Tripping on Waves

"Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. " Matthew 14:25

In one of the most most memorable miracles in the Bible, Jesus walks on water after a night of prayer and after sending the disciples out ahead of Him the day before in a boat. When they arose from there slumber to see Jesus walking across the lake, they were not just astonished but terrified that they might be seeing a ghost (what else looks like a man and walks on water?).

And for as amazing as that seems, that is not the greatest part of this story. The truly amazing thing is what comes next, Peter walks on water too!!! (Matthew 14:29)

Now, realizing that Jesus (the word that was at the beginning) knew what this was going to do for Christians everywhere..."If Peter could do it, then so can I" or is that really the case. I have seen many people give up dreams and visions that they have had because of the difficulties they faced to make them happen. The impossible challenges of opening their own business, the big mountain of debt you have to climb to be debt free, the time and money it would take to get the education you want, and so on. And yet with all of those things, we can see the Lord already out there in the middle of the challenge saying to us, "Come"

I GET EXCITED JUST THINKING ABOUT IT!!!!

"I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me" Phillipians 4:13 and I believe that. What we have to be reminded of is that this is not a free ride. God does not give out trophy blessings that just sit on the shelf. Your blessings are meant to accomplish something and take you (or someone else) to a place they have never been in God before. I tell you now the the blessing of a good job is not just for you and your family. The blessing of graduating from college is not just a personal achievement, it is a goal that is a blessing to many. But what if you never tried, or never attempted to accomplish those things? What blessings would be blocked by your unwillingness? That is why you got to try.

Peter walked on water.....Peter walked on water....Peter walked on WATER! That is amazing, that is God! Yes, he got scared. Yes, he started to fall, but Peter walked on water. And you know what, it was not the water that gave him the doubts, it was the wind (Matthew 14:30)

So that means that the challenge itself can not be the thing that keeps us from success, and even the wind itself wasn't what got to Peter. He was distracted from his task and overcome by what he could not see (wind) such that he was overwelmed but his inability to do what he was already doing. BUT...Peter walked on water.

Those in the boat had more faith in the vessel that in the Lord that was in the middle of the water. And many of them saw Peter struggling and that alone solidified their fear to walk on the water. "If he is going to trip over the waves, I'm surely going to sink", i can here them say. I can here us say similar things today as we compare other peoples challenges and setbacks to out yet-to-be-taken path to success. But I can tell you right now that I would rather be tripping on the waves, than standing on the boat.

Moving Higher

Higher Ground Church of God in Christ in St Cloud, MN held services in its new location on Sunday, September 11, 2011. It was a monumental service, a culmination of years of work by the leaders and members of the oldest African American church in central Minnesota. Not only does this move signify the growth of a church, it also marks the first African-American owned sanctuary in the area. Founded in 2001, Higher Ground started in the cafeteria of a local Jr. High School with 6 adult members and 3 children. Today, it is a church that boosts 80 regular attendees and a membership of over 150.

Given that for any church or organization it is difficult to make it through the first 5 years, it serves to note that making it to 10 years is through no small miracle. Many challenges presented themselves but with the help of God there were ways that were made, and opportunities that were taken advantage of. We are proud of our church and the work that we have been able to do for this city and the surrounding areas.

In the upcoming months and years, Higher Ground has no intention on slowing down or even settling for what it has now. Higher Ground has always been more than a name for us, it is our Direction!! No matter where we are we know that we can aim and attain Higher than where were are. So with this we have our goals:

1. Evangelize to the City, State, and Region, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
2. Have a positive porposeful effect on the communities around us by addressing the greatest needs of the people: Housing, Employment, Transportation, Education.
3. Empower & Encourage our youth to stop the curse of poverty and the circles of destruction
4. Educate & Uplift our adults so that they have the tools to lift themselves up and out of the things that hold them down.
5. Always Praying, Reading the Bible, and going to Church

These have always been a part of the plan that God has had for Higher Ground, but we re-emphasize that plan so that we are able to inspire those new to us and encourage that already a part of us.

I am confident that in these things we can be successful and in many ways we already have been, but the race is not over, and until the Lord calls us home, we have a work to do and Higher Ground is up to the task of doing it.

Higher Ground Strong,
Higher Ground Proud,
Higher Ground, Praise the Lord


Pastor James Alberts