The Parable of the Eclipse

Next Monday (August 21, 2017), in my part of the world, we will experience a solar eclipse. "A solar eclipse (as seen from the planet Earth) is a type of eclipse that occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, and when the Moon fully or partially blocks the Sun (Wikipedia)." This is similar to the one that happened June 8, 1918, so I hear. 

There is another type of eclipse. It is when spiritual darkness invades our life. It is when we allow Satan to come between us and God, and block the Light of the world. Our vision becomes obscured, our imagination becomes distorted, and our future becomes dim. We begin to do things that seems right in the eyes of man, but the results is death (Proverbs 14:12).


I was challenged recently as I read I John 1:5 to examine the brightness of Christ in my life. I was encouraged to make sure there were no "dim" places in my life that could block, or hinder, Christ shining through me. 

A solar eclipse can damage the eyes if not taken seriously but a spiritual eclipse will damage the soul. Guard your eyes on Monday but guard your heart every day!

"This is the message we heard from Jesus, and now declare to you; God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all" (I John 1:5).

The Parable of the Silver Spoon

The Parable of the Silver Spoon

I remember hearing the expression as a child, "He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth." This expression was first printed in English as far back as the 1700's. I also read recently that in the 1700's carrying a silver spoon in your pocket was as common as carrying your keys or wallet. When this expression was first used it was often to indicate that someone was born into a family of financial blessing. It is true that some people are born into a family of financial blessing but many of us "baby boomers" were blessed just to have a spoon, much less a silver spoon.

However, my parents taught me a very valuable life lesson about financial blessings and God's providential provision. It is found in Malachi 3:10, 11 NKJV.

"Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this, Says the Lord of hosts, 'If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such a blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground."

One of my mentors use to say, "It is not about the money, it is about the obedience to God's Word." While you may or may not agree with this life principle, it works for me. I have seen God's divine provision for me personally and for the ministry. Time and time again financial blessings have occurred. I may not have been born with a silver spoon in my mouth but I was spoon-fed God's Word from an early age abut the importance of tithing and giving.

"So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7 NKJV).

Besides, I have never seen anyone die with a "silver spoon" in their mouth but I have seen folks passed from this life into eternity with "treasure in heaven." So for now, I am not carrying around a silver spoon in my pocket. But if you could look behind my shirt pocket you would find that I am carrying God's Word in my heart, and I am very thankful for this life principle of giving that I have been taught. 

What a blessing it is to give! I encourage you to give it a try if you are not already in the habit of giving.

Blessings,

Tim Lamb

The Faithfulness of a Mother

As a child growing up in the southern part of the United States it was tradition on Mother's Day to go to church with a red rose pinned to my shirt. My dad would also often wear a white carnation on Mother's Day. I soon learned that if you wore a red carnation (or rose), it was to honor your mom but if you wore a white carnation it was to remember your mom that had passed away.

This tradition dates back to 1868 when Anna Jarvis attempted to reunite families that had been separated, due to the Civil War in the States. Mrs. Jarvis's favorite flower was said to be a carnation. May 10, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson made a proclamation declaring the second Sunday of May the first National Mother's Day.

This weekend we honor all moms! We rise up and call them blessed!

"Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband shall also praise her" (Proverbs 31:28).

One of the stories in the Bible of a faithful mom is found in 2 Samuel 21. She became one of King Saul's concubines.

This is a mom that...

• lived in the king's palace
• was most likely very attractive
• and captured the heart of King Saul 

To find herself later. trying to protect the dead bodies of her sons that were hanging on a hill...

• sleeping not in a palace, but outside with sackcloth spread on a rock 
• no longer attractive but weather-beaten from the sun during the day and the coldness at night
• fighting away the vultures during the day and the animals at night from the dead bodies of her children 

Rizpah's heart must have been ripped apart as she laid day and night seeing the bodies of her sons deteriorating from the sun. When David sent for the bodies to be brought to him and were buried, this must have given Rizpah a sense of relief. But she was faithful to her children no matter the circumstances of life.

A mom will find herself with many different duties and difficult situations in life. To all of the moms, thank you for your faithfulness. Sometimes you are misunderstood but thank you for being the caring, compassionate, mom that you are.

Thank you for your faithfulness!

 This weekend I honor my mom! Thank you for being the godly mom you are and for loving us. Thank you for taking us to church and teaching us God's Word and also of the many sacrifices you made for us.

I also give thanks for my wife that is a great mom to our children. Thank you for being a "second mom" to many children both at church and at work (Pre-K).

A special thanks to the many "second moms" in my and Carissa's life as well. Thank you for being influential in our lives.

Happy Mother's Day!

LONGEVITY

Years ago I decided I needed a new place of employment. I filled out the application, interviewed for the job, was hired, and given a starting date for my new place of employment. The problem is I was told as a child, "One bird in the hand is better than two in the bush." This quote originated in the 13th Century but the concept goes back further. In  the Bible in Ecclesiastes 6:9 NLT we read, 

"Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don't have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless-like chasing the wind".

I was convinced as a child that changing places of employment often might not always be of my best interest. So I wanted to make sure the two birds (new employment) was better than the bird in the hand (my current job). I scheduled a week's vacation from my current job to "try out" my new job. After a week on the new job, I gave a two-week notice to my current employer. When I offered my resignation he offered greater benefits. I quit my new job, after one week of employment and returned to my original job.  Fortunately, it turned out to be a good decision for me, but I don't recommend this for you. Your current employer may show you the door in place of new benefits.

This devotional is about "Longevity". Longevity does not work in every circumstance but it has worked well for me. My marriage of 38 years, being in ministry for 38 years, and being a follower of Christ for 48 years has served me well. There are other things that were "short-lived". We have to know when to "hold on" and when and what to "let go." However, some things and people deserve to be a part of your life long-term.

Here are 5 lessons, among many, that I have learned about longevity:

1. The grass may look greener on the other side of the fence but if it does not belong to you, leave it alone.
2. Sometimes opportunities look good from a distance, but close up you can see all of the flaws.
3. Longevity build trust and strong relationships. Longevity will give you credibility.
4. Long time investments in people, stocks, and bonds can reap greater benefits.
5. Long term commitment in relation to our health is healthy.

I am sure there are other lessons you have learned about longevity. Can you name a few? 

There are times that change is necessary, or unavoidable, but you may want to consider what you have in your hand before reaching for the stars. Longevity in certain areas of all of our lives is essential for success.

"So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up" (Galatians 6:9 NLT).

 Blessings,

Tim Lamb

Follow Me to the Cross (Good Friday)

The crucifixion of Christ is a life-changing event. It is the start of a new chapter of the story of Jesus. It is also a new beginning for many others.

• It was a new beginning for one of the two thieves hanging beside Jesus (Luke 23:43). 
• It was a new beginning for the saints that had previously died (Matthew 27:52). 
• The Centurion's eyes were spiritual opened as he glorified God and said, "This man really was righteous" (Luke 23:47)! 
• It was a new beginning for the disciples has they started a new chapter in their life.

Others looked on, some close and some far away, with amazement and wonderment in their heart of what has just happened. It was a significant event in the history of mankind that marks a new beginning for many, including you and me.

Today can be a new day for you as well. We often make "New Year Resolutions" January 1 but why not today? Consider a new start in your life, especially if you do not have a personal relationship with Christ. Don't wait until Easter Sunday to ask Jesus to come into your heart. Consider praying and asking Him today to forgive you of your sin and invite Him to live within you. Start this new relationship with Christ today.

Maybe you have a relationship with Christ but need to renew that relationship. Why not start today? Look for ways to strengthen your relationship with Him. Let today be a new beginning for you.

What I hear the Spirit of the Lord saying to me today is that it is a new day and God desires to do a new thing in the hearts of many.

Everyone has a story to tell. Start something new today that changes your story. A change that will add value to your story. And then tell someone today of His mercy and grace that has been applied to your life.

It is my prayer that God does something new for you today!

Friday is here but Sunday is soon coming!

Blessings,
Tim Lamb

The Lord's Supper (Thursday of Holy Week)

It is Thursday of Holy Week and Jesus is sitting with his disciples for the Passover meal. During the course of the evening Jesus took the bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to his disciples. Then he did a very symbolic thing in taking a cup, probably pouring into the cup, thanking God for it and gave it to his followers. Another part of that passage of scripture tell us that Jesus "poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples feet" (John 13:5).

Today I encourage you to read the events that unfolded at the Passover meal between Christ and his disciples.  Notice how intentional Jesus was at the table.  The conversation and the actions he did were intentional.  Jesus had a mission to fulfill and in the last hours before his crucifixion he needed to make the best of his time with his disciples.

Life is short compared to eternity.  My prayer today is that I will become more intentional about my conversation with others.  I read recently where you should think about whom you are going to meet today and think about the questions that you may want to ask.

Most of us speak thousands of words a day.  One study showed that the human being on an average
will speak somewhere between 7,000 and 20,000 words a day.  That is a lot of words!

Who is it that you will fellowship with today?  Who is it that you will sat down for a meal with today?  What can you learn from them?  How can you be an encouragement to those you speak with today?

Make your words count by being intentional about your conversation.  And as Jesus probably poured into the cup as well as the basin of water at the supper table, I encourage you to invest encouraging words into the lives of others.  Pour into someone today words of encouragement as well as allow them to speak into your life.  At the end of the day you should be encourage and an encourager to others.

Thursday is here and Sunday is soon coming!

Blessings,
Tim Lamb

Scripture for today:  Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:7-23; John 13:1-30

FOLLOW ME TO THE TEMPLE

This morning as I continued my study, I looked into the records (the Bible) of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It was possibly March 31, 33 A.D. and Jesus was spending his Tuesday in the Temple teaching and answering questions. Among those in attendance was not only the sincere who was searching for truth but also the skeptics. You know, the religious rulers of that day that questioned the authority of the Lord.

Conflict is escalating in the Temple and Jesus is answering each question presented to Him very carefully. In the middle of Jesus teaching about faith, he was questioned about taxes to Caesar, and who would be married to whom in heaven. None of the questions presented to Jesus was too much of a challenge. He had an answer for every question.

It is no different today. Many are asking challenging questions about the kingdom of God. However here are a few things I am reminded of in these passages of scripture:

         Faith in God will move mountains in my life

o   Matthew 21:22 CSB “And if you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

·                Un-forgiveness hinders our prayers

o   Mark 11:25 CSB “And whenever you stand praying, If you have anything against anyone, forgive him, so that our Father in heaven will also forgive you your wrongdoing.”

·                The greatest commandment is to love the Lord and the second is to love our neighbor as ourself.

o   Matthew 22:37-39 CSB “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.”

There are many other lessons to learn from Christ on this Tuesday, but the lesson that touches me the most is the lesson about the poor widow woman. Jesus looks up in the Temple and sees this “poor widow” dropping two tiny coins in the offering. Jesus’ eyes were fixed on this occasion and spoke,

“Truly I tell you, he said. ‘This poor widow has put in more than all of them. For all of these people have put in gifts out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on” (Luke 21:3 CSB).

On this Tuesday maybe God is speaking to you to give beyond your surplus. Look today for ways to bless someone, even if it means making a sacrifice.

Take time today to read Matthew 21, 22; Luke 20, 21, and Mark 11-13. Write down a few of the lessons that you learn from these passages of scripture.

Tuesday is finished and Sunday is soon coming!

Blessings,
Tim Lamb

The Day After Palm Sunday

“Palm Sunday” was a very emotional time for Jesus! Jesus entered Jerusalem, and multitudes that went before and those who followed cried out, saying: "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!" But now it is Monday, and what will Jesus do?

On the following day Jesus entered the temple, and upon entering Jesus found things that was very displeasing. He states, "It is written 'My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves (or a hideout for robbers).'" This always seems to be the emphasis place on this scripture, as if we have bragging rights that Jesus would display his anger in the temple in this strange way.

But are we seeing too much of the wrong, to see the good? The wrong cannot be ignored, and Jesus did address the wrong at hand. But Jesus' main objective was to fulfill the will of the Father.

• There were blind and lame people in the temple, and He healed them (and),
• Jesus noticed the children singing praises to Him in the temple. 

In fact, the children were repeating some of the same praise that they had heard from the adults the day before.  The leading priest and the teachers in the temple wanted to find fault in the children by saying, "Do you hear the things these children are saying? 

Jesus answered, 'Yes, Haven't you read in the Scriptures, 'You have taught children and babies to sing praises' (Matthew 21:16 NCV)."

How many spiritually blind folks did you see yesterday in church?  Did you notice the children singing?  Did you notice the worship of those around you? Or did we just see the faults of others? 

For every fault we find in someone hopefully we find twice as much good. 

Today, look for the good in others. Find someone in need, and be a blessing. Find those that need encouraging, and offer a word of encouragement. You can make a difference in someone's life today, looking for the good and overlooking their faults.

Scriptures for today:  Matthew 21:10-17; Mark 11:15-18; Luke 19:45-48

Blessings,
Tim Lamb

What Are You Thinking?

I remember my dad telling me "You have to learn to think for yourself." Sometimes he said this because I did something foolish without giving it much thought. Other times it was because I needed to learn how to make wise decisions without depending on others. 

The truth is that if we do not think for ourselves someone will think for us. How many times have you heard someone say to you, "I think..." and then give you advice, sometimes good and sometimes bad. 

One of life's valuable lessons I have learned is that every day I have to be intentional with my thoughts. To be intentional with my thoughts I have to be intentional with who I am listening to. Who is the voices speaking into your life daily? 

What books are you reading or podcast are you listening to? What voices speaks loudly to you on a regular basis? My prayer is that God will renew our minds daily and help us to think wisely. "Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:2

I remember watching the sitcom in the 70's "Gomer Pyle" where Gomer is sitting in an Army Barrack with a bucket on his head. His sergeant, Sergeant Carter told him it would "help his thinking"! Some kids were made to sit in the corner, facing the wall, because it was supposed to help them think. 

I know a better way to improve your thinking. While this is not an all-inclusive list of things you can do, here is five things you can do that will help you be an intentional thinker:

1. Spend time worshipping Him. It helps us to focus on Who is important. Listen to music that brings honor and glory to Him each morning as you begin your day and spend time in prayer.
2. Read the Bible. Gods ways are higher then ours and his thoughts are greater then ours. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:10 KJV).
3. Focus on good things. "And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Thank about things that are excellent and worthy of praise" (Philippines 4:8).
4. Look for ways to encourage others. Look for words that will encourage those around you.
5. Choose what you listen to. You cannot always choose what you hear but you can choose who and what you listen to.

The person that chooses not to think for themselves are choosing to allow others around them to shape and influence their way of thinking.

What are you thinking?

Jesus Loves the Little Children of the World

For the last several days I have been reminded of this song that I learned as a child, 

"Jesus loves the little children of the world...
They're all precious in His sight. "

In Matthew 19:14 Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven."

In serving in the area of ministry as the Conference Superintendent of LifePoint Ministries (LPM) one of the highest honors I have is to serve on the Falcon Children's Home (FCH) Executive Board in Falcon, North Carolina. 

This Children's Home Ministry is quickly expanding, recently opening another Children's Home in South Carolina. They also have a ministry (Royal Home Ministry) for young pregnant mothers offering, counseling, and educational opportunities in a nurturing, protected atmosphere at the Falcon, North Carolina campus. On the campus at Falcon they have a "Falcon Christian Academy" as well as other various programs that minister to the children.

I sat this past week in a FCH Executive Board meeting and was reminded of how God is using this ministry to save the lives of the unborn, and to touch the lives of many children often in very heart-rending circumstances. I am very thankful for the opportunity that allows me to spend 4 to 6 days a year traveling to Falcon and investing in this ministry. 

Thousands of dollars have been given over the years from LifePoint Ministries IPHC churches and individuals to this ministry. Thanks you for your heart to give! Also thanks to the Women's Ministries of LifePoint Ministries IPHC for helping those within our organization to be aware of the needs at FCH. When you support LifePoint Ministries IPHC you are also helping to support this ministry. This is one of many different organizations that we network with to help fulfill the Great Commission. 

If you would like to find out more about this home you can go to 
http://iphc.org/discipleship/falcon-childrens-home/

On the home front: I encourage you this weekend to intentionally notice the little children that God has place around you. Be intentional in speaking, encouraging, and possibly (with parent's permission) praying with a child. It could make a world difference in their heart and life.

After all, they really are "precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world!"

God Built Your Platform

"God has given everyone a platform. Some of those are broad and highly visible, but others are small..." Tony Dungy

The truth is that God designed and built your platform. A platform is defined as "a raised level surface on which people or things can stand." The platform that I am referring to is not made of wood but of a greater substance. It is an elevated place where God has created for you to share your story, and everyone has a story to share. 

There are many shapes and sizes of platforms. Some are small, or seem to be, while others are much larger. However all platforms measure the same when they impact the lives of others, even just one.

Sometimes we step off of our platform. We find ourselves in places where our story is not being seen nor heard. I encourage you to seek God to point you to your platform. Is it social media where you share God's grace and love toward others? Is it on your job where you are given a platform to speak into the lives of others? Is it in church where God has placed you to make a difference? Or most of all, is it a family member, or family members, that God has given you to be a good influence in their life?

My prayer today is Lord; help me to recognize my platform, the place where you have elevated me to speak into the lives of others. If it is through social media, public speaking, or speaking to my neighbor, help me to step up on my platform, stand, and share of your marvelous grace in my life.  In Jesus' name I pray! Amen

"But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty" 
I Corinthians1: 27 NKJV

NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS

God doesn't have any calendars in heaven! But he does use time to help us navigate the activities of life. New Year Resolutions are made every December and I recently read that 25% of the resolutions are forsaken and often forgotten by the end of the first week in January. An article in Wall Street Journal in 2012 stated that 88% of all New Year Resolutions fail. However statistics also showed that those that make New Year Resolutions are 10 times more likely to succeed.

I really prefer using the term "goal" in place of "resolution." Setting goals are different then most resolutions in that with goals usually it is measurable and it has an end. For example, a New Year Resolution may say, "I am going on a diet the first of the year" but a goal says, "I have a goal to lose 20 pounds by March 30, 2017."

Do I set personal goals at the beginning of each year? Definitely! Do I accomplish all of those goals? Definitely not! But for me, setting goals are very important. It helps me to examine my past and look to the future to things that I need to personally accomplish.

My goals are personal but yet look like many others. Goals to eat better, exercise much, spend less, save more, pray effectively, and read a lot; goals to have better relationships with God, family and friends. Easy to say these things but now it is time to put it on paper. Take time today to list a few goals. Make them measurable and attainable. Set aside time each day to review and work on your goals. Set mile markers and deadlines for completion. Keep a journal of how you are doing and review on the first day of each month to see how you are progressing. Make it enjoyable and not a burden.

Earnest Hemingway once said, “It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” Goals are important but the end result is what counts. Enjoy life, live with purpose, and fulfill God's plan for your life.

"By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward-to Jesus I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back. So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us."  Eugene Peterson (The Message Bible)

These Three Remain

(Below is an article contributed by a friend, Rev. William Strickland. William is editor of the Gospel Messenger and serves his organization (Congregation Holiness Church) in Missions USA. Enjoy!

If you were to ask me what it takes to become and remain a great Christian leader, I could sum up all I know by experience and education in three short statements. But first, I'd have to tell you to not worry so much about becoming a great leader. If being a great leader is the chief goal of your life, you will surely not become all that Christ has called you to be. But in answer to the question, these three remain in my mind as the chief trio of prerequisites for anyone to be recognized as a great leader: Lead self well. Practice servanthood. Work well with others.

1) There must be present an increasing degree of leading yourself well. This requires the consistent practice of self-discipline in order to lead the various aspects of your self-life: spiritual and physical, mind and body, nutrition and entertainment. Make no mistake about it, Christ followers must continuously solicit the help of our Father in order to have any level of success in leading self-will. It requires self-discipline which when practiced according to Romans 12:1-2, becomes a Holy Spirit controlled (disciplined) life.

2) Others should be able to observe you consistently practicing servanthood. Servants live under the constant knowledge that their life is not their own; they have a Master. The Master of the servant of The Lord is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself. Most who aspire to greatness rarely achieve it because they refuse to fully yield to the Lord-ship of Christ. He must reign on the throne of your heart, mind, and free-will in order for you to approach being a servant with the right attitude. That right attitude always resembles submission to the sovereignty of the Master. Servants of The Lord walk in humility and they refuse to believe their own press. I've made it a habit of telling myself for years now that I'm not nearly as good as my biggest fans think I am. But I also remind myself regularly that I am not nearly as bad as my worst critics think, or the devil for that matter. As a matter of thought, I've come to believe that it matters much less what others think of me as long as I am thinking correctly according to the words of my Master. If as a servant, I know my Master is satisfied with me, then little else matters to me.

3) Interpersonal relationship skills are a must and should continue to increase. Leaders must be able to work well with others and be seen as the ultimate team player. Everyone should want you on their team, because of the value you bring to the table. But make no mistake about it. Just because you have a seat at the leadership table or perhaps you sit at the head of the table, does not mean you are the smartest one at the table or that you are always right. Hence, this working well with others requires you to increasingly grow in these interpersonal relationship skills. Ministry leadership is not about how much you know or how much you can accomplish. As a servant-leader in the Body of Christ, you must be willing to get over yourself and how gifted you are, and learn that you're only a member of the Body. Working well with the other members of the Body will bring us closer to fulfilling the will of God than any individual effort. Aristotle said, "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts." The wisdom for the Kingdom is in understanding that we can only accomplish a John 14:12-13, "greater works than these" ministry when we learn to cooperatively work with others. Those are the projects that the Holy Spirit strongly desires to empower.

Yes, these three remain the top behaviors that I have to work on. None of these behaviors simply happen. Sure, some individuals find some aspects of these three to be easier than others. But as I continue on my journey of servant leadership, I'm continuously reminded that I am 100% responsible to be intentional in my pursuit of these three. I cannot blame anyone else if I am not becoming all that Christ has called me to be as a follower. And while I know that a great number of other characteristics could be listed, I feel sure that most of the items on such a list would fall under one of these three categories.

At the end of my life and after the eulogies have been spoken, I'd rather be remembered as a faithful servant of a great Master than as a great leader. What about you? What aspects introduced here do you find easier or more difficult than others? And since I have said "these three remain," which one would you say is the greatest of these? Let's talk about that and help each other grow.