Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs

"FOR GOD WAS WITH HIM" (Acts 10:38).

Men, in my last post, I wrote briefly about the fragrance, power, and refreshing life that accompanies the anointing of the Holy Spirit. King David knew this blessing in his life. King Saul also knew this blessing until the presence of the Lord departed from him.

David was very repentant for his sin with Bathsheba and in Psalm 51:10, 11 he earnestly prayed that God would not take His Holy Spirit from him. David highly regarded and respected the anointing that God gave to him in order to perform the duties of his calling life. In the same way, we men, and fathers, should also highly honor the anointing that God has for each one of us in order to accomplish all that God wants to do in our lives.

Acts 10:38 says:"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." During Jesus life on earth, God wanted the people to know that "GOD WAS WITH HIM."

The question is this: Does not God want this world, and of course our immediate families, to also know that God is with us, just as He was with His beloved Son?

I firmly believe that God still requires evidence that "God is with us." There are still multitudes that are oppressed of the devil, multitudes that need to be set free from all types of sickness and disease, and multitudes that are not born again by the Spirit of God. Men, we must covet the presence of God to be manifested in our lives to the point that others cannot help but recognize it. His presence should be very obvious. No one should ever have to take a microscope to see if there is any evidence of God's anointing in our lives.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Men, how sad it was for Israel to be under the leadership of king Saul after the Spirit of the Lord departed from him and an evil spirit was permitted by God to trouble him (1 Samuel 16:14). We read that the evil spirit would only depart from Saul when David (the anointed one) played his anointed music in his presence.

Saul became a hindrance and trouble to all Israel and his own household after the Lord departed from him. How difficult it must have been for Jonathon to see the way his father became so jealous and hateful to the anointed David whom Jonathan loved as his own soul (1 Samuel 18:3).

Men, our children need to know that their father is in touch with God. They need to know that their father seeks God. They need to know that he is a godly man, a man who relies on the wisdom of God. They need to know that their father prays for them. They need to see and know that God is with their father. They also need to know that he is not just a religious man who has "a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof" ( 2 Timothy 3:5).

Jesus said in Acts 1:18: "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." The anointing is something we must sincerely respect because it is all about divine enabling to fulfill whatever call to leadership God gives us. We can be ordinary fathers or we can be extraordinary fathers.

Jesus Christ was the most anointed man that ever walked this earth. Colossians 2:9, 10 says, "For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power."

In Colossians 2:3 we read: "In him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." All this wisdom is potentially ours. However, we must ask God for specific wisdom. James 1:5 says, "If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."

Some think that because we are "in Christ," there is no need for any personal appropriation of anointing. However, just as we need to seek God for wisdom, so we need to seek Him for His anointing and power to flow through us. The disciples understood this more after they experienced the anointing power of the Holy Spirit empowering them to be effective witnesses (Acts 2:4).

Oh how this nation and world needs anointed fathers who will raise up anointed sons and daughters. Natural fatherhood can only go so far. In these days of great temptations, we most certainly need more of what the early church fathers experienced.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Men, the third requirement for God's men in leadership is that they are anointed. This is important for leaders of households as well as leaders of nations and cities.

King Saul was anointed to be king (1 Samuel, chapters 9 and 10). Immediately after he was anointed, "God gave him another heart" and he also "prophesied among the prophets" (1 Samuel 10:9-12). He spoke under the direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit anointing. Even the people recognized that was miraculous utterance and divine prophesy from the mouth of God.

The world desperately needs leaders that are anointed of God to prophesy what God wants the people to hear. Father/leaders also need to know what it means to be anointed so they can speak words to their families and associates which is divinely inspired from God.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Revelation 4:11: "Thou art worthy, Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things and for thy pleasure they are and were created."

Revelation 5:12: "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing."

Revelation 22:1, 3: "And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb . . . And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him."

Men, the Scriptures do not infer that a lion is worthy to reign, nor does it mention any other creature of exalted stature or strength. Out of all God's creatures that have been created, only one could typify the worthiness of the eternal Messiah's kingly reign--the humble, innocent, submissive Lamb, slain for the sins of the world.

When it comes to leadership the proud world would never pick a lamb-like man to reign. It would not even enter into the most remotest area of man's thinking. Saul's reign had no lamb-like characteristic. David's reign was one of humble, submission towards God, and in some cases even towards his enemies, e.g. Saul (1 Samuel 24:14, 15) and 2 Samuel 16:5-1`2).

Revelation 14:4 says, "These are they that follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth." The question is: Are we followers of the sacrificial Lamb? If so, we will need to follow humility. We will need to follow submission and obedience. We will need to follow laying down our lives and daily carrying our cross. This is character of the Lamb of God.

Men, when God looks for leaders, He looks for lambs--lambs in their humility and sub mission towards God and lambs who in their fight against evil will not love their lives unto the death (Revelation 12:11).

Think about it. It was a lamb that slew Goliath, the mighty giant from the Philistines. Men, gentle lambs make the boldest lions. David came from following the sheep. He was not clothed in armor, nor was he a physical match for the fierce giant. To God, David was a lamb. To the Philistine David was a lamb.

God loves lambs for He lifts up the humble and puts down the proud.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

God's primary requirement for choosing leadership is humility.

King David, the predominant writer of the psalms, speaks a lot on the subject of humility and meekness. He was the youngest of eight sons and considered unworthy to be called to the anointing service. He was the keeper of the sheep which was a humble task amongst the tribes of Israel, even to this day.

Most likely, out on the hills with his small harp, he wrote and sang Psalm 23 which is all about God being His own personal Shepherd. From this most humble position of being a Bedouin shepherd, God chose a young man to become the most godly and honored king of Israel. His prayers, songs of worship, and teachings have brought great comfort and consolation to millions upon millions of people from every nation all over the world, and continued over countless generations.

Many of David's psalms are prophetic of the life, sufferings, and coming reign of our true Messiah, Jesus Christ, who humbled Himself more than all other men. He left the glories of heaven and came to earth to be born in a manger to parents who were also very humble. Jesus Christ did not live a life of opulence Even though He was born to be the King of Israel and the Eternal King of all the earth, He had no place of His own to lay His head. He had no transport He called His own.

God has always required that humility should be the primary characteristic of all leadership. Although David was a very humble man and refused to kill King Saul who hated him, yet he was at the same time the bravest of the brace.

Men, this is the challenge we all face. God is still requiring that all His men, in every area of leadership, should first of all be humble. This is also the requirement of fathers.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

THE HUMBLE SEEK GOD'S FACE AND PRAY
2 Chronicles 7:14: "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

THE HUMBLE LOVE TO WORSHIP
Psalm 34:1-3: "I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together."

Psalm 69:30-32: "I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs. The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God."

THE HUMBLE KNOW IT'S THE GOOD WAY TO LIVE
Micah 6:8: "He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God."

THE HUMBLE KEEP UNITY
Ephesians 4:2, 3: "With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

THE HUMBLE ESTEEM OTHERS BETTER THAN THEMSELVES
Philippians 2:3: "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."

THE HUMBLE PUT ON THEIR CLOAK OF HUMILITY EACH DAY
Colossians 3:12-15: "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another. . . "

GOD LISTENS TO THE CRY OF THE HUMBLE:
Psalm 9:12: "He forgetteth not the cry of the humble."

Psalm 10:17, 18: "Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear: to judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress."

GOD GUIDES AND TEACHES THE HUMBLE
Psalm 25:9: "The meek will he guide in judgment; and the meek will he teach his way."

GOD GIVES WISDOM TO THE HUMBLE
Proverbs 11:21: "When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom."

GOD HONORS THE HUMBLE
Psalm 138:6: "Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly."

Proverb s 15:33: "Before honor is humility."

Proverbs 18:12: "Before destruction the heart is man is haughty, and before honor is humility."

Proverbs 22:4 "By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honor, and life."

Proverbs 29:23: "A man's pride shall bring him low: but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit."

GOD LIFTS UP THE HUMBLE
Matthew 18:4: "Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

Matthew 23:12: "And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted."

James 4:10: "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.,"

1 Peter 5:6: "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time."

GOD GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE
James 4: 6: "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." (1 Peter 5:5).

GOD SAVES THE HUMBLE
Job 22:29: "He shall save the humble persons."

Psalm 34:18: "The Lord is night unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." (Psalm 76:9 and 149:4).

GOD GIVES JOY TO THE HUMBLE
Isaiah 29:19: "The meek also shall increase their joy in the Lord."

GOD DWELLS WITH THE HUMBLE
Isaiah 57:15: "For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."

GOD REVIVES THE HUMBLE
Isaiah 57:15b: "To revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."

GOD LOOKS TO THE HUMBLE
Isaiah 66:2: "But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word."

THE MEEK WILL INHERIT THE EARTH
Psalm 37:11: "The meek shall inherit the earth." (Matthew 5:5).

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Revelation 21:15: "There were great voices in heaving, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever."

Men, the leadership that God requires is so different to that of the world. The world requires a sense of pride and boastfulness, the ability to dominate and exert superiority over others. The world loves a slick, clever mind that is able to manipulate others to their own advantage. A good-looking, charismatic personality with a commanding voice is a big plus to the world's selection of good leadership. Money is another plus for the world has a lot of respect for wealth. Finance and publicity can buy a lot of votes. Education and degrees are also important for worldly leadership.

When electing leaders, godliness and Christian character is viewed negatively in Washington as in most nations of the world. This is because the whole word lies in wickedness. 1 John 5:19 (HCSB) says, "The whole world is under the sway of the evil one."

God rejected Saul because of his pride. In 1 Samuel 15:17, Samuel said to Saul: "When thou wast LITTLE IN THINE OWN SIGHT, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the Lord anointed thee king over Israel?" Samuel was referring to when they couldn't find Saul to make him king because he had hid himself, most likely because he felt unworthy (1 Samuel 10:22). What a shame that power so quickly corrupted him.

David, on the other hand, was a man of great humility and his reign is a type of the reign of Christ.

Psalm 25:9: "The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way."

Psalm 10:17, 18: "Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear: to judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress."

Psalm 34:2: "My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad."

To be continued.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Men, there is a big difference between doing the will of God out of a sense of duty and doing it out of a heart that delights to do His will. It is our duty to seek to know God's will for our lives, and having discovered that knowledge, to do it. Duty demands we do it. It is not wrong in itself. However, David not only had a sense of duty to do God's will but a heart that delighted to do it. This is what pleases our Father God.

There are those who give to the cause of Christ, and those who give CHEERFULLY to His cause. 2 Corinthians 9:7 says, "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a CHEERFUL GIVER."

We need to ask ourselves the question: As a father, am I serving the Lord as a father by leading my family out of duty? Or am I doing it cheerfully and with delight?

The words of Psalm 40:6- 8 are spoken prophetically of Jesus: "Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire: mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I DELIGHT TO DO THY WILL, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart."

It is not that our Father has no pleasure in sacrifice and offerings for Romans 12:1, 2 tells us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices. We are also told in Hebrews 13:16 (ESV): "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." However, when we drag our feet and don't show a willing heart, it gives God no pleasure. It was a drag and a bother for Saul to do the will of God completely, resulting in only partial obedience. But partial obedience is disobedience (1 Samuel 15:20-23).

David's heart was the heart was the heart God was looking for, the heart that delights to do the will of God (Psalm 40:8).

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Acts 13:22: "I have found David the son of Jesse, a man AFTER MINE OWN HEART, WHICH SHALL FULFILL ALL MY WILL." A man after God's own heart who will pass the test to be a father/leader must be a man who surrenders his own will to do the will of His heavenly Father. Whatever God wants to accomplish in and through his life is now his all consuming passion. Speaking of Jesus, John 2:17 says, "The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up."

King Saul failed the test of surrendering his own will, resulting in disobedience, which in turn cost him his kingly dynasty. Men, obedience to the will of God is paramount to our family leadership, and all types of leadership.

Jesus Christ was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8). The lamb is the symbol of submission, meekness, and innocence. Christ Jesus was obedient in all things. He became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross (Philippians 2:6-8).

Jesus Christ took all the sin of our disobedience to the cross in order that we, through application of His cross to our lives, would be able to live in victory over all disobedience on a daily basis. Without this application of the cross of Christ to our lives we will be like Saul, disobedient and unworthy to reign as fathers or in any other form of leadership.

I believe the main difference between King Saul and King David was disobedience versus obedience. Although David sinned terribly with Bathsheba, he was quick to humble himself, repent, and confess his sin before God. He begged God to not take away His Holy Spirit from him as He had done to the unrepentant Saul (Psalm 51).

