Tuesday, February 8, 2011 - Beam Me Up, Scotty

     "And God raised us up with Christ 

and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus," 

Ephesians 2:6

     "Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before." (Title sequence for the series Star Trek)

     Whenever voyagers of the Star Trek Enterprise finished an expedition of "boldly going where no man had gone before" and found hostile aliens who made them wish they had timidly stayed where most men would rather be, they called the Scotsman, Mr. Scott (Coincidence? I think not.) to beam them back on board the star ship. Mr. Scott deftly pushed a few buttons, hit a lever and dematerialized them from whatever dangers they faced to the safety of the Enterprise. Mr. Scott, where are you when we need you?

     Here we are, fellow travelers, sent on mission as aliens in a strange world of often hostile inhabitants. We come in Peace, with Peace, to be Peacemakers. We're ambassadors of the God of Love, sent out but not left alone, never left alone. Any time Satan aims his darts at us or trouble nips at our heels we can call on Jesus to deliver us and He'll immediately pull us into Himself. At any point we choose we can "dematerialize" into His Presence for Him to sanctify us (set us apart) - spirit, soul and body. When we feel harassed or discouraged, we can call on God to show us the view from where He has already raised us up with Christ. Close your eyes, call on Him as often as you need to (plus some), and let Him lift you up to higher, safer ground. I pray this hymn for all of us today!

I'm pressing on the upward way, new heights I'm gaining ev'ry day

Still praying as I onward bound, "Lord, plant my feet on higher ground."

"Lord, lift me up and let me stand, by faith on heaven's tableland,

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 these 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 lead me on to higher ground."

"Lord, lift me up and let me stand, by faith on heaven's tableland,

A higher plane than I have found; Lord, plant my feet on higher ground."

("Higher Ground," by Johns Oatman) 

   

"'Lord, if it's You,' Peter replied, 'tell me to come to You on the water.' 

'Come,' He said.  
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, 
'Lord, save me!' 
Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him.
'You of little faith,' He said, 'why did you doubt?'" 
Matthew 14:28-31

"May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. 

May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless

at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it." 

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

Inspired by Jesus Calling and My Utmost for His Highest

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