Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs

MEN OF OBEDIENCE, No. 2.

I think most men have a fascination with powerful weapons. It is probably built into our DNA. Of course, the degree of fascination differs from man to man.

When the reality dawns on us that we have to deal with an aggressive enemy that is out to destroy us on a daily basis, our interest in combative weaponry should be heightened substantially. However, one cannot help but wonder when it comes to spiritual warfare that far too many Christian men do not take this battle anywhere near seriously enough. Physical wars seem to bring a far greater response from men than the spiritual battles we face daily.

What we fail to realize is that when we take up arms in the spiritual realm and put up a really good fight, this enables us to have a greater corresponding victory in the natural. I firmly believe that many of the natural battles we face are very often connected to the spiritual realm.

God, in His goodness, has provided us with powerful weapons to bring every thought and imagination into obedience to Christ. Read again 2 Corinthians 10:4, "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds."

To be continued. Colin

2 Corinthians 10:4-6 says, "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled."

In order for us to experience the great power of the weapons that God has given to us, we must first understand the purpose for using these spiritual weapons. We rejoice that these weapons are "mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds" but what kind of strongholds are this Scripture referring to?

Without a doubt the primary use for these weapons is to bring down the strongholds of disobedience in our own personal lives. This includes every thought and imagination that is contrary to the direct will of God or in opposition to the kingdom of Christ. It is essential that true men of God go to war against all areas of disobedience to the mind and ways of Christ in their personal lives.

If we do not declare that we are at really at war and start attacking all areas of disobedience, we will fail to be true men of God.

To be continued.

Colin

While at the Homeschool Convention in Memphis, Tennessee this last weekend I heard of a speaker who took a workshop on TEN WAYS TO ROCK YOUR WIFE'S WORLD. I did not get to attend myself but two of the ways that were mentioned to me caught my attention.

1. Most husbands in USA could lose about 30 lbs of weight. This would keep them healthier and living longer for their wives. I have had to really battle with this ever since I was about 40 years of age. For the past several weeks I have started a new lifestyle of alternate day eating. I eat normal healthy food and whatever I want for one day. The next day (the alternate day) I eat only 20 percent of the calories I would eat normally, eating mostly salads or thin soups. It seems to be working for me and promises many health benefits.

2. Tidy up after yourself. I reckon I could do better on this and so it's up to me to be a man and step up to the plate.

Be encouraged. Colin

Whatever we do, we are to “Do it HEARTILY, as to the Lord.” I believe enthusiasm is implied with the word, heartily. When you do something heartily, you put your heart and soul into it. You get “stuck in” and give it your best effort. You don’t mechanically go through the motions without any “zim and zest.” You involve your emotions. You use diligence, care and excellence.

It is the Lord who created us and gave us our skills, gifts and talents. He is the One who gives us health and strength. He has given us the greatest salvation ever known to man with multitudes of blessings, not only for this life, but the life which is to come. He is the greatest of all kings and is indeed worthy that whatever we do, we “Do it HEARTILY, as to the Lord, and not unto men” (Colossians 3:23).

Start today to enthusiastically serve the Lord in whatever job you are doing.

Be encouraged as you work enthusiastically. Colin

Colossians 3:23 says, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” This Scripture plainly states that we should be enthusiastic about everything we do, not just some things. Of all people on the face of this earth, we men who call ourselves Christians, could make such an amazing difference if we would only, by the power of the Holy Spirit, show much more divine enthusiasm.

Enthusiasm has the ability to brighten up your marriage and to be a blessing to your children. We who desire to be real men must put an end to moaning, complaining, and making excuses. We must put an end to dragging our feet. This goes against our manliness. We must take a strong stand against all signs of listlessness, apathy, and heartlessness. A heavy chain is hard to drag!

“The zeal of the Lord of hosts shall do this” is mentioned three times in Scripture—2 Kings 19:31; Isaiah 9:7 and 37:32. These Scriptures express the accomplishing power of zeal.

