What do you add to the Body of Christ that causes another to hunger and thirst for Jesus? To not be just status quo, but for more of Jesus?
I know for myself that I hunger for a deeper and fuller sense of the fruits of the spirit. I tend to think of these fruits as delicious, tantalizing, causing me to desire more as I watch other members of the Body of Christ. More as in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.
Antonyms of these 9 words: hate, sorrow, war (turmoil and chaos), impatient, unkindness (envy & cruelty), bad or evil, unkind or wild, infidelity, self-indulgence or bluntness.
I've spent a few days with close Girlfriends that all hunger and thirst for more of Jesus, just like myself. It is so refreshing as we encourage one another to keep seeking Him and to simply finish this life causing God to be delighted in us. I'm thankful for them and their friendship.
I returned thinking about how I tend to season a dish that I am preparing to cause enjoyment for those that will be feasting with me at my table. You and I as Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are told to be salt and light. Matthew 5:13-14 NIV "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden."
So what am I allowing God to season or add to me as He prepares me to cause enjoyment and encouragement for those that He places in my path to hunger and thirst for HIM as they come to feast with me at His table? To be a light in our very dark world?
Father God, You are Truth. You are the very essence that causes us to become salty and You alone pour light into our earthly vessels. I humbly ask Father that You would season not only myself but my Brothers and Sisters and that Your LIGHT would be evident in us to all of the human race. Lord, this is my desire. In the loving name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
With much love as we step up to Higher Grounds,
Yolanda
Monday, September 28, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Changing of the seasons
The first day of fall earlier this week brought moisture, cooler temperatures and JOY TO MY HEART here in Southwest Kansas. I am one that truly enjoys the changing of the four seasons. While I do have certain seasons that I enjoy more than others, I still enjoy the changing of any season in the natural realm. Some seasons are down right hard in the spiritual realm, but they are all meant to bring honor and glory to Our Father. I do believe as well that in time, they bring joy to our hearts as well simply because they are meant to draw us closer to our Father. (I say OUR for any that have accepted and believe upon the name of Jesus)
Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers and the flowers fall but the word of God stands forever.
Father, thank You that Your word has been preserved and is still TRUTH from Genesis 1:1 clear through to Revelation 22:21. It will stand forever and that even though our world will wither and fall we still have the HOPE and PROMISE of eternity with You. Lord, thank You for the changing of seasons and for those that find themselves in the midst of a challenging spiritual season, I ask that You would comfort them and allow them to see Your hand upon and in their lives. That we would ALL draw closer to You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you all (Rev 22:21). With much love here at Higher Grounds, Yolanda
Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers and the flowers fall but the word of God stands forever.
Father, thank You that Your word has been preserved and is still TRUTH from Genesis 1:1 clear through to Revelation 22:21. It will stand forever and that even though our world will wither and fall we still have the HOPE and PROMISE of eternity with You. Lord, thank You for the changing of seasons and for those that find themselves in the midst of a challenging spiritual season, I ask that You would comfort them and allow them to see Your hand upon and in their lives. That we would ALL draw closer to You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you all (Rev 22:21). With much love here at Higher Grounds, Yolanda
Monday, September 21, 2009
Given a precious gift
I'm so thankful that God is not in a box. I'm so thankful that God does the extraordinary. I'm so thankful that Jesus fulfilled the calling on His earthly life!
Acts 10 and 11 cause joy to bubble up with-in the deepness of my soul and I am thankful for God's written word this morning to remind me of the precious GIFT He has given to me and to you. Will you open His GIFT of the written word of God? Will you receive His GIFT of eternal life? Will you return thanking and praising Him for the GIFT of being included in His family by having accepted The GIFT of Salvation?
Acts 10:13-15 NIV "Then a voice told him, 'Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.' 'Surely not, Lord!' Peter replied. 'I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.' The voice spoke to him a second time, 'Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.' "
Then God sends Peter to a gentile Roman army officer by the name of Cornelius. God had already spoken to Cornelius and told him where to go exactly and who to ask for by name. SIMON PETER. Why? Because God had seen the heart of Cornelius. Because Peter had already had a visit as well by God, he was obedient to travel to Caesarea, to the home of Cornelius. WHY? Because God was showing Simon Peter as well as the WORLD that Jesus died for God's Chosen People, the Jewish Nation as well as the Gentile's. FOR ALL WHO WOULD BELIEVE AND RECEIVE. Totally because of God's GRACE and His sovereignty.
Acts 10:34-35 NIV "Then Peter began to speak: 'I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.' "
Are you sitting on the edge of your seat as well, like me? Are you praising God for having paved the way that you and I could spend eternity with Him instead of with the devil?
I close with Acts 11:23 NIV "When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts."
Father, Thank You that when YOU tell me that something is acceptable, it simply is. That You made me be acceptable through the BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST and the washing of Your word. Changing my impurity into cleanliness. I desire to remain true to YOU LORD with all of my heart and I desire that for each one that comes and spends time here at Higher Grounds. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Lovingly,
Yolanda
Acts 10 and 11 cause joy to bubble up with-in the deepness of my soul and I am thankful for God's written word this morning to remind me of the precious GIFT He has given to me and to you. Will you open His GIFT of the written word of God? Will you receive His GIFT of eternal life? Will you return thanking and praising Him for the GIFT of being included in His family by having accepted The GIFT of Salvation?
Acts 10:13-15 NIV "Then a voice told him, 'Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.' 'Surely not, Lord!' Peter replied. 'I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.' The voice spoke to him a second time, 'Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.' "
Then God sends Peter to a gentile Roman army officer by the name of Cornelius. God had already spoken to Cornelius and told him where to go exactly and who to ask for by name. SIMON PETER. Why? Because God had seen the heart of Cornelius. Because Peter had already had a visit as well by God, he was obedient to travel to Caesarea, to the home of Cornelius. WHY? Because God was showing Simon Peter as well as the WORLD that Jesus died for God's Chosen People, the Jewish Nation as well as the Gentile's. FOR ALL WHO WOULD BELIEVE AND RECEIVE. Totally because of God's GRACE and His sovereignty.
Acts 10:34-35 NIV "Then Peter began to speak: 'I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.' "
Are you sitting on the edge of your seat as well, like me? Are you praising God for having paved the way that you and I could spend eternity with Him instead of with the devil?
I close with Acts 11:23 NIV "When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts."
Father, Thank You that when YOU tell me that something is acceptable, it simply is. That You made me be acceptable through the BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST and the washing of Your word. Changing my impurity into cleanliness. I desire to remain true to YOU LORD with all of my heart and I desire that for each one that comes and spends time here at Higher Grounds. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Lovingly,
Yolanda
Thursday, September 17, 2009
God knows our hearts
Remember Saul? Saul, who persecuted the church? Saul, who had an EMMAUS experience on the road to Damascus? Saul, who God changed his name to Paul?
Oh, what hope you and I have because of the examples God chose to give to us through Paul in HIS PRESERVED WORD!
Acts 9:26 NLT
"When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They thought he was only pretending to be a believer?"
I know that word well, pretending. Perhaps even as a reproach that others attached the word, pretending onto me in the beginning of my walk. Why? Because I had a 180 degree conversion due to the melting of my heart, the opening of my eyes, the understanding that ALL are sinners, and that I must repent. In the twinkling of an eye, and others thought I was only pretending. I must brag on God, because He alone was the reason behind the results. He gently worked with me to change the rotten fruit to healthy fruit. THANK YOU FATHER.
Acts 9:28 NLT
"Then the apostles accepted Saul and after that he was constantly with them in Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord."
I want to encourage each one of you, to continue in the process God has you in and come through to the other side. You will be forever grateful that you did!!!! I desire for you to remember that when the world assumes you are pretending, God alone knows. Girlfriends and Guy friends continue to step out in faith with Him and for Him.
Father God, thank You for knowing my heart. That my heart is not pretending to be something that I am not when it comes to my love for You. Thank You that others have accepted that and join with me in BOLDLY proclaiming the name of the Lord. Lord, I love You and want to please You. In my Savior's holy name, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Lovingly at Higher Grounds,
Yolanda
Oh, what hope you and I have because of the examples God chose to give to us through Paul in HIS PRESERVED WORD!
Acts 9:26 NLT
"When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They thought he was only pretending to be a believer?"
I know that word well, pretending. Perhaps even as a reproach that others attached the word, pretending onto me in the beginning of my walk. Why? Because I had a 180 degree conversion due to the melting of my heart, the opening of my eyes, the understanding that ALL are sinners, and that I must repent. In the twinkling of an eye, and others thought I was only pretending. I must brag on God, because He alone was the reason behind the results. He gently worked with me to change the rotten fruit to healthy fruit. THANK YOU FATHER.
Acts 9:28 NLT
"Then the apostles accepted Saul and after that he was constantly with them in Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord."
I want to encourage each one of you, to continue in the process God has you in and come through to the other side. You will be forever grateful that you did!!!! I desire for you to remember that when the world assumes you are pretending, God alone knows. Girlfriends and Guy friends continue to step out in faith with Him and for Him.
Father God, thank You for knowing my heart. That my heart is not pretending to be something that I am not when it comes to my love for You. Thank You that others have accepted that and join with me in BOLDLY proclaiming the name of the Lord. Lord, I love You and want to please You. In my Savior's holy name, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Lovingly at Higher Grounds,
Yolanda
Monday, September 14, 2009
Dwell
Last week I was asked to participate in building an acrostic for the word, dwell. I began to ponder this word over the weekend and then this morning I was hit afresh. My daily reading had the word "dwelling" in it, so I knew that God was wanting me to spend a little time on this word.
Dwell from the Merriam-Webster on-line dictionary: 1 : to remain for a time 2 a : to live as a resident b : exist, lie 3 a : to keep the attention directed —used with on or upon b : to speak or write insistently —used with on or upon. Then their Thesaurus had: reside, live, lodge, sojourn, stay, put up, stop.
Dwell: to remain for a time. I think of slowing down, resting, pondering/meditating, being still, to listen. Psalm 46:10 NIV is a scripture that quickly comes to my mind as I'm writing this out this morning. "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
The acrostic that I came up with for myself using the word dwell:
Drinking
Wisdom
Else
Loosing
Likeness
If I will slow down and allow myself to drink in His wisdom then I will not loose His reflection/likeness when I look in the mirror. Because when I choose to dwell with HIM, then I take on HIS like-ness. I truly do not want to loose that!
I leave you with the verse that caused my heart to further share the word dwell with each of you today as well as for myself to dig a little deeper: "However, the Most High doesn't live in temples made by human hands. As the prophet says, ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Could you ever build me a temple as good as that?’ asks the Lord. ‘Could you build a dwelling place for me? Didn’t I make everything in heaven and earth?'" NLT
Father, Thank You once again for getting my attention. Thank You for the ability to have YOU dwell with-in me instead of a building or structure made by man's hands. Your temple is my body and I am humbled to KNOW that You and I will dwell with one another for eternity. I come asking that while here on earth that I be reminded to sit and dwell with You allowing the world to go right on by as we sit and drink of You. I love You Father! Amen.
Lovingly as I long to dwell with Him stepping towards Higher Grounds,
Yolanda
Dwell from the Merriam-Webster on-line dictionary: 1 : to remain for a time 2 a : to live as a resident b : exist, lie 3 a : to keep the attention directed —used with on or upon
Dwell: to remain for a time. I think of slowing down, resting, pondering/meditating, being still, to listen. Psalm 46:10 NIV is a scripture that quickly comes to my mind as I'm writing this out this morning. "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
The acrostic that I came up with for myself using the word dwell:
Drinking
Wisdom
Else
Loosing
Likeness
If I will slow down and allow myself to drink in His wisdom then I will not loose His reflection/likeness when I look in the mirror. Because when I choose to dwell with HIM, then I take on HIS like-ness. I truly do not want to loose that!
I leave you with the verse that caused my heart to further share the word dwell with each of you today as well as for myself to dig a little deeper: "However, the Most High doesn't live in temples made by human hands. As the prophet says, ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Could you ever build me a temple as good as that?’ asks the Lord. ‘Could you build a dwelling place for me? Didn’t I make everything in heaven and earth?'" NLT
Father, Thank You once again for getting my attention. Thank You for the ability to have YOU dwell with-in me instead of a building or structure made by man's hands. Your temple is my body and I am humbled to KNOW that You and I will dwell with one another for eternity. I come asking that while here on earth that I be reminded to sit and dwell with You allowing the world to go right on by as we sit and drink of You. I love You Father! Amen.
Lovingly as I long to dwell with Him stepping towards Higher Grounds,
Yolanda
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Leaving you with a gift
Sisters and brothers, if you've spent any time here lately, by now you can tell that as I continue in my daily bible reading, that the scriptures are really speaking to me in my own time of need. You can tell that we are in a time of testing as well as having a close family member that is ill. This morning I feel extremely comforted by God's word, and I pray that what He used to comfort me, will comfort you as well.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV is what was running through my mind as I awoke this morning. I kid you not, simply amazing how the Holy Spirit works. This is a scripture that I put to memory several years ago when I was doing a Sheila Cragg study all on my own. "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."
As I continue on in the book of John, God blessed me so much in verse 18 of Chapter 14, "I will not abandon you." I do not wish to take things out of context, but this leapt off the page and into my heart. He will NOT abandon me, and He WILL NOT ABANDON YOU either. BELIEVE HIM in your own hour of need!
Verse 26 "the Holy Spirit - he will teach you......and will remind you"; oh Yes He did that very thing early this morning before I ever arose out of the bed and later with my coffee and His word. THANK YOU LORD, THANK YOU!
And I close with verse 27 as I continue to be amazed after almost 10 years of closely walking with MY Lord and Savior. "I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn't like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid." Lord Jesus, peace of mind as well as peace of heart? OH YES! That is what I desire and my loved one as well.
Father, Thank You for the peace of mind and heart in troubling circumstances. I am thankful that while circumstances are not what we would like in the current, it is well with my soul. Father, Thank You for reminding me that You will not abandon me, nor my sweet relative as she knows You and I believe that You know her as well. Father, Thank You that You sent me a teacher and a comforter through the Holy Spirit. May the Holy Spirit lead me into ALL Truths. Father, I ask that You would comfort others that may have stopped in to read what You have laid on my heart. In the MIGHTY HEALING NAME OF JESUS CHRIST. Amen.
Lovingly from Higher Grounds,
Yolanda
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV is what was running through my mind as I awoke this morning. I kid you not, simply amazing how the Holy Spirit works. This is a scripture that I put to memory several years ago when I was doing a Sheila Cragg study all on my own. "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."
As I continue on in the book of John, God blessed me so much in verse 18 of Chapter 14, "I will not abandon you." I do not wish to take things out of context, but this leapt off the page and into my heart. He will NOT abandon me, and He WILL NOT ABANDON YOU either. BELIEVE HIM in your own hour of need!
Verse 26 "the Holy Spirit - he will teach you......and will remind you"; oh Yes He did that very thing early this morning before I ever arose out of the bed and later with my coffee and His word. THANK YOU LORD, THANK YOU!
And I close with verse 27 as I continue to be amazed after almost 10 years of closely walking with MY Lord and Savior. "I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn't like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid." Lord Jesus, peace of mind as well as peace of heart? OH YES! That is what I desire and my loved one as well.
Father, Thank You for the peace of mind and heart in troubling circumstances. I am thankful that while circumstances are not what we would like in the current, it is well with my soul. Father, Thank You for reminding me that You will not abandon me, nor my sweet relative as she knows You and I believe that You know her as well. Father, Thank You that You sent me a teacher and a comforter through the Holy Spirit. May the Holy Spirit lead me into ALL Truths. Father, I ask that You would comfort others that may have stopped in to read what You have laid on my heart. In the MIGHTY HEALING NAME OF JESUS CHRIST. Amen.
Lovingly from Higher Grounds,
Yolanda
Friday, September 4, 2009
Glory of God
But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” John 11:4 NLT
With so much sickness in the world around us, as well as suffering, it is a very natural thing to question why? Why Lord? Why is .... suffering with cancer? Why Lord is ..... suffering with this stroke?
It happened for the glory of God, that He would receive glory from this. Isn't that the very reason behind our purpose here on earth? To bring honor and GLORY to His Name?
Exodus 9:15-17 NIV: For by now I could have stretched out my hand and struck you and your people with a plague that would have wiped you off the earth. But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. You still set yourself against my people and will not let them go.
Please know from my heart to yours, that I honestly don't have the answers, but I know that God does and that His Word has answers. That is where I MUST place my trust and where I choose to place my trust. I'm not making light of any hurts or suffering, it surrounds us all.
Father, Not my will but YOURS. May my words and actions today and the tomorrows after that bring HONOR and GLORY to YOUR NAME. Amen.
Lovingly,
Yolanda
**I wrote this early this morning after my husband received a phone call to quickly come to the hospital. Then I placed it as an edit instead of going ahead and posting. Close to noon we decided to take a break and come home for just bit and then head back to the hospital. While being here at home my husband asked me: "Yolanda, what is the answer? What do I say when I'm being asked why God would allow something to happen?". My reply to him, "Babe, God placed something on my heart this morning, and I simply think the answer is, that through our actions and reactions, to be aware of others as much as possible and to simply bring Honor and Glory to God." God is SOVEREIGN.
With so much sickness in the world around us, as well as suffering, it is a very natural thing to question why? Why Lord? Why is .... suffering with cancer? Why Lord is ..... suffering with this stroke?
It happened for the glory of God, that He would receive glory from this. Isn't that the very reason behind our purpose here on earth? To bring honor and GLORY to His Name?
Exodus 9:15-17 NIV: For by now I could have stretched out my hand and struck you and your people with a plague that would have wiped you off the earth. But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. You still set yourself against my people and will not let them go.
Please know from my heart to yours, that I honestly don't have the answers, but I know that God does and that His Word has answers. That is where I MUST place my trust and where I choose to place my trust. I'm not making light of any hurts or suffering, it surrounds us all.
Father, Not my will but YOURS. May my words and actions today and the tomorrows after that bring HONOR and GLORY to YOUR NAME. Amen.
Lovingly,
Yolanda
**I wrote this early this morning after my husband received a phone call to quickly come to the hospital. Then I placed it as an edit instead of going ahead and posting. Close to noon we decided to take a break and come home for just bit and then head back to the hospital. While being here at home my husband asked me: "Yolanda, what is the answer? What do I say when I'm being asked why God would allow something to happen?". My reply to him, "Babe, God placed something on my heart this morning, and I simply think the answer is, that through our actions and reactions, to be aware of others as much as possible and to simply bring Honor and Glory to God." God is SOVEREIGN.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Would you like to get well?
"When Jesus saw him and knew how long he had been ill, he asked him, 'Would you like to get well?'" John 5:6b-7a
And you know what the man said in response to Jesus' question to him? "I can't, sir", oh man here is the One that could truly heal him and his response is I can't. Why? Because he had his eyes on his circumstances instead of The Healer.
Girlfriends and Guy friends there is only one way to be in communion with God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. "Jesus told them, 'This is what God wants you to do: Believe in the one he has sent.'" John 6:29 When we believe and receive Jesus as Lord of our lives, there should be no room for legalism. We are to be filled with God's grace and mercy and point others to The Healer.
So I ask you, Would you like to get well? Then believe that Jesus is the Son of God, sent to earth in human form to die on the cross at Calvary for your sins, my sins and the sins of the world. He died and three days later rose from the grave. He now sits at the right hand of the father, interceding for us. BELIEVE, RECEIVE. HE IS ALIVE!
With much love here at Higher Grounds,
Yolanda
And you know what the man said in response to Jesus' question to him? "I can't, sir", oh man here is the One that could truly heal him and his response is I can't. Why? Because he had his eyes on his circumstances instead of The Healer.
Girlfriends and Guy friends there is only one way to be in communion with God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. "Jesus told them, 'This is what God wants you to do: Believe in the one he has sent.'" John 6:29 When we believe and receive Jesus as Lord of our lives, there should be no room for legalism. We are to be filled with God's grace and mercy and point others to The Healer.
So I ask you, Would you like to get well? Then believe that Jesus is the Son of God, sent to earth in human form to die on the cross at Calvary for your sins, my sins and the sins of the world. He died and three days later rose from the grave. He now sits at the right hand of the father, interceding for us. BELIEVE, RECEIVE. HE IS ALIVE!
With much love here at Higher Grounds,
Yolanda
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
