Mother, you are the light of your home and the light of the nation.
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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.
Recently I talked to a young man who is attending college. He shared how his professors advocate delaying marriage and childbearing until they establish themselves and their career. This is how all young people are educated today. Girls are urged to make sure they get settled in a career so that they will have a means of support "in case their marriage fails."
Talking to another young lady who attends college she said, "Don't you know that we can now freeze our eggs so we can enjoy our career and have babies later in life when we are ready?"
"Yes," I replied. "I have read about this." In fact, Facebook and Apple now offer female employees a health benefit in order to freeze their eggs so they can focus on their career. However, I am appalled, but she thinks it is "the norm"!
It is dangerous to send a young person to college if they are not cemented in godly convictions and a biblical worldview. If they don't know what they believe and are rooted in God's eternal truths, they will soon be indoctrinated with lies from Satan.
The ideology of humanism and feminism looks "wise" to those who do not know the truth. This is Satan's trick. He coats his lies with a semblance of wisdom. They sound a good idea to the natural mind. This is how he first tempted Eve in the garden? How could you tempt someone who walked and talked with God every day? Only by making things "seem" good and wise (Genesis 3:6).
1 Corinthians 1:20, 25 says: "Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? . . . Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men." Isaiah 44:25 says that He "Turns wise men backward, and makes their knowledge foolishness."
Let's seek after God's wisdom for ourselves and our children.
Blessings from Nancy Campbell
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I was reading again in Daniel 3 the familiar story of how Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow to the golden image. They were the only ones who refused to bow. It is amazing that everyone else in Babylon had become a victim and slave to do what they were told. They were indoctrinated and brainwashed that this was the right thing to do. It says that "all the people, the nations, and the languages fell down and worshipped the golden image" (v. 7).
Although we are not forced to bow to images of false gods today, we still face the same challenges. We are educated and propagandized to bow down to the gods of humanism and false gods that are opposite to the God of the Bible. Because they are educated by liberal teachers and college professors, even Christians bow to these false gods. The deceptions are so ingrained in their minds they think they are normal.
May God save us from being deceived by false gods. May we as parents be watchful enough to save our children from being victimized by the deceptive gods of this society. May we have the courage of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to stand against the grain. Don’t you love their unwavering confession before the king? "If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that WE WILL NOT serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up" (verses 17 and 18).
We know the story of how God delivered them from the fiery furnace, but MORE THAN THAT, their courage to stand against the false god "changed the king's word" (v. 28). They turned the heart of the king of the nation because they would not give in!
Are you bowing to the status quo of this humanis society? Or are you standing against the deception?
Blessings from Nancy Campbell
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Do you feel as though you have too much work to do today? When can you get time to rest? Can I encourage you with the words of Jesus? He said: "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work" (John 4:34). Jesus also said: "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work" (John 9:4). Read also John 5:17, 36; 6:27, 38; and 17:4.
Did you notice He uses the words "work" and "works"? Jesus didn't come to earth for a vacation, but to work and to fulfill the purpose for which God sent Him.
God has also given you a great work to accomplish. When He sends you a little baby, He gives this baby to you to nurse and train for Him. He doesn't give you this baby to give to someone else to look after. As your children grow, He gives you the powerful work of teaching, training, and preparing them for God's purposes on this earth. It is a mighty work. It is God's work. You couldn't be doing any greater work. It is work that goes into the eternal realm.
But it is "work." The word actually means "toil and labor." Colossians 3:23 reminds us to do our work "heartily."
As we joyfully embrace our work from God, we also teach our children that they are also on this earth to work the works of God. Jesus was only 12 years old when He said: "Did you not now that I must be about my Father's business?" (Luke 29).
God bless you today.
Nancy Campbell
Interesting article about how much mothers work in the home, although I am sure this is not your lifestyle:
http://www.nydailynews.com/…/modern-moms-housework-watching…
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At our Family Devotions this morning we read how Daniel was praying and confessing his sin and the sin of the people of Israel before the LORD God. It then tells us that at the time of the evening offering the Angel Gabriel came and "touched" him and began to speak with him (Daniel 9:20, 21).
God delights to speak to us, but He had certain times when He specifically revealed himself to His people. It was at the time of the morning and evening sacrifice and burning of incense (as we note in this passage in Daniel).
It was at the time of the evening sacrifice that God came to Elijah on Mount Carmel and revealed Himself as the God in Israel and "the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God: the LORD, he is the God" (1 Kings 18:36-39).
It was at the time of burning the incense when the angel came to Zacharias to tell him that God would give them a son who would prepare the way for the Savior of the world (Luke 1:8-17). It doesn't say whether it was at the time of the morning or evening incense burning, but it was one or the other. As the priest sprinkled the incense on the burning coals from the altar and the fragrant sweet aroma rose up to God, all the people prayed outside. The altar of incense speaks of prayer, praise, and intercession.
Do you want God to touch you? Do you want Him to come and touch each one of your children? How important it is then for us to gather our family each morning and evening (according to the prototype God gave us) to offer praise and intercession to Him and hear His Word. We should give God every opportunity to come to us as a family.
Don't miss these opportunities for God to come and speak to you and your children.
God bless you today.
Nancy Campbell
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Dear mother, You are in the most important career in the nation!
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I was happy and sad to read all the comments to my post below, DOUBLE BLESSING. Sad because so many shared that they also received the same comment about having a baby or twins of "Double trouble." But I was also so happy to read how all these wonderful mothers rejected this comment and shared how their twins have been such a double blessing in their lives.
When I had my twins many years ago (they will be 50 this year), I used to say, "There's only one thing better than having a baby and that's having two babies!"
I also love the lines:
There's two to wash, two to dry;
There's two who argue, two who cry;
There's two to kiss, two to hug;
And best of all, there's two to love!"
Blessings from Nancy
To enjoy looking at more beautiful pictures of DOUBLE BLESSINGS, go to:
https://www.pinterest.com/abover…/i-love-twins-and-triplets/
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When talking to a friend recently she shared with me that she was delighted to meet a mother with 13 month old twins at the grocery store.
"You are doubly blessed," she said to the young mother.
The mother looked at her incredulously. "You are the first person who has ever said that to me," the mother replied."Everyone who sees my beautiful babies says, "Double trouble!"
How sad that our society is indoctrinated with lies about the blessing of children.
~ Nancy Campbell
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I read this morning in Deuteronomy 32:4 that "God is the Rock, his work is perfect." God's creation is glorious and perfect. The way He created male and female is perfect. Each one of us are awesomely, wonderfully, intricately, and marvelously created (Psalm 139:14, 15).
Why would we ever think of violating God's perfect plan? And yet right now we face an appalling time in history when God's perfect plan for marriage between a male and female is being thrown back at our Creator. Many are waving their fist in the face of God Himself.
When God speaks about marriage in Genesis 2:24 He says: "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."
When God spoke these words there was no father and mother in existence! Before fatherhood and motherhood were ever experienced God spoke His divine and eternal plan into the earth. God wants children raised by a father and a mother. Many gay couples are seeking to adopt children, but this is opposite of God's ordained plan.
Proverbs 14:12 says: "There is a way which seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Let's stand strong for God's perfect plan.
God bless you today, Nancy Campbell
(Further Scriptures to go with this post below).
"AMONG THE GODS THERE IS NONE LIKE UNTO THEE, O LORD; NEITHER ARE THERE ANY WORKS LIKE UNTO THY WORKS" (Psalm 86:8).
All God's works (all His doings and all His creation, which includes each one of us) are Perfect (Deuteronomy 32:4).
There are also:
Awesome (Psalm 66:3).
Great (Psalm 92:5; 111:2; Revelation 15:3).
Holy (Psalm 145: 17).
Honorable (Psalm 111:3)
Just (Psalm 111:7; Daniel 4:37; Revelation 15:3).
Marvelous (1 Chronicles 16:12, 24; Psalm 9:1; 105:5; 139:14; Revelation 15:3).
Powerful (Psalm 111:6).
Righteous (Daniel 9:14).
True (Psalm 33:4; 111:7; Daniel 4:37; Revelation 15:3).
Wise (Psalm 104:24).
Wonderful (Job 37:14, 16; Psalm 40:5; 71:17; 75:1; 78:4, 11, 32; 105:2; 107:8, 21, 24, 31; 111:4; 145:5).
Give thanks to Him today for His perfect plan and design for your body and for your life. Praise Him as David did: "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well" (Psalm 139:14).
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I read a beautiful Scripture this morning. In Psalm 68:9 (NET) David speaks about God's inheritance and He says: "When they are tired, you sustain them, for you live among them."
Are you feeling weary? Our strength wanes easily, doesn't it? But God's strength is an everlasting strength (Isaiah 26:4). It never runs out. Come to Him. Draw from His everlasting strength. Thank Him for His strength and He will sustain you. He is the Rock of ages who is always there for you.
Be encouraged today. Nancy
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The Supreme court will not give a final decision regarding same sex marriage until about June. In the meantime, let's keep praying.
Marriage between one man and one woman is not only the law of the land. It is God's law. It is the biblical law. It is the law of the universe. It is transcendentally how God created us. It has not been challenged as a law for 6,000 years.
Let's continue to stand fast in prayer, crying out to God for His mercy.
~ Nancy
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I love Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem, "A Psalm of Life." One of the lines says: "Footprints
on the sands of time." Perhaps I should put it in context for you:
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time;
Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o’er life’s solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.
We do not live our lives unto ourselves. Every moment and every day we leave footprints for others to follow. This particularly applies to us as mothers. Our children learn how to walk with God and in holiness as they watch our lives. They learn far more by watching us than from what we tell them.
Revelation 14:13 tells that those who die in Christ "rest from their labors; and their works do follow them." Your mothering work never ends. Sometimes you feel so tried and worn out. But it won't be forever. Your little children grow and life becomes easier. Even when another baby comes into the family, there are now older children to help. But there also comes a day when you will rest from all your labors. And more than that, your works will follow you. They follow you into the eternal kingdom to be judged or rewarded on Judgment Day.
They also follow you after you have gone. Your life keeps influencing your children's lives even when you leave this earth. Your powerful influence as a mother affects not only your children, but your grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and generations to follow.
May we leave clear footprints for our children to follow. May we keep pressing on the upward way until the day we go to be with the Lord. How can others follow if we stop before the finishing line?
God bless you today, Nancy Campbell
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Today, the Supreme Court begins debating the redefining of marriage in America. The God-ordained, God-divined, and God-planned institution of marriage between one man and one woman is on trial. Will same-sex marriage be regarded as the law of the land?
The American Family Association states: "As hard as it is to believe, nine people will decide if our nation will honor God and obey Him, or turn its back on the most fundamental building block of society and on God himself. This will be the most important decision in the history of America."
Please gather your family to pray earnestly. Pray together at your Family Devotions this evening. Don't let anything stop you from praying. The prayers of God's people and the little children are powerful. You may even like to stop what you are doing at the top of each hour and gather everyone around you to pray. This is our plan for today.
~ Nancy
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What is the most world-changing thing you can do as a family? Of course you know. It is to pray. And yet why do we put aside the most important family appointment of our day to the bottom of the list? It's because the enemy knows the power of prayer. It defeats his plans and moves the mighty hand of God against him. He will keep you from praying. He will even use good things to fill your day so you won't have time to pray.
Leviticus 26:7, 8 says, "And ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword. And five of you shall chase an hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword."
Do you have three children in your family? You and your husband and three children make five. You can put 100 enemies to flight! Do you have six, eight, or even ten children in your family? What a prayer meeting! What power you wield in our home every morning and evening as you pray together as a family. Don't let the enemy side-track you from the most powerful thing you can do together each day.
You can defeat the devil's plans. You can release the power of the gospel to nations that are in darkness. You can be part of bringing revival to this nation.
Don't let good things be the enemy of the greatest!
God bless you today,
Nancy Campbell
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THE HOLY BIBLE
This book contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable.
Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's charter. Here paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand object, our good its design, and the glory of God its end.
It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and will be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, rewards the greatest labor, and condemns all who trifle with its sacred contents.
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Did you know that when you conceive a baby that you actually receive a visit from God?
Genies 21:1-3 tells us: "The Lord VISITED Sarah . . . For Sarah conceived and bare Abraham a son in his old age."
We read about this again in 1 Samuel 2:21. After Hannah dedicated Samuel to God and took him to the temple, the Bible tells us that "The Lord VISITED Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters."
What an amazing thing. Conception only comes from God. It is a miraculous event. God uses the same word when He promised to bring the children of Israel out of Egypt (Genesis 50:24). How did He bring them out? With mighty miracles and signs and wonders.
What a privilege to be VISITED by God? May we never lose the awesomeness and wonder of this divine miracle.
God bless you today, Nancy Campbell
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Are you teaching your children to respond correctly when asked a question? Here are a few examples:
"Did you have a great day?"
Incorrect: "Yes."
Correct: "Yes, thank you. It was a great day."
"Did you sleep well last night?
Incorrect: "Yes."
Correct: "Yes, thank you, Mommy." (It is important to teach your children to address the person's name.)
At the table. "Would you like some more dessert?"
Incorrect: "Yes."
Correct: "Yes, thank you, Mommy." Or, "Yes, thank you, Mrs. Smith."
Correct: "No thank you, Mrs. Smith. I am well satisfied." Or: "No thank you, Mommy. But it was very delicious."
When introducing yourself to someone.
Incorrect: "Hi."
Correct: "Hello. My name is Caleb Rogers. It's very nice to meet you." And shake hands firmly.
To answer with one syllable and not address the person who is asking the question, is very rude. Nor does it show respect to the person asking the question. And yet I find that not only children, but many older young people answer this way. They have never been taught basic etiquette.
Do some practice runs with your children each day so that it becomes the habit of their lives.
Bless you today. Nancy Campbell
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God makes His purposes very clear in His Word, doesn't He? Right from the very beginning He reveals His heart and plan for the way He wants us to live.
God's great plan of LOVE AND BLESSING for His creation is for marriage with a man and a woman that results in fruitfulness.
Notice that God's Word does not speak of two males or two females together, but the very opposite. Check the following:
Male (zakar) / female (nqebah) Notice that the two Hebrew words are totally different (Genesis 1: 27).
Man / woman (Genesis 2:23).
Father / mother Genesis 2:24).
Husband / wife (Genesis 2:25; Proverbs 12:4; 31:11, 12, and 28).
Master / mistress (Genesis 16:4 and 24:9).
Bridegroom / bride (Psalm 19:5; Isaiah 49:18; 61:10; 62:5; and Jeremiah 33:11).
Mankind / womankind (Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13).
Young men / maidens (Isaiah 62:5).
Sons / daughters (Genesis 5:4).
Boys/ girls (Zechariah 8:5).
God called them Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve. Arthur W. Pink comments on God's creation of man: "Not both males or both females, but one male and one female; and to make the design of this unmistakably plain God says, "Be fruitful and multiply." For this reason marriage is called "matrimony," which signifies motherage because it results in virgins becoming mothers."
We cannot deviate from God's plan except to our detriment and destruction (Romans 1:20-32)..
Blessings from Nancy Campbell
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Psalm 127:4 says: "As arrows in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth."
J. Peterson writes:
"Hold them tight,
Aim them right, and
Give them flight."
Today is another day to sharpen and polish your "arrows." It takes purpose, precision, patience, and prayer. Don't give up.
Blessings from Nancy Campbell
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Words and ideas are indivisible with God. It is the same with us. Our ideas and thoughts about any issue determine what we confess about it. What do you think about motherhood? That's what you will speak from your mouth. Do you complain about mothering? Do you relegate it to something inferior? Or is your confession, "I LOVE MOTHERHOOD"?
How do you think about your marriage? Do you like to complain to others about your husband? Do you speak disrespectfully about your marriage? Or do you confess wonderful things about your marriage? It all depends on how you think.
It is important to get our thinking straight. We must not allow our thoughts to fall in with our fleshly feelings. We must gird up the loins of our mind. We must bring every thought into captivity to Christ. We must begin to think how God wants us to think--in line with His Word, for His Word is truth, not our feelings.
As you allow God to change your ideas and thoughts, you will change your confession, and thus your whole way of living.
Be blessed. Nancy Campbell
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