Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs

When it comes to prevailing prayer and seeing our prayers answered, it is important for us to see ourselves seated together with Christ in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). This enables our faith to rise and become strong because it is not based on our righteousness, but on His righteousness.

Psalm 24:3: “Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?"

When we look at all the moral and ethical qualifications listed in the following verses in Psalm 24, we could easily shrink back into our own hopeless despair. However, we have the amazing truth that through identification with Christ Jesus, we have the privilege of being not only welcomed up into the holy hill (heavenly places), but we are given a front seat!

In fact, even more than front seat. We are given a governing seat in Christ at the right hand of the almighty throne of God.

Psalm 15:1-5 also speaks of the righteous qualifications of those who can dwell in God’s holy hill.

We Christian men but not view ourselves apart from Christ-worthiness. This is where we so often fail to see our prayers answered. We must appropriate our ascended position in Christ.

From our position of being ascended and seated at the Father’s right hand of total and complete power, we dare not plead our own name. God has given Jesus a name which is above every name and at the mention of this name “every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10,11).

This name has been given to us to plead in the place of our own unworthy name.

1 Corinthians 1:30: “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.”

Colossians 2:10: “And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.”

Teach Your families these truths so they can have their prayers answered.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Obama Care, with all its liberal agenda and unaffordable costs is in the process of being repealed and overturned.

Immigration, designed to stop easy access and illegal entry of terrorists through porous borders is being put into effect as we speak. About time!

So many things are changing for good, almost daily. I think It is hard for the media to get focused on any one thing, for as soon as they do, there is immediately more ground-breaking, earth-shattering news that freaks out the liberal media and makes them increasingly dumbfounded. The Lord is indeed giving us a window of opportunity to push back the forces of darkness and to advance the kingdom of righteousness.

We must be watchful and pray like we never have before. We must pray that . . .

• God will continue to give our president great favor, coupled with much wisdom, and understanding.
• Pray that he will continue to have the strength and stamina that will enable him to stay the course.
• Pray that he will not flag in his zeal for good, righteous government.
• Pray that all those he has chosen to govern in all areas of his administration will do their job well and with honor.
• Pray that all their marriages and families will be kept strong so the enemy will not be given any opportunity for slander.
• Pray that none will compromise in any matter of morality or ethics.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

I was reminded of what I believe God spoke to me on the final day of our elections. He challenged me that if he would give America Donald Trump to be our next President, would I pray for him daily? I did not want to be presumptuous or careless with my answer, knowing how easy it is to say Yes to something, but not follow through. And so, I answered, “By your grace I will commit myself.”

I never realized at the time just how quickly such yelling, hateful speech actions and protests would immediately happen. Much of it is inspired by a reprobate, liberal, and extreme socialist media, as well as being financed by the wealthy communist, George Soros.

I am reminded of the battle between Israel and the Amalekites in Exodus 17:8-16. Verse 11 says: “And it happened, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.”

Aaron and Hur held up Moses’ hands on both sides. Trump, like Joshua, is physically fighting against the enemies of our country and constitution. Many of these people prefer Islam above Christianity. They prefer abortion and death of innocent unborn children. They oppose life and all that is godly. Romans 1:28 says that God gives them up to a “reprobate mind.”

When Moses was up on the hill with his arms held high and the rod of God in his hand, Israel prevailed. The rod of God is now in the hands of Jesus Christ, the son of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1). Men, we must get up in the high hill of the Lord (Psalm 15) and lift holy hands. Get your wife and children to join in the fight and hold up your hands together for our land.

1 Timothy 2:8: “I will therefore that men pray every where, LIFTING HOLY HANDS, without wrath and doubting.”

1 Timothy 2:1-4: “I exhort therefore, that FIRST, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior: Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Men, I believe we should be most grateful for our new president. God, in His mercy, has given us a president who wills to work very hard to save America from the extreme socialist agenda and global ideology of our last president, Barak Obama. Hilary Clinton would have taken this country further into the pit of destructive liberalism.

Now that God has so graciously answered our prayers, we must be faithful to pray daily for our new government.

