THE BLESSING OF YOUR WOMB

 "He will LOVE thee, and BLESS thee, and MULTIPLY thee: he will also BLESS the fruit of thy womb"
(Deuteronomy 7:13).

Genesis 49:25 talks about the "blessings of the breasts, and of the womb." Blessings? Yes, God says they are His blessings to us as women. But they are ultimately His blessings to the whole world for without them mankind would come to a screeching halt!

THE WOMB IS A NESTING PLACE

One of the meanings of womb is "a place where something originates and develops." The womb is the commencement of life, the beginning and continuing of generations, the origin of dynasties to come, and also the filling of eternity. Every precious life that is conceived in the womb is an eternal soul who will live forever. The power of the womb is eternal.

Woman is a compound of two words, womb and man. Every woman is a "womb man." Her womb differentiates her from man. Why then do many women deny their womb? Close off their womb? Makes sure it cannot function? It is the deception of Satan who hates life.

THE WOMB IS OUR SEAT OF COMPASSION

Not only is the womb a nesting place of life, it is also the source of our emotions and our compassion. It is amazing that the word womb in the Bible is interchangeable between the physical womb of a woman and God's compassion, tender love, and mercy. When we embrace our womb, we not only have the privilege of conceiving an eternal soul, but the honor of revealing God's compassion and love to the world.

THE WOMB IS A FORMING PLACE

It is amazing to think that God formed His only Son in the womb of a woman, the same way that every child comes into the world. What high honor God places upon the womb. He could have brought His Son into the world in any manner of ways, but He chose the womb. He formed His people Israel from the womb and thus every child that comes into the world (Psalm 139:14-16; Isaiah 44:2, 24 and 49:5; Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:30, 31; and 2:21).

THE WOMB IS A CALLING PLACE

It is from the womb that God called His son to be His servant (Isaiah 49:1) and it is from the womb that God calls each child He creates in His image. Every new creation is not conceived and formed for nothingness, but for a purpose and destiny. They are called from the womb to serve--to serve God in the particular way His has planned from the beginning of time. If Jesus Christ Himself was called to serve, rather than being served, how much more should we embrace a life of serving? And also teach our children that they are born to serve.

THE WOMB IS A PLACE OF DESTINY

Isaiah 49:1 is a prophecy concerning Jesus Christ, the Messiah, although it can also refer to Israel as well: "Listen, O isles, unto me, and hearken, ye people, from far; The Lord hath called me from the womb, from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name." What a beautiful thing that a Messianic prophecy uses the words WOMB, BOWELS and MOTHER. God is not ashamed to declare that He called His beloved Son from the WOMB of a MOTHER (Luke 1:31; .

Just as Christ Himself was called and spoken by name from the womb of his mother, so God continues to call sons and daughters from the womb. From the womb they are created and called to a life of fellowship with God and service to Him. The womb is where life and destiny begin.

God has a plan and destiny for each one of your children, including the one you may now be carrying in your womb. What a privilege to bear God-ordained destiny in your physical body. Isn't it sad when some mothers deny a life to come to being for whom God has pre-ordained plans and purposes (Ephesians 2:10)?

Let's read what God says about his servant, the prophet in Jeremiah 1:5: "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet to the nations." Here we read four things about Jeremiah while he was in the womb.

1) God formed him.

2) God knew him (in fact, even before He formed him). How can someone abort a life whom God KNOWS and is forming and fashioning in the womb?

3) God sanctified him. The word sanctified is qadash and means "to be set apart as a holy vessel, purified, dedicated, consecrated." God sets us apart in the womb for the purpose of living a holy life. He creates us for holiness and to be created more and more into His image, not for uncleanness and sin.

4) God appointed his destiny as a prophet to the nations. God appoints the destiny of each child in the womb (although sadly, many may not walk in that destiny). Psalm 139:16 (HCSB) says: "Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in Your book and PLANNED before a single one of them began."

The womb is such an amazing and powerful place-- God-filling, God-working, God-fashioning, God-calling, and God-ordaining.

Embrace your womb. Give thanks to God for your womb. Protect your womb. It is very much who you are as a woman. Ask your husband to pray for God's protection over your womb each day.

Blessings from NANCY CAMPBELL
www.aboverubies.org

PRAYER:

"Thank you, dear Father God, for Your perfect design in creating me as a woman. You chose to bless me with a womb, an anointed sanctuary of compassion and destiny where you create life for this world and eternity. Thank you for the privilege of being a woman and to cooperate with You in bringing forth eternity into the world. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

I am blessed beyond measure. I have no higher privilege than embracing a life from God in my womb. 

HOW DO WE LIVE?

Part 2

"Resist the devil, and he will flee from you"
(James 4:7).

In our last devotion we read the ways God wants us to positively live for Him in the midst of this depraved world. Today, we read the Scriptures where He tells us explicitly what our reaction should be to the evil around us. Once again, we are not left in the dark about what God wants us to do. He does not want us to tolerate evil but to turn from it. He does not want us to make friends with it but to fight it.

Jesus Christ came into this world to "destroy the works of the devil." Jesus now lives in us by the power of His Holy Spirit and He still has the same mandate to destroy the devil's works. We do not give one inch to the devil. Instead, in the name of Jesus Christ and in the power of prayer, we destroy his works. Make time to look up the Scriptures as you check out the following 21 points.

1. Abhor evil (Romans 12:9).

2. Abstain from all appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22).

4. Abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul (1 Peter 2:11).

5. Cast down imaginations and every lofty opinion raised against God (2 Corinthians 10:5).

6. Cast off the works of darkness (Romans 13:12).

7. Deny ungodliness and worldly lusts (Titus 2;12).

8. Depart from iniquity (2 Timothy 2:19).

9. Do not allow sin to be named amongst us (Ephesians 5:3-5).

10. Do not be conformed to this world system (Romans 12:2).

11. Do not be friends with the world (John 15:19 and James 4:4).

12. Do not get entangled with the affairs of this world (2 Timothy 2:4).

13. Do not have fellowship with the works of darkness (2 Corinthians 6:14-16 and Ephesians 5:11).

14. Do not love the world or the things in the world (1 John 2:15, 16).

15. Do not partake of sin (Ephesians 5:7).

16. Flee from sexual immorality (Acts 15:10, 29; 1 Corinthians 6:18; and 1 Thessalonians 4:3).

17. Lay aside every weight and sin (Hebrews 12:1).

18. Mortify the deeds of the flesh (Romans 8:13 and Colossians 3:5).

19. Put off the flesh, the old man (Ephesians 4:22-24, 31 and Colossians 3:8).

20. Resist the devil (Ephesians 4:27; 6:13 and James 4:7).

21. Separate from all that is unclean (2 Corinthians 6:17, 18).

22. Stand against the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:11, 13, 14).

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

PRAYER:

"I thank you, dear Lord Jesus, that You died on the cross to deliver me from the power of this evil world. I know I cannot oppose evil in my own strength, but only in the power of Your name and the power of Your Spirit who dwells within me. Give me strength to not yield to my flesh, but to the power of Your Spirit. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

In the power of the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I denounce all sin and deception that would lure its way into my heart and my home. 

HOW DO WE LIVE?

"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly,
righteously, and godly, in this present world"
(Titus 2:11,12).

How does God want us to live in this lascivious society with deception and evil all around us? What should our lives look like to the people around us? What kind of a testimony should we have in our speech, conduct, and dress? As I thought about the answers to these questions recently, I was amazed how abundantly God shows us the way. He does not leave us in the dark. I found 50 ways and I know I have not exhausted them all.

In the following Scriptures God shows us clearly how He wants us to live. He wants us to live . . .

1. Abounding in thanksgiving (Colossians 2:7 and 1 Thessalonians 5:18)

2. Abounding in the work of the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58).

3. Blamelessly (Philippians 2:15).

4. Circumspectly (Ephesians 5:15).

5. Cleaving to that which is good (Romans 12:9).

6. Conforming to the image of God's Son (Romans 8:29).

7. Contending for the faith (Jude 1:3).

8. Doing everything in the name of the Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:17).

9. Fervently serving the Lord (Romans 12:11).

10. Fighting the good fight (1 Timothy 6:12).

11. Filled with the knowledge of God's will (Colossians 1:9).

12. Filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).

13. Forgetting those things which are behind (Philippians 3:13).

14. Glorifying God ( 1 Corinthians 6:20).

15. Glorying in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (Galatians 6:14).

16. Godly ( Titus 2:12).

17. Holding faith and a good conscience (1 Timothy 1:19).

18. Holding fast our confession (Hebrews 10:23).

19. Holding forth the word of life (Philippians 2:16).

20. Holily (1 Thessalonians 2:10 and Titus 3:5).

21. Honestly (1 Thessalonians 4:12).

22. Humbly (James 4:10; 1 Peter 5:6).

23. Increasing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10).

24. Justly (1 Thessalonians 2:10).

25. Keeping His commandments (John 14:15, 21, 23; 15:14 and 1 John 5:3).

26. Keeping myself in the love of God (Jude 1:21).

27. Laying down my life for the brethren (1 John 3:16).

28. Meekly (1 Peter 3:4).

29. Patiently (Romans 12:12).

30. Purely (1 Timothy 5:22 and Titus 2:14).

31. Reaching forth and pressing on for the prize of the high calling of God (Philippians 2:13, 14).

32. Righteously (Ephesians 4:24; 1 Timothy 6:11 and Titus 2;12).

33. Pleasing the Lord in all things (Colossians 1:10).

34. Putting on the new man (Colossians 3:10, 12).

35. Praying continually (Romans 12:12; Ephesians 6:18; Colossians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17 and Jude 1:20).

36. Presenting my body a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1).

37. Redeeming the time (Ephesians 5:16 and Colossians 4:5).

38. Renewing my mind (Romans 2. 2).

39. Rejoicing in the Lord always (Romans 12:12 and Philippians 4:4).

40. Richly filled with God's Word (Colossians 3:16).

41. Setting my affection on things above (Colossians 3:1, 2).

42. Shining like lights in this dark world (Matthew 5:16 and Philippians 2:15).

43. Soberly (Titus 2:12).

44. Speaking with grace and truth (John 1: and Colossians 4:6).

45. Unblameably (Colossians 2:22 and 1 Thessalonians 3:13).

46. Unreproveably (Philippians 2:15; Colossians 1:22 and 1 Timothy 6:14).

47. Walking in wisdom, light, and love (Ephesians 5:2; Colossians 4:5 and 1 John 1:7).

48. Without spot or wrinkle (Ephesians 5:27 and 1 Timothy 6:14).

49. Worthily (Ephesians 4:1; 2 and Thessalonians 1:11).

50. Zealously (Titus 2:14).

We certainly have all we need to keep us on track, don't we?

NANCY CAMPBELL
www.aboverubies.org

PRAYER:

"Dear Father, I thank you that You have given me Your precious Word that shows me the way to live. Help me to not only be hearer, but a doer of your word. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

I want to shine like the stars in the midst of a dark world. 

A FLOCK MENTALITY

Part 4

"Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey"
(Ezekiel 34:22)

Today we look at the last five ways God cares for us as a flock. God . . .

INCREASES HIS PEOPLE LIKE A FLOCK

A shepherd always wants his flock to increase. The interesting thing is that sheep are good at increasing. They frequently have twins, and sometimes even triplets. God also wants His flock to increase. He is a God of increase. In Ezekiel 36:37, 38 He says: "I will increase them with men like a flock. As the holy flock, as the flock of Jerusalem in her solemn feasts; so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of men: and they shall know that I am the Lord." This is a prophetic Scripture for Israel and how that when God brings His people back to the land, as He is doing today, that He will increase them. Not just a little. He wants the waste cities FILLED with flocks of men.

