Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs

The golden censors were full of sweet incense “which are the prayers of saints.” (Revelation 5:8) I believe the 24 elders wearing the golden crowns represent the praying and worshipping church. It is the praying saints who wear golden crowns.

This is very encouraging for those who realize what an awesome privilege we have in the ministry of prayer. Because of their commitment to the ministry of prayer, these 24 elders are given the privilege of surrounding the Throne of all thrones.

How awesome is this throne and the One who sits upon it! Don’t forget to look up Revelation 4:2-5.

Men encourage your wives and families to be altars of sweet incense. They will then be crowned with a golden crown just as the altar of incense was crowned. Those who apply themselves to this ministry are the ones who are given the crowns of gold.

Revelation 7:25: “And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.” This is talking about Jesus Christ Himself. What a might prayer warrior He was, and still is, as He ever lives to make intercession for us. Hebrews 7:25 says: “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost (completely) that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

The crown of gold that surrounded the top of the golden altar of incense is worn by Christ and all those who join Him in this beautiful, royal ministry of prayer.

Although this crown cannot be visibly seen by the natural eye, one can be aware of the regal, royal presence of God that accompanies the prayer warriors. Prayer crowns them with confidence, peace, and quiet assurance. There is a profound serenity about their lives.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Throughout biblical history, the crown always relates to kings and kingdoms. God, in His infinite wisdom, planned that this altar should have a golden crown around its top. The purpose was that all who approached the ministry of this altar would understand they were involved in a royal, kingly ministry. The royal majesty and glory of this crown far surpasses the honor and glory of all earthly monarchs.

That truth is that all those who attend to this ministry of prayer, intercession, and worship are engaging themselves with the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords. This is not something to be taken lightly, flippantly, or casually. In fact, calling on God is our most royal privilege.

If an average citizen of this world were given at least one personal invitation to stand before an earthly monarch of great importance, I think they would regard it as a great honor. They would make sure they presented themselves at the right time and in the appropriate manner. Following such a privileged encounter, they would talk about it for the rest of their days.

We need to ask ourselves: How do we feel about approaching our heavenly Father whose majesty cannot, now or ever, be compared to any other majesty. Prayer is indeed a very great privilege. That the Great God of all the universe should grant to us the privilege of approaching His royal throne as often as we desire, and He also desires us to do so, is indeed grace beyond description! It is a “THRONE of grace” that we come to (Hebrews 4:16).

We should seek to understand more of this revelation.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Jesus was bound with cords of love and dedication to the horns of this altar. Isaiah 50:5-7 states: “The LORD GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair. I hid not my face from shame and spitting. For the LORD GOD will help me; therefore, shall I not be confounded: therefore, have I SET MY FACE LIKE A FLINT, and I know I shall not be ashamed.” Jesus was the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8).

In Luke 9:51 we read: “And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he STEDFASTLY SET HIS FACE to go to Jerusalem.” The cords that bound Jesus to the cross caused His face to be set to go.

Just as Jesus was bound by cords (nails) to the brass altar, even so he was bound by cords to the horns of the golden altar, representing prayer and intercession.

Matthew 14:23: “And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.”

Mark 1:35: “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.”

Luke 5:16: “And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.

Read Matthew 26:37-46 where it tells of Jesus’ love and commitment to the Father and to us to be bound to the cross. But we see that on His way to the altar of brass (judgment) He also took hold of the horns of the golden altar of prayer and intercession. He was bound to both altars.

Let’s look at some other examples:

When Jacob wrestled with the angel all night, we read in Genesis 32:25, 26: “And he (the angel) said, Let me go for the day breaketh. And he said, I WILL NOT LET THEE GO, except thou bless me” Jacob showed that he was bound to the horns of the altar of prayer.

John Knox, founder of the Presbyterian church said: “Give me Scotland or I die.” He was bound with cords to the horns of the golden altar of prayer and intercession and he saw great revival in Scotland.

Most of the evangelical church today is bound to the altar, representing Calvary, but has very little commitment to the golden altar of prayer and intercession.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

May you have a safe and happy Fourth of July with your family. The following is a great poem to read on this Independence Day. It was written many years ago, but is even more applicable today.

A VISITOR FROM THE PAST
by Thelen Paulk

I had a dream the other night, I didn't understand,
A figure walking through the mist, with flintlock in his hand.
His clothes were torn and dirty as he stood there by my bed,
He took off his three-cornered hat, and speaking low, he said:

"We fought a revolution, to secure our liberty.
We wrote the Constitution as a shield from tyranny.
For future generations, this legacy we gave
In this, the land of the free and the home of the brave.

"The freedom we secured for you, we hoped you'd always keep.
But tyrants labored endlessly while your parents were asleep.
Your freedom gone, your courage lost, you're no more than a slave
In this, the land of the free and home of the brave.

"You buy permits to travel and permits to own a gun,
Permits to start a business or to build a place for one.
On land that you believe you own, you pay a yearly rent,
Although you have no voice in choosing, how the money's spent.

"Your children must attend a school that doesn't educate,
Your Christian values can't be taught, according to the state.
You read about the current news, in a regulated press.
You pay a tax you do not owe, to please the I.R.S.

"Your money is no longer made of Silver or of Gold.
You trade your wealth for paper so your life can be controlled.
You pay for crimes that make our nation turn from God in shame,
You've taken Satan's number as you've traded in your name.

"You've given government control to those who do you harm,
So they can padlock churches and steal the family farm,
And keep our country deep in debt, put men of God in jail,
Harass your fellow countrymen, while corrupted courts prevail.

"Your public servants don't uphold the solemn oath they've sworn.
Your daughters visit doctors so their children won't be born.
Your leaders ship artillery and guns to foreign shores,
And send your sons to slaughter, fighting other people's wars.

"Can you regain the freedom for which we fought and died?
Or don't you have the courage or the faith to stand with pride?
Are there no more values for which you'll fight to save?
Or do you wish your children to live in fear and be a slave?

"People of the Republic, arise and take a stand!
Defend the Constitution, the Supreme Law of the Land!
Preserve our Great Republic and God-given Right!
And pray to God to keep the torch of freedom burning bright!"

As I awoke he vanished in the mist from whence he came.
His words were true, we are not free, we have ourselves to blame.
For even now as tyrants trample each God-given right,
We only watch and tremble, too afraid to stand and fight.

If he stood by your bedside in a dream, while you're asleep,
And wonders what remains of our rights he fought to keep,
What would be your answer if he called out from the grave:
"IS THIS STILL THE LAND OF THE FREE
AND HOME OF THE BRAVE?"

The horns of animals provide protection, but also the ability to exercise power and authority over their adversaries. The horns on the altar of incense were not just an add on, but one piece with the altar. They were an integral part of the altar. Attending to the ministry of this altar automatically connects us with power and authority. Not an added on human strength, but the strength and power of the Creator of heaven and earth.

The Philistines knew, without doubt, that Samson had some type of powerful horns. He revealed a strength that did not come from himself or any special diet. Samson had spiritual horns that were directly connected to his Nazarite covenant with God. No razor was to come upon his head. When Samson broke the Nazarite covenant, he no longer had access to God’s power and authority and became weak as other men.

Like Samson, we are also covenant people and the Lord God of Israel has given us access to His golden altar through the atoning blood of Jesus. We who are covenanted to use this golden altar must not do it in our own name, but only in the name of Jesus Christ who has been given all authority, both in heaven and on earth to deal with all our enemies.

Like Samson, if we compromise the conditions of our convent, written in the blood of Jesus Christ, we also lose our strength.

When I was a young man working on my father’s farm in New Zealand, we cut the horns of our dairy cows so they would not damage each other. We called it dehorning. I fear this is the problem with much of the present church. We are dehorned!

To be continued.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

At a recent meeting for men I asked them to put up their hands if they were personally praying for our nation and President Trump on a regular basis. I was saddened that only one person put up their hand.

