PAY UP!

“But if any man provide not for his own,
and especially for those of his own house,
he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel”
(1 Timothy 5:8).

We are living in an entitlement society where many people want everything for nothing, especially young people who are currently educated in our colleges. They are consistently brainwashed in socialism where they think they should get everything free without working for it. They want free education, free housing, free health care etc. They don’t even use their brains to think where the money would come from.

I believe we should live with an attitude of expectation that God is going to do good things. That’s the meaning of hope and hope is a godly attitude. But when things cost money, we should always be prepared to pay our share of it. This is a biblical principle .

When the children of Israel passed through the land of Seir, God told them to make sure they paid for anything they ate or drank.

Deuteronomy 2:6: “Ye shall buy meat of them for money, that ye may eat; and ye shall also buy water of them for money, that ye may drink.”

The same happened when they passed through the land of the Moabites. When they came to the land of Sihon, Moses told King Heshbon: “Thou shalt sell me meat for money, that I may eat, and give me water for money that I may drink” (Deuteronomy 2:28). They were ready to take responsibility for what they used.

God gives us a biblical principle for everything in life. We should always seek to pay for what we need, for what we eat and drank, and for what we use. If we break something that belongs to someone else, we should replace it. If we lose something that belongs to someone else, we should replace it.

If we are invited to eat with a family for dinner, we should bring something toward the meal. If the hostess says not to bring anything, we can purchase a little gift such as flowers, or make a little home gift, or write a card etc.

Let’s not be those who take everything for granted. Away with entitlement mentality.

Paul, the great apostle, worked hard at what was considered at that time a low-grade job to provide for his own needs and the needs of others!

Acts 20:34, 35 (NLT):“You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and EVEN THE NEEDS OF THOSE WHO WERE WITH ME. And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive,’”

Read 1 Thessalonians 19 and 2 Thessalonians 3:8 (NLT): “We never accepted food from anyone WITHOUT PAYING FOR IT. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you . . . Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: ‘Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.’”

I am always challenged by the example of David when he wanted to purchase the threshing floor of Aruunah in order to build an altar to the Lord, Araunah offered it freely to David. He told David: “Take the threshing floor. And look, here are oxen for you to use. And here are the threshing instruments. Use them all freely.”

What did David answer? “I will surely buy it of thee AT A PRICE: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that WHICH DOES COST ME NOTHING. So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver” (2 Samuel 24:21-

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

PRAYER:

“Dear Father, Please help me to be responsible before You and to do what is right toward my fellowman. Save me from being selfish and thinking of only my needs. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

I will take responsibility for my own needs and also the needs of others.

ONE-ANOTHERING

 
“Let us think of ways to MOTIVATE ONE ANOTHER
to outbursts of love and good works”
(Hebrews 10:24 NLT).

Family life is togetherness. Church life is togetherness. It is also one-anothering.
 
As the curve of the current virus is flattening and our president seeks to get the nation’s economy fueled again, we should also see churches opening. In fact, President Trump gave a proclamation on Friday 22nd May that “Church is Essential” and encouraged churches to reopen Sunday 24th. Sadly, many churches are still closed. They still seem to be paralyzed with fear and yet the current statistics state that the percentage of deaths from this virus are only 0.03% of the population. There is nothing to fear so why are Christians continuing to hide in their homes?
 
This last week hundreds of doctors wrote to President Trump pleading with him to end the coronavirus shutdown and stating it was a “mass casualty incident.” Suicide hotlines have increased 600%. Liquor sales have increased 300 – 600%. God never intended us to hide away in our homes. He knows we need each other. We need each other in our families. We need the extended fellowship of families in the church.
 
Zoom and online meetings are great. They reach out to many people. But they are not the LIFE of the church. We cannot really do church life without being with one another. God knew that we would need to be reminded about this. He is so concerned about our being built up together that He has given us 31 commands to do to one another. That’s one for every day of the month!
 
Many of the following you need to do in person when you meet together.
 
