Some people have enough religion to make them hate, but not enough to make them love.
Love should be the driving force of every Christian. In fact, without love we're not Christians.
1Jn 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
Joh 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
We must love God:
Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
But if we do not love men, we cannot say that we love God:
1Jn 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
Being a preacher, demonstrating the love of God is an absolute necessity. If I do not, I have no business preaching in Christ's stead. And that does not mean that the theological subject has to be the love of God, it means that everything taught and preached must be saturated with it. It means that the manner in which I shake the people's hands, hugs their necks, the manner in which I listen to their problems (serious or trifle), must be sincere and with the compassion of Christ. God is love and His people are loving.
One of our major problems is pride. I've found myself pushing doctrines because I wanted to be right, not because I wanted men to be saved. The messages were not motivated by love for God and people; they were motivated by a love for myself. May God smite me, and every preacher, when we use the sword as a threshing tool and not a razor sharp instrument of life.
One of the hardest things I had to learn was that those who were trying to convert me over to their false understanding of the Bible were often doing it because they loved me and truly felt I was deceived. So, although they were doctrinally wrong, their motive was right. It softened my heart toward them and made me realize I was attacking people that loved me.
Let us weigh our motives. Why am I saying what I'm saying? Am I trying to prove a point? Will this actually build the kingdom of God? Even if I'm right, will this destroy the weak? Is this the proper venue for such a message? If the love of God and His kingdom are the motivating factor, check yourself again, and then love the people.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
You Can Make It!
Over and over we tell people "You Can Make It"!
But their lives are rich and full, nothing forsaken.
They have houses, cars and friends who love 'em.
They claim to have God's Spirit, to be full of Him.
They suffer no persecution for the Savior's sake.
They stir up no devils, his kingdom they don't shake.
To the ceiling are piles of toys they've bought.
So, I'm forced to ask, "Make it through what?"
The uncrucified flesh, the world's wicked pull?
The air conditioned house, a stomach that's full?
You can make it to Sunday without going back?
You can make it through flat tires and zero lack?
So, if you're one who doesn't pray or read the Bible.
If you never intercede, never pray for revival.
If you don't sell out, becoming a genuine disciple;
Your life will always be a day to day survival.
Let us remember Jesus and the early church.
They lived victoriously regardless of the hurt.
The more they suffered the stronger they got.
The harder the battle the harder they fought.
Their walk with God, circumstances did not alter!
In the face of poverty their faith did not falter.
This is the faith once delivered to the saints.
And, yes, we, too, can make, if we don't faint!
But their lives are rich and full, nothing forsaken.
They have houses, cars and friends who love 'em.
They claim to have God's Spirit, to be full of Him.
They suffer no persecution for the Savior's sake.
They stir up no devils, his kingdom they don't shake.
To the ceiling are piles of toys they've bought.
So, I'm forced to ask, "Make it through what?"
The uncrucified flesh, the world's wicked pull?
The air conditioned house, a stomach that's full?
You can make it to Sunday without going back?
You can make it through flat tires and zero lack?
So, if you're one who doesn't pray or read the Bible.
If you never intercede, never pray for revival.
If you don't sell out, becoming a genuine disciple;
Your life will always be a day to day survival.
Let us remember Jesus and the early church.
They lived victoriously regardless of the hurt.
The more they suffered the stronger they got.
The harder the battle the harder they fought.
Their walk with God, circumstances did not alter!
In the face of poverty their faith did not falter.
This is the faith once delivered to the saints.
And, yes, we, too, can make, if we don't faint!
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Disappointment: Overcoming the Troas' of Life
Disappointment is something that all of us have encountered one time or another. I think that I would be safe in saying that some of you are battling it right now. We dream and we hope and we set our hearts on certain goals. Then the time comes when we realize that our dreams are not coming true. This is an experience that happens eventually to every person.
The word “disappointment” is comprised of 2 parts. First, there is the pre-fix “dis-” which means: reversal, negation or lack, removal or separation. The second part is the word “appointment” which means: an agreement to meet, engagement. So we see the word coming to life. It is a reversal of an appointment. It is a lack of appointment, or a removal of an appointment. Webster says the word means: to fail to fulfill the expectations or wishes of. So, as you can see, we've all experienced disappointment: having hopes and dreams shattered! And if you're there now, this message is your's!
I am reminded of an occurrence in the life of the greatest Christian preacher that ever lived – the Apostle Paul!
Let’s read Acts 16:7, 8 very carefully:
Ac 16:7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.
8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.
This verse is simply stating that Paul’s heart was set on going to Bithynia. If you are familiar with his life and the circumstances of this experience, you know this was his dream. Bithynia was the richest province in all of Asia, but somehow circumstances prevented him going there. Instead, he ended up in Troas, a place he despised, had no interest in, and in which he could see no future.
