Straining gnats and swallowing camels……Matthew 23- “the warning”

August 1, 2017 Laura GraceLeave a comment

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Matthew 23:24 “Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!”

SOMETHING GOD SAID TO ME Awhile back “They are building a church, but not my Kingdom, and it’s eating them up inside………”

Pharisees prided themselves on how cautious they were, and how protective they were of God’s word. They were not aware of the pride growing subtly within them, as they prodeeded with no caution- as far as examining themselves, and their own hearts. They thought they’d arrived.

We have some today- who protect the building of the church, and consider themselves to be supervisors (and experts) of God’s own word.

They are so busy protecting themselves, shielding themselves, and building giant barricades to keep out evil, they fail to see the heart of God– behind every word Jesus spoke.

Self-righteousness, Pride, selfish ambitions, greed, lust, (for power not just drugs or alchohol) Are very real threats to the human soul. Why else would Jesus (and his Apostles) warn about these things so much? “take heed to yourself” (The preacher cries.)

Luke 11:35

“Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness”

In being so careful and examining things, the Pharisees missed the miracles. They missed (Out) On Jesus, the son of God. They missed out on everything God intended for them, and they were so sure (oh so sure) they were full of God’s light. He tried to warn them, but they were so focused on protecting themselves, They did not really hear him at all.

They Judged Jesus’ ways. And, cross-examined him.

If a drop of rain falls (on your head) and you needed that rain, do you examine it to see if it’s really rain at all? Or do you question where it came from? “He must be from the devil,” They said, for he did not measure up to the former words of God the way THEY Undestood it. The trouble is, they didn’t understand God’s word at all. Jesus was trying to show them, but they would not listen (or hear).

When I pray for something I don’t care who (the answer) comes from. I expect Jesus can answer any way he wants to. GOD RAISES UP THE HEAVENLY ARMOR within us as we grow in Him and study his Word WITH The Holy Spirit as our guide. He does the work. He’s the Author and finisher of our faith (and our Salvaton) which is why all the glory goes to him, not to us! We aren’t going to be commended for how SMART we are we will be commended for having Faith IN HIM!

Therefore, Pride has no place in us (or our hearts) there is no reason for any self =righteous Indignation. When we see ourselves becoming all angry about how we are not listened to or followed, we can see pride and/or self-righteousess has taken root in our heart(s).

God spoke to me about some pride I had……in an area of my life. I’m so glad he did, and he has done it before, and I pray he will do it again! And yes I did something about it. I endured the humiliation so he can make me free!

Pride you have to go! Self righteousness, you have no place in me! I Resist you satan! Get away from me with your lies and delusions of granduer! I ask you Holy Spirit to teach my heart. I ask you Jesus to purify my soul and cause me to really SEE you and hear you!

IN Jesus’ mighty name, the name above all names. I dont care how much I suffer for it Lord I want YOU And only you! and only your living word! Cleanse my soul Father wash me clean! I renounce everything that is not you Lord!

And by the way Pride doesn’t just go before the fall, it can possibly go before the great falling away…….so here’s your sign. Get rid of it! Ask God to show you if you have it! He will answer that kind of prayer! I Promise, HE WILL.

-Laura Grace (Grace to Grow) peace! and amen

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Standards VS Law. We get what we allow………….and the enemy ……..

September 18, 2016 Laura GraceLeave a comment

submarine-portal

Greetings, in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ. 🙂

I want to talk to you today about standards, vs law. We all know the passage, don’t we? “When the enemy” comes in like a flood………(Then what happens?) The Spirit of the Lord it says, lifts up a standard against it.

What is a standard? Well, this man is looking through a submarine portal. Maybe he wants in! If the person on the other side were to open the portal, the entire submarine would be flooded, and everyone in the sub, would probably drown.

We have a world today of people shouting about how unfair it is to keep this poor guy out (outside of the submarine) and how we should just “let him inside” (Figuratively speaking). I am going to talk plain here. Ready?

Its one thing to realize everyone has sin, and to realize we are all saved by Grace, if we should allow the Lord entrance, into our lives.

Here’s the thing, church. I am speaking to the people of God, at this moment in time. First of all, if you let a pack of wolves into your house, they will tear you apart. If you make a wild bear your pet, he will most likely scratch, gouge, and devour you!

We cant get rid of “the devil” just by praying. If we let him in, he’s now in the house with us. He’s a liar, a prosecuting attorney, and he is NOT YOUR FRIEND! Those who choose not to be renewed in the Spirit of their mind, who choose not to become Christ like in their thinking, will, by default, think like the other guy.

So, there are groups of people out there, large groups I might add, who not only seek to get you off the path of thinking Christ-like, but they are very vehement and crafty about it as well. Too many people are appointed, but not anointed. To many are hired to be clergy, but are not called or chosen by God. Look at the scripture, and how people were chosen, in times past (and in the early church.). They were not chosen by man, and certainly were not chosen because of their “work credentials’ either!