Men, we will never be the leading fathers God has called us to be without fully accepting the cross of Christ to put to death our own disobedience. We men must learn what it is to walk a crucified life so that we can, by example, teach our families the true Christian faith. I say this for I believe much of what we call Christianity these days has no application of Christ's cross canceling out our own will so that we will do His will.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

When God is looking for someone to lead His people, He first looks at the heart of the man.

King Saul, the first king of Israel, failed the heart test in the early years of his reign, although he was permitted to reign for another 15 - 20 years after the Spirit of the Lord left him. King Saul's' reign was approximately 40 years and half of that was without the presence of God upon his life.

After Saul's failure, God looked for a man after His own heart. 1 Samuel 13:14: "The Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart." And then in 1 Samuel 16:12 the Bible states that when Samuel eventually found David, the youngest of Jesse's family, God said, "THIS IS HE."

The New Testament reiterates it again in Acts 13:22: "I have found David the son of Jesse, a man AFTER MINE OWN HEART, WHICH SHALL FULFILL ALL MY WILL."

God desires that all men should be leaders, whether they are leaders of nations, states, cities, churches, or families. To be honest, no man is qualified to be a leader of anything if he has not first learned to lead his family (1 Timothy 3:4, 5).

The most important requisite for all forms of leadership is for a man to have a heart like God's heart. As it was with King Saul, what a tragedy to have the presence of God leave your life. It left an opening for an evil spirit to attack him and his leadership. So it is with us if we fail to keep our hearts right with God.

To be a man after God's own heart we must desire with all our hearts to do all the will of God that He has chosen for us. This is what God requires from all leadership and this preeminently includes leaders of households.

A heart that earnestly desires to fulfill all God's will for the duration of one's life is the heart that God delights to anoint with His Holy Spirit.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

To be continued.

9. Failing to take your own responsibility

Relying on others to pass on biblical values to your family is copping out on one of the most important principles of fatherhood.

Many men will negate their own responsibilities by passing it on to their wives, or to the church with all its Sunday school land youth programs. The truth is that God has squarely placed this responsibility primarily on fathers. This is what fathering is all about.

It is better for the children in the everyday course of life to have fathers who will take the time to instruct their children as to the rights and wrongs of their own behavior, as well as the behavior of friends and associates. For example, the anger, looting, and vandalism in Ferguson, Missouri by youths who have not been raised in biblical values, gives an opportunity for fathers to share with their families about what is right and wrong and the lessons to be learned.

What do we teach our children about a young man who has just robbed a convenience store, bullied aside the owner when asked to pay for the goods, walks down the middle of the road, assaults a police officer in his car, tries to take his weapon, and then ends up getting shot to death? This has resulted in outrage and rioting by angry mobs who refuse to acknowledge that the policeman shot him in self defense. This now threatens to cause more riots in other cities and states across the nation.

Men, we can teach certain aspects of all this with our growing families and explain to them the lessons that we, as well as our nation, need to learn regarding such incidents.

There are so many teaching moments in everyday life. What a pity it is to not seize them, learn from them, and teach our children the right way.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Continuing the points:

7. Becoming impatient
Galatians 5:7 says, "Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?"
Galatians 6:9 says, " And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

Men, it is very important in a relay race to stay the course. How much more important in the relay race of life. Passing on the baton of biblical values to our children takes time. And time takes patience. Unfortunately, not many of us men are blessed with patience.

Physical maturity is one thing. Educational maturity is another. However, character that is developed through teaching biblical values is worth all the patience and endurance we can provide.

8. Failure to make the most of every opportunity to teach our children right from wrong
Every day events which take place in all of our lives provide excellent opportunities to pass on biblical values. National and international events give parents great opportunities to teach righteous values. Every day problems and trials also give us opportunities to apply the principles and laws of the kingdom of God.

Not only should we use these opportunities to instruct our children, but also to pray that God will give us His answers to solve problems. To apply the principles and laws of the Kingdom of God in this way will mature us from being carnal Christians into spiritual Christians (1 Corinthians 3:1).

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Men, I would like to list some of the reasons why the major roles of parents are at an all time low, and why these reasons affect biblical ethics and values being passed on to the next generation.

1. Parenting is not an important role in the church.
Many churches fail to take these roles seriously enough to make Fatherhood and Motherhood a vital teaching of their church agenda.

2. Insufficient emphasis.
Giving lip service to the importance of parenting or an occasional encouraging mention is not enough. The Bible has much to say on this subject from the beginning to the end.

3. Ignorance

a) Ignorance on the subject by pastors who have not been trained themselves in this subject.
b) Ignorance as to the gravity of the problem. It is the main cause for the accelerating of the drug and sex culture, even in the church.
c) Ignorance on the doctrine of parenting in the Scriptures.
d) Ignorance that causes leadership in churches to think that parenting is a natural virtue and does not need further teaching.

IGNORANCE LEAVES THE DOCTRINE OF PARENTING TO THE CULTURE OF THE DAY!

To be continued. Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Genesis 18:17-19: "And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do: . . . For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment."

Men, one of the greatest problems that we have to overcome in the relay race of passing on the baton of biblical values to the next generation is summed up in the word "endurance." Do we have the endurance to see the task completed?

We must guard against softening our stand on the principles of truth. Sometimes I see politicians and businesses stand up against corruption, resulting in much opposition. How disappointing to later see them cave in because they do not have what it takes to endure the contradiction of the opposition. Hebrews 12:3 says, "For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds."

How sad to see state after state who have opposed the homosexual agenda for years now caving in. They did not have the endurance to pass on the baton of time-tested Christian Judeo ethics and values. Their surrender has resulted in state wide moral corruption, which in turn weakens other states to follow suit. This can be said of not only the homosexual agenda, but multitudes of other moral issues.

The fatherhood role of passing on the baton of godly values has suffered incredibility in so-called Christian America and the west. Because the biblical role of fatherhood, with all its responsibilities, has not been strongly taught as a major foundation stone in nation-building for many years, it has gradually succumbed to the corrupting attacks of the evil one.

This abdication of parental values and rights has led to the state becoming the legal parents of multitudes of our children. This is sadly the position we face more and more these days. I firmly believe that the biblical roles of both father and mother need to have far more attention in the teachings of the churches.

The church at large is not teaching important doctrine. Is it because of an over emphasis on other truths at the expense of this foundational truth? Or perhaps the mindset that godly parenting just happens naturally. Whatever the reason, true biblical parenting is at an all-time low and desperately needs to be revived. Somewhere along the line, fathers have dropped the ball and the opposite spiritual team to us has picked it up and is running away with it.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Men, I firmly believe in the importance of attending some type of church service on a regular basis. Whether it is a large church or a small home church is not the point. The point is that you, along with your family, are gathering together with other Christians to worship, be encouraged, exhorted, warned, and sharpened by the anointed preaching of God's Word.

Hebrews 10:25 says, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another, and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."

We must teach our children that we are not to be an exclusive island to ourselves, but rather that we have a responsibility to fellowship and worship with others. In this way we are accountable to one another.

In Ephesians 2:4-6 Paul tells us that "God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us (made us alive) TOGETHER WITH CHRIST." But we are not only together in Christ, but together with one another. "And hath RAISED US UP TOGETHER, and made us SIT TOGETHER in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." As believers, we are together with one another in our plural togetherness in Christ Jesus. If we stay at home on our own with our children, how will they learn their responsibility to love, fellowship, and care for their fellow believers with whom they share such a blessed inheritance in Christ?

It seems a tragedy to me that having this amazing grace to be crucified, buried, raised, and seated together with Christ Jesus, yet we are still so carnal that we shun and resist our togetherness with one another here on this earth. Shame on us.

The body of Christ has many members and as with our own bodies, we need every one of them (1 Corinthians 12:12-20). How can we exhort, edify, and encourage one another when we won't even worship the Lord with one another?

The assembling of ourselves together is definitely more than having people come over to our house for fellowship. The Lord, through the apostles, set up the New Testament church with apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors/teachers. These men are also called elders, and alongside these men are deacons. The Lord has a purpose in establishing His church this way, and we had better not forsake it. If we do, we do so to our own peril.

By this means we then have assistance in passing on the baton of biblical values to the next generation. However, as fathers, we must not in any way pass our own responsibilities as fathers to the church.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Proverbs 15:18 (HSCB): "A hot-tempered man stirs up conflict, but a man slow to anger calms strife." As we raise our children, it is important for us fathers to teach them how to be peacemakers and not strife-stirrers. We do this by example of course.

Because children are immature and are susceptible to foolishness, we fathers and mothers must learn the art of being peacemakers. We all know that this is not a once in a while thing but is a ministry that has to be exercised daily. A parent who does not have their own anger under control cannot settle a dispute successfully. A firm, but at the same time, calm spirit can quickly settle the hostility between siblings.

Even strife between adults cannot be settled when one party is angry, or both parties have never been taught how to take control over anger in their spirits. Whenever we sense anger rising in ourselves, we must immediately go to prayer and seek the Lord to give us the strength to keep it in check, or we will quickly become unrighteous. What may begin righteously, if not watched closely, may soon become unrighteous, especially in the case of anger or those who do not know how to control their anger.

The most important aspect of parenting children is to teach them how to deal with their anger from an early age. Being "slow to anger" is one of God's attributes and a godly virtue of those who seek to be conformed to His image.

Our God is a God who is "ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, SLOW TO ANGER, and of great kindness" (Nehemiah 9:17).

"The Lord is merciful and gracious, SLOW TO ANGER, and plenteous in mercy" (Psalm 103:8).

"Turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, SLOW TO ANGER, and of great kindness" (Joel 2:13).

"The Lord is SLOW TO ANGER, and great in power" (Nahum 1:3).

The Word speaks to us in James 1:19, 20: "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, SLOW TO WRATH: for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God."

In the Wild West, a man was famous if he could draw his pistol like a streak of lightning, although he could shoot more accurately if he could calm himself down. However, as far as anger goes, it is better to both be slow on the draw and also keep your spirit calm at all times.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Proverbs 15:1: "A soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger."

Men, if we do not want our children to be angry with us because we have spoken hurtful and grievous words to them, we must learn how to control our own spirits. Proverbs 16:32 says, "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city." And Proverbs 19:11 (NKJB) says, "A man's discretion makes him slow to anger."

Surely, none of us fathers want to be remembered after we are dead and gone as being angry fathers. Even when the behavior of our children deserves a sharp rebuke, we must keep our own spirits under close reign. Speaking words of discipline and correction goes further to bring about the desired results when spoken with a soft and appealing tone. Anger, even righteous anger, can quickly get out of control and become unrighteous if it is not guarded carefully.

In times of strife, we must also remember that "a soft answer turns away anger." This does not mean that we should in anyway compromise the truth. But truth is received better when served with a little honey. Slamming down people's throats your hard-line opinions does little to bring about change for good.

Men, every day we are influencing our children for good or for bad. Every day we are involved with the great work of passing the baton on to the next generation. We must daily pray that we will do an excellent job of imparting biblical values to the next generation.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

I wrote in my last post about cathedralling or showcasing the truth. We also need to ask ourselves the question: why do most people visit cathedrals these days? I myself have visited many cathedrals in many countries, mainly to admire the architecture and also to see if any still have any real sense of the presence of God. I usually came away admiring the architecture only.

We endanger the truth by embellishing it with oratory and beautiful religious surroundings. Doctoral divinity degrees coupled with man made ordinations can often likewise endanger the truth. People get taken up with the showcase rather than the Word of God.

Isaiah 66:1, 2: "Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine handmade, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word."

God still asks us fathers of today the same question He asked Israel of old: "Where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?" Religious aesthetics may appeal to the spiritually carnal mind of men, but God looks for contrite and humble men who tremble at His Word, men who fear to offend Him. The showcase and the cathedral appeal to the religiously carnal nature of men, but God is not at all impressed with these things.

God is not looking for clever minds and intellects to showcase His truth. He is not looking for fancy upbeat styles, nor even the old fashioned ways. He is simply looking for men and women, fathers and mothers who are repentant (contrite) and humble and who fear His word enough to LIVE IT OUT THROUGH THEIR LIVES.

Can we admire the Word and yet not live it? Yes, we can. Can we shout the Word, quote the Word, pray the Word, and do all manner of religious activities with God's Word, but still not live it? Yes.

God is looking for people (living stones) who will live the Word. As fathers we must make certain that God's Word is alive in us and then we will be able to pass the baton on to the next generation.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell