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Letting Judas go…… Sin (that leads to death)

Laura GraceLeave a comment
1 John 5:16
If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that.
James 1:15
Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
Just as a person is ready for Salvation and receives the seed (of God’s word) becoming born-again, So a person ready to turn away receives (the wrong seed) and turns away as Judas did. Did you ever notice Jesus did not even attempt to save Judas? He said “one of you will betray me” And He said to Judas “do what you must do” (paraphrased).
He also said “One of you is a devil” (referring to Judas) so how can we possibly believe that ALL PEOPLE just MIGHT come to Salvation? They all won’t.
Some will turn away and evil will be concieved, and that is why (my friends) there are efforts that are just chasing after the wind. There are people God will say LET IT GO.
Put your efforts into what God says to do. Be wise! (as serpents) not that we are serpents but we need to learn what to do and what not to do with our time. We need to know who is born of God and who isn’t. This will cause far less confusion (and pain) within the church walls. Amen? “Father help us seek you for wisdom! And cry out for it! and recieve it from you Lord! In Jesus’ name! amen ….
I pray this message inspires you to press in.
with love, (be wise as serpents, harmless as doves)
 -Laura Grace
christian vs homosexuals · elephant in the room gay persons in church · gay in church · gay lifestyles and christianity · lifestyles of sin vs committing sin · love the sinners but hate the sin · no compromise in church · the gay lifestyle is a sin · the slippery slope of compromising · tired of gay rights in church · Uncategorized · what chrisitans must do about homosexuality · what does God think about being gay · why do gay people want to be clergy

“Unconvictable” There I said it: A gay lifestyle is a sin-Don’t quench the spirit!

Laura GraceLeave a comment

 

gay flagThere is a difference between committing sin and having a life style of sin. If a child is learning to walk and falls down (clunks his head on the table) we know that’s just part of his Growing up Process.

If a child refuses to walk, there is a problem. Experts might get called in to see why the child is not progressing. Is it physical, mental? What therapy might be needed here?

With a person who claims to be christian (meaning having received Jesus as saviour and Lord). a habitual lifestyle of sin is a different thing than committing sin. Perhaps the Lord has not dealt with this area yet. A person not open to conviction has hard soil, or perhaps weeds overtaking the good seeds, which God is trying to plant in their heart.

Almost 10 years ago now, I saw it coming, that most gay persons are not going to be made better just because they are accepted (or loved) I saw they would flaunt it, brag about it, and try to make everyone agree how great the gay lifestyle really is. Now it’s happening.

It reminds me of the flower children, and boasting over the awesomeness of drugs. Peace and Love? I don’t think so! Now Here is the bible’s strong words about wanton sin:

1 Corinthians 6:8-10New King James Version (NKJV)

8 No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren! 9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals,[nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

“Hate the sin love the sinner” (is what we always hear). In most cases gay persons are not okay with you calling it a sin. They want to say well the bible doesn’t say that or mean that but look (above) and see that drunkards (habitually drunk lifestyle) covetous (continually wanting what someone else has) idolatry (continually giving your loyalty to something besides God) and by the way that COULD BE church and religious activities……) fornicators (a lifestyle of fornication, addiction to porn, all that stuff) ….

now God didn’t say he HATED ANYONE he just said you won’t get in the Kingdom! So these are not born again and cannot even SEE the Kingdom of God.

Many (gay persons) want to be in church and become clergy. Why, I have no idea. it doesn’t even make sense to me! One thing I can tell you, a church that compromises the Word in the interest of making them feel better, will certainly fall.

How do I know this? Because, the minute we eliminate conviction (of sin) For any reason we no longer have church. The Holy Spirit brings conviction. Jesus said:

John 16:7-8  (NKJV) The Holy Spirit is the convictor, not us 

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

If we send the Holy Spirit away by saying well, you are not allowed to convict us because we have decided in this area we will be “UNCONVICTABLE” then you have quenched the Holy Spirit in your church. “I have decided” I will decide what sin is and what is not sin (Is what much of the world is saying). I don’t like how you make me FEEL Jesus so just go away I will create my own idea of who you are! WOW! 

The thing is, much of the church is falling for this stuff because they know they have not walked in love (as Jesus did) They know they are judgemental so they over-correct by accepting a lie of “no conviction” =Love. It’s not true. Love is not JUST patient and kind it is also discipline, conviction and making you NOT FEEL GOOD about yourself at times.

