A SECRET PLACE IN GOD

By Geraldine Butler

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty," (Psalm 91:1). Those individuals who have chosen to accept Jesus Christ as their personal savior need the opportunity to learn the path to salvation. It is their privilege to know the many blessed ways to seek him. In my scriptural based writing, A Secret Place in God, individuals will be guided on their journey. In the book, examples are taken from the Bible, and lessons can be learned based upon experiences posed by men and women in God's word. My personal testimony is also shared in this piece. Individuals of all ages will learn that they are not alone; and there comes a time that they must make the decision to choose Christ over their own thoughts and feelings; and know that he has a better path of life for them. In addition, in A Secret Place in God, after having walked with God in the beauty of holiness for over forty years, I have shared many attributes of my knowledge of God as a healer, a comforter, a guide in every situation of which we are confronted, and most of all, as a savior. Also included are self-created lessons that can be shared with other teachers of God's word. My main purpose for writing this book is to make individuals aware that they can have their own personal walk with God; and that they can count on him to acknowledge and answer their most personal requests in life. Please visit the author's website at: www.gbutlerauthor.com Author email: [e-mail]

• Language: English
• Publisher: Covenant Books, Inc.
• Release date: Nov 5, 2020
• ISBN: 9781644680070

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A SECRET PLACE IN GOD

Geraldine L. Butler

ISBN 978-1-64468-006-3 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64468-007-0 (Digital)

Copyright © 2020 Geraldine L. Butler

All rights reserved

First Edition

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Covenant Books, Inc.

11661 Hwy 707

Murrells Inlet, SC 29576

www.covenantbooks.com

Table of Contents

Nazarene

The Manifestation of the Holy Ghost

God Is a Healer

Water Communion

There Is a Secret Place in God

Water Baptism

Sibling Rivalry and Forgiveness

The Power of Fasting and Praying

Think It Not Strange!

Stand in the Gap

Fear God and Keep His Commandments

If Jesus Had Opened His Mouth

Feast Days

What Would It Profit a Man?

Acknowledgments

In loving memory of my grandmother, Mother Dornetta Clark; my father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin and Geraldine Clarke; and my spiritual parents, Bishop Steven and Mother Jimmie Will Butler.

Much love and dedication to my husband, Stephen; and our children and grandchildren; and to my three siblings, all of whom I cherish.

Finally, special recognition to my Nazarene church family.

Introduction

We are living in an era that has been considered at one time in the word of God as perilous times. In many cases, we can say it is not safe to walk the streets because there is so much killing and corruption. Men and women, in many cases, are extremely circumspect of one another. Individuals driving automobiles are in constant danger because at any given moment, some individual might experience road rage over the simplest manifestation of a traffic disagreement. One of the most prevalent dangers that we are experiencing today is drive-by shootings. Men, women, boys, and girls are being shot down and killed at random, and except we are covered by the blood of Jesus, our lives are in constant danger.

Yes, we are living in perilous times, and we can also say that we are living in the last days. Many of our mothers and grandmothers spoke to us of this era for many years, and according to the word of God, all the evil that exists today has been spoken of in the scriptures. These are the signs of the times. The scripture tells us that because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. I am sure that we can attest to this being the case based upon what we see from day to day in the news. Hatred prevails in the hearts of many, and it is manifested in the behaviors that are presented daily. However, we must not let this deter us. There is a way out. There is a hiding place in God and in the word of God. We as individuals can go to a secret place in God despite all the trauma that goes on from day to day.

I would like for us to step away from the trauma that is going on today and visit the plan of God that has been laid out for us in his word. In sharing my personal experience with you, I hope that you who have not experienced a true and rewarding encounter with God will have a desire and determination to receive his promise.

There is so much that we can learn in studying God’s word, and as we study his word, and when we apply it to our lives, there is a peace that surpasses all understanding that he speaks of, that we too can possess.

Chapter 1

Nazarene

Jesus was a Nazarene. And he dwelt in a city called Nazareth that the scripture might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, that he shall be called a Nazarene (Matthew 2:23, KJV). The Apostle Paul was the ringleader of the sect of the Nazarene (Acts 24:5). When we speak of the Nazarene of today, we are speaking of a group of people who are following the examples of the Nazarene, Jesus Christ. Well, I think I can respectfully vouch for the Nazarene faith of which I am a part. As a Nazarene, I have studied the doctrine of Jesus Christ, and I have read the scriptures, and am daily attempting to apply the scriptures to my life.

The teaching of the Nazarene maintains that according to the scriptures, we must be converted, sanctified, and filled with the gift of the Holy Ghost. These are the three definite works of grace.

Conversion

When we seek God in conversion, we are maintaining that we are ready to make a change in our lives. This takes place when we tell God that we repent of our sins and that we are sorry for every ungodly work that has transpired in our lives.

Let me give you my own example. When I was a child, I was taught the ways of Christianity as is the case of many. My parents believed in God, and they believed that Jesus was the Son of God. However, my grandmother was the matriarch and the fervent teacher of Christianity in my home. She was saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Ghost, with the evidence of speaking in unknown tongues. When I was a child, she often told me of the goodness of God. She would often say that she was praying for me that God would one day save me. She would convey to me of the joy that she felt in her soul. She would sing the songs of Zion, and, often, when she would talk to me about the goodness of God and the joy that she felt down inside of her soul, my grandmother would begin to speak in tongues as the spirit gave utterance. You see, my grandmother was filled with the Holy Ghost, and she never failed to give God the glory in telling us of the salvation that God had for us.

As I began to grow up into my teen years, life happened. There were good days and not so good days. There were some tragedies in my life, but through it all, God kept me safe. I went through many unhappy times, times that my life could have been taken from me. But God! God kept me covered with the precious blood of Jesus. We often say that we are too smart to partake of negative behavior; however, because of the stress that presents itself to us, there are episodes of which we look to the adverse side of the world, and in my case, the world became my friend in a troubling way. When my grandmother died, it seemed as if all hell broke loose. But God!

For a while, I sought relief through friends. As we all know, young people tend to engage themselves in mischief and disruption from time to time; this was my case. But I thank God that this did not last too long. If it had, who knows, I might have been one