Graduation to a new life must include Jesus Christ
by Barrett Vanlandingham
May 24, 2011

For each of Fort Gibson’s 115 graduates, this week marks a new beginning. Our hometown kids will be scattered to the four winds before we know it. But that doesn’t mean they have to be separated from the most important things in life.
Graduates will be faced with many crossroads, detours, and exit ramps along life’s highway. But God will always be there to help them with their choices as long as they choose to walk His path and include Him in their daily decisions (ref: 1 John 1:7-9).
One of the most crucial decisions a graduate has to make after leaving home is which church family to become a part of in their new town. My advice is to find the church that models itself after the first century church we read about in the New Testament. This includes meeting on the first day of the week, taking the Lord’s Supper, praising God in song, prayer, giving financially and otherwise to the work of the church, and teaching all the truths found in the New Testament. Building relationships with Christians in a Bible-based church family helps us all stay strong in spiritual battle, especially recent high school graduates.
Hebrews 10:23-25 says, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
One time when I was in college, I had two tests the next day so I decided that I would just this once not go to Wednesday night Bible study. A friend of mine walked by the open door of my dorm room and saw that I was not dressed for church. After I told him why, he said, “If you will go to church, you will come back refreshed and will be able to study better.” That’s not what I wanted to hear. But I went to church anyway and my friend was right. I felt better and had a clearer mind to study.
There will be all kinds of temptations awaiting our graduates who will be out on their own for the first time ever. But we can be confident in Solomon’s words that if we have trained our children properly they will not depart from those teachings as they become older (ref: Proverbs 22:6). That is why it is important for parents of younger children to take the Lord’s commands and “Impress them your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deuteronomy 6:7)
Spiritually speaking, Romans 6:1-11 tells us that new life begins after we are buried with Christ in baptism and “…raised from the dead through the glory of the Father.” Scripture says we can only begin this new life after being united with Christ in this way.
2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
May God bless each of our town’s graduating seniors with the desire to take on their new life with boldness and confidence that only comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Children are important in God’s kingdom
by Barrett Vanlandingham
May 31, 2011

A few Sundays ago, two little kids were standing at the front door of our church building greeting everyone with a grin and holding the doors open. The children didn’t even realize the positive effect they were having on all the people who were entering the building for worship. But for all those who entered the building that day, their attitudes had already been stamped with a smile before they approached God in song, prayer, Bible study, communion, and giving.
Fort Gibson is fortunate to have so many God-fearing citizens who claim the Christian faith. Our youngest citizens play a huge role in the success of the Lord’s church overall and certainly in the vibrancy of individual congregations. One of the biggest opportunities for spiritual growth comes during the summer-time season of church camps and Vacation Bible Schools. Jesus felt strongly about the church’s connection with our youngest spiritual team members.
Matthew 19:13-14 says, “Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’”
With this in mind, it is of greatest importance for adults to take seriously our obligation to teach God’s word accurately. Most children wouldn’t know the difference if an adult changed the facts of the Bible to suit their own tastes. But scripture clearly points out this would be a grave mistake.
In Matthew 18:6 Jesus says, “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”
Not a pretty picture, huh? But that’s how God feels about those who teach false doctrine, especially to children. Kids are not only important to the future of the Lord’s church, they are a vital part of His kingdom today.
In our grown-up world it is easy to forget the importance of children, that is, until one smiles at you, or gives you a big hug, and says, “I love you” or sends you a card, or taps on your back and says “hi” with a big toothy grin, or even better with teeth missing! No doubt about it, there is just something special about a child, and even more special is the interaction between the hearts and smiles of the young and mature. Have a great day!



Graduation to a new life must include Jesus Christ
by Barrett Vanlandingham
May 24, 2011

For each of Fort Gibson’s 115 graduates, this week marks a new beginning. Our hometown kids will be scattered to the four winds before we know it. But that doesn’t mean they have to be separated from the most important things in life.
Graduates will be faced with many crossroads, detours, and exit ramps along life’s highway. But God will always be there to help them with their choices as long as they choose to walk His path and include Him in their daily decisions (ref: 1 John 1:7-9).
One of the most crucial decisions a graduate has to make after leaving home is which church family to become a part of in their new town. My advice is to find the church that models itself after the first century church we read about in the New Testament. This includes meeting on the first day of the week, taking the Lord’s Supper, praising God in song, prayer, giving financially and otherwise to the work of the church, and teaching all the truths found in the New Testament. Building relationships with Christians in a Bible-based church family helps us all stay strong in spiritual battle, especially recent high school graduates.
Hebrews 10:23-25 says, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
One time when I was in college, I had two tests the next day so I decided that I would just this once not go to Wednesday night Bible study. A friend of mine walked by the open door of my dorm room and saw that I was not dressed for church. After I told him why, he said, “If you will go to church, you will come back refreshed and will be able to study better.” That’s not what I wanted to hear. But I went to church anyway and my friend was right. I felt better and had a clearer mind to study.
There will be all kinds of temptations awaiting our graduates who will be out on their own for the first time ever. But we can be confident in Solomon’s words that if we have trained our children properly they will not depart from those teachings as they become older (ref: Proverbs 22:6). That is why it is important for parents of younger children to take the Lord’s commands and “Impress them your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deuteronomy 6:7)
Spiritually speaking, Romans 6:1-11 tells us that new life begins after we are buried with Christ in baptism and “…raised from the dead through the glory of the Father.” Scripture says we can only begin this new life after being united with Christ in this way.
2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
May God bless each of our town’s graduating seniors with the desire to take on their new life with boldness and confidence that only comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Spilled coffee can make for a great Bible lesson
by Barrett Vanlandingham
May 17, 2011

It was just another start of the day at the office. I made a pot of coffee in the church kitchen. I poured my tall 20-ounce paper cup to within a half inch from the top. Then I sat it down on the counter top so I could rinse out the filter holder on the coffee machine. But somehow, when I removed the filter holder, I managed to knock over my full cup of coffee. Ugh! But after cleaning up the spill, I thought to myself, “Well, this sounds like the beginning of a good article.”
The apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:12, “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” (ESV)
How many times a week does this passage fit your life? I guess that’s why the old cliché “When you least expect it, expect it” rings so true! As a Christian, it’s always the things we least expect that trip us up. To say the devil is very tricky would be an understatement! He knows his chances of causing us to sin are not very good if he only throws the darts of temptation we are expecting.
In the above passage, Paul was referring to Old Testament stories about God’s chosen people, the Israelites. He is simply telling us that if the Israelites messed up by falling into idol worship, and therefore having to face serious consequences from God, then we can too. In fact, in that same chapter Paul says, “6Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.”
I have actually spilled a cup of coffee on my desk before. That’s why I always set my mug on a little stand separate from my desk. At least that way the coffee won’t soak my papers. In fact, it’s been several years since I have had a major coffee spill on my desk. However, I must have let my guard down a little in the kitchen, resulting in said spill on the countertop.
And just like my story of the spilled coffee, there are temptations that each of us have dealt with in the past that can still sneak up and bite us if we are too over confident. Satan may choose a different location to approach us, or maybe a slight twist on an old temptation, but we can be sure he hasn’t forgotten our weak points. He is merely waiting for the right opportunity.
May God bless you this week in your efforts to be stay prepared in your spiritual battles.

The Bible says life’s twists and turns are actually good for us
by Barrett Vanlandingham
May 10, 2011

Last Sunday night, I was beginning to introduce the graduating seniors from our church during a special ceremony when I realized I, in fact, am the parent of a graduating senior.
You always think you know what it’s like to be in someone else’s shoes until you’re actually in their shoes. My oldest daughter, Ashton, is graduating from Fort Gibson High School this month. And up until this point, I have done speech after speech, sermon after sermon, and congratulated parent after parent for years, all the while thinking I understood the point they were at in life. In reality, I sympathized with them, but I could not empathize with them since I had never been where they were, until now.
Every experience we have in life helps mold us into the individuals God wants us to be. The mistakes we make and the physically and emotionally challenging situations we wade through in this life can actually benefit us later. True, it is no fun at all to be run through the mill of life, but the Bible actually says we should embrace this process.
James 1:2-4 says, “2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (NIV, 2011).”
We would not be human if we professed to enjoy trials. But that is not what the writer is saying. James is simply stating that we can take comfort and assurance in knowing that any amount of suffering we endure on earth will result in a more faithful Christian. We do not have to be happy about suffering. We are only human. But it is possible to feel joy in spite of persecution, pain and anything else the devil throws our way.
Psalm 30:11 may have said it best: “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness… (ESV)”
Remember these words of the apostle Paul? “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 (NIV, Romans 8:28).”
May God bless you this week as you turn life’s uncertainties over to the One who holds the future in His hands. (end)