Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs

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

Because the divorce rate is so high in our modern society, we who fear God should make every endeavor to uphold and strengthen our marriage. It would be easier to understand this high divorce rate if it was primarily outside the Christian church. Sadly, this is not the case. You know, as well as I do of family members and friends whose marriages are either on the rocks or in deep trouble. It is a shame to the cause of Christ and points to the shallowness of our 21st century Christianity.

I do not believe we should throw up our arms in utter despair because every second married couple in the church is either divorced or about to be. Instead of a fatalistic attitude we should let our lights shine brighter.

We should, like never before, strengthen the cords of our marriage and family life. We should take stock and indentify every weakness or failure, and do something about it.

We must not take our marriages for granted. We must, with God’s help, be an example to our family of what it means to love God as well as His holiness, for if we do not embrace His holiness we do not embrace Him. Holiness is not a quality of character of which to be afraid, but a lifestyle to be embraced, loved and pursued. As we hunger and thirst for righteousness He graciously fills us with His righteousness (Matthew 5:6).

A man of prayer will be a holy man. Men, we must learn what it means to walk with God where prayer is as natural as breathing.

Be encouraged to strengthen the cords of your marriage. Colin

Men, I believe it is so important for us to put a much greater emphasis on personal purity and holiness. Holiness is one of the Bible’s most awesome and challenging doctrines.

While we who profess Jesus to be our Lord and Savior are legally given His righteousness, we are also exhorted in Philippians 2:12 to “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

We are not aware of “fear and trembling” in the church these days. I believe it should happen in our inner man to such a degree that it expresses itself in our outer man in holy living. Men, our wives and families need to see that we are holy men. This does not mean that we are severe, cold and unloving, for that is not holiness. Rather, it is manifested by our purity as we live joyfully, lovingly and kindly with them.

The “fear and trembling” aspect of holiness assists us against offending our most Holy God. It makes us more alert and watchful to resist all subtle temptations of evil. A truly holy man will have an unmistakable presence about him.

Men, we must not be casual regarding holiness and purity. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 says, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”

Be encouraged to walk in personal purity. Colin

Men who keep their hearts pure will have the privilege of seeing God (Matthew 5:87). But, it doesn’t stop there. They will also be invited up into the mountain of the Lord to rule and reign with Christ, seated with Him in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6).

It has always been God’s purpose for mankind to rule and reign over the earth. In Genesis 1:26 and 28 God commands mankind to “subdue it: and have dominion.”

Revelation 2:26-27 says, “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.”

Men, we are called by God to be leaders, rulers and reigners in our families and the world, but it is all contingent upon clean hearts. It is the heart where overcoming is first exercised. It is not enough to keep the body from physically sinning. We must keep the heart.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:28, “But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after he hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Holiness is all about the heart’s imaginations as we are reminded in Genesis 6:5, “Every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

Be encouraged to keep your heart clean. Colin

Some men may have great influence in this world by virtue of their gift. Others have less influence on their fellow men, and yet, we all have some influence, either for good or bad. The state of our heart will determine the kind of influence we have on our family and fellow man.

Whether we have a powerful ministry or not, our hearts need to be kept pure. How many mighty men have fallen because of their unclean hearts? I am sure that most of us have already taken note that during these primary elections, hopeful candidates have been greatly affected for good or evil because of their past sins and mistakes. I am sure there are some who wish they had not committed these sins or compromised the values they should have held. But now, sadly, it is too late. It all comes back to the “little foxes” that were allowed to continue in their hearts.

We who point the finger, are we not also guilty? Are we not deceived in our hearts when we want the economy to be fixed more than the morals?

Proverbs 14:34 says, “Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” Do we cry out to God more for the financial stability of our times than for the decay of our morals? How can God answer this type of prayer?

Be encouraged. Colin Campbell

Men, if only we realized the enormity of what would happen to us if we could see God much more often than we do. What an amazing impact “God seers” would make on this dark world. The more we “see God” the more we will be like Him. It is impossible to remain as we are once we have “seen God.” My mind boggles at the possibilities and enormous potential available to us if we set our hearts to “see God,” both in our families and in the world.

Do not for a moment think that seeing God is only for the future when we will be changed into His likeness as 1 John 3:2-3 says, “But we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” This passage talks about a more complete likeness to Him because we shall have our resurrection bodies.

At this time, our earthly bodies are growing older each day, but our inward man is renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16). Keeping ourselves inwardly pure is the great key to transformation and inward renewing.

Men, we must keep our hearts pure--firstly to God, secondly to our marriage and family, and thirdly, to the church. And last, but not least, to the world!

To be continued.

Be encouraged. Colin Campbell

Psalm 24:3-5 David asks a question and then gives the answer, “Who shall ascend in to the hill of the Lord? Or who shall sand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.”

One can only climb this hill of the Lord by special invitation. We read in Exodus 19:20, “And the Lord came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the Lord called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up.” Moses, along with Aaron and Joshua, was one of the few that received this privilege (Exodus 19:24 and 24:13).

Psalm 24 commences with, “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” To me, the only reason why God would couple the declaration concerning His ownership of the earth and all its inhabitants with the question of “Who will ascend into the hill of the Lord” is that those who live holy lives will rule with God over all His creation. They will have a powerful influence in the agency of His government throughout the earth.

Men, though our union with Christ’s resurrection up “the hill of the Lord” to the Father’s right hand of power and might, we also, like Moses, Aaron and Joshua, can have great influence for God in the affairs of mankind. Through the power and virtue of Christ’s blood, we will keep our hands clean and our hearts pure. We will keep our souls from vanity and any form of idolatry. By virtue of Christ living in us we will keep our mouths from all deceitfulness.

To be continued.

Be encouraged. Colin

Foxes are small, sneaky creatures that do not make their presence obvious. Their damage is done while we are not paying attention.

We must not allow our children to get away with negative attitudes or moods. If moods are not dealt with while children are young, it will be more difficult to deal with them later on. Temper tantrums, stomping the feet, and hateful speech (especially to parents) must not be tolerated. Don’t allow your children to get away with pouting, rolling the eyes, or negative facial expressions. We never allowed these attitudes in our children in our home, and hopefully you don’t in your home either.

We men must be on the watch to deal with the little foxes in our own lives. Negative attitudes toward our spouse should not be tolerated. Every critical and negative thought or word should be quickly renounced in Jesus’ name.

God-fearing men should always be mindful of the words of Jesus relating to lust. Matthew 5:28 says, “Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” We cannot “see God” when such things take place in our hearts. Matthew 5:8 says, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”

This lustful fox can quickly turn into a large wolf that is more difficult to deal with if we do not put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-18). One of the main reasons why we have an epidemic of marriage break-up is because we do not deal with the little foxes before they turn into dangerous wolves.

Be encouraged to watch out for the little foxes. Colin Campbell

Song of Solomon 2:15 says, “Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.”

Fathers, when dealing out any form of correction and discipline, we should not be like “bulls in a china shop!” Healthy discipline is not a time for “rip, tear and bust!” We must remember that the grapes are tender. No potter could possibly create a fine exquisite vessel by working roughly. He would ruin what would otherwise, if molded with loving and caring hands, be something very special.

Fathers, our children will respect our discipline if they are used to our generally speaking in a loving and kind way to them. The Scripture says to “take us” the little foxes. Along with our wives, we should be on the watch for the “little foxes” which in time could spoil the tender grapes.

Beware of foolish jesting that has a hurtful side to it, for in time it can spoil the tender grapes, too. We need to be careful with teasing that it does not go too far. Poking fun at one another must be done with care so as not to offend, or it may quickly back fire.

Husbands, we must apply this principle, first of all, to our wives. If the way you talk to your wife puts her down in the front of others, it will adversely spoil your marriage relationship, as well as your children.

To be continued.

Be encouraged. Colin

Proverbs 3:12 says, “For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.”

Fathers, this Scripture does not say we should find delight in disciplining our children, but rather, we should discipline when needed because we love and delight in our children. If we do not discipline, they will certainly not give us, or others, any real delight.

If grape vines are not cultivated and properly cared for they soon become wild and spoiled. So it is with our children. Without a caring and cultivating father and mother, they also become wild and spoiled. Grape vines need to be carefully pruned in order to produce bigger and better grapes.

Pruning must be accomplished by someone who knows what they are doing; otherwise the vine will be seriously damaged. So it is with pruning (disciplining) our children. All discipline should be implemented without anger. A vineyard owner would not trust the pruning of his choice vines to the cutting shears of a man who was angry with the grape vines. That would be too risky. So it is with children. We can so easily damage them by disciplining in anger.

We must take control of all anger before we discipline. Many children grow up with bad attitudes, hatred and rebellion because the father disciplined in anger. On the other hand, we must not allow the vines to grow without pruning because of fear of losing control as this will also have damaging effects on the children’s character.

Insufficient healthy discipline is a problem of our times and the vines are becoming increasingly wilder, but the end results of godly discipline are the “peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby” (Hebrews 12:9).

Be encouraged as you tend to your vine. Colin Campbell

Jesus says in John 15:1, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.” Jesus, the Son of God, describes His father as a husbandman. What a wonderful description of a Father. We men would be wise to take note. I was excited when the Holy Spirit first highlighted to me the amazing description of the true prototype of fatherhood.

A husbandman is a vinedresser. I have never actually grown a grape vine, but I understand that it requires much wisdom, knowledge and work to be a successful vinedresser. Although men know they are the husband of their wife, many fail to realize the magnitude of what it really means to be a husbandman—a keeper, tender and cultivator of vines.

A friend of the family in New Zealand grew specialty grapes for the Japanese market and exported them daily to Japan. Over the years he developed an enormous amount of wisdom and knowledge on how to grow the very best grapes. He was successful and worked hard to maintain his success.

Could we not be as enthusiastic about our family vines as this man was about his “specialty” grapes? We must see our children as “specialty” grapes, the very best!

To be continued tomorrow.

Be encouraged. Colin Campbell

Fathers, please take note: Every child who has loving, wise, and fun-loving parents, coupled with healthy discipline, is at a great advantage to others in this world!

I believe that discipline must be balanced with lots of healthy encouragement. Soon after a child is disciplined wise parents will spend some time hugging, encouraging and reaffirming their belief that the child will, through embracing the right attitude, become a much better person.

It is a good thing to also pray with the disciplined child. We all need God to help us and children need God’s help, especially during their early learning years. It is a healthy thing for a child to be taught to say “Sorry” to the offended party.

If we are always correcting our children without sufficient encouragement they will become morose, discouraged, and lack self esteem. Lots of encouragement will help the child to want to please you because they know you believe in them. Good parenting will also think of fun things to do with the children. Play games with them, read stories to them, and take them on fun excursions.

Use your eyes to communicate your approval. Use your arms to hug. Use your voice to bless.

As fathers, we should seek to be around our children as much as possible. Children love fun, therefore we fathers should daily make time to have fun with all of them. Take time to watch them show you what they have learned. Become interested in what they are interested in. Encourage them every day. You will be surprised what a little encouragement will do.

Be encouraged to encourage. Colin Campbell

It saddens me when I see a worn-out, frustrated mother trying to control an undisciplined rebellious child. I wonder if the father is taking his responsibility in the home. Men, we must not leave all the responsibility of disciplining our children to our wife. It will make motherhood a frustrating experience for her, rather than a joyful one.

The Scriptures teach discipline. Discipline is God-ordained for fathers to wisely administer to their children as needed. Discipline that is appropriate for misbehavior will put an end to misconduct and will also produce peace and order in the home. Proverbs 29:17 says, “Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.”

Wise non-abusive spanking is biblical and should not be withheld from an unruly child. Time-out and withholding of certain privileges is often insufficient to stop bad behavior.

In certain cases, time-out and withholding privileges maybe all that is required. In some cases, a strong word of correction may be sufficient. In certain instances a soft word of correction may be all that is needed. However, a strong will that is defiant of parental instructions must be overcome and spanking must not be ruled out.

Good character is not something that we are born with unfortunately. Rather, good character requires training and discipline by loving, caring parents. Our over-filled prisons and correctional facilities are clear evidence that modern, humanistic, no-spanking parenting does not work, and will never work.

Parents who have violent tempers are the result of inadequate parenting when they were young.

If parents cannot control their children, for whatever reason, what hope do the children have to succeed in this world? Very little, I think. It is a definite disadvantage to a child to have parents who have little understanding on child discipline.

An undisciplined child is a deprived child.

We must raise children of character who will make their mark in this world.

Be encouraged. Colin

The second chapter of II Samuel gives great lessons to us fathers on how to restrain our children from evil.

1. We should give godly admonishment. Eli gave very godly admonishment (I Samuel 2:23-25).

2. If the admonishment is ignored, we must take appropriate action and discipline. Eli failed in this point. His sons should have been dismissed from the ministry because of their evil behavior.

3. If we do not effectively restrain our children from evil by appropriate discipline we open the door for God’s severe judgment to fall on them, on ourselves, and future generations (I Samuel 31-36).

4. We must warn our children of coming discipline if our admonishment is ignored.

5. The process of admonishment, with appropriate discipline, should start early in a child’s life. If not, not only your children, but you and your wife, and others will suffer much grief.

6. It is wrong for the father to want to discipline. This reveals meanness, harshness and over-bearing severity. It is better for the child to know that the father has to discipline rather than wants to discipline. Loving discipline will help overcome resentment and rebellion.

7. We fathers must realize that in many cases of wayward children, the father is most likely the main problem. We do not love your children by being soft on them.

To be continued tomorrow.

Be encouraged. Colin