READY AND WAITING

"Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many;
and unto them that LOOK FOR HIM shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation"
(Hebrews 9:28).

I am always challenged by this Scripture that tells us that Christ is coming for those who LOOK for Him. Are we really looking for His coming, or are we so taken up with our busy lives that we don't even have time to think about it?

I was confronted by this truth a few years back when our son and daughter-in-law were coming to USA. All our children and grandchildren lived here in the Nashville area of Tennessee, except Rocky and Monique. They were still living in Australia. We longed for the day when they would come and live here with us too. We had been waiting 15 long years.

And then came the news. They were on their way. Oh the excitement. But, they wouldn't tell us the exact day they were coming. They wanted it to be a surprise. And now the anticipation. Every day we wondered if this would be the day. Would we get a phone call? Would they turn up at the doorstep? It was the top family conversation. Every day we looked with eagerness for their coming.

The day eventually arrived and it was a day of great joy. But, I was very convicted. I had to ask myself, "Am I looking and anticipating the coming of the Lord like I looked for Rocky and Monique to come?"

I remember when our precious daughter, Mercy was arriving from Liberia to come into our family. Once again we were filled with excitement and anticipation. We had spent days painting her room, preparing the decor, and waiting with anticipation for the moment she would arrive. We were already to drive to airport when we received a phone call to say the plane was delayed. Back to the house to wait. Maybe we should have been more alert to the Holy Spirit, but we waited and waited for the phone call to hear when the plane was coming in again. Instead, the next phone call we received was that Mercy was at the airport and waiting and we weren't there to meet her! What disappointment!

If these experiences weren't enough, I was faced with this truth again recently. Do you remember reading the wonderful testimony of the Waller family in Above Rubies #86 (they serve the vineyard farmers on the West Bank of Israel)? Recently Colin and I looked forward to attending the wedding of their daughter, Victoria to Aaron Hood. Guests were invited to come for the whole weekend to Kenlake State Park in Kentucky, bringing a lantern with them. We did not know the exact time the wedding would take place. It was to be a surprise--a picture of waiting for the Heavenly Bridegroom who comes for His bride, but we know "neither the day nor the hour" (Matthew 25:13).

Colin and I drove up Saturday morning (lantern and all!), thinking they surely wouldn't have the wedding Friday night! However, we arrived to find we missed the wedding! They blew the shofars in the night and the wedding was held at midnight, down by the lake in the moonlight--a glorious two and a half hour ceremony! We were slumbering and sleeping in our bed at home when the cry came, "Behold the bridegroom comes, go ye out to meet him" (Matthew 25:6)! Can you believe it? We missed! It was not enough to have oil in our lamp. We had to be READY!

It's not enough to be ready individually. I believe we should be "ready and waiting" families. Do you talk about the coming of the Lord with your children? Do you live like a family that is always ready for His coming, or are your lives consumed with all your comings and goings? A powerful way to keep your eyes upon the Lord and looking for Him is to have Family Devotions with your family each morning and evening. This brings your hearts to His Word, to keep your eyes upon Him, and to be in prayer.

If we are watching, we will be praying!

 Jesus said, "WATCH AND PRAY, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:40-41).

 Jesus said, "But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, WATCH AND PRAY: for ye know not when the time is..." (Mark 13:32-37).

 Jesus said, "WATCH ye therefore, and PRAY ALWAYS, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man" (Luke 21:36).

Let's be READY, WAITING, AND LOOKING FOR JESUS FAMILIES, "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13). This won't automatically happen. You will have to make it happen in your home.

Love from Nancy Campbell

www.aboverubies.org

PRAYER:

"Oh God, please save me from being intoxicated with the things of this life. Help me to see beyond this world to the real world. Help me to be a mother who encourages my family to constantly look for the coming of the Lord. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

I'm taking my eyes off the temporary and focusing them on the eternal, which is the reality.

Please read these Scriptures:

Matthew 24:36-44; 25:13; 26:40; Luke 12:40; Acts 1:7-11; 1 Corinthians 1:7; Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 3:20; Colossians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 4:16-18; 5:6, 23; Titus 2:12-14; James 5:7-8; 1 Peter 4:7; 2 Peter 3:10-14; 1 John 2:28; Revelation 3:2-3; 16:15.

