Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs

The person lying in hospital loves you, but they really need a visit from you. In this way you return your love to them. The person confined to a wheelchair loves you, but in order to show your love to them it may require you showing some practical assistance to help them negotiate difficult circumstances.

But even in all this we are doing what is normal and expected of those who love each other. In this matter, Jesus said, “What reward have ye?” We have the rewards of knowing we did what was right to do, plus the gratefulness of the person we helped. But the biggest rewards from God are to those who, through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, show actions of love to those who literally hate them. This is what God the Father sits up and takes notice of. God has special rewards for them.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Jesus taught that God loves all men. Even though they are unclean through sin, He still loves them. If they despitefully use us or persecute us we must pray for them and come against the powers of darkness that control them.

Right now, here in our nation of USA, we are seeing almost every day police (who are seeking to do their job to protect the people of our cities) being gunned down by black men who are deceived and under the control of the powers of darkness. As Christian fathers we have an obligation to our nation, our cities, and our police force to pray that this evil will stop.

We must pray for all the black people of America that they will be delivered from the murders being committed by their own people upon themselves. Of course, black lives matter, but even more importantly, all lives matter, no matter what the color. The lives of our policemen matter also. We must pray for divine protection to be upon their lives so that they will not be afraid to do their job. The devil wants to put fear into our police force, because of concern for their own safety, so that crime will increase.

Even when we are despitefully used by people of a different color we must pray for them, right now. We must never let the enemy divide us and cause us to hate one another.

Men, please gather your families together each day to pray for our nation and against the hate which the enemy seeks to stir up amongst the races. Color is only skin deep.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

However, in order to convict, if possible, the one who is doing the evil and make them realize just how mean and unkind they are, Jesus exhorts us to repay their evil with acts of kindness. In the Christian movie, WAR ROOM which is currently playing in the theaters, the woman who was about to lose her marriage was encouraged to stop fighting with her husband and reacting with bad attitudes in response to his bad behavior. Instead, she began to pray in the closet for him and go to war against the evil powers that were controlling her husband. This paid off and her marriage was saved. Praise be to God.

I do believe that the Holy Spirit will show us when enough is enough. He will show us when it is time to take action. Yet, even when we return love for evil done to us we should remember that love is taking righteous action. Prayer is taking righteous action. In doing so we heap coals of fire upon their heads.

Romans 12:20, 21 says: “Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Every act of love is another coal of fire. Every act of kindness done in Jesus’ name is another coal of fire upon your enemy’s head. Eventually, if our enemy does not repent, God Himself will come to our aid. All the coals of fire will explode and there will be nothing left of our enemy.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Jesus said all these things belong to the children of God who do for others the same as their heavenly Father does for His enemies. All this is part of the “exceeding righteousness” (Matthew 5:20).

Men, this is the why we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit. This exceeding righteousness is far beyond the righteousness required by the law and can only be accomplished by a Spirit-filled life. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit we step out of natural righteousness into the miraculous righteousness which alone enables this to happen.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Men, when God is with us, who dare lift his finger against us? However, when an individual or nation rebels against God, He can eventually turn to become their enemy.

Isaiah 63:10 says: “But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.”

1 Samuel 12:15 states: “But if ye will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be against you, as it was against your fathers.”

I believe we are living in a time when God’s amazing grace towards this nation is being abused, taken for granted, misunderstood, and treated with disdain. To those who have never known Him, He is patient and longsuffering, not willing that any should perish. But to those who claim they know Him, and yet think they can do despite to His grace by continuing to live in sin without repenting, may be shocked to find that God is no longer for them, but against them.

When we forsake truth, we forsake God, When we forsake integrity, how can the God of integrity preserve us? Our nation has largely forsaken both truth and integrity. No wonder we as a nation are falling so fast.

Men, it is imperative that we educate our children in truth and integrity for it is for the preservation of their souls.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Not all that left Egypt truly trusted in the Lord, for there was a mixed multitude among them. Exodus 12:8 says: “And a mixed multitude went up also with them.”

Nehemiah 13:3 says: “Now it came to pass when they heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.”

