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The Fragrance of Jesus…….Guest Post

My guest post is from John Garfield today. I met him years ago. and I was prophecied over that I would have to move (it’s in my book Grace to the Rescue) that there would be nothing I could do about it. And that is exactly what happened. I was forced to move and took my children to Minnesota, where I was eventually delivered from a very bad situation. Another “word” God gave me through this man was that I would be doing something creative that would bless my children somehow.

I was very poor, living in housing, and I started a floral business, and also learned to do floral design through a company that would send me kits and videos. My children saw me overcoming and pursuing my dream, even though I had every reason to just give up at that point in time. When I finally got all the flowers done to sell, I was in the mall selling flowers with my then 12 year old son, and learned my daughter had ran away from home. I left him in charge as I pursued her and got her out of the carnival trailer she was hiding in, ready to run off with them. I remember how I used that authority I learned about in church. “Produce my daughter” I said to the carnival workers that were hiding her,” Or I will call the cops!”

Indeed, they did produce her. John has always talked about desires of your heart and God wanting to use your dreams, gifts and talents for his glory (among other things) but today’s message from him is just really special, so I am sharing it with you. I’ve been super busy, and hope to get back to posting here more often.

With Love, Your sister and fellow follower of Jesus Christ,

Laura Grace

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Reflective……..

We should never give up.

Always forgive…

give people another chance unless they deliberately abused us

and I am not perfect

Just because I try to be good does not mean that I am.

I am only Good if God puts his goodness within me….

All the rest is striving (to be good) and it proves nothing

The Only Goodness I have is what he plants and waters within me

By his Spirit and in his Love

Laura Grace

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Have no Fear! Jesus is here…..

It’s so easy to say isn’t it? “Have no fear?

The truth is, our bodies (and minds) were made with this “fight or flee” response to danger, and we can’t even help it! Jesus knew that, so when he said not to fear, he was not getting on their cases in a condemning way. You have to see his heart behind this.

See, we sometimes view God’s words through the lense of our parents, and the impressions we got as a very small child. If there was shame or condemnation in our parent’s voices (as children) when we read “OH you of little Faith” spoken in our text of the bible, we may begin to feel like God is “mad at us’ for not having enough faith!

How often have you found yourself saying “I”m sorry Father for my lack of Faith,” or I’m sorry for not trusting in you?”

Where does this come from? It comes from the overwhelming FEELING he must be displeased with us!

Now, come on! Deep down, we know he is not that unfair or unjust, that he would chastize and berate us for not having Faith, when he knows we have not had experiences that have LED to having Faith in him! He, as a good Father and as a gentle loving Shepherd, understands that he needs to take us by the hand and LEAD US into life everlasting, WHILE we are still upon this earth, “Taking his Yoke” and learning of him!

What if you were Noah? (Just think with me for a moment) There is nobody else around but you and God? Could you believe to hear from him? Noah believed in the goodness of God (that’s why he found Grace!). So did Moses, So did King David, and this was all “before” Jesus came to earth to save us!

Now, that’s the kind of Faith God wants us to have my friends, Faith in his Goodness (and unfailing love). You are the desire of his heart and he doesn’t want to lose you! You are so precious to him! Ponder on that for a second……..

Try going to biblegateway.com and type in “the love of God” Or “Mercy” and see how many scriptures you come up with! Ponder that, and get back to me………

With love,

Laura Grace

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You are not insignificant……

God’s Banqueting table on this Earth is a lot like a Potluck. Everyone of God brings something to the table. All we have to do is listen, and “taste and see,” if it’s good or not. If someone brings (spiritual food) that is not good, we will soon know it!

We need to get past the mind-set that only pastors, or big name preachers, or “certain people’ prepare God’s food!

He brought me to the banqueting house, And his banner over me was love.” song of solomon 2:4 NKJV
https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=banner+over+me+&qs_version=NKJV

When People say they have “no need of you” and you are God’s representative, it’s often their loss, and not an indicator that you have been disapproved by God. Keep Pressing on! God loves you, he is so proud of you- when you put your heart and soul into something for him!  He’s always watching!

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God Paid for My School!

Where God Guides, He Provides!

God Paid for My Schooling! I remember when I started to study (and pray) and refused to work full-time, because if I did, I wouldn’t have time for this intenstive training with God. He let me know at that time, “Where he guides, he Provides.”

I prayed about where to go to school, checked out a whole bunch of schools, and finally settled on Liberty Univerisity Online.

How I remember the day I signed up (I was so scared!). Here I was, in my 50’s, wondering how I would possibly pay the debt. I did get some grants, but in the end, I had 15,000 in Student Loans.

In spite of my faith, my flesh did scream, “What are you going to do, Laura?”

Just in the nick of time (as usual) God came through for me. I was one month away from having to make payments, and something unexpected happened. Something Good, Something wonderful! He paid my debt.

I have never known How God would provide, but I know he has always provided. He can use any ol’ thing he wants to use! Jobs, Rummage Sales, People who suddenly give us money out of the clear blue sky for no apparent reason. One time, my daughter gambled her last 5.00 in desperation, and God caused her to win enough to pay for her rent.

(Before you roll your eyes over this, remember that Elijah was fed by a Raven (a very unclean bird according to my bible.)

God will equip you for every great work (in Him). I don’t care if it’s your Job, Schooling, Whatever it is he wants you to do, He WILL equip you! You can count on it!

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

http://www.biblegateway.com

I’ve watched him provide for my children with Backpacks, Clothing, anything you can name, God has provided it in various ways.. I’m talking about leading me to a 2.00 backpack when all I had was 2.00, or having someone give me a box of “stuff” and at the bottom of the stuff, was just what I needed for work, or for something else. It’s incredible! And all I had to do was trust him, and stand with him on the promises in his Word!

Yes, he does provide! Not only that, usually in abundance!

Praise his Holy Name! -Laura Grace