The Secret Place

The Secret Place
Matthew 6:6

There are times when nobody understands my emotional turmoil. I try to verbalize to others the things that I’m struggling with and the things that tear at my heart and they just don’t quite get it!! It is in these moments that I am reminded of a place where I can lay at the feet of God naked… fully exposed … knowing that even if my words and actions don’t align with His, I can release my heaviness to Him and allow my wounds to be visible because He is the one who can heal and restore. I don’t have to worry about Him judging me because of my reactions and responses to my situations in my broken condition because he knows me the best. God will allow me to have my moment to rant and rave … scream and cry … grunt and moan if in that moment that’s what I “think” I need to do. He simply waits for me to release so that He can reveal those things that He wants me to know to take me to that new place in Him.

“But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou has shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6:6 (KJV)

Matthew 6:6 likens our place of prayer to a closet. Why a closet and not some other room in the house? When I lived with my parents I shared a room with my brother and there were times where I wanted to study my Bible or just be alone and it was hard to do that in our bedroom because I was always interrupted. I eventually started going to the bathroom to have my private time with God and myself and even that wasn’t private enough because we only had 1 bathroom and at some point someone was going to have to use it and I would have to come out. After reading Matthew 6 where is says, “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet…” I became excited because it makes so much sense! The CLOSET!!! Why didn’t I think of that?!? It is the least likely place anyone would think to look for a person. The closet … that place where we store our clothes, shoes and other things we desire. The closet … that place that many sometimes refer to as the place our “skeletons are kept, you know, those things you don’t’ want anyone to know the truth about. The closet … that place that many come out of because they no longer want to pretend to be someone that they are not. Yep, the closet is a pretty good place to go. There is a “place,” whether that be physically or figuratively speaking that we should be able to go to to connect with God so that we can hear from Him. Nobody needs to know because this is “the secret place” where you and God can meet up and nobody would think to find you there.

I have heard people say that what you see on the outside is a result of what has happened and/or is happening on the inside. The end of verse 6 confirms this when it says,

“…and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.”

The secret… the thing that nobody knows or is aware of is that you know that it’s not about them and they can’t help you. The fact that we go to our secret place let’s God know that we know and understand that he is our source… He is the one who has the power to deliver us from the bondage of the enemy… He is the one who can heal our wounds … He is the only one who TRULY understands us … He is the one who knows every detail of our beginning, middle and end. When God sees us placing our faith and trust in Him by meeting Him in the secret place, He ministers to us in that place and allows others to witness the outward transformation of a life that simply took advantage of connecting with God in the secret place.

© Copyright LaTrisha E. Milton October 21, 2008

The Potter,His Hand and the Vessel

The Potter, His Hand & the Vessel
Jeremiah 18:1-6

No, I am not perfect… there are times that I would much rather not deal with others, you know, that other part of God’s creation that I am commanded to love the way God loves me. I have days that are lower than other days… days that I feel I have failed more than others because I have REALLY not done my best , no matter what others may think, feel, or see… days that I want to be mad and stay mad… day where I want to be sad and stay sad… days where I want to make others feel bad because I feel bad … days where I want to stop talking to others in order to make some sense of my own personal chaotic internal issues… moments where I am quiet because I am waiting to hear God for myself through the frustrations, struggles, and hard to understand times of life. I don’t know if anyone understands what this is like but these are the moments when I believe God tells me to go down to the potter’s house …

“The Word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, Arise, and go down to the Potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the Potter’s house, and behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.” Jeremiah 18:1-6 (KJV)

This scripture is one that I have heard mentioned in some way from time to time in my life but never has it been more real to me than now. The potter is the creator of the vessel and it is at the potter’s house that the creation of the vessel begins and ends. The potter knows what the ingredients are that make up its creation and he knows what it’s supposed to look like in the end, Why? Because it is HIS creation. Jeremiah witnessed first hand the potter at work.

Verse 4 tells us that the vessel that was made “was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again.” This verse points out the fact that when the potter looked at his creation he was not happy with it because to HIM, the creator, there was an obvious imperfection … the creation was a little too impatient… a lot too stubborn… not faithful enough… stayed depressed too long…etc. Because of the imperfections he decided to make it again as another vessel that was pleasing to him. He used the same clay … he just remade it into something else.

After the Lord let Jeremiah see this he explains to Jeremiah that just like the clay was in the hand of the Potter he would do the same thing for the house of Israel. The message is a simple one yet very powerful. The potter… the creator, is the only one who knows what the end result of the creation is supposed to look like. HIS hands create it because it is HIS hands that are designed to create it into what he sees it to be. Even though the clay never screams, kicks, or hollers, this does not mean that process is not a difficult one, after all the potter did take the vessel and make it into something else which requires reshaping… discomfort and PAIN, but throughout the entire process the clay never left the HAND of the one who had the ability to make it into something of use.

This writing at this moment is more for me than for those that read it, but if by chance someone reads this, God wants us to be encouraged in knowing that as our Potter… our Creator, he is the ONLY one who has the ability or desire to shape us and mold us into what he desires for us to become. As we go through our difficult and painful moments we should find comfort in knowing that in these moments we are as the vessel that was marred in Jeremiah 18 that the potter put back on the wheel (Thank GOD he didn’t just throw it away) to make it into another vessel … “as seemed good to the potter to make it.”

© Copyright LaTrisha E. Milton October 16, 2008

Rubies Ain't Got NOTHING On Me!

Rubies Ain’t Got NOTHING on Me!
Proverbs 31:10

As young women it is important that the standards we hold for ourselves causes others to see that not only is our time valuable, but WE are valuable. I used to feel bad about setting such high standards when it comes to who I let in and out of my life but I have learned that when I lower my standards even a little the possibility of me being disappointed are increased. Proverbs 31:10 has always been a verse that I have used as a standard of who I want to become as a woman and how I want others to see me.

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price if far above rubies.”

Does a virtuous woman really exist? Where can you find her and once you find her how do you keep her? God continues to inspire me through his word and as a result of his revelation of this scripture he has motivated me once again to keep reaching towards him.

Point 1: A Virtuous Woman is worth Finding

Proverbs 31:10 begins with a question:

“Who can find a virtuous woman?”

This question does not necessarily mean that this woman is lost. The virtuous woman is not at all lost… she is simply waiting to be discovered. Let’s look at a couple of definitions of “find”:

- To discover or confirm the truth of (something)
- To uncover the true nature, identity, of intentions of (Someone)

Have you ever lost something and in the process of searching for it you realized you overlooked it several times before you “discovered” it was right in front of your face? A virtuous woman… a woman of power and righteousness is one who has to be discovered. She may appear one way on the outside but if the time is taken to get to know her you will uncover what truly lies beneath the surface and what lies beneath is the type of virtue that will change the life of the person who seeks deep enough to find it.

The fact that it says, “who can find” suggests that this woman is sought after. She may be recognized from a distance but the challenge still remains as to how do I get to her and once I get to her, how do I go about acquiring and retaining her attention. If you are successful at capturing the attention of this woman you can get her heart…. But you have to know what’s in her heart in order to capture her attention.

So, the question still remains… “Who can find a virtuous woman?” The description of the woman gives part of the answer, in order to find her you must seek after that which describes her… virtue. Virtue means, 1) moral excellence, 2) goodness, 3) righteousness. Ultimately seeking virtue is seeking God!

Point 2: Rubies ain’t got NOTHING on the Virtuous woman!

The second half of the verse moves from locating this woman to explaining why she’s so hard to find … “her price is far above rubies.” I did a little research on Rubies and the very 1st thing I found was that a “ruby is extremely rare and one of the most valuable precious gemstones in nature.” A virtuous woman is similar to this in that she is not one that you come into contact with on a regular basis, but when you do you will recognize the rarity of her kind… her character, integrity, personality…etc.

The ruby is attractive because of its brilliance, especially so if it is crystal clear and transparent. Isn’t that interesting?? Brilliant means “striking and distinctive,” this is the type of description you would give to people that walk into a room and never say a word, but there is something about their presence that draws you to them. To add to the presence, a personality that is genuine and real adds to the package. A person who has a powerful presence and a transparent life leaves you speechless and this is the impact of a virtuous woman.

There were many other facts about rubies that I can share but none will come close to the virtuous woman. She is one who really can not be described with words, but one who is experience and as a result of the experience you will know exactly what to look for and what to do to get her. All of the gifts in the world will not entice her… the total value of all the diamonds and rubies in the world do not add up to her worth. God’s presence and anointing in her life makes her brilliant, which draws attention to her.

I don’t know about you but it is my desire to reach the status of being a virtuous woman. It is not arrogant to want the best and it is not conceited to think your time is valuable and that others must earn it. God has given us his word as a road map and model of how we are to live our lives. If it is your desire to be a virtuous woman then I would suggest increasing your worth by seeking more of God’s presence in your life. As his presence increases, his anointing increases … as his anointing increasing, his favor increases … as his favor increases your life takes on a new level which leads to a new outlook and at that point you can say with confidence,

“Rubies ain’t got NOTHING on ME”!

© Copyright LaTrisha E. Milton July 9, 2008

Open My Mind

Open My Mind
Psalm 119:18

As we begin to be "for real" and committed in our walk with God a battle is intensified within. What battle you ask? The battle of control between the new nature and the old nature, the key to winning this battle is strengthening the new nature with new food and that food is God’s word. I don’t want to remain the same as I go through life minute by minute and day to day. There is a part of me that strives for excellence while there is another part that would much rather remain comfortable at the place I have arrived. Psalm 119 is a great Psalm for those of us who desire to live for God but just need the words of someone who understands the struggle.

In the 18th verse of Psalm 119 the Psalmist asks for a new perspective … a new way of thinking … a new way of seeing God’s word. He says,

"Open my mind and let me discover the wonders of your law."
(Contemporary English Version)

Many times when we decide that we are going to "straighten up" for God one of the first things we commit to doing is reading God’s word more. When put forth the effort to do so we aren’t successful for some reason and we eventually go back to living life according to the new nature. What is that? The intent is right but we fail to realize that we have to open our minds to receive what God has to say to us. This requires us to see a thing the way God sees it. When something is open the inside is exposed and can be changed simply by adding to or taking away. The Psalmist wants his mind to be opened so that the inside can be changed and we all know that when the inside transforms it manifests on the outside.

As we open our minds making ourselves vulnerable to God and everything that comes with living his way, something happens! We begin to see things differently. Now when we read the word of God we understand precepts and promises … we gain insight on what God really means when he says certain things, and the revelations of God and his word become more than just powerful sayings but life changing prophesies that when heeded will allow us to experience the fullness of a life of God.

Discovering the wonders of God’s law will cause you to want to live for God no matter what the cost. According to the dictionary, "wonder" means,

-awe, astonishment
- surprise or admiration
- marvelous
- inspiring, astounding

If you take time to delve into the word of God it will not only surprise you but it will inspire you to know more. When you read about people like Moses, who had a speech impediment, yet God called him to deliver his chosen people by going to tell Pharaoh that "I am that I am" had sent him and seeing how God delivered them in a mighty way … Jeremiah, called by God from birth, to tell a people to quit messing around on God or suffer destruction, only for him to get frustrated and tell God that he doesn’t want to speak for him anymore but it turns out that it’s not that easy because God’s word was so deep within him that he couldn’t just walk away from his assignment ….I can go on and on but I think you get where I’m going. Don’t let the familiarity of the stories keep you from discovering what God wants you to know, this is why the Psalmist says, "Open my mind." It is not until our minds are opened … made vulnerable to God, that we will experience in a new way and on a whole new level the things of God.

In our society today when you become vulnerable, others will take advantage of and sometimes hurt us, but one thing you never have to worry about is being hurt by God. We have to remind ourselves of what Jeremiah 29:11 says,

"I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out – plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for." (The Message Bible)

Now with a promise like that how can we not lay into the arms of God and allow him to take us to places that will intensify our will, commitment and praise to him! Lord, open my mind and let me discover the wonders of your law!

© Copyright LaTrisha E. Milton March 28, 2008

Understanding = A Whole Hearted Life For God!

Understanding = A Whole Hearted Life For God!
Psalm 119:34

In 2003 I delivered my first message from the pulpit of my home church for a Youth Explosion service. This particular message changed my life forever when God revealed something that has never left my spirit. The theme was "Transformed to Transform" and the scriptural reference was Romans 12:1-2.

Verse 2 read,

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

During my study time I asked God about renewing my mind. I asked him how I was supposed to renew my mind in order to experience the transformation. He clearly said, "You renew your mind through the constant study, constant meditation and constant application of God’s word." WOW! What a powerful revelation huh? You can’t apply what is not already in you and nothing can become apart of your way of life until you have spent enough time studying and understanding the concept resulting in APLLICATION of what you have studied.

Psalm 119:34 says,

"Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart."

The entire division of Psalm 119 is about wanting to please God and doing what it takes to make him happy. It is hard to give your all to something or someone when you don’t understand why you should put forth the effort. For example, if you never knew that brushing your teeth regularly helps keep your teeth healthy would you continue to brush them everyday? For most people they would stop brushing all together. The same is true with God and his word … if we didn’t know that there were blessing connected to being obedient to God’s word many believers wouldn’t even take the time to read let alone apply the things that God says. On the other hand, there are MANY believers who don’t even understand that God tells us to do things differently than we have been because he’s trying to get us to be blessed.

Point 1: "Give me Understanding"

In verse 34 of this 119th Psalm, the Psalmist says, "Give me understanding." "Understanding" means "comprehension" or "the power to make experience intelligible by applying concepts and categories" according to the dictionary. In other words, you show that you understand by applying what you learn. This may not sound too hard but what the Psalmist is really saying is "God allow me to experience what you are trying to say to me so I can understand what you mean better." Think it not strange when you ask God to make certain things clear and all hell breaks loose… it’s what you asked for! There is a saying, "Be careful what you ask for" and I am learning why this is a common saying because depending on what you’re asking for determines what you will have to go through to get it. I’m not trying to scare you ... I am simply trying to get you to see that when you ask God for ANYTHING you better be serious in your asking.

Point 2: "…I shall keep thy law"

The Psalmist goes on to say that he will keep the law once he understands. In my short 27 years on this earth I have come to appreciate and not mind doing certain things because of the experiences I’ve had at different periods of life because I’ve found that they are beneficial not only me but to others as well. I’ve experienced a lot of different events and situations in my life that have shaped me into what you see today. From being ignored in a talent show in 4th grade that ruined my self-confidence for a long time … all the way to running in a marathon that only 1% of the population of the world ever finish, all of these things have in some way motivated me to keep pushing because something is being added to my character as I go through each process. I think this is what the Psalmist was getting at in the next part of this verse. Once the understanding of the benefits are there it’s a little bit (Note I said a LITTLE BIT … not completely … it will still be a struggle until you reach the end) easier to endure the pressure of walking through the process to getting what God wants for us to have.

Point 3: "… I shall observe it with my whole heart."

Keeping God’s law is not the most exciting all the time but one thing that holds true is the fact that once you begin to experience the benefits of living for God you can’t help but give your all for God because you will NEVER … EVER be disappointed. The word "observe" is used in this verse but its meaning is different from what we normally think when we see it. It means, "to conform one’s action or practice to." The reason that the Psalmist asks for understanding in the beginning is because he recognizes that there are certain things that he is going to have to change in order to even begin to keep God’s law. It is absolutely insane to think that you will be able to do things the same and experience God’s greatness in your life, it does not work like that. Living for God, as Romans 12:2 says, requires that we conform to the things of God. As you conform to God, you allow him to take control of your life as a result EVERYTHING changes and God’s character becomes apart of you resulting in him using all of you to bring Glory to his name and winning others to Christ.

God wants us to be AWESOME people in him but if we don’t understand that we will never get there. We must ask for understanding so that we might learn to LIVE in the favor, blessings and awesomeness of God. It’s not enough to come to church on Sunday and hear the word only to leave and go back to life as usual. It is time that we ignite the fire within to not only know God but understand what he wants us to do in order to experience what he has for each of us. Understanding brings about a life that is WHOLE HEARTEDLY lived for God!

© Copyright LaTrisha E. Milton March 26, 2008

Let Go and Let God

"Let Go and Let God"

Transition … change … moving from one level to another … however you want to put it, it’s never an easy process. As a matter of fact it’s a never ending process that we must become used to. I don’t know about you but if I were in control of my destiny it would not take long and it would be as easy as possible. As I look back over my life I can see as I look to the future I am encouraged by the fact that what’s ahead really is greater than what I have already experienced. However, the frustration of knowing that there is a process, (a series of changes) that I must go through to get there still haunts my thoughts. My struggle, probably like many of you, is simply letting go of how I want things to go and letting God have his way.

There is a popular song right now by Dewayne Woods called, "Let Go" and the lyrics to the chorus are:

"As soon as I stop worrying,
Worrying how the story ends

I let go and let God
Let God have his way
That’s when things start happening
When I stopped looking at back then I let go and let God
Let God have his way."

I have listened to this song continuously for the past 3 or 4 days and the message in the music has rung true, but what does it mean to "Let Go and Let God?"

I am learning that in order for things to go according to God’s plan I have to let go of my plan… my desires… my ideas of how things should be. The word "let" according to the dictionary means, to allow or permit. God never forces his will on his people; he simply waits until we give him permission to have free reign in our lives. It doesn’t stop with just permission being given but the saying is "let GO." We must release from our grasps what we are too afraid to let go of. What are you too afraid to release to God? Releasing those areas or things that you have been trying to control takes the responsibility off of you and puts it on God who tells us in Proverbs that if we trust him, lean not to our own understanding, and acknowledge Him and he will direct our paths. He is the same God who encourages us in Jeremiah by letting us know that he has an awesome plan for our lives and it’s one that will make us better and not bring us down. If we take the time to just meditate on these couple of scriptures it makes it a little bit easier to release those things that we continue to hold on to and allow God to do his thing in our lives.

Once we get the letting go straight we can "let God." Letting God is a huge step that involves not only letting go of our own desires but giving in to everything that will help us move forward and be successful in God … God’s plan. I am reminded of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane when his flesh felt the struggle of the fulfillment of his purpose. In that moment, his flesh wanted to fulfill his purpose some other way, the spirit man, though, allowed Jesus to say in so many words. Lord, I don’t want to do this but I am deciding to let go and let God have his way.

The road to God’s purpose in your life is not an easy road. There are periods of frustration, and struggle … there are times of anger and sadness and yet still there are moments of happiness and joy when you look back and see how far you have come. I have decided that I am going to let go and let God so things can start happening for me.
© Copyright LaTrisha E. Milton March 25, 2008

God Knows the Way that I Take

God Knows the Way that I Take
Job 23:10

There are moments in my life where I feel like, I can almost identify with some of the people in the Bible when they had to deal with their situations and circumstances. I may not completely understand but it’s come close enough. Job is one of those people in the Bible who went through some things that would LITERALLY cause many of us to lose our minds … to give up on life itself … and in some instances give up on God.

In the 23rd chapter of Job, I think many of us can understand this moment where it seems God is no where to be found but inspite of this Job has an assurance in verse 10, which says,

“But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”

I now understand Job’s thinking, which resulted in this response in the midst of the darkest period of his life. In my own life there have been MANY things to happen to me, and around me that could have broken me down and ultimately taken me our .. “But HE [God] knoweth the way that I take …” There are 3 points that I want to bring out of this verse. I pray they give you hope to keep holding on the God as I continue to do so.

Point 1: God knows where I’m going
(“But He knoweth the way that I take :”)

We must ALWAYS keep in the forefront of our minds that God already knows what’s going on, what will go on, and what has gone on in our lives. Jeremiah 29:11 makes it clear of what God desires for our lives:

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and nor of evil, to give you an expected end.”

God knows what he’s doing because he designed our life before the very foundations of the world. He has seen the before … the in between … and the after! He has carefully planned what trials to place in our lives in order to get certain victories at the right point so that we might go to new levels and move closer to fulfilling HIS plan for our lives! God knows exactly what he’s doing in our lives!!

Point 2: Trials aren’t supposed to feel good
(“… When he hath tried me,”)

There is a scripture found in the 1st chapter of James that says,

“My brethren, count it all Joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” James 1:2-3

I wrote a piece on this scripture a while back and I said that I just couldn’t get excited about this every time I read or heard this particular scripture! Trials don’t feel good and they’re not supposed to! Trials are like peroxide … when I was younger my parents would pour peroxide on wounds or cuts that my brother and I had. When they poured it on it hurt unlike any other discomfort we had ever felt (at least for me) and within a few minutes you could see puss coming out. Yep, I thought I’d get that reaction out of you! This may not be the most beautiful illustration but I think it is very accurate because our trials affect us in the same way. Trials are NEVER fun, they are NEVER easy to go through and they are NEVER easy to face, but they, like peroxide, are designed to bring our the impurities that will keep us from getting better!! God knows what he’s doing, so no matter how tough the trials, keep in mind, that you can only get better from going through your tests!

Point 3: I will come out BETTER than before!
(“… I shall come forth as gold.”)

God knows what he’s doing and out trials will prove that because in the end you have a glow and presence about you unlike any other. I can attest to this fact in my own life. I can literally take pictures of myself from over the years … or just from 2000 until today … and there are obvious changes that have taken place, not just on the outside but on the inside as well. Those who k now me know that my life model is the Butterfly, but this verse uses gold. Some of us maybe familiar with the process of gold, gold earns its name (so to speak) by enduring the fire. If we can endure the fire we will come out looking and feeling like we never have before!

I want to encourage someone, as I encourage myself, God knows EXACTLY what he’s doing our lives! Our trials come to make us better and when we make it through the test, we will come out with a luster and a shine that lets others now that what should have destroyed us only made us better!

“But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10

© Copyright LaTrisha E. Milton January 16, 2008