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On All Fronts by Nancy Campbell

Appoint guards from the inhabitants of Jerusalem, each at his post, and each in front of his house (Nehemiah 7:3).

God is very concerned about guarding. We don't have to wait long in the Bible to learn the principle. When God put Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden He told them to work in it and guard it! (Genesis 2:15)

To guard a home is high on God's priority. We turn over from the first book of the Bible to the last and find that God has twelve angels guarding the twelve gates of the New Jerusalem. (Revelation 21:12) If it is important for God to have angels guarding each gate of His holy city, then surely it is important to guard the gates of our homes.

We go to 1 Chronicles 9:17-27 and see the gate-keeping Levites guarding the house of the Lord in Solomon's time, just as their ancestors had guarded the tabernacle in the wilderness. They guarded the entrance and they guarded the four sides, to the east, west, north and south... And they spent the night around the house of God, because the watch was committed to them.

In Nehemiah we read that they appointed guards,each in front of his house.

We are also gate-keepers, guarding on all fronts! We can never let down our guard. The enemy is subtle and he is out to destroy marriages and fragment godly homes.

The biggest threat to his success is godly gate-keeping mothers who will not allow one opening for him to enter their home. They watch at their entrance and they watch on every side. They watch what their children listen to, look at, read and even what they speak! They check what is happening on the Facebook accounts of their children. They establish God's standard of righteousness in their home, not the world's standard.

Consequently, when the enemy comes running to attack he comes to a screeching halt at the gates of this righteous home! He has no access! No loop holes to get in! And he bows! Proverbs 14:19 says, "The evil bow before the good: and the wicked at the gates of the righteous."

One of the greatest ways we guard is by example. Your children see whether you have courage to act according to your conscience or whether you compromise. Sometimes on the weekend the extended family will come and we watch a family movie together. We have a big screen for our songs at church so we can play the movie on the big screen. It is sad that we sometimes find a scene that is not wholesome, even with family movies! What do we do? We have to immediately stop the movie-that's the end of that, even though we could be tempted to see the ending!

But the children are watching. By our example they are going to learn to stand strong with their conscience or compromise!

An Above Rubies helper asked Evangeline how she guards her 10 children. She replied, "We train them to be gate-keepers themselves. We train their conscience. We teach them righteous principles and train them to keep to them, not just when people are looking, but to be true to their own soul."

We cannot weaken in training our children. Proverbs 29:15 NASB says,"The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother."

You leave your children unguarded when you let them get their own way. You are teaching them how to give into temptation. You are setting them up to be a prey to the enemy!

You are preparing them to have a turbulent marriage. The diligent gate-keeping mother will teach her children how to say No to the temptations of the flesh.

We also guard our home by conducting Family Devotions with our family each day, morning and evening if possible. It is hard for the enemy to take hold when we read God's Word and pray together each day as a family. In Chronicles 8:13-14 NASB tells us that, "Solomon offered burnt offerings to the Lord on the altar of the Lord... and did so according to the daily rule..." he appointed the Levites for their duties of praise and ministering before the priests according to the daily rule...

This was a daily rule God expected of His people, morning and evening.

"What's all this business about a daily rule?" you argue. "Isn't that religiosity and legality? Shouldn't we do it when we feel the urge? I don't like the sound of duty."

Yes, I am sure that it could become tedious if it is done without the anointing of the Holy Spirit who illumines the Word. 2 Corinthians 3:6 tells us that the "letter kills but the Spirit gives life." But how can a daily rule be legality when we are reading LIFE GIVING WORDS? Jesus said, "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit," and they are (John 6:63).

God's life-giving words, anointed by the Holy Spirit will guard your marriage and your children from the deceptions of the enemy.

Read also Hebrews 4:12 and 2 Peter 1:3-4. Sadly many marriages are no longer together because they never established the daily rule of praying and reading God's Word together. Many families are in disarray because they have not gathered together daily around the Word of God which is our manual for life.

May the enemy be scared of you as you guard the entrance to your home! Guard your home on all sides! Give no foothold for the devil.

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

PRAYER:

Father, please teach me how to be a diligent gate-keeper of my home. Please show me areas that are weak in my marriage and in our family life and please teach me how to build up the wall again. I want our family to be a bulwark against the enemy. In Jesus' name, Amen.

AFFIRMATION: I am guarding my marriage and my home on all fronts!

