The Secret Place
By Greg
Laurie
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow
of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1
When
you were a child, did you ever have a hiding place — a place you would run to
when you were afraid or wanted to be alone? God wants to be your hiding place.
The good news is that you can retreat to this hiding place wherever you are.
When you are tied up in bumper-to-bumper traffic, you can retreat there. When
you are having a conflict at work and don't know what to say or how to deal
with it, you can immediately retreat into that secret place of the Most High as
you live in fellowship and communion with God.
It is not only dwelling there, but it is living under the shadow of the Almighty. Have you ever tried to walk in someone's shadow? It can be done, but you have to stay really close. That is exactly the picture here in Psalm 91:1. God is saying, "I want you to be so close that you are actually in My very shadow." If you do that, it will give you the courage to face life.
Remember the story of the great prophet Elijah, who boldly stormed into the court of wicked King Ahab and Queen Jezebel and declared that it would not rain, except at his word? Where did he get the courage to pull off something like that? Though Elijah was in the court of powerful monarchs, he recognized that at the same time, he was in the presence of an even more powerful Monarch. He was dwelling in the secret place of the Most High.
If you kneel before God, you can stand before any man. Are you walking in this fellowship with Him?
It is not only dwelling there, but it is living under the shadow of the Almighty. Have you ever tried to walk in someone's shadow? It can be done, but you have to stay really close. That is exactly the picture here in Psalm 91:1. God is saying, "I want you to be so close that you are actually in My very shadow." If you do that, it will give you the courage to face life.
Remember the story of the great prophet Elijah, who boldly stormed into the court of wicked King Ahab and Queen Jezebel and declared that it would not rain, except at his word? Where did he get the courage to pull off something like that? Though Elijah was in the court of powerful monarchs, he recognized that at the same time, he was in the presence of an even more powerful Monarch. He was dwelling in the secret place of the Most High.
If you kneel before God, you can stand before any man. Are you walking in this fellowship with Him?
Beneath The Waters (I will rise) - Hillsong United [Brooke Fraser Ligertwood] - With Lyrics
This is my revelation
Christ Jesus crucified
Salvation through repentance
At the cross on which He died
Now hear my absolution
Forgiveness for my sin
And I sink beneath the waters
That Christ was buried in
I will rise
I will rise
As Christ was raised to life
Now in Him
Now in Him
I live
I stand a new creation
Baptized in blood and fire
No fear of condemnation
By faith I’m justified
I rise as You are risen
Declare Your rule and reign
My life confess Your lordship
And glorify Your name
Your word it stands eternal
Your kingdom knows no end
Your praise goes on forever
And on and on again
No power can stand against You
No curse assault Your throne
No one can steal Your glory
For it is Yours alone
I stand to sing Your praises
I stand to testify
For I was dead in my sin
But now I rise
I will rise
As Christ was raised to life
Now in Him
Now in Him
I live
Christ Jesus crucified
Salvation through repentance
At the cross on which He died
Now hear my absolution
Forgiveness for my sin
And I sink beneath the waters
That Christ was buried in
I will rise
I will rise
As Christ was raised to life
Now in Him
Now in Him
I live
I stand a new creation
Baptized in blood and fire
No fear of condemnation
By faith I’m justified
I rise as You are risen
Declare Your rule and reign
My life confess Your lordship
And glorify Your name
Your word it stands eternal
Your kingdom knows no end
Your praise goes on forever
And on and on again
No power can stand against You
No curse assault Your throne
No one can steal Your glory
For it is Yours alone
I stand to sing Your praises
I stand to testify
For I was dead in my sin
But now I rise
I will rise
As Christ was raised to life
Now in Him
Now in Him
I live
While We Wait
By Greg
Laurie
As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is
coming, when no one can work. John 9:4
As we
look at how dark our culture is today, we wonder if we can ever really make a
difference. It seems so overwhelming. It seems as though darkness is spreading
and light is receding. It is like the time Isaiah described when he said,
"What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that
dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter"
(Isaiah 5:20).
To illustrate that very point, I could cite movies that are popular right now. We celebrate that which the Bible says is wrong and offensive to God, and we laugh at that which the Bible holds forth as standards we should live by. The good news is that the same Holy Spirit who set the early church in motion can use us if we are willing.
It's interesting to note that in the first century, the question on the disciples' minds was, "Is the end of the world near?" That same question is on the minds of many today. What Jesus essentially said to His disciples was, "This isn't the time for that. My purpose is to rule and reign in the hearts of people. Don't be so concerned about when I am going to do that. Rather, be concerned about what you should be doing while you wait."
The same principle holds true for us. Don't worry about when. He will return when the time is right. What we should be committing ourselves to, what we should be interested in, is what we are supposed to be doing as we await the Lord's return.
To illustrate that very point, I could cite movies that are popular right now. We celebrate that which the Bible says is wrong and offensive to God, and we laugh at that which the Bible holds forth as standards we should live by. The good news is that the same Holy Spirit who set the early church in motion can use us if we are willing.
It's interesting to note that in the first century, the question on the disciples' minds was, "Is the end of the world near?" That same question is on the minds of many today. What Jesus essentially said to His disciples was, "This isn't the time for that. My purpose is to rule and reign in the hearts of people. Don't be so concerned about when I am going to do that. Rather, be concerned about what you should be doing while you wait."
The same principle holds true for us. Don't worry about when. He will return when the time is right. What we should be committing ourselves to, what we should be interested in, is what we are supposed to be doing as we await the Lord's return.
SEEK THE LORD EARNESTLY
The
Lord Jesus, during his lifetime on earth, preached the Gospel and went about
helping the people all through the day. At night, He used to go to the Mount of
Olives and stay there in prayer. In the days when the Lord Jesus lived like
this, we read in the Bible that a family in Bethany loved Him dearly and warmly
received Him into their home. They were Martha, Mary and Lazarus.
But the character of each one of them was different. Martha loved the Lord Jesus and desired to serve Him by preparing a meal for Him. But her sister Mary was diligent to sit at His feet and listen to His Words. He testified about her saying, “Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42). Lazarus too loved Him and was a friend to Him.
Once, the three of them went through a dark and tearful path – Lazarus’ sickness, followed by his death. That time, many thoughts of unbelief filled Martha’s heart. Only on the fourth day, after Lazarus was dead and buried, did the Lord visit their house. There, through His power, He made Lazarus, who was kept in the tomb for four days, to come back alive. Through this, that whole family not only tasted the love of the Lord but also had the privilege of enjoying His presence in their family.
Dear children, as a family, be diligent in seeking the Lord with oneness of mind. The Lord expects us to love Him wholeheartedly. When you thus seek Him as a family, He will dwell in your home. He will add peace and all good things to your life.
The Bible says, “The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth” (Psalm 145:18). The Lord our God will draw near to you when you seek Him earnestly. He will hear your cry for mercy when you call to Him for help. Through His mighty miracles, He will take away your sorrow. Your heart will rejoice in Him.
But the character of each one of them was different. Martha loved the Lord Jesus and desired to serve Him by preparing a meal for Him. But her sister Mary was diligent to sit at His feet and listen to His Words. He testified about her saying, “Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42). Lazarus too loved Him and was a friend to Him.
Once, the three of them went through a dark and tearful path – Lazarus’ sickness, followed by his death. That time, many thoughts of unbelief filled Martha’s heart. Only on the fourth day, after Lazarus was dead and buried, did the Lord visit their house. There, through His power, He made Lazarus, who was kept in the tomb for four days, to come back alive. Through this, that whole family not only tasted the love of the Lord but also had the privilege of enjoying His presence in their family.
Dear children, as a family, be diligent in seeking the Lord with oneness of mind. The Lord expects us to love Him wholeheartedly. When you thus seek Him as a family, He will dwell in your home. He will add peace and all good things to your life.
The Bible says, “The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth” (Psalm 145:18). The Lord our God will draw near to you when you seek Him earnestly. He will hear your cry for mercy when you call to Him for help. Through His mighty miracles, He will take away your sorrow. Your heart will rejoice in Him.
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome is a modern day evangelist with the anointing and demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit. His ministry spans globally and is one of the top healing evangelists in Christendom. The power of the Spirit of God is witnessed through the miracles employed through him every day. His multi-calling as a pastor, televangelist, author, speaker, preacher and spiritual coach continues to change lives of, especially, the youth all over the world.
His crusades and television ministry draws the largest crowds and is viewed by millions globally. He is also the Founder-President of Christ Embassy, headquartered in Nigeria. He and his wife Pastor Anita Oyakhilome make their home in Nigeria. They have two daughters.
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