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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.
Hebrews 5:7 “Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared.”
To say that Jesus feared His Father in Heaven is a big statement to make, especially because as the Son of God He is part of the Holy Trinity. Some may reason: why would Jesus, being God, fear God? It appears in this verse that Jesus feared Himself. Even the Jews accused Jesus of blasphemy for saying that God was His Father and making Himself equal with God (John 5:18).
However, when Jesus Christ took upon Himself human flesh, He submitted Himself to God the Father as all sons should submit themselves to their own fathers. Every son should respect his natural father, even if his father does not do things worthy of respect. We must always honor the office of fatherhood even as we honor the office of the president. God holds people accountable for their disrespect for those who have authority over them, even if those people do not do things that are worthy of respect.
David knew that God had anointed him to be king of Israel. However, even those he had several miraculous opportunities to kill Saul. he would not touch him. He left him in the hands of God. David greatly honored the anointed office of kingship.
We are living in days of great disrespect and dishonor. People, to their own peril, mouth off disrespectfully to all who are in authority. However, they will not be blessed by God for this disrespect of leadership and those over them. In this matter we must all fear God and fear respectfully all who are in authority over us.
Romans 13:1-5: “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shall have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.”
Some may say that it is more correct to say that Jesus loved His Father God, rather than feared Him However, our opening Scripture in Hebrews 5:7 plainly states the “he was heard in that he feared.”
Love can be righteous or unrighteous. For example, we are told to “Love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might” and to love thy neighbor as thyself (Deuteronomy 6:5 and Mark 12:33). But we are also told to not love the world, the flesh, and the devil (1 John 2:15-17).
We are told in Scripture many times to fear God, to be in awe, to tremble at His Word and at the same time we are told that “perfect love casteth out fear” (1 John 4:18). Even when seeking to please God we can be overcome by unrighteous fears such as the fear of man, the fear of death, destruction, and judgment. However, God’s perfect love casts out these fears.
The reason Jesus always had his prayers answered was because He feared His father. He never ever wanted to displease the One who had all authority over him. This is the true essence of fearing God—we fear to displease Him or offend Him in anyway because we love Him.
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell
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Proverbs 23:17: “Be thou in the fear of the Lord ALL THE DAY LONG.”I shared with you the promises in the psalms to those who fear the Lord. Today, we read the rest of the promises in the Bible to those who fear the Lord.
If you walk in the fear of the Lord . . .
YOU WILL BE PREPARED TO TAKE LEADERSHIP (Exodus 21, 22).
YOU WILL RECEIVE KNOWLEDGE (Proverbs 1:7 and 2:5).
YOU WILL HAVE WISDOM (Proverbs 9:10 and 15:33).
YOU WILL HAVE LONG LIFE (Deuteronomy 6:2 and Proverbs 10:27).
YOU WILL BE REWARDED (Proverbs 13:13).
YOU WILL HAVE STRONG CONFIDENCE (Proverbs 14:26).
YOUR CHILDREN WILL HAVE A PLACE OF REFUGE (Proverbs 14: 26).
YOU WILL BE A FOUNTAIN OF LIFE (Proverbs 14:27 and 19:23).
YOU WILL BE SATISFIED (Proverbs 19:23).
YOU WILL HAVE CONTINUAL PROTECTION FROM HARM (Job 1: 9, 10 and Proverbs 19:23).
YOU WILL HAVE RICHES, HONOR, AND LIFE (Proverbs 22:4).
YOU WILL BE HAPPY (Proverbs 28:14).
YOU WILL RECEIVE GOD’S MERCY (Luke 1:50).
IT WILL BE WELL WITH YOU (Ecclesiastes 8:12).
YOU WILL HATE EVIL AND DEPART FROM IT (Proverbs 8:13 and 16:6).
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell
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Hebrews 11:7: "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to thee saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith."
Noah PREPARED AN ARK TO THE SAVING OF HIS FAMILY!
This statement is a challenge for all fathers in all generations. It is important to note that when Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord, the same grace that was extended to Noah was also extended to his family of "eight souls" (1 Peter 3:20). That same grace of salvation would have been extended to others if they had believed Noah's preaching as he built the ark over the space of approximately 75 years.*
Out of all the multitudes of people living on the face of the earth, ONLY EIGHT people were saved! Noah and his wife and their three sons and wives (Genesis 7:13).
Noah prepared the ark primarily for the saving of his family. 1 Peter 3: 20 (TPT): "For during the time of Noah God patiently waited while the ark was being prepared, but only a few were brought safely through the floodwaters: a total of eight souls."
We know that there will not be another flood like Noah's flood that brought judgment on the whole known world. However, we learn from Jesus in Matthew 24:37-39 that another judgment, similar to Noah's flood (though different) will destroy all those that are not in the ark of Christ.
"But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and
drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and TOOK THEM ALL AWAY: so also shall the coming of the Son of man be."
The question is this: are we building an ark for the saving of our present-day families? It took Noah approximately 75 years to build his ark. How much time and effort are we putting in to make sure our families are safe within the ark of Jesus Christ? Over all the years our children are growing, it takes time and effort to build an ark to save them from the floods of evil that seek to drown our precious sons and daughters. And our marriages too.
. By building a strong and loving marriage we are building an ark to save our families.
. By encouraging our wives to be stay-at-home mothers to nurture and care for the children we are building an ark to save our families.
. By providing homeschooling we are building an ark to save our families.
. By gathering our family for Family Devotions each day, we are building an ark to save our families.
. By attending, with the WHOLE family, a family orientated and encouraging church we are building an ark to save our families.
. By keeping a strong watch and guarding over our children's social activities we are building an ark to save our families.
. By make sure our children's friends are also from ark-building families we are building an ark to save our families. It is staggering to note that so few were saved by Noah's ark. Only EIGHT!
Out of all those that left Egypt for the Promised Land only TWO got in-Joshua and Caleb.
Matthew 7:13, 14: "Enter ye in at the straight gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and FEW there be that find it."
Fathers, let's beware. Let's be watchful. Don't the spirit of this worl dtake you away from your highest calling of building an ark to SAVE YOUR
FAMILY!
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell
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How we thank God for His goodness. How we thank God for his mercy. It is only because of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed (Lamentations 3:22).
However, we cannot experience His goodness and mercy without first knowing the fear of God. We must learn to walk in the fear of God. This is not only Old Testament teaching, but New Testament teaching.
1 Peter 1:17 states: “And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear.” The word “fear” is “phobos” and means “terror, godly fear, reverence.”
It is very important for us fathers to teach our children the fear of the Lord. Fathers who fail to teach their children how to walk in the fear of God deprive them of God’s blessings. Churches who are afraid to speak about the fear of God rob their people of many blessings.
Deuteronomy 6:2 tells us that we PROLONG OUR LIVES when we walk in the fear of God: “That thou mighest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statues and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son, all the days of they life; and that THY DAYS MAY BE PROLONGED.”
As fathers, we must show to our children by example what it means to fear the Lord in a godly way. If we have no fear about offending our holy God, we are most unfortunate people. It is much easier to fall into sin when we have no fear of God.
The psalmists speak much of the fear of God. The following are 25 Psalm Scriptures about the rewards of fearing God.
When we walk in the fear of the Lord . . .
1. GOD WILL TEACH US HIS WAYS (Psalm 25:12).
2. GOD WILL SHOW US HIS SECRETS (Psalm 25:14).
3. GOD WILL SHOW US HIS GOODNESS (Psalm 31:19).
4. GOD’S EYE WILL BE UPON US (Psalm 33:18).
5. GOD WILL ENCAMP AROUND US (Psalm 34:7).
6. WE WILL HAVE NO WANT (Psalm 34:9).
7. GOD WILL GIVE US A BANNER (A BATTLE STANDARD) (Psalm 60:4).
8. GOD’S SALVATION WILL BE NEAR TO US (Psalm 85:9).
9. GLORY WILL DWELL IN OUR LAND (Psalm 85:9). What a wonderful promise for the nation. Oh, to have a nation of people who fear the Lord.
10. GOD WILL PROVIDE US WITH FOOD (Psalm 111:5).
11. GOD WILL BLESS FATHERS WITH MIGHTY OFFSPRING (Psalm 112:1, 2).
12. GOD WILL BE OUR HELP AND SHIELD (Psalm 115:11).
13. GOD WILL BLESS OUR FAMILY AND INCREASE US (Psalm 115:11-14).
14. GOD WILL BLESS FATHERS WITH PROVISION, PROSPERITY, AND HAPPINESS (Psalm 128:1, 2, 4).
15. GOD WILL BLESS US WITH A WIFE IN THE HEART OF THE HOME (Psalm 128:3).
16. GOD WILL BLESS US WITH MANY CHILDREN AROUND OUR TABLE (Palm 128:3).
17. GOD WILL BLESS WITH GRANDCHILDREN (Psalm 128:1, 6).
18. WE WILL SPEAK OF HIS EVERLASTING MERCIES (Psalm 118:4).
19. GOD’S WORD WILL BE ESTABLISHED, ACCOMPLISHED, AND CONFIRMED IN US (Psalm 119:38).
20. WE WILL SEEK GOOD COMPANIONS (Psalm 119:63).
21. OTHERS WHO FEAR THE LORD WILL BE GLAD TO SEE US (Psalm 119:74, 79).
22. WE WILL DELIGHT TO BLESS AND PRAISE THE LORD (Psalm 22:23; 135:20).
23. GOD WILL FULFIL OUR HEART’S DESIRE (Psalm 145: 19).
24. GOD WILL HEAR OUR CRIES AND SAVE US (Psalm 145:19).
25. GOD WILL TAKE PLEASURE IN US (Psalm 147:11).
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell
Painting by Barret - Father and Son Embrace
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Fear and grace are not biblically opposing truths.1. The true fear of God in our hearts causes us to respect and greatly honor the grace of God. The opposite is to despise the Spirit of grace.
2. The true fear of God has no conflict with the true grace of God.
3.The true fear of God in our hearts causes us to honor, respect, and seek the grace of God.
4. The true fear of God in our hearts helps us to not be light and flippant about the true grace of God.
5. The true fear of God in our hearts causes us to have a trembling hearts towards the holiness of God.
Isaiah 66:2: “To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at my word.”
6. The true fear of God in our hearts greatly assists in our repentance and godly sorrow over our sins.
7. The true fear of God in our hearts causes us to draw near to God in an appropriate way, e.g. through the blood of Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 10:19 says: “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.” Read also 2 Samuel 6:9.
8. The true fear of God in our hearts causes us to praise and worship the holiness of God.
Exodus 15:11: “Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” The Hebrew word for “fearful” is “yare” meaning “to fear, to reverence, to frighten, dreadful, terrible, fearful.”
9. The true fear of God in our hearts helps us to enter His rest which we know is only found in Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 4:1: “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.”
10. The true fear of God in our hearts causes us to have all our needs met.
Psalm 34:9: “O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.”
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell
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Proverbs 8:15-17: “By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.”
Chapter 8 of Proverbs is not only about wisdom, but couples wisdom with the fear of the Lord. True wisdom is founded in the fear of the Lord.
Proverbs 1:7: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
I wonder why the fear of the Lord is not such a strong emphasis as it used to be among Christian congregations. Divorce, fornication, immorality, homosexuality, abortion, and pornography, etc. are a few of the common sins we face in our churches today. They do not seem to shock us like they used to.
There are increasing numbers of people in main line churches who are not married and yet live together. They get up on Sunday morning and feel quite comfortable about sitting together with the rest of God’s people without any fear of God and without any solid connection that our God is a holy God who will judge His people unless they repent.
These same people are quick to condemn others who seek to bring correction to them. It has become politically correct to not judge or condemn the sin of anyone, even if they are living in serious sin such as adultery, fornication, or homosexuality.
Ananias and Sapphira dropped dead when Peter condemned them for lying about the sale proceeds of a certain piece of land. It was not just lying to man, but lying to the Holy Ghost. Read Acts 5:1-11. This resulted in GREAT FEAR coming upon all the church.
Acts 1:11,12: “And GREAT FEAR came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people.”
When the apostle Paul confronted Elymas the sorcerer who withstood Paul’s preaching, he conferred blindness upon him for a season (Acts 13:8-12). What was the result? “When the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord (v. 12).
As kingly men, we must teach our families what it really means to fear the Lord.
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell
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Proverbs 1:7: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Proverbs 8:13-15: “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the forward mouth, do I hate. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding: I have strength. By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.”
Not all wisdom is righteous. To be clever, intellectual, and a brilliant thinker can often generate self-conceit, pride, and arrogance--all which God hates.
Some of our nation’s politicians are clever and wise in their own eyes, but they do not reign in the fear of God. Prideful wisdom often seeks self-aggrandizement and loves the praises of men.
Although kings should be respected for their wisdom, they are not respected for pride. True wisdom must be guarded and controlled by the fear of God.
As Christian men who are called to be kings and priests, whatever we reign over, whether it be ourselves, our families, or our occupation in life, our wisdom must always be seasoned with humility and sincere love for what is good, wholesome, and righteous.
Wisdom that has God’s approval will always detest and resist evil.
To be continued.
Be encouraged. Colin Campbell
Picture by Colin Dye
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It is not kingly for men who have been called to be kings and priests to ignore evil. It is not kingly to tolerate wickedness and do nothing about it.
All Christians have been called to be priests and kings for the primary purpose of propagating God’s justice and righteousness in the earth. The titles of king and priest specially apply to men. The offices of kings and priests in the Old Testament were always held by men. In the New Testament the church official leadership was also selected from men. However, at times, God led Israel through a woman such as Deborah (Judges, chapters 4 and 5). There were also female prophets who gave counsel in both Old and New Testaments.
Good kings use their eyes to scatter evil.
Proverbs 20:8: “A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away evil with his eyes.”
Revelation 1:14: “His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire.”
God has ordained that all men who call themselves Christians should be like kings, even if they are servants. In every area of life, there is a right way and a wrong way to act, to conduct one’s self, and to make decisions.
Fathers should use their eyes to scatter evil. We call it a look of disapproval. I think that eyes should be the first means of discipline against wrong doing, especially in your own family. In many cases of correcting children, your disapproving eyes may be all that is needed to correct the matter.
We live in a permissive world, and like the good kings, God wants us to scatter evil by every means possible.
Good kings don’t turn a blind eye towards evil when it shows itself. Good kings will not look the other way and ignore what they see is wrong. Never! Not only will they look with disgust in their eyes, they will speak out in opposition against the evil. Not only do they speak against it, they also employ the threshing wheel to crush and separate the chaff from the grain.
Proverbs 20:26: “A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.”
The threshing wheel represents the rod of discipline or a crushing form of discipline. If the eye of disapproval does not stop evil, then we must speak out. If speaking does not stop evil, then we need the threshing wheel.
It is the solemn duty of kings to stand against all evil. As kings, yet at the same time humble servants, we must rule not only our own lives, but our families. We must also resist evil in the work place.
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell
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Today we check out the final Scriptures from Proverbs about the words that come from our mouths. These are the negative words that do no belong to kings. Make sure these words do not come from your mouth as a kingly man, who reveals the image of God to your family and those you work with.
We mold our own character with the words we speak. We mold our children’s lives with the words we speak to them. Teach your children the power of words.
This is the fourth post giving your Scriptures about our words. Don’t leave these Scriptures wasted. Not only meditate on them yourself, but gradually read them through and talk about them with your children. You could use them during your Family Bible Time you have each day.
You may like to start with positive words with your children.
CONTENTIOUS LIPS
Proverbs 18:6: “A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.”
CROOKED LIPS
Proverbs 19:1: “Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.”
FALSE LIPS
Proverbs 14:5: “A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.”
Proverbs 17:4: “A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips.” Read also Proverbs 12:17.
Proverbs 19:5, 9: ”A false witness shall not be unpunished.”
Proverbs 25:18: “A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.”
FOOLISH LIPS
Proverbs 10:14: “The mouth of the foolish is near destruction.”
Proverbs 18:7: “A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.”
DECEITFUL LIPS
Proverbs 24:28: “Deceive not with thy lips.”
FLATTERING LIPS
Proverbs 10:19: “He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.” Read also Proverbs 26:22.
GOSSIPING LIPS
Proverbs 18:8: “The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.” Repeated again in Proverbs 26:22.
HARSH LIPS
Proverbs 15:1 (ESV): “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Remember the advice to fathers in Ephesians 6:4: “Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: abut bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
HASTY LIPS
Proverbs 29:20: “Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? There is more hope of a fool than of him.”
LYING AND SLANDEROUS LIPS
Proverbs 10:18: “He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.”
Proverbs 17:4: “A liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.”
Proverbs 17:7: “Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying nips a prince.”
Proverbs 19:5, 9: “He that speaketh lies shall not escape.”
MISCHIEVOUS LIPS
Proverbs 24:2: “For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.”
PRIDEFUL LIPS
Proverbs 14:3: “In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride.”
WICKED LIPS
Proverbs 8:7: “Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.”
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell
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Proverbs is filled with exhortation about the words we speak. The following are the good words God wants us to speak from our mouths. As the king of your home, make sure your vocab is filled with these positive words.
EXCELLENT LIPS
Proverbs 8:6: “I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.”
DELIGHTFUL AND PLEASING LIPS
Proverbs 10:32 (TPT): “Words that bring delight pour from the lips of the godly.”
GENTLE LIPS
Proverbs 15:1 (HCSB): “A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.”
GUARDING LIPS
Proverbs 5:2 (NET): “That your lips may guard knowledge.”
Proverbs 6:2: “Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth.”
Proverbs 13:3: “He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.”
Proverbs 29:23: “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.” Read also Proverbs 12:13.
LIFE-GIVING WORDS
Proverbs 18:21: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
Proverbs 10:11: “The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life.” Is your mouth a well of life to your family each day?
PLEASANT LIPS
Proverbs 15:26: “The words of the pure are pleasant words.”
Proverbs 164: “Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”
RIGHTEOUS LIPS
Proverbs 8:8: “All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing forward or perverse in them.”
Proverbs 10:11: “The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life.”
Proverbs 10:20: “The tongue of the just is as choice silver.”
Proverbs 10:21: “The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.”
Proverbs 10:32: “The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh forwardness.”
Proverbs 16:13: “Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.”
Proverbs 23:16: “Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.”
SWEET LIPS
Proverbs 16:21: “The sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.”
SPARING LIPS
Proverbs 10:19: “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.”
Proverbs 17:27: “He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.”
Proverbs 17:28: “Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.”
Proverbs 27:2: “Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.”
TRUTHFUL LIPS
Proverbs 8:7: “My mouth shall speak truth.”
Proverbs 12:17: “He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness.”
WISE LIPS
Proverbs 10:13: “In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found.”
Proverbs 10:19: “He that refraineth his lips is wise.”
Proverbs 10:31: “The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom.” But the forward tongue shall be cut out.”
Proverbs 14:3: “The lips of the wise shall preserve them.”
Proverbs 15:7: “The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.”
Proverbs 16:10 (NLT): “The king speaks with divine wisdom; he must never judge unfairly.”
Proverbs 16:23: “The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.”
Proverbs 22:17, 18: “Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.” Read also Proverbs 18:4.
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell
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The following are Scriptures from the Psalms that speak of negative words. These words do not belong to men who are kings and priests unto God. These words do not belong in our families.
Let the Holy Spirit move in your heart as you read these Scriptures. Sometimes we think we are fine, but the Word pierces into the depths of our hearts.
BOASTFUL LIPS
Psalm 12:4: “Our lips are our own: who is lord over us?” Do our lips belong to us? If God is Lord of our lives, our lips belong to Him.
CUTTING LIPS
Psalm 59:1, 7: “Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me . . . Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?”
Psalm 55: 21: “The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his hear: his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.” Read also Psalm 52:2; 64:3; and 140:3.
DECEITFUL LIPS
Psalm 34:13: “Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.”
Psalm 10:7: “His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud.” Read also Psalm 36:3; 50:19; and 52:2, 4.
FLATTERING LIPS
Psalm 12:2-4: “They speak vanity every one with his neighbor: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips . . . Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?” God says that the flattering, proud, and boastful lips will all be cut off. Read also Psalm 5:9 and 78:36.
LYING LIPS
Psalm 31:18 (NET: “May lying lips be silenced—lips that speak defiantly against the innocent with arrogance and contempt!”
Psalm 52;3: “Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness.”
Read also Psalm 58:3; 62:4; 63:11; and 120:2.
MISCHIEVOUS LIPS
Psalm 9:7: “His tongue is mischief and vanity.”
Psalm 38:12: “They that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long.”
Psalm 140:9: “Let the mischief of their own lips cover them.”
POISONOUS LIPS
Psalm 140:3: “Poison is under their lips.”
PROUD LIPS
Psalm 12:3: “The tongue that speaketh proud things.” This is the speech of the ungodly.
Psalm 17:10: “With their mouth they speak proudly.” Read also Psalm 31:8; 73:8; and 75:5.
RASH LIPS
Psalm 106:33: “Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips.”
SINFUL LIPS
Psalm 59:12: “For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak.”
SLANDERING LIPS
Psalm 50:20: “Thou sittest an speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother’s son.”
Psalm 101:5: “Whoso privily slandereth his neighbor, him will I cut off.” Read also Psalm 31:13.
UNFAITHFUL LIPS
Psalm 9:2: “There is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulcher; they flatter with their tongue.”
VAIN LIPS
Psalm 12:2: “They speak vanity every one with his neighbor.” Read also Psalm 144:8, 11.
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell
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Today will look at some of the Scriptures in the Psalms which talk about our lips. Firstly, lips that belong to kingly men. As you read these Scriptures, ask God to make these qualities come forth from your lips as you live with your wife and children.ACCEPTABLE LIPS
Psalm 19:14: “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable (pleasing) in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”
COVENANT LIPS
Psalm 89: 34: “My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.”
GRACIOUS LIPS
Psalm 45:2: “Grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee forever.” As it was with Jesus, so it should be with us. (Luke 4:22).
GREATLY REJOICING LIPS
Psalm 63:5: “My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips.”
Psalm 71:23: “My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.”
HONEST LIPS
Psalm 17:1: “Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.”
PRAISING LIPS
Psalm 34:1: “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall CONTINUALLY be in my mouth.”
Psalm 40:3: “He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.”
Psalm 51:15: “O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall show forth thy praise.”
Psalm 63:3: “Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus I will bless they while I live: and I will lift up my hands in thy name.”
Psalm 71:8: “Let my mouth be FILLED with thy praise and with thy honor ALL THE DAY.”
Psalm 149:6: “Let the high praises of God be in their mouth.”
Read also Psalm 66:17; 78:3; and 145:21.
PROCLAIMING LIPS
Psalm 35: 28: “My tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise ALL THE DAY LONG.”
Psalm 71:24: “My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness ALL THE DAY LONG.”
Psalm 89:1: “I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.”
Psalm 145: 6: “I will declare thy greatness.”
Psalm 119:13: “With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.”
Psalm 119:46: “I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.”
Psalm 119:172: “My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.”
Read also Psalm 40:5; 71:15, 24; and 145:6, 11, 21.
SINGING ALOUD LIPS
Psalm 51:14: “My tongue shall sing ALOUD of thy righteousness.”
Read also Psalm 126:2.
WATCHFUL LIPS
Psalm 39:1: “I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.”
Psalm 141:3: “Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; deep the door of my lips.”
Psalm 17;3: “I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.”
Read also Psalm 15:1-3; and 34:13.
WISE LIPS
Psalm 37:30: “The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.”
Psalm 49:3: “My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of m y heart shall be of understanding.”
May God bless you. Guard the lips of your mouth that you may be a kingly man in your home.
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell
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Proverbs 16:10: “A divine sentences is in the lips of the king.”
Through the redemption provided us in Christ Jesus we have been made kings and priests (Revelation 21:5 and 5:10).
I am dividing this subject into two sections, beginning with kings. This is such an important message, especially to us men. In this subject we discover our identity as a king.
Kingship becomes us men. Men especially have been called to rule and reign. We have been called to exercise authority, not only over our own lives, but also over our families. We must also exercise leadership and authority over all principalities and powers, including sickness and disease. Whatever Jesus exercised authority over in the realm of the demonic, evil spirits, waves of the sea, healing all diseases, giving sight to the blind, raising the dead, etc., so we have been given this kingly authority.
Kingship is not only our identity in Christ, but also our calling in Christ. Jesus Christ, who inhabits our lives, is indeed a very great King. He is King of kings, and Lord of lords. This divine King not only reigns over us, but also reigns through us. This should make a huge difference to the way we speak and make decisions in our lives in comparison to the way we spoke and made decisions before we became Christians.
There should be something very kingly in the way we speak now. There should be something very divine and godly about what passes through our lips.
Next time we will look at Scriptures about our lips.
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell
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Tonight, at the weekly prayer meeting in our home we are calling for a solemn assembly.Joel 2:15 says: “Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly. Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that su ck the breasts . . . “
Sunday morning, we fell to our knees after hearing our government had passed the Omnibus bill where 500 million dollars is allocated to Planned Parenthood. We felt deeply betrayed. How could this evil happen to our country? How could our president sign a bill allowing this amount of “blood money” to go to such an evil organization? They primarily consist to murder babies in the womb of confused mothers.
It has been highly documented that Planned Parenthood harvest and sell baby parts. Recently on Fox News I heard a woman, who had been high up in the organization, tell how they stitch the baby parts back together as they get more money for the whole baby. Ironically, they call this room the Nursery.
This woman left Planned Parenthood and now has a change of heart. She mentioned that Planned Parenthood was not a facility to assist women’s needs (this is only a window dressing façade), but a facility to provide a certain quota of abortions each month or face a penalty from higher up the chain. Without a doubt, abortion is a very profitable business, but it is “blood money.” This is the cold-blooded truth. It’s plain straight insanity.
As far as I am concerned, Donald Trump could have accepted every other compromise in that bill, but not the one that gives money to the largest abortion provider in the nation.
The protection of the unborn child was one of the main reasons I voted for Donald Trump. Now it seems that crooked Hillary may just as well be president, at least on this major national sin of abortion.
God is my witness. I do pray for Donald Trump every day, and often more than once per day. I am glad he is our president. But I feel let down in this major matter.
I ask myself the question. What is the point of building a big border wall, costing billions of dollars, if at the same time we do not protect the lives of the innocent unborn babies that are within the walls and borders of our country?
Planned Parenthood is like an Auschwitz death camp that sheds the innocent blood of millions of future Americans. The most unsafe place in America today is within the womb of a confused, misdirected, or godless mother.
What is the point of our nation being great again financially, militarily, and educationally if we don’t have the moral backbone to stand up against the cold-blooded slaughter of millions of our nation’s unborn children?
We must pray that this nation, with our government, will repent of such hardness of heart towards God.
The greatness of the morals of a nation far exceeds all other greatness.
Without God’s blessing upon America, the builders labor in vain that try to rebuild it (Psalm 127:1).
We must call upon God for this matter is far too important not to address. Pray as a family. Gather friends to pray with you. Pray in your church.
I also believe that all God-fearing men and women should contact their elected officials and tell them you do not want these funds going to Planned Parenthood. Here are some links for you to do this:
Go to https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ where you can leave a message for President Trump. Encourage him to stand up for life and do something to defund Planned Parenthood.
Phone your senators. Go to:
Phone your congressmen. Go to: https://www.house.gov/representatives
If you would prefer to email, click on the name of your representative which will take you to where you can email them.
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell
3015 Hits
Luke 6:46: “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”
Does Jesus Christ truly reign in my life? Or am I still in control? Does He reign in some areas, but not in others? How much of our great King’s presence in my life do I manifest to my wife, family, church, and associates?
When we receive Jesus Christ into our lives, He forgives our sins by the cleansing power of the redeeming blood of our Savior, King Jesus Christ. When we invite Him into our hearts as a repentant sinner, He comes in to us with one primary purpose. That purpose is to reign.
Romans 10:9, 10 states: “That if thou shall confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
To confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord is to confess He is your King. If Jesus Christ is your King, then it makes sense that Jesus now has the right to rule in and over your life. He has now become Lord and King over your entire life.
As Hudson Taylor said: "Christ is either Lord of all, or He is not Lord at all."
Revelation 17:14: “He is Lord of lords, and King of kings and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.”
Considering what Jesus Christ, our heavenly King has done for us, surely, He is worthy to have total and complete control and reign over all aspects and departments of our entire lives. Sadly, the worldly-minded church still has many reservations concerning Jesus’ Lordship over every area of their lives.
There are some who decide that its okay to live intimately with a man or woman outside of marriage, have children, and still attend church on a regular basis. Some churches may accept it. However, in Hebrews 13:4 the eternal living Word states: “Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.”
The NET translation says: “Marriage must be honored among all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge sexually immoral people and adulterers.”
Therefore, we must conclude that all sex outside of marriage between a man and a woman is not acceptable to the reign of our great King of kings and Lord of lords.
Homosexual activity is not acceptable to the reign of our great King of kings and Lord of lords. This sin can and must be repented of to be forgiven. When Jesus Christ comes into a person’s life, He also brings His power to enable each person to repent and live a life under His righteous reign.
Should married couples have all the children God wants them to have? The church in general uses all the same excuses and objections as the world. However, the Bible makes it very clear that children are not to be rejected, but rather, we should let Jesus Christ reign over all the decisions concerning our reproduction. Read Psalm 127:3-5.
To be continued.
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell
3606 Hits