Looking for God should not be difficult
by Barrett Vanlandingham
December 1, 2009
During my Thanksgiving vacation, most of my extended family got together in Shawnee for a huge reunion. It included my dad along with his six brothers and sisters, and their children (my cousins) and grandchildren. Some of us stayed in a hotel with an indoor swimming pool. That made for some ferocious games of Marco Polo for the kids. That’s where the “it” player closes his or her eyes and yells Marco over and over! The other players respond Polo! The “it” player flails around in the water until they somewhat accidentally tag one of the other players. As I watched this game play out, I knew exactly what my next “Fort Faith” article would be.
I see so many people, yes even in Fort Gibson, desperately looking for God and they don’t even know it. They’re flailing around, searching for fulfillment in earthly things that only God can provide. Some people try to find fulfillment in new cars, new homes, or in pricey clothes. Others try to find it in romance, relationships, hobbies, power or popularity. The world is constantly calling your name from many directions. Sometimes it seems like everyone and everything needs a piece of your time and money. The messages are anything but consistent, other than the fact that they try to lead us further away from God instead of closer. Without God in your life, it would be easy to confuse the messages of the world with messages from God. It’s almost like a game of Marco Polo, right? Which direction is the voice coming from? Whose voice is it? And can I rely on this voice to be there for me if I reach in that direction?
After Jesus resurrected from the tomb, an angel rolled back the stone and sat on it. Two ladies who had come to the tomb as well as the guards were more than a little surprised at the scene! The ladies were searching for Jesus but the angel informed them that he was not there. “He has risen, just as he said… (Matthew 28:6)”
The ladies obeyed the heavenly messenger who told them to go tell the disciples the good news of Jesus’ resurrection. Then guess what happened? THEY FOUND JESUS! He greeted them. They worshipped him.
It’s the same with us. When we obey God’s word, we find him. Then we get to walk with him through life. You see, when we tell others the story of Jesus Christ, how he came to this earth to live as a man, to suffer unjustly, to die for our sins, then to be raised triumphantly, we partner with God. His spirit guides us in the right direction. It doesn’t matter if we have eyes or not! God will show us the way home to heaven. Jesus said that when we teach others to obey his commands, he will be with us to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:18-20). His direction is consistent. His voice gives a message that never changes. And he will always be there for us when our lives show that we are reaching for him. God bless you and let’s all pray for strength as we wrap up 2009 and look forward to devoting 2010 to serving God more than ever!
Welcome to my bulletin article site. What I do is minister to young Christians, their families, their friends, and others in the Fort Gibson, OK area. So check-in every now and then, and I'll try to have an encouraging word for you.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Thanks to God for leading us
(part four of a four part series on Thanksgiving)
by Barrett Vanlandingham
November 24, 2009
In any kind of competition, it’s important and even necessary that your team captain and your coach show up for the game. As a Christian, Jesus is my Coach and my Captain. He not only tells me how to fight my spiritual battles, he stays with me and helps me through each one. I listen to him because he’s the only one who has ever died on a cross for my sins. He’s also the only one who has ever been raised from a tomb for me. And he’s the only one who has ever offered me hope of eternal life in heaven. No one else has ever done those things for me. You talk about leading a battle, God through Jesus leads us in spiritual warfare like none other. And that’s the battle that really counts.
What makes that even more impressive is that Jesus knows and understands our struggles because he has already been tempted in every way (ref: Hebrews 4:14-16). Because of this, the Bible says Christians can have confidence to approach God for help in our times of trouble.
In 2 Corinthians 2:14-16, the apostle Paul says, “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life…”
Did you catch the seventh word in that verse? “Always” is a very big word, especially in this context. It’s saying that we “always” have victory when God is the one leading us. You can’t take the name “Christ” out of the word “Christian” anymore than you can take Christ out of the Christian. Understand? You see, when we allow God to lead us, we are guaranteed to cross the finish line with a victory. Why? Because when we put on Christ, we are partnered with God just like Jesus is partnered with God (ref: John 14:20-21).
In fact, Paul says we are the aroma of Christ. We smell good to believers, and really bad to non-believers. He’s saying that those who refuse to be led by God do not accept Christ or his fragrance of life. And therefore, they find themselves walking down the path of destruction towards death. It’s up to Christians to partner with God in helping others to view Christianity as a fragrance and not an odor.
So, what are you thankful for today? May God bless you with many opportunities to lead others to Christ, as God leads us into paths of righteousness, love, joy, and peace. (end)
(part four of a four part series on Thanksgiving)
by Barrett Vanlandingham
November 24, 2009
In any kind of competition, it’s important and even necessary that your team captain and your coach show up for the game. As a Christian, Jesus is my Coach and my Captain. He not only tells me how to fight my spiritual battles, he stays with me and helps me through each one. I listen to him because he’s the only one who has ever died on a cross for my sins. He’s also the only one who has ever been raised from a tomb for me. And he’s the only one who has ever offered me hope of eternal life in heaven. No one else has ever done those things for me. You talk about leading a battle, God through Jesus leads us in spiritual warfare like none other. And that’s the battle that really counts.
What makes that even more impressive is that Jesus knows and understands our struggles because he has already been tempted in every way (ref: Hebrews 4:14-16). Because of this, the Bible says Christians can have confidence to approach God for help in our times of trouble.
In 2 Corinthians 2:14-16, the apostle Paul says, “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life…”
Did you catch the seventh word in that verse? “Always” is a very big word, especially in this context. It’s saying that we “always” have victory when God is the one leading us. You can’t take the name “Christ” out of the word “Christian” anymore than you can take Christ out of the Christian. Understand? You see, when we allow God to lead us, we are guaranteed to cross the finish line with a victory. Why? Because when we put on Christ, we are partnered with God just like Jesus is partnered with God (ref: John 14:20-21).
In fact, Paul says we are the aroma of Christ. We smell good to believers, and really bad to non-believers. He’s saying that those who refuse to be led by God do not accept Christ or his fragrance of life. And therefore, they find themselves walking down the path of destruction towards death. It’s up to Christians to partner with God in helping others to view Christianity as a fragrance and not an odor.
So, what are you thankful for today? May God bless you with many opportunities to lead others to Christ, as God leads us into paths of righteousness, love, joy, and peace. (end)
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Thanks for God’s Grace
(part three of a four part series on Thanksgiving)
by Barrett Vanlandingham
November 17, 2009
A proper thanks is hard to come up with in regards to God’s grace. Perhaps that’s why the apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 9:15, “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” In the verse right before this one, Paul encourages Christians in Corinth to keep using God’s grace in their lives to motivate them for acts of service. I will explore this theme in part three of my four part series on Thanksgiving.
In all of the terminology the Bible uses, grace is one concept I have a very difficult time trying to grasp. You see, grace is how God shows favor to Christians even though we don’t deserve it. Can you imagine trying to do enough good deeds to deserve a home in heaven? Sounds exhausting, doesn’t it? God doesn’t want us to feel that way about Christian living. But he does want us to be thankful to the point of obeying his word. This is how God knows we love him (John 14:15).
Imagine two people. One is your child, and one is a stranger on the other side of the earth. Both do acts of service everyday. But only one of them is your child. Which one will you give an allowance at the end of the week? The same is true with God’s grace. Two people can do acts of service everyday. But only one of them is God’s child because they believed that Jesus is the son of God, and has obeyed God’s plan for salvation.
You see, it is not your good deed that earns you God’s grace, but it is your acceptance of God’s grace that allows you to do those acts of service that God expects of his children (ref: Ephesians 2:8-10). Just as it has been said that the road to hell is paved with good intentions; likewise, the road to heaven is paved with many opportunities to do works of service that God has prepared for us to do.
Yes, God’s grace is made available for all kinds of people. He does not want to leave anyone out (ref: 2 Peter 3:9). We just have to accept his grace fully which means full obedience to the way of life God wants us to follow.
There are many things for which mankind can be grateful. But there is nothing greater than God’s grace when it comes to covering our sin and offering us a home in heaven. Let’s all spend at least a few minutes this week thanking God for his grace. It’s a truly indescribable gift that we can share with others through our example, through the teaching of God’s word, and through acts of service. (end)
(part three of a four part series on Thanksgiving)
by Barrett Vanlandingham
November 17, 2009
A proper thanks is hard to come up with in regards to God’s grace. Perhaps that’s why the apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 9:15, “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” In the verse right before this one, Paul encourages Christians in Corinth to keep using God’s grace in their lives to motivate them for acts of service. I will explore this theme in part three of my four part series on Thanksgiving.
In all of the terminology the Bible uses, grace is one concept I have a very difficult time trying to grasp. You see, grace is how God shows favor to Christians even though we don’t deserve it. Can you imagine trying to do enough good deeds to deserve a home in heaven? Sounds exhausting, doesn’t it? God doesn’t want us to feel that way about Christian living. But he does want us to be thankful to the point of obeying his word. This is how God knows we love him (John 14:15).
Imagine two people. One is your child, and one is a stranger on the other side of the earth. Both do acts of service everyday. But only one of them is your child. Which one will you give an allowance at the end of the week? The same is true with God’s grace. Two people can do acts of service everyday. But only one of them is God’s child because they believed that Jesus is the son of God, and has obeyed God’s plan for salvation.
You see, it is not your good deed that earns you God’s grace, but it is your acceptance of God’s grace that allows you to do those acts of service that God expects of his children (ref: Ephesians 2:8-10). Just as it has been said that the road to hell is paved with good intentions; likewise, the road to heaven is paved with many opportunities to do works of service that God has prepared for us to do.
Yes, God’s grace is made available for all kinds of people. He does not want to leave anyone out (ref: 2 Peter 3:9). We just have to accept his grace fully which means full obedience to the way of life God wants us to follow.
There are many things for which mankind can be grateful. But there is nothing greater than God’s grace when it comes to covering our sin and offering us a home in heaven. Let’s all spend at least a few minutes this week thanking God for his grace. It’s a truly indescribable gift that we can share with others through our example, through the teaching of God’s word, and through acts of service. (end)
Thanks in all circumstances
(part two of a four part series on Thanksgiving)
by Barrett Vanlandingham
November 10, 2009
In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul says, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
For those times we actually remember to thank God for things in our lives, it’s usually when something good happens, right? But what about during tough times? Do we remember to thank God then? You might ask, “Why would I even want to be thankful for bad situations?” Well, we may not want to be thankful for bad things in particular such as illness, injury, death, or financial disaster. But there is always something good that can come out of life’s trials.
One time I was so upset at someone, that when I got out of my Jeep I slammed the door right into my own face! When my lip went numb and the blood began to flow, I was NOT thankful that I had hit my face with the top corner of my car door. However, the lessons I learned from that have stayed with me and helped me for several years now. Patience and self-control are among the top lessons for which I am thankful. Of course, anyone who didn’t know me before then probably thinks I could still use a little more help in both of those areas.
One scripture that always gives me confidence during difficulties comes from Romans 8:28. “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.”
We also know from Philippians 4:11 that the apostle Paul learned to be content in “whatever the circumstances.” He suffered beatings, hunger, and cold, and yet he trusted God to bring him through (2 Cor. 11:25). In fact, we’re told that Paul prayed three times for his “thorn in the flesh” to be removed, but God said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9)
You might be thinking, “Why does God’s power depend on me having to go through trials?” Well, the fact is that God doesn’t really need anything from us. It is we who need him. But God knows the nature of mankind. He has dealt with us for a very LONG time. He knows about our selfish ambition, our ego, and our attitude of “I can do everything on my own.” God’s power can only be used the way he intended when we submit to his will. The problem is that most of us have a hard time submitting to anyone, especially a God we cannot see. But our weaknesses cause us to search for a better way. That search ultimately leads us to putting our faith and trust in God. That’s when we find peace.
This week, try to give thanks in all circumstances. Have a great day!
(part two of a four part series on Thanksgiving)
by Barrett Vanlandingham
November 10, 2009
In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul says, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
For those times we actually remember to thank God for things in our lives, it’s usually when something good happens, right? But what about during tough times? Do we remember to thank God then? You might ask, “Why would I even want to be thankful for bad situations?” Well, we may not want to be thankful for bad things in particular such as illness, injury, death, or financial disaster. But there is always something good that can come out of life’s trials.
One time I was so upset at someone, that when I got out of my Jeep I slammed the door right into my own face! When my lip went numb and the blood began to flow, I was NOT thankful that I had hit my face with the top corner of my car door. However, the lessons I learned from that have stayed with me and helped me for several years now. Patience and self-control are among the top lessons for which I am thankful. Of course, anyone who didn’t know me before then probably thinks I could still use a little more help in both of those areas.
One scripture that always gives me confidence during difficulties comes from Romans 8:28. “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.”
We also know from Philippians 4:11 that the apostle Paul learned to be content in “whatever the circumstances.” He suffered beatings, hunger, and cold, and yet he trusted God to bring him through (2 Cor. 11:25). In fact, we’re told that Paul prayed three times for his “thorn in the flesh” to be removed, but God said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9)
You might be thinking, “Why does God’s power depend on me having to go through trials?” Well, the fact is that God doesn’t really need anything from us. It is we who need him. But God knows the nature of mankind. He has dealt with us for a very LONG time. He knows about our selfish ambition, our ego, and our attitude of “I can do everything on my own.” God’s power can only be used the way he intended when we submit to his will. The problem is that most of us have a hard time submitting to anyone, especially a God we cannot see. But our weaknesses cause us to search for a better way. That search ultimately leads us to putting our faith and trust in God. That’s when we find peace.
This week, try to give thanks in all circumstances. Have a great day!
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