Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs

We called to be saints. The Greek word is hagios and means, “separated ones.”

COMPROMISE NO. 2. THREE DAY GAP PRINCIPLE

Pharaoh seeks to tempt Moses to compromise the second time, but Moses stands firm and maintains the “three day gap” of separation. Exodus 8:28 says, “Moses said, We will go three days’ journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to the Lord our God, as he shall command us. And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the Lord your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very far away.”

The slave master, Pharaoh did not want the children of Israel, who were his slaves, to go too far away from Egypt. They were too valuable to him for they were building his treasure cities (Exodus 1:11). The idea of going a three day’s journey into the wilderness outside of Egypt’s borders was to Pharaoh’s mind far too far from the cities they were building (Pithom and Rameses).

It would have been at least 200 miles from these cities in the land of Goshen in Egypt to the Gulf of Aqaba, plus crossing the sea at the border and then a three day journey to Mt. Sinai in Arabia (the land of Midian) which is the true Sinai (Galatians 4:25).

Men, the prince of this world does not want us to go too far away from His influence. He wants us to build up his treasure cities on earth. Instead, we are to build up treasures in a city where the streets are paved with gold.

If we, and our Christian youth, talk like Egyptians, look like Egyptians and think like Egyptians, perhaps we really are Egyptians!

Lot lived too close to the border of Sodom and Gomorrah and even got sucked into its very gates (Genesis 13:12 and 19:1). He fell to the enemy’s compromise and lost everything!

We must still keep the “three day gap” principle today. We must not live around the border.

Be encouraged. Colin

Like Moses, Christian fathers must put a THREE DAY JOURNEY (a very noticeable gab) between their families and Egypt (which is a type of the world). Don’t forget, the enemy wants your family in his camp. Do not be so foolish as to allow it to happen.

I want to share with you the FOUR COMPROMISES that Pharaoh gave to Moses in order to keep the children of Israel in Egypt.

COMPROMISE NO. 1: SACRIFICE TO GOD IN THE LAND OF EGYPT.

Exodus 8:25 says, “And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and said, Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land.” Pharaoh is inspired by Satan to thwart the redemption of God’s chosen people which would involve leaving the land of Egypt.

Satan will always tempt us by offering compromises. This time Satan tries to keep the children of Israel serving him in Egypt, in the bondage of slavery. They could have a few days off to hold a feast of worship to their God, but then it would be back to “business as usual” or more correctly, “slavery as usual," perhaps with more hardship in order to make up for lost time. The adversary’s tactics have not changed

In order to serve God His way, He wants us to separate ourselves and our families from the lifestyles of Egypt that hold us in bondage to the world system. Many who call themselves Christians are actually still “Egyptians,” at least in their mindset.

They have not separated themselves from Egypt. They still continue to be educated by the Egyptians, entertained by the Egyptians, live like the Egyptians, dress like the Egyptians, and in many cases honor what the Egyptians honor!

Moses was concerned that if they scarified to the Lord in Egypt, they would become an “abomination” in the eyes of the Egyptians and could be stoned (Exodus 28:26). While the world would have us join them for a while, they will soon persecute us if we are uncompromising. Sacrificing families who really worship God will never be acceptable to the Egyptian world system. In fact, we will be an “abomination” to them!

Staying in Egypt (the world) and at the same time making sacrifices to our God will only offend the Egyptians and they will persecute us.

Because we do not like persecution, we are likely to compromise and stop offering sacrifices to God and our Christianity is finished. Friendship with the world is enmity with God (James 4:4).

Be encouraged. Colin

True men of God are not pushovers when it comes to compromise. When selling a car or financing the sale of a property, compromise is perfectly acceptable, but never on moral values.

I believe that one of the main reasons why western nations are daily compromising their moral values is because fathers have failed to take responsibility for their children.

How important beyond compare are the moral standards the Bible teaches. Fathers, we must stand up and take responsibility for the education of our children. We must never compromise our children’s moral values by sending them into an education system, five days a week for seven hours a day, where their moral values will be freely compromised. We must earnestly seek alternative options.

How proud parents are when their children graduate from college with honors! I wonder if it ever occurs to them how much they may have compromised the moral integrity of their children by sending them into state institutions to be educated so they could feel proud when they graduate.

Secular education does nothing to assist biblical moral values. On the contrary, it down right opposes them. There are alternative ways to get college degrees. All Christian parents should look into these options.

Moral standards are the foundation blocks of our nation and society. When the foundations are eroded, whatever is built on them will eventually fall. Psalm 11:3 says, “If the foundation be destroyed, what can the righteous do?”

Whose fault is it when our children’s morals are compromised? The state colleges or the parents who send their children to them?

Jesus said, “Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock” (Matthew 7:24).

Men, we must never compromise the rock for sand!

Be encouraged to stand against compromise. Colin

1 Samuel 3:12-13 says, “I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house; when I begin, I will also make an end. For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.”

Eli is the epitome of an over-tolerant father, a tolerance that made him an accessory to his son’s crimes and he was judged along with his sons.

Tolerance is the practice of respecting the nature, beliefs or behavior of others. In a general sense, this sounds like a good attitude to have. However, when relating to evil, tolerance becomes an accessory to crime.

Tolerance toward evil cannot be tolerated!

When we men tolerate any form of promiscuity in our personal lives or our families, we abdicate our responsibility of fatherhood. As fathers we must take moral leadership by guarding and protecting the sanctity of family life. God holds all fathers responsible in the same way He held Eli responsible.

We can easily become negatively tolerant when we do not censor what comes through our TV sets or we do not oversee what our children are hearing, watching or saying on their electronic devices. Far too many Christian fathers are far too tolerant regarding movies that encourage soft witchcraft as well as promiscuity.

In order to take over America, the progressive communistic agenda calls for the legalization of homosexuality as well as weakening the nation’s morals through pornography and all forms of immoral addictions. This agenda wants to make our country “stink”!

Fathers, we must take our stand on politically correct tolerance NOW, before it’s too late!

Be encouraged to take action. Colin

 

We are now more tolerant of sin than ever before in the history of this great nation. This is not to our credit. Even the church, to a large degree, has become far too tolerant.

Hell rejoices. Heaven weeps.

Numbers 33:55 says, “If ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land where in ye dwell. Moreover it shall come to pass, that I shall do unto you, as I thought to do unto them.” Wow! We better sit up and take notice!

Men, tolerance on the surface may appear to be a good thing, especially if we tolerate harmless behavior of others that may be of a different race or culture. We should tolerate the fact that people may dress differently, eat differently and speak with a different accent.

However, we must never tolerate anything that would be harmful to our personal and family values. We cannot tolerate that which threatens our physical health, and more importantly, that which threatens our moral and spiritual health. We cannot tolerate that which flies in the face of our nation’s constitution.

We live in a time when it is becoming increasingly difficult to speak up and stand up for the things we must not tolerate because of so-called political correctness. The truth is that what may be politically correct is so often biblically incorrect.

Men, we must teach our families that tolerance of any besetting sin or negative behavior in our own personal lives or the nation will eventually become a prick in our eyes, a thorn in our side and a vexation to us and our families. If we tolerate such sins as abortion and homosexuality, God will eventually do to us what He would do to them!

Be encouraged to stand up! Colin

RESIST COMPLACENCY

In the story of the battle of Israel with King Jabin of Canaan we read, “For the divisions of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart. Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks? …Gilead abode beyond Jordan: and why did Dan remain in ships? Asher continued on the sea shore, and abode in his breaches. Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeopardize their lives unto the death in the high places of the field” (Judges 5:15-18).

Many of the tribes of Israel did not get involved in this great battle because of complacency. Complacency is a close relative to passivity. Complacency offers lots of apparently “good” excuses for failing to get involved.

When you cut the chase, what were their real reasons? Disinterest… laziness… or not taking the matter seriously enough to take action. A complacent man will mentally agree that we should take action, but as long as it is not him.

Complacency robs us of the victory. We become over confident and do not prepare ourselves sufficiently and thus lose the battle. Complacency takes things easy by smugly thinking past victories will assure us of present victories.

Surrounded by so many enemies such as communism in our politics, deception and moral decadence in our education systems, radical Islamization of the world, marriage and family life disintegration, we cannot afford the luxury of selfish, smug complacency.

Men, we must arise and teach our families the evils of this “sit-around-do-nothing” spirit. Even though one may complain and disagree with the current evil trends, it is still complacency if we are not prepared to do something about it.

Let’s join the Phinehas company and in prayer, pick up our swords and thrust them spiritually right through the bellies of the evil ones (Numbers 25:8).

Be encouraged to act. Colin Campbell

FINISH THE RACE WELL.

1 Corinthians 9:24 says, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.”

Men, fatherhood never finishes until your life is over. We begin fathering when the children start coming. Every young father should do all he can to assist his wife during “the baby years.” It is important for the father to regularly hold his baby and do his best to relate by speaking, smiling and singing.

As a loving husband, he should take every opportunity possible to assist with the extra chores that come with each newborn. Baby bonding is extremely important.

Following the baby stage, the father should seek to be involved in every possible way with his children’s lives. As important as it is for children to learn to do chores, the father should realize that all children innately love fun. A wise father will seek to be a “fun father” with his children. It is wise for a father not to be a “sober-side,” but vice versa, not to be all fun without seriousness.

Be involved and available in every stage throughout your children’s lives, even when they are grown and married with their own children. Be a great finisher! Remember, fatherhood is not finished until you are finished!

Be encouraged. Colin.

FINISH THE TASK.

Men, I believe it is manly to not only start something, but more importantly, to finish it!

Luke 14:28-29 says, “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him.”

The Christ who lives ...within us is the “author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2. Philippians 1:6 reminds us that “Being confident of this very thing that he with hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

If Jesus Christ, our great Captain, believes in finishing things, then all I can say is that this should make a big difference in us who profess we follow Him. It means to finish what we begin.

Let’s say the tower that we began to build was our marriage. Did we not first sit down and count the cost as to whether we had what it takes to perform it and complete it until “death do us part”? It is an indictment that over 50 percent, in the church, have not had sufficient fortitude, discipline, will power, love and courage to keep building until the conclusion of life.

What about the tower of raising a family for God? Did we sit down and count the cost? Again, many Christian men, for whatever unscriptural reason, haven’t got what it takes to have more than one or two children. Even then, they leave them to day care and public schools to raise.

It’s high time to have a recap on what we need to finish.

Be encouraged. Colin.

THE DAY OF GOD’S POWER.

What a testimony it would be for Christ if Christian men were the most enthusiastic workers in the nation’s work force? I could not, in the slightest way, imagine Jesus Christ doing the work God gave Him to do with a grudging attitude.

Jesus said, “My meat is to do the will of Him who sent me, and to finish His work” (John 4:34). Jesus likens His work to sustenance. Psalm ...110:3 says, “Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power… thou hast the dew of thy youth.”

The Hebrew word for “willing” denotes spontaneity and abundance. This is the same attitude as enthusiasm. This is a Messianic Psalm and the Messiah in you and me has the dew of youthful freshness.

We do not have to wait for the millennium to let the world see how fresh, youthful and enthusiastic Christ is in us. Let today be "the day of His power" in you and me. Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell.

THE RICHES OF HUMILITY.

The miraculous is linked with humble men. Pride is an insidious subtle sin. We fail to recognize it in ourselves, although we are quick to recognize it in others.

The Christ of Christmas was born in a humble manger to humble parents in a humble city. He walked a humble walk, preached a humble message (Blessed are the meek and poor in spirit), died a humble death (crucified... between two thieves) was, and is the beloved Son of God. He came from glory and riches that our finite minds cannot possibly grasp but “became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).

He turned the world upside down, or should I say, right side up, in order to show us men that those who seek true humility are the richest of all men, but those who seek to honor and bolster pride possess the deepest poverty.

Surrounding the humble birth of Jesus we also notice how much the miraculous is linked with humility, e.g. the angelic visitations to Mary, Joseph and the shepherds, the prophetic utterances by Elisabeth, Mary, Zacharias, Simeon and Anna, the prophetess.

It is high time for us men to repent of our pride and take to ourselves the riches of humility. Perhaps then we shall see more miracles in our families, churches and community.

Happy Christmas!

Colin Campbell.

AM I HUMBLE IN GOD’S EYES?

A number of years ago I was scheduled to speak at a Christmas celebration. As I contemplated on what to say, the Lord directed my attention to the amazing humility God displayed at the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ.

As I thought on the humble circumstances and humble people God used at this climacteric event in the history of mankind, the event that would forever after ...make a radical impact upon the world, something happened to me. All I can say is that the Christmas story will never be the same for me again. I was spiritually shaken as I realized the high estimation God places on a subject on which the world places little importance—humility.

He came from Nazareth. John 1:46, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth”?

He was born in Bethlehem. Micah 5:2, “Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel.”

His earthly father was a carpenter. Matthew 13:55, “Is not this the carpenter’s son?”

His mother was of “low estate.” Luke 1:48, “For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.”

He was born in a manger because “there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7). Pride has never had room for humility and never will!

The humble shepherds were alerted to the occasion of  "Good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people” (Luke 2:8-17). God did not reveal this shattering news to the proud religious leaders.

The wise men from the East came saying, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:1-2). Where were the wise men of Israel? Too full of pride!

What a statement God made at the birth of His son. His everlasting kingdom will be forever established on the foundation of humility. The big question we must ask ourselves at this time is: am I a humble man in God’s eyes?

Be encouraged. Colin.

Genesis 39:1-6 tells us that “The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man… And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand… the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake.”

THE WIMP WORKS BY THE CLOCK. He can’t wait for break time and closing time. The real man goes the second mile. He arrives early for work and is willing to work past closing time.

If a job needs to be finished, he does it with a happy and willing spirit. He knows that He is really serving the Lord who is watching and will reward him in due season if he faints not. Wow, guys—what a testimony this would be for Christ if all believers work this way.

THE WIMP DOES NOT PUT HIS HEART INTO HIS WORK for he does not have a heart to work in the first place.

The real man gives 100 percent. When you put your heart into your work it means you put your very best effort into it. This attitude should apply to all that we do. It does not matter what we are doing, whether we like the job or not, we should be the fastest worker and the best, if for no other reason than the Lord is watching!

“And the Lord was with Joseph and he was a successful man” speaks volumes to me. A wrong attitude toward your employer or toward what has been given you to do can hinder the Lord from being with you and making you successful. It can hinder your prosperity and your employer’s prosperity.

Put your whole heart into whatever you do.

Be encouraged. Colin Campbell

FULL-TIME SERVICE.

Colossians 3:23-24 says, “Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance; for ye serve the Lord Christ.”

Real men put their whole heart into whatever they do. Doing your work heartily and unto the Lord means to work with intensity, enthusiastically, willingly and cheerfully. You do not work grudgingly and you are not easily distracted.

Men, I believe it is so important to realize that your real Employer and Rewarder is the Lord. In this respect, you are in full-time service for Christ. If you get dismissed, or laid off, it would do well to recap your service to the Lord.

Have you been working heartily? Christian men would gain a whole lot more respect from the Lord, as well as their fellowmen, if they put this Scripture into daily practice. Even if you get laid off because the business has closed down, you can be assured the Lord will soon prosper you with another job if you have been diligently applying the above Scripture.

If you feel you have failed in your work ethic, repent, and tell the Lord that if He opens up another job for you that this time your attitude towards your work will be a lot better. Ask the Lord to help you work HEARTILY for Him.

Be encouraged. Colin

ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES AND GET STUCK IN!

Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might.” Let me paraphrase this Scripture.

Whatever job or career you have, take off your coat, roll up your sleeves and get stuck in! Give it your very best shot and a bit more for good measure! Away with all this wimpiness, whether it is in the labor force, the white collar or blue collar force, the entertainment force or the church force.

A real man loathes the attitudes of lazy and slouching men who do not know how to a decent day’s work. I personally do not like to look at men who stand around when there’s work to be done. By the way, talking doesn’t get the job done!

These days, when jobs are hard to come by, why not look around for some place where they could do with some help and offer yourself free of charge? You might land yourself a good job after one week of solid, hard work! It’s better than twiddling your thumbs at home and putting a bigger burden on your wife and family because of no income coming in.

Christian men should always be the best, hard-working men on earth. They should also be the most conscientious, willing and cheerful workers.

Be encouraged. Colin Campbell.