Tag: gracetogrow

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Messy Christianity…..

Laura GraceLeave a comment

Every day life as a Christian: 🙂 It gets messy sometimes .How to pay the bills, believing for a miracle! I have a tire on my car right now that needs replaced, I wanted to travel, and can’t. Is it my fault?

Every time I go to the store the prices seem higher. What cost 5.00 a few months ago is 10.00. I had illness, unexpected this, unexpected that. I think ONE THING we need to remember today, is nothing surprises God. He saw it all coming……..

One of the reasons people love “prophetic words” is they want to know what’s coming. They are tired of being taken off gaurd. I know just recently I was struggling with something big I never saw coming and I wrestle with God over it. “Why Didn’t you TELL ME?”

I just can’t believe sometimes God “let this happen” (certain things) when I know he was powerful enough to stop it! The main thing is forgiving ourselves, for our part in the collateral damage. “if Only I had known Father” “I prayed, I asked you what to do! Why do I find myself in this MESS!!!? ……..

What we forget, is that God PAID the price through Jesus for your whole growing up process. When he said you are REDEEMED that means you are bought with a price (his Blood!!). And He is NOT going to let you go, just because you messed up. He gives us more grace, and when the time comes to give out Grace, yes he’s going to expect us to give it. None of this “I’m a self made person” and I had to “save myself” so YOU Do TOO!! ……He isn’t into all that.

He wants our testimony to be “I SAVED YOU” from yourself your mistakes, your disasters, your “own wisdom” and now you go, and preach my gospel of Grace to others. What you have been given “freely give”………

So Father, for every time my flesh rose up and wanted to punish anyone for hurting me, forgive me. I’ve hurt plenty of people in my time, when I was bumbling around being a “Messy Christian” ….Help me Recieve Grace, Give Grace, and preach the gospel of grace. We are saved by your Unmerritted Favor Father! May we never forget, and if we do “SPANK US!!” ….amen! Your friend and fellow traveller,

Laura Grace

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Because of His Mercy…….

Laura Grace

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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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We live in a world of extreme thinking

Laura GraceLeave a comment

Ecclesiastes 7:18-20 “…..a man who fears God will avoid all extremes”

Wow. This says a mouthful. I’ve been observing and thinking about extremes lately. It’s in politics. People are extreme about sharing their opinions, (invited or not). Extremely liberal. Extremely Conservative.

Years ago, the Lord literally arrested me with the passage of scripture above. He let me know, I was being extreme at the time. We were denied ice cream as a kid, so we get obsessed with ice cream. Or fun. Or money. Whatever we didn’t have, that’s what we tend to crave the most.

I see it in the church too. We were denied spiritual gifts, so that’s all we think about. In my case, I went through a time I did not cherish the old hymns as I should have, simply because I was afraid of being stuck there, and not experiencing all God had for me. I got extreme.

I was extreme about spiritual warfare at one time, and pretty much thought everything bad was the devil. Truth be told, everything bad or twisted DID originate from him. But whether (the enemy) shot a flaming lie in to our minds which has to be extinguished (Ephesians 4) or whether he planted a bad seed that grew into a giant weed (Matthew 13), depends on the particular situation. We need to see and discern.

As people shout from the housetops what they believe we need to think, it’s a cultivated and deliberate process to continue asking God what to think. “Give us your viewpoint Father, for we truly want to know!”

Those who do this are walking a lonely road, off by themselves somewhere. While the rest of the world shouts and argues, they are quietly reflecting on what the bible says, while simultaneously asking the Holy Spirit to help them apply those words in a truly effective way. A heart set on growing, is a heart set on God.

Please pray with me: “Father, in Jesus’ name, please forgive me of extreme thinking. Show me the areas where I have been extreme. Brace me for your loving correction. Help me stay humble. I want to learn.”

Amen Minister of the Lord and his servant, Laura Grace

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It’s time to hear from God, and truly know him………

Laura Grace1 Comment

It’s time to truly KNOW you have heard from God.

That he is and has been building your house on the rock.

I know many of you enjoy my writings, But I want you to be aware I am building a series on youtube week by week (on Saturdays). Feel free to subscribe if you are interested in knowing God and getting rid of the giant of religion. Religious teachings are a distraction you don’t need in your life during these turbulent and uncertain times. “Draw near to me” God says, and I will draw near to you. James 4:8. With Love! -Laura

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Reflective……..

Laura Grace1 Comment

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

christian elitism · elitists · pentecostal pride · Uncategorized · walking in love

1,2,3 “the devil’s after me” Reconciling charismatic teachings with others……

Laura GraceLeave a comment

“1, 2,3” The devil’s after me (goes the song) 4,5,6 “he’s always playing tricks….” 

devil stomp.jpg

The bible says Jesus defeated satan, at the cross. For years, people (of God) just believed him to be a defeated foe, carried on with their lives, and never gave “satan’ a second thought. This was back before the great revivals and great Pentecostal Movement, and awakening. Now to understand why some think the Pentecostal movement is a bit weird (or crazy, or real peculiar) we need to step into their shoes a minute, and, try to understand their logic a little bit.

Yes, That’s what I said, Try to understand (their logic) for just a minute in time, rather than getting so defensive about what you know.

