Make 2009 a Re-New Year
Your Relationship with Jesus Is Most Important
by Barrett Vanlandingham
January 6, 2009

You would be hard pressed to find an issue that means more to the average person than having quality relationships. More than money, more than popularity, good relationships are a top priority for most people. So, why do so many relationships get into trouble? Why do best friends turn into enemies? Why do marriages fail? Why do neighbors and families feud? The answer simply put is this: Not enough Jesus!
You see, while it is certainly a good thing to desire good relationships over so many other things that the world has to offer, those relationships must still take their proper place under your relationship with Jesus.
Do you remember the story of the wise man building his house on the rock, and do you remember what happened when the foolish man built his house on the sand? The rains came, and while the wise man’s house stood firm, the foolish man’s house fell with a great crash (Matthew 7:24-27).
For Christians, Jesus is our Rock (with a capital R). So when 2009 threatens to blow you away with busy-ness, just remember who comes first. If the answer for you is your spouse, children, or friends, or worse yet, money which is the root of all evil, 2009 or any other year will most likely be a rocky one (with a little r). The fact is that we are all human, and so we tend to put faith and trust in things we can see. But Christians and everyone else need to be reminded that our love and faith should be directed towards God through Jesus (John 14:6, Romans 6:1-11, 2 Corinthians 5:14-21). If you do this, he will make sure you still have plenty left for those people in your life who mean so much to you.
The Bible is full of stories that remind us of what God can do when we put our trust in him. In 2 Kings 4, there was a poor man and woman who revered God. The husband died and his creditors were going to take her sons as slaves to repay her husband’s debt. She told her story to Elisha who was a prophet of God. And since she had nothing in her house “except a little oil,” Elisha told the woman to ask her neighbors for empty jars. Then he told her to pour oil into each of the jars until they were full. After all the jars were full, she asked her son to bring her another jar. But since there were no more jars left, her original supply of oil stopped flowing. Then Elisha told the woman to sell the oil and pay her debts. God knows our needs.
Isn’t that an amazing story? The devil wants us to think that if we consistently do God’s will, that somehow our relationships will suffer. Parents are tempted to think that if they bring their kids to church too often, their kids will turn away from God. Women and especially teenage girls often think that if they don’t “give in” to their boyfriend’s desire for the kind of romance that is supposed to take place inside of marriage, that the man or boy will toss them aside. The examples could go on. The point is that when we give all we have (no matter the amount) to God in regards to our faith, love, and talents, God can and will do mighty things. Remember the story of the five loaves and two fish Jesus used to feed the five-thousand?
May God bless you in the New Year as you renew your strength by putting your hope in the Lord (Isaiah 40:31) (end).

Why I Trust in Jesus
by Barrett Vanlandingham
December 30, 2008

As we begin a new year, it's only fitting to re-evaluate our lives. We need to take inventory of where we stand spiritually to see if we're coming up short of where we should be.
For me, it seemed most important to begin with the basics. The question of "Why do I trust in Jesus?" After all, if I'm going to base my life on him, and profess to dedicate every waking moment to imitating him, this question must be answered firmly.
Here are three main reasons I believe we can all trust in Jesus.
1) Jesus gives us purpose of existence. He gives us reason to wake up, to live, and to be joyful. Sadly, there are many people who feel they have no reason for their existence. When they get up in the morning, the only reason they have to get out of bed is to go to work, school, run errands, eat, pay bills, go to one kind of practice or another, or do a hobby. If that's their only motivations for starting the day, it's no wonder there are so many crabby people out there with pinchers ready to inflict pain on anyone who dares to cross them. But hallelujah! Jesus gives us all the reason we need to wake-up, get on with our day, and be joyful. Just think of all the earthly gifts he has blessed us with such as laughter, memory, even forgetfulness, loyalty, love, friends and family, and forgiveness, understanding, and patience from both. And how about eternal gifts such as forgiveness of sins, love, joy, peace, and citizenship in heaven. Just think about the impact Jesus Christ has had on humanity since the day he arrived! Just think about the way so many people's lives have changed for the better because of him.
2) Jesus gives us opportunity to make a real difference. Just think about the opportunities we have with our families, friends, co-workers, and neighbors including the ones on our block and those who wait on our tables. Ask any restaurant worker and they will probably tell you that "church people" are among the most rude and worst tippers they see all week. If we approached our heavenly goals the same as we approach ball games and other earthly passions where there's a time clock and a winner and loser involved, something tells me we would all have a more urgent mindset when it comes to winning souls including our own. After all, when it's all said and done and we're all standing before God on Judgement Day, do you really think anyone's going to be impressed with your earthly popularity, or how much money you had, or how talented you were? No, at least if your emphasis on those things outweighed your focus on spiritual things. How would you feel on Judgement Day if you were a non-believer, and you came to the realization that a so-called Christian didn't tell about Jesus because they were afraid to lose their popularity? On the other hand, just imagine the great rejoicing that will most certainly take place as a result of brave Christians stepping out of their comfort zones to save someone's soul.
3) Jesus gives us more than enough to believe in, to talk and write about, and even to die for. Let's face it. To the human mind, living the Christian life involves risk. For two-thousand years now, people have believed that Jesus is God's son, they've written thousands and thousands of books and articles about him, and they've been willing to suffer persecution for his sake. Christians and even atheists have written about him, and studied and debated about him. Ancient writers, theologians, historians, and philosophers outside of the Bible have also written about Jesus. They've quoted from the New Testament and have listed books of the Bible in their own writings dating back to between 100-400 A.D. It seems like someone would have been able to find even a shred of proof that Jesus was not the son of God if it were at all possible. The fact is, IT'S NOT POSSIBLE. Jesus is the son of God. He came here for one purpose, to save our souls.
May God bless you with renewed confidence in your trust of Jesus the Christ. (end)

The Christmas Grinch takes many forms
But joy can still be found
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(December 9, 2008)


Aahh, the holidays! Here in Fort Gibson, it’s the most wonderful time of the year, as the song goes. But with reports of break-ins, and even theft of mail as thieves look for cash and gift cards, this is one kind of Christmas Grinch that can make it difficult to find joy in December.
One might try finding joy in advertisements that push buying merchandise and not having to pay for it until 2010. But that’s just another Christmas Grinch that fools cash-strapped customers into the inevitable. They find themselves living under the dark cloud of debt, dreading their future of paying high interest rates for something they can’t afford.
The Christmas Grinch also strikes by inserting stress and lack of patience into shopping trips, family relationships, even things that are supposed to be fun like holiday parties, Christmas plays, musicals, caroling for the elderly, and oh yes, getting your taxes in order.
Or how many people have purchased computers, internet, and cell phones for Christmas to unite the family only to find out these are the gifts the Christmas Grinch tries to use year round to divide your family?
So, how do you prevent the Christmas Grinch from turning December into the most wonderful time of the year to be in a bad mood?
You might start by thinking about the joy you will bring to others because of your sacrifices. Then, diving into crowded stores and street traffic becomes purpose driven. For instance, our church is just one of thousands across the nation purchasing clothes and toys for needy children. This is something that everyone from civic groups to biker clubs and knitting clubs take part in every year.
As with any good deed, Satan always tries to find a way to turn it into a negative. That’s the devil’s job, and he’s very good at it. The thing we as followers of Jesus Christ must remember is that the battle has already been won. If you are a child of God, you’re going to heaven. How many will you take with you? The devil can deal out some very severe blows to our spiritual walk. But Jesus assures us that for every temptation we encounter, there is a way out so that we can stand up under the pressure (1 Corinthians 10:13). As long as we are on this earth, we will face temptation. The only question is whether you will choose to face it with Jesus’ help, or without it.
The fact that we have the Spirit of Jesus Christ himself working in our favor gives us confidence to ask the question, “Who could possibly be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
We should never be so naive as to think the world’s ways are not against us (John 15:18-21). We know that to be false. However, anyone who opposes the Lord will eventually find themselves without hope. Eventually, everyone will bow before God and confess that Jesus is Lord (Philippians 2:10 and Romans 14:11).
May God give you true joy this holiday season in spite of the devil, the Christmas Grinch, or whoever else is working against your efforts to bring honor to the Lord. (end)

Put some thought into your New Year’s resolution
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(December 2, 2008)

If you’re like most people, you start thinking about your New Year’s resolution somewhere around December 31. But realistically, is that enough time to make a major change in your life beginning on the first day of January? I don’t think so.
By the time you read this article and have time to let it sink in, you should still have the better part of three weeks to think about your resolution before you try to put it into effect.
I have a few things I want to do in the New Year. For starters, I would like to continue keeping my weight off. Since the last week of March I have lost about 60-pounds. However, everytime I have lost weight in the past, I have eventually gained it back. I am determined that’s not going to be the case this time. I’ve already made it through Thanksgiving with no significant weight gain. But I still have to make it through Christmas and all of the other parties that take place this time of year.
The other thing I am determined to do is to better understand the minds of teenagers including my own. As a youth minister, it is obviously in my best interest and in the interest of my youth group for me to understand their mindset. This will help me to do a better job teaching them God’s word and ways to apply it to their lives. As a parent of two teenage daughters (15 and 13) and a 10-year old son, I can clearly see that parenting adolescents is much more difficult than I ever thought it would be. Sometimes I wonder if my teenagers are even human! By the time it gets to that point, I’m sure they’re also wondering if their dad is even human!
One thing I have found to help me in both of these endeavors is two kinds of prayer. One is from me to God. The other is from my friends and family to God on my behalf. Both are extremely important.
James 5:13 says, “Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray…” Then in verse 16 James says, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” In Matthew 11:28, Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
It’s important for us to cultivate godly friendships for many reasons, not the least of which is having prayer partners. That’s what is so awesome about having a church family. People who attend worship regularly are not perfect people by any stretch of the imagination. We are all hopeless without the grace of Jesus Christ shown to us by his death, burial, and resurrection. In fact, Christ’s love for a wretch like me is exactly what compels people like me to worship him and have an active prayer life.
So what does any of this mean to you? Well hopefully (or prayerfully), it means that you will go to God in prayer right now and ask his guidance on changes you can make in your life that will draw you closer to him. Ask him to help you get rid of things in your life that are damaging your relationship with him and others. In fact, pray everyday about this. Then, you will most certainly be better equipped to make a New Year’s resolution that will stick!
(end)

What will you turn loose of to follow Jesus?
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(November 25, 2008)

In Matthew 4, we read about Jesus calling his first disciples shortly after his ministry began. Each of these four men would later be listed among the “twelve apostles” (Mark 3:13-19). Those are the twelve men Jesus personally chose to work with him, to preach, and to do miracles that would confirm his message (John 20:31).
“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him (Matt 4:18-21).”
Why do you think Peter, Andrew, James, and John were so receptive to dropping everything including family to follow Jesus? It may be because we’re told a few verses earlier that Jesus actually lived near the lake (:12) which fulfilled a prophecy from Isaiah 9:1-2. Maybe the fishermen and were already well acquainted with Jesus. Maybe James and John’s dad, Zebedee, could see the difference Jesus’ message of repentance had made on his sons, and therefore, was willing to continue fishing with only his hired hands (Mark 1:20). Those chosen could have easily gone back to full-time fishing work if Jesus’ mission proved to be a fraud. After all, it’s not like they hopped a jet and went to the other side of the world. Jesus’ preaching and healing were taking place throughout Galilee where the fishermen were from.
So I have two questions for you:
1) What would you be willing to drop in order to follow Jesus?
2) Why?
The first disciples dropped their nets, left their boats, and left their families. In the first century, Jesus told the crowd in Luke 14:25-33 that there is a cost to following him. Our attitude must be the same as Jesus describes in this passage of one having complete devotion. We should be willing to place God high above all else. Luke 9:57-62 reminds us that “sacred cows” such as family tradition or anything else are not as important as teaching the good news of Jesus Christ and leading the lost to Heaven. This does not mean that we should use as an excuse the work of the Lord to ignore our families. That route is clearly condemned in quite a number of passages (Mark 7:9-13 & 1 Timothy 5:8).
We live in a culture not unlike that of Jesus’ time. People were more concerned with their status in the community than their status with God. The challenge of getting people to place a higher priority on serving God than on being served was received about as well back then as it is today.
Turning loose of things that stand in the way of you and Jesus may seem difficult until you count the cost of the alternative. Remember, we know exactly where holding God’s hand will lead us. Can holding on to the pleasures of this world offer the same? May God bless your decision-making this week. (end)

Doing good things for others just makes you feel good
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(November 18, 2008)

We all like to get good deals, don’t we? But have you ever spent money on something you didn’t have to, even though you knew it wasn’t the best deal for you financially speaking? I hope you have.
I try to be a very good steward of the money God blesses me with. Oh okay, I’ll go ahead and say it. I’m a tight wad most of the time. But when I actually open my eyes to the possibilities of what would happen if weren’t, there are definite benefits that cannot be measured in dollars and cents.
I’m not talking about blowing your bank account. Obviously, God wants us to take care of our families. He wants us to invest our money well (Matthew 25:14-30). At the same time, we must reconcile that parable with Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:19-21 when he said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…” I’m just saying that occasionally it’s healthy to loosen up a little. It encourages others, and their reaction can often be of great encouragement to you. Balance is the key in good deeds versus stewardship.
Sometimes, the gift of time is worth more to someone than money or things that cost money. Just think about those people in your life who you feel are special. Now think about how you would feel if you knew that starting next month, you would no longer get to see or talk with them. How would that change your priorities? Would you make an effort to spend more time with them? Would you try to have more patience with them? Would you do more nice things for them? Most of us would likely say yes to each of those questions. But what about giving or helping people you don’t know. Sometimes, it’s helpful to put yourself in their shoes in order to help you make a godly decision.
So, what does all of this mean to you? Well, it could mean that next time you have the opportunity to put a smile on someone’s face, just do it even if it costs time or money. It could mean that the next time you feel blessed emotionally or financially, take a little of your joy and give it to someone else.
In the Old Testament (OT), God’s people were expected to give tithes and offerings. So, it’s possible that they gave more than 20-percent of their earnings to the work of the Lord.
The New Testament doesn’t tell us a specific amount to give. However, it does say in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, “6. Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” In Matthew 5:20 Jesus says, “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law (OT), you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Is heaven motivation enough for you? Don’t get me wrong, we can never do enough kind deeds to earn our salvation separate from God’s grace. But, God knows our hearts, our thoughts, and our motives. We know that to whom much is given, much is expected (Luke 12:48). Romans 5:8 reminds us that Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. And it is only when we imitate Christ’s love in our attitudes and actions that we move from being unproductive in our knowledge (2 Peter 1:3-11), to being effective servants who will certainly receive a “rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” May we follow God’s example in giving each of us grace and mercy instead of what we deserve. (end)

Parents Must Fight the Devil for Your Children
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(November 11, 2008)

1 Kings 3:12 says that Solomon, the son of King David was the wisest human being who ever lived and will ever live.
So, if you’re seeking wisdom on how to raise your children or on just about any topic at all, this might be a good place to start. It may not make your job any easier or any less heart-breaking at times, but at least you can feel at peace with what will be the likely outcome.
Solomon is credited with writing the majority of the book of Proverbs. Chapter 1:4 tells us that part of the purpose for the book is to give “knowledge and discretion to the young” and also to give guidance to even the wise and discerning.
In the first century, most of the biblical instruction on child-rearing came from the Old Testament since the New Testament was still in the process of being written. So, when Paul, who was an Old Testament scholar, says in Ephesians 6:4 “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord,” his thoughts on this topic must have certainly been colored by books such as Proverbs.
The fact is our children need instruction. They would be exasperated and in a constant state of frustration and confusion if they had no spiritual direction. We see it all the time these days, young people acting out because they have no spiritual purpose or foundation, no measuring stick of right or wrong.
Proverbs 19:18 says, “Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death.”
In other words, if you ever want your children to see heaven, provide the kind of spiritual structure in your household that will keep them headed in the right direction. Don’t just sit by and watch your children walk towards the gates of hell. FIGHT FOR THEM. Even if you have to go toe to toe with the devil himself, you can have the confidence that God will back you up.
One of my favorite passages is Proverbs 22:6. “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
I have an uncle whose heart was as hard as it could be when he was a younger man. He quit the church as soon as he left home and stayed away for 45-years. But these days, you couldn’t keep him from attending worship three times a week. He was trained in the way he should go.
Parents, as you know, there are many times when you look at your screaming, yelling teenagers or even your two-year olds, and are trying to figure out what kind of alien has invaded them. Bottom line? Stay strong. Use God and his standards as your principles for parenting. You may feel like the devil is slapping you around at times. But you can have confidence that in the end, you will be victorious if you consistently make God number one in your family, and model it by your own example. Your child may appear that they could care less about your godly efforts. But rest assured, they are taking notice, and God will eventually reward them, in part, because you introduced them to Jesus and fostered a relationship that will last long after this life is over. (end)

God’s people must remain faithful
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(November 4, 2008)

No matter who you voted for in the election, it is of greatest importance that we remember everyday to cast our vote for God. Whether you are a life-long Democrat or Republican, God’s party is eternal, non-partisan, and ultimately the only party-line worth holding. Make no mistake about it, God has never been, and never will be tolerant of views and practices that go against his word. Matthew 12:36 tells us that God “…will reward each person according to what he has done.”
If God accepted every view on every issue, there would be no boundaries at all. What kind of world would that be? Even animals behave better with boundaries. One time as I was feeding a dog a leftover hamburger, I thought it would be a good idea to reach into the dog-bowl to remove the bun so the dog would have a clear understanding that I had actually given it a piece of meat. I think the only clear understanding that came out of that deal was on my end: that once you put food into a dog-dish, it is no longer yours to mess with. The teeth marks on my hand eventually went away, long after I learned a lesson of respecting boundaries. God also has boundaries he expects us to respect, no matter what public policy allows.
In 1 Kings 18:1-46, the Israelites had once again started to “…waver between two opinions.” Some people believed that Baal (false god) was the real God, while others believed that the Lord was the one true God. So, Elijah organized a contest to see who the real God was. The real God would be the one who answered by fire his followers’ prayers to accept bull-meat sacrifices on their respective alters.
The 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah (Baal’s female counterpart) had to have been intimidating because of their numbers and their flamboyant methods of trying to get the attention of their Baal. They danced and shouted all morning until noon, then began to slash themselves all afternoon. When all was said and done, their god would never answer, since in reality, he did not even exist.
But when Elijah called on Jehovah God, the Lord not only set the meat ablaze, but the fire burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, the soil around the alter, and even the water in the trench around the alter.
What does this mean to us?
1) We serve the all-powerful and only God.
2) There are going to be a lot of fads, trends, and other changes in our culture along with plenty of pressure to conform to the world’s idea of what is normal. But the simple truth is that God’s will for us does not change. In Revelation 22:18-19, the writer warns of the severity for anyone who would add to, or take away from God’s word.
3) We should remember these words from Joshua 24:15 as he reminded the tribes of Israel just how faithful the Lord had been to them, and what their response should be: “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
May God bless you as you choose God daily, and pay close attention to these words from Proverbs 4:27. “Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” (end)

Spiritual Treats Are the Sweetest of All
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(Fort Faith - October 28 - 2008)

Here in Fort Gibson, trick-or-treating is no doubt one of the all-time favorite activities of the year for kids. It not only gives kids a chance to wear costumes and visit dozens of houses in search of something sweet, but it also gives us adults some great inner-action with a younger generation that generally feels we have nothing in common with them.
So, what can we do as Christians with this wonderful opportunity of face to face inner-action with complete strangers, as well as with friends and neighbors? One time I heard a great sermon on personal evangelism, and the key phrase that kept coming up was “just talking!” He was simply saying that in your conversations, always try to include something about Jesus Christ, church, God, you get the idea. In other words, if you’re getting your hair cut, you might mention to the barber that you need a trim for an upcoming church event. Or, you might say to a sales clerk that you need a warmer jacket for when you go door-knocking to invite people to church. Or, if you are test-driving a car with a salesman, you might run a quick errand to the church building. “Just talking!”
So, maybe as you give out candy to trick-or-treaters, you can also say something to them that honors God. In fact, while I’m giving advice, here’s a list of ten things you could say to honor God on Halloween night:

1) Jesus loves you (John 3:16). Take him with you everywhere you go.
2) God is good, all the time (Mark 10:18).
3) You look as pretty as a little angel.
4) God sure blessed us with some great weather.
5) Show me your muscles. Wow! I bet you’re as strong as Sampson (Judges 13-16)
6) Wow! Your costume is as colorful as Joseph’s coat! (Genesis 37)
7) That’s a big growl. You sound as powerful as the “Lion of Judah!” Do you know who that is? Jesus. (Revelation 5:5).

You might reserve these last few for the older kids.

8) You look as scary as judgment day for the unsaved!
9) The Bible says God made us in his image (Genesis 1:27), but I don’t think that’s quite what he had in mind!
10) I bet God likes your costume, because it sure scared the devil out of me!

The point is, we can all do better at working our faith into our conversations. But one word of caution: Even when joking around, we must remember that our words and actions teach others about our level of commitment to God. May we always accurately convey God’s saving message in the spirit of love as our Heavenly Father commands. It’s the sweetest treat of all. (end)

Separation of Church and State? Not in the Constitution
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(October 21 - 2008)

On November 4, 2008 our country will elect a new President of the United States, either John McCain or Barack Obama.
And out of all the issues that have been debated, one thing has stood the test of time for every federal and local administration: Our dependence on God, and consequences for not following God’s moral code.
As part of their inaugural addresses, every U.S. President has called on God to bless this country. On April 30, 1789, George Washington said,
“It would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official Act, my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the Universe, who presides in the Councils of Nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that his benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the People of the United States,”
Our Declaration of Independence acknowledges the God of the Bible four times, referring to Nature’s God, Creator, Supreme Judge of the World, and divine Providence.
All fifty states call on God in their state constitutions. Author and first Governor of Pennsylvania, William Penn (1644-1718), said, "Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants."
Is it really possible that all fifty states are guilty of violating the U.S. Constitution in their own state constitution? Come on! Is it really possible that every U.S. President has broken the law by asking for God’s assistance in running our nation’s government? Or is it that satan has slowly and skillfully taken generations to bluff our governmental leaders and lull voters into thinking everything will be okay and taken care of by “someone else?”
Our U.S. Constitution never even once mentions the phrase “separation of church and state.” Yet, Christians feel forced to be politically correct to appease an ever-increasingly worldly culture that expects tolerance from us, while we get no tolerance from those who are clinging to a phrase that doesn’t even exist in our constitution.
Yes, Thomas Jefferson did respond to a letter in 1802 from Danbury Baptist Church leaders who were worried about their religious freedoms. But when he mentioned the phrase “wall of separation between church and state,” he was re-assuring those church leaders that the U.S. government would not threaten their religious freedoms. He was not saying that God had to be taken out of all government-funded entities.
The people of North Korea know what it’s like to be under a Godless government. May each of us pray fervently for our lawmakers and judges who interpret laws, that they will remember the spirit as well as the Spirit that has made our country great. (end)

The devil’s tricks are always cleverly disguised
by Barrett Vanlandingham (October 14 - 2008)

As I sat down to write this article in my office in Fort Gibson, I checked my e-mail and was reminded that the devil can find us wherever we live. In my inbox was an e-mail which informed me that $6.2 million dollars had been deposited into my bank account. The return address even said “Your ATM Account.” If I hadn’t already received similar e-mails several times before, I might have thought, “Whoo Hoo! I’m rich, I’m rich!” I also receive e-mails fairly often from a “wealthy businessman” from another country who wanted me to open an account for his $50-million dollars. He even agreed to give me ten-percent for my trouble. What a deal! I received another e-mail saying I could “click here” to watch instant pornography (and nobody would even know). The junk e-mails I received were even worse before I figured out how to block most of them.
Each of the e-mails I received has two things in common:
1) They are masterminded by satan.
2) They make promises that will only lead to spiritual death as well as many earthly problems even if the sin is private.
You have about as much chance that someone is going to deposit six-million dollars into your account as you do at finding real happiness through pornography.
October is a month filled with not only fall festivals, but also practical jokes and disguises. As Christians, we need to also use this month to be reminded of the disguises satan uses to trick us. The deceiver makes promises that only result in temporary earthly happiness. They quickly switch to heartache, conflict, guilt, and unfulfilled expectations of contentment instead of true joy, true peace, and true love which last forever.
Remember what the apostle Paul said in 1 Timothy 6:10? “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Thessalonians 5:22 says, “Abstain from all appearances of evil.”
In the seventh chapter of Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived said this about the man who chose to have relations with an adultress. “:22 All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose :23 till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life… :27 Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.”
You see, the promises of the world will let you down. Just ask Wall Street and the investment banks. They may have been paved with good intentions, but they were swallowed up with greed or selfishness just like Jonah, and just like King David who lusted after Bathsheba, an act which cost lives. But the promises of God will never let you down. As imitators of God (Ephesians 5:1), we should also never break promises in exchange for the lies of the devil which are empty and only serve to provoke God’s wrath (Eph. 5:7). We are to not partner with them or approve of them (Romans 1:32).
May God bless you as you lift up His name, cling to the cross, and approach his throne of grace everyday with confidence (Hebrews 4:16).

Whose Robe Are You Wearing?
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(October 7 - 2008)
In my house growing up, it was always fun to put on a robe. Or, if I really wanted to have an adventure I would put on my mom’s robe, and transform into royalty, or Moses, Abraham, or even Jesus. Getting to carry a big stick to serve as my “rod or my staff” was a bonus that compounded the fun. Nobody but me really knew who I was pretending to be since the costumes for all my characters looked basically the same.
That wasn’t the case in 2 Kings 10:22. That’s where we read about how Jehu, the King of Israel at the time, tricked all the ministers of Baal (false god) into putting on robes. This action made them easily identifiable so Jehu could have them put to death.
King Jehu called together an assembly of all the people. He told them they were there for the purpose of holding a great sacrifice for Baal. Jehu said, “…Anyone who fails to come will no longer live.” When the temple was crowded, “full from one end to the other,” Jehu said to the keeper of the wardrobe, “Bring robes for all the ministers of Baal.” Then, after sending everyone away who was not a minister of Baal, Jehu ordered them to be slaughtered. The bodies were thrown out, the temple was demolished, and people after that used the temple site as a latrine.
So what does this mean to us? Things are not always as they appear. And sometimes, culture can even convince us to put on robes that identify us with the world even though we profess to side with God. In your spiritual battles, you have the choice everyday of putting on a robe that identifies you as being on the world’s side, or you can choose everyday to put on a robe that identifies you with God’s team. Evil forces in this world are very clever at disguising sinful activities as things that bring lasting joy. But the robe of sin will only weigh you down and lead toward spiritual death.
Sometimes, we think we can fool people as to which side we’re on. The fact is, most people are not fooled for long. The true color of your robe is usually revealed at some point in your life. And God is NEVER fooled.
Revelation 6:11 and 7:9 indicates that God can clearly distinguish those who have given-up their lives for the hope of life in heaven. They are the ones with white robes, washed in the blood of Jesus the Lamb. Are you washed in the blood of Jesus?
Acts 22:16 tells us the apostle Paul was baptized to wash his sins away. Romans 6:1-11 tells us that after you’re baptized, you can live a new life. Acts 2:36-47 says that three-thousand people were baptized for the forgiveness of sins, and that the “saved” were added to the church.
May God bless each of us with the wisdom to lay down our pride and do whatever God asks of us to be saved. Will your robe be white when God returns? (end)

Goliath’s Failure Gives Giant Lessons for Us Today
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(Fort Faith, September 16, 2008)

By all accounts, the fight between Goliath and David should have ended much differently than it did. When you read 1 Samuel 17 it is easy to see that a nine-feet tall Philistine warrior whose armor weighed 125 pounds, and whose iron spear-tip alone weighed 15 pounds should have not wound up flat on the ground with his head cut off. But that’s exactly what happened in spite of the fact that Goliath even had his own shield bearer who went out before him.
No one else besides a shepherd boy named David would even dare to fight Goliath. So, what happened? What went wrong? Well, a couple of things. Goliath was obviously in the habit of placing his confidence in none other than himself. He was arrogant, threatening, rude, and irreverent towards God’s people. For forty days, Goliath came out to taunt King Saul and the Israelites saying, “…Choose a man and have him come down to me. If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us… This day I defy the ranks of Israel! (1 Sam. 8-10)…” After Goliath saw who was coming out to fight, he said, “:44 Come here… and I’ll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field.”
The whole scene sounds pretty intimidating to me. But that didn’t stop David who then said to the Philistine, “…You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head (1 Sam. 17:45-46)…”
What follows next is my favorite part of the story “:48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him.”
David takes five smooth stones and uses one of them in a sling to strike the giant down, and then takes Goliath’s sword and cuts off his head.
“:51 …When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran.”
I’m not sure which part of the story is more pathetic, Goliath’s over-confidence, or the Philistine army’s cowardly reaction to a young shepherd boy defeating their “hero.”
Two lessons we must learn from this are 1) where to put our faith, and 2) what kind of things we should place our priorities on.
David put his confidence in God even though the odds were against him. He had to endure criticism from many including his own brothers, and being made fun of by those who were only judging David from outward appearances.
May we all pray that God gives us the confidence to trust in Him even when the world says we’re not strong enough or smart enough to win the battle against the devil. May we never be afraid to lay our pride aside, and let God’s power work within us. (end)

Your decisions can make for generations of consequences
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(Fort Faith, September 30, 2008)

In 1 Kings 12:1-33 we read about how the mistakes of Jeroboam (Solomon’s official in charge of the labor force) caused problems for the northern kingdom of Israel for the next 250-years.
In 977 B.C. Israel split after Solomon died because his son, Rehoboam would not relieve any of the tax burdens on the people, and in fact planned to make it worse.
Rehoboam remained king of the southern kingdom of Judah where Jerusalem and the temple were located, while Jeroboam became king of the new northern kingdom of Israel.
Here’s where Jeroboam messed up, royally! He made two golden calves to which his people were to offer sacrifices. He set one in Dan and one in Bethel, both in the northern kingdom in an effort to keep his people from going down into the southern kingdom of Judah to Jerusalem to worship at the temple there. Jeroboam also appointed priests from “…all sorts of people even though they were not Levites (:31).” He also instituted a religious festival on the same day as the one in Jerusalem, so that sacrifices could be made to the idols instead of to God.
Jeroboam did these things because he feared for his life if the people were to again become loyal to Rehoboam, the king of Judah (:27). Jeroboam’s actions put him in direct opposition to God’s commands to not worship idols.
For the next 250 years, most of the 19 kings were evil and were said to have walked in the ways of Jeroboam. What a way to be remembered! Over and over in 1 Kings and 2 Kings we read about the sin that Jeroboam “…caused Israel to commit” until eventually they were removed from the Lord’s presence and exiled to Assyria (2 Kings 17:21-23).
There are many lessons that can be learned here. Trusting and obeying God for starters. But one very important lesson is this: Every decision we make has a consequence attached to it. In this case, the ripple effect was HUGE. It went on and on. Jeroboam’s actions to influence the people to worship idols started a trend that infected almost every king of Israel who came after him, and caused problems for the few good kings to have to deal with.
In 1 Kings 16:31 we read that King Ahab was even more evil than any king before him including Jeroboam. He went as far as to marry the wicked Jezebel and began to serve and worship the false gods, Baal and Asherah.
In 2 Kings 10:28-32 we read that King Jehu destroyed Baal worship, but he still did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam, “which he had caused Israel to commit.”
For us today, we need to keep in mind that even though culture puts a lot of pressure on us to accept worldly ways as normal, God’s standard has never changed. Doing things the world’s way may bring temporary happiness, but it will never bring the lasting joy that serving God can. And it is only by doing God’s will that we know for sure which direction our ripple effect is carrying us and those we influence. (end)

Autumn Fast Approaches
Is it ever too early to decorate your life with Christian virtues?
by Barrett Vanlandingham (9-9-08)

Not to jump the gun or anything, but it won’t be long now before the autumn season begins to cover Northeastern Oklahoma with cooler weather, crisp air, beautiful fall colors, and the rustling sounds of leaves.
Lisa actually wore a sweatshirt to Fort Gibson’s first football game. Not only that, but she also decorated our front porch and fireplace mantle with autumn leaves, scarecrows, and pumpkins. Lisa is not a fan of any particular state school, but I would definitely classify her as a “Sooner” at least in her drive to decorate for fall during the first week of September. But hey, if that’s all it takes to keep peace in the Vanlandingham house, then I’m definitely a huge fan of fall in September. Besides, autumn hits for real on September 22nd if you can believe that! So, why wait ‘til the last minute, right?
Anyway, what’s the point of all this talk of “Sooners” and fall decor? Spiritual lessons, of course. Friends, one of these days the Lord is going to return. It may be sooner. It may be later. But it will happen. We just don’t know when. Unlike autumn, there’s not a date on the calendar for us to highlight in order to be prepared for that final day.
As Christians, we are to decorate our lives with the fruit of the Spirit every single minute of every single day. Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Near the end of the apostle Paul’s life, he told Timothy to “…be prepared in season and out of season (2 Tim. 4:2).”
Jesus himself said “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father (Matt. 24:36).”
So what does this mean to us? If scripture says that no one but the Father knows when judgment day will be, then it would certainly be to our advantage to be prepared all the time. After all, God is good… all the time.
Wouldn’t that be strange if God was only good to us part of the time? What if God only let us breathe 23 hours a day? Or what if God only provided food for us every now and then? Or what if God only provided hope for us occasionally? Or what if every other day God changed His commands that he expects us to obey?
The fact is, we serve an awesome God who is faithful, true, and just. We can depend on Him all the time, even if we don’t know exactly when His return will be. Practically speaking, our destiny is sealed when we die.
In Matthew 16:27 Jesus says, “For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.” May God bless each of us as we pray for the perseverance we need to be prepared all the time, and not wait ‘til the last minute since we don’t know when that will be.

If the world is against you, that’s not necessarily a bad thing
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(Fort Faith, August 26, 2008)

One day, as I sat and thought about the peer pressure the kids in my youth group are under, my thoughts began to form the word and music to this song based on the Gospel of John 15:18.
(verse 1) Walking down the halls at school, feeling like everybody’s fool, wondering why my blue skies have to turn gray. Well, they laugh and poke fun at me, because I practice Christianity. Some things never change, I guess it’s meant to be.
(chorus) Cause Jesus said no slave is greater than his master. If the world hates you, know it hated me first. And he said don’t fear. I’ll be with you always, holding your hand until your final day.
(verse 2) So I walked on to class with pride, my Bible held close to my side. The Crucified One’s been raised yes the battle’s been won. I don’t worry about a thing. I put a smile on my face and sing. And let the people know about my Savior and my King.
(to chorus then refrain) Sometimes I worry about this and ‘bout that, and then I begin to pray. That’s when everything’s okay.
(chorus) Cause Jesus said no slave is greater than his master. If the world hates you, know it hated me first. And he said don’t fear. I’ll be with you always, holding your hand until your final day.
(ending) That’s when I know everything’s gonna be okay.

My youth group took went to a rally the other day, and one of the nights before we went to bed we had a devotional with just us. One of the things they kept mentioning as a prayer request was to hold each other accountable for their actions during the school year. I must say I was a little taken back at their level of maturity on this matter. Peer pressure is such a mountain to overcome for all of us, especially for teenagers who are still young in the faith. I was amazed that they not only recognized the fiery darts of Satan, but that they also came up with a biblical solution and asked God to bless their dedication with a successful outcome. Siding with God and walking with the Lord will not guarantee an easy life or even a happy one, but the promise of a real future in heaven because of Jesus brings us true joy even now in the present.
After the youth rally, my wife and I went to eat at a Braum’s in Muskogee. I was already so deliriously tired from the trip that I was on the verge of laughing or crying at any moment. But what pushed me over the edge was this: the very enthusiastic young man behind the counter taking our order asked me if I was a youth minister. I said yes. He immediately had a bigger smile on his face, shook his head slightly, and said, “I love God.”
I’m sorry folks, but I thought for a minute I wasn’t going to be able to keep from crying right there in the middle of Braum’s at such an honest answer coming from such a transparent and cheerful person. I do not know the young man who waited on me that day, but I just wanted to shout hallelujah at his enthusiasm for the Lord.
“I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3)

Spiritual Warfare
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(Fort Faith, August 19, 2008)

The kids are back in school, mountains of peer pressure have begun to pile up on them. Meanwhile, parents and grandparents are left trying to figure out how to help those young souls they love so much make it through those tough years of adolescence.
Read Nehemiah 4:13-23. There are three things you should know about spiritual warfare that you can find in this passage. Here they are:

1. Do not be afraid
2. Remember the Lord
3. Fight

In about 600 BC, Nehemiah, the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes in the palace of Susa (in modern day Iran), had prayed to God and then received permission from the king to re-build the wall of Jerusalem. But the evil and jealous Sanballat the Samaritan was intent on preventing this from happening. The wall had been destroyed when the Jews were booted out of their city by the Babylonians.
Nehemiah used half of his workforce to build the wall, while the other half stood guard, paying special attention to the lowest points of the wall, and where there were families. This was done to make sure that Sanballat, along with several other bullies and their forces were not successful in stopping the re-building of the wall, which surrounded the very centerpiece of Jewish civilization.
Nehemiah said to the people, "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes." Later he said, “20. Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!"
You know, it’s easy to forget that even here in little Fort Gibson, we have a heavenly guest who wants to be part of our lives everyday. He’s the same God who was with Nehemiah 2600 years ago, and who helped him re-build the Jerusalem wall in only 52 days (6:15).
When we are walking with the Lord, we have every reason to be confident, not fearful. When we are constant in prayer, we can’t help but to constantly remember the Lord. And when we are fighting on the Lord’s side, we will find that the Lord is faithful to us, and will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear.
The apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 6 that when we use our Christian armor the way it was intended, we will be able to do three things: fearlessly make known the Gospel, we will pray in the Spirit continually, and we will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. That's the same basic message that Nehemiah taught 600 years earlier.
In 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, the apostles Paul says,
“3. For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
May God give each of us the perseverance to make sure we are in that number when the trumpet sounds and the Lord gathers us home. (end)

Preparing Your Kids for Back to School Temptations
by Barrett Vanlandingham
for August 12, 2008

Ah yes! The time of year we all look forward to and dread at the same time. For me, it's nice to get my family back into some sort of routine. The summer break is a relief for a while. But, after all we have an awesome school system in Fort Gibson, great teachers, staff, lots of volunteers, and lots of great traditions to get involved in. The part I don't like is the peer pressure and other temptations our children have to deal with.
So, what's a parent to do to make sure your kids don't get carried away with negative peer pressure?
1. Your first line of defense is prayer. James 5:16 tells us that "the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." Too often, we use prayer as a last resort when we have no where else to turn. In reality, a good visit with God should be the very first thing we do in all circumstances. God may not answer your prayer the way you had hoped, and when you had hoped. After all, God is not Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy. But God is listening, and God provides the lessons and the support that every family member needs when they need them. We can be sure that God will not tempt us (James 1:13). But sometimes the lessons God teaches us can be hard. When a priority is placed on prayer in your family, God will no doubt bless you.
2. Good communication with your child is of HUGE importance. They have spent their whole life hearing you tell them what you expect of them. But we as parents must let them know that what they have to say is also important, and that we are listening and making decisions, in part, based on their feelings. We may not always be able to give them everything they want. That would not even be healthy, and would result in a spoiled brat. But at least they can know that we are giving serious consideration to what they have to say, and then basing our final decision on what is spiritually healthy. Your child will respect you for this.
3. Let your children know you love them. Not only with your words, but in your relationship with them. Children know when your actions don't equal your words. They will also know how much you love them by your relationship with God, and how much you encourage them to have a good relationship with God.
4. Set boundaries. Even though kids like to complain about what you won't let them do, most kids feel more comfortable with boundaries than without them. Also let them know about all the good things such as spiritual and physical safety and security that take place because of boundaries. This will help them with decision making at school when you're not around. Offer alternatives. If your child asks to be part of something you know is wrong, explain to them what the Bible says about the issue, and then try to offer an alternative activity. They will eventually model this same behavior in their own lives.
5. Remind them to take pride in following God's will. Sometimes, kids don't know how to respond to their friends who want them to be part of something that's wrong. Be sure to tell your children that they have a right to say "no" to temptations. Not only that, but remind them that it takes a much stronger person to do the right thing than just following the crowd. Ask your child to gauge their decisions on whether their choice will lead them a step closer to heaven, or a step farther away. Ask them if this is something that Jesus approves of.
6. Encourage your child to have friends who are also trying to follow Jesus. It's always a lot easier to do the right thing when you have support from your closest friends.
7. Remind your child of the great reward for those who earnestly seek God (Hebrews 11:6).

May God bless all parents who strive to do His will and who encourage their children to do the same.


Summer Heat and Spiritual Challenges Have Much in Common
by Barrett Vanlandingham

As I stepped out onto my porch the other day, one thing became obvious. The heat and humidity were so extreme that I knew immediately I needed to get back inside. That inner thermometer is just something we're all born with. Even animals know when it's time to find a shady spot to stand in. That's also the way it should be with sin and temptation.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 says, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil."
Let's face it. We all know the difference between right and wrong. If not, we all certainly know (in general) the things God approves of, versus the things He does not smile on. We can all think of at least subtle things we would all do differently in regard to how we use our time, or we might even tweek our attitude, dress, hobbies, or entertainment a little if we knew that God were going to pay us a personal visit today.
But there are so many sins listed in the Bible. Gossip, cursing, issues of decency, lust, fornication, self-discipline, selfishness, greed, ill-gotten gain such as gambling, and lack of Bible knowledge and application. That sounds like a lot of keep up with. How can we ever be pleasing to God in every area of our existence?
The fact is, when we make God number one in our lives, all of those other issues become a lot easier to deal with. The apostle Paul went through many different kinds of spiritual persecution. So, his statements in Romans 8 have carried a lot of meaning for Christians throughout the centuries. He said, ":28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Paul then makes a special connection between Christians and God's Son by saying that Jesus is the "firstborn among many brothers." Then Paul asked the question in verse 31, " ...If God is for us, who can be against us?" He states that if God went so far as to offer His own Son to save us, would he not also "give us all things?"
God loves us. We're created in His image. And there's nothing He desires more than for us to be in heaven with Him someday. He has done everything He could possibly do to get us there besides turn us in to little robots that are unable to make choices. He gives us a free will and allows us to choose Him if we so desire. He even gives us the gift of His Spirit when we are baptized (Acts 2:38) to guide and comfort us until He returns.
As followers of Jesus, we have much to be joyful about, we have much to be thankful for, and we have much to gain from studying and applying God's word. So, when spiritual challenges come our way, just remember that God will always provide something "good" to hold on to, and He will always provide a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13) as we "test everything" by His word, and "avoid every kind of evil."
May God bless us all with the ability to get out of the heat of sin and temptation, and into the cool of His shelter of love, joy, hope, and peace.


Step up to the plate for God
by Barrett Vanlandingham

This summer, thousands of kids from across America, including hundreds from here in Fort Gibson, are attending church camps at one place or another. My youth group just returned from Burnt Cabin Christian Camp on Lake Tenkiller. Our theme was “Step Up to the Plate.” Even though this sounds like a sports-related lesson, it’s really a spiritual lesson that all ages can learn from. Here are some things to think about:
• Satan throws all kinds of pitches at us. We must be steadfast in prayer and Bible study. This will help us discern the best way to overcome life’s curve balls and the occasional fastball that just seems to be on you before you know it.
• It’s up to each and every Christian to make sure we have the right equipment to win our spiritual battles against the devil. 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that God’s word is inspired and gives us everything we need to be approved by God.
• It’s important for us to place a priority on staying in great spiritual shape by training or practicing everyday those spiritual disciplines we read about in God’s word. Yes, it’s that Bible knowledge that serves as a great foundation. But, unless we learn how to apply those lessons to our lives, the knowledge alone will not get us to heaven.
• We must choose everyday to be on the right team. The world throws so many choices into our path, we must be willing to compare the available options with what God says is pleasing to him. It is also helpful to look at the New Testament to see the example set by Christians in the first century.
• We must choose to swing. Satan would like to convince us to be so scared of him that we just sit and do nothing. But that’s not even biblical. As Christians, we must trust that God’s spirit will work within each of us to overcome the pitches of deceit that the devil throws our way.
May God bless each of us as we earnestly seek his will in our lives.


Satan has a plan for your children; do you? (Part two of Commitment)
by Barrett Vanlandingham

How many times do we not trust God to give us what we need, and what our children need, just so we can satisfy our worldly cravings for worldly success? We ask ourselves, “How is my family or my children ever going to find true joy and happiness unless I take control of what I can see, therefore relegating God to the passenger seat?”
The answer is faith-based commitment to God. And when we are committed to God, we will be committed to our families.
This article is a continuation from two weeks ago where I discussed “Commitment to God.”
When it comes to commitment to your family, we must remember that this cannot be separated from what it means to be committed to God.
We must strive for holiness and being set apart for service to God, and when this happens, we will automatically show commitment to our families by providing for them in every way: financially, emotionally, materially and spiritually.
Parents, we cannot truly be committed to our families the way God wants us to be, when we knowingly lead our children right up to the gates of hell and all but turn them over to Satan. Look at the clothes we buy for our daughters. Look at the activities we allow our kids to be a part of just so our little sweet-pea or little bubba won't have to miss out on what everyone else is doing. Look at the words of hatred and division we speak shameless in front of our children. Parents, providing for your family does not mean spending $30-$100 a month on strangers to come into our homes unsupervised and fill our children's heads full of Hollywood and Hip-Hop's values. It's expensive and destructive. The entertainment industry is not in business of saving your child's soul. Satan has a plan for your children, and you better have one too. Commitment to family does not mean letting TV, Internet, videos, sports, music or anything else come between your family and God.
Ephesians 6:1-4 says, “ 1. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2. "Honor your father and mother"--which is the first commandment with a promise-- 3. "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." 4. Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Parents, minister to your children in these ways. It's your God-given responsibility.
1. Parents, provide opportunities for your kids to learn about Jesus. Bring them to youth and church events.
2. When your kids have questions about life, tell them what the Bible has to say about it (this requires study).
3. Let your children see you study.
4. Let your children see that your study and your church attendance has made a difference in your life, and in your parenting.
5. Parents, be consistent. Train your children starting at day one to gauge everything by what is holy (not by what is sexy to the world)... by what is holy (not by what is popular to the world)... by what is holy (not by what tastes good, feels good, smells good, looks good and sounds good to the world). This world is going to BURN... and unless we offer our bodies as a living sacrifice (Rom. 12:2), God tells us that our souls will suffer for eternity, and that's a lot longer than this lifetime. Even if it's a good activity on the surface, and it draws us in the direction of ungodliness, or prevents us from worshiping God, it's wrong.
6. When we make the decision to become parents, we also make the decision to become teachers. So we must make every moment count, and realize that we teach our families not only by what we say, but by what we do.
7. Ephesians 5:15-16 says “Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, 16. making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”
May God bless us as we strive for holiness and as we encourage our families to live for God in every aspect of life.



Celebrate freedom from sin this Independence Day
by Barrett Vanlandingham
As our nation prepares to celebrate Independence Day, I couldn't help but think about the freedoms we as Christians enjoy through Jesus who paid the ultimate price for our sins.
Some people look at Christianity as an oppressive religion that takes all of the fun out of life. But nothing could be further from the truth. How incredible is it that we get to have a wonderful relationship with the creator?
It's almost incomprehensible that there is such a powerful God who promises to rescue those who obey him. How awesome is it to know that we can experience joy here on earth in spite of the burdens that weigh heavily on mankind.
How indescribable is it that after this life is over, his faithful will get to enter into the joys of heaven, all because of God's amazing grace which includes his incredible plan for our salvation?
God's original chosen people, the Jews, had more than 600 rules under the Law of Moses they had to keep in order to continue on in his good graces. You know many of those Old Testament rules. For instance, before the new law was put into place after Jesus' resurrection, people had to worship on Saturday. But later, first century through present day, Christians assemble on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:2).
Before the New Covenant came along, each family had to sacrifice an animal once a year. Jews were not allowed to eat certain animals that were considered unclean.
But under the new covenant (we call it the New Testament) which is based on loving God and loving our neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40; 1 Corinthians 13), Christians are the chosen people. In fact, anyone who becomes a Christian and is found to be faithful on judgment day, no matter their race, color or country, will inherit eternal life in heaven (Romans 10:11-13, Matthew 7:21, Luke 6:46).
Hebrews 7:12 says, “For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law.” Hebrews 8:7 says, “For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another.” Hebrews 13:13 says, “By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.”
The Old Law is important because it shows us the nature of God, and how he means what he says (Remember the flood?). There are also a lot of references in the New Testament that would not make a lot of sense if you hadn't read the Old Testament. That is why 2 Timothy 3:16 reminds us that all scripture is inspired or God-breathed and is useful for things like teaching, training and to equip us for every good work.
Matthew 15:11 and Romans 14:14 make it clear that nothing in and of itself is unclean, but instead our attitude towards God and other people is what dictates spiritual cleanliness which is more important than standards imposed by the world. In other words, it would be a sin to eat, drink or do anything in the presence of someone else if you knew they would be offended by it.
The issue of “Biblical authority” is the reason why New Testament Christians do (or don't do) a lot of things in the name of religion. If God demands something, why would we give him anything else?
The reason Christians do not practice animal sacrifices like the Jews did is because we are not commanded to under the new covenant.
Jesus was the perfect sacrifice.
The apostle Paul, however, does tell us in Romans 12:1 that we are to “offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual worship.”
May we all enjoy the ultimate freedom more and more each day.


If you commit, follow through every time (Part One of Commitment)
by Barrett Vanlandingham
Have you ever met someone who was always where they are supposed to be at the right time?
Conversely, have you ever met someone who could not give you a straight answer, and when they did, they did not follow through on what they said they would do?
There are some people who will read their Bible everyday, but are hateful to everyone they meet. This article is about commitment to God.
I was talking with my dad awhile back. And anyone who knows my dad knows that if he has a job to do, it will get done on time, one way or another. So I asked him, dad, why is it that some people just seem to be places, not because they were expected to be, and not because they were asked to be, but because it was just the right thing to do? What separates those people from others?
He said, “It is because those people have already made the decision to be a part of something or to live a certain lifestyle. They made a commitment to certain things long before they were put on the calendar, and long before they were faced with ‘Should I, or shouldn't I?’”
Commitment to God is kind of like riding an elevator ... you're either ON or OFF. Revelation 3:15-16 talks about people who are neither hot nor cold in their commitment to God. He says that because they are lukewarm, he will spit them out of His mouth.
Matthew 22:34-38 tells us the greatest command is to “…Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” The Gospel of Mark adds “and with all your strength” to that list.
This means that we are to love God with everything we have, and everything we are. If you believe that God exists, and that Jesus is his son, and that there is a heaven, and a hell, you really need to make up your mind as to whom you're going to commit. After all, what's the point in calling yourself a Christian if you're only going to go halfway, because halfway won't get you there.
John 14:15 tells us the way God knows whether we love him is by our obedience to his commands.
What if we don't commit to God? Matthew 10:32-33 says, “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.
But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.”
Does your life show that you know Jesus Christ, or that you care more for things of the world? We must be willing to choose God over anyone or anything.
We can have huge bank accounts, popularity, possessions, desire for athletic and academic scholarships, but when those things become our gods, and we choose them over God the Father, that's a BIG PROBLEM: that's SIN, and that shows a LACK of COMMITMENT to God.
This is a lesson that Abraham did very well on when God asked him to sacrifice Isaac as a burnt offering. Abraham loved his son Isaac and knew that Isaac was a part of the plan to make a great nation like God had promised in Genesis 12:2. So, Abraham was willing to put aside his own feelings on the matter, and submit and trust God TOTALLY.
In fact, Abraham had so much faith that when he was preparing to take his son there to sacrifice him, Genesis 22:5 says “He said to his servants, 'Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.’”
Abraham knew that total commitment was a two-way trail, and that God would not go back on his original promise, and that one way or another, God would prevent Isaac's death.
How many times do we not trust God to give us what we need, and what our children need, just so we can satisfy our worldly cravings for worldly success. We ask ourselves, “How is my family or my children ever going to find true joy and happiness?” The answer is faith-based commitment to God. And when we are committed to God, we will be committed to our families. I will discuss that in two weeks in part two.

Expletives go crossways with God’s word, will
by Barrett Vanlandingham
More than once I've had young people ask me if it was really a sin to curse. They were astonished when I gave them the answer, “Yes!”
The Apostle Paul said, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things (Philippians 4:8).”
When it comes to cursing and other sins of the mouth, how can you or anyone else in your presence possibly “think about such things” (Godly things) if your mouth is spewing out curse words?
James 3:3-12 is one of the most famous passages in the Bible for its instruction on how we use our mouth. The writer says, “:3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder…” James goes on to compare the tongue to a spark that can set a whole forest on fire. He says, “:10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.”
In Romans 3:9-10 Paul quotes from the Old Testament about sin. Then in verse 14 he says, “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”
When I was a kid and someone would curse, oftentimes it would be pointed out that people who curse just simply do not have a good enough vocabulary to think of other words to say. That may be true to an extent. But I think a better explanation as to why people curse is because their minds have been filled to overflowing with worldly influences. This happens when we get lax in our spiritual battle.
Proverbs 4:23-24 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.”
The Gospel of Matthew 12:34 & 36-37 says, “…For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks… But I tell you that men will have to give an account on the Day of Judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Sins of the mouth not only include cursing. Romans 1:28-32 includes gossip and slander in a list of sins that will land someone in hell. Paul even goes on to say that even those who approve of this practice are also in the same danger of eternal condemnation.
Walking on God's path to heaven begins with the following passages: Romans 10:17 and John 5:24 (hear), Mark 16:16 and Hebrews 11:6 (believe), Acts 2:38 and James 1:21-22 (repent), Matthew 10:32-33 and 2 Timothy 2:19 (confess), Galatians 3:26-27 and Romans 6:1-11 (baptism for the forgiveness of sins).
This article only scratches the surface on the issue of cursing. The attitudes behind the cursing are just as harmful spiritually. One thing is for sure. If we spend more time in study of God's word, more time acting on our belief, more time prayerfully turning away from the world's influence, more time acknowledging that Jesus is God's Son and that He is our only hope, and more time thinking about the blessings that come from being clothed in Christ through baptism, we would definitely not have near as much time or desire to allow negative thoughts and words to infect or influence our destiny.

How do you get beautiful feet? Opportunities abound this summer to volunteer
by Barrett Vanlandingham
Here we are! Another June and another vacation Bible school season well under way. You don't have to look far this time of year to find those three nostalgic letters — VBS — that so many kids look forward to every summer.
The tradition of VBS dates back at least 100 years in America. Although, it's difficult to pinpoint who actually started it. Here in Fort Gibson, several churches are offering VBS this summer.
It's an opportunity for kids to learn Bible stories, see puppet and drama skits, have a snack, sing and pray. It's also an opportunity for adults and teenagers to get involved in church work in a “no pressure” environment.
As teachers at VBS, church camp, or any other time where we are responsible for impressionable young minds, there are a few important things to remember. We as a Christian community must be willing to let the Bible speak for itself and not inject our own opinions if they are not supported by the Bible.
James 3:1 says, “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.”
I love VBS as much as anybody. But even in the midst of having fun and being creative in teaching the Bible, it is of greatest importance to not only show God's love to young souls in our care, but also to teach “God-approved” messages.
The Apostle Paul tells us in his letter to the Ephesian church that “There is one body and one Spirit-just as you were called to one hope when you were called-one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father who is over all and through all and in all (Eph. 4:4-6).
We all have opinions when it comes to religion or anything else. However, it is God who created us. His Son came to earth, died and was raised for us. It's fair to say that God has earned our loyalty and respect. In return, we all should be willing to take the time necessary to study His word and find out what He expects of us.
Ephesians 5:15-17 says, “Be very care, then, how you live, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.”
In order to understand what the Lord's will is, we must spend much time in prayer and Bible study. How else can we accurately teach God's word unless we study? 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the truth.”
Then, we have an obligation to obey and teach His word. Some of the last words Jesus spoke before He returned to His Father are recorded in Mathew 28:18-20.
“Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'”
“… As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news! (Romans 10:15)”
Make God bless us all as we grow in the knowledge of God's word and apply it to our lives.

Happy Anniversary Sweetie! The Yoke’s on Us
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(June 3, 2008)

A wedding anniversary is one of those things you don’t want to miss. Mine and Lisa’s just happens to be June 3, 1989. This makes 19 wonderful years for us.
Being married to a “Proverbs 31” woman has made things quite enjoyable and entertaining over the years. Proverbs 31:10-12 says, “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.”
This passage goes on to talk about all the ways the virtuous woman watches over the affairs of her household. It says, “:23 Her husband is respected at the city gate…” “:28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.” :31 …let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”
Lisa and I work at our marriage. Nothing good, including a good marriage, comes without determination and team work. In fact, many of the things that make a woman of noble character could also be said of a noble man. The reason a husband would be respected at the city gate is because his wife has a good reputation in the community and regarding faithfulness to the marriage. The same can be said of the woman.
When it comes to team work, the Bible has plenty to say. The apostle Paul talks about this in the book of 2 Corinthians 6:14 through 7:2. He says, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?”
Any married couple can testify to the fact that arguments often take place over the strangest of things. It may be a big issue. But often, it’s something small or seemingly insignificant that sparks a HUGE fight. My point is that relationships are challenging enough without adding the element of religious differences. It would be worth the effort of any aspiring couple to look into their spiritual beliefs before being joined in holy matrimony. Overlooking issues of religion could result in a holy nightmare!
The picture Paul is painting in this passage is of the unity of two oxen that work well tied together under the same yoke. This would be in contrast to trying to force, let’s say, an ostrich and a kangaroo into the same yoke, and expecting them to successfully pull a plow through a field. It’s not going to happen because the partnership was doomed from the beginning.
The only way a marriage will be blessed by God is if both partners vow to put God (our Yoke) first, even above their spouse. And in doing so, the husband and wife will honor each other, and God will make sure everything else falls into place.
Lisa, thanks for being such a wonderful wife and mother to our children.
Happy Anniversary, Sweetie! Love, Barrett.

Should we shop for churches like we shop for cars?
by Barrett Vanlandingham (May 27, 2008)

My oldest daughter is now 15, and she’s had her intentions set on taking over my Jeep Grand Cherokee for quite sometime. Granted, my Jeep is 11 years old now, but I still like it and so I’m having a little trouble deciding whether to let her have my vehicle, or get a different car for her. One thing I’ve discovered lately, especially since I haven’t shopped for a vehicle in quite a while, is that there is a mind-boggling assortment of makes and models out there.
The same is true in religion. Here in Fort Gibson, there are 18 churches listed on the Chamber of Commerce website. But how can this be? I thought the Lord died for one church, not many.
Paul said, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit-just as you were called to one hope when you were called-one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all (Ephesians 4:3-6).”
Jesus said in Matthew 16:13-18 that based upon the rock or fact that He is the Son of God, He will build His church.
Neither Jesus nor Paul ever said anything positive about there being many different kinds of churches that teach different messages from the true Gospel. However, this is not a new problem.
In Galatians 1:6-9 Paul told the Christians there “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned.”
Parents, more than anyone, should understand the concept of making sacrifices for their household, and then making rules for the family to keep. Parents have that privilege of making lawful rules, and children have a responsibility to abide by what parents say. The Bible says so.
It’s the same way with Jesus. He earned the right of our respect and obedience when He came to this earth to suffer, die, and be raised from the dead so that we could have hope of eternal life in heaven.
Every denomination of the one true church most likely believes that what they are doing in the name of Jesus is right. But one thing we can all agree on is this: We owe it to ourselves, our families, our friends, our acquaintances, and most of all to Jesus to go back to the Bible. We must make sure that our beliefs are in line with Jesus Christ. Then, if we insist on being in separate buildings because of traditions, personalities, or convenience, then so be it.
Paul told a young Timothy in chapter 3:16 that “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.”
Hebrews 12:2-3 says, “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 the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
May God bless us all as we continue to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).

Blown down trees: Let’s get to the ‘root cause’
by Barrett Vanlandingham (May 20, 2008)

As soon as I saw the damages in our yard, the voices in my head were singing this old song loud and clear, “Just like a tree that’s planted by the water, I shall not be moved.” My yard retains water really well, so what was the problem?
In only a week’s time, Lisa and I lost two trees, one from the front and one from the back yard. Both trees were blown over by high winds, but for very different reasons that warranted some spiritual analogies to pass on to you.
The first tree that “got it” was one of those beautiful but smelly Bradford Pears I talked about in an earlier article. This tree was HUGE for a Bradford Pear. It was obviously thriving where it was planted. But anyone who’s ever had a Bradford knows that its limbs are a little on the brittle side, and the branch angles are narrow which make them susceptible to breaking in high winds. So, you’re supposed to keep them trimmed so that won’t happen, or at least as quickly. Well, that’s a rule I didn’t exactly keep. So, when the winds came, the very large and strong-looking tree snapped like a twig.
Spiritually speaking, it is also dangerous to have narrow branches or attitudes. As Christians, we must reach out with open arms to the unsaved as well as to our Christian family. Failure to be transparent with our faith can cause us to become a little on the brittle side, and it also deprives others of much needed encouragement. We ourselves may appear to have it all together, but when troubling winds blow our way, it’s nice to have the support of our Christian family. Hebrews 10:24 tells us that meeting together helps us stay strong in love and good deeds.
That’s why James 5:16 says, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”
Wider angles on your branches also helps fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus to “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19)…”
The second tree was a willow. So, it had no problem bending, swaying, or reaching out. Its problem was the shallowness of its roots. There was plenty of water for the willow to drink. But when it began to grow, its roots stayed too close to the surface, never diving deep into the soil where it could be anchored strongly.
Spiritually speaking, the lesson is that it’s not hard to be planted in Christ. Romans 6:1-14 says we get into Christ by being baptized and this frees us from our sins (Acts 2:38). But when we commit to God, we must also commit to growing in Christian virtues. 2 Peter 1:3-11 tells us about the nature of God. Verse eight says, “For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
So are we saved when we are planted in Christ? Yes. But unlike a tree, we have a choice as to how deep our roots grow. But just like a tree, we risk being pulled up by our roots when the winds blow if we do not increase in our knowledge and apply what we’ve learned just like the seed planted in good soil in Matthew 13:23.
God knows when we are giving Him our best, and He will reward each person according to what he has done (Matthew 16:27).

We Have A Lot To Croak About
by Barrett Vanlandingham (May 13, 2008)

Are you a frog? That’s an odd question! But the other night when I was sitting on my back porch here in Fort Gibson, my 12-year old daughter, Gracie, ran up to Lisa and I, jumping up and down, and revealed her newest treasure. It was a tree frog about as big as my thumb. Of course, it had big sticky hands and feet, and bulging eyes. But that’s not what I wanted to tell you about.
It was bedtime, so I told Gracie, “It’s a school night! Just put down the frog and go to your room.” So, with some resistance she carefully placed it on a water-covered stump in the backyard, about 7 feet from where I was sitting. I told Gracie, “Don’t worry! As soon as you go to bed, the frog will probably get its top hat and cane, and do a little jig for us.” Well, that didn’t happen. But what did happen sparked an idea for this article.
That little frog began to croak a medium high-pitch tone that was so loud I could barely carry on a conversation with my wife. What a disaster! Just one frog was making all that noise. And then I could hear what sounded like dozens of other frogs in the distance chiming in with this one. As soon as I got past the shock of how loudly one frog could croak, I thought to myself just how much like a tree frog are we as Christians supposed to be? Just think of the lessons we can learn from critters like this!
In the Bible, frogs are generally not represented in a very positive light. They are referred to as one of the plagues in the story of Moses and Pharaoh. And in Revelation, it is said that three evil spirits looked like frogs.
But I would like to submit a different view of frogs. Much like a frog that clings to a tree, we as Christians cling to a tree, also known as the cross of Jesus Christ. Remember the old song “I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it someday for a crown.” It is the fact that Jesus hung on a tree that empowers each of us to boldly proclaim (even when it seems like no one is listening) the Gospel story of Jesus Christ, and what He did for us.
In the case of Jesus, He would voluntarily cling to a cross to give us hope. He was the perfect sacrifice, and the very reason why we as God-following people no longer cling to the Old Testament way of doing things such as animal sacrifice.
“because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins (Hebrews 10:4).”
People who lived prior to the crucifixion of Jesus are also covered by His blood if they obeyed the Old Testament law.
You may never view yourself as a frog clinging to a tree, croaking out through the night. But that’s okay as long as you remember that Jesus hung on a tree, and that we as Christians should imitate Jesus and offer our bodies as living sacrifices to God (Romans 12:1). And just like that frog, we also have a message worth telling the world about, beginning in our own neighborhoods. Have a great day!