Hymns I love: Higher Ground

Hello People!!!

Happy New year. This year will be your year of announcement, acceleration, restoration and reconciliation. Remember to hold on to God like you've never done before. Be expectant and listen to the still small voice and not any whispering that negates the promises that God has for your life.

I must have sang this hymn 4 times out of the 6 days of this year already.:-)

Every time I sing it, it's like I get a new and deeper understanding of each verse. Today on the train while coming into work, I was singing it to myself again and once again I got something deeper. I mean I have known this hymn for most of my life time so how come now? Well I am understanding each verse better and applying it to my everyday life.

Brief History:

This hymn was written by Mr Johnson Oatman Jr. He is also the author of many popular hymns such as 'No not One' and Count your Blessings'

The composer of the music was Charles Gabriel who was considered to be the most popular and influential, gospel song writer during the evangelistic crusade
decade, 1910-20.

One of the Biblical References for this Hymn:

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight,
and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto
Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the
shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

Comments made by others on this hymn include:

"There is not a heart but has it moments of longing, yearning for something better, nobler, holier than it knows now.” Henry Ward Beecher.

I can not but agree more with the above quote. Sometimes life seems like a cycle and sometimes that cycle comes with pain and endless routines. Sometimes one just wants something more: The ability to live above all the circumstances that surround and plague you.

Here are the lyrics:

I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I’m onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

Chorus:
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.


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.


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.


I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till Heav’n I’ve found,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

That's it people.

Keep looking unto Jesus: The Author and Finisher of our Faith.

VirtuousKelly
xxx

Sources:

http://www.biblestudycharts.com/HH_Higher_Ground.html

I'm Sorry!!!

Hello blessed people of Blogsville

I want to apologise for being out of touch for a while now. My laptop has finally given up on me and I have been in the middle of so many things.

I do trust and believe that God has everything under control and my testimony will be shared right here and you all will be witnesses to the goodness, greatness and awesomeness of our God.

Let me just leave you for now with this:

To that person that feels there is no hope and it's the end and there's no way out- Don't give up on God. Hold on to Him. He is the author and finisher of your/our faith. There is a new anointing that is being poured out and that anointing is able to silence any and every opposition that may be standing against you. The New anointing lifts every siege and removes all kinds of reproach. The new anointing transforms every situation.

To whomever this may apply to: begin to thank God for the past, the present and the future. God has it all in control.

Remain Blessed Darlings

VirtuousKelly
xxx

Bible Study Focus: Galatians 3

Hello People,

How has the week been?

I am so glad it's Thursday cos we are only one day away from the weekend. Thank you Jesus. This week so far has been busy. At work it's been manic and there was a time I was about to lose it; scratch that I lost it (in a dignified way though lol). Nothing major just that I spoke out. Anyway I have asked God to forgive me and give me peace and thanks to my wonderful support system (My sisters and my darling AOD) I am much better and back on track.

To the reason why we are here (insert what's app grin): as part of my new vision for this blog I will be sharing some of my bible study moment's with you guys cause I love you all so much and don't want you to miss anything I get while studying the word. I wanted to title it 'Bible Study Thursdays' but I have this feeling I won't be committed to dropping a post every Thursday so I'll just leave it as it is: Bible Study Focus

So welcome to the first of such posts (In my news reporter voice)

This July I went for a singles seminar. I usually don't go for such as to me it looked 'desperate' but now my views have changed. TOTALLY!!!!

Pastor Chris Ojigbani of Covenant Singles and Married Ministries is a minister who teaches mainly on the area of marriage. However on the first day of the seminar although the sermon was titled 'The Ultimate Marriage'it was not based on the marriage between a man and a woman but the relationship we ought to have with Christ once we become Christians.The sermon explained how so many things we go through in this life are as a result of being separated from our partner who is Christ. Once we are one with Christ by virtue of the ultimate marriage which is accepting Christ as Lord and Saviour we ought to enjoy the fullness of living a life of freedom as one who is set free is free indeed. It was a wonderful message I tell you (You can hit me up for the notes if you are interested). One of the passages he asked us to read after the sermon was Galatians 3 and I am glad that I obeyed and read this as it has totally opened my eyes and expanded my knowledge on the topic of FAITH.

Here are 10 things I picked up from Galatians 3:

1: v3 We obtain our goals not by human effort but by the spirit.

2: v6 We receive the spirit of God and the working of miracles because of our beliefs.

3: v6 Abraham believed God and it was credited to his righteousness. Therefore our belief is added unto our righteousness.

4: v9 By virtue of the faith exhibited by Abraham we are partakers of that faith and the blessings attached to it.

5: v10 A curse is placed on those who rely on the law as if the law is not observed the curse kicks in. However before God no one is justified by the law because as believers we live not by the law but by faith.

6: v.13 We have been redeemed from the curse of the law as Christ was hung on a tree for our redemption and took our curse upon Himself as it had been written 'cursed is a man who is hung on a tree'. Therefore we are no longer under the law but have been redeemed.

7: v.14 The reason for our redemption: The blessing given to Abraham will be passed not only to the jews but also to the gentiles by the blood of Jesus Christ so that our faith may be activated and we would receive the promise of the Holy Spirit. It is Faith that activates our ability to receive the Holy Spirit because how do you accept the Spirit is present if you don't believe?(belief=faith)

8: v.16 The promise given to Abraham was given to his seed also. The covenant between God and Abraham: no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that is fully established yet alone one established with God. Therefore the inheritance (blessings) that was promised to Abraham and his seed (us)is not as a result of the Law but by reason of the promise between God and Abraham (v.18). Abraham received the promise not by Law but by Faith.

9: v.19 The reason for the law: it was added because of transgressions (sin) until such a time when the seed to whom the promise referred to had come. The law being put into effect through angels by a mediator; (a mediator represents both parties but God is ONE)

10: v.23 Before faith came we were held as prisoners by the law. The law is what led us to Christ so that our faith may be justified. As we live by faith we are no longer subject to the law. Therefore we are not bound by worldly outcomes or things that affect others in the world but we are bound by faith: believing that we are attaining our rightful places even though we may not yet see the evidence of such. We are living above the law!!!!

We are all children of God by faith in Christ as through baptism we are clothed with Christ. So as I belong to Christ I am a seed of Abraham and a partaker to the promise of blessings which are activated by Faith.

So these are the 10 things I learnt from Galatians Chapter 3. Please read it also and let me know what you learnt.


VirtuousKelly
xxx