There are many other Scriptures relating to God’s zeal. Our indwelling God is a zealous God and this should make all the difference to the way we live.

Be encouraged to live zealously. Colin

“The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up” (John 2:17). This is the testimony of Jesus. I love enthusiastic people. I believe enthusiasm definitely enhances manhood.

Jesus was, and still is, zealous and enthusiastic about the holiness of God’s house, to the point of severe indignation. This zeal caused Him to make a whip and drive out all that abused and profaned His Holy temple.

We men would do well to take strong notice of this passage so that we will also keep God’s temple clean.

Enthusiasm makes a difficult job easier and assists us to do a better job. An enthusiastic person is good to be around. When we lack this virtue, we can be boring and unexciting to everyone around us.

I do not think any man can win a lady to become his wife without showing some passion. I think it’s sad when the honeymoon is over and the enthusiasm that started the relationship begins to wane. The honeymoon is never meant to be over. Whatever it took to win your wife to marry you is what you must keep doing to keep her married to you.

Enthusiasm enables us to carry through what we started all the way to the end. Zeal will keep going to the finishing line.

Be encouraged in the zeal of the Lord. Colin

Another quality that enhances manhood is doing things as quickly as possible. I believe it is demeaning to manliness to be forced to do things “the union way” which is usually as slow as possible. Such inaction destroys productivity and is not economical.

If your employment expects you to conform to such slackness, my suggestion is that you find other employment as soon as possible. Dawdling, marking time, and slouching is not becoming to manliness.

Proverbs 18:9 says, “He that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is great waster.”

I was at the airport the other day and was sickened to see the slow movements of the cleaning personal as they pushed their small carpet sweepers. It made me feel tired just watching them. They were killing time and working by the clock. It is sad that people get paid to be so slack in their work. It is sad that a lot of government jobs breed this unproductive behavior.

Do not be slow at getting things done. Do the best job possible and do it with style. After all, you are serving the Lord, aren’t you?

Be encouraged. Colin

1 Corinthians 15:58 says, “Be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.”

Manliness is enhanced by reliability, stickability, and plain guts. If we were to say it nicely, “intestinal fortitude.” Someone has said, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” I believe it is unmanly in boxer’s terms to “throw in the towel” at the sign of blood. Absolutely not!

Real men are disgusted with such wimpy behavior. The apostle Paul, exhorting the Hebrews in Hebrews 12:4 states, “Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.” This was not Jesus’ own sin, but ours. Paul goes on to exhort them to “Lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees” (Hebrews 4:12).

Your wife and child need a reliable, dependable man to lean on when things get tough. We must never sit around looking for government handouts when, if we looked hard enough, we could put our own hands to work somewhere or somehow.

Men of God are not feminine; they are manly in a godly way. Remember, “Winners never quit and quitters never win.”

Be encouraged to be a dependable husband and father. Colin

Psalm 110:3 says, “Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power.”

I believe there is something very good about willing manliness. I personally cannot stand a man who drags his feet when there is a job at hand that needs to be done. There is definitely something radically wrong with the man who doesn’t know how to get stuck in and pull his eight. As someone has said, “When the piano needs moving, there are plenty of volunteers to move the stool!”

True manliness is exalted by initiative, volunteerism, and willingness.

Psalm 110:3 says that a day is soon coming called “the day of Thy power,” the day when Christ will reign through His people over all the earth. However, the manifestation of this power will not flow through the hesitant, reticent, unwilling sideliners. Rather, it will be the “willing” who will experience this power.

Do not wait for that day. Start practicing the attribute of willingness now. Do not wait to be asked. If you can possibly help, volunteer today.

Be encouraged to walk in true manliness. Colin

Proverbs 20:6 asks, “But a faithful man who can find?”
Faithfulness, reliability and truthfulness are such a vital part of manhood. Every man who calls himself a Christian should make every effort to make sure that these virtues are not lacking in his life. One does not have to be a pastor or church leader in order to be a godly man. However, every Christian man who genuinely seeks to be a faithful, reliable, and truthful is certainly on the right track to becoming a real man of God.

Many Christian men have dropped the ball on these godly virtues, especially when it comes to two of our most important roles, that of being a husband and father. They are faithful, reliable, and truthful in their positions or employment because at the end of the week they expect a pay check. It pays them to work hard at these virtues in order to keep their job.

I believe it is even more important to diligently exercise these virtues in our marriage and fatherhood. These roles are foundational to our culture and society. In other words, your marriage and fatherhood is infinitely more important than anything else.

Be encouraged to be faithful to spouse and your family. Colin

Song of Solomon 8:5 says, “Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning on her beloved?

I do not think this bride went into the wilderness leaning on the arms of her beloved. Something happened to her in the wilderness that brought about this change. It took a wilderness of trials and testings to find out for sure whether her beloved could be trusted enough to lean upon him.

In the trials of the wilderness, when other women came in contact with her husband, she found that he could be relied upon to be faithful to the covenant he had made with her. In this area of life, his arms were worthy to be leaned upon. In times of sorrow and grief or the loss of a loved one she learned that his arms were there to hold her up. In times of economic hardship, when provision looked bleak, somehow he always found a way to meet the family’s needs. In times of separation through war or occupational demands, she found her beloved’s arms could always be relied upon.

Men, if you are out of work right now, do not sit around waiting for something to turn up. Do not send your wife out to work when her place is at home with the children. Take part-time work yourself. Work a couple of low paid jobs. Do not look to the government. This is a test to see just how dependable your arms really are.

Be encouraged. Colin

The Song of Solomon says, “His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend.”

A man who is always “down in the mouth” is not easy to live with. I have to constantly take stock of myself in this area. I purposefully make myself say positive things in order to break the cycle of negative thinking and speech. Even though I am generally speaking an optimistic person, it has not just happened. I have become more optimistic by disciplining myself to be this way. The last thing people need around them is someone who is down in the mouth. A wet blanket is not going to make anyone feel comfortable.

The words of Jesus surprised the people for they wondered at the “gracious words that proceeded out of His mouth” (Luke 4:22). They also said, “Never man spake like this man” (John 7:46). This is what people should be saying about us for we are His representatives, are we not?

By our words alone we can make a big difference to the lives of those who live around us. Marriages do not break up because of positive speech, just the opposite! Many a marriage could be saved if couples would only sweeten up their speech to each other. Surely, there must be something nice to say to your spouse. Then for goodness sake, say it!

Be encouraged to be a positive influence in your home. Colin.

Song of Solomon 1:3 says, “Because of the savor of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.”

Our heavenly bridegroom, our prototype, is very fragrant indeed. We often worship Christ with the songs…

“His name is as ointment poured forth,
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.
His name is as ointment poured forth.” And,

“Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
There’s just something about that name,
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
Like the fragrance after the rain.”

The anointing oil mentioned in Exodus 30:23-33 was made of “chief spices” that were very special and very expensive. This anointing oil was only to be used for holy purposes. In Isaiah 61:1-3 and Luke 4:18 Jesus declares that this anointing oil is upon Him for the purpose of His ministry.

We should take note that two of these spices were very sweet—sweet cinnamon and sweet calamus. By virtue of the fact that we men are indwelt by the same sweet anointing, this should make a big difference to our every day attitudes. Just as the bride of Christ loves Jesus’ anointed name for all that His name represents, our wives will love us too as we allow this sweet anointing to flow forth from our lives.

When we walk into our home, our fragrant heavenly Bridegroom walks into our home with us. This fragrance represents our godly character and grace. The beautiful attitudes of the Holy Spirit, revealed through the fruit of the Spirit, will fill our home with fragrance.

Be encouraged to release the fragrance. Colin

The Bridegroom in the Song of Solomon 2:1 is called the “Lily of the valleys.”

Because our heavenly Bridegroom calls himself the “Lily of the valleys,” the big question we should ask ourselves is, “What are we husbands like in the valleys? How do we act in the valleys of economic stress when we have no salary to meet our family’s needs? How do we act when disaster strikes, when the going gets tough, or (God forbid) when we lose a loved one?

Men, we must not be so taken up with ourselves and forget that our wives at home often have a difficult task as they homeschool the children, cook the meals, clean the house, wipe noses, change diapers, deal with so much immaturity, do errands, and a thousand other thankless tasks.

Your wife, above all people, needs a husband who is a “Lily of the valleys” to daily encourage her and lift her up when she has had a difficult day. Every day, seek to affirm your wife. Tell her that she is doing the greatest job in the world, you need her at home, the family needs her at home, and the nation needs her at home. Tell your wife daily how much you love her and that you cannot afford to sacrifice her to the altar of careerism.

Men, we must also pay attention to purity for our example husband is a pure white lily. It is only the pure white lilies who can turn the valleys into something glorious. Christ in you is the “Lily of the valleys.”

Be encouraged to encourage your wife in her great calling of motherhood. Colin

Song of Solomon 2:1 says, “I am the rose of Sharon.” The reason why I am stirring men up to not take their marriage for granted is that the onslaught of marriage breakdown continues to increase among Christians. You would have to agree with me that this is a disgrace to the testimony of Jesus Christ, our heavenly Bridegroom, who loves marriage and has ordained that “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder (separate)” (Matthew 19:6).

The bridegroom of Song of Solomon is described as the “Rose of Sharon.” He is the most fragrant in character of all the exotic roses.

The indwelling “Rose of Sharon” lives in us by the power of His Spirit. This should make all the difference between Christian husbands and their marriages and the husbands of the world and their marriages.

Men, if this magnificent “Rose of Sharon” is not being manifested though our masculinity in order to grace and adorn our marriage, we need to pray earnestly that God will help us to remove the blockages.

Roses are surrounded by thorns, which in a sense, speaks of our fleshly nature. However, when our wife sees the beautiful rose and smells the fragrance, the thorns are completely forgotten. Your wife and children need to see more of the rose so that they will be able to forget your thorns (your flesh).

Be encouraged to reveal the “Rose of Sharon” in your marriage relationship. Colin

Proverbs 5:18 says, “Let thy fountain be blessed and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.”

Ecclesiastes 9:9 says, “Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life… for that is thy portion in this life.”

God desires our homes to be Home Sweet Home. We must never take our wife and family for granted. Unfortunately, this is too often the case.

I find too many men are far too matter of fact, mundane, and in fact, boring. We must never allow ourselves to sink to just plain predictable monotony! Whatever it took to get your wife to marry you is pretty much what it takes to keep her living with you for the rest of her life.

She is as beautiful as you make her!

Godly men should be the most positive of all men. We have so much to be positive about, especially with the Lord on our side. We need to be more alive and more like fresh air to our wife and family. We need to sing more, smile more, calm down, and relax more. We need to be glad more, even for the privilege of being a husband and father.

We need to eulogize our wife much more than ever, as well as each member of our family.

If we men will brighten up our corner, pretty soon, others will get the message and brighten up too.

Be encouraged to continually brighten up your home. Colin

Men, I believe your wife and children would love you more if you had more Holy Ghost joy in your life. In fact, more joy could save many a marriage--perhaps yours too!

I am sure it is good for a woman to be married to a “rock” if the man is rock solid in his convictions. But rocks can be boring.

II Corinthians 3:17 says, “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” Liberty? Yes! Liberty to rejoice. Liberty to smile. Liberty to testify. Liberty to lift up holy hands. Liberty to pray. Liberty to dance for joy. Liberty to clap your hands. Liberty to be holy. And liberty to be silent to avoid offense.

Men, I believe that true holiness is not at all like the strict, cold picture that some church groups believe it to be. In fact, the picture that is often painted by some holiness groups reminds me of the 1930 American Gothic painting by Norman Rockwell with a man standing outside his house with his daughter by his side. The man is holding a three-prong pitch fork and they both look very severe. Woe unto the man who tries to court this man’s daughter! And honesty, looking at her, who would want to?

The Holy Spirit is a spirit of liberty. He is not a spirit of legalism which puts people in religious strait jackets. In fact, I believe that rigid, frigid so-called holiness is a misrepresentation of God. Most of it is downright sinful because it is often judgmental on all who smile, laugh and have joy in their holiness.

Hebrew 1:9 says, “Thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity, therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.” None of us would dare question the holiness of Christ. Yet, He was anointed with the oil of gladness above all his contemporaries. The disciples never rebuked the man who was healed at the Gate Beautiful when he walked, leaped and praised God in the temple (Acts 3:1-8).

Aim for more smiles, laughter and Holy Spirit joy in your marriage.

Be encouraged to walk in the liberty that God intends for you. Colin

Hebrews 12:14, "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”

Men, we are called to be examples of holiness, first of all, to our wives and families, and then to all men. In order to evaluate our state of holiness, we need to personally ask ourselves the following questions?

Am I a good example of holiness before my wife and children?
Am I actively seeking holiness in heart and life?
Do I pray daily that God, by His Holy Spirit, will work His holiness in me?
Am I involved in any activity that is in any way questionable, corrupt, or suspect?
Are any of my financial gains or profits carrying any soil or stain of sin?
Is God prospering my business or employment because of my lifestyle of purity and righteousness?
Am I known to be totally honest?
Do people whom I am closely associated with observe my purity of heart by my honest and pure manner of speaking?
Are my business principles the same as my religious principles?
Does my family observe hypocrisy in me?
Am I in any way compromising moral values?
Do I lie when under pressure, or to get my way in a lawsuit or tax exemption?
Do I have an appetite to be entertained by the world?
Do I have a healthy discipline to daily read God’s Word and pray?

We must not mistake religious activity for holiness. True holiness is having a pure heart.

Be encouraged. Colin

A PURE HEART
1 Peter 1:22, “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto the unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently.”

The church has often misinterpreted true holiness. Holiness is keeping ourselves pure—heart, mind and thoughts. If our hearts and thoughts are pure, our actions will also be pure.

Holiness is misrepresented when we think that wearing certain religious garments or certain forms of dress will make us holy. Similarly, we are not made holy by having a bachelor’s degree in theology or earning a religious title such as reverend, pastor or priest. Many churches have made behavior and laws relating to dress codes, diets, tithes, celebrating or not celebrating traditional Sabbaths or holy days. None of these things are the essential holiness God is calling for, although some of these things may appear to the natural mind as an outward form of holiness.

Some think that holiness is a sober face, taking a “silent order” or fasting etc. But, we can do all these things and not be inwardly holy. True holiness is purity of heart and mind, by faith claiming the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus (Revelation 12:11), putting on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-18), and being obedient o the truth (1 Peter 1:22).

Be encouraged. Colin

1 Peter 1:15-16, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

Holiness is a lifestyle that we should embrace, love and pursue. We should be a holy husband and a holy father. In fact, we should be holy in all areas of our lives. God loves to use holy men and this world desperately needs holy men. Holy men are the light and the salt of this world. Honestly, what would the world be like if there were no holy men and women to at least make it tolerable to God?

Lot and his family were not enough to make Sodom and Gomorrah tolerable. However, had there been ten righteous people, despite its filthy morals, God would have spared it by His grace and mercy. Noah and his family were not enough to make the ancient world tolerable to God’s grace and mercy.

The world we live in today is moving at break-neck speed into all manner of sexual impurity. The recent demand by our president to force all churches to fund insurance for free contraception, sterilization and abortion to people employed in their hospitals and schools is disconcerting. Most birth control pills are abortifacient.

The Catholic church sees the immorality and stands up against all this unholy man-made intrusion into the sexual union which God requires to be holy. Where are the main line Protestant churches declaring their convictions on holy intimacy?

The protest against evil has been removed from the word, protestant. Protestants have compromised sexual holiness.

Be encouraged to walk in holiness. Colin