Blessings in the Mighty name of Jesus, Beloved!
While prayerfully considering our next study, the Lord placed in my heart "Hidden in Christ." Yes, and we truly are. The word "hidden" tends to bring a sense of comfort to me. It gives the impression or feeling of protection and safety. The word "hidden" may also imply: not evident, not revealed, refuge, concealed, unseen, secret, invisible and covert. Wow covert! I am suddenly hearing the mission impossible theme song! Alright, a little humor. Laughter is good for you.
These definitions can give us something to ponder. Let's read what our Brother Paul has to say.
Colossians 3:1-3 "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand side of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." (NKJV)
Let's look at the word affection.
affection - fondness, love, devotion, tenderness, warmth, endearment, caring, attachment, friendship.
One translation says passion.
These definitions can give us a spring board of sorts to begin our digging and pondering into the word affection.
Now, if we return to the beginning of verse 1 chapter 3 in Colossians, we will see how our affections are to be spent and invested. "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand side of God." Okay, if we be risen with Christ... then we must have first been dead unto something else, and we were. We were dead unto God, through our transgressions and sins, which separated us from Him.
So, now that we are alive in Christ, and raised from the dead with Him, (spiritually by faith) then we are now admonished (strongly encouraged) to live in a way that we set our affections on; "those things which are above." What things? The things that kept Jesus' and the disciples affection here on earth, are the same things that we are to also take hold of and be passionate about.
As we continue reading the Bible, and spending time with Him in our devotion and prayer time, we will experience revelation and understanding of His desire and will for our lives.
Matthew 7:7 "Ask and it will given you; seek and you will find; Knock and the door will be opened to you."
PRACTICE THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD
I'd like for us to stop and take a moment to sense the presence of the Lord around us. Just stop. Just shut all of the noises around you out. Know and expect Him, Jesus, to show up right where you are at this moment by His Holy Spirit. I want you to know and understand that at this very moment you have open heavens above you. You have an audience with the precious Son of God!
I pray that you sense His anointing and presence around you, like a blanket or coat. I pray His Holy Spirit fills the place where are, with His majestic presence and fills you with His joy and peace. If you must take a moment to worship Him, then please, go right ahead. Who can give audience to the King without worshiping Him who is worthy of our praise!
In Hebrews chapter 11 we can read all about the fore fathers of faith. They also believed without seeing with their natural eyes and senses. Yet it was accounted to them for righteousness. We have the blessing of reading their stories and the outcomes of their faith walk, that we can learn from, and expect the Lord intervene just the same. They too were hidden in the Lord, and kept for His good purposes to reach a people, a nation, and the world! So are we!
We are hidden in Christ and kept for the purposes and will of the Father. There is a question that I will answer. Some may ask. Why would the Lord the keep us "hidden or concealed?" I believe He will do this at given times, just as He did with John the Baptist, Jesus, and others who followed Him. It was for a specific time and purpose.
There are things that the Lord may have placed in your heart, and it isn't quite time yet for it to be revealed. You may be in a season of preparation and training. Another may be stepping into and excepting the call the Lord has on their lives. Others may be in transition and learning to be sensitive to the new direction the Holy Spirit is leading.
Whatever season you may find yourself in, you can rest assured that the Lord is keeping you in the palm of His hand. He has hidden you in His heart and knows right where you are and how to find you. He has concealed for His divine purposes. He will allow you to see the unseen as you take refuge in Him. He will keep you in His secret place where none can snatch from you from His hand.
Psalm 91
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
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.
He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation;
There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come night thy dwelling.
For He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
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.
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him.
With a long life will I satisfy him, and show him My salvation.
All blessings and praise be unto our God and King!
May you and yours be richly blessed in Christ Jesus and raised up, to step into the divine call He has called and equipped you for. All to His glory in Jesus' name!
Love in Christ Jesus
If this message has been a blessing to you, please share it with someone!
