Protection and Provision in Hard Times...

THE SECRET PLACE OF THE MOST HIGH

In these uncertain times, I am sure that many of you may feel hopeless. As jobs disappear, homes are lost, families are torn apart, swine flu threatens, and the world schemes in hostility over how to "fix" our problems - life seems to be out of control. Where can you turn to for help? Where does your hope come from?

Psalm 91:1 -

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

I love Psalm 91! I think it contains a powerful word that is especially comforting during these hard times. In fact, some of my favorite "key" words from Psalm 91 are...

DWELLETH *** SECRET PLACE *** MOST HIGH *** SHADOW *** ALMIGHTY *** TRUST *** DELIVER *** TRUTH *** SHALT NOT BE AFRAID *** BECAUSE *** REFUGE *** HABITATION *** NO EVIL *** NO PLAGUE *** ANGELS *** TRAMPLE UNDER FOOT *** KNOWN MY NAME *** HONOUR *** LONG LIFE *** SALVATION

These powerful "key" words really speak to my soul. I am drawn to press in, to search for God's deepest thoughts, as I hold this passage up against the very "real" struggles in life that seem to be so overwhelming, at times. Without supernatural intervention, certain life trials are sure to cause even the most optimistic of minds to fail.

So, as I pondered the first verse of Psalm 91 which says, "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty"... I found myself asking, "just where is the 'secret place'?"

Psalm 91:14 -

"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."

As I reflect on the lives of so many of the patriarchs mentioned in scripture, I notice they all have several things in common:

· the ability to HEAR GOD'S VOICE
· the FAITH TO TRUST IN GOD'S WORD
· the BOLDNESS TO ACT ACCORDING TO GOD'S INSTRUCTION.

These men and women of God "set their love upon Him". They knew God intimately because they spent each and every breathing moment seeking to understand Him. Their thoughts were continually aimed at worshipping the Lord, not only from within their heart, but also in worshipping Him by their actions. They sought to dwell in the "secret place" with God. They knew His name(s).

Were these Bible hero's perfect? Absolutely not; but they did all possess a sincere desire to please God in all of their ways. They were not afraid to be different. They didn't worry about what the crowd would say. These hero's of the faith lived a life that was so remarkably different than main stream society... even different than the main stream religious people of their day. They pursued an intimate relationship with El Elyon (The God Most High), and could not be satisfied until every word that God had spoken into their heart came to pass.

Psalm 91:2-3 -

"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."

The Lord is so pleased with us when we trust Him. He longs to protect us in times of trouble. His will is to deliver us from the snares of life. Imagine Him as a mighty umbrella. As the storms of life beat vehemently upon the windows of our soul, He says, "Run to me." He wants us to run out of the storm, and into His presence... which happens to be a place of shelter; a refuge and a fortress.

Psalm 91:4 -

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

God's Word is the TRUTH. Disappointing FACTS are only an opportunity to stand on God's Word. No matter what FACTS threaten you today, know that God's TRUTH will always prevail... when you dwell in the "secret place". The Lord does not force His will upon anyone. Even though His will is peaceful and full of His glory, still, He gives each one of us an opportunity to choose any path that may seem right in our own eyes. Oh, how He yearns for each of us to choose His perfect pathway that leads to victory. God has given us the manual for getting to the "secret place" and now He waits with open arms for us to seek Him out. El Yeshuati (the God of my salvation) not only wants us to find Him, but, He also wants us to rest in His presence continually.

Psalm 91:7 -

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

Do you really trust the Lord? Are you resting in the promises of God's Word; refusing to live in fear? Have you entered into that "secret place"? If so, Psalm 91:7 is a passage that should give you complete peace - no matter what the condition of our economy and no matter what storms may come your way. Even though thousands of hearts may fail because of fear; numerous homes may fall apart in the wake of stress; and multitudes may fall sick with disease; the Lord's Word promises us that those who dwell in His "secret place" will always have supernatural help from El Shaddai (the God who is all-sufficient and more than enough).

Psalm 91:15 -

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

Perhaps you have not sought to live in the "secret place" of the most High and now you are suffering the consequences of life's storms that have tried to overtake you. The GOOD NEWS is that it is never too late with God! Call upon Him NOW! Seek Him NOW! Abide in His presence NOW! He will deliver you and set you on high when you run to Him - setting your full affection and sincere love upon His every Word.

God will show you His salvation. The richness of His love - which rides upon the wings of TRUTH - will deliver you, keep you, and bless you forevermore. So, seek to dwell in the "secret place" of the most High; for it is there that you will abide under the shadow of the Almighty God.

Child of God, rejoice, because the habitation of the Lord brings peace... and through peace we obtain our victory! Now that's good news...Hallelujah!

Challenge: Read the entire Psalm 91, daily, until you get a revelation about the "secret place" of worship that brings deliverance.

By: Deborah Ross

Deborah Ross Ministries

Strengthening Families & Encouraging Women

www.DeborahRossMinistries.org

What does it mean to be born-again?

How to be Forgiven & Born Again

JOHN 3:3

"Jesus answered and said unto him, 'Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.'"

The Word of God teaches that unless we are "born-again" we cannot see the Kingdom of God.
This means:

· We cannot "live" in the Kingdom of God;
· We cannot "receive the benefits" of the Kingdom of God;
· We cannot "understand" the Kingdom of God;
· And, we cannot have "eternal life" in God's Kingdom;

... Until we become a born-again Child of God.

Being born-again is a supernatural experience that is - in some ways - much like that of being born from our mother's womb. The difference, of course, is that we are not physically born-again, but rather, spiritually transformed in our spirit man. When we were born from our mother's womb, we did not need to understand the process before we could enter this world. Yet, since the day of our natural birth, we have been continually growing in our understanding so that as adults we can begin to comprehend the miraculous wonder of conception, pregnancy and the childbirth existence.

Being born-again is no different. We don't need to fully understand the concept in order to become a Child of God. We simply believe in faith on the price that Jesus paid for our sins; and then, supernaturally, God plants His seed of righteousness inside of our hearts. That seed will grow throughout our lifetime as we gain a greater understanding of our born-again transformation. From that day forward we will be ever-maturing from that of a new born babe in Christ into a sanctified Child of God.

JOHN 3:16

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

God's Word promises eternal life to everyone who confesses with their mouth and believes in their heart that Jesus is Lord (Romans 10:10). Being a born-again Child of God is really simple, and yet, many will fail to understand how to become a Christian because of their unwillingness to turn from a life of sin. Sin separates mankind from God. God is holy and He cannot co-exist with sin. As hard as we may try, we can never completely rid ourselves of sin in order to walk in the favor of God. In fact, everything about our human nature pulls away from God. Romans 8:7 says that we are incapable of following God's laws because our human nature is hostile toward the truth of God's Word.

JOHN 3:21

"But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."

It is only when we allow the light of God to shine down on our hearts that we can see the truth about our sinful condition. Stepping into the light of God requires that we humbly come to the throne of grace with a true heart of repentance from all known sin. Repentance is not just saying "I'm sorry", neither does it try to justify thoughts and deeds with rational explanations of "why". Rather, repentance is a change of our heart and mind. When we repent, we admit our wrong doing or wrong thoughts while standing spiritually naked before God.

In order to be supernaturally transformed (born-again) we must first recognize that we are a sinner who needs a Savior. As God shines His light of truth (His Word) upon our hearts, our response should be a sincere cry of relinquishing our will to His. At that same moment, as we put all of our trust in the belief that Jesus is, indeed, the Son of God, and that He died for our sins; the breath of God blows the wind of the Holy Spirit into our innermost being as we are gloriously changed from a sinner to a saint. We don't have to fully understand it all. We just need to accept, by faith, that God loves us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to make a way for us to live in His Kingdom... now and for all eternity.

MARK 11:26

"But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses."

Realize that repentance and being forgiven by God are synonymous with forgiving others. After all, how can we expect God to forgive our sins, if we are not also willing to forgive those who have sinned against us? 1 John 3:15 tells us that if we hate someone, we are a murderer and we should know that murderers do not have eternal life abiding within their hearts.

1 JOHN 4:7-8

"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love."

In order to truly know God, we must be willing to lay down all grudges, bitterness, wrath, jealousy, malice, envy, strife, and revenge. God is love. If we are to be a born-again Child of God, we too, must agree to love the way Christ loves us. God loves us so much that He sent Jesus to die for our sins even when we didn't deserve salvation. Is there someone who doesn't deserve your forgiveness? Yet, in order to be more like Christ, you will purpose in your heart to forgive them.

JOHN 3:18-19

"He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil."

I think John 3:19 explains the reason that Jesus is such a stumbling block for those who don't want to believe He is the Son of God. So many religions accept that Jesus was a prophet or that He was a good man and they may even go as far as to say that He was born of a virgin and that He even died on a cross; however, in an effort to hide from the truth of one's sinful heart, many choose to follow a lie - a false religion - in an effort to make themselves feel as though they will have eternal life... IN SPITE OF THEIR LOVE FOR SIN.

God is love. God loves people. God is Holy. God hates sin. He has made a way for us to be reconciled to Himself. He sent His love, in the form of a man named Jesus, into the world to touch, heal, and save those who will sincerely believe that He is the Christ.

GALATIANS 2:20

"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."

Jesus gave His life for you and I. Will you give your life back to Him and accept His outstretched hand of mercy, grace, and love? God does not want anyone to spend an eternity in hell (separated from His love). He wants everyone to live with Him forever!

If you want to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior... If you want to be born-again... If you want to be forgiven... Pray this simple prayer with all of your heart:

"Father God, I confess that I am a sinner in need of a Savior. I believe, in faith, that Jesus is truly the Son of God, and while I may not understand everything right now, I do believe that Jesus was born of a virgin, He walked the earth as God in the flesh, He died on a cross, and He was raised from the dead by the power of God. I believe that you, Lord, love me so much that you made a way for me to have eternal life. I confess _____________ (fill in the blank for all known sin). Lord, help me to turn from sin. Change my heart and mind so that I will become more like you. Wash me clean and make me a brand new creature. God, please cause me to understand the Bible. I pray that your Word will come alive in my spirit as I seek to know you more. I give you my life. I worship you. I praise you. In Jesus Name, Amen!"

Now, tell someone that you have made Jesus your Lord and Savior. I would love to be the first person to know that my gift of love (this article) has brought you to eternal life. Comment to me about your born-again experience on this blog... or, click onto my web-site and write to me personally. Now, go and sin no more (John 8:11) for your sins are forgiven and you are truly born-again! Hallelujah!

Yours in Christ,
Deborah

Deborah Ross Ministries
Strengthening Families & Encouraging Women
http://www.deborahrossministries.org/

I AM...

THE NAMES OF GOD reveal HIS CHARACTER

Colorful, Majestic, Righteous, Creative, Loving, All-Knowing, Wonderful, Bright Light ... multi-faceted and beautiful human perceptions of the God of the universe! But what are the names that God has called Himself? Who does He say that He is?

I am reading a book by Marilyn Hickey entitled The Names of God and I thought you'd enjoy gleaning from my studies. (The ISBN number is 1-56441-014-5)

Remember, these names reveal God's character. He "is" who these names say that He is and He "does" what these names say that He does. This is a powerful study!

Meditate on the names of God and the meaning of each one. I pray you'll receive a new revelation of who God is and what He wants to be in YOUR LIFE. Enjoy!

ELOHIM = Total power and might. Complete sovereignty. Complete creativity. The God Who Makes Covenants.

JEHOVAH = The Revealing One.

EL SHADDAI = One who is more than enough. He who is all sufficient.

ADONAI = Master, Owner, Lord.

JEHOVAH JIREH = He who meets your needs.

JEHOVAH M'KADDESH = He who sanctifies.

JEHOVAH NISSI = Jehovah, my Banner.

JEHOVAH ROPHE = Jehovah Heals.

JEHOVAH SHALOM = Perfect Peace.

JEHOVAH TSIDKENU = Jehovah, my Righteousness.

JEHOVAH ROHI = Jehovah, my Shepherd.

JEHOVAH SHAMMAH = He is present and alive. Jehovah is here. Jehovah is there.

EL ELYON = The God Most High.

JEHOVAH TSEBAOTH = The Lord of Hosts.

JEHOVAH MAKKEH = The Lord, our Smiter. The one who chastens us.

JEHOVAH GMOLAH = The Lord of Recompenses.

JEHOVAH ELOHAY; EL-ELOHE-ISRAEL; JEHOVAH ELOHEENU = The Lord, my God. The personal God of Israel. The Lord, our God.

Yours in Christ,
Deborah

Deborah Ross Ministries
Strengthening Families & Encouraging Women
www.DeborahRossMinistries.org

What does the word "salvation" mean, anyway?

DON'T OVERLOOK

the meaning of

SALVATION!

SALVATION

Deliverance; Health; Welfare; Aid; VICTORY; Prosperity; Rescue; Defend; Liberty; To Be Safe; To Preserve

**************************************

Have you ever pondered the word "SALVATION"? Do you ever question God's Will for your life? Is God only interested in where you'll spend eternity? Exactly what does the word "salvation" mean, anyway?

Early on in my Christian walk, I often found myself flipping and flopping over truths from God's Word. I would read where Jesus healed the sick, but then questioned God's Will when it came to Him healing me. Then, I would see where He delivered saints of old from impossible situations, but wondered if He "could really" or "would really" deliver me from the mess I had gotten myself into. One of the most perplexing questions for me to settle in my heart was that of "God prospering His children". While it was easy to see how God blessed Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob with earthly substance - and I understood that my Christian faith placed me under the same covenant that God made with Abraham - I still found myself unable to fully accept God's desire to bless me. It seemed each time I would grab hold of God's love for me, some naysayer (oftentimes another Christian) would cause me to doubt my faith.

Matthew 18:3

"And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."

******************

Hebrews 11:6

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

The scripture teaches us that childlike faith is precious in the eyes of the Lord. In fact, God says it is IMPOSSIBLE to please Him without it. Have you ever noticed how this world tries to mold and shape your adult mind with "reasoning" and "logic" that hinder acts of faith; when really, God just wants us to step into the supernatural realm of endless possibilities? He is the God of the impossible!

Matthew 19:26

"But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."

*******************

Mark 9:23

"Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth."

OK, so to settle my wishy-washy belief system, I decided - years ago - to buy a Bible concordance and study the word "salvation" for myself. It seemed the television preachers were confirming my inclinations of believing that God desired to do me good, while my local Christian authorities caused me to be "very cautious" in my faith. I wanted to know... "What DOES the word 'salvation' mean?"

Matthew 6:10

"Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."

It may surprise you (as it did me) to know that the word "salvation" means so much more than a ticket to heaven! While heaven is a place of magnificent eternal splendor in the presence of God; and, heaven is surely a worthy prize for keeping the faith through earthly trials and tribulations; it is only a part of "God's idea" for what it means to be a child of the King. You see, God is our heavenly "Father" and He WANTS TO GIVE GOOD GIFTS TO HIS CHILDREN!

Matthew 7:11

"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?"

When "I" first found the definition of the word "salvation", my heart leaped for joy. I no longer felt that this earthly life was meant to be a time of constant and "unchangeable" suffering. I had a new hope that God would clear the path and make a way for me to achieve my goals. Revival of my soul birthed a concrete faith that was "unwavering" knowing that my Daddy (Abba Father) was "able" and "WILLING" to see me through to the VICTORY in all circumstances.

Yet, while I believed what I saw in the concordance about the word "salvation", my mind continued to question this finding. It is funny how we can sink back into doubt and unbelief after our initial decision to believe. Weird! So, to conquer this fleshly debate in my head, I would read the definition of the word "salvation"over and over and over again. For months, I would write it down, speak of it, think about it and ponder the fullness of this word "salvation"; the word that God speaks of repeatedly. I was determined to stop the leak in my soul that deflated my confidence in God's love for me.

You see, until we can fully comprehend God's love for us (as much as humanly possible, that is) our faith will be weak, oftentimes wavering. Then, we'll wonder "why" God didn't do for us what He did for others. Certainly, God is sovereign and reserves the right to do things in His timing for your benefit and for His glory, but just the same - HE IS NOT A MAN THAT HE SHOULD LIE! The biblical examples of His goodness toward those who "trusted Him with their whole heart" ARE His Will for you and I still today.

Numbers 23:19

"God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?"

My friend, THE LORD WANTS YOU WHOLE! He wants you whole "in this life" and in the "life to come"! While our earthly journey is short and full of "tests", know that this life we now live is not meant to be an unending hellish experience. When Jesus gave the example of how to pray He said, "Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." Jesus came to earth to show us the Will of the Father. When He healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, made money appear in a fishes mouth, supernaturally fed 5000 with five loaves and two fishes, cast out demons, and even raised the dead; this was not something He did for show. No, He wanted to convince mankind of how much God loves them. Then, He said, "Greater works than these shall you also do."

John 14:12

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father."

God wants your eternity to begin NOW... on earth! Your earthly journey is to be "the beginning" of the many blessings God wants to bestow upon you. He wants to take you from glory to glory - as you trust Him and lean upon His every promise.

Be encouraged today! Salvation has come! Jesus has paid the price for YOU (and me) to live in VICTORY, now and forever! So put on that godly armour and "having done all, STAND" because the Lord is on your side!

Ephesians 6:13

"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the

evil day, and having done all, to stand."

Yours in Christ,

Deborah

Deborah Ross Ministries
Strengthening Families & Encouraging Women
http://www.deborahrossministries.org/