Come Up Higher! by Myra Boozer

Lord Jesus, push back the darkness that is coming against every child of God. Lord, please help us to delight in your Light and your never-ending Love. Set our feet on a clear path and give our minds and hearts a deep understanding of who you are, our Creator and the Father of all mankind! You love like no other. You are our constant friend who will stand by us when the whole world is sound asleep. You are never far but always near. You come, and call us to come up higher, high above the sad and the gloom that tries to hide your love from us.

You call for us all to open our eyes and see all your beauty. You call us to know you by name, and recognize your loving voice. You call us to hold your hand, and know that you are our Protector. You pick us up, and carry us when we can no longer walk on our own. You are the one who rescues us when the winds of evil blow across our path. You wipe our tears and wash our face. You reassure us of who we are, and who YOU are, Our Loving Father. You will never leave us, nor forsake us, as You invite us to Come Up Higher! 

Lord, What Would You Have Us Do?

Acts 9:6, “And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.”

Saul was on his way to Damascus with documents to imprison followers of Jesus Christ. This text recounts Saul’s response to his Divine Encounter with Jesus on the road that day. Saul had his own objective, but God had a different path planned for him. It took a Divine Revelation to change him and the direction he was going. Confronted with the Presence of Jesus Christ, his response was, “Lord, what would you have me do?” We would do well to seek God for the same attitude of submission that we could proclaim, “Lord Jesus, what would you have me do?

God, help us to yearn for Your Divine Presence and the Revelation of Your Truth! Lord Jesus, open our hearts, our minds, and our souls to hear Your voice today! We need a revelation of Your plan. We are not seeking an understanding by this mortal flesh. We are seeking Divine revelation of the Word of God. The same revelation that the Old Testament prophets experienced as they walked in obedience and depended upon the impartation of Your instruction and anointing to bring the relevant Word from God to the people of God. The same revelation that the New Testament apostles experienced as You called them out and set them apart to be Your voice for Your message to a world in crisis, lost, and without hope except for Jesus' sacrifice.

Holy Spirit, take charge of this mortal flesh! Lead us along the correct path to receiving God's revelation and understanding of His Word relevant to where we are today. We are not seeking insight built upon human understanding because that is empty and fruitless. The revelation of Your truth surpasses all human understanding and is far above this world's knowledge. The hope of our heart and our soul's desire is to receive and impart Your truth. Your truth delivers the sin-sick soul, frees the shackled, and heals the wounded heart. Lord, revive Your Word afresh in our souls and lead us to those in need! Lead us, Lord, and we will follow wherever You open up the door! Lord, What Would YOU Have Us Do? 

Opposition Will Come! by Myra Boozer

Do you believe that God's guidance is more important than common sense? When Corrie Ten Boom came to America years ago, after her release from Ravensbrück Prison Camp, she was asked, "Why did you come to America?" She replied, "God directed me. All I could do was obey." "That's nonsense," they answered. “There is no such thing as direct guidance from God. Experience proves we must use our common sense. If you are here and out of money, then it is your fault, not God's.” Corrie tried to argue back in God's defense. "But God's guidance is even more important than common sense. I am certain He told me to bring His message to America. I can declare that the deepest darkness is outshone by the light of Jesus." "We have ministers to tell us such things was the reply.” "Certainly, but I can tell from my experience in a concentration camp that what such ministers say is true." They replied, “It would have been better for you to have remained in Holland. We don't need any more preachers. Too many Europeans come to America. They should be stopped."

Needless to say, these were very discouraging words to Corrie. She was embarrassed and humbled. She had money in Holland, but the funds could not be brought to America. MY POINT IS THIS...the world is not going to strengthen you in spiritual matters. They will let you down, even tear you down. Yes, this was coming from "church people," but they had not been where Corrie had been and received what Corrie had received. They were looking through different eyes, the eyes of reasoning and common sense, not through eyes of FAITH and TRUST.

Where is your guidance coming from today? Are you looking to the world for direction, using their reasoning and common sense? OR, are you looking to Jesus and His word? Do you feel that calm assurance that even if all of your friends and loved ones turn away from you, that you will still listen to the still small voice of the Lord and follow Him? He takes pleasure in those who do, and He will keep you in all of your ways.

I had no idea that Corrie met with such rejection and opposition in America at that time, but that did not stop her. Is it stopping you? 

Are We Prepared To Engage This Enemy?

James 4:6, “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

The course of human history is directly related to the willingness of mankind to seek after and follow the sovereign will of God. In recent years we have seen a digression from Biblical morals and values. This behavior has brought us to where we are as a nation and as a world community. The consequences of rebellion will rule eternity. How we respond to the voice of God will determine our future and the future of all who will hear us.

The stage is set for Satan's last stand. The spirit of Antichrist is moving all his players into their positions. The world population is following the deception like sheep to the slaughter. Because the nations have rejected the influence of the Gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit, God has left them to their own devices and to the destruction of their societal structure.

The alarm should be shouted from every mountain top. The whole world is preparing for the last phase. The last phase will be the “new world order,” or “one world order.” The spirit of Antichrist is energized by the Prince of Darkness. We know from Scripture that Satan’s goal is one-world government and one world religion.

Individual liberties are being destroyed, and control is being relegated to the powers that be...The stage is set, and the players are moving into place. The sin of the world hastens the coming judgment. Let the watchman on the wall cry aloud as the enemy approaches. In doing so, he will save himself and all who will hear him! 

Be Strong In The Lord, In The Power Of His Might! Conclusion by Myra Boozer

(For part 1 see 8/3/26)

The siren sounded; the guards shouted, “Get to work!” Thousands of women prisoners were running to their places. Tiny disappeared. Only Corrie was left standing in her place. She did not know what fate awaited her. She did know, however, that God never slumbers or sleeps. She thought she could hear the angels singing. Then she heard her name called. Was it death? Oh, thank God, no! It was life. She was being released. She later learned it was due to an administrative blunder, but she knew it was not the end of an era. It was just the beginning. Ahead of her was the world. Later, as she stood in the prison yard waiting for the final order, a fellow prisoner whispered, “Tiny died this morning.” The next week all the women Corrie's age were ordered to be killed.

I told you all of that to tell you this. Today the Preacher said we must get tough! We will not be able to stand against what is coming on this world, especially against Christians. If you get upset over little things and want to give up, you will not make it in the days ahead. This was an outstanding, timely message. The scripture text was from Jeremiah 12:5, “If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?” We must get strong in the Lord to make it when persecution comes on this world. The World has nothing to make you strong for the day that is coming. It must come from the Lord. He is our ONLY HOPE.

As many gathered in the altar and the Pastor prayed for each person, his wife was singing softly about the Hiding Place, the secret place for those who are in Christ Jesus. We had come full circle to the thoughts God gave me yesterday morning. “The Hiding Place” is the first book I read by Corrie Ten Boom. I believe God wants us to get stronger than what we are now. People who have suffered much are the strongest. Troubles and trials can make you or break you. Don't give up, but press on knowing that Jesus never leaves you.…

Ephesians 6:10, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” 

Who Is God And What Is My Understanding Of Him? Conclusion

(for part 1 see 8/3/26)

Acts 9:3, “And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” The beginning of Saul’s conversion to the person of Paul was when he met Jesus that day on the road to Damascus. He was going about doing his thing, but the Lord saw the person he was to become.

You may be doing your thing today, but the Lord Jesus sees the person He wants you to be. If you will hear His voice and follow Him, He will lead you in His Light. Saul saw the Light and heard His Voice, then he fell on his face before Him. He bowed in humble submission because he recognized the Sovereign presence of the Divine. He introduced Himself as “Jesus whom thou persecutest.”

If you are not following Jesus today, you are opposing Him just as Saul was. Saul changed his mindset and thinking when he met Jesus. He went on in obedience, and the Light of Heaven continued to shine on his life. The Light changed his life and gave him a new name to signify the change. He became Paul, a mighty instrument for the cause of Jesus Christ. The difference was his encounter with Christ and a greater understanding of The Lord Of Glory.

Who Is The King Of Glory? “...The Lord Almighty—he is the King of glory.” Let Jesus Christ reveal Himself to you today! Allow Him to show you the King of Glory!

Philippians 3:7, “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” 

Be Strong In The Lord, In The Power Of His Might! by Myra Boozer

(Note: this was written in 2018 and is just as relevant for today!)

It is just so amazing to me what I have on my mind when I awake most mornings. Some thoughts stay with me all day long. Saturday morning I was thinking of Corrie Ten Boom and what a spiritual hero she is to me. I thought of her sufferings and her great faith. I thought about how strong she was, and could I ever be that strong in the face of severe persecution (which we may face in the near future, as Christians).

As I went to the kitchen, Bill was asking if I wanted to get out of the house and go to "Yard Sales." That used to be a big part of my life. Not so much anymore. I have more than enough stuff already. Well, we went, and very quickly I found a book that I had to have. The only one that interested me. It is Life Lessons from Corrie Ten Boom. The Lord set me up for that one.

As I was reading from the "Exclusive 3-in-1 Edition," of course, being of my nature, I did not start at the front of the book. I opened it about three-fourths of the way into it. Excerpts from the book: “It was a week after Betsie had died in Ravensbrück that I took my place in the ranks of women prisoners standing together in the icy cold of the early morning. ‘66730!’ That is my number, I said weakly as we took our place for roll call. ‘Ten Boom, Cornelia.’ That is my name. I thought how strange that they would call me by name when they always addressed us by number! ‘Come forward.’ We were falling in line for the roll call. Ten in a line, every hundredth woman, one step forward. My friends looked at me sadly. What does it mean? I asked inwardly. Punishment...freedom...the gas chamber...sent to another concentration camp?”

The rest is in my words. A young German girl shouted number 66730. Corrie stepped forward and was told where to stand. She was sent to the far right, away from the crowd, where now she could feel the bitter cold wind whipping through her ragged prison dress. Another girl, young and frightened, was sent to stand beside her. Roll call took 3 hours, and they were almost frozen. Corrie asked through chattering teeth, "Why must I stand here?" The girl’s answer was barely audible as it came from her blue lips. "Death sentence."

Corrie turned to the Lord. "Perhaps I'll see You soon face to face like Betsie does now, Lord. Let it not be too cruel a killing. Not gas, Lord, nor hanging. I prefer shooting. It is so quick. You see something, you hear something, and it is finished." Then as she looked at the girl, Corrie said, "Lord, this is perhaps the last chance I will have to bring someone to you before I arrive in heaven. Use me, Lord. Give me all the love and wisdom I need. She then asked the girl her name. She said Tiny, and she had been there 2 years. Corrie asked her, “Did you ever read the Bible?” Her answer was no; she did not. Corrie asked, "Do you believe God exists?” She said she did and wished she knew more about him and asked Corrie if she knew Him. Corrie began to tell her. "Jesus is always with us," and about the miracle he did in taking all her hatred and bitterness for her enemies. Jesus is willing to bring into our hearts God's love through His Holy Spirit. Corrie said it was a miracle that she had a chance to explain many things about Jesus. "The prisoners behind us listened too. I felt happy. Perhaps this was my last chance in life, but what joy!" She accepted Jesus, and Corrie told her, you now have a friend who never leaves you alone. (continued)