If we can't have it... Let's be happy & sing about it
by Barrett Vanlandingham (January 26, 2006)
If we can’t have it...
Let’s be happy & sing about it
by Barrett Vanlandingham
Water is a word that we can read about today.
Water is a drink that can quench our thirst away.
But Jesus said, “I’m the living water, come to me my friends.” For whosoever drinks of me will never thirst again.
chorus: Give me water (I thirst), let me drink (I thirst).
From the life-giving stream, let me drink.
Give me water (I thirst), let me drink (I thirst).
Give me that everlasting water of life.
Water flows like life itself, it’s fast and sometimes slow, &
Just about the time you think there’s nothing left to know,
the current that was flowing north is headed southward bound; And if your feet aren’t planted firm, then you will surely drown.
(chorus)
Water has a place in hist’ry, just one look you’ll see.
If Noah were alive today, he’d say live patiently.
When God told him to be prepared, cause something’s on the way. He asked no questions, lived for Him, and floated on away.
(chorus)
...and pray about it
When the youth group goes out to pray with people on Monday nights as we do when weather permits, one of our favorite passages to read after we take their prayer requests is James 5:13-18. 13. Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.
This passage goes on to remind us the importance of prayer for the sake of our physical and spiritual health, and that the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
17. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18. Again he prayed and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
Yes, it is still important for us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). God has not changed His mind about this. It’s no accident that just a couple of verses later, (v19) Paul says, “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire.” This must mean it’s actually possible to do so.
Mark 6:4-6 speaks to this very thing. Even Jesus could not do any miracles in His hometown of Nazareth because of their lack of faith. Are we limiting God?
Let us all offer prayers in faith right now that God would bless us with rain... and that God would bless us with good health, both physical and spiritual... and that our children and grandchildren will be kept safe and make Godly choices... and that our country will look to God for wisdom and guidance... and that our church family will be Spirit-led... and that God provide a way for us to work effectively for Him, and teach us to love and grow in unity.
Rejoice!
by Barrett Vanlandingham (January 12, 2006)
Hallelujah! There are well over 300 references to the words joy and rejoice in the Bible. And why wouldn’t there be? Joy is such a gift for those who walk with God, and even for angels who are already in the presence of God. Luke 15 tells three parables that end in rejoicing when someone turns from the ways of the world, and instead chooses to walk with God... REPENTANCE. It’s a lifestyle that absolutely matters, and brings joy on earth and in heaven. (Luke 15:7, 10, 31)
Even when we feel that no one is watching and no one cares what kind of good choices we make... rejoicing takes places somewhere. When we make Godly choices, make no mistake about it, there is joy and rejoicing in heaven, and in the presence of the angels.
You know that verse in the song “How Great Thou Art” that says, “When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation”? It’s talking about a kind of standing ovation... greater than any sports hero could receive. That’s the picture the songwriter is painting for us to illustrate the joy in our hearts when Christ comes to receive home those who are found to be faithful. Now imagine that YOU are receiving a standing ovation from throngs of angels as far as the eye can see, clapping, shouting, and praising God, and imagine God smiling and bursting at the seams with pride that YOU overcame a temptation, or that YOU made a good choice...one that the world and satan’s army would despise you for. Now, imagine God looking at Jesus and saying, “ It’s time, let’s go bring’em home.”
What a glorious day that will be! Let’s all make plans to rejoice on that day... the day when we, along with all the generations of great men and women of faith will also be called to claim their space in one of our Heavenly Father’s rooms that Jesus has gone to prepare for us.
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:2-3)
Let us all rejoice that Jesus burst from the tomb, giving us reason to have hope, reason to celebrate life as a Christian, and reason to stay faithful to Him.