The Disciples Knew what was coming, others did not. His Friends knew,
because they took the time to ask him, to seek him, and they really did
want to know. Whosoever wants to know, will truly know…….
-Laura Grace
Bullies, and the needs of the many ……
Bullies! We all know they are bad, and tend to intimidate, such as in this scene (above) from Little House on the Prairie, where the town of Walnut Grove, is visited by bullies.
In this episode, (called the Bully boys) the kind, nice, and even hospitable town’s people, are duped into helping a clan, which they later learn, are bullies.
We sort of get the feeling it’s because of their Christian charity, that they ever open their doors to these guys (who are bullies) In the first place!
Hey I’m just one little gal from Montana (who Prays) Not saying I know much, but I do know what a bully is, when I see one, and I do know about COMMON SENSE!
WE need Spock-like thinkers for leaders (Speaking of Hollywood) who say things like “The needs of the many, outweigh, the needs of the few.” And, Spock was no hypocrite, he did lay down his life (for the needs of the many) in the Wrath of Khan. There was none of this, “Oh Poor Khan,” He just had a difficult time, and needs to steal our ship! Nope!
In this little house episode, the town took care of it, ran the bullies out of town. They didn’t have to pray first, wonder if they were walking in love, or whether they were being politically correct (or not). A bully is a person who believes the need of the ONE (them) outweighs the needs of “everyone else” and they use intimidation, manipulation, threats, and whatever else they can grab hold of, (a big stick?) to get their way.
Captain Kirk constantly defended his ship, and the town of Walnut Grove drove out the bullies, in an awesome scene, where they were grabbed by the scruff of the neck, escorted out of town, and sent back to where they came from (wherever it was.) So then, tell me, are we thinking in terms of how the needs of the many, outweigh the needs of the few?
So, can you think of any situations right now, where a small group of people, who have “a right” To take over the nation are getting away with it? In the name of THEIR COMFORT?
Because ultimately, that’s what a bully is. It is someone who doesn’t care how it affects everyone else, so long as they feel better, and they are going to use guilt, threats, manipulation, “I WILL SUE YOU” ……..to get their way. Enough said. -Laura Grace
Author, Grace to the Rescue, Grace to Grow, Grace to Grow Study Guide, Grace to soar
The STORM Of emotions……It’s very real
This past weekend, I was suffering a bit of a storm, as I have many times in the past. This friend of mine told me about a book, after I told her I feel insecure at times, and I began to read it. No, I didn’t write it, and that’s just fine!
I have benefited many times from the words of Authors, who chose to write down their thoughts. Well, this book is about insecurity, and I was shocked to see myself already, in some of it’s pages. I had a busy week, I would say extremely busy, and I had some concerns really weighing on my heart, things people asked me to pray about.
PLEASE do not get me wrong, I am thankful for my abundant life, people who TRUST ME With their prayer requests, friends who want to see me, family who likes to see me too.
I love being a servant of God and I love doing for others, but sometimes I get tired. When I get tired, I don’t think straight. Jesus himself, SON OF GOD, stumbled under the weight of the cross, and needed some help. Profound, isn’t it? I dare say he could have demonstrated supernatural strength to carry it, but he fell under it, as an example to use of how it will be, sometimes.
With that said, when we are tired, the devil often will send emotional storms. I am going to really step out and say this, that I also believe people who deny having emotions, often will have more physical manifestations of the problem. When we are being buffeted, tossed, falsely accused, careless words are spoken, AND they are tired, it’s a bad mix.
OH I used a strange word I know, “Buffet” NOT a buffet like a meal, no ………Anyway, Like my husband said, there are times he wants to go do something, he’s excited about it, and it will start to rain, and the wind blows, and it’s a supernatural INTERUPTION To what he wanted to do…….And there he is, helpless to fulfill his plans.
Yes, it happens. So an emotional storm, I would say, is you are thinking if one more thing happens, I am going to FREAK OUT, and …….one more thing happens, one more thing gets said, one more person poked you with their prickly pear attitude! NOW YOU ARE THE STORM and you forget all about fruits of the Spirit, or being nice, you just want to clobber someone and walk away forever! That’s what storms do, they bring out the worst (or the best) in us sometimes. So, I am not perfect. Some days I see it’s a storm, rebuke it, walk on top of it, soar over it, other times I forget (I am human) and I freak out a little bit. FORGIVE YOURSELF and move on. God does! Who are you not to do the same?
That’s right, forgive yourself, shake off the dust of what happened yesterday….
and go forth! Amen Laura Grace oh PS “forgive them too” who are as human as you!
“Jesus take the wheel”
A little Testimony for you, Back in 2008 I used to be on Yahoo Answers, Religion and Spirituality groups, as sisterzeal.
I know my bible well, and I was really good at making my point. I used to minister there.
I knew how to use my “bible sword” however, my whole motive was to slay the lies I was hearing, against my precious Lord and His Word, and while that seems like a worthy goal, I can tell you I was banished, silenced, and my account was deleted because I refused to back down from Zealosly standing up to the atheists on that group.
And no, I was not abusive, I didn’t call anyone names. But I did know how to back my words with scripture, I was relentless, and someone out there didn’t like it.
In my passion for Christ, I thought I was defending the weak, the new believers, and the ones asking very sincere questions by backing off these mobs of Atheists and God haters. To this day I am banished from that group.
I prayed in the morning, I prayed at night, I prayed for victory……I prayed in the Spirit over this group …….Still, I was banished, and could reach no one there.
My husband can tell you, he was there, he even tried to help. I was completely broken over this event of being “banished” from what I considered to be my only ministry at the time………..
A minister asked me if I needed help during that time, that’s how I met Minister Diamond Kelley. I entered into a Covenant Agreement with God to GROW …………to take his yoke, to learn of him. I have learned alot and one is to be a fisher of men, not an arguer with the foolish. -Selah
I started to read the bible AS IF I had never read it before, even though I knew my scripture full well, and I had read literally hundreds of Christian books by that time. I’ll tell you why, because I was getting so angry at what was happening, I was in danger of not growing myself and friend, that is not a place where you want to be.
To be wise is to listen (to the Lord) and to keep listening and keep growing and keep learning more FROM HIM! I have never regretted My decision to do this. It has benefited me in countless ways. So, I am not afraid to stand up to lies but I have learned, that is not our mission, OUR MISSION Is to be Fishers of Men!
You hold out the line, God draws them to you, to hear what you have to say. That’s how it works. Testimony from Grace to Grow, by Laura Grace Available on Amazon 
The wise shall inherit glory, But shame shall be the legacy of fools.
Prov 3:35
Have you had the gift of….being wounded? You have to read this!
Proverbs 27:6 “Faithful are the wounds of a friend”
God really put this message on my heart this morning! Have you ever been wounded by a friend? Now, there are two kinds of wounds. Careless critics wound us or hurt us in a bad way, its not productive. Faithful friends wound us as they plant a seed into the soil of open hearts, ready to receive from God. However if we do not receive the minister as a vessel chosen of God (for that time) it will be easy to be misunderstood, therefore we have to have ready hearts, which are open to correction, for this process to work.
My minister friend, Diamond Kelley, used to write me letters that sometimes wounded me, as the words of Truth (from the Holy Spirit) went in.
I remember this one time, he was talking about Hell fire, in response to my being all upset (about something) and he basically told me I was allowing the fire of hell, to be stirred up inside of me, and really I was being like those who told Jesus, “Should we call down fire on them?” I remember it hurt, because It was not my desire to be this way, therefore I thought, I was not this way! I started to argue and defend myself and he said, “You asked me to tell you the truth, do you want me to stop ministering to you?”
“No!” I said, emphatically. I knew I needed correction, but my Flesh was upset!
So, I will tell you this, one time I read this passage, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend” and I did ponder it, and prayed to receive (from any friend) God sends to speak into my life. I prayed I would not miss it, or cast away any correction from him!
Therefore I have benefited, from many faithful wounds, where new plans of God (for my growing) have went into the soil of my heart. God’s way is always gently, and in a Spirit of Love. He is not into us being fire and brimstone preachers.
We live in a world where many are easily offended, touchy, feelings oriented, and always concerned that someone is upsetting them, infringing on their rights, speaking words that just make them crazy (apparently) because oh my goodness sakes, if I don’t want to hear this, you had better shut up, Christian, or “off with your tongue!”
