Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs

Men, we who call ourselves born again Christians firmly believe that Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. This truth is one of the strongest pillars of our faith. The paradox is that this truth is not manifested as it should be in and through the daily lives of us "Christian" men who dare to call ourselves believers.

We know little of laying down our lives for Him who laid down His life for us. The obvious question is, how do we lay down our lives for Christ? The answer is not at all complicated. It is laying down our lives without reservation for others with the new dynamic that only the new birth in Christ can give.

Men, I do believe that before the fall in the Garden of Eden that loving and giving were like a great river that was not tainted or restricted, but flowed deep and wide. After the fall, love and giving became contaminated by self gratification and self idolatry. In other words, what can I benefit from giving and loving? The new birth must change this old selfish mindset of loving and giving to be all that Christ Himself exemplified by the laying down of His life.

Be encouraged. Colin

Men, there are too many of us who are somewhat tight-fisted when it comes to giving. This is not Christ like. I heard a testimony once from a daughter of missionaries who received a Christmas package from the USA. Part of it consisted of used tea bags! How disgusting!

The wise men that came from the Orient far brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the baby Son of God. Our Lord and Savior gave His all for us, even to the shedding of His precious blood.

I believe one of the greatest evidences of our new birth in Christ is that we lose our stingy selfishness and become givers in thousands of different ways. It is possible to give with loving, but it is impossible to love without giving.

Our giving back to God cannot be separated from our giving to one another.

Be encouraged, Colin Campbell

Men, we often stir ourselves with desires to be more godly and more and more filled with the Holy Spirit. We may give earnest endeavor through much prayer and study of the Scriptures and yet in the end fail to reach out desired end.

I am a strong believer in the doctrine of earnestly seeking God, coupled with fasting and prayer, and yet there must come a time in which the seeking heart must come to the place or believing that our heavenly Father has heard our prayers and will faithfully provide us with the answers in His own time and way.

All physical and natural endeavor, even though pointed toward spiritual attainments, must in the end cease from struggle and in childlike faith and trust yield to the truth that "It is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32). The truth is that every aspect of our salvation is a free gift from God and can never be earned by our most earnest endeavors. This is not saying that there is no need to seek God for higher plains, but rather that this endeavor is only that God can get our attention away from ourselves and earthly things. When God gets our attention, and not that we need to forever try to get Luke 11:13 says, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?"

Men, I believe that one of the greatest deceptions in our lives is to think that all that is required of us is to be good men. No, a thousand times, no. This is not good enough. Now, please do not misunderstand me. I am not putting down the truth that men need to be good. What I am saying is that just being good as far as God is concerned is not good enough.

In all religions there are some very good people who love their wives and families and are prepared to lay down their lives for their country and friends. There are many good men who are hard workers and faithful in their convictions as to what the believe. Even some atheists can be good men in many ways.

Likewise, in Christianity there are many "just good men," born again, but that's it! That's the beginning and the end of it!

But, this is not all that God is looking for in us men. He wants men who are born of the Spirit, led by the Spirit, empowered by the Spirit, and filled with the Spirit. This indeed is real New Testament Christianity.

The old covenant written on stone lacked the power and fullness of the Spirit. All Christian men must shake the deadness of what is called "normal" in their church and learn what it means to experience the fullness of the Spirit.

Acts 6:3 says, "Look ye out among you seven men of honest report, FULL OF THE HOLY GHOST AND WISDOM, whom we may appoint over this business."

The fullness of the Holy Spirit is certainly not normal!

Be encouraged. Colin

Men, our greatest example of good works is Jesus Christ, whose life on this earth was full of good works. Jesus said in John 10:32, "Many good works have I showed you from my Father." If it was good enough for Jesus Christ to live a life full of good works, it should also be good enough for who say we are His followers.

Acts 10:38 says, "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him." Jesus "went about doing good." Sometimes we just "go about."

Why is the church is reticent when it comes to preaching good works? Many evangelical churches avoid the subject like the plague which they do to their own detriment.

The neglect of the doctrine of "good works" has come about by the danger of churches believing that we can be saved by good works, which we cannot. However, justifying faith, which is not evidenced by a life of good works, is dead.

James 2:17 says, "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." This means that true saving faith is manifest by good works. The truth is that just as an over emphasis on good works is dangerous doctrine, so is an over emphasis on saving faith without being substantiated by a changed life full of good works. This has possibly led many people in today's church to believing they are saved because they said a sinner's prayer.

But, we must ask ourselves, "Where is the evidence?" And "What is the evidence?"

Be encouraged. Colin.

God is looking for these men. Where are they?

Titus 2:14 says, "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."

The word "peculiar" in the Greek means "being beyond usual, special, over and above, super abundance." In other words, we are God's "treasured people, His special chosen ones." I realize how much I need to claim in prayer this special zeal for good works in my own life, as well in all my fellow Christians around me.

Good works should not be something we do grudgingly and miserably measure out to our fellow man. We men, who claim to be Christians, should literally be oozing with creative and helpful ways to assist our fellow many on a daily basis.

Ephesians 2:8-10 makes it very clear that we are not saved by good works, but rather by faith. However, it also makes it very clear that we are saved by faith "UNTO GOOD WORKS, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

Putting it plainly, we are to walk in nothing else but GOOD WORKS. And we are to be very zealous about them. This is what makes us special and different to everyone else.

Be encouraged. Colin

The Greek word for "zeal" is "zecos" meaning "heat, ardor, fervent mind." It's most important for us men to be zealous for our work, our families, our homes, our principles, and most important of all, our service to God.

A man without zeal will tend to be overly casual. He will be a "moocher" (Do you know this word? We use it in New Zealand and Australia for loitering about aimlessly.)

A man lacking a zeal is like trying to drag around a heavy weight. He has no spring in his step, no oomph in his personality, no twinkle in his eye, and no passion for anything. He is like a dead man walking. He is a bore to be around, a fire without heat, a drag on society.

This is not the man created in the image and likeness of God. The devil creates zombies. God creates men with fire in their bones.

Zeal knows no apathy. It deplores laziness and slackness. It believes in creativity, enthusiasm, and a job well done. Zeal cannot tolerate sitting around and accomplishing nothing (mooching!)

Zeal loves motivation. It rejoices in challenges. It will fight for what is right.

Seven times God is mentioned as possessing and acting with zeal. Zeal is a great motivator. If God uses it to get things done, so should we.

Isaiah 9:7 says, "The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this."

Be encouraged. Colin

Men, if we have no zeal we are like gasoline without octane. What man wants to drive a car that has no "get up and go"? Come on! Sluggishness is definitely something we men cannot stand when it comes to driving cars or working any time of machinery, including computers.

Some may thank that zeal sounds a little fanatical, but the truth is that most of us could do with a bit more of it! Some, a lot more of it!

True zeal spurns compromise, especially when it comes to principles.

Most of us conservatives are somewhat anxious as to whether the Republican led House of Representatives will cave in to Obama's liberal agenda on spending and raising higher taxes on the rich. I think in the end they may "cave in" out of fear of being blamed for causing America to go over the Fiscal Cliff. It's better for conservatives to have enough zeal for standing true to righteous principles than to cave in to compromise. Perhaps the economy needs to take the cliff in order for the country to wake up.

Jesus acted with fanaticism to cleanse the house of God. John 2:17 tells us that it was zeal that motivated his actions.

It's okay for communists and socialists to be zealots. What about Christians?

Be encouraged. Colin

THE BEST LEARNERS ARE THE BEST LISTENERS.

Proverbs 1:5 says, "A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels."

How important it is for us men to have a teachable spirit. I believe that God has a special love for men who have a yearning to learn more and more, especially about God and His ways.

Romans 8:14 says, "As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." The sons of God in this Scripture means the mature sons, compared to the immature children who have not yet learned how to listen in order to be led. Many Christian men know how to listen to their own minds, and the thoughts and ideas of others, but have not yet learned how to listen to the voice of the Spirit of God in their daily lives. I find this most challenging myself.

Romans 8:19 says, "For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God." The words, "earnest expectation" in the Greek come from "kara" meaning "head" and "dokao" meaning "to expect." The full meaning is "to look anxiously with the neck stretched out and the head thrust forward." Learning to be led by the Holy Spirit of God, hear His voice, and interpret the Scriptures to individually directing our lives daily should be the most consuming passion of our lives. This hunger and desire should, spiritually speaking, STRETCH US OUT.

Be encouraged. Colin

Our life here on this earth is a teaching/training experience from beginning to end. The earthly physical and mental mindset would readily agree with this, especially when it applies to academic education, as well as masters/doctorates one could possibly add to their name. This appeals to the natural mind because it gives one honor and respect, as well as a sense of achievement. This is not wrong. However, it becomes wrong if one's greatest desire for learning supersedes the hunger and quest to know the ways of God.

With all my heart I believe that the knowledge of God far outweighs and exceeds all other knowledge. The man who truly knows God, and is ever seeking to know Him more, is the man that this sick world really needs. This is the man who God can use to make this world a better place. This does not mean that one should not pursue the academia of this world in order to benefit mankind, as well as oneself.

