With God, Its Possible

I’m so excited about spending Saturday in GA with the gals at Poplar Springs Baptist Church. We’re talking about contentment. I know. Just saying the word “contentment” creates a longing for rest and peace—a longing to be satisfied with who we are, where we’re at, and with what we have. The good news is we can!

With Jesus anything is possible.

That statement was the topic of conversation yesterday at lunch between my husband and me. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the Life! Yet, we often leave Him on the sidelines and attempt to live the Christian life by our own effort. This is a recipe for defeat.

The nature we inherit from Adam is so corrupt that nothing good dwells in us. Under the power of sin, we can’t do anything to please God nor can we do anything to better ourselves. Only the one who created us can re-create us. Yet, we try to do God’s work by our own effort.

The bookshelves are stocked with self-help books. Why? The books are countless because of our desire to improve ourselves. We need to remember Christ said, “Apart from me you can do nothing.”

Just when we think we’re doomed to a life of defeat, Christ gives us victory! By relying on Him instead of ourselves we can experience newness, freedom, contentment, joy, peace… That’s not all. We gain victory over sin, too!

This is the SECRET to the Christian life. When we stop living for God and allow Him to life in and through us, we gain life in its fullest.

If I remain in Christ, I will bear much fruit…peace, faith, joy, self-control, kindness, and godliness. But apart from Him, I can do nothing! That means I have only one responsibility. It’s to remain dependant on Christ for all things. As I do, I become more than a conqueror! The power is there within us, but we have to use it. We do that by saying, Christ, I don’t have the power to overcome ________, but you do. I surrender this sin; this temptation; this flaw; this struggle to you. Empower me by your Spirit to overcome and conqueror this struggle.
It may take repeating this every day for a week or a year, but as you and I rely on Christ eventually all things become new!

Praise God for the work of His Holy Spirit in me accomplishing what only He can do!

I pray that today you will depend on Christ to empower you to be victorious—one day at a time!

Micca Campbell--Helping Women Live Carefree in God's Care

When God Calls A Woman

Welcome to my blog. I’m so glad you stopped by. There’s lots going on today.

1.) After two weeks of recovery from surgery, I get to drive again!
2.) My youngest son’s baseball team is in the middle of their ‘end of the year tournament.’ We’re hoping to win it all tonight! Go Bucks!
3.) I also have a devotion running today entitled, “When God Calls A Women,” and I promised you some tips to help you clarify your call. I'm a gal who keeps her word, so I'll pause here before moving on...

Called And Set Apart

While it’s true that every Christian is called to ministry, some are called “to the ministry.” Being “called” into vocational ministry goes beyond serving in the church. It’s knowing that God has called you apart to give your life in service to Him and others.
Why is it important to distinguish between the two? Because with any other profession, skills for the job can be learned to perform the tasks at hand. With ministry, it’s different. It can’t be done by just anyone because if involves a supernatural element. Therefore ministry must be done by those who are called and anointed by God. This is the first step toward clarifying your call.

A.) A person called by God has been anointed by Him for this role. Just as God anointed Moses, David, and the prophets and apostles, He has anointed you. What caused the people to listen to and follow Moses? What did David have that his brothers did not? God’s anointing. God’s favor. This anointing is not something to be prideful about. You had nothing to do with it. It’s God’s choosing.
In today’s devotion, I point out that Paul states he did not choose to be a minister, but God chose him. Through your call, you know that God has set you apart to serve Him and others. Through the anointing, others can see God’s hand on you.

B.) A person who is secure in God’s call to ministry have a quiet confidence about their lives. This confidence comes from knowing they are in the center of God’s will. Their motives are pure. Their intentions are not to gain attention or fame, but to pursue God’s will for their lives. They are willing to go where they are lead and serve God and others willingly and openly.

C.) Finally, a person called of God understands that they are not working for God but with God. If I’m working for God, then He simply needs to tell me what to do and I will do it. On the other hand, if I’m working with God, then there is a constant realization that I’m limited in what I can do on my own. While I’m limited on what I can do, I’m connected to the One who can do anything. I may have limited wisdom, but I know the God of all wisdom. I am aware of my limits in loving others, in bringing healing or comfort but I’m connected to an unlimited God. When we realize that God is the one who empowers us to do ministry, we are working with Him and not for Him.

If you are certain that God has called you into the ministry, you’ve experienced His anointing in your life, you have a quiet confidence that you’re in the center of His will, and you are aware that you’re working with God; not for Him, then hold tight! Your journey is just beginning!

4.) Lastly, today is the day we announce the first scholarship winner to She Speaks!
Let me pause here and give a big shout to Cindy Haux, our winner! WHOO-HOO! CONGRATULATIONS, Cindy!!

Now, if your name isn’t Cindy Haux, don’t let the enemy discourage you. The DETAILS TO OUR NEXT She Speaks Scholarship contest can be found on our home page at http://www.proverbs31.org/ Hurry over to find out how you can participate.

Or, here’s a sure way you can attend She Speaks this year…

Set up your own scholarship fund! Read below what LeAnn Rice, our Executive Director, at Proverbs 31 has to say about setting up a scholarship!

“We have put together an amazing letter that you can send to your family, friends, church, small group, etc. As a result, tax-deductible donations are made to Proverbs 31 Ministries and designated as scholarship money for you. Each year 20 – 30 women attend She Speaks because they set up their own scholarship. Everyone is not called to speak or write. But some are called to financially help someone else answer the call to speak or write.”

For information on setting up your own scholarship, visit http://www.shespeaksconference.com/. Click on the green button that says “Scholarship Info” at the bottom left of the home page. That button takes them to the scholarship information on the website.

Micca Campbell—Helping Women Live Carefree in God’s Care

God Knows Where You Belong

The contest is over and the winner will be announced on Monday. Good luck to each of you. I wish each of you could win. I remember that urgent feeling to learn, train, and speak for God when I knew I was called. In fact, I had dreams of purchasing a bus, painting JESUS SAVES across the side of it and heading out to evangelize the world. Thank goodness, God had other plans. He knew all along where He would use me. Since I live in Nashville, I thought it made sense for me to connect to LIfeWay ministers or Precept International. I even tried to connect with Carol Kent’s ministry, Speak Up.

I met a closed door with each. Somehow, I wasn’t discouraged. I knew the same God who called Moses and then set him aside for 40 years returned for him when it was time and he’d do the same for me.

That’s exactly what happened!

A friend of mine, Rebecca Ingram Powell, heard about Proverbs 31 Ministries She Speak’s conference and invited me to go. She knew God was calling me to speak. I was reluctant at first but wanted to support her so I went. At the conference, it felt like Lysa had been listening in on my journey. She knew what I was feeling, what I had experienced, and she understood my desire to speak for God. How could she? I thought to myself. Because she had been there!

Throughout the conference, I gained the tools I needed and had longed for to fulfill my calling. I was being equipped for wherever God planted me. To my surprise, Proverbs 31 Ministries became my home and has been for 10 years now.

Know that God has a plan for you. He's knows where you belong. Before you were born, God knew you. He knew where you would live, what you would look like, and He knew your talents and gifts. He planned for you to use those gifts to further His kingdom long before your birth. Now is the time. He will lead you to your perfect home. I promise. So press on, friend and use every opportunity to speak for Jesus!

Micca Campbell--Helping Women Live Carefree in God's Care

Confriming the Call

Hello Blogging friends! This is an exciting day! The speaker team at Proverbs 31 Ministries is inviting you on a blogging tour. That’s not all, leave a comment and enter yourself to win a scholarship for our annual She Speaks Speaker and Writer Conference!

When I sensed God calling me into some type of vocational ministry, I sought the wise counsel of my pastor. While I learned much from his years of experience, one lesson sticks out in my mind most.

God will validate your call by miracles (or open doors) only He can perform.

If you think about it, each person in the bible experienced such miracles—miracles that clearly stated God was with them and was directing their path. Now, I can say from experience, this is true. God will make a way where there is no way to confirm, affirmed and guide my path and yours. Theses open doors will also provided the confidence you and I need to carry out our calling. That’s not all. God will make his plans known to your loved ones as well.

Just as God sent an angel to verify His plan to Joseph concerning Mary’s pregnancy, God used super-natural means to validate His will to my husband as well. Amazingly, God even communicated in a language my husband understood best—accounting.

Upon my pastor’s counsel to return to school, my husband Pat accompanied me to the state’s school where I filled out the necessary papers to enroll. When the office worker return, he informed us that my tuition had already been paid. I was free to pick up my schedule.
This sent my accounting thinking husband into a head spin. He questioned the young man as to how the tuition had been paid. The office worker shared that their records showed I had enrolled eighteen years ago but never attended class. This was correct. I had met a really cute guy and ran off and got married. Now, it was eighteen years later and the school was honoring their records.

To my husband, this was highly unlikely. He knew the accounting department would have returned the check to my parents, or after all these years, written it off the books. The young boy agreed, and yet, they were honoring the eighteen year old record. Cool huh?
God leaves no detail or worry undone. From that moment on, my husband was certain in his heart that God was, indeed, leading us.

With each miracle, God illuminates His path before me. As I've stepped forward with obedience and trust, He has uncovered more of my path—and continues to do so today. What freedom! What peace God’s confirmation provides. I don’t have to worry and work. I don’t have to compete or contemplate. I just simply trust and obey AND walk through those open doors!

As God leads—in life and ministry—I find myself where I truly long to be—the center of His will. Perhaps for you the next step of obedience is to attend our annual She Speaks conference!

If you feel the nudge of God calling you into vocation ministry, then She Speaks is for you! You’ll walk away with a deeper relationship with God, clarification about your call, and the tools you’ll need to fulfill it. So, don’t forget to leave a comment or question and automatically enter to win a scholarship to She Speaks!!! For more information about our conference, visit http://www.shespeaksconference.com/

Good Luck!!

For more inspiration, take the tour!

Lysa http://www.lysaterkeurst.com/
Wend B http://www.wendyblight.com/
Shari http://www.sharibraendel.com/
Micca http://www.miccacampbell.com/
Whitney http://www.whitneycapps.blogspot.com/
Amy http://www.amycarrollp31.blogspot.com/
Melanie http://www.melaniechitwood.com/
Lynn http://www.lynncowell.blogspot.com/
Karen http://www.karenehman.com/
Suzie http://www.tsuzanneeller.com/
Zoe http://www.zoeelmore.blogspot.com/
Sharon http://www.sharonglasgow.com/
Charlene http://www.charlenekidd.blogspot.com/
Tracie http://www.traciemiles.blogspot.com/
Rachel http://www.rachelolsen.com/
Wendy P http://www.wendypope.blogspot.com/
Luann http://www.luannprater.com/
Susanne http://www.susannescheppmann.blogspot.com/
Renee http://www.reneeswope.com/
Melissa http://www.melissataylor.org/
Van http://www.vanwalton.blogspot.com/
Marybeth http://www.marybethwhalen.com/
Glynnis http://www.glynniswhitwer.blogspot.com/
LeAnn http://www.leannrice.com/
She Seeks http://www.sheseeks.org/
She Reads http://www.shereads.org/
RadRev http://www.radrevolution.org/

Micca Campbell--Helping Women Live Carefree in God's Care

New Opportunities

I’m going to be honest with you. It’s easier for me to grumble, whine, and complain about my troubles than it is for me to give thanks for them. Maybe it’s because I was the baby of the family. According to my older siblings, I could stick out my bottom lip and get anything I wanted. If that’s true, then perhaps complaining is a learned behavior. I’d like to think so because then I can unlearn the bad behavior. What’s more, I can learn to be thankful for all things good and bad alike.

I don’t want to be the type of Christian who chooses to obey what they like and disregard the rest. You know the kind. Furthermore, God doesn’t want me to live that way either. So why is it so hard to be thankful in all things as God commands? Because it stinks when bad things happen making it really difficult for me to be thankful. But instead of failing, I want to make God look good. I seem to have the same problem that Paul had. My spirit is willing but my flesh is weak.

Then it dawned on me. Perhaps I'm looking at things from the wrong perspective. Surely, God--who is good and wants me to succeed--has provided a way!

Of course he has!

If 1 Thessalonians 5:18 states: "in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." Then Romans 8: 28 gives us the support we need in order to give thanks. It says this. "We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love the Lord."

If God is causing all things in your life and mine to work together for good, then we can thank Him for whatever we are encountering, even when overwhelming heartache seems to crush us to the core. God is in charge. God is in control. Believing this truth brings a sense of peace and stability to my life.

Two days before my surgery, my husband and I sat in silence at the dinner table. At first, we shuffled our food around on our plates pretending to eat. Then staring into each other’s tear filled eyes, Pat reached for my hand and said, “Whatever the outcome, it’s going to be alright.”

I knew he was right. I learned that lesson many years ago when I became a widow at the age of twenty-one. I had learned to say, “God, I don’t understand what’s happening. I don’t like it either, but I’m going to trust you.” Peace was always the result.

This time I’m learning that trouble, trials, and sickness are not set-backs. They are new opportunities for us to grow in faith and trust. It brings new hope, courage, strength, power, and a new testimony of the good God brings out of the bad. These times we call bad are when our relationship with God deepens. In addition, with each new opportunity I’m reminded of God’s ever present Presence in my life. I’m aware of His unending faithfulness and of His loving care and provision. When I think on these things, I can give thanks. In fact, I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Micca Campbell--Helping Women Live Carefree in God's Care

God Still Performs Miracles

It’s been a week since my surgery. I’m feeling stronger every day. I can tell it won’t be long before I can leap tall buildings in a single bound. Not that I make a habit of leaping from roof tops, I simply mean I’ll be able to--- or at least in my own mind I’ll be able to. I’ve been sick for a loonnngggg time! So long, I’ve forgot how nice it is to feel good. Health is a huge blessing and I’ve not stopped praising God for mine.

I had a real scare on my hands. According to my ultra sound photo’s, cancer became a real concern. When you hear that kind of news, suddenly everything takes on new meaning. I began thinking about things such as, if it is cancer how will I explain it to my kids? Will I have to give up speaking? What is the survival rate for ovarian cancer? What if I lose my hair or worse—what if I lose my life?

Feelings of fear and worry flooded my entire being. I felt weak and helpless as if someone had knocked the breath out of me. I want you to understand that it’s okay to have such feelings. We are made of flesh and blood and it’s only natural to experience these types of emotions when given devastating news. Jesus never promised we wouldn’t face trouble in this world. In fact, he faced his own grief and temptations. It’s true. There will be times in our lives when circumstances will stretch our faith beyond what we think we can handle. Still, we don’t have to be overwhelmed.

The key is to exercise our faith. God is willing to carry our burdens for us. Our job is to trust God with our cares. Sometimes, it takes others praying with us and for us. You did this for me and I could feel the power of prayer at work! Peace ruled my heart and my contentment was noticed by the nursing staff.

Each nurse, that prepared me for surgery commented on how peaceful and composed I looked to be on my way to surgery. When it was over, I got to go home a day early! All because you prayed for me--and prayer moves the hand of God. Many believe I experienced a miracle!
Once the doctor was inside, she found the cyst to be 10 cm large. That’s the size of a grapefruit, y’all! It had something like veins growing from it and attached itself to the wall of my uterus, my ovary and my bowel. Therefore, I ended up having a hysterectomy keeping only my right ovary. Even though it looked bad, test came back negative for cancer! My doctor was “surprised.” But God wasn’t!


I can hardly wait to share about my God who is still in the healing business. He is still faithful. He is still in control. He still hears and answers prayer, and He is still good no matter what we face on this earth.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. Your love and support has carried me, strengthened me, and allowed me to make God look good to others watching.

You are loved!

Micca Campbell—Helping Women Live Carefree in God’s Care

My Surgery

Happy Friday!

This is a very important day for me. I’m having surgery. I’ve been sick off and on over the past year without any clue to what was wrong. I went from one diagnosis to another. Boy, was that frustrating! Finally, I believe we’ve found the culprit—a large cyst that has consumed my left ovary. Upon finding the cyst, I was sent for an ultra sound to get a closer look at the guilty suspect. The results were neither good nor bad—just suspicious.

Suspicious of what you ask?

Ovarian cancer.

Yuck! That’s a downer, right?!

It was for me. At least at first anyway. I admit that I was a bit shaken to hear I was going to lose my ovary and more if cancer is present. Still, I held it together until I got to my car. Then, I lost it. The tears ran and so did my nose. Why does a person’s nose run when they cry? Anyway, I found myself in the “going home” traffic. At one point, the traffic came to a standstill so I cried harder. That’s when I noticed a construction guy peering at me through the window. He was resting his elbow on his open widow looking at me like I was a crazy woman. I gathered myself and stared forward. Yet I could feel him still looking at me. So, I rolled down the passenger side window and said, “I REALLY hate traffic jams.”

He replied, “Yes, you do.”

Immediately after hearing the news, my teammates called on our friends for prayer. I was overwhelmed with encouragement as the prayers, comments and verses poured in. On verse jumped out at me, Isaiah 53:1.

"Who would have thought God's saving power would look like this?"

I never thought of it like that. God could be answering my prayer through the discovery of my cyst. I wanted healing, but the doctors didn’t know where to begin. Now we have a beginning place so there’s nowhere to go but up from here! I would have never guessed his saving; healing power would look like this—surgery and possible cancer. But God…He doesn’t play by the rules, does he? His thoughts and His ways are higher than ours. My desire is to bring glory to God in all things. What better way is there to make God look good than trusting Him though the trails of our lives???

It’s already begun. My husband, Pat, and I witnessed to the nurse when I pre-registered at the hospital on Wed. Today, I’m going to give her a copy of my book and our P31 Woman magazine. I’d say God set that opportunity up for us to make Him look good, wouldn’t you? I mean if a sick girl about to have surgery is more concerned about another person's worries than her own, that makes God look good.

I hope you’ll pray for me today and for the days to come as I recover. Pray that no matter what God calls me to, I’ll make Him look good.

On the flip side, God has my back. Wednesday night, my doctor was able to secure the best oncologist in the city. I took that as a sign that God was already at work in the details of things. He is a detailed kind of God, you know. On one hand, I hope I won’t need the oncologist. On the other hand, I’m glad God has provided him if I do. That’s the thing about God. He knows what to provide and when. It may not always make sense to us at the time, but God is always working behind the scenes on our behalf. I don’t know who said it first, but this phrase has been going through my mind all day…

“God can do all things, but fail you.”

Can I get an A-men??

So no matter what the outcome of tomorrow brings…this I know. God is in control. He is aware of and at work in my circumstances, and He loves me beyond measure. That’s my message and I hope everyone I come in contact with will know it before I return home.

You are loved, and I thank you in advance for your prayers.

I’ll keep you posted as soon as I can.

Micca Campbell-Helping Women Live Carefree in God’s Care

Christ Lives!

American’s are people of tradition. Every family celebrates each holiday in a unique way. During the Holy-day of Easter, our family sticks to tradition. Sure it has changed a bit over the years as the children have grown, but the essentials have remained. For example, it’s an essential in our family to color Easter eggs the night before.

Our entire family gathers to gather. This year we’ll assemble at my house. We’ll have the usual Easter ham and all the fixings for dinner. I like to bake it in cola with brown sugar and crushed pineapple. Yummy! After we eat, we mix the colors, dip the eggs, and compete for the best design. (all in fun, of course)

While coloring eggs, someone reads the crucifixion story or a devotional about Christ’s resurrection. This year we’re going to read an excerpt from Max Lacado’s book, He Choose The Nails.

“John didn't know on that Friday what you and I now know. He didn't know that Friday's tragedy would be Sunday's triumph. John would later confess that he "did not yet understand from the Scriptures that Jesus must rise from the dead" (John 20:9).

That's why what he did on Saturday is so important.

We don't know anything about this day; we have no passage to read, no knowledge to share. All we know is this: When Sunday came, John was still present. When Mary Magdalene came looking for him, she found him.

Jesus was dead. The Master's body was lifeless. John's friend and future were buried. But John had not left. Why? Was he waiting for the resurrection? No. As far as he knew, the lips were forever silent and the hands forever still. He wasn't expecting a Sunday surprise. Then why was he here?

You'd think he would have left. Who was to say that the men who crucified Christ wouldn't come after him? The crowds were pleased with one crucifixion; the religious leaders might have called for more. Why didn't John get out of town?

Perhaps the answer was pragmatic; perhaps he was taking care of Jesus' mother. Or perhaps he didn't have anywhere else to go. Could be he didn't have any money or energy or direction … or all of the above.

Or maybe he lingered because he loved Jesus.

To others, Jesus was a miracle worker. To others, Jesus was a master teacher. To others, Jesus was the hope of Israel. But to John, he was all of these and more. To John, Jesus was a friend.
You don't abandon a friend—not even when that friend is dead. John stayed close to Jesus.
He had a habit of doing this. He was close to Jesus in the upper room. He was close to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was at the foot of the cross at the crucifixion, and he was a quick walk from the tomb at the burial.

Did he understand Jesus? No.

Was he glad Jesus did what he did? No.

But did he leave Jesus? No.

What about you? When you're in John's position, what do you do? When it's Saturday in your life, how do you react? When you are somewhere between yesterday's tragedy and tomorrow's triumph, what do you do? Do you leave God—or do you linger near him?

John chose to linger. And because he lingered on Saturday, he was around on Sunday to see the miracle.”

It’s my prayer that your family and mine experience afresh the miracle of Christ’s resurrection!

Our family continues the celebration by attending church. Then, it’s lunch with my husband’s side of the family. When the kids where little, we’d have an Easter egg hunt. Now, as teenagers, they rather eat and enjoy the adult company.

Times change and so do traditions but one thing that never changes is this…

Christ Lives!

Wishing you and yours a Wonderful Easter!

Micca Campbell--Helping Women Live Carefree in God's Care