Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs

WHY STRIVE WHEN YOU CAN ABIDE?

We need to confess the words of the psalmist in Psalm 116:7: “Return unto thy rest, O my soul.” When you start to get agitated, speak these words out loud! Yes, OUT LOUD! Your spirit will hear and get in line.

You may like to print these words and pin them up in your kitchen as a constant reminder.

I love the words from John Greenleaf Whittier’s hymn . . .

Drop Thy still dews of quietness,
Till all our strivings cease;
Take from our souls the strain and stress,
And let our ordered lives confess
The beauty of Thy peace.

Be blessed today,

Nancy Campbell

I have always loved the lines from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem, “A Psalm of Life.”

“But to act that each tomorrow
Find us further than today.”

I love to learn something new every day, don’t you? Yesterday I learned the difference between a Shepherd’s Pie and a Cottage Pie. How come it has taken me so long to know the difference?

A Shepherd’s Pie is made with minced lamb whereas a Cottage Pie is made with ground beef. I guess the reason I didn’t know is that growing up in New Zealand we always called it a Shepherd’s Pie because we always cooked with lamb.

I also learned during the weekend that The American Life League estimates that “Using formulas based on the way the birth control pill works, pharmacy experts project that about 14 million chemical abortions occur in the United States each year.” Wow, that bit of information is just about too much to take in. More abortions through the Pill than Clinic abortions!

Anyway, I think it is a good thing to encourage your children to learn something new every day. I think this is more important than making sure your children get through all their lessons each day. They can do them and yet often not remember anything. But if they learn one specific new thing every day, they will become very knowledgeable.

A good idea is to check how everyone is learning in the family at your evening family meal table. When you have sharing time around the table and talk about different questions, every now and then give them this question: “Children, what is something new you learned today?”

Start with the first child and go around each one to ask them one new thing they learned. This is a good way to check if your homeschooling is effective. And don’t leave out you and your husband. Your children love to hear the new thing you have learned too.

We are all learning together. This is true education. It’s for life. It’s learning something new every day. It’s inspiring a joy for learning. An excitement for learning. When you give your children this challenge, they’ll start looking for things to really remember. And you will too.

And even more than learning something new every day is to have the vision to grow a little more in Christ every day. We should never stay the same, but each new day seek to be conformed to the image of God’s dear Son. 1 Timothy 4:15 tells us that we are to immerse ourselves in the teachings of Christ and the Scriptures “so that all may see your progress.” Our progress should be evident in our lives.

Our Christian walk is not a stay-at-the-same-place walk, but a MORE AND MORE walk.

Proverbs 4:18: “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth MORE AND MORE unto the perfect day.”

Be blessed to day as you learn something new today.

Love from Nancy Campbell

P.S. More Scriptures to check out: 1 Samuel 7:26; Psalm 92:12-14; Proverbs 4:18; Romans 5:2-6; 8:29; Ephesians 4;11-16; Colossians 2:6, 7; 1 Timothy 4;11-15; Hebrews 6:1; 5:12-14; 1 Peter 2:2, 3; 2 Peter 1:5-8; and 3:18.

Painting by Simon Glucklich (Polish).

This is not Bible This is not God. God is a merciful and forgiving God, but He is not tolerant of sin. Nor should we be. We must know the difference between good and evil and we must impart this strongly to our children. Job 34:4 says: “Let us KNOW among ourselves what is GOOD.” If we don’t know and discern, how will our children know?

At our family Devotions this morning we sang the wonderful old hymn by Clara Scott, “Open my eyes, that I may see, Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me.” I was arrested again by the second stanza:

“Open my ears, that I may hear
Voices of truth Thou makest clear;
And while the wave notes fall on my ear,
EVERYTHING FALSE WILL DISAPPEAR.”

I want everything that is false to be cast out from my mind and heart, don’t you? I want this for my children and grandchildren too. I don’t want them to be subtly deceived by the lies and delusions of this age. I want them to KNOW TRUTH. I want them to exercise discernment. I want them to be able to judge between what is right and what is evil.

The greatest, or perhaps the only way, we can truly discern is through filling our hearts with God’s Word. His eternal Word is the ultimate deterrent to deception! If His Word is not in us, we don’t have what it takes to discern!

Let’s RICHLY fill our hearts and the hearts of our children with His Word (Colossians 3;16). That means gathering them every morning and evening to read His Word to them. To discuss it together. To ask questions. To talk about it. To get it into their hearts and mouths (Isaiah 59:21).

Let’s get it into them so faithfully that EVERYTHING FALSE WILL DISAPPEAR. Amen

Be blessed today.

Love from Nancy Campbell

Check out this article:
http://tinyurl.com/PermissionToJudge

What was her response to God’s will for her? “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.”

What is the attitude of our hearts? Are we yielded to His sovereign will? Or do we want our own way?

Can we say?

I yield my ears, Lord, to listen to Your voice.
I yield my eyes, Lord, to see situations as You see them.
I yield my tongue, Lord, to speak life-giving words to my family.
I yield my heart, Lord, to obey Your eternal Word.
I yield my hands, Lord, to work joyfully in my home.
I yield my womb, Lord, to your sovereignty and the children You want to give to my husband and me. .
I yield my feet, Lord, to serve You in my home. Amen.

Romans 6:13 says: "Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God . . . and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. "

Blessings to you today from Nancy Campbell

Painting: Pregnant Mommy Watercolor by Kathy Michels

Negative, self-pitying, and unbelieving thoughts constantly come to your mind! BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO ENTERTAIN THEM! YOU DON'T HAVE TO GROVEL IN THEM!

Because God has created us as females to be nurturers, this is something we naturally do. God wants us to nurture our children, our families, and those who need our help. However, we can often use our nurturing anointing in a negative way and begin nurturing our fears, self-pity, anger, jealousy, and so on. Instead of casting them out in the name of Jesus, we tenderly care for them, think about them, and make them bigger and bigger in our minds.

Don’t get into this habit. Rebuke these negatives in the name of Jesus. Praise the Lord. Quote Scripture verses out loud.

Live in victory today,

Nancy Campbell

Is this your prayer, too?

Love from Nancy Campbell

We get to know Him as . . .
Altogether lovely,
Bread of life,
Chiefest among ten thousand,
Door of the sheep,
Emmanuel,
Forgiver of my sins,
Giver of life,
Healer of my infirmities and heartaches,
Intercessor,
Justifier,
Keeper of my soul,
Lamb of God,
Merciful High Priest,
Nourisher,
Overcomer,
Prince of Peace,
Quieter of my soul,
Redeemer,
Sanctifier,
Tried and True,
Upholder of all things,
Valiant Warrior,
Wonderful Savior,
eXalted,
Yesterday, Today, and forever, and
Zion’s Eternal King.

In Christ are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3). All our thoughts and meditations of Him will never be enough to fathom all of who He is as God and Savior.

Lead your children to this Precious Corner Stone, our Sure Foundation, and the Author and Finisher of our faith.

Blessings to you today,

Nancy Campbell

Proverbs 9:1-2 NASB says: "Wisdom has built her house . . . she has prepared her food, she has mixed her wine; she has also SET HER TABLE." It is a wise woman who sets her table, for she knows the blessings that will come from it.

Love from Nancy Campbell

How seriously we should receive this charge. We have a full-time career, and our employer is the King of kings and Lord of lords.

And how we should have a heart of protection over every baby conceived the womb for that baby already has the DNA it will have when it is older. It is new human being that is beginning live.

If God loves babies, shouldn’t we love babies? The devil is the mastermind behind murdering babies.

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

Verse four begins: “Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel . . .
1) Build houses,
2) Plant gardens,
3) Bear children,
4) Encourage your children to have children,
5) Increase your family and don’t diminish,
6) Pray for your city, and
7) Don’t be deceived by the prophets in the midst of you.”

It’s hard to believe that this “down to earth” practical message is from THE LORD OF HOSTS, THE GOD OF THE ARMIES OF HEAVEN! But this is the message God wants us to live.

And this is the message that precedes this famous promise! When we live this lifestyle, we can then claim the promise!

Be blessed.

Nancy Campbell

Next time someone asks you what ministry you do for the Lord, perhaps you could answer, “I’m involved in the signs and wonders ministry!”

“Wow, that’s pretty cool,” they answer.

“Yes, God says that my children are for “signs and wonders (Isaiah 8:18).”

Isn’t that amazing? Both words are similar. The word “signs” is “oth” and means “an appearance, a flag, a beacon, a monument, a miracle.” Each one of your children is a miracle from God. He gives them to you to train and prepare to be beacons of light in this dark and deceived world. They are to be a revelation of God to the world.

The word “wonders” is “mopheth.” It is a plural word meaning “wonderful deed, miraculous sign, miracle, prodigy.” The birth of each one of your children is a miracle of God. And their lives will continue to reveal the miraculous works of God.

Be encouraged today.

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

Photo: Some of our grandchildren singing the hymns with all their gusto.

Do you gather as a family to cry out to God for your city and nation? The Hebrew word “call” is qara. It does not mean to say a little quiet prayer, but “to cry out aloud, to roar, or to summon God’s aid.”

I wonder what would happen if God-fearing families put aside lesser activities and called upon the Lord together each day. We are living in an unprecedented time in history. We are living in a time when women have been so deluded that they can murder their own babies by law! How can that be? How can we get used to such a thing?

Are we burdened to pray? Are we burdened to rise up and be a voice? Are we burdened to encourage our fellow women back to embracing their womanhood and to God’s way?

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

The character of Jesus is the spirit of FORGIVENESS (Luke 23:34 and Colossians 3:13). Sometimes we wonder how many times we have to forgive! Peter asked Jesus that question and He answered “Seventy times seven! Let’s keep a forgiving spirit. And it’s good to remember the late Ruth Gfraam’s quote: "A happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers."

The character of Jesus is the spirit of HUMILITY (Matthew 11:29; Philippians 2:8; and Colossians 3:12).

The character of Jesus is the spirit of LOVE (John 13:34-35; 15:13; and Galatians 5:22).

The character of Jesus is the spirit of OBEDIENCE (Matthew 26:36-42; Philippians 2:8; and Hebrews 5:8). If we don’t have a spirit of obedience, how can we expect our children to have it?

The character of Jesus is the spirit of PATIENCE and LONGSUFFERING (Galatians 5:22, 23 and Colossians 3:12, 13).

The character of Jesus is the spirit of SERVING (John 13:13-17; Philippians 2:7; and Matthew 20:28). The Passion translation of the Matthew Scripture says: “For even the Son of Man did not come expecting to be served by everyone, but to serve everyone, and to give his life in exchange for the salvation of many.” It is the spirit of Jesus to serve.

The character of Jesus is the spirit of UNSELFISHNESS. (Philippians 2:4-8 and 1 Peter 2:21-24).

Will your husband and children see the character of Jesus in you today?
Love from Nancy Campbell

Black and white picture. This picture can seem a little old fashioned to the modern wife. And yet this is a basic wifely duty to prepare meals for our husbands and to serve them. Often modern women don’t like the idea of serving, but if we want to be like Jesus, we’ll delight to serve.

If you would like one of these birthday plaques, contact Val at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. She sells them for $20.00 with the
little circles.
~ Nancy
#birthdays #buildinggodlygenerations #nationbuilding #childrenareablessing #aboverubies #nancycampbell

Well, if we don’t, we are opposite to God, aren’t we?

Because this is God’s heart, we as parents should also rejoice over our children. Not complain about them but rejoice over them. And when our children grow up and get married, we’ll rejoice when God gives them children.

Isn’t it sad that so many parents warn their children NOT to have children when they get married, but to wait a few years. I think many of you have been reticent to tell your parents that you are pregnant again, knowing they would be negative about it.

Isn’t that strange? Parents should REJOICE that God is blessing their children with a new precious life. That they are building the family dynasty. This is for their GOOD. There is no greater blessing than a precious new life, filled with potential, given to the parents to prepare for God’s destiny for them in this life and for the eternal world.

We turn over to Psalm 107:41-43 and read the response those who are “wise” have toward having children, not only one or two, but “like a flock”: “He maketh him families like a flock. The righteous shall see it, and REJOICE: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth. Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.”

Let’s be a rejoicing people in the goodness of the Lord.

Love from Nancy Campbell

Painting: Frances Tipton Hunter (1896 – 1957, American) | I AM A CHILD.

Some parents do easy parenting. Others are in for the long haul of earnest parenting!

It’s easy to get lax and want to make our children happy, especially for the moment. But seeking to make our children happy doesn’t always make a happy household. Of course, we want our children to be happy, but we also have a higher goal. We want them to be holy. Well, that’s doesn’t happen automatically. But we seek to daily train them to be obedient, to do what is right, and prepare them to be responsible, hardworking, diligent people. We are preparing them for their future. We are preparing them to enjoy a good marriage.

Our ultimate aim is not just happiness for the moment, but happiness for their future!

When we continually give into our children to give them anything they want when they want it may make them happy for the moment. But it produces children with an entitlement mentality. It produces children who easily get into a mood or have a fit because they don’t get what they want. I am sure you never allow pouting or moods in your household!

I don’t believe children should expect something every time they go to the supermarket or you are out shopping. What does this do? It teaches them that they can have whatever fancies them. This becomes a habit. This produces adults who are impulse buyers who buy things because they see them but don’t really need them. They don’t learn to conserve. They don’t learn discipline. It does not prepare them for marriage and on day managing a home with frugality.

Sometimes we discipline our children for disobedience and other times we can’t be bothered. We are not consistent, so our children don’t think it is important. But if we don’t train them to obey us and they only obey when we shout and yell after the thirteenth time of telling them, we are vacating our responsibility as a parent. And making a chaotic atmosphere in our homes.

Proverbs 29:17: “Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.”

Don’t give into the easy way out. Be earnest. Be consistent. Train your children to the behavior you want in your home. And you can all enjoy rest, peace, joy, and happiness.

Love from Nancy Campbell