This has happens to a lot of people. We set our minds and hearts on some Bithynia, and then we end up in Troas.
You must understand that God had a perfect plan for Bithynia, Troas, Paul and we can’t leave out Peter. Because, later, Peter would go to Bithynia and bring a great revival. As a matter of fact, the epistle of 1st Peter was addressed to Christians at Bithynia.
2Co 2:12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,
It wasn’t God’s will for Paul to go to Bythinia because he had a greater work and another door open for him in Troas.
He visited Troas at least 3 times. On his second missionary journey to Troas, he saw the vision of a "man of Macedonia," who appeared to him, saying, "Come over, and help us." It was because of this vision in Troas we have the 16th chapter of Acts, which consists of Paul and Silas, the jailer, the earthquake, and its subsequent revival.
At his third recorded visit he tarried only a week; at the close of which he miraculously raised Eutychus from the dead!
Consider the following stories: In Boston, outside of the Old Trinity Church, stands a statue of one of the greatest preachers that ever lived, the Rev. Phillip Brooks. Phillip Brooks always desired to be a school teacher – that was his Bithynia. Though he wanted it bad and tried hard to achieve it, he failed at it miserably. His Bithynia was denied him, but in his Troas he found immortality.
The Citadel, one of the most famous books ever written was wrote by a man named A. J. Cronin. A. J. Cronin was a medical doctor who grew so sick that he had to give up his profession. He ended up in a little town, despondent, defeated, and unhappy. He began to write, but he decided his writing was so poor that he took it and threw it in the garbage can. Later, he reluctantly retrieved the pages he had written and eventually they were published. His Bithynia was the practice of medicine, but had he stayed there, we would never have heard of him. His Troas was writing.
Perhaps some of you have heard of the famous writer Sir Walter Scott. His dream was to be a poet. That was his Bithynia. But if he had succeeded there, we would never have had such novels as Waverly, Ivan Hoe, Kenilworth, Old Mortality, and Rob Roy. Being disappointed as a poet, he was forced to write prose in which he became world renown.
Likewise, Paul’s Troas, his disappointment, brought about the establishment of the Christian faith in Europe. Had he gone to Bithynia, it is very possible we would never have heard of him or his faith.
Finally, I am reminded of the preacher whose church bought him and his wife tickets to go on a luxury cruise. Just a few days before they were scheduled to leave, his wife became deathly sick. At first, he grieved over his wife's sickness, but soon saw the providence of God in it ... he had missed the maiden voyage of the Titanic!
So, if you've been denied your Bythinia, rejoice, your destiny lies in Troas! You can’t wait for Bithynia! You must move on to Troas! There’s a miracle waiting there for you!
God bless!
David Lamb
.
The word “disappointment” is comprised of 2 parts. First, there is the pre-fix “dis-” which means: reversal, negation or lack, removal or separation. The second part is the word “appointment” which means: an agreement to meet, engagement. So we see the word coming to life. It is a reversal of an appointment. It is a lack of appointment, or a removal of an appointment. Webster says the word means: to fail to fulfill the expectations or wishes of. So, as you can see, we've all experienced disappointment: having hopes and dreams shattered! And if you're there now, this message is your's!
I am reminded of an occurrence in the life of the greatest Christian preacher that ever lived – the Apostle Paul!
Let’s read Acts 16:7, 8 very carefully:
Ac 16:7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.
8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.
This verse is simply stating that Paul’s heart was set on going to Bithynia. If you are familiar with his life and the circumstances of this experience, you know this was his dream. Bithynia was the richest province in all of Asia, but somehow circumstances prevented him going there. Instead, he ended up in Troas, a place he despised, had no interest in, and in which he could see no future.
This has happens to a lot of people. We set our minds and hearts on some Bithynia, and then we end up in Troas.
You must understand that God had a perfect plan for Bithynia, Troas, Paul and we can’t leave out Peter. Because, later, Peter would go to Bithynia and bring a great revival. As a matter of fact, the epistle of 1st Peter was addressed to Christians at Bithynia.
2Co 2:12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,
It wasn’t God’s will for Paul to go to Bythinia because he had a greater work and another door open for him in Troas.
He visited Troas at least 3 times. On his second missionary journey to Troas, he saw the vision of a "man of Macedonia," who appeared to him, saying, "Come over, and help us." It was because of this vision in Troas we have the 16th chapter of Acts, which consists of Paul and Silas, the jailer, the earthquake, and its subsequent revival.
At his third recorded visit he tarried only a week; at the close of which he miraculously raised Eutychus from the dead!
