Wednesday, 24 May 2017

Worship Wednesday : Worship Leader worships God in 21 languages

In Acts 2 vs 5 the Bible speaks of God fearing Jews from every nation under heaven who were amazed upon hearing the disciples praise God in their own language after the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples and they spoke in other tongues.

See below a Worship Leader worshiping God in 21 Languages under heaven.


Tuesday, 23 May 2017

Friday, 19 May 2017

BBNaija 2017 Winner Efe, goes to Church



Winner of Big Brother Naija reality TV show had a thanksgiving in his home church St Louis Catholic Church Jos along with his family.

The Delta state-born Economics graduate from the University of Jos, went to St. Louis Catholic Church, Jos, with his family to celebrate his epic victory.

The ‘Based on Logistics’ crooner took to his Instagram page to share the photos from his thanksgiving service and wrote:

"Just got hold of my thanksgiving mass picz at St. Louis Catholic Church, Jos. I go say Thank You Lord 4 everything everyday of my life. Never give up on God keep believing (una remember d blue suit…lol)….#basedonlogistics.’


See More pix below






Hymnal Friday: My Hope is Built



Written by  Rehoboth Baptist Church Pastor Edward Mote, a pastor at  in Horsham, West Sussex in 1834.  
The hymn refers to the Parable of the Wise and the Foolish Builders and builds around the metaphor of Christ as a rock with a firm basis in Scripture (1 Corinthians 10:4).
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
The first stanza declare's God's grace; stanzas 2 and 3 concern the application of that grace in times of trouble. In the final stanza, Mote brings his hymn full circle with the ultimate realization of God's grace.
The hymn became very popular and has been subject of many interpretations and covers.

Enjoy the hymn below:


1. My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.



2. When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.



3. His oath, His covenant, and blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When every earthly prop gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.



4. When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found,
Clothed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne!
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

Wednesday, 17 May 2017

Pastor Paul Adefarasin gets an award

Senior Pastor of House On The Rock Churc Paul Adefarasin, bagged the Recognition Award at the just concluded Times Life Impact Award for Daily Times Nigeria.


Sharing a photo of himself receiving his award plaque via his Instagram page, he wrote:
ThankYou! #DailyTimesNigeria #TimesLifeImpactAward #Recognition   #Awards #damellphotography all the glory to God, Amen.

Worship Wednesday: Donnie McClurkin releases single with urban beats



Known for contemporary gospel music, "the author of such songs as Stand, Speak to my heart, Pastor Donnie McClurkin recently released a single titled I need you.

The Multi Award Winning Gospel Minister also asked his fans to call their local radio station requesting for the song.
The song is a lovely rock song and will surely bless you.
Watch the video below with lyrics underneath:  


Where would I go without
Your hand holding me
How could I live without you
I do not see
What would I do in life
Where would I go
How would I handle things
All that I know

I fail, again
I fall
I fall so short, so short
You know
You know my end
From the start
You know my heart
I need you
I need you … (2x)

When I cry
cry
You hear me
You hear me
When I call your name
Call
You’re near me
You’re near me
Your hand is here Lord
Hand
To hold me
To hold me
I need you Lord

I need you

Prayer lessons from Gideon



Our questions of faith often remain unanswered or confusing. Like our questions about prayer.

We are fully aware of some bits about prayer that are crystal clear.

Will I get everything I ask for? No.
Will I get anything I ask for? Sometimes.
Why, then, should I bother?

This is where things fall apart, and we’re only on question three. Prayer is somewhat a mystery, but there are still plenty of things we can know for sure about prayer. I’m especially grateful for what the story of Gideon (found in Judges) is currently teaching me about prayer.

1. Prayer Engages Someone Who is Already with You.

We know what it feels like when someone is with us, and a lot of the time God’s involvement in our lives can feel…unpredictable. But prayer reminds us that God is already an always with us.

Gideon hit the Bible scene after the Israelites had been freed from Egypt (with the help of God), survived a stiff-necked wandering in the desert (with the help of God), dispossessed the bad guys and finally scored the Promised Land (with the help of God), and enjoyed years of peace, glorious peace (thanks to God)!

Then they blew off God.

Of course, their world came crashing in, and it was during that crushingly oppressive and lonely time that God visited Gideon. We read in Judges that an angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon and said to him, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior” (Judges 6).

And Gideon, in one of the most under-excited-to-see-God moments in Bible history, wondered aloud: God? Where have you been?

2. Prayer is All about Honesty – Not Just Saying What We Think God Wants to Hear

Gideon takes some hits in church circles for this seemingly whiny response. I mean, God’s here! Buck up and be glad! Who wouldn’t respond that way?

Um, God.

God did not treat Gideon that way at all. Here was a man who had heard stories about God’s benevolent leadership and love, but where had God been all this time when Gideon needed him?

Seemingly absent. Gideon was wrong, of course, but God didn’t hold that against him.

If you have read the backstory, you know it was not that God left the Israelites, but the Israelites who had left God. After all God had done to build a relationship with his children, they still had turned away from God. God said, “You have not listened to me” (Judges 6:10).

Leaders like it when you listen to them. And really, we should, if we want to win.

In Gideon’s case, he didn’t know how to win. He had heard about God; now he was seeing something he thought might be God. But life had been rough. He did not trust what was right in front of him.

God could have justifiably gotten smoking mad at Gideon with an accusing “You’re not listening to me!” However, it’s one thing to be obstinate, but another thing altogether to be unsure.

This is a God who cares about that difference.

Gideon was hearing God say great things, but Gideon did not know if God would actually do the greatest thing of all.

3. Prayer Teaches Us to Have Eyes that See God

God has a much greater mission than demonstrating his greatness. His mission is demonstrating his love. His greatest challenge was getting his people to receive that from him.

In Gideon’s case, that was about to change.

“Don’t go away…” Gideon said to God. “And the Lord said, ‘I will stay here until you return’” (Judges 6:18).

And then God did a lot more than that.

So commenced a bit of fire that lit up a little meat and unleavened bread. There was later a bit of fleece and then later a big barley loaf in the middle of someone else’s dream.

Over and over, God reinforced how much he loved and cared about Gideon and the Israelites.

If the Israelites hadn’t listened before, Gideon was listening now. Intently. What transpired was a monumentally triumphant turn of events for Gideon and his people. And Gideon came to believe that the hiding placeof God’s word was a place he could trust.

Prayer is based on trust, which is a funny thing. It is a fleeting thing. It is fragile, unimaginably personal.

Pray.

Expect that God is already waiting for you to spend time with Him. Be honest. Ask that your eyes be open to what God is trying to show you and remind your kiddo (are we really talking about the kids still?) that you are engaging a God who made you, longs for you, loves you and has told people from page one to page 700 plus in the Bible not to fear for one reason: I am with you.

Revisit the Gideon story and others like it. Your experiences may not be the same, your feelings may not be the same, but this God does not promise that sameness.

He promises: personal.

Source: ecclezzia.com

Monday, 15 May 2017

Nigerian Catholic Archbishop appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland



60 year old archbishop from Kano state Nigeria The Most Reverend Jude Thaddeus Okolo was on the 13th of May 2017 appointed by the Holy Father, Pope Francis as the Apostolic Nuncio Ireland. He is expected to resume his new role this summer.

In a statement released by Eamon Martin, the Archbishop of Armagh and leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland, he welcomed the appointment saying:
'I warmly welcome the appointment by His Holiness Pope Francis of Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo as Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland and I wish him many blessings in his new role.
'Archbishop Okolo’s rich experience in the diplomatic service of the Holy See means that he brings many gifts to bear on his new mission in Ireland.
I pray that his time among us as the representative of the Holy Father will be blessed and fruitful.'
The Most Reverend Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo was born in Kano, Nigeria in 1956. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1983 for the Diocese of Nnewi. 

Archbishop Jude who undertook his post-graduate studies in Rome, concluded with a doctorate in Canon Law and was called to the Diplomatic Service of the Holy See.

