Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs

What about grace? Such a wonderful word. It’s used 170 times in the Bible.

The glorious word “salvation” is used 158 times and Savior 39 times.

Faith is mentioned 338 times.

We are told to “pray” 313 times in the Bible, although there are many other words used to describe prayer.

However, when searching the Bible for the different words God uses for children I was amazed. The most common Hebrew word for children is “ben” and there are nearly 4,000 references to this word!

But that’s not the only word for children. God’s heart is so much for children that He has a different word for every stage of their growth, from birth to adulthood. I discovered 50 different Hebrew words for children in the Old Testament and 26 different Greek words for children in the New Testament. These words add up to thousands.

It’s interesting that we constantly hear messages at church each Sunday on faith, grace, love, and salvation, which is wonderful because we can never learn enough of these grand themes. But when do we ever hear a message about family life and the blessing of children? Maybe on the rare occasion? And yet God has more words for children than any other subject.

Do you think we should get more in line with God?

Love from Nancy Campbell

Painting by Corinne Hartley (available from Carmel Galleries).

You can find all the different Hebrew and Greek words for children in THE POWER OF MOTHERHOOD. Currently available ON SALE until 14th May.

Go to: http://aboverubiesbookstore.mybigcommerce.com/power-of-mot…/

When you clean toilets, sing for joy because Christ sings with you and over you (Zephaniah 3:17). When you wash dishes and laundry, acknowledge the presence of Christ with you. When you prepare another meal for your family, do it with joy and excitement because Christ is with you. He doesn’t leave you when you do the commonplace duties. He is not apart from you in the humdrum of life. He is in you and with you.

He promises: “I will NEVER leave you, or forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). No matter what you are doing (unless you are sinning and grieving His Holy Spirit), He is with you.

I love Zechariah 14:20, 21 (NET): “On that day the bells of the horses will bear the inscription “HOLY TO THE LORD.” The cooking pots in the LORD’S temple will be as holy as the bowls in front of the altar. Every cooking pot in Jerusalem and Judah will become holy in the sight of the LORD who rules over all.”

Every saucepan you pick up is holy because you, and everything in your home, is sanctified by the power of the living Christ who abides in you. To prepare a meal for your family is as sacred as a minister who prepares a spiritual meal for the church!

Therefore, enjoy every moment and every task in your home today.

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

When we focus our ordinary, daily life on the eternal, it takes us from the doldrums to delight, from misery to the miraculous, from pre-occupation with self to praising God. Instead of being overwhelmed about all our challenges and problems, we lift our eyes to Christ who sits at the right hand of the Father. We give our difficulties to Him. Nothing is too big for Him to handle.

Did you know that God never gets in a state of confusion or tension? And He dwells in your heart by His Spirit? Therefore, you don’t have to get all tied up in knots? Allow Christ to take control. He’ll do a much better job than you!

Be encouraged today as you read 2 Corinthians 4:1-18: “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a FAR MORE EXCEEDING AND ETERNAL WEIGHT OF GLORY: While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which re not seen are eternal.”

Many blessings to you today,

Nancy Campbell

Here are a few quotes from commentators on Ephesians 6:1-3.

“There can be no obedience where there is no authority; and if a child is not disciplined to obedience it suffers a moral loss which can hardly ever be completely remedied in later years. Obedience to the personal authority of parents disciplines us to obey the personal authority of God.”

“The exercise of authority . . . meets him at the beginning of life with the idea so necessary for all to realize, that in this world no human will is meant to be absolute and supreme, and that the first lesson—which everyone is to learn—is the difficult, but necessary one of obedience. “
~ T. G. Begets

“It is the duty of a child to obey. It is the duty of parents to rule.”
~ R, W. Dale

“If atheism is not normal, why do certain people become unbelievers? First, it is well known that the seeds of atheism can be planted early in life. One of the most dangerous contributions a parent can make toward the spiritual delinquency of his child is a failure to instill within him a respect for authority. If the parent neglects to set the proper example as an authority figure, or refuses to exercise discipline with love, he might well be rejected as an authority-figure by his child, and thus, by transference, the child ultimately may come to disdain all authority, including the Supreme Authority, God.”
~ “Surveying the Evidence by Kyle Butt, Wayne Jackson, Eric Lyons.

Was I always diligent as I trained our children? Not always, although I took it seriously. We constantly need to remind each other of the most important things in life. And this is the most important task of parenting.

Love from Nancy Campbell
www.aboverubies.org

References:
HONORED: Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16; Matthew 15:4; 19:19; Mark 7:10; 10:19; Luke 18:20; and Ephesians 6:1-3. Check also Exodus 21:15, 17; Proverbs 15:20; 19:26; 20:17, 20; and 23;22.
OBEYED: Ephesians 6:1-3; Colossians 3:20.
FEARED: Leviticus 19:3.

Each one of us know that to counteract the onslaughts of the enemy, we must daily put on our armor. Do you remember the first piece of armor that is mentioned?

Yes, it is truth. What area of our bodies do we cover with truth? The King James Bible says it is “the loins.” Let’s read it in Ephesians 6:14: “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth.”

The Greek word for loins in this Scripture is “osphus” meaning “the hips, the strength of a man, procreative power, the seat of generative power.” The Bible talks about future progeny coming forth from the loins (c.f. Acts 2:30 and Hebrews 7:5, 9, 10). It was most important that soldiers protected their loins (their procreative power) as they went out to war.

However, I am confused. Most modern translations do not even mention the word loins. A typical translation is “Tighten the belt of truth around your waist.” The word “waist” is not mentioned in the original Greek. Nor do I find the word “belt.” I will concede that often the clothing covering the loins is attached to a belt to hold it tightly in place. So, they’ve got something there.

Men wore long robes in those days. When they did physical work, or readied themselves for action they “girded up their loins.” They picked up their robes to the knees or just above the knees and tucked them in their belt. Therefore, they could be using this metaphor.

But they eliminate the most important word, “loins.” No soldier would go to war without protecting his loins. A belt is not enough. Check the picture above. In fact, it is a shame to have the loins uncovered. When prisoners were taken captive, they often shamed them by shaving their heads and uncovering their loins!

The Bible says the loins are to be protected with truth. Are modern translators victims of the deception this Scripture exposes?

It is a fact that most of Christendom today is ignorant about the power of their loins. They are not protected with the truth of God’s Word. This area of the body has been, and is being, attacked by the enemy. Satan hates life and seeks to eliminate it every way he possibly can. He has fooled God’s people to close their wombs and cut of the power of their loins so they cannot bring forth God’s children. Satan has won a huge victory and God’s army is sorely lacking.

The loins are to be fully girded about. That means they must be protected from abortion, all the modern methods of contraception that eliminate life, and the knife that cuts off procreative power.

Not only have the loins been made lifeless, but they have become prey to sin—fornication and adultery among young people and even married couples. It’s time for a revival of strengthening the loins and bringing God’s truth and holiness back to this area of our bodies.

We must teach our young people to gird their loins with truth. It is the first piece of armor mentioned. It is the preparation for all others. If the loins are not kept pure and holy by embracing God’s truth, it’s not much use putting on any other piece of armor.

What conviction does a “belt of truth” give us? It is the loins that must be girded about.

Blessings today from Nancy Campbell

P.S. The following versions use the word “loins” which is in the original Greek: King James Version, Darby Version, Young’s Literal Translation of the Holy Bible (which I would expect it to use the correct word), Douay-Rheims, Knox, Geneva Bible 1599, and the New American Standard Bible (which is the only one I could find in the modern versions that includes the word “loins.”) If you find other versions, let me know.

However, 1 Peter tells husbands to also show honor to their wives. But it’s a different kind of honor. Let’s read the Scripture: “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them (your wives) according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.”

The word used this time means “value, esteem of the highest degree, dignity, precious.” It is the same word used of the “preciousness” of Christ (1 Peter 2:7). Husbands should come into marriage with knowledge and understanding of how to treat their wives. Many men are ignorant because of the brainwashing of feminism. Feminism takes away the beauty of femininity. They pressure women to be like men. Therefore, when men no longer see women as a prized possession to be protected and cared for, they do not know how to function correctly.

Husbands are to esteem their wife as the weaker vessel. Now I know some women don’t like to be put in that category. But this is the truth. I think I am a strong woman physically, but I am not as strong as men. Men mostly have 50 percent more brute strength than women. They are built to have more muscle, broader shoulders, and stronger physique to lift heavy weights, do hard work, provide, and protect.

I like Fenton’s translation which says: “assigning honour to their FEMININE NATURE, as to a weaker vessel.” To get back to God’s plan, it works both ways. We as wives show awe and honor to our husbands. The a more a man walks in manliness, the easier it is to show this honor.

Conversely, our husbands are to treat us with dignity and as they would their most precious possession. The more we embrace and walk in our femininity, the easier it is for our husbands to treat us this way.

Be blessed today, Nancy Campbell

Painting by Bessie Pease Gutmann

I love the words “bring them up.” Notice it doesn’t say, “Pull them down,” but “bring them up.” The Greek word is “ektrefo.” “Trepho” means “to fatten, to cherish (with food), pamper, feed, nourish.” This is what we do with our darling little ones. We want to fatten them up, don’t we? We love our fat babies with their chubby cheeks, thighs, and legs? It’s the one time in their life when we can ooh and asah over their fatness!

However, our children are more than bodies. They are souls and spirits. This Scripture tells us how we are to fatten up their inner man, “in the nurture and admonition OF THE LORD.” The highest education we give our children is the Lord’s training. We fatten them up on Christ. We nourish and nurture their souls and spirits with His life-giving Word.

We don’t choke them with these commandments. We mash them up finely. When we have Family Devotions each day with our children, we give them what is needful for them. We give them enough to satisfy them for one meal, “precept upon precept; line upon line” (Isaiah 28:10). They don’t need it all at once because we’ll give them at least two “inner man” meals a day, every day until they leave home..

If you have little ones around your table as you read God’s Word, ask simple questions to make sure they understand. They don’t have to understand everything. That will take a lifetime. But mash up one little morsel for them to get into their soul. Some families have older children, middling, and little ones. Be aware of their needs. Mash up a little morsel for the little ones and ask some “T-bone steak” questions to the older ones.

Above all, remember your source of education is “of the Lord” and His Word. This is your parenting lifestyle (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). Everything else is secondary.

Blessings from Nancy Campbell
www.aboverubies.org

Photo by Peter Mahar Photography. Taken from Doorposts.

Life with little ones can be overwhelming. Our children weren’t born perfect little angels and a lot of our mothering is teaching them how to live in this life instead of throwing tantrums and demanding their own way.

When raising our children, I found that if I was to discipline my children for everything little thing throughout the day I became a nervous wreck or a yelling and screaming mother. This is not how we are meant to mother. I believe we can save ourselves so much frustration by proactively mothering rather than letting it all happen around us.

It’s amazing the difference it makes to our children’s behavior when we have the right attitude. A joyful mother makes a joyful atmosphere. A fun-loving mother makes home life fun. A smiling mother encourages smiling children.

Many times, children become irritable and difficult because they are tired, bored, or just need some cuddle time with mother. Instead of getting upset and shouting at them to behave themselves, gather your children together and read them a story. I spent hours gathering my children around me and reading to them. Everyone of these times is another opportunity to cuddle and interact with your children.

I also decided that I would not discipline them for every childish thing. Children can be noisy, full of energy, break things, and just act like children. Well, isn’t that what they are? Children! Therefore, I overlooked much of their childishness. But, I disciplined for the important—disobedience, lies, anger, rebellion, and the things God hates. I did not stand for pouting and tantrums as they a lay a habit for that kind of attitude throughout their life.

I loved this passage I read recently in a novel I was reading. I rarely read a novel, except maybe on vacation, but recently I read one of George MacDonald’s novels which are full of biblical teaching all the way through. In “The Seaboard Parish,” the Rev. Harry Walton will soon be leaving his parish for another parish by the sea. He writes about two of his youngest boys:

“That morning rose gloriously. Harry and Charlie were turning the house upside down, to judge by their noise. . . . I never made much objection to mere noise, knowing that I could stop it the moment I pleased, and knowing too that so far from there being anything wrong in making a noise, the sea would make noise enough in our ears before we left Kilkhaven. But the moment that I heard a thread of whining or a burst or anger in the noise, I would interfere—treating these as things that must be dismissed at once.

“I listened to it (the noise) with a kind of reverence, as the outcome of a gladness which the GOD OF JOY (my capitalization) had kindled in their hearts. Soon after, however, I heard certain dim growls of expostulation from Harry, and having ground for believing that the elder was tyrannizing the younger, I sent Charlie to find out where the tide would be between one and two o’clock, and Harry to run to the top of the hill, to find out the direction of the wind. Before I was dressed, Charlie was knocking at my door with the news that it would be half tide about one. Harry speedily followed with the discovery that the wind was northeast by southwest, which determined the sun would shine all day.”

I loved the way he didn’t get upset with happy noise. I know that some parents are geared to not be able to stand noise and will parent according to their personality. For myself, I love to hear happy noise from children. I don’t mind their jumping around and shouts of laughter. My husband doesn’t find this easy and likes to keep things quieter, but I’m happy with joy and happiness, even if it’s loud.

I also loved the way he proactively dealt with his boys when they began to argue and disagree. Instead of storming in with a stick and yelling at them to stop, he gave them both something creative to do. Immediately, they obeyed, did something positive, and came back not remembering their argument.

As you mother today and face the challenges of imperfect children, be proactive, creative, and filled with the wisdom of the Lord. Don’t ever stand for disobedience, but distinguish between God’s commands and little childishness.

Have a lovely day,

Nancy Campbell

Painting: Available from: http://shop.kmberggren.com/Love_Ever_Afte…/loveeverafter.htm

Satan’s plan is to smite motherhood and scatter the mother shepherds out of the home. When he lures mothers away from their home, he can then turn against “the little ones” and entice them to his thinking and ways.

It is sad that many have fallen for Satan’s trap. It is time for watchdog, protective, lion-like, standing strong, never-giving-into-deception mothers to arise. Mothers who will not be moved from their homes and who will guard their children and homes with all diligence.

Don’t be lured away, dear mother. No one, no matter how professional they are, can ever replace you, your children’s mother! You are more important than you realize.

Blessings to you today,

Nancy Campbell

This golden crown was called “THE HOLY CROWN.” It speaks of keeping our minds pure and holy before the Lord. All evil comes through the mind. This is where we are first tempted. Therefore, it is most important to wear our holy crown each day. We don’t wear it physically, but by faith we put on our golden crown of HOLINESS TO THE LORD.

When evil thoughts come to your mind, you don’t have to accept them. They hit the golden crown of holiness and bounce off. When grumbling, complaining, self-pitying, and negative thoughts come to your mind, you don’t have to accept them. You have a protective golden crown on your forehead. Resist them in the name of Jesus.

Not only did Aaron wear the crown continually, but it had to be saturated with the anointing oil, speaking of the HOLY Spirit. We cannot do this in the power of the flesh, but only by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Learn to wear your crown by faith each day. Teach your children this lesson and how to get into the habit of wearing it.

Nancy Campbell

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 a 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 wilderness." More and more you will become a dangerous threat to the enemy.

The devil fears home-building, children-loving, devil-destroying mothers!

Nancy Campbell

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.

Enjoy your home today,

Nancy Campbell

Painting by Tasha Tudor

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. God’s Word is the lie detector.

What about our children? Are they 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 Christian parents are quite happy for their children's minds to be daily "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."

Psalm 1:1: “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”

We are either changing society or succumbing to the deception.

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

The latest statistics from Per Forum reveal that according to the current birth rates, between the years 2055 and 2060, the birth gap between Christians and Muslims is excepted to be six million (232 million births among Muslims vs. 226 million births among Christians). Read the full report. Very informative.
http://www.pewforum.org/…/the-changing-global-religious-la…/

Love changes your attitude. Try it. Even when you don’t feel like loving, do it by faith. Love with words and action because it is the right thing to do. The amazing thing is that when you do this the feelings of love begin to come bac k into your life. Do nothing. Keep in your misery, self-pity, and feeling you can’t love, and you’ll stay there. Rise in faith and your heart will; change. It will begin to fly.

Seek to do every task in your home out a heart filled with love for God, your husband, and your children. You will be happier. Your husband will be happier. And of course, your children will be happier.

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

KNOWING AND UNDERSTANDING GOD (Jeremiah 9:23-24). We were created to fellowship with God. If we do not know Him we miss out on what we were born for. We are poor and foolish.

A HAPPY MARRIAGE (Proverbs 12:4). A couple can live in the richest home and have money to burn, but if they don’t live in harmony and happiness together, they are poor. I think that one of the greatest riches of this life is to enjoy the bliss of marriage which is God’s beautiful plan and intention for us on this earth.

CONTENTMENT (1Timothy 6:6). If you are content and happy with what you have, even if it is only a little, you are rich.

CHILDREN (Deuteronomy 7:13 and Psalm 127:3-5). Our children are truly our greatest riches in this life (and praise God, we can take them into eternity with us, too)! If a fire came through your home, what would you try to save? You'd forget about all your material possessions; you'd only want to save your children. And yet, isn't it amazing how many people would rather have fleeting possessions than children?

GOOD WORKS (2 Corinthians 6:10 and 1 Timothy 5:10; 6:18). When we self-serve and do everything for ourselves, we are very poor. When we forget about our own life and serve others, always thinking of how we can bless those around us, we live a rich life.

WISDOM (Proverbs 3:13-15 and 8:11). God says that wisdom is better than fine gold or precious rubies.

FAITH (James 2:5). Faith is so rich because it trusts God rather than what we can see. We don't hold back having children because of unbelief. We know that God is able to provide. We know we can trust Him in whatever situation we face. What richness! We may not have much materially, but we've all we need.

GOD'S WORD (Psalm 19:10 and Colossians 3:16). God's Word is more to be desired than fine gold! If God's word dwells in us RICHLY, our spirit will be strong and steadfast. If God's Word is shallow in our hearts, our spirit will starve and we will be weak and impotent to live this life.

PEACE which passes all understanding (Philippians 4:6). What riches to have peace even during the storm.

I love Paul's confession in 2 Corinthians 6:10: "As poor, YET MAKING MANY RICH; as having nothing, AND YET POSSESSING ALL THINGS." One translation says, "Penniless, we own the world!" What a great confession!

Enjoy your rich life today,

Nancy Campbell

Picture: Heather Bryant and her husband and wonderful family. What riches! Heather has organized the Above Rubies retreat in Washington state for many years now.

God is an affirming God. He is always encouraging us through His Word. Psalm 27:14 says: “Wait on the LORD: BE OF GOOD COURAGE, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” Perhaps you feel weak and inadequate. Not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually? Look up to the Lord. Wait on Him. He will bring courage and strength to your heart. Not just courage, but GOOD COURAGE!

BE OF GOOD COMFORT

2 Corinthians 13:11 states: “BE OF GOOD COMFORT.”

And please read 2 Thessalonians 2:16, 17: “Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work.”

Are you sorrowing or grieving? Have you lost a loved one? Have you suffered a miscarriage? Who can comfort the ache in your heart except God? He will comfort your sorrowing heart if you will let him.

You don’t have to stay in the doldrums today. God wants to cheer your heart.

Love from Nancy Campbell

1 Corinthians 6:19, 20 says: "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and YE ARE NOT YOUR OWN. For ye are bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

Do we really believe these words? I’m not sure. It seems that many women do not believe their bodies belong to God. They believe they own their own bodies and should do with them as they like. However, the Scripture tells us that God our Creator owns our bodies. He owns them by creation and by redemption. Revelation 4:11 says: “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

God created everything for His pleasure and glory, which includes our bodies. Therefore, this means every part of our body—our ears to be dedicated to hearing His voice, our mouth to proclaim His truths, our eyes to turn from evil and behold His face, our hands, and feet to reach out with love, nurture, and serving. And of course, our wombs, which God also created for His glory. How can we say, “Dear God, I yield my life totally to You and Your service? Except my womb. That’s mine and mine alone to determine how it is used.”

I think it is good to be reminded of what God says in His Word, don’t you? Take time to read the Scriptures. They are so much more powerful and important than anything I say. Let’s read:

Psalm 100:3: “Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”

Psalm 119:73: “Thy hands have made me and fashioned me.”

Psalm 139:14: “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”

Isaiah 29:16: “Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter’s clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?” Many translations say it clearer: “You turn things upside down.” In other words, you’ve got it all wrong.

Some other translations use the word “perverse” or “perversity.” The NET (New English Translation) says: “YOUR THINKING IS PERVERSE!” Should the potter be regarded as the clay? Should the thing made say about its maker, ‘He didn’t make me’? Or should the pottery say about the potter, ‘He doesn’t understand’?”

Two other very literal translations also use “perverse,” The Scriptures and the Young’s Literal Translation. I always like to check things out to see who is correct. Therefore, I went to the original Hebrew. The phrase in the King James Bible “surely your turning” is used only once in the Bible and the Hebrew word is “hophek,” meaning “perverse.” The exact word!

Some dictionary meanings of “perverse” are “contrary and willful, stubborn, obstinate, wayward, turned away from what is right and good.” It’s a strong word, isn’t it? We don’t want to be labeled with such a word, do we?

Isaiah 45;9: “Woe unto him that serveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth; Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands? Woe unto him that saith unto his father, What begettest thou? Or to the woman, What hast thou brought forth?”

Isaiah 674:8: “O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.”

Romans 9:20: “O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?”

The Scripture need no more comment.

Have a wonderful day,

Nancy Campbell

Picture: milyshares.blogspot.com/2011/02/maternity-photos.html