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.

The vision for Meat for Men — UNCOMPROMISING MANHOOD blog is to encourage husbands, fathers and single men in Biblical manhood.

WELL DIGGERS continued. WE CANNOT TAKE GOD’S PRESENCE LIGHTLY!

StairWayHeavenGenesis 28:16: “Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.” Verse 17 continues: “And he (Jacob) was afraid and said, How dreadful (fearful, awesome) is this place! this is none other but the house of God and this is the gate of heaven.” Jacob was just getting on with his own affairs with traveling to his mother’s kinsfolk. Like Jacob, we can often be ignorant of the presence of God.

Jacob’s well was deepened with his first encounter with God. In his dream he saw angels ascending and descending upon a ladder reaching from earth to Heaven. In this revelation, Jacob realizes that God uses ministering angels to provide for our many needs, especially for our protection and help in trials and danger. Hebrews 1: 7, 14 says: “And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. . . . Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation.” Jacob was an heir of salvation, even as we are today. God still uses His ascending and descending angels to dispense His provisions for our every need.

God delivered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Daniel l3:28 tells us: “Then Nebuchadnezzar spoke and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trust in him.”

God delivered Daniel from the blood-thirsty lions. Daniel 6:21, 22 says: “Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live forever. My God hath sent his angel and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me.” Read also Daniel 9:21.

Jacob needed to get his well deeper with the fear of God. Jacob learned in this first encounter with God to fear the Lord, to give God great reverence and respect. We must never take God for granted or treat Him without deep respect.

To be continued.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

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DIG DEEPER

DigDeeperJacob’s well was a deep well. The Samaritan woman who sat on the well at Sychar said to Jesus: “Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep” (John 4:11). Jacob was a man who began early in his life as a deceiver or supplanter (Genesis 27:36). However shallow his well may have been in his early life, through God-ordained experience, his well became much deeper.

Jacob reaped the deception he showed at the hand of his father-in-law, Laban. Genesis 31:7 says: “And your father hath deceived me and changed my wages ten times.” Men, Jacob had it coming to him, but he learned through the difficult times to draw closer to God.

I believe that negative experiences can have very positive results if we use them to dig deeper into God in order to find the water of life. Jacob’s deep well became a legacy for his future generations.

In Genesis 28:11 we read: “He took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows.” They would have been hard pillows, but God used that place to deepen Jacob’s well and he discovered that God was there. Genesis 28:16 says: “And Jacob woke out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD IS IN THIS PLACE; AND I KNEW IT NOT.” How ignorant we can be concerning the presence of God.

To be continued.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

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DEEP WELLS

DeepWellsPsalm 78:15: “He cleaved the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths.”

Shallow wells do not always contain the best water. The water that comes from deep wells are fresher, cooler, healthier, and more satisfying. Jesus Christ Himself is the deepest well of all. There is no end to His depths. He was the Rock that was cleaved in the wilderness. 1 Corinthians 10:4 says: “And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.”

Romans 11:33 says: “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”

God wants His people to also be people of depth. He does not want us to be shallow people.

Shallow Christians have no depth of experience with God.
Shallow Christians have not learned what it means to suffer with Christ (Philippians 3:7-11).
Shallow Christians want everything handed to them on a silver platter.
Shallow Christians do not want to go down into the deep places with God where the flesh screams out in pain.
Shallow Christians do not want to deprive their own fleshly desires (Titus 2:11, 12).
Shallow Christians are self-oriented.
Shallow Christians do not desire to step down into a suffering world. Jesus came from the highest down to the lowest in order to set the captives free.

God’s Word is a deep well and the Holy Spirit wants us to keep digging into it. Prayer is another deep well and the Holy Spirit will deepen us greatly as we dig into Him.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

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WELL DIGGERS

WellDiggersWe begin a new series today, WELL DIGGERS.
Matthew 5:6: “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled."

Isaiah 44:3: “For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring.”

Prayer, waiting upon God, and meditating in God’s Word deepens our wells. Men, the patriarchs of Israel were well diggers. They did not live close to a great river--the Nile that flowed through Egypt or the Euphrates river that flowed through Assyria. Canaan relied heavily on rains and the small Jordan river for its main water supply. In order to have water in the dry seasons for their own needs as well as their stock, they dug wells to make use of the water under the ground.

God promised the patriarchs numerous times that the land of Canaan would be their own inheritance for ever. God gave it to them for an everlasting possession (Genesis 12:5-8; 13:14-18; 17:8; 26:2-5). However, when they lived in that land they were sojourners, living as pilgrims and strangers.

Wells were not easy to dig in those days compared to how we dig them today with steel bits that can drill through rock as if it were butter. Back in those days they used specially designed iron or wooden staves, or a combination of both, a possible primitive form of our spades and shovels. If they dug and did not find water, their animals as well as their families would die of thirst.

Ever believer in Christ is a well to be filled over and over again with the water of life, but God looks for deep wells where the water is not contaminated by the decay and filth of the surface flotsam. It takes effort to deepen the wells.

To be continued.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

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BREAKING THE CHAINS OF JEALOUSY AND ENVY, No. 2

BreakingEnvySolomon 8:6: “Jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.”

Jealousy can take on many different forms:
Pastors can be jealous of the size of another church because of its success.
People can be jealous of other people’s gifts, other people’s good looks, riches and possessions, wives or husbands.
People can be jealous of their neighbor’s success; that they get more attention than you, or that they have more friends.

The mature way of hearing of someone else’s success is to be glad and rejoice for them. There is something wrong with us when we criticize others just because we are jealous of them. This is childish. Romans 12:15 says: “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one to another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.”

I think it is wrong to be hard on yourself and allow yourself to be condemned just because someone else is rejoicing in their success while you are not. You are not a failure just because someone else has success. Stop condemning yourself and start being glad for other people’s success or blessings.

Cain was jealous of God’s respect for Abel’s offering and ended up murdering his brother. Instead, he should have learned the lesson on the type of offering God wanted. Instead of being jealous, be glad for others and see if there is a lesson to be learned for your own blessing.

Sow goodness to others bountifully and see how quickly you will begin to reap your own rewards.

It’s time to seek the Lord to break these terrible chains.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

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BREAKING THE CHAINS OF JEALOUSY AND ENVY, No. 1

JealosyEnvyProverbs 14:30: “A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.”

Matthew 27:18: “For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.” This Scripture reveals how destructive envy can be for it drove the religious leaders of Israel to crucify their Messiah and Deliverer.

They were envious of the power of God that flowed through Him--healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, casting out devils, and raising the dead. They were envious of the great crowds that followed Him. If they had not been envious of Him, the river of God flowing through Him would have healed them also.

If they had not been so envious they would have received Him as their Messiah. John 1:11, 12 says: “He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” Not only did envy stop them from becoming the sons of God, it caused them to murder Him on a cruel cross.

The chain of envy was on the Jews to stir up major persecution against Paul and Barnabas (Acts 43:45-52).

The chains of jealousy and envy have the potential to not only hold back revival from coming to us, but to actually stop revival when it comes.

Envy of others being successful in their ministry causes us to be jealous and speak negatively. This grieves the Holy Spirit and binds the free flowing of the water of life. How sad! We must guard against this sinful chain. We must watch that we are not dragged into its enticing, but deadly net.

To be continued.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

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BREAKING THE CHAINS OF DISUNITY continued.

ShepherdSheepAmos 3:3: “Can two walk together except they be agreed?”

Psalm 23:2 ”He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside he still waters.” Sheep need peaceful pastures where they are not threatened by raging, dangerous waters. In the same way, how can God’s sheep feed and grow healthy if the leadership are in conflict and disunity? How can the sheep be healthy and strong in the midst of in-fighting and strife among themselves?

Even though our Shepherd “prepares a table for us in the presence of our enemies” you can guarantee the table and immediate surroundings would be safe and the sheep would feel safe. Enemies are forced to retreat from the immediate presence of our great Shepherd.

We must not allow the spirit of criticism, gossip, and back-biting to invade our immediate presence--not even our home tables, let alone our church gatherings.

We desperately need to have our heads anointed with the oil of the Holy Spirit every time we meet together. We desperately need our cups to run over with the water of life. All too often we allow unforgiveness, jealousy, and envy to destroy the precious moving of the Holy Spirit in our marriages, our families at home, and our church family.

It is not ISIS, Boko Haram, Hamas, or a suicide bomber we should fear gate-crashing our gathering together as much as critical and judgmental attitudes that divide the brethren and hinder the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. These chains must be broken.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

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BREAKING THE CHAINS OF DISUNITY

ChainsDisunityDisunity, argument, and divisions are chains that bind the free flow of the Holy Spirit. They must be broken.

Psalm 133:1-3: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! (Notice the exclamation mark in this Scripture) It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the bead, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments. As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life forevermore.”

These verses describe the conditions for the free flowing of the anointing oil that is upon Aaron’s head who was Israel’s first high priest and typically represents Jesus Christ, our New Testament High Priest.

This anointing oil was poured out copiously upon Aaron’s head so that it ran down upon his beard and on to his garments (the skirts). This anointing oil is likened to the dew of Hermon that descends upon Mt. Zion. Dew comes only when all is peaceful and calm and when there are no winds of discord, striving, debate, or argument.

Dew is very refreshing to the grasses and plant life on the mountains and also to God’s people.

No church can afford, in any way, to hinder the flowing of this precious anointing. In this passage the unity of brethren and unity of family is likened to the precious anointing of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit came down in great power upon the unified disciples in the upper room (Acts 2:1-4).

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

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BINDING THE CHAINS OF MAN MADE TRADITIONS

BindingChainsThe traditions of men are strongly spoken against by Jesus in Mark 7:1-13. Jesus states in verses 9 and 13: “Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition . . . Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.”

The washing of hands (v. 1-5) is not a bad tradition in itself because it can save the body from destructive contamination. However, to allow the washing of hands before eating food to become such an emphasis that it overtakes other matters of doctrine and conduct which are far more important is a serious problem. Hand washing, if neglected, is not a sin that will damn the soul, but fault-finding of the brethren and judging one another that breaks fellowship and writes others off is a chain that destroys the unity of the spirit. It hinders the commanded blessing God talks about in Psalm 133.

It is a far greater blessing to pray for one another than to constantly find fault with one another. Fault-finding causes our prayers to be hindered and revival to be squashed.

Fault-finding is a serious sin and many Christians do not realize how destructive it is. Of course, major sins must be addressed and rebuked in the spirit of meekness and love. However, many Christians find fault over so many non-essential matters with one another and this makes us no better than the scribes and Pharisees.

In Mark 7: 14 - 20 Jesus told us that it is not what enters into a man that defiles him, but the things which come out of his heart.

In Verses 20-23 Jesus lists the sins of the heart, that when spoken or acted upon, cause a man to be defiled: “And he (Jesus said), That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, and evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” Many get so concerned about clean hands, yet are not so concerned about these soul damning sins of the heart.

How sad it is that we make God’s Word of none effect by the rituals and ways that we run our church services and family lives. As Christians, we need to examine the rituals and traditions with which we have been raised to see if they hinder the river of God from flowing freely. They can often negate and stop God’s Word from having full impact in our lives.

Is my knit-picking critical eye, which I regard as spiritual, hindering the flow of the Holy Spirit?

The question the Pharisees and scribes should have asked themselves is: Is there any real evidence that God is moving in my life other than the fact that I wash my hands? Are the sick healed? Devils cast out? Blind receiving sight? Deaf people hearing again? The dead raised up? People being saved and brought closer to God? If not, why not?

God did all these things through Jesus, but the scribes and Pharisees were more concerned about eating with unwashed hands. How petty can we be? Why do we get upset over so many trivial things?

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

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BREAKING THE CHAINS OF PRIDE

ChainsPride“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).

