The secret to overcoming evil is good!
by Barrett Vanlandingham
August 31, 2010
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing (1 Peter 3:9)”
This has to be one of the hardest Biblical commands to obey. After all, why would anyone want to give a blessing to someone who has just insulted them?
As kids have returned to school, this topic has been on my mind a lot lately. As if the daily stresses of life are not difficult enough, being on the receiving end of an insult is not what any of us wants to add to our list of chores whether we’re a kid or an adult.
So, what blessings do you stand to inherit if you choose to bless someone after they treat you badly? For starters, the obvious blessing of learning patience, and learning to love those who are undeserving. I feel pretty fortunate that God continues to bless my life even though I am so undeserving. I could save my pennies for a million years and never be able to earn a single blessing from God. But he blesses me anyway. He blesses us all so richly!
The apostle Paul said, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).” That is a pretty clear statement. And in terms of spiritual war, a loving and caring attitude will always win out in the end.
The apostle Peter says to answer everyone with gentleness and respect “…so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander (1 Peter 3:16).”
This is one of those areas where we as Christians just have to trust in God’s wisdom. We all know how satisfying it is to feel like we got the best of someone. The only flaw in that way of thinking is that our goal as Christians is to show the love of Jesus to a lost and dying world.
The reward of letting God be the one to take revenge may be that of saving a soul from the fires of hell. After all, what are the chances of saving someone’s soul if we as Christians act out as badly as those we are trying to save? God has always known just what to do to get someone’s attention.
2 Corinthians 10:3 tells us, “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.” Paul goes on to say that the weapon of the Christian is power from God to demolish the devil’s strongholds.
May you receive the power of goodness this week as you bring the love of Christ to all those in your path.
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, August 26, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
The Christian life is not as hard as pulling teeth, really!
by Barrett Vanlandingham
August 24, 2010
My 12-year old son, Britton, and I walked into the dentist office Friday for him to have some teeth pulled. What we didn’t know is that he would be getting NINE teeth pulled that very day. His orthodontist wanted the dentist to pull the rest of Britton’s baby teeth so his big teeth could grow in properly with the help of braces.
It was not easy to sit in the corner and watch my son endure several deadening shots and have nine teeth pulled. But we both knew it would be worth it in the end.
So what does this have to do with the Christian life? Simply put, we must separate ourselves from things that cause us problems spiritually. That is a principle to which every Christian can relate.
One great thing about growing in our relationship with God is that it doesn’t have to be as hard as pulling teeth. You see, I could do nothing to ease Britton’s teeth pulling experience. But in spiritual matters, our challenges are an entirely different story.
We were created in Christ Jesus to do good works (Eph 2:10). Even better, we can depend on help from God in every difficult circumstance since we are fellow workers with God (1 Cor. 3:9). He always gives us a way of escape for every temptation (1 Cor. 10:13).
There are several New Testament passages which tell us the dangers of staying attached to situations that threaten our Christian walk. 1 Cor. 15:53 tells us that “Evil companions corrupt good morals.” 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1 tells us it’s not good for Christians to be tied closely to unbelievers.
There are also verses that deal with the consequences of being an unproductive Christian, or a member who poses a threat to the rest of the body. In John 15:1-2, Jesus says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”
That’s why it is important for Christians to do everything we can to encourage every member of the body.
In Britton’s case, a little bit of physical sacrifice now will help him down the road. Spiritually, it’s the same way. There may be some things we need to pull out of our lives now in order to serve Him better and secure a better relationship with our Savior. God bless you.
by Barrett Vanlandingham
August 24, 2010
My 12-year old son, Britton, and I walked into the dentist office Friday for him to have some teeth pulled. What we didn’t know is that he would be getting NINE teeth pulled that very day. His orthodontist wanted the dentist to pull the rest of Britton’s baby teeth so his big teeth could grow in properly with the help of braces.
It was not easy to sit in the corner and watch my son endure several deadening shots and have nine teeth pulled. But we both knew it would be worth it in the end.
So what does this have to do with the Christian life? Simply put, we must separate ourselves from things that cause us problems spiritually. That is a principle to which every Christian can relate.
One great thing about growing in our relationship with God is that it doesn’t have to be as hard as pulling teeth. You see, I could do nothing to ease Britton’s teeth pulling experience. But in spiritual matters, our challenges are an entirely different story.
We were created in Christ Jesus to do good works (Eph 2:10). Even better, we can depend on help from God in every difficult circumstance since we are fellow workers with God (1 Cor. 3:9). He always gives us a way of escape for every temptation (1 Cor. 10:13).
There are several New Testament passages which tell us the dangers of staying attached to situations that threaten our Christian walk. 1 Cor. 15:53 tells us that “Evil companions corrupt good morals.” 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1 tells us it’s not good for Christians to be tied closely to unbelievers.
There are also verses that deal with the consequences of being an unproductive Christian, or a member who poses a threat to the rest of the body. In John 15:1-2, Jesus says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”
That’s why it is important for Christians to do everything we can to encourage every member of the body.
In Britton’s case, a little bit of physical sacrifice now will help him down the road. Spiritually, it’s the same way. There may be some things we need to pull out of our lives now in order to serve Him better and secure a better relationship with our Savior. God bless you.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Doing without can be a blessing
by Barrett Vanlandingham
August 17, 2010
The Bible speaks of fasting a lot more than other topics that we as Christians tend to dwell on. I wonder why? Could it be that fasting just simply doesn’t fit our lifestyle in America? This idea of purposely doing without is a thought worth spending some time on.
For me, food is the last thing I want to do without for any length of time. For others, food is not that big of a temptation. However, indulgences such as TV, computer, music, and other forms of entertainment might be more difficult for this generation to do without for very long.
The Bible speaks of people fasting for various reasons. Sometimes, Christians would fast and pray before sending missionaries into the field. Other times, people would fast and put on sackcloth and ashes while in the process of deep mourning.
So, what is the purpose of fasting? Taken in context, it appears that people back in the first century and before fasted in an effort to gain better focus as they communicated with God. It may have also been a way to empathize with someone who was going through a difficult time. In other words, one might feel guilty indulging in a meal when their good friend was going through a crisis.
The only real Biblical direction for fasting comes from Matthew 6:16-18. Jesus said, “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.” Jesus is basically telling his disciples to not be dramatic, seeking attention in hopes of people thinking they are extra religious or something for doing without.
There is no reason to think that fasting makes God honor one prayer over another. But certainly the hunger pains of doing without food would be a continual reminder the One who provides us with everything we need. Fasting would certainly cause one to think about all the blessings we have because of the incredible way our Creator has put this universe into existence.
Yes, fasting from food has value. But these days, fasting from other things that make our lives extremely comfortable might be of equal value when it comes to developing our focus and relationship with God.
May God bless us all as we re-evaluate our needs and our wants in an effort to walk closer to our Heavenly Father. (end)
by Barrett Vanlandingham
August 17, 2010
The Bible speaks of fasting a lot more than other topics that we as Christians tend to dwell on. I wonder why? Could it be that fasting just simply doesn’t fit our lifestyle in America? This idea of purposely doing without is a thought worth spending some time on.
For me, food is the last thing I want to do without for any length of time. For others, food is not that big of a temptation. However, indulgences such as TV, computer, music, and other forms of entertainment might be more difficult for this generation to do without for very long.
The Bible speaks of people fasting for various reasons. Sometimes, Christians would fast and pray before sending missionaries into the field. Other times, people would fast and put on sackcloth and ashes while in the process of deep mourning.
So, what is the purpose of fasting? Taken in context, it appears that people back in the first century and before fasted in an effort to gain better focus as they communicated with God. It may have also been a way to empathize with someone who was going through a difficult time. In other words, one might feel guilty indulging in a meal when their good friend was going through a crisis.
The only real Biblical direction for fasting comes from Matthew 6:16-18. Jesus said, “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.” Jesus is basically telling his disciples to not be dramatic, seeking attention in hopes of people thinking they are extra religious or something for doing without.
There is no reason to think that fasting makes God honor one prayer over another. But certainly the hunger pains of doing without food would be a continual reminder the One who provides us with everything we need. Fasting would certainly cause one to think about all the blessings we have because of the incredible way our Creator has put this universe into existence.
Yes, fasting from food has value. But these days, fasting from other things that make our lives extremely comfortable might be of equal value when it comes to developing our focus and relationship with God.
May God bless us all as we re-evaluate our needs and our wants in an effort to walk closer to our Heavenly Father. (end)
Friday, August 06, 2010
Timing is Everything
by Barrett Vanlandingham
August 10, 2010
I once heard a Bible class teacher ask his students, “Who all wants to go to heaven?” Of course, everyone raised their hands. Then he asked, “Who all wants to go right now?” Hilariously, no one raised their hands! Sadly, that’s the way it is for many people.
Last Friday, an afternoon ride on my Kawasaki was about as good as it could get in my book. That is, until it started raining. Then, those little drops of precip suddenly began to feel like marbles hitting my helmet, arms and legs as I cruised down the highway. But considering how badly we’ve been needing rain lately, I wasn’t going to complain. In fact, I came up with a pretty good spiritual application for the situation that was soaking me.
Timing is everything. As I looked at those amazing stormclouds that were forming I couldn’t help but wonder if I would make it back home before the clouds burst. Well, I didn’t. I wanted rain, just not immediately.
We all look forward to meeting God face to face one day and experiencing his reign in heaven. The Bible says we will all kneel before him one day and acknowledge Jesus Christ as his son. That day will come whether we’re ready or not. Ideally, we will all be ready for that day. Tragically, most people will not be ready. Scripture tells us that God is patient and not willing that any should perish. But we also know that eventually judgment day will come. Scripture says that the road to hell is broad (Matthew 7:13), and that most people are on that road simply because they allow themselves to be dragged away and enticed by their own evil desires (James 1:14).
One time I asked a group of teenagers if they would go to heaven today if they could. Some said yes. Others said they would like to eventually after they had the chance to have a few more life experiences such as marriage. Unfortunately, none of us knows when that final day will come. Jesus said so in Matthew 24:36. He said even he doesn’t know when that day will be, and neither do the angels, but only the Father.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:2, the apostle Paul says, “…the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”
May God bless us all with the desire to watch and pray as that final day approaches, that we may all be ready to hear our Master say, “Well done.”
by Barrett Vanlandingham
August 10, 2010
I once heard a Bible class teacher ask his students, “Who all wants to go to heaven?” Of course, everyone raised their hands. Then he asked, “Who all wants to go right now?” Hilariously, no one raised their hands! Sadly, that’s the way it is for many people.
Last Friday, an afternoon ride on my Kawasaki was about as good as it could get in my book. That is, until it started raining. Then, those little drops of precip suddenly began to feel like marbles hitting my helmet, arms and legs as I cruised down the highway. But considering how badly we’ve been needing rain lately, I wasn’t going to complain. In fact, I came up with a pretty good spiritual application for the situation that was soaking me.
Timing is everything. As I looked at those amazing stormclouds that were forming I couldn’t help but wonder if I would make it back home before the clouds burst. Well, I didn’t. I wanted rain, just not immediately.
We all look forward to meeting God face to face one day and experiencing his reign in heaven. The Bible says we will all kneel before him one day and acknowledge Jesus Christ as his son. That day will come whether we’re ready or not. Ideally, we will all be ready for that day. Tragically, most people will not be ready. Scripture tells us that God is patient and not willing that any should perish. But we also know that eventually judgment day will come. Scripture says that the road to hell is broad (Matthew 7:13), and that most people are on that road simply because they allow themselves to be dragged away and enticed by their own evil desires (James 1:14).
One time I asked a group of teenagers if they would go to heaven today if they could. Some said yes. Others said they would like to eventually after they had the chance to have a few more life experiences such as marriage. Unfortunately, none of us knows when that final day will come. Jesus said so in Matthew 24:36. He said even he doesn’t know when that day will be, and neither do the angels, but only the Father.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:2, the apostle Paul says, “…the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”
May God bless us all with the desire to watch and pray as that final day approaches, that we may all be ready to hear our Master say, “Well done.”
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