Doing some house cleaning

I'm not sure where I read this but I know that it impacted my thoughts and caused me to step into action. If there is something in your home that you have not used in 30 days, perhaps its time to depart with it. The past 30 days we have been doing major cleaning out and it feels good!

Do you ever find yourself being filled from God's Word and then desiring to turn around and share with another what you have learned? I certainly do and I think of that as a house cleaning as well. Not in the fact that I don't need it, but in the fact of sharing what I have. Here is a quote from "Sermon Snippet" that I really enjoyed: "How do you develop an all-consuming love for Jesus? Respond by pouring your life out in honor of Him"

Philippians 2:16-18 NIV "as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me."

2 Timothy 4:5-7 NIV "But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

I believe the charge for us, as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, found in 2 Timothy is what all of us hope and dream of, that God in the end will have found us faithful and obedient. Finishing strong in Him. Today, my Man and I are doing some house cleaning in our lives. Something that he has desired for the past 15 years, and for myself perhaps the past 12-24 months. We believe God has a plan and a purpose for us. (Jeremiah 29:11) That He is opening doors for us to enter into a new season. (Ecclesiastes 3:1) After much prayer and feeling God is saying the time is now, we are retiring and closing our business doors after 63 years of operation this very day. SIXTY THREE years ago TODAY, my husband's parents started this business that was then purchased by Bill in the mid-70's.

That's almost 40 years of being at work by 5:30 a.m. and leaving at 6:00 p.m. by man. Long days with running equipment, meeting employee's needs, doing everything possible to ensure safety, and provide the best job possible with-in our means. Then there came a day that we turned our business over to God and said You Lord give and You Lord take, and we have because You give. Thank You Lord.


On May 4th, I will have worked in our business for 22 years. Twenty-two years of 7:15 a.m. at the office until 4:00 p.m., twenty-two years of routine, demands, obligations and deadlines. Oh, I wonder what tomorrow will be like? Will we arise tomorrow at 5:00 a.m. as we've done for the fifteen years of our marriage, or will our natural alarm clocks be shut off to enjoy an extra hour of rest? Only God knows, and that brings a smile to my face. Not the Shadow, but God! (WINK!)


I would think it is safe to say that there isn't a one of us that intends on working in the business world all their life in this fleshly body. We look forward to the day that there is a change of pace and so I truly hope that you are encouraged and happy for us as we begin this season of our lives. I know that there will be sadness in the days ahead that we will work through as well. We are thankful for the 63 years that God has blessed our community, employees, customers, as well as our families. Thank You Lord. We have committed ourselves to pray for our 8 other employee's to find jobs quickly and to be an asset at their next place of employment. Please, if you feel led, pray for them.


Tomorrow morning we will awake with fresh ears and eyes for what GOD has for us, and we will do so with much joy. We will have a new beginning. A new season. Lord, we are trusting You. Lord, I want to pour my life out for you.

Lovingly and truly reaching for Higher Grounds,
Yolanda

Now, can you tell me, just who is the One and Only?

Do you ever sit back and wonder how long God will allow us to mock Him? Yesterday morning in our Sunday School we talked about those that believe in the "big bang theory" and/or "evolution" vs those of us that know that we know God spoke our world into existence.

This then got us to pondering about cloning and how we are amazed that God has allowed us and our world to really get off the path with our thinking and playing God. Remember Let God be God from last week?

I sense God continuing to press in upon me and so I encourage you as well to seek God's Word in what you are holding to as truth. When we do He will enable you and I to discern what we are hearing out of the lips of others. As well as what we are reading outside of the Word of God, we need discernment. If I step on your toes, I am extremely sorry but I ask that you take your beliefs and make sure that they align with the word of God. I am doing the very same thing Brothers and Sisters. If you read something here and it doesn't set right, seek answers for yourselves, dig into God's Word. It alone holds the TRUTH.

Not to long ago I heard with my own ears and saw with my own eyes that only a specific denomination was the one and only True Church. All others were listed as false. Honestly, I'm not attacking. I'm not looking for an argument or a defense, but what I know is that in God's word there are no listings of denominations. NONE.

Last time I read, The One and Only is Jesus Christ.



John 1:14 NIV "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." (My italics added).


Father, You alone are Holy. You alone are Truth. You alone are King of kings and Lord of lords. You alone do I seek and BELIEVE UPON. You alone, Lord, You alone. Amen.

Lovingly,

Yolanda

Are we allowing a change?

I've been so incredibly blessed to spend some extra quality time with two lovely women that are seeking GOD like never before on Friday late afternoon through Saturday morning. We decided to set some time apart from our families and busy schedule to just get alone with one another and God. No cell phones, just us, God, The Word, food and time. We planned an over night excursion right here in our very own community at a Bed & Breakfast. We booked about a month ago and asked for the "Bunk House". It was absolutely the perfect spot in this season of our lives.

I so had planned on a few pictures but we got busy the minute we all arrived until we left on Saturday morning. The camera never came out and so you'll just have to use your imagination as well as the pictures off of the website for the B&B.

As I then spent some time alone once I arrived home I was reflecting upon the change in me and in them SINCE Christ. I'm telling you that if you have never given your heart to Christ, that change is so worth all the effort and time involved and to KEEP PRESSING THROUGH. I would like to speak for these two ladies as well as myself, but we will never ever arrive on the other side as perfect while walking here in the flesh on earth. BUT we can little by little become more like Christ and leave our old natures behind. I was sharing on Friday night that 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" in the margin of my bible I had written: God is in the recycling business!!

I have no idea where I heard that or from whose lips but isn't it the truth, Girlfriends and Guy friends? So will you and I allow Him to change us little by little, glory by glory? OR will we stay in that deep rut that only leads us farther away from Him taking us farther into the pit?

Father, Thank You for the gift of friendships. I love my friends and I love how YOU orchestrated these relationships. Lord, I so remember just not that long ago desperately trying to juggle life and You. And honestly, I still from time to time find myself in that cycle. YET, I'm so thankful that I had other women that would give of themselves into my own life to encourage me to continue stepping with one foot in front of the other. To continue in Your word, whether it be 5 minutes or it be x
amount of time. But to give and to start and to not give up. May I pour myself out for these women or any woman that You place in my path. I'm forever thankful Lord. I love YOU like crazy, Lord. In Christ's Name, Amen.

The sun has risen

Girlfriends, I pray that today you will leave here encouraged. I've been needing a good dose of encouragement myself the past few days and I feel refreshed this morning. The SUN has risen this morning so I am assured that God has a purpose for me this very day. I pray that I'm receptive to what He has for me and what He has for you as well.

I'm in Psalms and as David shared his heart and his walk I think to myself, oh I can't say that because of poor choices, or I'm not there yet so I can't boast in that. YET, doesn't that word encourage you? YET....my slate has been wiped clean and so from that moment forward I can boast and make right choices. You can as well!

These two verses especially but many from Psalm 25 NIV just consumed me this morning:

"Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."

If we allow Him to show us, teach us, guide us and to realize that HE is our Lord, HE is our truth, HE is our God and Savior, and that HE is our hope not for a moment, not for a circumstance, but ALL THE DAY LONG. Twice David asks for the Lord to teach him.

Father God, I praise You for giving me such a cool drink of water this morning from the LIVING WATER. I praise You that You have another day for me here on this earth and may I step into the role and gifting You have for me. I don't know what that is for this day, but I know that I only want Your will and that You are my God and my Savior. Teach me Lord, teach me. The SON has risen in my heart and I am boasting in Your goodness. I love you Lord. Amen.

Love to you as you dig into God's word for your own lives....let's live today, ENCOURAGED.

Yolanda

Let God be GOD

"As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: 'See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.'" 1 Peter 2:4-6

Oh, this might be a sticky Higher Grounds, but it is something that is burning deep within me. I can not get this off of my mind and so I must be obedient. "When did we start playing God?" We are chosen by God and we are precious to him, but we are not to be God. Pride is an ugly thing and when we start judging by making a ruling that only GOD Himself is to be making, oh my soul shudders. We are warned through out the Old Testament and even into the New Testament to pay attention to Israel's history. The ancients went their own route and they often tried to play or be God. They failed miserably and believe me, we will as well if we think that we can do so today!!

We are not called to be GOD, we are called to become like Christ. Christ is our example. We are to emulate Christ.

We are warned in 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 NIV "So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

I wonder what God thinks when He sees from the heaven-lies the discord and division? Brothers and Sisters, He is against it!! Colossians 3:14 NIV "And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." In the earlier verses He tells us to rid ourselves of anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language, lying, attacking Greek or Jew. Perhaps at this point though we could look at this "Greek or Jew" as denominations in our world of today? I'm not sure, but I do wonder.

And so I close with, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:15-17 NIV

Lovingly,
Yolanda
Higher Grounds

Do you have a goal?

"But I do not have the strength to endure. I do not have a goal that encourages me to carry on." Job 6:11 NLT

This really spoke to my heart as I hear of others that seem as if they are wandering. Perhaps not happy with their lives or just in a funk. As if their life is a blank page and they don't have anything to write. The blank page seems to really hit my heart as that speaks volumes of one that is discouraged seeing that with fresh eyes as one not having a goal or a dream. I tend to be more positive vs negative as my walk "ages" with Christ. I am encouraged this morning to see that as an endless possibility for BIG DREAMS. WOW....a blank page!

Merriam-Webster dictionary says that "goal" is: the end toward which effort is directed; and the synonym they have is INTENTION. EXCITING. You'll understand my exuberance, perhaps, in a moment.

Just this past week I read that we need to get our eyes off of this world and focus them on ETERNITY. Now that gets my heart pumping and the thought process whirling, how about you? Here is what I read from "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan: "LUKEWARM PEOPLE think about life on earth much more than eternity in heaven. Daily life is mostly focused on today's to do list, this weeks schedule, and next month's vacation. Rarely, if ever, do they intently consider the life to come. Regarding this, C.S. Lewis wrote, 'If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this.'" I believe this is an amazing truth, and I had never really thought about it in this tone. I also had no idea that I would write about it, but as I came across Job 6:11 and I sat to write, this is what poured forth from my fingers. Back to my exuberance, did you see it? Intently?

If I have my spirit, soul and body focused on ETERNITY, then don't I have a goal? Perhaps in our natural man, one would argue saying that a vacation is a goal. But when you come home from your vacation, are you still reeling from the excitement, or has it wore off like earthly things do? My mind says, YES and that is what encourages ME to keep on keeping on. To have ETERNITY be my INTENTION and that my effort be directed towards eternity, then I'm furthering the kingdom of God. Even fanning to flame my First Love, Jesus Christ. How cool!!!

Father, You are the Creator and You created me with eternity on Your mind. You have a plan and a purpose for me and that gives me hope and encouragement. Thank You Father for having dreamed bigger dreams for me than I can even begin to dream. Those dreams turning into goals and bringing my purpose into perspective. Father, simply, You ARE The Best. Loving You and Your Son, Jesus. Amen.

Lovingly,
Yolanda
Higher Grounds

May I remind you?

"I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:5-7 NIV

I have used "fan to flame" in my comments several times this week and realized God was speaking to me. After reading this scripture, I was extremely thankful for what I saw with fresh eyes. Timothy charged you and I with......"For this reason, I [Timothy] remind you [Yolanda, insert your own name] to flan into flame the gift of God." I want to stop right there....who did he charge to flan our flame?

Then why do so many of us rely upon and EXPECT our Pastor or our Bible Study Leader or...OK are you ready for another one...or OUR MENTORS to fan to flame our gift of God? The responsibility lies with-in ME, with-in YOU!

Let's look at verse 6 in a different translation and a paraphrase & I'm going to make bold what I want us to see today:

Amplified: 6That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire] that is in you by means of the laying on of my hands [[b]with those of the elders at your ordination].



The Message: 6And the special gift of ministry you received when I laid hands on you and prayed—keep that ablaze!

Father, Thank You for being HOLY. Thank You for the hunger that is placed with-in each one of us to love You more, to serve You more, to know You more. Thank You Father, for reminding us that we hold a responsibility with our own walk. It is not up to our Pastor, Friends or Mentors, but that it is between You and I. I love YOU Lord like crazy, for ever and ever. Amen.

Ask the LORD

"Ask the LORD for rain in the springtime; it is the LORD who makes the storm clouds. He gives showers of rain to men, and plants of the field to everyone." Zechariah 10:1 NIV


Sunday (yesterday) was Resurrection Sunday, and I'm still reeling from how much God's word has come alive to me since last year at Easter. How much more I love my Savior, and the depth He has come to mean to me.


As we climbed into bed on Saturday evening we were rejoicing as the rain had finally come. We've prayed in our little congregation for MONTHS and MONTHS for moisture of any kind. Then a few weeks back we were blessed with snow while gone on vacation. Then Saturday afternoon came the rain. RAIN....and it continued through out early this Monday morning, in the wee hours before the sun rose.



As I prepared a dish for our Easter Sunday potluck for church I also turned my scripture calendar to April 12th. This is what I read: "Ask the LORD for rain in the springtime; it is the LORD who makes the storm clouds. He gives showers of rain to men, and plants of the field to everyone." Zechariah 10:1 NIV My heart just skipped a beat as it was still raining, ever so gently and I quickly grabbed my camera to take a few snapshots.



Sisters and Brothers, never ever quit asking the Lord for a NEED. Never ever give up! He is good, He is faithful and His timing is The Best.



Rejoicing as I seek Higher Grounds with and because of Him.

Lovingly,
Yolanda

The Easter Bunny did NOT rise from the dead!

I can not take credit for the title of this particular Higher Grounds. I read it on a church sign this week. But it got my blood to boiling as I know of church's in my area that promote the Easter Bunny on Sunday. Oh yes they do....by having an Easter egg hunt.

If the Easter Bunny did not rise from the dead, then Who did?

Why, oh why, have we allowed pagan rituals into a very sacred time as Brothers and Sisters in Christ? Easter is NOT about the Easter Bunny or Easter Egg hunts, it is about the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The placement of the Son of God on the Cross at Calvary for YOUR sins, MY sins and the sins of the world. The Easter Bunny was not placed on the cross nor in a tomb.

Easter is about Christ placed in a BORROWED TOMB. And three days later, rising from the dead, walking earth once again, and going to the Father. Easter is about the temple curtain being torn in two so that YOU AND I can have 24/7/365 access to The Father, OUR FATHER. We no longer go through a Levitical priest, but straight to the Father.

Hallelujah!!! Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty.

As we go about the next three days, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Resurrection Sunday....may we push the pagan rituals out of our lives and rise with the freedom to shout, HE IS RISEN INDEED! "He isn't here! He has been raised from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. Now go and give this message to his disciples, including Peter: Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died!." Mark 16:6b-7

Enough.said.lovingly.....Yolanda
Higher Grounds

Is there still "goodness" in the U.S.A.?

I've returned home and to my regular bible reading, Ladies, and today I am found questioning.

Lord, are we any different than the Israelites 2,000 plus years ago? You have led us and fed us, but aren't we going 10,000 directions instead of the straight and narrow? They asked for a king. We demand a president. Their king began to no longer pay attention and some where down the line our President(s) no longer paid attention either.

2 Chronicles 11:15 NLT "So the king paid no attention to the people's demands. This turn of events was the will of God, for it fulfilled the prophecy of the LORD spoken to Jeroboam son of Nebat by the prophet Ahijah from Shiloh."

Did you catch that? This turn of events was the will of God. Isn't our turn of events also the will of God? 1 Thessalonians Chapter 5. Check it out! verse 4 & 5 NIV so encourages me, "But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness." Notice it doesn't say that we won't be sad or hurt, but that we should not be surprised.

2 Timothy 3: 1-5 NIV "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them."

I was encouraged when I read 2 Chronicles 12:7a NLT "When the LORD saw their change of heart". I truly pray that we, the Remnant of Believers will along with God see a change in our hearts, the hearts of the American people. What an amazing thing that would be to witness, amen? AMEN! Verse 12 of this same chapter spoke to me as well, "Because Rehoboam humbled himself, the LORD's anger was turned aside, and he did not destroy him completely. And there was still goodness in the land of Judah." I pray that President Obama will humble himself, that the Lord's anger will turn aside and we will not be completely destroyed, that there would still be goodness in the land of the United States of America.

Father, Thank You for WHO You are and for the sacredness of the allowance to be Your child. For the change You have made and CONTINUE to make in my heart. Lord, I want NONE of 2 Timothy 3:2-5 to be found in me, if it is, LORD, please take it from me. I know that YOU ALONE ARE POWER. I do not deny You. I ask that we would be found, as a Nation, hungering and thirsting after You. I pray that there would be a Remnant that rises to the challenge set before us, to be found lifting our Nation to the throne room. Seeking forgiveness, a humbled heart and weeping for the sins of our Nation. Lord, may we join You as we are not surprised, yet found yearning for things to be made right. Right in Your sight and aligning with the Word of God. Praise You Father, Praise You. Amen.

Lovingly,
Yolanda @ Higher Grounds

Are you looking?

"I tell you," he replied, "If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." Luke 19:40 NIV

One morning as the sun was creeping closer to our front door of our vacation home, I was walking out with my reading material when I happened to just really take a good look at my surroundings. I had stepped over a small barrier of rocks that have been added as landscaping since our last trip, and this is what I saw. Is that not just the coolest?

I can tell you with sincere honesty that I wanted to take that rock home with me, but I knew that was stealing. So I pray that others will perhaps over come their desire to "take" as well. Allowing this small rock that would fill the palm of my hand for others to be blessed as well.

I love Thursday's as there are a small group of us that share our thanksgivings each week. I love how we BRAG ON GOD. I love how we take the time to PRAISE HIM from week to week. I want to encourage you this week to just be more aware of your surroundings. To have your eyes open to be looking for His signs to just your own heart. Remember, to praise Him because when we don't and choose to be silent....the stones (rocks) will cry out.

Sisters, Jesus is our Rock, the Rock of Israel, He hides us in the cleft of the Rock, thank Him.

1 Samuel 2:2 "There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God."

As we begin to zone in on just what Christ did for us in the next 8 days, this walk of remembrance in a disciple's life, let's be joyful that the tomb was empty.....

"The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior!" 2 Samuel 22:47

Lord, thank YOU for the blessings that You bestow upon each one of us. Thank You for Your Son that was perfect in every way and sacrificed His life for me, and for us. He chose death to give me (you) life. Lord, I pray that I do not take that lightly and that it impacts me so much that I can no longer remain silent, that I will cry out, HOLY. ABBA. PRAISE YOU FATHER. Jesus, thank You. Amen.

**Psalm 148 is a great place to be encouraged to Praise His Name! Lovingly, Yolanda