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The Body of Christ: Complement not Conflict is what needs to happen…..

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                         The Body of Christ: Complement VS Conflict: Introduction

     This topic has been a long time coming, and the Lord finally asked me to address it, after a week of obeying his spirit and asking him to “Fill me with righteousness.”

     That turn-around came from a very sticky situation, with a family member being falsely accused, unjustly punished, and a whole lot of injustice going on, and I became extremely angry about it. And in the process of being angry, I found myself less and less at peace.

     I found comfort talking to a friend recently, who is a born again, spirit-filled Christian, but said a situation containing much injustice, nearly drove her off the edge, at one time in her walk with the Lord.

Trust me when I say, this injustice is huge. And yet, God is telling me to rest in his Peace.

My friend and I both laughed about God “getting on our cases” that this kind of anger does not produce the righteousness of God. I will address this more in the Part 1 and Part 2 of this message (Forthcoming).

     I’ve experienced conflict (in my own heart and mind) over many things my brothers and sisters in Christ have said through the years. My son is a pastor, I raised him, and yet, he and I don’t always see eye to eye. My husband has marks of a prophet and the gift of help, and I often have found myself in conflict with him, as well. Have you ever been in conflict over “different viewpoints?” If so, why?

     Recently, I got upset at someone who I really do admire, all because she seemed to be contradicting me when she was talking about God’s will being done. I was not at peace though, and I knew it was not of God. And this may seem silly to you, but I was focused on how God told me to pray, and her input seemed contradictory to the direction the Holy Spirit was giving me. I felt like one of us had to be right and one had to be wrong. And as usual, now that God has straightened me out, I feel pretty silly about it all.

      Anyway, the conflict was the last straw for me, and I decided to really press in and ask God what he thinks about all this ‘conflict.” What he showed me was rather amazing, and at the same time, I got corrected by him (once again) to notice what is pure, lovely and good report, versus finding fault with those who don’t agree with me on every single point.

     We’ve all had those moments, one person may be led by the spirit of God to correct someone, while another may be led to show mercy. Still another might be led to pray for them extensively, and God may show someone else to be quiet and just set a good example. The Body of Christ is the Body of Christ. In other words: His Body!

     Those who are not truly born again and acting like they are saved so they can mingle in and upset God’s apple cart, are an entirely different story.

       It’s high time we start to see how God wants to bring unity and peace, highlighting the virtues in his people, versus tearing each other down. I was just so surprised at what he showed me. Truly, we have come into a time when if we know all mysteries, speak the tongues of angels, and have great revelatory knowledge, it all sounds like clanging cymbals in God’s ears if we have not LOVE For his people (the Body of Christ). Selah

Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God, I will be exalted………”

I pray Father you use what you have given me to bless others, in Jesus’ name. amen.

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Because of His Mercy…….

Laura Grace

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Revive-Restore-Renew!

Laura Grace1 Comment

Revive: To Return to Consciousness & Life

God wants to Renew, Restore and Revive you!

I was reading about expectations this morning, and noticed there are a whole lot of “memes” out there saying to lower your expectations so you won’t be disappointed! 😮

The truth is, disappointment often happens when people fail to live up to what we think they should be. The enemy wants you to “give up” so bad he will NEVER Stop trying to discourage you.

Look at Abraham’s wife, who laughed when God said she would have a child (Genesis 18). She was a realist. Look at David “Overlooked and not chosen” Until God called him forward. To be a King! 😮

“He’s just a shepherd boy” People thought. “Nothing great can be seen in him!” Same with Jesus people saying “what good can come from that Carpenter’s son from Nazareth?

Greatness is God bestowing greatness within a person, and raising them up and using that greatness for his glory and Praise.

What makes people want to give up is that “other people” don’t believe in them. God believes in you! 🥰 Because he lives in you!

He sees the greatness and gifts he has deposited within you. He wants to use those gifts for his glory (honor and Praise).

