WHICH COUNTRY DO YOU LIVE IN?
Part 1

“Lo, thou trustest in the staff of this broken reed, on Egypt;
whereon if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it:
so is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all that trust in him”
(Isaiah 36:6).

When famine came to the land of Canaan where Isaac was sojourning, he thought it would be advisable to go down to Egypt where there was food and prosperity for his family, servants, and flocks. Surely this was the best decision.

However, God came to him and said: “Go not down into Egypt . . . Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee” (Genesis 26:2, 3). What was “this land”? It was God’s land. The land was not yet conquered for God’s people, but it had already been promised to them. God had already chosen this land for His people--“ALL the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession” (Genesis 17:8).

But Egypt looked more inviting. It would be much easier to live there. Here in “this land” he faced famine. He had to trust God instead of man. All he had were the promises of God, given to him and his father (Genesis 15:1-21; 17:1-8; 26:2-5).

God speaks the same word to us today. He does not want us to live in Egypt which speaks of trusting in man’s provision, man’s ways, man’s intellect, and man’s ideas. He wants us to live by faith in His land, learning to know Him and trust Him more each day.

Let’s see what God thinks of Egypt. Isaiah 30:1-3 says: “Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me . . . That walk to go down into Egypt; and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!”

He speaks again in the next chapter. Isaiah 31:1-3: “Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the Lord! . . . Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their hoses flesh, and not spirit.”

Now here is a question for you. What does Isaac’s name mean? Yes, you remember--laughter! God wanted Isaac to experience the laugh of faith! He also wants you to live in His land, trusting in the promises of God with the laugh of faith. This is the description of the courageous woman in Proverbs 31:25 (ESV): “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.”

The word “laugh” is “sachaq” and means “to laugh with pleasure, but also to laugh with scorn, to deride, to mock.” God laughs with scorn at the heathen. Psalm 2:4 says: “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.”

Psalm 37:12, 13: “The wicked plotteth against the just . . . The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.”

Psalm 59:1, 8: “Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me. . . . But thou, O LORD shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.”

Instead of succumbing to the deceptions of Egypt and being assimilated by the infiltration of humanism all around us, let’s laugh with scorn at the futility of Egypt. Let’s mock the deceptions of humanism, feminism, progressivism and all the isms. Let’s laugh at our fears, for we do not trust in man, but in the living God who is bigger than any situation we will ever face! Isaiah 2:22 says: “Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?”

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

PRAYER:

“Dear Father, I thank You that You have chosen Your land for me. It is a land of faith and yet a land of blessing. Please enable me to sojourn in Your land, trusting wholly in You and in Your promises. Save me from ever drifting to the land of Egypt. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where those abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.
~ Johnson Oatman, Jr.

P.S. Next week we’ll find out more of how Isaac lived in God’s land.

FAITHFUL AND DIGNIFIED CHILDREN

“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.”
(Luke 16:10).

FAITHFUL CHILDREN

God specifically encourages us as parents to raise FAITHFUL children. Titus 1:6 writes to pastors and elders that they must be men of unquestionable integrity who have “faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.” This is God’s standard for all parents, but a pastor who leads a flock, must of course hold up this standard.

The word “faithful” is pistos and means children who are “believers who hold to the faith, and who are truthful, trustworthy, and faithful in all things.” The same word is used in the following Scriptures:

Matthew 24:45-47: “Who then is a faithful and wise servant . . . Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.”

Matthew 25:21, 23: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

We have a responsibility to live this truth before our children. Do they see us being faithful in the little things of life? Do they see us faithfully doing the same things day after day without grumbling and complaining? Do they see us happily and contentedly changing diapers, preparing meals, and cleaning the house?

As they SEE this attribute in our lives it becomes easier to train them to be faithful in the little things of life. It is a God-given principle that we will only move into greater things as we are faithful to the daily routine of life.

The opposite of faithful children are children who are “accused of riot or unruly (disobedient).” The word “riot” is asotia and is used for extravagant squandering (the same word used of the prodigal son in Luke 15:13). It describes one who easily gives into the flesh, worldly lusts, and appetites.

May God help us we lead our children to faith in Christ (No. 1 ultimate prayer and goal for our children) and train them to be faithful and trustworthy in the daily duties of life and home. They will not be ready for greater things unless they learn to be faithful in the little things now.

DIGNIFIED CHILDREN

However, did you know that the Bible also tells us to raise DIGNIFIED children?

1 Timothy 3:4 (NASB) reveals that God doesn’t want unruly children, but dignified children. This Scripture once again talks to pastors and elders (but it applies to all parents): “He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity.”

The word for “dignity” is semnotes and means “dignity, decency, honesty, and inspiring respect and honor from other people.” Dignified children have a good testimony before the world. Zodhiates Lexical Aids to the New Testament says: "It is the ability to perform well one's duties as a citizen, but in addition showing that the dignity is not from this earth but from heaven, thus drawing respect and reverence."

When specifically speaking to the young men, Titus 2:7, 8 (NASB) encourages them again about dignity: “In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.”

How many of us have dignified children? Dignified in their speech, conduct, and manner of life? So dignified that other people take notice.

Let’s elevate the standard and raise faithful and dignified children in this world--children who are good examples of belonging to God’s kingdom and the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Nancy Campbell

PRAYER:

“Dear Father, Please elevate my vision for raising my children. I know it is not enough to make sure they are fed and clothed. I have a higher mandate from You to raise them to be faithful and dignified, children who are different to the world around them, children who know they have a heavenly calling. Please anoint me for this task. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

I am training children to be faithful in the little daily things so that one day they will be faithful in big things.

THE LAW OF THE HOUSE

“This is the law of the house; upon the top of the mountain the whole limit thereof round about shall be most holy. Behold, this is the law of the house”
(Ezekiel 43:12).

In this Scripture, God gives His purpose for the temple, the place of God’s dwelling. It is interesting to note that God had laws for His house. He established many ordinances to make it run smoothly. In Ezekiel 44:5 it says: “Son of man, mark well, and behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears all that I say unto thee concerning ALL THE ORDINANCES OF THE HOUSE OF THE LORD, and ALL THE LAWS thereof: and mark well the entering in of the house with every going forth of the sanctuary.”

Because I am also building a house to the Lord--a sanctuary for the living God and for my husband and family, I don’t think I can improve on God’s plan. If it was important for God to have ordinances to run His house smoothly, I think it must be important for me to also have laws and ordinances to make my home function effectively. God’s house had order and established daily times for certain functions. I need to make this happen in my home too. What about you? I also love flexibility because every day of every year is different and we never know what is going to happen. However, I believe we need to institute a basic, underlying plan to keep order.

How do we make rules and laws for our home? Do we copy what other mothers do? Do we get ideas out of a book? No, we get it by learning from God’s Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

How did David get the pattern for building the house of the Lord? God gave it to him by His Spirit. 1 Chronicles 28:11-13 tells us that he received “the pattern of all that he had by the Spirit . . . for all the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and for all the vessels of service in the house of the LORD.” Isn’t that wonderful?

God is interested in every detail of your home. Every tiny thing that is involved in the running of your home. Even the cooking, making bread, the utensils and vessels, the pots and the pans and how you should order your kitchen (1 Chronicles 9:27-32 and Zechariah 14:20, 21).

Ask God to show you and He will give you the plan by His Spirit. Wait for His plan. When He gives it to you, it will work. Sometimes you try to follow the ideas of others. They may work for them, but not work for you. The way God shows you will work for you. As you seek Him, God will show you specifically how to set everything in order and how to order your days.

But did you notice the words “most holy”? This is the ultimate vision? God wants His house to be “most holy.” He also wants your house to also be MOST HOLY. Not only the house, but “round about” the house. This should be our ultimate passion and vision, to build a holy home for God’s glory. Pursue God’s holiness on your home and in your home, but also on your land--the backyard, frontyard, and all around your house. It is all to be holy to the Lord. Pray this every day upon our home and allotment or acreage, whether it be large or only tiny. Guard what goes on in your home AND around your home!

“Holiness adorns your house, O LORD, forever” (Psalm 93:5). Does holiness adorn your home and my home?

Love from Nancy Campbell

PRAYER:

“Thank You, dear Father, that You are interested in every little detail of my home. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed and completely overwhelmed. Please show me Your order and how You want me to run my home. I know You are a God of order and therefore I want my home to be a home of order too. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

I affirm today that I want my home to be filled with the presence of God, but also all around my home. I want people to sense God’s presence as soon as they come through the gate.

FURTHER READING:

Go to:

http://aboverubies.org/index.php/ar-devotional-archives/latest-women-s-email-devotional/2537-it-s-your-lifestyle-no-388

WONDERFUL DAYS AHEAD

“Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses,
and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us?”
(Mark 6:3).

Often young mothers feel very overwhelmed with their little ones. Yes, it is a fact that the most engulfing time of motherhood is when you have your first two or three children. You have to do everything for them. You don’t have any help and it is often exhausting. I remember when I had three children in 17 months (I cheated and had twins)! I hardly had time to go to the bathroom. Tiredness was like a pain. But I survived. I look back and remember those days with joy.

However, there is another fact that many young mothers don’t understand because they haven’t yet experienced it. It gets easier to have another child when you have older children. It’s not the mothers of six, seven, or more children who feel overwhelmed. It’s the mother’s with their first one or two children.

What happens is that your little children grow. They don’t stay little forever and as you train them, they become wonderful helpers. When a new baby comes into the home, instead of this little one adding a burden to the home, they bring more joy and blessing, not only to you, but the whole family. When you have children who are growing older, you have many more hands on deck to help--to hold the baby, to ooh and aah and keep your baby smiling and laughing, to bring this and that to you while you sit and nurse, to help with the dishes and housework, to cook a meal, and to keep the home running smoothly. You are getting to the reward time of mothering.

Every baby brings more love into a home. Not just love for the baby, but a new wave of love for every child in the family. Many mothers of larger families have share with me how when a new baby comes into the home they are renewed with love for motherhood and for every member of the family. Every time you put your new baby to the breast, you release prolactin and oxytocin which make you more motherly. The more a mother puts her baby to the breast the more motherly she becomes.

Currently I have two Above Rubies helpers in my home. What a joy they are. Both come from larger families. Shelby is the eldest daughter of nine children and recently her mother and siblings came and stayed the night with us. What utter joy to see the love between Shelby and all her little brothers and sisters. They adore her and she adores them. And what a joy to have this precious family sit around our table for our Friday evening meal. They were all so well-mannered, polite, and delightful. At Family Devotions they spontaneously answered questions from the Bible and prayed beautifully. And what about this mother of nine children? She looks like Shelby’s sister. No one can believe she is the mother.

Shelby tells me that a neighbor’s three children play at their home every day. They say, “We love being here because it’s more fun, there’s more children to play with, your mother is so calm, and there’s no stress.”

Lizzy is in the middle of a family of twelve. She says “I just love being part of a big family. There is so much goodness. I would hate to be in a small family (although I don’t know what that’s like).” She also has loads of cousins. Her mother is one of three daughters-- one sister also has twelve children and another thirteen. I know these families personally. They are filled with love, joy, and life even in the midst of difficulties and sorrows.

I think of my daughter, Serene (Trim Healthy :Mama). Serene gave birth to her eighth biological baby on Mother’s Day 2015 (although there are 13 in the family because she also adopted five). Her testimony is the same: “Oh mother, I have even more love for all my children since little Remmy was born.” And it certainly isn’t without difficulties and challenges. Remmy was born with a an extraordinary high pallet which makes it impossible for him to suck milk from the breast. Not to be outdone, she continues to nurse Remmy at her breast, pumping night and day so he can receive milk from a tube while he tries to suck at the breast. In her big family there are many other things at her beck and call with Trim Healthy Mama, interviews, and filming, and yet she continues to be fulltime “Mrs. Pump.” She couldn’t do it all without the older children.

Is she complaining and miserable because of all this extra load. No, joy fills this home. There is no greater joy for Colin and I to pop over to them in an evening and bask in the peace, joy, and love that fills their home as they all sit around every evening and fellowship together as a family. The atmosphere is “rich” with delight.

I could continue with hundreds of testimonies of mothers of larger families. But what I really want to do is encourage you. Don’t give up in these trying times with little ones all around you. The season changes. Your children will grow. And it becomes easier and easier.

And remember that Jesus grew up in a large family. If God thought that it was best for children to only have a couple of siblings, He would not have chosen for His beloved Son, the Creator of the worlds, the One who was very God, to be part of a large family. Mark 6:3 tells of Jesus’ four brothers and his “sisters.” If there were only two sisters, it would be a family of seven. However, “sisters” is plural and he could have had three to five sisters. He may have been part of a family of ten or more!

Nancy Campbell

PRAYER:

“I thank you, dear Father, that You do not give me more than I can handle. You are the One who planned the way family should be and You know what is best for me. I embrace Your will with all my heart, knowing that there is no greater place to be than in Your perfect will. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

I am safe and secure as I walk in the perfect will of God.