Deeper Relationship with Jesus - Grace Livingstone Outreach

As a relationship specialist, minister and author, I receive numerous emails, letters and inquires each week from both single and married women (and men). When I read many of the heart-breaking situations that so many have experienced (and are experiencing) because of unhealthy relationships, my soul cries out with deep compassion as I pray over each letter and affirm in my heart, "If each person would have a close, personal, and unwavering relationship with the Lord (Who created all of us), and know just how special they are, they wouldn't put up with the neglectful, disrespectful, abusive, unkind, unloving, or cruel treatment which they have endured.” My goal here is to inspire you to know your worth and to realize how loved you are by God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. The purpose of these articles is to introduce some, encourage others, and to empower all, to have a deep and personal covenant relationship with Jesus. Not as a far away, historical figure, but as the real life Down-to-Earth Messiah, God's perfect salvation plan, Who wrapped in a robe of flesh, came down to earth to reconcile the severed relationship between humanity and God---all because of divine, sacred love.

LIVING A PURPOSEFUL LIFE, PART ONE

Have you ever felt bewildered about your personal destiny and direction in life? Or, ever felt that you didn't know whether you're going to make it through, but you just know that you have no choice, but to make it through? You may sometimes feel as if you've been missing out on life---merely sleepwalking through, taking whatever is dished out to you---feeling as if you're in the middle of a bad dream, wishing that an alarm clock would go off in the middle of unhappy circumstances and wake you up to a renewed and better life. You may have tripped on life's path numerous times, or have been purposely tripped up by someone else's wrongdoing, or may have tripped over your own bad choices. Many times you may sit and reflect on your accumulated experiences, and declare, "If only I could live my life over again. I wish I knew back then, what I know now." You cry out to God, "Of I could jus start afresh; Father, I need a rebirth, a second chance, a do-over!"

LIVING A PURPOSEFUL LIFE, PART TWO

It is unfortunate, but true that many people live their lives wishing to "one day" accomplish their dreams, but neglect to properly plan how to move from Point A to Point B in life. They take each day as it comes, drifting aimlessly, and embracing what is placed in front of them. They have not prayed deeply and asked the Holy Spirit of God to reveal their life's purpose to them. They just continue to wish for things to change; the most popular wish is, "I wish I had a million dollars." There's nothing wrong with wanting a better life or a million dollars. My point here is to help you to get into the habit of walking towards your blessings with faith and purpose instead of just hoping that one day it will happen without any purposeful effort on your part. This would be an unfortunate waste of your valuable and precious life. It reminds me of the Biblical account of the man who languished at the Pool of Bethesda for over thirty-eight years.

LIVING A PURPOSEFUL LIFE, PART THREE

Living out your purpose and succeeding in life doesn't always come easy. It take a lot of prayer, patience, and perseverance. Many times you will feel as it it's hopeless to try to stick with it. On some days, you may be unable to see the silver lining beyond the clouds. At other times, you'll cry for comfort and guidance. And then there are times when you will get a moment of discouragement and may want to give up. But keep in mind, the bigger the challenge, the bigger the blessings. God will give you double for your trouble. Just keep seeking the comfort, guidance and fellowship of the Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus at all times.

FINDING JOY THROUGH JESUS!

I have a personal secret to share with you here: whenever people meet me in person---whether at a conference, a seminar, a book signing, anywhere around the country, or just when I'm out doing everyday things, or in a store, a restaurant, or taking the Subway in New York City---when they recognize my face from Television or my book covers, or my voice from radio, and either approach me for relationship advice, a word of encouragement, an autograph, or to take a photo together, or just to chat for a few moments---they always confide, "Dr. Grace, you're so nice in person; you're so real." Many of them are so surprised that a (so-called) "celebrity" is "just so at ease and down-to-earth." The first thing I always say to them with a genuinely pleasant heart is, "I have to keep it real because the ground is leveled at the foot of the Cross. God gets all the credit for how He has used and placed me over the years."