He began his first assignment in 1990, in Sri Lanka and later served in the following Pontifical Representations: Haiti, the Antillean Islands (including Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, Saint Lucia, the Bahamas, Jamaica, etc.), Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Australia. 

In 2008, Archbishop Okolo was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to the Central African Republic and Chad and in 2013 he was made the Apostolic Nuncio to the Dominican Republic and Apostolic Delegate in Puerto Rico. 

Mount Zion TV Turns One



Gospel Movie Producer and Evangelist Mike Bamiloye was overjoyed as Mount Zion Television, a 24 hour Christian Movie Channel marked it's first year anniversary.

Speaking on his social media handle the Evangelist said:


"On MAY 1ST, 2016, AFRICA’S FIRST 24 HOUR CHRISTIAN MOVIE CHANNEL WAS LAUNCHED. And began to Broadcast Christian movies on CONSAT-TV, a Digital TV based n LAGOS. On June 1st, 2016, MZTV launched on TVAFRIQUE, based in New York, and have been broadcasting since. In April 2017, MZTV launched on TVNOW a Mobile App TV platform by IDS AFRICA based in Lagos. And in May 2017, MZTV launched on STRIMM-TV Platform. Before December 2017, the MZTV is coming up on four NEW DIGITAL PLATFORMS IN ORDER TO REACH OUT TO THE WHOLE WORLD. 
Presently, a Downloading Site where Mount Zion Movies can be downloaded for a small amount has been launched. It is:

Friday, 12 May 2017

Mums Help Your Teens Overcome Rejection



Has your teen ever been hurt by the actions of another teenager? Maybe it’s a friendship or a dating relationship that came to a close, resulting in a sense of rejection. People are involved; emotions are there, too. And sometimes those emotions become weight that seems awfully heavy to bear.
We want to stand up for our blossoming adults, shield them from the wear and tear life’s painful wounds place on them. After all, we are their parents, their providers and protectors. When our teen’s tender heart is scraped raw by rejection, our mama bear reaction often wants to barrel into the situation and “do something about it,” doesn’t it? But as Christians, godly wisdom doesn’t always lead us the same way.
When rejection targets our teens, here are ten ways to come alongside and encourage them:

1. I Am Sorry 

It’s amazing what power those three little words offer. They acknowledge our teen is hurting. Our budding adult is learning to deal with their very real emotions and reactions. When we offer “I’m sorry” and good eye contact, we’re letting them know we care. Those three words help build a solid parent/child relationship.

2. May I Give You a Hug?

Not all teens like hugs, but many find comfort in them – even those who seem “tough” on the outside. After all, teens are no different from adults. Offering a hug to our hurting son or daughter shows them compassion. It’s code for “I care and hurt for you.”

3. Offer a Listening Ear

“You okay? Do you want to talk about it?” often opens the door for listening. When they’re ready, our teens will share their hurt and thoughts about the situation. It’s important we simply sit and listen – and continue trying if we’ve opened mouth and inserted foot in the past.
So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; James 1:19

4. Refuse to Belittle or Bad-Mouth the Offending Party

Sometimes our parenting flesh is ready to recoil and find retribution, isn’t it? But what if we offer words of encouragement and support for our teen while refusing to belittle or bad-mouth the offending party? After all, the other person was made in God’s likeness and image, too. We’re wise to be careful to encourage space for grace, prayer, and forgiveness - not words of retribution or hate that could fester and hurt our child’s heart.
Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear. Eph 4:29

5. Go Ahead – Buy the Ice Cream

Let’s be real. Ice cream doesn’t solve anything, but there are some situations when it’s the perfect salve to soothe the hurtful woes. Several months ago I changed my diet, waving goodbye to ice cream and emotional eating. But when one of my teens found themselves hurting due to rejection’s sting, guess what they requested? Ice cream! “No” hit the ground running, with healthy eating habits in tact, but my answer somehow morphed into “Yes” shortly afterward. Boy, am I glad! Ice cream offered opportunity for compassion. It broke the rules for the cause of relationship building. And that teen has thanked me more than once since our late night run to the grocery store.

6. Encourage Your Teen to Guard Their Heart  

Once our teens have opportunity to share their feelings and woes, a door will likely open. It may be a day or two later, but it’s a good door. When we open it, we find opportunity to speak into our teen’s life. It’s then that we can encourage them to guard or “keep” their heart, not follow it. By guarding it, they take captive their thoughts, offer forgiveness, and set the situation in prayer.  Our teen may or may not grasp those opportunities, but as parents, it’s the perfect time to encourage them.

Hymnal Friday: What a friend we have in Jesus





What a Friend we have in Jesus

This hymn written by a Trinity College Dublin, graduate Joseph Medlicott Scriven. He wrote the hymn for his mother when she was going through a special time of sorrow.

It does not matter what you are going through now, God has an answer for you. You just take it to the Lord in Prayer.

1    What a Friend we have in Jesus,
      All our sins and griefs to bear!
      What a privilege to carry
      Everything to God in prayer!
      O what peace we often forfeit,
      O what needless pain we bear,
      All because we do not carry
       Everything to God in prayer!


2
Have we trials and temptations?
  Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged,
  Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
  Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness,
  Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3
Are we weak and heavy-laden,
  Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
  Take it to the Lord in prayer;
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
  Take it to the Lord in prayer;
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
  Thou wilt find a solace there.

Thursday, 11 May 2017

Disciplines Of A Godly Woman


For many people, the word discipline evokes a sense of resistance; Discipline seems like a hard word, but discipline is your lifeline, something that you learn to embrace and thank God for as you grow in him.
The apostle Paul links the idea of discipline with spiritual life: “Train yourself for godliness”—referring to a spiritual workout—for “godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:7-8). A Christian woman’s life is about bringing her will and every area of her life under submission to God’s will.

1. Discipline of the Gospel: The Source of Godliness

“Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3). To be a godly woman you must know what this gospel is, believe it, and make it the center of your life. Never lose the wonder of the gospel. John 3:16 is not only a beautiful summary of what God has done, it ought to be the true center of our living—defining, motivating, and satisfying us. The gospel is a woman’s first and most important discipline, for it is the source of godliness.

2. Discipline of Submission: The Posture of Godliness

It saddens me that submission has been eliminated from our cultural vocabulary. Bringing our lives into submission to God’s will in everything is the key to being a godly woman (Philippians 2:8-11). It is also the path to joy.
Submission applies to every area of our lives, and we begin by restoring the gospel to its rightful place at the center of our thoughts and deeds everyday. It’s an ongoing, daily choosing of God’s ways over our own ways (James 4:7-10; Hebrews 12:9). Is the will of God more important than our lives (Luke 9:24)

3. Discipline of Prayer: Submission’s Lifeline

Pray “at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication” (Ephesians 6:18). Prayer is the source of power for growth and perseverance in our spiritual lives. It bends our wills to God’s, which is what submitting our lives is all about.
Prayer cannot be reduced to a few simple rules, and though we sometimes talk about meditation, confession, adoration, submission, and petition, there is no prescribed order. But continual prayer is God’s will for us… we must always be “looking up,” even when driving to work or cleaning the house.


4. Discipline of Worship: Submission’s Celebration

Worship encompasses all of life: “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1). Because Christ is the ultimate revelation of God (Colossians 1:15-20), he must be the central focus of our worship as understood through Scripture (1 Timothy 4:13). Worship —whether by oneself at home, in the workplace, classroom, or with the church gathered—is consecration. Every woman who calls herself a Christian must understand that worship is the ultimate priority of her life… every day.

5. Discipline of Mind: Submission’s Education

No computer will ever be able to think God’s thoughts or know the heart of God or do his works. But it’s what the brain was created for—to have the mind of Christ. What a scandal that so many Christians don’t think Christianly!
In one comprehensive sentence, Paul prescribes his personal mental program: “Whatever is true… honorable… just… pure… lovely… commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8). If you are filled with God’s Word, your life can then be informed and directed by God—your relationships at home, parenting, career, ethical decisions, and internal moral life.

6. Discipline of Contentment: Submission’s Rest

Paul wrote from prison that he had “learned in whatever situation I am to be content” (Philippians 4:11). Fortunately for us, he said that he had “learned”… there is hope for all of us who face the monster of discontent!
Applying our knowledge of God to our circumstances is the key to contentment. It will be ours when all that God is and all that he has done in Christ fills our heart. We may lack many things in this world, but as godly women we must work to develop the discipline of contentment.


7. Discipline of Propriety: Submission’s Behavior

Propriety means behaving in ways appropriate for Christians—actions that don’t bring shame to the Gospel and to Christ. Propriety elevates our words, our appearance, and our attitudes. It’s a perfect word for describing what Paul means when he tells believers to act “in a manner of life…worthy of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27).
Propriety means acting in a way worthy of the Gospel in dress (1 Peter 3:3-4), speech, and attitude (Colossians 3:12-14). If your behavior is worthy of the Gospel, the source of that behavior will be a heart authentically bowed in humble submission to Jesus as Lord.

8. Discipline of Perseverance: Submission’s Challenge

Faith in the goodness of God in the face of extreme adversity grows out of a discipline of perseverance in the day-in, day-out grind of everyday life. “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).
We all can develop perseverance by daily submitting to God’s will and looking to Jesus in whatever irritating, insignificant duties or grand-scale tragedies we may suffer (Romans 8:18; Hebrews 12:3). It involves submitting to God in our trials while trusting him to be good, wise, merciful, just, kind, lovingly all-knowing, and all-powerful.

9. Discipline of Singleness or Marriage: Submission’s Framework

Singleness is a positive assignment (1 Corinthians 7:7) to be joyously received knowing that God doesn’t plan to give anyone less than the best. If marriage is our “assignment,” then we must discipline ourselves to submit to God’s will—to live as our husbands’ helpers (Genesis 2:18), submitting to and respecting their position (Ephesians 5:22-24), and developing a gentle and quiet spirit (1 Peter 3:1).
As single or married daughters of Eve—the “mother of all living” (Genesis 3:20)—we must cultivate nurturing spirits. How we care for others will be dictated by where God places us—in a home, in a hospital, in the inner city, wherever.

10. Discipline of Good Deeds: Submission’s Industry
As believers we are “created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). Good deeds are the redeemed heart’s response of gratitude for the gift of God’s grace (1 Peter 2:12).
We gospel women must determine to develop the discipline of good deeds: “as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10). Let us fill our days with good deeds.
As you cultivate the disciplines of godly womanhood, consider Paul’s words: “I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me” (1 Corinthians 15:10). There is no contradiction between grace and hard work. As we attempt to do God’s will, he always gives more grace!

Source: crossway

Tuesday, 9 May 2017

Worship Wednesday : Created to Worship By William Murphy

There is a reason for your creation, God made you for His purpose and that purpose is to worship Him. In everything you do worship God. Listen to the message at the end of the song . It;s powerful

Created to Worship By William Murphy Enjoy



I was created just to give you all the glory
I was created just to worship and adore thee
You are the son of the living God
Savior of the world
and I was created just to give
you all the glory
Created just to worship and adore thee

I was created just to give you all the glory
I was created just to worship and adore thee
You are the son of the living God
Savior of the world
I was created just to give you all the glory

I was created just to worship and adore thee
So I will lift my hand
Spread your praise across the land
And I will lift my voice
And realize I was chosen to rejoice

I was created just to give you all the glory
I was created just to worship and adore thee
So I will lift my hand
Spread your praise across the land
And I will lift my voice
I was chosen to rejoice
I was created just to give you all the glory
I was created just to worship and adore thee
I was created just to give you all the glory
I was created just to worship and adore thee



Steps to Strengthen Prayer


Steps to Strengthen Prayer

My struggles with prayer run deep. The spiritual deserts in my life have always been accompanied by a parched prayer life. Eventually, I came to realize this was not only a symptom, but a cause. I was neglecting the very thing that would satisfy my weary, thirsty soul. I was ignoring the path that would not only lead me out of the desert, but keep me out of the wilderness in the first place.
I often fall short of my good intentions when I fail to view prayer as a discipline that needs to be learned and practiced and developed. We speak frequently of the importance of prayer, but often don’t know (or forget) the “hows” of prayer. Even Jesus’ own disciples had to ask Jesus how to pray (Luke 11:1). They saw something in the way he prayed so fervently and intimately to his Father that made them long to do the same. Lord, teach us to pray!
While it won’t be the same for everyone, seven specific actions have really helped me in my battle against a weak prayer life.

Preparing to Pray

1. Set prayer apart. The more we pray, the more we want to pray. To do this, you need to build it into the rhythm of your day any way you can: set alarms, leave notes, put it in your day planner. Prayer is a practice that requires discipline and perseverance, and we should own the cost. Prayer is the greatest act of our day, and we must fight for it. And not just in times of need. It matters how we train and prepare for the battle.

2. Learn to withdraw. Pull away from distractions—the phone, the computer, the TV, the constant noise of modern life—and find a way to separate yourself so you can be and feel “shut in with God.” It can be a challenge when you work away from home for long hours or are sharing your house from dawn-to-dusk with a bunch of loud and energetic children, but make it a priority. Your car on lunch break, a quiet corner in the office, a closet in between meals or feedings or naptimes, or simply the quiet of your heart if that’s all you can muster. But find solitude, and pray (Luke 4:425:1622:41).
3. Have a posture of prayer. Do what you need to do to help you focus on what it is that you’re doing. Kneel, stand, close your eyes, look to the heavens—when your body is focused, it’s often easier for your soul to follow. If able, pray out loud. I’ve found that just softly whispering during my private prayer time is quiet enough that it doesn’t inhibit the flow of my praying, but loud enough that it keeps my mind from wandering. As C.S. Lewis observes, “The body ought to pray as well as the soul. Body and soul are both better for it.”

Practicing Prayer

4. Pray Scripture. This is a great way to start. What joy it brings to a father to know his children hear his words, cherish them, believe them to be true and then speak them back to him. So much of my prayers are “plagiarized” Scripture. Without even realizing it, they become the vocabulary of my prayers, sometimes because the beautiful promises make my heart sing, and sometimes because all I can do is desperately cling to his words.

Friday, 5 May 2017

3 ways to know your Church is a Cult



Most of us attend churches and wonder from their activities if they are a cult. Sometimes we are invited to attend programmes with a friends and we refuse to attend because we believe its a cult. 

Have you ever wondered about these? Here are 3 ways to know if a church is a cult.

1) What do they believe about the Bible? Is it alone the Word of God (as Christians affirm)—or do they add to it, or claim they alone have translated it correctly? 

2) What do they believe about Jesus? Is He alone the divine Son of God, sent from heaven to save us from our sins? Or do they deny this, or claim we must work to save ourselves? 

3) What do they believe about other Christians? Do they claim that they, and they alone, have the truth—or do they rejoice that God is also at work elsewhere?

Hymnal Friday: Higher Ground



This hymn has been a favorite with many Christians since it was first published in 1898. It expresses so well this universal desire for a deeper spiritual life, continuing on a higher plane of fellowship with God than we have ever before  experienced..
      
The author of this stirring text was Johnson Oatman, Jr., a businessman who wrote 3,000 gospel songs in his leisure time.  Oatman was ordained by the Methodist Episcopal denomination but never pastored a church.  His Hymns were always well received, even though he was paid no more than $1.00 for each of his texts.
       

Higher Ground

      
(1) 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."
      
 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.
      
(2)  My heart has no desire to stay
      Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
     Though some may dwell where these abound,
     My prayer, my aim is higher ground.
      
(3)  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.
      
(4)   I want to scale the utmost height
        And catch a gleam of glory bright;
       But still I'll pray, 'til heaven I've found
      "Lord, lead me on to higher ground."