Building #8 What is Integrity?

February 3, 2018February 3, 2018 Laura GraceLeave a comment

INTERGRITY 2

“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.” Proverbs 10:9 “…In teaching, show integrity” Titus 2:7

What is integrity? It’s doing the right thing when nobody is watching. It’s having a moral compass or having ethics do to things the right way (according to God). The old sin nature it to just “see if we can get away with stuff.”

The best example of integrity toward ourselves I can think of, is the story of the three little pigs. The three little pig story shows us the end result of either cutting corners, taking the easy way, and so on and so forth. What I do not see is the brick building pig having an argument with the other two on “the best way to build.”

He did not have time for it!

In this series, we are talking about building things that will stand the test of fire and flood. Wood, Hay and Stubble they will suffer loss (1 Corn 3:12) so we are not talking about your eternal salvation here, but making wise decisions toward God.

People always want to know (It seems) “What’s in it for me?” Having integrity may not produce instant gratification or results. Like the Three little pig story, you may not “SEE” a house very quickly, when you are doing things one brick at a time. In the end however, you will see a fire proof house.

Integrity produces trust worthy ways in us. It may take a long while, but we will soon see people trust us, believe in us, and would trust us with their very lives, all because we have proven we have integrity.

I am sorry this process (seems) to take so long, but it’s worth it in the end! Proven integrity, and the willingness to walk in righteousness through thick and thin, is necessary to building a house that will stand in the storms. Not only that, if we want to be an effective minister for Jesus, We can’t really help anyone without a solid place to stand. Let them build their house of straw…..(If they want to) it’s not going to stand, so do not worry about it. YOU do the right thing for you! 🙂

I leave you with this thought, as we ponder why so many tell us “hypocrites’ Go to church…….Let’s not be one of them.

Please Father! Fill us with integrity! and the desire to press on, and believe it’s all worthwhile. Amen! Pastor Laura Grace

INTEGRITY

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The power of one…..and the importance of one ……and the mandate to go……..

July 16, 2017July 16, 2017 Laura GraceLeave a comment

For years i wondered where I fit in, in God’s church. I wondered what my job was. In church I felt like a kid who never got grown up enough to handle any sort of responsibility, no matter how Hard I tried. Oh sure I loved going to church but eventually, I (like any kid) wanted to do something too. All the jobs seemed to be taken, and my job was to sit on the pew. I just didn’t like it (is all) so for years I practiced guitar (Praise music) and prayed, sought God, what was I to do?

Now years later, I understand the river (and the heart of a believer) will find their way into their true calling.

My husband and I just got back from a vacation/ministry trip. He had a few days of Vacation, and we have not taken one since last year (at this same time) when we went to be a tourist down in Dillon, plus went to Virginia City. WE prayed, Packed up, and went on a Journey praying we would find those God wanted us to find (on this trip). Over the 5 days we found 10 stops and about 20 people we prayed for (total). We also were prayed for as we met with new friends who prayed and ministered to us as well! I had always wanted to see Silverwood (never have) a theme park near post falls ID. I wanted to do a lot of things, shop for stuff, go to this famous donut shop, just all kinds of things …..

but …we gave up our vacation and we gave it to Jesus. He used it to do marvelous things too! the memories of who I have prayed for and spent time with on this trip will be marked for eternity! I have no regrets that I did what I did.

We prayed for a woman who is having a terrible time with her Dad, for another guy that is grieved about how he can’t find any good churches (in his town) as he said so many are falling into strange doctrines and wierd beliefs.

We stood and prayed for entire church complex and witnessed to the secretary in the church and encouraged her. I prayed with a little girl who was severely abused and another couple whose shop was going out of business. God led me to a homeless shelter/soup kitchen where he had me stand and give my testimony of how I got saved, and offered them hope with tears running down my face ……

The point is not to impress you but to say…..the river finds a way. If you can’t minister anywhere because the jobs all seem to be taken, Jesus has a job for you. I’ve heard so many pastors say “reach out to people” (on your job or wherever) but we all know that’s not so easy. Just think if Every believer spent some days of their lives saying who can I reach today Father? Who can I reach today? “Work through me today Father!”

How many could all of us reach together? Probably everyone.

To do this we can’t be concerned with Notariety or what WE are going to get out of it. In Matthew 10 Jesus said to his Disciples GO……..GO ………

I see nothing about anyone taking up an offering for them or having church back up. They just went……..and delivered what they had in their heart to deliver …..

YES my friends ONE (You) can make a difference, and that ONE life you touch, THEY MATTER (Jesus said so!) …….So now what are you waiting for? The world needs to hear and see the treasures God has put in your heart……..Amen?

Matthew 18:12

“What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying?

PS: The Lord made sure we were blessed and still had some fun on this trip Isn’t he GOOD? yes he is. He is so Good! Praise Jesus! 🙂

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Feeling like the 5th string…..and God’s word about this (to me) (Listen up!) :)

June 27, 2017 Laura GraceLeave a comment

guitar string

I had a good cry ……I really did (this morning). So Tim had this prostrate exam and had to be punched with a needle 12 times inside of his body which was very painful. He was traumatized by it. Then there is the fact that doctor made it sound like He must already have cancer, because his PSA level was so high. Nobody wants to hear the C word.

He’s just believing every day for a good report, prays every night saying,”Thank you Father there is nothing there”, I just went to “show myself’ to the medical priest.” Laura (miss Faith woman) is saying well, What if they find something? what then? but I am praying against it of course (I am) Because I DO believe God is our healer …..and I do.

On top of that, I’ve been having insecurity issues over whether I was ever supposed to write books or send out brochures or any of it…

Because Honestly, I can remember any time I’ve “heard from the Lord” there was always a barage of voices right after that, telling me I didn’t, or that I’m just crazy, or I just heard what I wanted to hear, or “those voices in your head” Girl, “Maybeyou should get your head examined.” But it doesn’t come from my head, it comes from my heart. The Very place where the Holy Spirit dwells (within me) and HE has said a lot of things to me he hasn’t SEEMED to have told anyone else.

Years ago, he talked to me about Jezebel in the early 90’s. the people I told thought I was nuts, because there were no books about it then. 15 years ago he was telling me some marraiges are not Joined together by HIM and again, no books about it, up until now (15 years later). He tells me to speak blessing in the face of evil, so I do!

Then I get accused of sticking my head in the sand. I’ve lost friends because my stance with God seems to be so threatening somehow, AS iF I am judging what they believe! I”M not! But let’s face it folks, when we make a strong stand for something we are GOING TO BE ACCUSED of being Judgemental.

Even if all we are doing is standing up for what GOD told us! Speaking of strings, they don’t all sound the same! but they all together sound very good! And if one string is missing (on my guitar?) It sounds pretty bad!

IF you can bear with me a moment, on top of this I’m feeling so “NOT NEEDED” Here lately. I sat out on the prairie looking at the fields of barley and wheat and said “you know I feel so un-needed” and I spilled out and poured people who used to need me or who used to care and I cried and wept profusely. I thought about when I was in school and nobody ever picked me for the team, and I was second string in Basketball.

“I Don’t feel like 2nd string” I said, I feel like 5th string” (crying some more) …..And my heart is saying just take away this desire to minister Father it’s killing me!” And you knowwhat he said? “Well, what would happen if the 5th string on your guitar broke?” “It would play bad Father” ….”Yes, it would.’

Now I can’t get past what He said to me. I can’t get around the truth that truly, without the 5th string on my guitar, it would sound pretty bad. so much for excuses! so much for pain and emotional misery! I am 5th String! And I will rejoice in it!

-Laura Grace, Author, Grace

to the Rescue, Grace to Grow, and more upcoming books. stay tuned!