logo
Login Subscribe
ePaper
google_play
app_store
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Public Notices
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Public Notices
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
You Must Move to Higher Ground
Commentary
May 7, 2024
You Must Move to Higher Ground
By Shirley R. Watts,

“but I press on, …, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:1214). How long have you been a Christian? Are you moving forward in spiritual growth? Are you studying His Written Word? Do you desire to know more or content with little? If you are not moving forward… you are moving backwards! You can’t stand still!

In this day and time you must be moving forward and upward “to higher ground” in your Christian life. Every day is important in your maturing in Christ. There are many “things” that hinder Christians today. The only way you can move to higher ground is through a daily study of His Word in the power of the Holy Spirit through prayer. He is within you to lead, guide and direct you in becoming more like Christ.

Be Renewed

You are called to “put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph 4:22-24.)

You should be moving to “higher ground” daily, becoming the new man/woman leaving the things of the world behind. Your mind is to be on “heavenly things.” You must “be renewed in the spirit of your mind.” Unless you renew your mind, you will be an easy target for the devil to use the ways of the world to entice you to move backwards. You must “press on!

You must study so that you get to know Christ better each day. Once you commit to moving to” higher ground” you will never be the same. As you submit to pressing on, your mind is being renewed and your love for Him grows.

Not Milk Only

“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe” (Heb 5:12-14).

New born babies need milk and later meat to develop properly and enjoy the adult life. There are too many Christians still on milk!!! Milk will only take you so far! You need to feed on the meat of His Word. You have learned the basics, His birth, life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension. You must build on these things and move to “higher ground” maturing in Christ! Learning and knowing who He is today and what He is doing in Heaven.

Not Tossed Around

“that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,” (Eph 4:14-15).

Christian if you do not “move to higher ground” you will find yourself listening to anything and anyone and become confused. Only when you seek His Word to become part of your life are you able to stand against the devil and not be tossed about, tricked by men in evil plotting.

Itching Ears

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, …and they will turn their ears away from the truth” (2 Tim 4:3).

Many Christians will not be able to endure sound doctrine, and this is because they have not “moved to higher ground” in their spiritual understanding. I believe we are here today, where many ears are itching! You must study His Word with prayer!

“holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict” (Titus 1:9).

There is much joy and blessings awaiting those who have the desire to “move to higher ground”… walking with the Lord.

“I rejoice at Your word As one who finds great treasure” (Ps 119:162).

Thank You Lord!

Seq. Co. OHCE launches new ‘Crafters After Fivers’ club
Main, news
Seq. Co. OHCE launches new ‘Crafters After Fivers’ club
April 21, 2026
Sequoyah County OHCE (Oklahoma Home and Community Education) has launched a new club that meets in the evenings to give working individuals the opportunity to participate in the organization’s activit...
Main, news
School board approves new hires, accepts retirements
Advances campus plans in monthly meeting
By AMIE CATO-REMER EDITOR 
April 21, 2026
The Roland Board of Education approved a slate of personnel changes, financial items and future planning measures during its regular meeting on April 13. Board members unanimously approved the hiring ...
ML Lockwood:
Main, news
ML Lockwood:
By ALLY TROTTER SPECIAL TO THE REGISTER 
April 21, 2026
For 43 years, generations of students have walked through the doors of ML Lockwood’s classroom. Many of them were unsure of who they were or what they wanted to become. But somewhere between early mor...
Main, news
Sallisaw Veterans Home passes recognition survey
April 21, 2026
The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA) has announced that the Sallisaw Veterans Home has passed its federal recognition survey, and has begun its full admissions process for eligible veter...
Main, news
MCCO Farmers Market kicks off in May
April 21, 2026
The MCCO Farmers Market will kick off on May 2 and 30, and will continue on the first and last Saturday of each month. Vendor space is limited, so grab a spot early. Vendor rules and regulations can b...
news
Spring Out of Addition & Into Recovery event is May 2
April 21, 2026
Straight Street Ministries will host their 3rd annual Spring Out of Addition & into Recovery event from 1 to 4 p.m. on May 2, at Muldrow Park. There will be resource tables from treatment centers, liv...
ePaper
google_play
app_store
Editor Picks
news
State Treasurer encourages Oklahoma families to claim $1,000 opportunity for children’s future
April 21, 2026
OKLAHOMA CITY – State Treasurer Todd Russ is encouraging Oklahoma families to take advantage of a new opportunity to receive $1,000 through a “Trump Account,” a federal initiative designed to help fam...
news
Loss of property taxes would ‘eliminate school building fund, county government altogether’
By LYNN ADAMS SPECIAL TO THE REGISTER 
April 21, 2026
One of the pragmatic observations during election season is that candidates campaign in poetry, then govern in prose. A central question posed to five gubernatorial candidates invited to a recent gove...
news
RCIF membership dues $15
April 21, 2026
The Rural Communities Initiative Foundation (RCIF) membership cost is $15 per year. Membership includes but is not limited to, voting rights in yearly board member election, and eligibility to run for...
The church, cemetery and Maui Jesus
Commentary
The church, cemetery and Maui Jesus
By Amie Cato-Remer Editor YES & KNOW 
April 21, 2026
We woke up to beautiful weather on Monday for our full day of sights eeing, driving to different areas of the island to look at the water, landm arks and scenery. Teridecided to take me to Wailea-Make...
Teach Me Your Way, O Lord
Commentary
Teach Me Your Way, O Lord
For You are Great
By Shirley R. Watts 
April 21, 2026
“ Te a c h me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name (Ps 86:11-12). “Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass”(Ps 37:5). “I ...
Facebook
Twitter
Tweets
Twitter
Tweets

EASTERN TIMES-REGISTER
603 W. Schley
Vian, OK
74962

(918) 427-3636

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Eastern Times-Register

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy