, chapter 5. No, they made a decision. 

It reminds me of the parent who says; “Because I said so!” To a child who is asking why they must do a thing (they do not wish to do.) God is willing to give us understanding. He may make us wait for it, until we are capable of understanding or ready to understand, as he did say, “I have many things to tell you but you cannot bear to hear them now.” Sometimes we are just not ready, or prepared to hear the truths, which he wants to get across.

Especially in cases where we may find out, “we’ve doing it wrong all these years.” That my friend, is something we need to brace ourselves for, before we’ll be ready to hear it. “The Lord Reigns!” Very different from “In control.” K?

 

-Laura Grace, Author grace to Grow, Grace to Grow, the Study Guide. Peace! 

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Laura GraceLeave a comment

alone picture

If you jump to conclusions, leap before you look or listen (in speaking to someone) or make someone feel more scared than they already were before they spoke to you, chances are they won’t confide in you again. Being trusted with the confidences and problems of others is a Holy keep.

Don’t scold a wounded heart. A wise person is prayerful about how they approach a situation. How do I know this? I’ve messed up. I’ve had people mess me up too.

“Please Father make us trustworthy. In Jesus’ name.
Help us know when to speak, when to be silent, and what to say.” Amen

Psalm 141:3
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.
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“Swing with me mommy” …..

Laura GraceLeave a comment

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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Grace to the Rescue, Re published

Laura GraceLeave a comment

GRACE TO THE RESCUE KAY VERSION.jpg

Grace to the Rescue has been re published. This is a litle story about not giving up.

Back in 2003 or close to it, I wrote a booklet called out of darkness, a testimony of Grace. I still have some copies around here, somewhere. It was a shorter version of Grace to the rescue, but more detailed, and less refined. I sent it to a gal in the UK who is still my friend to this day. Her name is Lorna.

I got a lot of bad looks, told I was treading in dangerous waters when I mentioned God actually was okay with me getting divorced from a 16 year marraige of lies, abuse, hell and spending all my time trying to shelter and protect my children from all the hazards that went with it. Someone who has not lived in total dysfunction has no idea. No clue. We have to inform them. The system fails most of these people, and the church usually says stay put. I have noticed just in the last couple of years FINALLY some people who have been forced to “PUT ASUNDER” a marraige that is NOT God’s will for them are getting some Grace (ad a voice).

On top of this, I also had a bad publisher, there were grammarical errors in my book, and the plight goes on and on. Grace to the Rescue having to be pulled from the shelves twice now sits in the hand of almighty God, awaiting his hand to propel it forward.

And I believe he will do just that.

I saw years ago that Jesus came to set those at liberty who are bruised and battered and began to question him about whether I was supposed to stay and take more battering. Oh I had faith. I loved him and when I didn’t I prayed for more love. I’m re married now and find that even a lot of pastors who’ve been divorced never say so, (for fear of the reprocussions that follow) they are treated as if they are IN SIN instead of redeemed from a situation that never should have happened.

Labelling divorced people is like saying all those who commit suicide go to hell. sorry but YOU DO NOT KNOW THAT! And how dare you take the word of God and carelessly use it to beat up people who are already beat up and about to go under.

The gospel still is and always was GOOD NEWS not bad news. Jesus came to free ALL WHO ARE oppressed from the devil not just those who chose the right path at the beginning of their lives. If you’ve had a great life from the beginning I’m happy for you!

We (church) need to learn how to minister to the broken hearted and those captive to sin and dyfunction and abuse. We need to learn to not just get out our cookie cutter and try to “cut them” into a christian cookie so to speak.

I hope my book helps with that by shedding some light on just how hard this process can be for some who find themselves trapped in situations that are embarrassing, immerse us in a sense of shame and condemnation, and how yes sometimes people marry wrong while they are busy being a prodigal like I was. Dont’ just “forgive me” for getting a divorce. Understand it really did need to happen.

Rejoice with me in my restoration, and take your red letter and pin it to the devil, because he’s the one that messed me up.

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=grace+to+the+rescue+by+laura+Grace+

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

Laura GraceLeave a comment

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
Lofty Lucy’s….Who are they fooling I wonder? Not even themselves!
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Lofty Lucy’s….Who are they fooling I wonder? Not even themselves!

Laura GraceLeave a comment

She’s so right isn’t she? So confident in her own (Picture) Of herself she has in her mind! “Lofty Lucy” she is everywhere. 

I’ve had more people give me advice (their two cents worth) than I can shake a stick at, in my life time. What do you do with people like that? (Mostly, I ignore them!). 

Sometimes, I endure them. Mostly, people who act like they know everything, wind up being examples of who “we don’t want to be,” and sadly, most of the time they are pretty clueless about what is going on.

Why Do people love Peanuts cartoons? Well, because they tell the truth, they tell a story, one the most of us have lived (to some degree) and can relate to. 

I just brushed off another “Lofty Lucy” comment, just a few minutes ago. She was clueless about how childish she sounded. I think to myself “How sad,” For I really would have liked to have a meaningful conversation with you…..even a deeper relationship. But, it’s not going to happen, because lofty Lucy (For today anyway) refuses to grow up.

What about you? Moving forward in the personal Growth department?” I hope so! You will like yourself better if you do this, and God will be so happy! 

Laura Grace, author speaker, blogger, prayer warrior, and friend of God. 

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“Restore Me” …..What has been stolen? Why? And how can God restore me?

Laura GraceLeave a comment

restore-me-lord

RESTORATION. We who have lost anything, want this. Don’t we? When I hear that song “You have restored me” It makes me think: “Have I been restored?” When you think of this word, what do you think of? Things that were stolen from you, right? 

For many, the first thought is of physical goods, health, relationships, maybe even sanity, or peace of mind! What do you want God to restore in your life? 

One of the first restoration stories in the bible is the book of Job. He lost everything, kept his good attitude toward God, and God restored him double for his trouble. 

I just want to share this concept: Galatians 6:1 says to “restore” our Brethren. It’s talking about someone slipping away, stumbling, having difficulty in their faith walk. 

This sheds some light On what God meant by restoration, other than crops, fields, land, health, relationships, jobs, and all those other things we think about, when we hear that word into our lives. First we are restored back to him, then the rest happens! 

This ties in with “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness” and all these things (that you care or worry about) will be added unto you…………

The devil steals, God gives it back (to us). Not in our timing, in His! #1 priority with God is: Restore you back to health (spiritually) and healing (your soul) First, then the rest of your body. Seek ye first (his kingdom) Love, peace, Joy, and righteousness……

He was wooing us into covenant with him all along, wasn’t He? Please don’t go around telling people God will restore them, unless they have done their part. Entering into covenant with God is hugely (HUGELY) Important! It’s Crucial. 

and that my dear friends was what “the Lord’s Supper” was really all about….

Covenant! (to be continued) we prosper as our soul prospers) we follow him, He takes care of us! We give all to Him, He gives All to us! Covenant! Like Marriage! Amen 

Laura Grace, Author Grace to the Rescue, Grace to Grow Grace to Grow study guide, Grace to soar……..More to come! 

 

 

 

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That time I got jealous about a cherry coffee table……Grace to Grow: Real Stories #1

Laura GraceLeave a comment

cherry-coffee-tableme-at-choke-cherry-2015

I had a friend, back in the 90’s, Her husband and her had quite the testimony, a beautiful home, and were truly prospering.

I was in a bad (destructive) relationship at the time, and I was reading my bible, attending church, praying all the time for help from God and deliverance. 

She was concerned about me, standing in faith with me, praying for me and my children.  One day she was saying to me “that perhaps” I needed to ready myself to be delivered from this relationship, by not agreeing with some of this person’s evil ways, and that I should be bolder, stand up to what is evil, and make a stand for truth. 

I”m not sure why exactly, but her relentless challenge to me to “hate what is evil” and keep resisting the devil’s ways just hit me wrong that day. I looked at her life, her big house, her husband kept his job, and her new cherry furniture…….

And right there, in the middle of her coaching me, and exhorting me to stand up to evil, I exploded! I said “that’s easy for you to say, you and your Cherry Furniture!” 

Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, i was furious with this person, who was just trying to help! Did I love God? (Yes) Did I want to be righteous? (Yes, again) and did I pray and hope to be all God ever wanted me to be? (Yes, again!). 

But inside, I was frustrated, seething! I was hurting, and in pain! (and trying to be very  brave in spite of it all!). Still, to God that was no excuse. Why Did I lash out at the very person trying to help me, I wondered, after I got home? oh, We had a laugh over it, She started laughing! Eventually, I started laughing too! I acted like a complete ninny that day, and was so embarrassed! I went to God with it…….

“Father I’m jealous, envious, and full of wrath!” Take this away’ I prayed……..

And yes, in the comfort of my own home that day, With God very present, and not at some church meeting, he quietly took away my anger, the Jealousy, the rage…..

And it’s more than 20 years later now…..I have my own house…….but that day I made a decision. IF I never had a house, ever, I wanted Jesus more……..

Grace To Grow Daily by Laura Grace, Author, Grace to grow, Grace to Grow the Study Guide and Grace to Soar, available on Amazon. 

 

 

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Formulas Part 2 “let not your heart be troubled” …how can we make this so?

Laura GraceLeave a comment

a-new-covenant

When the disciples decided to follow Jesus, they were also accepting an invitation to enter into a Covenant with Him. As they walked with him, he was allowing them to see, hear, and learn about him, and then finally decide, whether they wanted to be “IN Covenant” (or not).

Judas chose not to do that, as he decided at the end, his answer was “No.” 

This morning as I was thinking about the elections, the condition of our nation, and all the things I am hearing about the subject, I thought wow are we really in this Much trouble Lord? It’s scary (I thought) Some of the things we have heard……

Immediately the passage “Let not your heart be troubled” came to heart and mind. I already knew what it said after that, but I looked it up anyway, thinking “teach me Lord” what you are wanting to say to my heart.” ……..

See, I’ve read this scripture numerous times. Today I saw “Oh, so right after You said let not our hearts be troubled,” You said “In my house are many mansions.” Sounds like “don’t worry, because you get to die, then come up here with me, and all will be well!” Great answer! “pray for death?” …….Oh come on, don’t tell me you haven’t thought that at least one time! Where do you think that statement came from, “two things you can count on, death and taxes!” ……(me looking all aghast here!) 

Not long after (in John 14) Jesus adds “Ask what you will it shall be done that we might be Glorified” …(paraphrased) OH So .…It’s for his names sake! OH WOW a very big clue as to “how our prayers” should be shaped ……..

Yes yes, he’s the potter we are the clay. but you CAN KNOW what he is up to (if you care to know!). “I want to shape your prayers to think like me……” (more covenant stuff here) so we are in partnership with God himself! and He wants us to know HIS Desires so we can pray HE can be glorified! oh and Greater works will we do than HE (He said) WOW! 

Just be careful,  “greater things” Is still HIS Ideas not our own ideas! oooo because we still have to watch out for that enemy (satan) who says “I can be exalted and I have better ideas than God does” (OH DEAR LORD!) …….

Formulas: We want them because we are too lazy to pray (sometimes) or it’s just too much bother to “GET TO KNOW THE LORD” ……Oh how sad that is! 

Tell you what, Let’s get together and pray Father, what do you want in this situation? What would you like to see happen? This is YOUR earth YOUR PLANET and I am yours! 

ALL You have is mine, because All I have is yours Father God! Covenant (like marriage) and let me tell you something, Your MARRIAGE To God takes precedence over every other commitment or, it should………….right? ………..

So we have a lot to look forward to people of God “BEFORE” we go to heaven! “Greater things shall we do “(in HIM) And Amen.

Laura Grace minister of the Lord Jesus and, his servant