It’s sad, because ultimately they are saying God should just get out of their face, we don’t want your wisdom, and the attitude is: “Get out of my life, God, unless you make me feel good about myself!” And guess what, He will (stay away from you) and now you are left with yourself, and your lack of wisdom, as honestly, His wounds (which cause our growing)
are only for our benefit, and never for our harm. With Love and prayers, Laura Grace
PS: Are you a friend who will risk making someone feel wounded? Or will you just say what they want to hear, compromising, as Aaron Did, when Moses left him in charge? Our flesh will never want correction, ever. It will always hurt. That’s the truth (my friends).
Are you weary, tired? A whole new spin on sin……
A whole new spin, on sin
Before we soar, we run. How do I know? It says so, in Isaiah chapter 40, “they will run and not be weary, they will walk and not faint,” is before we soar!
In Hebrews 12 it says, cast off the weight, and sin that besets you (weighs you down) and run (with patience) the race SET before you. God sets the race, you are the one who decides to run it, and the Holy Spirit is willing to show you, what weighs you down.
We don’t need to police each other about sin, in the Body of Christ. What we need to do is encourage. The word encourage means, to build up, (not tear down). Therefore, how do we encourage each other? If you see a person who is running, panting, wheezing, and is carrying a heavy load, what should we do?
We step in and help. Don’t we? If we can’t help we pray, if we can’t pray, we need to grow some more, until we can offer that blessing.
Here’s my spin on sin- it’s a lot of work to keep on sinning. If a person is ensnared (by sin) whether it’s an obvious sin, like porn addiction, drug addiction, Television addiction, shopping addiction, or any other type of snare, the person trapped by this is the one in trouble, not you, yourself. If they are in trouble, they need prayer, not condemnation.
I feel sorry for people trapped in sin. Did you hear me? I feel sad, sorry, and my heart goes out to them. Why? Because, it’s a lot of work to keep sin going. It demands more and more from you, it robs people of time they could be doing other things, like loving their family, caring for their children, and living life abundant.
We need to encourage by saying things like, “Look, without this hindrance, you could run faster, farther, and more efficiently.” Any disobedience to God is sin. Because of the righteousness of Jesus IN WHICH you stand as a Christian, you are constantly forgiven, even of all the sins you do not see right now.
Therefore, to say “Hey, Maybe you can run better,” minus this weight of false guilt, shame, people’s opinions about what you should be doing, or any other interference Paul was discussing, in Galatians 3, is helpful. Not helpful? Getting on someone’s case, telling them what a big sinner they are, according to you!
We are not policemen, we are encouragers! “My bible tells me so” and besides, feeling we have to be policemen, is also a weight. Get rid of it! I sure did! Praise GOD
From the upcoming book grace to soar, soon to be released. Laura Grace
Getting free from religion……….
Getting Free from Religion
Ecclesiastes 7: And I find bitterer than death, the woman whose heart is snares and nets, whose hands are fetters. He who pleases God shall escape from her, but the sinner shall be trapped by her. (NKJV)
This passage jumped off the pages at me, many years ago. I remember reading it over and over, fascinated, as I knew it was ministering to me, but, was not sure why.
I believe the reason is, I saw right away, that the scripture is talking about a flesh and blood problem, versus a spiritual one. I believe demons empower evil thinking, and evil ways, just as the Lord, His Spirit, and His Angels, help those who are on the right track.
At the time I read it, I could relate. I had been in a long time of trying to understand a person, who did not want to be understood. Oh, they said they did, but in reality, the goal of their heart was to dominate me, make me do things their way, and trap me in my own desires and words. And what, (you might ask) does this have to do with religion?
Religion is doing something to please God, whereas relationship with God, is to walk and talk with Him, just as Adam did in the garden, so long ago.
If we really believe Jesus came to break the curses, give us new birth, restoration with our Heavenly Father, and all the other numerous promises he made, why is this so hard to grasp? Well, because religion comes in, sometimes with the help of the enemy, and teaches us we have to earn everything. We believe for one minute, Jesus paid the price to redeem us, and he is our righteousness, and we are so delivered, and the next minute, someone is teaching us it’s all conditional, and not free, after all.
I related to the “more bitter than death” part of the passage, and I certainly did feel the snares. How I knew I was snared, was that every time I tried to walk away, (from my captor) the guilt snare pulled me backward. If that didn’t work, the trapping of my own promises, caught me instead. No matter what I did, the enemy (of hell) always seemed to have a way to snare me, trap me, and keep me shackled. I was shackled by the rule to love, to forgive, to always trust, to never give up on anybody. I was chained to fear, fearing I would disobey God if I just walked away, from this person I had sworn to love.
