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Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs
Through the weekly and daily devotionals you can be constantly encouraged in your great role of parenting, the highest career in the nation. You can also stay updated on what's happening with the Above Rubies ministry.
“We best understand the feelings and affections of God toward us when we bend over our own child and see in our human parenthood a faint image of the divine Fatherhood.”
~ J. R. Miller (1840 – 1912).
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When the pace seems slow
And few there be to care or know
That the world’s crept in the doors
And slackened every godly cause
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
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Jesus Christ is our true measurement. He is our foursquare measurement. Everything about His life and character was divinely measured. His prayer, worship, and intercession were divinely measured.
This divine measurement has been given to us by His Indwelling Spirit. If our prayer life does not match with His praying, Indwelling Sprit then we are unbalanced. If the wheel of a car is not balanced correctly the car will shake and the ride uncomfortable. Our Christian lives need to be balanced with prayer, the truth of God’s Word, as well as being filled with His Holy Spirit.
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
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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
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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
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“Where is the business that is so important as to justify a man’s evasion of the sacred duties which he owes to his own family? There cannot be any other work in this world which a man can do that will excuse him at God’s bar for having neglected the care of his own home and the training of his own children. No success in any department of the world’s work can possibly atone for failure here. No piling up of this world’s treasures can compensate a man for the loss of those incomparable jewels of his own children.”
~ J. R. Miller (1840 – 1912).
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The reason the golden altar of prayer is so important is that it ushers us right into the Holy of Holies.
In our failure to place our lives on this golden altar of incense/prayer, we fail to walk in the power and blessings of God’s presence. How easy it is to say to friends or acquaintances who are going through great tragedy: “You will be in our prayers.” We even hear it coming from the lips of politicians and leaders.
“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
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The altar of incense had to be FOURSQAURE (Exodus 30:2). The ministry of prayer, revealed through the golden altar of incense is an all-important doctrine. The teaching on the furniture of the tabernacle revealed six of the most important doctrines in Scripture:
1. THE BRAZEN ALTAR – Calvary, where Jesus, the Lamb of God shed His precious blood for our sons.
2. THE BRAZEN LAVER – Baptism and the washing by the Word of God.
3. THE GOLDEN LAMPSTAND - The ministry of the Holy Spirit shedding light upon Christ in the Word of God.
4. THE GOLDEN TABLE OF SHEWBREAD upon which THE PRESENCE BREAD WAS PLACED – Jesus Christ, the Living Bread.
5. THE GOLDEN ALTAR OF INCENSE – The ministry of prayer, praise, worship, and intercession.
6. THE ARK OF THE COVENANT – The Shekinah presence of God and His covenant mercy.
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
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I read the statement: “It is our greatest privilege to link our intercessions with Christ’s fulltime intercessions.” This is an amazing truth. We should all seek to grasp this incredible revelation.
Romans 8:26: “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”
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
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THE CONTINUAL INTERCESSION OF JESUS CHRIST, OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST.
Intercession is Jesus’ full-time ministry in heaven, going on right now for us, His people on earth.
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
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SET FREE FROM OUR OWN SELF-IMAGE
Another great aspect of keeping our eyes lifted from self to behold the high worthiness of our Savior Jesus Christ is the freedom from the negatives that self imposes upon us. Instead of the flaws and weaknesses of self we exceedingly rejoice in the high worthiness of our Savior. Through the cross He has made us worthy to have our prayers answered. We must never forget that His worthiness is not just for Himself, but from our perspective, His worthiness is put to our account.
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
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Today we continue our series on the Altar of Incense being the HIGHEST piece of furniture in the Holy Place.
3. As the highest piece of furniture in the Holy Place it represents the HEIGHT of God’s worthiness to receive praise and worship.
We should never ever regard prayer, intercession, praise, and worship with a halfhearted attitude. We cannot treat them casually. We must consider them the most important part of our everyday lives. To have a lukewarm attitude toward God’s WORTHINESS is most sacrilegious and we should repent.
As people who have received such amazing grace and love, we should make every endeavor to mightily increase our gratitude and make our whole lives a golden altar that grows higher and higher.
Philippians 2:8-11: “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath HIGHLY EXALTED him, and given him a name which is ABOVE EVERY NAME: That at the name of Jesus 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.”
Hebrews 3:3: “For this man was counted WORTHY OF MORE GLORY than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honor than the house."
Revelation 4:10, 11: “The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art WORTHY, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for that hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”
Only the Lamb of God was worthy to open the book and loose the seven seals containing the prophetic judgments of the world. Revelation 5:8-10: “And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors (incense), which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art WORTHY to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”
Revelation 5:12: “And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, WORTHY IS THE LAMB that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.” Do you notice the seven-fold worthiness of the Lamb?
His worthiness is indeed VERY HIGH.
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell
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His name is higher than any other. His name is Jesus. His name is Lord.
The altar of incense was the HIGHEST piece of furniture in the Holy Place in the tabernacle.
1. As the highest piece of furniture in the Holy Place it represents the HIGH PRIORITY we must give to worship and intercessory prayer. Christ’s ministry of intercession is now His highest and most important ministry on behalf of the church (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; 9:24; and 1 John 2:1). Therefore it should also be the highest ministry of the church, not the least attended service. We see the lack of spirituality in the modern-day church by its lack of attendance to worship and intercession.
All I can say is that if it’s good enough for Jesus, our high priest, to make prayer and intercession His No. 1 priority, should it not be the same for His body?
I believe this is the main reason the church is weak in all aspects of its life, including marriage and family. Fatherhood and motherhood in the modern-day church are barely different from that of the world.
2. As the highest piece of furniture in the Holy Place it represents the HEIGHTS to which worship and intercession can take us. We become “the mounting up people.”
Isaiah 40:31 says: “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall MOUNT UP with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
Paul reminded the Ephesians Christians that they are RAISED UP together with Christ and to experience all the blessings of this truth. Ephesians 2:6 says: “And hath RAISED US UP together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” If we do not live our lives at this high altar of prayer and worship, how can we possibly know the things that are ours in the heights?
Colossians 3:1, 2: “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are ABOVE, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things ABOVE, not on things on the earth.” It is only at this high altar of prayer and intercession, coupled with praise and worship, that we enter into the high heavenly blessings.
To be continued.
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell
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We must teach the truth of the golden altar to our families. God has called us men to be fathers and leaders of our families, teaching our children how to pray, worship, and read God’s Holy Word. Without question, this is one of the most important things we can do as fathers.
If we who call ourselves Christian fathers place more emphasis on teaching our children social skills, the rights and wrongs of our cultural traditions, the provision of a good education, and the importance of being good and successful citizens, rather than a relationship with God through prayer and His Living Word, we fail them in what really matters most.
If we have not taught them how to pray daily and seek God through reading and meditation of His Word, from an eternal perspective we fail to teach them what matters most.
Many will say, “This is why we take our family to church once a week.” But prayer and the study of God’s Word was never ever meant to be a once a week ritual, but rather a daily habit.
How can our children possibly survive in this morally corrupt world, with all the deceptions that go along with it, if we do not wake up to the truth that we need God every moment of every day?
The Bible says in James 4:8: “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” We need to encourage a daily experience of drawing near to God. How can we expect God to walk with us if our fathers never taught us how to walk with Him. How can we expect our children to walk with God if we don’t teach them how to walk with Him?
The ministry of the golden altar is needful so we can experience its value in our lives every day, from the cradle to the grave.
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell
Picture: Henry-Mosier-Pilgrims-Grace
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Today we look at some of the different names the Bible uses regarding this altar.
1. THE ALTAR OF INCENSE (Exodus 30:27; 31:8; 35:15; and 37:25). These passages emphasize the importance of prayer/worship/intercession to be a fragrant smell in God’s nostrils. Whatever we ask for, or whenever we worship, we do it all in the name of Jesus whose “name is as ointment poured forth” (Song of Solomon1:3).
2. THE GOLDEN ALTAR (Exodus 30:2; 39:39; and 40:26). These Scriptures emphasize the high value, inestimable worth, and preciousness of the ministry of prayer. The golden altar was the highest piece of furniture in the holy place.
3. THE GOLDEN ALTAR WHICH IS BEFORE THE THRONE (Revelation 8:3) which emphasizes prayer and worship connecting us to the throne of God enabling Him to rule and reign in us over all the earth.
4. THE WHOLE ALTAR WHICH IS BY THE ORACLE, the ark bearing the ten commandments, the covenant and truth (1 Kings 6:22). Prayer and worship open our hearts to the oracle or words of God’s truth and keep us close to it.
5. THE ALTAR BEFORE THE LORD (Leviticus 16:12-18). This emphasizes the nearness of God’s heart. We become close to the presence of God when we pray. We are to be the people of His presence. Exercising this ministry at the altar of prayer and worship releases God’s presence in our midst.
6. THE ALTAR TO BURN INCENSE (Exodus 30:1). This emphasizes the need of fire to burn the incense on the altar of our lives. There needs to be Holy Ghost fire in our prayer lives. Speaking of Jesus, John the Baptist said: “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.”
This Holy Spirit fire burns up the chaff in our lives and causes prayer and praise to be sweeter and stronger in devotion and fervor.
7. THE ALTAR OF SWEET INCENSE BEFORE THE LORD (Leviticus 4:7). This Scripture emphasizes the need for our prayer/praise/worship to be very sweet before the Lord. No bitterness or critical spirit is acceptable to God. The Lord’s prayer teaches us that when we pray, we must also forgive (Matthew 6:12-16).
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell
Picture: Martin-Luther-Prayer
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People love gold rings and ornaments that are pure gold. They despise fake gold. With the same attitude, we should go after the real gold, which is prayer.
Men, we must pioneer this golden altar of prayer in our homes and families. Without it we fail.
Despite all the craziness going on in and out of the church, God is calling men and fathers to pioneer a revival of certain truths that He wants to use in these evil days to counteract and push back the powers of darkness. These truths assist to establish His kingdom of righteousness and peace in our families and individuals that make up His body, the true church.
Through the appropriation and activation of these truths, both individuals, families, and churches will become powerful instruments in God’s arsenal to change and destroy the evil powers over many nations.
Fathers, like the patriarchs of old, we must raise up this golden altar of prayer, praise, and worship in our families again.
Just as God calls parents to take their children away from the humanistic, public school system to the morally protected environment of their homes, He is also raising up families and churches to be involved in this golden altar ministry of prayer.
To be continued.
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell
Painting: “The Family at Prayer” by Haddon Sundblom
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Men, how much involvement do you and your family put into prayer in your home? The ministry of prayer is a golden ministry. It is very valuable and of inestimable worth.
Exodus 37:25, 26: “And he made the incense altar of shittim (acacia) wood: the length of it was a cubit, and the breadth of it a cubit; it was foursquare; and two cubits was the height of it; the horns thereof were the same. And he overlaid it with PURE GOLD, both the top of it, and the sides thereof round about and the horns of it: also, he made unto it a crown of gold round about.”
Exodus 39:38: “The golden altar . . . “
Pure gold speaks of gold in its purest form. It also speaks of great value and worth. It is likened to God himself. The ministry of prayer and worship is of endless worth and should never be treated as unworthy of serious attention.
Many people underestimate the enormous value of prayer and worship and tend to have a neglectful attitude towards it. But God puts a high priority on prayer. He ordained this ministry to be the way we communicate with Him, the Almighty God.
Profanity is the sin of taking the holy things of God, making them light, and cheapening them. Esau did this over his birthright and no amount of tears could restore it back to him (Hebrews 12:15-17).
By and large, the modern-day church has very little involvement in prayer and as a result we have shut ourselves off from God’s involvement in our lives. When we are too busy to pray, we show God that this ministry is not a golden ministry to us.
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell
References about the golden altar of incense: Exodus 30:1-10, 34-38; 37:25-29; 39:38; 40:5, 26; Psalm 141:2; Luke 1:9-11; Revelation5:8; 6:9; and 8:3-5.
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The altar of incense, which was a piece of furniture in the Holy Place in the tabernacle and later the temple, has valuable teaching regarding the prayer life of God’s people.Psalm 141:2: “Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.”
Revelation 5:8: “And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints.”
Revelation 8:3-5: “And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him MUCH INCENSE that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God out of the angel’s hand. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.”
We read about the altar of incense in both the Old and New Testaments. I say this to counteract the argument that the “golden altar of incense” has no application for God’s people in the New Testament.
The first mention of this altar in the New Testament was when Zacharias, the future father of John the Baptist was attending to his duties of priesthood, i.e. the burning of incense at the golden altar.
According to the custom of the priestly office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. As he lit the incense, the whole multitude of the people prayed outside the temple at the same time.
We read in Luke 1:9-11: “According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.”
Although Zacharias still operated under the Old Covenant, we observe how the congregation of the people prayed at the time of the burning of the incense.
There has perhaps never been a more important time in the history of this nation than right now for God’s people to pray. Our nation and the world is in a very critical time and only God can help us.
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell
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It is sad to me that there is much more praying in the mosques of Islam than in the churches of Christians. I wonder why.
Jesus said: “It is written, my house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves” (Matthew 21:13).
If God wants His house to be called a HOUSE OF PRAYER, should not our homes also be houses of prayer? Sadly, we have allowed thieves to come into our homes and steal away the most important thing God wants in our homes. This is how He wants His house to be named. This is how He wants your home to be named! A HOUSE OF PRAYER!
Prayer distinguishes the place where God delights to call home from all other homes. Prayer turns ordinary, humble dwellings into homes of great power.
“My house” implies that the owner of the house is God. The devil tries to steal payer from our lives and our homes. When we allow the world, the flesh, or the devil to steal prayer from our homes and churches, we can no longer call them “God’s house” any more. This refers to the church gathering we attend, the home we live in, and even more importantly, our physical bodies which house the Holy Spirit.
Prayer denotes a humble dependence upon God. Prayer brings the presence of God to bear against all enemies.
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell
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