Likewise, the United States was founded primarily by people who trust in God. However, there has always been a “mixed multitude” of people of other faiths, or no faith at all.

Numbers 11:4 says: “And the mixed multitude among them fell a lusting.” It appears that the mixed multitude who did not really fear or trust in God caused Israel to sin. They were most likely the people who dwelt in the “uttermost parts of the camp” (Numbers 11:1).

There were gates God wanted Israel to go through but the mixed multitude weakened their stand for truth and integrity. The same principle applies today. We must not allow the doctrines of the mixed multitudes to dilute our nation’s truth, “In God we trust.” If we as a nation allow other faiths or doctrines of the mixed multitude amongst us to dilute our integrity we will not be able to possess the gates of our enemies either.

The only way to possess the gates is to “keep the truth.” God gave Abraham promises because of his obedience. Genesis 22:16, 17 says: “Because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies.”

If we do not keep the truth, not only will we not be able to possess the gates of our enemies, but sad to say, our enemies will possess our gates. This is happening in our land even as I write. Our colleges are full of the philosophies of the mixed multitudes. Our president is very pro-Islam. Our churches are invaded with political correctness, which in itself if a bunch of lies, and anything but correct as far as God’s truth goes.

Jesus said to Peter in Matthew 16:18: “Upon this rock I will build my church: and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Integrity is soundness, completeness, and without fault.

In today’s world signatures, handshakes, and covenants or oaths are almost meaningless. If you have a smart and slick attorney you can get away with almost anything. Consequently, integrity is regarded as old fashioned and obsolete by many. Although, thank God, not all.

This last weekend I was speaking on the subject of Truth and Integrity and mentioned some examples where integrity still means a lot to us, especially in the area of safety.

How would we feel about boarding an aircraft that lacked in integrity in the landing gear or instrument panel? Coming into Phoenix on a Southwest airline we had the hardest touchdown I had ever experienced. We literally landed with a big bang. I was so glad there was integrity built into the landing gear. I was glad we landed very smoothly at Nashville. I was somewhat anxious as was the chief stewardess who voiced her concern at Phoenix and her approval at Nashville.

I believe that moral integrity is much more important than the integrity we place on our physical safety. Moral integrity provides safety for body, soul, and spirit.

To be continued.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

If Pilate only knew when he asked the question of all questions, “What is truth?" that THE TRUTH was standing right in front of Him, the One condemned to be crucified by the High Priest as well as the leaders of Israel.

The answer to Pilate’s question was confirmed to the world three days later by Jesus’ rising from the dead. Jesus had stated: “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19). He also said in Matthew 12:40: “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”

In the final analysis, the only basis for all truth is God. We can only know Him through His Son, Jesus Christ who said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). Jesus said: “Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice” (John 8:37).

What our country desperately needs to lead us are men and woman who hear Jesus’ voice. In the end, no one else, no matter how good-looking, how talented, how worldly-wise, how well-educated, or how appealing in personality can be trusted. This country and the world needs the real truth, not the counterfeit.

We parents must raise up sons and daughters who are of the truth--who seek the truth, who recognize and know the truth, who daily hear the voice of Jesus Christ who is the only truth, and who speak the truth.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

We need to check out the following regarding those who want us to vote for them:
1. Can they be trusted to do what they say they will do?
2. Are they compulsive liars?
3. What is their integrity and track record?

The last time we elected a president nobody really knew. In 2012 we still did not learn our lesson. Are we not in danger of committing the same mistake again? We are in desperate need of a president who has a solid track record of always telling the truth. Blessed is the nation that can find an honest man to lead them. Political correctness is a nice term for lying, cheating, and deceiving if the party politics do not agree with the honest truth.

We must ask ourselves. Why is it so hard to find a man of strength, courage, and power to speak the truth? If we are honest, we will realize the answer lies in our failing homes, families, churches and schools of learning.

To be continued.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

As America faces the coming election of a new president, the polls show that the citizens are fed up and sick and tired of leaders who lie through their back teeth. To them political correctness is far more important than speaking the truth. When a nation looks to elect a new president, the last thing they need is a man or woman who says all the right things but does exactly the opposite when they come into office. Lying is one of the main ingredients of corruption.

There is a famine in the land for truth speakers. We have far too many politicians in Washington who are corrupting the nation with lies. Our country is being morally weakened, on a daily basis, by leaders who have no stomach for the truth and who ostracize and criticize those who stand up against them.

What sort of parents did these liars have? What sort of church did they attend? What sort of college education did they receive? We must pray them off their thrones and vote them out once and for all. America needs people who will only speak the truth.

The world desperately needs people of truth. We will destroy ourselves quickly if this country does not quickly honor the truth, praise the truth, and love the truth. We urgently need a revival of speaking the truth and doing what we said we would do.

To be continued.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Men, the righteousness we have in Jesus Christ not only fulfils the law on our behalf, but also far exceeds the law on our behalf. The righteousness we have in Christ works in us love and reconciliation towards those who oppose us. Instead of anger and retribution reigning (often without a just cause), we discover through our abiding relationship in Christ a desire to reconcile.

In Matthew 5:22-26 we find that in Christ’s righteousness we are to actively seek an agreement with our adversary as quickly as possible, before the matter deteriorates. Despite all our faults, weaknesses, and failures, the righteousness we have in Christ is not to be seen as something separate from us. On the contrary, the Holy Spirit, actively involved within us, sanctifies us with the righteousness found in Christ Jesus.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:30: ”And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.” I don’t think Jesus actually intended people should pluck out their right eye or cut off their right hand because of heart adultery (which is the lust of the heart), but realize the absolute seriousness of appropriating the righteousness of Christ in order to deal with lust, fornication, and adultery.

The truth is that even as we actively seek to apply the righteousness of Christ to ourselves we must never plead our own righteousness for we miss the mark in so many ways.

The old hymn by Edward Mote says: “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.” I love hearing our grandchildren sing this hymn with all their hearts.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

The teaching of Jesus relating to righteousness and the law makes it very clear that man is hopelessly lost and in desperate need of a righteousness that is not self-generated. We have no righteousness of our own. 1 Corinthians 1:30 states: “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.”

The scribes and Pharisees were all about keeping the law. They prided themselves in their strict adherence to the law, even though they had all broken it one time or another. However, Jesus explains that even the letter of the law did not fully convey the depravity of sin. In the Sermon on the Mount He explained that those who thought they were righteous according to the letter of the law, e.g. the scribes and Pharisees, were hopelessly lost. Although they had not committed murder physically, they revealed the spirit of murder through anger and evil accusations against their fellowman. On the basis of this teaching we are all murderers as far as the righteousness that EXCEEDS is concerned.

The Pharisees and scribes were very strict about committing adultery, but Jesus explained to them that the sin of adultery is much deeper than the act. Jesus stated in Matthew 5:28: “But I say unto you, That whosever looketh on a woman to lust after he hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Therefore they were also guilty of adultery and needed a righteousness which EXCEEDED what they had.

To be continued.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

James 2:17: “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”

James 2:22: “Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?”

1 Peter 2:12: "Have your conversation (manner of life) honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.”

Acts 9:36: “Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.” This resulted in her being raised from death.

Acts 10:1, 2: “There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius . . . a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always . . . And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers AND THINE ALMS are come up for a memorial before God."

Men, even though this man was not born against at this time, his prayers and his GOOD WORKS came up as a memorial before God. I believe it is very important to be full of good works, firstly to our own wives and families, and secondly to our friends and strangers. Galatians 6:10 says: “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

Acts 10:38: “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who WENT ABOUT DOING GOOD, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” Jesus “went about DOING GOOD.” Most of us just “go about.”

Whatever was good, right, and appropriate for Jesus to do while here on earth should also be good, right, and appropriate for His disciples and followers to do.

Let’s pray that God will make us more observant and sensitive to the needs of others.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Ephesians 2:8-10 says: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

James 2:17, 18 teaches us that saving faith, which is a gift, results in good works: “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.” Good works are the gift of faith in action.

In a sense, good deeds themselves are wrought by the grace of God working through us. To do good works with the motivation to boast in ourselves is not acceptable to God. All Christian good deeds should only be done to bring glory to God.

Good question: do we cheat God of His glory by our failure to be full of good deeds?

To be continued.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Our Lord Jesus Christ who confessed He was, and is, the light of the world gives life to those who follow Him. John 8:12 says: “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” In Christ Jesus we have abundant life so that we can shine forth abundant light.

Jesus said in John 10:10: “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” Jesus is abundant life. Why therefore, do many Christians not experience abundant life? The answer lies in our personal relationship to Jesus Christ.

We’ve all heard the saying, “Bread is the staff of life.” We also know that Jesus Christ is the Living Bread” (John 6:35). Therefore, if we do not experience abundant life it is because we do not feast on the Living Bread. We have such small appetites for Christ. Therefore, instead of abundant life, we have stunted life. This results in weak light.

Men, we must diligently encourage the appetites of our children, as well as our own appetites first, to feast on Christ day by day.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

We thank God that the sun still rises and sets faithfully as the earth circles around it. Without the sun shining there would be no life on earth for most things require light to live. How amazing it is that even in creation God ordains divine illustrations of how we Christians should be exposed to Jesus Christ who is like the Sun of our world, remaining steadfast and unmovable, while the earth and our solar system revolves around it.

Jesus Christ is indeed the center of the Christian’s universe. How absolutely important it is to keep exposing ourselves to His life and light. We should not hold any area of our lives back from exposure to His light. Jesus’ life gives light to all those who receive it. John 1:9 states: “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”

Proverbs 20:27: “The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.” God has given to every man a spirit (candle), but only Christ can light it. The devil who masquerades as an “angel of light” cannot light the candle of man’s spirit. The devil’s light is false and paradoxically only brings darkness and deception. Hence, all other religions that do not expose themselves to the Son of God cannot be true light in order to light up the world.

If we do not not expose ourselves willingly to the life and light of Christ, we cannot be the manifested sons of God doing His good deeds.

John 3:19-21: “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Without doubt we are in a major contest between light and darkness. It seems that the light in many Christians is dim. Yet there is only one way God has ordained to scatter all spiritual darkness and that is through each one of us shining as brightly as possible.

When Jesus said: “Ye are the light of the world,” He was saying that there is no other source for the world to receive light except through us.

Jesus Himself was described as a “great light” Isaiah 9:1-2 and Matthew 14:16 state: “The people that sat in darkness have seen a GREAT light.” The disciples of Jesus Christ should also be GREAT lights.

Jesus said: “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” We should never underestimate the importance of bright, shining, light-giving Christians.

Currently, the light is focusing on “Planned Parenthood” and exposing its dark, evil practices of selling unborn babies parts through abortion. There are so many areas of darkness in our nation that need the light of each one of us Christians.

We must shine, resist, and scatter these evils of darkness.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

God definitely intends the world to be spiritually salted. The truth is that without God’s people being involved, the world cannot be salted, hence the question: “Wherewith shall it be salted?”

Men, we have to be real salt, the best salt possible. The world is intolerable to God if the salt is not fulfilling its purpose. No wonder Jesus said to the Laodicean church in Revelation 3:16: “Because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.” Jesus cannot stand luke-warmness and He cannot tolerate Christians who are ineffective in salting the earth.

As husbands and fathers, we must be more salty, in a good sense. We are to raise influential families for God and His kingdom.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Men, the truth is that if people are being healed it shows the salt is good and working its healing power. But if the people are not being healed there has to be something wrong with the salt. Everywhere Jesus went the people were healed of EVERY sickness and EVERY disease.

Everywhere God’s people go people should also be healed. The salt in Jesus healed the people and the same salt should do the same through us. It may not be only physical healing, for there are many areas where people need healing. People’s spirits and souls also need healing. In a sense, whatever the problem is, there is an answer for it in Christ. And when that answer comes there is healing. Obviously the people saw Jesus as the healer of all problems.

The question is: do they see the same anointing flowing through us? Do we bring healing to the people around us? This is why we all need to claim in an active way the same anointing of the Holy Spirit. As fathers we must teach our children to pray that the healing power of Christ is for today.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell