Family is God’s plan..It is a beautiful thing when we do it God’s way
839 Hits
Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs
Through the weekly and daily devotionals you can be constantly encouraged in your great role of parenting, the highest career in the nation. You can also stay updated on what's happening with the Above Rubies ministry.
We are currently reading through the book of Isaiah in our Family Devotions. This morning we read Isaiah 28:6: “And for the spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.”
The gates speak of the entrance to the city. They are the hub of the city or the nation. They speak of where all the decisions are made by the leaders of the city or the nation. The city must be protected at the gates.
However, I believe that we also have personal gates. I believe that our ears and eyes are gates. And there is a battle at the gates of our ears. The devil would love to fill our ears with evil and uncleanness that we should not allow into our minds and bodies. We must guard what we hear and listen to. We must choose carefully.
It makes me think of that Scripture in Job 34:3: “For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth food.” When we taste something bitter or nasty, what do we do? We spit it out. We don’t want to eat it. That’s exactly what we do with our ears. If something comes to our ears that we know is wrong, we immediately spit out. We do not allow it in.
But the most important thing, dear mothers, is that we must teach our children how to do this. They face this battle, and we must teach them how to overcome.
It's the same with our eyes. We guard our eyes from looking at anything that is lustful or even doubtful to God’s holiness. And we teach our children how to guard their eyes. We must constantly remind them, “Children, if you see anything that is evil, close your eyes. Run from it immediately. Don’t let your eyes even look at what is evil. You must not allow it into your soul. You are the guard, standing at the gates of your eyes and your ears.” 1 John 2:15-17 tells us that “the lust of the eyes” does not belong to our Father God, it belongs to the spirit of this world.
I remember asking my granddaughter one day, “Chalice, if you saw anything bad on your iPad when you are doing your homeschooling, what would you do? She didn’t even think about what to answer. She immediately responded, “I would vomit!”
Here are two other translations to help you understand this Scripture:
GW: “He will give strength to those who defend the city gates in battle.” There is a battle for the eyes and ears of your children. They must understand it is a battle and learn how to defend their eyes and ears.
AMPLIFIED: “The LORD of hosts will be “a strength to those who drive back the battle at the gate.”
CJB: The Lord will be “a source of strength for those repelling enemy attacks at the gate.” God is with us to help us in the battle.
Train your family to be WATCH DOGS and GUARDIANS at the opening gates of their lives.
Blessings from Nancy Campbell
883 Hits
We have all read Proverbs 29:18 many times, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Do you know what this word ‘perish’ really means? It means “to let go, neglect, make naked or bare, to let something slip through the fingers by ignoring an opportunity.” When we do not have a vision for motherhood, we can let this mighty career slip through our fingers. Instead of understanding God’s great vision for us, we busy our lives with things that may seem important now, but which will one day be left behind.The only things that we take into eternity with us, apart from our redeemed soul, are the redeemed souls of our children. Motherhood is an eternal investment. It is the greatest career in the nation. Watch out that you do not let the one who comes “to steal, kill, and destroy” deprive you of your highest destiny.
Motherhood is too powerful to take lightly. You need vision. You need purpose to take you through the days that are difficult. When you have vision, you will flourish instead of flounder.
What is your vision? My vision as I raised our children was Paul’s prayer in 1 Thessalonians 5:23: “May the God of peace Himself make you holy through and through. May your whole being – spirit, soul, and body – be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Motherhood is more than feeding and clothing our children. It is guarding zealously over their minds, souls and spirits. The word ‘preserved’ is “tereo” which means ‘to watch, to guard from loss or injury by keeping the eye upon.’
Motherhood is loftier than the daily grind. Our vision should go beyond daily mothering to the generations ahead. Some time back I was reading Zephaniah1:1 and got really excited: “The word of the Lord that came to Zephaniah, the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hezekiah…” How could I get excited about that? Isn’t it just a boring genealogy?
No, there’s a story here. Zephaniah was the great-great-grandson of Hezekiah. He was a king who did what was right in the sight of the Lord and who clung to the Lord with all His heart. Now, five generations down the line, his great-great-grandson is serving the Lord and is a prophet to the nation. My prayer and vision is not only for my children and grandchildren, but also for the generations to follow. If the Lord should still tarry, I pray my great-great-great-grandchildren will continue to serve the Lord and do mighty exploits for God among the nations.
My husband is one of nine children, among whom are pastors, teachers, evangelists and mighty witnesses for the Lord and all their children are serving the Lord. They believe the grace and power of God upon the family is because of their great-great grandmother who had a vision for the future and prayed for the generations to come.
Blessings to you today,
Nancy Campbell
799 Hits
The Director for Above Rubies in Australia, Val Stares, sent this to me today. It is a warning to all of us who believe in truth and freedom. We can never be silent. We must all stand up boldly for life and truth otherwise these freedoms will be taken from us. This doctor has been penalized for the great crime of standing for life. Please read the following and don’t forget to pray for Dr. Jereth Kok.
THEY CANCELED HIM FOR BEING A CHRISTIAN AND CONSERVATIVE
By GEORGE CHRISTENSEN from NATION FIRST (reader-supported publication defending our sovereignty and democratic, free way of life) explores the VCAT decision against Dr. Jereth Kok.
July 29 2025
Dear friend,
A Christian doctor has just been found guilty of misconduct, not for medical failings, but for private online beliefs. Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal reviewed 12 years of posts and condemned dozens as too offensive or unbalanced for public tolerance. None of the content harmed patients or was linked to clinical care, yet it triggered professional punishment. This ruling signals that Christian and conservative professionals can be penalised for personal convictions.
The message is clear: speak biblical truth publicly, and risk losing your career in modern Australia.
Let me say this as plainly as I can: they didn't just suspend a doctor. They suspended truth itself. They nailed a man to the wall for saying what millions of us believe: that life begins at conception, that men cannot become women, and that COVID mandates were a masterclass in tyranny.
Dr Jereth Kok, a Christian GP from Melbourne, has had his career torched by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), not for what he did in the clinic, but for what he posted online. Posts most people never even saw. Posts behind privacy settings. Posts that were satirical, biblical, or, heaven forbid, _conservative_.
Twelve years of online posts. Eighty-five total. They dredged them up like some twisted inquisition. VCAT found _54 of them to be misconduct_. That's right, _memes, articles, scripture_, all labelled too "disrespectful," "unbalanced," or "derogatory" to be tolerated in today's Ministry of Truth.
One of his crimes? Sharing a Babylon Bee satire article titled _"Instead of Traditional Warfare, Chinese Military Will Now Be Trained to Shout Wrong Pronouns at American Troops."_ That's it. That's "misconduct" now.
Another "offence"? Calling abortion what it is: _baby-killing_. For that, he's been declared unfit to practise medicine.
This wasn't about patient safety. This wasn't about medical negligence. This was about a regime flexing its muscle and sending a message: _if you believe in God over government, you're next._
You think I'm exaggerating? Read the tribunal's ruling yourself. They openly admitted his comments weren't directed at patients, didn't harm anyone, and were often _private_. But because they might offend the rainbow gods of identity politics, he's been thrown into the wilderness.
Let's be clear: this man never hurt a soul. Not a single patient ever complained about him. But faceless bureaucrats, tipped off anonymously, decided that his thoughts were too dangerous for modern Australia.
Even the worst allegations, that he supported genocide or racial violence, were not upheld. They admitted most of the content was satirical. They admitted much of it was political or religious commentary. In fact, one-third of the Medical Board's accusations were flat-out rejected. And yet, the verdict? Guilty of professional misconduct.
He didn't commit malpractice. He committed wrongthink.
And it's not over. The sentence hasn't even dropped yet; that comes in 2026. He could still be permanently deregistered. That means banned for life from ever practising medicine again, not for botching a surgery or misdiagnosing a child, but for _having the spine to say what the woke class hates_.
The official statement from Dr Kok, released through the Human Rights Law Alliance, makes it crystal clear: _this is a test case._ A precedent. A warning to every doctor, lawyer, teacher, or professional with a licence.
The Medical Board now claims the power to police not just what you do at work, but what you think at home, post on social media, or say in church. Christian doctors, beware: your Facebook post could cost you your career.
The Human Rights Law Alliance put it bluntly: “The delineation is unclear of where the Medical Board's powers to police online speech may end... This allows the Medical Board to police the religious and political beliefs of doctors and makes health practitioners dramatically vulnerable to professional sanction . . .”
Translation? If you're a Christian who dares open your mouth -- you're on notice.
So here's my question to every freedom-loving Australian reading this: How long are you willing to stay silent? Until they gag your priest? Your children's teacher? Your own employer? Until quoting the Bible gets you fired? Until satire is banned? Until truth is illegal?
We are watching the birth of a medical theocracy -- not one ruled by faith, but by woke doctrine. A world where "respecting diversity" means deleting Christianity. A country where a meme can destroy your life.
VCAT and the Medical Board just declared war on conscience.
They're betting that if they burn one man publicly, the rest of us will fall in line. They want the rest of us to whisper in the shadows, to apologise for believing in truth, to beg for permission to speak.
Well, I won't.
I won't apologise for being Christian.
I won't bow to rainbow ideology.
I won't pretend that silence is safer than truth.
And neither should you.
HERE’S WHAT YOU MUST DO — RIGHT NOW:
Share this article like wildfire. Post it in every group. Email it. Print it.
Contact your MP, federal and state, and demand action on freedom of speech and religious expression.
Donate to the Human Rights Law Alliance and help fund Dr Kok's legal appeal. They need it. Badly.
Refuse the muzzle. If you're a professional, speak now or forever regret your silence.
This is the hill. This is the line in the sand.
If we don't defend Dr Jereth Kok, we're next.
Let's show VCAT they picked the wrong Christian to crucify.
Let's roar back.
Until next time, God bless you, your family and nation.
Take care,
George Christensen
George Christensen is a former Australian politician, a Christian, freedom lover, conservative, blogger, podcaster, journalist and theologian. He has been feted by the _Epoch Times_ as a "champion of human rights" and his writings have been praised by _Infowars_' Alex Jones as "excellent and informative".
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]
[9]
[10]
[11]
[12]
[13]
[14]
[15]
[16]
[17]
701 Hits
Yesterday was the anniversary of the passing away of Keith Green, the Christian writer and singer who brought many into the Kingdom of God and who challenged Christians all over the world to live an “uncompromising” life for Jesus. His wife, Melody wrote the story of his life called “No Compromise.”Do you remember him? I am sure many of you were not even alive in Keith Green’s days. It was 43 years ago that he died in a plane accident along with his three-year-old son and two-year-old daughter. He was only 28 years old. It was such a tragedy. I’ll never forget the day I heard the heartbreaking news. We all loved his music. But it was not just music. Every word he sang was a powerful challenge.
But the amazing thing is that his music still rings around the world today. Go to YouTube and you can still listen. And the challenge that he brought still comes to us today, and to us mothers. We have a responsibility to live a “No compromising” life before our children so that we can teach them, not only by word, but by our actions how they can also live a “no compromising’ life for Christ.
I raised our children on this quote from C. T. Studd:
“Only one life, ‘twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
We can be challenged again today from examples from the Bible:
JOSHUA
Joshua challenged the people in Joshua 24:15: “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve . . . But as for me and my house we will serve the LORD.” We cannot serve both. It is one or the other. As you know, Matthew 6:24 AMP says: “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord].”
ELIJAH
When Elijah was on Mount Carmel he challenged the people: “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him, but if Baal, then follow him.” (1 kings 18:21). Who is God in your home? Do your children see you following Him totally? Do they see that God comes before all other things? They see your actions, not just your words. They see your passion to gather the family together for morning and evening devotions, to start and end each day with God. They know that is more important to you than all the other “stuff” that view for your attention for the day. They see your love for righteousness and hate for evil. They would never see you watching any uncompromising movies.
THREE BRAVE MEN
I love the uncompromising stand of the three young Jews who would not bow to Nebuchadnezzar’s statue. Every single person in the nation bowed to this statue. They were scared. They caved in. They did not want to be thrown into the burning fiery furnace and were more afraid of men than God.
There were only three men left standing. Conspicuous! But they stood their ground. They did not even fear the fiery furnace.
When they were brought before the king they boldly stated: “If it be so, our God whom serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. BUT IF NOT, be in known unto thee, O king, that WE WILL NOT SERVE THY GODS, nor worship the golden image which thou hast et up” (Daniel 3:17,18).
The king was so mad, he commanded that the furnace be stirred up to seven times hotter. And yet God delivered them.
There are so many more examples, but let’s be inspired again today, dear mothers, to be uncompromising mothers. And let’s raise children who will never compromise. Children who will not compromise with the truth of God’s word, matter what the consequences. Children who will not compromise to the “lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2: 15-17). Children who will not compromise with the culture of our humanistic society.
Be inspired today,
Nancy Campell
To read more about Keith Green, go to LAST DAYS MINISTRIES.
To listen to Keith Green’s inspiring songs, go to YouTube.
Read “Children: Things we Throw Away” by Melody Green
To read Melody Green’s book: “NO COMPROMISE. The Life Storey of Keith Green,” go to the Internet.
817 Hits
Dear mother, don’t let the views of society around you undermine your divine calling. You have the highest and most influential career in the nation.
764 Hits
This is a big goal but I think that if we do the first one and truly cherish our husbands the other points will fall into line.
875 Hits
SWEET COMMUNION
A moment in the morning
Ere the cares of the day begin,
Ere the heart is wide open
For the world to enter in.
Ah, then alone with Jesus,
In the silence of the morn,
In heavenly sweet communion,
Let your happy day be born.
In the quietness that blesses
With a prelude of repose,
Let your soul be soothed
And softened as the dew
revives the rose.
~ Anonymous
835 Hits
Blessed are parents who make their peace with mud and spilled milk, for of such is the kingdom of childhood.
Blessed are parents who refuse to compare their children with others, for each is precious.
Blessed are fathers and mothers who have learned to laugh, for it is the music of the child's world.
Blessed are parents who can say No without anger, for comforting to the child is the security of a firm decision.
Blessed are parents who accept the awkwardness of their growing children, letting each grow at his own speed.
Blessed are parents who are teachable, because knowledge brings understanding and love.
Blessed are parents who love their children in the midst of a hostile world, for love is the greatest of all gifts.
~ Anonymous
Painting: Susan Blackwood – Muddy Boys.
866 Hits
It is not God’s intention for people to live alone. It is not His intention for people to eat alone. God planned for us to live and eat together. He sets the solitary ones in families. He does not want old people to be living lonely lives on their own. He wants them to be part of a family. He wants them to eat with a family.God knows how much we need one another. God calls us His “sheep” and sheep always stick together as a “flock.” You always see sheep together. Isn’t it amazing that there is not a singular word for sheep? It is a plural word. On the odd occasion a sheep farmer will have a “hermit” sheep that continually strays away from the flock. They usually eliminate the “hermit” sheep.
Psalm 107:41 says: “He makes families like a flock.” The word “flock” is “mishpachah” which means “a circle of relatives with strong blood ties.” It even includes the extended family.
The table brings the family together. It is a gathering place. It is a focal point that draws us all to sit around the One we honor, the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Unseen Guest. He waits for us to come to the table. He wants to be included in our conversation and fellowship.
The table is communal. It promotes oneness, not independence. This is why Psalm 128 paints the picture of our children “all around the table.” In days past a table was always filled. There were more than the 1.9 children per family of our modern society sitting around the table. There were grandparents and extended family. And often there were friends and even strangers. Each one came with expectancy, ready for new dialogue. The place hummed with conversation. No one was lonely. They survived on togethering.
And did you know that eating and sharing together at the table releases the “feel good” chemicals such as oxytocin, serotonin etc. Why are so many people depressed today? Why are so many on antidepressants? You don’t need antidepressants when you are daily part of a lively family meal table. Come to the table and take your daily DOSE—of Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, and Endorphins!
Who created this environment? The women of the home. They labored with love to prepare every meal. They kept the family together by drawing them to the table. Mothers, this is still our task today. We keep the generations alive. Our men are the providers, but we are the nest-builders and nurturers. We keep the family together by cooking and gathering tour family and friends around the table. It’s our responsibility to make it happen.
Did you think that cooking was insignificant? No. It is the secret for “togethering.” It is a powerful and anointed task. Make sure it happens in your home.
853 Hits
It’s an every day thing. Not haphazard.
Love from Nancy
696 Hits
The Christian home should be the happiest spot on earth, not only to the grownups but to every member of the family. Let us see that we make it so even to the youngest. Never mind if they make a noise and tumble the house about with their innocent games and shout choruses when some of us older ones are trying to write articles in the next room.
Thousands upon thousands of young people have gone to utter destruction for the reason of having cold, dull, stiff firesides at home, they sought amusement elsewhere. How many sad parents today would give the world to hear the noisy steps of long-absent children. They would not mind how much the house was turned upside down nor how dirty the carpets became if only they could hear once more the cheery voice and feel the clinging arms about their necks and the warm cheeks laid upon theirs.
So let us keep them at home by making home the very liveliest place on earth to them, the place of all others where God is honored and where the whole atmosphere is filled with love and joy and peace.
~ Anonymous
747 Hits
We sang this hymn at our family devotions this morning. One of my favorites. I'll print all the words for you as they are so great:
Like a river glorious is God’s perfect peace,
Over all victorious, in its bright increase;
Perfect, yet it floweth fuller every day,
Perfect, yet it groweth deeper all the way.
Refrain:
Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest
Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.
Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand,
Never foe can follow, never traitor stand;
Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care,
Not a blast of hurry touch the spirit there.
Every joy or trial falleth from above,
Traced upon our dial by the Son of Love;
We may trust Him fully, all for us to do;
They who trust Him wholly find Him wholly true.
Amen.
799 Hits
The nation rises or falls according to the character of its homes. Mother, you are need in your home. It is your greatest place of influence.
780 Hits
1 Corinthians 15:58 tells us to be “always abounding in the work of the Lord.” If God has blessed you with children, you have been given the greatest career in the nation to nurture and train up the next generation. Don’t do it half-heartedly. Do it with an abounding attitude. The word “abounding” in the Greek means “superabounding, excess, to exceed, over and above, enough and to spare.” It’s not the average life. An abounding life is an over the top lifestyle. More than necessary! Pour your whole heart and life into mothering and training your children.
777 Hits
We want this for ourselves. We want it for each one of our children. So, how do we get it? The Bible tells us it comes through chastening and discipline! Ouch. We don’t like that answer very much, do we? And children don’t like it at all.Hebrews 12:11 (BSB) says: “No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it.”
I like the Passion translation which says that “it will produce a transformation of character bringing a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who yield to it.”
This “transformation of character” needs even more than discipline. It means yielding to discipline. Do you notice that? The blessing comes to those who yield to it. Often our first reaction is to resist correction and discipline, but we must learn to yield to it. When we yield do the disciplines of life that are necessary for us, we are changed and formed into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). If we resist, we stay in our same old rut.
We must also teach our children to yield to our training and discipline. This is how their character will be transformed. If they rebel and resist the discipline while they are young, they will keep facing the same problems all their lives until they yield to God.
If we truly love our children, we will train and discipline them. We will not tolerate disobedience and rebellious behavior. We are not content for them to grow up pretty good citizens. We long for them to be formed into the image of Christ. We long for them to be transformed by the Word of God and training and instruction. We do not want them to be ordinary Christians but men and women who are passionate for Jesus Christ where everything else in life is subordinate to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in their lives.
This only happens as they yield to your correction and discipline. Pray that God will give your children soft hearts. Pray that they will have yielding hearts to your training and the moving of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
Romans 12:2: “Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect will of God.”
Let’s be families where each one of us (mom, dad, and all the children) daily yield to God’s correction and instruction in our lives.
Be blessed today,
Nancy Campbell
689 Hits
You choose! You can change duty to delight, boring to beautiful, and the mundane to marvelous! It’s your attitude that makes all the difference!
745 Hits
My thoughts about beds even though they maybe different to how other people think.Well, our bed looks very simple and plain, doesn’t? But I love it.
1. I love our linen sheets, linen pillowcases, and linen cover. So healthy. Linen material has the highest frequency of all materials (except wool which has the same) giving off 5000 Hz. Even linen clothing is the best. I don’t always get to wear linen but at least we sleep on linen sheets all night. And when I wash our sheets I always make sure it is a lovely fine day so they can dry in the beautiful sunlight which sanitizes, deodorizes, and disinfects. It’s so wonderful to sleep in sheets that have dried in the fresh air. In fact, I dry all my towels and clothes in the sunlight and never use a dryer.
2. You notice I don’t have any fancy pillows on my bed which is the normal fashion these days. But I think it is such a waste of time to have to take off all the pillows at night? And where do you put them? On the floor? Now that’s not very hygienic. And then you have to out them back in the morning when I could use those moments to do something more industrious.
3. You will notice that we only have a queen size bed. I told my husband that if we got a king size bed that I would never find him. And that would be disastrous! I love to have him near me all night. When the children were young and I was nursing babies in bed and all the children were coming in one by one we only had a full size and yet we never thought a thing about it. Somehow, we all squashed in! We must have been a lot skinnier in those days!
4. I am also a great believer in making our bed as soon as we get up. I think an unmade bed is slovenly. I believe it is an important habit and one that we should train our children to do, without exception.
5. Oh yes, another thought. I notice a lot of people these days only use one sheet, a sheet on the bottom and then the bedcover on top. I don't like that idea at all. I don't thin it is so hygienic. I believe in two sheets, the bottom and the top--and then the covers. It is much easier to wash sheets than a big bed cover. And if you don't have a top sheet, you will need to wash the eiderdowns more frequently.
Plus, in the summertime, you can enjoy sleeping between the two sheets without a big cover over you which is too hot.
Back when I was growing up, they didn't have fitted sheets. So this was the plan. Every week we took the bottom sheet off and put it in the laundry to wash. We then put the top sheet on the bottom and a new one on the top. This was repeated every week. Now we have fitted sheets, we wash both at the same time. At least washing sheets is easier than big bed covers.
Blessings from Nancy Campbell
781 Hits
I love bookshelves and when I visit a home I always gravitate to the bookshelf. I am so disappointed if there is no bookshelf in a home. How do they survive?
The other day I was visiting my granddaughter’s new home and noticed one of her interesting book shelves.
“This is different,” I said.
“Yes,” she answered. I love a Russian Roulette bookshelf where instead of looking for a certain book you get a surprise! Now that’s a new idea.
774 Hits