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)
Welcome to my bulletin article site. What I do is minister to young Christians, their families, their friends, and others in the Fort Gibson, OK area. So check-in every now and then, and I'll try to have an encouraging word for you.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
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)
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)
Thursday, November 06, 2008
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)
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)
Monday, November 03, 2008
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)
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)
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