Above the Sun: There is a link between Bible study and encouragement

by Barrett Vanlandingham

May 31, 2020

           

            During tough times, most of us look for ways to feel better. For some, this means browsing for good deals online. Others might look for ways to give their yard or flowerbeds a fresh new look. New furniture is always nice. Listening to positive music or motivational speakers online can be encouraging. A friend or family member who always seems to know just the right thing to say is also a very good thing. One proven remedy is thousands of years old and is stated by the apostle Paul.

            “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

            It is funny how easy it is to overlook some of the best solutions for a bad day (or a bad life). In this verse, Paul connects what is written in the Bible with encouragement. When you get down to it, encouragement is something that brings about hope. Sometimes I pray that God gives us something to smile about today. I guess what I am really asking is for God to provide something encouraging to me so that I can feel a sense of well-placed hope. God provides us plenty to smile about if we look in the right places. The best place to start is where God has spoken through the writers of the Bible. Then, after gaining knowledge of His word we must apply it. This takes endurance. Hope is the result.      

            If anyone would understand what it is like to experience physical or social distancing from those we love, it would be the apostle Paul. He wrote letters to the church in Thessalonica for the very purpose of encouraging new Christians after his visit to them had been cut short by persecution.

            “17 But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. 19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy” (1 Thessalonians 2:17-20).

            Though Paul was not able to visit them, he wrote and even sent Timothy who was evidently a lesser known evangelist than Paul to “to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials” (1 Thessalonians 3:2-3).

            And so to you I say the same with these thoughts rooted in His word: Stay strong in the faith. Be encouraged that God is in control. He rewards His faithful, and He makes all things beautiful in its time.

            Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Even Paul learned to be an encourager

by Barrett Vanlandingham

May 24, 2020

            You have probably heard someone talk about the fact that their mouth is always getting them into trouble.

Yes, it is hard to be an encourager all the time. But we can all improve, and in doing so we can make a huge difference in the lives of the friends, family, co-workers, and others we interact with. In writing to the church in Ephesus, the apostle Paul gave us all some good guidelines for what we choose to say.

            “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29).

            Paul knew firsthand the benefits of encouragement. A Christian brother named Barnabas helped him in the beginning stages of his ministry to gain credibility among those who knew Paul in his former life as a persecutor of Christians. Having Barnabas as an encouraging friend evidently rubbed off on Paul since the New Testament is full of examples of Paul encouraging new Christians.

            In Acts 13:42-43 Paul and Barnabas had spent a Saturday at a Jewish synagogue teaching Jewish history and explaining to them how it was fulfilled in the good news of Jesus Christ. As they left, they encouraged the Jews to continue in the grace of God. The people invited Paul and Barnabas to come back the next week.

            In Acts 15 the mentor of encouragement, Barnabas, left with Mark to go on a missionary journey. Paul went with Silas and put his newfound encouragement skills to work. Luke tells us that Paul went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. That’s in stark contrast to the description we read of Paul the persecutor in the earlier chapters of Acts. It is hard to imagine that someone who was once a persecutor of Christians would later write nearly half of the New Testament books! Who knows just how big of a role Barnabas’s encouragement played in helping Paul reach his full potential as an evangelist and writer? Just think how different our world would be if we all followed the example of Barnabas!

            Even while Paul was in chains, he still managed to write letters that would encourage new Christians to choose words carefully. “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Colossians 4:5-6).

            Some people are better at encouraging others through talking, some with writing, and some through acts of kindness. The best thing about telling or showing people Jesus Christ and His love for us is that the message speaks for itself, loud and clear, and brings hope to communities and nations like nothing else can.  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Encouraging others is worth the effort

by Barrett Vanlandingham

May 17, 2020

            Even if you have a hard time putting a proper definition with the word encouragement, we all know what it feels like to be encouraged, and what it feels like to encourage someone else.

            For several weeks now, my Sunday morning online youth Bible class has focused on the topic of encouragement. And as expected, I always feel better just minutes after class starts, even if it is taking place through the Zoom app on my cell phone or computer. The fact that I can see and hear from my students is a huge blessing to me, and I hope it is to them, too. Learning how to think outside the box to encourage others is one big blessing that has come from the culture we’re living in right now.

            We are encouraged in two ways: by what we do and what others do. We are finding out that it is just as important to be a giver as a receiver of encouragement even though some people are simply better at being an encourager.  The fact is, the Holy Spirit has gifted some people with an extra measure of the ability to encourage. That is why you just feel encouraged when you are in the presence of people who possess this very special gift of being an encourager.

            In Romans 6, the apostle Paul says, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” So, no matter what the Holy Spirit has gifted you with, whether it is teaching, giving, helping, mercy, discernment or whatever, it is important to use that gift to build up others. God wants us to encourage others even if that is not our gift.

Paul told the early Christians to “encourage one another and build each other up” and that encouragement along with unity and peace will result in a closer relationship with the God of love and peace (2 Corinthians 13:11).

In Hebrews 3:13, the writer says, “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”

The Hebrew writer also says that meeting together and encouraging our brothers and sisters in Christ helps us all stay strong in the faith (10:23-24).

If we daily strive to add goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love to our faith journey (2 Peter 1:8), we cannot help but be more effective in encouraging others in their spiritual walk.

May God bless each of us this week with opportunities to be an encourager.  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Happy Mother’s Day!

by Barrett Vanlandingham

May 10, 2020

            Hello and I hope everyone is doing fine on this Mother’s Day. It is during times like these that moms have a tremendous amount to do with how the rest of us view what’s going on in the world. In spite of so many uncertainties, mothers continue doing what they do best which is to simply be a good woman, a task that brings countless blessings to all those closest to them, and to many others. Sounds simple on the surface, but in Proverbs 31:10-31 the wisest man who ever lived, King Solomon, reveals some of the wisdom he gained in his search for a good woman among his 700 wives and 300 concubines.

            “10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.

11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. 12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. 15 She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. 16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. 18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. 19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.

21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. 22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. 26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”

Here’s a link to a song I wrote recently about my wife of noble character, Lisa. Big thanks to my audio engineer son, Britton Vann Music, for recording, co-producing, and mixing me.  https://youtu.be/DoZ4WBxOoHQ

I hope you enjoy it.  Have a good week!

Above the Sun: He makes beautiful things

by Barrett Vanlandingham

May 3, 2020

            As a writer, I try to be creative. But as a handyman, let’s just say I’m lacking a little in that area. I usually have to hire everything done. Thankfully, I have a good woman who brings out the best in me. I found that to be true this past week when together we made something pretty neat out of  junk destined for the garbage.

My son Britton and I cleared some imposing tree roots and dug a small hole in the flowerbed next to our back porch. Next, to line the hole and hold water, I repurposed an old plastic tub that had been a cat litter box and a dog watering dish (not at the same time). Then, Lisa found an old window screen to lay across the water tub to keep out debris. Next, she found a rusty old iron grate from our seriously incapacitated charcoal grill that she cleaned up and painted and laid across the tub.

We combined all of that with a bag of river rocks on top of the grate, a small water pump inside the tub, and on top of the rocks, a small concrete bird bath with a hole in the bottom of the bowl to connect a little hose to the pump. Plug in the pump, and wah la! The delicate sound of a trickling fountain! We had been talking about doing this for years, and finally got around to it. I guess like many of you, the temporary “shelter in place” resulted in getting a few things done around the house.

God is the Master at making something beautiful out of stuff we either take for granted or things we rarely perceive as valuable. In northeastern Oklahoma, we experience breathtaking sunrises, sunsets, rainbows, fog, cloud formations, rolling hills, trees, flowers, lakes, and streams every single day. He also puts people in our lives who bring us laughter and fill us with joy. He is the One who created the human spirit, hope, determination, and love.

As our Creator, He is plenty capable of turning things around for us in spite of the messes we get ourselves into, even when we question our self-worth. It is important for us to remember He has a plan for each and every one of us. But to experience a beautiful life with Him, we must let go of our plan, and exchange it for His. Only then will we find out the extent of His creativity to make a beautiful life for us, and the contentment that can be found in being a committed child of God.

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Have a great week!

Above the Sun: You don’t have to look far to make a big difference

by Barrett Vanlandingham

April 26, 2020

            Have you ever had one of those moments when you realized the solution to your problem was right in front of you all the time? That is a lesson that Jesus taught his disciples long ago, and it still applies to us today.

