Higher Ground

Higher Ground
Father leads us
June 20, 2019
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In Romans 8:14, Paul writes, “All who are led by the Spirit of God, these are the uihos (pronounced hwee-os’) of God.”  Uihos (νίός) is generally translated as sons, but its fuller meaning in the original Greek is “those whom God loves and cherishes as a Father.”

So, Romans 8:14 reads, “All who are led by the Spirit of God are those whom He loves and cherishes as a Father,” or “The Father leads His beloved children by His Spirit.”

When we receive Jesus, we are born into God’s family (John 1:12-13; John 3:3). We come into a physical birth by our parents, but then we come into a spiritual birth by our heavenly Father when we receive His Son, His costly sacrifice on our behalf – Jesus the Messiah. He cherishes us! He is the best Father anyone could ever imagine!

When I designed the artwork for the Abba Avinu(Daddy Father) art card found in the Hebrew Names of God Collection, I closed my eyes and imagined the best father. Then, I used those words around the border of the card – He leads, He loves, He listens, He strengthens, He cares, He holds, He molds, He cherishes, He protects, He sings over me! These acts of love from my Father are all Biblical! My Father is intimate with me and desires to lead each minute of my day. Absolutely every care of mine, from small to great, is His concern. He desires to lead you, too.

Father led me today
When my eyes opened this morning before I got out of bed to make breakfast for us, two things came seemingly out of the blue into my mind – Romans 12:1-2 and a song from the distant past called Higher Ground. Then, after I made breakfast, I noticed a message from Amanda (our friend, website administrator and artist of the sketch above). In her message, she included a sketch of two children above the ground! Isn’t the Lord sweet to communicate and confirm His points!

Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, kindred fellows in the Spirit, by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice acceptable to God which is the only reasonable, logical service we can offer; this is our true worship. And do not be conformed to the ways of this age, but be transformed (metamorphosized, changed in form) by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what the will of God is. His will is good, acceptable (well-pleasing and fully agreeable), and perfect (complete and lacking nothing).

In other words – Dear brothers and sisters in Messiah, joined together as one by the Holy Spirit, present your very bodies to God to be used by Him for His purposes. Considering His sacrifice and choosing of you, this is only reasonable. Allow your mind to be washed in renewal by His word each day. This way, you will find yourself walking in total shalom – total completeness and totally delightful to God. This is the way to stand on higher ground.

Higher ground is not an attainment or striving in your own strength. Higher ground is the place the Lord delights to take you to sit with Him to see the beautiful view from His perspective, to sit in heavenly places with Him. He woos us up the mountain (Song of Songs 2:8-14). He wants us to dwell on the mountain. Here in the chorus of the hymn I found in an old hymnbook (composed and written by Johnson Oatman, Jr. and Charles H. Gabriel). 

Lord, lift me up and let me stand
By faith on heaven’s tableland;
A higher plan than I have found
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

Higher trust, higher faith, higher perspective, higher purpose, more beauty, more connection and intimacy with my Father!

Blessings and love in Him,
Beth Ann

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