What awe! To think that we are created in the image and likeness of God! God reveals His glory through His creation--through His natural creation, but ultimately through His highest creation of male and female. Every new baby that is born is another revelation of God's handiwork and with all the possibilities of revealing His likeness to the world.
In Hosea 9:11 God is judging Ephraim because of their sin and tells them He will take away their glory. What is this glory? He states, "Ephraim's glory shall fly away like a bird--no birth, no pregnancy, no conception!" Wow! Embracing children is the glory of the nation.
Dearest mother, your greatest glory is in your home, nurturing and delighting in the precious children God gives you. Training them and preparing them to also be revealers of God's glory--His love, truth, compassion, and salvation to the world.
Revel in your glory. Don't give it up for something lesser.
Love from Nancy Campbell
Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs
I know you love your children. But, do you love being a mother?
There's a big difference. Let me tell you a little secret. When you love and embrace your great calling of motherhood, you will begin to enjoy motherhood like you never have before.
Make this confession, I LOVE BEING A MOTHER, every morning when you wake. Say it out loud throughout the day. Tell your children, "I love being your mother."
Your positive confession will change your attitude and also the atmosphere of your home.
Love from Nancy
Dear Ladies, In response to my post yesterday, THERE'S A DIFFERENCE, one mother wrote, " I love all the positivity about motherhood I read here, but it seems to outweigh the blurbs about loving wifehood. As a young mama who tries to keep my priorities of God, hubby, and children in that order, do you have any thoughts?" It's a very good question so I will address it.
Yes, it is our privilege and responsibility to be a cheerful, encouraging, grateful, sweet, and submissive wife. However, it's hard to have this kind of an attitude if you are not happy about your role as a mother, which takes up the biggest part of your day. If you have a negative attitude about every little problem, you are sighing and unhappy, and then complaining about everything as soon as your husband gets in the door, can you image how he feels? He'll be depressed and he won't want you to have any more children.
However, when you understand that you were created for this high calling, that you have been commissioned by the Ruler of the Universe to nurture these precious souls He has given into your hand, that you are employed in the greatest career in the nation, and you are embracing and loving motherhood, you'll have a different attitude. Yes, you'll sometimes feel overwhelmed and wonder how you can get through the day. But, instead of sighing, you'll rejoice and you'll confess, "Thank you, Lord, for this great task you have given me. I am working for You and for Eternity! I thank you that you are my Strength. You are my Joy. Hallelujah!"
You'll be absolutely amazed how your confession of truth changes your attitude. And when you have a smile on your face, your children will get a smile on their face, and guess what, your husband will get a smile on his face when he comes home! Praise the Lord!
Embracing motherhood is a prerequisite to being a joyful and happy wife for your husband. Just do the best you can. You won't get everything done in a day you would like to do, but do what you can with joy. All your husband wants is a happy, joyful, and smiling wife, but you'll have to be a happy mother first.
Love from Nancy Campbell
1 John 5:19 GNT tells us, "We know that we belong to God even though the whole world is under the rule of the Evil One." We live in a world that is morally warped and spiritually perverted. That's why we need the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. That's why we need to learn to constantly yield to the Holy Spirit throughout the day.
Being born again is only the beginning of our salvation. God's purpose is to conform us to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29) and to transform us by the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2). It is possible to have a "born again" heart but a "humanistic" mind. In fact, it is normal to think humanistically for we live in an unbelieving society and are indoctrinated by a godless and humanistic education system. The only way we can get our mind to catch up with our heart is to be renewed by the Word of God and the Spirit of God.
Do you think like God thinks? Or like society around you? Often we don't even know that we think like society because we are not filled with God's Word which exposes the deceptions.
What about our children? Are they being educated by our public education system? If so, they will be daily and subtly programmed to think oppositely to God's Word. It amazes me that believing parents are happy for their children's minds to be "renewed" in humanistic ideologies. Shouldn't it be our consuming passion for our children to be "renewed" in the ways of God so they will be confirmed to the image of Jesus? They will be "renewed" one way or the other.
What is our goal? To train children to be humanists? Or train children who will live according to Romans 12:2, "Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
Love from Nancy Campbell
We love to sing the hymn, "This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior, all the day long." Is this truly our testimony? Or would it be more correct to sing, "Groaning and moaning, all the day long"?
It's easy to find things to complain about, isn't it? But, if we cultivate the right attitude we can finds loads to be thankful about. Let's look for things to be grateful about. Let's get into the habit of praising the Lord for every little thing, not just the good things, but the difficult things, too. We can have a praising heart even in the difficult things because these are the circumstances that cause us to grow, mature and become strong.
Which story will you have today?
Love from Nancy Campbell
1 Peter 2:21 tells us, "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps." We have been called to follow in the steps of Jesus. We love doing this when His steps lead us into easy paths where the sun is shining and there are no adversities. But, oh when His steps lead us into paths of suffering and hardship, that's another story. We are so prone to leave His steps and go our own way, aren't we?
Job, who went through so much heartache and suffering confessed, "My foot has HELD FAST to his steps. I have kept his way and have not turned aside" (Job 23:11 ESV). May we be those who will HOLD FAST to God's ways, even when nothing seems to be working out around us.
Often dear mothers complain to me about the negative comments they receive for homeschooling or receiving more of God's precious babies into their home. Some feel they can't go on because of the negative pressure. And yet, dear ladies, there are more than two million Christians being persecuted for the name of Jesus as this time. And they are not just receiving some negative comments. They are being tortured and thrown into prison--100,000 are martyred for their faith every year.
And yet they HOLD FAST in the steps of the Lord. May we be HOLDING FAST mothers, training our children by example to also be HOLDING FAST children in the ways of the Lord.
In His love, Nancy Campbell
Further to three of our posts last week, GUILTY?, ROBBED OF BLESSINGS, and DECIDE FOR THE FUTURE, I think you would be very blessed by going to this link.
It gives us God's promises for providing for His children. We can't walk in any of God's ways without faith. And how do we get faith? It comes as the Word of God fills our hearts (Romans 10:17).
I feel very sad when I see mothers with a sour face. Down in the mouth. Always a frown. And I see a lot of them. This is not God's picture of a mother. In Psalm 128:3 God paints a picture of the wife in a home that is blessed of the Lord. It tells us that she is a " fruitful vine" in the very heart of her home. Not only does this wife find joy in her home, but she is a fruitful vine, bringing forth luscious sweet fruit. The grapes of a wild unpruned vine are usually bitter. The fruit of a cultivated vine are sweet.
Just as God promises that "the mountains will drip sweet wine" (Amos 9:13) which is being fulfilled today on the hills of Samaria, so we wives should drip sweet wine in our homes. A sweet attitude toward our husband. Sweet words coming forth from our lips.
The husband in Song of Solomon 4:11 NET says to his wife, "Your lips drip sweetness like the honeycomb, my bride, honey and milk are under your tongue." Dripping sweetness. Can your husband say these words to you?
Are you a "sour grapes" or sweet?
Blessings from Nancy Campbell
I love the comment from Angela regarding the post, "SOUR GRAPES OR SWEET?" I love the quote from her mother and want to post it for you all to read: She writes,
"My mother was such a great example in this regard. She raised eight children with a career military officer and we traveled the globe. I don't remember her every complaining about the workload or not having my father there. I did not realize until I had my own family how hard she worked. Her joyful spirit was a good example to not only her own children but to many other people as well. Once I asked her about this and she said, "I HAVE NEVER FOUND A BAD ATTITUDE TO BE BENEFIICIAL SO I NEVER ACQUIRED ONE."
Let's seek to live thankful days rather than "moaning and groaning" days.
Ephesians 5:20 says, "Giving thanks ALWAYS for ALL THINGS unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Our home atmosphere all depends on our attitude.
Love from NANCY
In my post yesterday a couple of messages in the thread mentioned that sometimes Dad can take the place of Mom at home. I would like to lovingly address this. I believe that 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 will affect 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 has created different roles for the male and female. He created the women to be the nestbuilder and the nurturer and nourisher of her children. A father can do this to a certain extent, but not with same anointing as the mother. He created the man to be the provider and the Bible tells us that a man who does not provide for his family is worse than an infidel (1 Timothy 5:8).
Of course, there are many husbands who work from home or who have home businesses. This is great and such a blessing to the whole family. However, the father will be doing his business, and as the children grow, maybe incorporating them into it. He will not be taking over the management of the home or the nurturing of the children.
There are some situations where the husband is finding it hard to get work. However, when the wife takes over his role, he will never be forced into the role God intends for him, and he will feel lesser for it. 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 so easy for all of us 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 we are doing what we think is best for us. How much more will we degenerate with each succeeding generation?
We show to our children, and this includes 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 nourisher in the home. They have a right to grow up seeing their father being 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.
Isaiah 55:8-9 says, "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."
Love from Nancy Campbell
It is inherent within us to love home. Yes, I know there are many women who don't want to be home with their children and would much rather be out of the home. But, this is mental conditioning by our humanistic society. We are programmed this way through the media and the education system. It is not inherent.
As soon as Eve opened her eyes to life she was in her home, the God-ordained place for women to make a holy sanctuary for God and a safe nest to raise and train their children. Micah 2:9 GNT talks about women being driven from the "HOMES THEY LOVE." It goes on to say, "You have ROBBED THEIR CHILDREN OF MY BLESSINGS forever."
It is God's blessing for children to be raised with their mother in the home--and especially when the mother LOVES BEING IN HER HOME WITH HER CHILDREN. Children are robbed from their God-given blessings when they are left with alternative caregivers and taken away from the home.
Blessings from Nancy Campbell
Just as we are the sheep of God's pasture, so He wants us to tend and feed the little flock He gives to us. God sees it as a very responsible task. When He speaks to shepherds, He says, "I will require my flock at their hand" (Ezekiel 34:10). We do not tend and shepherd our children for our sake, but for God's sake, and He holds us responsible.
God warned the shepherds of Israel that they were feeding themselves instead of feeding their flock. "Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?" He asks in in Ezekiel 34:2.
We can be tempted to feed our own desires, our own selfishness, our own covetousness for material possessions, or our own career. But, God wants us to understand that our greatest career is to feed our flock.
That doesn't only meal to prepare meals for them, although that is important, too. Tending a flock means we care for our children body, soul, and spirit. This is full time ministry. It takes constant watching, guarding, and praying over our children.
Blessings from Nancy Campbell
I have just posted about how we should respond to the elderly. You may also love to see beautiful pictures of older couples who are still in love.
Go to: http://www.pinterest.com/aboverubiesmag/i-love-older-couples-who-are-still-in-love/
It is a godly thing to respect the elderly, and yet we don't see this happening a lot in our society today. I believe it is important that we practically teach our children how to respond to older people. The following are 10 pointers for young people, and to help you teach your children. However, I will be grateful to hear other pointers from you. Please share.
1. Do not ignore them. If older people are in the room, always make an effort to speak to them. Do not only talk to your peers and forget about them
2. When you meet them, tell them your name clearly and shake their hand. When shaking the hand of an older person it is nice to place both your hands on their hand. This shows further endearment and honor because of their age. In some African countries they bow before elders. They did this in biblical times, too.
3. Address them appropriately. Do not call elders by their first name, but show respect and address them as Mr. or Mrs. unless you are told otherwise.
4. If you are sitting in a room when an elderly person walks in, immediately stand up to greet them. This is mandated in God's Word. Leviticus 19:32 says, "Thou shalt RISE UP before the hoary head, and honor the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the Lord." The NET translation says, "You must STAND UP in the presence of the aged."
5. Speak clearly, articulately, and slowly when talking to the elderly. Do not mumble. Most older people are deaf and cannot understand the mumbling of many young people. They want to understand what you are saying, so make sure they can.
6. Look out for opportunities to assist them opening doors, helping them to walk steadily, or carry parcels or their bag for them.
7. Listen politely to what they have to say. Look in their face when you speak to them. God wants you to learn from your elders. Stay interested even when they repeat the same story over and over again.
8. Ask questions. When you ask questions about their life and what they have done during their life, you will be surprised what you will learn. Gain all the information you can from them for the time when come when that information will go to the grave and you won't be able to retrieve it. Get all the information you can now.
9. Think of kind things you can do for them. Ask if there is anything you can get for them. Ask if you can make them a cup of tea or coffee. Do special treats for them.
10. If your grandparents do not live close and you cannot visit them regularly, send letters and cards to them regularly. They long to hear from you. Don't deprive them.
Blessings from Nancy Campbell
In Psalm 74:7 the temple is called the dwelling place of God's Name. God is synonymous with His name. Where He dwells, His name dwells. If God is filling my life, His name will be on my heart and lips. If we are allowing God to fill our home, we will be constantly praising, honoring, and lifting up His name in our home. We'll be talking about His name. We'll be praying in His name.
How much do you speak of the name of Jesus in your home? If there is no mention of Christ's name or of God's name in our home, we may have to question if He is really in our home?
Psalm 145 2 says, "Every day will I bless tee; and I will praise thy name forever and ever."
Love from Nancy Campbell
How many times have you stumbled and fallen? Don't despair. Proverbs 24:16 tells us that the righteous falls seven times, and yet rises up again. It's not the falling that counts, but the rising up again!
1 Samuel 2:4 is a wonderful promise, "Those who stumble find their strength reinforced" (NET). The NLT says, "Those who stumbled are now strong."
We become stronger with every battle we face. Even the great heroes of the faith started out weak, but their weakness was turned to strength (Hebrews 11:34).
Get up again today, dear mother.
Blessings from Nancy
There are so many hurting, lonely, rejected, and sad people all around us, aren't there? And all they need is a kind and encouraging word. I think of 1 Samuel 23:16 where Jonathan "went to David in the wood and STRENGTHENED HIS HAND IN GOD." We all need strengthening and encouraging. This is how we keep going as pilgrims on this earth.
Can you ask God to bring to your mind someone you can encourage today? Give them a call. Or write them a lovely card. You can text them, but there is something about a nice card with hand-written encouragement.
But, perhaps you feel need of lifting up yourself. Let me tell you a secret. The greatest way to forget your own problems is to seek to lift up someone else. As you reach out to bless someone else your own problems lighten.
Blessings from Nancy Campbell
There's nothing more powerful than the family meal table. Sitting around the table together (and often including friends or lonely people) is never a waste of time. It offers opportunities for encounters with one another that you would not normally have. And best of all, encounters with God.
Jesus confessed of Himself, "The Son of man is come eating and drinking" (Luke 7:34). In fact, Robert Karris writes, "In Luke's gospel Jesus is either going to a meal, at a meal, or coming from a meal." Jesus loved to gather at the meal table. He still wants to come to your table and join you at your meal, too. Invite Him to come in. Acknowledge His presence with you. Make time at the end of the meal to open the Bible to listen to His words and spend time in prayer together.
These times will be the greatest strengthening times of your family life. You can't let them go.
Blessings from Nancy Campbell
"What are you accomplishing with those little children in your home?" Have you been ridiculed by such words as these? David, who later became the great king of Israel was also derided by similar words. His father asked him to take food to his brothers who were engaged in battle with the Philistines and when he arrived he heard the challenge of the huge giant, Goliath to fight with one of the Israelis. No one was offering--except David.
However, David's brother scoffed, "With whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness?" His brother didn't think he was doing anything worthwhile. But, he didn't understand the heart of a shepherd. A heart that is both tender and brave. Dear mother, you are also a shepherdess to your precious little flock. And let me tell you, your mothering is not insignificant, either. As David was out in the wilderness caring for sheep, God was preparing him to one day be King of Israel. In fact he chose him "from following the ewes great with young" (Psalm 78:71-72). God is also working greatly in you.
Why was David the one who was not afraid of the giant? Because out with those "few sheep in the wilderness" he was learning how to face the enemy! He slew a lion and bear with his bare hands. He was ready for this giant. You too, dear mother, face challenges and onslaughts from the enemy in your day to day mothering. But, you are learning how to overcome the enemy and how to have the victory. You are growing stronger in God each day as you shepherd your "few sheep in the wildnerness." More and more you will become a dangerous threat to the enemy.
The devil is scared of home-building, children-loving, devil-destroying mothers!
Be encouraged. Nancy Campbell