ARE YOU SETTLED?

"Therefore, my beloved brethren be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord"
(1 Corinthians 15:58).

I love the way God's Word shows us how to live in every area of our lives. This Scripture tells us what kind of attitude we should have in the work of the Lord. We each need to understand this, because I am in the work of the Lord and you are in the work of the Lord. We are in the greatest work that God has given to women--a divine calling, commissioned by God to birth His children and train them for His purposes. We couldn't be in any greater work in the service of the Lord. Therefore, we had better know how we should go about it.

1. We are to be steadfast

This Greek word for "steadfast" means "to be settled." Do you feel settled in your great calling? You are not tossed to and fro and hankering after another lifestyle. You know this is the life for which you were born. You love being at home and you are not "gadding" about here and there unpurposefully. I love this thought from the Geneva Bible. In the margin of Titus 2:5 where it says to "be keepers at home" it says, "no gadding up and down."

The dictionary meaning for "settled" is to be "placed (you are placed in your home in the divine will of God), established, fixed, composed, and adjusted."

I believe is important for us to find our "rest" in our home and in our great calling. When you are settled and rested in it, you will be at peace. Of course, I don't mean that you will be living a life of ease with nothing to do but lie on the sofa and read books! Motherhood is a hectic and demanding life. How could it be anything else when you are determining the future destiny of a nation? But, in the midst of all the work that needs to be accomplished to mother your children and run your home, you can have a spirit of rest and peace, knowing that you are in the perfect will of God.

Back in Bible days, God rested in the Holy of holies so that He could be near His people. Now He wants to find His rest in your heart and in your home, for God is a "dwelling God." Psalm 132:13-14 says, "For the Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. This is my rest forever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it." God desires a resting place. He wants to rest in your home and bring rest to your home, but He can't do this if you don't believe your home is your resting place (Proverbs 24:15).

Notice in Psalm 132:15 the blessings that come to you when God rests in your home because you are settled.

a) He will abundantly bless your provision and satisfy you with food.

b) He will clothe you with salvation and songs of joy will fill your home.

2. We are to be unmovable

Nothing will move your from your high calling. You won't be moved by the negative statements your family and friends say to you about having more children or staying home to homeschool. You won't be moved when facing hardships or financial stress You've counted the cost. Your heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. You are unshakable. Because you know your purpose, you will stand true to your convictions.

You are in the greatest building program in the nation. When Nehemiah went back to Jerusalem to repair and build up the gates of Jerusalem he faced continual persecution and ridicule. After his enemies did everything in their power to get him to come down from his great purpose, Nehemiah sent messengers to them, saying, "I AM DOING A GREAT WORK, SO THAT I CANNOT COME DOWN: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?" (Nehemiah 6:1-4).

Print or type these words in LARGE print and pin them up in your kitchen. When others tempt you, or you are tempted yourself to come down from your high calling, speak them out loud. Don't lower yourself to come down. Keep up your great work.

3. We are to abound

The word "abounding" is perisseuo and means "to excel, to super-abound, more and than enough." Because motherhood is the career that God has given to you, do it with all your heart. Throw yourself into your great calling. Don't do it half-heartedly, or half-time. Give yourself fully to your calling. Don't do it grudgingly, but enthusiastically.

And God promises that your labor and work will not be in vain. You have an eternal reward waiting.

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

www.aboverubies.org

PRAYER:

"Dear Father, Please help me to fully understand my purpose as a mother. I want to be steadfast and unmovable, not tossed around by what everyone else says. I want to stand firm in your truth. Amen."

AFRIRMATION:

I am settled in my appointed place; therefore I am content.

THE BEST TEACHER

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth"
(3 John 4).

Do you think you are incapable of teaching your children? Dear mother, you are the best teacher in the world. God ordained you to teach and He gave you this ability. You begin teaching your children from the moment they are born. You do it naturally. In their first few years you teach them everything about life—how to talk, walk, etiquette, to understand God's world, and all the basic foundations of life. And you are still the best teacher for the rest of their lives.

