Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs

In Revelation 1:5, 6 we read; ”Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

The adamic nature took the reign out of God’s control during the fall in the Garden of Eden and Adam usurped the reign of God. He made himself king over his own life and destiny. Adam was no longer a king unto God, but lord of his own life. In other words, he became a king unto himself.

I believe it is impossible for any man who reigns as king to himself to be in any way accepted by God. Ruling as king to ourselves always ends in making unwise decisions, egotism, and worst of all, offending God and man. There is no eternal value in ruling as king to ourselves and our own desires for control and power over others.

Man was made a spirit, soul, and body. He was made to be inhabited by God His Creator. This can only happen through the redemption provided us by the Prince of the Kings of the earth and His name is Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:5). It is God the Father’s will that His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, who always surrendered Himself to the reign and control of His Father, should now reign in and through us as we surrender the throne room of our hearts to His absolute control.

Some reading this post today may remember the chorus we used to sing by Chris Bowater:

Reign in me, sovereign Lord
Reign in me
Reign in me, sovereign Lord
Reign in me

Captivate my heart
Let Your kingdom come
Establish there Your throne
Let Your will be done

Reign in me, sovereign Lord
Reign in me
Reign in me, sovereign Lord
Reign in me

I believe with all my heart that the best kings first know what it means to be reigned themselves by the only One who is worthy. It is only then that our wives and families can received the blessings of our kingship.

To be continued.

Be encouraged,

Colin Campbell

We read again in Revelation: “And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”

The titles of kings and priests are united in these two passages and given to all believers that have been redeemed by the blood of Christ out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. In the Old Testament the titles of kings and priests were generally separated with the kings coming from the tribe of Judah, although the first king came from Benjamin, the tribe of Levi.

In Genesis 14:18 we read that Melchizedek who was king of Salem (Jerusalem) was also the priest of the Highest God. Revelation 7:21 speaks of Jesus Christ with reference also to Psalm 110:4: “The Lord has sworn and will not relent, ‘You are a priest for ever according to the order of Melchizedek’.”

Because of the weakness and frailty of man’s human nature, God separated the two ministries so that kings who ruled over the secular affairs of the nation would not be able to easily corrupt the spiritual affairs of the nation. However, in many cases, corrupt kings still corrupted the the nation. We understand why we in many western natures have a separation of the powers of church and state.

Fathers, as kings and priests in our families we must watch out that the secular does not outweigh the spiritual. This happens in many Christian families.

The church, which encourages the spiritual state of the nation should influence the secular state of the country and not the other way around. It is grievous when the secular state of the nation becomes corrupt and spreads the corruption into the church. This occurred many times when wicked kings ruled over Judah and Israel. They also corrupted the priesthood.

We read in 2 Chronicles chapter 33 how King Manasseh set up images and idols in the house of the Lord: “So Manasseh made (seduced, deceived) Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel” (2 Chronicles 33:9).

Tomorrow we will see that our kingship is not to ourselves, but more importantly, it is unto God.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Without heavy doses of the anointed Word of God such as Morning and Evening Devotions, how will we ever push back the powers of darkness?

Yesterday 177 young college students were gunned to death. Ten ore are in various stages of injury in hospitals in Florida. Our hearts and prayers go out to them all. There have been far too many school shootings in recent years. Schools are becoming increasingly dangerous and wise parents need to think more than twice about sending their precious children to be amongst the wolves that dominate by dark, murdering, evil spirits.

This school had thousands of students. The greater risk of exposure to students who are living and feeding on the dark media that espouses the violent side of life. When are Christian parents going to wake up and say: “Enough is enough.”

God’s Word is the greatest source of spiritual light and the state schools have done away with it. There are many that believe that the state school system provides the necessary light through their humanistic teaching programs for children to be successful in this world.

However, when the Supreme Court ruled out the Bible and payer from our state schools many wise, thinking people realized that God would lift His hand of protection from the schools. This has proven to be true. When you send your young and impressionable children to be among teachers and peers who often know little or nothing about God, are you being responsible before God? He gave you, the parents, not the state, the privilege of being the godly custodians and stewards of your precious children.

Another question parents must ask themselves: Are your children in state schools going to have their spiritual light increased? Or decreased? Or even diminished? Worse still—demolished! I think the chances of their little lights being damaged or even snuffed out completely are very high. All I can say to parents who are willing to run the risk and send their children to hours of exposure to the power of darkness that they better fortify their children with daily, strong doses of God’s Word, coupled with earnest prayer. They will certainly need it.

The best solution is to homeschool your children just like hundreds of thousands of serious thinking parents are doing. Or second best, if you can afford it, send them to a solid, Christian school where all the teachers are dedicated Christians and where all the children come from Christians homes.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Each Christian family should confess: “Let there be light.” How can Christian families be the light God intends us to be? The answer lies in fathers and mothers catching the vision for their own families to become lighthouses to their churches, communities, the nation, and the world.

There is only one true answer to the spiritual darkness that holds individuals, families, and nations captive to the chains of the myriad forms of evil and sin. It is the power of light.

Every individual that makes up your family should have their light turned on. As spiritually wise fathers and mothers, exert every effort to make sure that each individual member of your family is the brightest light they can possibly be.

It takes both parents working together and putting their whole hearts into this vision to make it happen. We must make our homes and families lighthouses that will scatter the darkness.

Having Family Devotions is a great way to encourage the light to burn brighter in all members of your family. Why is that so few families daily engage in this light-creating practice? It is no wonder that our nation is rocking and reeling under the relentless attacks of demonic darkness.

Much of the left wing mainstream media is a major tool of sinister forces of darkness which attack any vestige of light coming from our president and vice president. Cold blooded murder happens every day on the streets of our cities. Police are gunned down as they try to protect innocent citizens. Drug deaths through overrsdose are rampant in all our communities, both large and small. This evil list of darkness could take pages to fill.

While we as a nation seek to stop evil around the world, we are ravished by evil in our own country. The light from many so-called Christian families is barely turned on, let alone shining.

As families, we must do all we can to shine our lights to scatter the darkness. Make sure you and your family are shining lights.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

We notice in Revelation 1:13 that Jesus is in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks: “And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.” He is described as our Great High Priest attending to the ministry of the seven candlesticks (churches).

The high priest of Israel would do his best to make sure each candlestick put forth the most light possible on a continual basis. Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest also seeks to make our candlesticks give us much light as possible on a daily 24/7 basis.

The fire on the brazen altar was to never go out. Leviticus 6:13 says: “The fire shall EVER be burning upon the altar; it shall NEVER GO OUT.”

In the same way, the same command was given regarding the candlesticks. The Hebrew word “tamid” means “continually, perpetually, regularly, at all times.” Exodus 27:20 states: “And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn ALWAYS.”

Leviticus 24:1-4 says: “He shall order their lamps upon the pure candlestick before the LORD CONTINUALLY.” When God speaks in this passage He uses the word CONTINUALLY three times. He wants them to get the message good and strong.

Fathers, as priests of our homes and families, we must never, ever underestimate the importance of attending to the lamps of each member of our families.

Ordering the lamps entails trimming the wicks, cutting off the black, sooty part, cleaning the area where the lamp is lighted, and making sure there is sufficient oil in the lamp.

Trimming the wick entails making sure the wick is not too high. If it’s too high, it smokes. If its too low, it will not give enough light. As priests in our homes and families we assist our Great High Priest in this great ministry of making every family and every church a GREAT LIGHT to shine before all men.

How often? Sometimes? Occasionally? No, God wants our lights to shine CONTINUALLY.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Picture: Pigeon Point Lighthouse.

Gold can be shaped in various shapes by other means. It can be heated in a furnace and once it becomes liquid it can be poured into a mold of whatever shape the craftsman desires. This is the easiest way to shape gold or silver. However, it requires enormous skill, time, and patience to shape gold into an intricate design by beating.

It was easy for Aaron to make the golden calf. Exodus 32:34 says: “Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me: then I cast it into the fire and there came out this calf.” This golden calf was a false god. There was no light of any description in this golden calf.

However, it was a challenging and painstaking task to create the golden lampstand by beating. Jesus Christ, who is the true light of the world, shining out through the seven-branched candlestick, is made of beaten gold.

Fathers, we should teach out families that the necessary disciplines we all face in our lives are only for our good. Though these trials, temptations, and difficulties often feel like we are being beaten up, we must remember that God’s light is ordained to shine on candles that are made of beaten gold.

Our Savior Jesus went through many trials and beatings.

Even the apostle Paul suffered much. In 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 he writes of enduring “labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, inprisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren. In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.”

God knows exactly what He is doing and the object in view is a beautiful candle made of beaten gold.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

We rejoice with Jesus that we are one with Him corporately. The truth is that all believers are one in Christ Jesus. There is no sectarian spirit in Him.

All the churches in Asia, mentioned in Revelation, chapters 1- 3, were equal in height. The numerical numbers of the church made no difference to their height. All were of equal worth. All were one in Him even though they were in different locations. All their problems and challenges were felt by the head of the church, Jesus Christ, and therefore were to be felt by the rest of the churches.

Solid gold is dependable, trustworthy, and can be counted on. This is our Jesus Christ. He is the gold standard. He is pure and perfectly one with all the churches. So should we be one as much as we possibly can.

We may not always agree with everything going on in our own church. We may not agree with everything going on in other churches. We may not agree with everything going on in our own lives. As we need prayer for ourselves, we should pray for other churches for we are all one lampstand to the world.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

It is impossible for us to radiate the light of Christ unless we become one with Jesus, even as He could not radiate the light of His Father God without being one with Him.

Jesus Christ is one in three—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. But He is also one with every branch of the candlestick. In John 17:11 Jesus prays to His Father: “Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.”

In John 10:30 Jesus states: “I and my Father are one.” One heart, one mind, one will, one walk, and one work or mission. Unless the churches really get this truth, not only as a major doctrine, but in experience, the truth of abiding and oneness are nothing more than pious statements.

Another great aspect of this truth to which we must give earnest heed is that we are not only to make certain we are one with Jesus our Savior and our Father God, but also one with each other.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

The manufacturing of the menorah or golden candlestick to give light in the holy place was divinely inspired. It took a chosen man to do it. Exodus 31:1-6 says: “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: and I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship . . .”

The branches of this candlestick revealed all the stages of the almond tree--the flower, the bud, and the fruit. All the ornamentation of the various stages of the almond tree clearly speak to us of the importance of each branch abiding in Jesus, the Vine (the main lighted candle) so that we can be fruitful and allow His light to shine through us.

Matthew 5:16: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” When God’s light shines through us, we will manifest good works. There are good works that all men can do that in many ways bring glory to themselves, even when they may not want it. I do not discredit these works.

However, when the good works that we do have the characteristic of the miraculous about them, that is when men give glory to God. The Holy Spirit baptized the believers in the upper room at Pentecost and tongues of fire came upon those candlesticks. Miraculous works immediately happened, and men gave glory to God (Acts 3:10).

Nicodemus said to Jesus: “Rabbi, we know that thou art a teach come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.”

The church was born to manifest the light through miraculous deeds.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

These days, it is possible to end up sitting in church by couples who are living together and having children outside the covenant of marriage--and who have no conscience about it. Many have little conscience concerning the gay agenda because it is not politically correct to speak against sin and loose biblical values.

This failure to promote godly values for the fear of upsetting the conscience of certain people produces hardness of heart.

CURRENT BIG NEWS
Recreational marijuana is a multi-billion-dollar business and many states are rushing to legalize it. They want to finance their government programs (even police forces) through the taxes profited by the sales. Take notice that they are not using the profits to help the drug rehabilitation programs. It won’t be long before you will find people smoking dope out in the church parking lots.

The light of God’s people is dimming. It is no longer an antidote to drugs. People are no longer getting high on the Holy Spirit, so they resort to smoking dope!

However, the true light of Christ that comes from the pure, golden candlestick will always repel the darkness of the counterfeit. The states that accept and promote cannabis for the sake of billions of dollars they make from its revenue are no better than the South American drug cartels who smuggle drugs over our southern borders. They do it for the same reason.

Marijuana is much more refined and potent. These drugs always lead to substance abuse by those who have no, or little, spiritual restraining influences in their lives.

The light of our nation will quickly be snuffed out if the church does not rise and shine. Creative brains, talents, and gift will be dumbed down at the altars of making more dollars.

Wake up America. Do not invest in this multi-billion-dollar brain deadening industry.

Instead of getting high on dope, God’s answer is Romans 14:17: “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”

Nehemiah 8:10 “The joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Isaiah 62:1: “I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as BRIGHTNESS (a brilliant, shining light).” It is righteousness that shines as a light in this dark world.

Pure gold has no cannabis or any other foreign substances in it. Jesus is pure gold, and this should be the main objective of the true church.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

1. PURE GOLD
We can give praise to our Father God that His Son, Jesus Christ is pure gold.

Gold in Scripture speaks of heaven.
Revelation 21:18: “And the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.”
Revelation 21:21: “And the street of the city was pure gold as it were transparent glass.”

Pure gold means that there is no impurity, e.g. no tin, iron, clay, or any other foreign substance at all.

1 John 1:5: “God is light and in him is no darkness at all.” The pure light of God can only come on a pure golden candlestick. Anything less than pure is not worthy of His light.

Jesus Christ is the great light of the world (Matthew 4:16) and is in the midst of the seven-branched candlestick.

John’s testimony in Revelation 1:12, 13 says: “And I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.”

We ask the question: how is it that the candlestick was pure gold and yet the seven churches of Asia, which Jesus called the seven branches of the candlestick, were in many cases anything but pure? The answer is found in each of the church’s relationship with Jesus Christ. We are being made pure and accounted as pure gold because of what Jesus is and has already credited to us.

As the priests worked in the tabernacle to dress and trim the lamps morning and evening to keep them pure and clean, so our High Priest, Jesus Christ purifies us by His Holy Spirit morning and evening. He is pure and holy and therefore day by day sanctifying us. We must work with Him and by faith yield ourselves to the refining, purifying work of His Spirit in our lives. If we do not, we are in danger of having our candlestick removed.

Revelation 2:5: “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent."

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

We are now going to look at the fourth golden ministry we read about in God’s Word.

The first golden ministry of the tabernacle we discussed together was the GOLDEN ALTAR OF INCENSE which represents prayer and intercession and praise and worship. This ministry means so much to me. It challenges me in this time of great need in our nation and the world. Jesus Christ intercedes for us 24/7. What about us?

The second golden ministry was the GOLDEN TABLE OF SHEWBREAD. This speaks to us of the great importance of God’s Word in our lives. We cannot and must never ever separate God’s words in the Bible from the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is in the Old Treatment concealed and in the New Testament revealed.

As believers, we are exhorted to feast on His Word and in doing so we find ourselves feasting on the Living Word, Jesus Christ. We cannot be conformed into His image if we do not seek Him personally. We must ask the Holy Spirit to reveal Jesus to us in His Word.

The third ministry was the GOLDEN THRONE on which was placed the GOLDEN ARK OF THE FIRST COVENANT God made with His people, Israel. On this ark was a GOLDEN MERCY SEAT. This Mercy Seat was once a year sprinkled with the blood of the sacrificial lamb which represented Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God whose blood is sprinkled upon the Mercy Seat in Heaven for us.

Today, we begin to look at THE GOLDEN CANDLESTICK. Please join with me each day in the revelation of this wonderful ministry.

This major golden ministry applies to all believers. The candlestick firstly speaks of Jesus Christ who is the light of the world. He is the GREAT light of the world. Talking of Jesus Matthew 4:15 says: “The people which sat in darkness saw GREAT LIGHT; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.”

Secondly, it represents all of God’s people, individually and collectively, set on fire by the Holy Spirit which lit up the early church at Pentecost (Acts 2:3).

This amazing golden ministry is important for us today. We live in a time of much deception. It is destroying the very foundations of our nation and the nations of the world. While, on one hand, we see the great benefits of the Internet (and we wonder how we could live without it), yet on the other hand, multitudes are addicted to its endless river of evil. We see in it the tree of the knowledge of good and evil that was the temptation n Eden.

It’s time for us to arise and shine with the light of God and not fall for deception all around us. Isaiah 60:1-3 states: “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.”

Matthew 5:14: “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.”

More to come.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

If God as a father gave His very best for us because He wanted us to become His own special sons and daughters, how can we not be like Him in our fatherhood?

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

The sincere man is like a rock,
As true as time; with honest eye
He looks you squarely in the face
Nor turns aside to make reply.

Nothing is hidden; there is no sham,
No camouflage to caution care,
No ifs or buts to haunt the mind,
Or secret doubts to linger there.

A crystal candor marks his speech,
With conscience clear he goes his way,
He does the thing he thinks is right
Nor cares a whit what others say.

Give me a man that is sincere,
And though a wealth of faults attend,
I shall clasp his hand in mine
And claim him as a trusted friend!

~ Alfred Grant Walton

Absent fathers have drastically weakened the nation. Fatherhood is an awesome responsibility. Failure to take up this challenge through lack of interest or selfish priorities reveals a great weakness of character that is not acceptable. In fact, if is plain irresponsible.

Marriage breakdown and divorce is also a main contributor to absent fatherhood. All children need loving, understanding, kind fathers who make every endeavor to be present and involved with their families. Every child is another link in the generational chain and parents must make every effort to make that generational link as strong as possible.

Don’t drop the baton.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Painting by Vickie Wade

Most men react more rationally and calmer when a child has an accident or gets into trouble. I know that men cannot always be available because of working away from home, but when you get a lunch break or some time to take a break, please give your wife a call. Check up on what’s happening at home.

A husband’s reassuring voice of wisdom goes a long way to calm a wife’s frazzled nerves when things are not going well. When you are at home, be at home. In other words, be involved with your family as much as possible. I think it is possible for some men to be at home, but they might as well not be home. They shut themselves off from their family.

Genesis 22:7 says: “And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father and said, My father: and he said, here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for burnt offering?” Like Isaac, there are many sons and daughters crying out, “My father, my father, where are you? Please answer me. I need your help and wisdom now.”

Fathers, when you are at home, make yourselves available. Even though you may have responsibilities to take care of, even at home, be ready to drop what you are doing to attend to the needy request of your own flesh and blood, your children.

Beware of being overly taken up with your iPhone, computer, favorite hobby, or self-interest. Remember, you are a father FIRST OF ALL. You are an honorable, attentive father. Fatherhood is a crown for your head. Put it on and wear it with godly pride. It is your privilege.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Painting by Janice Trane Jones