Tap tap. The man stands outside the door.
"Jesus?" he whispers
tap,tap, tap
"Jesus, are you there?"
tap,tap,tap,tap
"Jesus, please, please are you there?"
The door opens
"enter" the voice inside says.
The man enters
All glory and good life is given to him!!! All he has to do is ask;for God is so close and he hears God`s answers so clearly. His life is one of peace and good will from all he incounters. God blesses him with all the positive human emotions. Praise Jesus!!
The man walks away from God. He takes the blessings for granted and no longer talks to God at all. His life starts to become complicated and negative human emotions prevail. Jesus is around somewhere but where? The man stops seeking.
Tap tap
"Jesus, are you there?" The man stands outside the door.
Tap tap tap
"Jesus?"
Provacative question of the week Mathew 6: versus 5-6 tells us to pray in private(in a closet). Why do we pray in public in church? Even if our hearts are right, does this not still go against God`s word?
Jamie and I wish each and everyone a Happy New Year!!! Y`all have the greatest year ever walking with the Lord and enjoy your rewards!!!
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Sunday, December 23, 2007
12/23/2007
I would like to open with a personal note-I wish to thank Ed and Leann Smith for all that they do for this ministry. I am sure most if not all of the members of Higher Grounds congregation feel the same so a hardy THANK YOU from us all!!
Beth Mattocks was our speaker this week. Gee isn`t that gal growing in the spirit of the Lord?!!
Our Lord Jesus, through Beth, made three main points:
1. Don`t be lukewarm
2.What is the greatest gift we can give to God?
3. What is the greatest gift that we receive from God?
"Lukewarm" ( Revelations3:16) -now there`s a tepid,indifferent, uninspiring kind of word. How about rotting flesh, odor so rank one can smell it down the street.?How about bacteria caused illness that makes us vomit in our own beds and then sleep in it?!! Revelations 3:17 says "wretched,pitiable,poor, blind and naked". Lukewarm doesn`t seem so nice now, does it?? This is the point Beth made by her examples of morgue bodies and spoiled food. Jesus does NOT accept lukewarm eh?
What is our greatest gift to God this Christmas- You!!! Me!! Us!! Our first steps towards God begin here. Turn aside what the world(other people) think and only concern ourselves with what God wants. If gifts were graded on degree of difficulty would not this rate a 10?!!! But let us compare that to God`s gift-"For God so loved the world that he gave....." we know what goes in the blank don`t we?
And this of course is the greatest gift we can receive-Jesus Christ in our hearts.
Now, as we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus let us accept God`s gift and return what he wants from us. A more than fair trade!!
Provacative question- Jesus says that lukewarm is actually worse than cold. How can that be?
"Merry Christmas" from Jamie and I to one and all. Y`all have a GREAT holiday and remember that the greatest gift has already been received!!
Beth Mattocks was our speaker this week. Gee isn`t that gal growing in the spirit of the Lord?!!
Our Lord Jesus, through Beth, made three main points:
1. Don`t be lukewarm
2.What is the greatest gift we can give to God?
3. What is the greatest gift that we receive from God?
"Lukewarm" ( Revelations3:16) -now there`s a tepid,indifferent, uninspiring kind of word. How about rotting flesh, odor so rank one can smell it down the street.?How about bacteria caused illness that makes us vomit in our own beds and then sleep in it?!! Revelations 3:17 says "wretched,pitiable,poor, blind and naked". Lukewarm doesn`t seem so nice now, does it?? This is the point Beth made by her examples of morgue bodies and spoiled food. Jesus does NOT accept lukewarm eh?
What is our greatest gift to God this Christmas- You!!! Me!! Us!! Our first steps towards God begin here. Turn aside what the world(other people) think and only concern ourselves with what God wants. If gifts were graded on degree of difficulty would not this rate a 10?!!! But let us compare that to God`s gift-"For God so loved the world that he gave....." we know what goes in the blank don`t we?
And this of course is the greatest gift we can receive-Jesus Christ in our hearts.
Now, as we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus let us accept God`s gift and return what he wants from us. A more than fair trade!!
Provacative question- Jesus says that lukewarm is actually worse than cold. How can that be?
"Merry Christmas" from Jamie and I to one and all. Y`all have a GREAT holiday and remember that the greatest gift has already been received!!
Sunday, December 16, 2007
12/16/07
Wow!! I came away from Higher Grounds so filled with the Holy Spirit!! I find it remarkable that out of such a small congregation that we are blessed with two such fine teachers/speakers-Gary Stembal and today -Beth Mattocks. Beth`s message today was about nuturing the seed planted by the Holy Spirit and I think she was an embodiement of that nuturing today!
Thru Beth, Our Lord Jesus had much to say.I wish to mention two seperate analogies that were presented. The growth of seed to maturity and the choice of two bank accounts.
The Seed of Christainity is planted in us by the Holy Spirit. In order for this seed to grow into the Fruit of Jesus we must nuture it. This growth is enhanced by prayer, the reading of scripture, the being in the presence of other Christians and going to church.
We are given choices. We either build up a bank account of non-Christianity or a bank account of Jesus. Our flesh(the physical body) cries out for us to make deposits in the wrong account. If we yield to this, then when it comes time to withdraw in times of emergency we have way too little in the Jesus` account and that flesh account just ain`t a gonna do us much good!!
As a continuence from Beth`s earlier talk the result of nuturing the seed and the deposits of goodness come back to us. The more we do good Christlike things the more blessing we receive and the more we have to give to others and in the end the more blessings we get back!! Golly its a good circle!!
Provacative question of the week-Is a person who has a non-Christian demeanor and attitude really a Christian?
Y`all put your actions and beliefs in the right bank account and water them seeds!! Have a great week, God bless.
Thru Beth, Our Lord Jesus had much to say.I wish to mention two seperate analogies that were presented. The growth of seed to maturity and the choice of two bank accounts.
The Seed of Christainity is planted in us by the Holy Spirit. In order for this seed to grow into the Fruit of Jesus we must nuture it. This growth is enhanced by prayer, the reading of scripture, the being in the presence of other Christians and going to church.
We are given choices. We either build up a bank account of non-Christianity or a bank account of Jesus. Our flesh(the physical body) cries out for us to make deposits in the wrong account. If we yield to this, then when it comes time to withdraw in times of emergency we have way too little in the Jesus` account and that flesh account just ain`t a gonna do us much good!!
As a continuence from Beth`s earlier talk the result of nuturing the seed and the deposits of goodness come back to us. The more we do good Christlike things the more blessing we receive and the more we have to give to others and in the end the more blessings we get back!! Golly its a good circle!!
Provacative question of the week-Is a person who has a non-Christian demeanor and attitude really a Christian?
Y`all put your actions and beliefs in the right bank account and water them seeds!! Have a great week, God bless.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
12/09/07
We at Higher Grounds were excited and pleased to have our main speaker back-Gary Stembal. Gary has been gifted with the power of oratory and teaching and he uses those gifts for our edification. We are blessed.
Gary has been teaching from Pauls Letter to the Ephesians Chapter 6.In the passages 13 thru 17 God reveals Himself in Military metaphors. He uses the armour of the Roman soldier as defensive tools against the weapondry of Satan. Roman soldiers, representing the great military power of the age would have been well understood by Paul`s audience. Even today, Military Historians recognize the Romans as perhaps the most powerful soldier of all time.
From the Gospel we learn
1. We are to gird our waists with commitment
2.We are to don the Breastplate of Righteousness.
3. We are to protect our feet to stand firm with the Gospel of Peace
4.We are to carry the Shield of Faith.
5. We are to wear the Helmet of Salvation.
Satan is an unrelenting foe. Each and every day we are to put on this suit of protection. Having done so-we are safe and weapons of a thousand satans will not harm us!! Amen.
Provacative question of the week- These are defensive measures that Jesus thru Paul is talking about. Would Jesus use the Roman soldier as a metaphor if he were describing offensive weapons to attack satan with?
Y`all don the armour of Christ and have a great week. 8>)
Gary has been teaching from Pauls Letter to the Ephesians Chapter 6.In the passages 13 thru 17 God reveals Himself in Military metaphors. He uses the armour of the Roman soldier as defensive tools against the weapondry of Satan. Roman soldiers, representing the great military power of the age would have been well understood by Paul`s audience. Even today, Military Historians recognize the Romans as perhaps the most powerful soldier of all time.
From the Gospel we learn
1. We are to gird our waists with commitment
2.We are to don the Breastplate of Righteousness.
3. We are to protect our feet to stand firm with the Gospel of Peace
4.We are to carry the Shield of Faith.
5. We are to wear the Helmet of Salvation.
Satan is an unrelenting foe. Each and every day we are to put on this suit of protection. Having done so-we are safe and weapons of a thousand satans will not harm us!! Amen.
Provacative question of the week- These are defensive measures that Jesus thru Paul is talking about. Would Jesus use the Roman soldier as a metaphor if he were describing offensive weapons to attack satan with?
Y`all don the armour of Christ and have a great week. 8>)
Sunday, December 2, 2007
12/02/07
Our speaker this week was Brad Hillberry. Brad was called somewhat at the last minute as Gary is a bit under the weather. We missed ya Gary and pray for rapid recovery!
Brad was a more than capable replacement!! He fulfilled a difficult role as substitue speaker and we individually and as a Christian gathering were blessed.
Brad opened by bearing testimoney to his own conversion to Christ as a teenager at youth camp. Answering an alter call, Brad had to fight his own fears of public display to follow the beckoning of the Holy Spirit. I think this is not an uncommon way that people are called and I also think that overcoming our nature to not call attention makes those that do even more steeped in Christ. Brad certainly reflects that strength of belief!
Brad went on to talk of a way to guide people to Christ down a scriptural path using the New testament as a guide for that path.
To the unconvinced:
God loves them.
John 3:16
Romans 5:8
We are all sinners:
Romans 3:23
Romans 3:10
God`s remedies for this malaise:
I Corinthians 15 3-4
Romans 6:23
John 1:12
All may be saved
Revelation 3:20
Romans 10:13
I personally think that the word "love" is the most powerful word in the Bible so starting with love is surely a great way to open the gate to the path.
The pathway is not without its barriers which are caused by sin.
God will remove those barriers.
And the Pathway leads to Heaven!! Now there is a walk worth taking!!!
Provacative question of the week- Why does God make the path difficult at all? Why not just make it smooth and cushy?
Y`all have a great week and may God bless you with a smooth and cushy walk. 8>)
Brad was a more than capable replacement!! He fulfilled a difficult role as substitue speaker and we individually and as a Christian gathering were blessed.
Brad opened by bearing testimoney to his own conversion to Christ as a teenager at youth camp. Answering an alter call, Brad had to fight his own fears of public display to follow the beckoning of the Holy Spirit. I think this is not an uncommon way that people are called and I also think that overcoming our nature to not call attention makes those that do even more steeped in Christ. Brad certainly reflects that strength of belief!
Brad went on to talk of a way to guide people to Christ down a scriptural path using the New testament as a guide for that path.
To the unconvinced:
God loves them.
John 3:16
Romans 5:8
We are all sinners:
Romans 3:23
Romans 3:10
God`s remedies for this malaise:
I Corinthians 15 3-4
Romans 6:23
John 1:12
All may be saved
Revelation 3:20
Romans 10:13
I personally think that the word "love" is the most powerful word in the Bible so starting with love is surely a great way to open the gate to the path.
The pathway is not without its barriers which are caused by sin.
God will remove those barriers.
And the Pathway leads to Heaven!! Now there is a walk worth taking!!!
Provacative question of the week- Why does God make the path difficult at all? Why not just make it smooth and cushy?
Y`all have a great week and may God bless you with a smooth and cushy walk. 8>)
Monday, November 26, 2007
11/25/2007
A special thanks to our speaker Beth Mattocks!! Beth truly "reflected" the truth and spirit of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
I wish to highlight two points from her serman. The first being the word "hope". In the Greek it is "elpis" which means expectation. This is a subtle difference from many peoples use of the word which instead of expectation they substatute the word 'wish". Jesus WILL provide rather than '
"maybe "provide!!
The second point is "behold and reflect". We are to enter the presence of God and fill our souls with his blessings and spirit. We are then called to go forth and reflect. This can be done in a myriad of ways including how we act, how we speak etc. I want to emphasis our "countenance". Countenance is "the look on ones face that shows his/her nature or feelings".
I thought Beth`s countenance reflected how a Christian whom is steeped in faith should look. She showed peace, joy and excitement. Peace from the understanding that what she believed of Jesus Christ was true, joy because living a life of Jesus is a happy life and excitement because she had the opportunity to spread a Gospel that is powerful and wonderful beyond all expectations!!! Countenance is something hard to describe but we know it when we see it.
The power of a happy countenence is awesome!! Put on the Cloak of Jesus and smile for a smile is one of the Lights of the Gospel!!
Provocative question of the week- If hope means "expectations" than how is that different from the word "Faith"?
Y`all have a great week under the "Umbrella" of the Words of Jesus Christ; 8>)
I wish to highlight two points from her serman. The first being the word "hope". In the Greek it is "elpis" which means expectation. This is a subtle difference from many peoples use of the word which instead of expectation they substatute the word 'wish". Jesus WILL provide rather than '
"maybe "provide!!
The second point is "behold and reflect". We are to enter the presence of God and fill our souls with his blessings and spirit. We are then called to go forth and reflect. This can be done in a myriad of ways including how we act, how we speak etc. I want to emphasis our "countenance". Countenance is "the look on ones face that shows his/her nature or feelings".
I thought Beth`s countenance reflected how a Christian whom is steeped in faith should look. She showed peace, joy and excitement. Peace from the understanding that what she believed of Jesus Christ was true, joy because living a life of Jesus is a happy life and excitement because she had the opportunity to spread a Gospel that is powerful and wonderful beyond all expectations!!! Countenance is something hard to describe but we know it when we see it.
The power of a happy countenence is awesome!! Put on the Cloak of Jesus and smile for a smile is one of the Lights of the Gospel!!
Provocative question of the week- If hope means "expectations" than how is that different from the word "Faith"?
Y`all have a great week under the "Umbrella" of the Words of Jesus Christ; 8>)
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