More than enough

I sat with my cup of coffee, my bible and my journal this morning....pondering. I began to go over over the last two scriptures that I am memorizing in my mind when I knew I was to gather my thoughts and share them with you.

I won't kid you, we've been faced with some scary stuff this week. Words that none of us want to hear, ever. Yet, many of us hear them every single day and if we look at the circumstance, our world begins to crumble. Fear comes creeping at our door.

I did only what I know to do after walking with MY JESUS for over 10 years, I turned to Him and to prayer warriors. I'm here to tell you, that fear did not over take me that day as I began to place my thoughts where they truly belong, on God. I TRUST GOD. Period. Not if this happens, or when that happens, but, I TRUST GOD.

Sweet and precious Lisa gave me a scripture on Tuesday morning with-in minutes of placing an SOS out for asking for prayers. I know, this may get old, but honestly, YOU WILL NEVER WASTE A PRAYER ON BILL OR I!!! This very scripture from the TRUTHS of God's word, washed over me and the storm that had begun to rage, settled right down. The waves did not topple us over, they no longer held a threat. Why? Because, we, ARE TRUSTING GOD.

"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." Colossians 3:2 NIV.

I love how God brings peace in the storm and how He is always walking with me. I'm thankful that He is my friend, as there are no other friends in the world like my Jesus. I'm positive, there are many of us that honestly believe that there are no other friends like Jesus. Today my Promise scripture comes from John 15:11 ESV and it is fitting, as I return to give Him praise, and Him alone. "There things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." The very words of Jesus, that His joy be found in me and that my joy may be full. How can it not be when He brings peace in the midst of our storms. A storm that arose in the blink of an eye, not one that began to brew and brew, but was a raging storm in an instant.

Father, Thank You for prayer warriors that know Your word because they, themselves, have been found standing on the very words of Holy Script. From their own experiences and previous storms Lord, they are able to share Your word to speak peace and life into my heart. Thank You Father for allowing Your word to calm the waves and bring peace to the very depths of my soul. Father, Your Word is perfect and complete. I pray that others will see that You truly are El Roi, the God who sees. That You place joy with-in and that our joy may be full. You, Lord, are my everything. In the sweet name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Lovingly as Jesus is more than enough as I continue here at Higher Grounds,

Yolanda

Soaking

At 5:30 a.m. this morning, when we arose and started the coffee the ground was wet outside. Praise the Lord, I so love when God turns over the water jars in heaven and gives us a nice drink. This morning, in my quiet time, God did just that for my soul as well.

I'm wondering if I'm the only one like this, but when I get into a large corporate worship I begin to have some mighty stinkin' thinkin'. ABOUT MYSELF! Like, if they only knew how I this or how I that....am I the only one? Not talking about judging others, I'm solely talking about the thoughts of sitting right there and judging myself. I tell my soul, devil you can not have me, get out of here.

This morning, I got flat on my face, flat out, lowest that I could make myself and asked the Lord to come in and wash me. To truly till up the soil of my soul, plant and water to produce a crop that would elevate HIM.

With-in seconds I then pulled out my Promise Calendar to catch up from the weekend as I was away in Atlanta for the "So Long Insecurity" teaching by Beth Moore. This was a LIVE Simulcast and such a blessing to my heart to gather with Siesta's that have become sweet and precious friends to me. God met me right there, in His word, and I'm here to tell you that when you need a word, get IN His Word. He'll meet you every stinkin' time!!!

2 Cor 9:10: He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.

John 16:24: Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

Hebrews 9:14: how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

Father, Thank You that You are the Supplier and that You are the Multiplier, and I give myself over to You. Thank You that because of You my joy may be complete and full. Thank You that You are the One that purifies my conscience of the things that are not pleasing to You or for You. Lord, I love how Your word SPEAKS. I love how that today, I know to TRUST You, to BELIEVE You, to COME to You, and today, I am soaking Your TRUTHS, just like the soil in my yard (literally and spiritually) is soaking from the heavenlies along side me this morning. Lord, Your Love Amazes Me!! I ask, and You, and You alone provide. In the MIGHTY Name of Jesus, Amen.

Lovingly,
Yolanda at Higher Grounds

**All scripture is ESV

Protecting what has been planted

Tuesday morning I planted a row of sugar snap peas and several rows of flowers, all from seeds in the tilled up soil of my small garden. Sunday afternoon was gorgeous, the temperature was perfect and just a slight breeze. It was time to put up our fencing as we would not be fighting the strong winds we've had for several days. Why do I have to put up a fence? We have lots of rabbits, we have a few wondering neighborly dogs, and once in a while we have deer. The fence acts to protect what has been planted from the varmints as they enjoy coming and dining on what has been planted. The dogs tramp though that fresh turned soil, breaking off what is growing.

You know, that is exactly what you and I must do for our souls!! God's word begins to be planted with-in us and if we aren't careful, the varmints of the world will creep in and steal what has been planted. You and I must guard, protect and set boundaries for what has been planted in our minds and spirits.

Proverbs 2:10-12 NIV :

For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.
Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse.

Wisdom is setting a boundary, knowing when to say yes and when to say no.

Proverbs 4:23 NIV: Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

We have the ultimate protector if we will only ask, that being the Holy Spirit. He guides us into the perfect direction of setting those boundaries needed to keep us from going down the wide path of life, the worlds way of thinking and behaving. I'm so thankful for His prompting in my day to day life, aren't you?

Father God, You are the Ultimate Fence in the garden of my heart. Thank You for protecting me and guarding me from the enemy of my soul. For the enemy enjoys tramping around and destroying what has taken root and is now beginning to grow. I'm thankful that You always provide a way out!! I come before You this morning asking for wisdom, discretion and knowledge not only for my mouth, but for my mind and for my feet. That my words, my thoughts and my path would reflect that You are the lover of my soul. I'm thankful for The Light that directs me THIS day. May my boundaries bring glory to You. In the only Name that can save, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Lovingly guarding what the Lord has planted here at Higher Grounds,
Yolanda

Stay true

Have you ever been around someone that does not stay consistent in who they are? This is one of the very things that is a pet peeve for me and I strive to be WHO I am no matter WHERE I am. In all honesty, that very thing at times has cost me a relationship or two, even with someone that is close to my heart.

Jacob told his father and brothers to say one thing while in fact they were something else. When I read Genesis 46:33-34 ESV this morning, it hit me hard to stay true to who I am. These two verses read: "When Pharaoh calls you and says, 'What is your occupation?'you shall say, 'Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we and our fathers,' in order that you may dwell in the land of Goshen, for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians."

Then Genesis 47:3 ESV: "Pharaoh said to his brothers, 'What is your occupation?' And they said to Pharaoh, 'Your servants are shepherds, as our fathers were.'"

Jacob was trying to protect his family, I realize that, but when they responded to Pharaoh with TRUTH, he did not desert them.

Father, thank You that You know the truth of who and what we do and are, and with that You never ever desert us. Father, cause our hearts to love others right where they are at in this season of life. That our hearts & footsteps would be found faithful and true, and that we would not be speaking out of both sides of our mouths. Father, I love You and desire to be true to who You created me to be, no matter where I'm at, no matter who I'm with, as You are always with me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

With much love here at Higher Grounds,
Yolanda

Stepping into the deep

Many of you know how Higher Grounds came to be and have been with me on this journey of just over three years. It has been an amazing ride of following the prompting and leading of the Holy Spirit to share with you what He has been teaching me. Beginning with writing and sending in an e-mail format and a year later beginning the Higher Grounds blog. But God called me out into deeper waters this past month and it was incredible. I am returning to give thanks and praise to God and to encourage you that God truly does equip!!

One morning while I was feeding the birds some bread I watched their little antics and idiosyncrasies. Some nibbled, others took the whole piece and was selfish while yet others shared what they had been given to feast upon. What God brought back to my mind and I'm not sure who said this, but I remember reading not to long ago, "A teacher is one that shares what they have learned." When I read that I knew that God was showing me what He had called me to do several years ago that being to step out and teach for Him.

Upon arriving on Maui that very evening the lady that is currently facilitating the Community Bible study text'd me asking if I would lead one night of their bible study on this trip. I knew what God had already done, He had been preparing me for such a time as this. A week later Dawn shared with us that it had just been over 5 years since her baptism and this is so cool because I had already been a part of this group of women digging into the word of God. This is a group of women that I am comfortable with and how awesome that God put it on their hearts to ask me to allow them to be my first students on March 25th, 2010. That He had been preparing me with the very words He desired them to hear and receive. I was first His student, nibbling on the Bread of Life to then in turn share it with His Daughter's.

That very morning, God encouraged me through my Daily Scripture Calendar: For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. Hebrews 6:10 ESV. God had been placing and continues to place the desire inside of me to serve. One of my scriptures from 2009 that I had memorized for 2009 is 1 Thes. 5:24 NIV: The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

God placed that calling on me, one that I did not want or ask for, and yet....HE was faithful the evening of March 25th and He did do it!!! He gave me His peace, He gave me His joy for the word of God, to share with others what He had shown me, and He gave me the words to speak to them to encourage them in their own walk. I walked away, over joyed as well as humbled that He truly has a plan and a purpose. Maui Girlfriends, thank you for the opportunity to serve you and that you nibbled along side me in God's Word.

The next morning I had confirmation with what I had shared the evening before is what He wanted them to know through my on-line devotion put out by Our Daily Bread. "A life lived for God is a pleasing aroma." I do not want to give out too much information yet as I'm going to step into the deep once more the first weekend in May and share this at our Women's Retreat.

I close with a word of encouragement that I received from the Pastor's wife that was the host the very day that God had said, One day you will teach for Me. I sent her a note as well as the Guest Pastor's wife that did the teaching for that very Women's conference a few years back.

You go girl! That is exactly what you have been doing with all of us with HG's. You have been teaching via e-mail now it's real life. Blessings to you, so wonderful to hear from you. love ya tracy

Father, thank You that You have worked with-in me, a broken vessel willing to be poured out as an example for those that have walked in my shoes. To give them hope that You love them and that You sent Your Son to die for them. That no one, not even a human being on death row, can out sin the cross. Thank You for using me to turn around and share with others that You are magnificent. That You alone are faithful and true. That You equip us for the work that You have called us to do and to be a part of. I ask that You would keep me humble and remind me that this is all for YOU and of You. I only desire to do what You would have me to do, in my Savior's precious name, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Lovingly going into the deep at Higher Grounds,

Yolanda

PS: after writing this, almost an hour later, I went back to look at Debbie's e-mail to me, she is the one that was doing the teaching at Tracy's church several years ago. Look at this would you!!!! She used two pieces of scripture that I had in my writing. The Lord sure causes me to laugh!

Praise the Lord! I am so proud of you Yolanda!

YOU are a teacher!!!!!!!!! We have known this for some time and I am so thankful that God has revealed this to you. You need make your Higher Ground a devotional book for everyone! Think that might be the next step??? Isn’t GOD just the best!

Thank you for sharing with me, I just can’t stop smiling! You are where you are suppose to be for such a time as this. God has a plan and a purpose, a very exciting one, for you!