Yes, I am sorry to tell you, people really do have a right to believe what they want to! God gave us freedom, even to sin, even to go so far as to lie, cheat, murder, start fires, get drunk and ram some person head -on…….It doesn’t mean he approves of it, we just have the freedom to do so (sad to say.) But here’s the thing. You also have Authority over your own house, your own self, and even your own children, so long as they are living with you.

If you open a portal to the devil, that is to say, his belief system, instead of God’s, you will have a flood come into your home. It could drown you, it could potentially destroy you, and your children as well. This is why yes, I was very strict with my children, growing up.

No, I did not let them “drink at my house’ so they would not drink and drive. No, I did not let them listen to music that promoted sex, violence, crime, and rabble rousing. And no, I did not ever let them watch rated R or violence on TV, as much as I could possibly avoid it.

No, they did not watch shows that promoted sorcery, witchcraft, or demonic spells. Why? Because yes, I did understand they would either be filled with the Spirit of God, or they would be filled with other things. My heart belongs to Jesus, and so does my mind. Nobody but me, has authority over what goes INTO My mind and heart. And Yes, I believe in Grace however, I do not believe in compromising with anti christ spirits of hell!

You do need to realize, that in compromising the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is different from making mistakes or just “being human” There will be a consequence.

You will have to agree with the standard (Of the Holy Spirit) to get the devil back OUT of your house where he belongs! You will have to make a stand. You will have to say no, your lies are not allowed to enter my mind (or my heart) and while I realize people sin, I will not endorse, support or join the rally of rabble rousing folks, who are screaming “Let sin be endorsed.” Sexually immorality is a sin. So is lying. So is Murder, hatred, (and the list goes on). That will never change, and if we agree to compromise, we will open that door and well, In comes the flood…………

And not even God can save you, so long as you refuse to close the door to it’s influence. Amen With love for God’s people…..

Laura Grace

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Taking God for granted…….?

August 27, 2016August 27, 2016 Laura GraceLeave a comment

In The book of Hebrews Chapter 10, we find that we can ‘insult’ the Spirit of Grace.

Hebrews 10 NKJV –

²⁶For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, ²⁷but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. ²⁸Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. ²⁹Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? ³⁰For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”^[e] says the Lord.^[f] And again, “The Lord will judge His people.”^[g] ³¹It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

How I receive the passage in Hebrews is, I said, “Father forgive me for taking you for granted. Sometimes I do. Sometimes I rush off and start my day and while I do pray, I forget what a treasure you are to me Father and I need to REMEMBER!!”

God is talking to his people in this passage, not “the rest of the world.” He is talking to those who have received his truth, and now treat it as if it were common, not a sacred keep.

I need to remember what a treasure you are, Father, and how great it is. that you are even with me. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of what others are doing or the victories of others, at times we scarcely can find the grace to be happy for them, because we are so focused on the suffering of, or in, our own souls.

It’s hard to remember when we are outraged- over what others do, that we ourselves could be cast out, fall from grace, or even become guilty of the same things we think are so tragic, if we do not remember, and I mean truly remember, that we are saved by Grace alone. Help us remember Father, the last thing you said to us.

Sometimes Judgment, is simply this; God stops talking, until you listen to and treasure what he said to you the first time, or the last time, that he spoke to you. If you were not listening, and have insulted him, how can you hear on how to be saved from upcoming trouble? Staying close to God, treasuring his words……..

This is where peace, life, health, and all good things are found.

Help us Father, to treasure your words (to us) Help us to cherish you & love you and appreciate you always ….and help us, never to take you for granted- Father God. As we aquire truth Father, help us Humbly receive it with thanksgiving, and not get a big hot shot attitude as if we ourselves are the real source of Truth, for you are! And we do thank you, that you love us enough, to share with us, your holy truths.

this we pray, In Jesus’ name amen

Heb 10: 26-29 by Laura Grace, author Grace to Grow (and others) Found on Amazon.

Moses

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AN OPEN LETTER TO CHRISTIANS, Just because you are in Christ, doesn’t mean you’re always right!

July 12, 2016September 27, 2017 Laura GraceLeave a comment

GRACE TO GROW COVER NOW.jpg

Speaking of chicken soup………(a letter to christians)

I feel bad I didn’t used to know this but, I needed to realize a long time ago when someone is sick (in the natural) You know how they can’t eat? Just need a little chicken broth?

Some are like that about Jesus- we need to be aware they can only handle so much at a time. I didn’t used to know this and I didn’t mean to but I have overwhelmed some people at times….

I thought I was being zealous for Jesus, and not compromising. but the truth is, I wasn’t REALLY walking in Love.

How I learned is by HAVING IT DONE TO ME, and instead of being all ticked off I prayed on it, asked the Lord about it, and asked him to reveal to me through his eyes, what is going on.

Sooner or later it’s time to say “what am I doing wrong Lord?” In the process of learning who we are in Christ (and learning to stand in his Righteousness) we must not forget we always need to be corrected. Correction is what makes us grow.

Without correction we do not grow! WE should know this, we’ve all seen kids who never had discipline, and how they turned out.

Some try to ram the whole banana of the gospel down someone’s throat and if they get sick and throw up beat them over the head for not receiving! Talk about not having a clue!

This is not evangalism, it’s abuse! And it’s what the so called liberals are reacting to, in many cases.

I do not suggest bowing to these types that want to over run the church but we cannot afford to be all uppity and assume we are always being persecuted. Sometimes…….WE”VE BEEN WRONG and we need to admit it, quit it, and start growing again. Amen

Let’s get a clue shall we? Maturity knows when to stop, because your mashed potatoes and gravy is making them feel sick. #getmature #growsomemore #getagriponJesus

Anyway this is not compromise,

IT”S WISDOM!! Let’s get some! Amen –Laura Grace

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Walking through fire…..God’s not mean #3

July 4, 2016 Laura GraceLeave a comment

HOLY SPIRIT Okay Let’s clear this up! Father in the name of Jesus, give me the words, let it minister to hearts everywhere I pray in Jesus’ name! amen. WHAT IS FIRE? First of all God doesn’t cause it. Revelation 3 “I council you to buy gold (from the fire). Jesus said this to John, who wrote Revelation.

OH there is confusion out there about this, and what it means exactly. First, I thought we couldn’t buy the things of God?? Well you buy it with your decision (a purchase of sorts) and you buy it with a decision, to walk through the fire. Fire is painful, scary, could kill you, dangerous! Therefore, you choose to walk through it, trusting God IN this fire.

The Fire is hardship, pain, unpleasant. Jesus endured fire. criticism, misunderstandings, accusing you falsely…….(and more) all of this is fire.

Because of God’s mercy, we are not consumed. He leads us into fire, he leads us out. People who refuse to allow God to do this saying “that can’t be God,” are not refined, become lukewarm, and they are like those who did not build with precious stones as described in the book of Matthew. They do not have “Faith like Gold.”

Often, Pentecostals are just certain no suffering should happen, GOD WANTS TO DELIVER YOU! They quickly quote, and say. True, God does want to deliver you (from evil.) Others believe God brought the suffering, (That he really ISN”T Good all the time) Still others say that we should just suffer (continually) and sing songs of Joy, as if we are never to expect anything better! (And these are all Christians!)

No wonder the rest are confused, think we are wacky, and run from as fast as we can.

“Christians speak with forked tongues’ they say! (And we do, sometimes). The truth is we choose to walk through suffering, most of the time, or we refuse to do it. When people take their own life, they are choosing not to. When people run from their critics, they are choosing not to (suffer). In My case yes, I finally did leave abuse AFTER I’d been refined in the fire of abuse. WHEN I left all was forgiven and I prayed for my abuser, and still do. The refining fire of THAT type was over with, and done.

So see, with the right attitude, God wins every time! You are either walking in fire, overcoming, getting commended by the Lord for it, obtaining something more precious than Gold (a refined faith) or you are being delivered (God gets the Glory) Or you are resting now in green pastures for awhile, (God still gets the Glory) and the people who seem to get away with running (from everything) and not facing it? They are messing themselves up super bad, because they are not prepared for anything.

These are the type that avoid every trial, refuse to be led (by the Holy spirit) into types of wilderness experiences (and things) that refine them, which are also very uncomfortable, and they never learn God will NOT LET the fire consume or destroy them IF they trust Him.

And these are also the same types, who drain people, wear them out, want someone to do all their praying for them, refuse to learn anything new, and completely refuse to grow.

In the book of Acts, a ship crashed and fell to pieces because they would not listen to Paul. He said basically, “well I warned you but you wouldn’t listen.” They survived, but were ship wrecked. Paul went through a fire in all this as well. God never said he would CAUSE Paul’s suffering, He just told him it would happen.

His stand for Jesus came with a price. There was criticism, being jailed, being run out of town. In some cases he was beaten unfairly, all because he would not go with the program society decided was best.

Everyone sympathizes with those being tortured for their faith overseas somewhere, but hardly anyone cares if it’s a woman who is relentlessly persecuted by her husband, she is supposed to stay and take it, while we pray for those poor missionaries overseas. I have met people who are in the fire of refining every day of their lives, and nobody cares, because it does not fit in the neat little box of what we decided is Persecution.

Many suffer their lives being burned to the ground, their marriage goes up in flames, all because one would not bow to the idol of drugs, partying, criminal behavior, and the like. They suffer silently, because often even the church does not recognize their plight…….

They are busy helping those with “REAL PROBLEMS” (so they say) and wonder why some of these don’t come to church anymore…….

But I am here to encourage, that all who are going through the fire willingly because God asked you to, He will preserve you, deliver you, get you out to the other side………

He did it for me, He will do it for you. With Love, Laura Grace, Author, Grace to the Rescue