Don’t allow people to make you feel small, defeated and worthless. That is the work of the enemy, not God. Every great leader goes through their times of being corrected, disciplined, “caught in the act” of something they should not have done. Moses beat the rock too many times, Noah got drunk after the flood, David sinned and repented and was RENEWED REVIVED AND RESTORED.

Peter hid and denied Jesus, (but was restored!) the only person who would not repent was Judas. He stayed at a distance from Jesus the whole entire time he “pretended” to follow him …..and his fate was sealed, his heart filled with the evil one & his ways.

There is always hope in Christ for you to get up and try again! I challenge you to let God Renew your mind today, and show you what Great plans he has for your life. Never surrender! Never give up! You are not defeated! However you feel right now is temporary.

With Love, 🙏Laura

PS God has great things in store for you!

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A Little Pizza Story…..

Laura GraceLeave a comment

A little Pizza story..….by Laura Grace

Hi Friends, so last Wed, I was on auto pilot and getting ready for work, doing dishes, taking care of business and put this little pork roast in the pot, covering it with seasoning and got it cooking.

Before I left for work, I prayed something I have not prayed in a long time. “Father I ask you, Order my steps today” and quoted how a righteous man or woman’s steps are ordered of the Lord.”

I was very sincere about it, and fully expected all of my decisions to be “of God” as I was realizing I was over-thinking things.

At 3:30 I thought “I need something for dinner” and ordered a pizza from the cafe, picked it up and brought it home after work! As I was getting in my car I realized “Why did you do that? You have a roast cooking at home” 😬😮😂

I was embarrassed, but my husband said “No big deal” we’ll have roast tomorrow! So I took the toppings off my part of the pizza, put it on sourdough toast, and we had ‘PIzza night” …..

I SO Enjoyed that pizza, and cut up the small roast, turning it into two different meals for the next two nights ahead. This is a classic case of what often happens when we follow after God. It will appear “illogical” and mess with our human brain, and the bible clearly says “The natural man cannot receive the things of God.” 1 Corn 2:14

I was blessed by the Pizza, I had much Joy, and all is well, the roast was not wasted. But I gotta tell you, for a “split second” I thought I messed up! Thank God I didn’t trip and fall over the devil’s accusation that I was silly for ordering that pizza!! Love you!! -Laura

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Question: Am I being Objective? Even Christians are accountable to this…

Laura Grace1 Comment

I am thinking about the word “Objective” today which has been on my mind since yesterday! It means to look at things without personal opinions or personal feelings, so then if you said someone was “ugly” That may not be another person’s view, which makes your comment “subjective.”

To take things further, I can see times in my life my view was not “OBJECTIVE” which is when our view is based on Facts and “Measurable Data”.

I have some measurable Data (facts) but I don’t have ALL of them yet. And neither do you. We are all still learning and (hopefully) growing. If we get stuck in our opinions we no longer grow.

Why am I talking about this? I may not be a big name minister with a full 6 year degree in Theology, but I am still responsible as a person to take a look at myself and think, “Am I being fair in my views about things? “Am I being objective?” If you have personal Testimonies as proof of what you are saying, it’s objective. If you are just quoting scripture with no real experience in applying it and seeing it work in your life, you may be just saying “your Opinion” ❤️

I’ve noticed people don’t respond well to “being preached at” if you haven’t actually lived out what you are saying in rough times. Your Testimony becomes “evidence” that what you say is true.

I am thinking back to a situation where I was called into question by someone and got defensive. I began to defend myself (feeling attacked) and therefore my responses were not “Objective” they were based on how that person made me feel (at the time). Usually when people decide they need counselling, it’s because they are going round and round (both people feeling defensive) and they need this “Objective Person” to step in and help guide them.

Just remember we can be objective one minute, and find that we have “Feelings’ Influencing us he next minute! Nobody is perfect!

It seems like a hard walk sometimes, rising up to be confident and gathering all kinds of information to help us make informed decisions or even guide someone else through some turbulent waters. But right in the middle of it, you might find yourself having feelings or opinions that “trip you up” and cause you to give advice that is not Objective (or sound). Staying humble is the key.

That’s when we need to back off and say “I don’t know the answer” but i will pray for you!!” Too often, we are all subject to becoming “Know it alls” just because we know a lot!! But it doesn’t mean we know EVERYTHING and every human being is capable of letting personal opinion “blind us” to what is the truth if we are not careful and prayerful about things. My Sunday rant for today!😅 -Laura

Galatians 5:13 “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh (personal feelings!!) ; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” #SundaySermon#walkinginlove#Godspeople#BodyofChrist#sounddoctrine

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Dreaming with God, And the Power of that……..

Laura GraceLeave a comment

I’ve been praying a lot and doing a bible study called “changing your reality” by Wendy Backlund 🙂 It’s good!

The last challenge is the power of your imagination, which, my friend, John, has mentioned to me a couple of times. I would hear that word “imagination” and wasn’t sure God was okay with it! But it literally means to dream with God. You know, before I decorated my Christmas tree this year, I sat and “imagined” what it would look like before I began to place the ornaments.😮

Now, have you ever noticed when you “imagine” a certain outcome with people, it almost never goes the way you imagined? LOL This is because of free will! You can’t change them, Just you!!! You and God are a majority! Others may follow. 🙂

If you imagine YOURSELF attaining certain goals, did your know your imagination is more powerful than your ability to just weather through because someone said you had to? It’s a proven fact what you dream about affects your ability to achieve it!

You “see” how your house will look clean, you “SEE” what a day looks like if you decide to be grateful all day, you SEE yourself OVERCOMING some obstacle. YOU SEE yourself getting that task done that looks like a mountain right now.

You don’t just speak something, you also SEE the obstacle (or mountain) being leveled! Can you see it with me?

Incidentally, I was a very shy person who used to visibly SHAKE when I would stand in front of people. I had to visualize myself speaking to large groups (AND PRAY) In order to achieve that. It was a walk of faith for me! What we dream, we can become!!!

I hope this was an encouragement to you today! 🙏🔥

-with love, Laura

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How Misrepresentation of love leads to falling away……..(An End Times Message)

Laura GraceLeave a comment

The Church did not do anyone any favors, if they failed to define what Love (according to God) actually is. I was talking to a friend the other day, who said the great falling away seems to be happening. In just a moments’ time it hit me, the false teachings about love have a great deal to do with this.

Years ago, God was showing me (as I studied and prayed) that love according to him is “Not a Hallmark Card.” Every time I was facing a liar, a person who did not care what God thought, or a person who was in anarchy, defying the very words of God, I was told by church people that love was the answer. But you see, an in-depth study of the bible, showed me that most of the love scriptures we hear (Love one another, love your neighbor as yourself) are talking about how we should love the brethren. That is, the people of God.

I noticed the revelation came to me over a period of time, and continued to talk to people about how God did not tell them to take abuse and show love to ridiculously ungodly people, but in some cases, we need to rebuke them, tell the devil to flee from them, and yes, even avoid certain persons. As I would quote the book of Jude and talk about such things, many people pulled back from me, believing I was off in my thinking. But now, as I see how the enemy is using Love AGAINST God’s people (not his kind of Love, but the Hallmark Kind) I can really see how he’s using this to try to take down the church.

Tolerance is not love. If someone is sinning and loves to sin, and does not wish to hear about Jesus, they have a right to walk away from you. Honestly, if they are not seeking him, chasing them down like a gazelle and trying to “rope them” into salvation is not a wise idea.

But when something infiltrates your church, you are responsible to chase it out. And I am talking about doctrines that say it’s okay to be in sin, to be sexually immoral, same sex relationships, bi-sexual relationships, and the list goes on. The Grace we apply for someone to grow into a full-grown Christian happens WHEN That person has given their lives to Jesus. And if they have done so, they are not going to be arguing about what is sin and what isn’t. Yes, people are supposed to be “under law” until they surrender and give their lives to Jesus. God’s laws are there to convict them. Please don’t take that away by making excuses for sin.

Therefore, I understand you want to be kind to people. I understand they don’t THINK they can help how they are. I once thought I was an alcoholic, could not stop drinking, that I could not stop being co-dependent, could not control my temper because it was right there (being a thing I both learned and inherited) BUT God calls us to overcome and BECOME all he ever desired for us to be. We start making excuses, we take away the power of the gospel, and become the people described in 2 Timothy 3. Lovers of selves, haughty, Proud of how much they love, proud of how strong they are standing up against the likes of us, blasphemous, unholy, and denying the power of God to change us.

Is anyone out there listening to me? What did the early disciples do? (After they became Apostles and Prophets and such?) They went around saying “REPENT!” They cast out devils. They did not endorse ANYONE staying the way they were. People flocking to salvation had nothing to do with being accepted HOW YOU ARE it was about BECOMING what God said you can be (IN HIM!)

We don’t need to do a rain dance all night and cast out a list of 20 devils to stop the great falling away. All we have to do is preach the TRUTH because God’s love envelopes truth and does not deny the truth of the gospel. IF we Allow anyone to alter what the bible says, it will become ineffective, USELESS with no power to change anyone’s lives and be redeemed from their sin. Now, someone was praying not to be deceived. And this is exactly what you needed to hear. -Laura Grace

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That Golden rule……….

Laura GraceLeave a comment

                                                          THE GOLDEN RULE

Matthew (7:12): “In everything, do unto others as you would have done unto you……”

……I want to be candid here. I have lived 62 years, and I find this passage doesn’t always work so well IF I treat it as a stand-alone scripture. My Mom taught me this one when I was very young. “It’s the Golden Rule” she said to me.

Throughout my life (and I took it seriously) I have brought people gifts because I really love to receive gifts for no reason! My Own mom for a long time said “You should save for Christmas or birthdays, why are you giving me a gift for no reason? Or at times, she did not like the gift. She wished I hadn’t “wasted my money” on this or that.

People whose love language is getting help will offer “Help” but then you run into someone like me, who had to always do it alone and is not comfortable with giving directions on HOW to help. We who always did it ourselves (and got used to it) don’t mean to reject your offer, it’s just we don’t know how to “not do it alone.”

I’ve had times I hit the nail on the head with a gift, while other times someone felt like “they had to return the favor” and wished I had not given them a gift at all! I’ve offered hugs to people who don’t want one. I’m sure others I failed to hug because that’s what they truly needed! The verse “Do unto others as you would have done unto you” does not work all by itself. Why? Because everyone has different expectations and needs. We are different.

A piece of advice that helps one person might offend another. “What do you think I’m stupid?” (is how they may feel!!). It takes a brave person to go out and “TRY AGAIN” when you have heard all the time how much you have failed to “hit the mark” On doing for others (the right thing at the right time!!).

But there is another thing my mom said to me, “it’s the thought that counts.” When I was a kid, and I was sad because I got a puzzle (and I don’t like puzzles) she said, “Just think they thought of you.” “They took the time to wrap it” and she would make me sit down and write a thank you card.

Growing up is hard. Especially in relationships. My prayer life and asking God “What do they need?” “What do I say?” “Please guide me” comes from the pain and heartache of failing.

Honestly, if I hadn’t failed, I probably wouldn’t have turned into this crazy Christian that prays about EVERYTHING. And still, even at that, I make mistakes. I don’t always hit the mark. I always don’t say the right thing at the right time (or get the right gifts!!). But my heart really is set on being a blessing (everywhere I go). I guess if I had one wish it would be “Please see my heart.”

We are all (hopefully) Growing up TOWARD the head which is Jesus…….Let’s not be so hard on each other. Let’s just cheer each other on. -Laura

PS: And don’t give up! Practice Makes Perfect!