Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs

One man, one woman,
Fused into one.
God's plan! Is there a better?
There is none.

One body, one flesh--
Indescribable!
One purpose, one vision--
Unconquerable!
One soul, one spirit--
Invincible!

What is the foundation?
Praying together daily--
High priority!
Reading God's Word together daily--
Paramount for success.

What does it take?
Sacrificial love.
Yieldedness and submission.
No longer "me" but "you."
Laying down my life.
Delighting to serve.
Sticking together through thick and thin.

What is the fruit?
A union that cannot be broken.
A union that survives the storms of life.
A union that forges a path for God in this world.
A union that builds a godly generation
for now and generations to come.

What is the power?
A God-fearing family who are
formidable to the enemy!

~ Nancy Campbell

Just as every sacrifice pointed to Christ, now we look back to His sacrifice for us. And personally, I do not want to forget. That’s why, when each of us pray at our Family Devotions every morning and evening, I like to thank My Savior for His sacrificial death upon the cross for my sins. If every morning and evening sacrifice pointed to Christ, surely the least I can do is to gratefully thank and worship Him every morning and evening for His eternal salvation. We are not mandated to do this, but it is my personal conviction.

We know that Jesus was “The Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). But we often forget that He was the Lamb of God before the foundation of the world (1 Peter 1:18-20 and Revelation 13:8). But more. He will always be the Lamb. Throughout all eternity. In the book of Revelation John reveals many pictures of the Lamb.

I love Revelation 7:17: “For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” Even in the eternal realm it is the Lamb of God who leads us into blessings which our eyes and ears cannot even imagine. We will not even need the sun or moon because “the Lamb is the light thereof” (Revelation 21:23).

Let’s daily give to the Lamb the honor that is due to Him, for He was the Lamb from the foundation of the world and will be Lamb forever and ever. What a privilege to praise Him now. And of course, you will want to do this with your children each day. We, along with our families, must never take for granted the enormity of our salvation.

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

I pray that God will raise me to a higher plane. May we all rise to a higher plane. Why live on the plane of doubts, fear, and despair when God wants us to come up to the plane of faith? I love the words of the hymn by Johnson Oatman, Jr.:

Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s table land,
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where those abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.

We are also encouraged in 2 Corinthians 4:17, 18: “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works 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 are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

Do you think we could seek to live by the truth of “what we cannot see” today? Try it for a day. When difficulties, afflictions, and problems arise, turn your eyes away from them and turn them on the Lord and the eternal perspective. Look at them with the eyes of faith. Look at how God sees them from the eternal point of view.

And remember, God is far bigger than your worries, your problems, and the biggest mountain you can face. He sees beyond what you see. As we look to the Lord and allow Him to have His way, our afflictions work for us a “FAR MORE EXCEEDING AND ETERNAL WEIGHT of glory.” Do you notice that God uses five adjectives to describe the eternal blessings we receive for a temporary affliction here on earth?

Be blessed today,

Nancy Campbell

The way to abundant life is losing your own life by pouring it out for others. Jesus takes the challenge even further when He said in John 12:24, 25: “Truly, truly, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.”

I love the lines from Elisabeth Elliot in her book “Love Has a Price Tag” where she writes: “The routines of housework and mothering may be seen as a kind of death, and it is appropriate that they should be, for they offer the chance, day after day, to lay down one’s life for others. Then they are no longer routines. By being done with love and offered up to God with praise, they are thereby hallowed as the vessels of the tabernacle were hallowed. A mother’s part in sustaining the life of her children and making it pleasant and comfortable is no triviality. It calls for self-sacrifice and humility, but it is the route, as was the humiliation of Jesus, to glory.”

In other words, it is the path to glory. Check out these Scriptures too: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18; Philippians 2:5-9; and 1 Peter 1:7.

We get another glimpse of the life in which God delights when we read the description of the older women God wants the church to provide for and to bless: “She must have been the faithful wife of one husband. She must have a reputation for good works. She can only be enrolled, if she has brought up children, if she has practiced hospitality, if she has been prepared to render the most menial service to God’s people, if she has been in the habit of helping people in trouble, if good works of every kind have been the aim and object of her life” (1 Timothy 5:9, 10 William Barclay trans.).

As usual, I am challenged again. Are you?

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

Dear mother, we are accountable before God to fill our children with God’s Word. We must not only get it into their hearts, but into their mouths (Isaiah 59:21). How can God’s Word be their guiding light if they don’t know it? How can it become their world view if they don’t know it? How can it affect their lives to change them into the image of Christ if they don’t know it?

It won’t just happen. As mother we have the responsibility to make it happen (Proverbs 6:20-24).

John Quincy Adams (6th President of the United States) said, “So great is my veneration of the Bible that the earlier my children begin to read it the more confident will be my hope that they will prove useful citizens of their country and respectable members of society.”

As you impart the principles of God’s Word deep into the hearts of your children, you become a nation-impacting mother, defending the freedoms of your nation.

God bless you today,

Nancy Campbell

This is why many mothers are frustrated with their mothering role. They spend years training for careers and find motherhood a threat to their career. Of course they love their children, but the actual function of motherhood is a hindrance to their plans. This causes vexation and frustration. God wants us to not only love our children, but to totally love and embrace the high calling of motherhood which He has given to us as a divine charge.

Blessings to you today from NANCY CAMPBELL

Oh, the love that drew salvation's plan!
Oh, the grace that brought it down to man!
Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span at Calvary!

How can we go for one day without thanking and praising Him for His sacrifice upon the cross for our sins and for the eternal redemption we have received? I think this is one reason why it is so important to have Family Devotions morning and evening with our families. At least two times in the day we can remember His lovingkindness to us and His great salvation. And isn’t this the least we can do?

David made sure that he declared out loud the lovingkindness of the Lord every morning and every evening. Psalm 92:1-2: “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: to show forth (declare, tell, proclaim) thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night.”

Did you notice this is a good thing? Better than a lot of other things that compete for our time.

Be blessed today,

Nancy Campbell

You are doing the greatest and most powerful thing you could ever do. Be encouraged today.

Love from Nancy Campbell

“Help,” you cry out! “My whole day is filled with cooking, caring for my baby, teaching my children, cleaning the house, and a thousand other interruptions—and you expect me to pray all day too? Impossible!”

I know. My day is filled to the max, too. So, how do we do it? How can we continue in prayer throughout the day? I believe it is having an attitude of response toward God. We turn every frustration and problem into prayer. We turn every sigh into a Hallelujah!

The children are squabbling; hold their hands and pray with them. It sure works better than screaming at them. One of the children is having a problem with his lesson; pray together about it. One of them falls over and scratches his knee; pray for him.

Perhaps a friend calls to ask prayer for a specific need or to share that a friend is in labor. Don’t say, “I’ll be praying.” Instead, pray together immediately over the phone right at the moment.

My, we as mothers can be continuing in prayer all day long as we constantly and instantly bring every matter to God. Don’t forget the “Thank You” prayers, too. Whenever something good happens, even a little thing, praise and thank the Lord.

Have a great day prayer day in your home today.

Be blessed,

Nancy Campbell

But what does this word really mean? The word “old” is olam in the Hebrew. It means “from time immemorial, without end.” In most places in the Bible this word is translated as “everlasting.” God’s ways for us are everlasting ways. They stand the test of time from the beginning of time to the end. They were refined in the courts of heaven before they were given to us on earth. They are divine, they are eternal, and they work!

And the are “good.” And the bring us into “soul rest”! Who doesn’t want peace and rest?

Forget the modern humanistic trend. They are going down the wrong track. Dare to stand up and be counted. Go after God’s everlasting plan, no matter what relatives or friends have to say. Embrace your divine career of mothering Become the greatest homemaker. Rejoice when God gives you another baby. You are walking in the everlasting plan. You are doing something that is eternal.

What could be more important that nurturing and caring for an eternal soul who will live forever? All other careers will be left behind.

Love from Nancy Campbell
Painting by Alessandra Vitelli

God also wants to show forth His praise through you. 1 Peter 23:9 tells us: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar (set apart) people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

“To show forth” is the Greek word “exaggello” and means “to publish, to celebrate.” It comes from a root word “aggelos” which means “a messenger, or especially an angel.” What does God want you to do? To be an angelic messenger! God wants to use you has His messenger to bring His Word, His truth, and His love to people every day.

This means of course that you begin in your home. Mother, you have little ones, and maybe bigger ones around you every day. You are God’s messenger to each one of them. You have the opportunity to bring God’s Word and truth to them every day--when you are lying down, walking around, or sitting at the table (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). You are to light up their lives and day by day bring them from darkness to light.

You’ll continue to be God’s messenger when you leave the home too--when you go out to get the groceries or whatever you have to do. Remember you are God’s messenger to everyone you meet.

