Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs

1 Peter 3:15 says: ”Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts and BE READY ALWAYS to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”

It’s high time to sharpen up spiritually. Watching the Republican Presidential Debate last night I could not help but be impressed with the sharpness of the Republican candidates. Not only were they sharp to answer the difficult problems the nation faces over its mammoth debt and outlandish tax laws, but also to address and respond to the liberal CBS commentators who asked questions from a liberal mindset.

The high praises of God in our mouth . . .

9b. ASSIST US TO BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT

Greece, Athens, and Corinth put much stock on worldly wisdom, brilliant minds, and excellent oratory. However, the gospel of Jesus Christ as all about Christ crucified and putting to death the flesh.

The high praises of God in our mouth . . .

9. ASSIST US TO BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT

To be filled with the Holy Spirit releases praise and worship. It is one thing to be known as a Christian family, but another thing to be known as a Holy Spirit-filled Christian family.

The high praises of God in our mouth . . .

8. MAY CAUSE US TO SHOUT
Is Heaven quiet? Revelation 14:1, 2 says: “And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Zion . . . And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne . . .”

The picture of Christ in Revelation 1:15 describes “His voice as the sound of many waters.”

If you have visited Niagara Falls on the border of USA and Canada, you cannot help but be awed, not only by the magnificence of the falls, but also by the enormous roar of the sound of many waters.

We would do well to ask ourselves: why is the church in general so quiet? Don’t we have anything to be joyful about? The enemy of our souls doesn’t mind us getting excited and shouting at a great football event where we have fleeting joy. But he wants to keep us quiet in church where we worship Jesus Christ who is the “joy of the whole earth.” Everything has to be hush-hush, sedate, and prim and proper.

The early church endured many trials and persecutions. And yet at Stephen’s death he must have been loud and excited when he exclaimed: “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord” (Acts 7:56-59). Why would they stop their ears? Obviously he was not quiet.

When Paul and Silas were thrown into prison, Acts 16:25 tells us: “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.” They did not sing quietly. All the prisoners heard them praising God.

The Old Testament saints, before the infilling of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, got excited about God. They shouted. Here are just a few examples:

When they dedicated the tabernacle in the wilderness, Leviticus 9:24 tells us: “And there came a fire out from before the Lord, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat; which when all the people saw, they SHOUTED, and fell on their faces.”

When King David brought back the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem, they brought it back “with SHOUTING, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps.”

During King Asa’s reign, he and the people of Judah made a covenant with the Lord to seek Him with all their hearts and souls. They did this with “A LOUD VOICE, and with SHOUTING, and with trumpets, and with cornets” (2 Chronicles 15:12-15).

When they laid the foundation of the temple in Ezra’s time, “They sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a GREAT SHOUT, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. . . . for the people shouted with a LOUD SHOUT, and the noise was heard afar off.”

God’s Word is full of His people SHOUTING FOR JOY (Psalms 5:11; 32:11; 35:11; 47:1; 132:9, 16; Isaiah 12:6; 42:11, 12; Jeremiah 31:7; Zephaniah 3:14; and Zechariah 9:9.)

I think we are much more likely to shout the high praises of God when we are filled with the Holy Spirit and joy. Fathers, it is important for us to pray for our families to be filled with the Holy Spirit and joy.

Acts 13:52 says: “And the disciples were FILLED WITH JOY, and WITH THE HOLY GHOST.” When we have joy, it’s almost impossible not to express it.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

The high praises of God, coupled with shouting, are like a strong wind that blows the clouds away.

The enemy of our souls continually tries to block up the main artery between our hearts and Heaven. This is how he dumbs us down, slackens our pace, blunts our sword, and dims our light. Just as certain foods cause blockage to the main arteries of our natural bodies, in the same way doubts, fears, and negative thoughts, coupled with besetting sins, block up our spiritual arteries.

The high praises of God in our mouth . . .

6a continued. RELEASE THE RIVER OF LIFE TO FLOW THROUGH US
How do the high praises release the river of life in us? The river of God, as explained by Jesus in John 7:37-39, speaks of the Holy Spirit who baptizes and fills those who believe, enabling them to become powerful and effective witnesses for Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8).

The high praises of God in our mouth . . .

6. RELEASE THE RIVER OF LIFE TO FLOW THROUGH US

Jesus cried out: “If anyone is thirsty, he should come to Me and drink!!” The first question is: how thirsty are we for Christ? It is the thirsty ones who drink of the water of life. May God create in us all, individuals and families, an ever-increasing thirst for the life giving water.

The high praises of God in our mouth . . .

5. RELEASES THE ANOINTING OF GOD’S PRESENCE

Over and over again, I notice that praise and worship precludes and promotes:

a) prophetic utterance and speaking in tongues.
b) the proclamation of God’s Word with more power and affectivity to arrest and touch the hearts and spirits of men, and
c) brings a greater sense of God’s presence.

The high praises of God in our mouth . . .

4. SCATTER THE ENEMY.

Satan does not like a high praising, Bible confessing people. The devil does all he can to dampen down our praises and limit out knowledge of every word spoken from the mouth of God.

The high praises of God in our mouth . . .

3. BRING HONOR TO GOD. Continuing No. 3.

Men, to save us from focusing on our own weaknesses, we must focus on God’s greatness. The words of the old hymn say it all:
Out of my bondage, sorrow, and night,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into Thy freedom, gladness, and light,
Jesus, I come to Thee;
Out of my sickness, into Thy health,
Out of my want and into Thy wealth,
Out of my sin and into Thyself,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of my shameful failure and loss,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into the glorious gain of Thy cross,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of earth’s sorrows into Thy balm,
Out of life’s storms and into Thy calm,
Out of distress to jubilant psalm,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of unrest and arrogant pride,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into Thy blessèd will to abide,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of myself to dwell in Thy love,
Out of despair into raptures above,
Upward for aye on wings like a dove,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of the fear and dread of the tomb,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into the joy and light of Thy throne,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of the depths of ruin untold,
Into the peace of Thy sheltering fold,
Ever Thy glorious face to behold,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

1 Samuel 17:16 states: “And the Philistine (the giant, Goliath) drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days.” Twice a day, every morning and evening for 40 days, the evil giant, Goliath came to the Israeli army to demoralize, intimidate, and put fear into their hearts. Each day the Israelis put on a show of courage to try and boost their low morale by “shouting for the battle” (verse 20), but as soon as they faced the taunting from the giant they fled and “were sore afraid” (verse 24).

David, the young shepherd boy who had already been anointed to one day replace Saul as king of Israel (1 Samuel 16:13) was indignant at the arrogance and slander of this giant towards the armies of the living God. David had not been subjected to the twice a day intimidation of the giant’s propaganda.

Instead, David lived of a life of the “high praises” of God as he played and worshipped on his harp amongst the sheep. David’s faith in God was enlarged and focused to the point where no giant, no matter how powerful, could ever intimidate him. The armies of Israel were fixed on the greatness and power of Goliath. They more they looked at him and focused on their own inability, the weaker they became.

Men, this is why morning and evening Bible and prayer time are so important for our families if we want to become like David, entirely God-focused and God-identified. Every Christian family faces giants--political, financial, sickness, misbehavior, immaturity, and weakness in both ourselves and others. Instead of allowing the enemy to intimidate us morning and evening by getting our eyes off the exceeding greatness of our God, we must make time for Family Devotions every morning and evening. We will then get our hearts and eyes on the power and glory of the great God we serve. Then, like David, we will be more than a conqueror to any giant we have to face.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

The high praises of God in our mouth . . .

3. BRING HONOR TO GOD. It pleases God and enables us to focus on His greatness.

Men, our families are surrounded by a world that has many challenges and a media that constantly floods our homes with evil and negativity that is more than we are built to absorb. No wonder many families suffer from depression and psychological disorders. Many overdose with drugs and alcohol abuse in order to escape it all. Teenage suicide is at an all time high.

The high praises of God in our mouth will . . .

1. DROWN OUT THE VOICES OF UNBELIEF AND NEGATIVITY FROM OUR FAMILIES

I am sure you have noticed that after praising God, with all stops pulled out and our hearts fully involved, for half and hour to an hour that we no longer entertain negativity and unbelief. The voices of negativity are more likely to influence you when you are dry, stressed, or give little time for praise and worship.

Men, the fight is on. Man your battle stations!

The most important foundation stone in all of Christianity is Jesus Christ Himself. Second is the praying, high praising believing families who daily seek with all their hearts to put God’s Word into action. It is a mistake to delegate all our Christian experience to what happens in our church program. The Christian faith has to be first worked out in our homes, marriages, and the daily training of our children. The church has not, in general, placed near enough importance on the home and family.

Psalm 149:7-9: “To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; To execute upon them the judgment written: this honor have all his saints. Praise ye the Lord.”

These verses show us the importance of God’s people being involved in the judgment of wicked evil kings, rulers,  and the heathen. This is primarily accomplished through praying people and families who understand they have been given this honor.

Praying families are a great avenue for the prayers of agreement which are necessary for binding and losing. Matthew 18:18-20 states: “Verily I say unto you Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

The morning and evening altars (or whatever you call it in your home--family devotions, family prayer, or family worship) are great opportunities for daily spiritual warfare.

How can we let the powers of darkness destroy so many nations and send them to hell without our putting up a fight to stop them?

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

In Psalm 149:6 the high praises of God and the two-edged sword are connected. One cannot function without the other. A high praise worshipping church needs to also have a strong proclamation of the two-edged sword of God’s Word. Conversely, a strong proclamation of God’s Word from a church or individual needs to be balanced with the high praises of God in the mouth. Otherwise God’s people become stiff and starchy. We can sing the great hymn, “This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long” out of ritual. But is it our true testimony?

“If the spiritual view of the world is the correct one, as Christianity boldly asserts that it is, then for every one of us heaven is more important than earth and eternity more important than time. If Jesus Christ is who He claimed to be; if He is what the glorious company of the apostles and the noble army of martyrs declared that He is; if the faith which the holy church throughout all the world doth acknowledge is the true faith of God, then no man has any right to dedicate his life to anything that can burn or rust or rot or die. No man has any right to give himself completely to anyone but Christ nor rot anything but prayer.”

~ A. W. Tozer

Psalm 149:5: “Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand.” We are to praise the Lord at all times. Psalm 24:1 says: “I will bless the Lord AT ALL TIMES, his praise shall CONTINUALLY be in my mouth.”

All Christian fathers should set this example before their wives and children. If we are praising the Lord at all times, how can we possibly find time to be critical, fault-finding, and grumpy? Praising God at all times is a great disposition for husbands and fathers, and for everyone, of course.

Praise and worship is a very big part of spiritual warfare. Psalm 149:5-9 says:
“Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud on their beds.
Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand;
To execute vengeance upon the heathen and punishments upon the people:
To bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron;
To execute upon them the judgment written: this honor have all his saints. Praise ye the Lord.”

Men, we desperately need people in all areas of government who fear God. If we elect a God-fearing president we are much more likely to have the ungodly members of our Supreme Court replaced by the godly. Supreme Court judges who have little or no fear of God in their lives are the reason why homosexuals have the same marriage status as one man and one woman.

Even though we have a democratic process in the election of a new president, this does not mean that God has no say or power to promote or demote according to the earnest prayers of His people. Psalm 75:6, 7 states: “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.” It is true that in most cases a country gets the leadership it deserves. However, through the repentant prayers of God-fearing people God can, and will, intervene.

Although we know it so well, we must come back to 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.”

In 2 Chronicles 33 we read of the wicked reign of King Manasseh who was disciplinedand taken to Babylon. In this place he “humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers” (2 Chronicles 33:12). God always responds to repentance and humility and he restored him back to his reign in Jerusalem. After he died, his wicked son, Amon reigned in his stead. He only reigned two years and because of his wickedness his servants slew him (2 Chronicles 33:21-25).

King Josiah reigned after Amon. Josiah was a righteous king and “he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left.” God spoke through Huldah, the prophetess that the judgment God planned against Israel would be postponed until Josiah’s reign ended (2 Chronicles 34:25-33). Why? Because God said of Josiah: “Because thine heart was tender and thou dist humble thyself before God. . . and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me.”

Our prayers of repentance, coupled with humility, at this time could enable us to have a wonderful God-fearing president who could influence the country just like King Josiah did. Oh how we need this to happen. We need a righteous president, not only to restore our economy, but much more importantly, to restore our morality by his godly influence.

Fathers, God has chosen us to be leaders. We must not abdicate our responsibilities to lead our families to pray for our nation at this crucial time. Under our current leadership this nation is failing in every moral and civil way at a very fast pace.

Humble, heartfelt crying out to God for mercy and restoration of all that which is right in the sight of God to restore what has been lost and devoured is what is needed most in our nation right now.

Do not wait any longer Time is running out.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Matthew 18:18-20 says: “Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

Regarding this Scripture passage, Norman V. William s writes: “I think Jesus had in mind the little praying families. He was looking down the vista of time at all those families that would daily gather together in prayer. That power which was promised to praying families is infinitely greater than that which any earthly potentate could ever claim. God didn’t make the course and destiny of nations and of individuals dependent on the decisions of Congresses and Parliaments, nor did He lay this power in the hands of rulers and kings; bur rather God placed it in the praying family! This is why the devil cannot ruin nations of men until he has destroyed the homes of prayer!” This is from his book, ‘How to Have a Family Altar.”

I’m back to writing another post to encourage and challenge men. Some very dear friends from New Zealand have been staying with my wife and I and I felt it owed it to them to give them my undivided attention for a few days.

Tonight is the second presidential debate. I will watch it for sure. I feel strongly to encourage Christian men and fathers to offer up earnest heartfelt prayers, that from these candidates, God’s man will be chosen for this high office.