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.

IDEAS FOR EAR TRAINERS

After reading my post yesterday about how we as parents are EAR TRAINERS, many mothers asked for practical suggestions on how they can actually train their children to have obedient ears.

My first encouragement to you is to ask the Lord to show you. The children God has given you belong to Him and He is the One who has all the answers on how to train them. Always be seeking Him for the answers. However, here are a few suggestions, especially for when you first start training and the earlier the better.

1. Look at your child face to face when you speak to them. Make sure you have eye contact. You can't expect your child to obey you when you haven't really connected with them. This applies to older children, too. Don't call out a command from another room and expect them to obey. They may not hear you, they may be preoccupied, or in a dream. Speak face to face. Another important tip for older children is to give a clear command. Don't say, "Perhaps it would be a good idea to start doing the dishes," or "I think you should tidy your bedroom." Instead say, "Right now, I want you to begin doing the dishes." Your child needs to know you are not talking for the sake of talking!

2. After you have told your child what to do, ask her to repeat the command. For example, "Susie, I want you to pick up your toys. Now, what did Mommy say?" Ask your child to repeat.

3. Get a response. "Now, Susie, what are you going to do?" Answer: "I'm going to pick up my toys." A  response is very important. Now she has told you what she is going to do, she is going to be motivated do it. You are much more motivated to act on what you confess. When they are very young, you may have to do the command with your child, such as lead them to the toys and show them how to do it. But, remember, you are training your child to obey immediately and respond to the command you made. This trains your child how to respond to God. We fail our children when we do not teach them to respond to a command.

Now, what about older children? You didn't start training them to obey. They have disobedient ears and are out of control. Is there hope? Yes, there is always hope. I believe you should gather your children together for a family meeting and have a heart to heart talk with them. Tell them what is on your heart, but here is a suggestion to get you thinking, "Children, we've got something important to talk to you about. We want to be the very best parents for you. However, we realize that we have been failing you. God has commanded us to teach you to obey us, your parents, because this is how you learn to obey God. We haven't been faithful in helping you to do this, but we want to do things right. Can you help us? Can we all work on this together?

"This is what we'll need to do. When we ask you to do something, we will expect you to do it immediately (and you will use the same way as mentioned above). If you do not, there will have to be consequences." You can then talk together with your children about what consequences you choose and discuss it with them together so they understand and know that you are doing this for their blessing and for their walk with God.

You can also do positive things and have competitions and prizes. I enjoyed doing this with our children. When the children are learning a new way to live, you could give a star for every time they obey and have appropriate prizes at the end of the week. You can also give stars for each time your child does their chores immediately--with a cheerful heart and without complaining. Once again they receive a prize at the end of the week. And you will have many more ideas I know.

May God give you great wisdom today as you seek to train the ears of your children so they will not only be "quick" to hear and obey you, but quick to hear and obey God.

Love from Nancy

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EAR TRAINERS

All parents are ear trainers. Our parenting determines whether our children will have obedient ears—or, disobedient ears, lazy ears, dull ears, defiant ears, resistant ears, gullible ears, or even forgetful ears.

When you ask them to do something but they take no notice of you, you are training them to have defiant ears. When you ask them to do something and they delay doing it, they have dull ears. When you ask them to do something, but they don’t bother doing it until you have asked for the sixth time (and by now you are shouting), you are training them that they do not have to obey until the sixth time! That's producing lazy ears.

What kind of ears are you training your children to have? The ears we train them to have will be what they take into adult life. The ears we train them to have is how they will listen to God.

Love from Nancy

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THE BATTLE MAKES YOU STRONGER

Hebrews 11 tells us about the great men of faith. I am always inspired by Hebrews 11:34 where it says that "out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in the fight." Even the great warriors of faith didn't start out strong. They began in weakness, but they became stronger with each battle they fought.

Do you sometimes feel weak as you face your battles in life? Don't give up. And don't  spurn the battles, for each battle is going to make you stronger as you learn to trust the Lord to fight for you.

J. B. Phillip's says, "From being weaklings they became strong men and mighty warriors."

The Amplified version says, "Out of frailty and weakness won strength and became stalwart, even mighty and resistless in battle, routing alien hosts."

Be encouraged. Your battles will make you stronger.

Love from Nancy

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FINISHING UP THE MEAL

When in Belgium I talked with a Dutch lady about what they call Family Devotions in Dutch. She said that growing up in her home in The Netherlands they called it "FINISHING UP THE MEAL." I had never heard that expression before. However, as I thought about, it I realized that it was actually a very good name. We have not finished our meal if we only feed the body. We have to feed the inner man, too. If we leave the table before feeding the spirits of our children with God's living Word, we leave the table only half finished!

Do you finish up the meal at your table?

Love from Nancy

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WHO DO WE TRUST?

Isaiah 2:22 says, "Cease from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?"

Isn't it strange how we as mere man seem to trust in man, the created, rather than in God, the Creator and Sovereign Lord of the universe. May God help us to be women who know how to trust God.

Love from Nancy

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ABOVE RUBIES #86

I am sure that everyone on the mailing list in USA should now have their magazines. If your magazine hasn't arrived yet, email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your mailing address.

I know you will love this new issue of Above Rubies. Many have written and said it the best they have ever read. It has so many powerful testimonies that you will want to share with others.

The marriage restoration testimony, BRING HIM HOME by Connie Hultquist is one of the most incredible testimonies I have ever read. Share it with those whose marriages are struggling.

There are two very powerful testimonies about abortion, that I pray will be used to stop many babies from being aborted. And I love the feature about Serving the Lord as a FAMILY, don't you? And of course every other story.

If you need extra magazines to share with friends and family and anyone you meet, don't hesitate to email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your mailing address and state how many you need.

And if you are new to Above Rubies and don't yet receive the Above Rubies Magazine, you can subscribe by going to this link: Above Rubies Magazine subscription. You will be mightily blessed and encouraged.

Love from Nancy

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THE BATTLE FOR BABIES

In all my life I never been so aware of the battle between the forces of darkness and light. It's hard to believe that even little babies are a target! Yes, sweet innocent beautiful babies, created in the image of God! It seems there are now more "Christians" that are AGAINST babies than FOR babies! How can this be? It is against all natural instinct!

I have just come back from three weeks speaking in Europe and UK and I faced this spirit head on, even inside the walls of the church! I only have to speak or write the words, "Children are a blessing" and there is immediate negative reaction! This reaction does not come from God, so where does it come from?

There are only two kingdoms in this world, the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan. Satan's kingdom is a kingdom of deception for he is the father of lies (John 8:44). Satan's kingdom hates life. He comes to "steal, kill, and destroy" (John 10:10). But, God's kingdom is a kingdom of truth and life. God is the creator and lover of babies.

And now we face further distortion of God's creation and truth with the pushing for gay marriage. They even want to fool us with the words, "Marriage Equality"! May God save us. We cringe at the sins of Sodom of Gomorrah and now confront them head on in our western modern western society.

It is time to raise the banner of God's truth. It is time to speak out, for there may come a time when our mouths will be silenced. We dare not give in to deception, compromise, mediocrity, lukewarmness, and tolerance to sin. We must decide to which kingdom we belong--God's kingdom of truth and life, or the kingdom of darkness that hates life and seeks to eliminate it in whatever way possible.

"Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?" (Psalm 94:16).

Love from Nancy

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Today's Message from Nancy - March 28, 2013

"Respect and honor your husband. Let him be the leader. Look at him and give him attention when he speaks to you. He will thrive when you respect him."

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Today's Message from Nancy - March 27, 2013

"The more children God gives to you, the more blessings come to your home. You are blessed, grandparents are blessed, the nation is blessed, future generations are blessed, and eternity is blessed."

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Today's Message from Nancy - March 26, 2013

"You are a nation builder. You build and strengthen the nation as you embrace motherhood. It is mothers who determine the destiny of the nation.

When mothers vacate the home and childbearing the nation weakens. When mothers come back to the home with a vision to raise godly children the nation strengthens again."

 

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Today's Message from Nancy - March 25, 2013

"Release your husband to fulfill his role. He is ultimately responsible to protect you and provide for you. God didn't create two Adams. He created an Adam and an Eve."

 

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Today's Message from Nancy - March 22, 2013

“Husbands are desperate for love and encouragement. Maybe your husband did not receive all the encouragement he needed as a child and his confidence tank is not yet filled up. You can fill up that lack in your husband."

Proverbs 12:25 TLB says, “A word of encouragement does wonders.”

"Look out! When you start encouraging your husband, wonders will happen!”

 

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Today's Message from Nancy - March 21, 2013

"I am walking in the power of the cross of Jesus which is greater than my feelings, greater than my circumstances, and greater than the temptations of this world."

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Today's Message from Nancy - March 20, 2013

"In the midst of lots of noise

I will never lose my poise,

Although my work may never cease

I refuse to lose my peace!"

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Today's Message from Nancy - March 19, 2013

“Mother, you are not wasting your life in your home.

God says that children are at the very center of life in the kingdom of God. When you take time to hold a little child on your lap, you wield a mighty power.

You are in the perfect will of God. You are not only doing something that is good, you are doing what is BEST.

You are in the very center of God’s heart."

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Today's Message from Nancy - March 18, 2013

"Hallelujah! As a mother and home-maker I am in the most high-powered career in the nation, and I am employed by God Himself!"

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Today's Message from Nancy - March 15, 2013

"Encourage your husband today. Speak loving and encouraging words to him--your words either build or destroy your marriage.

Smile at him each time you look at him. Concentrate on his good points and be big enough to overlook the negatives--you didn't notice them when you fell in love."

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Today's Message from Nancy - March 14, 2013

"I will not be moved by trials,

I will not be moved by doubt,

I will not be moved by those who would steer

me away from God’s ultimate truth!"

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Today's Message from Nancy - March 13, 2013

“Many of our children have accomplished things that we could never have dreamed of! They have achieved things that were beyond our abilities!

Your children, too, are filled with divine talents that God has put into their lives. Don’t let them go undiscovered. Look for them. Encourage their hidden traits. Bring them to the surface.

Delight in their special abilities, rather than expecting them to be like everyone else in the family!"

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Today's Message from Nancy - March 12, 2013

"When the truth of God's Word is strong in the home, it will once again be alive in the streets."

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Above Rubies Address

AboveRubies
Email Nancy

PO Box 681687
Franklin, TN 37068-1687

Phone : 931-729-9861
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