Above the Sun: God’s Greatness in our weakness

by Barrett Vanlandingham

March 3, 2019 (original version, November 2, 2006)

          "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." When God said those words to the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9, that is probably not the response Paul was hoping for when he asked God to take away his thorn in the flesh. Nevertheless, the very next verse says that Paul learned to delight in life’s difficulties for the sake of Christ.

          None of us likes to feel as though we are weak or lowly, but God assures us that He can use any willing vessel. This was a very important message that Paul was bringing to the church at Corinth beginning in 1 Corinthians 1:26. In the 1st century when social classes were emphasized to the extreme, Paul’s message was one of hope and comfort. You see, our God is mightier than any political leader, any warrior, any person of wealth, and any social class.    

          The job of being God or of having ultimate power is already taken by our Lord. There are no job openings in the Blessed Trinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. However, God does want to work in our lives, and He desires a relationship with us as we faithfully serve Him in our worship, and as we serve others to His glory. The fact that we have things wrong with us physically, emotionally, or any other way just makes it more obvious that great things are being accomplished because of God. He has always worked through imperfect people and imperfect circumstances:

Exodus 4:10 Moses had “faltering lips” but God used his brother Aaron to speak Moses’ words (from God) in the presence of Pharaoh. This resulted in the release of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery.

Judges 6:14-17 God used Gideon and only 300 soldiers to defeat 120-thousand Midianites, even though Gideon’s clan of Manasseh was the weakest, and he was the least in the family.

Mark 14:66-72 Peter denied that he even knew Jesus. But later, God used a repentant Peter to preach the first gospel sermon at Pentecost.

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 Paul did not speak with eloquence or even with wise or persuasive words, yet God used him to write half of the New Testament, and to bring unbelievers to Christ in spite of his previous life as a persecutor of Christians (Acts 9).

          In living our faith journey, it is important to remember that each of us has been given special talents to use for God (Ephesians 4:11).

          God wants us to be confident that He can use us to accomplish exactly what is needed, even when we feel we have nothing to offer. Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Pirate Christians just have it all wrong

by Barrett Vanlandingham

February 24, 2019 (original version, September 21, 2006)

          “We are the pirates, we don’t do anything. We just stay at home, and lie around.

And if you ask us, to do anything, we’ll just tell you, we don’t do anything.”

          You may have heard those silly, non-sensical lyrics in a VeggieTales movie or from the Christian band Relient K. The song is about the attitude of pirate want-to-be’s who are so lazy, they’ve never actually sailed anywhere. They just lie around talking about all the things they’ve never done.

          In 2 Thessalonians 3:6, the apostle Paul says, "In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.”

          Why does Paul say this? It’s because Christians are not supposed to lie around and do nothing. “We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies” (2 Thes. 3:11). Idleness leads nowhere, and is more likely than not to drag down those with good character (1 Cor. 15:33).

          Ephesians 4:15-16 says, "Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."

          Our time will be filled with something. The devil wins if we willingly sin, or even if we do nothing at all to serve Christ. In Colossians 4, Paul tells Christians to devote themselves to prayer so that doors may be opened for the gospel to be proclaimed clearly. Prayer helps us stay in the right frame of mind to become more servant hearted. It helps us to practice pure speech, and it helps us to read and apply God’s word in our daily lives.

          In some of Jesus’ final words on earth, He asked us to "Go" and make disciples, baptize them, and teach them to obey Christ’s commands. Then He makes this promise: "And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age."

          The example Jesus set for us while he was here was one of action, not idleness. His followers in the first century were even willing to die for him when told to stop obeying Jesus, or die. Commitment and action should be seen in all Christians as we continue to work out our salvation (Philippians 2:12-13). Today, let’s all pray for opportunities to let God work through us as we honor Him with our lives.

Above the Sun: Jesus Blessed Jesus

by Barrett Vanlandingham

February 17, 2019 (original version, August 24, 2006)

          If you are a music lover like me, you occasionally run across a song that strikes a feel good chord in your inner being, and maybe helps your day start off on the right note so to speak.

          I have a lot of favorites from various genres, but for me, one of the most encouraging songs is an old hymn called “The Great Physician.” It has four inspiring verses, each ending with the words: “Sweetest carol ever sung. Jesus, blessed Jesus.”  These great words were penned by William Hunter in 1859.

          There are many reasons to call Jesus blessed. He has ultimate power, but yet He can relate to each one of us no matter our circumstances. Jesus understands. No matter what our illness, aches, or pains. He truly is the Great Physician. He celebrates with us and cries with us, because He lived for us, died for us, and was raised for us! (Eph.1:18-20) He can also heal, console, guide, and offer heaven to those who trust and obey.

          Jesus said, "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed” (Luke 4:18).

          In this passage, there is a link between God’s Spirit living in us, and our willingness as Christians to have a servant-heart like that of Jesus Christ. It is that servant-heart that looks out for the well-being of those in difficult circumstances.

          Think about where Jesus was before He came to earth. Difficult to imagine, isn’t it? (John 1:1) But for Christ, the Son of God, to leave His home in heaven to come and live with the likes of us for 33-years, knowing we would eventually crucify Him (Isaiah 53), it is hard to comprehend the love He must have felt for us, and the never-ending selflessness He must have possessed in order to follow through with His decision to save us?  

          His power fed, healed, and saved people by the thousands in the first century even though his actions and results ran counter to worldly logic. In that regard, not a lot has changed in 2000 years, including Jesus. We can depend on Him as a constant to guide us safely home during our darkest moments, and even when our culture attempts to sell us temporary happiness. He is truly the Great Physician, and will always be Jesus, Blessed Jesus. Love Him today, serve Him today, obey Him today, and live with Him forever.

          Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Heaven rejoices when we make good choices

by Barrett Vanlandingham

February 10, 2019 (original version January 12, 2006)

          Hallelujah! There are well over 300 references to the words joy and rejoice in the Bible. And why wouldn’t there be? Galatians 5:22-23 says joy is a quality of the Holy Spirit. Luke says the gift of the Holy Spirit dwells inside every baptized believer (Acts 2:38). Joy is not only a blessing for those who walk with God on this side of eternity, but our actions can also cause joy in heaven.

          Luke 15 tells three parables that end in rejoicing when someone turns from the ways of the world, and instead chooses to walk with God. This process of turning to God is called repentance. It’s a lifestyle that absolutely matters, and brings joy on earth and in heaven. Even when we feel that no one cares if we make good choices, rejoicing takes place on a scale that we cannot imagine. Jesus said, “There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10). So who besides angels are the presence of angels?  God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. 

          And as if that were not enough, the writer of Hebrews tells us we are surrounded by generations of faithful men and women. They act as a great cloud of witnesses to encourage us to throw off sin and run a strong race, imitating our Savior who experienced joy in spite of the cross (Hebrews 12:1-3).  

          In the song “How Great Thou Art” there is a line that says, “When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation.” The description is of the greatest joy-filled standing ovation of all time, when Christ comes to take us home. That will be a day to experience, when we get to express to Jesus, face to face, our gratitude for His grace. But for thousands of years now, Christians who say yes to God and no to the devil have already been receiving thunderous applause from all who dwell in heaven.

          Now, imagine God looking at Jesus and saying, “It’s time, let’s go bring’em home.” What a glorious day that will be!

          Let’s all make plans to rejoice on that day, along with all those who are called to our heavenly home.  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Good to the Last Drop... Jesus

by Barrett Vanlandingham

February 3, 2019 (original version Feb 22, 2007)

          Just about anybody can write a commercial. But the true test of a good commercial is whether people remember it years later.

          For instance, Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes: “They’re_____.”   Or how about the phrase that the De Beers jewelry company coined in 1947, “A diamond is________.”  Nike: “Just_____.”  Energizer: “It keeps _____ & _____ & ______.”  KFC: “It’s finger ____  _____.”  I will let you fill in the blanks.

          As a fan of all things coffee, one of my favorites is Maxwell House’s slogan: “Good to the last drop.”  This old jingle from 1915 wafts its way through my mind from time to time like the aroma from my never empty coffee cup I keep on a table near my desk (so I don’t spill it).

          Things that interest us filter-in to our lives and often have a single origin, or at least a common ground.  Coffee and Jesus are that for me.  My daughter owns a business called Landing Coffee Company. So, for me, a fresh pot of coffee made with beans that Gracie roasted means even more to me than Maxwell House, Cain’s, Folgers, and Starbucks combined.

          Spiritually speaking, Jesus is my favorite brew. In our world today, there are so many uncertainties. But no matter how confused our culture becomes, I know I can always depend on Jesus.

          You never have to wonder whether Jesus has changed his mind on anything. The answer is always no. He is the ultimate constant in the life of every Christian. He is an eternal compass because he always points us in the right direction. You never have to wonder whether he still loves us. The answer is always yes. His roast date is always fresh and He is always pulling for us. In coffee talk, Jesus is:
1) The most satisfying blend. He is the Savior to all kinds of people.
2) The perfect roast. He stayed on earth long enough to experience every temptation.
3) The richest aroma. Just one whiff and your eyes are opened to a whole new life.
4) The smoothest brew. He always pulls through, never changes, always tastes the same.
5) The boldest flavor. He lived with confidence and wants us to do the same.
6) The best ground. His word gives us everything we need. Not too much; not too little.

          If you’re not a coffee drinker, thanks anyway for indulging in this little press of words I have extracted to taste and savor the good good qualities of Jesus. No matter what any of us are pouring over this week in our daily grind, our cup never has to be less than half full. No matter if our days are light or dark, Jesus can help us press through one drip at a time.

          Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Hearing works best when followed by obedience

Above the Sun: Hearing works best when followed by obedience

by Barrett Vanlandingham

January 27, 2019 (originally March 29, 2007)

            Oklahoma has hundreds of small towns that serve as wonderful places to live and raise families. Still, as great as life is here, we are not exempt from the devil’s traps. This is why it will always be of greatest importance to pay close attention to what God is trying to tell us.

            In a lost and broken world where the prince of this world (aka: the prince of darkness) thrives on alcohol abuse, gambling addictions, marital unfaithfulness, dishonesty, the love of money, cultural peer pressure, or maybe spending too much time with our hobbies, God’s message to us is easy to ignore.

            Most of us have faced or currently face spiritual challenges and temptations that seem larger than life. Many times, it is difficult to answer the question of “Who do we listen to?” But getting the answer right is crucial to our quality of life here, as well as our eternal destiny.

            In Daniel 3, the prophet tells about an event that happened in about 607 B.C.

King Nebuchadnezzar set up an image of gold, ninety feet high and nine feet wide.

            The King’s order? Everyone in Babylon must worship the great image everytime the king’s royal music was played throughout the land. The king expected everyone, including Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who had been taken captive from Jerusalem to serve in the king’s palace, to bow down to the golden image.

            The consequences? For those who didn’t bow down, they would immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.

            The problem? (at least for those who were opposed to God) was that those three young men being held captive for service to the king, were dedicated to God. They would not bow down to the golden image when they heard the sounds of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other music.

            The outcome? As is always the case, God’s people won! Yes, the three were thrown into the fire, but God saved them because of their commitment.

            The message for us today? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would want us to know that no matter what our culture is telling us, siding with God is always best even when it seems everyone else is doing life another way. Haven’t we all been in situations where obeying God was difficult?

            In the New Testament, Jesus told the parable of the sower. He ended by saying, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Mark 4:1-9).

            Having ears is a common thing. But Jesus was reminding his listeners that ears are only a benefit when we use them to help us in our spiritual journey.

            Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Learning to Trust God is a process

Above the Sun: Learning to trust God is a process
by Barrett Vanlandingham (orig. September 20, 2007)
January 20, 2019

          Even though social media is often a hotbed of conflict that can be very frustrating to read, it is also a treasure chest for those of us who try to keep our finger on the pulse of what people are thinking.

          One young person wrote: “I love God, I really do. I will never stop loving him. Do I trust him? That is where I am having a problem. I want to trust. I try so hard to not question. In the end I am only human.”

          Wow, you talk about an example of “out of the mouths of babes.”  Isn’t that something we all struggle with? Trusting in the Lord is difficult because just we don't understand everything like we will when we get to heaven. We know life on earth is nothing compared to the joys of heaven, but because we’re human we really cannot comprehend our reward in relation to our struggles.

          Solomon told us God will make our paths straight if we trust God and do things His way (Proverbs 3:5-6). That’s nice to know, but still hard to do.  Many great men and women of the Bible had the same problem: 
1) Esther was afraid the king would kill her if she stood up for God's chosen people. 
2) Gideon always wanted God to give him a sign that He was really with him.
3) Peter actually walked on water but then sank when he took his eyes off Jesus.
4) Sarah and Abraham laughed when God told them they would have a son at age 90 and 100.
5) Moses tried to talk God out of choosing him to lead the people out of Egypt.
6) Thomas knew Jesus, and still doubted the Lord’s identity.
          The list goes on. Don't you think Noah probably had some doubts as he built an ark for 100-years while people laughed at him? The people had never even experienced rain, and Noah was telling them the earth would be flooded.

          Stories like these are written to help grow our faith (John 20:30-32). To this day, God places a rainbow in the sky to remind us that He always keeps his promises (Genesis 9:16). God is glorified in our weaknesses. It is only when we acknowledge dependence on God that we are at our strongest, spiritually.

          Everyday, we should look for ways that God takes care of us, and thank Him. God is good and loyal to us, even when we're not. He is worthy to be praised. He is worthy of our respect and loyalty. The writer of 1 John 3:2 tells us that someday, everything will make sense.

          “What we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.”

          Have a great week!

Above the Sun: The Bible tells us how to get to heaven (part 1)

January 6, 2019

by Barrett Vanlandingham

Your chances of being a guest in someone’s house increase if you know the homeowner. Generally speaking, they would invite you to their house. Then, you would follow directions to arrive there successfully. But if for some reason you still can't get there on your own, you would call them and they would come get you.

As a Christian, you can know you are going to heaven because God loved you enough to send his Son to die for you as the ultimate sacrifice for your sins (ref: John 3:16). The apostle Paul said, “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-14).

          In John 10:9-11, Jesus calls himself the Good Shepherd. He uses a figure of speech to reassure his followers (sheep) that he loves and protects them spiritually, and in fact would lay down his life for them so they could live eternally in heaven.

          The writer of Hebrews 12:2 says, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of God.”

          This passage tells us we cannot be perfect, but we can perfectly carry out God’s plan of salvation by partnering with Jesus who IS the author and perfecter of our faith.

          Since God created mankind, He knows that everyone sins and falls short of where we need to be spiritually. That was the message Paul wrote in Romans 3:23-24, and added that we “are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

          We just have to make sure we have a relationship with Christ Jesus since He said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Here is how that is accomplished:

1) Hear God’s word, (Rom. 10:17; John 5:24)

2) Believe that Jesus is God’s son (Acts 16:30-34)

3) Repent or turn from worldly ways, (Luke 13:3-5, Acts 2:38; James 1:21-22)

4) Confess with our mouth and attitude what we believe about Jesus (Matthew 10:32-33; 2 Tim. 2:19)

5) Baptism (immersion) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins. (Gal. 3:26-27; Romans 6:1-11; Mark 16:16)

          No matter how much we demonstrate our faith and love for the Father by obeying Him (John 14:15), it is still God’s grace that saves us in the end (Romans 3:24). Without God’s help, we could not find our way to heaven since we continue to “fall short.” The good news about God is this: “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). Simply put, walking with God leads to heaven.

          Have a blessed week!

Above the Sun: The New Year Is Full of Blessed Assurances

December 30, 2018

by Barrett Vanlandingham

          There is something refreshing about the thought of starting over, and in just a couple of days, 2019 begins!

What will you do with your New Year? I think most people simply want to make it count! That’s what Paul said to do (Ephesians 5:16). We should always look for opportunities to make a difference for the Lord’s kingdom. Lost souls are depending on us, and frankly, we do not know how much time we have. James 4:13-14 describes life as a vapor that vanishes after only a little while. That “little while” has an exact number that only God knows (Job 14:5, Psalm 139:16).

I love the old saying, “Preach Jesus, and if necessary use words.” In 2019, will you look for opportunities in your daily life to tell people about Jesus, or maybe show them Jesus through your attitude? What else might you consider an improved use of your time for the coming year? Will you have a conversation with God every morning before you get out of bed? Will you read the Bible all the way through, or maybe the New Testament? Will you have a more positive attitude and try to see the water glass as half full this year instead of half empty? Will you try to improve the living conditions of those you live with by doing one act of service every day that you do not normally do? Those are some of the goals I keep for myself. I usually fall short.

