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

Men, it is a true saying that we are only one generation away from degeneration. It is also true that we are only one generation away from regeneration. There should be no reason why the next generation should not be greater than the present generation. However, if we do not do certain things to facilitate regeneration, the next generation could be lost.

1. PRAYER
Most of important of all, we must pray for the generations to come. Just as seed in the ground requires a daily supply of water in order to germinate, in the same way, without sufficient prayer the next generation will become weak in Christian values.

Paul understood this importance of praying constantly for the new believers. He wrote to the Colossian believers, "For this cause we . . . do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding" (Colossians 1:9).

PRAYER BRINGS GOD INTO THE SITUATION

We parents can worry and fret about the spiritual state of our children and grandchildren, but this does not change anything. We must call upon the Lord on their behalf. Praying parents and grandparents are the great backbone and strength of all successful godly parenting. Prayer can change any situation because prayer moves the right hand of God as we pray fervently and in faith.

Thank God for praying parents who are not too busy to pray--parents who will . . .

Pray with fervency (James 5:16-18). Don't be casual about it.

Pray with faith (Mark 11:23, 24 and Luke 17:6).

Pray with thanksgiving, praising God for His divine power to correct and soften the hardest heart (Ephesians 5:20 and 1 Thessalonians 5:23).

Pray continually (Luke 11:8 and Ephesians 6:18). 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, "Pray without ceasing." Many times we do not see answers because we do not continue in prayer.

Pray through until the answer is evident (1 Kings 18:42-46). Don't give up.

There is ample evidence throughout the church that moral standards are falling. In some cases it is gradual and in other cases it is happening more rapidly. I am observing that college age and into the twenties is a very vulnerable age. They are influenced by peers and often questionable boundaries.

Prayer is most needed at this time of our history for multiplicity of situations in the world, but Christian parents must be awakened to their absolute and urgent responsibility to pray fervently for their own family. If we fail in this area of prayer we fail to bring God to breathe His Spirit upon our offspring and therefore fail seriously in our parenting.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Many places in this world are desperately in need of our prayers. Men, we must at all times encourage ourselves with the truth that OUR GOD REIGNS.

Can you pray daily with your families for the following great needs?

1. The uprising in Hong Kong by multitudes seeking democracy. We must pray that the church in China will no longer have to be underground and that multitudes of Christian Chinese will be able to openly share Christ to their fellow countrymen.

2. North Korea is much on our hearts because it is the most cruel of all persecutors of Christians. Currently there are three Americans being held in prison for their faith--Kenneth Bae, Jeffrey Fowk (56 Years) sentences to 15 years hard labor in April 2013 for leaving a Bible in his hotel room, and Matthew Todd Miller. Pray for their release as well as others being persecuted brutally. Pray that President Kim Jong-Un, who is worshipped as North Korea's savior will be miraculously converted to Christ or overthrown so that North Korea will be free to preach Christ as in South Korea. We must bind up the powers of darkness that hold North Korea in bondage.

3. Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea where thousands are dying with Ebola and it continues to worsen. I am told that Nana Silver 10 PPM is the best chance we may have to stop Ebola, but the WHO forbids the delivery into these countries. (www.DrRimaTruthReports.com).

4. Victory over ISIS and all Islamic extreme jihadists. This is a most serious matter for continual prayer. We, as families, are on the spiritual side of this battle. As we pray, the powers of darkness and deception are broken so that those who are fighting in the natural can have physical victory. Exodus 17:11 tells us that "When Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed."

5. Israel and their battle with Hamas. We must pray for protection and wisdom for their Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. He is trying to convince the world that ISIS is not the only great enemy that must be defeated. Iran has to be stopped from becoming a nuclear now.

We must also pray that the West Bank will be kept for Israel. God speaks through the prophet Ezekiel in Ezekiel 36:10-12: "And I will multiply men upon you, and all the house of Israel, even all of it: and the cities shall be inhabited (this is also referring to the mountains of Samaria which the world calls The West Bank), and the wastes shall be builded. And I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bring fruit: and I will settle you after your old estates, and will do better unto you than at your beginnings: and ye shall know that I am the Lord. Yes, I will cause men to walk upon you, even my people Israel; and they shall possess thee, and thou shalt be their inheritance, and thou shalt no more henceforth bereave them of men."

At the end of the chapter in verse 37 it says, "Thus saith the Lord God; I will yet for this be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them; I will increase them with men like a flock." God has stated His promises, but He wants us to bring them before in prayer. We must pray that USA, the EU, the UN, and France who are all trying to stop Israel building on the West Bank (which is contrary to God's promises) will no longer get in the way of God's purposes for Israel. If we want God on our side, we must stand with God's promises for Israel.

Be encouraged to pray,

Colin Campbell

This world is rocking and reeling like a drunken sailor, but our God reigns!

2 Timothy 3:1-5 says, "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."

Men, like Noah, we need build an ark to save our households. Hebrews 11:7 says, "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith."