How do I know? Because my Father says if you are not corrected you are none of his! He DISCIPLINES those he loves! Corrects and Convicts them! How can he do that if we say well, “we decided” Not to make anyone feel bad themselves?”

and I’ll tell you something else IN MY HOUSE I will not allow anyone to tell me lies about how being gay is just fine with God. I won’t agree and I will send you OUT The door if you try to have a gay pride dance in the middle of my living room floor.

I will not say oh that’s so sweet “Jesus loves you” if you are in my house arguing with me how great and wonderful your sin is. I don’t care what the sin is! You aren’t allowed to flaunt it in MY HOUSE! Don’t you think the Church should be an extension of what we would allow at home? Yes me too. And remember, without conviction we have no church! Just an empty shell of what it used to be.

And here’s another question: Why do people in this particular sin feel so comfortable invading our spaces and openly flaunting their lifestyle? Could it be we have compromised, calling it love? Something to think about as we pray this way: 

James 4:9 “Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom”
Woe to us if we call evil good! It’s not good. It’s not okay. If the church falls where will anyone go to Get Jesus? Compromising leads to falling, period. 
                                     -If we can’t stand up for truth we may as well just close the church doors ………Because the belt of truth is what holds all the armour ……..
-Laura Grace Author, Grace to the Rescue and more ……
PS: and as far as being born this way? I was born into sin also. It doesn’t matter. The gospel is the gospel. and I will preach no other gospel, other than the gospel of Jesus Christ!

 

 

anger · anger management · angry christians don't accomplish much · arguing with fools · scream therapy with Jesus · Uncategorized

Scream therapy! With Jesus……

Laura GraceLeave a comment

I remember the first time I read the scripture in Colossians: 

Colossians 3:8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 
Another version says “rid yourself’ of anger. 
Once I asked Him,  “how do I rid myself of anger?” I had read how stuffing things and just denying yourself the right to be anger can lead to physical problems (and it really can) so  many ailments have been linked to “stuffed feelings” so that’s really not the answer……..
Let’s face it we face injustice sometimes and it can be horrendous. In my case I was pretty young when the mountain of injustices just seemed to “add up.” 
It’s unjust to be abused, lied to, and to have people you count on to love you give you little pat answers when you are suffering, and are in pain. It’s unjust to have your spouse lie to you time and time again. People tell me just “let the past go” …..
to which I say NO there are people who need help out there! And my stories and testimonies will help them! I know this to be true. 
The real point is, if you have ever had a situation so unjust it about sent you into a rage, and you found yourself taking it out on others………
a good solution for that is to just get in a quiet place somewhere and say okay …….
JESUS YOU SAID one of your names is counsellor……
I took him literally on this one. what safer place than with God to let it all out? 
ME: “It’s not fair Father” I don’t know if I can take this anymore! I want to give it to you but I don’t know how! Father I’m scared! I am so angry! I don’t want you to kill anyone for me but I do want justice! Sometimes it seems like you don’t even care!!” 
You can always take the mask off with God (and you should) as he already knows what you are thinking, how you are feeling, and what to do about it. I wouldn’t recommend taking off your mask in front of others unless he leads you to do so. 
People can be very judgemental, harsh, and I don’t care how many laws they make, only God can teach a heart to be kinder and more like him (by his Spirit) so …..
Yep, do some scream therapy if you feel the top of your head might just blow off your body if you don’t get some relief. Drinking drugs and all that is a trap which helps for a moment (it seems) but has no lasting effect. Killing someone will land you in Jail. Holding it all in will give you physical problems like ulcers and the like! 
So Just go for a drive! Yell until your throat hurts if you have to. Cry a river of tears but when it’s all done………..don’t forget to ask Jesus for the solution and start with what do you want me to do? (my wise advice for today) 
with Love and blessings –
Laura Grace 
PS God knows the real solution to the problem. Truly He does!
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Are you the Storm? Causing some structural damage? A word on this….

Laura GraceLeave a comment

LIGHTHOUSE AND STORM.jpg Storms. We Just had one last night. 

Thankfully there was no damage, but I was thinking this morning about the damage that gets done sometimes by emotional storms. 

The weather report said, “This storm has been known to rip down trees, damage siding, and cause structural damage.” Wouldn’t it be great if we understood the damage we can cause just because we had to have this “fit of rage” that seemed important at the time? 

I remember well this time I was so emotionally distraught and upset over my ex, who had lied to me, lied again and lied again. This was after promises not to do that ever again and great expressions of how much he loved me.

Anyway, I had a fit of rage, threw a coffee cup at the wall, and scared my daughter half to death. She was crying and her whole world was being shaken and ripped apart, just because I let my emotions and temper get out of hand. 

I”m not proud of that moment, or a few others I’ve had. I do remember that day, I decided I was going to work on myself, and stop obsessing about changing someone else’s behavior. I realized right then, “dear God, this child is looking at me for guidance, and look what I have done!” I was convicted! “Be a better example, and practice what you say,” is what I heard from deep within myself. I think it was God as he has all the good ideas, I usually don’t have any, all by myself. 

That was a lot of years ago. Sometimes if I am not careful, and get to looking at what others are doing rather than going to the mirror every day to look at myself (with God’s great assistance) I am still prone to getting all upset at others………

Someone is always watching. OH FATHER we pray: “Let our actions speak good things! Let our actions speak well of us and Glorify you Father! Keep us close to your heart! Remind us daily not to allow pockets of anger to get out of control to the point where we hurt a person with our wicked tongue! deliver us from THIS evil …

the evil of just saying whatever pops in to our pea brains! IN Jesus’ name! Amen”

Storms. They can do a lot of damage. Amen? “Father where we’ve done that forgive us, and help us to be bringers of peace (and light) and not a storm, causing damage and harm to others, and what they are trying to build. Amen”   

Colossians 3:8
But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.

 

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Am I a Mutt? I think perhaps I am

Laura GraceLeave a comment
cooper 2012 age 4
This is Cooper, He’s a mutt (and he doesn’t care) 

Who I am: Am I a Mutt?

Hi, Laura Grace here. I wish I could make this page “come alive to you” as I share what’s on my heart today. You know, I was raised Lutheran, studied the catechism to be confirmed (meaning I understood God’s word well enough to partake of the cup and the bread) but you know what? I didn’t know the Lord even after all that. I knew scriptures, but I did not know God. Oh, they are one in the same you say?

Who brings the word alive? Who causes it to become Living water to your soul? Jesus, that’s who! And how can we do that if we never let him in? “Okay Lord, I believe in you,” Many say, as they go on their way. Yes, THEIR WAY. And that’s what I did, for a long, long time. I went to a little Pentecostal church one day because I was feeling empty inside. They sang praises to Jesus, and clapped their hands. “PRAISE THE LORD!” I heard them shout. oh wow, I was amazed by this! What a sight to see!

Alas, I found out they didn’t think I was saved, because they prayed I would speak in tongues, but it didn’t happen when they thought it should. Want to know why? I wasn’t even SAVED YET! Which leads to the next portion of my mutt story, I DO BELIEVE we must be Born Again to SEE the kingdom of GOD TO SEE IT TO LIVE IN IT AND TO WALK IN IT. Maybe some get Born again without realizing it? I mean, don’t babies get born sometimes at home? Or did anyone tell them “Hey by the way did you know you were actually born? You didn’t just arrive here from a stork some magical day?”

See, there are so many things we experience, but never understand. God wants us to understand what has happened to us! He wants us to know where we are at with him, where we stand, and what he thinks about it all. He’s our Father! And yes, he wants you to know! But so long as we treat him as this distant unapproachable scary God (as in MT Sinai and a mountain burning with Smoke) we will never experience the new Zion, angels rejoicing, celebration experience He so desires for us. For a Christian, words like “Born Again” should not scare us. We should love and want to understand the WHOLE bible, should we not? 

Hey, I understand many are not comfortable with speaking in tongues, jumping around dancing, or worshipping with their hands lifted high in Praise to Jesus. I do. But I want to tell you, opening my mind and heart to my other brothers and sisters in Christ and their experiences, has surely enriched my life beyond my wildest imagination. I believe, like the Baptists, that being Born Again is important. I do believe we should consider and ask God about the bread and the cup and not be careless about it. I think we should be Spirit Filled too.