Why Worry When You Can Pray? Part One

Have you ever tried to think clearly while worrying? It doesn't work, does it? Your thoughts go bouncing all over the place, like mental aerobics in a psychological gymnasium until you are able to calm down. It's during the calm that the good ideas really come through. Jesus said it best in Matthew 6: 27 & 30 "Which of you by taking though [worrying] can add one cubit to his stature?…if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?"

Why Worry When You Can Pray? Part Two

From as far back as I can remember, I have never based my life on luck or coincidence. When I was a child, my grandmother always told me to trust in the Lord. And at that moment, I did. After that conversation with Tina I go busy praying to God, in the name of Jesus, for guidance. I rolled up my sleeves, went to Barnes & Noble, and got my hands on every book on self-publishing, publicity, promotion, and marketing I could find [now, you can the information on the internet]. It was very challenging and the going got rough many times, but I did not give up.

Why Worry When You Can Pray? Part Three

I couldn't wait for my "big break" from the world, so I stepped out in faith and created my own success all in the name of Jesus, by first creating and cultivating a close and personal relationship with the Lord, as instructed in the Bible. It's a personal relationship that we each have to develop with Jesus as our Lord and Savior, by accepting and believing that He does exist, and have been crucified and resurrected that we all may be alive today and have eternal salvation (eternal lives) for our souls. He is very real, and He is seated as the Great High Priest at the Father's right hand, daily looking out for our best interest. He has given us the most powerful gift in the world, the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter to help, guide, guard, direct, and protect us always.

Knowing Jesus, Part One: The Down-to-Earth Messiah

Who was the man called Jesus? Who was this man who possessed such awesome power that at the sound of His voice the winds and the waves obeyed and were still, yet He possessed such amazing compassion that He wept for people? Who was this man, who with one word, legions of demons would flee from His presence, yet little children would gravitate so close to Him that He would lay loving hands on their little heads and bless them? Who was this man who had such a noble and royal stature that men and women would sit at His feet and worship, yet He would stop to bless and heal the homeless, feed the hungry, and was humbled enough to sit and eat with publicans, sinners, and everyday folks from all walks of life? This man Jesus was "The Down-to-Earth Messiah," the very Son of the living God, who came down to earth, wrapped in human form. He came to restore a world whose inhabitants had a broken relationship with their Heavenly Father, and to give our lives direction, meaning, and purpose.

Knowing Jesus, Part Two: His Love Forgives Our Personal Flaws

My paternal grandmother, Edwina Frederica "Winifred" Hunt, kept an open door to Jesus. She was a woman of great courage and uncompromising faith. Granny, as I affectionately called her, loved Jesus. She also loved the Oral Roberts ministry. She was a ministry partner, across the miles, nestled away in the tiny, historical seaport town of Port Royal, on the island of Jamaica in the West Indies. Endearingly called "Aunt Winnie" by friends and strangers alike, Granny taught me how to pray from as early as I can remember. She always kept her King James Version of the Bible and a plaque she received from the Oral Roberts Ministry on her nightstand next to her bed. It was a white rectangular-shaped plaque, with gold-tone lettering that read "Expect A Miracle." This statement was embedded in my head and heart from a child. Granny taught me to always live expectantly, and to always, "believe Almighty God in the name of Jesus."

Knowing Jesus, Part Three: Beware of False Prophets

I believe it was from my grandmother's example where I first developed a deep compassion for people from all different backgrounds, whether from the pit or from the palace. I have a sisterly love for people from all walks of life. And because I have a deep love for Jesus, I dearly love the Body of Christ, which is His Church. Jesus' Church is not any particular building itself, but the collective body of believers. I have respect for both the congregation and the leaders. There are many awesome, wonderful, and powerful pastors, preachers, ministers, evangelists, and teachers, who are doing an excellent job leading God's people by the Word of God and by their personal example of "practicing what they preach." Yet, it is no secret that some modern-day Christian leaders and laymen are lousy examples for anyone to follow or trust. Believe me, there is a world of difference between genuine "God-anointed prophets" and "man-appointed pretenders." Jesus spoke about this openly.

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