http://www.higherupministries.com/

Higher Up Ministries, PO Box 156, Prospect Heights, IL (2026)

10/06/2026

We had a great turnout at Food Pantry Saturday with our Volunteers making it a great experience for our guests. I, Rod, got to be the speaker last Saturday. Here's the message-

There’s a great story in the Bible about a time Jesus fed a crowd of over 5000! Jesus had been speaking to a crowed all day. One of Jesus Disciples, Matthew, was a tax collector before he followed Jesus, so he was probably into counting things. He may have been the one who counting the men in the crowed because the Bible records that there were 5000 men, not including the women and children. Jesus tells His Disciples that since they’ve been here all day, they should feed them. “Feed them!” The Disciples exclaim. How could they feed a crowed like that?
But then a boy, with his sack lunch, offers his 5 small fish and 2 breads to Jesus. And if you know the story, you know Jesus blessed the food then broke it up into 12 baskets for His 12 men to pass out. And everyone ate until they were stuffed.

But the story continues. Jesus sends the crowed home and He takes off. But the next morning the crowed is looking for Him. And when they find Him they they’re excited to see Him. But Jesus wants more than just feeding people bread.
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”

Jesus cares about the physical people needs of people. We saw that by how He was concerned about feeding the crowed. But Jesus didn’t come to satisfy peoples stomachs. He came to satisfy their souls.
“Don’t work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life”
The people Jesus was talking to, wanted to know how to get that ‘eternal food’
28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

Jesus came to more than satisfy our bellies, He came to satisfy our hearts. When we believe Jesus knows what’s best for us, we can be satisfied with whatever comes our way.
Jan and I are Missionaries. We rely on the donations of churches and individuals to meet our needs. And over the last 40 years, people have forgotten to send in their donations. We’ve missed some paychecks. Yet we know GOD has our backs. And we’ve always had just what we need. Since our hearts are satisfied, we’re happy with what we have.

Here at the Food pantry, all of us feel honored to be able to offer you food to satisfy your bodies. But we truly want you to know that trusting in Jesus will satisfy your heart.

09/01/2026

We all have a tough road to walk. And at Food Pantry Saturday we shared this message.

In 1600's John Bunyan wrote the book, The Pilgrim's Progress. It’s a story about how the people who trust in Jesus have a road they travel as they go through life in their way to Heaven.

The story is about a man named Christian. And it begins with him walking around with a heavy backpack on his back. It's weighted down with regrets, struggles, fears, anger. He's carried this with him all his life, and he's so tired of carrying the weight of his struggles. One day Christian comes to the Cross where Jesus tells him to lay the backpack down. “Give it all to Me. Your fears, your worries, all your shame. Leave it here with Me.” Jesus tells him. And he does. And then, without all that old junk weighing him down, he begins his new journey through life.

Bunyan wrote the book as an example of how we live our lives. We all carry a backpack filled with the struggles of life.
Fears, anxiety, frustration guilt or shame. Worries about
what’s going on in our lives and in the lives of those we care
about.
And there is such a truth to what Bunyan wrote. Jesus wants us to give Him all those things that weigh our life down. Listen to Jesus’ words-
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

There are 2 kinds of people I want to share this message with.
Some haven’t put their trust in Jesus. But if you knew Him, you’d know that He’s been beaten down, abused, betrayed and lied about. He knows whatever you’ve gone through. “Let me carry that burden with you.” He says. That’s what ‘Being yoked’ means. Carrying a burden together.
But there are those who do believe in Jesus, but you’ve been taught you have a whole list of things you have to do to win GOD’s approval. So you try so hard to do good, to give to the poor, Pray more do all these things to live the right way. And when you make a mistake, you feel ashamed that you messed up. Jesus never said you had to do this whole list if things to impress GOD. He does teach us,
The people asked, "What must we do to do the work GOD requires?" Jesus answered, "The work of GOD is this, Believe in the one He sent.”
Jesus wants you to lay down the list of trying to be ‘good enough’ and just enjoy knowing GOD. Jesus just gave us 2 major commands, “Love GOD.” And “Love others.”

We can all do that.

08/19/2026

It was my turn to speak at our Food pantry last Saturday. Let me share our message-

