Something is constantly vying for our attention. Whether external or internal, there is a myriad of distractions to keep us in chaos throughout our day. Why is that so? I contend it is so we will not focus on the gifts, talents, and abilities that God gave us to use on His behalf to overcome the world (the flesh). If you were the enemy of God, what would you do to keep your reign over His property–the Earth and all that is within it? Create a multitude of idols that appeal to humanity? Create distractions, interruptions, and place workers of iniquity among His people to persuade them there is another way–their way–to save the world or live forever? Create a system using a web of deception that by its very existence–they believe–can control nature and the things of God? Yep…that’s what an enemy would do, and then some. But, God…
“Satan acts most mischievously when he appears as an angel of light: the colour of the greatest good is often the cover of the greatest evil.”
~Matthew Henry
Even as I am writing these two paragraphs, for some reason, a loud car decides to race down my road, not once but twice as I type them in. My dog, of course, begins to “protect against the incoming noise threat,” tear through the house and attack my throw rug. This has been the enemy’s MO for the last three weeks as I have been trying to write what I am about to write. Whatever comes next is truly from the Spirit and not me (including the Editor’s Letter)…I have no idea what it will be. But, God…
Ever sit around and wonder where the time has gone? I know I do, especially since the whole world shut down for COVID-19. It’s as if we are unable to get back to where we were. But, just maybe, the plan of God is not to go back but forward. Many have a perspective that all the odds are stacked against them. Everything necessary for life is either being degraded, eliminated, redesigned, or literally removed from existence. We can go around and blame this person, this political party, or those big companies, but have you ever thought about the verse below?
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)
Step back for just a moment and place wonder and awe into your thinking. Even the wicked are used by God for HIS purpose. Humanity remains in the original sin, yet we have been redeemed through God’s grace, mercy, and steadfastness. The very existence of one person (let alone millions upon millions) who can, against all odds, believe what God did for His people proves to the enemy that He is more excellent. The righteous give Him great joy, and He is their surety. However, the wicked, who turn from this great gift of salvation, keep us from His terrible wrath by their very existence. Would you not be thankful to an enemy who, unbeknownst to them, receives the punishment meant for all humanity, including believers? Did not Jesus die for ALL who would recognize His great sacrifice for humanity? Turn the other cheek…He did. Forgive your enemies? He did. Bring peace in the midst of chaos…He did. But, a man’s free will determines his station in the Kingdom of God.
Didn’t Christ also reveal to the Apostle John (in the secret place), whose name literally means “Jehovah is a gracious giver,” to write down how this would all end in the book of Revelation, giving us insight into His purpose that would prevail? There have been many voices in the wilderness, preaching and teaching things they ought not (See Titus 1), and mixing the simplicity of the message of our God and His unwavering love for His creation. The creation that has His heart, alone, as no other thing He had ever formed. Zion is His true love, and He will forever hold steadfast to the promises He made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. HE will speed up time for His elect to save them from His wrath (See Matthew 24:22).
The Secret Place Is Kept By God’s Power
Oh, how He holds so close to those who adorn Him in the secret place inside with praise, worship, and all the thoughts of His glory. He is one whose adoration for His people cannot be matched by any human love between two people. He is the fullness of Love. He resides on clouds of pure gold that can never lose their value. All prosperity is found in Him, His Son, and all those who make fellowship with Him. Too many believe that just repeating a prayer, spending time at a place of worship, or reading His word in a devotional is where He is at. New flash: HE IS IN YOU, KNOCKING ON THE DOOR OF YOUR HEART! In the secret place. There is no place on this Earth where He cannot touch His creation. His very breath runs within each and every person. He is present in His grand creation, in a place no man was to enter…yet humanity did. The one place, hidden behind the veil (the secret place), left only for God, His tithe within humankind, has been breached. How His heart aches that we cannot see the pain it has caused Him. “Jesus Wept” (John 11:35) is the shortest verse in the Bible, yet as I write this, tears are welling up in my eyes for what we have done. We all should be face down, crying out to God for the abomination that will result from going within to the secret place, beyond a veil meant only for our God, and thinking WE are gods. WE ARE NOT. Only the Lamb slain before the foundation of the Earth can wipe away our tears and lead us to living waters where there is no more pain and suffering.
Now that scientists and humanists are on the verge of succeeding in enough computing power to “create” fake miracles within a human body, using light and frequency, no less, we must press into knowing what God said would happen and turn from participating in it. This is imperative to note: those who have no will set towards God that try to save, manipulate, or “create” life shall lose their own.
You must take up your own cross and follow Him. However, the alternative is valid as well. Just as the gallows set up by Haman to kill Mordecai, the Jew, in turn, killed Haman; it will be those in league with the false light that will hang from it (See Esther 7-10).
“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.”
Matthew 16:24-28 (KJV)
In Matthew chapter 24, Jesus gives us direction against those stealing and trespassing into the secret place. Time will be shortened so the elect can be saved from this event. Some will tell you Christ is in the desert or in some private backroom teaching but don’t believe it. The coming of the Son of Man will come immediately after the tribulation, and no one can deny His power and great glory.
“Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.”
Matthew 24:26 (KJV)
In our humanity, we must give ourselves grace and mercy–every day. He knew we would fall, but His will is to help when we get back up. Never doubt that. The Bible is full of examples of His great love for us. One scripture I know helps me daily is 2 Timothy 1:7.
“For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
It has been on my bathroom mirror for over fifteen years. He gave each of us portions to carry on our own cross as we occupy the land until the fullness of His plans are revealed with the coming of the Son of Man. Do not fear. Rely on His power residing within you to accomplish what He placed in you. Rely on His unwavering love for you when you feel unloved, and very importantly, keep all vigilance to have a sound mind, not relying on man’s creations to make you a “superhuman” and forfeiting your soul to the humanistic idols of this world. These things will stack up quickly if we allow them to become our focus. Focus on Him instead (in the secret place) because the world will only make available what it wants you to know, forsaking Truth for its own version. It does not know the secret place.
Joy In The Secret Place
May joy overtake you as you realize time is speeding up because God loves you. He believes in you as His child. He will return to receive His reward and will be known to every person in the fullness of the glory of God. As Valentine’s Day looms, think about His love for humanity and pursue that kind of love. And when Easter comes in a few more weeks, know that, for you, He gave everything He had. Nothing was left on the table. He is with us always. Have faith in His power and might to bring this world into the fullness given to a Son who pleases His Father in Heaven. Amen.
Feature Image: Bigstock.com | Scripture quotations are taken from the KING JAMES VERSION of the Bible. Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
