Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs

Because Saturday was the 31st November, I read Proverbs 31. I love to read a chapter of Proverbs according to the day of the month. I was arrested by verse 25: “Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.” This clothing is not just talking about her garments, but the attributes with which she is clothed.

The interesting thing is that these two beautiful attributes, although used here to describe the capable woman, are actually used to describe God. How incredible that God’s attributes are can become our attributes. Of course, it is not anything of our own making. We are reminded in Ezekiel 16:14 that any beauty or glory we have only comes from God Himself.

Yesterday I wrote about having faithful children. Did you know the Bible also talks about raising DIGNIFIED children?

1 Timothy 1:4 (NASB) reveals that God doesn’t want unruly children, but dignified children. This Scripture once again talks to pastors and elders (but it applies to all parents): “He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity.”

God specifically encourages us as parents to raise FAITHFUL children. Titus 1:6 writes to pastors and elders that they must be men of unquestionable integrity who have “FAITHFUL children not accused of riot or unruly.” This is God’s standard for all parents, but a pastor who leads a flock, must of course hold up this standard.

The word “faithful” is pistos and means children who are “believers who hold to the faith, truthful, trustworthy, and faithful in all things.” The same word is used in the following Scriptures:

Are you currently facing an impossible situation? Can I encourage you to not look at the “impossible” situation, but to look to God? Did you know that the word “impossible” means nothing to Him. It’s not in His vocabulary.

What did Abraham do in the impossibly looking situation when God promised him a son? He was 100 years old and Sarah was ninety! It couldn’t happen naturally. Romans 4:20 says: “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith giving glory to God.” The ESV makes it clearer: “No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God.”

I talked with a mother at our Above Rubies Saskatchewan Retreat last weekend. She shared with me that she has given her oldest son the project of gradually writing out the whole Bible. He writes two chapters a day and at 12 years old is now up to Deuteronomy. She wants him to write the whole Bible before he is married. What a great blessing for his future life. Anyone want to utilize this idea? Sounds pretty good to me.

Love from Nancy

A mother talked with me over the weekend about what she does with their PRAYER CARDS for the family. Because she has children of varying ages, she writes very simple prayer needs on colored cards and more intense or political needs on white cards. The older children know to take a white card out of the PRAYER BOX and the younger children a colored card.

I thought this was a great idea and want to pass it on to you.

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

Don't forget to say something special to your husband today. And don't forget to say, "I love you." And don't forget to give him a hug and a kiss.

Do you want to be inspired today in your powerful role of mothering?

Check out these pictures of beautiful mothers and babies. Your heart will melt and you will be stirred again in your high and noble calling:

https://www.pinterest.com/abov…/i-love-motherhood-paintings/

Isn’t it amazing that many people would rather stake their lives on the temporary rather than the enduring? Many believers conduct their lives on the contemporary values of our modern society.

Jeremiah 6:16: “Thus saith the Lord, Stand in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.” What are these old paths we are to seek after? Doesn’t it seem rather old fashioned to ask after “old” ways?

Every marriage tells a story. What story does my marriage tell? What does yours? We first tell the story to our children for they perceive marriage as they look at us. Is it a sweet, loving story? Does it make them excited to be married? Do we show them a picture of the relationship of Christ and His church?

Is it a story of constancy that makes them feel secure? Do we tell them a story of God’s ways, showing them clearly the different roles God gives to husband and wife, father and mother? Do they see us functioning joyfully in our particular role? Hopefully they don’t see a blur, or our taking our husband’s role.

Yesterday we talked about rejoicing in the name of the Lord. However, to effectively rejoice in His name we need to KNOW HIS NAME. We can never know God fully for He is incomprehensible. However, in His mercy He chooses to reveal His attributes to us through His names.

To know and understand the names and attributes of God should be the greatest pursuit of our lives. Our knowledge of Him determines our walk with Him. And our walk with God determines the way we run our home and mother our children. Also, it’s only as we know God that we can reveal Him to our children.

Are you rejoicing today? “Help, I don’t have anything to rejoice about,” you exclaim! Sometimes you can feel like that when everything goes wrong, insurmountable problems confront you, or you feel just plain lousy.

However, Psalm 89:16 inspires us: “IN THY NAME shall they rejoice all the day; and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.” It is true that you can’t always rejoice in your circumstances or what is happening in your life, but you can rejoice in the name of the Lord. His name never changes. It is always constant. His name is holy. It is awesome. It is glorious. His name is Jehovah-Jireh--the Lord who provides, Jehovah-Rapha--the Lord my Healer. The name of the Lord is a strong tower into which you can run. And on and on.

