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meaning is as refreshing and hopeful as it sounds: to raise to a higher position or level; to move one’s eyes or face upward to look at; to increase; to raise a person’s spirits or confidence; to encourage or cheer. Whether we’re referring to a plane ‘lifting off,’ someone ‘giving us a lift,’ or ‘lifting their fingers’ to help us with a task; much of the idea of LIFTING denotes rising, releasing, improving, assisting or lightening the load. In worship our hands are lifted to bless the LORD, our songs and words of praise are lifted…and as a result our burdens and anxieties are lifted. It takes humility to admit that sometimes we need to be lifted out of a situation or disposition. James said, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” (James 4:10) Jesus proclaimed that He must be lifted up on the Cross for the healing and forgiveness of all mankind. (John 3:14) The finished work of Calvary lifted the sinking load of sin and despair from all of us. As the hymn writer declared, “Love lifted me, when nothing else could help, love lifted me!”
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we are LIFTED. When we have loving and trustworthy companions we are buoyed, “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. but woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.” (Ecc. 4:9-10) People in Kingdom communities boost one another when they’re down. You might be surprised to discover that your friends, family members, co-workers and fellow parishioners need a LIFT. Or maybe you’re the one who craves the kind of spiritual or emotional pick-me-up that’s found in the presence of the LORD and in the companionship of His people. How can you seize the opportunity to LIFT someone this week?