When listening to Donald Trump’s White House Press Secretary, Sean Spicer give his second interview with the press, he was asked how the new administration felt about the woman’s demonstration. He defended their rights to free speech, which to my mind was a compromise, as much of the demonstration protest was loud and filthy abuse of the liberty of free speech.

The people of America, or any country for that matter, should not have to have such vulgarity displayed before their eyes and the eyes of their sons and daughters. This is plain straight abuse of freedom and liberty of public, moral decency. It would have been good if he had brought this to the press’s attention. However, he is doing a good job with the press.

When Donald J. Trump was first nominated to be president of this nation, God challenged my heart to pray for him. At that time, I sent out some pointers to pray for the president. Now that he is in augurated and in power, I feel it is important to remind one another to keep praying. He is only a man, and he cannot do this job without the anointing, wisdom, and help of Almighty God. He needs the prayers of God’s people.

Can I ask you to faithfully pray for him each day? You can do this personally, but, I would also encourage you to pray with your families.

Here are some pointers for you:

1. That he will personally seek God. Pray that instead of being a man of the flesh, he will be become a man of the Spirit. 2 Chronicles 26:5 says of Uzziah: “As long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.”

2. That he will seek God for:

a) Wisdom (2 Chronicles 1:7-10).
b) Godly counsel
c) Humility before God and man
d) Righteousness

3. That he will choose righteous people to take the key positions in our federal government, cabinet, Supreme Court, etc.

4. That he will gather around him godly advisors—God-fearing men and women who stand uncompromisingly for God’s ways and for the Constitution.

5. That he will be fearless and strong against all national and international ungodly, unjust, liberal agendas, especially foreign policies.

6. That he will expose and deal with all government corruption.

7. That he will not compromise on all matters of importance, e.g. life (against abortion and euthanasia), marriage, Common Core, national security, border control, military, etc.

8. That he will stand for ISRAEL and not give in to the UN and the Palestinian propaganda.

9. That he will increasingly have his eyes opened to God’s ways. That he will have discernment between good and evil, right and wrong, clean and unclean, e.g. homosexual agenda. Ezekiel 44:23 states: “They shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.” Read also Jeremiah 15:9 and Ezekiel 22:6.

10. For divine protection for him and his family, Mike Pence, and his family. Pray against assassins.
11. That he will take the office of the presidency seriously and be a godly example to the nation and to the world. Pray that he will be a great example for good, respected both at home and abroad, and all enemies will shut their mouths.
12. That he will be gracious and kind, but bold and strong when appropriate.

“God Forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you” (1 Samuel 12:23).

“I exhort therefore, that, first, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty . . .” (1 Timothy 2:1-4).

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

It boggles my mind why most of the world support the so-called “Palestinians” and reject Israel. The “Palestinians” were kicked out of Jordan in 1970 when they tried to take over Jordan. The Palestinian militia were poor and there was no central control, New groups among them sprang up spontaneously or were set up by foreign governments, e.g., Syria and Iraq. The groups rapidly spawned, merged, and splintered, often trying to outdo one another in radicalism to attract recruits. Sounds a lot like ISIS, Boko Haram, and Hamas, etc.

In 1964 PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization) took the main stage under the leadership of Yasser Arafat, the militant hater of Israel.

These people began to question the legitimacy of the Jordanian government and called for an overthrow. Between 1968 to the end of 1969 there were no less than 500 violent clashes between the Palestinian guerillas and Jordanian security forces, frequent kidnappings, acts of violence against innocent civilians, and plane hi-jackings.

One time, they beheaded a Jordanian soldier and played football with his head. King Hussein eventually kicked the Palestinians out of Jordan. King Hussein, at the time, was not prepared to go along with the proposed two-state solution called the Roger Agreement with the Palestinians in control of what is now known as the West Bank because he considered it too dangerous for Jordan. If it was too dangerous for Jordan to have a two-state solution with the Palestinians in the 1970’s, why does the world force this upon Israel today?

Kicked out of Jordan, approximately 50 percent went to Lebanon and the other 50 percent were given refugee camps in Israel controlled West Bank. However, in Lebanon they brought about a civil war and in the occupied West Bank they struck out with all forms of killings, death, and destruction against Israel.

Even when Israel wanted to bulldoze down the refugee camps and provide better accommodation, the Palestinians would not allow it for propaganda reasons.

The question is: why does the world support these people instead of little Israel? I say, little Israel, because compared to most other countries in the world they are unbelievably small. Most certainly, in 1967, they took back land that historically belonged to them, but only because they were attacked most severely.

They desperately need this land as a buffer zone for the split seconds required to intercept the thousands of rockets fired against them. How would any of the UN counties accept it if they faced the same situation?

The only reason the world supports the “Palestinians” is because the world, which has little understanding of the Bible and its promises for Israel, is deceived by Palestinian propaganda.

Much of our current, modern media is anti-God and anti-Bible. The Jewish people are returning to Israel by God’s divine decree, fulfilling the Biblical promises. They need room for settlements even though it is dangerous. And they know how to make the barren land productive.

Even though Israel, like Jordan (who at one time offered the Palestinians seats in government and shared leadership in Jordan), has on numerous occasions offered the Palestinians virtually all they have demanded. In fact, at one time they offered them the entire West Bank, except Jerusalem and what was mandated to Israel in 1948. However, they refused to accept that offer. They want all of Israel or nothing. They have proved repeatedly that they cannot be trusted to observe the rules regarding a two-state solution.

Why does the world back this wild horse called the PLO when they should be backing Israel, the peaceful, democratic, small nation living amid enemies?

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Picture: A Jewish family prays at the wailing wall which the world wants to take from Israel.

BIBLICAL BORDERS OF ISRAEL
Genesis 15:18; Exodus 23:31; Numbers 34:3-12; Deuteronomy 11:24; Joshua 1:3, 4; Ezekiel 47:17-20.

Many people have never taken the time to study the history of both the Palestinian and Israel issue relating to the “West Bank” or “Disputed Territories” as they have been coined and are therefore, easily deceived by propaganda. The correct name for this area of land is Judea, Samaria, and East Jerusalem, the heartland of Israel.

The Bible clearly marks the boundaries given to each of the twelve tribes of Israel for an everlasting possession (Genesis 17:8). Read further Scriptures at the end of this post to give you more explicit understanding of the borders. The fact that through their sin and failure to be faithful to their God, they were scattered throughout the nations does not negate the many prophecies from God telling them they would be restored again to their own land, which includes all the so-called West Bank, Gaza strip and Golan Heights etc.

This promise of return and restoration is prophesied in many places through Holy Scriptures. Read Ezekiel, chapters 36 ad 37 and refer again to the link:
http://bit.ly/EverlastingPossesion
Even after Judah’s dispersion by the Roman Empire, a small remnant of Jews remained in the land of Israel. This remnant of Jews remained right up until the time of their nation’s restoration in May 1948.

The so-called “Palestinian” people were primarily based in Jordan and were never the permanent occupiers of the mountains of Israel. They were never driven out of the Promised land by Israel and have never been interested in doing anything agriculturally with the land. This land was promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and will only produce fruitfulness under their possession.

The land is arid, rocky, inhospitable, and desert like. The Palestinians are not in the slightest bit interested in taming and growing it. They only want to use it to obliterate Israel’s presence completely off the map! They only want to steal the land to build strategic rocket launching sites to kill and destroy the innocent and persecuted people of Israel.

On the other hand, Israel is making this barren land blossom like the rose as the Bible states (Isaiah 35:1, 2). They grow luscious grapes and olives out of dry stony ground. Israel needs to occupy this desolate wilderness (which they took back into their control in the 1967 war when they were so viciously attacked by Egypt, Syria, and other surrounding Islamic nations) to settle so many returning Jews.

If you study the wars immediately following Israel’s statehood and the 1967 attack by their Arb neighbors you see that it was only divine, miraculous intervention that caused Israel to win these wars and take back East Jerusalem and other strategic areas.

The “Palestinian” Arabs were kicked out of Jordan in the famous Black September of 1970 when the PLO tried to take over Jordan. In 1970 some two thirds of the Jordanian population were “Palestinian” Arabs. Israel took in approximately 50 percent of the refugees and Lebanon took the other 50 percent. They refused to become one with Israel or receive any offered help to assimilate, but as they had done in Jordan against King Hussain, they now sought to destroy their benefactor, Israel. The same thing happened in Lebanon.

To be continued.

Be encouraged,

Colin Campbell

Did you know that Jerusalem is mentioned over 800 times in Bible, but not once in Koran?

Jews pray facing Jerusalem, but did you know that Muslims pray with their backs toward Jerusalem?

King David founded the city of Jerusalem, but did you know that Mohammed never came to Jerusalem? And what does the Bible say about King David’s reign in Jerusalem which is the forerunner of Jesus’ reign forever and ever? Look up: Psalm 89:4, 29, 34-37; Isaiah 9:6, 7; 24:23; Jeremiah 33:14-22; Micah 4:7; Luke 1:32, 33; and Hebrews 1:8.

Here’s a link for more information: http://www.targetofopportunity.com/palestinian_truth.htm

Today I break into my current series of FATHERING IN GOD’S IMAGE to call us to pray for Israel.

We who love Israel and pray daily for her prophetic future know that this little nation lies at the center point of international tensions and debate. Those who do not know what God’s Word says about Israel’s national destiny are at a distinct disadvantage. How can they stand on the right side of this debate if they don’t know God’s plan and Word?

The devil is the deceiver and is doing his best to disrupt the future God has written regarding Israel in the period known as the “end times.” Although Israel as a nation has little or no regard for Jesus Christ whom we love and trust, we know that in the end times their eyes will be opened to the truth that He is their Messiah (Zechariah 12:10).

Those who study the Bible regarding the future of Israel and the land know that it is better to side with God and what He says or we will find ourselves fighting against God (Joel 3:2). Who wants to do that?

We have observed President Obama’s strong Islamic leanings. He is certainly more Islamic than Christian. Through his eight years of presidency he has shunned Prime Minister Netanyahu repeatedly. Now, in his last week or so of office he is trying ever so hard, with a last-ditch effort, to use the Office of the United States to enable the predominately Islamic United Nations to deregulate Israel from their land.

This is the land they have lived in for over 3,000 years. This is the land that was given them by divine mandate for an everlasting possession (Genesis 17: 8). And in 1967 they recaptured the heartland of Israel (the so-called West Bank) from attacking Arab armies and Islamic nations who vastly out-numbered them.

Now we have nations that have never had to face the pogroms, gas ovens, mass destruction, and the serious persecutions that Israel faced over the years bullying them into an even smaller and more vulnerable situation than they can possibly accept for their own protection and survival. Shame on all those countries who own vast areas of land and who have never been surrounded by enemies that hate them and who will never, now or in the future, permit Israel to exist in the Middle East in the land that belongs to them eternally by the promises of God.

Are there a few promises? No, there are hundreds. Check out: http://bit.ly/EverlastingPossesion

Even New Zealand, the country of my birth, turned its back on Israel that lives in land that would amount to one of New Zealand’s provinces. Thank God, the United States has a president coming into office in four says who understands Israel’s dilemma. May God have mercy on my own country of birth, as well as all the countries that turn their back on Israel. None of these countries would accept being bulled to give up land that belonged to them for generations.

There is a God of justice in heaven who sees the arrogance of France and the other European nations, the vast, rich Arab nations surrounding Israel, and the Democratic Obama administration representing the Unties States of America. He will judge the nations for such bullying and prideful actions.

The two-state solution can never work. They have proved it will not work by what the Palestinians have done with the land already given over to them by the pressure of the nations. America has suffered many calamities because we have pressured Israel to give up its Promised Land. An interesting book to read is “As America has Done to Israel” by John P. McTernan.

How dare we mess with God and think we will get away with it? For years, little Israel has been the infamy of the nations, but God loves those who are trodden underfoot and persecuted. Jerusalem belongs to Israel’s Messiah, Jesus Christ, and He will reign forever over the whole earth from the city of Jerusalem (Psalm 89:36,37 and Luke 1:33).

We must humble ourselves and pray.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

However, there are some sins that require more drastic measures of discipline. This is to provide protection for the family and to help the offender understand the seriousness of his/her actions of sin and rebellion. The offender should be given clear understanding that mercy and forgiveness are lovingly offered based on sorrowful repentance.

The advice Paul wrote concerning the serious fornicator in 1 Corinthians 5:1-9 regarding his removal from the church family has similar application to the individual family. His being removed from the church with the purpose that his spirit would “be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” was effective to bring this man to compete repentance and ultimate restoration to the church family (2 Corinthians 2:6-11).

All such actions should only be done in the spirit of meekness and in the fear of God.

The parable of the prodigal son would not have ended with the beautiful repentance and father’s forgiveness if the father had forbidden his rebellious son to leave home. The father’s home would never have been the peaceful, righteous, godly atmosphere as previously if the rebellion was overlooked and tolerated.

The rebellious son would never have come to his senses, with repentance and godly sorrow, if he had been encouraged to remain at home in his rebellion.

The mercy, love, and forgiveness displayed by the father who ran towards his repentant homecoming son would not have happened.

Tolerance toward evil never helps to get rid of it!

However, the father never hardened his heart against his son. He watched and watched and waited for his return.

Herein lies the wisdom of God in the dealing with a rebellious son or daughter.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

What should parents do with an older teenager who, for whatever excuse, declares themselves homosexual? Should they be allowed to remain in the family home? What impact would that have on the other siblings as well as the godly atmosphere of the home?

The same question can be asked concerning drugs, alcohol, and pornography. Or even a husband or wife involved in adulterous affairs.

The parents (in a spirit of meekness) should seriously admonish the guilty party toward repentance (2 Timothy 2:25). They must give understanding to the offender of how God views their rebellious conduct--firstly against God, and secondly the parent’s family values. The parents must also give clear understanding that they have a God-given mandate to protect the sanctity of the family home as well as the other siblings in the home.

To protect the sanctity of the family’s Christian values, the offender must understand that unless they repent, they cut themselves off from the family home, which of course, you do not want to happen.

If they are working and making their own money, they must know that unless they repent within a reasonable period provided by the parents they must move and out and put their rebellious sin under their own roof.

You will tell them that you will continue to always love them and pray for them. You could also arrange to meet with them as parents at regular times at a certain place, e.g. a coffee bar to encourage them to turn away from their sin. But not in your own home.

They should also see your compassionate heart and know that their actions bring great grief and weeping to your heart.

To be continued.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Men, the only way to have our hearts turned towards our children to the degree that God looks for can only happen through prayer.

If our hearts are not concerned for our children,
if we do not care much about the choices they make in life,
if we do not earnestly endeavor to come alongside them to encourage them in the right direction,
if we are indifferent towards their need of help (whatever that may be),
if we allow them to do whatever they want, go wherever they wish, watch and read whatever they want, and keep whatever company they desire,
if we try to do the right thing, but because of constant resistance we give up for the sake of peace,
if we find our hearts growing cold and indifferent towards them,
if we have given up earnestly praying for them—
WE NEED TO GET BACK TO THE POWER OF EARNEST PRAYER!

Before we can expect the right changes to take place in our children’s hearts and lives, we need to first have our own hearts softened and turned toward them. Our own hardness of heart towards them, because of their rebellion etc., can be the biggest hindrance to our children’s hearts being turned back to God’s ways.

I am not staying we should not be resistant towards sin (their sin and our own). However, what I am saying is that our children must FEEL and know more than ever our tender love toward them. Unfortunately, I often find that our severity and abhorrence towards their sin can be the biggest barrier to their healing and restoration. I believe we must never allow hardness to overtake our loving hearts. For this we must pray earnestly.

Our own attitude towards sin must never hinder our love for the sinner.

James 5:15 states: “And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up: and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.”

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell