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.

STRENGTH FOR EACH NEW DAY

StrengthEachDayI’m sure you love God’s promise: ”As thy days, so shall thy strength be.” But have you read it in context? It’s in the passage of the prophetic blessing upon the tribe of Asher which says: “Let Asher be blessed with children” and then it concludes with “As thy days, so shall thy strength be” (Deuteronomy 33:24, 25). Isn’t that amazing?

God doesn’t bless us with children without giving us the strength to nurture and train the children He gives us. This promise is tailor made for parenting.

You may think, “How on earth could I ever cope with another child? My hands are full already.” Dear mother, God is your Strength. He promises to give you strength for each new day. He doesn’t give you strength for tomorrow, but for TODAY. And He doesn’t give you strength and energy for a baby that has not arrived yet. But if God sends you another blessing from Heaven, He will give you the strength when that baby comes. What a wonderful God we have.

Look to Him for His strength for today.

Love from Nancy Campbell

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GOD SENDS BABIES

GodSendsbabies"We fancy that God can only manage His world by big battalions abroad, when all the while He is doing it by beautiful babies at home. When a wrong wants righting, or a truth wants preaching, or a continent wants opening, GOD SENDS A BABY INTO THE WORLD TO DO IT. That is why long, long ago, a Babe was born in Bethlehem."

~ Frank Boreham

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EVERY GREAT THING THAT HAPPENS IN THIS WORLD HAPPENS THROUGH THE WOMB!

EverythingGreatSatan loves to blind our eyes to God’s wondrous plans and truths. Because he is at war against women (Genesis 3:16), he loves to blind them about the power of their womb.

I think of the words Mary sang as she praised the Lord, “For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name” (Luke 1:49). It is true that Mary was blessed beyond any other women in the history of the world as she nourished Jesus in her womb and gave birth to the Son of the Highest, the Savior of the world. God certainly chose her for GREAT THINGS.

In a lesser and yet still powerful way, God does GREAT THINGS through every baby that is conceived in a mother’s womb. Every new baby is born in the image of God. Each one is a fresh revelation of God to the world. Each one has the possibility of accomplishing marvelous things.

Let’s think for a moment of all the amazing things that have happened, are happening, and will happen in this world--the remarkable inventions, the amazing feats both intellectually and physically, the astounding advancements, and the brilliant discoveries. None of this happens on its own. Every single thing happens through a person. And that person comes through the womb. Without the womb NOTHING happens in this world. It all comes to a halt.

All the GREAT THINGS that take place in the world happen because of a mother’s womb. The womb is a place of destiny.

Can we grasp the fullness of this truth? God privileges women with the gift of a womb, a sanctuary from where God brings forth GREAT THINGS to fulfill His purposes and glorify His name. And not only for this world, but for eternity, for every child who is conceived is an eternal soul that lives forever.

Dear precious mother, don’t hold back your womb from God. Your finite mind cannot even fathom what great things God has ordained to happen in this world through creating a God-destined life in your womb (1 Corinthians 2:9). We are privileged and blessed beyond measure.

Be blessed today,

Nancy Campbell

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FULL TIME HANUKKAH PARENTING (Day 8 of Hanukkah)

TrainUpChildAN IMPORTANT POST FOR ALL PARENTS TO READ!
Apart from the official Hanukkah which finish celebrating today, we read about a number of dedication celebrations in God's Word.

1) Dedicating the tabernacle for 12 days. Each prince of Israel dedicated the altar for a day each (Number 7:10-11, 84, 88). This was the first dedication we read about.
2) Dedicating a new house (Deuteronomy 20:5). It is biblical to dedicate a new house.
3) Dedicating Solomon's temple which he built for the Lord (1 Kings 8:62 and 2 Chronicles 7:5, 9).
4) Dedicating the rebuilt temple when they came back from Babylon--Zerubbabel's temple (Ezra 6:16).
5) Dedicating the rebuilt walls of Jerusalem(Nehemiah 12:27).

And there is one more! You'll never guess!

It is found in Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." The word "train" is "hanuk," the verb of hanukkah, meaning "to initiate, dedicate, consecrate." It is not enough to celebrate Hanukkah for eight days. As parents, we are FULL TIME HANUKKAH CELEBRATORS!

When we realize that training our children means to dedicate them to the Lord, it gives us a much larger and loftier vision. Everything we do and plan for our children is now in the light of dedicating our them to the Lord and setting them apart for His service. It's not a one-time dedication. It is a verb which requires daily action.

When our children are disobedient or don't complete what we have asked them to, we can sometimes be lazy and let it go. But not if we understand we are daily dedicating them to the Lord. How can we let things go when we consecrating them to God's holy service. We have the responsibility to train them to obedient so they will be obedient to the Lord!

As children get older, they can become more worldly and want to do what other more worldly teens are doing. We could think, "Oh that's the stage they are going through." But not if we understand that we are daily consecrating them to the Lord. We will pray up a storm. We will fight the devil. We will work with our children to keep them on the narrow road that leads to life. We will do everything to save them from the broad road that leads to destruction. WE ARE PROVERBS 22:6 HANUKKAH PARENTS!

When we "hanuk" our children, it determines how we educate our children. It would be ludicrous to send our children into a an ungodly education system each day if we are daily consecrating them for God's purposes.

As we consecrate our children to the Lord, we recognize that they totally belong to the Lord for whatever time God has for them on this earth. Above everything else, we know that we are ultimately preparing them for eternity.

Blessings from NANCY CAMPBELL

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THE TRUE LIGHT (Day 7 of Hanukkah)

TrueLightWithout God we live in darkness. He is the one who said, "Let there be light: and there was light" (Genesis 1:3). Jesus is the Light of the world. He is "THE TRUE LIGHT,WHICH LIGHTS EVERY MAN THAT COMES INTO THE WORLD" (John 1:9). Every person who is born into this world is without excuse regarding their relationship with God. Every new baby is born with a God consciousness, a light from God our Maker. We have a conscience that knows what is good and evil. This only comes from God.

Proverbs 20:27 says "The spirit of man is the candle (light) of the Lord." Have you noticed that when a new baby is born into a family that a heavenly atmosphere fills the home? There is an "awe" that we only experience with a new babe. I believe we are experiencing a new light from heaven. I think this is why little children are so open to God. Recently I watched my little three-year old grand-daughter sing all day about how Jesus is in her heart and how she loves God.

Why then do many walk in darkness? The answer is in John 3:19-21. We are all born with a light from God, but we can either push back the light or open up more and more to the light. It is a privilege for children to be born into a home where parents love God. These children have an opportunity to open up more and more to the light. In an ungodly home, the light with which they are born can be gradually extinguished or often smothered completely.

I believe that every time we say Yes to God and obey the prompting of His Holy Spirit within our hearts, we experience more light in our lives. Every time we say No to God and are disobedient to the Word, we accept darkness. Teach your children this principle, dear mother. Teach them that saying Yes to you and Yes to God will bring them to more and more light (Proverbs 4:18). Teach them that when they say No to you and No to God's ways, their minds and hearts will cloud with darkness.

Job 18:5-56 says, "Yes, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine. The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him." I don't want it to be dark in my home, naturally and spiritually. I hate to have curtains and blinds pulled over and everything looking dark. My curtains are always open (just as well I live in the country!). I love the light and the more the better. And it’s the same spiritually. I want more and more spiritual light in my home and less and less of darkness. I'm sure you don't want it to be dark in your home either.

Let's open our hearts and minds MORE AND MORE to the light of God. Begin each day by praying, "Oh Lord God, please flood my mind, my heart, and my home with your light, today. Amen."

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

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THE WAY TO VICTORY (Day 6 of Hanukkah)

GodisBiggerJudas Maccabee and his brothers were continually fighting battles to save Israel and every time they faced armies far larger and stronger than themselves, but their trust was in God.

Listen to Judas' confession on one occasion: "When all his followers saw the host coming against them, they said to Judas, 'How can so few of us fight against so many? Besides, we have had nothing to eat all day, and we are exhausted.' Judas replied: 'Many can easily be overpowered by a few; it makes no difference to Heaven to save by many or by few. Victory does not depend on numbers; strength comes from Heaven alone . . . Heaven will crush them before our eyes. You need not be afraid of them'" (1 Maccabees 3:17-21).

The Israelites also had to face enemies far bigger than them. Deuteronomy 9:1-3 says: “Hear O Israel: Thou art to pass over Jordan this day, to go in to possess nations GREATER AND MIGHTIER than thyself, cities great and fenced up to heaven, a people great and tall, the children of the Anakims (giants), whom thou hast heard say, Who can stand before the children of Anak! Understand therefore this day, that the Lord thy God is he which goeth over before thee; as a consuming fire he shall destroy them, and he shall bring them down before thy face: so shalt thou drive them out, and destroy them quickly, as the LORD hath said unto thee.”

I know that you, too, often face dilemmas that loom much bigger than you can handle. Don't focus on your difficulty. Look to God. He is your Strength. He is your Source. He is your Sufficiency. He will always do what you cannot do. When we try to handle our problems we usually make a mess of the job. Put them in God's hands for He knows what is best to do.

Victory does not come by intelligence or fleshly strength. It only comes from God. Just as God delivered the Maccabees over and over again as they faced insurmountable armies, so God will deliver you as you trust in Him. Make sure you have the right confession. Don't confess your problems; confess your trust in God. It's the way to victory.

Love from Nancy Campbell

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RELIGHT YOUR LAMPS (Day 5 of Hanukkah)

RelightLampsHanukkah is also called the "Festival of Lights" because of the relighting of the Menorah. This was a huge thing that happened that day, because the Jews knew that God had commanded the lights in the Holy Place to BURN CONTINUALLY. They were to never to go out--and they had been out for a long time! God said it was a statute that must continue for all generations (Exodus 27:20-21 and Leviticus 24:1-4).

How did they keep the lamps burning day after day, year after year? God said they had to attend to the lamps every morning and every evening. They had to trim the wicks and pour more oil into the lamps, the oil speaking of the Holy Spirit. Once a day was not sufficient. It required attention two times a day to keep the light burning

This is a type for our lives today. When the Holy Spirit comes into our lives, He fills us with His light, but it is very easy for the light to dim or even go out. There are many temptations, deceptions, and evils around that diminish our light. To keep the light burning, we must tend to it every morning and evening. We need to do this individually and as a family.

A powerful way to keep God's light burning in every member of our family is to have Family Devotions (or whatever you call it in your home) every morning and evening. Each time we come together as a family, read the Word, and spend time in prayer, we relight our lamps. If we fail to do this, our light will go out very quickly.

How big is the flame in your family? We are not meant to be a flickering light, but a great light. If your flame is only smoldering, get back to God's "morning and evening" principle. It's the only way that works. Let the light in "the holy place" of your temple and your home shine for all to see God's light.

Love from Nancy Campbell

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CONTINUAL SUNSHINE

GiveSunshineThe verse that spoke to me this morning as we read our Scriptures about walking in the light was Psalm 89:15: “Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.” Oh to walk in God’s light. What awesome fearfulness. And yet what joyful blessedness. In His presence is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11).

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. How can walk this life in your home? Notice the Scriptures says “walk.” It talks about our daily walk, whatever we are doing at any moment. Are you facing squabbles and constant immaturity of children? Are you overwhelmed with all you have to do in your home today? I was just on the phone to one of my daughters and in the midst of our conversation she said, “Mom, got to go. I’ve got children 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 face 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 fear the light of His countenance, we also walk in the unspeakable joy of His constant presence because of His nearness to us--to strengthen us, give us peace, wisdom, and continual rest.

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:
http://www.studylight.org/commentaries/mac/view.cgi…

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WE CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT IT

CantLiveThis morning we read Scriptures about God’s Word being our light. Did you read these Scriptures too? Psalm 19:8 says: “The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.” If we want true understanding about life and any matter at all, we’ll find it in God’s Word. I love the HCSB translation which says: "The command of the Lord is radiant, making THE EYES LIGHT UP." Don't you love that? God’s precious Word not only makes our eyes light up, but our heart and soul light up too.

The Hebrew word for “enlighten” means “to luminate, to kindle, to set on fire.” It is also a picture of the break of day. God’s Word eradicates the darkness and awakens us to see as we never have before.

We can’t live without it. Your children can’t live without it either. Make time each day to gather your children around to listen to God’s Words.

Love and blessings,

Nancy Campbell

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A MOTHER'S COURAGE (Day 4 of Hanukkah)

MothersCourageA brave mother watched her son being killed. No, not just killed but cruelly tortured. They cut out his tongue, scalped him, cut off his hands and feet, and then maimed and helpless, fried him alive! In the same manner they tortured and killed her second and third sons. The third son cried out, "I have received these limbs from heaven, and I give them up for the sake of God's laws." Another cried out, "We are prepared to die rather than sin against our ancestral laws" (2 Maccabees 7:2, 11).

Because they would not bend and turn from God's laws this dear mother watched as Antiochus tortured her fourth, fifth, and sixth sons the same way. The mother had only one son left, her beloved youngest. Antiochus tried to influence the mother to save his life. He promised he would make him rich and prosperous and even a political advisor. She obliged by turning to her youngest son saying, "Son, pity me who carried you in the womb nine months, nursed you for three years, nurtured you, and brought you into this stage of life with care. I beg you, child . . . Don't fear this killer but prove worthy of your brothers. Accept death so that in God's mercy I should recover you with your brothers" (2 Maccabees 7:27-29). She watched her last son die before she was put to death herself.

This mother was a nurturing and caring mother. But she had a vision for her children beyond this earth. She raised her sons to fear God rather than man. She raised them to stand for truth, no matter what the consequences. She raised them to see beyond this earth to the endless life of the heavenly.

May God help us to be courageous mothers. May He save us from raising wimpy, mediocre children who are seduced by the humanist trend of an ungodly society. May He anoint us with the mighty power of God to raise children who will have the courage to stand for God and for truth, no matter what persecution they face.

(You can read the whole of this amazing story in the Apocrypha in 2 Maccabees chapter seven).

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

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MORE AND MORE

PathofJustDo you enjoy reading the “light” Scriptures together with your family each day? This morning at our Family Devotions we read the Scriptures about shining the light of Jesus to the world. We read one of my favorite Scriptures in the Bible: “But the path of the just is as the shining light that shineth MORE AND MORE unto the perfect day” (Proverbs 4:18).

Our walk with God is a MORE AND MORE walk. We should never be stagnant. Never get in a rut. Never stay the same. Never think we have arrived. Never come to a halt.

Let’s look at some of the things we should experience MORE AND MORE each day.
Abound MORE AND MORE in loving one another (1 Thessalonians 3:12; 4:10 and 2 Thessalonians 1:3).
Abound MORE AND MORE in pleasing God (1 Thessalonians 4:1).
Abound MORE AND MORE with thanksgiving (Colossians 2:7).
Change MORE AND MORE into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29 and 2 Corinthians 3:18).
Filled with MORE AND MORE joy (Romans 14:17; Hebrews 1:9 and 1 Peter 1:8).
Gather MORE AND MORE with the saints (Hebrews 10: 25).
Increase MORE AND MORE in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10).
Increase MORE AND MORE in righteousness (2 Corinthians 9:10).
Increase MORE AND MORE in wisdom (Proverbs 4:5, 7; 8:11; 19:8; and Proverbs 31:26).
Learn MORE AND MORE of God’s heart for mothering (1 Timothy 2:15).
Live MORE AND MORE by faith (Luke 17:5 and 2 Thessalonians 1:3).
Praise the Lord MORE AND MORE each day (Psalm 71:14).
Shine MORE AND MORE of God’s light to others (Proverbs 4:18).

And what about this wonderful promise? “The Lord shall increase you MORE AND MORE, you and your children” (Psalm 115:14).

We certainly have no opportunity to stay stagnant, do we?

Let’s be families who never stay the same, but instead are always growing in the knowledge of God, shining His love and light to one another and others, and strengthening and building up our marriage and family a little more each day.

Love from Nancy Campbell

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FAMILY DEDICATION SERVICE (Day 3 of Hanukkah)

FamDedServiceWhy do we call this celebration "Hanukkah"? Because "Hanukkah" is the Hebrew word for "dedication." When Judas Maccabee (the hammer) and his army eventually crushed their enemies, Judas and his brothers said, "Let's go up to cleanse and rededicate the sanctuary" (1 Maccabees 4:36). The temple was desolate, the gates burned, and even shrubs were growing in the courts like a forest! But they restored the sanctuary, built a new altar with whole unpolished stones (because the altar had been desecrated by Antiochus Epiphanes), brought in the Lampstand, the Altar of Incense, and the Table of Showbread, and offered sacrifices as God had originally commanded. "So they celebrated the re-dedication of the altar for eight days" (1 Maccabees 4:56).

How does this affect our lives? God no longer lives in the Holy of Holies in the temple, but in our bodies, which are the temple of His Holy Spirit. In fact, we are not just the temple of the Holy Spirit, but the "naos" which is the Holy of Holies. This is the very word which is used in 1 Corinthians 6:19 and 2 Corinthians 6:16. What an indescribable truth!

Our temple may not be desolate, but it is very easy for us to allow things to come into our lives which grieve the Holy Spirit and spoil and dirty our “naos.”

It is a lovely idea to have a re-dedication service one night during Hanukkah and dedicate our temples again to the Lord. Choose which morning or evening you would like to do this together as a family. Explain to your children about it, and then ask each one of them to confess to the Lord anything in their lives that grieves the Holy Spirit and to rededicate their "body temple" to the Lord. This includes mom and dad too, of course. Each one can do this silently or orally as you feel led of the Holy Spirit.

When we have all dedicated ourselves individually, then the father can rededicate the whole family to be a living sacrifice to the Lord and to be set apart for His purposes (Romans 12:1-2).

I know that the Spirit of the Lord will come upon you mightily as you experience this dedication service in your home.

Love from Nancy Campbell

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SHINE BIG!

ShineBigDid you read the Day 2 Hanukkah Scriptures “Jesus is the Light of the World” this morning? We read them at our Family Devotions, each one taking a turn to read a Scripture. We were so blessed to be reminded again that Jesus is the One who brings light into the darkness of this world.

Did you notice the Scriptures tell us that Jesus was not only a light, but a GREAT (Isaiah 9:2 and Matthew 4:12-17)? The Greek word is “megas” meaning huge! Yes, exceedingly! I guess this is where we get the word mega.

Jesus was not a flickering little light. He came to shine a huge light into the darkness of this world. And this is where He came--to those who “sit in darkness.” It was a dark and sinful time when Jesus entered this world. Sometimes we despair of what is happening in our country at this time. Darkness and evil is increasing. But this is when Jesus wants us to shine even GREATER! He has chosen us to bring light to the darkness.

Every child, born in the image of God, especially born into a godly home is another opportunity to reveal the light of God to the darkness of this world. The more lights born into this world the more God’s plan is fulfilled. Don’t hold back having children because you may think this world is too evil to bring children into. This is the reason we need more children-- to bring more of the light of God into this world.

Jesus still wants to be a GREAT light in this world, and now His plan is to SHINE BIG AND BRIGHT through our lives (Matthew 5:16). Ask Jesus to expose all darkness in your life and in your home. Repent of anything that grieves the Holy Spirit. And then, filled with the LIGHT OF THE WORLD, shine MEGA. When you go out with your children be conscious of SHINING A HUGE LIGHT for the glory of God in this dark world.

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

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STAND FOR TRUTH (Day 2 of Hanukkah)

StandUpBelieveJesus Christ, the Son of God was never reticent to speak the truth, even in the face of death. When he came to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Dedication, he walked in Solomon's Porch (on the eastern side of the temple) and people gathered around him.

Jesus knew the Jews would be remembering more than the rededication of the temple and the lighting of the Menorah again. They remembered the great victory over Antiochus Epiphanes, but also how he lifted himself to be god over them. It was Antiochus himself who added "Epiphanes" to his name, which means "God manifest" which was utter blasphemy to the Jews.

In the midst of this thinking Jesus boldly and publically declared, "I and my Father are one" (John 10:30). In other words, He confessed that He was God, which of course, He was! This was too much for the Jews who, remembering Antiochus Epiphanes the evil blasphemer, took up stones to stone him (John 10:22-33).

It was no coincidence that Jesus chose this timing to speak these words. Everything about Hanukkah speaks of standing up for truth even in the face of danger.

May we never cringe to speak the truth, no matter what the consequences. "The righteous are bold as a lion" (Proverbs 28:1).

Love from Nancy Campbell

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MY FAMILY AND I WILL NEVER GIVE UP

NeverGiveUp2(Day 1 of Hanukkah)

Hanukkah, or the Feast of Dedication as it is called in the New Testament (John 10:22-23) is a festival of lighting candles for eight days to remember the dedication of the temple and the relighting of the lampstand which God commanded should never go out (Exodus 27:20-21).

It all happened because of a very brave family. At this time in history Antiochus Epiphanes ruled over Israel and commanded all Jews to renounce their way of life, practice pagan observances, and live like the Greeks. He erected the "abomination of desolation" in the temple. Many Jews assimilated to avoid persecution and being killed. BUT NOT THIS FAMILY!

Mattathias was a godly older man with five brave sons--John, Simon, Judas (known as Maccabeus), Eleazar, and Jonathan. When the officials came to their town of Modein, they tried to get Mattathias to influence the people of his town to turn away from God. Listen to his reply, "Mattathias answered in a LOUD VOICE: What do I care if everyone in the king's entire kingdom turns from their own religion and starts obeying his laws? MY FAMILY AND I WILL ALWAYS KEEP THE PROMISES OUR ANCESTERS MADE TO GOD. WE WILL NEVER GIVE UP OUR FAITH OR DISOBEY EVEN ONE OF GOD'S LAWS. WE WILL NOT OBEY ANTIOCHUS!" (1 Maccabees 2:19-20).

When a cowardly Jew stepped forward to obey the king by offering a sacrifice, Mattathias was so furious that he rushed over, killed the man, destroyed the altar, and killed the official who ordered the sacrifice. He and his sons then ran to the hills leaving everything they owned behind. Thus began the bravery of the Maccabee family who conducted continual battles against the enemy and eventually delivered Israel and Jerusalem and the temple of God.

We don't face being killed for our faith today here in our Western countries, although this is currently happening in many countries of the world. ISIS has beheaded thousands of Christians in Iraq, and not only adults, but young children. Many brave young children are being beheaded for their faith. One report of many shares about ISIS threatening four children: "You say the words that you will follow Mohammed." How did these children (under the ages of 15) answer? "No, we love Yeshua [Jesus], we have always loved Yeshua." Immediately their heads were chopped off.

The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child released a report of children being tortured, crucified, buried alive, used as suicide bombers, and sold as sex slaves by ISIS. We are not facing this kind of persecution yet. But we have to watch out for another insidious way the enemy attacks us. Daily we face subtle indoctrination to succumb to Satan's plans and give in to humanist, progressive ideology which is all around us--proclaimed in our public schools, the media, and even in liberal churches.

Will we be those who give in or will we have courage, individually, and as families to stand true to God, even if no one else stands? The Scripture says, "Let God be true, but every man a liar" (Romans 3:4).

May God give us the strength and anointing to be bold and courageous and to raise children who will have courage and boldness to stand up for truth and never give up their faith.

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

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~~~ HANUKKAH ~~~

HappyHanukkah01This is the week of HANUKKAH which actually began last night. It’s now Day One and we celebrate it for eight days. For the last few years I have posted devotions about Hanukkah and readers have asked if I will do it again this year. I’ll send Day One post to you soon. We enjoy celebrating Hanukkah in our family each year. Why?

1. It is a celebration that Jesus celebrated (John 10:22-23).

2. Hanukkah in the Hebrew means "dedication." God's temple was desecrated by Antiochus Epiphanes in 167 BC but the Maccabees family led a revolt against the Seleucid armies and called the nation back to God. After they had driven them out of Judea and Jerusalem, the Maccabees consecrated and rededicated the temple. However, God no longer lives in a temple in Jerusalem, but lives in the temple of our hearts. We like to use Hanukkah as time to rededicate the temple of our lives to God.

3. It is called the Feast of Dedication (John 10:22) and also the Festival of Lights. It celebrates the re-lighting of the Menorah. They could only find enough oil for one day, but miraculously the lights kept burning for eight days while they prepared the anointing oil, specifically commanded in the Scriptures. Because this celebration remembers the relighting of the menorah, we like to read Scriptures about God who is the light and how He also wants us to be His light in this world. We do this at our Family Devotions each morning and evening. And each night we light a Hanukkah candle.

I will post the Scriptures in a separate post for you to print out for the following week. Read and meditate on them in your personal devotional time. Then choose the ones you would like to use with your family. For each day, you may like to take half the Scriptures at Family Devotions in the morning and the other half in the evening, or whatever works out in your home.

If you have older children, it's a lovely idea for each one to have their own Bible and give a Scripture for each one to read aloud--and to share what they feel God is saying through the Scriptures. If you have little ones, you may only want to take one, or one or two Scriptures from the list and talk about it.

And don't forget to ask your children questions as you read the Scriptures. This is how you learn together.

During the eight days of Hanukkah, I will also send out a post each day telling you a little story about Hanukkah that relates to us as mothers, or a revelation from the Scriptures about the meaning of Hanukkah. By the way, you may like to take time to read the history of the Maccabees in the Apocrypha. The books in the Apocrypha were not chosen to be part of the cannon of Scripture but the books of Maccabees, 1, 2, 3, and 4 are great historical reading and tell how the Jewish nation was saved from extinction at that time. I am sure God used these brave men to protect His natural people and also the coming Messiah. No wonder our Savior, Jesus Christ celebrated Hanukkah.

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

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SCRIPTURES FOR YOU TO READ EACH DAY FOR HANUKKAH

Day 1
GOD IS THE SOURCE OF LIGHT
Genesis 1:3-5
Exodus 27:20-21; 40:24-25; cf. Leviticus 24:1-4; Numbers 8:1-3
Exodus 13:21; Nehemiah 9:12,19
Psalm 36:9
Psalm 104:1-2
Matthew 17:2 (You can read the whole story in Matthew 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-13; and Luke 9:28-36).
1 Timothy 6:16
James 1:17

Day 2
JESUS IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
Isaiah 9:2, cf. Matthew 4:12-17
Luke 1:76-79; 2:27-32
John 1:4-9,cf. Job 18:5-6; Proverbs 27:20
John 3:19-21
John 8:12
John 9:5
John 12:44-46
Acts 26:22-23

Day 3
SHINE THE LIGHT OF JESUS TO THE WORLD
Proverbs 4:18
Isaiah 58:6-8, 10
Isaiah 60:1-2
Matthew 5:14-16
Luke 12:35
John 5:35
Acts 13:47
2 Corinthians 4:4-6
Philippians 2:14-15

Day 4
GOD'S WORD IS OUR LIGHT
Ezra 9:8
Psalm 19:7-11
Psalm 119:18, 105, 130
Proverbs 6:20-24
Ephesians 1:17-18
2 Peter 1:1-21

Day 5
WALK IN THE LIGHT
Psalm 89:15
Isaiah 2:5
Romans 13:12-14
2 Corinthians 4:4-7
1 John 1:6-9
1 John 2:8-11
Ephesians 5:8-20

Day 6
OUT OF DARKNESS INTO LIGHT
2 Samuel 22:29 (Psalm 18:28)
Isaiah 42:16
Isaiah 50:10
Acts 26:17-18
1 Corinthians 4:5
1 Thessalonians 5:5
1 Peter 2:9

Day 7
LIVING IN GOD IS TO LIVE IN LIGHT
Psalm 4:6
Psalm 27:1
Psalm 37:3-6
Psalm 43:3-4
Psalm 112:4
Micah 7:8

Day 8
GOD IS THE LIGHT OF HEAVEN
Isaiah 24:23; 30:26
Isaiah 60:19-20
Revelation 21:22-25
Revelation 22:3-5

Love from Nancy Campbell

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SECRET FRIEND

SecretFriendThis is a lovely idea we used to do with our children when they were growing up. I put the names of each one in the family in a bowl or hat, mom and dad and children. Each one pulls out a name and that person becomes their SECRET FRIEND for the week. They have to something special for that person every day without his or her knowing who is doing it, until they find out at the end of the week.

You can give your children ideas for when they first start, such as:
Write an encouraging or loving note and leave on or under their pillow.
Clean their shoes when not looking.
Put a chocolate or something they like to eat in a special place where they know they'll find it.
Make their bed.
Clean their bedroom for them when they are not around.

However, encourage them to use their own imagination. Our children were so excited to think up different things to do. I remember one time when our oldest son got his father's name for his secret friend. At that time Colin left very early each morning. One morning we heard noise in the kitchen as our son was up even earlier to cook his father's breakfast and a have cup of tea ready for him before he left for work.

This is a wonderful way to teach the children to care for one another and to think of others instead of themselves. We played SECRET FRIEND so many times.

Would you like to try it too?

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

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WHENCE CAME THIS CHILD?

WenceChildBefore the world began she was in God’s mind,
A God who loves to create and is very kind,
He’s the author of life and destiny
And He already knows what He wants her to be.

What an amazing miracle–the birth of a child!
We stand in awe--and God has a smile!
He’s created a life that’s never lived before,
A life that is special, unique, with gifts galore,

She’s a gift to her parents and a gift to the world
As we wait for her destiny to be unfurled.
She’s a budding life that will come to full bloom,
And of course her parents are “over the moon.”

But the greatest wonder of all we see
Is to know she was born for eternity!
She’s not just a life, but an eternal soul,
Born to embrace a heavenly goal.

Oh the wonder, the privilege we have as a wife
To bring into this world an eternal life.
Praise God for this privilege, and for this babe
Whom He has lovingly and intricately made.

Nancy Campbell

If your little one is a boy, replace “she” for “he.”
Painting: Motherly Love” by Gabriele Baber

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WHO CAN RESIST A BABY?

ResistBabyWho can resist a baby
Sent from God above?
An eternal gift to you
From His heart of love.

~ Nancy

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Above Rubies Address

AboveRubies
Email Nancy

PO Box 681687
Franklin, TN 37068-1687

Phone : 931-729-9861
Office Hrs 9am - 5pm, M - F, CTZ