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The Shoes of Peace

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The Body of Christ: Complement VS Conflict: The Shoes of Peace

God spoke to me quite clearly, that the shoes of Peace are no small matter. How many times do we feel like war is what we need, when we need to speak the gospel of Peace? Romans 16:20 says “The God of Peace will soon crush satan under your feet.”

What does that even mean, exactly? We want power, God wants Peace.

I can remember years ago, I was in the bathroom crying, because I was in conflict with someone who refused to see my point. In my mind, it was a life-or-death matter. In fact, it had to do with raising my children with a spouse who did not agree to God’s ways.

I was afraid for them, and I really believed I needed to convince my spouse to see things God’s way. In my mind, he needed to bow down and acknowledge Jesus, but I was not going about it the right way. I was in fear, not faith, and this led to arguments and quarreling that was not always of God. I wanted victory, and I wanted it right now!

A precious woman of God came up to me in the bathroom, asking if she could pray with me. I was obliged, and after prayer, she gave me Proverbs 16, about how if we are righteous, even our enemies will be at peace with us.

 I remember pondering this all the way home, and later in my life, the passage would come up again, when I found myself wrestling with anger over injustice.

It’s not easy to see Peace as a powerful weapon of God. Images of hippies saying ‘Peace man” often come to mind when I hear the word peace. But making peace with all men (as much as possible) does not mean compromising righteousness.

What it often means, is standing our ground in our own beliefs, (What God has shown us), and giving up the right to try and change someone else’s mind. That’s tough when we want to walk in agreement with someone, especially a spouse.

How many conflicts arise, even in the body of Christ, when two people do not see eye to eye? How do they go forward in Peace? Should we just “submit” to someone we don’t agree with?  What if their leadership is compromised, tainted, and not God’s best for our lives? What if your spouse is asking you to do something you know is unrighteous?

God sent his son to say “Peace on Earth” but he also said his word will bring division, because his word is light, and the world, in general lives in a very dark realm.

Navigating the path of Peace with God:

 You’re staying in his righteousness may mean that others will not agree with you. I can tell you that Apostles, Prophets, teachers and pastors will often be part of the edification process, helping you learn how to walk in the shoes of peace, when there is spiritual war all around you. If you are walking in God’s righteousness, anyone who is not walking in that light with him, will most likely persecute you. Your very presence and decisions to follow Jesus will make them feel uncomfortable. Some will try to convince you to take a different path, while others may mock or ridicule you. 

To be at peace with your decision to follow Jesus, you must realize it’s not going to be an easy path.

When I got saved, I told my flesh, “You will be at peace with God, and his ways.” It was a decision. This meant if I didn’t feel like sitting through a church service, if I didn’t feel like studying, and if I didn’t feel like listening to what his spirit was telling me, My spirit man (who is right with God, and wants to do his will) would command PEACE to my flesh saying “You will do what I say.” Do you see where I am going with this?

If my flesh can surrender to the will of God, that means when I walk into a room and speak PEACE, the people in that room also can choose to be at peace with me.

Luke 10:5-9 The disciples are told to speak peace to a house when they enter, and if they are going to promote peace, the peace will remain. Sometimes we will be sent to preach Peace and good news, and after we depart, the persons we spoke to will decide they don’t really care about being at peace with God (and his ways). If that is the case, we can still be at peace, and they will continue to be in war and conflict.

So, let’s do a re-cap. Your Shoes are Peace. We want to reconcile men to Christ and cause them to be at peace with him (and his ways) just like we are. Satan doesn’t want peace, he wants war. When we declare peace, we are crushing satan under our feet.

Righteousness is our breast plate, (Ephesians 6). We are saved by Grace, The Lord gives us HIS Righteousness and wants us to walk in the spirit, becoming more and more like him. Whoever walks after the Spirit of God WILL become more like Jesus (and reflect his righteousness). If you see someone calling themselves a Christian, and you never see any fruit, growth or changes in their life, something is wrong.

Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, teachers and Evangelists are sent into our life to build us up and strengthen us, even to the point of helping us remember to “Put on” the armor of God (so we can stand against the wiles of the evil one).

Those offices should not conflict with each other but complement each other. The Apostle may be talking about strengthening your breastplate of righteousness. The pastor might be reminding you of your Helmet of Salvation.

The Prophet may be helping you sharpen your sword. The teacher helps you flesh out the whole truth, in a passage of scripture. The Evangelist, reminding you how to be at peace with God (and men, if it’s possible). You take up your shield of Faith, and when the devil tells you to be in conflict over all of it, tell HIM to get gone! Amen      -Laura Grace

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The Body of Christ: Complement not Conflict is what needs to happen…..