We THE BRETHREN (the ones that we are asked to Love) Must learn to at least try and like each other! (And move on to Love from there?) seriously! And do I ever go up to my dog and say “why aren’t you a doberman?” Why aren’t you a poodle? What’s wrong with you?” We are all just (gentile dogs) saved by Grace. Unless you are a Jew (the first people God went to) and you know why He did that? I beleive it’s because of Abraham! But that’s another story……..

I think we should open our hearts to consider Mark 16, and the idea of casting out demons, laying hands on the sick, and believing for them to recover. I think there should be order in the service and we should sing all kinds of hymns, and spiritual songs. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to bring myself to label myself with a certain denomination ever again. I have to face what Jesus has made me,

“I’m a mutt.” And I know He loves me, just as I am. If I can love my dog (who is also a mutt) how much MORE Does God rejoice when I come running to him, my face full of Joy, so happy to be His! Yep I’m a mutt. And I’m okay with it. Yes that’s me, a gentile dog, saved by his grace…..and I am so thankful! -Laura Grace 

PS There is more to this story (born again, Spirit Filled, testimonies, ) in My book Grace to The Rescue. Available on Kindle (Amazon) and soon to be re-released. 

Mark 7: 25 For a woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard about Him, and she came and fell at His feet. 26 The woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by birth, and she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27 But Jesus said to her, “Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”

28 And she answered and said to Him, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children’s crumbs.”

29 Then He said to her, “For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter.”

30 And when she had come to her house, she found the demon gone out, and her daughter lying on the bed. Hey wait a minute! didn’t he “cast out the demon?” No in this case –her faith caused the deliverance! hmm……”Don’t put God in a box” ….

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UNRESPONSIVE! Unanswered prayers and hardened hearts: Is He the Lord of your prayer life?

Laura GraceLeave a comment

Yes. The bible was written by men inspired of the Holy Spirit to write. Just as I am doing right now! I have this need to share with you why some prayers seem to go unanswered, for this is the biggest reason many get discouraged, give up, and no longer come to God. Our relationship with him is everything!

If we lose that, what do we have? Nothing! SO these are things are know to be true, both from my experience, from the Holy Spirit teaching me …..and from God’s word. Here are 7 prayers that God “can’t answer……: the way you wish. Before I share it I want to share a story with you. 

When I was in high school, I prayed every single day to be in this “small group” of singers I wanted to travel with. Every day I prayed. Day in, and Day out “YOU SAID FATHER” ask what you will and it shall be done!” (I said) so please give me favor, put me in this group. 

I even shared with him why I needed it to happen. I had good reasons too! It didn’t happen and I was torn between being upset with the Director or upset with God. See, I felt I NEEDED IT TO HAPPEN and it was a reasonable request. I was having a horribly rough time in high school, had no friends, my life was in shambles…..and I was praying for this one good thing to happen for me. I had other dreams not come true for me (many) and by the way I practiced (for the audition) …Oh how I wanted this one thing to come true for me! And in my heart I thought “If you will just do this, I will serve you forever!”

…….Well it didn’t happen. And my Faith was reaching out with Maximum Force! It seemed to be the God of the Universe had to see my heart and how very important this was to me. I took it as a no, which led to me thinking he didn’t care……

But it was not a no ……And I wish I had known this a very long time ago! 

Here is what God has shown me since then (so long ago) ..as I continually pursue knowing him as my savior and Lord: 

#1 God won’t answer prayers that take away a person’s free will. Now yes if they want to Kill you and God doesn’t want you dead, yes he can intercede for you! I”m talking about forced salvation, or praying someone “serves God” if they have no desire to do so. At all! HE sees their heart! If you prayed for someone this way and they got saved, it’s only because they already had a desire to see him, know him, or get saved. God doesn’t take prisoners. Only satan does that, not God.

#2 Prayers that go against who he is. God could have just killed Pharoah (to set the captives free) why didn’t he? Because, he is just. He is fair, he is Holy, he is kind and he is longsuffering. You can see God’s mercy toward Pharoah in how he dealt with him. And yes his children did suffer more, while awaiting their day of deliverance. If they prayed God would just “Kill” Pharoah (to hurry up the process) no, God did not answer……that prayer, the way they wished.

#3 Prayers to plant seeds where there is hard hearts or hardened soil. God is wise. He’s a great farmer. IF you are praying to plant a seed (of his word) in a hardened heart, he already told us in Matthew that seeds on rocky soil fall by the way. A better prayer is to ask him to plow up the soil of their heart (in this case) We need to be led by His Spirit in how we pray. I really believe (again) God will not go against “WHO HE IS” He remains true to himself! Therefore, we are wise to ask for his wisdom! (In Prayer).

#4 Prayers that put the flesh ahead of the Spirit our Soul. Yes, he wants to heal. He does! Often God will heal people because he knows if he does, they will believe (in him) and get saved. Other times there is justice involved, such as answering the prayer of another person who is petitioning him endlessly to heal someone HOWEVER as a rule, God does not put flesh ahead of the Spirit. He is always more interested in the condition of our heart than he is about our bodies.

Therefore, instead of just saying “God must not want to heal” It is better to say ….so what’s the Hold Up Father? Why are they not getting well? Tell us your heart on the matter? Don’t just assume he doesn’t want to heal someone! There are cases where God withholds a promise for a time- to get a better promise from you! (Covenant!). Every case is different! I will tell you this……If you keep your heart centered on what he wants (vs what you want) IN YOUR RELATIONSHP WITH HIM Things will go much better for you.

#5 Prayers that make others stumble. You can pray for revival, (in your church) and that’s fine, but we need to keep in mind how much God loves his people. If they only want to eat vegetables (and have chicken soup for the soul, vs meat) God respects that, and their wishes. He doesn’t love them any less, just because they do not wish to partake of all the great things you have experienced! So I have learned this the hard way, some do not wish to have steak! If they are content in God with what they have an love him, it’s a trespass to barge in and insist they have or eat things “your way.” Amen?

#6 Prayers that do not glorify Him. Does it really glorify him if you get a million dollars, and spend it on whatever you want? One thing that scares me is I do believe in some cases, when a person keeps on and on in faith (without Love for God) the devil might just step in and answer! You see he has signs and wonders too (signs and lying wonders). So don’t assume because that “other person” got everything they wanted (and did not do it God’s way) Got the answer from God! WE NEED to understand that God our Father does not go against his own word. He’s not going to say “seek ye first my kingdom” and then grant people big piles of money so they can skip over everything he said, without a consequence. What God does always brings people closer to him…………….

As that is his Number #1 Mission. We know this, because he did not deny us his own Son, who went to a bloody and horrible death on a cross to save us. (and he did NOT deserve it, we did!).

7. Things you can do for yourself (you are lazy, or just won’t, or whatever) AS HIS child if you just don’t want to seek a job (bring me a Job Father) Or you won’t talk to your wife “Just tell her to be nice to me God” Or in my Case “Father please help so and so do thus and so” yeah. I have not had any luck with praying for others to do my bidding! Now if you have tried to communicate and they won’t listen, perhaps God will have you pray they have a listening ear or their ears are opened to hear BUT……

Do not get caught up in formulas! I KNOW this is hard to hear, but People are not objects! Every case is not the same. People are as unique as snowflakes …..

Therefore, If we don’t want our Faith to be shipwrecked, or wind up discouraged, or feeling our prayers are all in vain, we do well to heed these words: 

 

1 John 5:14 “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.”

on top of that we have: 

Romans 8:27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

From the upcoming book “Relationship is everything!” by Laura Grace

prayer not answered · praying · prayinginthespirit · prayingtogether · Preparetorecieve · relationship with God · Uncategorized

My Theory on why God answers prayer….or doesn’t sometimes…..

Laura GraceLeave a comment

I think God answers prayer so we will know who He is. In Part We know him as provider when he provides. As healer when he heals, and as saviour when he saves. Deliverer when he makes us a free of a mindset or bondage we’ve been in, and teacher when he instructs us. We know him as Father, Protector and Leader …And disciplinarian and friend. 

I found a clue in this passage of scripture today and began to think about it. 

Exodus 9:29
  • Moses replied, “When I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands in prayer to the Lord. The thunder will stop and there will be no more hail, so you may know that the earth is the Lord’s. 

So you may know…….He did the same thing with Elijah and with Jesus “So you may know……” (what God looks like, what he thinks, what he does) ………

It may be silly but If I want to KNOW my Father I need to read “the whole book’ …..I don’t read it to show off, or look important! I read it to KNOW HIM! 

I can honestly say I”ve come to know God as provider, protector, deliverer, and friend. He is comfort he is Restorer……..He Is most certainly Love! but if we define love as always getting our way we won’t believe God loves us. No he doesn’t answer every prayer. “Because ye ask amiss” James exhorts…….

Some theologans then decide you can never pray for a bicycle for your child (because it’s asking amiss! God knows your heart! He is your FATHER (in Heaven) He knows what is good for us, and what isnt! HE DOES Love to suprise us too! If you never ask for something silly, you will never come to know that he cares (about certain things you didn’t think he cared about!). 

AMISS is not caring what God wants! I want what I want! It’s a covenant people! Him and you! You and him! KNOWING EACH OTHER (and what the other wants) This is what Jesus meant when he said “make them one with you as you and I are one” 

I want to share something I started praying a long time ago. “Father help me pray prayers you will answer” ……then I wait, I do pray in the spirit….

I dont pray the way every one wants me to all the time! why? Because  I asked him how I should pray! and not for MY WAY but I have learned how I have learned, truly HIS way is better than mine. Always! HIS way is better than mine. And God doesn’t send trials my way the devil does! God’s always GOOD the devil (always bad) We let the enemy in at times THE DICIPLINE OF GOD (asking for correction) is to have him show you how YOU are letting the enemy in! I tell ya I was so jumpy about asking God for correction the first few times but it’s a BLESSED THING to not get my way! And have him show me HIS! 

I know it seems like double talk to say ask and you’ll receive and then say God says no to some stuff ASK HIM WHAT he wants to do! (for you) this is about relationships! WE are not serving a God that is distant, or aloof or doesn’t WANT US To know him! HE WANTS US TO KNOW HIM! ……..Everything he does is to HELP US know him Better!! If we would only just get that! and not think he’s on our case all the time, or holding out on us! 

He Just …..WANTS US TO KNOW HIM! I promise He really does! 

With Love! by Laura Grace Author, speaker. your sister in Christ-and stay tuned for my upcoming book! it’s going to be great 🙂 

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Love hurts….but it’s the only way to live…..by Laura Grace

Laura GraceLeave a comment

hurt and pain         How do you handle hurt and pain? Lash back? Teach them a lesson? Give them a “what for?” 

There are times (not often) in my life it just all adds up. The person you spent hours of time helping Listening, taking them somewhere, anywhere so they could feel better. You layed aside your plans for them, then they write you off and forget you because of the 101th time you didn’t show up, or say what they wanted you to say. 

There’s the people who take and take and skip away to the next blessing, or those who ask you to turn yourself inside out to be there for them, but won’t bend an inch to be there for you because hey, they have standards! Yes I’ve seen many blessings in my life but let’s face it, in some areas, we may never seem to reap what we sowed. We sow blessing, they sow hate. We sow love, they see it as weakness, and walk all over the place and stomp on our hearts. Sometimes the love we sow feels like it’s running through a seive, and we watch it go down the drain never to be seen ……again……..

Some people we love and pray for are just obvlious, for years and years and years, that the only outlet they have left us is praying to our heavenly Father on their behalf. They scorn us, make fun of us, have a good time taking out on US their anger and frustration at God (whom they have never known, nor tried to know). and that’s okay because hey we christians are SUPPOSED TO LOVE It’s our Job! Right? 

How well I remember the times I was reminded (if I dared to step out of line) that I was a christian (supposed to love) and they well they……were just unaccountable, ignorant, hurting more than me supposedly. There are those who assume if we are kind to them in the face of their rage or anger, that we just must LIKE being the way we are. 

No. We go home and cry, salty tears that run to our lips like the bitter vinegar Jesus drank on the cross. We cry until it feels like our guts will explode. And we do it because we are in a battle not to hate them back. We are going to win because Jesus is on our side. but let me tell you something: I UNDERSTAND The battle to love. I truly do…

I don’t know why sometimes we are compelled to keep loving people who hurt us all the time. Maybe their heart cry is “Father please don’t give up on me’ so we show up and we don’t give up. I don’t know…..Maybe they are praying for God’s love……

and you were just the vessel to show up and do it. Maybe they weren’t grateful or kind. That’s up to God to deal with, not you.  Only don’t let them destroy you ….beat you ? yes maybe. Take your soul? NO WAY No how! ….Do not let it happen. 

I trust God to show me when to give up on someone, and when not to. when to try and again, and when to stop. it’s not based on my feelings or my personal comfort…….I can tell you that. It’s not based on some doctrine that says I have to take abuse or punishment. BUT THERE ARE TIMES We hurt because someone doesn’t have the sense to see they are hurting us. They have not yet come to their senses. they are captive to the evil one…..

Therefore, It’s a personal Journey. 

I”ve never seen anger heal anyone. I’ve never seen a butt chewing change a person. What changes people is love (if they can RECEIVE IT!!!) …….

IF THEY CAN RECEIVE IT…..

So see maybe if they can’t ……stop trying so hard….and let it go….let them go…..

Until they can receive it…..

and yes your heart will break, as you watch them go…..

and pray when it’s all over, you are still able to love…..it’s the only way 

-Laura Grace-

becoming a leader · being a minister · Bread of life · going to minister · grace to Grow in grace · Make a difference · Uncategorized

I used to fall in the cracks……but now I fill them!

Laura GraceLeave a comment

What do I mean by this? Well honestly, I did used to think people were hurting me on purpose! Excluding me! Sorry, but I did. Whether they did or they didn’t, the Lord knows my heart. I know now most of them didn’t (do it on purpose) because I have a more mature view of things. Therefore, “get mature” ……

I have always said to him: “SHOW ME” IF I am wrong and then I tell him all my feelings, woes, hardships, or sorrows. He did say cast our cares on him! (SO I do!) 

God does not always show us we are wrong immediately. Sometimes we make the same mistakes for years and it’s HORRIBLE when we finally find out about it. I can testify, it doesn’t matter if you “prayed about it” You may STILL be wrong about a few things. It’s hard to realize, and even harder to imagine how God could just “let that happen.” 

Years ago God started saying “Bloom where you are planted” And “If you think something should be done, you go do it.”

Later after I’d done that awhile He said, “You do make a difference,” And here lately he’s been telling me clearly what I do who I am, and what he has in store for me.  Oh and there is the infamous “THE RIVER FINDS A WAY.” 

Too often, I’ve been stuck in “the proper way to do things,” Or “How stuff happens” according to someone else. You don’t need to go to Seminary to be a minster, you already are, or should be (becoming one) as we are all priests according to the bible. The thing is, will we step INTO What God has already said we are? 

I was not approached nor picked to sing in the church I am currently in. I asked to sing, because I didn’t see specials being done, so I offered to do a special.

The pastor said yes, the congregation liked it, so I did it again. Then I got a vocal partner to harmonize with and it went from there. This all led to a job filling in the cracks at the school, when they had no music teacher and I had a Fatnastic experience there! I have filled in cracks as a sub, and became a dog watcher for someone …….Many ‘cracks’ I have just gone and filled, as it needed to be done. 

IN EVERY AREA (so far as I know) That I’ve been hurt, or went through a terrible trial, God has made me strong in that area to fill in the cracks, and minister.

Just today- I was explaining when a person is abused, going through terrible trials at home (beyond the comprehension of many) they do not need to be scolded for not going to church all the time, or have someone quote a bunch of scripture on not fearing (and stuff like that) WE HAVE GOT TO stop and pray about these things! They may need healing emotionally and it may take years. Maybe they just need a friend to listen right now……

Whatever I was NOT GIVEN I freely give! that’s how I learned to fill the cracks and not fall through them.. “Give what you hope to receive!” Think someone should do this or that? YOU DO IT! You pray with someone, or listen, or give them the daily bread God gave to you! It’s the same with Jobs, I just fill in the cracks, where I see a lack. If you hear a story that is terrible just stop and think (and pray) What would I have wanted to have said to me in this situation? Don’t do what was DONE TO YOU Do what you WISH had been done to you! It’s not that complicated! If you Pray and God does not speak, then do what you think is best (TO HELP not hurt, to HEAL NOT DEAL! We all must remember that God didnt send us out to be sin sniffers with a big stick trying to straighten people out! 

So I saw my friend may need pictures of her wedding, I just did it. They needed a guitar player, so I played. I gave up on MY WAY or the Highway mentality! It’s God’s way or bust, for me now! 

now think about this (God showed me this, this morning) when the Disciples wanted them to go away and eat Jesus said “You give them something to eat.” They are standing there like WHAT? Well it’s not just loaves and fishes, take what you HAVE IN YOUR HAND and hold it up and bless it. Start doing stuff for Jesus! You don’t have to fall through the cracks. Just …what do you have right now? A song? A desire to go encourage people? A word of encouragement? You have and are bread– if you have been with Jesus very long. Pray over what you have, ask God to bless it, and just start going, and doing, and filling in the cracks, every time you see one! 

Maybe it’s a tidbit of understanding God has a testimony of what GOD DID FOR YOU In that same situation. shown you. Or maybe an encouragment, or a psalm or just whatever…..I filled in the cracks helping with music and Donna jumped in and became a ‘crack filler” too! Just do it! and if they won’t let you do it in church go do it elsewhere! What are you waiting for? A Green light from God is a green light from God! Guess what else God showed me? FIRE BAKES BREAD! 

if Jesus is “the bread of life” so then, are you! Astounding, isn’t it? Yes, it is! 

Father help us to let to of our petty little selves and just DO What needs to be done! Help us not to worry about rewards or getting paid or any of that stuff so much as we just concern ourselves with Following you Father! And if our job happens to be filling in cracks, so be it! IN Jesus’ name! amen 

-Laura Grace 

christian friends who don't help · disciplesofchrist · gracetogrow · Gracetogrowrealstories · gracetogrowstudy · having compassion in the body of Christ · insults to injury in church · jobs friends · the story of Job · Uncategorized · with friends like that who needs enemies

Adding insult to Injury: Job’s Friends

Laura GraceLeave a comment

In the book of Job we find these words:

“There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil”

I just love old Testament stories! There is so much to be gleaned from there, especially when one does not use it as a gathering place for more correction. Just look at the story, see the man, see the woman of God (as they are) and let God paint the picture for you.

An overview of the story, is that satan went before God- and said that if Job were to lose everything, he would curse God and not worship him. He said “If you take away your protection” (paraphrased), your righteous man will be righteous no more.

 My take on it is:

God was protecting Job from satan, and this was pre-Jesus, as he had not yet come to earth to die for our sins. Satan accused him, and there was no one there yet to defend Job. He had no advocate. No one to intercede for him. So while he was in his trial, he basically interceded for himself, and God answered him. 

So satan didn’t waste any time, once he had “permission” and notice nobody was praying for Job (I say again) and Jesus had not yet come to earth, to save and redeem us.

Job lost everything, including his health, for a while.

His friends came to comfort him, and started out pretty good (sitting with him for 7 days) but then their true colors came out. Whew! The things they said (oh boy!) Reminds me of church people sometimes. 🙂 Read it sometime! 

Job got accused of self-righteousness, folly, a need to repent, that he had brought this on himself, or that God was chastizing him. Worse  yet at one point, it was suggested he just curse God and die. 

Not a good thing.

His friends went on and on, until he finally called them “miserable comforters” and in Chapter 16 said his friends had “withered him up.” In other words, what satan could not do, his friends were almost able to do. (DO him in completely).

In the end, the only way the friends could be okay, is if Job prayed for them. God’s rules. God’s Justice, In action “If you pray for them,” (God said)………….they’ll be ok. 

     Sounds like Jesus! 

See, we see what we think we see, but God sees all (the truth) from heaven. Job’s friends had a bad case of “tunnel vision.” and looking through their naturalThey did not see things from God’s perspective, they were just speculating, and looking through their natural eyes.

So often, even in our zeal to “forgive and forget” (which is a great thing) We fail to understand the Holy Spirit MAY want to use us, to bring some conviction. 

Poor Job did not need help feeling miserable, and yet his friends just added to it. So my question is, if Job can say “You are miserable comforters” (and he was such an upright man) why is it considered so terrible to say the same thing, when someone adds insult to our injury? What is so terible about saying “YOU HURT ME?”

How else will they know? this is what I mean by “taking the mask off” (tell the truth!) stop being a Zombie christian! In some cases you must just “say” what is on your mind. Amen? There was a time I did not. I was intimidated by those “religious ones” who knew the word of God better than I did- so they beat me up! 

FINALLY- I learned the word of God myself and learned to stand

(against the bullies) 

Yes, bless them! (Job did, he prayed for them) but maybe they ought to know what you are praying for, and get just a bit of conviction out of the deal. Yes, forgive them. But in some cases don’t miss the chance to be real (and honest) with people-especially your friends! It just may be they need your mercy, along with some truth. (so they can know what not to do in the future!) Amen! 

Laura Grace 

Author, writer, speaker http://www.gracetotherescue.com