Do you use a Prayer Box in your home? We find it a wonderful blessing. Did you know you don’t have to be limited to only one Prayer Box? You can make up more than one for different subjects. You can then alternate them each week. Here are some ideas for different Prayer Boxes you may like to have in your home.

OUR FAMILY PRAYER BOX

On your prayer cards, write the names of each member of your family, plus extended family.

OUR WORLD CHANGING PRAYER BOX

Write on your prayer cards the needs in our nation, international needs, missionaries you are praying for, and current needs that require prayer. Look up this link to get ideas to pray for the needs of the world: http://tinyurl.com/IdeasForPrayerCards

OUR CHURCH FELLOWSHIP RAYER BOX

Going through my cupboards the other week I found this very box which we used for some time. Write cards of the different families in your church who need prayer and encouragement.

OUR PERSECUTED CHRTISTIANS PRAYER BOX

This is such a powerful and biblical Prayer Box to use. There are so many countries persecuting Christians that it is hard to keep up with all the needs of the persecuted church around the world. The persecution of Christians in the 10/40 Window has increased by 400 percent over the last 10 years. That’s why it’s great to have a box especially designated for the persecuted church.

Your box will be fat with cards, especially if you write in every one of the 60 countries who persecute Christians. Then you have specific needs happening to those who are being persecuted. Don’t forget North Korea which is the most persecuting country of Christians in the world.

And how can we not pray every day for what is happening in Iraq and Syria where they face beheadings, rapings, and cruelties beyond measure.? No wonder Hebrews 13: 3 tells us to pray for them as though we were in prison with them and to feel their suffering as though we were suffering their pain in our own body.

Here is a link to give you more information about the persecuted church:
http://www.worldwatchlist.us/world-watch-list-countries/

OUR 10/40 WINDOW PRAYER BOX

The 10/40 Window is the rectangular area of North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia approximately between 10 degrees north and 40 degrees north latitude. These countries include the majority of the world's Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists--a high percentage of the least evangelized and unreached peoples with the Gospel.

These countries include: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Azerbaijan
Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Brunei, Burkina Faso
Cambodia, Chad, China, Hong Kong China, Macau
Djibouti, East Timor, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia
Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel
Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, North Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan
Laos, Lebanon, Libya
Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar (Burma)
Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar
Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria
Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan
United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam,
West Bank / Gaza, Western Sahara, Yemen

Wow! Do you know where all these countries are situated? What a great project to learn about each one gradually and add to your Prayer Box. It is such a great way for your children to learn about these countries and get a heart for missions at an early age. Not only a heart for missions, but a heart to pray for the lost and the unreached peoples of the world.

OUR NEIGHBORHOOD PRAYER BOX

If you have a vision to reach out to your neighborhood, your community, and city, the best idea is to start with your Prayer Box. Put in the names of the families God puts upon your heart to pray for. As you pray for them, God will show you how He wants you to reach out to them. Maybe He will inspire you to invite them over for a meal to show them God’s love and what it’s like to live in a Christian home.

Get your children helping to make the Prayer Boxes you would like to use in your home--and also writing the cards.

Another good idea is to use pictures of people (missionaries, a certain person you are praying for to be saved or healed, the kind of people who live in a certain country and so on) and places (pictures or maps of the countries you are praying for), especially when you have young children. This helps them to pray more effectively.

May you be blessed above measure,

Nancy Campbell

P.S. More links to check out:
http://tinyurl.com/OurPrayerBox
http://tinyurl.com/RecommendedLinks
http://tinyurl.com/PrayerInTheHome
http://aboverubies.org/morning-evening-principle

Do you remember the account of Jesus when he was only twelve years old? The family came to the Feast of Passover at Jerusalem. On the way home, along with all the other hundreds of families returning from Jerusalem, his parents noticed Jesus’ was missing. They immediately returned to Jerusalem but it was three days before they found Him.

Where was he? In the temple, sitting among the teachers and doctors, asking and answering questions about his Father. What did Jesus answer to his frantic parents? “Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49).

Ephesians 6:8 tells us: “Whatsoever GOOD thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive the Lord.” Dear mother, I want to remind you that you are doing a GOOD work.

God tells us in Titus 2-5 that the “GOOD” things the older women must teach the younger women are all about the home--loving your husband, loving your children, and being a keeper at home. When you embrace this lifestyle God planned for you, you are doing a good work. When you nurse your baby, teach your children, prepare the meals, and clean and keep your house in order you are doing GOOD things.

Some people allow themselves to get eaten up inside with bitterness, hurt, and jealousy etc. We cannot allow this to continue in our lives for it will only destroy us and our entire family. We have a responsibility as mothers to keep our spirit whole--pure, blameless, and continually forgiving.

However, there is one area where the Bible tells us we are to get eaten up in our spirit? Do you know what it is? John 2:17 says of Jesus: “The zeal of thine house hath EATEN ME UP.” These words were spoken after Jesus made a whip and cleansed the temple, driving out all the sheep and oxen, and tipping over all the tables and money and cried out: “Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house a house of merchandise” (John 2:16) and “It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves” (Matthew 21:13).

I wonder what kind of table you have in your home? Is it round, square, or rectangular? Is it old or new? It doesn’t really matter what it looks like. The real question we have to ask ourselves is: who does our table belong to? Is it my table? Or is it the Lord’s table?

If God dwells in our home, it will be God’s table.

Did you know that God loves to have a table? In the Old Testament He says: “They shall enter into my sanctuary, and they shall come near to MY TABLE to minister unto me” (Ezekiel 44:16). Everything changes when you understand your table belongs to God. It changes how you conduct your meals. It changes what you do at your table. We understand that the table is not only a place to eat some food, but a place where we feed our children body, soul, and spirit. We feed their bodies, but God is present to feed their souls and spirits.

We notice four wonderful things about your table which belongs to God.

1. God reminds us to “enter into my sanctuary.” We cannot taste the delights of God’s table unless we come to the table. Oh how many hours of delights families miss together because life’s programs stop them from sitting at the table together. So many of our activities happen around the evening meal time. They may be good, but they deprive us from the best.

We have to come to the table. We have to enter into His sanctuary. We have to understand that our table is a sacred place because it is God’s table. When we understand it is God’s table, we won’t want to miss being at the table to meet with Him.

2. God reminds us to come NEAR to Him. God doesn’t want us to be far away from Him. He doesn’t want everything else in the world to captivate our hearts. At the table we come near to one another and near to Him.

3. God reminds us (as we have mentioned) that our table is HIS TABLE.

4. God reminds us that the table is where we MINISTER UNTO HIM. God had His table in the Holy Place in the tabernacle. Every single day the twelve loaves of bread sat upon the table. Every week the priests came in and ate of the bread and fellowshipped with God and then placed new bread upon the table. The table was never without bread. It was called the “CONTINUAL shewbread” (Leviticus 24:5-8 and 2 Chronicles 2:4). Even when they traveled to a new place the continual bread had to be upon the table (Numbers 4:7).

God always has bread on His table. It’s there every day for us. It never runs out. We never have to go hungry in our souls and spirits. And therefore at our table each day, we open God’s precious Word and read it. It ministers to us and to our children. It prepares them for life. It prepares them to face the world. We cannot do without it or we starve spiritually. And not only does God minister to us by filling us with His eternal bread, but we minister to Him as we pray, and praise Him for all that He is.

Don’t vacate God’s table. He waits at His table in your home to meet with you, to feed you, and to have fellowship with you.

Be encouraged,

Nancy Campbell

Painting is by a Scottish painter: John Henry Lorimer (1856-1936)

I remember seeing a cartoon many years ago. It was a picture of a mother looking at the adverts in the newspaper. Around her were children out of control and the house in utter chaos. The caption read: “I’m looking for a job, I need a rest!”

This may be just how you feel sometimes. Dear mother, I want to remind you today that you already have the greatest career in the nation. I know it’s not easy. It has the longest hours. It’s full of challenges. Sometimes you feel so tired you can hardly see straight. But no job that is nation-changing, generation-influencing, and eternity-investing is easy.

It’s so easy to get carried away without thoughts, isn’t it? I find that that when I don’t discipline my thoughts they can often tend toward self-pity, “poor me, why do I have to put up with all of this?,” selfishness, and even my own pitiful thoughts about God which are not worthy of Him.

We must bring our thoughts into captivity for we live according to how we think. Our mothering is according to how we think. The whole atmosphere of our home depends on how we think! That’s why God wants us to think correctly. That’s why He wants us to be transformed by the daily renewing of His living Word (Romans 12:1 ,2).