Further Scriptures to read: Exodus 29:36, 38-39; Numbers 28:3; 1 Chronicles 16:40; 23:30; 2 Chronicles 2:4; 13:11; 31:3 and Ezra 3:3-4.

To understand more of the Morning and Evening principle, go to Articles and Stories, Click on Bible in the Home; and then The Morning and Evening Principle 

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 subscribers-on@aboverubies.org

A time to pray ... and pray we must

Rembrandt's depiction of the biblical account ...
Image via Wikipedia
Here is another reprint from an old blog post:
"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour" (I Timothy 2:1-3).
The Lord convicted me pretty hard last night that I need to stop my inward (and outward) complaining and start praying - more often and more fervently and quite specifically. 

 Just because I don't understand how He is working I must still pray. I was reminded of two things as I started to pray. First was the story in Daniel chapter 4 about King Nebuchadnezzar. He has a dream and here starting in verse 22 Daniel interprets the dream for him:
It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth. 
 And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him; This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king: That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. 
 And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule. Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity. Daniel 4:22-27
An a year later, when Nebuchadnezzar had built things just as he wanted and was relishing in his great success:
All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar. At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon. The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty? 
 While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee. And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. 
 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws. Daniel 4:28-33
But guess what happened? Nebuchadnezzar came to his senses:
And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me. 
 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase. Daniel 4:34-37
The other thought that came to me was the story behind the song Amazing Grace written by John Newton. I had heard the story before of course but we recently purchased the movie Amazing Grace which is more about William Wilberforce and the abolitionist movement in England but factors in Newton's life as a repentant slave trader turned Anglican Priest. 

 Although he was not in a leadership position like King Nebuchadnezzar, he was a man who was living a life filled with sin, doing horrible things and yet, God chose him - pulled him out of his lifestyle and he is now known worldwide as the writer of probably the best known hymn around. 

 What's my point? I don't know. I don't know why God is doing what He's doing at this stage of history. But I do know that He is still on the throne, the victory IS won and He can and will work through our current leadership. 

 The other thing I do know is that the Bible doesn't say "Pray for those in authority who you agree with". It says "pray for ALL in authority." So pray we must.

Comments on the original post:

3 Comments »

  1. Very well said. I’m currently writing a post with a similar theme (no surprise there, really – I suspect God’s laying those verses on the heart of many of His children these days). It’s always crucial to build our lives on God’s word. All the more, as we see the tides turning in our nation and our world. He’s still sovereign, still on the throne, and still loves us immensely. In this we truly can hope.

    Blessings,
    Dianne

    Comment by dianne - bunny trails — January 22, 2009 @ 10:14 am 

  2. Thank you. I have been trying to ignore the news in any form, and just stay in my quiet state of denial over the state of the world, but it is inevitable that I must face reality. What a perfect scripture and outlook to post on this subject!! Pray, pray pray. Thank you for the better perspective I must turn toward.

    Comment by Cindy — January 22, 2009 @ 3:46 pm 

  3. Excellent article. God is God and still on the throne!

    Miss Jocelyn
    aponderingheart.com

    Comment by Miss Jocelyn — January 23, 2009 @ 9:05 pm 

 
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He Is Holy

Another post from my old blog ... slowly moving things over here... 

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When the sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, took matters in their own hands and offered a strange fire before the Lord, God struck them dead. Pretty harsh it seems. But then he told Moses to tell Aaron:
By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy, And before all the people I will be honored. Lev 10:3 
God's pretty specific with how He wants to be treated it seems. And very serious about what He has commanded as well as what He forbids. And in this example it would seem that anything He specifically doesn't command when approaching Him is completely off limits as well. I read this quote by John Knox the other evening:
"All worshipping, honoring, or service invented by the brain of man in the religion of God, without His own express commandment, is idolatry."  
Pretty heavy. But it makes sense to me. This is the article I found online that contained the Knox quote. It's very good too!
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Questions For Sabbath Evening

This is a repost of something I posted back in 2009.  Enjoy!

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Just got home from the symphony – very good – very intense but wanted to get this posted… another section by Harvey Newcombe on the Sabbath called “Questions For Sabbath Evening”. Imagine how our Lord’s Day would be different if we would come to the day with the following things in mind – or reflect on how our day was spent this evening…

Enjoy!

QUESTIONS FOR SABBATH EVENINGS.

Did I yesterday make all needful preparations for the holy Sabbath?
What was my frame of mind, on retiring to rest, at the close of the week?
When I awoke, on this holy morning, towards what were my first thoughts directed?
How did I begin the day?
What public or private duties have I neglected?
What has been my general frame of mind this day?
With what preparation did I go to the sanctuary?
How were my thoughts occupied on the way?
What were my feelings, on entering the house of God?
What was my general frame of mind, while there?
What my manner?
Have I felt any sensible delight in the exercises of public worship?
With what feelings did I join the devotional exercises of singing and prayer?
In what character did I view the preacher?
As whose message did I receive the word?
For whom did I hear—for myself, or for others?
Was the word mixed with faith?
How much prayer did I mingle with hearing?
What evidence have I that it was attended by the Holy Spirit to my heart?
Did I indulge wandering thoughts, in any part of the public services?
How much progress have I made, in overcoming these heart-wanderings?
How were my thoughts occupied on my return from public worship?
How much time have I spent this day in my closet?
What have been my feelings in prayer?
What in reading God’s word?
What in meditation?
Have I felt and acknowledged my dependence upon the Holy Spirit for every right exercise of heart?
What discoveries have I had of my own guilt and helplessness, and my need of a Saviour?
How has Jesus appeared to me?
What communion have I enjoyed with God?
How have I felt, in view of my sins, and of God’s goodness to me?
What have been my feelings, on coming anew to the cross of Christ?
Have I, at any time this day, indulged vain or worldly thoughts?
Have I sought my own ease or pleasure?
Have I engaged in worldly or unprofitable conversation?
Do I now feel my soul refreshed, and my strength renewed, for the Christian warfare?

I ♥ Faces Pet Photos

Scamper in the Cupboard

I love this photo of our sweet kitty Scamper. I don't think I have ever met a sweeter cat in the world. But boy oh boy was he ever naughty! And we loved him for it because with him around, we always knew we'd be laughing!

Unfortunately, he got really sick a few years ago and didn't last long. We still miss him... and the laughter.

The photo is one of his cute but naughty moments. I opened the cupboard to get a glass and he immediately jumped in and made himself at home... and then tipped his head as if to say "you know I'm cute so there's no reason to get mad!"

We loved you Scampiness! 

Disclaimer - I love my camera but am not a budding photographer in the making.  I let my daughters (see here and here) take the really good shots... but I just wanted to share Scamper with the world! :)

To see more entries in the I♥faces contest and enter yourself, check out

iheartfaces.com 

Book Review - Slave by John MacArthur

I just finished reading Slave by John MacArthur on my brand new Kindle (what a fun gift!)

I posted my brief review here.

Refrain your feet...

This is a repost from a post I had on my old blog last year:

The girls and I are reading through Psalm 119 at lunch, 25 or so verses every afternoon. If you ever wonder about God’s word having everlasting application to our lives, spend some time reading Psalm 119. It’s beautiful. Here is part of what we read today:

 97O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

 98Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.

 99I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

 100I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.

 101I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.

 102I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me. (Psalm 119:97-102, King James Version)

I have refrained my feet from every evil way – that I might keep they word. Good stuff that. Especially after listening to another sermon on Nehemiah this morning.

Nehemiah 13:30 (NASB) “Thus I purified them from everything foreign and appointed duties for the priests and the Levites, each in his task,”

Nehemiah called on the people of Israel to put away everything pagan/heathen. Everything. When I look at the culture, even of many bible believing Christians these days I see a lot more heathen/pagan stuff that’s accepted rather than put away. Unfortunately many believers want to “fit in” just a bit too much.

Psalm 4:3: But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.

Ear Trainers Part 2

EAR TRAINERS

Part 2

"Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, 
or by the hearing of faith?" (Galatians 3:2,5).

Have you ever thought of the words, "the hearing of faith?" Before we
have faith, we must hear first. Faith is not an airy fairy thing that is
based on nothing! It is only true faith if it is based on the Word of God.
Romans 10:17 says, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by
the word of God."
 
This is why it is so important for mothers to be ear trainers. We must
train our children to hear and obey us so they can hear and obey the
Word of God. We must train our children not just to hear words, but to
get into the habit of listening with their heart and inner ears.
 
Not only do we train them to have obedient and prompt ears, but we
train them how to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit as He speaks
through the hearing of the Word of God. Timothy came to faith by
listening to the Scriptures as a child. 2 Timothy 3:15 says, "From a
child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee
wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." We don't
wait until our children are older to read them the Word of God. We
start from when they are babies. The little babe nursing at the breast
can hear the God's words at Family Devotions every evening and
morning. The little toddler rocking on his mother's or father's knee at
Family Devotions is being prepared for salvation as he listens to
living words of God.
 
In his book, How to Have a Family Altar by Norman V. Williams
states, "Babies have ears to hear with! They have hearts to believe with!
The Holy Spirit who holds the reins of that child's mind and heart is
mightily present to bless when you give the Word of God! ...It is your
duty to exhort your child daily with the blessed Word of God. If you
do that, you will be amazed to see what the Holy Spirit will do in that
little heart! ... This is the family altar-bringing our children to Christ in
His Word that He might touch them!"
 
Paul also speaks to Timothy about being "nourished up in the words of
faith" (2 Timothy 4:6). We will nourish our children in the words of
faith as we teach them how to listen. The more they hear (listening
beyond words to the voice of the Holy Spirit illuminating the Word),
the more they will walk in faith. We don't want our children to know
"the letter of the law" but the anointing of the Spirit of God upon the
Word, because "the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life"
(2 Corinthians 3:6).*
 
Jesus reprimanded the people for having "dull ears"
(Matthew 13:15-16). The writer of Hebrews could not reveal the
"strong meat" to his readers because they were "dull of hearing."
(Hebrews 5:11-14) May God save us from having dull ears. May
He save us from raising children who have dull ears.
 
"The hearing of faith" also shows us how important it is to encourage
one another with the words of God. This is why we should not forsake
"the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but
exhorting one another: and so much the more as ye see the day
approaching" (Hebrews 10:25).When we confess the truths of the
Word of God to one another's ears we build one another up. The more
we come together and affirm the truth to one another, the more we
increase each other's faith. That's why we need one another.
 
Hebrews 12:25 says, "See that you do not refuse him who speaks. For
if they did not escape who refused him who spoke on earth, much
more shall we not escape if we turn away from him who speaks from
heaven."

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

 

PRAYER:

"Dear Father, please help me to nourish my children up in the Word
of God by reading it to them daily. Help me to teach them how to
listen to me so they will know how to hear words from heaven. In
Jesus' name, Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

I am teaching my children how to hear the One who speaks from
heaven!

* To see how we help our hearers to hear, you may like to go to

 

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 subscribers-on@aboverubies.org
 

On the Church Calendar

Search this collection for articles, quotes and thoughts on various church "holy days" like christmas, easter and more...

Charles Spurgeon on Christmas

Here's what Charles Spurgeon had to say about celebrating Christmas:

We have no superstitious regard for times and seasons. Certainly we do not believe in the present ecclesiastical arrangement called Christmas: first, because we do not believe in the mass at all, but abhor it, whether it be said or sung in Latin or in English; and, secondly, because we find no Scriptural warrant whatever for observing any day as the birthday of the Savior; and, consequently, its observance is a superstition, because not of divine authority. (Charles Spurgeon, Sermon on Dec. 24, 1871).


I agree!

And another quote:


When it can be proved that the observance of Christmas, Whitsuntide, and other Popish festivals was ever instituted by a divine statute, we also will attend to them, but not till then. It is as much our duty to reject the traditions of men, as to observe the ordinances of the Lord. We ask concerning every rite and rubric, "Is this a law of the God of Jacob?" and if it be not clearly so, it is of no authority with us, who walk in Christian liberty. (from Charles Spurgeon's Treasury of David on Psalm 81:4.)

John Knox on Holy Days

Here is what John Knox had to say on various "holy days":

By contrary Doctrine, we understand whatsoever men, by Laws, Councils, or Constitutions have imposed upon the consciences of men, without the expressed commandment of God's word: such as be vows of chastity, foreswearing of marriage, binding of men and women to several and disguised apparels, to the superstitious observation of fasting days, difference of meat for conscience sake, prayer for the dead; and keeping of holy days of certain Saints commanded by men, such as be all those that the Papists have invented, as the Feasts (as they term them) of Apostles, Martyrs, Virgins, of Christmas, Circumcision, Epiphany, Purification, and other fond feasts of our Lady. Which things, because in God's scriptures they neither have commandment nor assurance, we judge them utterly to be abolished from this Realm; affirming further, that the obstinate maintainers and teachers of such abominations ought not to escape the punishment of the Civil Magistrate.

Knox's History, Vol. 2, p. 281. Cf. John Knox, Works (David Laing, ed.; Edinburgh: James Thin, 1895), Vol. ii, p. 190.

Principles of Preservation in Difficult times - Part 5

No 5. BECAUSE!

"Because" is a very significant word in Psalm 91. It is mentioned only three times, but each time it is used we cannot help realize that so much blessing, reward and deliverance depends on this common word that we use every day.

As the pace of this age speeds towards its final conclusion, we need to be more alert than ever to the sound of the trumpet of God calling us to an ever closer walk with Him. Without staying close to God we can be confounded, deceived and drowned in the floods of deception and temptation.

I am shocked and grieved at the epidemic of marriage breakup. In most cases the three "because" principles of Psalm 91 have either been ignored or not taken seriously.

The word "because" in Psalm 91 highlights the reasons for great blessings and rewards.

 

"BECAUSE" NO.1

"Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High your habitation. Verse 9." Immediately following this statement are four amazing promises of preservation:

1.     "No evil shall befall you". Verse 10. This is incredible, because there is so much evil in this world that could easily befall us. No evil! What amazing comfort and security. No matter what evil may threaten us, it cannot touch those who make the Lord their habitation. If evil befalls us, rather than question the Lord's faithfulness, we should question the extent of our habitation in the Lord. And we  know that God is able to turn something that we may regard as evil to be for our good. Read Romans 8:28.

2.    "Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling". Verse 10. Although plagues fell on Pharaoh and all the Egyptians, none fell on the Israelites in the land of Goshen. Their protection was from none other than God's angelic forces. We have no need to fear viruses from birds or any other plague. We do not have to be concerned about getting flu shots or keeping ourselves isolated from society because we have made the Most High our habitation. The secret of our health is to make the Lord our dwelling place.

3.    "For He shall give his angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. They shall bear you up in their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone". Verses 11-12. What an amazing truth. Think of it!  Angels are watching over our feet lest we stub our toe on a rock or twist our ankle on an uneven stone. The angels must be very busy. Doesn't this speak loudly of how important and special are the Most High habitators. They truly are God's special TLC people. Because we do not see these angels guarding us does not mean that they are not present with us. Read 2 Kings 6:17.

Principles of Preservation in Difficult Times - Part 4

No. 4, The Secret Place, Part 2 - Our Confession!

Psalm 91:2 says, "I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God in him will I trust."

The world is full of voices. People share their opinions on a vast variety of subjects, be it religion, politics, sports, world news, health or local gossip. What is said may be interesting, informative and even stimulating. On the other hand, it maybe negative, boring, deceptive and destructive. The truth is that most people do not realize that by using the right speech they can experience God's protection on their lives. Proverbs 18:21 says, "Death and life is in the power of the tongue."

Many people feel anxious about the world in which we live. We are tempted to put our hope in man-made political parties or movements, hoping they may be able to save us, or at least keep us from ship wreck. However, if we want to experience the protective blessings of Psalm 91 as we face coming storms of depression and economic uncertainty, we must meet the condition of Psalm 91:2, "I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God in him will I trust."

King David of Israel found the anchor to hold him firm and safe in the fierce battles he faced throughout his life. Most importantly, he was not ashamed to confess with his mouth what he believed in his heart. He was not ashamed to declare that his trust was not in man, but God.

We need to pause for a moment or two each day and take stock of the words that come out of our mouths. When was the last time you confessed with your mouth to others that Jesus Christ is your refuge and fortress? That He is your God and the one you trust? All the wonderful promises and benefits listed in Psalm 91 are largely conditioned upon this confession of our faith.

This uncertain world, which is desperate for an anchor, is waiting to hear your confession. It needs to hear it right now. Would the sum total of your conversation in the past 24 hours boil down to the obvious conclusion that Jesus Christ is, without doubt, your anchor and hope in life?

Principles of Preservation in Difficult Times - Part 3

No. 3, The Secret Place, Part 1

We are living in uncertain times. We have an economy that is extremely shaky, a government that has run a mock with spending and wanting to destroy our blood-bought freedoms and exchange our godly heritage, as well as our godly constitution, for a godless intellectual ideology. It is now called by fake names such as social justice and progressiveness, which is none other than failed communism. Surely, God who is the righteous judge of all the earth is speaking to us with capital letters for those who have eyes to see.

We here in the Nashville area of Tennessee have seen the worst flooding ever recorded in our local history. Who knows what unbelievable damage may be done to our coast lines by the deep sea oil well that continues to spew vast amounts of oil into the ocean, 60 miles from our shores. Despite these judgments, homosexuality, abortion, pornography, and divorce continue to grow and repentance is not on the American church agendas. But without a doubt, repentance is on God's agenda for USA. The question is, just how loud does God have to speak to get our attention?

I am also very concerned at the way our president is snubbing and bullying Israel. I pray that God does not hold this against our nation for I do not believe that our President's stand against Israel represents the true sentiments of most Americans toward Israel.

The Secret Place Defined

Psalm 91:1, "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the almighty."

The secret place is the state of being under God's protection to the point that nothing can do you any harm unless God himself, for whatever reason, permits it. Even then, in time we will look back and see His loving hand of faithfulness. It is interesting to note

that this secret hiding place is "of the most High." It is a hiding place that is of Him, provided by Him. He is above all things and all things are subject to Him who is the highest authority of all authority, dominion and power. His provision of a secret hiding place is not an abstract idea, made up of beautiful pious words that sound good, but amount to nothing.

Principles of Preservation in Difficult Times - Part 2

No. 2, Earnestly Look to God

Isaiah 45:21-22

“There is no God else beside me; a just God and a Savior; there is none beside me. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.”

Psalm 123:1-2

“Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that he have mercy upon us.”

Acts 4:12

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

Click here if you missed Part 1 of this series.

What a waste of time it is to look for help from anywhere else but God! Let’s beware of looking to fake “get rich quick” schemes that promise much but bring in little. The government would like us to look to them for salvation, but they are only men and certainly not God. We have to get our eyes off ourselves, for we also are fickle and can make many mistakes. Instead of buying lottery tickets, let’s use the money to help someone in need. The families who look to the Lord who made heaven and earth will, without doubt, be saved in the time of trouble.

Take Every Opportunity

Take every opportunity to teach your family what it means to look to God.  When you give thanks for your food, take a moment or two to look up to God for help and thank Him in faith for His help. After the main meal of the day, while you are still sitting together, lift up your eyes again to the only One who can save us. Remember to pray for those who have lost their jobs and are hurting.

Some may think I am over-reacting to our present economic problems. They believe that our present problems are nothing but a hick-up or two. Everything will soon be back to normal and there is nothing to be alarmed about. These folk will carry on with life as per usual with little, if any attention, to personal repentance or for the major sins of our nation. We must pray for these folk that the eyes of their understanding will be opened before it’s too late.

Principles of Preservation in Difficult Times Part 1

No. 1, Earnestly Seek God

by Colin Campbell

Because of the uncertainty of the times we are facing, both now and in the future, I feel inspired by the Holy Spirit to encourage men to pray and draw near to God. We could well face a greater down-turn in our economy than most of us realize. Along with the depreciating economy comes greater stress on marriages and family life as we struggle to pay mortgages and utility bills, etc. On the positive side, difficult times provide greater opportunities to pray for one another and to reach out and help one another in practical ways.

Those who develop a lifestyle of earnestly seeking God, through prayer and faith in His many wonderful promises, will without a doubt survive these difficult times. Not only will we survive the challenges, but we will come through as better people as a result of applying God’s life-saving principles to our lives.

Those who will not take time to diligently seek the Lord will become the victims, losers, down-and-outers and casualties. Those who look to government to save them will fail. Those who look to their neighbors to save them will fail. Those who look to their employer to save them will be disappointed. It would be good if people could look to the church for help in difficult times. However, many churches are having to scale back their giving in order to pay their mortgages, salaries and utilities, etc. Some churches are closing their doors.

ONLY ONE PLACE TO GO!

There is only one place to go that will never fail, and that is before the throne of God’s mercy and grace, the place where we can pour out our hearts with earnest prayer. He who is so compassionate and merciful will come to our aid in our time of need. We should not only cry out to God for ourselves but for others. Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

While we thank God for the Tea Party momentum in the nation and the conservative talk-back show hosts, as well as the growing desire in the nation for conservative fiscal spending, smaller government, less taxation and greater encouragement to the private business sector in order to create more jobs, we must not look to man to solve our national crisis. We must look to God who gave us our nation. We must allow God to search our hearts to see if we have offended Him, and quickly repent and put away all the sins that are an affront to Him.

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