However, we must never forget that the highest education is the pursuit of God.

Read Philippians 3:7-14. Verse 8 says, "Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ."

Be encouraged. Colin

WHAT WILL IT TAKE?

The story of Achan and the tragedy that befell him has its application to the church of America today.

Joshua 7:11-12 says, "Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff. Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed thing from among you."

Abortion, adultery, divorce, homosexuality, marriage breakup and pornography are "accursed" and unless the church repents and cleanses itself by the blood of Jesus Christ, we will continue to lose in the battles of the Lord. This could well be the reason why we lost the battle over our recent elections. Only God knows what other battles we are losing in this country because we are so insensitive to what is sensitive to God.

Have our hearts become so hardened and indifferent to the holiness of God that we no longer care enough to address these important issues? Joshua cared enough to tear his clothes, fall to the ground and lay face down before the ark of the Lord until eventide. He and the elders of Israel put dirt on their heads to show their sorrow (Joshua 7:6).

What will it take for us to repent like this?

Be encouraged. Colin

Men who are spiritually sharp will also, like myself, have grave concern over the breakup of our Christian marriages. There is something terribly wrong with the church in general when we are so blasé and carry on as if nothing is wrong. It's just business as usual.

The real men of God will hang their heads in shame and embarrassment. How can we fight and win victories in the battles of the Lord when there is such a flippant attitude towards Christian marriage breakup?

It seems to me that one of the most dangerous places in the church these days is the Woman's Bible Study. I am not a legalist and I am not in any way down on woman having their own Bible studies. My wife led ladies' Bible studies for years. However, I have recently heard from many men of adverse repercussions after their wife joined a certain Bible study where a number of other women were either separated or divorced. Somehow or other, the Bible Study turned into a liberal, feministic, husband-rejecting, wife-complaining, self-exalting event, and in time, women were encouraged to get up and walk out of their marriage.

Shame! Shame! Shame! Men, we must be sharp enough to address this problem.

Be encouraged. Colin

Men, are we sharp enough to counteract the terrible onslaught of the devil on our Christian marriages?

When we are sharp, we will be more aware of what's going on around us, good or bad. When we are sharp we will be quick to respond to any action that may be required. Sharp men will not allow negligence to control them. They will not keep putting off things that need to be completed right now.

We men need to sharpen up in every way--in our marriage, in the disciplining of ourselves and our children. The most important area where we need to be sharp is in the spiritual realm. We need to be especially sharp in discerning God's voice speaking to us. If we are not sharp in this area, we will be guided by our own wisdom and logic and miss out on the most exciting and thrilling privileges we men have.

Romans 8:14 says, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." If we are not sharp to hear God's voice, how difficult it must be for the Spirit of God to lead us.

I am very alarmed by the terrible increase of divorce of late in the so called "Spirit filled church." It is a terrible indictment on the name of Christ and reveals just how unfilled with the Spirit of God we really are! Spiritually sharp men are the only answer to this devilish attack.

Be encouraged. Colin

Men, a blunt sword will not do as much damage as a sharp one. Men whose profession demands the use of an axe will wear themselves out if the axe is blunt.

At County Fairs in New Zealand, where I was born, they have axe cutting competitions. They set up pine logs approximately 18 inches thick, four to five feet high, with about 10 men or more competing against each other. It was amazing to see the chips fly as these strong men raced to win the prize. One of the great advantages was to have a heavy axe that was razor sharp.

Men, the devil is not intimidated by blunt weapons. Ecclesiastes 10:10says, "If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct." Let me paraphrase, "If the axe is blunt and he does not sharpen the blade, he will wear himself out. Be wise and sharpen the blade."

Jeremiah 51:20 says, "Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with the will I destroy kingdoms."

Who wants to employ a dull employee who is not sharp enough to be profitable? God feels the same way about us.

Men, it is high time to sharpen up.

Be encouraged. Colin

Men of God who are alert will have their antennas up towards God They will be tuned in to heaven. This is not only possible for us, but is expected of us. It is our privilege and should not in any way be taken for granted. People of the earth have their antennas pointed toward the earth. They mind or think earthly things.

Philippians 3:18-19 says, "For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things." Paul was speaking of those who called themselves Christians, but who were not alert to the message of the cross which cancels out its voice and earthly ways to those who are true followers of Christ.

The last thing we need right now is to listen to the voice of the earth when we should listen to the voice from heaven.

I remember seeing a documentary on a party of men who were early explorers of the Antarctic region. They were testing out the power of radio waves to send Morse code. They were turned into their primitive receiver thousands of miles from where the signal was sent. How intently they listened. And what joy they experienced when finding the Morse code came through.

Men, this should be our attitude toward hearing God.

We should have the attitude of the psalmist in Psalm 123:1-2, "Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that he have mercy upon us."

Be encouraged. Colin

Jesus said that the attitude of Christians in the end times should be to watch and pray. This speaks of alertness. To be honest, the church should right now be full of the most alert men in the world. This would be the case if "Christian" men would take the words of Christ to heart.

Watchfulness and prayerfulness is certainly not on the radar of the modern church. C. T. Studd, one of Christianity's 20th century great heroes, describes the Chocolate Soldier--"Sugar and spice and all things nice must be on our slate."

Jesus said in Mark 13:31-37, "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is... Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or in the morning: lest coming suddenly he find you sleep. And what I say unto you I say unto all, WATCH."

The understanding of the Greek word for "watch" means "wakefulness, intent and riveted to a certain thing."

Men, let's be alert and riveted to watch and pray for the great needs of this hour.

Be encouraged. Colin

What does it mean to be alert? Watchful, vigilant, guarding against surprise or danger.

We are living in a time of great "dumbing down." Extreme socialism does not want men to think for themselves. Drugs, moral perverseness, and alcohol, dumbs down society. When men are not working-depending on government hand outs and sitting around vegetating--their brain and body begins to atrophy.

God is calling for men to be aware and alert to the serious dangers of this hour. When Jesus spoke of these "end times" He said they would be marked by deception. Matthew 24:4 says, "Take heed that no man deceive you."

He also said the end times would be marked by spiritual coldness. Matthew 24:12 says, "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold."

The Apostle Paul writes in 2 Thessalonians 2:10-11, "They received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie."

Much of the world, and even the church, is in strong delusion regarding Israel, Right now we need to be alert. We must pray that our government will stand and support Israel, who are being constantly rocketed from Hamas in Gaza. Do not be dummed down.

Personally, and as families together, we must pray earnestly for Israel at this critical time.

Be encouraged to pray. Colin

Acts 4:13, "Now when they saw the BOLDNESS of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus."

Peter and John, in the face of persecution, did not act like timid lambs or nervous mice. They had so much boldness that it caused their persecutors to marvel. They realized that the source of this boldness did not come from education, for they were "unlearned" men. They also understood that this boldness did not come from knowledge, for they were "ignorant" men. But, they "took knowledge of them that they had BEEN WITH JESUS." This was the real source of their boldness.

The more time we spend with Jesus, the bolder we will be. Their persecutors did not know that Jesus had just baptized His disciples with power from on high which had turn the denying Peter into the bold confessor.

Great boldness to testify for Jesus in the face of hot persecution is the greatest evidence of our own claim to the baptism of the Spirit. Those who spend time with Jesus are the most likely ones to know this power of the Holy Spirit giving them great boldness.

God is calling for BOLD MEN!

Be encouraged. Colin

Proverbs 28:1 says, "The righteous are as bold as a lion."

God is bold and He despises fear and cowardice. As we face the next four years of more progressive (communist) policies being shoved down our throats we will need men of boldness to resist.

This election revealed that many in this great nation are pushovers for progressive (communist) handouts and are already addicted to government provision and take over.

However, the wise know that this country cannot sustain such reckless giving to those who have given up on work. This country desperately needs bold men and women who will raise bold children for not only our present battles, but also for our future battles, against all that is godless and unrighteous. We must be bold enough to defy all our enemies right to their proud haughty faces.

1 Chronicles 12:8 says, "And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David into the hold to the wilderness men of might, and men of war fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains."

These Gadites, whose faces had a lion-like look about them must have indeed been bold men. All these mighty bold men came to help King David. But, our heavenly King Jesus, who is the heavenly David, is surely worth nothing less than the earthly David.

Be encouraged men. Colin

It's easy to cheat on your employer by using your phone in work hours. A real son of God will not text in the boss's time. This is all part of the easy road. No, a thousand times No to all these slouchy easy going attitudes.

When a real man of God goes to work, he rolls up his sleeves, gets stuck in, and does his very best. And he does this consistently.

If you are in a job where the unions are forcing you to take your time and drag your feet, look for other employment. It is bad for your character to be submitted to such godlessness.

The easy road is filled with takers that think the world owes them something. They always have their hands out to get paid for doing next to nothing. The easy roaders wait for others to pay for them at the restaurant. They love to eat food provided by others. Away with such nonsense. God did not create man to be so apathetic and useless. He created us to be people of character.

Those walking the narrow road have true servant hearts and can't wait to do something to help their fellow man.

Be encouraged. Colin