Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs

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To get a wonderful harvest from a garden, you have to sow liberally. The Bible gives us this principle in 2 Corinthian 9:6 where it tells us that “He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” This is a principle that is true in every aspect of our lives.

 

The plain truth is that we reap what we sow! We read this again in Galatians 6:7: “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked. Whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.”

 

This is also true regarding what we sow into our children. God gives parents the responsibility to sow His truths and His words into our children. We all know these Scriptures in Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 11:18-21; and Isaiah 59:21. But how do we do we fulfil them? Do we do it scantily? Or bountifully? We will reap accordingly.

 

I am aware that many young people today do not really know God’s word. Of course they know about it. But they don’t KNOW it. They can’t quote it. It’s not familiar to them. They are much more familiar with all the junk on social media. And therefore they don’t have a biblical worldview. Their minds and lives are shaped by our humanistic culture, by this “me” generation.

 

And yet it comes back to us mothers. It is our responsibility. We must faithfully sow God’s word into our children, not skimpily, but bountifully, diligently, penetratingly, and abundantly. Every family chooses their own time to gather the family to read God’s word and pray. In our home, we like to gather every morning and evening—after breakfast and at the end of our evening meal. Discovering the principle of the MORNING AND EVENING PRINCIPLE in the Bible was such a boon to us. Here’s a link to read more about it:

 

Of course, to do this, it takes commitment. Whatever we plan to do regarding Bible reading and prayer, it takes commitment, doesn’t it? I find that I must MAKE IT HAPPEN! I revolve everything else in our home and every other plan we have around our morning and evening commitment with God. I allow nothing to interfere.

 

What harvest are you aiming for, dear mother?

 

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

By Alyson Shedd

 

It all started with a phone call. I was 38 years old and nursing my fourth baby and what I was assumed would be my final child. Brad and I always wanted four children—a nice even number. To “be fruitful and multiply” meant four children . . . at least that is how we interpreted Genesis 1:28.

 

Our fourth child was delightful in every way but was not nursing well, losing weight, and “not thriving” according to the pediatrician. I was reluctant to supplement her with formula and remembered a family of ten that had attended our church years prior that had goats. I know the Holy Spirit led me to call Lynn. What I thought would be a quick question turned into a lengthy conversation about being “open” to more children.

 

I told Lynn that we “multiplied.” I explained my concerns about my age and that I would be pushing 40 if I had more children. She asked if I would be open to reading “A Full Quiver” by Rick and Jan Hess and “Be Fruitful and Multiply” by Nancy Campbell. I ordered the books.

 

The lack of weight gain for my fourth baby led us to drive out to the Hiltons’ home to get raw goats’ milk to supplement our baby along with my nursing. Not only did our baby begin to gain weight and grow, but my heart became excited at the thought of more children. After my husband read “Be Fruitful and Multiply” he was completely convinced that we were to trust God with our family size. My husband is a very intelligent theologian, and he found Nancy’s book filled with biblical accuracy and integrity to the commandment and blessing of trusting God for the children He wants for our families.

 

With my age, we had faith for at least one more. I could never have imagined what God was about to do with my full surrender! When Brad and I first married, we wanted to have children someday. However, we were not open to the blessing of children right away because we were part of a community and upbringing that encouraged building our careers over building our family.

 

I began to regret with great sadness the first six years of our marriage when we chose to control my womb. I remember getting on my knees, asking for forgiveness, and pleading with the Lord to bless me with the children I would have had during the first years of our marriage. I prayed fervently for these “redemption children.”

 

I became pregnant with my fifth child at age 39, delivered when I was 40. My sixth child (age 42), my seventh child (age 44), and God completed our family with our eighth child at age 46! All four of these pregnancies were healthy and the deliveries were normal—all in my forties!

 

These four children (now teenagers and young adults) are blessings beyond what I could have ever dreamed. Not only did these babies expand our family, but they have expanded the Kingdom of God through their witnessing to friends, mission trips, and faithful service in our church.

 

Surrendering your womb to the Lord may or may not mean eight children. We have dear friends who have surrendered and have one child. It is not about the “number.” It’s about the surrender. We can trust God that He will give us the children He wants in our family for our good and His glory.

 

I shudder to think what life would have been like without these four additional children—the fruit of our surrender. I want to add, as well, that unity between husband and wife is so important in this decision. Pray until you are unified. God blesses those who “dwell in unity” (Psalm 133:1).

 

My dear friend, Lynn Hilton, who encouraged and challenged me, went home to be with Jesus after a brief battle with cancer. I will be forever grateful for this special friend who spoke truth to me and changed the course of eternity in my family. I was “set free!”

 

ALYSON SHEDD

Chesapeake, Virginia, USA

 

Picture: The four beautiful children God gave Brad and Alyson when she was in her forties: Susanna (21), Laura (19), Juliana (17), and Brennan (15).

P.S. I also talk about Lynne Hilton on page 24 of Above Rubies #102.

Many years ago, I noticed a piece of paper on a refrigerator door at my friend's home. It was her children's “Job List.”

 

As she observed me looking quizzically at it, she proclaimed, "They can't argue with the list!"

 

Not long afterward, I became a mother and soon employed her method. As the children grew and became more capable, the job list looked something like this:

 

Laura:

Set the dinner table.

Sweep the kitchen.

Clean the downstairs bathroom.

Sweep the front porch.

 

Karen:

Clear the dinner dishes.

Mop the kitchen.

Clean the living room.

Sweep the bank porch.

 

Mickey:

Load the dishwasher.

Clean the windows.

Clean the upstairs bathroom.

Take out the garbage.

 

Wendy:

Unload the dishwasher.

Clean the family room.

Sweep the front entryway.

Fold laundry.

 

Tom:

Wash the dishes that don't fit in the dishwasher.

Vacuum all hallways.

Wipe fingerprints off of walls.

 

John:

Straighten shoes by the front door.

Pick up the toys.

Straighten books in the shelves.

 

Certain tasks were done daily, others less frequently. On a special day, I would say, "When everyone has completed their jobs, we'll go to the beach!" (Or the park, library, sledding, etc.) They worked quickly and happily.

 

Needless to say, tasks are age appropriate. All of the children began helping in the kitchen as soon as they could stand. It's great to see them enjoy peeling, chopping, dipping, flipping, smashing, and mixing! It tastes so much better when children grow it in a garden or cook it themselves!

 

Heavy duty jobs, (snow shoveling, lawn mowing, brush clearing) were often compensated with cash. Our eldest son built chicken nesting boxes and a goat milking stand when he was about 13 years old. Babysitting was also rewarded because it was also a heavy duty job. .

 

When our sons and daughters are rewarded for their labor they learn firsthand that "in all labor their is profit."

 

MARY SCHUCH

(Mary is a mother of 11 grown children and now a greatgrandmother which a heart to bless, teach, and encourage young mothers).

 

Woodstock, Illinois, USA

 

Pictures:

Mary’s little greatgranddaughter doing dishes.

Two of Mary’s grandsons preparing the garden.

The psalmist David says in Psalm 5:7 (NLT)”: “I will worship to your Temple with deepest awe.” Worship is a beautiful thing to God. He loves to come and inhabit the praises of His people. And there is great desire among young people to worship God today, which is so wonderful.

 

However, do you notice how David comes to worship God? He comes with reverence and deepest awe. The word used in the Hebrew is “yirah” and means “awe-filled reverence, fear, and deep respect; it conveys the sense of being struck with awe and the moral response that follows.”

 

I believe this attitude affects our whole being. Even how we are clothed. Sometimes I see people worshipping in scanty clothing, tight leggings, and even cleavage. I know their hearts are loving God and they are not doing it out of rebellion. But we can’t stay in ignorance forever. We must realize we are coming to a holy God. God is not the same as us. He is holy and separate, and He also wants us to be separate. That is the meaning of holy, “to be separated.”

 

Many will say, “Oh, but it’s the heart that matters.” Sorry. It is more than that. Our outer clothing exposes what is in the heart. If we truly have even the slightest idea of the glory and holiness of our God, we will be respectful of what we wear when worshipping with God’s people. No one would have an audience with a king in scanty clothing. They would not be allowed in the door. They would clothe appropriately, and yet they dance their way into the King of all kings with casual or scanty clothing.

 

The priests in Bible days wore different clothing in the holy place as they ministered to the Lord than when they went out among the people (Exodus 28:40-42; Leviticus 16:4; and Ezekiel 42:14 and 44:19).

 

In fact, in Bible Days prostitutes were more covered than what many women wear to church today (Genesis 38:14).

 

I read these words: “Our external aspects of worship should not only match the character of God but also the internal disposition of our souls toward Him.”

 

Shouldn’t we match our clothing with the character of God?

 

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

I usually find I am talking to the Lord in my heart as I wake. I then get up to have my personal time with the Lord and spend time in His exciting and enlightening Word. As I am reading His word I pray and meditate over it in my heart.

 

But the other day I read a Scripture that showed me more. David shared his testimony in Psalm 5:3: “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and look up.”

 

I noticed three things in this testimony of David.

 

1. GOD WANTS TO HEAR MY VOICE

It’s not enough to pray in my heart. God wants to HEAR my voice. In fact, He longs to HEAR my voice. Song of Songs 2:14 (NET), a picture of Christ speaking to His bride, states: “Let me see your face, let me HEAR your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.”

 

And then over in Song of Songs 8:13 He speaks again to His bride: “My companions are listening attentively for your voice; LET ME BE THE ONE TO HEAR IT!” Ending in an exclamation mark. How many hours in a day do we speak to other people? But how often does God hear our voice? I now begin the day praising God and speaking to Him VOCALLY.

 

2. BEGIN IN THE MORNING

Before we speak to anyone else, we should speak to God. If we don’t make this time first thing in the morning, the day gets so busy that we often don’t get another time.

 

3. BEGIN LOOKING UP

David not only VOCALLY praised and talked with the Lord but he said: “I WILL LOOK UP.” Oh, what a great way to start the day. We all face times of challenges, overwhelmingness, or concern about certain things. But we must not start the day looking at our problems, looking at the negative. No. We lift our eyes to the Lord and we LOOK UP.

 

Keep your eyes on Jesus today, dear mother. God is in control of every situation. You can trust Him implicitly. Totally. With your whole life. One of my favorite Scriptures is Isaiah 26:3, 4: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusts in thee. Trust ye in the LORD forever: for the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.”

 

Tell the Lord, with your VOICE, that you will be looking up to Him today.

 

Have a wonderful day LOOKING UP.

 

Be blessed,

 

Nancy Campbell

Every little girl dreams of one day wearing a wedding dress, the most beautiful and special dress she will ever wear. The dress up box was the favorite thing in my home for my little granddaughters. They loved to dress up, especially as a princess or bride. I filled my dress up box with old lace curtains, lace nightgowns, and beautiful materials. It was more fun to create a beautiful gown than simply put on one already made. They were all so creative as they tried to look like the most beautiful princess or bride in the world.

 

A couple of weeks ago one of our many grandsons was married. I wanted to cry with joy as I watched his beautiful bride walk down the aisle to her husband. Her dress was beautiful but also covered to the neckline. How refreshing. The standard weeding dress of today is the strapless wedding dress. Sadly, these dresses are not only the modern vogue but are becoming more and more fleshly. It seems that the more cleavage the bride can show the better she likes it. The congregation has to stare at not only much of the breast of the bride but the bridesmaids’ as well. What are we coming to? A sacred wedding or a show of the flesh?

 

This grieves my heart. I believe it is the right of the bridegroom to uncover his bride. Why does she want to reveal so much even before her wedding night? And why does she want to show off that which is private to the whole congregation?

 

I wonder if any of you remember Kim Clement, an anointed prophet and musician. He prophesied back in 2007 that Donald Trump would become president of the United States for two terms. This came to pass as well as many other things he prophesied. He passed away in November 2016 before Trump became President. However, awhile back I listened to a prophetic word he gave not long before he died. Out of context the words came through: “God is close to the marriage altar.” I was struck with these words, and I know they came from God.

 

God is the author of the marriage altar. He loves it. He joyfully “brought the woman to the man” at the first altar. Because it is God’s design, it is sacred. God wants to come with His power and presence to the marriage altar. But how does God feel when He sees brides with their low cut wedding dresses? Have they forgotten they are coming to a sacred altar where God is waiting to bless them? I believe a bridal couple should come with awe to this altar.

 

I know a young man who began a wedding videography business. He loved it and was doing well. But sadly, he had to give it up. Honing in on pictures to make beautiful wedding videos he was bombarded with cleavage from brides and bridesmaids and felt he could not keep doing it. And sadly, most of these were Christian weddings.

 

When reading a secular article about the beginning of strapless wedding dresses which were popularized in the 1990’s, I noticed a statement: “Despite their popularity, some consider strapless wedding dresses to be a ‘rejection of the virginal ideal’ and they are potentially controversial for religious weddings.” And yet even this statement is no longer the case. Those who call themselves Christians dress the same as the world. No difference. And yet if we confess the name of Christian, we are called to be holy.

 

1 Peter 1:15, 16 (NKJV) says: “But as He who has called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’” The word holy means “to be set apart for the world unto God.”

 

Shouldn’t we as God’s people have sacred weddings?

 

~ Nancy Campbell

 

Little faces at my place;

Some wear denim, some wear lace.

Muddy fingers, messy hair,

I'm just glad that they are there.

 

Yes, they keep me on my toes,

Picking up their toys and clothes.

Wiping faces, washing feet,

But I don't mind, cuz they're so sweet.

 

Days and moments will not last,

Up and away, they'll grow too fast.

My time with them today I'll savor,

And thereby do myself a favor.

 

To see them all as gifts from God,

To shape them is a noble job,

There is no greater joy on earth

Than teaching children of their worth.

 

To God in Heaven, who in love,

Designed them for His courts above.

He destined each one for a plan,

To serve His purposes for man.

 

So let me pause for just a while

To ponder each one's face and smile.

While life speeds on and keeps its pace,

These memories won't be erased.

 

2017 Val Halloran

Painting: Three Brothers,1898 by Wilhelm Balmer.

You will love this testimony by Connie, written in response to my devotion LET'S SING MORE on May 7th, posted further below.

 

Our journey began with our family devotions. Early each morning, the children fed the puppies, kittens, bunnies, chicks, and ducklings. Then they came inside to take up sticks to drum on oatmeal containers or mallets or pound on a toy xylophone, while singing, “O for a thousand tongues to sing, my great Redeemer’s praise.” Our faithful, teaching Dad would quote something like Psalm 8:2: “Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants you have ordained strength, because of your enemies, that you may silence the enemy and the avenger.”

 

The disciples tried to quiet the girls and boys who were praising Jesus, but instead they shouted, “Hosanna” (Matthew 21:15, 16). If we try to quell these girls and boys, the very rocks will shout for joy! “If we keep silent, He will make the rocks cry out” (Luke 19:40). We won’t let the rocks cry out instead of us. We will lift our voices to to the Lord!

 

My husband likes a peaceful home. I like some semblance of neatness and order. My wishes all went out the door when the children were younger. One afternoon, Stephen spilt the milk that was now cascading down onto the dining room floor, I heard loud crying outside. Dashing out the door I found Sarah, who was inevitably trying to play “Mama,” had tripped while holding baby Rachel. I was relieved to find no broken bones. While investigating the injury, Daniel and Joshua got into a tug of war over the toy fire truck. After settling that dispute, Anna Joy was crying to get down from her highchair. In an instant, my nerves were as rattled as a cat on a hot tin roof and all my love for law and order was gone!

 

God spoke to me in this midst of this riot as he had calmed the storm at sea with the words, “House of praise, heavenly dew.” He told me that if I created a home of praise that He would send His heavenly dew upon our home. “House of praise, heavenly dew.” Wow. The confusion would leave as we extolled and praised Him.

 

Demonic strongholds were evicted the moment those babes opened their mouths to sing His praises. When a family joins their voices as one, they lock shields in worship to create a formidable, impenetrable force against the enemy. As He is magnified, the heavenly dew comes down to water the thirsty souls of every heart, applying a refreshing gauze to every wounded and damaged soul.

 

Our children started taking up instruments around 20 years ago, on Joshua’s twelfth birthday. His aunt gave him a new guitar. After him, Daniel picked up the bass. When my friend was moving, she gave us her piano. Stephen had an affinity for the piano, and his playing made the home come alive. Nicole is our flute player. Sarah’s on the trombone and piano. Anna Joy’s our violinist. Rachel plays the clarinet. Jonathan’s our trumpet player. Mommy’s on the drum, having lots of fun! Whenever he can, Dad gives a stirring message! Eight worshippers, along with Dad and Mom, makes a total of ten Lanfords. When you get that many strong personalities together, you are bound to have uproarious, tumultuous, hilarious, and amazing interactions—and bucketloads of humor.

 

When the hordes of hell were coming against them, the Israelites were instructed to unite together as one and march seven times around the city of Jericho. On the seventh time around they lifted up a loud, shout of praise and blew the shofars. As their voices were lifted up together, the walls of Jericho fell down (Joshua 6).

 

We started singing around the home hearth. On many occasions while entertaining folk in our home, their instruments and singing ministered to our guests. Our journey has brought this family of ten to the highways and byways (outreaches to the inner city, city events, churches, nursing homes, restaurants and conferences). The Lanford Ten have traveled to Illinois, California, Ohio, Texas and Virginia visiting relatives and playing for family reunions. From India to Uganda we have shared the gospel in word, worship, and deed. As our forefathers sang His praises, we will continue to exalt God. We sing hymns and worship songs, like “All who came before us and all who will remain, sing this song of ages to the Lamb” (Holy Forever).

 

Through it all, He’s calling us to possess the gates of our enemies; to pull down strongholds of strife and division that the King of Glory may come in. His royal inhabitants usher in His presence. By one brush on the keys and a stroke of the strings, we proclaim His decrees. As our voices are lifted up, we bring Heaven down. We will be praising Him in heaven for all of eternity, singing with loud voices: “Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!” (Revelation 5:11-13).

 

 

CONNIE LANFORD

Baton Rouge, LA, USA

PEACE AND JOY ABOUNDS!

 

I dare not seek approval

From those who hold disdain,

Who laugh and mock and make a joke

And say I am insane—

 

Because I want to stay at home

And teach my household well,

To teach my children of God’s ways

And of His goodness tell—

 

And make my husband happy,

Though old-fashioned that may sound,

But peace and joy and happiness

Within our home abounds.

 

Unknown.

(A young wife shares her heart).

 

I recently came to a point in my marriage with two years and two children after first saying “I do.” I realized I had completely lost sight of my purpose as a wife. Very early on I became so wrapped up in being a mother and feeling sorry for all that I alone had to suffer to bear children that I ignored who God commanded me to be as a wife.

 

I gave myself a free pass to make our marriage all about me, and as a result I became a volatile, unpleasant person whenever my husband did not meet all of my needs (which was very often!). I constantly lied to myself to justify my behavior that I was the victim, that I deserved better than I had because I was the one who had to stay up all night with the baby, give birth, and endure pregnancy.

 

As much as I knew deep down that yelling at my husband or making him do many of my tasks wasn’t right, I didn’t fully realize how far I had drifted from being a godly wife until I was confronted with 1 Peter 3. The whole chapter condemned me at every turn, like a mirror, showing me how truly ugly in God‘s sight I had become. But something really shifted in my heart when I re-read verse 6: “Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord.”

 

How different would it be if I treated my husband as my lord? I certainly wouldn’t raise my voice at him. I would never berate him for not serving me well enough. I wouldn’t tear him down with my words and only ever greet him with disapproval. I wouldn’t make him do my chores around the house as soon as he came home from a long day of work.

 

Instead, I would seek with all humility to serve him and meet his needs. I would try to make life easier and more enjoyable for him. I would speak words to build him up in love and wisdom. I would diligently pray for him and encourage him in his role as spiritual leader of the family!

 

I do want to be a daughter of Sarah and to be very precious in God‘s sight. Although I know that sin will still rear its ugly head at every opportunity, I will fight each day to trust in God’s promises and obey my husband, in my heart reverencing him as I call him lord with everything I do and say.

 

Truthfully, I can’t tell you that I have won that battle yet, as it is a sinful pattern of thinking and behavior that I have been indulging in for such a long time. However, moment by moment, interaction by interaction, I get the opportunity to choose either to be a slave to my passions or to righteousness. Many times I fail in this and say a mean word to my husband or lash out at him by habit. But then get the chance to correct myself, apologize, and repent.

 

My husband has been undeservedly kind to me in the midst of it all and we are striving together to restore our marriage to God‘s original purpose. In recognizing the poisonous cycle of me not feeling served and being unkind to my husband and then him in return not wishing to go out of his way to show me special kindness, we are able to proactively seek to show love to one another because Christ first loved us when we were yet sinners.

 

SYDNEY LE MAHIEU

 

Saltville, Virginia, USA

Noah and Sydney‘s blessings are Rockwell (1.5), and Hildegard (4 months).

There were many responses to yesterday’s post about couples waiting longer and longer to get married. Many did not believe in young marriages which is an interesting comment as it is the opposite to the Bible which speaks of getting married and having children in our youth! I find that often many people feel they know more than God.

 

But then again, I understand where they are coming from. There can be marriages that end in divorce and yet they married young. I don’t believe that marrying young was the root cause. I believe the root cause is that they weren’t ready for marriage. They did not understand that marriage is not just “falling in love” but it is a commitment to a mandate to raise godly children to impact the world. It takes commitment. It takes hard work. It takes resolve. It’s not just finding a “cool guy” but also being committed to marriage as God reveals it in His word. It is a picture of the relationship of Christ and His church.

 

I find that many young daughters who grow up in a large family and have learned how to manage home and care for babies are very ready for marriage. I have observed many of them marry young with lovely happy marriages.

 

I am not talking about getting married for the fun of it (although marriage is fun and exciting). I married at 21 years and my husband and I have now been married for 63 years, every year becoming more blissful and glorious. I remember when we married after an eight-month engagement, my husband I looked at one another and said, “What on earth were we waiting for? Why didn’t we get married sooner?”

 

As I was saying, we don’t just get married because we fall in love with this handsome man (although once again, I think I married the most handsome man on earth, and he still turns me on in our eighties!), but we sure need to know whom we are marrying.

 

I put together a document of 21 points to look for in finding the right many to marry. They are all necessary and powerful points, and I believe every young person should read these points before deciding on their husband (although that’s not the right word). Because I don’t think a young person should be the only one in the deciding issue. It is important for her to talk with her parents, give her guidance, and allow them to check this young man out. And ultimately it is God who decides as we pray and wait on Him. God loves to bring young couples together. It is how He created us, but we must let God do it.

 

Everything that is written in the Old Testament is a type for our understanding today. And we see in the very beginning that when God created Eve, he then “brought her to the man,” Oh, how I love those words. God brought her to the man! And this is still God’s heart. As a young daughter waits upon God to look for a godly man, He will bring the right man to her in His time.

 

Anyway, here is the link for the 21 points. It would be good for parents and young people to check them out.

 

 

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

I stated yesterday that I remembered one more point to write about. Forgive me. I’ve thought of one more! Another thing that is fading in our society today. What is it this time?

 

It’s the fact that many young people are waiting long and longer to get married! The current average age in USA for men to marry is 30.8 years and for women it is 28.4 years! That is not even natural, let alone biblical! Of course, there are some people who do not find “the right one” until this time or even later. But they are the minority.

 

Why I this happening? It is obviously a ploy of the enemy who hates life. Delaying marriage denies life. It is a waste of the glorious years of the twenties.

 

Physically and emotionally, we are awakened for the desire for a mate at quite an early age. All through history the average time to marry is in the late teens or early twenties. The twenties are the greatest years for raising a family. Fertility is high. Energy is high. The vision and excitement for life is high. In fact, the desire for sex is high. What are these young people doing. Are they virgins?

 

What does the Bible say?

 

Malachi 2: 15 talks about the “wife of his YOUTH.”

 

Joel 1:8 talks about the “husband of her YOUTH.”

 

Psalm 127:4 talks about the “children of your YOUTH.”

 

The word “youth” is the Hebrew word nature and means “young people, juvenile.” That doesn’t sound like old to me. Maybe late teens.

 

Did you know that God loves marriage? And He loves the fruit of marriage, the blessing of children. Malachi 2:15 reminds us that when God looks at a young married couple, He looks for the “godly offspring.”

 

It is interesting that when God’s blessing is on the land it is revealed by young couples getting married. God says His blessing will be: “The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of bridegroom, and the voice of the bride . . .” (Jeremiah 33:11). Conversely, when God’s judgement is on the land, He states that He will “ CAUSE TO CEASE out of this place . . . the voice of birth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride” (Jeremiah 7:34, 25:10; and Ezekiel 26:13).

 

Do we have God’s blessing at this time? There are many couples who are not even marrying but living together. This is not the blessing of God.

 

What are we going to do about it? It is so sad that most pastors rarely talk to young people about the responsibility of getting married and raising a family. And yet that’s what we were born to do. It is the greatest thing. It’s what makes a nation. It’s what keeps the world going. Everything else we do in life serves this purpose.

 

It is sad to see many young men without responsibility. They don’t seem capable of taking on the responsibility of marriage and then raising a family. Because that is part of the deal. If a young couple are not ready to have children, they’re not ready to get married! I think that’s why it’s not happening. Guys still like the girls. They want to be their friends. But they don’t want responsibility. They have not been trained to be men, to take responsibility, to know the purpose in life, to be ready to work hard (even do two jobs) to provide for a wife and family. We should be training our sons for this purpose from the time they are young. They haven’t got time to frit away their teenage years with video games and entertaining themselves. They are meant to be starting a business. Working hard. And even if they are computer types, still finding work to do with their hands. A man needs to know how to do some hard physical work.

 

Our daughters should be preparing for marriage. It’s a wonderful thing for a daughter to have a Hope Chest or as we called it Downunder, a Glory Box. The worst thing is to send a daughter off to one of the liberal and woke colleges of our current society. This is where they are brainwashed against marriage and family. If they’ve been at college for four years, it will take at least that time to get the lies and deceptions out of their brains and for their thinking to become straight again! Tough words Yes, but talk to girls who have come out of college or are at college and you’ll soon understand. Their thinking is opposite to the Bible.

 

Well, I could keep going on this rant, but I think it will be enough for today.

 

Many blessings,

 

Nancy Campbell

I thought I was finished with these posts about letting go foundational truths and traditions. But wow, I’ve missed one. Yes, I’ll have to write about this one too.

 

“Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the earth.” This is the FIRST command that God gave to mankind. Isn’t it amazing that the majority of Christians take no notice of God’s very first command? If they don’t want to obey the first command, how will they obey any other commands?

 

Many don’t obey it because of ignorance (so many “bible believers” don’t know what the Bible says). Others do not obey it because they don’t want to obey it. They believe in their own form of Christianity. They believe in the glorious gospel of the kingdom and receiving the redeeming love of Jesus who died for them and paid the price for their sin. That’s wonderful. But they don’t want to go along with His plan for their lives.

 

They don’t even know the full sentence of the first command. Because when God spoke those words, He didn’t stop mid-sentence but continued: “subdue and take dominion.” These words are a divine decree. They are a progressive and eternal principle.

 

The people who multiply and fill the earth are those who will take dominion over the earth. It’s as simple as that. And we see this happening in the world. We see how the United Kingdom and Europe are being conquered by Islam. Not by guns and swords but by immigration Jihad. By immigrating to a country and then being fruitful and multiplying. It doesn’t take too many years for their many children to become of age to vote. They fill the nation with their people and take over the cities one by one. I read about a mayor in a city of England that can’t even speak English!

 

They are trying to do it here in USA. How is that we now have an Islamic mayor in the largest city of our nation? And while all this is happening, what is the Christian church doing? Stopping children! Two’s enough! Diminishing! Limiting their families. Living for themselves while the heathen take over their country before their very eyes!

 

Another thing people forget is that before God spoke the first words from His mouth to mankind to be fruitful, He first BLESSED the couple. Fruitfulness is God’s blessing. Children are a blessing. They are our delight and joy. But the devil who hates life and wants to distort God’s plan for families uses humanists and atheists to fill the minds of our young people with lies. They are constantly fed lies in the college of our nation that children are a hindrance to what they want to do in life.

 

The devil’s lies are the opposite to God’s truth. Getting married and starting a family is the greatest thing we can do in life. It is life. It is purpose. It is fulfilling God’s purpose. We not only bring children forth into the world and raise them to be godly young men and women who will bless this world, but we also bring forth children for eternity. Motherhood is an eternal career. It is the most eternal thing we can do on this earth. We have the privilege of populating eternity.

Without children coming forth from the womb, they can never have the privilege of enjoying the GLORY OF THE ETERNAL WORLD, which is the real world.

 

I could go on and on about this subject, but this is just a little maxim for today.

 

Be blessed,

 

Nancy Ccampbell

 

 

Painting: Time To Laugh by Liz Lemon Swindle

 

God created the male first and then from the male He brought forth the female. He then stated the words: “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife, and they shall be one flesh.”

 

A question for you? God said the man would leave his father and mother? Where were the father and mother?

 

Did you get it right? They were not there. As yet, there was no father or mother on earth. But they were in the heart of God and God proclaimed them even before we saw the realization of them. They were to be the manifestation of His character to the world.

 

It is amazing that God talked about an earthy father before He revealed Himself as the heavenly Father. We don’t read the name of God as Father until Deuteronomy 32:6 where He is revealed as the Father of Israel, the Father who created Israel, established her, and cares for her. Fatherhood and motherhood both reveal the nurturing heart of God, specifically motherhood.

 

God is not called a mother in the Bible, but we see the revelation of His nurturing heart in His name Almighty, which is El Shaddai in Hebrew. The Hebrew word for breast is “shad” and El Shaddai reveals our nurturing God, the God who is enough to satisfy our needs. God has put within every woman this God-like transcendent anointing of mothering and nurturing.

 

I believe it is paramount that we embrace our roles as God gave them. Males should be masculine, strong, courageous, providers, and protectors. We as female should embrace with all our hearts our womanliness, our wombness, and our femaleness. That’s how God made us. This is how He wants us to function.

 

Why don’t women want to be who God intends them to be? We don’t accomplish anything when try to be something else. It is fruitless and vanity.

 

And it is fighting against God! Because we are created female, we will only fulfil the destiny God has for us by totally embracing our femaleness.

 

God established the roles of male and female to be distinctive and different and they dovetail perfectly together. We cancel out one another when we do not keep to our own role. I believe we should show our distinctiveness in the way we dress. Men should look like men. It is repulsive to see a man dress like a woman. And yet today women want to take the man’s role and dress like men, and we have got used to it. Now they even sit and cross their legs the way men cross their legs.

 

And so we are drifting away, each generation further and further away from God’s original pattern. It’s time to come back. Back to glorifying male in their maleness and glorifying female in their femaleness. We must either come back to God’s original design or we will keep going down the slippery downward track where Satan is leading. He hates every plan of God and purposes to destroy God’s plans.

 

Let’s resist his plans and live in our God-given glory.

 

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

Today I continue the theme of how many in our modern society are letting go necessary and godly traditions. This one is basic and very practical and yet missing in so many families today. It is the family tradition of sitting together around the table for mealtimes. We must not let this go.

 

Like many things, you must hold on to it tightly. The pressures and busyness of life can crowd in upon us, but we must not be moved. We must hold it fast.

 

Revelation 2:25 says: “That which ye have already, hold fast till I come.”

 

Revelation 3:11 says: “Hold fast that which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.”

 

This is not a man-made tradition. It is a biblical ritual. When God gives His plan of family life in Psalm 128:3 He shows the family all siting around the table.

 

“Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house, your children like olive plants ALL AROUND YOUR TABLE.”

 

The table is a gathering place. In fact it’s the easiest place to gather your children because you have food. Everyone wants food! Especially if it looks attractive and smells wonderful. It’s a place to bind as a family. To discuss and dialogue together. It’s the best place to have your Bible reading and prayer at the end of the meal while you are all still together. It’s a place where you feed your family body, soul, and spirit.

 

I know there are many challenges as you train your little ones to sit at the table. It takes training for children to SIT at the table, but you train them little by little. Don’t give up.

 

You also face challenges as your children grow older and get involved in many activities. This is where you must make priorities in your home to make the best things happen. Many things ae good but not always the best. You are certainly not choosing the best when the family meal table is laid aside for other things.

Keep this godly practice going in your home. Don’t let it go. Hold it fast.

 

Mother, you are the one to make it happen.

 

Love and blessings,

 

Nancy Campbell

 

P.S. I am open to your many questions on this subject.