Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs

I believe the Bible is our guideline for every aspect of life. I have always found the answer to every question in God’s Word, no matter how practical.

1 Timothy 2 9 guides us about what we should wear. This Scripture gives us three guidelines:

1. WE ARE TO ADORN OURSELVES MODESTLY.
This word means to act in an orderly manner and behave well. Did you know that this word is only used one other time in the Bible? This time it refers to men and is translated “good behavior.” A woman who dresses modestly understands what is right and doesn’t go beyond her conscience.

2. WE ARE TO ADORN OURSELVES WITH REVERENCE.
The word in the King James version is “shamefacedness.” No one uses this word today, so we better find out what it really means. The Greek word is “aidos” and means “downcast eyes, bashfulness, modesty, reverence.” Help! Does anyone have this attitude today?

One commentary says the word should be translated as “shamefastness.” In other words, we stand fast against bringing any shame or dishonor to our God, to our husband, to our womanly nature, or to the people of God. Once again, this word is used only one other time in the Bible where it relates to both men and women. It is found in Hebrews 5:9 where it tells us to “serve God acceptably with reverence (aidos) and godly fear.” This is meant to be the behavior of both men and women.

The context of 1 Timothy 2:9 is in the gathering together of the saints. We wear different clothing for different places. This is not talking about the beach or the bedroom. It is talking about meeting with the people of God. We don’t wear in church or when we meet with believers clothing we would wear in the bedroom. Some women don’t seem to understand this context.

Robert Spinney, professor at Patrick Henry College in Virginia says that many men ask the question: “Why can’t we have at least one haven from tight clothing, cleavage, bare shoulders, and short skirts? Why can’t people be sure to dress modestly when they attend church meetings? I expect to be tempted by scandalous clothing when I go to a college campus, but God’s people shouldn’t have to face that kind of temptation at church services. Can’t Christians be more considerate of others?”

3. WE ARE TO ADORN OURSELVES WITH SELF CONTROL
The King James Version uses another old word, sobriety. It is the Greek word “sophrosune” and means:
a) Soundness of mind, self-control, soberness.
b) Habitual self-government with its constant reign on all the passions and desires.
c) The well-balanced state of mind arising from habitual self-restraint.
d) Safe-and-sound mindedness.
e) Sensibleness and sound judgment.

A sound godly mind knows that cleavage and showing too much of the body is not appropriate clothing for public worship, or even outside the home.

Let’s walk in the fear of God, serving Him and the body of Christ with reverence. This is how we serve God ACCEPTABLY.

In His love,

Nancy Campbell

Painting: Morning Breeze by Vidan.

Is this your testimony as you mother your children in your home? Or do you perhaps sing a different line?
Grumbling and groaning
All the day long.

It’s easy to get into a grumbling mode. But this not only makes your husband and children miserable, but it makes you miserable too! Groaning and self-pity and the worst things we can do to ourselves. They bring us down. They bring us to despair. They make us look ugly. And we are no good to anyone! Why do we bother doing it?

Or perhaps you have another line?
Frowning and fuming
All the day long.

Once again, these negative attitudes are easy to fall into. Mother, your children look at you all day long? What do they see? A frowning and downcast mother? Or a smiling mother? Your children will become what they see in your face? Let them see a smiling happy face. You may not feel like smiling, but that’s not the point. You don’t live by your feelings. That’s a terrible way to live. Feelings come, and feelings go, but they are not the real truth. Instead, by faith, put on a smile. Look at your children and smile at them. You’ll be amazed how your attitude catches up with your face. And the difference it makes to the atmosphere of your home.

Are you upset about something and fuming inside? Forget it. You are only destroying yourself and everyone around you. Give your problem to the Lord and look to Him. He is BIGGER than any problem you face.

Has someone said something unkind and untrue about you? Don’t worry. It’s not the end of the world. Forget thinking about yourself all the time. Bless and pray for the person. Instead of stewing over it, bless them instead!

You’ll soon be praising your Savior all the day long again!

Loads of love,

Nancy Campbell

The last line is such a lovely phrase for us mothers. It is the answer to all the big and little challenges and frustrations we face each day. It’s not always easy to deal with the different attitudes and behaviors of each of our children—all at once! Wow, we certainly we need God with us, don’t we?

But God IS with you, dear mother. Seek to live in His presence. Instead of giving into the flesh and becoming frustrated and angry, yield to Jesus. He lives in you. He’s waiting to live His life through you. Nothing takes Him by surprise. Nothing gets His stomach tied up in knots. He lives in rest. And He wants you to live in His rest as He dwells in you.

All it takes is our constant decision making to yield to Jesus instead of yielding to the flesh.

Will you live in His presence today? It’s the most joyful, restful, and victorious way to live.

Love from Nancy Campbell

Now for the second reminder that is burning on my heart. You’ve guessed it of course. It is praying together as a family. I believe that this is one of the GREATEST things that we can do together as a family. Prayer brings God on the scene! Prayer touches the heart of God. Prayer changes the world. Praying families are world-changing families.

But the devil hates prayer! He will do everything in his power to stop you praying. He’ll even use good things to stop you. Mostly good things, because he knows he can’t tempt you with evil things. He’ll use busyness and getting involved in too many outside activities. He’ll get you running your children around to so many things that you don’t have time to fit in praying together as a family every morning and evening.

Dearest mothers, praying together doesn’t just happen. I have found by experience that we must MAKE IT HAPPEN! We must make praying together twice a day the most important agenda on our daily calendar. Everything else fits into this biblical and most powerful thing we can do as a family. We don’t hope it will fit in with our plans because it never will.

God revealed a principle of prayer in the tabernacle of the wilderness. Every day the priests had to light the incense. As we know, incense speaks of prayer, intercession, praise, and prayer. Read the following Scriptures: Exodus 30:6-8; Psalm 141:2; Revelation 5:8; and 8:3-5. How often were they commanded to light it? Every morning and every evening of every day. The incense was to be continual, never to go out.

We read a very solemn passage in Ezekiel chapter nine where God sent His judgment upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem. The only ones who were saved from judgment were those “that sigh and cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof” (v. 4).

Do we have a burden for the deception and evil that encroaches upon our land? Do we shudder at evil? Can we get used to the fact that same sex marriage is legal in our landWhy are we not on our knees?

Can you imagine what would happen if every godly family prayed together with their family each day? We can include our children as we cry out to God. Children learn to pray as they pray with us. If we are crying out to God for the wickedness in the land our children learn how to cry out to God and to intercede.

Forgive me for giving you another challenging Scripture, but I believe we must be awakened out of our sleep. How can we live our lives as usual when there are so many needs in the world? When there are more martyrs for the faith than at any other time. When there are so many Christians being persecuted. How can we go on as usual without praying for them?

Jeremiah 10:25 states: “Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy name.” If we are not families that call upon the Lord, we are equated with the heathen.

Let’s make praying together each day the priority of every day. Plan your day around these times.

Be blessed,

Nancy Campbell

It is not enough to have faith for ourselves; we must impart it to your children. Deuteronomy 6:6-8 (AMP) says: “You shall teach them DILIGENTLY to your children (IMPRESSING God’s precepts on their minds and PENETRATING their hearts with His truths) and shall speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up.”

The NLT says: “Repeat them AGAIN AND AGAIN to your children.”

Can I share with you about a family I know personally? The mother has a strong faith in God. If you speak to her, her faith is solid. But she has not imparted it to her children. She has left them to find their own way. She does not attend church or encourage her children to gather with God’s people. Three of her children do not walk with the Lord and two are in desperate lifestyle situations.

God’s Word is clear that we must pass on His truth to our children. He has shown us the way in His Word that He intends us to gather as a family morning and evening. You can read more about it in the following link: http://aboverubies.org/morning-evening-principle

It’s not something we do haphazardly, but DILIGENTLY. The word “diligently” in Deuteronomy 6:7 is the Hebrew word “shanan” sand means “to point, to pierce it into their hearts, to prick, to sharpen, to do it intensively, to whet (to sharpen by grinding).”

Can you establish this as a habit in your family life this year? It’s not just a good idea. It is imperative for the saving of our nation. It is crucial for the preservation of future generations—our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

HERE’S YOUR ANSWER

In the post above, IT'S NOT AN OPTION, I encouraged each one of us to continue faithfully with reading God’s Word to our children each day. I know that some parents feel inadequate in doing this. They did not do this in their own home growing up and therefore feel unfamiliar with it. I have a wonderful answer for you.

It's THE DAILY LIGHT ON THE DAILY PATH. This book has Scriptures listed on a specific theme for every morning and every evening of the year. All you do is to go to the date, and there are the Scriptures waiting for you to read. Not too long and not too short. Isn’t that great? Anybody can do it. Husbands who have not done it before will be able to do it with confidence.

It can often be difficult to make a scene and deal with something as we know we should. We'd rather not rock the boat. But if you don't, the problems will continually vex you. They will be like splinters in your eyes and thorns in your side. The problems will multiply. The enemy will take hold more and more!

Commenting on this Scripture, Matthew Henry says, "If we do not drive sin out, sin will drive us out." As the old saying goes, "If we give the enemy an inch, he'll take a mile."

Blessings to you today,

Nancy Campbell

“Mother”—a word that holds the tender spell
Of all the dear, essential things of earth:
A home, clean sunlit rooms, and the good smell
Of bread, a table spread, a glowing hearth,
And love beyond the dream of anyone—
I search for words for her—and there are none.

~ Grace Noll Crowell

Painting by American Impressionist Artist Richard Emil Miller.

Paul wrote to the Corinthian believers: “I will come to you shortly, IF THE LORD WILL” (1 Corinthians 4:19). And again: "I trust to tarry a while with you, IF THE LORD PERMIT:" (1 Corinthians 16:7).

Proverbs 27:1: “Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”

Proverbs 16:9 is so true: “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.”

As we go into this New Year, we can trust our Sovereign God implicitly. He knows the way He has planned for us. It is already written in His book. We make our plans, but let’s always be ready to say DV and be open to God changing and leading us in His ultimate plan (Psalm 37:23; 48:14; Proverbs 19:21; and Jeremiah 10:23).

This takes all the sting out of life. When things don’t go our way, we know that God’s way is better. I’s not always easier, but it’s always better. Even the most difficult, despairing, and terrible things God is working out for good. Read Genesis 45:6-8; 50:20; and Romans 8:28.

We can trust God in every situation. He is sovereign.

God be with you today,

Nancy Campbell

My thoughts are usually of the LORD the moment I wake. I love to read His precious Word before anything else I do. However, I have a problem which I am sure you face also. I prefer to read my literal Bible (my flesh and blood Bible), but often I turn on my iPhone while still lying in bed to get my first thoughts and message of the day from God.

But many times a message will appear on my iPhone as I’m turning to my Bile! It can be tempting to check it. And if I check that, other things appear! Oh, what a distraction! Will I be tempted? A thousand times No. I hear the word in my heart—FIRST! Who is first in my life? Who am I going to make first in my life? God of course!

Therefore, I make it a habit to discard anything that appears on my iPhone as I go to the Word. I DILIGENTLY resist it with all my heart. I DETERMINE to resist it. For God is FIRST! He must be FIRST in every action.

Are we phonies? Or is God truly FIRST?

As we embark on this New Year, can you join with me to make God FIRST in every thought and action. And let’s be strong to read His Word first before letting that iPhone take over.

Love to you today,

Nancy Campbell

Read also: Isaiah 41:4; 43:10; 44:6; 48:12; Revelation 1:8, 11, 17; 2:8; 21:6; and 22:13.

Because we continually keep getting away from God’s way, God reminds us in 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.” Do you want to live in rest and peace this year? Get back to the old ways. To the very beginning. To God’s principles He gave in the beginning. To the very first words He said in the beginning.

Now that’s challenge, isn’t it? The very first words God ever spoke into the ears of man were: “Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the earth” (Genesis 1:28). Many people have their own idea about this. They don’t like God’s mandate. However, if we want to walk in a straight path that leads to life we must accept the beginning (Matthew 7:13,14). The first words. The first establishment of God’s plan for marriage and family. Anything else is devious.

May we not be like those who responded to the words in Jeremiah 6:16 with “We will not.”

Let’s begin everything in our lives with God. Let’s take every thought and every decision to God.

Happy New Year,

Nancy Campbell

Our God is a dwelling God. He loves to dwell. He dwells in His home in heaven. He dwelt amongst His people in the tabernacle and later in the temple in Jerusalem. He dwells in our hearts. And He will dwell with us for all eternity (Revelation 21:3).

He also wants us to be a dwelling people. The word dwell occurs 468 times in the Bible, translated by many different words. I found 26 different Hebrew words for the word “dwell” and five more that speak of temporary dwelling.

Every Hebrew word gives a beautiful description of dwelling in our homes. Let me tell you about one for today. The word “mnuwchah” means “matrimony, repose, consolation, an abode, comfortable, quiet, resting place, still.” Although it means to dwell in a home, it also includes matrimony. When we marry we make a home—a place of comfort and consolation, a repose, a resting place for God, ourselves, and our children.

Here ae a few Scriptures where it is used:
“My people shall dwell . . . in quiet resting places (mnuwchah)” (Isaiah 32:18).

“The ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days’ journey, to search out a resting place (mnuwchah) for them” (Numbers 10:33). God intends our homes to be resting places. He loves to call them resting places.

"He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, he leadeth me beside still (mnuwchah) waters” (Psalm 23:2).

“The LORD grant you that you may find rest (mnuwhchah), each of you in the house of her husband.” We find rest in our homes.

And God Himself speaks and says: “This is my rest (mnuwhchah) forever; here will I dwell; for I have desired it” (Psalm 132:14). God desires to live in rest. He wants to rest in our homes. He wants to rest in our hearts.

As you think about all you want to accomplish in this coming year, can I draw your heart back to your home? God wants to do beautiful things in your home. Powerful things. World-changing things. Great things can come out of a home that is filled with God. Filled with His rest and His peace and His joy.

Embrace your home.

Love from Nancy Campbell

Isaiah 49: 1, 5 is another messianic prophecy which also speaks boldly of the womb: "Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far (God wants the whole world to receive this amazing news!); The LORD hath called me from the WOMB; from the bowels (WOMB) of my MOTHER hath he made mention of my name. . . . And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the WOMB to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him . . . "

Because God put such favor and importance on the womb to bring forth His Beloved Son, Satan hates the womb (Genesis 3:15). There is still war against the womb today. Satan seeks to delude and deceive women about the power of their womb. The Son of God came through a womb to deal a death blow to the enemy and bring salvation to the world. But God still wants children to come forth from the womb to bear His image and to bring salvation to many.

The womb is God's blessing to us. It is His blessing to the world. Nothing in this world can happen except through the womb. All the mighty works God wants accomplished can only happen through His servants and they must come into the world through a womb. All the great feats and accomplishments of this world only happen through someone who was conceived and birthed from the womb.

Why do so many women today choose to close their womb? To stop the function of their womb? Many reject their womb, and yet GOD CHOSE A WOMB for His Only Beloved Son who is King of kings and Lord of lords.

Mary's response was: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word" (Luke 1:38). What is your response?

Be blessed today,

Nancy Campbell