Every day is God's day for us

Good morning as we all gather today to celebrate and worship our RISEN LORD AND SAVIOR!

I wonder what is it that you are feeding on from day to day? Are you one that really takes to heart desiring to have meat instead of just spiritual milk? That you can be found feeding yourself, growing and maturing. Please do not get hung up on condemnation if there is a day that goes by and you haven't been in the word of God, but if this convicts you to desire MORE of Christ, then hallelujah!!

On Tuesday evening of this week we were walking to dinner with friends. They were leaving the next morning to return to their home and we generally dine together the evening prior to departure. The husband and I were having a conversation when he asked me what we had done that afternoon. I gently shared that we had enjoyed watching a Louie Giglio DVD on creation and the majesty of God.

Can you even begin to guess where this conversation went? :-) He asked me, "That sounds religious and isn't that supposed to happen on Sunday?". I replied, "Not for Bill and I, it happens every day!." End of conversation about our Tuesday afternoon, but I guarantee you it has left him pondering. He is a deep thinker, and I wonder what kind of a conversation we will have the next time we meet up!

Colossians 4:5-6 NIV "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."

Father, thank You for giving me the opportunity to share You with a non-believer. For placing a desire with-in me to know You and to be in Your presence. To know it isn't about religion, but about a relationship. Thank You for allowing me to be Your mouth piece and to share the JOY of Jesus and what You have done in my life. Father, I pray that others will desire the same for themselves. In Your Son's Saving Name, Jesus Christ. Amen.

I think it would be fun with our comments to perhaps share what your sermon was on today, as I'm positive we would all glean from them and perhaps see the beginning of Holy Week in a fresh way as today is Palm Sunday.

Lovingly as every day is God's day,

Yolanda at Higher Grounds

He isn't finished with me yet....

I awoke this morning needing to go before the Lord with those issues that haunted and taunted me in the early morning hours. I'm so thankful that I have direct access and that I don't have to go through "man" to have a chat with Father God. Aren't you?

Anyway, I grabbed my fresh cup of coffee and sat at the lanai watching these huge waves come crashing in. It was like Hawaii Five-O all night long, all over again from the days of my youth on our little black and white television in the early 70's. By the time I was done talking and listening to God, I grabbed my camera and made my way down to the ocean.

One of my 2010 scriptures that I am memorizing came to my mind yesterday as I went with two friends to the Fresh Fish Market.

When we walked in and up to the counter to my right was a young man filleting a nice size Mahi-Mahi with these huge knives. I asked if I could take a picture and they told me to walk behind the counter and get up close. I love friendly people that get a kick out of my hunger to learn new things and try new things.

My scripture for March 1st was Hebrews 4:12 NIV:

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Bear with me as I put these two thoughts together along with my early morning dreams and quiet time. I was needing a bath in God's word as my thoughts were not aligning with the thoughts God has for us. I needed a good cleaning from my stinkin' thinkin' due to my thoughts and the attitudes of my heart. That to become more like Christ, I need to be in the vastness (ocean) of His Word allowing it to tumble me and tumble me (ocean) to surface polished and smooth. I also need to allow His Word to fillet me similar to the butcher at the fish market. So often we only allow His Word to penetrate the top layer of us, but we need to be turned over and allow the double-edge to take effect and get to the DEEP LAYERS.

**Mr. Butcher had filleted one side and flipped over the fish and was filleting the other side.

Father, Thank You for visuals that cause me to see Your Truths in a deeper way. To apply what I learn to my daily living and to come out on the other side with the renewing of my mind. Changed for the better, because You dwell with-in me. Lord, thank You for continuing to tumble me and fillet me as I know You are not finished with me yet. Amen? AMEN!

Lovingly with a heart to continue on-wards to Higher Grounds,

Yolanda

Beauty in the jungle

Several days ago we went for a walk in the light rain and I am so thankful that I had grabbed my camera prior to walking out the door.



As we walked passed this and I took my picture, I instantly thought about how our world is like a jungle and we don't know what is creeping near us to get us off the narrow path. Yet what truly I didn't see until I downloaded this picture was the one striking beautiful foliage that is totally different than the rest, due to it's color. Did you notice it at first glance? What beauty!



More importantly that is what you and I should be doing with our world. Making a difference often times simply by being in the picture. How does one do that, you might be asking?



1. Accepting Christ as your Lord and Savior.



2. Praying.



3. Reading, dissecting, studying and ingesting the Word of God.



4. Listening for that still small voice of the Holy spirit to guide you and lead you.



5. Obedience.



1 Peter 3:3-5a NIV: "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful." Isn't this a beautiful example from God's word of what He had put on my heart? I honestly believe, that when you and I allow this to be played out with-in us, then others will be drawn to us. We can change our world, one simple act at a time.



Father, I pray that when we arise each morning that others see the beauty that YOU have poured into us because of investing our time and self in Your presence. I pray that we stand out and bring a true vibrant color into each and every day. That others will be drawn to us and allow themselves to then become a vibrant color, having beauty in their own days. Lord, You are the reason behind the beauty in the jungle that we know as planet earth today. Thank You for being our ALL. Amen.


With love at Higher Grounds,

Yolanda

God's plans will succeed

Have you ever had God speak a word to you and then when you've turned around and shared that with another Believer, the waters begin to be stirred? Often times I've found that when I'm doing life and living to please God that those inside the church walls will become like Joseph's brothers.

Genesis 37:8b "So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words." Those dreams and words that Joseph spoke were given to him directly from God in a vision. 37:11 "....jealous of him...." and verse 18 "They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him." Hate, jealousy and conspiracy are not from God Girlfriends and guy friends. If you sense inside of yourself those feelings, please dig deep, deep down to the root of why you are feeling that way and take that before God. Allow Him and His word to cleanse you and repair you.

If you will continue on through Genesis you will see that what God had shown to Joseph came to pass and the beauty part of God and His plans is that Joseph did not become bitter, hardened or evil towards his brothers. You and I would be very wise to follow suit, to not come against those that quite possibly have not believed what God has spoken for you and I, perhaps even trying to be dream killers. Instead love them, give them mercy and grace, but especially continue on with what God has spoken to your heart and to your ears. That what you heard ALIGNS with the Word of God.

Proverbs 16:3 Amplified

Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.

Father, this morning I come being thankful that what You spoke to my heart over 10 years ago has come to pass. That I am Your child, and that You cause my thoughts to become agreeable to Your will. I am thankful for the blessings of having women in my life that are not dream killers. That they also recognize and know that You have a plan for each one of us, and that we are hungry to be obedient to Your will. Father, we desire Your best. May we be encourager's for those that You bring into our path with the very words and visions that You have spoke to them as well. Lord, I love You like crazy...more and more each day. Amen.

Lovingly with joy towards God's plans, full of hope and a future,
Yolanda

**Scripture not noted is ESV**

The Great Escape

Have you ever been in a situation and you knew it wasn't pleasing to God? I'm wrestling with myself at the moment due to some conversation that I found myself having to be a part of. What I'm thankful over is that the language was not flowing from our lips but from others. We live in a very colorful world, don't we, when it comes to words spoken? Perhaps even more so when you are not in your normal territory?

A few days ago in my bible study time I came across this scripture in the NIV:

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. 1 Cor 10:13.

Isn't the cursing common to man? Isn't that a temptation for many?

This particular scripture of many that morning really sunk in and I am thankful to have come across it as I found myself being tested yesterday. I had also taken the time to look at this passage from the ESV at that time and it just rocks!!

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.(A) God is faithful, and(B) he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Did you see it? Would you just look at that! GOD IS FAITHFUL and HE PROVIDES THE WAY OF ESCAPE! I wrote on my bible, THE GREAT ESCAPE. I'm so thankful that I can take God at His word 100 percent, 24/7/365. So what did God do in His Faithfulness and Provision in this mixed company? He gave me an ounce of boldness asking the person to not speak using that word. I also pointed out that he doesn't hear us using that language, not even Bill. This morning I've asked God to cause this particular person to want to be more like us because of the Light of Christ. That we would not succumb to temptation and and remember that He will provide the way of escape!

I'm not sure what it is that you are needing an escape route over today in your own life, but believe me, God has your back and He has the map all planned out. Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and when you lay your head down this evening, you can rest well knowing that you not only endured, but that you escaped!

Abba Father, thank You for being faithful. Thank You for being the master of each and every single one of the Great Escapes. That nothing is too large or too small in Your eyes and that You have every situation under control. That we would position ourselves to follow Your lead. Lord, when we miss it, I pray that we would be quick to repent and turn the opposite direction. Finding ourselves resting knowing that either we were obedient or that we had repented due to missing the mark. Thank You Father, for a brand new day and a new slate. In our Savior's Name, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Following after The One who directs The Great Escape,
Yolanda

PS: Not to long ago, I found myself in a situation and I kept sensing that I was to be quiet. To not say anything. The cool thing is that I had just memorized Psalm 141:3 NIV Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips. I believe with all of my heart that God provided THE WAY OF ESCAPE and I came away from the situation pleased as punch that God kept me from saying something that would make the situation much worse.

Steadfast love

Have you ever been reading, listening, simply doing daily living when you realize that a term or word just keeps popping up and all of a sudden you think, "I wonder what that is all about?".

That's ME!

I can't tell you how many days or weeks this has been happening to me. I've even questioned God to some degree yet I didn't act on it. Until this morning when "STEADFAST LOVE" was in my quiet time with God once again, He has my FULL attention!

Merriam-Webster on-line dictionary gives us a little insight for both steadfast and for love. Here is steadfast:


1 a : firmly fixed in place : immovable b : not subject to change 2 : firm in belief, determination, or adherence : loyal

I'm pulling out only what I believe what applies for love in this application:

1 a (1) : strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties child

b : an assurance of love

4 a : unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another: as (1) : the fatherly concern of God for humankind (2) : brotherly concern for others b : a person's adoration of God

What do I see when I look at this? That God's love for me is immovable, can not be changed, faithful like none other. That it is true, absolute, resolute, lasting, enduring and settled. That He has given me the assurance of His love through His word and the conviction and belief and faith He has poured into my heart through time, time, time. That His love is unselfish, it has a PARENTAL connotation both maternal and paternal.

I did a quick search and found that STEADFAST LOVE, those two words together, show up 202 times in the English Standard Version of God's Word. Girlfriends and guy friends let us together praise God together with the words found in Psalm 118:29: Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

I close with this as my prayer and I hope yours as well from Psalm 119:40-42.

Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life! Waw. Let your steadfast love come to me, O LORD, your salvation according to your promise; then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me, for I trust in your word. **AMEN**

Lovingly as I allow His steadfast love to truly take root and bear tasty fruit in my life,
Yolanda


**Waw, through me for a loop, says it only occurs in this verse through out the bible, and not only in the ESV translation. I also found it in the KJV. This is about all I could find out from the Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia: waw "w": The sixth letter of the Hebrew alphabet; transliterated in this Encyclopedia "w" (or "v"). It came also to be used for the number 6. **