Consider the following stories: In Boston, outside of the Old Trinity Church, stands a statue of one of the greatest preachers that ever lived, the Rev. Phillip Brooks. Phillip Brooks always desired to be a school teacher – that was his Bithynia. Though he wanted it bad and tried hard to achieve it, he failed at it miserably. His Bithynia was denied him, but in his Troas he found immortality.
The Citadel, one of the most famous books ever written was wrote by a man named A. J. Cronin. A. J. Cronin was a medical doctor who grew so sick that he had to give up his profession. He ended up in a little town, despondent, defeated, and unhappy. He began to write, but he decided his writing was so poor that he took it and threw it in the garbage can. Later, he reluctantly retrieved the pages he had written and eventually they were published. His Bithynia was the practice of medicine, but had he stayed there, we would never have heard of him. His Troas was writing.
Perhaps some of you have heard of the famous writer Sir Walter Scott. His dream was to be a poet. That was his Bithynia. But if he had succeeded there, we would never have had such novels as Waverly, Ivan Hoe, Kenilworth, Old Mortality, and Rob Roy. Being disappointed as a poet, he was forced to write prose in which he became world renown.
Likewise, Paul’s Troas, his disappointment, brought about the establishment of the Christian faith in Europe. Had he gone to Bithynia, it is very possible we would never have heard of him or his faith.
Finally, I am reminded of the preacher whose church bought him and his wife tickets to go on a luxury cruise. Just a few days before they were scheduled to leave, his wife became deathly sick. At first, he grieved over his wife's sickness, but soon saw the providence of God in it ... he had missed the maiden voyage of the Titanic!
So, if you've been denied your Bythinia, rejoice, your destiny lies in Troas! You can’t wait for Bithynia! You must move on to Troas! There’s a miracle waiting there for you!
God bless!
David Lamb
.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Something Changed (My Magnus Opus)
I recently turned 35 years old! Usually, I just move right through my birthdays without much thought, but this one was different than all of the rest. For some reason there was an unusual realization of time. I know I'm not old, but I suddenly understood that I am getting older; that I've lived a lot of life, witnessed and experienced a lot of pain, and cried and laughed and loved and gained and lost a great deal for one man. I noticed the pain in my back and wrinkles on my face haven't gone away. I was startled by the thought that 20 year old young men and women look at me like a father. I gasped at the fact that 35 is half of 70 and that my uncles and aunts are in their 70's and my grandmother died in her 70's and that was 25 years ago. I realized that I don't want my children to grow up anymore; that I want them to stay just like they are. I was shaken by the thought that I want time to stop.
But I also realized there's a good chance that I may have another 35 years; that I may have another 35 years to love and live and heal and cry and forgive and help and hope and give and strengthen and build and pray and preach and listen and care.
I realized that there are 5 people (my wife and 4 children) that I'm not expendable to. I realized that my babies are going to grow up and be my best friends tomorrow, so I better cultivate that friendship now, making sure they are indeed my best friends tomorrow. I realized that I actually have some friends that are good and faithful more than they are bad and unfaithful. I realized that I have some people that I can call at midnight. I realized that when they act stupid and forget me, they are important enough to remind them to not forget me anymore. I realized that I have been bad and unfaithful at times. I realized that I have forgotten them sometimes. I realized I had better pick the phone up at midnight when they call.
I realized a smile goes a long way. I realized that I haven't been laughing enough and laughing is fun. I found that I am at my wisest when I'm just listening and shaking my head up and down and saying "uh huh".
I realized people are fallible, very important, but fallible. I realized people are going to lie to me, ignore my wife and I, talk about us, use us, think they're better than us, forget us, and a million other things that fallible people do. And, to my surprise, I realized I didn't mind that as much as I used to; that I've come to expect it and can always forgive them and act like I don't recall all of the bad things they've done to us when they come back around and bless us. And I realized that I want them to come back around ... if they want to. And if they don't want to come back around, I can hope they are happy. I realized they are hurting, too, and that I can choose to heal, even if they do not.
I realized that the pure in heart see God; that all things are working for me and not against me. I realized that God has used every person in my life (family, friend and foe) to make me a better Christian, husband, father, friend, and preacher. I realized pride and selfishness are two of the most deadly things in the world because they build walls and shut life out.
I realized that, that although He wants my best, God knows I'm human and doesn't expect me to be anything but human; that He doesn't expect greatness out of me; He wants me to die, so He can be great through me. I realized that through Christ I can be truly free, liberated from this world.
I also was overcome by the thought that my days are few and that I must make the most of them. So, since I'm blessed enough to have a hand full of people that actually care enough about me to read this little note, I promise you, I am going to love, live, and bless more the second half of my life than I did the first.
(To be continued...)
David Lamb
But I also realized there's a good chance that I may have another 35 years; that I may have another 35 years to love and live and heal and cry and forgive and help and hope and give and strengthen and build and pray and preach and listen and care.
I realized that there are 5 people (my wife and 4 children) that I'm not expendable to. I realized that my babies are going to grow up and be my best friends tomorrow, so I better cultivate that friendship now, making sure they are indeed my best friends tomorrow. I realized that I actually have some friends that are good and faithful more than they are bad and unfaithful. I realized that I have some people that I can call at midnight. I realized that when they act stupid and forget me, they are important enough to remind them to not forget me anymore. I realized that I have been bad and unfaithful at times. I realized that I have forgotten them sometimes. I realized I had better pick the phone up at midnight when they call.
I realized a smile goes a long way. I realized that I haven't been laughing enough and laughing is fun. I found that I am at my wisest when I'm just listening and shaking my head up and down and saying "uh huh".
I realized people are fallible, very important, but fallible. I realized people are going to lie to me, ignore my wife and I, talk about us, use us, think they're better than us, forget us, and a million other things that fallible people do. And, to my surprise, I realized I didn't mind that as much as I used to; that I've come to expect it and can always forgive them and act like I don't recall all of the bad things they've done to us when they come back around and bless us. And I realized that I want them to come back around ... if they want to. And if they don't want to come back around, I can hope they are happy. I realized they are hurting, too, and that I can choose to heal, even if they do not.
I realized that the pure in heart see God; that all things are working for me and not against me. I realized that God has used every person in my life (family, friend and foe) to make me a better Christian, husband, father, friend, and preacher. I realized pride and selfishness are two of the most deadly things in the world because they build walls and shut life out.
I realized that, that although He wants my best, God knows I'm human and doesn't expect me to be anything but human; that He doesn't expect greatness out of me; He wants me to die, so He can be great through me. I realized that through Christ I can be truly free, liberated from this world.
I also was overcome by the thought that my days are few and that I must make the most of them. So, since I'm blessed enough to have a hand full of people that actually care enough about me to read this little note, I promise you, I am going to love, live, and bless more the second half of my life than I did the first.
(To be continued...)
David Lamb
Saturday, October 2, 2010
They Follow the Pied Piper
I felt the Spirit quicken my heart.I had to rise and ask His design. My heart hurts. Oh, the burden!
Our young people! They are running hard toward hell. They march like mindless zombies. Their stride is in rhythm with the Pied Piper's, with Satan's hypnotizing melody. It is beautiful, but wicked. It is unlike anything they've ever known, saw, or felt, but it numbs them from feeling the sting of their conscience; the pull of the Spirit, checking them, convicting them over the crimes they've commited against God.
Even many of those that sit on our pews are dabbling in the forbidden. They move forward with a glazed expression upon their faces. They're oblivious to the thick darkness that moves upon our land; of the imminent destruction that looms near. Their eyes are blinded by the god of this world. While their life consists of little more than cell phones and social net works, Delilah rocks them into a deep coma. Like Samson, they will be afflicted.
To the luke-warm; the self-righteous pharisee; the hypocrite; the prayerless mother: the burdenless, Spiritless father: Will anyone try and stop them? Will anyone lift their voices, breaking the trance? Will anyone be alarmed? Will anyone break free from the steely cords that hold them, that have them entangled, making them slaves to this deceitful world and its diabolical ruler, long enough to make an eternal difference? Is there anyone who will pray; intercede for the souls of our youth?
God, wake us,shake us, break us before it's everlastingly too late. In Jesus' name, Amen!
Our young people! They are running hard toward hell. They march like mindless zombies. Their stride is in rhythm with the Pied Piper's, with Satan's hypnotizing melody. It is beautiful, but wicked. It is unlike anything they've ever known, saw, or felt, but it numbs them from feeling the sting of their conscience; the pull of the Spirit, checking them, convicting them over the crimes they've commited against God.
Even many of those that sit on our pews are dabbling in the forbidden. They move forward with a glazed expression upon their faces. They're oblivious to the thick darkness that moves upon our land; of the imminent destruction that looms near. Their eyes are blinded by the god of this world. While their life consists of little more than cell phones and social net works, Delilah rocks them into a deep coma. Like Samson, they will be afflicted.
To the luke-warm; the self-righteous pharisee; the hypocrite; the prayerless mother: the burdenless, Spiritless father: Will anyone try and stop them? Will anyone lift their voices, breaking the trance? Will anyone be alarmed? Will anyone break free from the steely cords that hold them, that have them entangled, making them slaves to this deceitful world and its diabolical ruler, long enough to make an eternal difference? Is there anyone who will pray; intercede for the souls of our youth?
God, wake us,shake us, break us before it's everlastingly too late. In Jesus' name, Amen!
Friday, September 17, 2010
The Home Stretch and America's Days of Darkness
I write today because my heart carries a heavy burden. I will be brief, but straight to the point.
We are in the home stretch now. You and I are the generation that will see the coming of the Lord. For some, that is a glorious thing, but for the vast majority, that should be the most frightening thing that could be said because they are not ready for what is about to take place in America.
Eschatologically, I lean toward the pretribulation rapture doctrine. This is the idea that the church will be called out of this world into heaven with Christ before the last 7 year period of tribulation and wrath described by Daniel and John the Revelator happens. But this doctrine has seemingly caused men to rest, to be at ease in Zion. They seem to think that nothing tragic can happen in this country. That we will live life in the fast lane and be raptured out of our paradise into God's paradise. This merely reflects the image of their spiritual condition: loose, fast, and not concerned with the eternal. 2000 years ago our Christ told us to lift our heads, watching and praying for His coming, that we would not enter into temptation! The vast majority of people today are not watching and praying for His coming. They are so consumed and have such a love affair with this world, they would probably be disappointed if Christ were to actually take them to heaven to be with Him.
Please, read the words of the Apostle Paul:
2Ti 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that LOVE HIS APPEARING. (stress added by author)
I want to warn you, if you are not loving, looking, and praying for His appearing, you will be caught off guard. The crown is laid up exclusively for those that "love His appearing".
A dear friend of mine, a very humble man of God, told me the following occurence. He and his family are much like myself, they travel from church to church preaching the gospel, trying to stir the hearts of God's people, and trying to bring lost men to Christ. They were staying at a church that had an evangelist's quarter and were sleeping there instead of their RV. About two or three that morning, the Spirit woke him, impressing upon his heart the need to go out to his RV and pray. As he knelt, the Spirit came upon him--he was not sure if it was a dream or a vision. When he came to himself, he heard the voice of the Lord saying, "The church is not ready for what is coming upon America".
On September 15th, I was told the following story. Months ago, a mighty man of God prophesied 3 things. First, the exact date of B. H. Clendennen's (the founder of the School of Christ) death. Secondly, he prophesied that the School of Christ would be split up into three divisions and that a particular brother would be offered the oversight of one of those three divisions. Thirdly, he prophesied that seventeen months after B. H. Clendennen's death, great havoc would come upon America. Two of the three prophesies have come to pass exactly as he said.
B. H. Clendennen died on December 13, 2009. If this man's prophesy is true, we have only eight months to prepare.
David Wilkerson (founder of Teen Challenge) has been prophesying the destruction of America for years. The following is a quote from one of those prophesies:
"AN EARTH-SHATTERING CALAMITY IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN. IT IS GOING TO BE SO FRIGHTENING, WE ARE ALL GOING TO TREMBLE - EVEN THE GODLIEST AMONG US. For ten years I have been warning about a thousand fires coming to New York City. It will engulf the whole megaplex, including areas of New Jersey and Connecticut. Major cities all across America will experience riots and blazing fires—such as we saw in Watts, Los Angeles, years ago. There will be riots and fires in cities worldwide. There will be looting—including Times Square, New York City. What we are experiencing now is not a recession, not even a depression. We are under God’s wrath."
These are just a few of the many prophesies that have been given concerning America over the past few years.
Brothers and sisters, I am nothing. I am a nobody straight out of no where, but I must warn you. God has revealed to me that a great darkness is coming upon this country. A day like we've never seen before and 99% of the church is not ready for it; they will be caught off guard.
It will require more than living an external standard of Christianity. It will require more than going to church and shouting and dancing and leaping in the aisles. We must repent of our sins. We must put off the world. We must come out from among it and be separate (2Co 6:17). We must burn the mid-night oil. We must fast like never before. We must pray that God rend the heavens and come down. We must see revival.
God bless you.
Your servant,
David Lamb
We are in the home stretch now. You and I are the generation that will see the coming of the Lord. For some, that is a glorious thing, but for the vast majority, that should be the most frightening thing that could be said because they are not ready for what is about to take place in America.
Eschatologically, I lean toward the pretribulation rapture doctrine. This is the idea that the church will be called out of this world into heaven with Christ before the last 7 year period of tribulation and wrath described by Daniel and John the Revelator happens. But this doctrine has seemingly caused men to rest, to be at ease in Zion. They seem to think that nothing tragic can happen in this country. That we will live life in the fast lane and be raptured out of our paradise into God's paradise. This merely reflects the image of their spiritual condition: loose, fast, and not concerned with the eternal. 2000 years ago our Christ told us to lift our heads, watching and praying for His coming, that we would not enter into temptation! The vast majority of people today are not watching and praying for His coming. They are so consumed and have such a love affair with this world, they would probably be disappointed if Christ were to actually take them to heaven to be with Him.
Please, read the words of the Apostle Paul:
2Ti 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that LOVE HIS APPEARING. (stress added by author)
I want to warn you, if you are not loving, looking, and praying for His appearing, you will be caught off guard. The crown is laid up exclusively for those that "love His appearing".
A dear friend of mine, a very humble man of God, told me the following occurence. He and his family are much like myself, they travel from church to church preaching the gospel, trying to stir the hearts of God's people, and trying to bring lost men to Christ. They were staying at a church that had an evangelist's quarter and were sleeping there instead of their RV. About two or three that morning, the Spirit woke him, impressing upon his heart the need to go out to his RV and pray. As he knelt, the Spirit came upon him--he was not sure if it was a dream or a vision. When he came to himself, he heard the voice of the Lord saying, "The church is not ready for what is coming upon America".
On September 15th, I was told the following story. Months ago, a mighty man of God prophesied 3 things. First, the exact date of B. H. Clendennen's (the founder of the School of Christ) death. Secondly, he prophesied that the School of Christ would be split up into three divisions and that a particular brother would be offered the oversight of one of those three divisions. Thirdly, he prophesied that seventeen months after B. H. Clendennen's death, great havoc would come upon America. Two of the three prophesies have come to pass exactly as he said.
B. H. Clendennen died on December 13, 2009. If this man's prophesy is true, we have only eight months to prepare.
David Wilkerson (founder of Teen Challenge) has been prophesying the destruction of America for years. The following is a quote from one of those prophesies:
"AN EARTH-SHATTERING CALAMITY IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN. IT IS GOING TO BE SO FRIGHTENING, WE ARE ALL GOING TO TREMBLE - EVEN THE GODLIEST AMONG US. For ten years I have been warning about a thousand fires coming to New York City. It will engulf the whole megaplex, including areas of New Jersey and Connecticut. Major cities all across America will experience riots and blazing fires—such as we saw in Watts, Los Angeles, years ago. There will be riots and fires in cities worldwide. There will be looting—including Times Square, New York City. What we are experiencing now is not a recession, not even a depression. We are under God’s wrath."
These are just a few of the many prophesies that have been given concerning America over the past few years.
Brothers and sisters, I am nothing. I am a nobody straight out of no where, but I must warn you. God has revealed to me that a great darkness is coming upon this country. A day like we've never seen before and 99% of the church is not ready for it; they will be caught off guard.
It will require more than living an external standard of Christianity. It will require more than going to church and shouting and dancing and leaping in the aisles. We must repent of our sins. We must put off the world. We must come out from among it and be separate (2Co 6:17). We must burn the mid-night oil. We must fast like never before. We must pray that God rend the heavens and come down. We must see revival.
God bless you.
Your servant,
David Lamb
Saturday, August 21, 2010
How Kindness Won Me a Friend (A Lesson For the Angry Preacher)
I have always been tenacious; if I believe something, I will stand for it no matter what it costs me; I will fight until there is no fight left in me. Over the last sixteen years, God has refined this quality (as much as I have allowed Him to) and used it to win souls and steer men to truth. It has helped me to fight the good fight of faith, to keep on the firing line. For this I am thankful. However, at times, this trait has been a thorn in my flesh, a stumbling block. When coupled with pride, anger, bitterness, or resentment it has been very dangerous.
To my defense, I have had to do a lot of fighting to get to where I am today. I was raised up to believe many false doctrines and my departure from them wasn't easy. My family, friends, and acquaintances did not want me to leave their churches and the doctrines they held so dear. For some, it was because they loved me and didn't want me going astray. For others, it was the pride and arrogance of their hearts. After years of arguing and warring with them, I became frustrated, hardened, and even angry. I started fighting with them in ways that did not represent Christ well. And I did it so often, it became a part of who I was; I started thinking it was proper and even God's way. And, please, don't get me wrong, I wasn't that way every time I dealt with people. If I felt the person I was talking to was sincere, I would be extremely careful with my speech and the demeanor in which I approached them. I would soften my voice; I would be respectful, gentle, and patient. But if I thought they wanted to fight . . . it was on.
It was very easy for me to win the debates; I had the Word of God backing me up and they did not. And, typically, I had a much vaster arsenal of Scripture verses to use in the warfare than they did, so I would try to humiliate them. I would try to smash them. I would try to destroy them. After all, they were the "enemy". The louder they got, the louder I got. The louder I got, the louder they got. The angrier they got, the angrier I got. The angrier I got, the angrier they got. It was a never-ending cycle and was almost always counterproductive.
When I wrote the book Absolutely Trinity! and uploaded the teaching series to youtube.com), it happened on an even larger scale; I was engaged by hundreds of angry Oneness adherents. When I responded to their emails, phone calls, comments, etc., I almost always used my "righteous indignation" against them! And very seldom did that approach bring good fruit. It was pretty much a repeat of what I had done my entire life. On a side note: God has used the Absolutely Trinity! book and teaching series to bring many Oneness adherents (pastors and laity) to the truth of the holy Trinity, but I wonder how many more I could have won if my personal encounters with them had not been so aggressive and disrespectful?
I think it was about a year ago that God began to deal with my heart about this subject in depth. He didn't tell me I shouldn't defend the truth of His Word; He didn't tell me that I shouldn't confront false prophets and teachers; He didn't tell me to stop trying to expose false doctrine; in fact, He has placed a very strong calling on my life to do just those things. He told me there was a more Christ-like manner to do it. He showed me how I had allowed past hurts and conflicts to open the door to anger and bitterness. He showed me that it was the SPIRIT and truth that breaks the hearts of men, not ANGER and truth. He did this by showing me 2 Timothy 2:24-26:
2Ti 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
The word strive means to "war, quarrel, dispute, or fight". It speaks of the spirit and attitude the minister possesses when approaching those he is trying to minister to. God told me to be gentle, patient, and meek when I dealt with people that opposed me because it wasn't really me they were opposing, it was themselves and sometimes Him. He reminded me of Proverbs 15:1:
Pr 15:1 a soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
He also brought 2 Timothy 2:23 and Titus 3:9 to my attention:
2Ti 2:23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
Tit 3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
God used these verses to show me that I need to try and discern those who want to engage in a productive and godly discussion about the Scripture from those that merely want to fight and "prove a point". Those that want a godly discussion; those that I feel can be won to the truth need to be dealt with in meekness and love. Those that want to fight and argue merely to prove their point need to be ignored and prayed for, but also treated with meekness and love. This is the way of Christ.
I said all of that to lay some ground work for the testimony I want to share with you now.
Several months ago I posted a blog entitled "Do You Desire a Desire?" A pastor friend of mine contacted me, telling me of a fellow evangelist who had gotten very aggravated at my blog. He had previously shown interest in attending a revival I was going to hold in his area, but, after reading the blog, said he would never come hear me and made some pretty cutting remarks about me (to his defense, he did not submit my name). He didn't know me, so when he read my blog he misunderstood what I was saying to be a slam at the denomination he belongs to. I am an independent Pentecostal preacher and he had had some terrible experiences with independent Pentecostal people. He assumed I fit the stereotype and cut me off.
In the past, I would have just shrugged him off and labeled him as a hypocritical devil, but God is changing me. I felt the Lord would have me pursue this brother. God showed me that he, too, was dealing with issues of the past, so I contacted him. I told him that I did not appreciate the things he was saying about me because they were not true. I told him that he was equating me with those that had hurt him without even knowing who I am. He responded. I responded. He responded. I responded again. We went back and forth for hours. We both spoke straight, plain, and openly, but I did not use my "righteous indignation" against him like I always had when engaged in conflict. I was getting weary and felt like I was wearying him, but I knew he was worth any effort I may have had to put forth.
The conclusion of this story is we are very good friends now! We are ministry partners, helping each other carry one another's burden. We pray for each other and have made each other's life a little better (at least he has made mine better).
Kindness and patience won me a life long friend. I said a lot of the same things I would have said two years ago, but I said it with meekness, patience, and gentleness, and it worked. (My brother also overcame much and learned a great deal about himself, but that's his testimony).
I'll be honest, I have a long ways to go. These engagements aren't easy for me. I have to weigh every word. I have to take a deep breath and think every response and action through before taking them. I have to go very slowly. I am a work in progress, but I am so glad that God is merciful and patient with preachers like myself.
To my defense, I have had to do a lot of fighting to get to where I am today. I was raised up to believe many false doctrines and my departure from them wasn't easy. My family, friends, and acquaintances did not want me to leave their churches and the doctrines they held so dear. For some, it was because they loved me and didn't want me going astray. For others, it was the pride and arrogance of their hearts. After years of arguing and warring with them, I became frustrated, hardened, and even angry. I started fighting with them in ways that did not represent Christ well. And I did it so often, it became a part of who I was; I started thinking it was proper and even God's way. And, please, don't get me wrong, I wasn't that way every time I dealt with people. If I felt the person I was talking to was sincere, I would be extremely careful with my speech and the demeanor in which I approached them. I would soften my voice; I would be respectful, gentle, and patient. But if I thought they wanted to fight . . . it was on.
It was very easy for me to win the debates; I had the Word of God backing me up and they did not. And, typically, I had a much vaster arsenal of Scripture verses to use in the warfare than they did, so I would try to humiliate them. I would try to smash them. I would try to destroy them. After all, they were the "enemy". The louder they got, the louder I got. The louder I got, the louder they got. The angrier they got, the angrier I got. The angrier I got, the angrier they got. It was a never-ending cycle and was almost always counterproductive.
When I wrote the book Absolutely Trinity! and uploaded the teaching series to youtube.com), it happened on an even larger scale; I was engaged by hundreds of angry Oneness adherents. When I responded to their emails, phone calls, comments, etc., I almost always used my "righteous indignation" against them! And very seldom did that approach bring good fruit. It was pretty much a repeat of what I had done my entire life. On a side note: God has used the Absolutely Trinity! book and teaching series to bring many Oneness adherents (pastors and laity) to the truth of the holy Trinity, but I wonder how many more I could have won if my personal encounters with them had not been so aggressive and disrespectful?
I think it was about a year ago that God began to deal with my heart about this subject in depth. He didn't tell me I shouldn't defend the truth of His Word; He didn't tell me that I shouldn't confront false prophets and teachers; He didn't tell me to stop trying to expose false doctrine; in fact, He has placed a very strong calling on my life to do just those things. He told me there was a more Christ-like manner to do it. He showed me how I had allowed past hurts and conflicts to open the door to anger and bitterness. He showed me that it was the SPIRIT and truth that breaks the hearts of men, not ANGER and truth. He did this by showing me 2 Timothy 2:24-26:
2Ti 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
The word strive means to "war, quarrel, dispute, or fight". It speaks of the spirit and attitude the minister possesses when approaching those he is trying to minister to. God told me to be gentle, patient, and meek when I dealt with people that opposed me because it wasn't really me they were opposing, it was themselves and sometimes Him. He reminded me of Proverbs 15:1:
Pr 15:1 a soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
He also brought 2 Timothy 2:23 and Titus 3:9 to my attention:
2Ti 2:23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
Tit 3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
God used these verses to show me that I need to try and discern those who want to engage in a productive and godly discussion about the Scripture from those that merely want to fight and "prove a point". Those that want a godly discussion; those that I feel can be won to the truth need to be dealt with in meekness and love. Those that want to fight and argue merely to prove their point need to be ignored and prayed for, but also treated with meekness and love. This is the way of Christ.
I said all of that to lay some ground work for the testimony I want to share with you now.
Several months ago I posted a blog entitled "Do You Desire a Desire?" A pastor friend of mine contacted me, telling me of a fellow evangelist who had gotten very aggravated at my blog. He had previously shown interest in attending a revival I was going to hold in his area, but, after reading the blog, said he would never come hear me and made some pretty cutting remarks about me (to his defense, he did not submit my name). He didn't know me, so when he read my blog he misunderstood what I was saying to be a slam at the denomination he belongs to. I am an independent Pentecostal preacher and he had had some terrible experiences with independent Pentecostal people. He assumed I fit the stereotype and cut me off.
In the past, I would have just shrugged him off and labeled him as a hypocritical devil, but God is changing me. I felt the Lord would have me pursue this brother. God showed me that he, too, was dealing with issues of the past, so I contacted him. I told him that I did not appreciate the things he was saying about me because they were not true. I told him that he was equating me with those that had hurt him without even knowing who I am. He responded. I responded. He responded. I responded again. We went back and forth for hours. We both spoke straight, plain, and openly, but I did not use my "righteous indignation" against him like I always had when engaged in conflict. I was getting weary and felt like I was wearying him, but I knew he was worth any effort I may have had to put forth.
The conclusion of this story is we are very good friends now! We are ministry partners, helping each other carry one another's burden. We pray for each other and have made each other's life a little better (at least he has made mine better).
Kindness and patience won me a life long friend. I said a lot of the same things I would have said two years ago, but I said it with meekness, patience, and gentleness, and it worked. (My brother also overcame much and learned a great deal about himself, but that's his testimony).
I'll be honest, I have a long ways to go. These engagements aren't easy for me. I have to weigh every word. I have to take a deep breath and think every response and action through before taking them. I have to go very slowly. I am a work in progress, but I am so glad that God is merciful and patient with preachers like myself.
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