This is not a time to be living carelessly, or even prayerlessly. Matthew 24:37-39 says, "But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be."

Men, we are building an ark for our family when we have daily Family Devotions. Every devotion with our family is hammering another nail in our ark. We are building an ark for our family when we read the Scriptures with them, pray with them, and worship with them.

We are building an ark for our family when we apply loving discipline to our children when they need it.

We are building an ark for our family every day as we stand up for wholesome godly standards, denouncing all compromise and tolerance of that which is evil.

We are building an ark for our children as we homeschool them, saving them from all sorts of false, humanistic teach and ungodly friendships.

We are building an ark for our family as we encourage our wives to full time mother our children. By this we save them from the dangerous oceans of daycare centers.

We are building an ark for our children as we relate, communicate, and shower our love upon them, especially when they need it most.

We are building an ark for our children as we work hard to provide well for them.

We are building an ark for our family by helping them make godly choices for themselves. Allowing our children, especially our daughters, to leave home to go to a secular college where they will be surrounded with all types of temptation is not building an ark for them. It is sending them out of the ark. There are many alternative ways for them to earn a college degree.

We are building an ark for our family by taking them regularly to a truth-advocating church.

We are building an ark for them by surrounding them with godly siblings and friends.

The greatest ark of all is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Most of all, we must encourage our children to all be on His ark.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

This war needs soldiers on the ground and soldiers who know how to pray.

Isaiah 28:5, 6 says, "In that day shall the Lord of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people, and for a spirit of judgment to him that sittest in judgment, and for STRENGTH TO THEM THAT TURN THE BATTLE TO THE GATE."

All the blood, sweat, and toil that the USA put into winning the war over Al Qaeda in Iraq is about to be lost as ISIS positions itself to take Baghdad. Men, along with our families, we must pray that God will somehow and in some way divinely intervene. In the last week approximately 1,000 people have been killed by this murderous group as it sets itself up to take Baghdad. We must pray that God in His mercy will cause our government to act wisely and appropriately, despite the foolishness of man's wisdom.

There are many Christians in Iraq and Syria whose lives are being snuffed out and brutally threatened by this evil land murderous group. As we all know, two of our our journalists were beheaded by them. Now we have the beheading in Oklahoma, which is without a doubt connected, and should warn us that all these terrorist groups need to be severely dealt with right now by all peace loving nations before we suffer something even worse than 9/11.

All of these terrorist groups hate us with a demonic, satanic hatred. We must pray also that millions of moderate more peace-loving Islamics will leave their Islamic faith out of disgust for its ever-increasing violence toward innocent people. We must pray that they will turn to Jesus Christ who alone is the "way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6).

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

"Buy the truth, and sell it not" (Proverbs 23:23).

Men, we are a nation that has been founded upon godly ethics and standards in our Constitution. Therefore, we have a divine calling to be standard-bearers of all that is wholesome, godly, and ethical to all nations that have contact with us. The founding documents of our nation were greatly influenced by the moral code and values of the Bible, which proves that at that time many of our leaders were also greatly influenced by God's Word.

We have now reached a time in our history when many of our current leaders are no longer under the influence of the Bible, as were our founders. Through the democratic and political process, we the people, have voted into power and leadership many who care not for the standards of truth and integrity. The reason why we have voted liars, cheaters, and corrupters into positions of power is because we the people, have fallen away from the "love of the truth."

The liberties that we have inherited in order to live a life of blessing, peace, and protection are now being abused in order to satisfy our flesh and lusts. This has resulted in government approved-homosexual marriages, government-approved abortion (the shedding of innocent blood), plus a host of other government-approved immoral behavior including legalized drug use.

We as a nation once bought the truth. Now we are sell it out in order to buy lies and deceptions.

Men, we must now arise and lead our nation back to the truth. We must begin with ourselves so that we will be men who buy and love the truth. We must also raise children of truth who will love the truth and hate and despise all that is evil (Psalm 97:10; Amos 5:15; Romans 12:9; and Hebrews 1:9).

Let us rise up all over this land. Let us embrace the truth and, along with our families, push back the darkness. "This we will do, so help us, O God. We are desperately in need of you, O God."

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Daniel 11:32 (HCSB) states: "The people who know their God will be strong and take action."

As fathers, we have a great work to do. We are raising up our children to be standard-bearers to the nation we live in as well as many other nations.

We are raising up families of strong moral character.

We are raising families who have been well taught on all godly moral values.

We are raising children and young people who know their Bibles and know how to pray.

We are raising families who know how to hold their heads up and their shoulders square in the face of all opposition to righteous standards.

We are raising families who know how to resist temptations to be liars, cheats, compromisers, and lazy "good for nothings."

We are raising up our families to be movers and shakers of all that is wholesome and righteous.

We are raising families who are not afraid of devils and demonic forces of darkness who dare to roar against us.

We are raising families who know their God and who will be strong, and do exploits.

We are raising families with stickability, persistence, and pluck.

We are raising families who are learning how to fight in the battles of life, who will never quit or throw in the towel.

Men, the world desperately needs this kind of family more than ever. You had better believe it! The whole world needs fathers and mother who will be prepared to sacrifice everything to make this happen.

Men, are you tracking with me?

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Isaiah 62:10 says, "Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people."

As fathers, we have the priceless privilege of being moral, godly standard-bearers for not only our own families, but ultimately the whole nation. We must, and can, change this nation for good--one family at a time, beginning with our own family.

For too long we have as a so-called Christian nation allowed our godly Christian morals and values to slip and fall away to the point that we appear to many of the world's Islamic peoples, who hold extremely strict moral codes with harsh penalties, to be decadent, offensive, and ungodly. However, we know that for all their prayers and strict religious observances that their religion is full of massive hypocrisies and injustices, especially towards woman. Their barbaric treatment of innocent people by the use of the sword in order to convert them to Islam is plain straight demonic and evil.

Unfortunately, as a Christian nation, we appear to those who want to attack us as immoral, ungodly, given to drugs, alcohol, pornography, shootings, murders, adulteries, and abortions. Our checkout tabloids are full of it. Our media and movie theaters are full of it.

As a Christian nation we have been called by God to be a light to a dark world, to be an example nation of people who speak the truth, to be a people who show forth justice, honor, and integrity.

Fathers, all this has to start in our homes. It is we men and fathers who must raise the standards of honesty, purity, and godly morals.

We must start today.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Now is NOT the time for coffee and tea gatherings or prayer breakfasts where we do more talking and breakfasting than praying. Now is not the time for levity, laughing, joking and telling funny stories.

Now is the time for us to take military action in the spirit realm.
Now is the time for us to pray as families for those who are being downtrodden, beaten, and persecuted.

NOW IS THE TIME TO GET SERIOUS AND ARM OUSELVES TO DO BATTLE.

~ Colin Campbell

Men, I believe that the greatest thing that could sum up our lives or could ever be said about us is that we are loving men. We would all agree that love is the greatest word that describes God. 1 John 4:16 says, "And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love, and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him."

Although God is characterized by many great and wonderful attributes such as His holiness, truth, strength, righteousness, mercy, faithfulness, justice and many others that should never be underestimated in any way, but the greatest is love. The apostle Paul makes this very clear in 1 Corinthians 13:13 that even though there are three major abiding virtues for all Christians--faith, hope, and love, but the GREATEST of these is love.

Men, a very religious man may not be a very loving man. We may have all the doctrines of the Bible in our heads, and yet not have love moving out of our hands and feet. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Someone has said, "You can give without loving, but you can't love without giving." God gave His only begotten Son purely because He loves us so much.

Men, our families need to see and experience this greatest of all virtues outweighing everything else about us in order that we will be the true reflectors of God.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

"Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God . . . We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren" (1 John 3:1, 14).

Men, every day we are presented with new opportunities to show forth the loving heart of our heavenly Father. The whole world is famished for living demonstrations of His fatherly love. Each one of us "prayed up" men have the great privilege of generously ministering God's love at all times and at every opportunity to a desperately needy world.

First of all, we must minister love to our wives and families. Those who are closest to us have the number one priority. Men, there is something wrong with the picture when we think that others outside of our immediate family have the first right to God's fatherly love flowing through us. Perhaps it is easier to minister to those who do not see us close up and those who are not acquainted with our faults and failures for they do not really know what we are like on the home base where we tend to be more vulnerable.

The Father's love in us is unchanging, no matter where we are, in the home or out of the home. All that His love requires is men, who despite their own inadequacies, will seek the Lord sufficiently for His love to be released in all its manifold ways to all who are involved in our lives, both at home and everywhere we go.

We men must never forget that the greatest debt we owe our families and our fellowmen is love, for God Himself is love, and has made love to be the highest ambition for man to aspire and fulfill. There is no quest higher than love.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Jude 1:20, 21 says, "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."

Men, because of all the challenges we daily face in so many areas of our lives, we must continually keep ourselves strong in the Lord. It's one thing to go to a gym, eat the right foods, and workout to keep our physical bodies strong and in good shape, but it is another thing to be strong and in good shape spiritually.

Children and teens need spiritually strong fathers. Fathers who are up with the play (know what's going on). Fathers who set strong standards and boundaries for their children. Many of the problems that Christian families have with teenagers getting off the tracks is because fathers are not up with the play of what's really going on in their children's lives.

Men, we not only have to be more involved with our children, but we should be always ready to give them godly advice and direction in a loving and non-threatening way. A father who constantly threatens his children tends to get their backs up and creates rebellion and resistance. When counseling and directing our children, make sure the children know that love is coming through at the same time. This can only happen by being prayed up in the Holy Spirit.

Men, just as you see the importance of a physical workout to keep yourselves trim and fit, don't forget the absolute importance of being prayed up so that your spiritual batteries will be always charged up to the max.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell