Christians can make a difference in 2013
by Barrett Vanlandingham
January 2, 2013

            Happy New Year, everyone!  I pray that we all do our best to make 2013 truly a new year, not only in name, but also a year of spiritual revival.              The Lord’s church plays an important role in making our community a great place to live.  But it is important for us to remember that the church is not brick and mortar.  The church is the body of Christ.  The apostle Paul wrote about Jesus and Christians (the body) in this way, “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.  And he is the head of the body, the church (Colossians 1:17).”

            Scripture also says that Christ feeds and cares for his body of which we are members (ref: Ephesians 5:30).   But how do we become members of Christ’s body?  In writing to the church in Corinth (several years after Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension), Paul says, “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body-whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free-and we were all given the one Spirit to drink (1 Corinthians 12:12-13).”

            Peter, James, and Paul were among those apostles who knew very well what it meant to make a fresh start.  During a Jewish Feast known as Pentecost (that for Christians also marks the beginning of the church), Peter told a crowd of thousands, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.  And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).”   This echoes the words of Jesus from the book of John 3:3-5.

In the book of Acts, Luke wrote that a disciple named Ananias had a vision in which the Lord told him to tell Paul to “be baptized and wash your sins away (Acts 9:18, 22:14-16)”.  In Acts 9:15 and 22:15, the Lord reveals that Paul was to preach to all people, Gentiles, their kings, the people of Israel (Jews).

It doesn’t matter who you are or what you’ve done wrong in the past, God’s grace is extended to everyone.  Prison ministry volunteers at the Fort Gibson Church of Christ take this seriously.  In 2012, they baptized 162 inmates who were willing to obey God’s plan of salvation!

            Good New Year’s resolutions are nothing but unreachable goals if they are not based on a credible plan and followed through.  This is also true for spiritual matters.  In 2 Kings 5 we are told of a leper named Naaman.  The prophet Elisha told him to dip in the Jordan River seven times to cure his leprosy.  Naaman thought this was a bad idea and figured there must be a better way to be cured.  But in the end, Naaman obeyed the Lord’s prophet, and guess what?  It worked!  You see, even if Naaman had believed the prophet’s words, but did not follow through in obedience, then his cure would certainly have been in jeopardy.

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says….  As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead (James 1:22 and 2:26).”     

So yes, God’s amazing grace is our lifeline to salvation (not our works), but scripture makes it clear that we must reach out in obedience and take hold of it.  God bless you in 2013 as you strive to spread his light and love to a lost world (ref: Matthew 28:19-20).

           

Being a Christian is about much more than wearing a label
by Barrett Vanlandingham
December 26, 2012

Now that winter is officially here as of December 21, we will definitely see some changes in the weather. Obviously, the drop in temperature and chances of snow do not happen because of the label of winter, but rather because God created this season to be this way.

God also created a plan for Christians to follow. But just like the seasons, Christians do not change their behavior just because they have a new label. People change in response to their realization of the depth of the love of Jesus.

In 2 Corinthians 5:14 the apostle Paul says, “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.”

Paul further explains that Christians are not to live for themselves, but instead for Jesus whose selfless act on the cross gives us hope today.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Cor. 5:17)

Paul explained this concept of self-sacrifice repeatedly to new Christians in the first century. His message to the church in Galatia echoed his letter to the Corinthians.

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20).”

So what does this mean to us as Christians? We have a lot of work to do. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

There are people (yes, even here in Fort Gibson) who will never know about the love of Christ unless you show it to them through your attitude. Yes, inviting someone to a worship service is a good thing. But perhaps the best way to introduce lost souls to Jesus Christ is to be a light to those around you the same way Jesus became a light to the world.

Christ’s love is available for all people. And it is Christians whose job it is to plant seed. You may never know the impact of a kind word or a good deed. But in a world where Godless people continue to make decisions contrary to God’s will, it is becoming more and more important for Christians (starting with me) to get out of our pews, out of our comfort zones, and share God’s love to those who many may have written off as unreachable.

May God bless us all this week in spite of our unworthiness, to humbly wear the name Christian as we put our faith into action. Have a great week!

God goes with us through life’s valleys
by Barrett Vanlandingham
December 19, 2012

            As a minister, I have a lot of opportunities to be in the presence of those who are experiencing life’s tremendous joys such as a wedding or the birth of a baby, and the dreaded valleys of life that we all have to deal with sooner or later.  The past several days have been a valley for me and my family.

            As my sister, Patti, reached across the countertop in my parents’ kitchen during a recent visit, I noticed a bruise on each of her hands.  I asked her if everything was alright, not expecting what she told me since she has always been in good health.  She looked straight at me and said, “No, everything is not alright.”  The IV bruises on her hands were only the beginning of a story that would change everything for me and the rest of our family.

            For months, Patti has been craving ice.  When her daughter (my niece), who is an RN, found out, she said that craving ice is a symptom of low iron!  And while low iron can be caused by a number of things, Patti had tests done and found out only a few days ago some very bad news.  She has stage four colon cancer that has spread through her bloodstream to her liver.  At age 52 and no other outward symptoms, Patti and our entire family are still in shock.

            Patti is a wonderful wife, mom, and grandma, a dedicated Christian and Bible class teacher, and a very talented CPA in the accounting firm where she is also a partner.  She has always been very determined and driven in accomplishing her goals. The battle of overcoming colon cancer will be no different for her.  Patti will continue giving God the glory as the Holy Spirit, who dwells in her body, guides and comforts her each step of the way!  

            “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 5:16).”

Patti asked me to pray for healing and for the decisions she will have to make regarding treatment options.  I am calling for all of you prayer warriors to help me in this.  Patti will appreciate it.  Some of you are no doubt in one of life’s lows, so just know that I am also praying for you, and am calling for anyone reading this article in the paper or online to do the same. 

God hasn’t done any miracles lately (that we know of) such as parting the Red Sea.  Those were done so that people back then and today would believe in the truth of his message.  But we know he still causes the sun to rise and set.  He holds the universe together.  I would say that’s a miracle! He also still causes rulers to rise and fall.  He rewards those who earnestly seek him.  He provides for our every need, and he still has compassion for those who need his healing.  Glory to God forever!  Remember to pray always, and have a blessed week!

Being the light of the world is a team effort
by Barrett Vanlandingham
December 12, 2012

            There are so many things about the holidays that hold significance for many of us.  Santa Claus, Jesus Christ, gatherings of family and friends, and the extra attention put on acts of compassion are some of the biggies in my book. 

The joys of the season are highlighted by bright lights, blinking and twinkling reds, blues, greens, Christmas music, ringing bells, and special events.  Most would agree that Americans have been blessed in ways the rest of the world can barely imagine.  Certainly, our community enjoys its share of blessings this time of year.

As I drive past the giant lighted Christmas tree in downtown Fort Gibson, my first thoughts are always something like, “Wow!  That is impressive.  I’m glad somebody got that done.” 

So while the lighted tree is pretty incredible, it is those people who had a role in putting all the decorations into place who we should thank.  Being a Christian is the same way.  Christ is the true light of the world (ref: John 1:3-9). Still, we are to be a reflection of him for all to see, not for our glory but for God's.

Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:14-16).”

This passage takes place just after crowds of people witnessed Jesus preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing those suffering from various diseases, demon possession, and paralysis (ref: Matt 4:24).   By God’s grace and power, Jesus performed these miracles so that people would believe not only that he was the son of God, but that obedience to his message would result in salvation.  This was an amazing day in Galilee, and Jesus wanted the people to spread the news of what they had seen and experienced of God’s indescribable gifts for those who believed in Jesus.

Just like those who witnessed Christ’s compassion 2000 years ago, Christians today are also called to be a light to all those around by teaching and modeling God’s will.  At the end of the day, it’s all about bringing glory to our Savior and Creator.  The apostle Paul sums it up nicely.  “And they praised God because of me (Galatians 1:24).”   Have a great week!