Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs

Today is Super Tuesday, the biggest day of the 2016 presidential primary season. Voters in 13 states will determine the fate of our nation today: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Wyoming, and American Samoa.

I have been seriously fasting and praying that the candidate who is the most conservative, the most God-fearing, and who will never negotiate with his enemies by bribes, lies, or false promises will be favored by God to win the GOP nomination.

“After serious consideration and looking over a very deep and qualified field of potential candidates, I have decided to give my support, my personal endorsement if you will, to Senator Ted Cruz. Ted has been a stalwart supporter of Israel and our people. He is one of the few leaders in the U.S. government with the intestinal fortitude to call terrorism ‘terrorism’, and directly address the threat of radical Islam and a nuclear Iran. Ted has proven to be fearless in fighting against the odds when he must, something I as the leader of a tiny nation surrounded by enemies can relate to.” He concluded, “Over the last two years Ted and I have been in regular contact, we have worked closely together on policy. To say the least, he (Cruz) has been an unwavering ally; and what’s more he’s been a true friend. I would ask the American people, and the freedom loving members of the world community to join me in supporting Ted Cruz as the next U.S President.”

"I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence, and give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth" (Isaiah 62:6, 7).

We continue to asks ourselves some sober questions.

3. Does the nation of Israel have a place in our foundations? And from where do our ethics and values come?

There are people who will always cry out, “Peace, peace; when there is no peace” (Jeremiah 6:14). Many of the wealthy Jews in Europe did not believe those who told them that Hitler would try to exterminate them all if he could. They regarded those who warned of approaching danger as alarmists and doomsday extremists. Those who fled Europe by whatever means they could saved themselves, along with their families. Those who believed they would survive by continuing to stay were fed as fuel to the concentration camp oven fires and mass graves.

The main reason why we elect a new president once every four years is primarily for our own protection. However, being the rich, powerful, and blessed nation we are, with a foundation based on biblical values, we need a president who will stand with the little nation of Israel which is the cradle nation for our Judeo/Christian ethics and values.

God has blessed our so-called “Christian nation” because we have stood with Israel over the years--until this last administration. God has promised to bless those who bless Israel. God said to Abram in Genesis 12:3: “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee; and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”

We are almost the only nation in the whole world that has stood by Israel, but now much of the liberal press, the liberal government, and even the liberal church have been deceived by Palestinian propaganda.

Throughout the President Obama era Israel has been snubbed and threatened, especially the area of the West Bank, along with their amazing Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel is surrounded by nations that hate her with an unholy vengeance and they want to destroy her from off the face of the earth.

I believe God will remove our protection if we do not stand up for Israel’s protection. We must have a president at this time who will not force Israel to surrender any more of its ancient boundaries that were given by God’s divine mandate, and which they also won back as a result of being attacked. We cannot have a president who is pro-Palestinian because they hate Israel and want to completely destroy it.

Israel wants peace with is neighbors, but cannot afford to give them the strategic West Bank which makes them more vulnerable to attack from the heights of these mountains.

All the nations that once blessed Israel and have enjoyed great prosperity and peace had better not forsake her. If they do, they forsake their blessing. Sadly, many Christian nations have already become pro-Islam, pro-Palestinian, and anti-Israel and now their angelic defense is departed from them. Now they are under ISIS attack, plus many forms of spiritual attack.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

P.S. Have you check out this link? It is important to get your understanding from the Scriptures rather than the media: http://aboverubies.org/EverlastingPossession

Why are many young people and students voting for Bernie Sanders and his extreme socialist/communist policies? He believes that even Obama and Hilary Clinton are not far enough left in socialism and makes no apologies that he is an outright socialist. This reveals how far the USA, one of the most blessed countries of the world has, and still is, drifting away from our biblical, conservative foundations.

The other night I listened to Trump on Hannity where he stated that because he is a great deal-maker he would use his skills to try for a peace treaty between the Palestinians and Israel. He admitted that it would be a great challenge, even to him. “But I will give it one hell of a shot,” he said (Trump language!).

To be honest, this is one of the things that scares me most about Trump. We should all be aware of the natural disasters that have hit the United States of America every time we have forced Israel to give up the West Bank, which is THE HEARTLAND OF ISRAEL and includes part of Jerusalem. (Have you read the book, “As America has Done to Israel?” by John P. McTernan?)

Ezekiel, chapters 36 - 37 are prophetic promises to His people, Israel. (Take time to read these amazing chapters). They are God’s specific promises about the mountains and waste places of Israel which are all in the West Bank. They have all been prophetically promised to be restored and populated with God’s ancient people.

Will Trump seek to negotiate with Israel to give the West Bank back to the Palestinians, as if it always belonged to them? The Heartland of Israel is filled with the evidence of certain tribes of Israel living there. They also took it back by a miraculous war after they were attacked by Arab armies coming at them from strategic parts of the West Bank.

Israel needs these center of their land, firstly because it was given to them by God for an “everlasting possession,” and secondly, because when Israel controls the West Bank it lessens their vulnerability from enemy attack .

We must pray for our own sakes that America will not go against God’s will for ALL of Israel’s promised land. The United Sates of America is a big and powerful nation, but like banks and motor companies, is it too big to fail? I think not.

If we meddle with the foundations of little Israel we could find ourselves fighting against our God who is still the God of Israel! God can easily take America down from its pedestal. * **

We need a president who understands these biblical truths. Our own foundations have been seriously eroded under Obama. We must be prayerful and careful who we chose this time.

May God have mercy on us for we have become deceived by glamour and surface popularity. Foundations are meant to be deep and solid, not glitzy, showy, prideful, and deal-making. These things are just surface, building on the sand.

Be encouraged Colin Campbell

P.S. Check out this link:
http://aboverubies.org/EverlastingPossession

* Genesis 12:3; Psalm 129:5; Jeremiah 51:24; Ezekiel 25:7; 35:1-15; 36:1-7; 38:18-23; Joel 3:1, 2; Obadiah 15; and Zechariah 12:1-9.

** Our God is called THE GOD OF ISRAEL 203 times in our Bible, although He is also called THE GOD OF JACOB and many other similar names. If our God is not the God of Israel, we worship a different God from the Bible. And if He is the God of Israel, as He is, we had better have His understanding of Israel and the land.

The picture for this post is of vineyards growing on the Mount of Blessing, Har Brakha, on the West Bank of Israel. This area is where the Israelites first came into Israel when they came into the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 11:29-32). This picture is a fulfillment of biblical prophecy as these luscious and fruitful vineyards grow out of stones and barren dirt. Only according to the Word of the Lord which states in Ezekiel 36 that when God brings His people back to the land that these barren mountains will “shoot forth your branches, and yield your fruit to my people of Israel; for they are at hand to come”

The picture for this post is of vineyards growing on the Mount of Blessing, Har Brakha, on the West Bank of Israel. This picture is a fulfillment of biblical prophecy as these luscious and fruitful vineyards grow out of stones and barren dirt. Only according to the Word of the Lord which states in Ezekiel 36 that when God brings His people back to the land that these barren mountains will “shoot forth your branches, and yield your fruit to my people of Israel; for they are at hand to come”

No one in their right mind would build a house on the ground without a solid foundation or the storms, floods, and severe winds would quickly destroy it.

One of the first things we do when purchasing a house that has already been built is to employ a qualified building inspector to check its foundations. Even though the house may be of the finest design, expensive trimming, superb paint work, and the surroundings look like a beautiful park; if the foundations are weak, cracked, or compromised, who would be foolish enough to purchase it?

If America is to hold its stand of being a powerful and leading nation of prosperity, it will need to have leadership that God approves.

I take no pleasure in any type of negativity or judgment upon this great country. Even though I was not born in this country (although I now have American citizenship) I have been blessed to live here for the past 25 years. I have loved every minute of the freedom and liberty this nation affords, as well as the great largeness of heart that is inherent in most of the citizens of this great land.

However, honest Christians can’t help but ask ourselves some very sober questions:

1. Why is this nation losing its greatness?
One of Donald Trump’s campaign slogans is “I will make the United States of America great again.” Obviously this resonates with a lot of Christian people who realize we are already losing our greatness. But can a worldly man, who has little, if any respect for the reverential fear of God, make America great again? God always blesses godly leadership as He did when His servant David ruled over Israel.

2 Samuel 5:12 says: “And David perceived that the Lord had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel’s sake.” Is it possible for the USA to have a David in the White House?

We read of a 16 year old king called Uzziah. 2 Chronicles 26:5 says: “As long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.”

Proverbs 29:2 states: “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice, but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.”

The question is: who amongst the three leading republican contenders for the White House would be the most righteous? Trump, Cruz, or Rubio? Who would be most likely to humbly seek after God so that God would enable them to prosper? The answer is obviously Cruz or Rubio.

In 2 Chronicles 31:21 we read of the great revival in Israel under the leadership of King Hezekiah: “And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.” In 2 Kings 18: 1-7 we read that Hezekiah “Did that which was right in the sight of the LORD . . . For he cleaved to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses. And the LORD was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth.”

We read in Genesis 29:2-3 about Joseph who served in Potiphar’s house: “And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.”

Why do many Christians vote for Trump instead of righteous candidates? Why do Christians think that a worldly man who has a history of immorality, and does not believe he should ever ask God for forgiveness, could give them prosperity? It boggles my mind how fickle we can be. Is Trump a biblical example of a righteous man?

To be continued.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

The framers of our constitution were undoubtedly inspired by God. The constitution is an amazing foundation stone that has been tried and tested over 200 years with great success and prosperity. The nation began operating under this constitution on March 4, 1789.

The liberals regard our founding documents as archaic, outdated, and non-applicable to our modern times. Liberalism, socialism (with its new name of progressivism) also regard the divinely inspired Holy Scriptures as outdated and restrictive to our 21st century appetites.

However, liberalism and socialism, with all its so-called liberating and anti-God philosophies, have been tried by nations dating back to Rome and ever further to Sodom and Gomorrah, with devastating effects.

When nations cast away biblical values, they erode and destroy their prosperity and protection. USA has risen to super-power status faster than any nation in the history of the world. I believe this is because they adhered to biblical values upon which our founding fathers framed our constitution and the Bill of Rights.

It seems an insanity to me that as we race down the track towards socialism, etc that in other parts of the world, nations that have been oppressed and depressed by these same philosophies are doing their best to rid themselves of such tyranny. They cannot understand that the most blessed country in all the world looks to an ultra-socialist like Bernie Sanders to take “America the blessed” to the delusion other nations struggle to be free of.

Obama and Hillary Clinton are really not that much different to Bernie Sanders. They are all communistic, Saul Alinksy disciples. Sadly, people who have no desire to follow God are easy prey to all their promises to take from the rich and give to the lazy, good-for-nothings who do not know how to do one day of hard work.

America was built on a hard work ethic and lazy people who look for hand-outs will quickly destroy it. Real money does not grow on trees. It is rightly earned by hard-working people.

Socialists are not at all concerned for the welfare of the masses. They want revolution and power they never worked for. Socialism and communism has a long track record or repression and poverty, e.g. China, Russia, North Korea, Vietnam, East Germany, and the list goes on.

It is very important that we pray for a God-fearing president at this time. America cannot afford to be deceived again. The stakes are too high. We cannot take the risk of appointing man that has no proven track record of honoring godly values, as well as conservative principles. Not only do we need a president who seeks with all his heart to protect us from enemies without, but also enemies within. He must also be one who will nominate conservative judges to the Supreme Court.

Psalm 2:1-5 exclaims: “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.”

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Jesus said in Matthew 7:24: “Therefore 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, chapters five to seven, gives the laws and principles of Jesus Christ’s teaching in a nutshell. The Mosaic law covered most of Exodus and all of Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

Jesus said that His teachings, which covered only three chapters, are a rock solid foundation on which all His true followers are to build their lives. Added to this, He promises in Matthew 7:11 (compare Luke 11:13) good things: “How much more shall your Father which is in heaven give GOOD THINGS to them that ask him?” Luke 11:13 says that He gives the Holy Spirit to enable us to keep His teachings.

Psalm 11:3: “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?”

We must beseech God as never before, that we, and the people of this country will not be deceived.

The battle for our nation is heating up even more. Now that the Supreme Court Judge, Antonin Scalia, has passed away, it puts the conservative cause in a very precarious position. President Obama will undoubtedly seek to elect a liberal judge to take his position. This would tip the delicate balance of interpreting and making final judgment on the American supreme legal system in favor of liberalism. It would affect the very tenuous stand we already have on such important values as abortion, planned parenthood, the right to bear arms, the homosexual agenda on gay marriage, and the list goes on.

1Timothy 2:1-4 states: “I exhort therefore, that, FIRST OF ALL, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior:
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”

Some Christians think God is not interested in a nation’s politics. Therefore, they surmise that pastors and Christian leaders should not promote any particular candidate, nor should they voice their own political opinions to others in any way, shape, or form. They believe Christian leaders should keep their teaching and exhortations entirely to spiritual matters only. I personally respect these people’s opinions.

However the basis of their argument cannot be supported by Scripture. Spirituality and righteousness are required of all men, in every aspect of our lives-church attendance, our marriage, our family life, our career, the organizations we belong to, and our political persuasions.

The current GOP candidates all say they are pro-life. However, some are not totally pro-life, but compromise according to circumstances. They are happy to kill a baby in the womb because it was conceived through rape. And yet, if someone ended the life of that same person years later, they would be guilty of murder:

Ted Cruz: Opposes exceptions for rape and incest.
Marco Rubio: Opposes exceptions for rape and incest.
Ben Carson: Opposes exceptions for rape and incest.

Who should we elect to be our next president? A very important question. As a nation we stand on the brink of a very important election which will test our national discernment.

In 1 Chronicles 12:32 we read of the children of Issachar “which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.”

Luke 12:56; “Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?”

Hebrews 5:14: “Strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

Job 39:25: “He smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.”

The warhorse has heightened senses. He is warned by the smell of the battle. Even though the battle is far off he can still smell it, hear it, and taste it.

It’s high time for the true people of God to begin laughing the laugh of faith. There is such a thing as the laugh of faith and there is such a thing as the laugh of unbelief.

The warhorse that prances and charges among the trumpets is not laughing in unbelief. Absolutely not. He laughs at the utter foolishness of the enemy because he knows from whom his strength and salvation come. The Lord Sabbaoth (the God of armies) is riding on his back.

Job 39:25: “He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha.”

People may laugh, but God will always have the last laugh. Psalm 2:4 says: “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision.”

The warhorse described in Job 39 is a well-trained horse. In a proverbial sense he is like the horse that Jesus Christ, the Conqueror of conquerors rides upon in Revelation 19:11.

Are you familiar with the words of “Chariot of Fire”? The words are by Jack Hayford to the tune used in the move, “Chariots of Fire.”

I rise up to worship,
I stand to acclaim,
The King of all Glory,
Christ Jesus, His name.
I ask you Lord Jesus,
Fulfill my desire;
Please light me and make me
A Chariot of Fire

Job 39:24: “Neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet.”

Job’s warhorse has only an ear for battle. If the sound of the trumpet says, “Retreat,” he does not believe it. If the trumpet says, “Stand Down.” as at Benghazi where brave men died because they put American lives and honor before the trumpet of neutrality and indecisiveness.

These navy seals were true warhorses. They would not accept the trumpet call to stand down, even in the face of death. These men knew that whoever was blowing the trumpet to “Stand Down” was out of touch with truth and honor. To stand down when an American consulate, along with all the staff, were about to be overrun by blood thirsty terrorists could not be accepted, even if it came from the White House. It’s high time that the American warhorse be unshackled from the chains of feministic diplomacy.

Likewise, the Christian church needs to wake up and realize that if it’s going to win in the battle against the hordes of darkness, it needs to have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches (Revelation 2:17).

One thing for sure, the trumpet that sounds from Heaven does not call for its warhorses to stand down. It never has said “Stand Down” and it never will say “Stand Down.” Let’s have a thousand Amen’s to that!

We must not listen to those who stand behind polished pulpits and never challenge us towards spiritual warfare. If the church does not learn to wrestle and fight with the powers of darkness, how can we ever win?

We must be very careful who we listen to in this hour. There is something wrong if the trumpet does not call us to prayer. Or to engage in battle. Especially in this crucial hour with failing marriages, crumbling families, and all manner of advancing evil.

All evangelical leaders need to examine their trumpets at this election hour to see whether they are calling on their members to vote for a man who has used his own trumpet to the cause of righteousness or evil in his past. We must be careful not to lay hands on a man suddenly if his track record is questionable No matter how appealing he may be, if his record is dubious and clouded, stay away from his trumpet.

I do not believe we should listen to the trumpet of a billionaire who has amassed his fortunes through gambling casinos. What are these evangelical leaders thinking about? There is something very wrong with their trumpets, as well as their hearing. What foolishness.

1 Timothy 5:22 says: “Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.”

Stand up, stand up for Jesus! The trumpet call obey:
Forth to the mighty conflict, in this His glorious day;
Ye that are men now serve Him against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger, and strength to strength oppose.

Ezekiel 33:3-6 states: “When he sees the sword coming upon the land, if he blows the trumpet and warns the people, then whoever hears the sound of the trumpet and does not take warning, if the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be on his own head. He heard the sound of the trumpet, but did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But he who takes warning will save his life

“But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand.”

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell