Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs

 

Wow! She didn’t even have time to be single. She didn’t have time to find who she really was. She didn’t have time to have her fling before she settled down into marriage. She didn’t have time to have fun before she had children. She didn’t even have time to go to college!

 

Now don’t get me wrong. I know there are some women who will not get married. There are others who do not meet “the right one” until their thirties, or even forties. However, the majority meet when they are relatively young. This is God’s plan. This is the way He has created us. This is the time of life when He puts the desire within us for marriage, and yes, for sexual union.

 

Society today believes in the waiting game. You must wait unto you are more mature. You must wait until you have finished college. You must wait until you are financially settled. You must wait until “you have all your ducks in a row.” You must wait until you have traveled and seen the world! This sounds wise advice, but is it biblical?

 

We read in Malachi 2: 15 about the “wife of his youth” and Joel 1:8 about the “husband of her youth.” We read in Psalm 127:4 about the “children of your youth.” The word “youth” in the Hebrew word “na’uwr” and means “young people, juvenile.” That doesn’t sound like old to me.

 

If Colin and I had waited until we were financially secure before we married, we wouldn’t be married yet! If we waited for the “perfect” time to have children, we’d still be waiting!! It all sounds so plausible, but it’s hot air and the wisdom of this world. The reality is that God intends couples to marry young and have children when they are young.

 

We don’t find who God wants us to be by doing our own thing. We find who we are as women through marriage and motherhood. This is how we mature. This is how a young man matures. There is nothing like marriage to mature a young man. You watch him grow before your eyes (unless he is unteachable and without godly training). Ultimately, God gives parents the responsibility to prepare their children for marriage, from childhood through adolescence. Today, most parents don’t even think of training their children for God’s ultimate purpose for their lives of continuing godly generations.

 

Amazingly, many couples are quite happy with the waiting game. But what happens with all this waiting? Instead of coming to marriage as pure virgins and righteous young men they come violated. God’s plan is for “young men to marry virgins” (Isaiah 62:5). The waiting game does not help God’s plan.

 

Why do we think we know better than God?

 

Blessings,

 

Nancy Campbell

 

He is not content with wooing the mother out of the home. He even comes to homes where mothers have come home to raise their children. He searches for ways to get his foot in the door, bringing in his deception and evil.

 

Mothers, we must be watchwomen, constantly on the alert for his crafty ways. 1 Peter 5:8, 9 says: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith.”

 

When you notice the devil putting his toe in your door, boot him out before he gets any further. Speak the name of Jesus out loud. Confess the Scriptures out loud. Don’t allow the enemy to become entrenched in your home. Raise up the stand of righteousness. Cast out all worldly practices and entertainment, and “the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:15-17). Deal strongly with negative and evil habits.

 

God spoke to His servant, David: “I have cut off all thine enemies OUT OF THY SIGHT” (1 Samuel 7:9). God reveals the way He wants us to also deal with Satan’s temptations. We cast them OUT OF OUR SIGHT! We don’t allow them to linger around. We don’t tolerate them. We send them kicking, OUT OF SIGHT AND OUT OF MIND.

 

James 4:7: “RESIST the devil, and he will flee from you.”

 

Blessings to you today from Nancy Campbell

Where there is nagging, it shall drive the husband away,

Where there is bitterness, it shall poison the marriage,

Where there is self-pity, it shall bring self-destruction

But loves goes on forever."

 

Adapted from 1 Corinthians 13.

Years ago, before I was married, I read a very powerful vision that affected my life. This vision, called “The Harness of the Lord,” came to Brill Britton back in 1960, but the message is still as valid for our lives today. I thought I would share it with you and trust you will be blessed.

~ Nancy

 

THE HARNESS OF THE LORD

 

I SAW THE KING'S CARRIAGE

 

On a dirt road in the middle of a wide field stood a beautiful carriage, something on the order of a stagecoach but all edged in gold and with beautiful carvings. It was pulled by six large chestnut horses: two in the lead, two in the middle and two in the rear. But they were not moving, they were not pulling the carriage, and I wondered why. Then I saw the driver underneath the carriage on the ground on his back just behind the last two horses' heels working on something between the front wheels on the carriage. I thought, "My, he is in a dangerous place; for if one of those horses kicked or stepped back, they could kill him, or if they decided to go forward, or got frightened somehow, they would pull the carriage right over him." But he didn't seem afraid for he knew that those horses were disciplined and would not move till he told them to move. The horses were not stamping their feet nor acting restless, and though there were bells on their feet, the bells were not tinkling. There were pom-poms on their harness over their heads but the pom-poms were not moving. They were simply standing still and quiet waiting for the voice of the Master.

 

THERE WERE TWO YOUNG COLTS IN THE FIELD

 

As I watched the harnessed horses I noticed two young colts coming out of the open field and they approached the carriage and seemed to say to the horses: "Come and play with us, we have many fine games, we will race with you, come catch us." And with that the colts kicked up their heels flicked their tails and raced across the open field. But when they looked back and saw the horses were not following they were puzzled. They knew nothing of the harnesses and could not understand why the horses did not want to play. So they called to them: "Why do you not race with us? Are you tired? Are you too weak? Do you not have strength to run? You are much too solemn, you need more joy in life." But the horses answered not a word nor did they stamp their feet or toss their heads. But they stood, quiet and still, waiting for the voice of the Master.

 

Again the colts called to them: "Why do you stand so in the hot sun? Come over here in the shade of this nice tree. See how green the grass is? You must be hungry, come and feed with us, it is so green and so good. You look thirsty, come drink of one of our many streams of cool clear water." But the horses answered them not so much as a glance but stood still waiting for the command to go forward with the King.

 

COLTS IN THE MASTER'S CORRAL

 

And then the scene changed and I saw lariat nooses fall around the necks of the two colts and they were led off to the Master's corral for training and discipline. How sad they were as the lovely green fields disappeared and they were put into the confinement of the corral with its brown dirt and high fence. The colts ran from fence to fence seeking freedom but found that they were confined to this place of training. And then the Trainer began to work on them with His whip and His bridle. What a death for those who had been all their lives accustomed to such a freedom! They could not understand the reason for this torture, this terrible discipline. What crime had they done to deserve this? Little did they know of the responsibility that was to be theirs when they had submitted to the discipline, learned to perfectly obey the Master and finished their training. All they knew was that this processing was the most horrible thing they had ever known.

 

SUBMISSION AND REBELLION

 

One of the colts rebelled under the training and said, "This is not for me. I like my freedom, my green hills, my flowing streams of fresh water. I will not take any more of this confinement, this terrible training." So he found a way out jumped the fence and ran happily back to the meadows of grass. I was astonished that the Master let him go and went not after him. But He devoted His attention to the remaining colt. This colt though he had the same opportunity to escape decided to submit his own will and learn the ways of the Master. The training got harder than ever but he was rapidly learning more and more how to obey the slightest wish of the Master and to respond to even the quietness of His voice. And I saw that had there been no training, no testing, there would have been neither submission nor rebellion from either of the colts. For in the field they did not have the choice to rebel or submit, they were sinless in their innocence. But when brought to the place of testing and training and discipline, then was made manifest the obedience of one and the rebellion of the other. And though it seemed safer not to come to the place of discipline because of the risk of being found rebellious, yet I saw that without this there could be no sharing of His glory, no Sonship.

 

INTO THE HARNESS

 

Finally this period of training was over. Was he now rewarded with his freedom and sent back to the fields? Oh no. But a greater confinement than ever now took place as a harness dropped about his shoulders. Now he found there was not even the freedom to run about the small corral for in the harness he could only move where and when his Master spoke. And unless the Master spoke he stood still.

 

The scene changed and I saw the other colt standing on the side of a hill nibbling at some grass. Then across the fields, down the road came the King's carriage drawn by six horses. With amazement he saw that in the lead, on the right side, was his brother colt now made strong and mature on the good corn in the Master's stable. He saw the lovely pom-poms shaking in the wind, noticed the glittering gold bordered harness about his brother, heard the beautiful tinkling of the bells on his feet -- and envy came into his heart. Thus he complained to himself: "Why has my brother been so honored, and I am neglected? They have not put bells on MY feet nor pom-poms on MY head. The Master has not given ME the wonderful responsibility of pulling His carriage, has not put about ME the gold harness. Why have they chosen my brother instead of me?" And by the Spirit the answer came back to me as I watched: "Because one submitted to the will and discipline of the Master and one rebelled, thus has one been chosen and the other set aside."

 

A FAMINE IN THE LAND

 

Then I saw a great drought sweep across the countryside and the green grass became dead, dry, brown and brittle. The little streams of water dried up, stopped flowing, and there was only a small muddy puddle here and there. I saw the little colt (I was amazed that it never seemed to grow or mature) as he ran here and there across the fields looking for fresh streams and green pastures finding none. Still he ran, seemingly in circles, always looking for something to feed his famished spirit. But there was a famine in the land and the rich green pastures and flowing streams of yesterday were not to be had. And one day the colt stood on the hillside on weak and wobbly legs wondering where to go next to find food and how to get strength to go. It seemed like there was no use, for good food and flowing streams were a thing of the past and all the efforts to find more only taxed his waning strength. Suddenly he saw the King's carriage coming down the road pulled by six great horses. And he saw his brother, fat and strong, muscles rippling, sleek and beautiful with much grooming. His heart was amazed and perplexed, and he cried out: "My brother where do you find the food to keep you strong and fat in these days of famine? I have run everywhere in my freedom, searching for food, and I find none. Where do you in your awful confinement find food in this time of drought? Tell me, please, for I must know!" And then the answer came back from a voice filled with victory and praise: "In my Master's House there is a secret place in the confining limitations of His stables where He feeds me by His own hand and His granaries never run empty and His well never runs dry." And with this the Lord made me to know that in the day when people are weak and famished in their spirits in the time of spiritual famine that those who have lost their own wills and have come into the secret place of the most High into the utter confinement of His perfect will shall have plenty of the corn of Heaven and a never ending flow of fresh streams of revelation by His Spirit.

 

Thus the vision ended.

 

INTERPRETATION OF THE VISION

 

"Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it," (Habakkuk 2:2).                     (Jeremiah 46:4). I am sure that many of you who can hear what the Spirit saith to the Church have already seen what God was showing in the vision. But let me make it plain. Being born into the Family of God feeding in the green pastures and drinking of the many streams of the unfolding revelation of His purposes is fine and wonderful. But it is not enough. While we were children, young and undisciplined, limited only by the outer fence of the Law that ran around the limits of the pastures (that kept us from getting into the dark pastures of poison weeds) He was content to watch us develop and grow into young manhood, spiritually speaking. But the time came to those who fed in His pastures and drank at His streams, when they were to be brought into discipline or "child-training" for the purpose of making them mature Sons. Many of the children today cannot understand why some of those who have put on the harness of God cannot get excited by the many religious games and the playful antics of the immature. They wonder why the disciplined ones run not after every new revelation or feed on every opportunity to engage in seemingly "good and profitable" religious activities. They wonder why some will not race with them in their frantic efforts to build great works and great and notable ministries. They cannot understand the simple fact that this Company of saints is waiting for the voice of the Master and they do not hear God in all this outward activity. They will move in their time when the Master speaks. But not before, though many temptations come from the playful colts. And the colts cannot understand why those who seemingly appear to have great abilities and strength are not putting it to good use. "Get the carriage on the road," they say, but the disciplined ones, those in God's harness, know better than to move before they hear the voice of the Master. They will move in their time with purpose and great responsibility.

 

And the Lord made me to know that there were many whom He had brought into training who had rebelled against the discipline, the chastising of the Father. They could not be trusted with the great responsibility of mature Sonship so He let them go back to their freedom, back to their religious activities and revelations and gifts. They are still His people, still feeding in His pastures, but He has set them aside from the great purposes for this end of the age. So they revel in their freedom feeling that they were the Chosen Ones with the many streams of living water not knowing that they have been set aside as unfit for His great work in this end of the age.

 

He showed me that though the chastising seemeth grievous for the time and the discipline hard to endure yet the result with all the glory of Sonship is worth it all and the glory to follow far exceeds the suffering we endure. And though some lose even their lives in this training yet they will share alike in the glory of His eternal purposes. So faint not saints of God for it is the Lord that doth bring thee into confinement and not thine enemy. It is for thy good and for His glory so endure all things with praises and thanksgiving that He hath counted thee worthy to share His glory! Fear thou not the whip in His hand for it is not to punish thee but to correct and train thee that thou mightest come into submission to His will and be found in His likeness in that hour. Rejoice thou in thy trials in all thy tribulations and glory thou in His cross and in the confining limitations of His harness for He hath chosen thee and He hath taken upon Himself the responsibility of keeping thee strong and well fed. So lean thou upon Him and trust not in thine own ability and thine own understanding. So shalt thou be fed and His hand shall be upon thee and His glory shall overshadow thee and shall flow through thee as it goes forth to cover the earth. Glory to God! Bless the Lord! He's wonderful! Let Him be Lord of your life, friends, and complain not at that which He bringeth to pass in your life.

 

PLENTY IN THE TIME OF FAMINE

 

For in the hour when famine sweeps the land He shall feed by His own hand those who are submitted to His perfect will and who dwell in the secret place of the Most High. When terror stalks the land those in His harness shall not be afraid for they shall feel His bit and bridle and know the guidance of His Spirit. When others are weak and frail and fearful there shall be those who shall be strong in the power of His might and shall lack for no good thing. In the hour when the traditions of the religious systems have proven false and their streams have dried up, then His Chosen Ones shall speak forth with the true Word of the Lord. So rejoice, Sons of God, that you have been chosen by His grace for this great work in this last hour.

 

The fence which kept the colts in their own meadows and their own pastures mean nothing to the team in the harness for the gates open to them and they go forth pulling the King's carriage into many strange and wonderful places. They do not stop to eat the poison weeds of sin for they feed only in the Master's stable. These fields they trample under their feet as they go forth on the King's business. And so to those who are brought into absolute subjection to His will there is no Law. For they move in the Grace of God led only by His Spirit where all things are lawful but not all things are expedient. This is a dangerous realm for the undisciplined and many have perished in sin as they leaped over the fence without His harness and His bridle. Some have thought of themselves as being completely harnessed and submissive to Him only to find that in some avenue of their life there dwelled rebellion and self-will. Let us wait before Him until He puts His noose around us and draws us to His place of training. And let us learn of the dealings of God and the moving of His Spirit until at last we feel His harness drop about us and hear His voice guiding us. Then there is safety from the traps and pitfalls of sin and then shall we abide in His House forever!

 

“That won’t be enough for 100 prophets” he said. But Elisha replied, “God has told me that everyone will eat and there will even be some left over!” And that’s exactly what happened. God not only multiplied the food to feed all the prophets but made sure there was plenty left over for the next day!

 

It was a similar miracle to the feeding of the five thousand plus where there were 12 basketfuls left over!

 

Do you remember the time when Elijah was completely wiped out? As he lay down to sleep God was watching over him and sent his angel to bake a cake for him on some coals and provide a cruise of water. When the food was ready the angel told Elijah to wake up and eat and drink. He ate God’s wonderful provision and went back to sleep again.

 

But God didn’t only plan enough for one meal, but two meals. After he had enjoyed another good sleep, the angel woke Elijah and told him to eat again, which he did. The food was so good and so nourishing that he “went in the strength of that meat for forty days” (1 Kings 19: 4-8).

 

When God provides, He provides in abundance. God is the God of the MORE THAN ENOUGH! The words “left over” is the Hebrew word “yathar” and it means “to exceed, to jut over, to remain and be left, to cause to abound, plenteous, too much.”

 

It’s the same word that is used when the children of Israel brought too much stuff for the building of the sanctuary. They had to stop them giving. Exodus 36:7 says: “For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and TOO MUCH.”

 

It is very similar to the Greek word “perisseuo” which is used in the feeding of the five thousand and where there was food left “over and above” what was needed! “Perisseuo” means “to superabound, to be abundant, enough and to spare, exceed, increase, over and above.”

 

God always loves us to be like Him. He is not stingy. When he makes food, he makes more than enough! There’s plenty for everyone. There are leftovers for the next day. Don’t you love leftovers? They even taste better the next day, don’t they?

 

But God does not like waste. He made sure that all the food that was left over was gathered and saved (Matthew 14:20). Teach your children to only take what they can eat so they don’t waste food by leaving it on their plates. I don’t belong to the “throw-away” generation.

 

Then if you have cooked a big potful of food, you are ready for the next day, or for extra people who may arrive on your doorstep.

 

“Freely ye have received. Freely give” (Matthew 10:8).

 

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again” (Luke 6:38).

 

 

Be blessed and I hope you enjoy your leftovers tomorrow!

 

Nancy Campbell

 

We read that Aaron had to wear a miter (turban) on his head. God also commanded Moses to make a plate of pure gold into a crown and engrave it with the words, HOLINESS TO THE LORD. Aaron wore the golden crown, which was placed on blue lace and attached to the turban, on his forehead. And he had to wear it CONTINUALLY! The Bible says that “it shall be ALWAYS upon his forehead.”

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. Doubts. Deceptions. Self pity thoughts. They all begin in the ind. 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 and negative thoughts come to your mind, don’t accept them. When you wear your crown, they will hit the golden crown of holiness and bounce off. When grumbling, complaining, self-pitying, and unbelieving thoughts come to your mind, resist them in the name of Jesus. You have a protective golden crown on your forehead.

 

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. Teach them to be proactive about keeping their minds pure. Teach them the truths from the following Scriptures and make them memory verses: Psalm 119:9 11; Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 10:4, 5; Philippians 4:8; 1 Peter 13; and James 4:7.

 

Proverbs 4:14, 15 (NLT) reminds us what to do about an evil thought or being tempted to go down an evil path:

AVOID IT, DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT,

DON’T GO THAT WAY,

TURN AWAY FROM IT,

AND KEEP MOVING ON!

 

Be blessed today,

 

Nancy Campbell

 

P.S. To read more about the golden crown, go to: Exodus 28:36-38; 29:6, 7; 39:30, 31; and Leviticus 8:9-11.

 

The word to pastors and elders in 1 Timothy 3:4 (AMP) exhorts pastors and elders: “He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity.” Although this is written to pastors who are to lead the way for their flocks, it is God’s plan for all parents.

 

I believe this Scripture means that the father uses dignity in bringing his children into subjection, but it also means that he raises them to walk in dignity. God doesn’t want unruly children, but dignified children.

 

The word for “dignity” is "semnotes" and means “dignity, decency, honesty, and inspiring respect and honor from other people.” Dignified children have a good testimony before the world.

 

When specifically speaking to the young men, Titus 2:7 (NASB) also encourages them about dignity: “In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.”

 

How many of us have dignified children? Dignified in their speech, conduct, clothing, and manner of life? So dignified that other people take notice.

 

Let’s elevate the standard and raise dignified children in this world—children who are good examples of belonging to God’s kingdom and the King of kings and Lord of lords. We must constantly remind them that they belong to royalty.

 

Blessings to you from Nancy Campbell

 

The word “faithful” is “pistos” and means children who are “believers who hold to the faith, truthful, trustworthy, and faithful in all things.” The same word is used in the following Scriptures:

 

Matthew 24:45-47: “Who then is a faithful and wise servant . . . Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.”

 

Matthew 25:21, 23: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

 

Luke 16:10: “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.”

 

We have a responsibility to live this truth before our children. Do they see us being faithful in the little things of life? Do they see us faithfully doing the same things day after day without grumbling and complaining? Do they see us happily and contentedly changing diapers, preparing meals, and cleaning the house? As they SEE this attribute in our lives it becomes easier to train them to be faithful in the little things of life.

 

The opposite of faithful children are children who are “accused of riot or unruly (disobedient).” The word “riot” is “asotia” and is used for extravagant squandering (the same word used of the prodigal son in Luke 15:13). It describes one who easily gives into the flesh, worldly lusts, and appetites.

 

Pray for God’s anointing as you lead your children to faith in Christ (No. 1 ultimate vision for our children) and train them to be faithful and trustworthy in the daily duties of life and home.

 

It is a God-given principle that we, and also our children, will only move into greater things as we are faithful to the daily routine of life.

 

Be blessed today,

 

Nancy Campbell

 

As she prayed for each one during the day, she would change the bracelet to the other hand so she knew she had prayed for them. If she still had names on one arm at the end of the day, she still had some praying to do!

 

I thought it was such a great idea but didn’t think it would work for me with so many names to pray for in our family. I would need over 100 bracelets! However, recently I realized that of course I could do it. I only needed a bracelet for each name to represent their whole family. I mentioned it to Pam, and she lovingly made me a set for my birthday. She even gave me a lovely vase to put the bracelets on at the end of the day (after everyone is prayed for). I am so blessed to have them.

 

Now it is another tangible way to remember to pray for all the members of our family. As I take the name of one bracelet, I remember to pray for all the members of that family.

 

If you would like to read more about it and how to go about making them, go to the link below.

 

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

 

 

If you would like to be encouraged more from Pam, go to these links:

 

Podcast: “The Mom Next Door, Stories of Faith” available on most podcast players or directly from my website https://tendingfields.net/the-mom-next-door-podcast/

 

Interactive Facebook group for mothers: “Less Than Perfect Christian Mamas” https://www.facebook.com/groups/231087377942997

Website is https://tendingfields.net/ If you sign up for my e-mail list, you should receive a link to a supply list and the directions on how to make your own prayer bracelets!

 

Instagram is @tendingfields

Facebook Page is “Tending Fields”

 

In Matthew 19 we read about how the Pharisees came to Jesus to ask him about divorce. He answered them with these words: "Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female . . ."

 

When Jesus spoke the word "female," He used the word thelus, a different word that is usually used in the New Testament. It comes from the root word thele. The noun means "the nipple of a woman's breast from which a baby sucks to find sustenance and to thrive." The verb means "to suckle at the breast."

 

In other words, Jesus described the female as a "suckling mother." "This is how God made them in the beginning" He reminded them. And God has not yet made a new model! It is the true picture of a woman, created with a womb to nurture life and breasts to nourish that life. When we breastfeed, we embrace our womanhood the way God intricately and wondrously designed our bodies.

I know that this description would be offensive to some women today. Isn't that sad that women have turned away from the way they were created? We see the end result of this in Romans 1:26 where this same Greek word is used:

 

Even the animal kingdom does not turn away from its natural function to nurse and nourish its young. Lamentations 4:3 (NIV) says: "Even jackals offer their breasts to nurse their young, but my people, have become heartless like ostriches in the desert."

 

In this hour of deception, it is time to rise into the glory of our femaleness. To embrace our femininity. To be proud of the word mother. To encourage breastfeeding mothers. To be who God created us to be.

 

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

 

Painting by Gabriel Cornelius Ritter von Max

 

As I shared yesterday, God used the word “mother” before there was a mother on the earth (Genesis 2:24 and 3:20). It is His design.

Women cannot get away from their nurturing anointing. Many who refuse to birth and mother their own children will mother something, usually a pet cat or puppy. Childless women always have a pet. They must have something to pour out their nurturing instinct upon.

 

Some of the greatest mothers in history have been women who have never given birth. We think of Gladys Aylward (the little English woman who rescued hundreds of children to safety in China), Mary Slessor, Amy Carmichael, Lillian Trasher (founder of the first orphanage in Egypt) and so many others who poured out of their mothering and nurturing hearts to minister to so many needy souls.

 

And we cannot forget the late Mother Theresa who mothered more children than any mother in the last century. She never birthed children but lived in the anointing of motherhood.

 

Motherhood is far more than birthing a baby. It is the revelation of the mothering heart of God to the world. It is the fulfillment and glory of every female. That is why mothers who have not given birth but have adopted children into their families are mothers in the same essence as those who have given birth.

 

Motherhood is a God-given career. It is the glory of every female, whether she has birthed or not birthed. I think of my own sister who was not able to have children. She experienced a “long” pregnancy as she waited and prayed and agonized for a child and eventually, after much heartache, God blessed her with a precious little baby from China. My sister was a mother before she ever received Promise, her little Chinese baby. She mothered everything she could get her hands on. She mothered animals like her babies.

 

Last weekend we went to Promise’s graduation. She has grown into a beautiful young woman as Kate has mothered her through the years. When Promise came into her life she lived in the glory of motherhood even though she hadn’t given birth.

 

God has placed mothering above every other career in the nation. Read the allegory in Ezekiel 19:10-14. Exalted! The highest of all.

Never be ashamed of motherhood.

 

Blessings to you today from Nancy Campbell

 

 

Because they do not want God to have any part of their party, they keep taking out words from the Bible that have belonged to the generations since the beginning of time. They want nothing to do with God and His ultimate plan.

 

Yes, a mother is someone who births a baby into this world, one of the most beautiful and powerful experiences a woman can have. But birthing a baby is only the beginning of motherhood. A mother also nurses and nurtures her baby.

 

Motherhood is a lifestyle. Motherhood is lifetime work. We don’t stop becoming a mother when our last child leaves home. Our mothering heart broods upon that child until the end of their days. Scientific studies reveal that the mother carries something of every baby she has birthed in her body. And when our children leave home, we become older mothers who teach the younger mothers, continuing to show by example and word the anointing of motherhood.

 

Motherhood is the innate and God-given instinct that God has put in every female. We were born and created to nurture. Motherhood is nurturing, loving, praying, agonizing over every child, training, teaching, feeding the body, the soul, and the spirit. It never stops.

 

Motherhood is the highest career God gives to women. She may fulfil other careers, but they are secondary to motherhood. Every other career will be left behind when we meet God face to face, but motherhood continues into eternity. Every child God gives us is an eternal soul that has the privilege to inherit eternal life and to answer the call to eternal glory forever and ever.

 

God chose the word mother! And I’m not giving it up. God used the word “mother” before there was ever a mother on the earth (Genesis 2;24)! He ordained mothers before there were mothers. Mothers are His plan for the world. To reveal His maternal heart to the world. To bring softness and tenderness to the knocks and the hardships of this world. To keep this world going and to birth, nurture, and train great men and women who will bless the world.

 

In this world of ridiculous deception, embrace your motherhood anointing in a greater way than you ever have before. Know that you are walking in the perfect will of God. Lift your head high and be proud of the calling God has given you. You have been named “mother” by God. You have been created for this purpose. Never be intimidated by those who are deceived.

 

It’s time for mothers to rise!

 

From one mother heart to another,

 

Nancy Campbell

 

I’d love to share an example with you. On Sunday evening, Erin Harrison, who lives on the Hilltop here prepared a special Ladies’ High Tea for my 80th birthday. She called it “Fancy for Nancy” and everyone was asked to come really dressed up and with a hat to match!

 

Each person was asked to bring a dessert or savory dish, but the day before Erin got an idea, which was a surprise. She decided to turn it into a really royal Tea Party, and she set to work to bake 10 different English recipes for the party! Did I say 10? Yes, 10 different recipes that would have taken most people a day to do one of them!

 

At the party, one of our lovely ladies brought each dish around to show everyone and they had to guess the name of the recipe. I have to confess that even with my English background I didn’t win the competition.

 

Anyway, let me tell you about what she made. And I’d love to know how many you would have guessed!

 

No. 1. Scones. Well, we all knew what they were. It is very English to have scones with jam and cream. In our family, often on a Sunday evening we will make scones with jam and cream, a favorite because we come from New Zealand.

 

No. 2. Victoria Sponge. Erin made such a beautiful six-layered sponge with whipped cream between each layer.

 

No. 3. Chelsea Buns. They are made with currants or raisins, and cinnamon, allspice, and lemon peel. They look a little like cinnamon rolls.

 

No. 4. English Shortbread. We could all guess this one. Shortbread is a favorite of most people, but I think this was the best shortbread I have ever eaten in my life. Erin made all her dishes with freshly ground einkorn flour. so they were so healthy.

 

No. 5. Figgy Pudding. We sometimes sing about this when we are out caroling at Christmas time . . .

“Now, bring us some figgy pudding,

Now, bring us some figgy pudding,

Now, bring us some figgy pudding, and bring it out here!

 

The funny thing is that I had never eaten figgy pudding until Sunday evening! I didn’t even know what it was! But wow, I have never eaten anything so delectable I’ll post a picture of it. It includes dates and figs and raisins and eggs and flour. Erin made a beautiful job of them.

 

No. 6. English Trifle. This is a familiar one of course, made with sponge cake, custard, jelly, whipped cream, and berries, all layered. It's always a favorite at every party back home in New Zealand. We could purchase packages of custard powder (from which we make the custard) from the supermarket but it is difficult to procure here in USA. However, not to be outdone, Erin made her own custard with eggs which was even healthier.

 

No. 7. Spotted Dick. This was another one I hadn’t heard of. Apparently, it was also a favorite of Queen Victoria's. It is a boiled pudding with lemon undertone and is spotted with raisins. Dick was another name for pudding, derived from the word “dough.”

 

No. 8. Cornish pasty, made perfectly by Erin. Couldn’t get better at any restaurant.

 

No. 9. Mincemeat pies. These aren't made with meat, but with raisins and such in little cases of pastry which they make especially at Christmas time.

 

No. 10. Bubble and Squeak, made from leftover potatoes and cabbage. I sometimes made this for the children when they were growing up. You can also include eggs and other leftovers when frying them up.

 

How many of these would you have guessed correctly?

 

But what I am really wanting to share with you is the time, effort, creativity, and thoughtfulness Erin put into making all these recipes in order to make it such a special evening for all the ladies.

Food is a beautiful way to show love.

 

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

 

Pictures:

Erin’s table laden with food

Figgy Pudding

Spotted Dick

 

But God was watching over him and thinking about him. Thinking about he needed to be refreshed and nourished. So He sent His angel to bake him some bread on some hot coals and give him a jug of water. The angel woke up and told him to get up and eat!

Elijah enjoyed this delicious hot bread and pure energizing water from God and went back go sleep! Awhile later, the angel come back, shook him again, and told him to eat some more. “You’ve got a long journey ahead” he said.

 

He got up, ate and drank to the full, and set off on his journey. It was such a nourishing meal that we walked in the strength of that food for 40 days and nights.

 

What gets to me about this incident is how God thinks about food. He thinks about feeding His people. He thinks about nourishing us. God loves food. He created all the beautiful fruits and vegetables for us to eat. He gave us creativity to cook with them and make them into palatable and delicious meals.

 

But dear ladies, if God thinks about feeding, we should think about it too. Of course, we can’t help thinking about it in our homes when we have hungry children all around us and a husband wanting a good hearty meal. But sometimes we don’t think about it enough.

 

We just cook the food because we’ll have grumbling children if we don’t. I believe we should creatively think about it. Think about how we can nourish our families. How we can make the most nourishing and health-filled meals. How we can make the food taste tantalizing and delicious.

 

Food is all about taste. That’s why God created so many different tastes in foods. Food is boring if is tasteless. An important part of preparing food is to make it appetizing and delectable to the palate.

 

So let’s think about preparing food for our families. And not only our families, but for others. Do you love hospitality? There’s hardly an evening that we don’t have people joining us at our meal table. Tonight we’ll have 12 of us, mostly young people. I am looking forward do it.

 

Let me remind you again dear mother that you are not wasting your time as you think about the food for your family. You are being like God. He thinks of how He can feed and strengthen His people, both physically and spiritually. That’s one of the powerful things about motherhood. We are feeders, both physically and spiritually. We reveal the likeness of God as we do this in our families and also reaching out to others.

 

Be blessed today.

 

Nancy Campbell

 

The word “declare” is a strong word. The Hebrew word, ‘nagad” means “to front, to stand boldly out opposite, to manifest, announce, expose, predict, denounce, and certainly declare.” We can declare God’s truth in different ways.

 

1. The Bible tells us we can declare God’s truth by sending a message through the post ((Jeremiah 51:31). You can write an encouraging word on a card and send it to someone who is hurting or downcast. That’s a beautiful thing to do. These days, you can use your social media. It can be a time waster, or you can use it to proclaim God’s truth. If you can’t think of messages to send out, you can share some of mine.

 

2. The Bible tells us we can declare God’s truth by singing (Psalm 78:9). I love the words in Isaiah 48:20 where it says: “God ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a VOICE OF SINGING DECLARE YE, TELL this, UTTER it even to the end of the earth; SAY ye, The LORD hath redeemed his servant Jacob.” God wanted the miracle of bringing His people from the bondage of Babylon to be declared to the ends of the earth.

 

But do you notice that God uses six different words to remind them to boldly proclaim His works? Voice, singing, declare, tell, utter, and say! The Hebrew words for voice and singing both mean to make a LOUD noise.

 

3. And of course we declare His truth by speaking boldly. Upfront. Speaking boldly. We are not afraid to speak the truth even if it is counter-culture. We fear God rather than man (Acts 4:19, 20 and 5:29). In most cases in the Bible, it was only the remnant that stood fast to God’s truth. Let’s never be taken in by the most popular opinion (Matthew 7:13, 14).

 

We have no excuse for hiding our light. Being too fearful to speak. Not wanting to step on anyone’s toes. e

 

Let’s be declarers of God’s truths to our children, our grandchildren, and all whom we meet. Let’s remember that our only privilege and opportunity to declare God’s truths are in this lifetime.

 

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

 

The Bible always shows us the way:

 

Ecclesiastes 9:10: “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy MIGHT.”

 

Colossians 3:23, 24: “And whatsoever ye do, do it HEARTILY, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance; for ye serve the Lord Christ.”

 

Colossians 3:17: “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”

 

1 Corinthians 10:31: “Whatsoever ye do, do all to the GLORY OF GOD.”

 

Philippians 2:14: “Do all things WITHOUT MURMURING.”

 

Matthew 25:21, 23 and Luke 16:10: “He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much.”

 

Enjoy a great day in your home today as each one does everything with all their might.

 

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

 

This may be just how you feel sometimes. Dear mother, I want to remind you today that you already have the greatest career in the nation. I know it’s not easy. It has the longest hours. It’s full of challenges. Sometimes you feel so tired you can hardly see straight. But no job that is nation-changing, generation-influencing, and eternity-investing is easy.

 

And to top it all off, God is with you all the way through. He does not give up on you halfway through your commission. He is with you to the end. David reminded his son, Solomon: “God will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, UNTIL YOU HAVE FINISHED ALL THE WORK for the service of the house of the LORD” (1 Chronicles 28:20 NKJV).

 

God is also with you as you build your “house of the LORD.” He is with you as you mother and train your children. And did you get the message? He will be with you UNTIL YOU FINISH THE WORK! Yes, in all the serving in your home. Not halfway through, but all the way through. You may feel exhausted along the way, but because God is with you. You will make it to the finishing line!

 

God’s promise to you in Hebrews 13:5, 6 says: “Be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Wuest’s Word Studies from the Greek New Testament reveal the full meaning of this Scripture: “I WILL NOT, I WILL NOT, I WILL NOT let thee down, leave thee in the lurch, leave thee destitute, leave thee in straits and helpless, abandon thee.”

 

Lift up your head today. You are not doing this on your own. GOD IS WITH YOU UNTIL THE FINISHING LINE!

 

Be encouraged.

 

Nancy Campbell

 

Painting: Theodore Robinson (1852 – 1896)