Category: pentecostal pride

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

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
christian elitism · elitists · pentecostal pride · Uncategorized · walking in love

1,2,3 “the devil’s after me” Reconciling charismatic teachings with others……

Laura GraceLeave a comment

“1, 2,3” The devil’s after me (goes the song) 4,5,6 “he’s always playing tricks….” 

devil stomp.jpg

The bible says Jesus defeated satan, at the cross. For years, people (of God) just believed him to be a defeated foe, carried on with their lives, and never gave “satan’ a second thought. This was back before the great revivals and great Pentecostal Movement, and awakening. Now to understand why some think the Pentecostal movement is a bit weird (or crazy, or real peculiar) we need to step into their shoes a minute, and, try to understand their logic a little bit.

Yes, That’s what I said, Try to understand (their logic) for just a minute in time, rather than getting so defensive about what you know.

I remember trying to tell my grandma (and others) how the devil needed to be rebuked (in prayer) and the look I got was, “Well you sound crazy, but, I’m not touching that one with a ten foot pole!” Here she was, along with many others I know Just “trusting God was with her” and protecting her, as she went about in faith and lived her life (in faith, believing!)

How is it okay to tell someone they’ve been all messed up all these years, just because they do not see it as you do? If what I believe makes my brother stumble I’m not walking in love. (ouch!). Therefore, in many cases, we need to wait to be invited (or asked) before we speak. We don’t run up and clang the cymbals in someone’s ears! (That is not love!).

 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. Gal 5:5-7

So we have Kenneth Hagin teachings, (which I have read) where He said the Lord showed him: “I”m not going to do anything about the devil, you do it!” And so, we have a book called the Authority of the Believer (by Kenneth Hagin) and many offshoots of those teachings, which came after that. 

When we learn something, it’s so easy to just say well “everyone” needs to know this (and start running around informing people of “the truth!”). You know, I’ve done this too.

Therefore, many Charismatic Christians (who talk about being Spirit filled a lot, and so on) Which I have been as well, become little “elitists” and now we have the answer, and all those other Christians “do not.” (and need to be informed, by us!)

We often don’t concern ourselves with the fact that OUR BIBLE SAYS Faith must work through love, and without it, we are nothing but a clanging cymbal! No, we don’t want to hear that part, do we? So we go and “crash” the party of those who are just believing, God is good, the devil is defeated, and I am having faith I’ll be just fine!

You know, when Jesus said he would bring division, it was never His intention the Body of Christ be so divided. (NOT HIS PREFERENCE!) as he was talking about believers and non-believers, not his People.  So this is the thing: You want to walk in Love (Jesus says to me) try loving your brethren for once…………..Those who do believe…….(already) Who are walking in their personal revelation, and don’t need you to insert teachings upon them, which might make them stumble…..

Because, if you do that, you are not walking in love…….

“Here’s how we know we have God’s Spirit ruling within us…..We love the brethren……..

That is those “other people” of God, who do not always believe exactly as we do…..

HMM ……Food for thought! Lord “bring revival” to all your people we pray, help us to return to our first love, which is you Father! And not just be puffed up with the sin of pride, in what we think we know. “Amen.” -Laura Grace