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“Spiritual Warfare” What does it mean?

Laura GraceLeave a comment

I know a lot of people aren’t going to agree with me: However I am compelled to share on this at least a little bit on this today (my own personal testimony). James said via the Holy Spirit; “submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee.”

How this happens has been depicted I everything from exorcisms to lengthy deliverance services while praying in tongues. 

In the battle of Jericho warfare was walking silently around the city for several days; doing exactly as God instructed. I’m pretty sure Noah was resisting the enemy (in surrender to God) when he just kept building the Ark day after day; no matter what was going on around him.

How God Leads Christians to do spiritual warfare is up to him. Instead of wondering why we all do things differently sometimes; Maybe it’s time to ponder how we can rejoice over our differences and maybe pick up some tips from each other rather than squabbling over these things.

Some people resist the enemy of their souls by simply refusing to listen to the negative thoughts that hit their brain; others command him to flee in the name of Jesus.

But I do wish to remind you that even in a war; the soldiers are accountable to listen to the commanding officer; they are not allowed to just shoot whenever and wherever they want to without consequences.  

I am reminded of the passage where it is said if we cast out demons but do not KNOW Jesus he will say: (do you know what it says?) ………..

The scariest type of Christian is one not surrendered to his commanding officer (Jesus; bishop of their soul!).

I think it’s good for us all to remember Salvation is not a “one time event” but an ongoing choice to learn and grow up in Him no matter what type of perilous times we are living in. Let’s Grow! #growing #growing in Grace

Laura Grace, Author of Grace to Grow and Grace to Grow Study Guide

*soon to be released (Peace!!) 🙂 armour of God

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Envy….the almost forgotten sin

Laura GraceLeave a comment

envy

You know…….(I just have to say this) I’ve been guilty of this one many times and I hate to even admit it.

I remember back when I was first saved and filled with the Holy Spirit and all in love with God (and on fire for him) and I still love him so very much by the way; perhaps more than ever before! I remember getting on people’s cases for not going to church enough or tithing or just whatever I was doing that they were not doing.

When I shared Jesus with a stranger who was struggling; now that was out of love in my heart as I was led to do; but there were also times I (like a child) got on the cases of people because again; they were not doing what I thought I had to be doing and so; (my dears) the actual motive was envy; not love as I thought.

Ever been envious your husband got to sit around while you had to do a bunch of dishes and laundry on the weekend? (wives?) or how about the husband being envious of his wife and her shopping?

We are so accustomed to thinking of Jealousy as a thing that happens when someone cheats on us that we fail to see the motives behind our madness sometimes. OR we are so caught up in being aghast at the sins of others we fail to see the envy creeping in our very souls and coming out of our mouths as supposed “spiritual warnings” to others. We need to examine ourselves; this is what growing is all about.

with love and blessings for you all and myself as well!

Laura Grace Author: Grace to the Rescue, Grace to Grow and Grace to Grow Study guide soon to be released and this book will knock yours socks off!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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How do I know I am growing?

Laura GraceLeave a comment

We are growing if and when we stay open to new things God wants to teach us today. We are listening; our ears are tuned in to hear him. We are asking to see and we are seeing new things in his word. It’s exciting! Our lives in him are vibrant and we know it. We know more today than we did yesterday.

We are excited because the more we grow the more we need new clothing to accommodate the blessing. We are doing things we could not do before; because my dear; we are growing.

If someone has been serving God over twenty years and they have not expanded their horizons in the least; I would say they are probably not growing. Growing Christians step out and try new things; they wake up and one day they believe they can do something they had never done before.

They break out of their comfort zones and they stretch out like the branches on a tree. Soon many birds are finding refuge in their branches: and even the fruit loving varmints are trying to get to the fruit on their tree. Just as I am writing this book right now; something in them says: “There is so much” God has given to me, I have to share it!”

They have to can it, freeze it; preserve it somehow for future feedings because they know deep down what they are hungry for; someone else is likely hungry for it as well.

Fruit satisfies you; it doesn’t you feeling empty or lacking or half full.

I need to ask you another question to ponder:

Do you ever go to a church service, read a book or call someone to minister to you and walk away feeling you did not get full? If so what did you do about it? Do you complain and never go to church again because they must all be phony; or do you reach out to God for the answer? Are there areas in your life you have just shut down because you are angry nobody seemed to have the answers you needed? If so; what is stopping you from seeking God for the answers yourself? From the upcoming book:

Grace to Grow study Guide by Laura Grace, author of Grace to Grow.

http://www.facebook.com/gracetoogrow/  Books available at Tate Publishing and Amazon as well as writing me: sisterzeal@yahoo.com

 

BOOK PICTURES

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Being Humble…what it means to me by Laura Grace

Laura GraceLeave a comment

HUMBLE

Being humble to me means I am teachable. I remember seeing a passage of scripture how a donkey was used to rebuke a prophet and stop his madness and he spoke and said why are you beating me?

The Prophet was going the wrong way and God in his Mercy used an animal to rebuke him! I’ve learned a lot through my life; and God has used many things to teach me. Just as he used the parables of the wheat and many other parables with his disciples; why do we think we will do “greater things than Jesus” yet he won’t allow or use other things to teach us besides what is written in our bible right before us?

God has used my enemies to teach me things at times; he has used my captors; he has used everything to get across to me the truths he is wanting me to know. A good Father doesn’t care how his children “get it” they just rejoice when they do get it. God is with you. Don’t be afraid to let him teach you things while you and he walk this road called life.

Father I do thank and praise you for teaching me things every day of my life. Thank you that you teach me to hear the truth and train my ears to receive wisdom. Thank you for giving me a new heart to love and serve you. I thank you that I shall not be afraid; for you are with me oh Lord.

 

In Jesus’ name. amen

 

 

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What you are contending with In this day and age

Laura GraceLeave a comment

I am going to post here a link from Yahoo Answers; Religion and Spirituality where I was frequently trying to “help” a few years back.

https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20151230144330AAjVKBa

In this particular link You will see the type of things we are dealing with in today’s society and thinking. It’s not the same as it was 20 years ago folks.

Instead of being smarter than a 5th grader; Today’s Christian is going to need to be able to stand up to what I would call an almost “rabid” group of atheists in this society. They are shrewd. They are confident. They are without mercy and they run in mobs.

If you are not dealing with this you’ll be dealing with others who insist we can run and commit any sin imaginable (as often as we want to) and if God really loves us like he said he did; He will not say a word about it or discipline us at all. After all he does understand we were “born into sin” right?

You aren’t just dealing with some people who had a little misunderstanding with God: There are people who hate God and they are growing in numbers. Pat answers won’t work. Cliche’ sayings aren’t going to work either. What your grandma believed is not going to get you through what’s coming.

I am almost done with my book Grace to Grow Study guide now. It’s designed and written in such a way as to leave you able to grow on your own with God; yet has enough anointed tips to point you in the right direction without taking away your ability to be unique and useful to the Lord almighty. I can sleep at knowing I am fulfilling my calling and doing my best to do my part to assist and share (with the Body of Christ) what has helped me in my quest to grow.

Growing is not enduring. It’s not “just getting through it.” Growing means you really truly know more than you did last week (in Christ) and more than the week before that and the week before that.

IF you do not feel (truly) like you have grown I pray you get a hunger and thirst for Growing up in Christ. We need full grown Christians to fight the battle that’s ahead.

 

With love and soberness:
Laura Grace Author: #grace to the rescue #grace to grow #let there be light #ABC’s of Christianity #sons of God find on Amazon today

 

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Our Controversial Jesus….by Laura Grace

Laura GraceLeave a comment

JESUS sEES.png

Luke 2:5 New King James Version (NKJV)
 “…to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife who was with child.”
Matthew 1:20
“But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.”
This is bigger than we thought.
The bible says all the scripture (old test. And new) is given for reproof and instruction. I know everyone wants to take it as a book of rules as in “the spirit of rules.” The spirit of death gets in with the spirit of ‘rules that can save us” and that’s why the letter of the law kills and the Spirit gives us life.
Whether the Old Testament or the New; you can see the Spirit of life at work (even in the Old Testament) and likewise; People can take the New Testament and make it into a book of death instead of into a book of life.
How; you ask? Take the example of the woman caught in Adultery. Jesus comes along; the Pharisees are quoting the scripture to him (as if he didn’t know it already) telling him this woman needs to be stoned because she was caught in sin.
After saying whoever is without sin should cast the first stone, and after they had gone away; Jesus said: “Where are your accusers” And then: “Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more.”
Now how do you take that verse? Do you take it to mean she better not ever commit adultery again, or what if Jesus meant: “Don’t get into unbelief again, or ever think I would condemn you for your bad choices?”
If you really read the whole New Testament “in the Spirit” I think you would see the thread of Grace that runs throughout the entire thing. Not believing is the very big deal: which Jesus addressed time and time again; even with his disciples.
The disciples continually seemed to be reminding him why someone was unworthy of His blessing; why they should go away; why they should shut up; and even why they should go away somewhere to buy their own bread when they were hungry.
Jesus constantly was reminding THEM that all things he was about to do; was by His grace (and mercy and compassion) and could not be earned by men.
In the end; we know how he was crucified because he was just far too unruly; going around healing people who obviously deserved to be punished for their sins. His very presence took away the need for the Pharisees and other religious leaders who so highly regarded themselves; because in reality; What would happen if word got out and continued to spread that all you had to do was “come to Jesus’ and you would be healed, set free, delivered and full of Joy and good news?
What was so threatening about that? (I might ask you.)
Well they wouldn’t need those leaders anymore, if they truly found out what Jesus did and what was done for them; would they? 
God’s leaders are servants helping others to get free and get closer to Jesus; Not further away from him.
Certainly the disciples who became Apostles no longer needed the church hierarchy of that day; to tell them what was what.
Before their very eyes; and to their horror I might add; Jesus planted the very seeds of greatness in them that sprung from the rivers of life within himself. And there was nothing they could do to stop it; no matter how hard they tried.
Jesus is very controversial
So; from the beginning; Jesus and his life was extremely controversial. Wasn’t it? Here is Mary; “Pregnant” out of wedlock.
Although we all like to brag how we understand that Jesus fulfilled all this prophecy with his arrival (and he certainly did!) We don’t really like to think about just how controversial his arrival to earth really was.
God had to send an angel to convince Joseph to marry “Jesus’ mom” because he was so terrified of what people were going to think. I can’t say that I blame him for being afraid.
From the day of his arrival; Jesus started getting people in hot water with the ones who believed themselves to be the most informed religious scholars who believed themselves to be experts on the subject of God Almighty.
by Laura Grace: Author, minister and your servant to help you get free.
Evangalism and the Great Commission what it really is (and isn’t)
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Evangalism and the Great Commission what it really is (and isn’t)

Laura GraceLeave a comment

What makes a person willing to be saved? How did you get saved? I can tell you for me it was the moment I realized that my own ways were not working; that I gave my heart to Jesus and told him he could have my life. Not only were my own ways not working; but I finally realized that if I didn’t give myself over to him; He was not going to give himself over to me either.

God doesn’t budge (from his stance or way of doing things) no matter how much we batter him with our theories of how he could do things better.

You may not like what I am about to say: but I have to tell you (and God is with me on this) He (The Lord) is into saving lost souls; and not so much into saving all of humanity.

If it were not for his Mercy, His Compassion, and his grace to go to the cross and give us a way back to God the Father; none of us would be here right now. People who choose not to believe in God cannot see this; won’t see it; refuse to see it and therefore they cannot see. If you stick a blazing light in the eyes of a blind man; he won’t see your light.

He may feel irritated about the extra heat in the room; but he cannot see so long as he is blind. This is why I don’t believe in arguing about politics.

We’ve got supposed Christian people out there; acting crazier than the people they are supposedly so worried about. And we wonder why nobody is getting saved. Why would they not want to give their lives for this one we represent? (We wonder) he is so good! But are you good?

Is it really righteous to go around calling people sinners when we still have a big beam in our own eye?

This is why (I have learned) that the only way I can effectively lead someone to Christ is to tell them my own story or testimony. I don’t believe in ramming a scripture down someone’s throat.

All I can say honestly; is the one who saved me will also save you if you ask him. Realize that is someone asks you why you have this hope (inside you) that you can always be willing to share it.

Don’t be afraid (to share) what you know; but stop when you do not know and stop pulling rubber stamp Christian sayings out of your hat.

Someone’s very soul is at stake; this is not a game; and getting someone saved is not something you can do personally. You recognize a grain ripe for the harvest; you harvest it in. Someone else did the work before you and you are blessed to participate. That’s the way this works. Any other type of Evangelism involving scare tactics or manipulation is not of God. And I might add: probably won’t stick either.

Becoming a grown-up minister of God

The only way we can become grown up ministers of God is if we apply ourselves to learn from the Holy Spirit. There is too much copy and pasting going on; too much quoting or misquoting the uninformed; who say they know but do not know much in reality. Sooner or later; we begin to realize that we knew all along that a lot of people are full of hot air and have more confidence than they really ought to have.

Not confidence in truth, mind you; just confidence the masses want to hear what they are saying and they know they can get away with it for a time.

Grown up ministers of God often do not fit the description (or format) of what we think ministers ought to be. We have movies, television, and a lot of religious ideas in our heads; taught to us from the time we are born. Don’t you think Jesus knows this? Why do you think he called some fisherman and some ordinary guys to just “follow him?” He wanted to train them; renew them; equip them for the great work of the Great Commission. And, I might add; none of them went to seminary.

