Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs

It is good to be home again. For three weeks Nancy and I ministered extensively in eight different countries, encouraging motherhood and fatherhood. I felt it was a most profitable time and the majority of people were very receptive.

Unfortunately, Europe is on a serious downward slide away from God and is in desperate need for another reformation of God's truth being applied to the human heart.

Colin.

"Parents who homeschool have considered what's in the box of public education and they dare to be different. State schooling conforms to humanistic society and the box is getting dirtier by the day."

“We want God to walk with us, but do we want to walk with God?”

"The "box" represents the ways of human wisdom. People who think outside the box have taken time to think wisely about what is in the box.

If what's in the box takes us away from the time-tested truths of God's Word and the godly foundations of our national constitution, it would be wise to get out of the box as quickly as possible."

“Every day, remind your wife that she is doing the greatest job in the world. Remind her that you need her at home, the family needs her at home, and the nation needs her at home.”

"God is looking for men who are not afraid to think outside the box, men who are wise enough to realize that thinking within the box is often the wrong way to think."

"The men who dare to be different will not be known to be different unless they speak up!"

"Truth is of little value until someone puts arms, legs, tongue, and pen to it. It is only when truth is lived and spoken that it has the power to break the false and scatter the darkness."

"We cannot be passionate lovers of God without being passionate lovers of His truth."

"TRUTH FAILS FOR THE WANT OF THOSE TO SPEAK IT! "

"Faithfulness is proved by time."

God's Word--ancient words made new each day by the Holy Spirit.

"The best learners are the best listeners."

"If you have got any truth in you, for goodness sake, SAY IT! Don't hide truth behind closed doors!"

"People are going to church but not going to church to pray."

"Casualness causes casualties."

"When linked to heaven, you and your family are the answer to this nation's needs."

"Never underestimate the power of a praying family."

"It's not legalism to eat three meals a day to feed the body. Why should it be legalism to feed your spirit and your children's spirit two times a day at Family Devotions?"

Malachi 4:6 says, "And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse." This Scripture speaks initially of the coming of John the Baptist in the spirit and power of Elijah. This is confirmed in Luke 1:16-17 and fulfilled at the first coming of Jesus Christ.

However, many believe there is a future fulfillment. Malachi 4:5 says, "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord." We all know that when Jesus first appeared it ;was a time of great rejoicing. "Peace on earth, and good will toward men"  the angels cried Luke 2:14). The angel also said to the shepherds, "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people" (Luke 2:10).

This first coming of Christ ushered in the church age of "grace." I believe that the second coming Christ introduces "the great and dreadful day of the Lord" when all the nations of the earth will be judged by Jesus Christ, the soon coming Messiah. Never in the history of the whole world, since the great flood, has there been such a need for the turning of the hearts of fathers and mothers back to children.

Contraception, sterilization, and abortion are certain testimonies as to how hard our hearts have become towards children. Children are not high priority in our world or even in the church.

To be continued. Be encouraged.

Colin