A life spent chasing the wind is a waste

by Barrett Vanlandingham

October 2, 2016

          A friend of mine and I were talking the other day about his wife’s life-threatening illness. He said he can now identify with something Solomon said.  

          “I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind (Ecclesiastes 1:14, NASB)”.

          Nobody, including my friends, wants to have to deal with the valleys of life. But we all go through them. Some situations seem impossible. My friends have faith in God, but their earthly blessings and accomplishments versus their personal crisis right now really is a frustrating reminder that earthly things, including our bodies, are not as important as we sometimes think.

          We’ve all seen those who are so focused on earthly success they don’t know what to do when the rug is pulled out from under them. Most of us have probably been that person. It is common this time of year to hear of an athlete who was emotionally devastated after a broken bone, torn muscle, or concussion interrupted their season. Or maybe you know of someone whose entire identity was tied up in their career until they lost their job, or had to quit because of illness.    

           In Ecclesiastes, Solomon uses the phrase “under the sun” nearly 30 times. The word “meaningless” or “vanity”, and the phrase “chasing after the wind” are also used over and over to describe life without a relationship with God. When we are focused on life “under the sun” we are missing out on the blessing of walking with God.

          Life’s predicaments are difficult to deal with from an earthly perspective. We as Christians must remember the words of the apostle Paul, “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:20).”

          Solomon said, “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind (Eccl 12:13).”

          This week, let’s strive to fit each thought, motive, word, and deed into our relationship with God, not the other way around.  Have a great day!

Enjoy the blessings of fall

by Barrett Vanlandingham

September 27, 2016

          We have finally made it to my favorite time of year! I love the feel of the crisp air during the autumn season. I also enjoy the sounds of the school band practicing in the morning just a few blocks from the church building, and in fact, just a few blocks from anywhere in town.

          I love knowing that in a matter of days we will get to witness the beautiful display of nature as it changes the scenery for us to enjoy spectacular colors around town and atop the rolling hills we see in the distance, and along the winding roads near the Fort Gibson Dam. I see these kinds of things as some of God’s blessings for those of us who cherish life in a small town.

          The downside to experiencing the beauty of the leaves changing colors is the fact they do not stay red, orange, and yellow. They eventually turn brown and fall to the ground. But that’s a blessing, too. It allows us to see more clearly what’s beyond the trees. It also allows the trees to get ready for new growth in the spring and summer.

          It is amazing that God made the heavens and the earth in such a way that even his creation teaches us valuable lessons about life and spiritual things, and helps us understand the nature of God.  By spending time admiring God’s artistry, we can appreciate more fully the big picture.

          Take a blade of grass, for instance. I rarely think about its complexity and its place of importance. And yet the same God that created animals as well as Adam and Eve on the sixth day also created grass, flowers, trees, and other vegetation on the third day. I guess it’s a good thing he decided to create the sun on the fourth day.

          God’s common sense design gives me great comfort. He’s consistent. He’s dependable. He’s orderly. He pays attention to the finest details of everything he created, large and small. And even though he must be awfully busy just keeping his universe functioning properly, and giving us our next breath, he also never stops loving you, not even for a second. Have a great day!

Hypocrisy is hard to avoid

by Barrett Vanlandingham

September 20, 2016

          Hypocrisy is an ancient sin that still causes as much trouble today as it did back in Bible days. Jesus used this word to describe some of the religious people of his day.

          “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness (Matthew 23:27-28).”

          “So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach (Matthew 23:3).”

          Some in the first century may have thought the apostle Paul was a hypocrite after he became a Christian. The man who once dragged Christians out of their homes to have them imprisoned was now urging his friend, Philemon, to treat his slave, Onesimus, with the same respect he would treat a brother in Christ, Paul. We really have no way of knowing how long it took for Paul, even as a dedicated Christian, to turn his bad reputation around.  

          It was also Paul who confronted Peter (yes, the guy who preached the first Gospel sermon at Pentecost in Acts 2), about his hypocrisy, even though Peter converted from Judaism to Christianity before Paul did (about AD 35).

          In Galatians 2, Paul had witnessed Peter correctly fellowshipping and eating with new Gentile Christians in Antioch. But when a group of Jewish Christians came to town, Peter began to avoid the Gentiles. He was afraid, since many Jewish Christians believed that in order for a Gentile to become a Christian, they needed to obey Jewish law first instead of relying on the grace of our savior, Jesus Christ.  This peer pressure even got to one of Paul’s closest helpers.

          “The other Jews joined him (Peter) in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray (Galatians 2:13).” 

          Today, hypocrisy can still cause people to doubt our witness and doctrine. Pray for God’s strength this week to do the right thing.

If Trusting God Were Only Easier

by Barrett Vanlandingham

9-13-16

   Most Christians trust God. At least we have knowledge that God is trustworthy, and we say we trust Him. But applying it in real life is more difficult. After all, if having faith in God were easy, it wouldn’t really be faith.

   It makes us feel good to know we have a God who is worthy of our faith and praise. But even mature Christians will shake their heads in frustration when we forget that our God will never abandon us.

   If you’ve lived very long at all, you know what I am talking about. You make plans. You pray about it, prepare for it, and then when the time comes, those plans just didn’t pan out.  A friend or family member gets ill or dies. Tough job situation. Financial problems. You fall short of meeting a goal. You have physical or mental limitations that make life hard.

   How are Christians supposed to feel about these kinds of challenges? God created us so He knows how we are likely to react when something goes wrong. He also knows how we feel. After all, He put on flesh, lived here on earth, and faced the same kinds of challenges we face, and more.

   Even Moses, a man of faith, struggled. When he was 40, he thought he was ready to be a leader for his people. He was strong, well educated, and a descendent of Levi, one of the 12 sons of Jacob. But God didn’t call him to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt until another 40 years had passed. He showed great leadership, but still disobeyed God by striking the rock instead of speaking to it to get water for the people. For that, Moses was not allowed to lead God’s people into the Promise Land (Numbers 20).

   Paul said, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9).”

   Jesus said that if God takes care of the birds, He will certainly take care of us (Matthew 6:25-34).

   Faith in God was a step by step process for Moses. It is for us, too. Have a blessed week!

Listening to God’s voice changes everything

by Barrett Vanlandingham

September 6, 2016

   Since 2007, my Tuesday newspaper column “Fort Faith” has been published about 500 times, plus re-prints in other newspapers and the internet. My column is perused by some 30,000 readers each week. I do a lot of “one way” communicating. I appreciate every opportunity to share Jesus.
   It is important for all Christians to send the light wherever possible. But the most enjoyable communication for me actually takes place when I listen to what God’s Holy Spirit is telling me through His word.
     As a king, Solomon no doubt had many people listening to what he had to say. But as the wisest man who ever lived, he knew his words could not be of his own choosing. He felt it was important to pay close attention to God’s will. 

   “Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord (Proverbs 16:20).”

   You see, I can do as much writing and talking as I want. But unless I am listening to God, and getting my information from Him, nothing I communicate is worth your attention. This is true for any of us when it comes to whatever conversations we are engaged in. Every word and every deed should find its roots in the will of God (ref: Matt 12:36-37, 16:24-27, James 1:22).
   Jesus said, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock (Matthew 7:24).”
   Listening to God’s voice requires that we actually recognize God’s voice.  When God spoke to a young Samuel in the temple where he was staying, he thought it was the voice of Eli the priest. But after the third time of Samuel asking Eli what he wanted, Eli realized Samuel was actually hearing God’s voice. So, when God called Samuel again, Eli instructed him to say, “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening (1 Sam. 3:9).”

   This week, let’s all make more time for prayer, studying God’s word, & listening for His will in our lives. Then our words and actions will make more of an impact.  Have a great day!