Question: Are you really brave enough to follow the Holy Spirit’s leading? Why or why not? What things scare you about this? (Write them down). And pray over them as well. -from the upcoming book; grace To Grow the Study guide: by Laura Grace

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Bread and Living water

Laura GraceLeave a comment

bread of life

I have friends I break bread with sometimes. Oh we may not necessarily take communion together; (although some have done that with me) but breaking bread together is like the anointing: a reminder that Jesus is the bread and the living water!

He’s the righteousness we feast upon so we never hunger and his words are living water to us that we never thirst. The dry places come from trying to live in religion and the dead letter of the law.

He challenges us to grow and become this bread and living water that others may also be filled whenever they are around us.

Jesus hung out with his 12 disciples and made sure they had everything they needed (to be equipped) to go out and do what they were called to do. A multiplication process happened.

The seeds Jesus planted have gone forth; and they were perfect seeds by the way: Perfectly good seeds yet some of them did fall by the way. Why? Because some were not very interested in what he had to say.

Why do you fill yourself with that which does not satisfy? (Jesus asks!) as he and the Father and His Spirit are one: he asked that question long ago, and the question still hangs over us; for many it is unanswered to this day. Just as Jesus went to a Samaritan; a tax collector; a prostitute and many others who are deemed to be unworthy by the religious society of today; He is going out and reaching them now.

 

He doesn’t go where he is not wanted; He goes where he IS wanted. He is the bread of life and he is the living water! and if you are becoming like him: YOU WILL BE TOO! I challenge you to choose to be life! Choose to be like him! See what he says when you ask him to give you the meaning of the scriptures before you.

 

with Love and Faith for your growing:

Laura Grace: author Grace to the Rescue, Grace to Grow and the upcoming book Grace to Grow Study guide soon to be released.

 

Peace!

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Tell you what; Let’s not have a martha stewart christmas …….

Laura GraceLeave a comment

christmas be thankful.pngI do decorate a tree. I do put up some snow men I really love at Christmas time. I am a Holy ghost filled born again Christian woman and yes I do love Christmas! I do not bow to or honor any pagan gunk I simply love that many times people are nicer this time of year; more ready to smile willing to greet you and say “Merry Christmas.”

When I was younger and sometimes even when I was older I would get way too stressed out at Christmas time. I’m not sure if any men get stressed (maybe when they see the bank account diminishing) but for the most part it’s usually women that get stressed out at Christmas time if someone is going to! Why? Because it’s on us to make it happen!

If money is no object: it’s not so stressful I’m sure. but if you are broke wow …..and if you have kids with big expectations? Double wow!

I”ve had some marvelous Christmas’s I’ve had some very hard ones; I just feel led to reach out to you today and say this: GOD CAN and will restore your Christmas Spirit if you ask him! I had a friend tell me this year she was praying for me to have Christmas Spirit.

She didn’t have any for quite awhile after her husband suddenly passed away. I have prayed for her constantly over the past few years and I will say her loss caused me to treasure my own husband even more: and notice his faults ‘even less” because her traumatic loss was a reminder to me how quickly life on earth can suddenly end.

Christmas is a time of wishes and hoping they come true. Whether it’s wishing to see family; wishing for gifts or wishing for a marvelous dinner like Tiny Tim had after scrooge got his scolding from the ghostly visitors: People tend to have unmet expectations at Christmas. Usually the response to this is huge disappointments and so “WE” either wind up finding something to be thankful for or we wind up huffy!

Well I’ve gotten Huffy; disappointed: THE PRESSURE of Christmas (for mostly women) brings out the best or the worst of us it seems. I want to point out when Water is Roaring through a broken; damaged or faulty pipe system the pipe will break! Bad it broke: good you found out you need some new plumbing! So my contention is this: Are we going to let our leaky plumbing upset the whole day? Or ask God to make us all new inside? We have the choice you know. That’s what being a Christian is all about; being made new (year after year after year) and if we are going forward in our growing; I dare say we will like ourselves a whole lot more. if we like ourselves more: it’s going to show and people will want what we have. Then The spirit of Evangalism can truly happen!

PS: Let your Christmas be Merry and bright! Let God shine (upon you) his glorious light! and let’s not have a Martha Stewart Christmas; not if striving for perfection makes you feel unhappy. Better to rejoice with a crust of bread than have feasting with strife! amen?

 

With Love:

Laura Grace (author)