FINDING THE SECRET

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”
(Philippians 4:13).

We love to quote the above Scripture, don’t we? We know it back to front and inside out. And we use it for every circumstance, and I think we can. However, it is important to claim a Scripture in its true context, don’t you think?

Paul says these words in the context of God’s provision. Let’s read from verse 11: “I have learned how to be content wherever I am. I know how to live humbly; I also know how to live in prosperity I have been initiated in the secret for all sorts and conditions of life, for plenty and for hunger, for prosperity and for privations; in Him who strengthens me, I am able for anything” (Moffat).

Paul found the secret of contentment, not in His own strength, but in the strength of Christ. His life did not depend on his outward circumstances but his relationship of abiding in Christ. It is only in Christ that we experience true contentment.

Therefore, we have to ask ourselves some questions:
? Are we truly content when we find ourselves in humble and lowly circumstances? The word “humble” or “abased,” according to which translation you use, is the same Greek word in Philippians 2:8 where it tells us that Jesus “humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

Do we complain when we are in humble circumstances, or do we rejoice and confess: “I can do all things who Christ who strengthens me.”?

? What is our attitude if we have to go without a meal because there is no food left in the house? Do we complain of God’s lack of provision? Or confess again: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthen me,” knowing that we can trust our unfailing God.”

Do we confess like the prophet in Habakkuk 3:17-19: “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat,; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength.”

Many times Paul suffered “hunger and thirst” (2 Corinthians 11:23-30), but this did not deter his trust in God. Because his life was “hid with Christ in God” he could cope with all situations and conditions of life.

I remember once when the only food we had left in the house were some potatoes. I cooked them for lunch, and lo and behold, some friends arrived at the door. I felt too embarrassed to ask them to join us for our humble meal, but the Lord convicted me. I invited them in and we sat down together to our meal of only potatoes, and enjoyed a great time of fellowship.

Our friends always remember that meal and testify that if I had cooked an elaborate and scrumptious meal for them they may have forgotten it as the years went by. But they never forgot their meal of potatoes!

? What if we are destitute? Oh no. Does that mean God has forgotten us? No way. Even in destitution we can do it in God’s strength. This is the true meaning of the word that Paul uses in Philippians 4:12 when he says that he learned how to “suffer need.” It’s the same word that is used in the faith chapter, informing us of the men of faith who “wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being DESTITUTE, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth” (Hebrews 11:36-40).

Who were these people? They were the men and women of faith! They trusted in God no matter what their circumstances. They did it in Christ’s strength and received an eternal reward.

? What about when we have plenty and even an over abundance? Do we still keep a humble and contented spirit knowing that we have nothing of ourselves. Everything we have is only God’s provision, which sometimes He holds back to test our trust in Him, and sometimes He pours out because He loves to lavish us with His love. And when He pours out, we pour it out on others.

The secret is contentment in whatever circumstances we find ourselves. Whether it is in plenty or want, joyful or trying, we face it in Christ’s strength. This is the true context of this Scripture.

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

PRAYER:

“I thank you, Father, that You are my God, the One in whom I can trust. I cannot face difficulties and hardship in my own strength, but I thank you that I can do it in Your strength. Because my life is “in You” and Your life is “in me” I can do all things in Your enabling. Thank you, Father. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

No matter what hardship I face, I can face it in Christ’s strength.

LAUGHING AT THE DAYS TO COME

“Strength and honor are her clothing, and she shall rejoice in time to come.”
Proverbs 31:25

The testimony of the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31 is that she rejoices in the time to come. However, I notice that more than 20 other translations of the Bible write that she “laughs” at the future. With so many translating it this way, I thought I better check it out.

Yes, they are correct. The Hebrew word is sachag and means “to laugh.” The same word is translated “laugh” in a number of other Scriptures, e.g. Job 5:22: “At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh.”

The next thing we have to face is: “How can we do this?” How can we laugh at a future that seems bleak? We wonder what kind of a world it will be for our children and grandchildren as we observe the moral decline of our nation, the rise of Islam and terrorism, and the increase of Christian persecution around the world.

As we read through Proverbs 31 we observe why this courageous woman can laugh at the future.

1.  SHE IS INDUSTRIOUS AND PREPARES FOR THE FUTURE

Proverbs 31:27 says: “She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eatheth not the bread of idleness.” She is not lazy. She not only thinks of today but provides for the future. She has extra necessities and food ready for a “rainy day” or difficult times to come.

The words “looks forward” means “to lean forward, to peer into the distance, to observe, to watch.” Because she is wise she peers into the distance and makes sure her home is well-stocked and in readiness for whatever calamity may happen. In fact, this Hebrew word, tsaphah is the word that is elsewhere used for “watchman.” She is a watchwoman. Because she diligently watches and works hard to make this happen she can laugh at the future. Of course she does this with discretion. She is not a hoarder, but a provider.

2. SHE SOWS FOR THE FUTURE

We notice that that this woman poured her life into her marriage, her children, and her home. It was her life. Yes, she had industry in her home, but employed servants for this task, plus incorporated the children into the businesses as they grew older. They did everything together. Everything she organized was for the benefit and building up of the home.

Some women say she was in business as a real estate agent. They want to think of her as a career woman outside the home. This is not the case. Yes, she looked for a field to buy a vineyard, but that was very much part of the running of the home. Every family, especially wealthy families, owned their own vineyard in Israel. This is typical of the Middle East and Europe today. I have stayed in a number of European homes who own their own vineyards.

As more children came along and the family grew larger, they needed a larger vineyard, so off she went to find a suitable field to plant it. Most probably her servants planted and tended the vineyard.

Because she poured her life into her home and family, she could rest in the fact that she had prepared them for their future lives. She did her part; now she trusts  them to the hands of her Omnipotent God.

God’s principles are eternal. “Be not deceived: God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that she he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption: but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6: 7-9).

3. SHE TRUSTS GOD FOR THE FUTURE

This is the ultimate treason she can laugh at the days to come. She does not look at the circumstances around her or fears what may come because she knows God is bigger than anything she, or her children,  may face in the future. She trusts a big God, a great God, a faithful God, and a God whose kingdom is unshakeable.

1 Peter 3:5, 6 tells us about the holy women of old “who trusted in God” even in the face of fearful situations. The context of the Scripture reveals that they faced circumstances that could even be terrifying. After giving us the specific testimony of Sarah, the Scripture goes on to say: “You are her daughters, if you do do what is right and do not succumb to fear” (Complete Jewish Bible).

The Amplified says: “And you are now her true daughters if you do right and let nothing terrify you--not giving way to hysterical fears or letting anxieties unnerve you.”

The Berean Study Bible says: “You are her children if you do what is right and refuse to quiver in fear.”

Moffat’s translation says that we will be Sarah’s daughters if we “yield to no panic.” Many years ago I coined the phrase, “Sarah’s daughters don’t panic.” Can I encourage you also that whenever you face a situation that causes you to fear, or even be terrified, to shift into a different gear. Begin confessing out loud immediately, “Sarah’s daughters don’t panic” and instead of succumbing to fear, confess your trust in your God who is bigger than any circumstance you face. He is bigger than your future worries for your children. He has your children in the palm of His hand. He has their future and destiny planned before the foundation of the world.

Those who trust Him will never be ashamed. And when you trust Him, you can laugh at the future.

Blessings from NANCY CAMPBELL

PRAYER:

“Great God and Father, I thank You that You that nothing that can ever happen to me, or my family, without Your knowing and without You coming into the situation to show Your mighty right arm. I thank You that You hold the future in Your hands. I put my trust in You. I trust the future of my children to you. And I thank You that I belong to Your unshakeable and everlasting kingdom. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

A FORMIDABLE PEOPLE

"Who is this, shining forth like the dawn, fair as the moon, bright as the sun,
but formidable as an army marching under banners?”
(Song of Solomon 6:10 CJB).

God’s Word is so rich--every line, and from beginning to end. Much of the Old Testament is written directly to and about Israel. Although these Scriptures are literally for Israel, they apply to us spiritually. 1 Corinthians 10:11 says: “Now all these things happened unto them for examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”

2 Samuel 7:23, 24 speaks of Israel. “What one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself.” I also love the description in Deuteronomy 4:6-8: “For what nation is there so great who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for? And what nation is there so great, that hath statues and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?”

God not only did miraculous things for Israel in Bible times, but miracles continue today. Israel is only a nation again by the miracle of God. Jews continue to come back to the land from the four corners of the earth. The deserts, the wasted land, and the malarial swamps now grow fruitful trees and vineyards. Surrounded by enemies who want to “throw Israel into the sea” she continues to survive and grow. It is all miraculous.

But God hasn’t finished yet. There is more to come. Romans 11:12, 15 states: “Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; HOW MUCH MORE THEIR FULNESS? . . . For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but LIFE FROM THE DEAD?” There will come a day when Deuteronomy 28:10 will be fulfilled: “And all the people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD: and they shall be afraid of thee.”

God also wants His redeemed New Covenant saints to have the same testimony: “There is no one else on earth like God’s people, those redeemed by the blood of the Lamb!” Do we have this testimony? Unfortunately, many times people do not even notice the difference between the “saved” and the “unsaved.”

Like me, are you praying for a move of the Holy Spirit in our land that will bring God’s people back to Bible ways, back to His ultimate intention for us, and back to holiness “without which no man will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).

There should be no other people like us upon the face of the earth. We have been redeemed for eternal salvation. We have God living in us by His Holy Spirit. We have received abundant life. We have the promises of God to appropriate and show us the way. Why, then, is the church at large so ordinary? So pathetic? Why does the world not stand in awe of us?

I think it must be because we are afraid of being different. We want to stay as close to the world as we can. We want to fit in the groove. We don’t want to be ridiculed. We want to live on the edge rather than have a “three day gap” (Exodus 3:18; 5:3; 8:27; 10:24-26). But in trying to be “cool” we lose our power.

God’s awesome people, His body on earth should be noticeably different from every one else. We are meant to be a transformed people. A worshipping people. A praying and interceding people. Filled with the Holy Ghost. Penetrating the darkness with God’s light. Exposing deception with God’s truth. Walking in holiness. Living in the fear of God. Holding up the banner of God’s truth. Hating evil. Loving righteousness. Overcoming the devil. Victorious. Uncompromising with the world system. Shining like stars in the world. Pouring out God’s love to the hurting and needy.

This should be our individual testimony. It should also be our family testimony. God-centered, God-honoring, God-loving, praying, worshipping, and filled with the Holy Spirit families are an enigma to their neighborhoods. They become powerful churches who are a threat to the devil and an evil society. Our churches will only be as powerful as our families. And our nation will only be as strong as our families.

May we be faithful to pray, humble ourselves, turn from our wicked ways, and seek God’s face that He will have mercy upon us . . .

☼ That all people will SEE that we are called by the name of the Lord and be in awe of us (Deuteronomy 28:10).
☼ That we will be a holy people, without blemish, having no spot, or wrinkle or any such thing (Ephesians 6:27).
☼ That we will be like the sun going forth in its glory (Judges 5:31).
☼ That we will be as terrifying as an army with banners (Song of Solomon 6:4, 10).

Be blessed.
Nancy Campbell

PRAYER:

“Oh God, please save me from being a blurred image of your true church. Please possess me and fill me with your Holy Spirit that I will shine like a bright light in his crooked and perverse world. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

There’s no more sitting on the fence,
Now I’ve got a lot more sense,
I hate “lukewarm,” I’m going “hot”!
To be halfhearted, I simply cannot!
I’m stepping out strong for my Lord,
On this “sold-out” life I won’t be bored!

THERE’S MORE TO IT

“Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing,
if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety”
(1 Timothy 2:15).

I love the truth of the above Scripture. The word “saved” in the Greek is sozo--a wonderful word which means “to be delivered, preserved, protected, healed, and made whole.” When Jesus healed someone and stated the words “Thy faith had made thee whole,” He used the word sozo.

Do you want to be preserved? Do you want to be whole--physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually? God’s Word tells us that women will experience these blessings through child bearing--giving birth to children, nursing them at the breast, and mothering and training them. This is God’s plan for a mother, although many today think they have better ideas than God.

However, although I love to share about the wonderful blessings God provides for mothers as they embrace childbearing, I have to confess I have not been faithful to share about the rest of the Scripture. God convicted me about this recently and therefore I share it with you today.

The Scripture says we receive these blessings “if we continue in . . . “

1. Faith

The word faith is pistos and reveals our total reliance upon Jesus Christ for salvation from sin. However, our faith is more than being saved from sin. This is just the beginning. How we start is how we continue. We can’t please God without faith. We are not only saved by faith, but live every part of our life by faith. We are purified and sanctified by faith, justified by faith, healed by faith, and receive our righteousness by faith. Christ dwells in our hearts by faith. We overcome by faith. And get this, dear ladies, we mother by faith!

We can’t effectively mother any other way. We walk in faith to conceive and carry a child in our womb--it is all the working of God. It takes faith to go through the birth of a child--we are totally cast upon God to bring our baby safely forth into this world. We nurture our little babies by faith and continue to walk by faith as we train our children to adulthood. We walk in faith as we trust God to provide. It is a faith walk all the way. We cannot do any of it in our own strength. We are totally reliant upon God, every moment of every day.

So often we try to do it in our own strength. We try to provide financially in our own strength. Forget trying. Everything to do with mothering is a faith venture.

2. Love

The word is agape. It is the highest type of the four kinds of love we understand in the Greek language. It is a revelation of God’s sacrificial love. We can only show forth this kind of love because of Christ’s love within us (Romans 5:5). This is love that loves even when we are not loved back. We love no matter what the response.

We may have thought this Scripture would use the word storge which is the love of a parent to a child, an affectionate love. This is an important part of parenting, but the love of a mother goes even beyond natural love. As children grow up they can hurt us, reject us, and even rebel. A mother keeps on forgiving and loving. Read Psalm 78:40 and Isaiah 63:10.

3. Holiness

Many mothers seek to be fashionable mothers, trendy mothers, career mothers, or fitting in with the world mothers, but we have a great need for holy mothers. To be la holy mother is not so popular, but holy mothers are powerful mothers. Without holy mothers we will not have holy children. Without holy children and holy homes we cannot have holy churches. And without holy churches we definitely will not have a holy nation.

If we want to be a godly mother, we will have to be a holy mother, because God is Holy.

Hebrews 12:14 tells us that without holiness no man shall see the Lord. We must seek to walk in holiness in our personal life. We must pray that our children will walk in holiness. We must seek to build a holy home, guarding against all impurity and uncleanness. A holy mother will not allow unholy movies, unholy books, or unholy habits in her home.

4. Self Control

The word “sobriety” in the King James Version means “self control, soundness of mind, soberness, sanity, and prudence.” Others translations use the words, “discretion, good judgment, and modesty.” As mothers we are not “tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching” (Ephesians 4:14 HCSB). We are not victims to the brainwashing of our humanistic society which woos us to fit in with the behavior of this world system. Instead, we daily renew our minds in God’s Word and stand fast in the truth.

Children need stable mothers, self controlled mothers, and mothers with good judgment.

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

PRAYER:

“Dear Father, Please save me from trying to mother in my own strength. Lead me into your wondrous ways. I want to be a faith mother, a loving mother, a holy mother, and a self controlled mother. I know I can’t do this in my own flesh. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I will resist giving into the flesh and instead yield to your Spirit who lives within me. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

I want to be a holy mother in this unholy world.

FURTHER INFORMATION:
Check out these links for further reading about being preserved through motherhood:
http://tinyurl.com/PreservedThroughMotherhood
http://bit.ly/PreservationTestimonies
http://tinyurl.com/QuintessentiallyFeminine
http://tinyurl.com/FullFemale
http://tinyurl.com/SucklingMother

Scriptures about Jesus making people whole:
Matthew 9:22; Mark 5:34; 10:52; Luke 7:50; 8:36, 48, 50; 17:19; and 18:42.

Scriptures to look up about living by faith:
We are saved by faith: Ephesians 2:8, 9 and Hebrews 10:39.
We cannot please God without faith: Hebrews 11:6.
Christ dwells in our hearts by faith: Ephesians 3:17.
We live by faith: Hebrews 10:38 and chapter 11.
We are purified and sanctified by faith: Acts 15:9 and 26:18.
We are justified by faith: Romans 3:26; 5:1; 8:3, 28; and Galatians 2:16; 3:24.
We receive righteousness by faith: Romans 4:5, 11, 13; 9:30; 10:6; 1 Corinthians 1:28; Galatians 5:5; and Philippians 3:9.
We are healed by faith: Matthew 8:10; 9:2, 22, 29; 15:28; Mark 2:5; 5:34; 10:52; Luke 5:20; 7:9, 50; 8:48; 17:19; 18:42 and Acts 3:16.
We overcome the world by faith: 1 John 4:4, 5.

We are to build up ourselves in the faith: Jude 1:20.
We are to put on the breastplate of faith: 1 Thessalonians 1:3.
We are to have confidence in our faith in Christ: Ephesians 3:12.
We are to contend for the faith: Jude 1:3.
We are to continue in the faith: Acts 14:22 and Colossians 1:23.
We are to be established in the faith: Acts 16:5 and Colossians 2:7.
We are to fight the good fight of faith: 1 Timothy 6:12.
We are to be full of faith: Acts 6:5, 8 and Hebrews 10:22.
We are to hear by faith: Galatians 3:5.
We are to be joyful in faith: Philippians 1:25.
We are to keep the faith: 2 Timothy 4:7.
We are to mother in faith: 1 Timothy 2:15.
We are to nourish up ourselves in the words of faith: 1 Timothy 4:6.
We are to be obedient to the faith: Acts 6:7 and Romans 1:5.
We are to have patience in faith: Revelation 13:10 and 14:12.
We are to pray in faith: James 5:15.
We are to stand fast in the faith: 1 Corinthians 16:13.
We are to be steadfast in the faith: 1 Peter 5:9.
We are to be sound in faith: Titus 1:13.
We are to be strong in faith: Romans 4:20
We are to have unity of faith: Ephesians 4:13

We must never . . .
Depart from the faith: 1 Timothy 4:1.
Deny the faith: 1 Timothy 5:8.
Err from the faith: 1 Timothy 6:10.
Overthrow the faith of others: 2 Timothy 2: 18.