Shh! Can You Keep A Secret?
- Heidi Eva Jones
- May 31, 2023
- 6 min read
Volume 12 Issue 5
Greeting in His Name,
Quiet... So with that being said, today's blog is entitled Shh! Can You Keep A Secret? Hope you find some inspiration, conviction, and queries.
shalom and love,
heidi
There is power in keeping your mouth closed. The word of God has already warned us how unruly our tongues can be. And in Proverbs 21:23 KJV, it is said, Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. Today I would like to explore a very familiar chapter to some - Matthew 6. It was in my reading this passage that I found the reward of shutting up and stealing away. Now don’t get me wrong, there is a time to share. The Word also tells us that we overcome by the blood of the lamb (Jesus) and the words of our testimony. So there is a time to shout it out. But my main focus is to show you the art of humility in this scripture and the major blessing that comes with it. From the art of humility, we will learn about the no-show-off giving, the no-show-off praying, and the no-show-off fasting. These principles are very practical but full of fire when you direct them correctly. So, Shh! Can YOU keep a secret?
Isaiah 45:2-3 Message says, I'll go ahead of you, clearing and paving the road. I'll break down bronze city gates, smash padlocks, kick down barred entrances. I'll lead you to buried treasures, secret caches of valuables—Confirmations that it is, in fact, I, God, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name. God is willing to demolish stuff to get your answers to you. All He desires is just some secret time with you. This scripture above is just an add-on to how important it is for God to get this message to you. I don’t know about you, but I could use some treasures and valuables right now. And oh, confirmation is always welcomed; a constant knowing that you are in the right place, doing the right thing, at the right time. Who wouldn’t want God to call their name whether for correction or blessing? It’s all GOoD!
No show-off giving! Matthew 6:1-4 CEV When you do good deeds, don't try to show off. If you do, you won't get a reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to the poor, don't blow a loud horn. That's what show-offs do in the meeting places and on the street corners, because they are always looking for praise. I can assure you that they already have their reward. When you give to the poor, don't let anyone know about it. Then your gift will be given in secret. Your Father knows what is done in secret, and he will reward you. Have you ever had someone do something for you, and they just had to point out what they did for you? It’s like their mouth became a bullhorn, and their hands were over their head like a billboard saying, ‘I helped her.’ Whether voluntary or not, it would make you regret their help. If you are like me, you quiet yourself down and say beneath your breath, ‘she just got her reward.’ I have gained a lot from this art of humility, no-show-off giving. As a matter of fact, it just does my body good when I can give to someone without them knowing it was me. Now, that’s a reward - the ability to make someone else happy and leave it a mystery. Just keep in mind what the scripture says, it may be a mystery or a secret to the person, but your Father knows, and He will bless you for your discreetness. I am telling you to try this. Leave something on someone's car, desk, in their locker, or at their front door. Remember, no-show-off giving! Do it secretly and see the ray of hope you will give someone else. I have had it done to me, and I tell you, my insides were percolating with excitement. Something as simple as a poem or personal writing of how that person affects your life. It doesn’t take much. Consider leaving a $1 someplace it could buy someone a soda out of the vending machine. I could go on and on about the many ways we can bless people if we would just shh.. and keep it SECRET!
No show-off praying! Matthew 6:5-8 CEV When you pray, don't be like those show-offs who love to stand up and pray in the meeting places and on the street corners. They do this just to look good. I can assure you that they already have their reward. When you pray, go into a room alone and close the door. Pray to your Father in private. He knows what is done in private, and he will reward you. When you pray, don't talk on and on as people do who don't know God. They think God likes to hear long prayers. Don't be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask. I have come across some holier-than-thou people who will try to make you feel like you can’t get a prayer through. It’s like they alone are in touch with God, and you best not mess with them else they’ll throw a prayer on ya’. NOT! These are show-offs. Our God is not that kind of God, and from what I can see with this scripture, God wants you to come into Him, close the door and express yourself to Him. It doesn’t have to be long. We sometimes feel the more words, the more He will move. But really, some of my most effective prayers have been those I have breathed right under my breath. And instantly, I have seen God move. It’s as the scripture says, He knows before you ask. I challenge you to find a place within yourself that you can resort to and let the Father know your deepest needs, desires, ideas, and wants. And don’t be stingy; pray for someone else. I believe He will answer. Just Shush! And Pray!
No show-off fasting! Matthew 6:16-18 CEV When you go without eating, don't try to look gloomy as those show-offs do when they go without eating. I can assure you that they already have their reward. Instead, comb yourr hair and wash your face. Then others won't know that you are going without eating. But your Father sees what is done in private, and he will reward you. To be honest, most people who have grown to fast are seasoned Christians. They are truly about moving the heart of God. But mind you, there are some who feel like they got to toot their horn and blow their whistle to let everybody know, ‘I’m fasting’. I have shared with a group of women in prison that there is a time when we have to let others in on our fast, but even then, share modestly. Moreover, don’t think God will strike you down or that your fast is meaningless if it’s found out that you are fasting. God will still answer. God is specifically pointing out those who are doing this for a show of attention. 'Girl, I'm fasting.' Just be quiet about it and let God be your witness of sacrifice. Remember, that attention that they are seeking is their reward. Fasting is a powerful weapon if done right. I suggest reading “God's Chosen Fast” by Arthur Wallis.
In Jeremiah 23:24 KJV Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD. One place for sure that no man can tap into, only God, is your secret place. You can open that door by opening your mouth, but if it’s left up to God, it would remain a secret. A man may question where you are in your giving, praying, and fasting, but all they need to know is Psalm 91:1 KJV He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. They will only see a shadow of the blessings to come if you keep it in the secret place.
LIFE QUOTE
“An inability to stay quiet is one of the conspicuous failings of mankind."
-Walter Bagehot
Let Us Laugh!
A bored young man decided life would be better with a pet. So he bought a 100-legged, talking centipede. One day he decided to ask the centipede to come to church. He asked three times, and the last time, as he shouted, the centipede said, "I heard you the first time, I was putting on my shoes."
Hope to see you Next Month...
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