THINGS THAT SHOULD BE

DONE IN SECRET

God layed this on my heart as I was praying about things we say and do. Many times we get excited in what all that God is doing in our lives, that we want to run out and tell others of all that He has done. That is great to a point; however, there are also times we need to learn to keep our mouths shut. Believe me, I know what i am talking about because I have been guilty of running my mouth when it should be shut. As this study unfolds before you, the main thing you need to realize is that we are to do somethings in secret and God will openly reward us for it. Learn when to speak and when to hush.
The things we need to do in secret are
1 ALMS 2. PRAYER 3. FASTING

1. ALMS

(Mat 6:1 KJV) Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
(Mat 6:2 KJV) Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
(Mat 6:3 KJV) But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
(Mat 6:4 KJV) That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

What this is saying is that when you see someone has a need and you bless them, whether it be finacial, food, clothing, a word of wisdom from God or however you bless them, dont do it just to be seen of men. When you do bless someone, keep it to yourself. If you go around boasting to people what God has done, you have your reward here on earth.
I personally want my reward in heaven. I dont want my reward to be a pat on the back from a brother or sister. I want the Lord to tell me well done my good and faithful servant. Now it is ok if you do do something in front of someone with the right heart. God knows that sometimes it cant be helped. YET, keep your mouth shut. Dont brag or boast.
I have been found guilty of this too many times. There have been times when God would use me , then I would tell a dear friend or two. Well, that was my reward right there. God showed me today, to stop it. Believe me, it is hard for me to be quiet sometimes, but I am learning. I want Gods will in my life, NOT MY WILL!!!!

other verses Romans 12:8, Luke 14:14

2. PRAYER

(Mat 6:6 KJV) But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
(Mat 6:7 KJV) But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
(Mat 6:8 KJV) Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

What these verses are saying is that we need to pray in private. Get a special place in your house to pray alone, just you and God. Make it your prayer closet. Try to keep the same time everyday if possible. Get alone with the Lord. He desires a personal relationship with Him. He wants us to talk to him. He is there for us, let him know that we love Him and thank Him for all that He has done in our lives. Pray for your families, pastors, churches, sinners,our enemies. Reach the throne room on their behalf. You will begin to see God move in a mighty way in your life when you spend that intimant time alone with Him. He desires it daily. Not just on Sunday morning, or night, or wednesday nights at church. How would you like it if your spouse or boy/girlfriend only talked to you once or twice a week, you would not. God desires a closeness with his people. Talk to him just like you would your friends. You dont have to use big fancy long words, just talk. You will see, the more you do it, the easier it becomes.

(references 2 kings 4:33, Ecclesiastes 5:2)

(Mat 6:9 KJV) After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
(Mat 6:10 KJV) Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
(Mat 6:11 KJV) Give us this day our daily bread.
(Mat 6:12 KJV) And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
(Mat 6:13 KJV) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Many people say I dont know how to pray. This is the example that Jesus gave us. When we pray, we are to follow this. Everything that we do has an order to it. All our prayers will line up in this prayer.
When we pray, we are to go to the Father. We need to pray that Gods will be done in all our prayers. Ask for our daily needs, one day at a time, God knows all that lies ahead. We need to ask God for forgiveness in our lives as we forgive those that have done us wrong also. Know that God will deliver us, and take care of all our needs and temptations. Give God the glory and praise that He desires to have.

(references Matthew 26:39, Acts 21:14, Psalms 103:20, Job 23:12 Proverbs 30:8
Matthew 18:21, Matthew 26:41, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 2 Peter 2:9, Revelations 3:10
John 17:15, 1 Chronicles 29:11)

(Mat 6:14 KJV) For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
(Mat 6:15 KJV) But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

We have got to forgive one another. MAN IS THIS HARD AT TIMES!! But can you imagine the forgiveness that Jesus did on the cross? He was crusified. The people that worshipped him wanted barabas over him. You know that had to hurt. And the way he was mocked and ridiculed. BUT JESUS FORGAVE THEM. He is our prime example of forgiving otheres. When we feel that we have been done so wrong that we cant forgive, just look back to when Jesus was being crusified and all that He took, but He forgave. We too need to forgive, especially if we expect Him to forgive us. How can we comprehend all the love and forgiveness if we dont try to exercise it as well???

(references (14) Mark 11:25, Ephesians 4:32, Colosians 3:13, (15)Matthew 18:35, James 2:13)

3. FASTING

(Mat 6:16 KJV) Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
(Mat 6:17 KJV) But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
(Mat 6:18 KJV) That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

When you fast, whether it be food, water, television, internet, talking, or whatever, dont do it for men to see what you are doing. Keep things as normal as possible in front of people. Dont say, hey I am fasting for this or that, except to your spouse so they may know what is going on. You are not to tell all what you are doing. This is a very important time in your prayer life, if you have enough faith to fast, then dont mess it up by running that mouth.

(references: Isaiah 58:5, Ruth 3:3, Daniel 10:3)

Notice in all the sections that if we do in secret, we will be rewarded openly, doesnt that do something to you? It does to me. I have really cried and repented of this to the Lord.
God is getting His bride ready. He is coming so soon. He wants us to read and understand the whole word of God, not just part, but all of it. The fullness of the gospel is at hand.