Did you ever wonder about Covenants with God? Jesus came to bring the New Covenant, but there are promises of God (small covenants within the Covenant)
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Savoring the Moments, VS Running at breakneck speed! Which are you doing, right now?
For those who don’t know me yes, I am a Christian.
However, I do not believe in ramming my beliefs down the throats of others. If you ask me, I will tell you, and I do share and testify of the Goodness of God, toward me!
I don’t have much time today, (pretty busy,) but I just had my family visit for a week, started a new job, have all the other jobs and chores to take care of (which previously took most of my time,) and I just wondered, do you ever have this experience of feeling you cannot “savor” the moments of your life? I do, and have!
But you know, for those of us who serve, who are like this Proverbs 31 woman (She gets up while it’s night, and prepares food for her house) or even the virtuous man (He gets up while it’s still night, and goes to work!) Sometimes it gets a little hard for us. Does it not? This past week, I was a bit in distress, because I didn’t feel like I got to savor every moment in time (with my family) that I wanted to savor.
It reminds me of eating on the run. (Did I even taste that food?) It occurred to me this morning, We can savor our time with the Lord, even if we don’t seem to be savoring the moments of our lives, at all times. We can deliberately sit down, even if it’s for 15 minutes and say “Right now” I am having quality time, with the King of the Universe!
Psalm 23 “He prepares a table before me” One of the promises of God, many forget to believe for! Father “Prepare me a table, Feed me!” Thank you Father!
We SHOULD BE motivated by love to serve, amen? We have experienced the wonder of having someone serve us, feed us, take care of us, so therefore, we want to pass on the blessing, do the same for someone else! I know I have sat at the table many times, when I was a child, looking at the wonder of the meal my own mom prepared.
In the story of Martha (in the bible) When God said Mary had chosen the better thing, he was not insulting Martha at all, nor was he unappreciative of her efforts. Jesus had eaten with Martha and Mary, many times. He also prepared food for his own disciples after his death and resurrection! Did you know that?
So when it says in our bible, “when I became a man” I put away childish things, part of the meaning of this is: You Serve, and decide it’s time to be a grown up! “It’s my time” You say to do for others, what has been done unto me! And for those of you growing weary, I want to remind you of this: Psalm 23 “He prepares a table before me” (God himself!) and he never asks you to do for others, what He is not willing to do FOR YOU! I Love you! SO does God! Please remember this ………..and when you have finished running, he will give you water, food, and spiritual refreshing! He knows you are tired. He understands this!
with love and appreciation for all those servants out there……and don’t forget, even if you feel harried THEY are appreciating what you do! (and enjoying your blessing, very much!)
Laura Grace
Know it alls & One-uppers! Do we know how to listen? (Grace to Grow)
Boy I tell ya……….OH Good morning by the way!
Know it alls…..one uppers…….Or People who just have to be the center of attention, or who always have to be “right.” Ever met anyone like this? You just get the feeling they are not listening, but chomping at the bit, waiting for their turn to talk.
I’ve had some experience with being a talk -a-holic. I can remember some comments my husband has made to me such as “You’ve been talking for an hour straight, without taking a breath” (this was a few years ago) Or sometimes I would stop on my own and say, “I’ve been hogging the conversation,” To which he would reply “Help! I”m talking and I can’t shut up!” (making fun of me!). When we first got together, 14 years ago now, I was just in desperate need to be “in control” Of the conversation at all times.
My goal? Well, sometimes it was to get him to understand me (which is about me) or to get him to see it my way (also about me) to get him to agree with me (about me again!) OR sometimes to straighten him out! How easily our desire to help, can easily turn into an ego trip. I have, in the past found myself saying “WELL, if they aren’t going to listen to me then………They can just go their own way!” (Crossing my arms, thinking I won’t put them out unless they are on fire!) All signs of immaturity by the way.
But, there is the art of listening, too. You know, years ago, When I first found out I’d been taught some things wrong (even about what it says in my bible) I kind of decided to not listen, and I shut people out in an effort to guard my heart. It does say in the bible to guard our hearts, but it is also possible to get to a point where, we can retain what we believe, and still listen to what others have to say about a matter.
Being hyper-vigilant can be extreme. We can calmly say; “I don’t agree.” however there is a problem when, the other person chooses not to respect what we believe. I have noticed, especially in politics, many who believe in freedom to believe as they wish (so they say) are very hypocritical, attacking and slamming others for THEIR beliefs, while at the same time maintaining that “others’ shall not shout them down or “ram’ their beliefs down their throats. WE are seeing those who say “I don’t want to hear that christian stuff” while they attempt to force others to believe (how they believe) and even try to make laws to enforce it. So, before I can remove a speck out of someone’s eye, first I have to get the log out of my own eye. Many believe it’s a compromise to listen to the views of others……….
But that is not so. I dare say, Jesus actually listened to some input from others. One was the day he said to a woman wanting healing “It’s not good to give the children’s bread to dogs” (Gentiles were compared to dogs you see) and SHE said “even the dogs get the crumbs from the master’s table! “How great is your faith” He said, and healed her!
You know I can’t think of a case, where someone in the bible marched up to Jesus and said “how dare you preach that” Or correcting him in front of others. Unless of course it was the Pharisees, who used scripture to tell him how “wrong he was” to heal on the Sabbath, or tried to trick him, bait him, or goad him into giving up. He finally told them off, in no uncertain terms……”BROOD OF VIPERS” He said. Why? I think it’s because he needed to drive off the crows, who were trying to steal the precious seeds of truth and wisdom he was planting. We have some truth seekers, truth lovers, and wise Spirit filled people in this world, but friends? What do we do about the crows? Especially crows who think they have the right to run up and snatch the seed before it’s even sown?
HMMM ……..are you helping the cause of Christ? Or coming against it? Something to think about. And is it love to let the crows gobble up the seed? “Father help me to listen more, learn more, and be quiet before you. “teach me to listen” Open the eyes of my heart I pray. Heal me of all insecurities that make me act up. Help me grow! Father please help me be a lover of truth! I ask you sincerely, in any areas where I think I know the truth if I am wrong? Please uproot those lies, Grant me thy truth I pray! Grant me wisdom! In Jesus’ holy awesome and mighty name. Amen
Laura Grace, Author, minister, and your friend Laura Grace
Steam pressure! Very important to let it out! Somehow- Someway…….& it’s OK!
Good afternoon!
Once upon a time I helped with a boiler………so I learned all about them. My husband does that now. If the steam was not Released (DAILY) The thing would start blowing up pipes, and stuff would start breaking! Steam. It had to go somewhere, so there was no permanent damage to the pipes……
Holding things in………(not good for you) ……..
I”ve had a busy week. Very busy. Full blast running busy! But I am not too busy to share this little insight with you. Listen, we all have to blow off steam sometimes. Vent. Say what is truly bugging us …….
We all need great friends we can confide in. Not to gossip, not to attack or hurt anyone but, sometimes we just need to vent. You know many times when I am frustrated about a situation, if I can just say it out loud it helps me “sort out” what the real problem is!
There is a scripture it says “RID YOURSELF OF ANGER” I used to cry out to God years ago so Where does it go and how do I rid myself of it Father? Unless you are going to go crazy or have to get drunk, stoned, or kill someone, sooner or later, we all have days we need to say WHY? Why does it go this way? How come? what for? Why did they DO THAT ????????? (we cry) …..
We don’t need to have a public flogging on FB toward our enemies no, but we don’t just fold our hands and act like everything is groovy when it isn’t! Biggest piece of advice I can give you you can rant and rave (and cry and moan) and have your little fit but when it’s all over remember this “ACCEPT WHAT” You can’t change COURAGE TO DO what you can PRAY FOR WISDOM to know the difference! Great Advice!
Pray for people yes but at times? I go to God I do…and say LORD WHY? WHY Do they have to do this? .”OH LORD I am frustrated” Well maybe he is too! And agrees with you! But remember this too, we all have days we like to not feel so alone, to just know someone cares about our plight ……and says yeah man that was hard ……
Good for you for getting through it! And I will pray it gets better! There is a big difference between VENTING and Letting off steam (so the pipes don’t break) and living a life of complaining. So Don’t get mixed up about it. I know I once did…...
I so value those I can talk to. who just stay quiet, pray or have some empathy …..
but sometimes….it’s a very hard thing to find……
So where does anger go (into the air, just like steam) and then you keep on moving!
CHOO CHOO CHOO (even trains let off steam)
Love you lots! Laura Grace
Taking God for granted…….?
In The book of Hebrews Chapter 10, we find that we can ‘insult’ the Spirit of Grace.
Hebrews 10 NKJV –
How I receive the passage in Hebrews is, I said, “Father forgive me for taking you for granted. Sometimes I do. Sometimes I rush off and start my day and while I do pray, I forget what a treasure you are to me Father and I need to REMEMBER!!”
God is talking to his people in this passage, not “the rest of the world.” He is talking to those who have received his truth, and now treat it as if it were common, not a sacred keep.
I need to remember what a treasure you are, Father, and how great it is. that you are even with me. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of what others are doing or the victories of others, at times we scarcely can find the grace to be happy for them, because we are so focused on the suffering of, or in, our own souls.
It’s hard to remember when we are outraged- over what others do, that we ourselves could be cast out, fall from grace, or even become guilty of the same things we think are so tragic, if we do not remember, and I mean truly remember, that we are saved by Grace alone. Help us remember Father, the last thing you said to us.
Sometimes Judgment, is simply this; God stops talking, until you listen to and treasure what he said to you the first time, or the last time, that he spoke to you. If you were not listening, and have insulted him, how can you hear on how to be saved from upcoming trouble? Staying close to God, treasuring his words……..
This is where peace, life, health, and all good things are found.
Help us Father, to treasure your words (to us) Help us to cherish you & love you and appreciate you always ….and help us, never to take you for granted- Father God. As we aquire truth Father, help us Humbly receive it with thanksgiving, and not get a big hot shot attitude as if we ourselves are the real source of Truth, for you are! And we do thank you, that you love us enough, to share with us, your holy truths.
this we pray, In Jesus’ name amen
Heb 10: 26-29 by Laura Grace, author Grace to Grow (and others) Found on Amazon.
You become good at what you are passionate about……..
There is just no getting around it. We become good at what we are passionate about! Whether it’s to be a cheerleader for someone else’s team, an art project (seen below) and I can promise you, this guys knees got sore! What we are passionate about is where our talents lay, and will be developed! Discipline, boundaries, determination, getting rid of old mindsets, FAITH, Determination, Wisdom…….
All of this (and more) will help us succeed, but we need passion first. A sincere desire! A hunger (and thirst) to accomplish a certain thing. Nobody can give us “the passion” To do great things! And whether you are passionate about gardening, ironing, speaking, teaching, preaching, singing, learning, growing, (or whatever it is) We won’t get there by just sitting around dreaming about it! Get Going! Start today! Prepare for what is ahead for you! Long ago I picked up a guitar and made up my mind to learn it……
Many blisters later, I did learn to play. Oh the frustration! but there was determination! hard work! keeping at it! Be your own cheer leader! Tell YOURSELF you can do this! Look in the mirror and say “TODAY IS YOUR DAY” “You can do this!” “YOU ROCK”
with love and blessings, Laura Grace
The most powerful truth I have ever received..for motivation…..Rewards!
Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38
This is, without a doubt, the most powerful verse I have ever received, besides the one that says, “For God so loved the world……He gave…………”
If we all realized that we really will reap what we sow, that the more excellent way is to (truly) give what we would desire to be given, (a warning with Love, a truth we always needed to hear, a blessing, we have always needed and desired, or liberty, where there have been chains,) we would not have to worry so much about whether “what we say” is right or wrong, a sin, or not a sin. If we ponder the things that have hurt us, forgive those who have done it, and strive to be a better person (in Christ), then we can be confident, we will reap what we have sown, even if God himself has to give us the harvest!
Did you hear me? God will make sure you get a harvest! God told Abraham “I am your shield and exceeding great reward!” Thank GOD we don’t have to depend on man to give us the harvest, the reward, or anything else that is the result of what we have sown. There are times we need to pray, “Father forgive me, for the bad seeds I have sown, in those areas, by your mercy and grace, give me crop failure!”
Help me to start Again Father, and to plant GOOD THINGS into the lives of Others! and I know Father, when I don’t hear from you about every little thing, you have given me a good guideline, “do what you would want done for you” (regardless of if it’s been done to you or not, in times past) Sow Good things, reap good things! Keeping it simple!
with Love, Laura Grace
How to survive the storm….and the great falling away……by Laura Grace
Storms. They are coming. And they happen. We wish they wouldn’t, we pray they don’t, however, they do happen. Mankind has always picked up on the idea that “ANGER” and the fury of mankind, is just like a storm. I didn’t think up the idea, neither did you!
I’m going to be crystal clear, here. We fall if the house is built on sand. Sand is not something rock solid, or concrete. It shifts, when the storms come (in the natural and spiritually speaking.) So your beliefs, if they are based on emotional “FEEL GOOD” stuff, is like sand.
I was once so liberal, that I believed every person who was a drug addict, criminal, or whatever else, must have become that way because of their past environment. Some ridiculous person who DID NOT HAVE TRUTH wrote books I read, telling me I could not have discernment, God only issues it to certain “SPECIAL PEOPLE”.
Therefore, I thought I was doomed to a life of being half blind, having to be led by the hand by some minister, who may or may not be available, when I really need them. I wrote books because My heart is YOU GET IN THERE and YOU CAN HEAR FROM GOD! I have no personal agenda, no deal such as “you have to buy my book” to get this or, you have to hear from me, or you have to partner with me to stay blessed. I know for a fact whether I like what is coming or NOT in this world, I am ready. I know My life is not built on sand anymore. I cherish my friends, but I don’t need them to survive.
I know this sounds terrible but, we do need to know we’d make it, with or without our crutches props and sand castles. Go ahead, have fun and build a sand castle, but I would not stake my life on it holding you in God’s peace. YES I believe in the word of God. I do. But helping someone who needs help and not asking for Wisdom First (from GOD) Is just that, not wisdom! Assuming, presuming, thinking we KNOW what God meant instead of investigating and seeking him? Also, not wise. Generic ideals of what Christianity is? Not Wise also! I Hope I have given you enough clues to help…….
God does not wish for us to be ignorant, assuming, duped all the time, deceived and half-buried, or running around like chickens with our heads cut off! We assume we know who we should vote for, ram that down everyone’s throat instead of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, URGING EACH OTHER To build on the ROCK of his WORD! If you want to build sand castles, stick your head in the sand, and not get rock solid about anything because “it’s too much work” or you can’t be bothered, God will let you do that too. Scary isn’t it?
Responsibility comes to mind. Personal Responsibility between us and God, that we should not neglect, so Great a Salvation! And our Salvation is ongoing, not just a one time thing of going to the altar and giving your heart to Jesus. so This is what you do, stop praying for THINGS and pray for Revelation. Stop asking for Comfy Cozy, and ask God to tell you the hard truth (which you need to know for your own life personally)
Do it today! Don’t delay! And a good preacher of the gospel will preach this very thing to you, not some other agenda. If you don’t have one, find one! Exhort each other daily!
(to continue to Grow) I’ll be gone for awhile so, I encourage you to press on! With Love!
Laura Grace, Author, Grace to the Rescue, Grace to Grow, Grace to soar. Oh Book of Matthew, “GREAT WAS THE FALL” Of the house built on sand- (feelings, emotions, not concrete truth or revelation from God!) Sand shifts, is unstable, Can’t stand the test.
The outer outfield….When you feel you do not make a difference, You do!
Hi, Laura Grace here! Yes Here I am writing this blog post this morning. I have a lot to do! I don’t have any fans screaming “Please Laura” write another blog! (Ha ha) but nevertheless, here I am, doing it!
Why? Because the Lord put on my heart, some out there feel “they do not” make a difference! Honestly, I am not a baseball fan, but I have played baseball. I was not too good at hitting, so when I was in school, at camp, or anywhere “sports” were played, I was always chosen last, to be on the team. They knew I was bad at it!
But I do remember someone telling me once, “even outer outfield” is important. If the ball comes your way, catch it, throw it, and get it back in the game!”
You take out the trash, pay the bills, go to work each day (8 hours, ten hours) get the oil changed in your car, go to the doctor, sweep the sidewalk, and the list goes on and on.
We have to remember (WE DO) Make a difference! Someone is watching, to see if we give up! Yes, it’s true many do not appreciate the sun “unless” It stops shining! Don’t let that sway you! If an outer outfielder can make a difference, so can you! There is always that possibility, one day, a life will be saved because of you, or a game may be won!
When we hear the passage “do not grow weary of doing good” For we will reap a harvest, (if we faint not) we need to remember, the harvest may be a soul, (just one soul, redeemed by Jesus) just one! Would you do it all, for just one person? I Hope so! Because Jesus would have done it for you! He wouldn’t say “Well no if only one gets saved, the deal is off Father!” (and not go to the cross?)
Don’t kid yourself! Jesus doesn’t think like we do sometimes! He isn’t selfish, he isn’t into notoriety. All He wants is ………..for us to listen to him. “Let the children come to me” he said, Let the “leper be cleansed” Let that “woman caught in adultery go free” ……..
He visited that tax collector, that nobody liked! #MYJESUS changing lives, through you, and through me! Isn’t it grand? YOU DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE! (you outer outfielder you!)
Laura Grace, Author Grace to Grow, Grace to Soar, Grace to the Rescue
Tainted words. What IS unconditional love? By Laura Grace
I can tell you what it means to me. Maybe it’s not what it means to you? Let’s see!
It doesn’t mean I am always likeable. Or that I am always right! God loves me enough to tell me the truth, even if it hurts. He has to, he cannot separate himself from himself, so love is God’s truth (even when it doesn’t line up with my own thinking!) And it’s kind, patient, covers us, suffers long with our faults, hardly notices we do something wrong, yet rejoices in what we do right (and cheers us on!)
God’s love is so perfect, it’s hard to take it when humans mess with us. Even those who do not know God, know what love is, and what it isn’t. (They really do, deep down!).
Often people, even friends, can tell us what they view as “The truth” and it’s tainted with humanity, and becomes hard to receive or swallow. “HOW DARE THEY” We think, How do I know this? (You may ask). Humans need God’s help to truly be Helpful! Human wisdom is not usually that helpful. Why? Its empty, vain, “Philosophy.”
This is why so much that is meant to help, does not help that much! God knows what we need. You’d be amazed at what he’s used to heal me, bless me, revive me! Nothing I ever read about in any magazine or book! GOD IS SMART! He knows what you need and how to Love you! (Ask him!, It’s true!!).
I”ve been hurt by tainted words, and yes, I’ve dished it out sometimes, as well. Yes, I have. And I Know it. And God dealt with me when I did!! (Thank Goodness!).
Love does not lie to us. Love is not about feelings. But we need to be humble enough to Go before God constantly and say “Is my truth your truth?” Help me Father not to speak if I am full of bologna! If My words are hurtful- KEEP MY BIG MOUTH SHUT!”
FEELINGS are like the signs and wonders that follow those who believe. If we are truly loved, the good feelings will FOLLOW! After we’ve received correction, tears happen, we are sorrowful for what we have done, even repentant! The tainted twisted love of this world puts feelings FIRST. Nobody gets anywhere when feelings are #1 in the scenario.
Feelings without Truth, without some real clear input (and understanding) Is a dangerous thing. It leads to all kinds of things, dangerous things. So no, love it not a feeling, but, when I am in love I have good feelings too!
Many choose not to do the hard work that is required to have good relationships, with God, with friends, with spouses, or with others. “YOU DON”T LOVE ME” They cry (if someone does not agree with them, all the time!) So how do we learn to love well? (Like God does?)
FIRST we have to understand his love, for if we do not, we will continue to pass out this “tainted love” that we learned from others, who were not as informed as they said they were!
God IS love so, that means every word he said IS LOVE! WOW! so if His Love does not approve of what we are doing, why is that? We need to find out and learn WHY his love is saying, “that’s not good for you!!” ……His love is also Wisdom so, perhaps by bumbling along doing things “OUR WAY” will eventually lead to “WOW God loves me! Maybe I should get in on this WISDOM! He did say he would give that to me!!
tainted love is clouded with human understanding, reasoning, opinions of every kind…..
HELP US FATHER To see how much you love us, come to our senses, and ask you for help! You LONG TO HELP US! Amen! and help us Father, to let go of all this “tainted love” and receive it from you! Again! Help us Father also, to see some are not ready for good relationships yet. It’s a two way street, and if they won’t participate, we cannot do this alone! So Help us Father to let go of those types of relationships, and be wiling to embrace “what is” Instead of continually striving for “what isn’t” …..in Jesus’ name. And please Father, fill us with your love, Again and Again!
Amen!
-Laura Grace
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