1.    ACCEPT one another (Romans 15:7 HCSB).
2.    BEAR one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2 and Colossians 3;13). The Amplified Version states: “Bearing graciously with one another.”
3.    BLESS one another (Matthew 5:44 and 1 Peter 3:9).
4.    CARE for one another (1 Corinthians 12:25).
5.    COMFORT one another (1 Thessalonians 4:18 and 2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
6.    Have COMPASSION on one another (1 Peter 3:8).
7.    CONFESS YOUR FAULTS one to another (James 5:16).
8.    CONSIDER one another (Hebrews 10:24 NKJV).
9.    ENCOURAGE one another (Hebrews 3:13 and 10:24).
10.  EDIFY one another (Romans 14:19; 15:1-3; 2 Corinthians 12:19; and 1 Thessalonians 5:11).
11.  ESTEEM AND DELIGHT in one another (Psalm 16:2-3 and Philippians 2:3).
12.  FELLOWSHIP with one another (Malachi 3:16 and 1 John 1:7).
13.  FORBEAR with one another in love (Ephesians 4:2 and Colossians 3:13).
14.  FORGIVE one another (Matthew 6:14, 15; 18:21-35; Ephesians 4:32; and Colossians 3:13). The Amplified Version states: “Willingly forgiving each other.”
15.  Live in HARMONY with one another (Romans 15:5 TLB and RSV).
16.  HELP one another with your gifts and abilities (1 Peter 4:10 (GNB) and Hebrews 10:24).
17.  HONOR and PREFER one another (Romans 12:10 and Philippians 2:3, 4).
18.  Show HUMILITY to one another (Ephesians 4:2; Philippians 2:3; and 1 Peter 3:8 (all GNB).
19.  Practice HOSPITALITY to one another (Acts 2:41-47; Romans 12:13; and 1 Peter 4:9).
20.  Be KIND to one another (Romans 12:10; Ephesians 4:32; and Colossians 3:12).
21.  LOOK OUT FOR ONE ANOTHER’S INTERESTS, not just your own (Philippians 2:4 (GNB) and 1 Corinthians 10:24.
22.  LOVE one another (John 13:34; 15:12; 17:26; 1 Thessalonians 3:12; 4:9; 1 Peter 1:22; 3:8; 4:8; 1 John 3:11, 23; 4:7, 11, 12; and 2 John 1:5.
23.  Have PEACE with one another (Mark 9:50).
24.  PRAY for one another (1 Samuel 12:23; Romans 1:9; 2 Timothy 1:3; and James 5:16).
25.  SERVE one another (Matthew 20:26-28; Galatians 5:13; and 1 Peter 4:10). Wash one another’s feet which is symbolic of serving one another, no matter how servile the task (John 13:14-17).
26.  SING to one another (Ephesians 5:19).
27.  STIR UP one another to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24 AMPC, ESV, Moffat, RSV).
28.  SUBMIT to one another (Ephesians 5:21 and 1 Peter 5:5).
29.  TEACH AND ADMONISH one another (Romans 15:14 and Colossians 3:16).
30.  Be TENDERHEARTED to one another (Ephesians 4:32).
31.  THINK MORE HIGHLY of one another than you do of yourselves (Philippians 2:3 AMP).
 
Would you like to be stirred up even more by some other translations of Hebrews 10:24?
 
“STIMULATE one another to love and good deeds.” (Beck, MLB, NASB, TBV, and Williams).
 
“LET US OUTDO each other in being helpful and kind to each other.” (TLB).
          
“SPUR ONE ANOTHER ON toward love and good deeds.” (CJB and NET).
           
Blessings from Nancy Campbell
 
PRAYER:

“Dear Father, Thank You for showing us how You want me to serve my family and others around me. Please help me to think of others rather than always thinking of myself. Please help me to look out for the interests of others, not just my own. Help me to live beyond myself, laying down my life, and serving others. Amen.”
 
AFFIRMATION:

Yes, others, Lord, yes, others, Let this my motto be; Help me to live for others, That I may live like Thee.
~ Charles D. Meigs

THE HATED WORD

"Let this mind be in your, which was also in Christ Jesus"
(Philippians 2:5).

We have a word in our vocabulary that is not popular today. It is either hated, avoided, or scoffed at. I think you've guessed. It is the word submission. Yet it is a Bible word. So why is so hated?

I think it is because it cuts across our fleshly nature. It is the opposite to our self-nature. It is also one of the most powerful attitudes Jesus revealed in His life. The devil has the opposite nature to Jesus. He was cast out of heaven because of his pride and independence and he continues to tempt us with his same attitude.

Let's looks at the attitude of Jesus. When He sweat drops of blood as he faced death to take the sin of the world upon Him, He still submitted to His Father's will crying out: "Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done" (Luke 22:42). And please read Philippians 2:5-8 where the Bible exhorts us to have the same submissive attitude as Jesus when He submitted to the cross. Verse 5 says: "Let this mind (attitude) be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus."

Jesus said in John 5:30: "I week not my own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me."

Jesus confessed again in  6:38: "I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me."

What does this word submission mean? The Greek word is "hupotasso" and is a combination of two words: "hupo" - under "tasso" - to arrange in an orderly manner, to assign to a certain position.

Why does God want the wife to come under the husband? For her blessing. For her protection. For her covering. For her provision. Isn't this a blessing?

Can I show you some other Scriptures where the Greek word hupo is used?

When Jesus looked out of Jerusalem, He cried: "How often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathered her chickens under (hupo) her wings, and ye would not" (Matthew 23:37). Is it a bad thing for a hen to gather her chickens under her wings? No, it is a beautiful thing. Isn't a beautiful thing to be protected under our husbands?

Do you notice that the citizens of Jerusalem did not want to be gathered? They didn't want to come under God's protection, just like some wives do not want to come under their husband's covering.

Jesus talked about the little mustard seed that grows up to be a big tree "so that the fowls of the air may lodge under (hupo) the shadow of it" (Mark 4:32). Another lovely picture of protection.

