WALK THROUGH THE LAND

Joshua 18:3, “How long are ye slack to go to possess the land, which the Lord God of your fathers hath given you?”

This was a new day for the Israelites. They had subdued the land. And now, because they were settled, they set up the tabernacle in Shiloh. Instead of carrying the tabernacle from place to place, they made it permanent. But, there were still seven tribes who had not received their inheritance.

Joshua therefore commanded them to choose three men from each of the seven tribes to “Go and walk through the land, and describe it.” (v.8) These scouts had to survey the land and map the entire territory, listing the towns in each section. They had to bring back a thorough written report to Joshua who would cast sacred lots in the presence of the Lord to determine which tribe would have each section.

This reminds me of a land that we have waiting for us. It is a vast spiritual land that has already been given to us—God’s precious Word, filled with promises and principles of God’s plan for us and how to walk in victory—and all that has been given to us in  Christ.

We can read about these riches in 2 Peter 1:3-4, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” It is a land that “flows with milk and honey” but we have to go in and take it.

But how can we take it if we don’t know what we have?

We have to walk through the land, survey it and find out what belongs to us. We must know what we have to possess before we can possess it! That’s why it is important for us to take a walk through the Bible each day.

Psalm 48:12-13 says, “Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell her towers thereof. Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following.”

We must know the land well, not only so we can walk in all that we have been given ourselves, but so we can tell it to our children.

We have a responsibility to inform our children. Joshua told the scouts to write down a description of the land as they walked through. That’s why I like to write down the most significant Scripture that I read in the Word each day. This way, I don’t forget it myself, but I also have it written in my book to be able to share with my family and with others.

As I walk through a new part of the land in my daily reading each day, I receive new revelation. As I receive new revelation I can walk in a little more of the riches I have been given in Christ. I can tell my children about it so they can walk in it too. We must scout the land to bring back news for our children. We can be excited to tell them what we have found and what is available for them.

Proverbs 4:18 says, “The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”

Our walk in Christ is a “more and more” walk. We have a vast land before us. We dare not sit down and think we have it all. We have hardly started. Our minds have not comprehended all that is available to us in Christ. We must search for new territory. Then of course, we must possess it. It’s not enough to know, we must possess! I love to think that I can possess a little more every day.

Will you become an adventurer, exploring the land that has been given to you? Bring back the news to your family. “Children, this is what God has given to us. This is how we possess it. Come on. Let’s go in and take it!”

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

PRAYER:

“Thank you, God, for the vast land of blessings that you have provided for me. Give me a vision to discover them for myself and my family and to possess all my possessions. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

I am setting out an adventure each day in the Word of God.

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THE HATED WORD

Filled. It doesn’t sound such a bad word, does it? I wonder why so many people hate it. It’s strange that so many Christians hate it when God loves it! In fact, this word describes who God is. He fills the heavens and the earth. He fills all in all—and Jesus is the fullness of Him who fills all in all. The whole earth is full of His glory. He is filled with majesty, filled with righteousness, filled with compassion. He does not have these attributes in a little measure but is filled with them.

God does not take long to introduce this word to us. He uses it in the very first chapter of the Bible.

Genesis 1:28, “And God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it’…” It is interesting that the very first words that God spoke to man included the word fill.  It is obviously very much part of God’s heart. He loves abundance.

After God destroyed mankind through the flood, apart from Noah and his family, He repeated the same command again. This time He repeated it twice. Genesis 9:1 and v. 7, “And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth’…”

The Hebrew word is male which means “fill to overflowing”. Many take objection to God’s command today. They certainly don’t want to fill their families to overflowing. They would rather fill their homes with “stuff”--more gadgets, more furniture, bigger TVs and computers.

Yet it seems that every time God speaks about children, He uses this despised word.

When Jacob and his family went down to Egypt there were only 70 of them. Four hundred years later they emerged a mighty nation.

Exodus 7:7 says, “The children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.” They became “more and mightier” than the Egyptians who began to fear them. Their fear turned to persecuting them and making them slaves. But the more the Egyptians afflicted them the more they multiplied. This is God’s purpose for His people. He wants them to fill the earth with His glory—His love, peace, truth and salvation.

Numbers 14:21 says, “But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord.” This is not talking about creation, but God’s people who bear His image in the earth. God wants this earth to be filled with His image. God wants His land to be “filled with flocks of men.” (Ezekiel 36:38, Psalm 80:8-9)

God’s picture of a blessed family is one filled with children. Once again it is this detested word. Society is brainwashed to think differently than God thinks. And of course, we think that we know better than God. But what does He say?  “As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that has his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.” (Psalm 127:4-5)

The parents who have their quiver full are happy! Actually, the Hebrew word in this Scripture is a double word which should be translated, “happy, happy”. The parents who have their quiver full will not be ashamed. The parents who have their quiver full will have children who know how to speak against the evil things in the land, even in high places. The gate in Bible days was the civic center of the town, the place of administration of justice.

Zechariah 8:4-5 is one of my favorite Scriptures. It is a picture of what Jerusalem will be like when God dwells there. “Thus saith the Lord of hosts: There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.” What a beautiful picture of children playing while the old people walk the city streets with their canes and watch the children in the city squares. And do you notice that there are not a few children playing? The streets are filled with boys and girls. How God delights to see them playing together.

Here’s one more Scripture. Luke 14:23 says, “Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” God loves to have a full house. It’s part of His character. If we have God’s heart, we’ll want to have a full house too.

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

PRAYER:

“Lord, I pray that you will change my heart. Save me from from thinking miserly, but help me to think like you think. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:
I’m filling my home with God’s blessings.

P.S. Next week we will continue to find out more areas of our lives that God wants to fill.

Many women like to save these devotions. They print them out and keep them in a folder to read over and over again. Some print them out and pin them on the fridge with a magnet to read through the week. If you are printing this devotion and need it to be smaller, highlight and change to a smaller font.

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Ephesians 5:18-20, "Be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

We learned last week that God loves the word filled. It is very much part of His vocabulary. He doesn't want us to be half-filled, but filled to the top and spilling over. Bursting at the seams. Let's look at some other ways God wants us to be filled.

GOD WANTS US TO BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

In Ephesians 5:18 the word filled is the Greek word pleroo which means "to fill up, to cause to abound, to supply liberally, to flood, and to diffuse throughout." The verb is in the present imperative tense which means that it is something that should happen continually. The full meaning is to be "constantly, moment by moment controlled by the Holy Spirit."

It is so easy to run dry, isn't it? We can start the day asking the Lord to fill us with His Holy Spirit but somehow the challenges and frustrations of the day drain us out. We need to continually ask the Holy Spirit to fill us--to control our thoughts, our attitudes and our actions. When you leak out, ask Him to flood your mind and heart again. Keep on being filled. It doesn't matter how many times you come to Him to be filled. God's well is inexhaustible and it never runs dry. Keep being filled to overflowing so you can bless your family. If you are only half-filled, you have nothing to give to others.

GOD WANTS US TO BE FILLED WITH JOY AND PEACE

Romans 15:13 says, "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost."

God does not want us to have half peace and half nervous tension. He wants us to be filled with peace. Peace is not dependent upon what is happening in our lives but by the power of the Holy Spirit controlling us. Many things, little and big, happen each day to disturb our peace. But you don't have to let them disturb you. When something happens that upsets you, look to the Lord, instead of the problem.

God has promised to keep you in perfect peace as you keep your heart and mind fixed on Him.  The word "peace" in Isaiah 26:3-4 is a double word in the Hebrew. It should be translated "peace, peace." This promise is reiterated again in Philippians 4:6-7. God says that He will keep us in "peace that passes all understanding" when we stop worrying and turn our hearts to Him.

But there's joy too. Joy and peace are twins. When our hearts are filled with peace, we will be filled with joy. Once again, joy is not dependent upon our circumstances. When the people of Antioch persecuted Paul and Barnabas and expelled them out of their coasts, they didn't despair. Instead, they were "filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost." (Acts 13:52)

What about when people hate you, say you are evil, persecute you and speak about you because of your beliefs? Are you full of indignation and self-pity? That's how we naturally feel, isn't it? But Jesus tells us not to worry, but to "Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy; for, behold, your reward is great in heaven." (Luke 6:22-23) Leaping for joy sounds like being filled with joy, doesn't it? Have you ever tried it?

I think the secret is living in the presence of the Lord for "In thy presence is "fullness of joy." (Psalm 16:11) Read these wonderful Scriptures too: John 15:11; Acts 2:28; 2 Corinthians 7:14; 1 Peter 1:8 and 1 John 1:4.

GOD WANTS US TO BE FILLED WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS

Philippians 1:11 tells us we are to be "filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ." Our righteousness, of course, is only by Jesus Christ. We have no righteousness of our own. Christ lives in our lives by His Holy Spirit, but we must let Him fill our lives. As we Christ and His Word to fill our minds and lives, we will be filled with His righteousness. (Matthew 5:6)

More coming next week.

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

PRAYER:

"Lord, I don't want to be half-filled. Please keep filling me with your Holy Spirit so I will be filed to the top and flowing over. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:
I want to be an overflowing vessel.

FURTHER STUDY:

EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE BEING FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE EARLY CHURCH:
Acts 2:2-4; 4:8-10; 4:31; 6:3-5, 8; 7:55; 9:17-18; 11:22-24; 13:9-11; 13:52.

Many women like to save these devotions. They print them out and keep them in a folder to read over and over again. Some print them out and pin them on the fridge with a magnet to read through the week. If you are printing this devotion and need it to be smaller, highlight and change to a smaller font.

If you know others who would be blessed by these devotions, you are welcome to forward them or let them know they can subscribe by sending a blank email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Psalm 48:10, "According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.”

We continue to discover how much God wants our lives to be filled. He is not a half-filled God but a God of fullness. He wants us to be the same.

GOD WANTS US TO BE FILLED WITH PRAISE

Psalm 71:8 says, “Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honor all the day.” Remember we are talking about the word filled. It is not enough to praise the Lord now and then when things are going great. Praise should fill our mouths so that it spills over in every circumstance. Even the frustrating ones!

I was recently reading a book about a missionary in Belize. Someone who was mad at her came and destroyed her beautiful flower beds—they ripped out all the plants, broke the rose bushes and threw them on the path. When she found this mess, instead of getting mad, she started saying, “Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord…”

“What are you doing?” a friend asked. She explained that she had read about saying “Praise the Lord” ten times before you say anything else when something traumatic happens or upsets you.

“Does it help?” the friend asked.

“At least it gives me time to reflect that for some reason God allowed this to happen to me,” She replied.

This might be something you could try too.

GOD WANTS US TO BE FILLED WITH LAUGHTER

Job 8:20-21 says, “Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, neither will he help the evil doers: Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing.” (Psalm 126:1-2)

We’ve all heard the phrase, “Laughter is the best medicine.” It is not an old wives’ tale. It is proved medically. Laughing protects the heart, relaxes the body, relieves stress, releases endorphins and boosts the immune system which improves resistance to disease. It sounds like we could do with a dose of laughing, doesn’t it? My mother told me about a man she read about who was diagnosed with cancer. He decided that if he only had three weeks to live, he might as well make them happy. He asked people to find all the funny movies they could find. He laughed so much that he laughed himself back to health! 

Sometimes life is so challenging that it is hard to find something to laugh about, isn’t it? But we need to look for it. Laugh at everything you can. Laugh when the children do funny things even when it messes the house. Most of all, laugh at yourself. When you hear laughter, join in. Laughing is contagious—more than coughs, colds and ‘flu’s. I remember reading a book on the plane between Los Angeles and New Zealand. Some incidents were so funny that I couldn’t stop laughing out loud. People around me started to laugh too, even though they didn’t know what I was laughing about.

We know the adage, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” but recently I read that “A laugh a day will keep the heart attack away.” This sounds rather radical but my brother often says that people could get more refreshed laughing at some funny stories at church than listening to another sermon!

Start with smiling. Smiling is the prerequisite to laughter. The more you smile, just for the fun of smiling, the more apt you will be to laugh. Smile at your husband, smile at your children, smile at the joy of being a mother in your home, smile at the birds and butterflies flying by and smile because you are alive. The smile is the first thing we look for in our newborn baby—and then to hear their belly laugh. It fills the whole house with laughter.

Let’s be filled with smiles and laughter. Let laughter ring throughout every room of your home.

There’s still more to come.

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

PRAYER:

“Fill Thou my life, O Lord my God,
In every part with praise,
That my whole being may proclaim
Thy being and Thy ways.”

AFFIRMATION:

I am choosing to praise instead of grumble!

BOOK MENTIONED:
Miss Nancy by Harvey Yoder
Available from Christian Aid Ministries, Ph: 330-893-2428

HYMN: FILL THOU MY LIFE

Fill Thou my life, O Lord my God,
In every part with praise,
That my whole being may proclaim
Thy being and Thy ways.

Not for the lip of praise alone,
Nor e'en the praising heart,
I ask, but for a life made up
Of praise in every part:

Praise in the common things of life,
Its goings out and in;
Praise in each duty and each deed,
However small and mean.

Fill every part of me with praise;
Let all my being speak
Of Thee and of Thy love, O Lord,
Poor though I be and weak.

So shall no part of day or night
From sacredness be free,
But all my life, in every step,
Be fellowship with Thee.

Many women like to save these devotions. They print them out and keep them in a folder to read over and over again. Some print them out and pin them on the fridge with a magnet to read through the week.

If you know others who would be blessed by these devotions, you are welcome to forward them or let them know they can subscribe by sending a blank email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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