All posts by Luella Campbell

FOUNDATION STONES – 8

Christian Life, ,

TRUST IN THE LORD

Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
[5] “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. [6] Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

Solomon was reported to be the wisest man who ever lived. Wisdom was God’s coronation gift to him at his request. The two books in the Bible attributed to him are packed with wise statements and wise counsel. We would do well to heed what he wrote and build on the foundation stones of wisdom he left for us.

However, there is one attribute of Solomon that overrides all his wisdom which we should never follow…his disregard for his own counsel. Ironic, isn’t it, that Solomon was guilty of transgressing the three prohibitions God gave to the kings of Israel. They were forbidden to amass wives, wealth, and horses. Solomon’s great kingdom was split in two because he failed to heed his own God-given wisdom.

How important, then, that we heed Solomn’s words but do not follow his example!

Another solid rock to build on is the counsel to put God in the centre of all our decisions and actions. Adam fell from fellowship with God and dragged the entire human race with him for transgressing this basic truth. He thought he was choosng independence but he inadvertently fell for Satan’s lie. He didn’t gain independence…he changed allegiance. To his loss, and the loss of humanity, he fell into the clutches of the worst of slave-drivers, God’s arch enemy, the devil.

We are privileged, as redeemed children of God if we have submitted ourselves to Jesus as Lord, to have God’s Spirit in us. Jesus promised that He, the Spirit, will guide and empower us to live under God’s direction, free from the clutches of Satan who wants to drag us down with him into eternal punishment.

However, God leaves that decision to us, whether we will trust Him and do His will or continue to drive ourselves into punishment and loss if we choose self-will over His will.

Our decisions will depend on what’s in our heart and what influences our understanding. We have already laid one foundation stone…to guard our hearts. Now we must also allow truth to guide our understanding.

We must choose the boundaries around our hearts that keep in the good values that guide our lives. We must also protect our minds from allowing into them the bad influences that will lure us away from the values and practices that keep us on track towards our destination.

Trusting the Lord with all our heart is essential to a life under Jesus’s authority. A divided heart will disqualify us from receiving God’s guidance and protection. He will not respond to a heart that flip-flops from trust to doubt, from faith to fear when the going gets tough.

James 1:5-8 NLT
[5] “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. [6] But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. [7] Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. [8] Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.”

So, we do well to follow John’s counsel…

1 John 2:15-17 NIV
[15]”Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. [16] For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. [17] The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”

…and to pray David’s prayer which as relevant to us as it was to him.

Psalms 86:11 NIV
[11]”Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.”

As we examine the truths upon which we build our lives, our foundation stones, the counsel of God’s Word is beginning to form a solid platform for a godly life! Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom! To fear the Lord, we need an undivided heart. Reliance on God with an undivided heart will open us to God’s guidance and counsel. To reach our destination, we need a straight path. God will make our paths straight when we rely on Him, seek His counsel, and do what He tells us!

God’s Word comes together and makes sense!

FOUNDATION STONES – 7

Christian Life, ,

FOLLOW THE SHEPHERD

Psalms 23:1 NLT
[1] “The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.”

Now here’s a great stone to help build our foundation.

The Hebrew word, “Chaser”, in
Strong’s concordance, (h2637)
“- Definition: to lack, need, be lacking, decrease.

  • Origin: A primitive root; to lack; by implication, to fail, want, lessen.
  • Usage: be abated, bereave, decrease, (cause to) fail, (have) lack, make lower, want.”

There’s a connotation in this word that is not conveyed in most translations – the idea of being in want, not in a material sense but in who I am.

The Good Shepherd’s role is not only to care and provide for the sheep, but also to help His sheep to be who they really are. They belong to Him. They are His sheep. They are special to Him. He knows them. He watches over them with tender care because He loves them.

Any “sheep” who is treated in this way will be reassured that the Shepherd will never do anything or allow anything that will diminish His sheep in any way. Such loving care must give the sheep the confidence that he is loved and treasured for who he is. It does not matter how the world treats him because he has confidence in the Shepherd’s unfailing love .

How we need this reassurance, this confidence in the unchanging attitude of our Shepherd towards us in a world that is increasingly hostile towards righteousness and truth. In the security of our Shepherd’s love, we can face anything that comes against us without fear. Our Shepherd is beside us with His rod and staff to guide us through the dark valley of hatred and rejection to the table land of His provision, favour, and blessing.

We need to build this stone securely into the foundation of the way we think and act. Its presence under our feet, the reassurance it provides for us, will be a buffer against what people may say or do to diminish us. Like Jesus, we will learn not to retaliate but to entrust ourselves to Him who judges justly.

FOUNDATION STONES – 6

Christian Life, ,

ENJOY GOD’S PEACE

Psalms 119:165 NIV
[165] “Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.”

Peace is another absolute necessity for our foundation, without which life would be intolerable in an uncertain world. How can anyone exist, let alone thrive when everything we hope in is crumbling around us? There is nothing that can provide security for us…money and wealth can be here today and gone tomorrow; people closest to us can be unfaithful and betray us; our government is fickle and failing, working only to secure itself and its power over the people. What do we have left to cling to that will be a safe haven?

Even God’s Word strikes a sombre note.

Isaiah 48:22 NIV
[22] “There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.”

Peace! What is peace?

I found an unusual definition of peace on Pinterest.

“Peace is a furious serenity that refuses to submit to chaos.”

Wow! That says a lot!

The only way to refuse to submit to chaos is to choose to entrust oneself to someone or something that can never fail to keep one safe and secure in the midst of chaos.

Who or what is that “someone” or “something” that can provide indestructible peace?

Let’s unpick this question bit by bit by finding out what the Bible says about peace.

First, who is the source of peace?

Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV
[20] “Now may THE GOD OF PEACE, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, [21] equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

That’s clear, isn’t it? God is the source of peace because peace is who He is!

To confirm…

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 NIV
[23] “May God himself, THE GOD OF PEACE, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. [24] The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.”

There is only one source of peace, God Himself. He is the one who is not only peace but can also give His peace to those who believe in Him.

Jesus promised…

John 14:27 NIV
[27]”Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Real peace, then, comes from God through Jesus, who is the only source of true peace.

Second, why and how can we experience God’s peace?

Why? The Bible tells us that we have peace with God because He has settled the sin problem…

Romans 5:1 NIV
[1]”Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have PEACE WITH GOD through our Lord Jesus Christ…”

How? We have the peace of God when we give Him all our anxieties…

Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
[6] “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the PEACE OF GOD, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Once we have experienced this amazing peace that nothing in the world can give us or take from us, what can we do to maintain this peace? Our arch enemy, the devil, will do everything in His power to disturb our peace by firing his lies at us. Fear, accusation, mistrust are all part of his arsenal.

Our defence is simple.

Isaiah 26:3-4 NIV
[3] “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. [4] Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.”

God Himself will maintain His peace in us when we trust in Him, when we refuse to submit to chaos because we are convinced that He is in charge.

Then our verse,

Psalms 119:165 NLT
[165]”Those who LOVE YOUR INSTRUCTIONS have great peace and do not stumble.”

Through the reassurance of God’s Word that puts all our topsy-turvey circumstances into perspective, we keep His peace in us intact. Our minds must be fortified by what the Lord Himself says about us and our circumstances, and we must trust Him and what He says rather than what seems to be.

Then, come what may, we can never be shaken from our firm foundation, the solid rock of peace, the guardrail against falling into the chaos that is happening around us.

FOUNDATION STONES – 5

Christian Life, ,

SHARE GOD’S SECRETS

Psalms 25:14 NIV
[14] “The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.”

The Hebrew word “sod”, translated “confides” or “secret”, conveys the idea of intimacy which flows from close association. God shares the deep meaning of His covenant, not with casual observers but with those who honour and revere Him to the extent that they share His heart for what He loves and what pleases Him.

When we speak about foundation stones, we are referring to those values we hold to that are the solid rock on which we build our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. To fear the Lord is to adopt a lifestyle that honours, trusts, and obeys God as a priority. God says that it’s this attitude that opens our hearts to the closest possible connection with Him.

David prayed…

Psalms 86:11 NIV
[11] “Teach me your way, Lord, that I may (walk in your truth) rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.”

The Hebrew word, “halak” means “to come, go, or walk” depending on the context.

What is David asking of God? His desire is to align his life with God’s ways…His nature and what flows from it, so that his life is pointed in the direction of His will rather than flip-flopping between trying to please God and himself at the same time.

God hates a divided heart. He calls it “lukewarm”. He refuses to answer those who are divided between themselves and Him. Lukewarmness makes Him sick.

James 1:5-8 NIV
[5] “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. [6] But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. [7] That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. [8] Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.”

How important it is that we build our lives on the determination to do God’s will in His way that refuses to
give in to self, no matter what the cost. When we choose to “walk” with God in His way, not ours, He opens His heart to us and reveals more about Himself and His covenant than we can ever imagine.

A heart that is passionate for Him and His Word is the way to intimacy.

As Isaiah wrote…

Isaiah 33:5-6 NIV
[5] “The Lord is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with his justice and righteousness. [6] He will be the sure foundation for your times (i.e., “season”, the times in which you live), a rich store of salvation, and wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.”

Jesus promised His disciples that the Holy Spirit, whom He would send from the Father after His return to heaven, would teach them truths about Himself and what He will do in the future that is only for those who faithfully follow Him…disciples, not freeloaders.

John 16:13-15 NIV
[13] “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. [14] He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. [15] All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”

Intimacy with Jesus, union with Him that we maintain by trust and obedience, is the way to “know” God through revelation of His ways.

Outside of this intimate union with the Lord, we are still vulnerable to the uncertainties that we face. We have no real assurance of God’s sovereignty in our lives. We are influenced more by our circumstances than by our commitment to Jesus as Lord. Whatever we build on the foundation we choose will determine whether, in the end, we stand on solid truth or fall for the latest fad or fancy. God leaves that choice to us.

FOUNDATION STONES – 4

Christian Life, ,

FEAR THE LORD

Proverbs 9:10 NLT
[10] “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.”

Here’s a huge, solid stone on which to build a life. From cover to cover, the Bible teaches us to fear the Lord, the key to every other blessing in this life and the life to come.

Just as “a-b-c” is the foundation of all language, and language is the most important part of communication, so the fear of the Lord is the essence and source of all the knowledge, wisdom, and understanding that we can acquire only through Him.

No child will ever learn to read and write without knowing the alphabet. No child of God will ever learn to know and trust God without the fear of the Lord.

What is the fear of the Lord?

My definition of the fear of the Lord is basic and simple…to fear the Lord is to take Him seriously because of who He is.

Although there is much more to the fear of the Lord than my simple definition, my definition helps me to keep the fear of the Lord in focus when I interact with Him.

Isaiah 33:5-6 NIV
[5] “The Lord is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with his justice and righteousness. [6] He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.”

How easy it is to ignore or dismiss God, who He is and what He says, in a secular environment where we are driven and directed by our senses and our selfish nature. Most of the world does this…treats the Lord as though He doesn’t exist. Their neglect lies at the base of the world’s wickedness. The Apostle Paul concludes that the whole human race is guilty of gross sin…

Romans 3:10-18 NIV
[10] “As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; [11] there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. [12] All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” [13] “Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The poison of vipers is on their lips.” [14] “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” [15] “Their feet are swift to shed blood; [16] ruin and misery mark their ways, [17] and the way of peace they do not know.”

And diagnoses the cause…

[18] “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

When we fear the Lord, when we hold Him in highest reverence, awe, and honour, when we listen to Him and take Him seriously, the door swings wide open to a multiplicity of blessings and benefits. God’s promises, built on His unfailing faithfulness, provide the hope that steadies and steers us through all the ups and downs of a turbulent life on this fallen planet until we reach the safe haven of His eternal presence.

The fear of the Lord exposes us, first, to God’s mercy without which we are doomed from birth.

Before we can ever connect with a heavenly Father, we need mercy. God’s mercy, is His “chesed”, an untranslatable Hebrew word that encompasses the vast, indescribable, covenant love of God. He saw our lost condition. He planned and executed a just solution at His own expense. He sacrificed His own Son to a cruel and humiliating death, and He welcomes us back into His favour because of His “chesed”.

How immeasurable is His mercy?

Psalms 103:9-12 NIV
[9] “He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; [10] he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. [11] For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love (chesed) for those WHO FEAR HIM; [12] as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

Who are the ones who receive this mercy?

“… so great is his love FOR THOSE WHO FEAR HIM… “

God’s mercy, reserved for those who fear Him, opens the door to everything we receive from Him in this great salvation.

Second, the fear of the Lord calls us to respond in faith and obedience. Once we have received God’s mercy and, since He is holy, He requires us to hate and distance ourselves from sin as much as He does.

Proverbs 8:10-13 NLT
[10] “Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. [11] For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it. [12] “I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment. [13] All who FEAR THE LORD will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech.”

Listen to David’s wise counsel…

Psalms 34:11-14 NLT
[11]”Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the Lord. [12] Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous? [13] Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies! [14] Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.”

In essence, we show our fear of the Lord by the way we speak and act.

The Bible has much more to say about the fear of the Lord that brings us into close contact with Him, opens us to His mercy and favour for ourselves and our descendants, and guides us through the maze of tests and temptations to our desired eternal destiny.

Without the fear of the Lord, we have no solid foundation on which to build our lives, and no support for the superstructure of thoughts, decisions, and actions that we build on our foundation. However, guided by a commitment to take God seriously because we honour Him for who He is, we can be absolutely sure that He will honour that commitment by His utter faithfulness to Himself and His Word.

Proverbs 3:5-8 NLT
[5] “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. [6] Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. [7] Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. [8] Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.”