Secret Place

SECRET PLACE

Psalm 91:1: “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”

            CRACK!  RUMBLE!    

Scared of the thunderstorm, a beagle yelped and dashed straight through the doggie flap into his house.  He dove under the coffee table.   

“It’s okay, Buddy.  You’re safe with me.” nine year old Miguel said.  He plucked Buddy up into his arms.  Buddy was whining and shaking.  “Shh, Buddy.  You’re safe now.  Shh.”  Miguel held Buddy close to his chest, rocking him.  After a few minutes, Buddy leaned into Miguel’s face. 

Slurp. 

Miguel giggled and wiped his chin dry with his shirt sleeve.   

Thunderstorms frighten many of God’s creations.  Lightening cracks and rumbling thunder sound threatening.  We feel exposed, vulnerable to power we can’t control.  But, we know the One who is in control!  And He understands our fear.

So, He created a Secret Place.  This is God’s idea.

Our heavenly Father always wants His kids to feel safe.

The Secret Place is divine protection where we can rest safely, in peace.  We can show up whenever we want to, and stay as long as we want.   We find cool, good things hidden there.  Hey, we even find Jesus in the Secret Place!  We don’t have to hope this place exists, we can hang out there anytime we remember Psalm 91. 

Just like Buddy, so many people are also afraid of loud noises, and many things we cannot control.  The unknown future and bad news swirling around us is upsetting.  Jesus wants to remind us to focus on Him instead of our troubles.

Some troubles are really serious—life or death serious—fears so overwhelming that the Secret Place beckons you.  That’s why God provided us a Secret Place to flee to.  A sanctuary.  A harbor surrounded by still waters, where fear is far away.  That’s why it’s so important.  Divine protection, peace and healing is our inheritance!

Only those who trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord are welcome in God’s Secret Place.  The very words in Psalm 91 name God!  “Most High” is Elyon.  “Almighty” is Shaddai.   Verse 2 says, “I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I thrust.’”

“Lord” is Yahweh, and “God” is Elohim. 

 Take Home Nugget

            The last verse in Psalm 91 says, “How long will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.”  The Hebrew word for “Salvation” is Yeshua—the actual name of Jesus!  Psalm 91 is all about protection.  And Jesus is the final word.  God’s Spirit points people to Jesus!

            When you believe in Jesus, God puts you in the Secret place of salvation because of His Son. 

           

God’s protection from fear is yours in Jesus today!

Adapted from ”Daily Grace Ministries” by Joseph Prince. www.josephprinceministries@josephprince.org.  September 4, 2015.

J.D. Griffith

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Release the Anointing

RELEASE THE ANOINTING

Leviticus 2:1:”When someone brings a grain offering to the Lord, his offering is to be of fine flour.  He is to pour oil on it, put incense on it,”

            Old Testament language is difficult to understand.  Many people don’t read the Bible’s Old Testament because we’re under God’s new covenant of grace from Jesus in the New Testament.  But…do we not honor our grandparents?  Grandparents have much to teach us, and, learning is always a good idea!

            Moses wrote the book of Leviticus.  He can teach us what the four items in the   opening Scripture mean.  Grain offering in the Old Testament refers to Jesus’ sacrifice—dying on the cross to forgive sin.  Fine flour represents Jesus.  Fine flour particles are tiny, passing through the smallest mesh.  Jesus is that fine.  He represents the best of humankind.  He never sinned.  He is fully God.  When He discovered that He came in human likeness, He “emptied” Himself (the vastness of God), and became a servant.   

Pouring oil in the Old Testament stands for the anointing of the Holy Spirit.  Song of Songs 1:3 likens a lover’s spoken name to fragrance pouring out, or incense.  The Spirit’s anointing releases whenever Believers cry out, “Jesus!” 

            Do you have a scrap book of pictures showing you as a baby, and growing up?  Your mom probably wrote notes describing the pictures, why they are important and when they were taken.  Your scrapbook tells your life story. 

            Well, the Bible is Jesus’ scrapbook.

            Jesus needed God’s power before beginning His Earthly ministry.  So…the grain offering of fine flour had oil poured on it:  Jesus’ humanity was anointed with the Holy Spirit.  Everything Jesus did, every word He uttered came from the Father through the power of His Spirit.

            Jesus was anointed to bring blessings to people on Earth.  Jesus told His hometown exactly who He is in His first sermon:  “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor:...” (Luke 4:18).  Of course, no one believed that the man standing before them was THAT GUY.  So when Jesus said, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”, the congregation was furious.

            But, those who do believe Jesus, also have the anointing of the Holy Spirit!

Take Home Nugget

            1 John 2:20, 27 says, “But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. …As for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, …But as His anointing teaches you about all things, …that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you,”

            Calling upon Jesus releases the Spirit’s anointing for…deliverance, healing protection, provision, whatever is needed.   

Thank You Jesus!  Jesus!  Jesus!

Adapted from ”Daily Grace Ministries” by Joseph Prince. www.josephprinceministries@josephprince.org.  August 30, 2015.

J.D. Griffith

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Let's Choose Faithful Living

LET’S CHOOSE FAITHFUL

Isaiah 41:8-13

Isaiah 41:10:  “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will hold you with My righteous right hand.”

            Ten year old Cassie shook her head wondering, What’s wrong with me today?  

            “Throw it here!” her classmate, Missy, yelled.  She stood on the spot where she wanted to practice her ‘go to’ shot.  Basketball players have a spot on the court from which scoring is assured.

            Cassie tossed the basketball to Missy, who squared her feet up to the basket and tossed the ball.

            Swish!

           

            Missy said, “Now you try.”  Cassie stood on her “spot” and threw the ball toward the basket.

            Thunk.  The ball bounced hard off the rim.

            “I’m off today.” Cassie said.

            Everyone has days like the one Cassie’s having.  Those days, our hearts quake.  Sometimes we don’t have a clue what’s wrong.  Other times, we know exactly what’s wrong. 

We’re scared. 

Maybe we’re not prepared for a test.  Maybe something major is changing in our lives.

            Let us remember what God tells us, “Do not fear, for I am with you…”

            There are two ways people handle life.  Faithfully or fearfully.  Even Christians aren’t always rock solid.  How can we internalize God’s words and not be afraid?  After all, He is the sovereign creator of the universe!

            We must believe God is faithful in order to choose faithful living.  

            A previous devotion showed what Satan can and cannot do.  It seems that he’s pretty good at pushing our buttons.  He nags people about how big the problem is, instead of how powerful God is.  He questions whether we’re dearly-loved children of God. 

We can tell him:  “It is written: ‘For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.’”  (2 Timothy 1:7).

That’s our power to choose faithful living!

  

Sometimes that shaky feeling deep inside just won’t go away.  We know that God tells us not to be dismayed; He is our God.  We can’t both trust God and not trust Him.  Our heavenly father understands.  Jesus showed us how to choose faithful living.  He really didn’t want to suffer and die on the cross, but chose faithful obedience. 

When we choose to focus on problems rather on Jesus, we choose fear over faith.  Fear over our relationship with Jesus!   

           

Take Home Nugget

            Missy offered Cassie’s some advice.  She said, “You need to point your feet towards the basket, Cassie.”

            A light went off in Cassie’s head.  “Thanks, Missy.”  She went to her spot, squared up her feet and shot the basketball. 

            Swish!

            When we believe truth, fear goes away. 

Believing God empowers faithful living.

J.D. Griffith

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