Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs

Psalm 57:6 says, “Behold, thou desirest truth in the inwards parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.”

Although it is important to have a mental knowledge of the truth of God’s Word, it is much more important to apply the truth deep in the heart and the spirit. David thirsted for the truth in the inward parts.

Prayer is so critically important to reading of God’s Word. For this reason we fathers must teach our children to pray/read the Scriptures. Prayer takes the Word from the intellect into the depths of the spirit. There is an intellectual thirst and there is a spiritual thirst. The intellectual thirst can be prideful, shallow, hypocritical, and without application. The spiritual thirst is more important than the intellectual. God seek worshipers who will worship Him in spirit and in truth.

Men, although it is wonderful to see our children memorizing Scripture, we must understand that these words must filter down into their hearts. It is only then that the Word of truth can bring change. Teaching our children to pray what they are reading and memorizing Scriptures causes them to thirst after truth and to be changed by the truth.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Truth establishes the right flavor in Christians. It provides a godly flavor that is well-pleasing to God. It balances grace. Truth is often viewed as the law only, which in itself is good if we keep it without failing. However, we continually break the law of God one way or another through our weakness in the flesh, we then fall under the penalty of the law which is death.

Thankfully, the law is not all there is to truth. The doctrine of mercy, forgiveness, and grace are also powerful aspects of truth. Jesus Christ was filled with the truth in both law and grace.

John 1:17 states: “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” Grace, truth without any reference to the law, quickly becomes loose, liberal and sloppy. Law, truth without the doctrine of grace, quickly becomes religious, sterile, hard, and cold.

Jesus Christ had the right flavor. He was the salt that made people desire the truth. He was the whole truth. He was THE truth (John 14:6).

Men, as we conduct our Family Devotions with our wife and family on a daily basis all through their young lives, we must make sure that we make the truth palatable. We want our children to love our family Bible and worship time.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

In the Scriptures salt represents truth and its ability to preserve nations, cities, and individuals. Salt is directly related to the purity and holiness of the Christian who seeks to apply to the truth to keep himself pure.

Purity is the opposite to decay and applying the truth halts decay, impurity, and backsliding.

As fathers, we must at all times apply the truth, first to our own lives, then to the lives of all our precious children who can so easily be led astray by not only neighbor’s children and school children, but also children in the church or even homeschool groups.

Fathers and mothers, we must never relent on giving our children daily doses of the salt of God’s Word. God’s Word alone has the power to preserve and keep our children holy and free from decay.

2 Peter 1:4: “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promise: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

Hebrews 12:14: “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

The earth can only be spiritually salted by the disciples and followers of Christ. God ordained it and there is no other way for this to happen. The Greek word for “savor” is “moraino” which means “to become insipid, to be a simpleton, become a fool, make foolish.”

As Christians we are the truth shakers and salt shakers of the earth. The question is: How salty are we? Are we spicing the earth? Are we influencing the world? Or are we insipid? If we are insipid salt and without flavor, how can we influence the world for good?

Are we speaking the truth to our fellow man regarding the Supreme Court’s wrong decision on gay marriage? What about abortion and the selling of unborn body parts? Will we continue to stand up against this evil of murder in our society?

Why should God protect our cities from ISIS, Al Qaeda, or lone wolves when we do not protect the earth against the shedding of innocent blood in abortion clinics all over the land? The reason why multitudes of evils prevail in our western nations is because the salt has pretty much lost its savor.

Thank God for those who stand up and address the evils of our society with the salt of truth. But compared to those who call themselves Christians, they are few and far between. Those who will not stand up for whatever reason, be it the fear of man, or they do not want to rock the boat, etc. would do well to take note of what Jesus said. They are “henceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

In the following Scriptures, we see how grace is manifested in our speech.

Psalm 45:2: “Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee forever.” Just as our Lord and Savior spoke with such grace, as described in this Scripture, we as His followers should always and at all times speak with graciousness.

Proverb s 10:21: “The lips of the righteous feed many.” What a blessing to feed our families and hungry souls with righteous words.

Proverbs 15:1: “A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.” We must learn to resist the feelings of the flesh and instead respond to hurtful words and deeds against us with a soft answer that ministers peace rather than strife.

Proverbs 18:21: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” If we love to slay people with our tongues, we will reap what we sow. If we love to minister life to people through loving, edifying, and encouraging words we will also reap what we sow.

Luke 4:22: “And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth.” It must have been wonderful to hear the way Jesus spoke. The people were amazed and astonished (Luke 2:47, 48). The word “amazed” is mentioned at least 13 times regarding people’s response to the ministry of Jesus.

Men, we must set this example before our wives and children for this how we teach them to speak with grace.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

What is the salt of the earth that Jesus talks about? We are the real “salt of the earth” if we allow our lives to lign up with what Jesus calls us for in this sermon. When it comes to judging true values, the salty words of Jesus must be the only judgment we can use.

We are only the salt of the earth when we live and practice what we believe. People can know the Bible through and through, but knowing it is not enough to make us the salt of the earth. We must live what we know.

Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount was the greatest saltshaker in the history of the earth, but it would have no meaning if Jesus did not practice what He preached.

Men, if we do not shake the salt first with our wives and families, we fail the cause of Christ. We husbands are saltshakers, shaking out the salt (God’s truth) everywhere we go. The world desperately needs it.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

We must give what we can, even if it is just a little. We must also teach our children to be more giving than getting. The little boy gave Jesus all his lunch, but he never went home hungry! How amazing!

To cap pit all off there were twelve baskets over. I am sure they found others along the way to give them to. Ephesians 3:20 says: “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”

Even when we have little to give in the way of money, we can still give our earnest prayers. Your prayers are invaluable. James 5:16 says: “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” God is more than able to meet every need in this entire world, but He has ordained that we should make these needs a matter of prayer. We must teach our children to pray for the great needs of the persecuted people in the world.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

The devil is not a giver and apposes giving. True Christian faith is a much more godly thing than many Christians understand. Biblical faith must be tested and tried in order to be perfected. Many Christians believe we exercise faith for the material comforts of life. But the faith Jesus teaches us to exercise is a faith that is prepared and willing to forsake all material and physical comforts if God should require, follow Him, and live our lives in a way that advances His kingdom first.

How is it possible that we who live in affluent western countries should be so taken up with creating our own wealth and physical comforts when fellow believers around the world are being tortured, persecuted, cast out, and killed for their faith in Christ? Do we not understand that by living in a free society we are blessed to be generous and give to those who are persecuted, trodden down, cast out, and deprived? If we are going to believe God for finances, we should believe for “kingdom giving” to those who are in need and greatly persecuted.

We are to follow our Savior’s example in Hebrews 2:10 who suffered in his life of giving to the point of giving His own blood.

2 Corinthians 8:9: “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Heavy persecution is where one’s life and blood is at stake. Being cast into prison and tortured for your faith in Jesus Christ is heavy persecution. When your home and possessions are taken away from you because you are a Christian and you cannot find food or shelter from the government would be heavy persecution.

Because of ISIS, Boko Haram, Al-Qaida, Hamas, Hezbollah, El Shabaab, the Muslim Brotherhood and other terrorist regimes there are more and more Christians being heavily persecuted for their faith than at any other time in the history of the world.

Communist countries continue to heavily persecute Christians, e.g. North Korea, Cuba, and China. Hindu and Buddhist countries in parts of India and Burma heavily persecute Christians. Central and Eastern Asian countries, Islamic countries, and Northern African and Middle Eastern countries are also persecuting Christians.

To be continued.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

John 7:1-13 reveals that even Jesus’ own brothers and sisters opposed him. Verse 5 says: “Neither did his brethren believe in him.” They wanted Jesus to demonstrate His miraculous power openly and to promote Himself publicly. But Jesus knew that He would be killed before His time if he conformed to the ways and opinions of man. He was led by the Spirit which His family did not understand.

Persecution can be very real even in Christian families when one member chooses to really push into God. Fathers, we must encourage our children to seek God for themselves. This requires them to get away in some quiet place, take their Bibles and read, pray, and worship. Other members of the family may cause some opposition but we must encourage our children to keep a right attitude and always repay the negative with prayer, a smile of blessing, and good deeds.

If we can’t handle the soft persecution; how will we handle the hard persecution?

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

In Matthew 28:18, 19 He says: “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations . . .” “All power in heaven and in earth” negates all walls and boundaries. No matter how strong and tall the walls or boundaries, there is more than enough authority and power in Jesus’ statement of “All power in Heaven and in earth” to break them down.

The gates of hell that are built around nations, e.g. Hindu, Buddhist, Islam, Communist, and Humanist cannot prevail against the Caleb company who dare to believe and stake their lives upon the “All power in Heaven and in earth” that is in the name of Jesus Christ.”

The early church refused to acknowledge walls and boundaries. No devils, principalities or powers held them back and they earned the right to humbly take a front seat in the Caleb company (Acts 8:4).

Paul and Silas earned the right to be part of Caleb’s company. They were called “These that have turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6).

David held a prominent seat in the Caleb company. He confessed: “For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall” (Psalm 18:29).

Where are the parents who are raising their children to take their place in the Caleb company?

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

High walls and giants discouraged them. Their human logic and reasoning told them they could not accomplish this assault on such powerful enemies. As a result it took 40 years of wandering in the wilderness for that unbelieving generation to die off before a new generation would be born who would not be intimidated by walls and giants--a generation who believed that nothing is impossible with God.

Caleb was the example and pattern of the type of people God is calling to mow down mountains. Isaiah 41:15 says: “Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff.” Through God they will break down walls (Joshua 6:29). They will wholly follow the Lord no matter what the naysayers say all around them.

Men, we must be this same example to our wives and families as Caleb was to his family and generation.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

This was indeed a humble form of transport for Jesus, the Jewish Messiah. The humble multitudes that heard His teaching and witnessed His miracles recognized who He was and spread their garments on the road and cut down branches from the trees and spread them in the way. Multitudes went before and behind saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest” (Matthew 21:9). All the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?”

There were more noble forms of transport in Jesus’ day. Perhaps a throne-type chair held aloft by several strong men, or a chariot with magnificent white horses would have appealed far more to the proud, political religious leaders. But they did not want to recognize a Messiah riding on an ass.

Men, this same Jesus Christ is still looking today for humble, meek, “donkey-type” men to ride on through the pathways, roads, and streets of this life on earth. He refuses the glamorous and prideful forms of transport.

And this is the way He brings in His peace. His kingdom consists of humble men and woman.

Come, ride on my life, Lord Jesus Christ, my King and my Master!

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Gods people are like sheep and easily led astray. Church leaders and parents who claim to be Christians must from time to time, especially at this moment which this subject is such a “hot potato,” should rise, up, stand up, and speak up.

Another reason why church leaders do not speak out against this moral perversion is that they are afraid of being branded a bigot or intolerant. They love the praises of men and want to be loved by all. They want to be popular, but the truth is not always popular. Antibiotic injections have to be given in order to save lives, even if the recipients don’t like needles being poked into them.

As parents, we must share with our children what God says about the sin of homosexuality. The state schools through Common Core are not afraid to educate the nation’s children to accept homosexuality as an alternative to heterosexual marriage. The media is fine with pushing alternative lifestyles.

However, because the world jams these immoral values into our young people’s minds, we as church leaders and parents cannot afford to hold back the truth. If we are silent because of fear of being branded bigots, homophobias or such like, woe unto us.

We must speak up now.
We must stand up now.
We must rise up now.

This is the time to educate our children with the truth of God’s Word or we will be in danger of losing them. Many have already lost their children to the deception of homosexuality because not enough people are prepared to rise up and call it what it is: homosexuality is an abomination to God and it should be to us.

Leviticus 18:22 says: “Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind: it is abomination.” This ruling comes from the Supreme Court of Heaven.

Be ready to rise up.

Colin Campbell

In the first book of the Bible, Genesis chapters 18 and 19 declare God’s hatred for homosexuality and His awesome judgment upon it.

The law of Moses prohibits and pronounces judgment against it (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; and Deuteronomy 23:17). There are 39 negative references to Sodom and Gomorrah in the Old Testament and nine in the New Testament. They all speak of judgment concerning the cities and their sin of homosexuality.

Hate speech is frowned upon concerning race and homosexuality. However, God wants to bless every race, no matter their what their skin color. Just as murder is spoken against and no one sees that as hate speech, so must parents and church leaders speak up against all moral perversion (which uses the human sex drive to do things God did not ordain or create us to do).

The homosexual agenda is now taught in more and more state schools in our nation and there are many Christians who are deeply offended by the liberal hate speech opposing biblical morals. Christians are not taught in the Bible to hate homosexuals any more than they are taught to hate abortionists or murderers. But we are to hate the sin of homosexuality and must speak against this sin. In fact, we must speak out against all that God speaks again.

In the midst of all this we must always remember that we are all sinners in some way or other and that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son to die and shed His blood for each one of us and that by repenting and turning from our sin we are saved and cleansed from every sinful and moral offence against God.

God loves sinners but He does not love or condone the sin. The supreme Court dared to rule on the behalf of what God condemns and unfortunately, and sadly, the country will suffer for their decision.

Christians cannot bow to their ruling, but only to God’s ruling.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

I cannot once escape his eyes,
Whate’er he sees me do, he tries.
Like me he says he’s going to be;
The little chap who follows me.

He thinks that I’m so very fine,
Believes in every word of mine.
The base in me he must not see;
The little chap who follows me.

I must remember as I go
Through summer’s sun and winter’s snow,
I’m building for the years to be;
The little chap who follows me.

~ Unknown

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

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

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

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

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

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

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

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

To be continued.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell