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What do you consider to be “RESPECTABLE” ? What does God think about Respect? and being respectful

I hear a lot about being respectful nowdays. “Respect me” or “That’s disrespetful.” The truth is if someone sets a boundary, we should respect that boundary or (the Authority) of the one who set the boundary. No Trespassing signs, No solicitors, Keep off the grass! If we violate those boundaries it’s a trespass. 

But really, what is being respectful or respectable in the eyes of Jesus? Or the World? are they the same? 

I really struggle with the word “respectful,” sometimes. I have prayed about it over the years, asking God what he thinks about it all. As usual he doesn’t answer, sometimes for years. I think it’s because he waits for His word to grow and develop in our heart(s). Sooner or later the fruit will come out, including the fruit of understanding his Word.

And yes, Understanding is a “fruit’ or outcome- of studying, praying and seeking him. 🙂 It’s the fruit of HIS own Love building us up (in HIm.)

I see this: What the World (humans in general) have respect for: 

  1. A person well-educated on a topic 2. Success financially 3. Ruling without apology and successful management of people or business 4. Overcoming incredible odds by sheer determination 5. Selfless Humanitarianism and tireless giving

This is what I see God Respects: 

  1. Receiving Revelation from Him (Understanding) about his Word by his Spirit. 2. Faithful with goods or money and not clinging to it, surrendered to Him 3. Serving without selfish Ambition as directed by His Spirit 4. Overcoming by his strength and in obedience toward Him 5. Ministry as God says to do it (no matter how foolish it looks) And looking after his own sheep (feeding them, finding them, helping them) and doing what he says! (When he says, how he says) Gen 4 The story of Abel.

  Pretty different, aren’t they? Do I care what the world thinks (about me?) Or what God thinks? Which one will I face for all eternity? Hmm 

Gen 4:4 “And the Lord Respected Abel”. (We know what happened to him, right?) 

To respect a boundary -is to not trepass. For instance, if you put out a sign “Keep off the Grass” Or tell someone “Please don’t belch in my house” and they do it anyway, it’s disrespectful (not honoring their wishes, in their own house).  I have no problem with this, but I do have a problem with respect when it comes to a one-way relationship.

As far as belief systems go, if I have to respect your beliefs, you need to respect mine. This means we may not “trespass on each other” If I say stop (regarding your input) or you say stop (concering my input) we both should have to stop (out of Love IE: Respect) For each other’s personal boundaries.

Here’s the thing: God’s Word, and the world’s opinion, will never mix. One is hot, one is cold. One is sharp, one is dull. You can’t be conformed to this world and transformed by God at the same time. We can’t love (be On fire or Hot) for God While embracing all the thoughts of this world (which is cold toward God,) and not become lukewarm. Hot and cold mixed makes “tepid” (Lukewarm) waters. Hot water flushes out bacteria, germs and unhealthy things. HOT For God’s word (on fire) cleanses us in Holy Fire.

So if I don’t seem respectful of the world’s advice, I will not apologize for that. My food is to do the will of my Father (in Heaven). My mandate is to Follow him. My mind is to be renewed on his Word, not every thing you want to tell me, that you think is cool or the latest rage, or the latest fashion. Call me disrespectful about the opinions of others if you wish, For really, I could say the same about you. Are you respectful of God’s Word?

He made this world! He Framed it! His input is Bread (and life) to my soul.

If you are looking for the world to applaud you for your belief system, you will probably be very disappointed. They aren’t going to applaud you. Respect for God, his ways, and his people is not something the world is ever going to do. If you give them

Respect,other than just saying Okay “I will” Keep off your grass” I WILL stop talking to you about God- because you said “it’s trespassing” has nothing to do with me having to listen to YOU and your opinions all day long! That is not respect, that’s cowing down to someone who does NOT have the answers (Christian) and you know better! So don’t listen to them. Stick with God. Blessed is the man who Trusts in Him (and inclines their ear to hear what God has to say!) Proverbs 2.   What Good is it to gain the world? (Jesus said) and lose your soul? Hmm Something to Ponder. 

-Laura Grace Author, Grace to Grow 

 

John 15:8    Romans 12:2   1 John 2:15-17   Matthew 16:26

 

 

 

 

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

Jesus and me

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

HMM …..With love and somber blessings, 

 

Laura Grace 

 

 

 

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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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Driving the family car…….spiritually speaking that is! :)

car pic

Yesterday I was facing a hard day at school (bible school) as I was studying critical thinking, many details on how to do a paper “the proper way” In true University style. I have learned about scholarly sources all kinds of details about plagiarism, and ….Well it’s all quite detailed, formated, cut and dry. I am a free thinker who loves to pray, be creative, and Uh, guess I pride myself a little bit on “being free spirited” and walking inthe spirit.I believe in pray, open your mouth, and let the river flow!

Details that I am experiencing in school right now are a difficult challenge for me. I cannot deny I need it, I just realy didn’t WANT to grow some more!

I am ready to be a big girl now, and go out and do more things for Jesus! You know the frustration, right? 

“Let’s get this show on the road” we say (to God) year after year after agonizing year! “Gosh daddy, have I not grown enough yet?” “Can I drive the car now, please?” “Tell me again how to adjust the mirrors,” Dad says. “BUT all the other kids are driving Dad, they never check the mirrors! They’ve been driving for a long time now! I am careful! Please Dad Please?” “Take the car,” he says, “show me again what you know, but only around the block.” “Oh Gosh Daddy,” (Humph) “This just isn’t fair!” (sigh) I’ve been at this for thirty years now. God has let me “drive the car” spiritually speaking. I’ve ran into a few things, bumped into others at times, and sometimes don’t even go exactly the direction he says. I am learning! One day he will say; “You’re ready girl” for a big long road trip!’ “I am sending you out.” 

Until then. he just said I have to understand how the entire car works! (No exceptions). And maybe the other kids won’t have to do this but, I do! (for some reason I can’t understand right now) But guess what? I will before it’s all over, understand perfectly why My Father Required so much of me. 

with love and prayers! Heb 6:11-13 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Laura Grace 

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Why should I let it go? It’s not fair!!! A suprising look into why the serenity prayer is biblical :)

Serenity Prayer.jpg Greetings! 🙂 Well you may be surprised at what God showed me today. I saw this poster on a friends FB wall, and I thought, “Yes that’s good.”

After awhile I was doing dishes, cleaning, doing housework, and the lights came on! I am always expecting God to reveal to me new things and what he wants to teach me (day by day.). I have built up my faith in this area, I BELIEVE He wants to speak to my heart (daily!). 

With that said, What jumped into my spirit was; THE REASON we feel lighter and more free when we let go, is because we are letting go of grudges, unforgiveness, or wrestling with what we should do about a situation. Let’s say someone was really mean to you? 

Don’t we often think; “We should say something” to them? Or maybe we should never talk to them again? Or maybe we should pray for them endlessly until they “Get convicted?” Whatever the weight is, it will weigh you down! 

check out this passage in Hebrews 12 

12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I hate to admit to you how many countless hours I’ve spent in my life, trying to figure out what to do about something.

There are also times someone does something (that throws me for a loop) and it’s a fight to ward off the after effects of their careless words. I think the enemy likes to send those fiery darts mentioned in Ephesians & magnify to us over and over the wrongs people have done to us. “You need to do something!” He accuses, or they will think you are a pansy, or a doormat.” Sometimes we need to do something, and sometimes we don’t. Sometimes we need to just LET IT GO. 

Did you ever think about the passage in 1 Corn about love being for YOUR SAKE? (Not so much for others?) The problem with being told we should love more at times is, we think “Why should I? They don’t deserve it!”

Forgiveness is for your sake, not for theirs. If they continue in their ways, they will face the Lord over it. (Or do you not believe this?) YOUR ANGER is a weight, your unforgiveness weighs you down! Your constant obsessions with trying to understand an unreasonable person is like and ankle weight, keeping you from running your race. “LET IT GO NOW” ……….(It’s holding you back) 

It’s a blessing if you do! “Father grant me the serenity to accept what I can’t change, and help me to grow in spite of it all, and help me to just let it go……for my sake for your name’s sake, for everyone’s sake! In Jesus’ name amen -Laura Grace Author, speaker, minister of the Lord, and your friend and companion for the gospel. 

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Stuff we don’t want to talk about: “touching God’s anointed” and other false teachings, that are misapplied.

There was a teaching, about 20 or 25 years ago. I’m not sure where it came from, but it was about “Touching God’s anointed.” I personally heard the teaching, in church, but I did not ever study the passage it was based on, until years later. 

King David, was to replace King Saul, in the Old Testament. Without sharing pages of bible scripture here, I will summarize, that Saul did a lot of bad things to David, prior to David becoming the new King, of Israel.

At one point, David’s own mean pleaded with him, just to get rid of Saul. Specifically, they wanted him to just kill him, as Saul was trying to kill him, so wasn’t it justified? At this point, David said he would not “touch God’s anointed.” 

This teaching was never meant to negate the passage in Ephesians, where we are told to have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather, expose them. 

Saul was certainly exposed. It was known to all, what kind of man he had become. While he still retained his king status (for quite a while) and gave David a lot of grief in the process, even driving him almost to the brink of insanity, David would not kill him. 

I just wanted to expose the fact, that there are some teachings (which were taught in church) through the years, that are not a true revelation from the Holy Spirit. There are also teachings, which were meant for just one person, and not for everyone in the group.  I do not go around teaching, that every child of God having marital problems, should get divorced.

Likewise, it should not be taught that someone should always submit to a bad leader (who is not following Jesus) Just because the bible says “submit to your leaders.”. We have to understand who is a true leader in Christ, and who isn’t. To teach a woman to go home and submit (to someone who is crazy, or abusive) is irresponsible as well. 

Pat answers, such as “God hates divorce,” “Obey your leaders,” “Wives, submit to your husbands,” and even passages such as “Love bears all things,” are not the right word, for the right time, for some people, at that time. Only the Holy Spirit can teach us to properly apply a scripture at the right time, to the right person, and for the right reasons.  I hear these passages a lot, but not “slaves obey your masters,” which is also in the bible. Why is that, I wonder? I do know the answer. 

It was advisable, (at one time) When slavery was still in effect, for them to submit to or obey their masters. If they did not, things might not go well for them. When It came time for the slaves to go free (and many fought to the death for this freedom) The passage no longer applied, as it was time for “The captives to be set free.” 

It’s not touching God’s anointed, to expose lies, or things that are not true. When a wife, child, or spouse, exposes something evil (going on in their home) they may just be obeying the word of God, found in Ephesians.

Ephesians 5:11

Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them

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Washing your brain is not brain washed It’s just smart! Here’s why. -Laura Grace

Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.anointed for this  
Many people worry, or seem to think, that Christians are just “brainwashed,” but that’s not true. We just understand the importance, of our brains being washed (in the Word) and the filth of this world, being washed away. 
You may very well have given your heart (and life) To Jesus, but if we refuse to allow God to do the transformation (by the renewing of our mind) the bible states clearly, we will not truly know what the will of God is, for our lives.
If we don’t know what the will of God is, we are susceptible to all kinds of beliefs, thoughts, and the input of the evil one
Our mind (and our thinking) will take us places, we don’t want to go. Have we seen someone (including ourselves) make bad decisions? Someone can have a good heart, and good intentions, but if they refuse to take authority over their own mind, and replace carnal thinking with God thinking, their intentions will come to naught. 
Transformation by the renewing of our mind, is not just learning scripture. 
It’s a process of uprooting our own thoughts, other people’s thoughts, the devil’s thoughts, (and input) and replacing it with the life-giving seeds of God’s word. 
If we were gardening we would not deliberately plant weeds, in our natural gardens. Why then, do we become so careless, in allowing weeds, (contrary thoughts to God’s word) In our hearts, and minds? It takes patience, and it is a lot of work! 
This is why the bible says, to imitate those who through faith and patience, received God’s promise. We all want short cuts. Tell me, do gardens turn out well, when people try to take short cuts? What if they pray and never weed their garden? Will it be good? I think not. 
A lot of the problems people have, as believers, has little to do with the devil’s direct influence, and everything to do with what’s been planted, in the garden of their mind. 
As you go out to try and “save the world’ From not believing in Christ, don’t forget your own mind is a garden, that needs continual renewal, day by day. 
Don’t leave the thinking up to your Pastor. Allow God to transform YOUR heart and mind, so that you can prove the (acceptable) and perfect will of God for your life.  We 
have one life, one shot to live in Victory. Choose well. Choose life. 
-With love and affection for all God’s children, 
Laura Grace Author Grace to Grow Grace to Grow the Study guide (available on Amazon) 
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Keeping the Kingdom safe……and the rewards are coming……

ME 2002

Just think, if everyone’s testimony was like Kenneth Copeland, or Richard Bonnke or 

These others……we’d have way too many chiefs, and not nearly enough Indians, so 

to speak.

I know in the military, all the soldiers get paid. 

It doesn’t matter if anyone sees them, recognizes them, or seems to even care. 

If they stay at their post they get paid, and if they do a good job, that post is safe, 

and the military as a whole, (hopefully) gets praised by the General, as well as,

 knowing they kept their nation safe. 

in the same way we are keeping the Kingdom of God safe, just because we are here. 

I need to remember this. and I also need to remember, we all get paid. 

God is a fair master, and he rewards those who stay on their posts. He forgets no one. 

But you see, if I doubted him, I would never check the mail. I wouldn’t go looking to 

receive anything, because I think he left me out. I thank you Father, you did not leave 

me out! I am also not “left behind.” I will not forget your benefits, which are plenteous! 

with love, faith and hope, but the greatest of these, is love for God and his Kingdom.

amenLaura Grace            PS: check out my books, on Amazon, Kindle, and Nook 

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Little Kids in Big Kid’s Clothing……What is a mature Christian? Do we even know?

Good Morning! dress up 2.jpg

A lot of stuff we call “sin” is just simple immaturity. I’ve watched Christians for years now, and I’ve been one myself! Still am! But here’s the thing, k? We go to church, we get saved, we are told that God doesn’t see sin when he looks at us anymore, He sees us In Christ (because of what Jesus did for us, amen?).

Then we start to worry about sin. I feel fear, I must be sinning, I looked at someone and thought bad thoughts …..oh dear I am sinning again! When will this ever stop? We feel good when we overcome what we deem to be sin, such as overeating, not caring about church, honoring or not honoring our parents, and so on, and so forth, and so on.

This type of thinking also leads to hyper-vigilance about other people’s sins. “DID YOU SEE THAT?”(We say), “The way she was dressed, in church?” DID YOU SEE (that she is not married, and lives with a guy?) Did you KNOW “I heard” he’s a thief, and a liar! 

Sin sniffers! They remind me of children. “Mom, Jeffrey is touching the grapes, that you told him not to touch, MOM MOM MOM!” People go to church, they hear a great sermon, and go out into the world. The sermon was about how drinking and carrying on is the “way of the wicked,” so when they see someone doing those things, they go up and say, “You know, I pray for you, Jesus loves you, he doesn’t want you doing that stuff.” That is not Evangelism. And, It’s not what we are called to do. 



One who considers themselves to be MORE Mature might just pray, and when the party animal tells them how much they drank yesterday, they might say “I see, well, I don’t do that stuff anymore, since I met Jesus!” (and consider this to be witnessing for Christ.). As children, while we may be “cute’ to our parents……WE really don’t have a clue (for quite awhile!) Do we? Furthermore, if we don’t listen to the life lessons (that our parents are trying to teach us) we remain clueless! 

God doesn’t mind if we are immature, he probably even thinks we are cute! The problem (that we fail to see at times) is that the rest of the world can see it, also. 

Most Christians want to learn how to be a better witness, but deep down, they really don’t know how. That’s why I share what I share (and I hope to get better at it) And why I will continue the mission of sharing (for the sake of God’s people) WE NEED TO GROW CHURCH! When I have had the honor of leading someone to Christ, they were ready (God drew them, seeds had been planted, and were watered) so I am nothing but a harvester (by his Grace). I am not a policeman for Jesus! (Selah, think on this) 

Then they got “BORN AGAIN” Not just talked into going to church…….(and maybe stopped going, because they weren’t born again, not hungry, it did nothing for them.) 

I have not come this far (In Christ) to go back and play “Little Kid Games’ when the world so desperately needs to see Jesus. Look, I’m not trying to be mean here, but really? REALLY Church? THE MANDATE we see in our bible IS Grace to Grow! This is for the believers. GROW……GROW it says……(Ephesians 1) GROW IN Grace…..

What non believers are doing is not really our business…….Come on church! I heard a preacher say once “When I was on my way to hell, I was going in style, with a bottle in one hand and a girl on each arm.” …….to run up to someone and point out how sinful they are is childish, trespassing, and it’s wrong. GOD doesn’t even do that! 

How did you come to Christ? Were you drawn by his love and Grace, or were you told what a big hairy sinner you are? (And beaten into submission?). If you went to church to be moral, straighten up your act, and become a self-righteous Pharisee, you are in worse shape than those who are drinking, drugging and living it up! A rampant sinner that cries for mercy has “MORE HOPE” Than you have!!! ……….

So let’s get our eyes off what “everyone else is doing” and how wicked they are, and get back to growing up ourselves! Amen! -Laura Grace, Author, Grace to Grow, Grace to Grow the Study Guide, Grace to soar…….and others. Peace! dress up.jpg