Mothers, we are the guardians of our children’s minds. Are you diligently guarding?
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Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs
Through the weekly and daily devotionals you can be constantly encouraged in your great role of parenting, the highest career in the nation. You can also stay updated on what's happening with the Above Rubies ministry.
Everything hinges on our attitude on the home. Dear mother, you have the power to determine what your home will be like!
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I was inspired recently by reading again Psalm 104:24: "O Lord, how manifold are Thy works! in WISDOM hast Thou made them all: the earth is full of Thy riches."There are endless numbers of scientific books which tell us of the intricate wonders of God's creatures. What about the zebras? Did you know that no zebra has two stripes exactly alike? Everyone is different.
What about the Emperor Penguins? They live in the Antarctic, the coldest place on earth with winds as high as 100 mph. The female lays her egg at the beginning of winter and then the male cares for the baby-egg. He holds it on the top of his toes, keeping it off the ice so it won't freeze. Plus, God created a thick fold of skin on his belly which hangs down like a blanket to cover the egg to keep it warm in the freezing conditions. God thought of every tiny thing.
I can't resist reminding you about one more. Most caterpillars only live a few weeks before turning into moths. However, the Arctic woolly-bear caterpillar lives for 14 years as a caterpillar! Late in the summer the woolly-bear starts making antifreeze. As the temperature freezes, the caterpillar's gut freezes, then it completely freezes (not even a breath or beating heart) until it thaws out in the spring. God enables this little caterpillar to remember to make the antifreeze each year and then survive 13 winter freezes!
I love the words of Job 26:14: “Indeed, these are the outer fringes of his ways! How faint is the whisper we hear of him.” We know so little of God’s glorious creation and His way.
But God's highest creation is the male and female. He also made us with His perfect wisdom. Every part of our body is planned by the Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Eternal Architect. It makes me wonder why we mortals think we know better than God. So many, even those who say they believe in God, reject the way God created them. They have tubal ligations and vasectomies to make sure God's perfect plan cannot work. If they don't have surgery, at least they'll use some form of birth control to make sure their fertility, designed by God, is ineffective. In doing so, they deny their Creator and His wisdom and plan.
Don’t you think we should trust His wisdom?
Blessings from Nancy Campbell
P.S. Check out these Scriptures: Psalm 95:6; 100:3; 119:73; Isaiah 29:16; 45:9-10; 64:8; Romans 9:20-21; Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 2:10.
Zebra picture: Two Zebras Black and White Zebra Photo Zebra Print - Etsy
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I am sure you did. Oh, what an historic day for our country on Friday. After nearly 50 years and the killing of over 60 million precious lives Roe v. Wade was overturned. How we thank God for His goodness to us and answering the fervent prayers of His people over the years. So many intercessors prayed. We have prayed for years. Our children and grandchildren have prayed.On Friday some of our grandchildren called us. “Nana and Granddad, can we have a celebration at your place tonight?” They had prayed since they were young children for God “to “Save the babies” and “Bring down Abortion” and now they were seeing answers to their prayers. So, we had a barbecue and then worshipped and praise the Lord for this great victory.
Now we continue to pray that each state will rule to save precious life. Did you know that in 1973 when Roe v. Wade was passed that abortion was illegal in 30 states? May we get it illegal in 50 states!
Let’s keep praying.
~ Nancy Campbell
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Meant for Heaven, God knows why,
You'll never see these tears we cry.
Meant for Heaven's glorious light,
To never know the dark of night.
In the Father's arms so strong,
Never knowing sadness long,
Never knowing pain or fear,
Ever with the Lord, so near.
Though our arms so empty, ache,
We never from such bliss would take,
Our babe, so precious in God's arms,
You'll never know life's pain or harm.
So dear sweet one, precious child,
Wait for us, we'll see your smile,
And once again gaze on your face
In that pure and radiant place.
Until that day we'll say goodbye,
And hope you know these tears we cry
Are only 'cause we miss you so,
And wish you didn’t have to go.
Please ask the Lord to make us strong,
So the wait won’t seem so long,
Where once again we'll hold you tight
In realms of never-ending light.
Goodbye sweet bundle, we rest sure
That you are joyful, strong, and pure.
It won’t be long, we'll see you then,
Forever we'll be close again.
C 2006, Val Halloran
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What is it like to walk in the presence of God? Psalm 89:15 says: “Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.”In the Scriptures, the countenance of the Lord speaks of His presence. This is the ultimate vision for every believer--to walk continually in the light of His presence.
But how can you walk this kind of life in your home? Notice the Scriptures says WALK. It doesn’t say we are blissfully sitting in the presence of the Lord, away from all interruptions! Instead, it talks about your DAILY WALK. Whatever you are currently doing in your kitchen and with your children.
Are you facing squabbles and the constant immaturity of your children? Are you overwhelmed with all you must do in your home today? I was on the phone to a mother when she suddenly said, “I’ve got to go. Children are fighting, and even punching!”
The wonderful thing is that God’s presence is not limited to church meetings. God’s presence is available to you constantly. And please remember, dear mother, it is not the hassles, the difficulties, or even sorrow that hides God’s presence from you. The only thing that hides His face is our sin and rebellion against Him.
As we seek to walk in holiness because we want to walk in the light of His countenance, we will experience His joy and nearness--to strengthen us, give us peace, wisdom, and even rest in the midst of chaos!
The Bible commentator, Alexander Maclaren calls it living in “continual sunshine.”
Live in the sunshine of His presence today.
Love from Nancy Campbell
I would encourage you, when you have a spare moment, to go to the following link. It is the commentary of this Scripture by Alexander Maclaren. You will be so blessed:
Painting: From a 1966 children's book, "I'm Suzy.” Illustrations by Alice Schlesinger.
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Exodus 2:9: “Take this child, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages.”Pharoah’s daughter spoke these words to Moses’ mother when she found him in the bulrushes. These are literal words to Jochabed. However, I believe God speaks these words to every mother. When He gives a baby to a mother, He says: “Receive this baby from My loving hand. Nurse and nourish this baby for Me and I will reward you.”
When we nurse a baby at the breast, we are obeying God’s mandate. He has chosen mothers to nurse and nourish babies. This is very much part of who we are as a woman. And we are not of the deluded and deceived who do not know the answer to “What is a woman?
We know we are created by God to bring forth a baby from our womb and nourish this baby at the breast. We lavishly nurse our babies. We delight in this beautiful privilege. We are available to them whenever they need us. We nurse them until they are ready to wean, even if it is four years of age or more. We are a suckling mother.
Our nourishing does not end when our baby weans but continues throughout their growing years. We not only nourish with wholesome food but with godly wisdom and knowledge and understanding. We fill our children with His Word. We don’t only feed their physical bodies but their souls and spirits. It is so sad that many children grow up strong physically and yet their spirits are weak and starving.
This divine mandate from God takes commitment and sacrifice. It takes pouring out our lives. But God promises we will receive our wages. We will receive an eternal reward. This word WAGES is the same word in Psalm 127:3: “The fruit of the womb is his REWARD.”
We go to the New Testament and read the wonderful promise in 1 Corinthians 15:58: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that YOUR LABOR IS NOT IN VAIN IN THE LORD.”
God has given to us the glorious work of mothering and training the future generation of the nation. We dare not do it lightly. God wants us to ABOUND in it. Let’s see what some other translations say:
“ALWAYS EXCELL”
“WORK VIGOROUSLY”
“ALWAYS BE OUTSTANDING”
“ALWAYS ENTHUSIASTIC”
“ALWLAYS LETTING THE CUP RUN OVER”
When we pour our lives into our God-given work, we can be sure of our eternal reward.
Your mothering is never in vain!
Be encouraged, dear mother,
Nancy Campbell
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God’s Word is often opposite to the way we feel or think. Isaiah 58 tells us that God’s ways and thoughts are far above our thoughts and our ways. Therefore we must get into the habit of getting online with God’s thoughts and His ways. To do this of course we must search His Word to know what He says. This is the only true way to live.
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I am posting the following from a dear friend of mine, Nadia. I know you will be blessed by her confession of her walk with Jesus. Her words aren ot flippant. She knows what it is to walk through hard times.Nadia is currently a single mother, caring for seven children. Her youngest child who is now four years old was born with a very rare disease involving many complications. On top of all this, 18 months ago darling Gracie was also diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and Nadia has been constantly in and out of hospital dealing with this.
~ Nancy
From Nadia: “For the last three to four days I have been in this verse: “What manner of man is this . . . ?' (Matthew 8:27).
What manner of man is Jesus?
He is Love! He loves even the deep areas of my life that no one can reach.
He is truth! He can never lie to me.
He is forgiving! He knows all my worst faults yet chose to forgive me.
He is a Provider! He meets all of our needs and then some.
He is powerful yet so gentle! His strength is never used to hurt me but to protect me.
What manner of man is Jesus?
He is the kind of man I want my sons to be.
He is the kind of man I want my daughters to get married to.
He is every woman's dream!
He listens and constantly tells me of His love.
I awake to find Him awaiting me—excited to have our daily conversations. Though, there are nearly 8 billion people on this earth, He chooses me. He wants to be with me! There is where else He had rather be!
This love, who can resist? I am a woman in love
. You might think I am dreaming. Well, let me dream on . After all, some dreams do come true. And this one has! It's the reality I am living in.
. You might think I am dreaming. Well, let me dream on . After all, some dreams do come true. And this one has! It's the reality I am living in.The reality I want to live in for the rest of my life. In fact, it's a reality that whosoever desires, can live in.
Love from Nadia Mutana
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On Friday I posted about certain things God wants to do in EVERY THING. I noticed another EVERY over the weekend. Well. . . I have memorized this Scripture from a child but the “EVERY” came back to me in full force.Matthew 4:4: Jesus said, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
Jesus quoted this Scripture from Deuteronomy 8:3: “He humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna . . . that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.”
Do you notice that word EVERY again? We don’t take from the Bible only the parts that suit us. We live by EVERY word that God has given. This Scripture is the basis of how we live. It is our worldview. This is what Deuteronomy tell us. By EVERY word of God DOTH MAN LIVE!
How do you live? What is your worldview? Is it guided by the humanistic values of this world? Or is it founded on God’s living and eternal Word?
I believe we must search God’s Word for our answer on every subject. It is the premise for our every decision. It is the basis for every course we take in life. It is the foundation for every belief we have and impart to our children.
Of course, how can we live by His Words if we don’t know them? How can your children live by God’s Words if they don’t grow up knowing them? And how can they be filled with His truths if they are sitting all day in a godless, humanistic public education system?
Dear mothers, we MUST be far more familiar with what God says than with the humanistic voices of this society. And yet sadly, many Christians determine the course of their lives by the world view of our socialist, feminist, and humanistic society today.
Often, God’s Word does not fit in with our circumstances. It’s the opposite of how we feel! It doesn’t fit in with our plans and dreams. But are we going to put all those aside and conduct our lives by His living Word, no matter what? Or do we cave in?
It’s time God’s people became who they say they are—God’s separated people, believing His Word, standing on His promises, resisting the enemy, and refusing all deception.
This is the mandate we have been given from God to raise families—godly children who are solidly, firmly, strongly, resolutely, and richly FILLED with His truth.
Be blessed today,
Nancy Campbell
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Have you noticed that God likes to use the word EVERY and ALWAYS?God does not let us off the hook! He wants us to . . .
ABOUND IN EVERYTHING AND ALWAYS
1 Corinthians 15:58 exhorts us to “be steadfast, unmovable, ALWAYS ABOUNDING in the work of the Lord.” Read also 2 Corinthians 8:7. When God blesses you with children you enter the glorious career of motherhood, and this is now your work for the Lord. He doesn’t want you to barely survive in this great work but to ABOUND.
The word abound is “perisseuo,” an amazing word that means “to superabound, , abundant, enough and to spare, exceed, increase, over and above.” That means we are living lifestyle that is nor average or status quo. It is beyond the normal. It goes the extra mile. It is over and above.
When does God want us to have this attitude? Sometimes? When we fee3l good? Or it is always.
Just imagine if you abounded in your home in every attitude, every situation, and every task?
PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING AND ALWAYS
Philippians 4:6: “In EVERY THING by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Read also Psalm 16; Luke 21:36; Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 1:4; and 2 Thessalonians 1:1.
It’s easy to get despondent, to complain, and grumble. But can you image what it would be like in your home if you prayed about everything? Every little thing?
GIVE THANKS ABOUT EVERYTHING AND ALWAYS
1 Thessalonians 5:8 reminds us: “In EVERY THING give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Read also Ephesians 5:20 and Colossians 2:7.
Are things getting you upset in your home? God wants you to give thanks. Do you feel your home is too small? And yes, you need a bigger car? Give thanks anyway. Give thanks in all situations. You are in His perfect will when you give thanks!
Oh, can you just imagine what will happen in your home? Your heart will change. You will make your husband so happy. Your children will be happier. The peace and presence of God will fill your home instead of tenseness and gloom.
REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS
Philippians 4:4: “Rejoice I the Lord ALWAYS: and again I say, Rejoice.”
What’s happening in your home? Are you living God’s Word or giving into your own fleshly feelings?
Love from Nancy Campbell
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The greatest blessing, stability, and power of the nation are godly homes—homes where the husband and wife love one another and together raise godly children to influence the world.Satan also knows the power of the home and tries to woo women away from their greatest place of influence. However, he is not content with eliminating the mother from the home. He also comes to homes where mothers have come home to raise their children. He searches for ways to get his foot in the door, bringing in his deception and evil.
Mothers, we must be watchwomen, constantly on the alert for his crafty ways. 1 Peter 5:8, 9 says: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom RESIST steadfast in the faith.”
When you notice the devil putting his toe in your door . . .
Boot him out before he gets any further.
Speak the name of Jesus out loud.
Confess the Scriptures out loud.
Don’t allow the enemy to become entrenched in your home.
Raise up the stand of righteousness.
Cast out all worldly practices and entertainment, and “the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:15-17).
Deal strongly with negative and evil habits.
God spoke to His servant, David: “I have cut off all thine enemies OUT OF THY SIGHT” (1 Samuel 7:9). God reveals the way He wants us to also deal with Satan’s temptations.
We cast them OUT OF OUR SIGHT!
We don’t allow them to linger around.
We don’t tolerate them.
We send them kicking, OUT OF SIGHT AND OUT OF MIND.
James 4:7: “RESIST the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Blessings to you today from Nancy Campbell
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Last night a few of us ladies got together to watch the new documentary by Matt Walsh, WHAT IS A WOMAN? I am sure many of you have already seen it. I think everyone should see it, not because it is nice to watch, but because we should be aware of where our society is heading. It was hard to believe that we have gone so far into depravity.Matt Walsh does an incredible job in interviewing doctors, professors, and young people to find their definition of “What is a woman?” Not one person, professor or doctor alike, would answer the question!
He decided to go to a woman’s march (a liberal one) and ask if they could tell him. Not one could tell him. It’s interesting that these people stand up for a woman’s right to choose when talking about abortion but when it comes to confessing who a woman is they cannot say!
How can a woman be a woman and yet not know who she is? Of course, we know that they don’t want to know. Well, they either refuse to know, or are totally brainwashed by our education system today which is now educating our children from their earliest years that transgenderism is the way to go.
I can’t understand how any God-fearing parent could any longer allow their children to go into our public education system today. It’s through the education system that they are changing the nation. I was once a high school teacher myself, but can no longer compare the education system today with that time. Parents must be aware of what is happening.
Romans 1:26 tells us that when women turned away from their “natural function” that God gave them up unto “vile affections.” And then verse 27 tells us that THEN the men “began to burn in lust toward another.” This downward and destructive path first began with the women. And we notice that these people do not balk at “What is a man?” They can’t take the question “What is a woman?”
I believe it is time for us as women to magnify our role of womanhood. We must show to the world what is a woman? She is a womb man. The womb is our most distinguishing characteristic as a woman.
When we embrace the gift and privilege God has given to bring forth life from the womb, we glorify God as a woman. God created us with breasts to nurture life and we glorify God as we fulfil this God-given function. Yes, this is who we are as women and in this role, we find our true glory and joy.
But of course, you will be saying, “there are many women who are not able to give birth.” But there is more to the woman than the physical. God has also created her with His anointing of compassion and nurturing that is inherently within her. Even if she cannot physically give birth and nurture form her breast, she can pour out her life to comfort and minister to the needy in society. This is our ultimate role as women.
We also show our womanhood in the way we dress. Yes, it’s time to dress like a female and show to the world that we are different than males. If we want to turn this society back to its God-given foundation, we cannot blur the sexes. We must show that we are unique as male and female as created us in the beginning.
Many blessings,
Nancy Campbell
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Year after year (maybe for 60 - 70 years), Noah did the same old thing— hammered, nailed, and kept on building his ark. He did not have time to do all the things that everyone else was doing. He just kept on slogging and being faithful, doing the same thing every day for all those years. In doing so he condemned the world.He changed the world because he stuck with the job he was given to do! While others did their own thing, Noah gave his life to building his ark. He was mocked, ridiculed, and persecuted, but he was the only one who saved his family!
Sometimes you may feel like Noah. You may wonder what you are doing. Family and neighbors think you are strange. Life is not always easy. Dear mother, I want to remind you that your daily faithfulness in the home is not in vain. You may not have time to do all the “vain” things that others are doing around you. But as you commit your life to building your ark, you will save your family. Also the generations to come, and for eternity.
Hebrews 11:7 says: “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark TO THE SAVING OF HIS HOUSE; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.”
It’s another building day. Keep at it.
Blessings from Nancy Campbell
Painting by Steve Atkinson
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“Please don’t give me these words,” you reply. “You don’t know what I am going through. I’m depressed, discouraged, and disappointed.”BE OF GOOD CHEER
Dear friend, please Listen to these words from Jesus in John 16:33: “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but BE OF GOOD CHEER; I have overcome the world.” Some translations say “Cheer up!” Others say “Take heart!”
Jesus says these words to you when you are going through tribulation, not just when everything is rosy. He has the authority to say them to you because He has already overcome the world! He doesn’t only say “Cheer up,” but “be of GOOD cheer.”
BE OF GOOD COURAGE
God is an affirming God. He is always encouraging us through His Word. Psalm 27:14 says: “Wait on the LORD:
BE OF GOOD COURAGE, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” Perhaps you feel weak and inadequate. Not only physically, but emotionally, and spiritually? Look up to the Lord. Wait on Him. He will bring courage and strength to your heart. Not just courage, but GOOD COURAGE!
BE OF GOOD COMFORT
2 Corinthians 13:11 states: “BE OF GOOD COMFORT.” And please read 2 Thessalonians 2:16, 17: “Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work.” Are you sorrowing or grieving? Have you lost a loved one? Have you suffered a miscarriage? Who can comfort the ache in your heart except God? He will comfort your sorrowing heart if you let him.
BE FREE FROM CARES
Are you cheered up yet? Just in case you haven’t taken hold of God’s wonderful promises to you yet, here is another one. 1 Peter 5:7 says: “Casting ALL your cares upon him; for he careth for you.” Why can you give Him all your anxieties and troubles? Because, dear one, He cares for you. The word “cares” means “interested in.” God is interested in everything that happens in your life. He is Omniscient. He knows your every thought. He knows your thoughts next week and next month even though you don’t know them yet. He knows what is happening in your home right now. And He cares about it.
But He can’t do much about it until you give Him your anxieties. Instead of clasping them to yourself and constantly worrying about them, give them to Him. Will you please say Amen with me?
You don’t have to stay in the doldrums. God waits to cheer your heart.
Love from Nancy Campbell
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There is nothing like the aroma of a delicate and delightful-smelling perfume. It gives beautiful memories. It gives pleasure to our sense of smell, although I must admit that I don’t like chemical perfumes and prefer essential oils.God Himself loves sweet aromas (Exodus 30:23-25, 34, 35). It’s not hard to put on some perfume, but often it is a lot harder to wear the sweet perfume of Christ. This means saying No to the flesh and allowing the beautiful life of Jesus Christ who dwells within us to shine through us. This brings delight to our husbands even more than perfume from a bottle. This fills our home with love, peace, and happiness.
The Bible talks about a lovely perfume. 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 (PHILLIPS) says: “Thanks be to God who leads us, wherever we are, on his own triumphant way and makes our knowledge of him spread throughout the world like a lovely perfume! We Christians have the unmistakable “scent” of Christ, discernible alike to those who are being saved and to those who are heading for death. To the latter it seems like the very smell of doom, to the former it has the fresh fragrance of life itself.”
Do you carry around that “unmistakable scent” of Christ? Is the life of Jesus spreading out from you like a lovely perfume? Notice that the Scriptures says this should happen “wherever we are.” The KJV says “in every place.” This does not only mean when you are all dressed up to go out to a function with all the children left behind. This means right in your home, in the midst of everything that is happening--housework piled up, laundry waiting to be completed, homeschooling to organize, and new challenges that arise each new day.
No matter what is happening or where you are, Christ is in you. He doesn’t change with circumstances. Draw on His life, His strength, His peace, His patience, His joy, and His love. And as you do, you will spread forth the lovely perfume of His presence in your home--to your husband and to your children.
And by the way, remember that we are not only saved by the death of Jesus by also by His life, His beautiful and triumphant life that dwells within us.
Have a wonderful day in your home today,
Nancy Campbell
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Yesterday we talked about the language we teach our children. Is it the language of the Bible or the language of our humanistic society?To speak a language, it has to be part of us. In our minds, our hearts, and come freely from our mouths. God gives a miracle to parents in Isaiah 59:21 (NRSV): “And as for me, this is my covenant with them, says the LORD; my spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouths of your children, or out of the mouths of your children’s children, says the LORD, from now on and forever.”
So, what is coming out of your mouth? What is coming out of your children’s mouths?
Let’s look at a few examples today. I began thinking of this as I am doing my current podcast series. We are journeying through THE LAND OF MOTHERHOOD and we are now discovering that it is a JOYFUL LAND. The Scriptures about joy are far removed from our language of today.
The Bible tells us to JUMP FOR JOY with ecstatic joy and delight, not just when everything is happy and great, but when we are going through trials. When people persecute us, revile us, and say all manner of evil against us falsely (Matthew 5:1, 12 and Luke 6:22, 23). What kind of language do we use when we go through trials? Grumbling and complaining and “poor me”? Or do we rejoice in God’s unfailing goodness no matter what we are facing.
What is our daily language? Pessimism, “down in the dumps,” negativity, and even self-pity? Or do we speak Bible language? Jesus came to not only give us life but life ABUNDANTLY. Over and over again, the Bible tells us to ABOUND in our lives – in joy, hope, love, faith, self-control, patience, thanksgiving, and so on. He wants us to “abound in the work of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58), and of course the work that God has given us to do is our realm of motherhood.
The Greek word for abounding is “perisseuo” and means “more and more, to excel, to exceed, to go beyond that which is necessary, superabundant in quantity and superior in quality, over and above, enough and to spare.”
Therefore, this is how God wants us to live and the language He wants us to speak. It’s over the top! It’s beyond the normal. In fact, how can we be anything less when we are indwelt by the Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit? Normal Christianity is abundant, abounding, and beyond the norm. It is sub-normal Christianity to be average, normal, status quo, and fitting in with the crowd.
If we are not speaking an abounding language, we are not speaking Bible language.
What about the answer of most mothers of two or three children when asked if they are hoping for another baby? “Help, No. I’m done!” Christian men talk about “getting the snip” like having a cup of coffee.
Is that the language of the Bible? No, it is the opposite to God’s heart. It is opposite to the very first words God spoke into the ears of man. Whenever God speaks of blessing His people He speaks of multiplication. The Bible is opposite to the language of the church today.
We could go on. But I think it is time for us to line up our language with the Bible, don’t you? Do we speak Bible language or a foreign language?
Love from Nancy Campbell
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Above everyone else, mothers primarily teach their children to talk. They not only teach them their first words, but by their example, will influence their way of speaking throughout their lives.Although I speak the English language, I still have a New Zealand accent and continue to say many words we use Down Under that are unheard of here in the States. It’s amazing that even though nearly all of our grandchildren have been born in America they will often come out with New Zealand words, and you can sometimes detect a New Zealand accent which they have received from their mothers.
I noticed the power of this the other day when reading Nehemiah 13. I have always loved the book of Nehemiah because it reveals how Nehemiah did not give up but continued on building the walls and the gates of Jerusalem in the face of ridicule, opposition, and persecution. His enemies did everything to stop him building the wall.
We are also in a building career of building godly marriages and families. The devil doesn’t want us to do this and constantly seeks to thwart us from our great and high calling from God. We must have the attitude of Nehemiah who when his adversaries tried to get him to come down from his building project, he replied: “I AM DOING A GREAT WORK, so that I CANNOT COME DOWN: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it hand come down you?” (Nehemiah 6:3).
Back to Nehemiah 13 which somehow, I hadn’t noticed before with all my reading of Nehemiah. Nehemiah became aware of a huge problem. Many of the Jews had “married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab” (v. 23). And guess what? Their children “could not speak in the Jews’ language, but each according to the language of each people” (v. 24). Wow! The children were growing up speaking a foreign language. They didn’t even know the language of the land, the language of their heritage!
And who was teaching them these foreign languages? THE MOTHERS! The mothers were not in only influencing the children but the whole nation!
Nehemiah soon put a stop to this. You can read what he did in verses 25-28. He certainly didn’t beat about the bush.
But dear mother, this incident is also a challenge to us. I know you are teaching your children the English language because you live in America but are you also teaching them the language of the kingdom of God. Ultimately, this is the most important language we must teach our children. If we belong to God’s kingdom, we should certainly teach them the language of thIS kingdom.
Of course, we can’t teach our children language of the kingdom if we don’t know it—if we DON’T KNOW WHAT GOD SAYS IN HIS WORD! Sadly, I hear most of the church speaking the language of the kingdom of our enemy, Satan. They spout forth more ideology of his kingdom than they do of God’s kingdom. They are more familiar with the lifestyle and language of our humanistic society than of the lifestyle of the God’s Word.
God’s kingdom language should roll off our tongues. It should be familiar to our children so that they grow up speaking it. Instead we are often guilty of Hosea 8:12: where God says: “I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a STRANGE thing.” Isn’t that such an indictment to the people of God? That God’s words are strange to us and the language of humanism, liberalism, materialism, and the things of this world are more familiar than God’s ultimate truth?
What language are you speaking to your children today?
Love from Nancy Campbell
Painting by Jessie Willcox Smith
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Isn't it sad that many mothers today don't enjoy motherhood? And yet God's plan is for mothers to be filled with joy. Psalm 113:9 HCSB says: "He gives the childless woman a household, making her the JOYFUL mother of children. Hallelujah!" Notice the Hallelujah with an exclamation mark!The full understanding of the Hebrew word (sameach) is that we will be glee-FULL, merry-FULL, happy-FULL, cheer-FULL, rejoicing-FULL, and of course, joy-FULL! Not a half-measured life, but a FULL life.
"Oh my," you retort. "How do you expect me to be joyful when I hardly have time to get one moment for myself? I'm over-worked and underpaid! I've got crying little ones around me all day!"
Dear mother, can I let you into a secret? It's all in your attitude. If you think you could be doing something else, you'll resent you powerful role of mothering. If you think you deserve to be in some more "significant" role, you'll be frustrated.
Dear mother, don’t listen to the brainwashing of our humanistic society. You could not be doing anything more powerful. You are in the perfect will of God. You are fulfilling the greatest career God has given to women. You are determining the course of this nation. You are doing an eternal work. As you embrace your high calling with all your heart, the joy will come. God intends you to be filled with joy, not just because everything is perfect and easy, but because you are doing what He wants you to do.
Enjoy your precious baby and children today. Don't waste these precious years with self-pity and pining for something that is vain and empty. Revel in your FULL life that is impacting this world and eternity.
Have a wonderful merry-hearted day,
Nancy Campbell
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When you have an opportunity to go out to enjoy yourself, who do you want to go with? Do you want to go with girlfriends? Or your husband? We always want to go with our best friend, don't we?Titus 2:4 EXHORTS the older women to teach the young women to "love their husbands." The Greek word used here is not agape (God's divine love which goes beyond the love of man). It is not "eros" which is sexual love. We need to experience both these in our marriage, but the one God uses in this passage is "philandros." This is a friendly, affectionate love.
We are not only to love our husbands, but to be friendly and affectionate to them. Throughout the day we should take every opportunity to cuddle, kiss, hug, and touch. The more we do this, the more we release love to each other. We have to work at being loving. We can so easily forget about it in the challenges of the day and the tiredness of the evening.
We should speak to them as though we were speaking to our best friend. Do we yell at our best friend? Do we give the silent treatment to our best friend? Exodus 33:11 tells us that God spoke to Moses "face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend." He told things to Moses that He didn't tell anyone else. There is a special way we speak to friends. We are usually polite, sweet, kind, and with respect. This is the same way we should speak to our husband.
If your husband is your best friend, you’ll love him even when he's not so nice; even when he's being difficult. Proverbs 17:17: "A friend loveth AT ALL TIMES."
Another wonderful thing about friendship is learning from one another, encouraging one another, and sometimes debating with one another to greater intellectual and spiritual heights. My husband and I love to discuss subjects together (especially from God's Word), and we don't always agree. How boring that would be. My husband says, "We don't have to agree with one another as long as we love one another."
Proverbs 27:17: "Iron sharpeneth iron, so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend."
Forget Girls' Night Out! I'd rather go out with my husband (or stay home with him) than anyone else in the world. And that's after 59 years of marriage!
Have a wonderful day,
Nancy Campbell
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