Blessed with a new tablecloth which a friend recently gave to me. I love tablecloths and enjoy using different colors. Tablecloths brighten up a table and make it so welcoming.
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Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs
Through the weekly and daily devotionals you can be constantly encouraged in your great role of parenting, the highest career in the nation. You can also stay updated on what's happening with the Above Rubies ministry.
Can you believe that our government is currently preparing the nation for another mask wearing, social distancing, vaccinating lockdown? In other words they want another plandemic (not a typo). We dare not give in to their evil plans. We better start exercising our courage muscles now and be ready to say No to this lockdown of society.Our nation cannot stand to go through it again as businesses closed and were never able to open again, churches closed (which should have never given in to the tyranny), family members could not visit loved ones in hospital, people were brainwashed with fear and lies, and we are still constantly hearing of people dropping dead through vaccinations. We want to live a culture of life, not of death.
We the people of God must live in the light (Romans 12;12; Ephesians 5:8, 14; 1 Thess 5:5; and 1 John 1:7), not the shadows. We don’t cover our faces but live with open faces (2 Corinthians 3:18).
“We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).
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Sometimes you may not feel like loving your husband. Feelings are not facts. Love him in spite of your feelings. Smile at him. Tell him you love him. Be loving. You will be amazed how your actions change your feelings.
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We want this for ourselves. We want it for each one of our children.So, how do we get it? The Bible tells us it comes through chastening and discipline! Ouch. We don’t like that answer very much, do we? And many children don’t like it at all.
Hebrews 12:11 (BSB) says: “No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it.”
I like the TPT which says: “. . . yet later it will produce a transformation of character, bringing a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who yield to it.”
This “transformation of character” needs even more than discipline. It is yielding to the discipline. Do you notice that? The blessing comes to those who yield to it. Often our first reaction is to resist correction and discipline but we must learn to yield to it. When we yield do the disciplines of life that are necessary for us, we are changed and formed into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). If we resist, we stay in our same old rut. Are you yielding to God’s discipline in your life?
We must also teach our children to yield to our training and discipline. This is how their character will be transformed. If they rebel and resist the discipline while they are young, they will keep facing the same problems all their lives until they yield to God.
If we truly love our children, we will train and discipline them. We will not tolerate disobedience and rebellious behavior. We are not content for them to grow up pretty good citizens. We long for them to be formed into the image of Christ. We long for them to be transformed by the Word of God and training and instruction. We do not want them to be ordinary saints, but men and women who are passionate for Jesus Christ where everything else in life is subordinate to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in their lives.
This will only happen as they yield to your correction and discipline. Pray that God will give your children soft hearts. Pray that they will have yielding hearts to your training and the moving of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
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.”
Let’s be families where each one of us (mom, dad, and all the children) daily yield to God’s correction and instruction in our lives.
Be blessed today,
Nancy Campbell
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Dear mother, are you feeling weary and fatigued? You are running out of energy. Jesus understands. Did you know that even as the Son of God on earth He had times of feeling weary too?I think Jesus and His disciples must have been walking all morning because when they arrived at noon time at Jacob’s well, John 4:6 tells us that Jesus was “wearied with his journey, and sat thus on the well.”
When you are weary, you are allowed to sit down. That’s what Jesus did. Maybe you are pregnant. You are tired. Well, sit down. Take a break.
But remember, even when you sit down to rest a little, you can still minister the anointing of Jesus in your home. Even though Jesus was weary He ministered to the woman who came to draw water from the well. He spoke truth and life-giving words to her, and her life was changed forever.
When you sit down, gather your little ones around you. Sing some Jesus songs together. Sing some nursery rhymes together. Read them a story. You will be refreshed, and your children will be too. They also need these times to sit quietly and be refreshed.
What about your older children? Do they need help with some of their homeschooling? Call them to your side. It is a good time to help them or speak of the things of the Lord to them and pray with them.
You need times of rest and refreshing. But even in these times of needing rest you can accomplish special and beautiful times with your children. And it is all counting for eternity.
As this encounter with the Samaritan woman ended Jesus said to His disciples, “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work” (John 4:34).
Many blessings to you in your home today,
Nancy Campbell
Painting: The Breezy Tulip Studio
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Do we allow our emotions and attitudes to be dictated by our circumstances? That’s so easy to let happen, isn’t it?Habakkuk 3:17, 18 (NLT) is always such a challenge to me: “EVEN THOUGH the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are grapes on the vines; EVEN THOUGH the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; EVEN THOUGH the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!”
The situation was total devastation and destruction. This guy had nothing left but God Himself. And yet he is still rejoicing.
What about us?
Have you been up all night with the baby? And you’re feeling lousy, tired, and overwhelmed? Can you still say, “Even though . . . God is good. I will rejoice.”
You wonder how on earth you can pay next month’s rent! “Even though . . . I will rejoice in the Lord. I know that God will not fail us.”
You are burdened with a sick parent or child. “Even though . . . I will rejoice. I will trust my God.”
Your house is so small and you long for more room for the children. “Even though . . . I know God is with us and we are blessed.”
I think it all comes back to putting our trust in God and knowing that He is a God who cannot fail. Let’s trust Him more.
Let’s confess the right confession. Let’s be those who can say “Even though . . . “
The Lord abundantly bless you today,
Nancy Campbell
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It’s a serious thing when we despise what God gives to us, don’t you think?I read Jeremiah 2:7 the other day: “I brought you into a bountiful country, to eat its fruit and its goodness. But when you entered, you defiled my land and made my heritage an abomination.”
This is talking about the children of Israel coming into the Promised Land, the land of milk and honey. Alas, they did not appreciate what God had given them and defiled the land. I believe we can do the same with the land of motherhood God has given to us. When God blesses us with children, He bring us into the glorious land of motherhood that He intends for us.
Sadly many mothers do not like this land of motherhood. They think it is inferior to what they could be doing and give their children to others to care for while they pursue the land of their career. They do not get to eat of the “fruit and the goodness,” the joy and the glory of this land. Many grumble and groan and speak negatively about motherhood. What are you confessing each day?
But we dare not do this lightly. God has given to us this gift of motherhood. He planned it. He designed it. He created our female bodies for the specific purpose of motherhood. It is ultimately God’s land. Did you notice God calls it “My land” and “My heritage”? When we despise and spurn it, we defile this beautiful gift. We even turn it into an “abomination.” Yes, that is the word God uses.
Motherhood is the glory of women. Isn’t it amazing that many “change their glory for that which doth not profit” (Jeremiah 2:1). Many do this in ignorance because the devil, who knows the power of motherhood, has instituted a big campaign to brainwash women against God’s ultimate plan for them.
Let’s not be deceived but live in the fulness of all that God has planned for us.
Have a blessed day,
Nancy Campbell
Painting: @lovettareyescairoart
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You will never go wrong following God’s way. God’s word is true from the beginning and from the beginning His word is true. God hasn’t changed His plan for mothers to nurture and raise their children in the home (Titus 2). It is still the greatest career God has given to women.
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Honor and respect are fading from society. It’s part of socialist thinking where everyone must be on equal terms. Many children do not honor their parents. Many wives reject Gods plan of honoring their husbands. Egalitarian marriages are common amongst Christians.The socialists, humanists, and feminists absolutely hate the word “patriarchy.“ I know. Because every time I have been interviewed on a TV program, they bring up this subject. They have the picture of this tyrannical man who lords it over his wife and children and who have no rights. And it is easy to find examples in this sinful world in which we live.
But this is the opposite of biblical patriarchy. The dictionary calls a patriarch “the male head of a family or tribal line.” The Bible portrays a patriarch as a man who walks in his anointing to lead and govern his family. But how does he do it? Loving his wife as much as he loves his own body. Loving his wife as much as Christ loves the church and gave himself for it and in return he receives obedience, honor, and respect.
I read recently in Malachi 1:6 (NET): “A son naturally honors his father and a slave respects his master. If I am your father, where is my honor? If I am your master, where is my respect? The LORD who rules over all asks you this, you priests who make light of my name!”
It is inherent within children to honor their parents. Yes, they will often try to rebel because of their sinful nature, but we have within us a God-given tendency to honor. It comes from God. If children do not obey and honor their parents, they will not know how to honor God.
If we as wives do not learn to honor our husbands, how can we honor God?
When honor is taken away from society, we become a godless society. The Bible says: “First that which is natural and then that which is spiritual.” As we learn honor in our earthly relationships, we learn how to honor God.
God has ordained honor in every earthly relationship. It’s a prerequisite to knowing and honoring God.
Let’s keep honor in our society.
Love from Nancy Campbell
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God’s Word is not an ordinary book. Every line is alive with the power of God. Every story of a Bible character is not only a story about their lives but written for our example. 1 Corinthians 10:11 says: “Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”I was reading the story of Ruth the other day and God spoke a powerful word to my heart. Ruth had come from Moab with her mother-in-law, Naomi, to the land of Israel. She went down to the fields to glean after the reapers and God sovereignly directed her to the field of Boaz.
I love the words Boaz spoke to her in Ruth 2:8: “Listen carefully my daughter, Do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but stay here close by my maids.”
Although this was spoken directly to Ruth, I believe God also speaks His word to every mother through this Scripture. He says to us: “Don’t go and glean in another field. I have given you your field in which to glean. It is my perfect and best will for you. Don’t leave it. Stay close.”
If God has given you children, then this is the field He has given to you. He doesn’t give you children to give to someone else to look after. He gives them to you to love, nurture, train, and prepare for the future and for eternity.
Ruth could have looked over at other fields and thought, “Oh, there is so much more to glean over there but I’m stuck in this boring field.” Instead, she submitted to Boaz’ words and ultimately received incredible blessings. She was blessed to marry Boaz. She became the great-grandmother of King David and experienced the privilege of being in the Messianic line of the birth of Jesus.
Be content in your home. Be content in your great calling to mother the children God has given to you. Don’t yearn for other fields. This is the field God has given to you. Embrace it with all your heart.
Love from Nancy Campbell
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I love this quote. It’s how I love to read the Bible each day. I don’t set out to read so many chapters but look to hear God speaking in every word. When a word speaks to me, I stop and meditate and then write what God is saying through the Scripture. As I write, I find I receive more understanding. Often it will lead me to a theme to study more intently. I may not read a lot this way but I sure get a lot!It is also important to teach your children how to read God’s word. Teach them to look expectantly for God to speak to them. Teach them to listen intently to the voice of the Holy Spirit who will speak to them through God’s living word. Get them a hard-covered notebook to write down what God speaks to them. This will revolutionize their daily reading. It will become so exciting to them.
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Mother, you have the greatest mission field. In your home. You have a God-given mandate to disciple your children for God’s kingdom. This is a full time career. Be encouraged and fulfill this so mission with great joy!
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We could not believe our eyes. Everywhere we went in Scotland we saw this sign, DOGS WELCOME, in cafes, restaurants, and shops! In fact we saw very few children and babies but people walking their dogs everywhere. It seems that so many have rejected their own babies in preference for dogs. This picture was in a cafe where went for coffee. Dogs were allowed in every place. The number of births per family in Scotland is only 1.5, well below the bare replacement number of 2.1. In fact, in the last few years there has been more deaths than births each year in this beautiful land of Scotland. How sad.
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The most powerful thing you can do for your children is to pray for them. Who will pray for them if you don’t?
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When you build each day into your marriage, your home, your family, and your children God calls you wise. When you leave your home and children to build into someone else’s business, corporation, or organization the Bible calls you foolish. Are we listening to God’s Word?
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It is a powerful place to influence your children and to bind your family together. Food and fellowship are twins. They go together. Think about how you can make every meal special.
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Can you believe it? When I studied the Greek words for food, mealtimes, and tables in the New Testament, I found 31 different words! God certainly loves the subject of eating. Many of these words give the picture of eating together with others. Jesus loved to eat with others.
Our first ministry is to our family of course. But do you also like to invite “others” to your table who are not part of your family? Hospitality is not an optional ministry but the lifestyle of the kingdom of God. It is an extension of our mothering anointing. We have big hearts. We want to invite people. We want to feed people. We can’t stop saying, “Come.”
We read about the lifestyle of the early believers in Acts 2:45: “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people.”
Breaking bread was not specifically speaking about communion but sharing meals with one another. They didn’t cook elaborate meals. How could they do that if they were sharing meals with others every day? They ate simple meals and shared them. Hospitality is not trying to cook a three-course meal to impress visitors. It’s sharing our homes, hearts, lives, food, thoughts, and revelations with others.
Do you notice that they ate with “simplicity” of heart? They kept it simple. When you keep it simple you can do it? You cook what you prepare for your own family, except add more to the pot!
I remember one day some folks arrived at our home at lunchtime. All we had in the house was potatoes! I was most embarrassed to invite them in for potatoes only, so nearly refused to offer hospitality. However, I managed to subdue my pride and invited them in. What great fellowship we enjoyed together. This couple always remember our lunchtime of potatoes. In fact, I don’t think they remember the times when I prepared a beautiful menu for them.
And do you notice something else? They ate their food with glad hearts. Food always makes us cheerful, especially if we fellowship together at the same time. Do you have a small family? Do you get bored at mealtimes? Invite another family to join you. At least once a week. It adds spice to your life. And gladness. And joy.
And one more thing. As the early believers ate together DAILY, the Lord added to the church DAILY those who should be saved. I wonder if we would see more people coming to Jesus if we lived this biblical lifestyle.
Love and blessings,
Nancy Campbell
Painting by Harold Anderson
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Here, in my humble kitchen,
Christ dwells.
And oh, what joy and peace
That spells.
For He, the King of Kings,
Brings hope
As bread brings bodily strength
To cope
With ev'ry daily task.
He makes
Just baking common pies
And cakes
Seem sort of special, an art
Which excels.
For where Christ is,
There, too, love dwells.
~ Phyllis Michael
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God promises us that He will strengthen us with “His glorious power.” We couldn’t want for a better promise. We need God’s strength moment by moment, don’t we? We need it physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
However, when we read this, we often think of being strengthened to do mighty works and miracles. Let’s look closer and find out How God wants to strengthen us. It’s something very personal for us as mothers in our homes as we raise our children.
Colossians 1:10, 11 says: “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God: strengthened with all mighty, according o his glorious power, UNTO ALL PATIENCE AND LONGSUFFERING with joyfulness.”
Did you get it? He strengthens you with all His glorious power to be patient! And longsuffering! You don’t have patience in your own flesh, but when you yield to His life in you, His patience, and longsuffering pours from you.
Thank Him for His glorious power filling you with His patience. Thank Him for His longsuffering that fills your heart and consequently pours into our kitchen and your home. One translation calls it “unlimited patience”! Our patience runs out quickly, but God’s patience and longsuffering is unlimited. No matter what is going on in your home, no matter how frustrated you feel. God’s unlimited patience is greater than your fleshly impatience.
And did you notice that we don’t live in God’s patience with resignation and desperation, but with JOYFULNESS?
The works of God are beautiful in us as we yield to Him. James 1:3-4 says: “Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” The strange thing is, most of the time we are not patient enough to let patience have its full work! We give up before God has finished working out in our lives what He wants to accomplish.
I love how The Living Bible puts it: “When the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete”.
Dear mother, don’t despair when everything is going wrong. Rejoice! Let God work out His patience in you. This is how He will make you strong in character. God doesn’t want to do a half-work in you, but a full-grown work!
Love from Nancy Campbell
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