Marked for Life!
by Barrett Vanlandingham
June 22, 2006
It was a "Baaaaad Monday", at least if you were a goat on the Branscum farm this week. It was time to tattoo the "kids" (AKA baby goats, just to avoid confusion and rumors of scandal; just "kidding"). Anyway, each goat underwent an ear-pinching and ink-marking process that left an identifiable green number on the inside of its ear that helps prove origin.
Christian "kids" as well as all of us older "goats" are also marked for life in an inward way that helps us prove our origin. Acts 2:37 tells us that the early Christians were "cut to the heart" upon hearing the story of Jesus and the lengths He went to give us hope of salvation. We’re told in the very next verse of an incredible gift that God gives to those who are baptized believers. It’s the gift of the Holy Spirit. It’s a gift that marks us for life, making us different than we were (1 Peter 2:9). It’s a gift that labels us in a way that helps others recognize us as God’s chosen people.
We are marked with characteristics that belong to God... AKA The Fruit of the Spirit: love joy, peace patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22). Peter reminds us that we should possess Christian virtues in increasing measure to prevent us from becoming unproductive in our knowledge (2 Peter 1:5-8).
Even though Christian virtues are internal markings of a Christian, Matthew records Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount saying that the qualities that make Christians special cannot stay hidden inside. "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16).
In the parable of the sheep and goats in Matthew 25:31-46, the goats are pictured on judgement day as the unsaved on Jesus’ left. The reason they are unsaved is because either they were not marked with Christian virtues, or possibly they were marked, but chose to not allow God’s Spirit to transform them into obedient sheep with a heart for serving others, and thereby serve Christ (v. 45).
Let us all remember that even though we were created in God’s image, we are nothing but hopeless goats unless we earmark our lives for commitment to following our loving Shepherd who we will most certainly bow before someday... marked or unmarked.
Welcome to my bulletin article site. What I do is minister to young Christians, their families, their friends, and others in the Fort Gibson, OK area. So check-in every now and then, and I'll try to have an encouraging word for you.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Frauds, Fakes, & Fumes
by Barrett Vanlandingham (June 8, 2006)
A gas pump in Doylestown, Pennsylvania recently sold fuel for 32.9 cents a gallon, at least until an upstanding citizen noticed the decimal point was in the wrong spot. Meanwhile, a “miracle” pill you’re supposed to put into your gas tank to increase your gas mileage by 15 to 35 percent is reportedly turning out to be a fraud. No one could have seen that one coming! Ha.
Let’s face it. We all like a good deal. But most things that appear to be too good to be true really are just that. Cons who are out to make a quick dime are nothing new. Scripture says that God detests those who are deceptive. Psalm 5:6 speaks of them as “bloodthirsty and deceitful men the LORD abhors.”
It happens in religion, too. Paul describes fast-talking “super-apostles” in 2 Corinthians 11 who offer a different spirit and a different gospel than the one from Christ. Galatians 1:8 tells us those who twist the scriptures are in for serious consequences, even if it’s an angel.
As for the first story of the decimal in the wrong place? That’s a great reminder of just how important such a small detail can make; and therefore, we as Christians should make sure our example teaches the right lesson (refer to James 3:1), and that we make every effort to avoid the very appearance of evil (refer to 1 Thessalonians 5:22). And yes, that includes “secret” sins (refer to Philippians 4:7-9) that we may only think about, but yet may prevent the God of peace from being with us.
And what would a bulletin article about frauds, fakes, and fumes be without some mention of the rare date of 06-06-06 that happened this week? Those who are superstitious worried about it all day… while devil worshippers held a special mass in Hollywood. As it turns out, even that date had to be twisted a little to make the media scare happen. After all, wasn’t it really 06-06-2006? Regardless of the date, it was just another beautiful day and opportunity that God blessed us with to bring glory, praise, and honor to our Creator.
Isn’t it such a comfort to know that no matter what amount of deceptive practices there are out there in the world and in religion, we serve a God who is mighty, powerful, loving, merciful, and totally real… like none other.
by Barrett Vanlandingham (June 8, 2006)
A gas pump in Doylestown, Pennsylvania recently sold fuel for 32.9 cents a gallon, at least until an upstanding citizen noticed the decimal point was in the wrong spot. Meanwhile, a “miracle” pill you’re supposed to put into your gas tank to increase your gas mileage by 15 to 35 percent is reportedly turning out to be a fraud. No one could have seen that one coming! Ha.
Let’s face it. We all like a good deal. But most things that appear to be too good to be true really are just that. Cons who are out to make a quick dime are nothing new. Scripture says that God detests those who are deceptive. Psalm 5:6 speaks of them as “bloodthirsty and deceitful men the LORD abhors.”
It happens in religion, too. Paul describes fast-talking “super-apostles” in 2 Corinthians 11 who offer a different spirit and a different gospel than the one from Christ. Galatians 1:8 tells us those who twist the scriptures are in for serious consequences, even if it’s an angel.
As for the first story of the decimal in the wrong place? That’s a great reminder of just how important such a small detail can make; and therefore, we as Christians should make sure our example teaches the right lesson (refer to James 3:1), and that we make every effort to avoid the very appearance of evil (refer to 1 Thessalonians 5:22). And yes, that includes “secret” sins (refer to Philippians 4:7-9) that we may only think about, but yet may prevent the God of peace from being with us.
And what would a bulletin article about frauds, fakes, and fumes be without some mention of the rare date of 06-06-06 that happened this week? Those who are superstitious worried about it all day… while devil worshippers held a special mass in Hollywood. As it turns out, even that date had to be twisted a little to make the media scare happen. After all, wasn’t it really 06-06-2006? Regardless of the date, it was just another beautiful day and opportunity that God blessed us with to bring glory, praise, and honor to our Creator.
Isn’t it such a comfort to know that no matter what amount of deceptive practices there are out there in the world and in religion, we serve a God who is mighty, powerful, loving, merciful, and totally real… like none other.
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