WHAT IS YOUR CROWN OF BOASTING?

“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth,
though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ”
(1 Peter 1:7).

Are you preparing for the Coming Day? The day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns from Heaven? What will we present to Him on that day? Paul writes about what He is preparing for the Lord Jesus. He doesn’t mention any material things or aspirations of building a great organization. Instead he talks about his babes in Christ.

When writing to the new Thessalonian believers, he says: “For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy” (1 Thessalonians 2:19, 20 ESV). What will be your glory when Jesus comes?

What a challenge to us as mothers. We have such a powerful ministry right in our own homes. It’s right at our doorsteps. We don’t have to go any further. God has given us precious lives to lead to salvation and to nurture, train, and teach to be ardent disciples of the Lord. We have the responsibility to pray and pour into their lives so we can present our children to the Lord at His coming—sanctified and blameless in body, soul, and spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

We have no greater ministry. The Lord Jesus will not be interested in our presenting our career to Him. Or our material possessions. Or the great name we made for ourselves. He looks for cleansed, purified, and holy sons and daughters. They will be our “crown of boasting.” They will be our “glory” and “joy” on that day.

But it cannot happen without our intercession, dedication, sacrifice, and pouring out our lives. As we read the entire epistle of Thessalonians we find Paul’s example of what it takes for this to happen.

1. NURTURING

Paul was like a “nursing mother” to these new babes in Christ. He says in 1 Thessalonians 2:7, 8 (ESV): “We were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God, but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.”

If Paul could be like a nursing mother, surely, we can embrace our mothering role with all our hearts. We know that a nursing mother is available to her little babe day and night. She pours out of her life. She doesn’t try to save her own life. She loses her life to find it (Mark 8:35).

Be encouraged, dear mother, you begin discipling your children from the moment they are born. You not only nurture your babe with sustenance from your breast, but with powerful thoughts, visions, and prayers from your heart. Every moment of nursing is powerful and ministers into the life of your child who is an eternal soul. Not one moment is lost.

YOUR PREPARING THEM FOR THE COMING OF JESUS BEGINS AS A NURSING MOTHER!

2. LIFE EXAMPLE

As our children grow they learn more from watching our lifestyle than what we teach them. They emulate our way of life (1 Corinthians 4:15, 16; 11:1; Philippians 3:17; 4:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:6; and 3:9).

Paul could say to these young Christians: “You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you” (1 Thessalonians 2:10). Not only for our own sake, and for God’s sake, but for our children’s sake we must seek to live holy lives.

3. TEACH AND COMMAND

Nothing happens in life without making it happen. Our children do not become our “glory” by hoping it will happen. What was Paul’s example? He says: “For you know how like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and CHARGED you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory” (1 Thessalonians 2:11, 12 ESV). It takes constant encouraging, urging, teaching, and even commanding.

Abraham was a great example of parenting. God said that all the nations of the earth would be blessed because of Abraham and one of the reasons was because of his parenting. God said in Genesis 18:19: “For I know him that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment.” He didn’t let his household work things out for themselves. He COMMANDED them in the ways of the Lord. Read also 2 Thessalonians 3: 4, 6, 10, 12 and 4:2-7.

It is a constant and daily duty. Read Deuteronomy 4:9; 6:6-9; Psalm 78:1-8; and Isaiah 28:10,12.

PRAYER:

“Dear Father, I want to be ready for Your coming. I want my children to be ready for Your coming. Please strengthen me to be a responsible mother as I get my children ready to present them to You. I want them to be my joy and crown at Your appearing. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

I have a royal command to prepare my children for the coming of the Lord.

THE TWO COMMISSIONS

“However, the spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and then the spiritual”
(1 Corinthians 15:46 NET).

I am continually astonished that most of Christendom today spurns the very first words God spoke to man, "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion . . . " God's plans and purposes for mankind cannot be fully implemented without fulfilling this first commission.

There are many who say that God is not interested so much in natural children any more, but only spiritual children. But how can God have spiritual children if there are no natural children? God has a BIG heart. He loves fruitfulness. He loves increase. He wants to fill the earth with people so He can fill eternity with people.

Reading the genealogies in the Old Testament I often notice the phrase "many sons." For example, 1 Chronicles 8:40 says: "And the sons of Ulam had MANY SONS, and sons' sons, 150." Again, in 1 Chronicles 28:5 David says: "The Lord has given me MANY SONS." We find reference to 19 sons of David in the Bible, although some Bible scholars say there could be 20 or more.

Because every theme of the Old Testament is reiterated in the New, we come to Hebrews 2:10 and read: "For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing MANY SONS UNTO GLORY, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings."

This is the vision of God’s heart from Genesis to Revelation. God begins in Genesis 1:28 with His vision to fill the earth to overflowing with many sons and daughters and then we go to the end of the Bible and read John's vision: "I beheld, and, lo, a GREAT MULTITUDE, WHICH NO MAN COULD NUMBER, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, say, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb" (Revelation 7:9-10).

Each one of this great multitude could not be around the throne of God if some mother had not opened her heart and her womb to bring them forth into the world.

Why does God want us to bring forth children? Just for the sake of doing it? No. It is all for God. It is to fill God's eternal kingdom with sons and daughters who are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Every child we bring forth into this world and lead to salvation will be part of the innumerable company and live forever and ever. This is the purpose of the first commission and the second great commission.

For too long we have listened to humanist and feminist lies to limit the number of children we have. This is not Bible doctrine. It is not Bible language. It belongs to the humanists. Why do God's people listen to humanist indoctrination rather than the living Word of God? Have we put aside the Bible for the vain ideas of man? It's time we took notice of Isaiah 2:22: "Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?"

We have the great privilege and responsibility of fulfilling the two commissions. We have a two-fold anointing. We can bring forth natural children AND spiritual children. Plus, as we lead our children in the ways of God and encourage them to speak the gospel message, our natural children will grow up to bring forth spiritual children.

The more natural children we have, the more spiritual children we can have.

All our children are serving the Lord and have taken the gospel to countries to which I have never visited. I have influenced thousands for the kingdom in this nation and countries I have never been to through my children, which would not have happened if they had not come into the world.

The more children we have, the more possibility of impacting the world for God. The less of the godly seed in the land, the less revelation of God. The more godly seed in the land, the more revelation of God--more righteousness, more influence against evil, and more preaching of the gospel.

The big question is: are we going to get in line with God's plan? Or continue the way of the world? God’s heart is not only satisfied with fruitfulness, but MORE fruitfulness. But even more. He longs for MUCH fruitfulness—in the natural and the spiritual (John 15:2, 8).

Love and blessings to you today, Nancy Campbell
www.aboverubies.org

PRAYER:

“I thank you, dear Father, that You are a God of fruitfulness. You love fruitfulness in every area of our lives—in the natural and in the spiritual. Please help me to have Your heart and Your vision. Please give me a BIG HEART to embrace natural children and spiritual children. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

I want to live a life of fruitfulness in the natural and the spiritual!

COSTLY GARMENTS

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart,
be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer”
(Psalm 19:14).

In last week’s devotion, we talked about the angel of the LORD coming to Joshua the high priest. Not only did God come, but Satan came too. Let’s continue the story.

Zechariah 3:3: “Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.” Who was clothed in filthy garments? A wicked unbeliever? No, it was the high priest.

Not one of us are exempt from getting our clothes contaminated as we walk in this evil world. Unless we keep short accounts with the Lord, we can often be unaware that we are wearing filthy clothes that grieve the Holy Spirit who dwells within us (I am speaking spiritually, but of course it could apply physically).

However, as we come into the light of God’s presence, He exposes the darkness and the things that displease Him (Psalm 19:14). And He waits to clothe us again with His garments of righteousness. Isaiah 61:10 says: “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.” Praise God, He doesn’t give us a skimpy outfit to wear, but a mantle! Through the power of His blood, He completely covers us with a ROBE of righteousness.

Zechariah 3:4 continues: “And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.” The WEB version, plus many others, say that God gave him “rich clothing.” The YLT98 and ISR98 translate it “costly robes.”

Our garments of salvation are costly garments. We receive them through the sacrificial blood of Christ shed for us upon the cross. Let’s embrace these costly garments and wear them each day in our home. Let’s not negate the power of the cross of Christ. How blessed we are to put on fresh, new, clean garments each new day (Ephesians 4:23, 24).

Not only do we receive costly garments, but a head piece. Zechariah 3:5 says: “And I said, Let them set a fair miter upon his head. So they set a fair miter upon his head, and clothed him with the garments.” The word “fair” means “clean and pure.” God wants us to have a pure mind. He wants to take away from us all our unclean, unbelieving, doubting, bitter, and impure thoughts with which Satan tries to fill our minds and exchange them for His mind.

Will you allow the Lord to purify your mind today? Let Him come into your mind with the searchlight of His holiness. As we confess ours sins, He forgives and clothes us with a pure turban of clean, wholesome, and faith-filled thoughts (Romans 12:2 and 2 Corinthians 10:4, 5).

Wear your beautiful garments in your home today, given to you at the great cost of the precious blood of Jesus. 1 Peter 1:18-20 says: “Ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, . . . But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.”

Blessings from Nancy Campbell
www.aboverubies.org

PRAYER:

I thank you, dear Father, that I don’t have to walk around with dirty thoughts and dirty clothes. You gave up your life and poured out your precious blood to save me from wickedness. You have given me a turban of purity and a mantle of righteousness. I want to wear them every day. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

Through the blood of Jesus and the robe of righteousness He gives to me, I have complete protection from the power of the enemy.

SUBMIT TO THE RIGHT AUTHORITY

“And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan;
even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee”
(Zechariah 3:2).

We need to get two facts straight: Satan is our accuser (Revelation 12:10), but Jesus is our advocate (1 John 2:1).

We see a picture of this in Zechariah’s vision. He sees “Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan stand standing at his right hand to resist him” (Zechariah 3:1). Joshua wasn’t a heathen who didn’t believe in God. He was the high priest, the one who had the most privileged and honored position before God.

No one is exempt from Satan’s buffetings and accusations, even the most ardent believer. Maybe the adversary (1 Peter 5;8, 9) is getting at you today, He whispers his accusations, lies, and deceptions into your ears. That’s where Satan likes to be--right next to you, at your right hand.

But you must know the truth. This is not his place. The right hand is the place of power and authority. The only One who deserves this place is Jesus Christ who defeated Satan at the cross and now sits at the right hand of the Father. The adversary acts as though he has authority, but it has been wiped from under his feet through the power of the blood of Jesus when He died upon the cross. At the cross, Jesus defeated the devil and the power of death.

But the devil doesn’t give up. When he comes to your right hand and speaks his lying thoughts into your mind, do not receive them.

Most translations say that Satan was at the right hand of the angel of the LORD. The NCV says he was “standing by Joshua’s right hand to accuse him.” Either way, he has no permission to take this place. He is usurping his authority that does not belong to him. It only belongs to Jesus. Give Jesus the authority in your life, not the devil.

How wonderful that we have an advocate who resists Satan on our behalf. Listen to these words: “And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee.” The NCV translates it: “The LORD said to Satan, The LORD says no to you, Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem says no to you!”

I am sure there are thousands of times when our Advocate has said No to the accuser when he has come to trip us up. Often, we are unaware of the intercession on our behalf by our Savior, Jesus Christ who continually intercedes for us. But there are also many times when He wants us to resist the devil too. God fights for us, but we must also fight. We must take up our authority through the powerful name of Jesus and resist the devil, send him kicking, and say No to his deceiving, lying, and accusing thoughts.

Remember dear mother, you do not belong to Satan. When you become a child of God, you belong to Jesus Christ. He has all power and authority at the right hand of the Father and He also wants to come to your right hand with all His mighty power to enable you to live in victory and push back the devil.

Be encouraged today,

Nancy Campbell

PRAYER:

Thank you, dear Jesus, that You intercede for my continually at the right hand of the Father. I thank You that You are my advocate against the adversary. I thank You that You have all power over the enemy. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

I will not listen to the lies of the enemy that he speaks into my ear. I rebuke them in the powerful name of Jesus, the name that is above every name.