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.

Strengthening Families Across the World through the encouragement of women in their high calling from God as wives, mothers and homemakers.

HANUKKAH STARTS TONIGHT

hanukkah candles smAs a family, we love to celebrate Christmas, not the tinsel and glamor, but the preciousness of gathering together as a family. We also love to remember the most amazing event in the world when God sent His Son to this world—into the womb of a woman and to be born as a little baby.

Bible commentators agree that Jesus was not born at this Christmas time when the world remembers His birth. He would most probably have been born about the month of September during the Feast of Tabernacles. However, this is most probably that time that He was divinely conceived by the power of the of Holy Ghost. Incredible. God coming to the earth as a "seed" from the Father. I am in awe.

We sing the words of O Holy Night:

“Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!”

I am sure you are like me and can do nothing less than fall to your knees in wonder and worship!

However, we also love to celebrate Hanukkah which, this year, begins tonight on Christmas Eve. We love to light the Hanukkah candles each night and to also read Scriptures about the Light during our morning and evening devotions.

Hanukkah begins tonight and tomorrow is Day One. We celebrate it for eight days. Why do we celebrate Hanukkah?

1. It is a celebration that Jesus celebrated. Read 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 and Christ who are 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 next eight days. 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 especially the coming Messiah. No wonder our Savior, Jesus Christ celebrated Hanukkah.

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

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LIGHT OF LIGHT ETERNAL

LightOfLightI have just discovered the second stanza to the carol, O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL. I had never seen it before, but love the words.

A few years ago, I made up books of carols for us all to use as a family when we sing together at Christmas time. On Christmas Eve, the families come to our home. The whole house is in darkness, except for the lights they carry. We gather together to read the Christmas story and sing the carols. It is always such a beautiful time together.

This year I have added this stanza and pasted it in every book. I want to make sure the children don’t miss out singing the truth of these anointed words. I'd love you to read them too.

True God of true God,
Light of Light eternal,
Lo, He abhors not the
virgin’s womb;
Son of the Father,
Begotten not created;
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

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A MOTHER’S GIFT

AMothersGiftI am sure you will enjoy this poem from Val Stares, who is the Director of Above Rubies in Australia.

A MOTHER’S GIFT

Two thousand years ago in a stable all forlorn,
Wise men brought to Jesus precious gifts when He was born.
“What precious gifts do I have that are worthy of a King?
For I’m a lowly mother, Lord, what treasure can I bring?

I know that You seek hearts, Lord, that will trust You and obey,
So I give You mine, Lord Jesus, take it, Lord, I pray.
But, I cannot seem to find the time to give You of myself,
These little ones do drain me and deplete my store of wealth.

My days are full of diapers and feeding hungry mouths,
Of washing, cleaning, ironing--this work it takes me hours.
And when at last there’s quiet and all are asleep in bed,
I think that I might serve You, but nod off to sleep instead!"

But, as I dream in slumber, Your voice to me does speak…
“If you were like the wise men, you’d know the gift I seek,
For these men in their wisdom knew gifts cannot be used
If they are always hidden with tinsel and subterfuge.

They unwrapped their treasures; you too must do the same,
Removing all self-consciousness, even sin and needless blame,
For the wondrous gift of motherhood is given by God above
And when you mother children, you show My greater love.

So let not your heart be troubled, weary mother, for you see,
When you are building children, then you are serving Me.
This gift from every mother whether she be great or small
Is a very special gift, one I treasure from you all.

For I too had a mother who suffered shame for me,
She nurtured me and clothed me, wept, and mourned like thee.
I know to have a mother who will give her very best
Is a very worthy treasure, so come to Me, dear mother, and
I will give you rest!

By Val Stares,

Above Rubies Director in Australia

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1st CORINTHIANS 13 -- ADAPTED FOR CHRISTMAS


SleepingBabeIf I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals, and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.

If I work at a soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties, and sing in the choir's cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug your child.

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss your husband.

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn't yell at the children to get out of the way.

Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can't.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.

Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust. But giving the gift of love will endure.

~ Unknown.

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CHRISTMAS FILLING

ChristmasFillingWhat are you filled with this Christmas? Many folks have cars filled with gifts, homes filled with decorations, tables filled with food, and stockings filled with things we will never use. We are filled to over the top. However, when we read about the birth of Jesus we find that instead of being filled with the things of the world, they were filled with the Holy Ghost!

* The angel came to Zacharias and told him that he would have a son who would be "FILLED with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb" (Luke 1:15-17).

* When Mary came to visit her cousin Elisabeth during her sixth month of pregnancy, the moment she greeted her “the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was FILLED with the Holy Ghost: and she spake out with a loud voice” (Luke 1:41-42).

* At the circumcision celebration for John the Baptist, his father, Zacharias was "FILLED with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied” (Luke 1:67).

* Jesus was conceived by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT COMING UPON Mary (Matthew 1:20 and Luke 1:35).

* When Joseph and Mary took baby Jesus to the temple to be dedicated, Simeon, a man FILLED with the Holy Spirit and waiting for the coming of the Messiah, took him up in his arms and blessed God (Luke 2:25-28).

* During Jesus' childhood he was FILLED with wisdom (Luke 2:40).

The challenge is: what are we filled with as we remember the birth of Christ? Are we filled with anxiety and busyness, or are we filled with the Holy Spirit? Imagine if we spent as much time seeking to be filled with the Holy Spirit as rushing around buying gifts and preparing for Christmas. What would happen? Imagine if we took time to listen to the Holy Spirit. What would He say to us? What difference would it make in our lives and in our homes? Imagine if we asked the Holy Spirit to lead us instead of doing our own agenda. How would He direct us?

Can we enjoy a FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT Christmas?

Love from Nancy Campbell

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THE IMAGE OF GOD’S FACE

GodsFaceHere is another lovely poem from my friend, Val Halloran:

Every life is sacred
And possesses untold worth.
The prophet John leapt in the womb
When unborn Jesus was on earth.

How is it that before it's born
A child is seen as less
Than anyone outside the womb?
It's strange, I must confess . . .

Until I ponder on this truth
Revealed in God's own Word,
That people are deceived and lost
Until their ears have heard . . .

That God, the Author of all life,
Gives value to us all.
Rich or poor, young or old,
All people, big or small.

Before He formed us in the womb
Our lives by Him were planned.
Yet till we know our worth to Him,
We cannot understand.

Oh Lord, please open every heart
To know your love for all,
That every unborn, precious life
Will live to hear your call.

Rescue those condemned to die
At hands of sinful man.
Restore the right of every life,
Let truth rule in this land.

Each baby that you send in love
Is a miracle of grace,
As we gaze upon each tiny one,
There's the image of Your face.

VAL HALLORAN

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GOD CHOSE A WOMB

GodChoseWombI love the prophetic words of Christ in Psalm 40:7, 8: “Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God.” All through eternity, Jesus Christ was already the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8). He bore the weight of this burden all through eternity until God’s perfect moment in history.

Oh, come and see what God has done! How did He come? How did God choose to send His Son? We immediately think of how He came as a little helpless baby. But first He came into the womb of a young virgin. Luke 1:31 states: “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy WOMB, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.” Who could ever dream of such a thing? Our Savior, Jesus Christ related to every aspect of our humanity, even to being conceived and growing in the womb of a woman.

Isaiah 49: 1, 5 is another messianic prophecy also speaks boldly of the womb: “Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far (God wants the whole world to receive this amazing news!); The LORD hath called me from the WOMB; from the bowels (WOMB) of my MOTHER hath he made mention of my name. . . . And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the WOMB to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him . . . “

Because God put such favor and importance on the womb to bring forth His Beloved Son, Satan hates the womb (Genesis 3:15). There is still war against the womb today. Satan seeks to delude and deceive women about the power of their womb. The Son of God came through a womb to deal a death blow to the enemy and bring salvation to the world. But God still wants children to come forth from the womb to bear His image and to bring salvation to many.

The womb is God’s blessing to us. It is His blessing to the world. Nothing in this world can happen except through the womb. All the mighty works God wants accomplished can only happen through His servants and they must come into the world through the womb. All the great feats and accomplishments of this world only happen through someone who was conceived and birthed from the womb.

Why do so many women today choose to close their womb? To stop the function of their womb? Many reject their womb, and yet GOD CHOSE A WOMB for His only Beloved Son who is King of kings and Lord of lords.

Mary’s response was: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word” (Luke 1:38). What is your response?

Be blessed today,

Nancy Campbell

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I’ll GIVE HIM MY HEART

GimeHeartI love the last stanza from Christina G. Rossetti's beautiful song, "In the Bleak Midwinter" which she wrote in 1872. My children learned this poem when they were young. You may like to encourage your children to learn it, too.

“What can I give him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd,
I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wise man,
I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give him—
Give my heart."

Pearl was the one who used to recite this poem at Christmas when the children were young. Later her daughters, Meadow, and then Autumn recited it at our Christmas gatherings. They are now older and therefore this year I am asking Breezie (Serene’s daughter) to learn it to recite at Christmas.

After our big Christmas Dinner at midday and speeches and toasts, we wait until the later in the day to have dessert. After this we have a family concert where the adults and children sing, recite poems, or play instruments etc.

Love from Nancy Campbell

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IS YOUR HOME FILLED WITH LIGHT?

HomeLightGod told Simeon that he would not die until He had seen the Messiah! When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple to present Him to the Lord, dear old Simeon perceived that this baby was THE MESSIAH for which he had been waiting. He took Jesus up in his arms and proclaimed: "For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A LIGHT TO LIGHTEN THE GENTILES, and the glory of thy people Israel" (Luke 2:26-32).

Simeon, like Zacharias also prophesied that Jesus came to bring LIGHT. Jesus is the LIGHT GIVER! When He comes in with His light, He also brings His glory.

Job 18:5-56: "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." What a terrible indictment it would be to have people say, "The light is dark in their home!" I don't want there to be any darkness in my home, do you? I don't want our light to die out. I want the light of Christ to increase.

Is your home filled with light? Or are their shadows of darkness? Let's make room for the light of Christ Jesus to shine into our hearts, into the hearts of our children, into our plan of every day, and into every room in our home. Let's push out any darkness that creeps in and make homes that are filled with light.

Be blessed today,

Nancy


Don’t you love this amazing painting of Simeon taking baby Jesus up in His arms, knowing that he is privileged to behold the Messiah and embrace Him in his arms? Read the whole story in Luke 2:22-38.

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LET’S OPEN TO THE LIGHT

OpenToLight2We are currently in the season of remembering the most wonderful celebration in the history of the world--when Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to this earth as a little baby. We know that this was not the actual time of his birth, but it is the time we remember His miraculous incarnation.

God spoke through the prophecy of Zacharias that He would send His beloved Son into the world "TO GIVE LIGHT TO THEM THAT SIT IN DARKNESS and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace" (Luke 1:79).

They had no room for the Light of the World in Bethlehem. Do we make room for Him in our lives? Do we allow Him to expose the darkness and flood our lives with His light? Every time we respond to the moving of the Holy Spirit in our lives and say Yes to God we open up to His light. When we are stubborn, want our own way, and say No to the convicting of the Holy Spirit, we choose darkness.

Dear mother, we must teach our children this powerful principle too. Every time they say Yes to you and Yes to the Holy Spirit they receive more light into their lives. When they disobey you and say No to the voice of their conscience they allow darkness into their lives.

Let’s be those who open up MORE AND MORE to the Light and less and less to the darkness. Proverbs 4:18: "But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth MORE AND MORE unto the perfect day."

Each new day, individually and as a family, ask God to FLOOD YOU WITH HIS LIGHT.

Love from Nancy

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LOVELY WORDS FOR YOUR HOME

LovelyWordsI love to discover new words. In fact, I quite like making up new words. Sometimes we must find new words to describe very special and beautiful things. Here are some words to fill your home.

Recently I read the book, “A Severe Mercy” by Sheldon Vanauken which also includes 18 unpublished letters by C. S. Lewis. It is the true story of Sheldon and Davy’s romance and life together. They lifted love to a new plane and called their love relationship “inloveness.” To them it was “the greatest glory ever known.” A lovely word to aspire to in our own marriage relationships.

Awhile back I read another new word in one of George McDonald’s books. He talked about “homeness,” picturing the warmth, love, and joy of home. I love this word too. It takes thought, time, love, and prayer to make our home a place of “homeness,” doesn’t it? It’s never wasted time. It’s a beautiful thing. Can we experientially add this word to our vocab?

Let’s keep going. What about “wombness”? Yes, there’s such a word. It’s not some imaginative word. It’s a reality. It’s very much part of who we are as women. In fact, you would not be a woman if you did not have a womb!

However, did you know that that wombness also applies to God? The Hebrew word “racham” is used in the Bible to describe the literal womb of woman, and to also reveal God’s compassion and tender mercy. It is translated “mercy” 32 times. When we embrace our wombness, we reveal the compassion and mercy of God.

The meaning of “feminine” in the 1828 Webster’s Dictionary is as follows: “The first syllable is probably from womb . . . The last part of the word is probably from man, quasi, “femman,” womb-man. To be feminine is to be ‘a womb man.’”

And what about all the other beautiful “ness” words which should fill our home? Don’t gloss over these words, but think about which ones you need to incorporate more into your home life.

Amiableness, availableness,
cheerfulness, cleanliness, courteousness,
faithfulness, forgiveness, fruitfulness,
generousness, gentleness, godliness, goodness, graciousness, greatheartedness,
heavenliness, helpfulness, holiness, humbleness,
joyfulness,
kindness,
loveliness,
meekness, mercifulness, motherliness,
nestingness,
peacefulness, positiveness, prayerfulness, pureness,
respectfulness, restfulness, righteousness,
selflessness, steadfastness, submissiveness, sweetness,
teachableness, tenderheartedness, thankfulness, thoughtfulness, truthfulness,
uprightness, usefulness,
virtuousness,
willingness, and you’ll think of more.

Why not write out in BIG LETTERS the words that speak to you and pin them up in your kitchen and other appropriate places in the home. Change to different words each week. They will inspire you and your children!

Love from Nancy Campbell

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OUT OF SIGHT AND OUT OF MIND

OutSightMindThe greatest blessing, stability, and power of the nation are godly homes--homes where the husband and wife love one another and together seek to raise godly children to influence the world. Satan also knows the power of the home and therefore 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 deceptive ways.

Mothers, we must be watchwomen, constantly on the alert for Satan’s 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 he puts his toe in your door, boot him out before he gets any further. Speak the name of Jesus ALOUD. Confess the Scriptures ALOUD. Don’t allow the enemy to get 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” (2 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 says: “RESIST the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Blessings to you today from Nancy Campbell

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THE MYSTERY

GreatMysteryYesterday’s post talked about Jesus coming to this earth. But Jesus is a “coming” Savior. He continues to come to us. He is our Bridegroom who delights to come to us. We behold the picture in Song of Solomon 2:8: “The voice of my beloved! Behold he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills.” He bounds toward us, leaping, and skipping. No holding back.

Is this our response to Him (Song of Solomon 2:10, 13)? We read the bride’s response in Song of Solomon 1:4 is “Draw me, we will RUN AFTER THEE.” The language in our relationships should be “leaping, skipping, and running.” We long for His presence. We want to be with Him. We love to be in His Word. We love to be with God’s people singing His praises. It’s our life, the delight of our hearts.

But we go a step further. Ephesians 6:32 tells us about the “GREAT MYSTERY.” It’s not a little mystery, but a huge mystery. Yes, the Greek word is “megas” meaning exceedingly great. It’s the mystery that our marriage relationship is to be a picture of the relationship of Christ the bridegroom and His bride the church.

Do we have this attitude to our husbands? Do we come running when they need us? Or when they need us to do something for them? Or just to spend time with them? I am challenged myself.

How easy it is to lag behind. “Yes, in a minute, I’ve just got to finish what I’m doing.” Or it’s bedtime. Your husband waits for you in bed. “I’ll be there soon. Just checking my email. Won’t be a minute!” But an hour or more later you crawl into bed! This is not the picture of the mystery of the Bridegroom and the bride.

Our Bridegroom is a Coming Savior. Let’s be a coming bride. Let’s be a coming wife to our husband. This is how we reveal the mystery.

Blessings to you today from Nancy Campbell

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I COME

IComeThese blessed words, these powerful, prophetic words, “Lo, I come” are the ultimate message of Christmas. These Messianic words are prophesied in Psalm 40:7, 8: “Then said I, LO, I COME: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God, yea, thy law is within my heart.” They are repeated twice in the New Testament in the passage in Hebrews 10:5-9.

The Scripture says Jesus’ words were written “in the volume of the book.” This can refer to the Torah, but I believe they were written in God’s book in the eons of eternity for Jesus is the Lamb of God, “slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8).

To come to be our sacrifice for sins, He had to respond to His Father’s will, “Yes, I will COME.” He first came into the womb of a humble young maiden. He came from the magnificence of the eternal world to become flesh and blood. The “glory” of heaven and the “dearly beloved” of the Father came forth as a baby. Hebrews 10:5 tells us “a body hast thou prepared for me.” From glorious heights He came down to this sin-sick world, saying, “I come. I delight to come because I delight to do the Father’s will.”

He continued saying “I come” as He submitted Himself to the cross and the agony of taking the sins and sicknesses of world upon Him (Philippians 2:5-8). Our finite minds can never ever fathom the depths of His sacrifice for us. We will never ever fathom the heights of His love for us. All because He was willing to say, ‘LO, I COME.” “I come for you. I come to save you from your sins. I come to deliver you from the power of your self life. I come to give you eternal life.”

What is your response to His “Come”? Do you come saying, “Dear Lord Jesus, You gave Your life for me; I give you my life to serve you.” Do you come into His presence every morning when you wake? Do you come as a family to gather in His presence? Do you come throughout the day--looking to Him- and cast upon Him for He is not only your Savior, but your Rock and Fortress?

Jesus came for each one of us. Let’s be those who constantly come to Him. Never lagging behind. Never dragging the feet. But confessing as Jesus did, “I come, dear Lord Jesus, for I DELIGHT TO DO YOUR WILL.”

May each one us be in awe as we remember, at this season of the year, the miraculous and incomprehensible, supernatural incarnation of the Son of God.

In His love,

Nancy Campbell

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KITCHEN TESTING

KitchenTesting2The kitchen is where we do a lot of taste testing, isn’t it? We have to taste the meals we create to make sure they are palatable and have a great flavor.

However, the kitchen is also a place where we test who we really are! It's easy to live a patient and sweet life when we fellowship with friends or when everything is quiet and peaceful. But what about when everything is in a turmoil? What about when the baby needs you, your toddler is crying, you are trying to get breakfast for everyone, the phone is ringing, and your husband needs last minute help as he leaves the house. You hardly know where to turn first? What about when the children are cranky and whining or bouncing off the walls? How do you react then?

2 Corinthians 13:5 challenges us with these words: "Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith, prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that JESUS CHRIST IS IN YOU, except ye be reprobates." We need to examine our faith in the midst of trials and difficulties. This is the true testing.

However, we need not despair that we cannot live up to God's holy standard. We can't! Do you notice the words "JESUS CHRIST IS IN YOU"? It's not your trying to be perfect in your little world of mothering your children. It is allowing the life of Jesus Christ who lives within you to live His life through you.

Get into this habit. Say No to the flesh. Say No to anger and frustration. Say No to self-pity and gloom. Instead, thank Christ for His patience and love that IS IN YOU BECAUSE HE LIVES IN YOU!

Your greatest test in your kitchen is not trying to be more perfect, but yielding to the life of Christ in you!

Be encouraged today,

Nancy Campbell

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STANDING FAST IN A SHAKING WORLD

StandingFastWe often feel unsettled in our hearts because of what is happening in our lives or because of what is going on in the world. We live in an unsettled and changing world. But the glorious truth is that, if we are born again into God’s family, we belong to an unshakeable kingdom (Hebrews 12:27:28).

While things shake up around us we do not have to be shaken. Our God is eternal and unchangeable. Therefore, His Word is eternal and unchangeable. Psalm 119:89 says: “Forever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.” I love this Scripture.

God’s Word is totally settled in heaven. It is established. It is firmly fixed. It stands firm and unchangeable. However, God wants His Word to not only be settled in heaven, but settled in our minds and hearts. Settled in our homes. Settled in our family lives.

When everything falls apart around us, we stand on God’s Word. When we don’t know where the next cent is coming from we stand on God’s Word. When we have no human answer, we stand on God’s Word. It is infallible.

During this last year when we battled in prayer for our grandson, Arden, who was struggling with cancer, we claimed this promise. Along with many other promises. I typed them out in big letters and pasted them all around the walls. We confessed and claimed the promises as we prayed. We didn’t pray one prayer. We prayed daily. At one season, we came together every night for 13 consecutive weeks as an extended family to pray. We continue to pray three nights a week together. We are still waiting for results, but we believe God has answered our prayers. Even in the toughest and heartbreaking times we believed he was already healed at the cross when Jesus took our sins and our sicknesses. We believed the promises of God even when our natural eye saw the opposite.

Dear mothers, I believe we must have God’s Word settled in our hearts. We must know what God says. We must know His original and eternal plan for us as mothers. We must seek after His truth. We have the responsibility to impart His truths to our children so that His Word becomes settled in their hearts. They should not have bits and pieces of God’s Word; it should be richly implanted in them. Established in them. Imbedded in the them so that even when they face the world with all its subtle deceptions they will not be changed or turned from eternal truths.

The good old hymn, “Standing on the promises” is a picture of God’s Word settled in our hearts. We can stand on it because it stands in eternity. It stands on its own. It doesn’t need the advice of anyone of us on earth. It’s God’s Word with no exceptions.

Blessings to you today from Nancy Campbell

I'LL BELIEVE IT TILL I DIE!
Further to my post below, STANDING FAST IN A SHAKING WORLD, here are some lines that are so great to memorize. Get your children to learn them.

BelieveIt

 

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IT BEGINS WITH YOUR HUSBAND

BeginsHusband“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” How often we remind our children of The Golden Rule? What a difference it makes in our home if each one lives by this rule. It is a rule which we expect all people in society to live by. Of course, it comes from the Bible: “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them” (Matthew 7:12).

Because this saying originates from the Bible, the words of Jesus Himself, it is an eternal principle. And because it is an eternal principle it works. As I thought about these words this morning I realized that it is not much use putting them into practice towards people we meet without first putting them into practice to the one closest to us—our husbands.

Every principle begins in the home. More importantly, it begins with our marriage relationship.

There can be times when you feel dissatisfied with the way your husband treats you. You feel he forgets about you. He doesn’t treat you with love and passion. He says derogatory words to you. In fact, you just feel like forgetting about him!

But what about the golden rule? It starts with me. It starts with you. When you do to your husband the things you’d love him to do to you, you’ll be amazed how he will change. Maybe not all at once. But keep doing all the lovely things you want him to do to you and you will notice changes. Remember, it is an eternal principle that works!

Do you notice the Scripture says ALL THINGS! Not some things. Start today doing ALL the things to your husband that you want him to do to you. Where do you feel most hurt or even bitter? Begin right in this most difficult place and to do to him what you long for him to do to you.

Isn’t it wonderful how God’s Word always shows us the answer? I’ll admit it’s not easy. You won’t feel like doing it. It goes against everything in you. But you do it by faith. You do it because it will work. You do it because you are not a wimp, but strong in God’s strength.

Much love to you today,

Nancy Campbell

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WHAT FLAGS ARE YOU FLYING?

FlagsFlyingThe Bible talks a lot about banners. Banners are a sign of victory. We should be always heralding the banners of God’s truth in our home, in the church, and in the world. When banners are not waving, it is a sign of defeat! Never compromise the banners of God’s truth, even in the face of opposition and persecution! Keep them flying high.

I love to write encouraging posts, but I felt when I read Psalm 74:3-4, “Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual desolations: even all that the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary. Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy congregations; they set up their ensigns (battle flags) for signs.”

The Amplified says: “They set up their own emblems for signs of victory.”

Can you believe it? The enemy had come into the heart of God’s sanctuary and established their banners! And yet we see the same thing happening today. Right under the nose of God’s people, the enemy has entered into the heart of the church and set up his banners.

In most of Christendom today, the banners are flying high . . .

“Wait a few years until you are established before you start a family.”

“Make sure you use birth control.”

“Don’t have too many children.”

“Put your children in daycare so you can enjoy your career.”

“It’s my body, it’s my life, and I don’t need anyone (even my husband) telling me what to do.”

These ideologies are now entrenched in the church. They are not God’s signs. They are not taken from the Bible. In fact, they are opposite. They are opposite to God’s nature and His original plan for mankind. They are humanistic ideologies, taken from the very source of Satan himself.

It’s time to take the flags of God’s truths, which are flying in the dust, and lift them high.

Be blessed today,

Nancy Campbell

Painting by Yihang Pan

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WHY DO WE THINK WE KNOW BETTER THAN GOD?

DoWeThinkSome people think that Dad can take the place of Mom at home. I would like to lovingly address this. I believe we should make all our decisions in the light of future generations. We dare not make any decision just because it seems "good" for the present, for every decision affects generations to come.

Often it can be very convenient for the father to stay home because the wife can get a better paying job. However, just because she can earn more, does that make it right? God created different roles for the male and female. He created women to be the nurturers, nourishers, and nest builders of the home and family. A father can do this to a certain extent, but not with same anointing as the mother. He created men to be providers and the Bible tells us that a man who does not provide for his family is worse than an infidel (1Timothy 5:8).

Of course, there are many husbands who work from home or who have home businesses. This is great and a blessing to the whole family. However, the father gives himself to his business, and as the children grow, maybe incorporate them into it. He does not take over the management of the home or the nurturing of the children as this is not his role (1 Timothy 5:14).

Often a husband finds it difficult to get work. However, when the wife takes over his role, she undermines his purpose as a man. We bless our husband when we embrace our role and don't interfere with his role.

Society today blurs the roles and the differences God created in the man and woman. Both male and female are needed to reveal the image of God and we walk in God's perfect plan when we embrace who God created us to be. It is easy to fall into the trap of living by "situational ethics." We do what we think suits us the best and what is most convenient at the time. Situational ethics may work well in the situation, but it may not be the truth.

The truth is not always easy to walk in, but we must do it for the sake of our family and the for the sake of future generations. Marriage and family life is disintegrating all over the nation because many do what they think is best. However, there is a huge difference between what looks good and right and what is truly right and best. Two times the Bible repeats: “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof ae the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25).

We show to our children and future generations God's perfect plan by the way we live. Our children have a right to grow up seeing their mother as the nurturer and loving her home. They have a right to grow up seeing their father taking the responsibility as the financial provider of the home. Our children imbibe God's way to live by watching us. God wants our children to see this distinction. It is healthy. And it is for the preservation of family life in this generation and the generations to come.

The roles of male and female and continually being blurred in this generation. What will happen to the next generation?

Isaiah 55:8-9: "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are Your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."

Be blessed,

Nancy Campbell

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ARE WE DEGENERATING?

LetThemAloneWhat I share with you below may seem archaic. Even unbelievable in this society in which we live. However, it reveals how the bar of God's standard continues to lower in every generation.

I grew up as a child never entering a movie theater. It was considered evil. My mother, who has since passed away, never went into a movie theater in her life. Nor did my husband's mother! When I was older and began to go to a "good" movie, I remember saying to my mother, "Mother, you could come and see this movie. It is totally wholesome." But she replied, "Oh no, the Lord might come while I am there!" And she wouldn't want to be found in a movie theater if the Lord came for her!

But of course, when television came in, all standards went out the door. Now, many Christians receive into their homes all the filth and rubbish of the world. They watch adultery and fornication, and worse, without batting an eye! Many Christians go off to every new movie that comes without any discretion! No wonder we don't see the power of God moving in our midst today. We are a lukewarm people--overcome with mediocrity, complacency, ordinariness, passivity, and middle-of-the-road blindness!

What about church? When I was a young girl we worshipped together as a family in the morning. We would never think of missing church--rain, hail or snow! Never any excuses! We came home for lunch and then us children walked back for Sunday School in the afternoon (a couple of miles). Then we attended the Sunday evening service.

Next generation . . . instead of three times a day, we got down to two--morning and evening church.

Now, we are down to one service in the morning and that's it! Help, with so many Christian families not committed to church will we be having one service in the next generation?

What about family life? We have so many wonderful godly families in the nation who are raising godly children. And yet sadly, across Christendom, the majority of families have the mindset of the world. They have limited their families to two children. They are so excited when they have their son and daughter, and think, that’s it!

I remember talking to an elderly gentleman on one of my flights. He told me that his father came from a family of ten children and he came from a family of six. “How many children did you have?” I asked. “Two,” he replied. Very typical. Ten, six, two! Every generation has less children. Degeneration. Falling away from God’s original plan and purpose for mankind. We have become victims of a humanistic society. The blind leading the blind into the ditch!

It was normal to sit together as a family to eat meals. To communicate with one another. Now, if families do sit together they bring their iPhones to the table! They don’t even communicate face to face. Now that really is degeneration!

Perhaps the statement is true: “Each generation is one generation away from degeneration.” In the midst of lethargy, tolerance of sin, and deception, let's keep seeking after God and His truth with all our hearts. Let's not only do this individually, but as FAMILIES. Let's take our families with us as we shine as lights for God in a crooked and deceived generation. Let’s be truth-seekers rather than victims.

Blessings to you today,

Nancy Campbell

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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