I questIoned them if they thought God was going to bless America whether we prayed or not. They just stared at me. I asked if they felt God owed it to America to bless us and make us great again. Once again, there was very little response.

These were God-fearing, conservative men, and yet I think they felt that those we elected were mainly responsible for fixing our nation’s problems. After all, this the reason we elect them, right? Wrong. I think many feel that all they should do is to attend to their own affairs, go to church once a week, and seek to be good husbands, fathers, and citizens. Not enough to change this nation.

Not only should we be praying in a general sense for our country, but even more specifically, for major legislations they need to pass.

I believe God wants us to be specific when we pray. Keep abreast of what is happening in the nation and pray. One man cannot make our nation great again. It is only God. And it can only happen as we pray. Pray personally and pray collectively as a family each day. You may not be able to pray for President Trump in his presence, but you can pray just as effectively in your homes.

Jeremiah 33:3: “Call unto me and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not.”

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

When folks no longer want to pray
And seek the Lord to know His way
For sloth and ease have broken in
And robbed the church of the power to win

Then do not let this crippling sin
Take hold of you and lock you in.
Buckle up as ne’er before,
Take hold of heaven and knock its door.

Smash every tendency to be
Like others around who cannot see.
When the tempting battle gets to boilin’
Treat the world as deadly poison!

No matter how many may be your foes
They will never stand your knockout blows.
When all around are misbehaving,
Sound the trumpet with banners waving.

Though the world and devils around may scoff
Just lift up your sword and write them off.
There’s no time left messing about,
Tell the lazy ones, “Stop being a lout!”

For there will be a sure reward
For those who diligently seek the Lord.
It’s true you see, the surest way to victory
Is always on the bended knee.

Colin Campbell

Jesus said to the Samaritan woman at the well: “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23, 24). This is divine measurement. Unless our prayers come from our spirits, motivated by His Indwelling Holy Spirit, then they are not much more than hot air (whipped up human emotion) or cold air (without fervency, life, or true desire.)

Praying in the Holy Ghost and in truth is a subject we have much to learn about.

Praying in truth means that:
1. We do not pray with a desire for self-glory.
2. We do not pray just because of political correctness. Because it is expected of us, but our hearts are not in it. Because we are asked to pray, but not because God motivates us.
3. We pray and worship because the Word of Truth motivates our hearts.
4. We pray in the spirit of love, without hate or desire to bring judgment on our brothers and sisters in Christ.
5. We pray in the spirit of meekness, not with any desire to show that we are more spiritual than others.
6. We pray in the name of the Lord Jesus to the Father so He will receive our prayers.
7. We pray, not pleading our own worthiness or righteousness, but only that which is ours in Jesus Christ.
8. We pray in faith claiming all the promises of God regarding His will.
9. We pray, desiring only His will be done, not our own.
10. We pray that God’s name will be glorified, not ours.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

The whole of our Christian life is divinely measured by God’s Word. We cannot worship at the divinely measured golden altar until our self life and flesh is crucified at the brazen altar.

God spoke to Moses in Exodus 25:40: “And look that thou make them after their pattern, which had showed thee in the mount.”

Worship, praise, prayer, and intercession are divinely measured at the golden altar. Remember, the altar was foursquare. Everything done at the golden altar had to line up with Scripture. Severe retribution came from God if any service or ministry before God was not executed correctly.

Regarding the anointing oil which was also divinely measured Exodus 30:33 states: “Whosoever compounded any like it, or whosoever putteth any of it upon a stranger, shall even be cut off from his people.”

Regarding the incense to be used at the golden altar, representing prayer and worship, Exodus 30:37, 38 states: “And as for the perfume which thou shalt make, ye shall not make to yourselves according to the composition thereof: it shall be unto thee holy for the LORD. Whosever shall make like unto that, to smell thereto, shall even be cut off from his people.”

Leviticus 10:1-3 tells the story of Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, who offered strange fire: “And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censor, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is that the LORD spake, saying I will be sanctified in them that come night me, and before all the people I will be glorified.”

When David sought to bring the ark of God’s presence, which was also divinely measured back to Jerusalem, he did not seek God for His divine plan for the way it was to be carried. Therefore, when Uzza put up his hand to steady the ark when the oxen began to stumble, God was angry. 1 Chronicles 13:10 says: “And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God.”

Nadab and Abihu were out of divine measurement when they offered strange fire. Uzza was out of divine measurement when he put up his hand to steady the ark. From the moment you stepped on to the hallowed ground of the tabernacle from the brazen laver to the ark of the covenant, you had to observe the divine measurement. Substituting your own measurement would cost you your life.

People say that all of this only pertained to the Old Testament. We are now under grace. Therefore, nothing of the divine measurement applies. Excuse me! What about Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11? They failed to measure up to the divine measurement and lied to the Holy Ghost. It cost them their lives.

Just because we do not see the Ananias and Sapphira situation happening these days does not mean that God’s judgment day is over.

1 Corinthians 3:11-15: “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be; burned, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

The power of God’s presence should be one of the highest objectives in our lives.

THERE IS JOY IN GOD’S PRESENCE

Psalm 16:11 says: “Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy: at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore.” When God shows us the path of life He reveals that His path of life leads to His glorious presence where there is fullness of joy and everlasting pleasures. Read 1 Chronicles 16:27.

THERE IS HEALING IN GOD’S PRESENCE

Luke 5:17 says: “And the power of the Lord was present to heal them.”

THERE IS REST IN GOD’S PRESENCE

Is your soul restless? Go into God’s presence. There is where you find your rest. Exodus 33:14 says: “My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.”

MOUNTAINS MELT IN GOD’S PRESENCE

Are you facing mountains in your life? Mountains melt in His presence. Psalm 97:5 says: “The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the LORD of the whole earth.” Read also Judges 5:5; Micah 1:4; and Nahum 1:5.

THERE IS PROTECTION IN GOD’S PRESENCE

Although Psalm 91, the protection psalm, does not use the word “presence” it mentions all the blessings of divine protection to those who make the Lord their habitation, which is the place where God dwells.

Psalm 95:9, 10 states: “Because thou hast made the LORD, which is thy refuge, even the most High, thy HABITATION; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.” Those who make the Lord their dwelling place will experience His presence for God’s presence is His habitation, where He lives.

It goes without saying that those who call themselves the people of God should also be the people of His presence.

Have we lost sight of the power of God’s presence? Are we more content with the powerlessness of our own presence? God forbid. Many Christians, in the church and their individual lives, have never experienced the power of His presence. And yet we were born to experience His presence, in our earthly life, as well as in the hereafter.

ENEMIES PERISH IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD

Psalm 9:3: “When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence.”

GOD’S PRESENCE PROVES OUR SEPARATION

It is not removing ourselves from the affairs of this world, but the power of God’s presence in our lives that proves we are the separated people of God. Exodus 33:15, 16 (NKJV) says: “Then he said to Him, If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. For how then will it be known that Your people and I have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us? So we shall be separate, Your people and I, from all the people who are upon the face of the earth.”

THE POWER OF GOD’S PRESENCE IS OUR RIGHT

Matthew 18:20 says: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Perhaps we need to re-examine what it really means to gather together in “His name.” We need to de-emphasize the names of our denominations, the name of our pastor, our own names, and instead train our hearts and minds to exalt and magnify only the name of Jesus Christ. When we gather in His name it stands for reason that what we do and say must have the approval of His worthy name.

We can longer try to stamp the approval of the name of Jesus on our gatherings together if Jesus Himself does not approve of the way we gather. To know and experience His presence is the stamp of His approval that we truly gather in His name.

The power of God’s presence will change our lives. And the lives of our families.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

“You are in our prayers” can be so politically correct. And yet at the same time we don’t allow it in our public schools! Therefore, it is nothing more than pious lip service. It sounds nice, but it is wrong to say these words and not pray! There was a time in our political and national history when these words were backed up by action.

There are many who are going through tragedy in their lives and need our prayers, not our ever-so-nice platitudes. It’s so easy to talk about prayer and yet not pray!

Hebrews 4:16 says: “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grade to help in time of need.”

All our needs are met at this altar. There is no other way.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

We must understand that Jesus Christ was the primary truth which these types and symbols represented.

The golden altar of incense was the closest piece of furniture to the Holy of Holies and therefore we understand its great importance.

Foursquare means that each of the four corners are in perfect line with each corner. Foursquare also means that the length equals the width. All truth must balance and line up with all other major truths. The ministry of prayer and worship cannot be lopsided but must line up with the importance of other truths in the sight of God.

Therefore, we must ask ourselves the question. Is prayer and worship as important as other doctrines in our individual lives, our family, and the church we attend?

Prayer and worship are revealed as an important doctrine in the tabernacle at the beginning of Israel’s history as the church in the wilderness. Also mentioned repeatedly in the New Testament by both our Lord and Savior and church leaders.

Are we foursquare on this major doctrine or not?

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

We discover in this Scripture that the indwelling Holy Spirit is a Spirit of intercession who helps us in our human weakness when we don’t know how to express in words the cries of our hearts. The Spirit does this with unutterable groanings. In times of grief over the state of loved ones, or the loss of loved ones when our minds and bodies are too exhausted to pray intellectually, and in times of personal pain or weakness when our own bodies are sick or broken, we understand that our intelligent groanings may not just be ourselves, but the Holy Spirit praying through us.

It is very much part of the Holy Spirit’s ministry within us to turn us into a golden altar of intercession and worship. We who claim to be Christians should make ourselves available to the Holy Spirit’s ministry of intercession within us. I do not think that the present church knows much about this all-important work of the Holy Spirit in their daily prayer lives.

We are very limited when we try to fit the Creator of the universe, who is so much great than our wildest imaginations, into the exact and appropriate language of our needs.

Hebrews 5:7 says of Jesus our Savior: “Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared.” This same Jesus dwells in us by the Holy Spirit to do the same type of praying.

I think we all have a lot to learn.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Hebrews 7:25: “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing HE EVER LIVETH to make intercession for them.”

Hebrews 9:24: “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD FOR US.” Our great High Priest enters heaven itself, the very presence of God, on our behalf. It is mind boggling grace that Jesus Christ is right now interceding and praying for us, His people, in the holy presence of God.

Romans 8:34: “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” In the light of this truth, what can Satan or any form of condemning power do to counteract this blessing on our behalf?

Because Christ is in us and we are in Him, surely this means that what Christ is doing, we should also be doing!

The question is: what difference or what impact should these truths have on our lives? The answer is found in 1 John 4:17: “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.” Did you get this truth?

“AS HE IS, SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD”!

Jesus Christ is right now, and forever, making intercession for us in the heavenly places. Therefore, if He is in us, we will be making intercession in our earthly places. Intercession should be constantly flowing from us for one another. This will certainly make our love perfect. This will give us boldness in the day of judgment for we will not be ashamed.

I believe that prayer, intercession, and worship are the life blood of the church. As we intercede for one another, just as Jesus Christ is doing of us, we become this most amazing golden altar.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Therefore, keeping our eyes on the worthiness of the Lamb of God sets us free from the flaws and weakness of our own self-image. Psychology tries to find new ways for us to feel good about our self-image. However, this can only be found in our position in Christ which God has so graciously granted to us.

Outside of Jesus Christ our self-image is greatly flawed. Outside of Christ our self-image can be very self-assured or self-confident. Some may consider themselves as self-confident, self-accomplished, self-prideful, and self-made. In such a person, there are many flaws and deceptions. Others may be flawed with a very low self-esteem and have no confidence to get through life.

The truth is that if we lift up our eyes to the worthiness of Christ and all His benefits toward us, then and then only, will we be set free from ourselves and the pull of this earth.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell