Spirit Food - May 2017

Once you are presented with what the Word of God has to say about an issue, you are responsible for receiving His love, grace, & favor; and the gift of His righteousness. Remember, you are greatly blessed, highly favored, and deeply loved by your Heavenly Father.

This month, let us focus on God’s protection and grace!

Psalms 91:1 – “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty”.

Living in this world as we know it today … we cannot take our personal safety and security for granted. We need to be aware of the environment we live in and activate our faith, understanding what the Bible has to say about our daily activities.

This secret place referred to in Psalms 91:1 is not a geographical location: It is in Jesus Christ (Christ means Redeemer). The word “dwell” in the verse means to sit down, to remain, or to settle—and the Bible says that we are seated in Christ Jesus (see Eph. 2:6). In other words, the secret place is a place of nearness to God. It’s where we live at rest within the very Person who purchased protection for us through His death on the cross.

Understand that when you asked Jesus to come into your life, the Holy Spirit came to dwell within you.

Psalm 91:1 speaks of this closeness—it says that you shall abide under the shadow of God Almighty Himself.

So, how do you build your relationship with your Heavenly Father enabling you to feel close to Him? Talk to Him! Learn more about Him by reading His love letters to you (the Bible). Just like any friend, the more time you invest with Him, the deeper your relationship will be! Remember, He is your creator, your redeemer, your savior … and He loves you very much!

Perhaps you’ve never felt close to God. Perhaps you have always seen God as an angry God, however, nothing could be further from the truth. The Bible tells us that “God is love” (1 John 4:8, 16), and that He delights in showing unfailing love (Micah 7:18).

As imperfect people, we will fail God in some way or another because of the carnal nature of mankind—but His heart of love and willingness to protect us never fails. In fact, He says that He has loved us with an everlasting love (see Jer. 31:3). And it is God’s perfect love that casteth out fear (1 John 4:18).

As a child, if there were scary thunderstorm at night, many children used to run into their parents’ room, get into their bed, and be comforted by their mother’s arms. Usually, within a short period of time, the child would fall into a deep, peaceful sleep.

The storm could still be raging outside, but one thing had changed—the child was now in their mother’s loving arms, which banished all fear about the storm. Likewise, the world’s threats and dangers are not going to go away anytime soon, but we can live fearlessly when we know that we are always in the embrace of our all-loving, all-powerful Father in heaven.

So, focus to see yourself safe in His secret place, the place where you can’t get any closer to Him? Instead of giving place to fear, you can give place to meditating and resting upon this amazing truth and in His love.

Beloved, this is how dwelling in the secret place of the Most High, and abiding under His shadow will become a reality for you. Whatever arrows the devil may shoot at you, no weapon formed against you shall prosper as you dwell in this place of intimacy, security, and safety in our Lord Jesus!

What does it mean to live under His grace?

Sometimes, it is our carnal nature to be more conscious of the daily demands placed on us. Perhaps your daily concerns are more focused on providing for yourself and/or family, fulfilling the huge requirements at work, needing healing for a long-term condition, or paying off that loan. These demands are legitimate, but can leave you harassed and stressed if they’re bombarding your thoughts from morning to night.

Your Heavenly Father loves you and He has a better way. The next time these demands flood your mind, look away from them, and focus on His supply of grace, as He has grace for every issue you’re dealing with.

When you wake up every morning, tell Him, “Lord, I see Your supply of grace flowing toward me right now. It’s more than enough for every single demand I will face today.”

Let the rising sun remind you of God’s superabundant supply: Every hour, it shines more than enough energy onto the Earth to satisfy global energy needs.

Keep that picture in mind—for it’s in shifting your focus onto God’s lavish supply, instead of life’s demands, that grace starts becoming your way of life.

Jesus Himself made grace His way of life: He was conscious of His heavenly Father’s superabundant supply, even in the face of demands which were completely impossible to meet in the natural.

When you accepted Jesus as Lord, the Holy Spirit came to dwell within you, He lives within all of us believers. Remember how He was once approached by a great multitude of over 5,000 people—and the only food He had to give them were five loaves and two small fish? But Jesus didn’t see the overwhelming scarcity; He was conscious instead of His heavenly Father’s superabundant supply of grace which He believed was still flowing toward Him.

The result … as He gave out the loaves and fish, they multiplied until the people could eat as much as they wanted. And when they were filled, there were still twelve basketfuls of bread left over (see John 6:11–12)!

His simple consciousness of God’s always-abundant grace turned a situation of overwhelming demand into one of super-abounding supply.

Are you facing a five-loaves-and-two-fish situation today? If so, I encourage you to read John 6 and saturate your heart with the largeness of God’s supply flowing toward you, even right now. His provision is more than enough for your family, work, finances, and for every demand you’ll ever face in this life.

See His supply and make grace your way of life. It’s a restful and productive way to live. This is how you reign in life! (Romans 5:17)

If you’re reading this, but you have not made Jesus the Lord of your life, and would like to, pray this prayer out loud in an audible voice:

Heavenly Father, your Word says in Romans 10:9-10- “that if I confess with my mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead, that I would be saved. For with the heart one believes unto salvation.” I believe your Word, Heavenly Father, and confess Jesus Christ (the anointed one and His anointing) as Lord of my life now. I believe that You raised Him from the dead. I confess that I was a sinner, but now I’ve been saved by Your grace, and in Your thoughts, I am now in right standing with You. I denounce Satan and all he stands for. Write my name in the Lamb’s book of Life. In Jesus Name. Amen (so be it).

Congratulations! If this is your first time praying this prayer, please write and let us know!

Should you decide to give and financially support this ministry with gifts given in faith, I join my faith with yours to see the devourer rebuked (Malachi 3:11) and for you to receive a harvest; pressed down, shaken together and running over (Luke 6:38). Please remember to name your seed!

Dr. Mark Krom, Ph.D., D.Psy

Minister/Clinical Pastoral Psychologist