Higher Ground

Its funny when you're not feeling well, how life slows down and you are able to see things more clearly. You realize that you tend to focus on things that don't really matter.

For example; I was watching a documentary and marveled at how they moved a mansion from Mexico to California; brick by brick and nail by nail. When completed the mansion looked identical to the mansion in Mexico and was using the original material. The folks marveled and so did I but I realized it didn't matter.

Another example was when I overheard some people talk about this country and how we no longer can trust leadership to do anything for the people anymore. My first thought was when have we ever had full confidence in our government that they were not a bunch of haters and takers. They hate everyone who is not liked them and they take for their own pleasure. Anyway, after listening, I realized that the discussion doesn’t matter. But tell that to die-hard republican or democrats.

Sometimes the things that don't matter are very simple small..things that can be cut with little to no effect.

However there are other times when the choices are hard, it can become difficult to see what actually matters and what doesn't.

With that in mind, I thought of two question;

1. Since GOD loves us, and wants us to be in HIS presence every moment and HE knows that heaven is a better place for us, then Why are we here on earth?

2. What really matters?

We already know that Life is important and that it matters. Also, how we live our lives matters.

What trumps both of those answers is our souls.

Jesus said in Matthew 10:28 "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul."

The human soul is imperishable and every human soul will go somewhere for eternity.

Daniel 12:2 "Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt."

The human soul and the human body are two separate entities. James 1:21 states "Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you." James is saying that the soul is influenced by the actions of the body and vice versa. That is why we must discipline ourselves. We are to seek higher ground; our body, mind and soul reach toward the heavens where God dwells.

Last week I spoke about traveling the right road by moving forward. Today I want to talk more about the destination. Our destination needs to be higher ground.

• Higher ground does not mean riches or secular success unless God has a purpose for that success.

• it does not mean a complete change in personality

• It certainly does not mean "high places" used for worshipping false gods and idolatry.

Higher ground is associated with heavenly destinations for our life to come but also for our life here on earth.

Higher ground refers to attempting to reach the home of GOD...here and in heaven.

Jesus teaches us in Matthew 6:33 - "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

How do we do this with all of life's distractions and challenges, not to mention our own fears?

1. Seek God in the church; HIS holy place

2. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you

3. Take time for your relationship to grow through prayer

4. Get to know God through HIS word

5. Surrender your will for God's will

Notice it says seek the kingdom first, then things will be added. What will be added isn't riches of this world but fruits of the spirit. The fruits of the spirit include love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. All are attributes for a godly character and one who strives for higher ground.

Isaiah 55:9 "For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think.” We all have ideas, aspirations and goals.

We use our experience and knowledge to make plans and put them into action. And we often realize how much we don’t know. Our minds can only hold so much. Our eyes can only see so far.

But thankfully, we serve a GOD whose mind and sight know no boundaries.

A very quick analogy is right in front of us. Tianna’s birthday is today. She is officially a teenager. She has been elevated from adolescent stage. Also, she is in the seventh grade in middle school which puts her in a higher position than when she was in elementary school. Watch out when she graduates from high school.

Look at our children…see how they grow. They are not done yet! We want them to continue to grow and reach for the highest they can be.

· It will take hard work…so be it be.

· It will take determination and grit…so be it.

· It will take refocus on their road

· Mainly it will take them to re-sight their destination.

Since we are human beings who strive for higher ground, we can benefit from a list of things to help us stay connected to GOD and grow in HIS grace.

Here is a list of additional attributes that shall help us focus on higher ground. Seek higher ground by:

• Loving GOD, our neighbor and ourselves

• Forbearance means patience plus, restraint in the face of difficult people.

• Being forgiven and by forgiving others

• Living a Christian life

• By seeking GOD and HIS directions

• Avoiding sin

• Being joyful of our life in Christ

• Showing kindness to others

• Looking and securing the good in others

• Serving and Helping others find Christ

• Being disciplined to grow in heavenly community

How many know that popular hymn Higher Ground? Let those words resonate with us.

"I’m pressing on the upward way,

New heights I’m gaining every day;

Still praying as I’m upward bound,

Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

Verse 2

My heart has no desire to stay

Where doubts arise and fears dismay;

Though some may dwell where those abound,

My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.

Verse 4

I want to live above the world,

Though satan’s darts at me are hurled;

For faith has caught the joyful sound,

The song of saints on higher ground.

Lord, lift me up and let me stand,

By faith, on Heaven’s table land,

A higher plane than I have found;

Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

Let’s pray that we seek higher ground during difficult times or times of jubilee.

Let’s move forward and upward to higher ground in our life, our homes, our church, and our community