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                         The Body of Christ: Complement VS Conflict: Introduction

     This topic has been a long time coming, and the Lord finally asked me to address it, after a week of obeying his spirit and asking him to “Fill me with righteousness.”

     That turn-around came from a very sticky situation, with a family member being falsely accused, unjustly punished, and a whole lot of injustice going on, and I became extremely angry about it. And in the process of being angry, I found myself less and less at peace.

     I found comfort talking to a friend recently, who is a born again, spirit-filled Christian, but said a situation containing much injustice, nearly drove her off the edge, at one time in her walk with the Lord.

Trust me when I say, this injustice is huge. And yet, God is telling me to rest in his Peace.

My friend and I both laughed about God “getting on our cases” that this kind of anger does not produce the righteousness of God. I will address this more in the Part 1 and Part 2 of this message (Forthcoming).

     I’ve experienced conflict (in my own heart and mind) over many things my brothers and sisters in Christ have said through the years. My son is a pastor, I raised him, and yet, he and I don’t always see eye to eye. My husband has marks of a prophet and the gift of help, and I often have found myself in conflict with him, as well. Have you ever been in conflict over “different viewpoints?” If so, why?

     Recently, I got upset at someone who I really do admire, all because she seemed to be contradicting me when she was talking about God’s will being done. I was not at peace though, and I knew it was not of God. And this may seem silly to you, but I was focused on how God told me to pray, and her input seemed contradictory to the direction the Holy Spirit was giving me. I felt like one of us had to be right and one had to be wrong. And as usual, now that God has straightened me out, I feel pretty silly about it all.

      Anyway, the conflict was the last straw for me, and I decided to really press in and ask God what he thinks about all this ‘conflict.” What he showed me was rather amazing, and at the same time, I got corrected by him (once again) to notice what is pure, lovely and good report, versus finding fault with those who don’t agree with me on every single point.

     We’ve all had those moments, one person may be led by the spirit of God to correct someone, while another may be led to show mercy. Still another might be led to pray for them extensively, and God may show someone else to be quiet and just set a good example. The Body of Christ is the Body of Christ. In other words: His Body!

     Those who are not truly born again and acting like they are saved so they can mingle in and upset God’s apple cart, are an entirely different story.

       It’s high time we start to see how God wants to bring unity and peace, highlighting the virtues in his people, versus tearing each other down. I was just so surprised at what he showed me. Truly, we have come into a time when if we know all mysteries, speak the tongues of angels, and have great revelatory knowledge, it all sounds like clanging cymbals in God’s ears if we have not LOVE For his people (the Body of Christ). Selah

Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God, I will be exalted………”

I pray Father you use what you have given me to bless others, in Jesus’ name. amen.

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Revive-Restore-Renew!

Laura Grace1 Comment

Revive: To Return to Consciousness & Life

God wants to Renew, Restore and Revive you!

I was reading about expectations this morning, and noticed there are a whole lot of “memes” out there saying to lower your expectations so you won’t be disappointed! 😮

The truth is, disappointment often happens when people fail to live up to what we think they should be. The enemy wants you to “give up” so bad he will NEVER Stop trying to discourage you.

Look at Abraham’s wife, who laughed when God said she would have a child (Genesis 18). She was a realist. Look at David “Overlooked and not chosen” Until God called him forward. To be a King! 😮

“He’s just a shepherd boy” People thought. “Nothing great can be seen in him!” Same with Jesus people saying “what good can come from that Carpenter’s son from Nazareth?

Greatness is God bestowing greatness within a person, and raising them up and using that greatness for his glory and Praise.

What makes people want to give up is that “other people” don’t believe in them. God believes in you! 🥰 Because he lives in you!

He sees the greatness and gifts he has deposited within you. He wants to use those gifts for his glory (honor and Praise).

Don’t allow people to make you feel small, defeated and worthless. That is the work of the enemy, not God. Every great leader goes through their times of being corrected, disciplined, “caught in the act” of something they should not have done. Moses beat the rock too many times, Noah got drunk after the flood, David sinned and repented and was RENEWED REVIVED AND RESTORED.

Peter hid and denied Jesus, (but was restored!) the only person who would not repent was Judas. He stayed at a distance from Jesus the whole entire time he “pretended” to follow him …..and his fate was sealed, his heart filled with the evil one & his ways.

There is always hope in Christ for you to get up and try again! I challenge you to let God Renew your mind today, and show you what Great plans he has for your life. Never surrender! Never give up! You are not defeated! However you feel right now is temporary.

With Love, 🙏Laura

PS God has great things in store for you!

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A Little Pizza Story…..

Laura GraceLeave a comment

A little Pizza story..….by Laura Grace

Hi Friends, so last Wed, I was on auto pilot and getting ready for work, doing dishes, taking care of business and put this little pork roast in the pot, covering it with seasoning and got it cooking.

Before I left for work, I prayed something I have not prayed in a long time. “Father I ask you, Order my steps today” and quoted how a righteous man or woman’s steps are ordered of the Lord.”

I was very sincere about it, and fully expected all of my decisions to be “of God” as I was realizing I was over-thinking things.

At 3:30 I thought “I need something for dinner” and ordered a pizza from the cafe, picked it up and brought it home after work! As I was getting in my car I realized “Why did you do that? You have a roast cooking at home” 😬😮😂

I was embarrassed, but my husband said “No big deal” we’ll have roast tomorrow! So I took the toppings off my part of the pizza, put it on sourdough toast, and we had ‘PIzza night” …..

I SO Enjoyed that pizza, and cut up the small roast, turning it into two different meals for the next two nights ahead. This is a classic case of what often happens when we follow after God. It will appear “illogical” and mess with our human brain, and the bible clearly says “The natural man cannot receive the things of God.” 1 Corn 2:14

I was blessed by the Pizza, I had much Joy, and all is well, the roast was not wasted. But I gotta tell you, for a “split second” I thought I messed up! Thank God I didn’t trip and fall over the devil’s accusation that I was silly for ordering that pizza!! Love you!! -Laura

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How Misrepresentation of love leads to falling away……..(An End Times Message)

Laura GraceLeave a comment

The Church did not do anyone any favors, if they failed to define what Love (according to God) actually is. I was talking to a friend the other day, who said the great falling away seems to be happening. In just a moments’ time it hit me, the false teachings about love have a great deal to do with this.

Years ago, God was showing me (as I studied and prayed) that love according to him is “Not a Hallmark Card.” Every time I was facing a liar, a person who did not care what God thought, or a person who was in anarchy, defying the very words of God, I was told by church people that love was the answer. But you see, an in-depth study of the bible, showed me that most of the love scriptures we hear (Love one another, love your neighbor as yourself) are talking about how we should love the brethren. That is, the people of God.

I noticed the revelation came to me over a period of time, and continued to talk to people about how God did not tell them to take abuse and show love to ridiculously ungodly people, but in some cases, we need to rebuke them, tell the devil to flee from them, and yes, even avoid certain persons. As I would quote the book of Jude and talk about such things, many people pulled back from me, believing I was off in my thinking. But now, as I see how the enemy is using Love AGAINST God’s people (not his kind of Love, but the Hallmark Kind) I can really see how he’s using this to try to take down the church.

Tolerance is not love. If someone is sinning and loves to sin, and does not wish to hear about Jesus, they have a right to walk away from you. Honestly, if they are not seeking him, chasing them down like a gazelle and trying to “rope them” into salvation is not a wise idea.

But when something infiltrates your church, you are responsible to chase it out. And I am talking about doctrines that say it’s okay to be in sin, to be sexually immoral, same sex relationships, bi-sexual relationships, and the list goes on. The Grace we apply for someone to grow into a full-grown Christian happens WHEN That person has given their lives to Jesus. And if they have done so, they are not going to be arguing about what is sin and what isn’t. Yes, people are supposed to be “under law” until they surrender and give their lives to Jesus. God’s laws are there to convict them. Please don’t take that away by making excuses for sin.

Therefore, I understand you want to be kind to people. I understand they don’t THINK they can help how they are. I once thought I was an alcoholic, could not stop drinking, that I could not stop being co-dependent, could not control my temper because it was right there (being a thing I both learned and inherited) BUT God calls us to overcome and BECOME all he ever desired for us to be. We start making excuses, we take away the power of the gospel, and become the people described in 2 Timothy 3. Lovers of selves, haughty, Proud of how much they love, proud of how strong they are standing up against the likes of us, blasphemous, unholy, and denying the power of God to change us.

Is anyone out there listening to me? What did the early disciples do? (After they became Apostles and Prophets and such?) They went around saying “REPENT!” They cast out devils. They did not endorse ANYONE staying the way they were. People flocking to salvation had nothing to do with being accepted HOW YOU ARE it was about BECOMING what God said you can be (IN HIM!)

We don’t need to do a rain dance all night and cast out a list of 20 devils to stop the great falling away. All we have to do is preach the TRUTH because God’s love envelopes truth and does not deny the truth of the gospel. IF we Allow anyone to alter what the bible says, it will become ineffective, USELESS with no power to change anyone’s lives and be redeemed from their sin. Now, someone was praying not to be deceived. And this is exactly what you needed to hear. -Laura Grace

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That Golden rule……….

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                                                          THE GOLDEN RULE

Matthew (7:12): “In everything, do unto others as you would have done unto you……”

……I want to be candid here. I have lived 62 years, and I find this passage doesn’t always work so well IF I treat it as a stand-alone scripture. My Mom taught me this one when I was very young. “It’s the Golden Rule” she said to me.

Throughout my life (and I took it seriously) I have brought people gifts because I really love to receive gifts for no reason! My Own mom for a long time said “You should save for Christmas or birthdays, why are you giving me a gift for no reason? Or at times, she did not like the gift. She wished I hadn’t “wasted my money” on this or that.

People whose love language is getting help will offer “Help” but then you run into someone like me, who had to always do it alone and is not comfortable with giving directions on HOW to help. We who always did it ourselves (and got used to it) don’t mean to reject your offer, it’s just we don’t know how to “not do it alone.”

I’ve had times I hit the nail on the head with a gift, while other times someone felt like “they had to return the favor” and wished I had not given them a gift at all! I’ve offered hugs to people who don’t want one. I’m sure others I failed to hug because that’s what they truly needed! The verse “Do unto others as you would have done unto you” does not work all by itself. Why? Because everyone has different expectations and needs. We are different.

A piece of advice that helps one person might offend another. “What do you think I’m stupid?” (is how they may feel!!). It takes a brave person to go out and “TRY AGAIN” when you have heard all the time how much you have failed to “hit the mark” On doing for others (the right thing at the right time!!).

But there is another thing my mom said to me, “it’s the thought that counts.” When I was a kid, and I was sad because I got a puzzle (and I don’t like puzzles) she said, “Just think they thought of you.” “They took the time to wrap it” and she would make me sit down and write a thank you card.

Growing up is hard. Especially in relationships. My prayer life and asking God “What do they need?” “What do I say?” “Please guide me” comes from the pain and heartache of failing.

Honestly, if I hadn’t failed, I probably wouldn’t have turned into this crazy Christian that prays about EVERYTHING. And still, even at that, I make mistakes. I don’t always hit the mark. I always don’t say the right thing at the right time (or get the right gifts!!). But my heart really is set on being a blessing (everywhere I go). I guess if I had one wish it would be “Please see my heart.”

We are all (hopefully) Growing up TOWARD the head which is Jesus…….Let’s not be so hard on each other. Let’s just cheer each other on. -Laura

PS: And don’t give up! Practice Makes Perfect!

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We live in a world of extreme thinking

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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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Do you want/need to hear from God?

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I am on a quest to do videos every Saturday about Hearing From God and building on the rock with him. It’s never too late to start! The Holy Spirit is our teacher and God wants us to build and be built up in him. He wants to speak to his people! (His Children).

Sometimes people hear different than others because of what God wants to do in THEIR life right now. I’m not going to talk to you about plumbing if your plumbing is fine. But If your roof is leaking lets talk about that. This is how God looks at things. He knows what is a priority in your life right now ACCORDING TO HIM.

He is the chief Shepherd. The one who bought you with a price. Other teachers and teachings should be confirmation of what God is already saying to you. Don’t just float around out there. We can use our Faith to be determined, to get in with God and say Okay.

Now is the day! Today is the day I start listening to you!! I am trusting God every person in the sound of my voice WILL HEAR from God ……Let’s believe together! “If two or more agree as touching anything it shall be done! Matthew 18:19.

It is my desire to build you up and encourage you in this area. And I’m trusting God is with me on this. WITH LOVE !! I’ll be doing this every Saturday until God says to stop. 🙏 Just doin’ my part. This is part 2.

-God’s Servant and yours, Laura

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What I learned from “A Few good men”

Laura GraceLeave a comment

What I learned from “a few good men” 🙂 (the movie)

A Few Good men, one of my favorite movies of all time. It’s in my top 5. 🙂 Since I am a contemplative person at times, I have wondered why. There are no scriptures in the movie, It wasn’t made by the Christian realm, but it is so full of truths!

1. Fear causes anger, The young attorney in this movie was fighting fear and counting the cost on whether he should fight for the two young men who were falsely accused in this movie, and rightly so, as one wrong move could have caused him to go to prison.

2. While he was struggling with anger, he lashes out at the young woman who is urging him to take the risk and defend these two young men. He does apologize later…….

3. While (again) no scriptures were mentioned, the young lawyer faces his fears, outwits his Goliath (a wicked general who has too much power and has abused it) and slays the giant in the courtroom. The battle may not be against flesh and blood but there are times giants must be faced. And we pray for those out there who are willing to face those giants, with wisdom and truth!!

4. The truth prevailed in this movie (Win Win!!) God is a lover of truth. If you don’t agree that’s fine but I think God even loves this movie. (Because it is so full of truth!!). And God loves truth.

5. One person of courage CAN make a difference. 🙏

With Love, Laura