Pride is another chain that seeks to bind Christians and render us ineffective and powerless. The blessing of John 8:36 is conditional upon John 8:31, 32 “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

By continuing in the truth of Christ we learn how important it is to repent of all pride. Jesus speaks about this subtle sin that binds Christian in His opening remarks in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-15): “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” These are the followers of Christ who do not have an inflated ego concerning themselves. They are not proud about their intelligence, their financial strength, their good looks, their opinions as opposed to others, their education, their self-made accomplishments, the high regard others have for them, and especially religious pride which is insidious because it gets in the way of being able to flow and fellowship with other Christians outside their own circle.

Paul said in Philippians 3:7: “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.” It is only embracing of the cross of Christ that enables us to break this weakening chain. To repent of our pride allows the anointing of the Spirit to set us free.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

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BREAKING THE CHAINS - THE FEAR OF MAN

FearMan“The fear of man bringeth a snare” (Proverbs 24:21).

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

The fear of man is another chain that each individual follower of Christ must shake off. This chain hinders the operation of faith. It causes us to fear persecution by those who do not hold to our faith. This persecution can take many forms such as the fear or being imprisoned, tortured, or even martyred which is happening right now in many countries around the world.

Jesus addresses this fear in Revelation 2:10: “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall be tribulation ten days; be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”

There is also the fear of losing family and friends for the sake of exercising faith in Christ in a manner that your family or church are not used to. In order to step out and exercise faith it may even cost you your job. One can easily be afraid of losing financial support.

In some cases, in order to step out in faith regarding healing, the medical profession could really make it hard on you and your family.

Hebrews 11 describes the “heroes of faith.” In order to exercise faith there were many difficult and challenging battles to overcome. Exercising faith is a fight of goodness against unbelief, all manner of human logic, and often times pure evil.

A revival of the anointing of the Holy Spirit will strengthen us to break free from the chains of fear.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

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THE ANOINTING BREAKS THE CHAINS

AnoitedBreaksIsaiah 10:27: “And the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.”

The church must face the following question. How can the world have its chains broken while the church in general has not by faith appropriated the anointing of the Holy Spirit to cast off its own chains? We know that much of the world outside of Christ is bound up with chains of drug abuse, sexual perversions, violent tempers, mental oppressions and disorders, and all kinds of addictions. Our health experts do their best to try to help with all manner of drugs but they often have their own dangerous side effects.

By the power of the anointing of His Spirit, Jesus Christ is more than able to break all their chains. However, the Lord wants us to use His own people to set the captives free. But how can the church operate in His power when we have not applied His truth to break the different type of chains that bind us in weakness and impotence?

What are some of the chains that bind the church?

UNBELIEF

Unbelief causes us to say that God is able, but hesitates to say He will. The chains of unbelief hindered the release of miracles of healing in Jesus own home town (Matthew 13:58). Unbelief is a big chain which continues to bind much of the church. This chain must be cast off. cross of Christ has already broken its power to bind us.

Will we continue to allow this chain to stop miracles from happening?

To be continued.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

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BREAKING THE CHAINS

BreakChainsWE BEGIN A NEW SERIES TODAY.

“He bringeth out those which are bound with chains” (Psalm 86:6).

Men, in whatever time we have left in this dispensation of grace, we must earnestly seek God for a powerful release of the anointing of God’s Spirit to break every chain of the enemy of our souls. We must break the power of his strategy to hold us down and make us ineffective.

God has called us, chosen us, and anointed us with power from on high to set the captives free. Yet so few of us actually walk in this power. Most of us, myself included, need a great break through, far greater than we have ever known. We need this in order to break the chains that bind us to the normality of the present church.

Are we aware that time is running out? There are multitudes all around our communities that are bound with the chains of drug addiction, alcohol addictions, sexual perversions, and life-destroying diseases of all types. More and more are bound with spirits of violence and unforgiving spirits.

I believe we need a tidal wave of power from on high that will break our own status quo religious chains so that we will be able to melt the chains of the multitudes.

David said in 2 Samuel 5:20: “The LORD hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters.” In this passage he describes a tidal wave of flood waters coming against the enemies who wanted to bind and kill him.

There comes a time when the enemy comes in like a great flood, but the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him (Isaiah 59:19). The Spirit of God has to tidal wave us first, sweeping away all confining influences and breaking the chains of our own unbelief. He has to lift up a standard in us first.

God wants the anointing of His Spirit to roar out through His people. We must not be apathetic in seeking the floods of His spiritual waters.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

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CONTINUE TO PLEAD GOD’S MERCY

PleadMercyI cannot help give praise to God for the victory for Ted Cruz in Wisconsin. The country needs a man with a proven track record of standing up against the liberal agenda of the Washington establishment. We simply cannot afford to put in another president just because he seems to say some good things, but has little if any history to back it up. We must continue to earnestly pray that God will continue to give Ted Cruz great favor in all of the remaining states, no matter what the polls or pundits say or think.

We certainly do not deserve a righteous president to lead us. As the old saying goes, “A nation gets what it deserves.” Nevertheless, as we have been sharing God’s revelation concerning His glory to Moses, we note that God loves to show mercy. Judgment is His last resort. Because of God’s great mercies, we must continue to plead before God this wonderful attribute of His character for our nation and for these elections.

Shallow Christians, who have no great insight and depth of understanding, can easily be tricked and fooled into believing false promises at election time. This is why a track record of standing against the crowd and the compromising status quo is so important. The man who does this is Ted Cruz.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

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THE SINS OF THE FATHERS, NO. 2

SinsFatherMen, we should never underestimate the great doctrine of grace. Where would any of us be without the grace and love so lavishly poured upon us through our Lord Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection on our behalf? At the same time, we must never underestimate the consequences of God’s wrath and judgment upon those who refuse to follow Him according to His terms.

The doctrine of judgment upon those who reject and rebel against God’s laws, His truth, and His love is indeed a strong doctrine in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Yes, even in the New Testament. I cannot help but applaud the teaching on the grace of God. At the same time I cannot help but disapprove of many Bible teachers who refuse to speak of the strong warnings given throughout Scripture on those who are willing to accept God’s grace, yet are not willing to forsake the world, the flesh, and the devil.

2 Timothy 219 says: “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

Jesus said in Matthew 7:26: “And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.” These words apply to all who hear the gracious teachings of Christ.

Bible teachers, who for whatever reason, refuse to warn people with the abundant warnings given in Scripture do God’s people an injustice. Many of God’s people only hear the truth that is easy to listen to which has greatly weakened the church.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

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THE SINS OF THE FATHERS

SinsofFatherExodus 34:7: “Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.”

How do we reconcile this statement by God concerning His judgment upon the offspring of fathers to the third and fourth generation? God has just stated in the same context that He is merciful, gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. Why is this beautiful picture distorted by His judgment upon the the children’s children?

I believe the answer lies in two choices each man has to make:

1. It is man’s responsibility to avail himself of God’s great goodness and grace. Man must choose to repent of his sinful ways in order to discover God’s abundant forgiveness.

2. If a man refuses to repent and genuinely seek God’s gracious forgiveness, he remains uncovered in his sin. But more seriously, if he remains in his sin, hardness of heart, and prideful state, it passes on to his children. This also happens as a direct result of his failure to train them to fear the Lord. How will they know the truth which is able to set them free if the father does not instruct them concerning truth?

Isaiah 38:19: “The father to the children shall make known thy truth.”

To be continued:

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

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FORGIVENESS IS PART OF GOD’S GLORY

ForgivenessWhat is the testimony of our God? “Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin” (Exodus 34:7).

Naturally, there are not many kings who forgive those who commit rebellion and sin against them. In fact, most kings, even good kings, either banish them like Pharaoh did to Moses or they kill them outright.

But out great King of glory is very, very forgiving to those who repent and are sorry for their sings. In fact, forgiveness is a major part of God’s great glory. Where would any of us fallen creatures be if there was no forgiveness in God for all the sins we have committed in one way or another?

How grateful we should be that the greatest and highest King is One who forgives all the sins of His repentant children. Not only is He willing to forgive, but He patiently waits for us and is longsuffering towards our sinfulness. What other King is like our great King? He even puts up with our foot-dragging and resistant attitudes towards repentance.

Before the world began He planned the only way possible for our sinful debt to be paid for the ransom of our lost souls. His forgiveness is so great that He sent His only beloved Son to a cruel, rugged cross to pay the full price for our redemption. What other King has ever done this?

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

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KEEPING MERCY FOR THOUSANDS, continued.

ArkCovenantJames 2:13 (ESV) states: “Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

God gave the law through Moses. While the law was perfect in itself, its application to the human race which is “born in sin and shapen in iniquity” pronounced doom, guilt, and judgment.

Inside the tabernacle was the Holy of Holies where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. Inside the ark was the law engraved on stones. On top of the ark was the lid (known as the Mercy Seat) which was sprinkled with blood. Over the top of the Mercy Seat were the two cherubim, gazing down in awe and amazement on the blood-sprinkled ark.

I am sure their amazement and awe was that the condemnation of the law was overcome by the blood-sprinkled Mercy Seat. I am sure the Holy Spirit of God would have us, who are the guilty ones, to also be amazed and awed by the incredible mercy of God given to us through our Lord Jesus Christ who is also our Mercy Seat.

If the angelic cherubim, whose wings covered the ark and whose eyes were filled with awesome wonder at such amazing mercy (symbolizing creatures who knew no sin), how much more should we be filled with grateful amazement!

Let’s read the fourth stanza of Samuel Davies’ hymn, “Great God of Wonders”:
In wonder lost, with trembling joy,
We take the pardon of our God:
Pardon for crimes of deepest dye,
A pardon bought with Jesus’ blood.

Who is a pardoning God like Thee?
Or who has grace so rich and free?

Be encouraged again.

Colin Campbell

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KEEPING MERCY FOR THOUSANDS

KeepingMercyGod wants the whole world to not only know Him for the greatness of His power, but rather for the greatness of all His goodness.

Exodus 33:18, 19: “And he (Moses) said, I beseech thee, show me thy glory. And he (God) said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.”

When God proclaimed His goodness, graciousness, mercy, longsuffering, truth, and forgiveness He passed by, He hid Moses in a cleft of the rock and covered him with His hand (Exodus 33: 22,23 and 34:5-7). It was then that Moses understood what the glory of God really was. It was not only the majesty of His strength, power, and authority of His person and kingdoms, but rather the glory of His great goodness and benevolence.

In his hymn, “Great God of Wonders” Samuel Davies reveals what God showed Moses concerning the greatest glory of Who He is:

Great God of wonders! all thy ways
Are matchless, Godlike and divine;
But the fair glories of thy grace
More Godlike and unrivaled shine.

Who is a pard'ning God like thee?
Or who has grace so rich and free?

The last verse of this hymn states:

O may this strange, this matchless grace,
This God-like miracle of love,
Fill the whole earth with grateful praise,
And all the angelic choirs above.

Who is a pard'ning God like thee?
Or who has grace so rich and free?

To be continued.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

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A BETTER MEMORY

FamilyWorship"If family worship is established in a home, it will be found that the following results will be apparent in that home. The father and the mother will be truer to Christ, for it will be quite impossible to pray in the presence of one's children and then to live inconsistent lives.

It will also be true that the children will have a sweeter and better memory of the home and if it be true that the father is able to provide few of the luxuries of life, he will make up for the absence of these things by the fact that he has put into his child's memory the consciousness that Christ was real in his early home, and that His influence was always felt, not only in time of sunshine, but quite as effectively when the shadows fell across the family life. In these days of stress and strain it is worth everything to a youth, or a man or woman of middle life, to have a memory that can hold when everything else has failed."

~ J. Wilbur Chapman

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Above Rubies Address

AboveRubies
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PO Box 681687
Franklin, TN 37068-1687

Phone : 931-729-9861
Office Hrs 9am - 5pm, M - F, CTZ