God uses different words to describe the mother's teaching.

Torah

God reminds children, "Do not forsake your mother's teaching" (Proverbs 1:8 NASB). Whose teaching? The school teacher's? The Sunday school teacher's? No, the Bible says it's the mother's teaching. This is the teaching God does not want your children to forsake.

Again, in Proverbs 6:20-22 NASB children are commanded, "Do not forsake the teaching of our mother; bind them continually on your heart; tie them around your neck. When you walk about, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk to you." This is the most powerful and influential teaching I have read about.

The word "teaching" is torah and means "instruction, doctrine, direction, a precept. The first five books of the Bible eventually became known as the Torah. It was God's instructions of how He wanted His people to live. God wants mothers to teach and show their children "the way of life," the way He wants them to live (Proverbs 6:23). Every day you show your children God's way or your own way, but you are teaching, and your influence will imprint upon your children for life.

Ezekiel 16:44 says, "As is the mother, so is her daughter" for good or for bad!

Yada

When God commands His people to teach their children and their children's children in Deuteronomy 4:9, the word "teach" is yada. The same word is used for sexual intercourse. It's not a casual teaching, but teaching that enables them to know and understand God's ways. It's not something that is only in their head, but what they experience. That's the kind of teaching mothers do--experiential life teaching! And that's the teaching that works.

Shanan

The Hebrew word in Deuteronomy 6:7 where we are commanded to diligently teach our children is shanan which means to "whet as in sharpening a knife or sword, to pierce or prick." It is something that goes right into them and influences them for life. It speaks to their conscience. It keeps them from being dulled and dumbed down. Our teaching should make them sharp to hear God's voice. We don't do this in set lessons, but all throughout the day. It is the way of homeschooling. Fathers and mothers are commanded to teach their children when they lie down, rise up, and when they sit in their house. And who is predominately at home with the children? You are, mother.

Lamad

Deuteronomy 11:19 NASB says, "You shall teach them to your sons, talking of them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you rise up." This Scripture seems exactly the same as Deuteronomy 6:7, but God uses a different word for "teach" this time. It is lamad and means "to cause to learn, train, educate." It's not only receiving facts, but learning with understanding, which is skilful teaching. A big difference.

The word lamad is also translated "expert" and "skilful."

This Hebrew word is also used with learning to fear of the Lord, the most important teaching you can give your children. They will rarely get this from anybody else but you! Read the importance God puts on learning to fear Him.

Deuteronomy 4:10, "I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth."

Deuteronomy 14:23, "That thou mayest learn to fear the Lord thy God always."

Deuteronomy 31:12-13, "Gather the people together, men, and women, and children (the little ones), and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn and fear the Lord your God, and observe to do all the words of this law: and that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the Lord your God."

Zahar

This teaching word from Exodus 18:20 means "to shine, to enlighten, and also to give warning." It is translated "shine" in Daniel 12:3, "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." True teaching will make the faces of our children shine. What an amazing career we have.

Yarah

This is an interesting one. Not only does it mean to teach, but to shoot an arrow. It is translated "archers" five times and "shoot" 20 times. Mother, as you daily instruct your children, you are sharpening your arrows and getting them ready to shoot from the bow. Isn't that exciting?

You can do it, mother. You are the best teacher! There is no one as good as you. You have been ordained for the task!

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

www.aboverubies.org

PRAYER:

"Thank you, Father, that as a mother you have also ordained me to teach the children you have given to me. I thank you for the opportunity of teaching them how to live your kingdom life in all the situations we face each day. Thank you for the privilege of teaching them to walk in the fear of the Lord. Please strengthen me each new day with your vision, your ideas, and your creativity. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

I love teaching my children and I am the best teacher they could ever have.

FURTHER STUDY:

Check out these Scriptures which use the Hebrew word, lamad.

Deuteronomy 4:1, 5, 14; 5:1, 31; 6:1; 17:19; 18:19; 20:18; 31:19, 22; Judges 3:2; 2 Samuel 1:18; 22:35; 1 Chronicles 5:18; 25:7; 2 Chronicles 17;7; Ezra 7:10; Psalm 18:34; 25:4;4-5, 9; 34:11; 51:13; 71:17; 94:10, 12; 106:5; 119:7, 12, 26, 64, 66, 68, 71, 73, 99, 108, 124, 135, 171; 132:12; 143:10; 144:1; Song of Solomon 3:8; 8:2; Ecclesiastes 12:9; Isaiah 1:17; 2:4; 26:9-10; 29:13, 24; 40:14; 48:17; Jeremiah 9:20; 10:2; 23:33; 31:34 and Micah 4:3.

WHAT KIND OF HOME?

Part 5

"But who is able to build him a house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him a house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?"
(2 Chronicles 2:6).

Both David and Solomon were determined to do three things:

1) Build a house to honor the name of the Lord, which we have already discussed in Parts 1 - 4.

2. To dedicate the house to the Lord so it would be set apart for Him, and

3. To make a place to offer sacrifices to the Lord.

I know you are seeking to build a home to honor the awesome name of our God. I know you want to daily consecrate your home to the Lord. But, are you making your home a place to offer sacrifices to Him?

"What on earth are you saying?" you question. "We don't offer morning and evening sacrifices today like they did in Old Testament times!" You are right. However, everything that happened in the Old Testament was a prototype and pattern for us today (1 Corinthians 10:11). God laid down a precedent for us when He established the plan for the tabernacle. It wasn't just a good idea. It was actually a type of the heavenly pattern (Hebrews 8:1-5; 9:24).

Of course, we don't build a physical altar today, nor offer physical sacrifices. But, God still wants us to make a time and place where we offer worship and praise to Him. He wants us to sacrifice time in our day to pray together as a family. He wants us to take time as a family to listen to His voice speaking to us through His Word.

Psalm 69:30-31, says, "I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the Lord BETTER than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs."

Psalm 92:1-2 says, "It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: to show forth thy loving-kindness IN THE MORNING, and thy faithfulness EVERY NIGHT."

Psalm 107:21-22 says, "Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing."

Psalm 116:17 says, "I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord."

Hebrews 13;15 says, "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name."

Each family has a different way of conducting Family Worship. That's good, because every family is unique. In our home we begin by my husband, Colin reading God's Word. We usually read God's Word from The Daily Light on the Daily Path which we find a great blessing. It has Scriptures on a certain theme for every morning and every evening for the whole year. Each one of us then thank the Lord for His goodness and pray for specific needs in the family and of course for the nation. Every family should be daily praying for our nation. We also love to pray for Israel, the persecuted church, and for other needy countries of the world. Each member of the family prays, right down to the little one who is just beginning to talk. And then we sing, either a hymn or two, or a worship song.

I know it takes sacrifice to establish this time every morning and evening to worship and offer sacrifices of thanksgiving to the Lord God. But, what else are you establishing your home for? Is it a home to offer to the Lord, or a place for your own plans and purposes?

Solomon stated emphatically, "Who am I to build a house for him, EXCEPT as a place to make offerings before him?" (2 Chronicles 2:6). The NET translates it, "Who am I that I should build him a temple! It will really be ONLY A PLACE TO OFFER SACRIFICES BEFORE HIM." If we do not establish our home as a place to meet with God and offer sacrifices to Him, what is our home?

This is not a haphazard thing. It is something we make happen. We decide on a time every morning and evening to gather as a family to meet with God. We decide on the place we will meet together and we don't let anything else take its place.

Will you have the same passion Solomon had as you build your house for God?

Love from Nancy Campbell

www.aboverubies.org

PRAYER:

"Oh God, you the King of kings and Lord of lords. You are the Potentate of the universe. Save me from failing to honor you in the home I am building to you. Please show me the way and how to establish this time each day to offer sacrifices to you. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

I have no other desire for my home, EXCEPT to make it a place where we meet with God.

THE DAILY LIGHT ON THE DAILY PATH

If you would like to order this book, which is such a great help in establishing Family Devotions, go to www.aboverubies.org or clink on this link:  http://bit.ly/DailyLightDailyPath