From the Pastor's DeskIn the matchless name of Jesus, it is with great joy and honor that I greet you. From the beginning of this ministry with four members, we can see a time line of God's abundant grace and mercy. Our congregation has been blessed with notable preachers, prophets, and teachers of the Gospel. We have been favored with strong and effective workers in the Master's Vineyard. The Lord has added to the church as He has seen fit. Even in times of trial and unrest, our God has never left us. For all these years, He has preserved us and continued to work in our lives.
My prayer of diligence is for Higher Praise Ministries to grow spiritually and be a strong fortress in the midst of a world weakened by sin. May our Heavenly Father bless each of you as you follow Higher Praise Ministries as we follow Christ.
"That He would grant you according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened by His Spirit in the inner man: That Christ may dwell in your hearts...(Ephesians 4:15-16)."
Designer Original
"And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh thereof. And the rib, which the Lord had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man (Genesis 2:21-22)."
How wonderfully the woman was made! Adam was made from the dust of the earth, but Eve came from his opened side. God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, to bring forth his beautiful bride. The only recorded words of man, before the great flood, were of Adam speaking about his wonderful wife. "This is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called woman for she is taken out of man."
Many years after God created woman, He once again, opened the side of another Adam. He was the second Adam. Even though, his side was opened by a Roman spear, nevertheless, it was willed by God. On the cross of Calvary, after Jesus had fallen into the deep sleep of death, God opened his side. "But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs. But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side and forthwith came there out blood and water (John 19:33-34)." God opened the side of the first Adam so he could receive his bride. God opened the side of the second Adam, Jesus, so he could receive his radiant bride called the Church.
Women of God we are part of this glorious body. We are bone of His bones and flesh of His flesh. "For as the body is one and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ (I Corinthians 12:12)."
Women, you are part of God's glorious creation, and He is pleased with how He made you. At times, we may feel worthless or of little value. Remember, God made you for a good reason. You are valuable to Him! Our strength and dignity do not come from amazing achievements. They are the result of our obedience and reverence to God.
Women of God, you are a "Designer Original," never having occurred or existed before, not copied. We are not here by chance or accident, but you have a purpose, you were chosen to carry the Glory of God.
"And the Spirit and the Bride say, 'Come'...(Revelation 22:17)"
