This is the season for spiritual change
by Barrett Vanlandingham
September 29, 2009

Just one week into the fall season and you can already feel it in the air. The transformation from sweltering heat and sticky humidity to that feeling of a fresh, crisp autumn on the horizon always gives my attitude a much needed boost. Everytime there is a change of season, I think about spiritual changes that need to happen in my life. I use it as a time of reflection and re-commitment.
It won’t be long before the leaves on the trees begin to turn colors and fall to the ground. This is a natural part of the cycle that brings new growth in the spring. We all need to look at our own priorities, our thoughts, our actions, and our words. We need to pray about these things and re-evaluate the direction of our life and how we apply God’s word in our life. This is the only way we will ever improve and continue to become what God wants us to be.
About 450 years before the time of Christ in the month of September (Tishri, the seventh month on the Jewish calendar), God’s people listened attentively to Ezra read from God’s word from daybreak until noon. The people re-committed themselves to God, living according to the Bible, celebrating with great joy that the Lord was their strength, and giving to those in need (ref: Nehemiah 8:1-12).
So, what does any of this mean to us today? I can’t think of a better way to experience fall than how the Israelites did on that day in Jerusalem so long ago, a day when they celebrated all the blessings that came with being God’s children.
Today there are more blessings than ever in being a child on God. In fact, since the time of Christ more people than ever have access to a special relationship with God. People of all nationalities and races (no longer only Israelites) are invited to trust in him and wear the name Christian, and as a result will be saved (ref: Romans 10:11-13).
But make no mistake about it, trusting involves obedience which is how God knows we truly love him (John 14:15). It takes more than just having knowledge that Jesus is the son of God in order to be saved. We have multiple New Testament examples of Satan and demons believing in the identity of Jesus; yet the Bible says they have no place in heaven. Scripture tells us plainly “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22)
Can you think of any better way to begin a new season than to not only have knowledge of what God expects of us, but to apply it in your daily life? Let this not only be a new season, but a new spiritual awakening, a time to re-commit your life to God, a time to serve him by serving others, a time to let your old ways of sin and self-doubt fall dead like leaves to the ground, and thereby gaining Christ by dying to sin. (ref: Romans 6:11). Serious Bible students will want to read the first eleven verses of Romans 6 to find out how to get into Christ. God bless you and have a Spirit-led week. (end)

See You at the Pole should happen everyday
by Barrett Vanlandingham
September 22, 2009

Most people would admit that today’s “See You at the Pole” national day of prayer is a very good thing. How wonderful it is that people of so many walks of faith are willing to approach God in prayer at the same time.
This year’s SYATP challenge is to engage your school, engage your community, and engage your world for his glory! This is certainly a worthy endeavor and it is one that Jesus wanted.
In John 17, just before Jesus is arrested, he prays for himself, for his followers, and for those who will eventually believe in him because of the message carried by obedient believers. Starting in verse 20, Jesus’ prayer is for complete unity, that all believers would be one.
But how can this possibly happen? After all, there are literally hundreds of denominations of the Lord’s church, and thousands of off-shoots beyond that. The fact is, if all those who call themselves Christians would pray for unity everyday instead of just one day a year, things might begin to change for the better.
Wouldn’t it be amazing if when you opened the Yellow Pages to look for a church in Fort Gibson, there was only one listing? Let’s not squabble over names. Think about if every church building sign simply read “The Lord’s Church meets here.” Think about if everyone who met in every building was willing to let the Bible speak for itself. Think about if we were all willing to believe God actually meant what he said and that we don’t have to change his word at all to fit our beliefs. Think about if we were all willing to be “Christians only” instead of trying to be the “Only Christians.”
I will be the first to admit that when I pray with people of other beliefs, I am sometimes distracted by “religious” words and phrases that are unfamiliar to my way of speaking. I also worry that the other person(s) may not believe exactly as I do. And then I have a light-bulb moment when I realize that not even every person at the congregation I attend believes exactly the same as I do on every issue.
So I guess what it boils down to is this: Just how united do we have to be in order to be “one” and therefore pleasing to God? I don’t know. But this I do know. Jesus died for his church, not churches, and the closer we follow his word, the closer we will be to becoming “one” in the Lord.
Let’s all pray today and everyday that when the Lord returns, the church which is his body will not be scattered and shattered, but will be found in one piece. (end)

Looking for rest can be a full-time job
by Barrett Vanlandingham
September 8, 2009

I took Labor Day off, but spent the entire day doing chores around the house. It was almost enough to have me asking, “When can I get back to work?”
The Bible has lots to say about work, even from the beginning of the Old Testament. God worked six days to create the world and then rested on the seventh. The New Testament has plenty to say about work too. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 tells us that those who do not work should not eat. 1 Timothy 5:13 tells us that those who are idle become gossips and busybodies.
Granted, working for the Lord is often even more difficult than physical labor, and a lot more difficult than sitting around gossiping. But the Bible is quick to point out some incredible rewards for your hard work in serving him.
In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus says, 28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Those words were spoken shortly after Jesus denounced cities after they saw him perform miracles but refused to repent or change their ways.
That doesn’t sound all that different from our culture today. There may be those out there who haven’t heard the Gospel story of Jesus and as a result have not obeyed. But on the other hand, there are many who have heard it over and over again yet refuse to obey the Lord. How can this possibly be? One excuse is about as good as another, but the fact is that once a person commits to the Lord there is a lot of work to do. Most people simply are not willing to put forth the effort it takes to apply God’s word to their life.
You see, when Jesus said he would give rest to the weary, he wasn’t talking about physical rest from physical work. He was talking about rest as in peace of mind, contentment, and joy that come from laying your worries on Jesus. When we agree to work for the Lord, we are agreeing to a way of life that is difficult. Jesus knows that. Therefore, he reassures Christians that when we follow him, we can be sure he will help us along the way.
Ask God to open your eyes to the joys found only in serving him. (end)