Have a lovely day being God’s angel to everyone in your home.

Blessings to you,

Nancy Campbell

We build with our words or destroy with our words. No wonder this chapter of Proverbs begins with “A soft answer turns away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger” (Proverbs 15:1).

Implore God to touch your lips today with coals of fire from His holy altar (Isaiah 6;1-7).

Be encouraged today,

Nancy Campbell

But there is another thought in this Scripture, “Who will show us good?” Who in this world will show us the true way to soul rest and joy? God reveals Himself through His people. Will we be one who will show good and do good to those around us?

Acts 10:38 tells us “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about DOING GOOD, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for GOD WAS WITH HIM.” Many of us just “go about,” but if Jesus Christ lives in us, we will go about our daily life “doing good.”

What a privilege we have as mothers. When we wake up each morning we have a whole day ahead to “do good” and “say good things” to our children. We are the face of Jesus to our little ones. We can show them “good” all throughout the day.

And what about our husband? Proverbs 31:12 says the virtuous woman “will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.” Not just one day, but EVERY DAY of her life.

Dear wife and mother, may you have the most wonderful day today, going about doing and speak good to your husband and children and everyone else you come in contact with.

What a great way to live, the way of Emmanuel, God with us.

~ Nancy Campbell

We do not put our hope in man, but only in God. Don’t dwell on the difficult circumstances you face today. Look up and put your hope in God. Tell your soul to hope in God. That’s what David did.

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? HOPE IN GOD: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God” (Psalm 43:5).

The word “health” is “yshuwah” and also means “salvation, deliverance, victory. You may see no hope in your circumstances. You may feel no hope in your soul, but God is your hope, your salvation, your deliverance, and your victory. Praise Him.

Love from Nancy Campbell

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Awaking, they began to top up the oil in their lamps to go out to meet the bridegroom. However, the five foolish exclaimed: “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.” Did you notice, they didn’t say, “Our lamps have gone out”? No, they still had some light, but it was fading. They had got used to their dim light, but that dim light was not enough to meet the bridegroom. Because they were not diligent, they missed out on the wedding feast. Read the whole story in Matthew 25.

It’s so easy for our light to go out if we don’t keep refueling. We have to constantly and daily replenish the light in our soul with the oil of the Holy Spirit. We have to abide in Christ. We have to feed on the Word daily. Unless we feed and refuel, our light fades.

Dear mothers, we have the responsibility to not only keep the light of God burning in our hearts, but also burning in our homes. That’s why the Jewish mother lights the candles on the eve of Shabbat because it is her responsibility to keep the light of God burning in the home. To do this, we have to keep our own light constantly topped up with the infilling of the Holy Spirit. We have to fill our own and our children’s hearts with God’s Word which is a lamp to our feet and a light to our paths (Psalm 119:105).

Don’t let the light of Jesus grow dim in your home.

Be blessed,

Nancy Campbell

I’d look like a fairy princess,
Like the one in my storybook.
And I’d be happy, oh so happy,
Beaming each step I took.

Down the aisle, toward my Love,
All I’d see was his face.
He would take my hand in his,
And then my heart would race.

I’d promise him my whole heart,
My love, my strength, my life,
Because I’d wish for nothing more
Than just to be his wife.

These are the dreams of childhood,
Written on every girl’s heart.
We want to be beautiful, loved, and cherished,
We want to play our part.

But as I grew, I began to lose
The hope of the dream come true.
No longer did I feel beautiful,
And the pain inside me grew.

I believed the lies they told me:
“Beauty is soft, shiny hair,
And tall, slim bodies, flawless skin,
And in the clothes you wear.”

The lies―they kept on coming,
Harder and stronger each year.
“You’ll never be fulfilled,” they said
"If you don’t have a career."

But then one day I heard a Voice
Call my name, soft and clear.
It was the voice of my loving God
Whispering in my ear.

He said, “My beloved, lovely daughter,
You are beautiful to Me.
My love for you does not depend
On anything man can see.”

And then I knew that it was true.
I am lovely in His eyes.
His beloved, spotless bride,
His most precious, valued prize.

Oh the joy of being loved,
Not for what you do,
Or how you look, or what you say,
But just for being you.
~ Eliza Haley

Eliza was one of my incredible Above Rubies helpers. Although she is now back home, she continues to create beautiful Above Rubies picture posts which I send out to you. She wrote this beautiful poem to go with this picture. I know you'll want to share it with your daughters.
~ Nancy