Isn't it interesting how God talks about "flocks of men"? He is the shepherd of flocks of men. He wants us to see our family as a flock, too. You won't want to put a stop to your growing family. That's not God's shepherd heart. If you have a shepherd's heart, you'll want to increase your family. You will have a flock mentality.

LEADS HIS PEOPLE LIKE A FLOCK

Psalm 77:20 is such a beautiful Scripture. It says: "Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron." Read also Psalm 80:1. God wants to lead your flock too, but just as He chose Moses and Aaron to lead the children of Israel through the wilderness, He has chosen YOU to lead your children through the wilderness of this evil world with all its fleshly and worldly temptations.

What a responsibility we have as mothers to always keep close to the Lord in order to hear His voice. We can only lead our little flock in God's ways as we follow closely to the Shepherd ourselves.

What does a shepherd do? He leads his flock-- to good pastures, to clean water, to places of peace and security. As shepherding mothers we must also lead our children. We can't be apathetic, status quo, or laid back. We are LEADERS--leading our children closer to God, leading them to the good pasture of His Word, leading them in truth in the midst of a deceptive world, leading them in holiness in the midst of an immoral society, and inspiring them to be lights in the midst of the darkness.

A true shepherd doesn't lead his flock sometimes, or whenever he feels like it. Every morning he wakes it is his fulltime job to lead his flock to their daily pasture. Dear mother, each new day you must also lead your children closer to God, further in the pathway of God, and more and more in His truth.

The shepherd goes before his sheep and leads them. You also are out in front, showing your children the way. "Come on, Children. This is the way we walk in this world." Your great task of leading your children is as great as the leader of a nation. You help to determine the fate of the nation as you daily lead your children away from darkness and more and more into the light. You become a threat to the enemy as you diligently teach your children in the truth,

And we must not forget God's promise to you in Isaiah 40:11: "He gently leads those that are with young." Are you pregnant? Do you have little ones around you? God gently leads you. He doesn't expect you to be involved in all the activities at church and outside the home. He lets you lag behind a bit. Relax and slow down; enjoy your pregnancy. Don't rush around everywhere; enjoy your little ones.

MAKES HIS FLOCKS TO LIE DOWN IN SAFETY

Isaiah 17:2 speaks of "flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make them afraid." Read also Jeremiah 33:12. The true shepherd does not want his flocks to be agitated. He wants them to be in safety and where they will not be afraid. This is the blessing of the home. It is a sanctuary God has given to us to care for our flock and to keep them safe from the world and the wiles of the devil. Yes, there will come a time when they will have to go out and face this world, but we are making them strong and getting them ready. We don't send them out before their time.

SAVES HIS PEOPLE LIKE A FLOCK

A shepherd is gentle with his sheep, but he must also be brave when he has to save one of his flock from the prowling enemies, such as a lion or bear. The devil, like a roaring lion, prowls around trying to get access to our children (1 Peter 5:8). He wants to infiltrate their minds with his deceptive philosophies. With all the electronics of this age and the epidemic proportions of pornography and immoral living, we must be constantly on the watch. Sometimes he may grab one of our children. What do we do? Wring our hands and cry? No, we rise up with courage and go after the enemy. We will pull t hem out of his mouth (1 Samuel 17:34-36). We will not sit down until we rescue our child and bring them safely back to the fold. We will not allow our children to become a prey to the devil. Read also Ezekiel 34:8-10 and Zechariah 9:16.

SEEKS HIS PEOPLE LIKE A FLOCK

Ezekiel 34:12: "For thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out." We will always have the flock mentality. We cannot rest if one is out of the fold. We guard our whole flock.

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

PRAYER:

"Dear Shepherd of the sheep, please help me to be a faithful shepherdess, constantly watching out for prowling enemies that would take my children as prey. Help me to observe, not only the outward, but what is going on in their hearts. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

I am a flock guarder.