Above the Sun: Discouragement is no match for God

October 7, 2018

by Barrett Vanlandingham

          Some days you just wonder if your efforts to accomplish your goals for the day are worth it. Last week, I was trying to purchase a very used stationary bicycle from an individual in Muskogee, and it literally took me most of the day!

          I found the bike through the “LetGo” app, the seller and I did not speak the same language, and there are always trust issues on both ends with these kinds of transactions. So, just the simple task of finding out where and when to meet was quite an ordeal. In the end, the seller showed up on time, was friendly, and met me in a public place. I paid the asking price of $30 and we both left happy.

          In the Christian life, we all have goals. But some days it can seem like we are spinning our wheels and going nowhere. The apostle Paul offers this encouragement:

          “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).

          Nevertheless, we live in a world where most of the people we are trying to save are not interested in the message of Christ. This should be no surprise. The Bible says most people travel through life on the wide road that leads to destruction, while only a few choose the narrow road leading to life (Matthew 7:13-14).

          The frustrations we face in bringing the lost into a saved condition should not discourage us from trying.  Jesus tells us to “go” and teach God’s commands to all people, baptizing and making disciples (followers) of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19-20).

          There have always been those who are simply not ready to listen. In Matthew 10:14 Jesus said, “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.”

          In another instance, Jesus tells His disciples to “look at the fields! They are ripe for the harvest” (John 4:35).

          There are people willing to listen. God presents them to us in His time. Sometimes, a person who is currently unwilling to listen can change when God leads them into the right set of circumstances that softens their heart. The lost son in Luke 15:11-32 had a bad attitude towards his father until he experienced the negative consequences of wild living. He eventually “came to his senses” and his father welcomed him back home.

          When a parent’s efforts to influence a rebellious child fail, it should be a comfort that God is still there patiently teaching that child lessons in a way that only a Heavenly Father can (2 Peter 3:9). The same is true for other family members, friends, and acquaintances. Just keep going, doing, and planting. Trust God to do the rest.  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: God gives us the right kind of credit

September 30, 2018

by Barrett Vanlandingham

          In a TV commercial I recently saw, one man was laughing hysterically while racing a go-cart, a woman in a store was smiling like she has just received the best news ever, elsewhere friends in a restaurant dined with a look of contentedness and joy.

          What do all of these people have in common? They are all actors portraying how customers feel when they use their new 4% interest credit card!  But we all know that’s not the end of the story when it comes to charging up excessive debt.

          Jesus said, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them” (Matthew 7:15-16).

          There is a reason why the devil is so successful in luring people over to the dark side. Sin is fun and full of promises, at least for a little while. A trap works well because prey does not know it’s a trap. The trap looks good, feels good, tastes good, sounds good, or smells good, at least it does at first. But the Bible assures us that at some point before it is too late, we will be given enough clues to catch on to the fact that the lure of sin is a trap.

          “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

          You’ve heard the old saying, “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.” Still, we make excuses for our mis-steps. In the case of overusing credit cards, we tell ourselves:

          1. I don’t have any money, but I deserve happiness. 

          2. I can pay it off later, surely I will come up with the money. 

          3. I don’t want to be left out of all the fun.

          4. I have to charge it up, so people won’t think I can’t afford things.

          Jesus referred to himself as “the good shepherd.” He said to be careful about who you follow if you want to live life to the full.

          “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).

          Jesus’ death on the cross canceled our debt of sin. That’s why Christians choose to live in obedience to Him.

           “So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live” (Romans 8:12-13).

          Have a great week!

Above the Sun: God can be praised because of you

September 23, 2018

by Barrett Vanlandingham

          Our words and actions can make more of a difference and travel further than you might think.

          The apostle Paul experienced both good and bad consequences of the “ripple effect” during his days of ministry. He was the poster child for the old adage “your reputation precedes you.”  Even after he stopped persecuting Christians, and instead became one, he had a difficult time convincing people he was no longer that same person who persistently and violently fought against the spread of the good news of Jesus Christ.

          In a letter to the Galatian church, Paul wrote: “I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only heard the report ‘The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.’ And they praised God because of me” (Galatians 1:22-24).

          Paul is not patting himself on the back here. But he is fully aware that turning his life over to Christ is impacting people in a way that was never possible in his former life as an overly zealous and misguided Jew. Christians, near and far, who knew anything about the old Paul (previously Saul) would have avoided him at all cost for fear of being dragged out of their homes and stoned to death by mobs organized by Paul. He could not have been more off-track in his thinking, and without intervention from God Himself, Paul was unlikely to soften his grudge against Jesus Christ and all things Christian.  But on Paul’s way to Damascus, Jesus appeared to him in a blinding light and made it painfully clear that Paul was in error and that he needed to open his eyes to the truth.

          It took some time for word to spread about Paul’s newfound commitment to Jesus Christ. But in the eyes of any first century Christian, a God who could turn Paul around was more than worthy of their praise.

          We have all said and done things we’re ashamed of. And to make things worse, the ripple effect can have consequences we may have never even thought about. But the same ripples that carry bad news can also carry good news as in the case of Paul and his life change. Praise God for that! My 35^th high school reunion in Tahlequah is only a few weeks away. Enough said.  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Remember to thank God for fall blessings

September 16, 2018

by Barrett Vanlandingham

          Lovers of all things yellow, orange, red, and brown are just a few days away from their favorite season of the year! Autumn begins this Saturday, September 22.       

          The New Testament writer, James, said it best!  “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17).

          A few signs of fall? Coffee shops are changing their menus to include seasonal concoctions like pumpkin spice lattes, and clothing stores have been touting their fall lines for weeks already. The sounds of snare and bass drums, tubas and trumpets echo across neighborhoods everywhere as high school bands put in extra practice for half-time performances and upcoming band competitions.         

          Yep! There is no doubt about it. Fall is here, along with everything that makes it so special. We all have things we like about this time of year that make it so enjoyable, whether that means things to taste, look at, wear, talk about, smell, listen to, touch, or be entertained by.

          Our Creator knew what He was doing when He made our universe and everything in it.  I do not know what season it was when the apostle Paul wrote his letter to the church in Philippi. But I think autumn is as good a guess as any!  It is the perfect time to think about our blessings, and all things pure and lovely.

          “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8).  

          Maybe Paul wrote his letter to the Romans during a beautiful season such as this. He uses the awesomeness of God’s creation to remind us of how amazing our Creator really is.

          “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).

          He would certainly have appreciated the beauty of nature at a time when he was writing such important instruction to the Roman church.

          Every season has its beauty. God is just good that way. We will never be able to count all of the blessings God provides. But that should never stop us from giving Him thanks for all good things. Have a great week!