Above the Sun: Thank You, Lord for loving me

November 4, 2018

by Barrett Vanlandingham

          You may remember a TV show in the 80’s and 90’s called “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.” Its host, the late Robin Leach, focused on the lavish homes and hobbies of millionaires and billionaires, many of whom were eager to boast of their wealth. When I used to watch that show, it was hard for me to imagine ever being able to afford such extravagance!

          The thing I have come to realize more and more over the years is that I had been given something of even greater value than what I was seeing on television. In fact, every child of God, no matter how poor in the world’s view, is rich in the ways that really matter. If you have a relationship with God, you are already rich beyond imagination because of His love for you.

          In the month of November, most Christians spend a fair amount of time giving thanks to God for our blessings. He is the giver of all good things, and without Him and His love we would have nothing now or in the future.

          The apostle Paul told Christians in Corinth that their value changed dramatically after committing to a life in Christ even though they lacked in wisdom, influence, and nobility by the world’s standards. Paul told them that out of all the things people boast about in this world, the most valuable is the life we have because of Jesus and his love for us.

          “Therefore, as it is written: Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:31).

          Paul is referring to the Old Testament passage of Jeremiah 9:24 where the prophet warns that those who consider themselves wise should not boast in their physical strength and riches.

          “Let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice, and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight, declares the Lord.”

          Could you imagine trying to please God if His only focus were justice? Even if you add righteousness into the mix, I do not know a soul who could rise to the level of living right according to God’s righteousness? But thanks to God’s love, He also includes kindness in the way He deals with us.

          There is a song that goes “Thank You, Lord, for loving me and thank You, Lord, for blessing me. Thank You, Lord, for making me whole and saving my soul.”

          If nothing else goes right in your day, just remember God loves you, and wants to make you the whole person He intended for you to be even before you were born. Now THAT is something to put on your “Thank You, Lord” list.  Have a great day!

Above the Sun: No trick here! Living for God is a treat!

October 28, 2018

by Barrett Vanlandingham

          Out of all the tricks the devil tries to pull on us, I think the seed of uncertainty is among the worst he plants in our path.

          You see, Satan wants to discourage Christians at every turn possible. He hopes we will simply give up the long term joys of living for God in exchange for the temporary happiness offered by a broken world. That is all the “prince” of this world has to offer. If Satan can accomplish this, he not only throws a huge roadblock in our path, but he also manages to stop us from bringing lost souls to Christ.

          In Paul’s final days, he warned his young friend, Timothy, about being intimidated by the challenging task of spreading the good news of Jesus Christ even in the face of persecution. Paul often found himself behind bars because of his unwillingness to be quiet about the teachings of our Lord. He did not let this discourage him, or make him uncertain about the value of the Lord’s saving message.

          “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7).

          For most of us, the idea of being persecuted like first century Christians is not likely to ever happen. On the other hand, since the devil is known as a deceiver and the father of lies, we know he continually re-packages his old ideas that have worked so well for centuries.

          We may never be physically harmed or imprisoned for standing up for the truth, or for teaching about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the hope we have through the sacrificial work He accomplished. But that doesn’t mean we will never be intimidated socially or professionally for talking too much about our Savior. Even here in America, our society is already at a point that makes life difficult for business owners who are committed to Christ. In recent months and years, some shop owners have already found themselves being dragged into court because they were not willing to violate their own consciences about biblical teachings.

          Paul’s advice to the early Christians may be nearly 2000 years old, but it is still relevant for us. In 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Paul wrote these words of comfort and confidence:

          “16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Those who put their trust in Jesus have no reason to fear.  The writer of 1 John 5:13 tells us why:

          “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

          Have a great day!

Above the Sun: Masks are not only worn in October

October 21, 2018

by Barrett Vanlandingham

          Imagine if you could reveal your deepest struggles and not worry about anyone being hypercritical of you. That would be the ultimate level of transparency. Problem is, we all have at least a mask or two we wear in addition to who we really are. We wear masks because:

          1) We are embarrassed of our faults.

          2) We do not want to be judged harshly.

          3) We are afraid people will lose confidence in us either professionally or personally.

          4) We are afraid we are alone in our struggle or that no one would understand our choices.

          5) We feel most people are more interested in knowing about our dirt, than genuinely wanting to help.

          But as much as we think we are alone in our struggles and sins, the Bible disagrees.

          “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

          “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8).

          “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).

          So what should we do about the masks? This is where drawing closer to church family, and a having strong prayer life come in handy. Also, it is important to re-commit every day to allowing God to guide us.

          “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy” (Proverbs 28:13).

          “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).

          “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

          “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

          Sounds easy enough. But most of us only trust God with the problems we feel we can almost fix ourselves. Solomon was the wisest man ever, and he found that depending on ourselves is not the answer.

          “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

          It may be scary just thinking about taking off your mask, but the promise of a closer relationship with God will be more than worth it.  Have a great day!

Above the Sun: Working for God leads to exciting things

October 14, 2018

by Barrett Vanlandingham

          As I was scrolling through Google, I noticed a few more newspapers are printing my column. I would like to give a big shout-out to the fine folks who catch me in the "Oskaloosa Herald" in Iowa, the "Morehead News" in Kentucky, and the "Herald Bulletin" in Anderson, Indiana. 

          Thank you for letting me pass along a few thoughts each week on topics such as trusting in God, challenges to your faith journey, overcoming temptation, and loving your neighbor.

          For readers who do not know, my weekly column titled "Above the Sun" originates in the Sunday edition of the Muskogee Phoenix. Other newspapers, mostly owned by CNHI, are running it under the heading "Religion Column." My purpose is to offer meaningful encouragement, and also remind us of Solomon's words so long ago in Ecclesiastes that everything "under the sun" is meaningless, and therefore, living our lives with an "above the sun" mindset is a much better alternative. This means living with a heavenly joy even while we are still here on earth. It means making life’s decisions with the knowledge that things here are very temporary, and that heaven is our ultimate goal. It was Jesus' selfless act 2000 years ago that makes life worth living today! His perfect sacrifice was one that only He could accomplish as God’s son.

          In 2007, when I was asked by the Fort Gibson Times if I would be willing to write a weekly religion column it never occurred to me that it would eventually be read in multiple states and even around the world digitally because of the internet. I appreciate my Oklahoma friends who read me in the Norman Transcript, Stillwater News Press, Enid News, Tahlequah Daily Press, Duncan Banner, Ada News, Claremore Daily Progress, Woodward News, McAlester News-Capital, and the Muskogee Phoenix.

          My religion column is also made available for the Chickasha Express Star, Edmond Sun, The Moore American, Pauls Valley Democrat, Stilwell Democrat Journal, and several other CNHI newspapers in other states. Although, I have not confirmed whether these papers actually run my column every week or just on occasion.

          The paper does not pay me to write my column, nor do I pay the paper to print it. For me, it is a privilege to tell the story of Jesus and His will for us. I simply write Spirit-led Bible-based content that is backed by God's word, the same scripture my parents taught me as a kid, the same scripture I studied at Oklahoma Christian University while getting my Mass Communications/radio-television degree, the same scripture I tried to live by during my TV reporter days at KTUL in Tulsa and WVVA in West Virginia, the same scripture I’ve taught teens since 2002 in my full-time youth ministry at Fort Gibson church of Christ, and the same scripture I pray guides my family and yours.

          Have a great week!