Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs

I printed this story two times in Above Rubies. However, I would love to share it with you again today. It is still one of the most powerful marriage restoration testimonies I have read. Read how Connie waited 12 agonizing years for her wild, in-and-out-of prison husband to return to her!
~ Nancy

Jim and I met in 1966. He was 25, I was 18. He was wild and so was I. When we met he had already been in and out of prison for about seven years and was going back again for two years. We married in the prison six months later. Soon after I had our son. A few months later I miraculously came to Christ. Because of the prison term I didn’t live with my husband for another two and a half years. After being home a year he began a crime spree.

He deserted us over and over again. I had nowhere to turn except to God. No one knew where my mate was. Some of the time my heart would rage like a forest fire out of control. I would run and scream like a woman out of her mind searching for her mate in the raging fire. I’d scream curses at God only to faint from exhaustion and weep bitter tears of repentance. I’d get back up, begin running again and fall again and again until finally I’d surrender my will to Christ’s will. And then I’d wait, maybe for another six months, knowing God was in control.

In the beginning I thought about divorce. Well, wasn’t that what a woman does if her husband leaves her repeatedly? And yet Jim kept coming back and repenting. He would mysteriously end up at my back door after being missing for four or five months, looking like a mad man. But beneath the dirt and sun-parched face he was still mine.

I’d bring him in the house, give him dinner, and speak peace and rest to him. I’d run the bath water for him to wash and feel like a man again. Compassion would rise in my heart. I had the Lord, and my Jim didn’t. I would reverence and praise him. I would shut the door on the world and be alone with my mate. No matter what he had done to me, we were still one flesh. He was my first and only husband--a terrible, ungodly, unfaithful husband, but he was still my husband. His healing came repeatedly as I forgave him and opened my love to him. I held nothing back.

There would be times when putting dinner on the table I’d notice he was awfully late. I’d listen for the car and begin running back and forwards to the window. The old familiar fear would rage, knowing that he had deserted me again. This happened about 30 times in the first twelve years of marriage. He would suddenly disappear without warning. The children would run in from play crying, “Where is daddy, where is my daddy?” I’d tell my little baby, Jimmy, “Daddy is sick, but Jesus is going to heal him.” I taught my little ones to pray, “Thank you, Jesus, for bringing my daddy home.”

His mother died, and no one could find him. My prayers went out to God day and night, seemingly to no avail. The years went on and the crimes continued as if I had no God. I felt like a motherless and fatherless child. I was completely exhausted, and my mate committed still another crime and went to prison for almost four years.

I loved him. I felt he was demon possessed, yet he was my husband. And, at times I hated him. Your arms and legs belong to you even when they hurt, you can’t cut them off. I was like this about my husband. I hated it when he deserted me, but I was married to him no matter what. Adultery to me was the worst of all sins. At night before I entered my marriage bed alone I’d cry out to God to keep me pure, even in my dreams, and that I would never dream of another man.

Many mornings I’d wake up and think, “Lord, why did you give me another day to live?” Often the world seemed so black to me, but sweet Jesus would come to me and speak life and joy into my tired and depressed soul. One day God supernaturally took all my burdens away. I forgot Jim had left me. It was so hilarious. I even wrote myself a note to remember to pray for him.
The day-to-day message from the Lord was, “Now Connie, you just get up out of that bed. You straighten your shoulders and you believe God. This problem isn’t bigger than God. Don’t you prepare your day as though Jim won’t be home. You get up and prepare your home for a miracle.” Each evening when my husband was gone I’d fix supper for him and put his plate at the head of the table. No one was allowed to sit in his chair and no one was allowed to bad-mouth him. I ran the house as if he were home.

I survived and lived on the Word of God. I whispered His name all day long. He walked with me in the valley of death and guided me to a straight path.

All our phone conversations at the prison were censored. I’d speak faith into the phone and say, “I’ll see you in a few days, honey. The guards thought we were planning an escape because Jim had been given a 10-year sentence!

People laughed and said he would always leave me and be in and out of prison. The prison guards told me that Jim was institutionalized and was hopeless. Hopeless or not, he was my husband. I knew I could never forsake the Lord by not forgiving my own husband. Also, as a young wife I wanted to be a teacher of women when I got older and I knew I couldn’t be divorced. I’d sing, “Keep me Jesus as the apple of thine eye.”

The Lord would tell me to speak to the mountains in my life and not doubt in my heart. I would speak to the mountain, which was Jim. I would woo him and call him home with my prayers. Every muscle in my body cried out to God to save him. I fasted and prayed continuously.

Jim was healed in 1979. After he had been in prison for the last four years and home for about three months, he asked me to have another baby, our fourth. I was so fearful. I said No, I was not going to have another baby. I walked away from him and the Lord spoke to me. “Connie," He said, “You have come this far by faith. Don’t give up now.” After much heartache I obeyed the Lord.

“Yes,” I told Jim, "I’ll have another baby for you.” I placed my future in his hands. When Jim saw that I still believed in his life as a human being something released within him. The fear left his eyes and He was delivered. He lifted up his hands to His Father and received the anointing of a sound and unfettered mind. He began to slowly give more and more of his life to Christ. He took over the bills and began to work steadily.

The Lord did exceedingly and abundantly more than I could ask or think. He gave me joy unspeakable. Satan had come in like a flood, but the Lord raised such a standard against him. All Satan did was build me a grand testimony.

God gave me a new batch of fruit. I had David in 1980, Dan in 1982, and Mary in 1985. We now have six children. I was queen in my palace. I raised the children for Christ and to honor their daddy. I taught them to jump when Daddy walked into the room. I taught them to get Daddy a cup of coffee or honor him in some way.

The guys at work say to my husband, “You don’t go out and drink and party.” Jim says, “I have a wife to go home to. I spend my time with my family.”

One guy said, “Boy, when work is over you run home.” The guy thought something was wrong with him!

I sit here thinking of Jim and the man he is now. He has been home sitting at the head of our table for 20 years! Who is this Jesus we serve? Surely, He is the Son of the living God, a God who saw me crying and feeling so forsaken, a God who knew the very moment Jim would be healed. Jim is my walking miracle to always remind me that nothing is impossible with God. He showed me that if we don’t give up we will see the glory of God.

Proverbs 31:11 says, “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her.” A woman must gain the trust of a man such as this. His healing comes as he feels safe enough to give Christ his heart and his wife his heart. When Jim was healed he went from not seeing me to taking care of me. He turned from Satan and took dominion over his Eve. He came into his responsibilities as a man. I come under my husband and I don’t desire to do anything else. I don’t always agree with him and I tell him I don’t. But in the end his word is final. I want to be as Esther and not as Queen Vashti.

Dear wives and mothers, don’t give up on your husband. God sees your heartache. He won’t leave you or forsake you if you trust in Him. I know. I’ve been to the other side.

Updated December 2012
In April 2006 my dear husband, Jim, died of a heart attack. As my six children and I gathered around Jim’s hospital bed the Hospital Chaplain told me, "I have never seen a family so full of love." As the nurse told us Jim had passed, I whispered to each of the children to comfort and love each other. As we left the hospital room I left a chapter in my life.

I wish I could say that all went well after that, but grief is hard to understand, and unpredictable. Jim and I were married for almost 40 years, my first and only husband. I still live in our family home, garden, bake bread, cook from scratch, and try to practice what I preach.

Jim would often say, "Connie and the children are what I live for, but I try to put God first. My family is my life." When we would give our testimony to a church group Jim would look up from the pulpit and say, "If it wasn't for that little girl right over there I wouldn't be alive today. She was my guardian angel."

I now have nine grandchildren and they are a wonderful blessing. Had I given up on my husband I would have never known the joy of all these grandchildren. Praise the Lord.

Jim and I lived from one miracle to the next. To me, Jim and I were just two good forgivers as we all have feet of clay. Our love and life together was the most gut-wrenching experience I ever had, but it was a one of a kind marriage. Would I do it all again? Yes, I would. Oh yes, it was worth it all. My marriage was tried in the fire many times, but I came out with a testimony of love and truth. My marriage has a message, "If you don't give up you will see the glory of God."

CONNIE HULTQUIST
Marian, Iowa, USA

At ten minutes, a three-year old boy stopped, but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The child stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard, and the child continued to walk, turning his head the whole time. This action was repeated by several other children, but every parent - without exception - forced their children to move on quickly.

At forty-five minutes, the musician played continuously. Only six people stopped and listened for a short while. About twenty gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

After one hour, he finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed, and no one applauded. There was no recognition at all.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold-out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100 each to sit and listen to him play the same music.

This is a true story. Joshua Bell, playing incognito in the D.C. Metro Station, was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste, and people’s priorities.

This experiment raised several questions: In a common-place environment, at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? If so, do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: if we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made . . . how many other things are we missing as we rush through life?

Leonid Afremov, Violinist, Oil Painting

I printed this article, written by Pam Fields, in Above Rubies #93. It is such a good idea that I’d love to share it with you again today. You will be inspired. Love from Nancy.

PRAYER BRACELETS
For years, I told people that I believed in the power of prayer. I affirmed with my mouth that “prayer changes things.” I knew in my mind and heart it was true.

At a Ladies’ Retreat a few years ago, Nancy talked about prayer and quizzed us on Scriptures pertaining to prayer. There are at least 650 references to prayer in the Bible—probably more. I’m familiar with them, but do I believe them? Do I live like I believe that prayer is as powerful as the Bible says?

That weekend, I was challenged to pray for my children. If I don’t pray for my children, who will? I cannot rely on grandparents or a prayer-warrior-friend to cover my children with prayer. It is my duty and should be my delight. I must be vigilant for we live in the midst of a daily spiritual battle. I must purposefully pray for my children.

I had to look at my prayer life and found it sorely lacking. My heart was heavy. I was failing to pray for my own children! Day-to-day, I was very conscientious to prepare them nourishing foods, to educate them, and to fill their brains with a Biblical worldview. All these things are good, but I’d neglected to pray for my children. I’d left them uncovered.

When I did remember to hunker down and pray in the hustle and bustle of life in a big family, I usually petered out. Starting at the top of the age list, I could never get through them all—interrupted by my own distractions or the needs of the very ones I was trying to pray for.

The next time, I would start with the youngest and work my way up. Again, I was pulled away and some always got left out! The squeakiest wheel got the most prayer and the quietest one (who happened to be in the middle) was forgotten. This was unacceptable! I was abnegating the most basic of parental duties. I was surrendering my most powerful weapon to protect my family. Abandoning my post. This was not my heart. I needed a plan!

As Nancy shared that weekend about the high priest of Israel and his garments which held the names of the tribes of Israel, an idea began to take shape. On the ephod and the breastplate of the priestly garments were the names of the tribes of Israel. Exodus 28:29 (ESV) says: “So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breastpiece of judgement on his heart, when he goes into the Holy Place, to bring them to regular rememberance before the Lord.” I realized that I could no longer leave out any of “my tribe.” I needed to carry them with me as I carried out my motherhood role, to cover them, and bring their names before the Lord.

I am not much of a jewelry girl. I find it most inconvenient as I don’t know how to match it to my clothing, it makes a noise, or gets in the way when I try to be productive. I knew I couldn’t manage a breastplate or an ephod! But I needed a physical reminder.

Now, I wear a bracelet for each of my children. Each one is a simple elastic string of beads that matches just about everything. Honestly, I don’t care if it doesn’t match, because these bracelets are more important than fashion!

I put beads, which spell out my children’s names, on each bracelet. Every morning, I put the bracelets on my left wrist. As I pray for them, I move the bracelets to my right wrist. Now, when I am interrupted, I don’t lose my place! If I pray for them as the Lord leads, I don’t lose my place. No longer must it be done in order! If I finish praying for some, I slip those bracelets onto the counter—ready for the next day.

While driving errands, my wrist is right before me at the steering wheel—a reminder. I turn off the radio and pray instead. If I think, as I cook or wash dishes, “these bracelets are getting in the way,” I remind myself that my true work for the day is not completed. I am called to pray. When folding laundry, instead of letting my mind wander, I check my wrist and get down to the real business of my home.

My children know about my bracelets. It is the sweetest thing when my seven-year-old comes up to me, lovingly caressing my arm and checking each bracelet to look for her name. “Mommy, you haven’t prayed for me yet?” or, with excitement, “Mommy! You prayed for me already!”

I find that when I pray for each child, the Lord brings to my heart all the needs surrounding each particular child. My prayer life is becoming quite unbounded. I now pray for my children’s friends, their workplaces, their future spouses, and the ministries to which God has called them. Though I still need to make a bracelet for him, I pray for my husband daily as well.

I was once unable to find the time to pray for my husband and the nine precious children God has given me. Then I discovered I had the time all along. I was merely distracted. My walk with God is stronger, as I talk with Him all day long concerning the most exciting and the dullest things.

I ask you what I asked myself: “Do you really believe in the power of prayer? If so, are you living what you believe?” I’d be so happy for you to try my plan.

PAM FIELDS
Salem, Oregon, USA * This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR BRACELETS
What you need:
Clear stretchy cord, beading needle, seed beads, E6000 glue (to secure the knot so it doesn’t come undone). These supplies can be found at a craft store.
Alphabet beads from Oriental Trading company or Amazon (Amazon has an extra vowel set) which might be necessary, depending on how many you make). My beads started off silver, but after a year of wearing them, the silver has rubbed off and they are now white.

PICTURE: The Fields family.

Yes! The Lord Jesus said so: "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged, about his neck, and that lie were drowned in the depth of the sea. " (Matthew 18:6).

Jim Moritz was suddenly taken to Glory at the age of four, June 28, 1969. He grew up under the constant hearing of the Gospel in word and in music. His parents, Pastor and Mrs. Fred Moritz, dedicated him to the Lord before he was born. He knew John 3:16 before he was two years of age.

Saturday, March 15, during evangelistic meetings the evangelist, Allen Northrup, and pastor were still at the church after the service when Mrs. Moritz phoned and said: "Your son says he wants to become a Christian."
The pastor and evangelist tried to talk to the boy that night, but he was very timid and just went to his room.

After the series of meetings, Jim began to speak of having been saved. His father said, "Jim, when were you saved?"
His dad thought that because Jim had raised his hand during the meetings, he might have the false impression that be was saved. But the boy replied: "Dad, when Allen Northrup was here in our church, I went into my room one night, and I sat down by my bed and asked Jesus Christ to save me and be my Savior,"

After that, whenever his dad or anyone else would question him about his salvation he would say, "Dad, I told you when I was saved. You remember, don't you?" Jim always had the right answers when anyone questioned him about salvation.

On June 9, 1969, Jim came to the door with a little friend and said, "She wants to be saved." Jim's father led the little girl to Christ. She was saved because of Jim's witness.

After Jim's sudden home-going, his testimony lived on, and his parents know of at least eight who have been saved since then because of Jim's salvation and his witness.

How important it is that little children are taught the Gospel. How wonderful that even little children can witness. The plan of salvation is so simple that even a child need not err therein!

Yes, anyone, young or old, who "believes in" Christ has eternal life! Our Lord said: "He that believeth on me hath everlasting life" (John 6:47).

See Matthew 18. In verse 2, we learn that our Lord loves little children, for He "called a little child unto him."

Also, little children can learn to love Him, for when the Lord called this little one to Him, the child came. The little boy was not afraid of the Lord; he did not run from Him-he came to Him!

Now read verse 6 again, and let these words sink into your mind: "these little ones which believe in me."

Yes, thank God, little children can be saved. I was saved at my mother’s knee when I was four years old.

Some say, "No one can be saved at the early age of four." Well, my mother didn't know that, so she just went ahead and led me to Christ! And I didn't know it either, so I just went ahead and received Christ and got saved!

Parents, be sure to lead your little children to Christ. If you explain salvation to them, over and over again, they will understand.

If your little child were suddenly called from this world, what a comfort it would be to say, "I had the joy of leading him or her to Christ."

Remember, our Lord said, "Suffer (allow) little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 19:14).

Yes, you can lead your children to Christ. They will understand if you carefully explain the plan of salvation to them. Don't say, "If you are a good boy, you'll go to Heaven." No, he won't!

NOBODY goes to Heaven by "being good" or by being "religious."

By the way, mother or dad, are YOU saved? You know you are a sinner, for God declares: "All have sinned." (See Romans 3:23.) And you know you are a lost sinner: "For the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).

You know that "God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

And now that Christ died to bear your sin and rose again, you can be saved forever by trusting in Him and in what He did for you on the cross.

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" (John 1: 12).

Children are saved by receiving the Lord Jesus and trusting in Him. And adults are saved the same way!
Mother and daddy make sure you are saved, and then set. out to win your children to Christ.

Do it now! Before this ungodly, wicked world with its fierce temptations, snares, and pitfalls drags your child into the cesspools of iniquity.

Do it now! Before Satan, through his many agents and helpers, deceives them with false teachings of evolution, new morality, situation ethics, sensitivity training, and sex without morality.

Do it now! Then get into a good, sound, separated, Christ-exalting, Bible-preaching church and see to it that the whole family is there at all the regular services.

Do it now! And begin a daily "family altar" in your home, when you read the Word of God and pray with your family

You will pay an awful price if you don't. You will reap many blessings if you do.

Printed from Bible Tracts Inc. P.O. Box 588, Normal, IL 61761-0588

When we feel miserable or upset, God wants us to make a sacrifice! Yes, that means to do something we don’t like. Something that denies the flesh.

You may feel down in the dumps. Forget your feelings. Make a sacrifice of JOY! It is a sacrifice isn’t it? Especially when you don’t feel like it, but Psalm 27:6 tells us to make “SACRIFICES OF JOY.” And how do you make the sacrifice? It goes on to say: “I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.” You’ve got to start singing.

There are more sacrifices yet! When you are full of self-pity, cast it out in the name of Jesus and make a sacrifice of PRAISE. Jeremiah 17:20 and 31:11 talk about it and then the New Testament takes it up in Hebrews 13;15: “Let us offer the SACRIFICE of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”

You’ve got to do something You’ve got to open your lips and praise instead of complaining!

If that’s not enough, God’s tells us to make the “SACRIFICES of thanksgiving” (Psalm 107:22 and 116:17). Do you notice the plural? It’s not only one sacrifice of thanksgiving, but sacrifices! You’ve got to keep on sacrificing your feelings and keep on thanking and praising the Lord.

Will you do it? know you don’t feel like it. It is a sacrifice. But it leads you to victory and triumph.

Listen to Jonah’s testimony. He offered the “sacrifice of thanksgiving” when he was down in the belly of the whale where the depths closed over him, the see wrapped itself around his head, and he sank to the very roots of the mountains! He was imprisoned in the earth! I am sure your problem isn’t as bad as Jonah’s! But he made the sacrifice, and God gave him deliverance (Jonah 2: 1-19).

The Bible also talks about the “SACRIFICES of righteousness” (Psalm 4:5 and 51:19 and the “SACRIFICES of a broken spirit and contrite heart (Psalm 51:17).

One more thing. God makes it clear that these sacrifices are not only for sometimes. We are to make them CONTINUALLY. The Old Testament commanded the people of Israel to make “continual “or “daily” sacrifices. The word in the Hebrew is “yom” and means from “sunrise to sunset.”

It doesn’t change in the New Testament. Hebrews 13:15 states: “Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God CONTINUALLY.” No option. We can’t get off the hook. This is the plan. In fact, it’s the remedy. It’s the answer. God’s ways always work.

When you open your lips and start praising, you’ll win the victory. Your attitude will change. The atmosphere in your home will change, and even the children will change their behavior.

I know you’ll do it.

Love from Nancy Campbell

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Yesterday I asked the question: “Why do many people hate the word patriarchy?” It’s not really that scary because it just comes from the word “pater” which is father. Whenever I have been interviewed on TV I have always been asked the question: “What do you think about patriarchy?” The liberals have a terrible view of this word. They think of ogre men who lord it over their wives. Sadly, there are men who treat their wives this way and distort God’s image of patriarchy. The true sense of the word is the revelation of God the Father to the world.

The origin of father is in the family. God even reveals family in the Trinity. We have God the Father. God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is never called a mother in God’s Word. And yet, we see the picture of mothering. The Holy Spirit is the Comforter and in the beginning of creation we read of Him “brooding” over the waters.

The Father is the head. Ephesians 4:6 says: “One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Following the image of the Three-in-One God, 1 Corinthians 11:3 states clearly: “I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.” There is perfect equality and oneness in the God-head and yet they also have different functions. God wants us to function like He does.

Many women cannot accept that man is head of the woman. They demand equality, but they don’t have to demand equality, because we are already equal with men. God plainly reveals our equality and worth with men. But we have different functions. Just because God gave us different functions does not make us inferior. In fact, when we each fulfil our specific functions, our marriage and family life functions successfully.

Sometimes we need to be reminded of God’s ultimate plan. God, who is the “only wise God” has the plan that works best. Or I should say, the only plan that really works.

God reveals the headship of man even in creation.

1. Man was created first, then the woman.

2. God represented the human race through Adam, the man, not Eve (1 Corinthians 15:22).

3. God gave Adam the responsibility to name Eve. Naming someone reveals their headship over the one named.

4. God called both Adam and Eve the name Adam (or “man” in the Hebrew), rather than Adam and Eve. Genesis 5:2 states: “Male and female he created them, and he blessed them and named them Man when they were created.” Both are equal in worth, value, and importance, but God called them “man” to denote the male headship.

5. God held Adam accountable. Even though Eve was deceived and sinned first, when God came to the Garden of Eden what did He do? Genesis 3:9 says: “And the LORD God called unto ADAM,
and said unto him, Where art THOU?”

6. God created Eve to be a helper (Genesis 2:18). To be a helper is not inferior, for God is also called a Helper (the same Hebrew word “ezer”), but He didn’t call her the leader or the head.

7. Marriage is a picture of Christ and the church. The church does not lead Christ. The church submits to Christ as the wife submits to her husband. Ephesians 5:24: “Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.”

Can we not trust the ultimate wisdom of God? Why do we think we know more than God? Why do we resist His ways? It only results in destruction as we see in our society today. God’s ways are perfect.

Proverbs 21:30: “There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.”

Psalm 33:11: “The counsel of the LORD stands
forever, the thought of his heart to all generations.”

In His love,

Nancy Campbell

The Greek word for family in this passage is “patria” from the root word “pater” which is the word for father. Everything that is called after the Father belongs to or springs from Him. Oh, how the feminists hate this! They hate the word patriarchy which comes from “pater” (father).

This is the ridiculous deception of feminism. They hate their origin. They hate who they are because they hate God who is their source. They could not be in this world without a natural father, and of course, their Heavenly Father who is the only One who can give conception and who planned to bring them into this world.

We know that many harbor this hatred because of hurts they have received from their own fathers, or from men in their lives. This is all the work of the enemy. Satan hates fathering and mothering because it is how God wants to reveal Himself on this earth and he hates every plan of God. Therefore, he constantly attacks these powerful roles to distort and tread them down.

That’s why we must continually pray the promise of Malachi 4:5 that “He will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers.” God’s ultimate plan is that fathers reveal His beautiful Father heart to their families and the world, just as God wants His female creation to reveal His maternal heart to the families and the world.

Jesus was one with the Father. He was the Beloved Son of His Father, and the Father was His Beloved Father. And yet in His most amazing mercy He wants to share His Beloved Father with us. That’s why He left the glory of Heaven to come to this earth, shed His blood, and pour out His life for us—to save us and share His Father with us for eternity.

After Jesus had risen from the dead, He said to Mary: “I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.” Have you ever read anything so incredible? Jesus tells us that He wants His Father to be our Father. He wants to share His glorious and eternal Father with us.

Would you want to share your father? Maybe we would be too selfish to do that. And yet Jesus wants us to experience His Father. When we know Him, we understand what fatherhood is all about.

While Satan and all his cohorts are pulling down fatherhood and motherhood, let’s raise up these roles to be mighty in the nation. When we do this, we reveal God in the earth.

Be encouraged.

Nancy Campbell

Painting by Katie Berggren

Psalm 106:24, 25 says: “Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word: But murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the LORD.“ The “pleasant land” was the home God chose for His people, but they despised it and murmured and complained.

God has chosen a “pleasant land” for you too. It is your home. The first home, which was the prototype of all homes to come, was called the garden of Eden. Eden means “delight” and God wants you to make your home a delight too.

The word “pleasant” in Psalm 106:24 also means “delightful, desirable and precious.” When God spoke to Daniel in Daniel 10:11, 19 He called him “greatly beloved” which is the same Hebrew word.

Dear sweet mother, I know life is not always easy in your home as you care for your little ones and face all the challenges of each day. But can I let you in on a secret? It is delightful or burdensome according to your attitude. Nothing influential or powerful in this life is easy. It takes hard work and commitment. It’s the same with mothering in your home.

If you are in the grumbling and despising state, change your attitude today. Embrace your home. You are in the perfect will of God. Delight in it. And commit to making your home a delight--for your husband, your children, and even for yourself.

Love to you today,

Nancy Campbell

Every day we face the fight. But we don’t face it in defeat. We have the power of Christ living within us to overcome. The rewards are for the overcomers. Peter continues to tell the believers how to react to their reproaches and sufferings. His words are a little different to what we would expect.

1. REJOICE (verse 13). It is joy that comes as a result of God’s grace in our lives. We don’t rejoice because we feel like it, but because we know that God is in control. He has the bigger picture. He is working everything out for final good.

2. EXCEEDING JOY (verse 13). These words are “agalliao” in the Greek which comes from two roots words: “agan” meaning VERY MUCH; and “aliomai” meaning TO LEAP. It is the same word used in Matthew 5:11, 12: “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be EXCEEDING GLAD: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”

When going through trials and persecution we are to leap for joy. Not only a little skip. We are to leap VERY MUCH. Or in other words, “to leap and skip about with excessive or ecstatic joy and delight.” My, I sure have to change my attitude. What about you?

3. HAPPY (verse 14). This word means more than superficial happiness. It is to be fully satisfied in whatever situation I am in (favorable or not), because Christ lives in me. Because Christ indwells me-- and nothing takes Him by surprise or gets Him in a state of tension--I do not have to cave in. And God says that when we are reproached for the name of Christ His glorious spirit rests upon us.

Keep your chin up. Look up to the Lord and trust in Him. He has everything that is happening to you in His control, even when it looks impossible.

Be blessed today,

Nancy Campbell

The Bible always shows us the way:
Ecclesiastes 9:10: “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy MIGHT.”

Colossians 3:23, 24: “And whatsoever ye do, do it HEARTILY, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance; for ye serve the Lord Christ.”

Colossians 3:17: “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”

1 Corinthians 10:31: “Whatsoever ye do, do all to the GLORY OF GOD.”

Philippians 2:14: “Do all things WITHOUT MURMURING.”

Matthew 25:21, 23 and Luke 16:10: “He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much.”

Enjoy a great day in your home today as each one does everything with all their might.

Blessings from Nancy Campbell