Sunday, January 26, 2014

the secret place

Psalm 91:
"He that dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide (remain) under the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of Jehovah, He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in whom I trust.  For he will deliver me from the snare (traps) of the fowler, and from the deadly pestilence.  He will cover me with his pinions (feathers), and under his wings you will find refuge (protection)." 
Do you notice the connection of protection and being in the secret place?  Not just protection from our enemy, the devil, who is on his mission to seek out every soul to destroy, but from the darkness of sin itself.  This includes protection from ourselves.  WHAT?  That's crazy you say?  Nope.  We are born sinners, and in ourselves we are naturally drawn toward selfishness.  Without Christ, it's our way, all the time.  Without Christ, we gossip, we stir up the dust and make everything an "issue".  Without Christ, if it doesn't fit our schedule, if it's not convenient we decline or even get offended.  Without Christ, our only focus is our family, our job, our paycheck, our vacation, our leisure activities, our kids being #1 on the field, our feelings, our opinions, ....blah blah blah.
So we can tell a lot about a person and their "secret place" and the time they spend in their secret place.  HOLD IT MRS. PASTOR, you're being a little "judgmental" and preaching perfection!  Not at all.  First of all, "judgement" is casting a sentence on someone, I'm not doing that.  And I'm not suggesting perfection, I'm speaking of growth in Christ.  Walking in His grace means recognizing our humanity, and seeking His face more to reflect Him more (meaning change....growth)
I am thinking of an old school worship song:
In the secret, in the quiet place.  In the stillness, you are there.  In the secret, in the quiet hour I wait, only for you, 'cause I want to know you more  
So much truth in that.  If I'm truly seeking my savior, in my secret place, with no distractions, I'm changing!  I'm letting His very word enter my soul and change me.  I am understanding more of who He is and what His heart wants for mankind.  I see worship differently.  My worship looks different.  My time looks different.  My heart looks different.  My faithfulness to His house looks differently. Why? because I have been in the secret place with my Lord.  Wasn't Moses a different man after his time with our Lord on the mountain?  Couldn't people
see that he had been with the Lord because of his appearance?  Bottom line, we should display evidence of our time in the secret place.  It is the principal of sowing and reaping in action.  I sow much prayer, meditation, worship, confession, repentance, intercession, praise.....I reap guidance, protection, revelation, growth, selflessness, miracles, souls coming to know HIM!

Find your secret place, daily, and it will change you and the people around you!

-The Mrs. Pastor

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Waiting

 
This seems like a great post, especially since you have been "waiting" almost a month for me to blog.  Trust me, it's been in my heart, just hasn't been the right moment.
I would like to put my focus on Psalms 27 & 28.  Please take the time to read both chapters and see that David was a man that knew about "waiting".  God sustained, protected, helped, and taught him just as He will us.  There is so much God wants to do through us during the "wait".  Is it ok to question God during the wait? absolutely! David did.  He also understood the relationship was two way and listened for His voice. 
 
What I have learned most from David during these "waiting periods"...and let's be honest, this is often in our lives with one thing or another...is the fact that he used a portion of his time praising and affirming the qualities of God.  This not only kept him focused on the right things, it was confirming in his spirit what God is capable of and has proven to all mankind
 
I have things in my own life that I'm "waiting" on.  I seek Him!  I wait.  I seek Him! 
 
I have a friend who's "waiting" as her father is close to death, and she and her sister are being tested physically, emotionally, and spiritually as they are caring for him. I don't understand, but I know that God is sovereign.  I know one thing for sure.  God is teaching us after the waiting, He is hoping for a deeper trusting, patience, and more love for Him and those around us.  He is hoping we hear His voice, in whatever way He chooses to share, and that we obey.  He is hoping for spiritual growth. 

Psalm 28:6
"Blessed be the Lord,
Because He has heard the voice of my supplications!
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore, my heart greatly rejoices,
and with my song I will praise Him."
 
Thank you for visiting this blog and sharing with others!
 
-the mrs. pastor