            “And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

            During the forty days after Jesus’ resurrection, he knew his followers needed some reassurance and direction. Like sheep without a shepherd, he knew they would scatter. But with one last bit of instruction, he knew that for the kingdom’s sake, scattering would turn out to be a very good thing with the right experiences and knowledge under their belts. He told them to wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit that his Father promised and would reveal at a gathering known as Pentecost when Peter preached the first gospel sermon.

            Sometimes, we get so busy with figuring out everything on our own that we forget to listen for God’s instructions that are right in front of us. Okay, Covid-19 has disrupted our lives. So, what do we do? Jesus already provided that answer, and I believe God is using our current crisis to help all of humanity push reset and go back to the basics. We may not all be geographically situated to make a difference in Jerusalem where the disciples were 2000 years ago, but we can pay more attention to what’s going on locally, right around us, and among those we love most. What a once in a lifetime opportunity we have been given to re-think our priorities, examine what’s going on under our own roof, and be given time to make a new game plan going forward.

            In witnessing “going back to the basics” in Fort Gibson and across the country, I have been hearing a lot about families spending more time together. I have seen churches drastically increase their knowledge and use of technology to reach their membership. Other churches have conducted old fashioned drive-in movie style worship services with people sitting in their cars listening to loudspeakers or low power FM radio signals. I’ve seen people outside of Harps Grocery talking from a distance with the enthusiasm that comes from being separated from other humans for too long. I’ve seen Fort Gibson’s downtown shops bring merchandise outside so people can shop from their cars. I’ve seen and heard of neighbors checking on neighbors more often than before. Beyond that, volunteers and companies are getting creative in producing hand sanitizer and facemasks for those who need it most.

            The pandemic may have thrown a wrench in our old way of life, but there’s been a lot of good from it, too. Let’s pray we’re smart enough to learn some things from all of this that will make us better human beings in our homes, in our communities and beyond as our new normal slowly begins to take shape.  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Some things you can control

by Barrett Vanlandingham

April 19, 2020

            If you’ve been thinking there is bad news just about everywhere you look these days, maybe you have been looking in the wrong places. While news reports say alcohol sales are way up lately, I also hear many reports of people turning to the Bible for peace and comfort.

            I love the apostle Paul’s encouraging words in Romans 8:28. He said, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

            It’s one thing when another person tells you that everything is going to be alright because, in reality, all they can offer you are kind words of hope. After all, we are just human, and if there is one thing we’ve all learned lately it’s that we are not in control of anything around us. It’s something entirely different when God says it’s going to be alright because God never lies, never gets distracted, never just means well but forgot to follow through. God always keeps His promises. We are reminded of that every time we see a rainbow in the sky which not only is a sign that the earth will never be destroyed by water again, but it is also a sign that God means what He says.

            Paul’s words of things working out for the good are a great comfort to those who have a loving and obedient relationship with Jesus Christ. These same words are a tremendous challenge for those who are not committed to God. Remember Jesus’ words in John 14:15 when he said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” If this is true, then the opposite is also true: if we choose to not keep God’s commandments, we are proving by our choices that we do not love Him, since we all have free will, meaning we can choose to obey or not obey, we can choose to love or not love.

            God’s promise that everything is going to work out for the best for us is conditional. His promise is for those who love Him and prove our love by our obedience. God proved His love for us at the cross.

            “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

            This truly is encouraging news for those whose belief is accompanied by action (James 2:17, 24, and 26). It’s a sentiment that songwriter Rich Mullins summarized so well when he sang that faith without works is “about as useless as a screen door on a submarine.”  Let that sink in, and have a great week!

Above the Sun: Jesus rose and you can too

by Barrett Vanlandingham

April 12, 2020

     There are only about four stories in history that give us the kind of hope we experience on Easter Sunday. They are Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection. All four of these events are just as relevant today as they were 2000 years ago. All four events were prophesied or foretold hundreds or even thousands of years before they happened. Bottom line, if it hadn’t been for the resurrection, the other stories would be irrelevant because Jesus would have been proven a fraud. But thanks be to God, all the stories of Jesus remain solid, and the grave remains empty. Jesus arose!  Each of the gospel writers tells the story.

            “When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body” (Mark 16:1).

            “There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it” (Matthew 28:2).

            “On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again’” (Luke 24:1-7).

            “14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. 15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). 17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her (John 20:14-18).

            During the next forty days, Jesus appeared several different times to individuals, small groups, and to more than 500 at once. He also had conversations and meals with them, and even let Thomas touch the holes in his hands and feet.

Christ’s sacrifice paid for our sins and is what we remember on the first day of each week when we take the Lord’s Supper. It is his resurrection that signifies victory over death and gives every baptized believer that same assurance of a new life both now and in eternity (Romans 6:1-11).  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Birdwatching teaches us a lot about God

By Barrett Vanlandingham

April 5, 2020

Sitting on my back porch a few days ago on an unusually warm morning, Lisa pointed out that a mama finch was perched on a limb nearby keeping watch on her nest of five tiny light blue eggs. The bird had built her nest inside a hanging plant that we were evidently sitting a little too close to judging by her nervous demeanor.

It really is amazing that ever since the 5^th day of creation, birds have been doing this exact thing, growing their population just like God said they would, protecting their little ones even before they hatch.

“²⁰ And God said, ‘Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.’  ²¹ So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. ²² God blessed them and said, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth.’ ²³ And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day” (Genesis 1:20-23).

When I read this, it reminds me that to this day, the daily comings and goings of life still happen just like back then. People still worry about everything, even though there is still evening and morning every single day just as there was the week of creation. To this day, birds and fish and all the other creatures continue fulfilling their purpose in God’s plan. And to this day, God still trusts us to take care of His creation. And when we mess it up, God is still in control.

“God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground’” (Genesis 1:28).

“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” (Matthew 6:26-27)

Just like the mama finch watches over her eggs, God always watches over you and me. Just seek first His kingdom, and He’s got the rest!  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Our Designer has big plans for us

by Barrett Vanlandingham

March 29, 2020

            As I looked down at my HP laptop, I noticed the sticker near the keyboard said “Beautiful. Powerful. Perfectly crafted.”  Then I thought to myself, if we can clearly see that a computer is crafted, why can not everyone see that we also have a Designer?

            Humans are much more complex than any computer, yet many in the science world try to convince us the things we see around us including people are just accidents that happened over billions of years. God’s word disagrees with this. We were made in the image of God, and He made us with a purpose.

            As the world frets about the troublesome times we are living in, the need for Christians to step up and live out our purpose becomes more evident. God’s plan for us has been in effect for all six-thousand years of history, since the week of creation.

            “Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’ So, God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:26-27).

            Our job is to be image-bearers of God. We are to be the hands and feet and mouthpiece for the One who crafted all of creation. Isn’t that exciting that the Creator of all chose us to represent Him to the rest of creation! But why?

            The apostle Paul echoes those words about God’s plan for our purpose when he wrote to Christians in the first century: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

             If you’re like me you may be thinking, “Yes I understand who God wants us to be and what He wants us to do. But why did God decide to created anything or anyone in the first place?”

            Here is what I think: we know that creators create amazing things! And we know that God is love. So, we have a loving God who desperately wanted to share His love and creativity. It is all around us (Romans 1:20). Our God is good. His ways are good. He wanted to share with us the blessing of walking in His Son’s footsteps where we can best experience the image of God by saving lost souls and helping them experience a new life in Christ (1 Peter 1:3 and Romans 6:4).

            “Beautiful. Powerful. Perfectly crafted” to help fill the earth with God’s glory. Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Christ’s separation made heaven possible

by Barrett Vanlandingham

March 22, 2020

           

            In the ultimate act of selflessness and love, Jesus was separated from His Father for six hours. That’s how long He hung on a cross, from 9:00am to 3:00pm on a Friday. Jesus, the Creator in the flesh carrying all of humanity’s sins, past, present, and future, on His shoulders, had allowed Himself to be tortured and crucified just as prophets had foretold hundreds of years before.

            Without this act of separation, heaven for us would not happen. During those six hours, Jesus, though He Himself was sinless, was banished from the presence of His Father. The reason? Until Jesus died, all those sins He carried were unforgiven, and could not be in God’s presence. And so, “Jesus cried out in a loud voice, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34). Jesus knew the answer. He knew this separation was caused by the sin he was carrying, and he knew that sin could not enter the presence of the Holy One. But in His distress, and still being in the form of a man, Jesus reacted the same way anyone would who felt abandoned by someone they loved. But in a complete act of submission He uttered the words “Not my will but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42).

            Next came Jesus’ three days of separation from His followers. What a time of intense confusion it must have been as His disciples reflected on Christ’s teachings and His words that He would rise again after three days (Mark 9:30–32). What a time of sadness and abandonment they must have felt after losing the One who they had seen raise the dead, give sight to the blind, calm the storm, feed the five-thousand, walk on water, allow Peter to walk on water, and so many more miracles that were not recorded (John 20:30-31). The disciples’ fears were multiplied by the fact that even though Jesus had told them He would rise again, they didn’t understand.

            I wonder if Christ’s three-day separation from nature had any effect on creation. I wonder if the animals, sky, seas, rocks, and mountains knew that the body of their Creator was buried behind a stone. Psalm 150:6, Job 12:7-10, and Luke 19:40 indicate that humans are not the only part of God’s creation that knows Him.

            Jesus’ separation from God for six hours, and Jesus’ separation from His creation for three days were two of the darkest times in history for Him and all of creation. But without either of these events, there would have been no resurrection, no celebration of a new life, and no hope for us. Thank You, Jesus, for taking on a job that no one else and nothing else could have accomplished, the sacrifice and separation of yourself from those You loved, making salvation possible for all. Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Don't over do it!

by Barrett Vanlandingham

March 15, 2020

            I hesitate to self-diagnose, but as I think about the topic of self-control, I always wonder if I might be one of those people who can become easily addicted to something. I think it’s called Addictive Personality Disorder.

            For instance, if I eat one piece of pie, I feel like I need to eat the entire pie. Let’s just say moderation has never been my strong point, with the possible exception of exercise. I seem to have no problem with being a minimalist there. But for the most part, in my brain, if a little of whatever gives me some satisfaction, then a lot must be better! I know that is not true, but excess is always a temptation. Nevertheless, I firmly and sincerely believe we all have free will to make right choices no matter what trap the devil sets for us.

            There are people who I believe are born with certain pre-dispositions such as being a trouble-maker or being friendly, hateful, flirty, jealous, or whatever. But nobody is born with the inability to choose right over wrong. As in the case of Cain killing his brother Abel, we can choose to fall into the temptation and the sin that “desires to have you” (Genesis 4:3-8). But there is another option. God has always given each of us the ability to rule over sin and choose what is right. This is accomplished through self-control along with love for God and obedience to Him.

            Self-Control is the 9^th and final quality Paul lists in the “fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians 5:22-23. Those nine qualities are attributes we as Christians are to apply to our daily lives as we “live by the Spirit” and strive to “keep in step with the Spirit” (5:25). The apostle Peter also included self-control as one of several important qualities we as Christians must strive to increase in our daily lives (2 Peter 1:5-7). 

            I suspect both Paul and Peter struggled with maintaining self-control. Peter cut-off the ear of one of the men who came to arrest Jesus. And of course, we already know the apostle Paul was quick to persecute Christians before his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. They were far from perfect, but both turned their lives around by the power of Jesus Christ, and we can too. Paul wrote about several sins that church members in Corinth were guilty of before making the choice to be washed and made right “in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

            As Paul aged, he gave a much younger Timothy these words to remember: “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7).

            For Christians, the quality of self-discipline is what helps us make choices that bring honor and glory to God. Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Gentleness brings so many good things

by Barrett Vanlandingham

March 8, 2020

            The term “gentle” is used as a compliment to describe someone who just seems nice. They are mannerly. Everybody likes this person because they could easily command more attention, but choose to let others shine. A gentle person looks out for others’ comfort and well-being, and puts self-interests aside.

            Gentleness is the 8^th of nine qualities Paul lists in the “fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians 5:22-23. Those nine qualities are those things we as Christians are to apply to our daily lives as we “live by the Spirit” and strive to “keep in step with the Spirit” (5:25).

            To me, gentleness is one of the most difficult spiritual qualities simply because there are so many things that happen in the course of a day that tempt us to behave otherwise. Gentleness is marked with meekness, patience, kindness, compassion, tenderness, and sweetness. One who has a gentle spirit is not to be confused with someone who is weak. On the contrary, it takes tremendous strength to exhibit gentleness, especially under stressful conditions.

            When my dad opened the Sonic in Tahlequah in the late 60’s I spent many years watching him train new employees. He would stand next to them as long as it took to make sure they made the hotdog, cooked the hamburger, or dressed out the bun exactly like he trained them. He made sure there were no droplets of pop on the side of the drink cup before it went out to the customer. Over and over, he gently but firmly instructed new employees.

            Jesus is the greatest example of gentleness. He said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke up on you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

            We all benefit from God’s gentleness when we look in the right places. The problem is that sometimes we look for comfort in the wrong places. Just today, I saw a big rant on Facebook that started with one true, but controversial statement. One by one, people began to fan the flames of discontent and anger. It’s safe to say that no one exhibited gentleness and no one appeared to be comforted. The reason is because they were taking their complaint to social media instead of talking to God about it. He is the one who can change hearts. His gentleness is backed by truth and love. Those who go to Him find peace and comfort.

            Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Faithfulness is essential to the Christian life

by Barrett Vanlandingham

March 1, 2020

            Lisa told me a story about when she was a young girl and her dad told her she could go to her friend’s house for a birthday party if she cleaned her room. Well, she piddled around and did not hold up her end of the deal. So, when it was time for the birthday party, Lisa’s dad did not allow her to go because she had not cleaned her room. To this day, Lisa’s dad is a man of his word. He means what he says.

            It is a high compliment when someone makes the statement: “He means what he says” or when someone says “If he says he will do it, he will do it.”  Descriptions like these indicate that a person is known for their loyalty and dependability. The Bible uses the word “faithfulness” when someone exhibits these kinds of endearing qualities.

            Faithfulness is the 7^th of the nine qualities Paul lists in the “fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians 5:22-23. Paul is saying here that God’s Holy Spirit is faithful to us, and Christians must be faithful to God as we profess to “live by the Spirit” (5:25).

            In a marriage ceremony, the bride and groom often utter the phrase “and to be faithful to you alone as long as we both shall live” in their most sacred vows to each other. And while about 50-percent of married couples break the promise of faithfulness and dissolve their marriages, Jesus Christ is ALWAYS faithful. He NEVER breaks His vow to us, His bride.

            Christians who’ve been clothed with Christ in baptism (Galatians 3:27) are added to His church (Acts 2:38, 41, 47) and can now walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3-5), united with Christ as His bride (Ephesians 3:25-27, 2 Corinthians 11:2, John 3:27-30, and Matthew 25:1-13).

            In this bride and groom relationship we have with Christ, we submit to being fully transparent. We know and love Him, and He knows and loves us (Galatians 4:9, 1 Corinthians 8:3). He protects, defends, and grants us an inheritance. We no longer see ourselves as being our own, but instead, we are His because He paid the price for us. We live our lives to mirror the faithfulness we see in Him. We are faithful to God, and we as Christians faithfully support one another as we daily fight a spiritual war against the forces of darkness, and look forward to “the crown of life” bestowed on those the Lord finds faithful when He returns (Revelation 2:10).

            Have a great week!

Above the Sun: For Goodness Sake

by Barrett Vanlandingham

February 23, 2020

            With the possible exception of a grading scale that includes superior, good, and average, the word “good” far outweighs the words great, awesome, amazing, incredible, or any other words used to describe how you feel about something or someone.

            If I say someone is “just good to the bone,” or “this coffee is so good,” or someone is “a good teammate,” or when I refer to my wife as a “good woman,” or when I say “that was a good steak dinner,” or my friend Dan is “just a good man,” there are several other highly complimentary qualities that are implied.

            Good is not just that level of accomplishment you find that’s less than perfect and better than average. The word “good” is in a league of its own because it just seems to embody so many other qualities that would be left out if you used another word.

            Goodness is the 6^th of the nine qualities Paul lists in the “fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians 5:22-23. Goodness is one of a very few words that the apostle and inspired writer could think of to describe God the Spirit. When Paul says we as Christians are to live by the Spirit (5:25), he is implying that we are to be known by those nine special qualities including goodness.

            What a wonderful world it would be if everyone strove to simply be good. This means good to everyone: your neighbor, spouse and kids, the barista who makes your coffee, your co-workers, the employee behind the customer service counter, and good to yourself.

            You’ve heard the saying “Two wrongs don’t make a right.” Paul addressed this in the first century when he told the early church that goodness overcomes evil (Ephesians 12:21). Remember, if you are around someone who is in a mood, that is precisely the time when your goodness needs to come out the most. When someone is at their wits’ end, or when someone is struggling in any way, the quality of goodness modeled by you in that situation could make all the difference in what happens next, and also how that person views those who profess to honor God with our lives.

            Goodness is one of the ways we practice agape’ or the kind of love that seeks another’s highest good. Goodness is one of the traits of someone who has admirable character, that person who does the right thing even when no one knows about it.

            Paul told the Galatians to “Do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (6:10). Our challenge here is to model goodness in a way that makes everyone we meet want to become part of the family of believers. Being a witness for Christ not only involves knowing our Bibles, but applying God’s word in our daily lives in a way that others will see God’s goodness through us.  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Try a little kindness

by Barrett Vanlandingham
February 16, 2020

            I remember feeling a little embarrassed the first time a friend told me to “be kind” while I was speaking harshly about another friend who had made me angry. My embarrassment had nothing to do with the truths I was stating about the person I was upset with. It had everything to do with my bad attitude, my choice of words, my tone, and even my body language. I had been caught red handed being a mean-spirited “Christian,” and just felt horrible about it. Even though I am in my 50’s now, and was a young man when that conversation took place, it was a much-needed eye opener that has stuck in my head ever since.

            Kindness is the 5^th out of nine qualities of the Holy Spirit listed by the apostle Paul in Galatians 5:22-23. God the Holy Spirit is on equals with God the Father and God the Son. Out of all of the good things that could be said about the Godhead or the Trinity, kindness is right there in the middle of what Paul refers to as the “fruit of the Spirit.” It’s sort of like the hall of fame for descriptive words that people who are following God want incorporate into their lives. Paul uses the phrase “keeping in step with the Spirit.” Kindness is one of those steps we should always strive for.

            One time a young minister contacted me distraught because an older gentleman told him he was not a good listener. The man began to speak in disrespectful tones. He accused the young minister of just nodding his head like a “bobblehead” while listening to several chaperons arguing their opinions to the young minister about an argument that had flared-up among some kids during a youth event. The man based his opinion on the fact that the young minister did not immediately act on the statements he was hearing. In reality the young minister was using his Spiritual gifts of wisdom and discernment to make sure he did not act in haste and cause an already bad situation to become even worse. He was trying gather all the facts he needed before deciding what to do next, especially since there were conflicting sides to the story.

            We all make mistakes. And we all appreciate kindness and being given the benefit of the doubt. But we often forget this principle when the shoe is on the other foot.

            “29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:29-32).

            Have a great week!

Above the Sun: You can know and show God’s love

by Barrett Vanlandingham
February 9, 2020

            For many generations, people have misunderstood what it means to love and be loved the way God intended. It was an issue even in the first century, and the apostle Paul quite a lot on this topic. Last week, we looked at the fact that it does no good to portray any of the other good qualities God wants us to live out in our lives such as faith, joy, kindness, and self-control if we do not have love. In 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, Paul goes further in explaining what love should and should not look like. 

            “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

            The day will come when we no longer need faith or hope because we will be in the presence of God!  Being in God’s presence is also the reason love will always be there, because God is love. Thankfully, we do not have to wait until we get to heaven to experience the joys made possible because of love.

            Taking a closer look at the above passage, Paul is saying we can demonstrate the kind of love God expects from us by seeking one another’s highest good instead of being self-seeking. When Paul speaks of not being easily angered, he may be thinking back to his earlier days when he thought he was in the right by persecuting Christians. Imagine how thankful he was as time passed and the same Christians who lived in fear of Paul now welcomed him and chose to forget Paul’s wrongs. He knows how good it feels to experience love in that way, and he wants this attitude of forgiveness to prevail everywhere.

            Paul’s letter also contrasts love and deception when he says love rejoices with the truth. Satan, the father of lies (John 8:44), often sets traps meant to confuse people about the true meaning of love. But God’s truth stands firm and gives His children something to rejoice in!  It is God’s LOVE and the fact that we can place our hope and trust in it. We can be assured that God has been pursuing us for a very long time. But we can only experience His love to the fullest by submitting to the truths found in His word. In this way, we will not only know God’s love, but we will also show God’s love to others.  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Love is the most valuable thing

by Barrett Vanlandingham
February 2, 2020

            You only need to step inside any retail store to be informed immediately on what is the biggest event of this month. Red and pink valentine cards, candies, stuffed animals, and flowers everywhere!

            Despite the tremendous amount of love shown towards all things football, and in particular tonight’s Superbowl, it is actually Valentine’s Day that has people reaching for their wallets the most to the tune of 20-billion dollars compared to just under 15-billion for the Superbowl. There’s no doubt about it, February is the month when most people think about what it means to love and be loved by the special people in their lives.

            Love is the most popular element of the fruit of the Spirit we are to apply to our lives. The apostle Paul mentions it first in his letter to Christians in Galatia (Galatians 5:22-23) probably because Jesus puts it at the top of His list of most important commands: Love God, love others (Mark 12:30-31). Without love, none of the other good qualities of God’s Holy Spirit would even be possible. Love has to come first.

            “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:13).

            It just seems like if you could actually move a mountain based on the amount of faith you have, that would put you in a category of elite to say the least. But Paul says even having that ability would not make you special in the least in the absence of your willingness to love God and love others. The biblical love we are to strive for is the kind that puts the good of others above our wants, instead of making decisions based on only what we get out of it.

            Can you imagine what life would be like if God gave us what we deserved everyday instead of giving us multiple second chances? God continually shows us the greatest example of true love. He really does look out for our best interest. He wants more than anything for us to join Him in heaven someday. And so, He continues to amaze us with the kind of love that will motivate us to love Him and love others in the same kind of selfless ways He has shown us. When we model this kind of love to those in our circles of influence, more people are drawn closer to Jesus, and the changes in our communities and beyond will be seen and felt by all.  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Patience is not easy, but necessary

by Barrett Vanlandingham
January 26, 2020

            Recently, I was behind another car as we approached a green light. My patience was tested when the car in front of me abruptly slowed down in anticipation of a yellow light just as I was speeding up. Well, I had to throw on my brakes and stop behind the car even though I felt we both could have made it through without breaking any laws. We all face tests daily in regard to our patience.

            I confess that even though patience is a fruit of the Spirit, it is has never been one of my strong suits. Nevertheless, it is a quality that characterizes God’s Holy Spirit, and is also one of the qualities that Christians are supposed to apply to our lives.

            The apostle Paul said, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). Yes, keeping in step with the Spirit means patience must be practiced just like love, joy, peace, and so on.

            Paul told the Ephesian Christians to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:1–3).  He told Christians in Colossae to use patience while resolving conflict.  He told Timothy that Christian leaders should patiently endure evil, and correct opponents with gentleness (2 Tim 2:24-25).

            The Christian’s patience is rooted in knowing that God will eventually bring all things to an end so that God’s glory is fully known by all. Our practice of patience should also be strengthened when we remind ourselves that we are all sinners redeemed by God’s grace. We must realize the soul of the person we are frustrated with may be the exact location where God is working. That’s another reason why Christians are instructed to leave room for God’s vengeance instead of trying to get back at someone.

            God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are all one and so are their spiritual qualities. Jesus modeled these qualities including patience under the toughest of circumstances. It is hard to imagine the amount of patience it took for Jesus to allow himself to be doubted, scoffed at, and tortured, all the while knowing he could have stopped it at any time. The experiences Jesus went through while he was on earth give us confidence that he truly understands what we go through. Finally, Jesus knows what we are capable of accomplishing when we choose to walk with the Spirit as he did. Have a great week!