I remember trying to tell my grandma (and others) how the devil needed to be rebuked (in prayer) and the look I got was, “Well you sound crazy, but, I’m not touching that one with a ten foot pole!” Here she was, along with many others I know Just “trusting God was with her” and protecting her, as she went about in faith and lived her life (in faith, believing!)

How is it okay to tell someone they’ve been all messed up all these years, just because they do not see it as you do? If what I believe makes my brother stumble I’m not walking in love. (ouch!). Therefore, in many cases, we need to wait to be invited (or asked) before we speak. We don’t run up and clang the cymbals in someone’s ears! (That is not love!).

 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. Gal 5:5-7

So we have Kenneth Hagin teachings, (which I have read) where He said the Lord showed him: “I”m not going to do anything about the devil, you do it!” And so, we have a book called the Authority of the Believer (by Kenneth Hagin) and many offshoots of those teachings, which came after that. 

When we learn something, it’s so easy to just say well “everyone” needs to know this (and start running around informing people of “the truth!”). You know, I’ve done this too.

Therefore, many Charismatic Christians (who talk about being Spirit filled a lot, and so on) Which I have been as well, become little “elitists” and now we have the answer, and all those other Christians “do not.” (and need to be informed, by us!)

We often don’t concern ourselves with the fact that OUR BIBLE SAYS Faith must work through love, and without it, we are nothing but a clanging cymbal! No, we don’t want to hear that part, do we? So we go and “crash” the party of those who are just believing, God is good, the devil is defeated, and I am having faith I’ll be just fine!

You know, when Jesus said he would bring division, it was never His intention the Body of Christ be so divided. (NOT HIS PREFERENCE!) as he was talking about believers and non-believers, not his People.  So this is the thing: You want to walk in Love (Jesus says to me) try loving your brethren for once…………..Those who do believe…….(already) Who are walking in their personal revelation, and don’t need you to insert teachings upon them, which might make them stumble…..

Because, if you do that, you are not walking in love…….

“Here’s how we know we have God’s Spirit ruling within us…..We love the brethren……..

That is those “other people” of God, who do not always believe exactly as we do…..

HMM ……Food for thought! Lord “bring revival” to all your people we pray, help us to return to our first love, which is you Father! And not just be puffed up with the sin of pride, in what we think we know. “Amen.” -Laura Grace

baseball · making a difference · Uncategorized · youdomake a difference

The outer outfield….When you feel you do not make a difference, You do!

Laura GraceLeave a comment

Baseball on fireHi, 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

hypocrites · Idolatry · Uncategorized

Hypocrisy! Do you have it? Dare to find out?

Laura GraceLeave a comment

BREAD.jpgLuke 12:1 Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.”

Jesus did not mince words here.  Jesus actually warned his disciples, several times, about this sin. You know, a lot of people who knew me (a few years back) think I have toned it down too much, or perhaps I am even compromising, because I don’t make a strong stand about politics, or many other ISSUES I used to be very vocal about, as a Christian.

The reason is not compromise. It’s because I have asked God to PURGE the yeast of the Pharisee OUT of me. Pharisees are good at pointing fingers at other people (and their sin!).

I have had people point fingers at me, Saying “well you were divorced” (and quote scripture to tell me how I am now some permanent adulteress?) Yes, this has actually happened, from supposed GOD LOVING Christians!

I am filled with the Spirit of God, I have prayed for discernment, Love, Fruits of the Spirit (Daily) and let me tell you something, I can see their hypocrisy, as clear as day.

The bible says “Thou Shalt have No Other God’s before me” (warning of Idolatry), beginning with the 10 commandments, and later on in our New Testament it says, “my little children, keep yourselves from idols’.

Many who think they are so holier-than-thou, have idols in their lives, at one time or another. Whatever is put before God (at any time) Is an idol. Their children, their church, their job, their houses…………..

Their spouse, their finances, their SHOPPING ……..

At any moment if you have put something BEFORE GOD at that very moment, it is an idol. And if I read my bible as if it were some sword to stab you with, I would have to tell you I cannot even eat with you……..that you are going to be left out of God’s Kingdom!

This is the hypocrisy Jesus was talking about. The leaven that gets into the whole lump.

The reason so many stay out of church and say “I don’t go there, hypocrites go there” is because even the lost, who are wandering, looking for Jesus, can spot a hypocrite when they see one. As I minister to people, I have had many say “you are different, you are real”

It’s a compliment, one I Praise God for, (every day). no I’m not an idol…….(thank God) People are not flocking to me by the thousands, because I say what they want to hear.

Incidentally, many turned from Jesus, when he started to get down to business! He was left with 11………

I have counted the cost, I have made up my mind. I hate sin (Just as God does) But you know what? I’m not one to go around pointing fingers and screaming SINNER!

Because I too am a sinner…….saved by Grace.

Laura Grace, Author, minister, mom, wife, grandma …….and lover of God ………..

It grieves my heart…when I see self-righteous Christians parading around…..acting like they are “ALL THAT” ….did you forget who you were, before Jesus saved you?

Heavenly Father, In the name of Jesus I pray..if I have any areas of hypocrisy in my life PURGE IT FROM ME! Let me walk in and partake of the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth I pray! identify any idols in my life, help me cast them down….

I long to worship you…..and you alone Father God. Don’t even let me idolize anyone’s teachings or leadership……I belong to you…….

amen.