The Bible has a wellspring of encouraging words that every Christian needs to remember in 2019 as we partner with God in winning souls.

          “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

“Love the LORD, all his faithful people! The LORD preserves those who are true to him, but the proud he pays back in full. Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD” (Psalm 31:23-24).

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3).

“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (Romans 5:5).

The kind of hope that Paul, David, and Peter wrote about here is not a “wishful thinking” kind of hope, but one that we as believers and participants in Christ’s work and God’s grace can fully trust and celebrate all year long.  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Giving to others is the real blessing

December 23, 2018

by Barrett Vanlandingham

          Sure, receiving a gift is always such a blessing, but I think most of us would agree that being able to give to others is an even better gift. Anyone who is a mature thinking human being understands this.

          I remember one time when my wife Lisa and I were in college back in the 80’s, she had been babysitting a lot at night and on weekends which really threw a kink into my plans for dating her. I did not understand why she needed to save up so much money. But when Christmas rolled around and she showed up with an Alvarez Silver Belle banjo inside a beautiful black case with a nice big red bow tied around it, I was completely blown away. It wasn’t just that I had received from her the very banjo I had wanted for so long, it was the look on her face. She obviously felt even better for giving me this present than she could have felt for anything I could have given her.  As the years have passed, I have come to realize she lives her whole life this way. Let’s just say I am pretty sure I married way out of my league.  God is good.

          The apostle Paul lived his life this way even though he constantly faced opposition, punishment, and jail time for his devotion to the teachings of Jesus. As Paul was leaving Ephesus heading for Jerusalem he not only reminded the leaders of the Ephesian church the importance of teaching people about the good news of God’s grace, but also reminded them of the blessing of giving to others.

          “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’ ” (Acts 20:35).

          A friend of mine told me the other day about someone he knows who is about to worry himself sick over what to ask for this Christmas from his parents. This person is an ADULT.  At first, my friend thought his friend was stressing over what to get for someone else. But NO. It was the other way around. He was actually wringing his hands and popping his knuckles over what HE would ask for!  I am pretty sure the words gift and blessing do not apply in any way here.

          Let’s face it, some people are just better at being selfless than others. But it is a quality that can be learned by all.  And once it is learned, a selfless attitude leads to giving to others, which is truly a blessing.  Merry Christmas!

Above the Sun: Some gifts cause more misery than joy

December 16, 2018

by Barrett Vanlandingham

          As I was scrolling through my Instagram account, I saw this ad: “Feeling overwhelmed? Here’s an easy way to borrow up to $40,000.” The man in the ad was depicted as feeling stressed at first, and then after seeing what offers were available to him he looked relieved and could not contain his smile of contentment. I am going to go out on a limb here and say that having to pay back thousands of dollars is not going to help anyone feel less overwhelmed.

          I also receive a lot of emails pretending to be helpful. Just a few days ago I got one posing as Discover. They wanted me to verify some large purchases. How nice of them! It was definitely a scam. The sender said they would charge my account $1521 if I did not click the provided link, type in my account information, and let them know if these were my charges. I knew it was a fake because we had not used our card lately. Also, I hovered my mouse over the link provided, and the address that popped up was not even affiliated with Discover. Also, it was not addressed to me, and it did not include any part of my account number. I just hit delete. It is always safer to check your online accounts directly instead of going through email links.

          One of my daughters was also targeted recently through phone calls and letters not long after she started a new coffee catering business. She had consulted with state and local agencies to make sure she was doing everything by the book. So, when she received calls that told her she was required to purchase a set of laminated posters and a book containing labor laws, and then post them in her business, she did it because they said it would keep her out of trouble with the law. But after doing a little investigating, she discovered that her $600 purchase of these posters from a company called Personnel Concepts is not required. They agreed to give her a full refund. I guess we will see.

          While there are a lot of false and deceptive messages out there in this broken world, there is one place we can turn and know that truth is present. The Bible. It contains God’s inspired word. It is all we need (2 Timothy 2:15). Its time tested messages are just as relevant now as ever. Its truths become more credible with each passing generation as historical, geographical, and scientific discoveries continue to uphold the stories told in the combined 66 books we call the Bible. God’s word is a gift that continues to change lives for the better.

          Have a great week!

Above the Sun: God gives special gifts to each of us

December 9, 2018

by Barrett Vanlandingham

         When you’re a toddler, there is nothing more fun at Christmas than playing with an empty box, unless the box is really big. In that case, the most fun to be had is getting to crawl inside the box! (The same is true for most house pets! haha)  Anyway, while this scene can be quite entertaining, it is also a little frustrating if you are the one who gave the gift that has been tossed aside in favor of the box it came in.

          I wonder if that is how God feels about us when He gives us gifts we do not use. For instance, God has given each of us special gifts to use for the benefit of the Lord’s kingdom. Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 1 Cor. 12:27-31, and 1 Peter 4:10-11 list these gifts that are distributed by the Holy Spirit to be used in service to others. These gifts, when used by believers in Jesus and His power to save, draw people closer to God. Examples include faith, mercy, encouragement, service, hospitality, leadership, evangelism, teaching, preaching, wisdom, and knowledge.

          Your gift is that special quality that just feels natural to use. You probably do not view your gift as anything special since it just seems to be woven into who you are. It does not feel like work because it is actually the power of God’s Holy Spirit working in you. While this is true, other people can clearly see what your gifts are, and probably wish they had your gift. Thank God we do not all have the same gift. What a boring and even frustrating world that would be. Can you imagine if everyone had the gift of hospitality? Fights would break out in the streets over who should agree to come over to the other person’s house for dinner! That is why we each have different gifts that are all useful in the work of the Lord (1 Cor. 12:15-20, Rom. 12:4-5).

          The greatest gift of all is Jesus and His grace. Without His life on earth, His sacrifice, and His resurrection, even the biggest boxful of spiritual gifts would have no value, amounting only to an empty box to enjoy on a very temporary basis. Thank God for His Son who was willing to pay the wages for our sin, and on top of that, gave us gifts from His Spirit so we can partner with Him in saving lost souls. Christians can live an abundant life now and for eternity! (John 10:10 and 2 Peter 1:3-11)  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: The story of Jesus’ birth is simply amazing

December 2, 2018

by Barrett Vanlandingham

          2000 years later, the facts surrounding the birth of Jesus still leave us with a sense of awe and wonderment!

          “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

          4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

          8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

          13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

          14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,

    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

          15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

          16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” (Luke 2:1-20)

          Can you even imagine the conversations? Where would they start? Perhaps with the angel Gabriel’s big reveal to Joseph and Mary? Or the previously terrified shepherds finding the Savior exactly where the angel had told them? Or the magnificent army of angels the Shepherds saw praising God? Or the 700 year old prophecy (Micah 5:2) that all the priests knew about regarding the future birth place of the Messiah?

          Did you ever wonder what life was like from that day on for those who experienced all of this first hand?  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Thank God for His confidence in us

November 25, 2018

by Barrett Vanlandingham

          We’ve all heard someone ask in anger, “Can’t you do anything right?” Sometimes, I wonder how often God feels that way about each of us at various times in our lives. But when I stop and think about the fact that He created us, those feelings of failure begin to fade away because of all the evidence that says God actually has confidence in us.

          God knows us better than anyone. And if His word says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), then we really ought to reconsider how we think He looks at us. God sent his son, Jesus, to fix our sin problem. We continue to sin. God knows that. Yet, Jesus told his followers (that includes us), the same ones who continue to sin, to “Go” and teach the good news to all creation, make disciples, baptize them and teach them to obey everything He commanded.

          Can you imagine giving someone a job to do, knowing that sometimes they will choose to do it right, and sometimes wrong? Your confidence in your employee would be pretty low.

          The difference in us and God is that He actually has confidence that His work will get done through us as He uses our hands, feet, and love for all people to make a difference. Otherwise, He would not have asked us to take on such a huge task of bringing lost souls to Him. Part of what keeps me going is knowing that even though we do our best to trust and obey God, it is not our good works that save anyone, including ourselves. That power comes from on high!

          “And when you were baptized, it was the same as being buried with Christ. Then you were raised to life because you had faith in the power of God, who raised Christ from death” (Colossians 2:12, CEV).

          It is God’s work that saves. All we can do is plant seed by telling others about the good news of Jesus and the hope we have because of his life, sacrifice, and resurrection. We can also water the seed by continuing to teach and model His teachings contained in the Bible, and trusting that He will do the rest (1 Corinthians 3:7).

          We can try as hard as we can to impress God. But in the end, the words of the prophet Isaiah ring loud and clear: “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away” (Isaiah 64:6).

          While that sounds pretty bleak, Jesus came along about 700 years later and destroyed death, and gave us the option of partnering with Him. To this day, His prayer for us is to experience and spread God’s joy, unity, and message of love so that we can be with Jesus in heaven someday (John 17). Bottom line? If God has confidence that we can accomplish great things through Christ (Philippians 4:13 and Matthew 19:26), then we can too.  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Thank God for the “little” things

November 18, 2018

by Barrett Vanlandingham

          “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” (James 4:13-14)

          Most of us do not think about giving thanks to God for our next breath, our next heartbeat, or for our ability to think, or say the right words in the right order to make a sentence. But when “little” things like that are threatened or even taken away, their value increases. It’s not really that those things were not valuable all along, it’s just that most of us tend to take those things for granted.

          My close friends, Chuck and Linda, are fighting a battle they never thought they would have to fight, that is, until Linda had a stroke a few weeks ago. One minute Linda was sitting next to my wife Lisa in a Sunday morning Bible class commenting on the lesson, and the next minute her limp body was lying on the floor of the church lobby. 

          For days, she could not open her eyes, breath on her own, or talk. She is at home now, but still cannot move the right side of her body because the stroke happened deep in her brain just to the left of center. Little by little, Linda’s brain is re-connecting her abilities to think, move, be expressive, talk, sit in a wheelchair, and eat. She is also learning basic things like numbers and colors. As I write this, Lisa is on her way there to teach Linda how to tell time.

          The important thing I want you to take from this is that we all need to take time daily to be thankful to our Creator for the little things in life, that in reality are not so little. Yes, we need to say “I love you” more. Yes, we need to hug more, appreciate more, laugh more, listen more, and serve others more. But let us never forget to thank God for the salvation we can have because of the life, death, burial, and resurrection of His Son. As Christians, that good news of Jesus can sometimes become such a “given” in our lives that we forget just what an amazing thing it is.

          The Bible teaches that those who trust and obey Jesus will be saved! This is no little thing! Let’s be thankful for it, and tell others about Jesus so they can be thankful too.

          “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Thank God for the peace of Christ

November 11, 2018

by Barrett Vanlandingham

           

When I was a little kid, I remember how good it felt to know that when I could not figure something out, all I had to do was ask my dad or mom, and at least one of them seemed to always have a good answer for my dilemma. I always knew they would be able to bring a sense of peace to my frustration. They still give great advice. I feel very fortunate to still have them in my life. But many of my friends and relatives have only memories of their loved ones left to cherish.

The other day, my friend, Joe, wrote these heart wrenching words on Facebook about his late father: “Every day I find myself needing to talk to you!! Can’t believe it’s been 3 years already. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss you!! Love you dad!!”

            Another close friend of mine, Duane, recently told me he did not attend his father’s 82^nd birthday. He had no idea there would not be an 83rd.

            I am pretty sure the apostle Paul had days he wished he could just sit down for a visit with Jesus and ask questions about how to deal with the struggles he was facing as a believer. But Jesus’ teachings that had circulated among the early Christians were no doubt encouraging to believers like Paul.

            In his letter to Christians in Colossae, Paul wrote, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:15-17).

            There are many things in this life that can rob us of our peaceful state of mind. But Paul reminds us of something that should be of great comfort. If you are a Christian, you are a part of a single body of believers with Jesus Christ as its Head! This is GOOD NEWS. Paul knew without a doubt this peace we have been given through the work of Jesus was something for which to be thankful. Peace through Christ is what kept Paul going in spite of being jailed, beaten, hungry, and shipwrecked just to name a few of his challenges that resulted from his commitment to Christ.

            Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

            If you are a Christian, those words are a source of peace. If you are not a Christian, why not turn your life over to Him today? I would be glad to visit with you. Have a great week!

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!