Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs

God had forgiveness in His heart when He planned our salvation from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8). However, no matter how willing God is to forgive, it can only be received and experienced by the repentant, believing heart (John 1:12 and 3:16).

As men and fathers, God does not want us to be like Shakespeare’s Macbeth, always wanting our pound of flesh. God does not want us to be severe, cold, and calculating when it comes to forgiveness and peacemaking. However, this does not mean that we should be sloppy and giving forgiveness and fellowship to adulterers and fornicators while they continue in their sin. Far be it. But we should have a fervent desire to see fellowship restored, even if it is at great cost to us.

It cost our Heavenly Father His beloved Son. How much cost are we, His followers, prepared to pay? Forgiveness is not something we as Christians should struggle to give; rather our hearts should be full of it, always desiring for the right moment to pour it out.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Some offer only conditional forgiveness based solely upon complete repentance and change. Others only forgive when the offender comes full circle and asks for it.

But our God offers for forgiveness in Christ Jesus while we were yet sinners. Romans 5:8 says: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

I am sure that the father of the prodigal son forgave his son in his heart long before the son returned home seeking forgiveness (Luke 15:11-32). Verse 20 says: “And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.” This is the type of forgiveness we fathers must have towards our own children, and others, even before they “reach home.” Even while they are still “yet a great way off.”

God’s peacemakers minister God’s forgiveness which is always generous--the best robe, a ring on the hand, shoes on the feet, and a party with music and dancing. Forgiveness is always on the lookout for those who are beginning to make their way home.

To be continued.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

In Numbers 12:3-14 we read about the dispute of Miriam and Aaron with Moses about the Ethiopian woman he married. God Himself intervenes and supports His servant, Moses by describing him with these words: “Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.” What an amazing testimony for God to give His servant Moses. This is a huge endorsement for Moses’ leadership of God’s people. Would to God that all God’s servants in parenting and leadership would exemplify this beautiful character qualification in their ministry.

Tragically, there are multitudes who have been seriously hurt and wounded by parents, pastors, and church leaders who are often so full of their own importance.

Often men are not chosen to lead others because of their meekness. All too often they are chosen for their smartness, intelligence, academia, good looks, gifts of oratory, and ability to organize. However, it is meekness that pleases God.

Meekness is patient and takes time to listen carefully. Meekness will not rush to judge. Pride vaunts up itself. Meekness does not abuse its authority.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

In order to bring peace in a relationship, it is important to speak only the truth. However, truth without the eyes and body language of love can be very destructive. One can say, “I love you,” but the words must be backed up with the eyes and facial language that support and confirm the statement. The loving touch of a hand, coupled with the loving look of the eye has power to melt the hardened heart.

Ephesians 4:15: “Speaking the truth in love, may grow up pinto him in all things. which is the head, even Christ.”

The truth should only be spoken in order to correct, encourage, to make amends, or to bring repentance. The true Christian way to bring an accusation should always be to restore, not to condemn.

When Jesus Christ came into the world, He did not come to condemn the world. John 3:17 says: “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world though him might be saved.” Although there was much in the world worthy of condemnation (and that is a big understatement), every word and action of Jesus, from the beginning of His ministry to the cross, was for the purpose of redemption. How can we who speak in His name do anything less?

It is also important to speak only the truth that is relevant to the subject and to resist the temptation to drag up things of the past that have already been dealt with.

We should remember 1 Peter 4:8: “And above all things have fervent love among yourselves: for love shall cover the multitude of sins.”

Also James 5:20: “Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

It is important to calm yourself down and take control of your angry emotions when disciplining your children. In the same way, it is just as important when dealing with your spouse, a friend, or church member, etc.

I am not saying there is not a place for righteous indignation as it was with Jesus when He cleansed the temple (John 2:15). We are also exhorted in Ephesians 4:26: “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” It is appropriate to be angry and upset over injustice and flagrant abuse of God’s grace and holiness. However, because of our fallen nature and all of its subtlety, we had better be sure that our anger is righteous anger.

Immediately after the words: “Let not the sun go down upon your wrath,” it states: “Neither give place to the devil.” If we do not quickly get our anger in check we give opportunity for the devil to make things far worse than they are.

Watch your body language--pointing the finger, screwing up your face, glaring angrily with your eyes, shouting, screaming, and yelling. None of these things belong to the children of God who are peacemakers.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

When someone is offended by a friend, family brother or sister, or church member, they often cut them off and refuse to have anything more to do with them. This is very immature and grieves the Holy Spirit who blesses those who do their best to keep the unit of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

It is wrong for offended Christians to gossip and spread their offences to others, especially if they have not made any real attempt to go to the one who caused the offence to put things right so that unity can be restored

It is wrong for offended Christians to in anyway seek to pay back evil for evil or trespass for trespass. This is also very immature and we would do well to remember that two wrongs can never make a right.

Romans 12:17, 18: “Recompense to no man evil for evil. . . If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”

Spreading slander about the one who offended you by spreading it on Twitter or Facebook is rendering evil for evil. All this type of thing is wrong and makes matters worse.

To go to someone who has wronged you takes courage and should be done as soon as possible. Many immature Christians often carry these grudges for years and this sort of behavior grieves the Holy Spirit. Refusing to talk to people or acknowledge those who have wronged you, perhaps not even intentionally, is rendering evil for evil and is not righteous behavior.

Cutting people off until they come back to you to find out what they have done wrong shows no humility. Just because someone, for the sake of restoring unity, apologizes or says “Sorry” does not always mean they are the guilty before God. It is wrong for the offended to sit back and coddle their hurts and wait for the offender, who may not know what they have done wrong, to come and repent and apologize.

Do not delay going to your brother or sister alone. The longer you wait, the more opportunity you give for sin to abound. The longer the rift or division is allowed to continue without being addressed, the harder it becomes for peacemaking.

Fathers, be responsible to practice these truths and teach them to your children.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Prayer must be fervent, not casual, ritualistic (going through the motions). James 5:16 says: "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

If both parties who are clashing would seriously go to prayer, either separately or together, most problems could be resolved without even having to have special counseling.

Isaiah 9:6, 7 says: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God The everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end." He is most worthy to be called on in troubled times. All nations and kings shall one day come and bow down at His feet and seek His counsel of peace.

In view of the fact that all the great national and international problems of the world will be resolved by His counsel and wisdom, why should we not as individuals bring all our troubled relationships to Him? Isaiah 2:4 says: "And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords and plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more."

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Jesus spoke much on the absolute importance of unity. Many families and churches are torn apart because of disunity, which seriously affects the anointing from flowing with all of its blessings.

In John 17:21 Jesus states that through the oneness and unity of His people the world will believe that God sent Christ into the world. John 17:23 tells us that maturity can only be obtained through unity.

Until we deal with jealousies, hatreds, and strife it is not possible for us to be brought to perfection. We are exhorted in Ephesians 4:3: "Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." The word "endeavor" in the Greek means "to make an effort, to be earnest, to give diligence."

We will share much more on this subject, but with the above few Scriptures alone, we can grasp the absolute importance of peacemaking.

Train your children to be godly peacemakers.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

If our society is going to have real peace there are certain conditions we have to meet. We have to pay a price for peace. What is the price? We must earnestly seek after it.

In seeking peace we find we have to change our ways. We may have to repent of certain things. We may have to consult the road map much more than we currently do. Seeking requires active searching. Just as men set their hearts to search for God, they have to prioritize their lives. Hard work and difficult challenges are just a part of the price we pay. We must earnestly endeavor to pursue peace.

God gives peace, but not without a plan or a road map.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

As to how much importance New Testament Christians should place on the Old Testament laws is briefly and simply answered in Acts 15:19-32. The apostles and elders ended their letter to the Gentile Christians with these words in verses 28 and 29: "For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well." As fathers, we will do well to make this passage of Scripture the rule for our families.

It seems to me that the commandment against fornication is largely ignored by modern day Christians, to our peril. Sexual promiscuity is not being addressed by the leaders of our churches as a primary sin of which we must repent and put away from our families and churches. Fornication is running rampart in our nation in all institutions of government, education, and media. Churches everywhere, small and large, are infected.

Fathers, we must take responsibility now, right now! Do not leave it to the church leaders to address this subject, but faithfully address it in your family. As fathers, we cannot ignore this admonition from the leaders of the early church, which also seemed good doctrine of the Holy Ghost.

Psalm 119:165: "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them."

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

The big question is: What are the things that belong to peace? Whatever these things are, we as parent should know them and teach them diligently to our children. Mankind is forever searching for peace, but all too often, we look in the wrong direction. Multitudes have followed those who have promised peace, but sadly been deceived. Multitudes are still to this day deceived by slick, smart talkers who know not the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), who alone holds the golden keys to the true principles of peace.

1. RIGHTEOUSNESS
One of the greatest prerequisites for peace is righteousness, lived out in the lives of both the individual as well as the city, state, and nation. Even righteousness itself cannot be fully known and experienced without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. Outside of Christ is self-righteousness which genders to pride and self-aggrandizement.

Righteousness in its most simple form is right living. Only God Himself, who created man knows how man can live righteously and there is only one person and one book where we can find the answer--Jesus Christ who is the greatest teacher of the Bible.

The greatest love affair with the greatest kiss is when righteousness kisses peace. This is the kiss of kisses. Peace like a river is the highest quest of mankind, but its only the truly righteous who receive this kiss of peace.

Psalm 85:10: "Mercy and truth are met together: righteousness and peace have kissed each other."

Isaiah 32:17: "And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever."

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Men, peacemaking is very much part of God's heart. Peacemaking identifies the real children of God. Jesus Christ who is the Prince of Peace said so himself. The doctrine of peace is a major subject throughout all of Scripture.

The headline breaking news on TV is anything but peace. It seems that the whole world is full of crime, bloodshed, corruption, stress, and enmity. Many of our cities are experiencing a much greater increase in murder and violence. We live in a time of ever-increasing lawlessness and police are hard pushed to know how to handle it.

Much of what is happening in our streets can be traced back to homes where children have not been taught the biblical values that make for peace. Isaiah 59:8 states: "The way of peace they know not: and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace."

This nation, like many other nations in the world, is in desperate need of God-fearing fathers and mothers who will both live and teach "the way of peace." Somehow, with all our getting of material things and cramming our heads full of all types of knowledge, we have completely missed the knowledge of the way of peace.

We know how to fight and make war. We know how to tear our families apart. We know how to criticize and beat each other up with hurtful words. And we know how to divide and split our families and churches. How can we call ourselves the children of God when we do not know how to be peacemakers?

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Psalm 24 mainly applies to the Messiah. None of us can claim that we are innocent enough to climb to the summit of the heavenly Mt. Zion. Moses was able to fulfill the call of God to climb up the earthy Mt. Sinai and see God. However, we can only climb to the top of the heavenly mountain and participate in the power, authority, and all the multiplied blessings by our being in Christ. It is in Christ that we have His "wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption" (1 Corinthians 1:30).

In order to reign in righteousness over all the circumstances we face in our lives we must stand by faith in this heavenly place we have been raised to in Christ.

It boggles the mind to try and even comprehend the enormity of God's grace that has placed us in this highly, exalted position at the Father's right hand. It is only the generation of them that seek him who will know the reality of what it means to be seated with Christ in heavenly places. The truth of this mountain top experience with Christ must be driven home to our hearts.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Moses was not content to stay the bottom of Mt. Sinai even when it was on fire with "the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumplet, and the mountain smoking." When God called him to come up, he faced the challenge and climbed up to meet with God, but the people stood afar off (Exodus 20:18-21).

There are too many Christians standing afar off. Positionally God has raised us up and seated us all together with Christ at the Father's right hand in the heavenly places. This is the mountain of mountains, the highest of all. This is the Everest of all mountains. God has not only called us up, but He has legally placed us on a throne in Christ with our name upon it. The difficulty that we face is the will, the courage, and the faith to personally position ourselves in our legal inheritance. This is the battle and this is the challenge.

Fathers, I think it would be a good exercise when your children are old enough to take them on a mountain climb. Climb it together and talk about the comparison and the lessons to be learned.

The city of God is seen from the top of the mountain. Revelation 21:10 says: "And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God."

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Psalm 24:3 asks the question: "Who shall ascend into the hill (mountain) of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?"

Although it's wonderful to view THE MOUNTAIN ONF THE LORD with all its grandeur, we must step by step climb the mountain and experience all that it has to offer. As fathers, we must encourage our wives and children in all the blessings God's mountain provides.

To be continued.

Be encouraged Colin Campbell

Psalm 24: 6 says: "This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah." Selah--pause and calmly think about that! It is the pure in heart who seek (actively desire) the face of the Lord. Matthew 5:8 reminds us that the pure in heart are blessed by seeing God.

Men, we owe it to God, our family, our friends, and ourselves that we become the generation of men and fathers who daily order our hearts to seek God with pure hearts. This is how we become mountain men.

Legally, by virtue of Christ's finished work on the cross, we are are already positionally seated with Christ in the spiritual mountain in the heavenly places. Ephesians 2:6 says that God has "raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." However, we must experientially and practically work this truth out in our lives.

This passage especially applies to God's praying people. God permitted Moses and the nobles of Israel this privilege (Exodus 24:11). God gave Peter, James, and John this privilege (Mark 9:2-7).

Men, the world we live in is desperate for "mountain men." These are men who really seek to know God, not only know about God. These are men who climb mountains with God as did Abraham. Genesis 14: 12 says: "Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom." Far too many fathers live their lives on the plain with their tents (family life) facing Sodom (the world).

Men, let us be like Abraham and climb all of God's mountains.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

The conscience is closely associated with our hearts. Hebrews 10:22 says: "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience." Hebrews 12:24 also talks about "the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things than that of Abel."

God desires pure-hearted men in order to accomplish His purposes on the earth. You cannot watch pornography or anything else that promotes lust without having your conscience defiled. The devil is flooding this world through the media and electronic devices with all types of depraved violence and lust. He does this to pollute the human heart so it cannot see God, let alone know God.

As men and fathers we must avail ourselves of the continual cleansing power of Christ's blood. We must not allow any defiling influence to defile or weaken our heart's desires toward the call of God upon our lives.

Revelation 12:11: "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death."

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell