Become all you can be (in Jesus). by His Spirit!
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
Today I have a video to share with you, it’s 5 min long. In it I describe an encounter I had with an abusive person, whom we would likely call “a bully”. This is how I handled it……
“1, 2,3” The devil’s after me (goes the song) 4,5,6 “he’s always playing tricks….”
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
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
Luke 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.
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.
Transparent and walking in the light: Day 4. The cool thing about Testimonies is that what we have experience with God for real becomes the very rock and foundation we stand on. Storms cannot take someone off the rock.
I find I cannot stand on hearsay. I cannot stand on what others say is true. When God says something is true and proves it to me -it becomes (one brick at a time) a house built upon the rock.
I can learn a lot just by listening to people and I can tell if the…ir belief systems is based on real live experiences or hear-say.
Many things the world says turns out to be hear-say later on. Ultimately God said through his servant James to love the world is to be Adulterous. This is why Jesus was so adamant about saying what defiles comes from within (book of Mark, chapter 7). When he refused to condemn people Jesus was not saying there is not sin he was trying to teach us not to judge by outward appearance.
If we freak out over every sin we “see’ With our eyes we don’t learn to see with our hearts. God wants to open the eyes of our hearts and see what he sees. This is one if the many many things he has taught me. If I share what God teaches me with others that means I love you otherwise I would not share the very treasures of my heart with you. With Love and prayers,
Laura Grace
Author of Grace to the Rescue
and Grace to Grow.
gracetogrowdaily 