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Father in Heaven, Take us to Your Secret Place!

by Chis Sitter

For thousands of years, God has had the desire to bring (and to keep) those who diligently seek and fear and obey Him – into a very special place of peace and safety from evil.  This is a place of communion with Him.

This is evident as early as Genesis 1, when God placed Adam (and later Eve) into a beautiful garden, where there every need was met and where they walked and communed with Him.

One short Old Testament passage illustrates this very special place:

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3

May God help us all – to dwell in such a beautiful state!  Think About that for a moment:  “PERFECT PEACE”.  Wow.

But our Adversary who has come to steal from us, to kill us, and to destroy us (John 10:10) is throwing multiplied thousands of messages and images at us (every month) – with the goal that we will NEVER have our mind “stayed on thee”, and never enjoy this place of mental and emotional rest.  Fortunately, we can – by God’s grace, shut those messages out, and choose to fill our mind with God’s Word, prayer, praise music, good preaching, and times of fellowship with Christian friends and family – and other beautiful and pure stuff.

Later in Isaiah – we see a different illustration of this special place – that God has for His remnant who walk on what the Holy Spirit inspired the prophet Isaiah to call “the way of holiness”.

Isaiah 35:8-10

8  And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.

9  No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:

10  And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

The famous Psalm 91 provides us yet another beautiful picture of this special place, of protection, health and also spiritual power.  In this example – it is called “The Secret Place of the Most High”.

As I just took a fresh look at the beautiful Psalm 91, I tried to figure out how I should “rightly divide” that passage, so I could not make this post too long.  I just wanted to highlight the beautiful aspects of this “secret place”, but after looking it over, the blessings of this special place just keep going – until the whole psalm is over!  So, I feel I must post this wonderful psalm, in its entirety.

Psalm 91 

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

It is important to note the 3 Conditions in Psalm 91 (maybe you can find more than that – but here are the ones I see).

Condition #1) Psalm 91:1 – you must dwell in the “secret place” of the Most High.  Where is that, you might ask.  Psalm 25:14 provides us that answer:  “The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him”.  But how can we check and see if we actually fear Him. 

While we could make a large sermon (filled with scripture) on that subject – Psalm 34 provides us a fairly short and direct answer:

11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.12 What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.15 The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

16 The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. 20 He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken. 21 Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate. 22 The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.

I don’t know where to actually cut that passage either, because of not only all the beautiful promises for the righteous, but also – all the scary warnings to the wicked.  Both of those types of passages help us to learn the Fear of the Lord.  The precious promises DRAW us to desire to be in that special place of wholehearted worship and obedience to The Lord and fellowship with all that He is.  And the scary warnings are there to scare the hell (fleshly ways) out of us – so we will resist temptation, confess our sins and “choose life”.

I call these two things (the precious promises and the warnings) the “Double Motivator” – which God so lovingly provides us throughout His Word.  Beware of preachers who only utilize the precious promises but avoid the scary warnings.  God knows how wicked and deceitful our unregenerated hearts are – and HE KNOWS we need them both.

Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

Just read through ANY BOOK of the Bible, (it’s probably most evident in Proverbs) and you will see how God uses this double motivator – in his Great Love – over and over – to bring us to His “secret place”/”Highway of holiness”.

This special place has other names – throughout His Word.

Psalm 32:7 calls it our “Hiding Place”

Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.

Jesus Christ shared his longing to bring his people in Jerusalem to this place of refuge as “a hen gathers her chicks under her wings” – but they would not!  Here His cry along these lines – in the book of Matthew:

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!”  Matthew 23:37

Eventually, God will bring His people who love and fear and seek and obey Him into a very special place indeed…a New Heavens and a New Earth – wherein dwelleth righteousness.  Woohoo!  Oh, how I want to live there forever…with all of you!!!!! (Now that would be a fun message – to try and find all the passages on that fantastic subject)

“Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” 2 Peter 3:13

Oh dear saints, let us seek to enter into this special place that God has desired for His people to abide – from the beginning of time to the end of time.  Notice the 2 qualifications listed in the following passage (Rev. 14) – which is just 8 chapters from the end of the Bible.  See how God has had this special place set aside – from the Garden of Eden, to The Last Day & then on into Eternity!

Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

Another 2 passages which are coming to mind – also illustrate this beautiful and holy truth:

1st John 5:18b  …he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.  Proverbs 18:10

Grace, Mercy, Peace and Victory to all reading this.  May The Lord forgive us where we have missed His holy mark, and wash us in his precious blood, and cleanse us from all iniquity, and pull us out of any miry clay we may have gotten ourselves into, and set our feet on rock.  May He also put a new song in our mouth and establish our goings. (from Psalm 40)  May our God, whose tender mercies are over all his works (Psalm 145:9) and who would that none should perish (2 Peter 3:9) help us all to forsake anything that our adversary has brought into our lives and hearts – that would keep us from abiding steadfastly in this special and holy place with our precious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May we all be filled with His Spirit and walking by Faith – throughout each day that He has made and given us.

18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ  (Ephesians 5:18-20)

Praise His Holy Name.  Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Our Redeemer is plenteous in mercy (psalm 103:8) and ready to forgive!

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. Psalm 103:8

5”For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.” Psalm 86:5

“I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.” Psalm 32:5

Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!”  Psalm 31:19

Oh my dear brethren (and sistren), how The Lord does long for us to abide in this place. May we give ourselves to the goal of dwelling and abiding in His secret place, and to helping our struggling brethren – and the lost…to find it.  In Jesus name. Any Amens?

2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

“ One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.  For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.” Psalm 27:4-5

Sorry this “post” turned into a whole article.  These beautiful truths are very special to me, and I still have much more to learn on this subject.  I have not always dwelt in this beautiful place of communion with our precious Lord.  My flesh and my adversary have won far too many battles during the past 30+ years since I was born again.  Those things pulled me away from this place of precious communion with my Lord who died a horrible death and shed His own blood so I could get and stay there.  You will also find that EVERYTHING the devil can throw at you (temptations of every kind, distractions, false security doctrines – which allow you to “be righteous” while you clearly are not, etc.) will try to keep you from arriving at, and staying in this beautiful place of God’s refuge. Great success to you, in Jesus name – as you fight this great fight.  Dive into God’s Holy Word, and let its light shine on every part of your life.  Don’t hold anything back.  Remember the first command: To love the Lord with ALL your heart, ALL your soul, All your mind and All your strength & PLEASE, I beg you – do NOT be deceived (as I have been) that giving him “Most” or “almost all” will do.  It will not.  He is holy. If you are having trouble fearing God as you would like to, I exhort you to read Matthew 7:21-23 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 in the KJV about 20 times a day for 2 days, and really think about that passage.  And if those 2 are not quite enough, add Galatians 5:19-21.

As The Lord – through His Word – exposes areas of sin, then immediately thank Him for that understanding, and bring what you find to Calvary and to our merciful Lord, and find forgiveness, restoration, joy and eventually…Steadfastness with The NEW HEART of FLESH that only HE can give us, which will “love righteousness and hate wickedness”.

This is actually a very short presentation of this wonderful subject.  You will find this longing from God, and His prophets and his Apostles – to bring God’s people to this special place of true fellowship with God – throughout the whole Bible.  My guess is that multiple other saints have written entire books – filled with scripture – on this subject.  Please feel free to share with us, your favorite passages – related to God’s special place which He has for His people.

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.  10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.  1 Corinthians 2:9-10

Grace, mercy and peace…in Jesus Wonderful Name!

May each and every one of you reading this – both find, and dwell steadfastly in, the Secret Place of The Most High.  May you all live daily in a faith-filled, Holy Spirit led, joyful and fruitful walk with our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and with the dear saints that He has so kindly brought into your life.  In Jesus Name!

Thy Word is Truth!  John 17:17b

Let’s Grow Together! Sign up here to begin receiving the Moments with Our Master email devotional that is sure to help you grow in His grace and in the knowledge of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 1:2; 3:18).  It’s sent out for the edification of the body of Christ. Sign Up HERE.

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Articles

 5 Aspects of the Mind of Christ [podcast]


5 Components of the Mind of Christ from Philippians 2

Philippians 2:2-10

“Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

At Gethsemane the death before the cross, before His death on the cross occurred.

“Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” Luke 22:42

“He became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:8

Living in the mind, the disposition of Christ means you are truly following Him.

As Christ’s disciple, your devotion, your love is first to Him, then to your neighbor, not self (Matthew 22:37-39). You are commanded by the Savior to set self aside and to lift others above yourself—to prefer, to put God and others first. Those who do so, experience true freedom, liberty.

Being one with Christ, who gave all to save you, means your life is over—you now live to serve the LORD and others, not self (Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3).

Have you poured prayerfully over Philippians 2:3-5 today? If you will begin every day this week pouring prayerfully over this passage, asking the LORD to internalize it in your heart, God will begin to deeply instill the very “mind of Christ” into your innermost disposition.

Part of the dying…. IS GOD calling us to Himself, to forsake this world, including the attempt to save an unrepentant nation long in rebellion against Him – America?

Prayer: LORD, I want to walk in the disposition You walked in on earth. I will esteem You and others above myself. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s Grow Together! Sign up here to begin receiving the Moments with Our Master email devotional that is sure to help you grow in His grace and in the knowledge of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 1:2; 3:18).  It’s sent out for the edification of the body of Christ. Sign Up HERE.

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | More on Assurance hereBecause You Care Page | The Greatest of these is CharityBe Ready in the Morning [podcast]The Sure Mercies of David [podcast]That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast]At His Feet | Knowing God | The Cross Life | 100’s of Christ-centered Scripture-rich PodcastsChristology = the Study of Christ

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Articles

Lay Up For Yourselves Treasures in Heaven [podcast]


“LAY UP FOR YOURSELVES”

The only wealth that will last, forever, is that which is gained by obeying God in this life – thereby laying up treasure in Heaven.

Money Has Wings

“Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.” Proverbs 23:4-5

  • Instruction: “Labour not to be rich” v4
  • Instruction: “cease from thine own wisdom” v4
  • Question?: “Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not?” v5
  • Wisdom to ponder: “for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven” v5

Note this phrase in v5 (please read carefully) – “riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.” Now watch this – “they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.” What does that mean? Simply, the way we spend our money on earth will testify about our lives on Judgment Day and we will thereby be rewarded or stripped of rewards or even kept out of the kingdom (Lk. 16:19-31; James 2:1-7; 5:1-6; etc.). The usage of our money is a direct reflection of the priorities of our hearts (Matt. 6:21).

Treasures In Heaven

IN previous generations, young men and women gave up their whole life of luxury in America to go to a foreign land to preach the Gospel of Christ. Today we have a generation of professing “Christians” who won’t so much as give up a penny to support the preaching of the Gospel of the glorious Savior they claim to be saved by.

How important is Christ and His Gospel to you? Jesus told us exactly how important we count Him and His Gospel….

People spend, waste money on every frivolity under Heaven and seldom lay up treasures in Heaven using their temporal coin (Matthew 6:19-21). Read Jesus’ teaching recorded in Luke 16.

Our LORD instructs us to lay up treasure, but in Heaven not here in this temporal world where the dollar will soon be obsolete, superseded by rewards earned during this earthly life.

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures (lots) in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:” Matthew 6:19-20

Saint of the Most High, are you going to look back in eternity and deeply regret the opportunities God gave you in this fleeting life that you passed up? – to bless another believer or to support the work of Christ and send forward eternal rewards?

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:21

WHERE are you laying up treasure?

Your investments into God’s kingdom work in this short life are truly safe, secure, life-giving, and eternal. No one can take them away.

DISCIPLE OF JESUS, Jesus Christ is all-knowing and sees everything and will reward every good deed or work done in His name and love.

“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” Hebrews 6:10

Tithing is not commanded under the New Testament. Yet giving and putting God first is commanded and is the privilege of the saints of Christ (Proverbs 3:9-10; Matthew 6:33; Luke 6:38).

LET’S LEARN GOD’S WORD TOGETHER – ONE TRUTH AT A TIME: Are you tired of reading Scripture or hearing a good message from the Word and not retaining it for yourself and to help others? We can help you. This message was sent out to each person who is on the Moments For My Master e-mail devotional list. In supplementation to your personal daily study of God’s Word, we would love to add you and have the privilege of nourishing your heart with God’s Word (Jn. 5:39; 1 Tim. 4:6, 16; Heb. 5:11-14; 1 Pet. 2:2). Sign up here.

Feedback:

“No matter how much I give he keeps giving back to me… pressed down shaken together and running over. God is great and greatly to be praised.” Steven M.

More on Stewardship | Cheerful Giving

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Eternal Security/OSASAccounted Worthy to Escape [podcast] | Eternal Security Exposed | Sealed?The Return of Christ | Lie of the Ages [podcast]10 Questions about Eternal SecurityIs Salvation Eternal?The Damning Myth of Unconditional Eternal Security [podcast]The Essential of Fearing God | The KING is Coming [podcast]

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Abiding

The Killing Power of the Holy Ghost with Judge Travis Bryan III [podcast]


“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” Romans 8:13

“Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:10-12

“The cross of Christ is the sweetest burden that I ever bore; it is such a burden as wings are to a bird, or sails to a ship, to carry me forward to my harbor.” Samuel Rutherford

Momentum in the power of the Holy Spirit comes from a continual perpetual downward dying motion, being then raised up reciprocally in the resurrection grace of Jesus Christ.

“The flesh loses its power over you when it is crucified. Christ’s power begins to reign. The worries and stress of this life leave. And you begin to have the peace that passes all understanding. Philippines 4:7 Amen! A crucified life! Hallelujah all praise to Jesus.” Karen Cochran

God’s plan for your life….here it is:

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

The ministry has put together 3 volumes sure to deepen your life in Christ, in the crucified life. 3 volumes to boost your life in Christ, in the cross He commanded us to take up – and by which He raises us upward in His glorious power and grace (Luke 9:23-24).

Travis Bryan III

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | The Crucified Life | Fasting and Prayer | True Repentance | Discipleship | Got Breakthrough? Here it is!

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