THE SECRET IS TO BEGIN 

Deuteronomy 2:24, “Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into thine hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle.”  

Begin! What an important word. 

Are you dreaming about doing something? Perhaps getting that bedroom cleaned up. Or catching up with the laundry so that your laundry room looks spic and span. Maybe you have some great ideas about homeschooling you are planning to put into operation. Then there’s that habit you want to break.  

It’s easy to dream about it, isn’t it? It’s a lot harder to do something. But there is a secret to accomplish the thing you dream about doing. It’s simple too. All you have to do is begin. That’s right. Start. Don’t look at the whole job. It will put you off. Just start. It is amazing what happens when you begin. You’ll be amazed how that room will soon be cleaned. You will be amazed at what you accomplish. 

What about that habit you want to get rid of in your life? Begin tackling it. They say it takes three weeks to establish a new habit. Start today with a positive response to your bad habit. Keep it up for three weeks and you will win the victory. 

What about that mountain that looms before you? That problem you feel you cannot face. Take a step to go after it. Everything happens with that first step! In fact, nothing will happen without the first step! God told the children of Israel to begin to possess the land. They faced giants, fenced cities, high walls and gates and bars, but they began… and they possessed. They didn’t possess the land all at once. But they began. They took a step of faith. You will have to too. You have to go beyond your normal routine. You have to get out of your comfort zone.  

In Exodus 23:29-30 God told His people, “I will not drive them out from before thee in one year; lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against thee. By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased and inherit the land.”  

The big thing is to begin, then tackle the job, the vision or the problem little by little. Little by little you will finish the task. Little by little you will overcome! 

I love the poem, It Can be Done by Edgar Guest. This poem was required learning for our children. Some of the lines say… 

Somebody scoffed: “Oh, you’ll never do that;

At least no one ever has done it!”

But he took off his coat and he took off his hat,

And the first thing we knew he’d begun it. 

Once you begin, don’t stop until you conquer and win the victory. Oh yes, it may be hard work. You will face battles. God said, “Begin to possess it, and contend in battle.” The children of Israel did not win any victories without first having to fight a battle. It’s part of possessing and overcoming.  

The secret? The final victory starts with the verb begin!  

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL 

PRAYER: 

“Lord, please save me from procrastinating. Give me courage to take the first step to obey and do what you want me to do. Thank you, Lord. Amen.” 

AFFIRMATION:

No more dreaming, I’m doing it today! 

By the way, the poem, IT CAN BE DONE by Edgar Guest is in the book, “Quiet Reflections for Mothers (Selected Poems for Mothers) which you can purchase from Above Rubies for $12.00. It is filled with beautiful poems to encourage you as a wife and mother and also for your children. Go to www.aboverubies.org to order or you can call 1 877 729 9861 and order by credit card.  

Many women like to save these devotions. They print them out and keep them in a folder to read over and over again. Some print them out and pin them on the fridge with a magnet to read through the week. If you are printing this devotion and need it to be smaller, highlight and change to a smaller font. 

If you know others who would be blessed by these devotions, you are welcome to forward them or let them know they can subscribe by sending a blank email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

To unsubscribe from the Above Rubies Devotional, send a blank email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.     

HOME DESTROYERS

Part 5 

Proverbs 14:17 “He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly.” Read also Ecclesiastes 7.9. 

Today is our last devotion in this series of things that have the power to destroy our home. 

5. CONTENTION 

Proverbs 19:13, “The contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.”  This is repeated again in Proverbs 27:15. In fact Proverbs 27:16 continues, “He who would restrain her restrains the wind, and grasps oil with his right hand.” 

Proverbs 21:19, “It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.”  This is also repeated again in Proverbs 19:9 and 25:24. 

Other versions of the Bible translate this contentious woman as ‘crabby, complaining, nagging, quarrelsome, ill-tempered, cross and petulant, scolding and irritable.’ The actual Hebrew word is madown which means ‘to quarrel, to cause discord or strife.’ Not a very nice description, is it?  

It’s easy to nag. It’s easy to pick a quarrel. But it is destructive, so why do we do it?  

Does this mean that we cannot tell our husband something that we are concerned about? No. We are workers together in building our family. Share your concern with your husband-- in a spirit of meekness. Ask him how he thinks the situation could be remedied. Men love to give answers.  

Once you have shared your concerns, keep quiet. But here’s the secret. You don’t keep quiet on your knees. Cry out to God and ask Him to deal with your husband. Don’t give up praying until you see the answers. 

The opposite of contention is harmony and unity. May God help us to work on another habit in our lives. What can you do next time you feel contentious? Say No to your fleshly feelings and by faith speaks harmonious words. You won’t feel like it. You’d much rather nag or start a quarrel. But that is your old nature which you are so used to. Instead, remember that the Holy Spirit indwells you. Turn to Him and ask Him to reveal His Spirit of harmony and peace-making through you.  

6. ADULTERY  

Proverbs 2:18, “To deliver you from the immoral woman, from the seductress who flatters with her words, who forsakes the companion of her youth, and forgets the covenant of her God. For her house leads down to death, and her paths to the dead.” Read also Proverbs 7:27. 

Adultery not only destroys a marriage and the home but hurts the children. When God talks about the breaking up of the covenant of marriage in Malachi 2:13-16 he uses the words “violence” and “treacherously”. In fact, in this short passage he repeats the word “treacherously” three times! God sees the breaking up of the marriage through adultery as treacherous! The Hebrew word is bagad and means ‘traitorous, unfaithful, deceitful and also implies pillage.’ Read Jeremiah 3:20. 

How can it be that adultery is prevalent in the church today? I remember growing up in a little town in New Zealand. If a husband or wife went off with someone else it was the disgust of the town. And that was the attitude of non-Christians!  And yet now it is prevalent for Christians to show tolerance for something God calls treacherous!  

7. RENDERING EVIL FOR GOOD  

Proverbs 17:13, “Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.” 

How important it is to show a grateful heart to those who have blessed us in our lives. We can take things for granted so easily, can’t we? It is easy to carry on with life and forget the goodness of others. There are times when people will speak evil about those who have blessed them. We have experienced this many times in our lives. But we dare not get bitter. We must keep on blessing them and trust God to work in their lives. And God does not forget. God does His own avenging in His own time and in His own way. We can leave it totally with God.  

Romans 12:19-21 says, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves… for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Proverbs 25:21-22; Romans 10:30) 

Love from

NANCY CAMPBELL 

PRAYER: 

“Oh God, please save me from being cranky and contentious. Please convict me when I become irritable or quarrelsome. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and help me establish unity in the home. Amen.” 

AFFIRMATION:

I’m changing from crabby to happy!   

P.S.  The following are two books you can read about the Karen people of Burma. “A Land without Evil” by Benedict Rogers“Displaced Reflections” by Oddny Gumaer

There are many more, but these happen to be two I have read. Check the Internet.   

Many women like to save these devotions. They print them out and keep them in a folder to read over and over again. Some print them out and pin them on the fridge with a magnet to read through the week. If you are printing this devotion and need it to be smaller, highlight and change to a smaller font. 

If you know others who would be blessed by these devotions, you are welcome to forward them or let them know they can subscribe by sending a blank email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

To unsubscribe from the Above Rubies Devotional, send a blank email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.     

BLESSED CHRISTMAS TO YOU! 

Luke 2: 8-11, “And there were in the same country, shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were sore afraid. And the angel of the Lord said unto them, Fear not for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you are born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” 

Dear friend, I still have to send to you Part 5, in our series of Home Destroyers. However, it is Christmas week and therefore I thought I would send you a Christmas devotion this time. Instead of writing it myself, I have asked my sister, Kate, to write it for you. Kate and I are both familiar with sheep. Our father, Ivan Bowen, designed the way shearing is done across the world and he was the fastest shearer in the world in his prime. He passed away at nearly 92 years of age this last January. Kate also shepherded a flock of sheep when she lived up in the Caribou of Canada. She has a special love for sheep. May you be blessed by her writing…    

I would love to share a couple of thoughts that came to me as I pondered again the Christmas story. 

God Chooses the Poor and Despised! 

The Palestinian shepherds in Bible days were despised by society. They were not allowed to give testimony in a court of law as they were considered unreliable. Doesn’t it astonish you that God chose the despised members of society, those with unreliable testimony, to be witnesses of the most important message of all time? He entrusted them with a message that was foretold by prophets hundreds of years before and would change the course of history. If it was me, I would make sure this message was given to the most influential, reliable men of the nation to ensure it was accurately broadcast world-wide. Yet, how God is this! His ways are greater than our ways. (Isaiah 55:8) 

I believe these ancient shepherds were good shepherds. I was a shepherdess in Northern British Columbia, Canada for a time, and as I worked with the flock, I experienced something of the heart of the shepherd. The sheep pulled at my heartstrings. I believe these shepherds would have had tender hearts.  

They would also have been tough physically, braving the elements. They were watchmen, always on the lookout for predators, or the enemy that would attack the flock.  Remember how David contended with the lion and the bear? In fact, a shepherd never rests until the entire flock is safe in the fold, especially at night. “There were ninety and nine that safely lay in the shelter of the fold, but one was out on the hills away, far from the gates of the fold…”  This old hymn speaks of the shepherd going out to look for the one astray. I had to do this many times in my shepherding days.   

These ancient shepherds were courageous, too, willing to lay down their lives for the sheep.  And, ultimately, they were a living illustration of the Great Shepherd of the Sheep. God saw beyond what society perceived these shepherds to be, and saw their tender, courageous hearts.   

God Chooses the Sheep! 

The other point that hit me is that not only were the shepherds there when the angels appeared, but who else?  The sheep! The shepherds were keeping watch over their flocks by night.  As we fast forward two thousand years later, we peer back into this divine hallowed moment in history and see ourselves represented through the sheep.  Again, how God is this! He does not make mistakes.  What does God liken us to in the Bible? Sheep! It is one of the recurring themes throughout Scripture--the shepherd and his sheep. On looking through one of Promise’s (my six year old) Bible story books, this same passage was illustrated with bright lights beaming on the shepherds. But, I was fascinated to see that the illustrator had perceptively drawn the cute little sheep with their heads looking up at this light also!   

All we like sheep! They go astray, wandering off unaware of the dangers from under the shepherd’s care. They get dirty; they’re stubborn, often stupid--although not dumb as is the popular belief.  They’re vulnerable and need constant attention. In fact, the flock cannot survive without the shepherd. Sound familiar! In spite of this, the sheep are entirely loveable. 

Today, as 21^st century sheep of His flock, we are witnesses to and of this amazing proclamation that the savior of the world is born and has come.  In the business of this season, let us remind ourselves that we carry this great proclamation wherever we go–in our homes, into the city streets, into the stores, on the road, as we go out and come in. Whatever we are doing, this proclamation is with us. And remember, it is backed by a multitudinous heavenly choir! It is the message of hope in these troubled times. 

Truly He is the king, worthy of proclamation! 

Kate Marchiniak 

Can I add some more thoughts that came to me this morning? 

Jesus Wants His Sheep around Him 

After the amazing experience of seeing the multitude of angels praising God, the shepherds decided to go to Bethlehem and see the Savior who had been born! Did they go alone? Or did they take their sheep with them? I am sure the sheep went too. The shepherds would not have left the sheep, vulnerable and alone, to be attacked by animals. In the Middle East the sheep always follow the shepherd as he leads them.  

Nativity scenes often show one or two sheep, but there would actually have been many sheep around Jesus. Remember, it wasn’t only one shepherd, but  number of shepherds, each with their own flock.  

As the sheep surrounded Him at His birth, Jesus still wants His sheep around Him. He wants them to be close enough to Him in order to hear His voice as He speaks to them.  

Shepherds Lead their Sheep 

Just as the Bethlehem shepherds led their sheep to Jesus, so as a mother shepherdess, we  should also lead our flock to Jesus. This is the big question? 

Am I leading my flock to Jesus? 

I am going to be asking myself this question over this Christmas time?  Am I leading my children to Jesus by His character which they see in me? Am I truly showing them the way? Are there some ideas or better ways that can I implement to lead my lambs to Jesus? I don’t want to tell you how to do this. God will show you and me individually. But will you pray this prayer with me? 

God is Looking for Father Hearts 

God wants mothers and fathers to have shepherd hearts. It is interesting that God chose a carpenter to be the earthly father of His son, Jesus. Like the shepherds, carpenters were not on the highest rung of the career ladder. Joseph was a humble man, but the Bible says he was “righteous.” But he must have had a father’s heart. God would not have put His son into a family of a man who did not have a father’s heart. God was more interested in this quality than what career he had. Now, in our 21^st century, God is still looking for father hearts to father His sheep and lambs. This is more important to God than a high-powered career. 

In fact, every aspect of Jesus’ birth was bathed in humility—his earthly parents, the place of His birth and his dedication where Joseph and Mary brought turtle doves because they could not afford a lamb. In the birth of Jesus, God revealed to us His true character. Although He is the God of the universe, King of kings and Lord of lords, He is not afraid to come to the lowest place to associate with and meet the needs of His created ones. Read Psalm 68:4-6; 107:41 and 113:4-9. 

May this same spirit of humility be upon us at this season.  

May God’s peace and anointing be upon your home. May you enjoy the presence of the Lord, whether you are celebrating Hannukah or Christmas. 

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL 

PRAYER: 

“Oh great shepherd of the sheep, please teach me how to be a true shepherd of the little flock you have given me. Help me to lead my flock to you. Help me to show them the way, and please help me to be a true watchmen over them. Amen.” 

AFFIRMATION: 

I’m a shepherd to my flock and a sheep to my Shepherd.  

Many women like to save these devotions. They print them out and keep them in a folder to read over and over again. Some print them out and pin them on the fridge with a magnet to read through the week. If you are printing this devotion and need it to be smaller, highlight and change to a smaller font. 

If you know others who would be blessed by these devotions, you are welcome to forward them or let them know they can subscribe by sending a blank email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

To unsubscribe from the Above Rubies Devotional, send a blank email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.     

HOME DESTROYERS

Part 4

Philippians 2:14-15, “Do all things without murmurings and disputing: that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God without rebuke,in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.”  

We are up to No. 4 today. One more to go in this series. 

4. COMPLAINING 

Psalm 106:25, “They murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the Lord.” Read the story in Numbers chapter 14, especially verses 2 and 27. 

Where were the people complaining? In their tents, which were their dwelling places in the wilderness. Where does most complaining happen? In the home. But what does it do? It tears down the home, whether we complain about our circumstances, the work we have to do, or our husband. Not only do the walls of our home hear it, but our children hear it—and God hears it!  

The children of Israel murmured and complained against Moses and Aaron, but when God heard it, He said they were complaining against Him. God saysin Numbers 14:27, “How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against Me? I have heard the murmuring of the children of Israel, which they murmur against Me.” Stop press! Help! When we murmur and complain about all our problems, God hears it as murmuring against Him. 

The ten spies had returned from spying out the land of Canaan. It was a land flowing with milk and honey, but they complained about the fortified cities and the giants they would have to fight. It looked impossible! Even after all the miracles of coming out of Egypt and provision in the wilderness, they did not believe God could help them. They blamed Moses for bringing them out of Egypt. They complained that all their children would be taken as salves. What happened? God told them, “Get back into the wilderness…” He told them that they would all die in the wilderness and their children who they complained would be taken as slaves would be the ones who would go into this magnificent land.  Where do we end up when we complain? In the wilderness.

   Wives and mothers,

we take our families into

a wilderness journey

when we complain! 

The root of complaining is unbelief. “Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?” The Israelites cried out in unbelief. (Psalm 78:19). “How could we ever have another baby?” you cry out in unbelief. “We can hardly make ends meet now!” “How can we afford to educate our children?” “How can I put up with this little house any longer? I need more room” And so it goes on.   

Here’s a good habit to start. Change every sigh into a Hallelujah! Every time you are tempted to complain, turn your heart to the Lord and acknowledge His power and His presence. “Thank you, Lord, I trust you. I know that you are ordering my footsteps. I thank you that you are with me in these circumstances.” It will take time to establish this new habit, but keep at it.  

It doesn’t mean that your circumstances will necessarily change, but you will change. God promises in Isaiah 43:1-3 that when you pass through the waters, that “I will be with you. They will not overflow you.” God says that when you go through the fire that “You will not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon you.” 

 What is our confession? “I’m going through a fiery trial. I don’t know how I can make it.” Or, “Thank you, Lord, no matter how hot it gets, I will not be burned because you are with me!”  

I remember when complaining as a young child that my mother would immediately direct me to think about those who were poor and suffering in the world and didn’t have all the blessings that I had. It’s not a bad idea. There are millions in the world who live in abject poverty, without running water, adequate food, shelter or any of the basic amenities of life which we are used to. My husband, who has ministered in the slums of India and many third world countries, often says, “Just to live in a tent in America makes you a millionaire!”  

I think about the Karen people, the displaced people of Burma who have been fighting a genocidal war against them from the Burmese government for over 50 years. We complain about keeping up with homeschooling. The Karen try to school their children while they live in hiding. We complain when things are not just as we want them when we give birth. Many Karen mothers give birth while running from the enemy. No time for recovery. No time for relaxing with their baby. No gifts. No excited calls from family and friends.  

The wife the founder of the “Free Burma Rangers” shares about the love, forgiveness and generosity of the Karen, even in the midst of suffering and hardship. She says, “The gifts they gave were of themselves—their time, energy and love. In my experience in the West it is easier to go to the store and buy a trinket as a gift. For this reason I have chosen to raise my children in this war. The influence of these people is something I have never experienced anywhere else.” 

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL 

PRAYER: 

“Oh Lord, I find it so easy to complain. Please give me strength to create a new habit of praising instead of protesting, gladdening others instead of grumbling and being content instead of complaining. Amen.” 

AFFIRMATION: 

“Not for the lip of praise alone,Nor e’en the praising heartI ask, but for a life made upOf praise in every part!”  Horatius Bonar 

Many women like to save these devotions. They print them out and keep them in a folder to read over and over again. Some print them out and pin them on the fridge with a magnet to read through the week. If you are printing this devotion and need it to be smaller, highlight and change to a smaller font. 

If you know others who would be blessed by these devotions, you are welcome to forward them or let them know they can subscribe by sending a blank email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

To unsubscribe from the Above Rubies Devotional, send a blank email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.