Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs

When raising our children, I would try to do something different at the meal table one night a week. One of the things the children loved was COLOR NIGHTS. For example, I would choose a colour and put up a notice:

“Tonight is RED Night
No admittance unless wearing something Red.
Supper at 6.00 p.m. Please knock before entering.”

I set the table with a red tablecloth, adding red candles, napkins, and centerpiece (red flowers if I could find them). I prepared red foods. There are plenty of foods from which to choose, e.g. beets, radishes, red beans, red hot dogs with tomato sauce, tomato soup, potatoes or rice colored with red food coloring, etc. For dessert you could have lovely red fruits such as pomegranates, blood oranges, cherries, strawberries, watermelon, or red grapes.

You can also purchase red paper plates and knives and forks, etc. I would often wrap a little gift (something inexpensive) in red paper and put it beside their plate. The children loved these nights and we tried every color of the rainbow!

Love from Nancy Campbell

Did you know that God wants your inner man to not only be strong, but MIGHTILY STRONG? The Greek word "might" is "dunamis" meaning "miraculous, abundant, powerful." It is the same word that is used when Jesus said, "But ye shall receive power (dunamis) after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you." This happens by feeding our spirit with God's Word, but also allowing the Holy Spirit freedom to work in our lives. Nothing of God happens without the moving of the Holy Spirit (Zechariah 4:6).

Invite the Holy Spirit to freely work in you, in your home, and in the lives of everyone in your family. He wants to work in you mightily. He wants to work in each of your children mightily. Paul prayed that the Ephesians believers would be "STRENGTHENED WITH MIGHT BY HIS SPIRIT IN THE INNER MAN" (Ephesians 3:16). The NLT says, "I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit."

Don't settle for a little strengthening, but be a family who are MIGHTILY STRONG in the inner man. Read also Colossians 3:10.

Love from Nancy Campbell

We are talking about building a strong inner man in our own life, and in the lives of our children. God never wants our inner man to lie stagnant or to die with starvation. He wants it to be RENEWED DAY BY DAY! That means it should GROW STRONGER EVERY DAY. What a great vision for our high calling of mothering. We are not only to think of caring physically for our children each day, but to minister God's life and food into them in order that their spirits will grow strong.

This is the need of this hour. Children growing up with strong spirits. Even though they may face hardship, difficulties, challenges, and even persecution, they will not be daunted. They will stand against all odds. They will not faint even in physical weakness.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 says, "For which we 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 are not seen are eternal."

More tomorrow. Love from Nancy Campbell

Tell me, what is half so sweet
As a baby's tiny feet,
Pink and dainty as can be,
Like a coral from the sea?
Talk of jewels strung in rows,
Gaze upon those little toes,
Fairer than a diadem,
With the mother kissing them!

It is morning and she lies
Uttering her happy cries,
While her little hands reach out
For the feet that fly about.
Then I go to her and blow
Laughter out of every toe;
Hold her high and let her place
Tiny footprints on my face.

Little feet that do not know
Where the winding roadways go,
Little feet that never tire,
Feel the stones or trudge the mire,
Still too pink and still too small
To do anything but crawl,
Thinking all their wanderings fair,
Filled with wonders everywhere.

Little feet, so rich with charm,
May you never come to harm.
As I bend and proudly blow
Laughter out of every toe,
This pray, that God above
Shall protect you with His love,
And shall guide those little feet
Safely down life's broader street.
~ Edgar Guest

Which do you think is the more important? The "inner man" or the "outer man"? Of course, we know the answer. Therefore, we must learn how to strengthen the "inner man." And teach our children how to have a strong "inner man."

We strengthen our physical body each day by eating three good meals a day, and often snacks in between! Wow, we sure look after our physical body, don't we? The outer man is forever saying, "Feed me... Feed me" and we give into its cravings too easily. But, did you know that your inner man cries out for food, too? Many times it is starving!

It takes work and preparation to feed the body, and it also takes EFFORT to feed the spirit, too. We have to put aside the laziness of the flesh and determine to take TIME to feed the "inner man."

As mothers we have a great responsibility to feed our children, not only physically, but spiritually. Just as we prepare physical meals, we must prepare spiritual meals. We must make time for Family Bible reading each day with our children, morning and evening. It reminds me of the confession of a great Chinese Christian who would say, "No Bible, No breakfast!" He wouldn't feed his outer man until he first fed his inner man.

Paul confessed, "I delight in the law of God man AFTER THE INWARD MAN" (Romans 7:22). His flesh didn't go after God's Word, but His spirit longed for it.

Is your inner man strong? Are you building strong "inner mans" in your children? Or, are they weak and starving?

More tomorrow. Love from Nancy Campbell

Some houses try to hide the fact that children shelter there,
Ours boasts of it quite openly, the signs are everywhere!
For smears are on the window, little smudges on the door,
I guess I should apologise for toys strewn across the floor.

But, I sat down with the children and we played and laughed and read,
And if the doorbell doesn't shine, their eyes will shine instead,
For when at times I'm forced to choose the one job or the other,
I want to be a housewife, but first I'll be a mother.
~ Unknown.

I am sure you take out the trash daily in your home. You couldn't imagine it piling up, could you? What a stink! I think we should have the same attitude toward "trash" that subtly seeps into our homes, don't you?

We have to have watchful eyes and hearts that are sensitive to anything that grieves the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit shows us something in our lives or in our home that grieves Him, we should deal with it immediately. Let's keep our homes clean before the Lord.

Love from Nancy Campbell

"She who can paint a masterpiece or write a book that will influence millions deserves the admiration and the plaudits of mankind; but she who rears successfully a family of healthy, beautiful sons and daughters, whose influence will be felt through generations to come, whose immortal souls will exert an influence throughout the ages long after paintings shall have faded, and books and statues shall have been destroyed, deserves the highest honor that man can give, and the choicest of blessings of God. In her high duty and service to humanity, endowing with immortality eternal spirits, she is co-partner with the Creator Himself."
~ David McKay

When they dedicated the tabernacle (the dwelling place for God) in the wilderness, God told them to first sanctify it with the blood and the anointing oil. Moses had to splash blood upon the garments of the High Priest and all the other priests. He had to splash blood upon the altar and everything in the tabernacle. The blood pointed to the pure, spotless, blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who died for our sins. The holy anointing oil speaks of the Holy Spirit who wants to dwell in our hearts. God is a dwelling God who longs to dwell in our hearts and in our homes.

After the priests and everything in the tabernacle was cleansed, and they offered the sacrifices upon the altar, THEN THE GLORY OF THE LORD FELL. Read Leviticus chapters 8 and 9.

The same thing happened in Solomon's time when he built a house for God. It was after the cleansing with the blood and the sanctifying, that THEN THE GLORY OF THE LORD FELL. Read about it in 2 Chronicles 5:2-7:3.

The same principles applies to us as we make our home a place for the God to dwell. He cannot fill our homes with His glory until we FIRST CLEANSE AND SANCTIFY THEM. Every member of the home and everything in the home must be cleansed and sanctified by the power of the blood of Jesus and the holy anointing oil. Then, God can come and fill our home with His glory.

This is true revival- husbands and wives and children seeking the cleansing and sanctifying of their lives and homes. It is only then that people around will see that we are God's people. We have no power against the enemy in our lives while their is sin in our lives or in our homes.

Do you remember the story of when Achan sinned and took the garments, silver, and gold which he was forbidden to take? God said, "Get up, sanctify the people and say, Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, because thus says the Lord God of Israel: There is an accursed thing in your midst, O Israel: YOU CANNOT STAND BEFORE YOUR ENEMIES UNTIL YOU TAKE AWAY THE ACCURSED THING FROM AMONG YOU" (Joshua 7:13).

Do you have enemies you need to defeat? Do you want the glory of God to fill your home? Ask God to show you any sin in your home. Get rid of it. Pray for the cleansing and sanctifying of your home so God will delight to dwell with you.

Love from Nancy Campbell

This morning we read 1 Corinthians 1:9 in our Family Devotions, "God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord." Can you imagine it? Called by God Himself. A Royal invitation. A divine invitation to walk in fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

How below par we live. We grovel around in defeat and misery when we have a divine invitation to walk in fellowship with Christ. Jesus Christ not only died to save us from our sins, but He rose again to dwell in our hearts and live His glorious, victorious, superabundant life through us, right in our home and in our kitchen (John 10:10, Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:27).

Back in my home country of New Zealand, many years ago, my father and his brother gave a shearing demonstration to the Queen of England when she visited our country. This was because my father originally designed the fastest way to shear sheep and was the World Champion Sheep Shearer in his day. The Queen was so impressed that she issued a Royal Command for them to shear before her again. As a family we were away on holiday and no one knew where we were. We decided on our choice of vacation as we drove down the road! Announcements came over the radio all through the country find the whereabouts of Ivan Bowen.

When they tracked him down and he heard of this Royal Command from the Queen, did he say, "Sorry, I'm on vacation. I haven't got time to do that for her and the Duke." No, he immediately left us to our own devices and off he went to obey the command of the Queen.

How much more should we obey the calling and Royal Command of our God who is King of kings and Lord of lords.

Forget living in your little hut of misery and defeat and answer the call to live in the mansion of the fullness of your life in Christ.

Love from Nancy Campbell

In yesterday's post, we talked about whether we are wilting, surviving, or flourishing in our home. God's will for you is to flourish. Here's some ways to flourish in your home:

F FLAVOR your home with joy, sweetness, and happiness (what a nice flavor)!
L LOVE every moment of your mothering (rather than dreaming of when these days will be over).
O OFFER your life as a living sacrifice (knowing that you save your life by losing it--Mark 11:35 and Romans 12:1-2).
U UNIFY your home by speaking peace into every situation.
R REVEL in the joy of mothering and nurturing the precious gifts God has given to you (knowing that your Employer is God Himself).
I INTENTIONALLY make positive things happen in your home (don't let the day lead you around in circles, but instead purposefully direct your day by the leading of the Holy Spirit).
S SANCTIFY your home daily with prayer, praises, and the washing of God's Word (Ephesians 5: 26).
H HEAP hugs and kisses on your husband and children.

Which one speaks to you the most?

Love from Nancy Campbell

Did you know that God's plan for you is to FLOURISH? And where does He want you to flourish? In your home. Psalm 128:3-4 TLB says, "Your wife will be like a fruitful vine, FLOURISHING within your home. And look at all those children! There they sit around your table as vigorous and healthy as young olive trees. That is the Lord's reward for those who fear him."

But, perhaps today, you feel like a WILTING plant. You feel "half dead"! Or, maybe, like some plants, you are barely SURVIVING. You get through each day, but only just! This is not God's plan for you. He wants you to flourish and bloom. I believe we can only come into the flourishing mode when we embrace our mothering role with all our heart. We know that we are in God's perfect will. No matter what the hardships and challenges, we face them with joy. We are not dreaming of some day when we will be through these mothering days. Instead, we live every moment to the full. Every moment is an abounding moment because Christ lives in you and His life in you is not wilting, but full of life and power.

Embrace your powerful calling of motherhood and the joy of your home and make every moment a God moment. Think, of yourself as a flourishing plant--blossoming, flowering, blooming, growing luxuriantly, thriving, increasing, enlarging, expanding, abounding, and shooting out (Isaiah 54:2-3)! This is God's plan for you. It is not a stagnant boring life, but fruitful and flourishing.

Love from Nancy Campbell

Did you read Michelle's post with this title? If not, scroll down a little to read it again. It reminds me of Serene and Pearl's song, BRAVE ENOUGH from their album, THIS IS OUR ROAD which can be purchased as a CD or downloaded from the website. However, I thought I would bless you today and give you a FREE DOWNLOAD of their song, BRAVE ENOUGH. I'll give you the words in this post, and the link in the next post. I know you will be inspired and challenged by the words:

BRAVE ENOUGH
I know how to give a piece of my mind,
Practice makes perfect, I don’t have to try,
It comes easy for me,
But I’ll admit it’s not working that well,
I think I’ve come to the end of myself,
So I’m finally listening to that still small voice
Urging me to make the choice to be…

CHORUS:
BRAVE ENOUGH TO BE MEEK
BOLD ENOUGH TO BE STILL,
WISE ENOUGH TO LEARN TO HOLD MY TONGUE
WHEN MY WORDS JUST WANT TO SPILL
BIG ENOUGH TO FORGIVE
STRONG ENOUGH TO SUBMIT
YEAH, BRAVE ENOUGH TO LET THESE HARDENED PARTS
TURN TO GENTLENESS
BRAVE ENOUGH!

I know God’s ways are higher than mine,
The wisdom of man is foolishly blind,
Now I see clearly.
I know I’ve got some hew habits to learn,
I need to build back the bridges I’ve burned
For I very nearly lost the one that I love,
So here I am asking for help from above to be…

CHORUS:
BRAVE ENOUGH TO BE MEEK
BOLD ENOUGH TO BE STILL,
WISE ENOUGH TO LEARN TO HOLD MY TONGUE
WHEN MY WORDS JUST WANT TO SPILL
BIG ENOUGH TO FORGIVE
STRONG ENOUGH TO SUBMIT
YEAH, BRAVE ENOUGH TO LET THESE HARDENED PARTS
TURN TO GENTLENESS
BRAVE ENOUGH!

So turn me around,
Turn me upside down,
Mold the core of me
Into what you are naturally.

FREE DOWNLOAD FOR YOUR BLESSING TODAY.
Serene and Pearl's song, BRAVE ENOUGH.
http://tinyurl.com/BraveEnoughMp3

Did you know that you don't have to teach false doctrine to pass it on to your children? You teach it by the way you live. Our children learn more from observing our lives than from what we tell them. Do your children see the image of God in you? Do they see you as a feminine nurturing mother, the picture God wants you to reveal as a female?

Do they see you reveling in the heart of your home and gathering your family to sit together around the table for your meals? This is the picture God paints of a blessed family (Psalm 128:3).

Do they see your sweet spirit of submission toward your husband who is the head and covering of your home? Do they see you delighting to serve? Marriage is a picture of Christ and the church and we certainly wouldn't expect to see the church ordering Christ around, would we?

What kind of doctrine are you revealing to your family today?

Love from Nancy Campbell

Dear wives and mothers, we have the great privilege and power to reveal God to the world. God has created us female to reveal a certain image of His character. He has chosen us to reveal His mothering and nurturing anointing to our families and to the world. He created us to be bear children. He created us to be mothers. As we embrace who we are, we not only fulfill our destiny but bring glory to our Creator.

On the other hand, we can mar the image of God in the world. We make our choice. Read the self-confessed words of one who chooses to dishonor the image of God. Naomi Goldenberg writes, "All feminists are making the world less and less like the one described in the Bible and are thus helping to lessen the influence of Christ and Yahweh on humanity. We women are going to bring and end to God. As we take positions in government, in medicine, in law, in business, in the arts and finally, in religion, we will be the end of Him. We will change the world so much that He won't fit any more."

May God save us from compromising and being sucked into society's image of womanhood which is the opposite to God's plan. Let's joyfully embrace our motherhood and femininity and bring more and more of God into this world.

Love from Nancy Campbell

We have now lived in USA for 22 years and are USA citizens. However, when I fly back to New Zealand (the land of my birth) and touch down on the tarmac, I exclaim, "I'm home." When I fly back to Australia where we lived for 10 years and still have family there, I exclaim, "I'm home." But, when I fly back to USA, I also exclaim, "I'm home!" And yet, none are my real home. My real and lasting home is the eternal realm.

David confessed in Psalm 119:54, "Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage." Whether you have lived in the same home all your life, or in many different homes, you are still a sojourner.

Since being married, we have lived in 11 different homes in four different countries (apart from lots of temporary residences along the way). You may have lived in more. But, don't worry if you don't have a permanent home, for you have God's permanent Word.

In whatever home you live, large or small, humble or mansion, make God's Word the delight and song of your home. It is your durability in the homes of your pilgrimage. Sing hymns or Scripture songs at your Family Devotions morning and evening. Sing with your children throughout the day. Play worshipful music and fill your home with the songs of the Lord. No matter what we are facing in your earthly temporary homes, God's eternal Word will see you through. It is always your strength, home, and comfort.

Matthew 24:35, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."

Love from Nancy Campbell

We constantly need reminders don't we? It is so easy to forget.

Psalm 119:164 says, "Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments." How can we remember to praise God seven times a day? I think a kitchen timer is a great idea, which reminds me that I must purchase two or three more. In my house they disappear or break.

To respond to this Scripture I have worked out a plan (although I'll need my kitchen timer or I'll forget)! We start the day with Family Devotions after breakfast as so I'll wait until 10.00 am to set my first timer. Then 11.00 am and 12.00 pm. After lunch I'll set it again 2.00 pm, 3.00 pm, 4.00 pm and 5.00 pm. That's seven times throughout the day. And then we'll have Family Devotions after supper in the evening.

You may have to work it differently in your home as everyone has a different schedule. But, unless you work out your times, it won't happen! I love the way The Message paraphrases this verse, "Seven times each day I STOP and SHOUT PRAISES." We have to stop what we are doing to do it! But, remember, you are not stopping for more than a minute. Just enough time to praise the Lord for His goodness, and on with what you are doing. Include your children in this wonderful plan.

Psalm 107:8 says, "Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children o men!" Repeated three more times in this Psalm.

Love from Nancy Campbell

Above Rubies is now on Pinterest with beautiful pictures of mothers, babies, and family life. I know you will be encouraged.

There are currently 46 boards, so you won't be able to look at them all at once. Treasure a board in the evening when you have a moment to relax. As you get through them, I'd love to hear which is your favorite board.

Love from Nancy

Go to: http://www.pinterest.com/aboverubiesmag/

My grand-daughter, Chalice, loves to read George McDonald books. Today she asked me to read a quote from him: "No man ever did the best work who copied another. Let every man work out the thing that is in him! Who, according to the means he has, great or small, does the work given him to do, stands by the side of the Savior, is a fellow-worker with Him. Be a brother (or a sister) after thy own fashion, only see it be a brother (or sister) thou art."

What true words. God is an amazing Creator and He doesn't make clones. Every individual He has created since the beginning of time is a new and fresh revelation from the hand of God.

YOU also are new creation, never before or never again to be created. God has given you a personality and differing gifts to use. You will never be like someone else. You don't have to mother like someone else. You have to mother your children according to who you are. My three daughters who are married, Evangeline, Pearl, and Serene are all wonderful mothers, but each one mothers differently. The homeschool differently. They discipline differently. And neither is influenced by the other. They embrace who God created them to be.

Everyone of your children are unique individuals. They have different gifts. They will learn differently. They are not meant to be put in a box!

The government wants all the children in the state system to be put in a box. They want to brainwash with their humanist and progressive agenda so they will think like them.

But, God wants your children to think like Him. And He has a special purpose for each one of your children. Give them freedom to be who God created them to be. Let them fulfill their giftings. You may find that as they begin to do this that will start home businesses in their young years that could eventually be their life's work.

We glorify God when we embrace who He created us to be.

Love from Nancy Campbell

What a great privilege God has given to us to bring forth children in His image and to fill the world with His glory.