Jezebel was (an actual) person. I don’t know where anyone gets the idea there is a spirit of Jezebel, but to me that just means, a person who acts just like she did. It’s not the same thing as a spirit of infirmity, the spirit of anti-Christ, or even legion.
From the upcoming book, Grace to Soar, by Laura Grace, soon to be released.
Magnum Opus
I feel a sense of connection to great artists when I view their work. I feel an even deeper sense of connection to The Artist when I view His work. Creation does not limit or “contain” …
Source: Magnum Opus
Is there a recipe, for growing? Here’s a start
Click to buy: In 1 Peter it says, “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue, knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness, love.
For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.”
Christians love the song Amazing Grace, and so do I.
However, singing the song does not make a person become “un-blind” no matter how many times we sing it. Likewise, we are given the recipe for growing, in this power-packed verse.
So many times, Christians are led through a process of repentance, asking Jesus into their hearts, then on to going to church, attending services, singing songs (such as Amazing Grace) and then sent out into the world to “preach the gospel” to every creature. How can they preach a gospel they are not familiar with?
It’s like asking children to go out and get jobs. Consequently, many grow up (in church) believing that love is always the answer, and, not really understanding the definition of Love, proceed to fall into all kinds of sins, temptations, and doctrines that say a loving God would never send anyone to hell.
Without the knowledge of what the Word of God truly means, how can anyone clearly make such a statement? God is love, He is mercy, he is kindness, but He is also uncompromising, and a consuming fire. He is so many things, and we need to know this, and experience it, for ourselves. This is what is called a Testimony. A personal witness, where you have experienced God (and his fullness) for yourself.
You are Holy Spirit taught, blood bought, and you know the voice of God for yourself, just as the Lord intended. Don’t settle for less than what the Lord has in mind for you, and be willing to allow the Holy Spirit to teach you, as you study and read the bible for yourself. Don’t take someone else’s word for it, as to what you should believe. Eternity is at stake, and I know you don’t want to lead others astray.
Laura Grace,
Author, speaker, and revivalist Check out her books:
Grace to the Rescue, Grace to Grow, Grace to grow Study guide, available on Amazon or via the montanachristianjournal.com
The Plumbline of Love, do you want to know what Love really is?
God was speaking to my heart this morning, about the plumb line of Love. He impressed on my heart very strongly, that most do not know what Love truly is, according to Him.
Here are some things I’ve heard from Christians over the years. Love is Discipline. Love is Caring. Love is compassion, love is to be kind in the face of evil, love always endures, love never gives up, love does not hurt people, love always forgives, and the list goes on.
From non-Christians I’ve heard, Love does not judge, love isn’t mean, love respects people enough to mind their own business and not intrude, and the list goes on.
The Lord impressed on me, very strongly, that most Christians do not even know what Love is, according to God almighty. Oh Sure, we’ve read the words, in 2 Corinthians, but that does not mean we understand it. Its okay, because he understands we are developing, seeking, and growing, (we hope!)
So I will share with you what He has shared with me: “We know in part.” (What love is) but Here is what he also said to me, “The reason there are transgender bathroom laws, if because there are those who know these people feel unloved, and they want to fix it.”
WOW. Now, He did not tell me it was a great idea, He just said what He said, and I am not going to add to it. He Spoke truth to my heart.
Now, we have those who feel unloved because they don’t feel safe in these bathrooms anymore. Was this is a good solution?
I never would have heard God say this to me, had I not prepared the soil of my heart by allowing him to get rid of fear, judgment, and all those other things he showed me were not of him. I would not have been able to hear it.
So then, what is Love, according to God? I would say it’s a result of pondering what we would want done unto us (the Golden rule) and praying about each and every individual situation, treating people as unique, to the best of our ability, and not making blanket statements. Sounds like hard work, does it not? YES it is……..It really is……
Maybe we should roll our sleeves up, pray and Get down to asking the Lord to define, what a labor of love for him really is, to each of us as people. Can I get an Amen?
-Laura Grace, author Grace to Grow, Grace to Grow, the Study Guide.
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