Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs

We continue to discuss the vision we should have for building a home for God. David wanted to build a home that was "exceeding magnificent" (1 Chronicles 22:5). We discovered that "exceeding" means to be "above the normal."

What does "magnificent" mean? In the Hebrew it is "gadal" and means, "To make large, advance, exceed, excellent, great, grow up and increase, lift up, magnify, promote." This gives us a big vision, doesn't it?

Our home should never become stagnant. We should always seek to be advancing and thinking of better ways to beautify our home. We should be constantly praying about how to allow more and more of the presence of God in our home.

We should always want increase--increasing in the presence of God and increasing in better functioning and order. And of course, we'll always be open to the increase of children. This is what makes a home magnificent. It's not things. It's life--babies and children.

Our passion will be for our children to grow in the knowledge, but primarily in the knowledge of the Lord and His truth. Therefore, we'll be thinking of ways to enable them to grow in God. We'll arrange the whole order of our home in order to have Family Devotions with our children morning and evening. We'll establish a memory program for them to learn the Scriptures.

And we won't limit this to our children. We will be a family that grows together. We'll all be learning in the ways of God. We'll walk together in the ways of God. We won't leave one child behind.

We'll be seeking to make our marriage greater every day.

Keep building a magnificent home--increasing and advancing in the ways of God and in the blessing of children.

Isaiah 54:2-3 says, Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; for thou shalt break forth on the right and on the left."

Love from Nancy

What kind of home do you want to build for God? An average home? One that is like everyone else around? It so easy to assimilate to be like everyone else, isn't it? We judge our style of living according to others in our church or neighborhood.

But, God never intends us to assimilate. God does not want His people to conform, but to be separated from the norm (Leviticus 20:24,26; 2 Corinthians 6:17-18).

Last post I wrote of the vision to build an "exceeding magnificent" home for the Lord. The word "exceeding" in the Hebrew is "ma'al" and means "above, very high, the upper part." This word, "ma'al" is translated "above" 53 times and "upward" 59 times!

I think we should change gears in our brain from building an average home that meets the standard of everyone around us, and instead seek to build a home that is above the normal, above the mediocre, and above the status quo. We should seek to build a family that not only just functions, but is abundant in every area, giving glory and honor to God. We should build a home that is above the average, so we can reach out and show the way to those who are still in the average rut.

In the average home today, there are more TVs in the home than children. The "above the norm" home will have more children than TVs.
In the "above average" home the siblings will be friends rather than fighting with one another.
An "above the norm" home will be filled with the joy of hospitality.
The "above the norm" family will take time to pray and read God's Word together each day.
The "above the norm" family will spend more time in productiveness at home rather than running here and there to every extra-curricular activity.

Aim for the "above average," not "below average."

Love from Nancy

Each one of us are establishing and building a family. I know that your purpose is to build a home for God.

David wanted to build a house for the Lord that was "exceeding magnificent" (1 Chronicles 22:5). Shouldn't we have this same vision, too? Why build something ordinary for God? Shouldn't we build the best home we possibly can for Him, for ultimately our home should be His home.

Can you get a vision to build an "exceeding magnificent" home? I am not talking about a mansion with expensive decor. I am talking about the atmosphere and presence of God in the home.

Let' seek to build a home that is...

exceedingly magnificent in godliness
exceedingly magnificent in the beauty of order and simplicity
exceedingly magnificent in the disciplines of prayer and love for God's Word
exceedingly magnificent in peace and harmony
exceedingly magnificent in joy and laughter
exceedingly magnificent with the awareness of the presence of God.

Of course, this won't just happen. David worked hard to make preparation to build God's home. The Bible says he prepared abundantly.

Let's go all out in our building program.

Love from Nancy

CALLED TO QUEENHOOD

 I love to think of myself as the queen of my home, don't you? Here is an article to encourage you. http://bit.ly/CalledToQueenhood

Love from Nancy

PROTECT YOUR WOMB

I wrote this article many years ago, but as mothers, we need to be reminded of these wonderful truths continually. Here it is. http://bit.ly/ProtectYourWomb

Love from Nancy

MOANHOOD OR MOTHERHOOD

Here is a neat article that Serene wrote many years ago. I know you will be blessed.

http://bit.ly/MoanhoodMotherhood

Love from Nancy

YOUR FAMILY TREE

What kind of family tree are you going? Check out this article and especially the illustrations. Amazing! http://bit.ly/FamilyTrees

Love from Nancy

THE KISS

Do you remember reading this amazing testimony in Above Rubies a couple of years ago? Here it is for you again. You will be blessed. http://tinyurl.com/Marriage-TheKiss

Love from Nancy

GOD WANTS TO BE PART OF YOUR WHOLE LIFE

Why is that we often try to separate our spiritual lives from our practical lives? It's all meant to be one. Every practical thing you do in your home is sacred when God is in it. Always be aware that God is with you, no matter what mundane task you are doing.

In Nehemiah chapter eight we read of how all the people gathered together to hear Ezra read the book of the law. As they heard the words of the Lord their response was to worship and bless the Lord, and even to weep with conviction. But, they didn't keep this awesome time of spiritual renewal separated from life.

Ezra and Nehemiah told the people to "Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord... And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them" (Nehemiah 8:9-12).

What did they do after understanding the words of the Lord? Eat, drink, and have a great celebration.

God is not only part of your life when you are reading His Word and praying, but when you are eating and drinking, when you are having a celebration, and when you are accomplishing every practical and necessary task.

Embrace God's presence in EVERYTHING you do today. What a day you will have.

Love from Nancy

PUT SOME JOY INTO YOUR HOME TODAY

We are talking about the things that God loves to see in our home. Another thing that God loves is gladness (1 Chronicles 16:27). God is not a kill-joy. God is the instigator of joy, laughter, fun, fellowship, and feasting.

If you want your home to be filled with the presence of the Lord, fill it with gladness. This word "gladness" is the same Hebrew word that is used when it tells us the "joy" of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10).

It's so easy to get into a rut, isn't it? A rut of boringness, negativity, and gloom. Why not change the atmosphere of your home? No matter what your feelings, add some gladness to your home today. Put a smile on your face. When you catch yourself frowning, make yourself smile instead. You don't have to feel like it. You do it anyway and your feelings will catch up with your facial expression.

Whisper loving and passionate secrets to your husband today. Whisper secrets into the ears of your children that you love them and are so blessed to be their mother. Think of something new and special to do that will surprise your children. Cook a special meal that your husband loves. Write encouraging notes to your children and place them at their plate at the evening meal or pop them under their pillow to find as they go to bed.

Take time to watch your children and laugh. Laugh at your problems. It's not the end of the world. And God is bigger than your problem.

Have fun adding gladness into your home today.

Love from Nancy

A FRESH TOUCH OF BEAUTY

As we seek to make our home a sanctuary for God, we must fill it with things that God loves. Yesterday we talked about strength. God also loves beauty in His sanctuary (Psalm 96:6).

Fill your home with beauty. God loves it.

We love to decorate our home to make it look more beautiful, don't we? Beautiful music, pictures, plants and greenery, and flowers add loveliness to the home--whether it is a spacious home or a very humble home.

But, beauty is even more than things. Beauty is order. There is no beauty in a home that is filled with junk and clutter. There is no beauty in a home that is not ordered and running smoothly. Order and simplicity will not only fill your home, but your soul with beauty.

Beauty is peace. That sure doesn't mean that you live a quiet home where there is no noise or hubbub of activity. If you have children, there will be noise, and even mess (but you don't leave things in a mess). Don't forget this fact--your peace is not in quietness; your peace is in God. Look to Him in the midst of everything happening around you.

Beauty is the joy of big and little children all around us. They are the gladness of our home. Beauty is the aroma of food cooking and a delightfully set table that woos each family member. Always seek to make your table beautiful--a tablecloth (use a plastic cover over it if you have little ones and don't have time for extra laundry), and flowers (even a bouquet of weeds your children have gathered) or perhaps candles.

Beauty is love, joy, laughter, and especially sweet and encouraging words to your husband and children.

Seek to add a fresh touch of beauty to your home each day, both practically and spiritually.

Love from Nancy

NO LONGER WISHY-WASHY!

What a privilege we have as mothers to create a home that is a sanctuary for God. God loves to dwell in our homes and walk in the midst of everything we are doing (Leviticus 26:11-12 and 2 Corinthians 16-18).

Psalm 96:6 says, "Honor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary."

Strength is one of the characteristics of God's sanctuary. Therefore, as we prepare our home to be a sanctuary for God, we need to build strength into our home. I believe the greatest way we do this is to fill our hearts, and the hearts of our children, with God's truth. Unless we, and our children, know the truth, are convinced of the truth, and are prepared to contend for the truth, we are wishy-washy and have no strength. We are a home that has no strength and can be battered by the storms of life.

I am amazed, or I should say, very burdened, at the state of Christianity today. Many do not have strong convictions of God's principles. They are tolerant of what God says is an abomination. They are raising children who are more familiar with the entertainment of this world than they of God's Word.

Let's build strength into our home. Let's become mothers of strong convictions. Let's raise children who will not fear to stand strong for truth, and who will "be able to withstand (stand against, oppose, resist) in the evil day, and having done all, to stand" (Ephesians 6:13.

Love from Nancy

DID YOU KNOW?

What was one of the things that was restored in times of revival in the Old Testament?

The altar of the Lord. Everything they did back in Bible times is a type and example for us today. The patriarchs made altars to meet with God and call upon His name. We can also make an altar in our home. Many years ago, Christians called it the Family Altar, but not many hear those words today.

We know we are living in Laodicean times when God's people are too busy to establish a family altar and meet with him as a family each day. We are still in our state of lukewarmness, mediocrity, and  complacency. However, we will know we are in revival times when family altars are repaired and established all over the land. We will see God move His mighty hand of power as God-fearing families gather together daily to cry out to God for their city and nation and to listen to Him speak through His Word.

It was a spiritually barren time in Israel when Ahab and Jezebel reigned. Do you remember how Elijah met with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel and challenged them to which god would answer by fire? After the prophets of Baal had screamed and cut themselves, all to no avail, Elijah "repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down" (1 Kings 18:30). He prepared the sacrifice on the altar and then ordered 16 barrels of water to be poured over it. As he prayed at the time of the evening sacrifice the Bible tells us, "Then the fire of the Lord fell... and when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the God, ; the Lord he is the God" (1 Kings 18:37-39). The fire fell after the altar was repaired.

You can also read the story of revival in Asa's time. 2 Chronicles 15:8 says, "When Asa heard... the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of the land of Judah and Benjamin... and renewed the altar of the Lord." Check out the blessings that came to the land after they renewed the altar (2 Chronicles 15:9-15).

Manasseh was a very wicked king, but he humbled himself and repented. And what was the fruit of his repentance? "He repaired the altar of the Lord, and sacrificed theron peace offerings and thank offerings and commanded Judah to serve the Lord God of Israel" (2 Chronicles 33:12-16).

Revival starts in the home. Revival starts with repairing the altar of the Lord.

Love from Nancy

FAMILIES PREPARING FOR ETERNITY

 

I cannot help share a Scripture we read in our Family Devotions this morning speaking of Christ "Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own PURPOSE and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus BEFORE THE WORLD BEGAN" (2 Timothy 1:9).

 

Isn't this absolutely amazing? God planned to save us and bring us into His family, even before the world began. How can we not praise and thank Him for His glorious and eternal salvation? He thought of each one of our children, too.

If only we would think more clearly. We get so taken up with the now. And yet our lives, and the lives of our children, were thought of in the eons of eternity. We were born for eternity. We are only strangers and pilgrims in this life.

 

May we as families live for the eternal realm. As we plan each day, let's plan it around what will count for eternity. God's purpose from eternity was to save us and bring us into His family. Let's make it our purpose to be ready for His eternity.

I learned the following lines as a child and they are continually a challenge to me:

Only one life, 'twill soon be past,

Only what's done for Christ will last.

Let's be "families preparing for eternity." Wouldn't that make such a difference to each day?

Love from Nancy

ENDURE WITH COURAGE

This is my prayer for you. "We pray that you will be strengthened from God's boundless resources, so that you will find yourselves able to pass through any experience and endure it with courage" (Colossians 1:11 J. B. Phillips).

Life consists of good experiences and difficult experiences. I often think of Paul's testimony, "I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound" (Philippians 4:12). It is part of the journey of life, isn't it? What we have to learn is how to rejoice and trust God even in the tough times. This is the proof of our relationship with Christ.

Perhaps you are going through one of the tough times. Don't despair. Remember, God's boundless resources are available to you. You can walk through your trial as if it was sunshine.

Love, Nancy

GOD SENDS A BABY

"We fancy that God can only manage His world by big battalions abroad, when all the while He is doing it by beautiful babies at home. When a wrong wants righting, or a truth wants preaching, or a continent wants opening, God sends a baby into the world to do it. THAT IS WHY LONG, LONG AGO, A BABE WAS BORN IN BETHLEHEM."

~ Frank William Boreham

A PLEASANT PLACE

Do you feel hedged in? Do you feel the desperation to get out of your home? Sometimes you can feel like this because of the pressure of people around you who only know a humanistic viewpoint.

Can I ask you to think differently? Psalm 16:5-6 NIV says, “Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.”

Boundary lines are necessary in life. They are for our protection and blessing. Isn’t it wonderful that our boundary lines are our home and family? We have a delightful inheritance.

The first home was called The Garden of Eden, which means delight. When we embrace the fact that God has assigned this portion for us, we find joy and security. Instead of being frustrated we begin to flourish. Instead of drudgery we find delight. Instead of seeing the problems we find pleasantness.

We make our home what we want t it to be. We build or we pull down.

Enjoy your “pleasant place” today.

Love from Nancy

ARE YOU A GATHERING TOGETHER FAMILY?

God loves families gathering together.

One of the greatest places to gather together as a family is around the meal table where we eat together, fellowship together, and meet with God together. Matthew 18:20 says, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” God loves to gather in the midst of families.

And one of the greatest things God wants us to do when we gather together is to pray. Yes, it is good to pray individually, but God loves it when we come together to pray (this Scripture is in the context of praying).

Dear precious mother, this is not just a good idea. It is imperative, especially at this hour of history in our nation. This nation began with prayer, and yet now it is banned from our schools. But we can gather together at home. I believe the greatest thing that Christian families can do at this time is to pray together.

Don’t let a day go by, morning and evening, without gathering the family together to pray, and especially to cry out to God for our nation.

Love from Nancy

Why is justice perverted? Why is truth fallen in the streets? (Isaiah 59:14-15). Do you think it is because it is failing in the homes?

I believe the answer to truth reigning in the streets and the market places of this nation again is by it coming back to the family. The family was the first institution God ordained (before the church and before government) and it is where He wants things to happen first.

I hear of families who once were shining brightly who are now backslidden. Unless we are “rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith” (Colossians 2:7-8) we can easily be uprooted.

Become a truth-seeking family. Become a Word loving-family. Become a praying family. You can be an excellent homeschooling mother, but if your children graduate without being RICHLY FILLED WITH THE WORD OF GOD, they will not be ready to resist the adversary in the evil day (Colossians 3:16).

It’s interesting that after this lament of truth falling in the streets, this chapter ends with God’s plan for His families, “My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, SHALL NOT DEPART OUT OF THY MOUTH, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and forever” (Isaiah 59:21).

That’s our answer.

Love from Nancy

What are you alive to? God wants us to be alive to Him. When we are alive to God, we are alive to life, for He is the life-giving God. Did you wake up this morning ready for life? Every day is a new exciting day for life.

When we are alive to God, we will also be alive to our destiny and God’s plan for us. That means if God has blessed us with children, His destiny for us is to nurture and train these children for Him. Of course, we’ll have many other projects and passions in which we love to be involved, but mothering will be our paramount passion.

Are you alive to motherhood today? Don’t let the negatives and deceptions of people around you dampen your vision for motherhood. Let God renew His passion in you.

Romans 6:1 says, “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Love from Nancy