We have many who say, if it isn’t in the bible, it just isn’t so. Therefore, we have what I call “the word of God people.” I had a person once tell me, “show me the word fun” in the bible. Because it wasn’t there, they honestly believed God does not allow us to have fun.

I’m going to say this, what does being a disciple mean to you? “Come, follow me,” What do those words mean to you, personally?

Do you even know? Jesus came, asked some fishermen (and others) to follow him. After He died, and was resurrected, He said he would send another teacher, the Holy Spirit. He said it was GOOD He went, so the Holy Spirit could teach us.

You should not be afraid, to read the bible for yourselves. If there is something you don’t understand, don’t be afraid to ask God for understanding, and how this particular passage applies to your life, personally.

If you are afraid, there is something wrong. When I became Born Again, the Word of God became alive to me. I was just silly enough to believe God actually DID become my Father, and that the Lord really IS my Shepherd.

Of all the things that messed me up in life, I am sad to say, it was church people that messed me up the most. Why? Not because they are bad people, surely not. Not because they meant to mess me up. It’s because they were following each other (Not God) and then the whole lot of them were falling into the ditch (and leading me there as well.)

I”m sorry to tell you, that you will not find this out until you need some counselling that is a life or death decision, and the reason a lot of people have quit the church, left and never returned, is they got some cliche’ or platitude from a Christian, which did not work for them. Until we start facing the facts (people of God) that this is not a game, lives are at stake, and we need to PRAY before we speak (asking the Holy Spirit for direction) we will certainly not be world changers.

We will be yelling scriptures and the world will continue to plug their ears. Why? They don’t need scriptures shouted at them, They (and we) Need to Know Jesus for real. The ability to quote scripture is certainly not the same thing as Knowing God for yourself…….

The reason you are tempted to compromise is, deep down, you know you don’t know……

So, let’s start knowing (God) for ourselves, shall we? And not be a parrots.

Laura Grace, Author, Grace to Grow Study Guide (available on Amazon)

I want to share something I believe to be super important, especially right now, in the world we live in.

I don’t know if you have noticed, but we live in a pretty reactionary-type society. Most of us who have spent any time on social media, have noticed, the list of things we cannot say without getting a pretty strong reaction, is really increasing.

Why? I’m not sure, I think partially, we live in a society that is in pain. I personally believe a lot of it stems from looking everywhere but to God, for the answers.

And, when I say God, I do not mean religion, I mean seeking a heavenly Father, who really does love us. Still, I have even found myself reacting at times, to the incredibly scary things I see sometimes, on social media. (IE: Facebook).

It is pretty wonderful Is it not, that we can all have a voice if we want to? No more are we the who’s down in who-ville, which Horton had to prove were there, but all of us have this great opportunity to share on the wonderful world of Facebook!

Personally, I am a pretty sensitive person. I cry easily, get my feelings hurt (more often than I would like) at any words or antics that seem to be callous, non-compassionate, or anything that basically disregards ME as a person. Something in us cries I AM HERE!

When a driver cuts us off, and earlier that day a friend did not seem to care (about what mattered to us) and we have deep seated hurts about “way back when” in school nobody liked us, or we weren’t picked for the team, or just whatever our history may be, it really does cause “reactions.”

All of us have been hurt, rejected, or completely disregarded at one time or another, in our lives, haven’t we? In some way or another, we’ve probably all been discriminated against.  I have difficulty with this new world of ‘boxes” where only certain people are supposedly discriminated against. It’s not fair, it’s not objective, and it certainly isn’t right. I think, Sometimes Feelings become an Idol.

Anytime truth is compromised because it hurts someone’s feelings to hear it, In the Kingdom Of heaven, we have a problem. Anytime we have people screaming, freaking out, and plugging their ears at the very sound of TRUTH coming forth, We have an anti-Christ spirit at work. How do I know? Because, God is into truth.

So then, In very plain English, I am doing my part to say this. When we hear that we need to dig in, (to the Word of God) or we need to Seek or PRESS IN or GROW ………We are talking about God revealing the hard truths we may not wish to hear…..

So then, screaming a lie, trying to make someone that is telling the truth SHUT UP really is quite telling, isn’t it? Calling someone names, just because they do not agree with you, all that kind of stuff really tells me ……..”you do not wish to Grow” …….and if you don’t wish to Grow …..you will stay in the dark as far as truth is concerned. And if you stay in the dark, you will stumble, fall, and have a difficult time Pretty much “ALL THE TIME” ……and those who cry out to God and claim He refuses to help …..

Did they do what God first asked? (Seek me, Find me, Seek after my wisdom?)

Now, do we want to Grow? Or don’t we? and if we refuse……the outcome is not God’s fault.

I know these are strong words but…….I have had to eat them too.

With Love, and In a Servant frame of mind,

Laura Grace, Author, Grace to Grow, The study guide

You know, I feel led to share this, this morning. I want you to think with me a minute, about the subject of persecution. Persecution is not when “you” tell someone what a sinner they are, and they get mad at you for it. When we do things like this, it’s actually a trespass which we are committing. I know you don’t wish to hear this, but it’s true.

God gave people free will. I want you to really think with me “SOAR” above the pages of your bible, or what you have been taught, or what someone else has said to you about the meaning of Christianity for a moment, and let THAT all go.

What I am saying can sound pretty radical, to a dyed in the wool type Christian.

TELL ME one example where Jesus got in someone’s face about their sin? Can you? Or do you see him going to a tax collectors house, while the Pharisees complained? Did he grab a rock and stone that woman caught in adultery? No, he didn’t. Did he tell any of the lepers he cleansed “they deserved what they got?” ……..

Once I had read my bible for myself (several times) is when I really began to wonder how many people actually have read their bibles (in it’s entirety) and how many have just said what they heard everyone else saying over the years. Jesus didn’t get in people’s faces about sin. He said “come, learn of me….” He said “I am sending you a teacher” (the Holy Spirit). This happened after his death and resurrection.  

Persecution is when God raises up his “man of the hour” and people are blessed, healed, delivered, set free, and They hate the blessing (of God) and try to stop it.

All because they are jealous, upset, their power structure is no longer needed, their income just may cease (to exist) and they have to start calling a great move of God a heresy, because………..Well, people being in relationship with God is a very big threat to any religious system. They might lose their job! No longer be needed!! …..

Thus, the love of money truly IS the root of all evil (which supposed God lovers do these evil things) and worse yet, they are not sorry for it, they feel all justified (self righteous and full of pride!).

SO there is a counterfeit then, for what people THINK Is persecution, but in reality, the people who love God are already being persecuted, and have been, (for a long time now) by the very people who CLAIM to love God. -Father forgive them, they know not what they do …….and let your gospel (and good news) go forward forever I pray…..’

Laura Grace (author) grace to the rescue, Grace to Grow, Grace to Grow study guide, and the upcoming, Grace to soar (available on Amazon) …….Love to you all

Dear Heavenly Father in Jesus’ name I pray, that I will be able to effectively get across this message, to those who need to hear it, and I am trusting you to open their hearts to what you are saying, through me, this day in Jesus’ name. amen

The reason, (and I do mean the only reason) I can love unconditionally, is because I have received that my heavenly Father loves ME unconditionally.

What we have been given, we are asked to freely give in return. We cannot give what we do not have, or have not received. Does this help us understand why Jesus was so forgiving, so giving? I hope so! see, he was a teacher, but not just a teacher. He also sowed into good soil, the very harvest he was expecting to see return.

Did you ever think of yourself as “the good soil” God wants to sow in?

So often, people give their hearts to Jesus, sit down in church or some other setting, and begin to learn what they should be doing, and what they should not be doing.

What if God’s intention, when Jesus said “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me” was that we learn by example? What if, he really does not expect us to give what we have not yet received? That would change everything, wouldn’t it?

All I know is, way back when I first got saved, and I read the passage “We love” because he first loved us” a light went on in my Spirit that day, and I began to understand I cannot give what I have not yet received.

Jesus died for me a long time ago, and took my shame and sin to the cross with him, before I had even yet committed those sins against him. After received his gift of Salvation, he waits patiently for me to receive the entirety of what he has done for me. He knows it will take years, possibly a life time, to truly unwrap all the gifts he has given me, and to fully comprehend his love which surpasses my knowledge (of my own sins, failures and short comings). This is why our bible is good news, not bad news.

As I allow him to love me, my capacity to love increases. As I allow him to give (to me) my cheerfulness to give also increases. What if we stopped trying to prove to God we are worthy of This great Salvation, and simply allow him to pour himself (and his ways) into us? Could it be, we would become true ministers of His Grace?

I think so! With love and Prayers and blessings to you all,

Laura Grace