Whan Jan and I began Working with the Teens in the Boxwood Dr. neighborhood, it was one of the 5 worst gang neighborhoods in the Chicagoland area. But we began programs for teens, support for their families, eventually the Food Pantry and of course partnering with other groups. So that today the Boxwood Neighborhood isn’t even in the top 10 for gang neighborhoods.
However, people always want to dig up the past and label us as ‘That bad neighborhood.’ In fact, I got an e-mail one day telling me I was in a Boxwood Gang YouTube video. Some guy, many years after Boxwood had improved was driving through the neighborhood filming it and talking about how Boxwood used to be the premiere gang neighborhood. “This place was so bad. Shootings every weekend. This was where there was so much trouble,” He just drove around talking about how bad it once was. He mentioned how calm it was now and had changed. “But man was it bad. Look over there,” as he swung the camera around to show me walking along for my evening walk with Jesus. “Look at that white guy! That’s the first white guy I’ve seen in this neighborhood. Look, he’s all smiley, walking along in his new walking shoes.”
(That’s called ‘Humble bragging’. I just wanted to tell you I was in a YouTube video.)
But isn’t that how it is? Someone or a place makes good changes and there’s always someone who keeps bringing up all the stupid past mistakes.
Jan and I were watching the news last week, and they reported that it was the anniversary of when a septic tank was emptied over the Chicago river and poured onto a tour boat. The reporters said, “That was horrible, it will never be forgotten.” I turned to Jan and said, “As long as the reporters keep bringing it up, it won’t be forgotten.” Do you know there’s a brass sign on the bridge that tells about the band that emptied their septic tank on a tour bus!

But we can be treated like that too. There are people who keep bringing up all the stupid things we do. “Remember when they did that?” “Man they were so bad as a kid.” “There was that time they…” Or maybe we do it ourselves. We keep reliving the time we messed things up. “Why did I say that,” or “Why did I do that.” We can’t forget what we did.
Listen to what GOD has to say.
“As far as the East is from the West, so far have I removed your sins.”
Do you see that? GOD isn’t about throwing your past mistakes in your face. He made a plan for you to be forgiven, and more than that, to have your sins washed off your soul.
That’s what Jesus was all about. GOD coming to earth as a person to be punished for your mistakes. So that everyone who believes in Jesus, your sins have been covered.
“As far as the East is from the West, so far have I removed your sins.”
GOD doesn’t look at your past mistakes and tell you what a screw up you are. He looks in His book of records and sees your mistakes are covered with the Blood of Jesus. And that needs to change the way we choose to live.

GOD doesn’t have a YouTube video of how bad your life used to be. There’s no brass sign to remember your stupid mistakes. There’s the opportunity of a fresh new life with a GOD who Loves you.
Listen to what one of Jesus closest friends says, “ My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

08/03/2026

I haven't been doing a lot of the talks at The Food Pantry. But this brief message I shared with the Volunteers to remind them what they're about.
If you're reading Boxwood Bible Reading, you'll noticed I shared this message there as well. Because all of you serving "those in need" should be reminded who you represent.

Psalm 41begins like this
Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble.
2 The Lord protects and preserves them— they are counted among the blessed in the land—
He does not give them over to the desire of their foes.
3 The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.

I pray this for my Volunteers. Partners who care about those in need.
At our Food Pantry, setting up our food hand out and then greeting each guest as they choose the food their family can us.
My Club Volunteers who work alongside me with the young boys in our neighborhood. Playing sports and sharing how Jesus can make a difference in their lives.
We have Donors and Pray-ers and Board members, all who care about ‘those in need.’

I hope that’s you as well. That you care about those in need around you. Look at the benefits The LORD points out-
Protects and preserves. Counted among the blessed. Not given over to the desire of their foes.

If you check out the rest of Psalms 41, you’ll see that this sounds like Jesus talking to The Father. He mentions being ‘betrayed by a close friend’, ‘being falsely accused and mocked’.
So being kind to those in need doesn’t mean you’ll have a perfect life.
You know what it does mean? It does mean that you look like Jesus. And that’s a great way to be.
If this is Jesus talking, He ends the conversation with His Father with this.
“I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me.
12 Because of my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever.”
And when we follow Jesus’ example, those words are true for us as well.

07/20/2026

Hey Friends, if you are a Resident of the Boxwood Drive Community in Mt. Prospect and/or a Friend of Higher Up Ministries & will be in the area. Please mark your calendars to join us for The Boxwood Bash being held on Saturday, August 8th! We'd love to see you there! 💜

05/13/2026

Last week, we shared a message at The Food Pantry about some recent Gifts we gave away. Ladies Purses to honor Women and The Easter Resurrection Baskets. Here's what we said at Food Pantry last Saturday-

Purses Baskets and Heaven
So, who got a purse last week? I hope you had fun discovering all the little surprises inside.
Or at easter, many of you went home with a family Easter Basket. We hope your faces smiled when you saw some of the gifts we left in there.

But you know what? You should have seen the faces of the volunteers who filled those purses or the baskets. They were so excited. Talking about what they had, choosing the right color that went with the basket of purse. Laughing at people, “It doesn’t matter what color the lipstick is!”
Or the Small Groups s and Churches that were collecting the stuff. People were so excited to be a part of getting all the supplies together for these special times at Higher Up Ministries.
There is truly a joy in only receiving gifts, but having the opportunity to give gifts as well.

But there’s a greater gift that GOD wants to give to all of us as well. We’ve received the first one already, His Son, Jesus. I say this all the time,
“GOD Loved the world so much He gave His one and only Son. And whoever believes in Him will not perish but will have everlasting life.”

But GOD’s got another gift instore for those of us who do choose to believe in His Son Jesus.
A place in His Family. John 1:12- Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God

No more tears or fear. Revelations 21:4- He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

Shame is gone. Romans 10:11- As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”

No hate in heaven- Isaiah 11:9- They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,
Can you imagine that? No hate, no bigotry, no evil? I can’t. But GOD’s gift is beyond our imagination…

Heaven will be indescribable! 1 Corinthians 2:9- as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” the things God has prepared for those who love him

It will be a Celebration! The Wedding Feast- Matthew 22

No evil rulers. Revelation 21:8- But the vile, the murderers, the immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur.

A perfect world. Revelation 21:1- Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.

GOD has the greatest gift prepared to share with you. Greater than we can actually even imagine. But you have to put your faith and Trust in His Son Jesus. If you don’t believe He exists, how can He reward you?
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

04/14/2026

I was the speaker at last Saturdays Food Pantry. I thought I'd share the message with you as well.

I love going on walks in the evening and just talking to Jesus as if we we’re walking together and just talking. And there are times I see people walking with their dogs. Sometimes the dogs look older. They’re kinda slow and have grey on their nose. And every now and then they look up at their human and their tail starts to wag, and I wonder how long have they been together.
Jan and I have had older cats. And there were times they’d be sleeping next to me, then they’d wake up and look at me and purr then go back to sleep. These pets seem to be thinking, “Is my human still with me?” And when they see that we are, they’re happy.

I was reading a Psalm the other day, Psalm 124.
“If the Lord had not been on our side, let the people of GOD say, if the Lord had not been on our side..”
And as I read that I said to GOD, “I thank you that you are always on my side.” Then I remembered those walks I just talked about. The fact that when we stay close to GOD’s side, we can know He’s got us covered. I wanna feel like that dog walking with its human. Looking up to GOD and asking, “Are You still with me?” And feeling the comfort of knowing He’s always there. Regardless of the ‘weather,’ regardless of what’s going on around me. I hope the ‘tail of my soul is wagging, or my heart is purring.

Here’s the danger. We can run ahead. We walk along in life thinking, “I’ve got this covered. I know what’s best.” And many times we do know what’s best. But when we forget to look up and see what’s GOD’s plan, too often we look up and find out GOD’s turned left down a side street. We get so caught up in our plans we miss the fact that GOD’s got something better lined up.
A great job with lots a money, but less time with our family.
A struggle with an old hurt, bad habit and we think, “I can handle this mt self. I don’t need help from others or a support group like Celebrate Recovery.”
A partner in life who puts you down. “I can change them ‘cause they love me.”
We’re going along forgetting to see if we’re walking with GOD, only to find out we’ve lost our way.
Here’s the good news, no, great news. Jesus always has a place for you if you turn around and come back.
Jesus tells a great story about a sheep that wanders off. He leaves the 99 obedient sheep to go and bring the silly one back.

04/07/2026

Saturdays Food Pantry not only had a great message about Jesus' return, but with the help of a Bridge small group we filled 52 Baskets to hand out to Food Pantry and Boys Club Families.

Jesus Says He's Coming Back
There are 2 events in Jesus' life I want to tell you about.
First, after Jesus rose from the dead, He spent over a month with His 12 Apostles, His Mother and Step-brothers, as well as over 400 Disciples! Then, He gets them all together on a mountain in Galilee and gives them some final instructions, then He ascends into heaven!
Acts 1:6-11
9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
GOD makes sure we understand ‘Jesus is coming back.’ Not like He did the first time, not born as a baby and growing up. This time He is coming back out of the sky.
While He was still on earth Jesus taught He’d come back, "With Powerful Angels, riding on a horse."

The Second event I want to tell you about is the night before Jesus was executed, He was talking to His 12 Apostles. He was trying to prepare them for what was going to happen- His death, His resurrection from the dead. And even the fact He was returning to Heaven eventually. So He tells His Disciples in John 14:2-3
"My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am"
So Jesus is telling them, He is going back to heaven to prepare a place for His Followers. But not just these guys and gals, but everyone who chooses to believe in Him and follow Him.
“Father,” Jesus prayed, “My message is not for these alone, but for those who will believe in Me through their message.”

Think about that, Jesus hasn't been sitting around heaven for the last 2000 years killing time. He's been preparing a place for you. Do you know anyone who thinks you are so special they would spend that much time getting something ready for you?
Jesus is very clear, "Anyone who puts their trust in Him, has a place in His Kingdom, His Family."
When you Trust that Jesus died on the cross just for you.
Trust that He came back from the dead to be a part of your life.
And Trust that what He taught is true, so we need to follow His teachings.
When you put your Trust in Jesus, He has a place set up, just for you in Heaven.

Higher Up Ministries

10/06/2026

09/01/2026

08/19/2026

08/03/2026

07/20/2026

05/13/2026

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