Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs

Men, while the main burden of homeschooling weighs mainly on the mother, I believe it is very important for the father to provide every assistance possible. The father must encourage his wife daily for the effort and sacrifice she makes. This effort should not be taken for granted. As fathers, we should not fail to . . .

1. Daily show interest in what the children are learning and accomplishing.
2. Help the children to understand things they find difficult to understand.
3. Step up to the plate if any of the children have a behavioral problem or need correction. Don't leave it only to your wife.
4. Help your wife in searching for the right curriculums for your particular children.
5. Join up with a homeschool support group in your area if you feel your wife needs more encouragement.
6. Be careful about running your children to every extracurricular activity they want to be involved in. This creates a very hectic lifestyle for the mother, especially if there is a larger family.
7. Make time for your wife so she can discuss with you the things that concern her about the children's learning. And pray for her every day as she faces this great task.

I believe that all true believers should take their children out of the public education system. We still have some godly teachers who are trying to hold up the light, but on the whole, children are now being taught from a humanist/liberal base and more and more the gay agenda is being including, plus classes on Islam. Children hang out for many hours every day in the company of peers who are usually a negative influence upon their lives.

Do we have a clear purpose for their education? If so, we will want them to receive a godly education.

Last night I was talking to my daughter-in-law and asked her what was her biggest reason for homeschooling. She replied that she did not want to be robbed of the time she would miss with her children, which adds up to thousands of hours. Over the course of their life at school, children will be away from their home for about three years of their life (that's apart from college). And this in the most formative years of their life!

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Men, in my humble opinion, be it worth what it may, homeschooled children are in general more advanced in many ways than their counterparts in the state education system. Even in SAT exams it appears that in general, homeschool students do better, especially if they have been provided with a top notch curriculum. In many other important areas they are preserved from the negatives of the state system. To name a few . . .

1. FOOLISNESS AND DISTRACTIONS IN THE OVER-CROWDED CLASSROOM
This can often result in hindered and impaired learning. The smaller the student class, the easier to get attention and accomplishment,.

2. THE SUBTLE IMMERSION OF LIBERAL/HUMANISTIC AGENDA
They are taught evolution which questions the validity of the Bible and therefore questions the existence of God. The intrusion of liberal morality influences students to alternative lifestyles.

3. THE INFLUENCE OF UNGODLY TEACHERS
There are still many godly teachers in the state system, but there are also many who live lifestyles that are contradictory to the faith of the student's parents, or even the student. Even if they are excellent teachers on the subject matter, they cannot help but pass on to their students a worldly influence or ungodly impression which is counterproductive to growth in godliness.

4. THE NEGATIVE INFLUENCE OF NON-CHRISTIAN AND WORLDLY PEERS.
This becomes a stronger influence on the student than the parents. Who do you think should have the most powerful influence over your children?

5. THE INABILITY OF STATE SCHOOL CHILDREN TO RELATE TO ADULTS
This is the result of the class room "same age" mentality. As a twelve year old, Jesus spent time with the "doctors of the law, both hearing them and asking them questions" (Luke 2:42-47). As wise parents we need to encourage our children to be more involved with the wisdom of the wise and older ones.

To be continued.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

In my mind, Family Devotions is one of the most important things that parents can do for their children. As priests of our home, we men must give this matter our fullest attention. All godly values are mentioned many times all through the Scriptures and the more we acquaint ourselves and our families with these values, the better equipped we will be to face all the battles and tests of life.

I have discovered that in most Christian families there is a tremendous lack of knowledge of the Scriptures. Most Christian families who attend church regularly have a very surface knowledge of the Scriptures, usually what they have picked up by the once a week half hour pastor's sermon. This is not enough to get them through unscathed from even the minor battles and temptations of life, let alone the big ones.

David the psalmist said in Psalm 119:105: "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path," Men, without the daily instruction of God's Word, both we and our families will have very little light for our daily path. And we will have no lamp to guide our feet. The truth simply put is plain and simple. Little of God's Word means little light and we are bound to stumble without it. Daily Devotions provides the family with daily light.

How would we survive without natural light in this natural world? How can we survive without spiritual light that emanates from God's Word in the spiritual world? Obviously, the more of the God's Word we absorb into our hearts and minds, the greater our family survival will be for both worlds--natural and spiritual.

Men, we must wake up to the truth before it is too late. Many family ships are sinking at this time. There is more than enough power in God's Word to prevent this from happening.

Psalm 119:11 says, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Men, in order to pass the baton on to the next generation we must not show favoritism (respect of persons). In other words, we have an equal responsibility to all our children. Favors we do for one we must do for all.

It is not a good thing for a child to grow up believing that others in the family are more special to their parents than they are. The apostle John, who leaned on Jesus' breast at the Last Supper refers to himself four times as "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (John 13:23, 25; 26:2; and 21:20). He appears to have a special place in his relationship with Jesus. Some children, by virtue of their own personality, can also, like the apostle John, endear themselves to their parents more than other members of the family. This is not wrong.

However, wise parents will be careful not to create jealousy within their family by showing more favoritism to one more than the others. Favoritism can be manifested by disciplining others harsher than the most endearing one, by buying gifts for one more than others, or by showing more interest openly to one than the others.

As parents we must avoid as much as possible to cause offences or give any sense of rejection to any one of our children. All our children must know that we are not a respecter of persons, especially when it comes to judgment. All our children must know that they are equally loved.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

The Catholic church has stated: Give me a child for the first five years of his life and he will be mine forever." And again: "Give me a child until he is seven and I will give you the man." Unfortunately, the majority of Protestant churches have not had the same mindset, but instead have opted to commit their children to the more risky mindset of the secular state system of education.

We all know that the secular public education asks no questions of the teachers' religious beliefs or even of their moral beliefs. As a result we have allowed the most impressionable years of our children's lives to be handed over to who knows who? And to be taught who knows what? As a result we have children with a desire to serve Jesus in their hearts, but their heads are crammed full of humanism and liberalism.

These days, parents are indeed fortunate if any of their children spiritually survive the godless influence both inside and outside the classroom.

THE FOUR COMPROMISES
When Moses wanted to release the children of Israel from the Egyptian bondage Pharaoh sought to get Moses to agree to four different compromises.

1. STAY IN THE LAND (Exodus 8:25-27).
In other words, stay within the boundaries of the Egyptian system. Moses would not give in to this compromise but stated: :We will go three days' journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to the Lord our God, as he shall command us." God requires a "THREE DAY GAP."

2. STAY CLOSE TO THE BORDER ((Exodus 8:28).
Pharaoh said, "Ye shall not go very far away." The enemy wants us to stay close to his territory so we can be tempted back in again. But Moses would not give in to anything less than the "THREE DAY GAP"

3. ONLY THE MEN CAN GO (Exodus 10:8-11).
Pharaoh would not allow the whole family to go. But Moses said, "We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go." Today many parents are leaving their children in the Egyptian system. They may be Christian in spirit, but their are Egyptian in their mindset.

4. LEAVE YOUR FLOCKS AND HERDS (Exodus 10:24-26).
This would mean leaving their businesses and all their provision in Egypt. But Moses replied, "Our cattle also shall go with us; THERE SHALL NOT A HOOF BE LEFT BEHIND: for thereof must we take to serve the Lord our God."

At that time Egypt was one of the most advanced civilizations of the world and Moses could have been tempted. He had been brought up in Pharaoh's household and experienced the best education Egypt could offer. But the godly teaching of his mother in his early years (perhaps for his first five years) was instilled into his heart as well as the lessons he learned in the wilderness looking after his father-in-law's sheep. His convictions would not allow him to yield to Pharaoh's compromises. He knew that God wanted His people to place the minimum of a "THREE DAY GAP" between them and Egypt.

Sadly, we 21st century Christians have still not learned the lesson for both ourselves and our children. God wants a "THREE DAY GAP" between us and the world.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

1 Timothy 3:15 says, "And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. " Men, it is never too early to acquaint our children with the Scriptures.

There are wise and intelligent parents as far as this world is concerned who educate their children in all manner of subjects. Some have their children speaking several languages by the time they are five - ten years old. Some educate their children to be well acquainted with the powerful, mind-developing game of chess, and the list goes on. The brain of a child is well able to absorb very naturally subjects that later on in years would be far more difficult.

O how blessed above all things it is for children to have parents who sacrifice their time and make every effort to educate their children in the holy Scriptures from an early age. Some parents even begin this ministry to their babies while they are still in the womb. Remember how the baby, John the Baptist, leaped for joy in his mother's womb at the sound of Mary's salutation (Luke 1:41, 44).

How sad it is that in many Christian homes the Word of God is hardly ever mentioned. It takes more than a Sunday school lesson once per week to accomplish this in a child. It was important in the Old Testament to use every opportunity throughout every day of the child's life to teach them thoroughly. We need to remind ourselves again of Deuteronomy 6:6-9: "And these words, which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them DILIGENTLY unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be a frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates."

We have drifted so far from this all important education for our children. How deceived we have been to put so much emphasis on secular education and sciences and yet blinded to the greatest and most important education of all. Secular education is, without doubt, above all else in America while the Bible and prayer are out of our schools.

The above Scripture is the order of the day and wise parents will take notice and pay heed. Unfortunately, this passage is foreign to the way we think of education in this 21st century. However, more than ever, the world needs children who are saturated with God's Word throughout every day of their lives. This should not be done in a legalistic way, but in a positive, encouraging, joyful, and loving atmosphere.

This world is so secular and worldly that it will take a very special generation of people who are truly born again, who have a solid grounding in the Scriptures, and who are filled with the Spirit of God to turn it around. Parents schooling their children in God's Word is needed more than any other type of religious training.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Men, I believe that the truth on the matter of judging others in Matthew 7:1 is more in the area of not being a fault-finder of others except ourselves. It does not mean that in the love of God for sinners that we cannot stand against corruption, lies, and false standards. It does not mean that we cannot influence sinners away from their immoral lifestyles. If that was the case, how do we interpret the following Scripture?

Psalm 94:16: "Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?" Should we keep quiet and say nothing against the Islamic terrorist militants who are shooting, beheading, and shedding innocent blood in many nations throughout the world, including our own nation?

Should we be silent and not stand up against the shedding of the blood of over 50 million unborn babies in our nation who were alive in their mothers' wombs?

Should we be silent and not stand up against the murderers and serial killers who snuff out the lives of our fellow citizens every day in America? Should we be silent and not speak out against the immorality and the industries promoting it? It is polluting the very souls of our nation.

Should we not speak up against political liberalism and hatred toward conservative groups and individuals who are being targeted by government agencies such as the IRS, CPS and liberal court judges?

Yes, a thousand times yes. We must speak up and do what we can to halt the spread of evil anywhere it raises its godless head. It amazes me that whenever someone speaks up against evil how many so-called, secular, brain-washed Christians (who are opposed to speaking out against anything that might be interpreted as judging) quickly jump on their soap boxes and try to shout down the voice that is raised up against evil. They are hypocrites for they are doing themselves what they declare they are opposed to. Yes, they themselves judge and condemn with lots of venom. You had better believe it.

Fathers, we must teach our children to make righteous judgments. We must teach our children what it means to speak up and stand up for godly values,. We must also teach them how to condemn evil and speak out against it in a compassionate and godly way. We must not allow our government, professors of education, or even compromising church leaders or celebrities (no matter how famous) overrule or undermine standing up for godly values.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Question: Is all judgment, condemnation, and criticism wrong? Men, we often hear people who are soft on wrongdoing state that they believe that all judging is wrong and that we should not be at all critical or condemn others who do wrong. These people usually quote the passage from Jesus' Sermon the Mount, Matthew 7:1: "Judge not, that ye be not judged."

This Scripture has to be interpreted in the light of what all Scripture has to say on the subject of judging. What the Bible says from Genesis to Revelation is the best interpreter of the subject matter. In Luke 12:56, 57 it says, "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? Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?" Jesus makes it obvious that we should judge between good and evil. In John 7:24 Jesus said: "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment."

In John 8:26 Jesus says, "I have many things to say and to judge of you."

1 Corinthians 5:11 says, "I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railed, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? . . . Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person." Read the whole passage in verses 7-13. How could they do this without judging?

1 Corinthians 6:1-4 is also an important passage to read on this subject. It is obvious that what Jesus was teaching in Matthew 7:1 was that people should not be what James teaches in James 3:14-17: "But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." This means that any man or woman appointed to a position of court judge would not be permitted to judge if you took Matthew 7:1 in a general sense.

As fathers and mothers, we are meant to be responsible parents in judging wrong doing. It would be scripturally wrong for parents not to discipline their children for doing wrong. (Hebrews 12:8, 9).

Homosexuals do not believe that Christians should judge them as wrongdoers. Adulterers believe the same. Although it is not politically correct to make judgments in the work place or even many churches these days, we ought to obey God rather than man.

After Peter and John were commanded "not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus," they answered: "For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heart" (Acts 45:18-20).

We better get used to making righteous judgments now.

Men, this is a most important subject all our families need to be taught so they will not be deceived.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Isaiah 5:20, 21 says, "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!"

Men, how screwed up and dumbed down have we become when even our government will not man up and call sinful, evil, violence what it is--terrorism! Have we become so soft that we can no longer plainly call Islamic slayings and beheadings of innocent people evil?

The reasoning behind all this spineless, political culturalism that our universities and politicians are dishing out to us is that we must not use language that would offend anyone. They would have us call it "work place violence" or "street violence" instead of "lone wolf terrorism." You must never link this violent terrorism to Islam. It just may offend Islamics. But the truth of the matter is that Islam does give birth to acts of violence. If that isn't bad enough, it also gives birth to evil beheadings and slayings of innocent people.

Men are hung by their ankles on assembly chains high enough so that when their throats are slashed their blood can be collected, bottled, and used to initiate new recruits. Wives and daughters of these innocent victims are raped and sold into slavery. This can be all seen on live U-tube. Men, our agnostic, atheistic professors and their disciples in politics want us to believe that there is a good reason for all this behavior. We just need to be more tolerant and understanding.

Men, the time has come when we must resist such dumbing down of our sensibilities towards such barbaric acts of terrorism and call it for what it is. Islam has thousands of schools called "madrassa" where they teach this evil.

If we men do not teach our children to hate all evil, the world today will quickly teach them to make excuses for it.

Yes, of course we as Christians must love all people, but we must never love their sin or try to make excuses for it.
We must be tolerant of others, but never tolerant of evil.
We must never be afraid to call murder what it is.
We must never be afraid to call abortion what it is.
We must never be afraid to call homosexuality what the Bible says it is.
We must never be afraid to call all moral perversion what it really is--sin which needs to be judged and repented of.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Men, keep your anger under control. Do not allow it to overcome your love for the person that is making you angry. Anger is not an evil thing if kept under control, but quick anger must not reign in your life. Do not allow it to destroy the Christ-likeness in you in any way.

Jesus Himself became angry when He found the people selling merchandise and creating a market place in the temple. It was a grievous offence against the holy purpose of the temple, which as Jesus explained, was primarily for worship and prayer (Matthew 21:12, 13). Righteous indignation is a powerful motivation to get things done, but anger did not rule Jesus. Immediately the temple was cleansed His love flowed to heal the blind and the lame and the children filled the temple praising God (Matthew 21:14-16). This is a great lesson for us. His love and zeal for God's house never stopped flowing even when He got angry.

Men, when anger gets out of control anything can happen. It is often far worse than what caused the anger in the first place. Self control is one of the nine aspects of the fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22, 23.

Anger is actually a negative mood and no Christian has the right to control people by his or her negative moods. Do not make excuses for using the "silent treatment" or the "loud treatment" in order to control your family or friends.

Do not try to control your family or anyone with impolite interjections that are rude and embarrassing to your family and friends. Instead, pray and ask God to help you keep cool, calm, and collected. Ask God to give you wisdom.

"The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace" (James 3:17, 18).

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Those who seek to live righteous lives before their families and fellowmen do not help the cause of Christ by being overly serious or having a "stiff upper lip." "Holier than thou" attitudes that cause others to feel condemned and worthless turn people away from Christ.

Happy, rejoicing, and glad-hearted fathers are a great advertisement for Christ Jesus. The next generation will gladly receive the baton of biblical values from fathers who daily display the joy of the Lord. Stern, fault-finding, critical people are very difficult to live with, even if they go to church regularly. Christians who rarely smile look as though they have been "baptized in lemon juice" as someone has said. People who think that holiness is best displayed on a straight face that would crack if it smiled have completely misunderstood true holiness.

Holiness is a state only made possible through the blood of Christ. It is a heart that grieves over sin but greatly rejoices of God's grace, mercy, and goodness.

Men, just as a diamond is best displayed on a beautiful, shining ring, even so God's principles, laws, and values are best displayed on the countenances of Christians whose faces shine. When Stephen "full of faith and power" spoke about Jesus it tells us that "all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel." What do our family and others say about our faces?

Men, you can be a dedicated Christian and still keep a genuine smile on your face.

Keep smiling.

Colin Campbell

What are situational ethics? They are the changing of eternal values to suit the occasion according to man's logic. Men, biblical ethics and values are laws and principles that are written in the Scriptures in order to benefit mankind. They are the lamp of God's Word and the light to man's path (Psalm 119:105). They are not given to hurt or destroy us but rather to bless us and make our lives more prosperous in every way.

They are eternal principles. If we break these laws and values we not only hurt ourselves but others round us. At all times we are influencing others either for good or for bad. The scribes, ,Pharisees, and lawyers like Job's comforters used the laws of God to put heavy burdens on people. They made them hard to live up to by adding things that were not intended by God. Jesus said in Luke 11:46 (NASB): "Woe to you lawyers as well! For you weigh men down with burdens hard to bear, while you yourselves will not even touch the burdens with one of your fingers."

The lawyers were teachers of the law. They were a class of learned professors, teachers in colleges, magistrates, judges, and perhaps some were scribes, although not all scribes were lawyers. The leaders of Israel often used situational ethics to bend the Scriptures to suit their own viewpoint. They did this when they falsely accused Christ and condemned Him to death. Jesus Christ often reproved them for their situational ethics. Read the whole of Matthew 23.

Pastors officiating at homosexual weddings are greatly blaspheming God's eternal word and are guilty of twisting the Scriptures to suit their own intellectual reasons. Churches, or even individuals who claim to be Christians, and yet at the same time support the abortion agenda are also twisting the Scriptures to suit their own logic. Standing up for life in the womb is a very biblical ethic. No excuse is valid for not supporting the innocent life in the womb or even outside the womb. Mankind has a sacred calling to reflect the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26, 27 and 9:5-7).

We are now living in an age of situational ethics on steroids.

Many judges and leaders, as well as the general population whether Christian or not, choose to ignore, disrespect, malign, and explain away the life-giving values of God's Word. They only want to give it lip service when it suits the situation or occasion according to their humanistic thinking. This they do to their own peril.

Thanks be to God that there is still a remnant who desire to follow the truths of God's Word even if it costs them their lives. I pray that I will be one of them. Will you join with me and pray that by God's grace He will help us to beware of the evil of situational ethics.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Men, we must not waver or compromise the truth under any circumstances. Do not ever apologize for speaking the truth because of pressure, no matter where the pressure comes from.

Deuteronomy 1:17 says, "Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man." Check Deuteronomy 16:19 also.

We must not play politics for this is the main reason for the disgrace in which our country finds itself. It's the way we are told Washington does business. Playing politics may be acceptable in Washington, but it's not acceptable to God who is the ultimate Judge of the nations. Playing Politics is playing double standards. It's speaking out of both sides of the mouth. Playing politics is playing with corruption and eventually turns the nation's leadership into a governmental mafia of huge proportions.

Biblical ethics remain the same no matter what the situation. There has never been a time in the history of our nation as great as this moment for the lifting up of truth. Truth is at the heart core of all Christian values. Christian values are absolutes. They remain the same even when we do not hold to them anymore.

Just as Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever, the unchangeable Christ, even so must we men and fathers be like him in all things.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Spiritual legalism is truth without grace and mercy. John 1:17 says, "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." Rules and regulations coupled with severe consequences of breaking them is a bondage to mankind, especially when they discover that try as they may in their own strength, they have now power to keep them.

Truth is exactly what it is, "the truth," We all agree how important it is for the truths of biblical values to be taught and practiced in this valueless period in which we live. However, without the grace and mercy of God poured out upon us we remain helpless.

The good news is that Jesus Christ is full of grace and truth, coupled with mercy for all who call upon Him. The Pharisees and Sadducees were legalistic in that they preached the truth with hardness which they could not keep in its entirety. The crowds loved Jesus' preaching for not only did gracious words pour from His lips (Luke 4:22) but He also showed great mercy to the women taken in the very act of adultery.

Jesus was very strong with His denunciation on the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees. Read Matthew 23:13-16.

Men, we must always advocate the values of standards of the Scriptures to our families, coupled with lots of love and grace. They should see us as joyful and loving advocates of God's truth, not stern, harsh, and unloving. This will turn them away.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Men, while all Christian values have their place, some are more important than others. The more important values need more emphasis. Jesus confronted this point with the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23:23: "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."

Christians in general are notorious for getting caught in the same trap. We argue the point over so many things that have no great consequence. Should we wear dresses to the ankles or knees? Should women wear head coverings? Should men wear suits and ties to church? What sort of music should we have in our churches? More importantly, are we hearing the anointed Word of God? Are we reaching out to the poor? Are souls being saved?

Even in our family life we put more importance on decor and having all the mod cons than sharing God's Word and praying each day with our families. It is more important to have a home of love, peace, and happiness than a home of arguments, fault-finding, and marriage breakdown.

Because we are living in a day of much temptation toward impurity of heart, mind, and actions we must lay much emphasis on keeping our hearts and minds pure. We must prioritize values regarding holiness of heart and mind along with values that promote love, mercy, and peace.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Men, in order to pass on the baton of Christian values effectively we must refrain from being overly severe, stern, and serious. While there is merit in being stern when dealing with disobedience and foolishness, we must not be known as severe, unloving men in our general every day demeanor.

The American Gothic painting by Grant Wood of the farmer with his pitchfork and the spinster daughter depicts the overly serious nature of that time. Even the church has erred a great deal in the past by depicting God as an overly serious punisher of all mankind. You see this revealed in the Renaissance period in the stain glass windows of cathedrals as well as the famous art galleries of that time.

The apostle John, who leaned on Jesus' breast, writes more about the love of God than any other writer in God's Word. In revealing God he plainly states: "God is love" (1 John 4:8). John is not talking about a sloppy, cheap, surface love, but rather a deep-rooted love that comes from the heart that is filled with the merciful, gracious, and most generous love that is always genuine and never disingenuous or flattering.

Men, this type of love most definitely helps to pass the baton of Christian virtues and values on to the next generation.

Jude 1:20, 21 states, "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." This Scripture implies that in order to keep ourselves at all times in God's love we must always be praying in the Holy Ghost. This is not just logical praying without any feeling or heart passion, Rather, it is praying with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Men, fear of what others may think or reprisals from enemies or friends should never stop us from holding up the standards of the Lord. Proverbs 28:1 says, "The righteous are as BOLD AS A LION."

In 1 Chronicles 12:8 it tells us about the Gadites who "separated themselves unto David into the hold to the wilderness men of might, and men of war fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the FACES OF LIONS, and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains." Most likely their lion-like faces represented their lion-like spirits and character. If King David was blessed to have such men in his army to fight for his kingdom, how much more should our Heavenly King, Jesus Christ, who now sits on David's throne be blessed to have you and me appearing with lion-like faces to fight for the passing on of His virtues and standards.

There are no devils and demons of evil men that can withstand the boldness of the lions who fight in the battles of "the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David." Revelation 5:5 tells us that He is the One who has "prevailed to open the book and to loose the seven seals."

Acts 4:13 says, "Now when they saw the BOLDNESS of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus."

Many times it is hard to stand up to loved ones, especially of your own family who have grown up and speak for desecrated values. It is also difficult to stand up against the tide of popular opinion on the subject of birth control and raising up family Bible reading and prayer.

We are living in a window of time that is calling for fearless Christians who will not be afraid to call sin exactly what it is--sin. We must call lies what they are--lies. We must, with love and in tears, call every sin exactly what it is. Homosexuality is sin--it is in opposition to the standards and values of God. Over indulgence in alcohol is sin--it creates a dropping of righteous standards. Drug abuse is sin. Adultery is sin. Showing off the flesh with suggestive sexual lust is sin. Plus a host of other sins that have crept into family life and the church today.

Psalm 94:16 gives the cry: "Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?"

God is calling for fathers to rise up against the flood of iniquity. We must take our stand with loving boldness to push back the devil's attack on godly values and standards right now.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Men, we must form godly convictions regarding standards of dress, speech, work, honesty, integrity, loyalty, and going the second mile, just to mention a few. Jesus Christ's Sermon on the Mount is all about Christian values and standards.

If we do not read and acquaint ourselves regularly with this Number One message of Jesus, our Lord and Savior, we will be like the man who built his house upon the sand which fell when the storms came.

Much of the church is fooling themselves by being partially involved with Christian values and at the same time involved with worldly and fleshly values which are in direct opposition to the Kingdom of Christ. The boundaries of Christian values on alcohol, drugs, sex, R-rated movies, porn, tattoos, provocative dress standards, and easy divorce and abortion are being constantly eroded and squeezed aside in order to embrace an ever increasing liberal world view and lifestyle.

All the while the Scriptures, like a lighthouse, warn us of the impending danger of destroying rocks. Preachers must preach the whole counsel of God regarding Christian ethical standards and values. Parents much teach the whole counsel of God to their children. The truth is that today many Christian ships are sailing far too close to the rocks for their own safety. We must observe God's Guide Standard through the rocks at all times lest we shipwreck and lose everything.

The Bible is a book of salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ in order to live a life of godly standards and values. God told Moses to put a three-day gap between the values of Egypt and God's people (Exodus 3:18 and 5:3).

Men, knowing some of the truth is not really knowing the truth. Knowing some truth can be dangerous. We must have an appetite to know all the truth. As fathers who fear God, we have an awesome responsibility to teach our children the whole truth, not just some of it. We are fooling ourselves by only being standard bearers of some truth, or that which suits our lifestyle.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Paul said of Timothy, "But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel" (Philippians 2:22).

Men, the Christian youth of today need above all things exemplary fathers and mothers who seek with all their hearts to demonstrate and role model wholesome godly values. The best form of teaching is by example. It should not be only "Do as I say," but rather "Do as I do."

Fathers, we must be strong examples of love towards our wives and our children. Outbursts of anger and impatience destroy godly values and virtues in both the parent as well as the child. Disobedience and defiance must be overcome with godly discipline and godly rebuke. A parent should first of all pray for wisdom as to how to bring forth appropriate discipline. Shouting, yelling, and verbal abuse, as well as out of control physical attacks will do more harm than good, although the Scriptures definitely support appropriate spankings and should not be withheld when needed.

Condemning, critical and bad language must never ever come from our mouths. Rather, exhortations on encouraging the child to do better. As parents, we owe it to our children to be able to live in an atmosphere of love and peace. They should never have to live in a home of tension where they feel they may have to walk on egg shells around us.

Home Sweet Home should always be our highest priority. We parents must exude love so that our family and others will feel it. We must exude peace so that our family will experience it. We must exude humility, honor, purity, comfort, generosity, and all godly values so that all around us will be taught through our exemplary lives.

Be encouraged

Colin Campbell

Men, we are not only raising children, but standard bearers. How easy it is to go through life day after day, just doing the things that are expected of us, and fail to realize that every day our children are being influenced by us for good or for bad.

We are meant to be our children's main mentors, their primary role modelers, teachers, examples, and influencers of all the godly values that are written in God's Word. How sad when fathers of each new generation lack vision and motivation to lift up high before their families the precious values and standards that will build great character and moral values into their children.

The Christian church right now needs motivated and enlightened fathers who will catch the vision to wake up their families to the great treasure chest of all the noble and righteous character values that God has for us to display to the world.

HOW CAN WE BE MORE MOTIVATED?

1. Pray every day for motivation to raise up God's standards and values.

2. Be filled with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God is the greatest motivational force in the world. Zechariah 4:6 says, "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit saith the Lord of hosts." Read also Exodus 28:3; 31:3-5; and 35:21, 22.

When God wants anything important accomplished, He first fills people with His Spirit. We see this in the Old and New Testament. Acts 1:8 says, "But 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 church in general has not in general emphasized this great truth but has put more emphasis on education, Bible School training seminars, dialogue, eloquence, and man's intellect. But someone has well said, "In all thy getting, get unction." Unction means to be anointed and filled with the Spirit.

3. Get alongside other men who are also seeking to be standard bearers. "Iron sharpens iron" Proverbs 27:17 reminds us.

4. Get more and more into God's Word. As we meditate in God's Word the standards of the Lord will be highlighted and our convictions will become stronger. The Holy Spirit will also use the Word to motivate us and make us more willing.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell