Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs

Judas 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).

Hanukkah 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

The 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!”

This 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.

A 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).

Do 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.

Why 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).

Did 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 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.

(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

This 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

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

This 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.

Before 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.

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

~ Nancy

Today I am sending you a lovely article from Bonnie Loveday. I have spoken at two Above Rubies retreats in the large meeting room in their home near London, Ontario.

Here is Bonnie with her husband, Ben and their beautiful children: Duke (14), Dorian (12), Sunny Mae (11), Tobin (10), Tucker (7), Snowy Belle (5), Auden (3), Poppy Lane (2) Cotton Song (1) and expecting a new baby in the spring.

The only woman in the Bible we are encouraged to look to is Sarah. Isaiah 51:2 tells us to “Look unto Sarah that bare you.” We go to the New Testament and read in 1 Peter 3: 6 that we will be “Sarah’s daughters” when we do what is right and good.

Names are very important in the Bible and each one has a meaning. Sarah was first called Sarai, which means princess because she was born of noble birth. But in Genesis 17:15 God changes her name to Sarah. This is a sacramental name because God Himself names her. It still means princess, but this time not only within her family, but in a greater way, yes, even worldwide. When God renamed her, He said: “She shall become nations; kings of people shall be of her.” Sarah means "lady, princess, noblewoman." It also means “to rule, or chieftainess.” It is the feminine of “Sar” meaning a “captain or commander.”

Sarah ruled as a queen in her home and wherever she traveled. She was queenly in her demeanor, her spirit, her graciousness, her beauty, the ruling of her home, and in every manner of life. Although queenliness revealed her personality, we read many other things about Sarah.

1. She was a submissive wife (1 Peter 3:5, 6).

2. She honored and revered her husband (1 Peter 3:6).

3. She wholly trusted God, no matter what the circumstances (1 Peter 3:5).

4. She was a woman of faith (Hebrews 11:11-13).

5. She was beautiful (Genesis 12:11-14). Not only the Bible, but Hebrew tradition informs that Sarah was exceedingly and bewitchingly beautiful. One writes that she was “One of the four most exquisite women in the world and was regarded as the fairest, even in comparison with all the women in the nearby lands. Of all women, only Eve was comelier.”

It caused her problems. Imagine ravishing kings wherever you go! When Abraham and Sarah went to Egypt, the princes noticed her beauty and she was taken into the Pharaoh’s house. King Abimelech of Gerar was also captivated by her beauty (even when she was 90 years of age) and took her to his house. Praise the Lord, God delivered her in these situations.

6. She was beautiful on the inside “with the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit” (1 Peter 3:4).

7. After a lifetime of infertility, she embraced motherhood and nursing a baby even as an older woman (Genesis 21:7).

But of all these great attributes, we go back to the meaning of her name--lady, princess, queen. As Sarah’s daughters, shouldn’t we seek to also live and act like queens? We are not only Sarah’s daughters, but royal daughters of the King of kings and Lord and lords!

It’s sad that there are some women who don’t really want to be a lady today. They would rather be like a man--dress like a man and take on the man’s role. They do not rule as queen in their home because they are either not there, or there is nothing much to rule over. What does a mother do when she limits the number of her children and sends the limited number off to school? She has to find a life elsewhere, and usually this is working for someone else, not being a queen and ruling her own domain.

Let’s aim to be Sarah’s daughters.

~ Nancy Campbell

Further to my post above, you will be encouraged by reading this article about Sarah.

http://tinyurl.com/SarahsDaughters

I love the words of God to Abram in Genesis 17:7: “And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, TO BE GOD TO YOU AND YOUR DESCENDANTS AFTER YOU.” God wanted to be God to Abram. God also wants to be God to you. He is the One who seeks us out. He wants to have a personal relationship with us--every day and all through the day. As John the disciple confessed, “We loved him, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

How blessed we are in this nation to have a day to celebrate together as families and give thanks for God’s goodness throughout the year. It’s one of my favorite days in the year and along the way we have gathered many traditions.

We began at midday with a big family sit-down meal with name places for 82 people! And even then, 21 of our immediate family were not able to be with us. And there will be more next year as the family keeps enlarging.

Because we originate from New Zealand we love to celebrate with not only turkey, but lamb. I cooked a huge turkey and a big leg of lamb (well actually mutton). Our son, Stephen, also brought two pieces of lamb. We have a competition every Thanksgiving and Christmas to see who cooks it the best. And forgive me saying it, but you have to be a New Zealander to really know how to cook lamb. Although once again, I rarely cook lamb. I prefer hogget (which is a one year old sheep) or even mutton (which is two years or older).

But, we actually had a lamb feast this Thanksgiving. Our grandson, Zadok, recently led an Islamic guy to the Lord, who now loves His Savior with all his heart. We asked him to join us for Thanksgiving. The night before he arrived with not a piece of lamb, but a whole, live sheep! Can you believe it? All the guys killed and dressed it at about midnight and began cooking it in an outside oven ready for our Thanksgiving.

We also had many extra dishes and after our wonderful meal and fellowship we began toasting which we love to do. It was a rich time of sharing God’s goodness and giving thanks to Him.

After this we moved outside. We were certainly blessed this year in Tennessee. It was such a warm glorious day. We usually have to put on coats and are often shivering, although we still never give up our traditions, no matter how cold. We were just spoilt this year. We began with our egg-throwing competition. Each person has a partner to whom they throw the egg. Those whose eggs broke go out of the game. The others move back so they have to throw it further, and so it continues until the last couple are left throwing quite a long distance!

We then have tug of war with the adults against the children--always fun. The children then have their running races, three-legged races, and sack races and so on which they love.

Now it’s getting later and time for dessert. Back inside for a table full of desserts and more great fellowship. After this the children like to gather around and share poems and Scriptures they have learned, etc. Toward the end of this time last night, one of our Above Rubies girls received a call from their family in Montana to say that her 15 year old brother was lost out in the wild. He and his sisters had been out hunting elk. They shot two elk, and he went off to find his but the tracks were covered and they couldn’t find him. He had been out for many hours and it was now getting late. We all gathered round and cried out to God that he would be found. Praise the Lord, before we went to bed, we got the news that they had found him. We were all praising the Lord.

We thank the Lord for another Thanksgiving and we’re already looking forward to next year’s celebration. And of course, wondering who else God will have brought into our family in another year. We already know of one as Rashida and Jack are expecting a precious little baby. They rejoiced to receive a honeymoon conception after their wedding in August.

~ Blessings from Nancy

P.S. This picture is from last year--our son, Stephen and someone else on the father’s side. These days the children are getting so big and strong that they are winning. I’ll try and post some up-to-date pictures for you this coming week.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to you and your precious family. May you be filled with thankfulness, today, and every day of the year.

Some good Scriptures to read today are Colossians 2.7 and 1 Thessalonians 5:18. And say out loud, “I am thankful today.” Thank God for specific things for which you are thankful. Here are some things for which I am grateful.