1 Corinthians 10:1, 2 tells us how God protected the Israelites in the wilderness "under (hupo) the cloud." God gave them a cloud by day to protect them from the heat and a cloud (a pillar of fire) by night to keep them warm. The testimony of God's protection and covering.

The Bible speaks of the mystery of marriage which is to reveal the relationship between Christ and the church. Christ as the Head--covering, protecting, and leading His people as they submit to Him.

It is not always easy to submit. It is not for the immature, but the mature. It is three-year-old behavior to demand our own way. It takes maturity to submit.

One caution. We submit to our husbands "as unto the Lord" (Ephesians 5:3). Wives should not submit to anything that is contrary to God's Word. Jesus' submission was unto His Father.

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

PRAYER:

"Dear Jesus, please come and fill my life. I want Your divine life to
overcome my fleshly nature. You lived in the anointing of authority because You were totally submitted to the Father. Help me to have this same attitude as I live my daily life. Amen."

CONFIRMATION:

Not my will but God's will.

GUARD YOUR TREASURES

"Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem,
and took away the treasures of the house of the LORD,
and the treasures of the king's house;
he took all: he carried away also the shields of gold
which Solomon had made" (2 Chronicles 12:9).

You have many treasures in your home, treasures you must protect and not let anyone take from you.

The above Scripture tells us how the King of Egypt came up against Jerusalem and "took away the treasures of the house of the LORD." King Rehoboam, the king of Jerusalem was not on guard. He allowed the treasures of God's house and his house to be taken away. These were not little treasures. They were treasures of gold. Everything in the house of God was made of pure gold. Even the shields were made of gold.

We must also guard that we do not allow our treasures of gold to be taken away. This is what the enemy wants to do. He comes to "steal, kill, and destroy" (John 10:10). He comes to rob us of all that God wants us to enjoy.

DON'T BE CONTENT WITH SECOND BEST

When we let him rob us, we end up with second best. The King of Egypt took the GLORIOUS shields of gold. So WHAT DID Rehoboam do? "Instead he made shields of brass" (2 Chronicles 12:10). Counterfeit! Second best!

Which do you want? Gold or brass?

GUARD YOUR MARRIAGE

God is the author of marriage. Because it is God's plan, the devil wants to destroy it. Do not let him steal your marriage. Keep a soft and forgiving heart. Do not let hardness take hold of your heart. Hardness leads to divorce (Matthew 19:8). Instead, build your marriage. Every day, find some way to make your marriage lovelier and stronger. Go after the gold. Which would you rather have? A marriage of gold, or second best, brass? You decide which you want.

GUARD YOUR CHILDREN

Do not allow the enemy to rob and deceive them with lies and deception. Do not give them away to the public education system to drill their humanistic and alternative propaganda into their brains.

Micah 2:9 says: "The women of my people have ye cast out from their pleasant houses; from their children have ye taken away their glory forever." The Amplified Version translates this verse: "From her children you take away my splendor and blessing forever (by putting them among pagans, away from Me)." God says that the glory of children is for them to be raised in the home.

GUARD YOUR FERTILITY

Our fertility is a very precious gift from God. And it does not last forever. It is only for a window of time in the seasons of our whole life. We cannot determine when we will have children. It is ultimately in God's hands. To walk in God's perfect plan for our lives, we should yield our wombs to God, for His glory. He will give the children He has planned from the foundation of the world.

If you are having problems conceiving, ask your husband to lay his hands upon your womb and pray over you every day. Make a specific time every day. Your husband is your covering and God will hear his cries for you.

GUARD YOUR FAMILY LIFE

Family life is God's plan from the beginning of creation. It is the way He planned for us to live in their world. He has no other plan. He specifically states that He wants the solitary to live in families. It is the healthiest way to live. But because It is God's plan, the devil hates it. We know he is bent on destroying family life.

He won't always tempt you with blatant, sinful things to destroy your family, He uses little things. He subtly deceives you. Watch for his deceptions. Watch that your family does not become fragmented with everyone constantly going their various ways. This is the testimony of most families today, but it is not God's way.

He wants us to build our families. To build relationships. To encourage interaction and family togetherness. Determine to sit together for your family meals, especially for your evening. Don't only eat food at your table. Feed the soul and encourage family discussion and participation. And feed the spirit. Never leave the table without reading God's living Word and praying together. Guard this precious time. Don't give it away.

"Drive your pegs deep" (Isaiah 54:2). Guard your treasures, dear mothers. Don't let them filter through your fingers. It can happen so easily. You must PURPOSEFULLY, DELIBERATELY, and INTENTIONALLY build into your marriage and family life. It doesn't just happen. You must make it happen.

Constantly think and dream of how you are going to build your home and family. That's what a builder does. He dreams. He gets a vision. And then he acts and builds according to the plan.

Be blessed,

Nancy Campbell

PRAYER:

"Dear Father, I thank You for filling my home with treasures, treasures that are eternal and will last forever. Please help me to guard my treasures and to pour my time and effort into what is lasting rather than the temporal things of this world. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

I am going to preserve the golden treasures God has given me. I will not be satisfied with brass.