Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs

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

“There is only one thing that breaks the continuity of that blessedness, and that is our own sin. We carry our own weather with us, whether we will or no, and we can bring winter into the middle of summer by flinging God away from us, and summer into the midst of winter by grappling Him to our hearts.

“There is only one thing that necessarily breaks our sense of His Presence, and that is that our hearts should turn away from His face. A man can work hard and yet feel that God is with him. A man can be weighed upon by many distresses and yet feel that God is with him and loves him; but a man cannot commit the least tiny sin and love it, and feel at the same time that God is with him.

“The heart is like a sensitive photographic plate, it registers the variations in the sunshine; and the one hindrance that makes it impossible for God’s light to fall upon my soul with the assurance of friendship and the sense of sweetness, is that I should be hugging some evil to my heart. It is not the dusty highway of life nor the dark vales of weeping and of the shadow of death through which we sometimes have to pass that make it impossible for this sunlight to pour down upon us, but it is our gathering round ourselves of the poisonous mists of sin through which that light cannot pierce.”

Your home is also God’s house if you have dedicated it to the Lord, which I am sure you have. Therefore, we should have the same zeal Jesus had to protect our homes and families. We are faithful watchwomen who drive evil out of our home. Even if we upset everyone! I’m sure we won’t be tipping over tables and throwing money everywhere, but we’ll be strong enough to take a stand against any evil that seeks to bring darkness into our homes. We’ll have a passion to keep our homes holy.

We’ll have the zeal of the Lord about making our home a House of Prayer! In fact, if our homes are not homes of prayer, can we call them God’s homes? We’ll plan our schedules around our daily prayer times with our family. We won’t just hope it fits in. We’ll make it happen!

We won’t be apathetic about building holy homes and homes of prayer. We’ll be zealous about it. We’ll be consumed with it.

Jesus Christ redeemed us to be “zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14). Building your home and family for God is a good work. Do it with zeal. Don’t do it half-heartedly, allowing other things to consume your mind and time. Embrace the great commission God has given to you and pour your heart into it.

May the blessings of God fall upon you, dear anointed, zealous, passionate mother,

~ Nancy Campbell

We see a warning to us in this Scripture. God has given to women a sphere where we have the privilege to rule and to reign. We admit that we love to rule over something, don’t we? Yes, it is inherent. I believe it comes from the very beginning where God told Adam and Eve to “be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth,” but also to “subdue and take dominion.”

We go to the New Testament 1 Timothy 5:14 and read that God’s plan for the younger women is to “marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.” The words “guide the house” literally mean to manage (to rule and reign in the home). The Greek word is “oikodespoteo.”

Now that doesn’t mean we rule our husbands. It means that we have a sphere to manage and rule well. It is in this realm that we live in the glory God intends for us. We also must keep the right attitude and embrace the realm God has given to us. It is not significant. It is not subservient. It is a place of managership and productivity. It is our glory.

Satan comes to tempt us with the same attitude that resulted in his downfall. He makes us discontent. He wants us to grasp after other areas of rulership that God does not intend for us.

Let’s read some different translations to get more understanding.

GOODSPEED: “the angels who NEGLECTED THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES and ABANDONED THEIR HOMES.”
ESV: “the angels who did not stay within their OWN POSITION OF AUTHORITY, but left their proper dwelling.”
Berean: “the angels who did not STAY WITHIN THEIR OWN DOMAIN, but ABANDONED their proper dwelling.”
HCSB: “the angels who did not KEEP THEIR OWN POSITION but DESERTED their proper dwelling.”
KNOX: “The angels, too, who LEFT THE PLACE ASSIGNED TO THEM, instead of keeping their due order.”

Embrace your God-anointed sphere. It is your queendom.

Blessings to you today,

Nancy Campbell

Painting by Robert Coombs. Isn’t this the most beautiful painting?