I want to talk about being still in God’s presence, the secret place with Him, and walking in His peace.

The Secret Place

Definition

A place set aside for prayer. It does not have to be a physical place, but it is helpful to have an area of your home set aside specifically to get alone with God. For example, a prayer room, closet, chair, etc.

Matthew 6:6 But when you pray, go into your most private room, close the door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you.

Purpose

The Lord spoke to me and said He is setting in the secret place. He is anticipating our arrival and looking for us every day. He has set a table before us in the secret place with a seat just waiting for us.  

The secret place is where we find healing, training, peace, conviction, joy, hope and build a relationship with Him. It is where we meet with Him. The burdens of life become less. When we neglect the secret place we can easily get overwhelmed, and fall victim to fear, worry, and anxiety. It is where we develop, grow, and maintain a relationship with Him. Luke 10:38-42

We are called to be vessels for Him to work through. For that to happen we must be poured out and Him poured in. The secret place is where this happens.

2 Timothy 2:21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things [which are dishonorable—disobedient, sinful], he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified [set apart for a special purpose and], useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.

Practical Tips

Schedule time to spend with Him so it becomes a habit. If we do not purposely set time aside for Him it will never happen. Setting a reminder on your phone is very helpful.

Have a specific place and have all the items already there so you do not have to spend time looking for them.

            Bible

            Pens

            Highlighter

            Tissue

Create an atmosphere of praise and worship, but when you start talking to Him turn off any noise including music

Still Your Mind

            Practical Tips

                        Verbally command the demons to be silent in the name of Jesus.

                        Turn off your phone, TV, and silence all outside noise.

                        Discipline: Do it even when you do not feel like it.

                        Plan for distractions because they will happen.

                        Practice and don’t give up.

Listen For Him

            Don’t just talk to Him, also learn to listen for His reply.

                        He usually speaks in a still small voice and you must be quiet to hear Him.  

                        Communication: It is more than just praying through a prayer list.

Wait and do not get in a hurry. Learn to get comfortable sitting in the silence.

Journal: Write what you hear Him speaking to you.

Read the Word and jot down anything He speaks to you through the scriptures.

Part Two: Learning to be still in His presence helps to walk in His peace.

Walking in His peace

[Inner] Peace

Definition: peace of mind, tranquility, arising from reconciliation with God and a sense of divine favor, calm, one who has received the peace of God in their own heart brings peace to others

Where our peace comes from:

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]

How to walk in His peace:

Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character],
Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation].

What it looks like: Being in the middle of a storm but walking in peace-relying and a deep knowing of who God is and who we are in Him-that brings peace.

Matthew 8:23-26 When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. ²⁴ And suddenly a violent storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was being covered by the waves; but Jesus was sleeping. ²⁵ And the disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Lord, save us, we are going to die!” ²⁶ He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was [at once] a great and wonderful calm [a perfect peacefulness].

Self-reflection

Do we complain about being sick, sad, depressed, and attacked, but neglect the secret place and getting still with Him in His presence?

I think may times we focus on the loud moments with God. When the Spirit is moving, when we can feel the goosebumps, and when the music is loud and moving us. There can be shouting, dancing, and rejoicing, but do we neglect the quiet time? Do we focus as much on the quiet times as we do the other times with the Lord?

How often do we shut ourselves in with the Lord and to just sit quietly with Him? Times where we shut out every other voice, every care, every word, ever noise, and just sit waiting for our Father to speak to us? Waiting for Him to come visit us?

How often do we get caught up in life and the busyness and neglect time with Him? Have we lost the skill, desire, and need to sit with Him?

We must be intentional because these times will never happen by accident.

Blessings,

Nichole Henson, Fullness of Joy Ministry