Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs

Heavy persecution is where one’s life and blood is at stake. Being cast into prison and tortured for your faith in Jesus Christ is heavy persecution. When your home and possessions are taken away from you because you are a Christian and you cannot find food or shelter from the government would be heavy persecution.

Because of ISIS, Boko Haram, Al-Qaida, Hamas, Hezbollah, El Shabaab, the Muslim Brotherhood and other terrorist regimes there are more and more Christians being heavily persecuted for their faith than at any other time in the history of the world.

Communist countries continue to heavily persecute Christians, e.g. North Korea, Cuba, and China. Hindu and Buddhist countries in parts of India and Burma heavily persecute Christians. Central and Eastern Asian countries, Islamic countries, and Northern African and Middle Eastern countries are also persecuting Christians.

To be continued.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

John 7:1-13 reveals that even Jesus’ own brothers and sisters opposed him. Verse 5 says: “Neither did his brethren believe in him.” They wanted Jesus to demonstrate His miraculous power openly and to promote Himself publicly. But Jesus knew that He would be killed before His time if he conformed to the ways and opinions of man. He was led by the Spirit which His family did not understand.

Persecution can be very real even in Christian families when one member chooses to really push into God. Fathers, we must encourage our children to seek God for themselves. This requires them to get away in some quiet place, take their Bibles and read, pray, and worship. Other members of the family may cause some opposition but we must encourage our children to keep a right attitude and always repay the negative with prayer, a smile of blessing, and good deeds.

If we can’t handle the soft persecution; how will we handle the hard persecution?

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

In Matthew 28:18, 19 He says: “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations . . .” “All power in heaven and in earth” negates all walls and boundaries. No matter how strong and tall the walls or boundaries, there is more than enough authority and power in Jesus’ statement of “All power in Heaven and in earth” to break them down.

The gates of hell that are built around nations, e.g. Hindu, Buddhist, Islam, Communist, and Humanist cannot prevail against the Caleb company who dare to believe and stake their lives upon the “All power in Heaven and in earth” that is in the name of Jesus Christ.”

The early church refused to acknowledge walls and boundaries. No devils, principalities or powers held them back and they earned the right to humbly take a front seat in the Caleb company (Acts 8:4).

Paul and Silas earned the right to be part of Caleb’s company. They were called “These that have turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6).

David held a prominent seat in the Caleb company. He confessed: “For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall” (Psalm 18:29).

Where are the parents who are raising their children to take their place in the Caleb company?

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

High walls and giants discouraged them. Their human logic and reasoning told them they could not accomplish this assault on such powerful enemies. As a result it took 40 years of wandering in the wilderness for that unbelieving generation to die off before a new generation would be born who would not be intimidated by walls and giants--a generation who believed that nothing is impossible with God.

Caleb was the example and pattern of the type of people God is calling to mow down mountains. Isaiah 41:15 says: “Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff.” Through God they will break down walls (Joshua 6:29). They will wholly follow the Lord no matter what the naysayers say all around them.

Men, we must be this same example to our wives and families as Caleb was to his family and generation.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

This was indeed a humble form of transport for Jesus, the Jewish Messiah. The humble multitudes that heard His teaching and witnessed His miracles recognized who He was and spread their garments on the road and cut down branches from the trees and spread them in the way. Multitudes went before and behind saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest” (Matthew 21:9). All the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?”

There were more noble forms of transport in Jesus’ day. Perhaps a throne-type chair held aloft by several strong men, or a chariot with magnificent white horses would have appealed far more to the proud, political religious leaders. But they did not want to recognize a Messiah riding on an ass.

Men, this same Jesus Christ is still looking today for humble, meek, “donkey-type” men to ride on through the pathways, roads, and streets of this life on earth. He refuses the glamorous and prideful forms of transport.

And this is the way He brings in His peace. His kingdom consists of humble men and woman.

Come, ride on my life, Lord Jesus Christ, my King and my Master!

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Gods people are like sheep and easily led astray. Church leaders and parents who claim to be Christians must from time to time, especially at this moment which this subject is such a “hot potato,” should rise, up, stand up, and speak up.

Another reason why church leaders do not speak out against this moral perversion is that they are afraid of being branded a bigot or intolerant. They love the praises of men and want to be loved by all. They want to be popular, but the truth is not always popular. Antibiotic injections have to be given in order to save lives, even if the recipients don’t like needles being poked into them.

As parents, we must share with our children what God says about the sin of homosexuality. The state schools through Common Core are not afraid to educate the nation’s children to accept homosexuality as an alternative to heterosexual marriage. The media is fine with pushing alternative lifestyles.

However, because the world jams these immoral values into our young people’s minds, we as church leaders and parents cannot afford to hold back the truth. If we are silent because of fear of being branded bigots, homophobias or such like, woe unto us.

We must speak up now.
We must stand up now.
We must rise up now.

This is the time to educate our children with the truth of God’s Word or we will be in danger of losing them. Many have already lost their children to the deception of homosexuality because not enough people are prepared to rise up and call it what it is: homosexuality is an abomination to God and it should be to us.

Leviticus 18:22 says: “Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind: it is abomination.” This ruling comes from the Supreme Court of Heaven.

Be ready to rise up.

Colin Campbell

In the first book of the Bible, Genesis chapters 18 and 19 declare God’s hatred for homosexuality and His awesome judgment upon it.

The law of Moses prohibits and pronounces judgment against it (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; and Deuteronomy 23:17). There are 39 negative references to Sodom and Gomorrah in the Old Testament and nine in the New Testament. They all speak of judgment concerning the cities and their sin of homosexuality.

Hate speech is frowned upon concerning race and homosexuality. However, God wants to bless every race, no matter their what their skin color. Just as murder is spoken against and no one sees that as hate speech, so must parents and church leaders speak up against all moral perversion (which uses the human sex drive to do things God did not ordain or create us to do).

The homosexual agenda is now taught in more and more state schools in our nation and there are many Christians who are deeply offended by the liberal hate speech opposing biblical morals. Christians are not taught in the Bible to hate homosexuals any more than they are taught to hate abortionists or murderers. But we are to hate the sin of homosexuality and must speak against this sin. In fact, we must speak out against all that God speaks again.

In the midst of all this we must always remember that we are all sinners in some way or other and that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son to die and shed His blood for each one of us and that by repenting and turning from our sin we are saved and cleansed from every sinful and moral offence against God.

God loves sinners but He does not love or condone the sin. The supreme Court dared to rule on the behalf of what God condemns and unfortunately, and sadly, the country will suffer for their decision.

Christians cannot bow to their ruling, but only to God’s ruling.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

I cannot once escape his eyes,
Whate’er he sees me do, he tries.
Like me he says he’s going to be;
The little chap who follows me.

He thinks that I’m so very fine,
Believes in every word of mine.
The base in me he must not see;
The little chap who follows me.

I must remember as I go
Through summer’s sun and winter’s snow,
I’m building for the years to be;
The little chap who follows me.

~ Unknown

God had forgiveness in His heart when He planned our salvation from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8). However, no matter how willing God is to forgive, it can only be received and experienced by the repentant, believing heart (John 1:12 and 3:16).

As men and fathers, God does not want us to be like Shakespeare’s Macbeth, always wanting our pound of flesh. God does not want us to be severe, cold, and calculating when it comes to forgiveness and peacemaking. However, this does not mean that we should be sloppy and giving forgiveness and fellowship to adulterers and fornicators while they continue in their sin. Far be it. But we should have a fervent desire to see fellowship restored, even if it is at great cost to us.

It cost our Heavenly Father His beloved Son. How much cost are we, His followers, prepared to pay? Forgiveness is not something we as Christians should struggle to give; rather our hearts should be full of it, always desiring for the right moment to pour it out.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Some offer only conditional forgiveness based solely upon complete repentance and change. Others only forgive when the offender comes full circle and asks for it.

But our God offers for forgiveness in Christ Jesus while we were yet sinners. Romans 5:8 says: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

I am sure that the father of the prodigal son forgave his son in his heart long before the son returned home seeking forgiveness (Luke 15:11-32). Verse 20 says: “And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.” This is the type of forgiveness we fathers must have towards our own children, and others, even before they “reach home.” Even while they are still “yet a great way off.”

God’s peacemakers minister God’s forgiveness which is always generous--the best robe, a ring on the hand, shoes on the feet, and a party with music and dancing. Forgiveness is always on the lookout for those who are beginning to make their way home.

To be continued.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

In Numbers 12:3-14 we read about the dispute of Miriam and Aaron with Moses about the Ethiopian woman he married. God Himself intervenes and supports His servant, Moses by describing him with these words: “Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.” What an amazing testimony for God to give His servant Moses. This is a huge endorsement for Moses’ leadership of God’s people. Would to God that all God’s servants in parenting and leadership would exemplify this beautiful character qualification in their ministry.

Tragically, there are multitudes who have been seriously hurt and wounded by parents, pastors, and church leaders who are often so full of their own importance.

Often men are not chosen to lead others because of their meekness. All too often they are chosen for their smartness, intelligence, academia, good looks, gifts of oratory, and ability to organize. However, it is meekness that pleases God.

Meekness is patient and takes time to listen carefully. Meekness will not rush to judge. Pride vaunts up itself. Meekness does not abuse its authority.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

In order to bring peace in a relationship, it is important to speak only the truth. However, truth without the eyes and body language of love can be very destructive. One can say, “I love you,” but the words must be backed up with the eyes and facial language that support and confirm the statement. The loving touch of a hand, coupled with the loving look of the eye has power to melt the hardened heart.

Ephesians 4:15: “Speaking the truth in love, may grow up pinto him in all things. which is the head, even Christ.”

The truth should only be spoken in order to correct, encourage, to make amends, or to bring repentance. The true Christian way to bring an accusation should always be to restore, not to condemn.

When Jesus Christ came into the world, He did not come to condemn the world. John 3:17 says: “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world though him might be saved.” Although there was much in the world worthy of condemnation (and that is a big understatement), every word and action of Jesus, from the beginning of His ministry to the cross, was for the purpose of redemption. How can we who speak in His name do anything less?

It is also important to speak only the truth that is relevant to the subject and to resist the temptation to drag up things of the past that have already been dealt with.

We should remember 1 Peter 4:8: “And above all things have fervent love among yourselves: for love shall cover the multitude of sins.”

Also James 5:20: “Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

It is important to calm yourself down and take control of your angry emotions when disciplining your children. In the same way, it is just as important when dealing with your spouse, a friend, or church member, etc.

I am not saying there is not a place for righteous indignation as it was with Jesus when He cleansed the temple (John 2:15). We are also exhorted in Ephesians 4:26: “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” It is appropriate to be angry and upset over injustice and flagrant abuse of God’s grace and holiness. However, because of our fallen nature and all of its subtlety, we had better be sure that our anger is righteous anger.

Immediately after the words: “Let not the sun go down upon your wrath,” it states: “Neither give place to the devil.” If we do not quickly get our anger in check we give opportunity for the devil to make things far worse than they are.

Watch your body language--pointing the finger, screwing up your face, glaring angrily with your eyes, shouting, screaming, and yelling. None of these things belong to the children of God who are peacemakers.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

When someone is offended by a friend, family brother or sister, or church member, they often cut them off and refuse to have anything more to do with them. This is very immature and grieves the Holy Spirit who blesses those who do their best to keep the unit of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

It is wrong for offended Christians to gossip and spread their offences to others, especially if they have not made any real attempt to go to the one who caused the offence to put things right so that unity can be restored

It is wrong for offended Christians to in anyway seek to pay back evil for evil or trespass for trespass. This is also very immature and we would do well to remember that two wrongs can never make a right.

Romans 12:17, 18: “Recompense to no man evil for evil. . . If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”

Spreading slander about the one who offended you by spreading it on Twitter or Facebook is rendering evil for evil. All this type of thing is wrong and makes matters worse.

To go to someone who has wronged you takes courage and should be done as soon as possible. Many immature Christians often carry these grudges for years and this sort of behavior grieves the Holy Spirit. Refusing to talk to people or acknowledge those who have wronged you, perhaps not even intentionally, is rendering evil for evil and is not righteous behavior.

Cutting people off until they come back to you to find out what they have done wrong shows no humility. Just because someone, for the sake of restoring unity, apologizes or says “Sorry” does not always mean they are the guilty before God. It is wrong for the offended to sit back and coddle their hurts and wait for the offender, who may not know what they have done wrong, to come and repent and apologize.

Do not delay going to your brother or sister alone. The longer you wait, the more opportunity you give for sin to abound. The longer the rift or division is allowed to continue without being addressed, the harder it becomes for peacemaking.

Fathers, be responsible to practice these truths and teach them to your children.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Prayer must be fervent, not casual, ritualistic (going through the motions). James 5:16 says: "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

If both parties who are clashing would seriously go to prayer, either separately or together, most problems could be resolved without even having to have special counseling.

Isaiah 9:6, 7 says: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God The everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end." He is most worthy to be called on in troubled times. All nations and kings shall one day come and bow down at His feet and seek His counsel of peace.

In view of the fact that all the great national and international problems of the world will be resolved by His counsel and wisdom, why should we not as individuals bring all our troubled relationships to Him? Isaiah 2:4 says: "And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords and plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more."

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Jesus spoke much on the absolute importance of unity. Many families and churches are torn apart because of disunity, which seriously affects the anointing from flowing with all of its blessings.

In John 17:21 Jesus states that through the oneness and unity of His people the world will believe that God sent Christ into the world. John 17:23 tells us that maturity can only be obtained through unity.

Until we deal with jealousies, hatreds, and strife it is not possible for us to be brought to perfection. We are exhorted in Ephesians 4:3: "Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." The word "endeavor" in the Greek means "to make an effort, to be earnest, to give diligence."

We will share much more on this subject, but with the above few Scriptures alone, we can grasp the absolute importance of peacemaking.

Train your children to be godly peacemakers.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

If our society is going to have real peace there are certain conditions we have to meet. We have to pay a price for peace. What is the price? We must earnestly seek after it.

In seeking peace we find we have to change our ways. We may have to repent of certain things. We may have to consult the road map much more than we currently do. Seeking requires active searching. Just as men set their hearts to search for God, they have to prioritize their lives. Hard work and difficult challenges are just a part of the price we pay. We must earnestly endeavor to pursue peace.

God gives peace, but not without a plan or a road map.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell