Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs

Romans 14:19 says, "Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and the things wherewith one may edify another." Men, we cannot bring about true peace if do not have it reigning in our own hearts. This inner peace is only realized by a close relationship with Christ, who lives in us, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). Peace is perhaps one of the greatest aspects of His glory in us. His peace in us is not determined by calm or idyllic circumstances. We can experience this inner peace even in the midst of turmoil for He prepares a table for us even in the midst of our enemies (Psalm 23:5).

The sad thing is that many Christians do not hear Him say, "Come and dine" (John 21:12) for we are too busy doing our own thing and eating at other tables. Because of this negligence of personal and family devotions on a daily basis we starve ourselves of the things that make for our peace.

Luke 19:41-42 says, "And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it. Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes." One of American's greatest roles in this world is to seek to be a peacemaker amongst the nations. However, we fail so often for we are fast losing our relationship with the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

As role models of peace, we must daily dine at the table of the things that make for peace. Righteous living is one of the main ingredients for peace on this great table (Psalm 85:10).

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Matthew 5:9 tells us "Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God." Men, our children need to be role modeled by fathers and mothers who, at all times, try earnestly to be peacemakers. Sad to say, many homes and marriages are being torn down at a very alarming rate by parents who have by default substituted peacemaking for trouble making.

Isaiah 69:8 says, "The way of peace they know not: and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace." Isaiah, the prophet was not speaking to the heathen but to Israel who were not in right relationship with God. This departure from the Lord resulted in God's people falling away from the virtues that come from a right relationship with God, primarily peace. It is one thing to have no peace on our borders with neighboring or distant countries seeking to attack us. However, it another thing to have no peace within our borders where there is fighting that seeks to stir up racism and violence on our streets, in public schools, and work places.

Teens are leaving home in great numbers earlier than they should because there is no peace in the home. Peacemakers are desperately needed in all areas of our nation, but particularly in the home. Without peace in our homes we are of all people to be pitied. We teach peacemaking by role modeling as parents.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Real men do not appreciate women who try to be men. Nor do they appreciate men who act like women. Real men, who have the right amount of testosterone powering through their veins, appreciate women for their femininity. They appreciate that women have a different role to men.

Feminists have created a war between the sexes in order to conquer manhood by feminizing him. This is because they have-not embraced the uniqueness of their own femininity, or they feel inferior by immature hedonistic bullying men. However, a woman who knows how to model her femininity has a great appeal to true, honest, real men.

Let's be honest. How could a powerful burly charging footballer tackle a woman on the field? This sort of thing would be denounced by the foolish feminists as unfair so the rules of the game would have to change and football would no longer be football.

I believe God wants men to act gently with the opposite sex. A father needs to be gentle with his daughters and act a bit tougher with his growing bigger sons.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Psalm 18:35 says, "Thy gentleness has made me great."

Men, in today's world of body building macho manhood, gentleness is often viewed as feminine. The left wing agenda seeks to feminize men and neutralize man's "go get it" which does much to neuter gender men, equalize the two sexes, and despise the God-given differences. No matter what these so-called modern social scientists say, God made clear and distinct differences between the sexes. Passing laws and making rules to force men into feminine rolls and women into masculine roles is foolishness and destructive because it goes against nature and ultimately goes against God's creation.

I, for one, do not believe that our military or football games are better off with equal numbers of women! The thought of it makes me want to throw up!

Having said this, there is most definitely a place and time for real men to show gentleness especially when relating to the opposite sex (military tactics and flying football tackles don't usually work), tending to the sick or wounded even on the battlefield, holding and caressing babies and small children (it definitely pays to be gentle). Many men are more gentle with animals than they are with their own family or fellow man.

To be continued... Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Men, not only does anger destroy godly role modeling, but it is also one of the biggest contributors to marriage breakdown. Anger that is not kept in check and brought under the control of a strong disciplined mind and spirit is a wrecking ball that smashes down the strongest walls.

I do not believe that any woman should have to put up with this for long. She should encourage her husband to get counseling, as well as deliverance. If this does not happen, she should feel free to separate from her husband until she knows with all her heart that he has received victory and is walking in it. Sometimes it may take a separation to wake up a husband to the fact that he really needs help.

In many cases anger is generational and is passed on from father to son. Often the father will not discipline his son for outbursts of anger because he would feel a hypocrite for not addressing his own need.

Having said these things, there is a place for righteous anger, but it should be as the Scripture, says, without sin. Ephesians 4:26 says, "Be ye angry and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath." When there is violence, bad language, demeaning and destructing language that is hurtful and demoralizing, there is sin. And role modeling? Well, forget it.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Men, I believe that one of the biggest enemies of godly role modeling our children is anger. Anger is a mood that many men find great difficulty in controlling. This results in much damage to both the psychological and spiritual lives of our wife and children. Uncontrolled anger is a very nasty and devil-inspired evil that is always accompanied by a cloud of darkness. Anger is also a controlling spirit that seeks to drive and push people rather than lead them.

The Holy Spirit leads; the devil drives. It is absolutely wrong for a man to make excuses for uncontrolled anger. Our heavenly Father does get angry at the constant rebellion of His children, but His anger is always in control. Just think of what destruction and devastation God could, with all His power, inflict upon His people if He did not have His anger in control!

It is never right that a wife or children should have to walk around on egg shells in the home, because of fear of upsetting the husband. Shouting, bad language, extreme facial expressions, slamming doors, and pounding of fists on furniture, etc., should not be the testimony of a godly husband and father. These anger expressions reveal an anger which is out of control. This kind of behavior, whether often or occasional, destroys godly role modeling.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Every child we stop from coming into this world, not only deprives the world of that child who has the potential to become a powerful influence for righteousness if brought up in the fear and admonition of the Lord, but also deprives the world of future dynasties.

What would have happened if Abraham had not believed God for Isaac? What would the world have been deprived of if Jacob did not want to receive twelve sons? There would never have been a Bible containing both the Old and New Testaments. The whole of our Judeo biblical roots would be non-existent, including the birth of Christ who came to save us from our sins.

Who do we think we are to play God and decide who should be conceived and born and who should not be born? It would be better for us to remain single if we hold the notion that married couples can use whatever means they want to limit the godly seed. God makes in clear in Malachi 2:15 that He seeks godly offspring from the marriage union. Godly offspring will restrain evil and fill the earth with God's glory (Numbers 14:21).

We men, along with our wives, have the sacred privilege of fulfilling God's plan in our day.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Father Abraham was the true example of fatherhood which God looked for. He would be the founder of many generations who would believe in the promises of God. If Abraham had not believed what God promised him in the midst of humanly impossible circumstances (both Abraham and Sarah being very old) how would the birth of Christ, the Savior of the world have come forth?

Jesus Christ was 42 generations from Abraham. Jesus Christ, the Messiah, not only for the Jews, but also the Gentiles, was "the promised seed." He was "the seed" in the loins of father Abraham 42 generations before he was born. Hebrews 7:9-10 also tells us that Levi paid tithes to Melchisedec while was yet in the loins of his father (Abraham)."

If Abraham had not believed God, look what he would have missed out on. God could have found another to take Abraham's place for nothing is impossible to God.

Men, what I am saying is that you do not know what powerful seed may be within your loins that could greatly influence the world for righteousness, perhaps even in SOME FUTURE GENERATION. The pro choice mindset goes much further than abortion. Pro choice encourages contraception and sterilization to cut off and limit the potential godly seed. Pro choice limits future generations for it does not have a generational mindset.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

In Genesis 15:5-6 we read, "And God brought Abram forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness."

Godly fathers think generationally. They do not permit present circumstances to influence their faith for the future. Abraham had no children of his own, but God challenged him to believe for a multitude that no man could number. To top this dilemma was the insurmountable fact that both he and Sarah were old and way past childbearing years.

But, because God said it, Abraham believed it, resulting in Abraham become the prototype of Bible believing fathers. Fathers who call themselves Christians but who purposely limit their offspring can hardly be called the offspring of Abraham for they do not have the faith for what Abraham believed for, that is, future godly generations.

Can God really call us righteous when we have no faith, or even desire, to even believe for the present generation, let alone the future?

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

SHAKE OFF EVERY OBSTACLE

Men, it is high time to shake off every obstacle. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says, "But we all, with open face, beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."

Many people think that the only mirror revealing God's glory is the Scriptures. Without doubt, the Scriptures reflect the glory of God. However, in this Scripture, Paul exhorts us to be that Scriptural letter, "known and read of all men" (2 Corinthians 3:2-3).

Paul exhorts us to have an open face, not covered with any veil of legalism, church traditional dogmas, worldly veils, or sinful fleshly veils as we behold the glory of the Lord, both in the Holy Scriptures, as well as in one another.

Fathers, our wife and children need to see the glory of the Lord in us. We are role models to them. This revelation of "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27) must of necessity be revealed in our role modeling. Our wives and children, seeing Christ in us, will be changed into His image by the Spirit of the Lord. This is where godly role modeling is so different to worldly modeling.

Men, set your heart to behold the glory of Christ. The Holy Spirit will do the rest.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

DID YOU CHARGE YOUR BATTERY TODAY?

As role models to our children, we must keep our lives increasingly close to God. If our battery is not spiritually charged daily, our role modeling will lack the necessary spiritual dynamics to affect our children's spiritual development.

We must never forget that God, from the beginning of creation, has destined all mankind to be created into the image of His only Beloved Son. There are some fathers who are excellent role models who do not know Christ. However, I am talking about godly role modeling--molding our children into the image of Christ. We most definitely need divine assistance to help us with this godly objective.

Men, even the cars we drive have to have an alternator to keep the battery charged while we drive. We know what happens when the battery is in poor shape, or running on low energy. Role modeling in godliness cannot happen efficiently if we do not keep plugged into Christ. This is why we need to emphasize daily devotions, both individually, as well as with the family.

Fathers, have you got your battery charged today? Your family will suffer for it if you are not charged.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Consciously, or otherwise, our children are modeled by our actions, attitudes, and character--both positively and negatively. God has not ordained that the state, nannies, or daycare centers should be the primary role models for our children. The truth is that the more time godly parents have with their children, displaying godly attitudes and character, the more advantaged the children will be. They will be more advanced to be overcomers of all that which is evil as well as to put to flight the enemies of Christ.

I do not believe we have to be over-stressed about this, to the point that we become pushers and shavers, even of that which is good, for stress defeats the whole purpose of role modeling our children. Our children are like sponges, especially in their early years, as they imbibe your stress or your restful disposition.

It does us good to remember the words of Christ in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Relaxed, but not lazy, parenting in the likeness of Christ will not put burdens on you or your children.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Role modeling our children is not a part time career. It's far too important for that.

Recently, while paying for gas at a local gas station, the cashier mentioned how deplorable it was that so many children in our country did not have fathers in the home or involved in their children's lives. The children are raised by single mothers who also go to work, at least part time, in order to survive. As a result of this demise of fathers, our country suffers and crime increases at an alarming rate.

As I left the gas station, the thought came to me. Where were this woman's children? Were they at the state school being influenced by educators she knows little to nothing about? Were they with class mates who also come from fatherless homes and absentee mothers who are working to make ends meet?

God knows that a nation's little ones, and older children, need to have parents who have the understanding that their children need good, wholesome, and godly role models imputing into their lives on a 24 hour daily basis.

Men, God never meant parenting to be part time job. We must encourage our wives in this truth. We must not be casual or apathetic towards role modeling our children for they are tomorrow's leaders.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Fathers and mothers are natural teachers and trainers of their children, whether they are aware of this or not. Our children constantly learn from us, for good or for bad and at all times, for we are their role models in everyday life.

I believe that academia and secular education is far less important in the education of character, morals, and godly lifestyle. Fathers and mothers should be instilling these virtues into the lives of their children every day.

No one should ever underestimate the supreme value of Christian parents as godly role models. Our children mirror us for good or for bad. When people around you meet your children, whether neighbors, friends, or at church, they indirectly meet you! This is a sobering thought. If you are a parent, you automatically become a role model, whether you like it or not.

Today's generation is suffering for the want of godly role models. Parental role modeling is infinitely more important than academia and secular education. These are secondary to the education of role modeling by godly parenting.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

We cannot have an increase of flour if we do not have an increase of wheat. We cannot have an increase of godliness if we do not have an increase of the godly seed.

Men, we need to honestly ask ourselves what impact a greatly increased godly seed would have on every realm of our political leadership--the Whitehouse, the Senate, and the Congress. What impact would a greatly increased godly seed have on our supreme court? What impact would it have on the crime rate of our major cities? What impact would it have on the work ethic and the prosperity of our nation?

If we are honest with ourselves, as we indeed should be, the answer to all these questions is very obvious--and positive. The truth is that when you have a great increase of the godly seed, they will without a doubt, return to us as the reward of a great increase in all aspects of godliness.

The devil knows this and will fight against it with every lie and deception he can find in his arsenal. It is to be lamented that much of the Christian church is so deceived on this extremely important subject that we have actually joined forces with the devil to fight against the quiver full mindset of Psalm 127. The devil will make very sure that we have plenty of intellectual and logical excuses to do so.

Men, we must pray that the church everywhere will repent.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

In Today's Christian America, we do not seek godly children. Instead, we seek every method and way to avoid conceiving children. This present mindset is unquestionably and diametrically opposed to God's revelation in His Word on this subject. Those who oppose this truth do so to their own ignorance and high-minded stubbornness.

Men, we need to beware of the spirit of "Jannes and Jambres who withstood Moses" (2 Timothy 3:18). Many oppose God's Word about seeking godly children and smugly think nothing of it. I say, let the world oppose the biblical value of receiving children. What else can you expect from a deceived, unbelieving world? However, those who call themselves believers should seek to be meek, humble, and teachable on this subject and resist the world's mindset.

If all Christian couples would seek after what God seeks, the Christian population of USA would increase greatly. We would soon swamp out all our enemies by sheer numbers, let alone the powerful affect of increased righteousness in the land.

Men, this is a message for this end time hour. It's all about turning the hearts of the fathers to the children Malachi 4:5-6).

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Malachi 2:14 asks the question, "And did not he make one? ... And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed." In this same Scripture God strongly opposes men divorcing their wires for any excuse. He calls it "dealing treacherously." The next Scripture says, "for one covereth violence with his garment." It seems that some husbands were beating their wives and covering the bruises with clothing so no one could see the evidence.

From God's perspective, oneness in marriage was primarily created by God for the purpose of bringing to birth "a godly seed" which was to be nurtured and raised in an environment of love and godliness. Treachery and violence, leading to divorce, completely negates God's plan for "the godly seed."

We men need to prioritize what God prioritizes. I do believe, with all my heart, that Christian men, along with their wives, should earnestly seek to not only bring forth children, but godly children. Today's Christian children deserve a lot better than what our present marriages are giving them. What chance do they have to be raised godly when their parents do not love each other?

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

14f) HOW CAN WE DENY GOD WHAT RIGHTFULLY BELONGS TO HIM?

This is the last post on this theme. We begin a new theme tomorrow.

We 21st century Christians must take God's Word as final. If God's Word says that children are rewards, blessings, and the heritage of the Lord, then who are we to deny it? Who are we to ignore, despise, and reject this truth?

"Situational ethics" which applies the truth only if the situation is favorable is a serious enemy of the truth. The church of this present time is full of situational ethics. Ethics are principles, morals, and foundational truths, not to be fooled with. Church politics have superseded truth. Church politics soon become church tradition.

Jesus said in Matthew 15:3, 6, "Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? ... Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition."

Men, we must shake ourselves free of the dust of man's traditions and excuses, no matter how appealing to our own logic. We must also remember that not only are children our rewards, blessings, and heritage, they are also God's rewards, blessings, and heritage. Would we dare deny God of what is rightfully His? Who are we to apply situational ethics to this truth? May God have mercy on our unbelief.

May we be courageous for the truth, no matter what the opposition.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

14e) MAKE YOUR HOME A HAPPY HOME!

Psalm 128:3 NASB, "Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine within your house, your children like olive plants round your table."

Although it is praiseworthy that God should have souls added to His kingdom from unconverted families (after all, this is the purpose of the Great Commission), and yet there is something to be said about being born into a godly family. It is indeed a great heritage to be brought up with parents who love God, who love the Bible and read it at the meal table at least once per day, preferably twice a day.

What a blessing it is to be brought up in the atmosphere of hymns and spiritual songs, surrounded with parents who love each other, and brothers and sisters playing happily with one another. What a blessing to be lovingly trained, discipled, and molded into God's culture of godliness.

This is the home where boundaries are established, where all worldly, fleshly, and ungodly media are strictly guarded and kept out. This is the home that is full of many good things. Children are not bored. Rather they are cultivated into the riches of the true godly Christian culture. This is what we were made for. This is what man was originally designed for.

Psalm 144:15 says, "Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord." Men, may your home a happy one. Our homes should happier than those of the world.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

14d) THE BIBLICAL FATHER SEES HIS CHILDREN AS REWARDS (AND A THREAT TO THE ENEMY!)

Who in their right mind would want to turn away the rewards that God values and gives? If we do not value what God values, there is something seriously wrong with our thinking. Furthermore, God says that a man is blessed if He has a quiver full of "rewards." The majority of the present church fails to realize that Satan himself is acutely opposed to quiver full families because the larger the Christian family, the greater threat to his kingdom.

Men, do we realize that the main enemy of the devil is godly Christians who are being raised in godly homes and godly churches? I have often heard people say that it's not about numbers. This statement is true, but God's Word has to be interpreted by all Scripture. Psalm 33:16 says, "There is no king saved by the multitude of a host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength."

Then we compare Genesis 1:28, "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it." And Psalm 127:4-5, "As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate."

I am not saying that an individual who is saved out of an ungodly family is not a threat to the enemy. They are! However, the quiver full godly family is potentially a greater threat to the devil's kingdom.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell