Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Wanna know a secret???

Do you like secrets???
Sometimes, they can be fun, like a surprise birthday party...or a gift for somebody.
I had "secrets" on my mind yesterday because of something that happened. It made me understand my Dad a little better, and why he felt the way he did about his illness. He didn't want anybody to know that he was sick....that he had emphysema....that he required oxygen, full time. He tried to keep it a secret. I believe that being sick...having a disease...sometimes makes us feel like we're in some way weak...that we should be able to overcome whatever it is that's bothering us...or, that maybe it's a punishment of some sort!!!
My Dad wasn't able to accept that he was sick, for whatever reason.
But...he's well now!!!
He got rid of his oxygen when God called him home and now he can breathe!!!

But...back to secrets.
I decided to do a Bible search.....www.biblegateway.com.....and in the KJV, the word "secret", or "secretly" appears 93 times. I have a book that I love to refer to: Biblical Mathematics, Keys to Scripture Numerics, How to Count the Bible, by Evangelist Ed F. Vallowe....and according to his book, both the number 9, and the number 3, represent divine completeness!!!
How interesting is that?!?!?!?


Let's share some "secrets":
Deuteronomy 29:29 (NLT)
The Lord our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that he has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions.

The Lord's secrets are revealed to us in His Word...the Bible...and thru His Holy Spirit. We are held accountable, or we have to answer for, those things that we know to do and do them not, or know not to do and do them anyway!!!!

Psalm 19:12 (KJV)
Who can understand his errors?
Cleanse thou me from secret faults.

Psalm 19:12 (NLT)
How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?
I've listed the above verse in both the KJV and the NLT. Do you have any "secret" sins? Our pastor touched on this Sunday morning. Maybe you have something in your life that is weighing you down...something that you just can't seem to get rid of...a "secret fault", or a "sin" lurking in your heart. Ask God to help you. I have to ask God to show me my secret sins, to reveal them to me, to show me where I'm doing wrong, or an area I need help in...even something I need to start doing that I've been avoiding. Ask God to shine His light into your heart and reveal anything lurking there that doesn't belong!!!

Psalm 27:5 (KJV)
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.
I love this verse.....do you ever feel like you just don't have a friend in the world...God is ALWAYS there. If we'll only let Him, He will take us into His arms and hide us there and set our feet back upon a firm foundation and love us like only He can!!!
Psalm 44:21 (NLT)

God would surely have known it, for he knows the secrets of every heart.
This verse could probably go along with the one above about secret sins....but, to me, this one is much more intimate. He knows what's in my heart. He knows my hurts, my desires, my dreams.....HE KNOWS IT ALL. I need never think that it's a "secret", because God knows. He knows when I'm happy, sad, sick, joyful, angry, full of pity, full of self....HE KNOWS!!! Don't ever hesitate to humble yourself before the Lord and just bear your soul to Him....because He knows anyway....He's just waiting for you to acknowledge HIM!!!

Proverbs 20:19 (KJV)
He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

To me, this verse deals with trust. Don't think that everybody who claims to be your friend is truly friend quality!!! Some people want to just get to know you so they can find out "secrets", and go repeat them to others. They will use flattery, or whatever it takes, to get from you what they want. I look back on my own life, and this happened to me...please ask God to give you discernment in each new relationship that comes into your life, as to whether you can trust this person. Don't be too quick to reveal way too much. Whether we like to admit it, or not...there are things about ourselves that should remain between us and God....unless He asks us to share them to help someone else....or to help us overcome the guilt ourselves!!!

Matthew 6:4 (KJV)
That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
Your "alms" are your gifts, whether they be monetary gifts, gifts of your time, of your talents, etc.....and, they should be given in secret. Never brag about what you do, or give....do it in secret...and our Heavenly Father will reward you!!!
Jeremiah 23:24 (NLT)
Can anyone hide from me in a secret place?
Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?, says the Lord.
We might be able to hide our sins from others....from our parents, spouse, children, friends....but the main person who matters is God...and we cannot hide anything from him. He knows all our secrets, whether they be secret sins, or secret desires!!!

And, finally....yes, finally....my final "secret":

Luke 8:17 (NLT)
For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all.

This verse just sums up everything I've tried to say....."ALL that is secret will eventually be brought into the open"....and "everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all"!!!!


In His Love...and with mine!!!


P.S....as I wrote this, Pappy was in the other room watching TV. I heard a lady's voice say, "Can you keep a secret?"!!! God never, ever ceases to amaze me...and I hope He never does!!!

1 comment:

  1. Amen to all that wonderful message. When it comes to meeting new people, most would say I'm shy for I don't reveal to much of me. God does let me know when to reveal and not to reveal. You are right when it comes to not revealing everything to people, some is meant between God and ourselves. YOur blogs are so uplifting, I just love reading them. I feel welcome and at a very warm place.

    ReplyDelete

Kind words are like honey—
sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
Proverbs 16:24