Spiritual blessings in the New Year come by choice

by Barrett Vanlandingham
December 31, 2013

            “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17).”

            When I was baptized as a young man, the feeling of coming back up out of the water is something I will never forget.  My sins were washed away!  It was as if I was starting all over with not even a single sin attached to my soul.  It was like being a baby again… sinless.  A “new creation”!

            As I grew in my knowledge of scripture and awareness of God’s constant presence in my life, my faith and appreciation of God grew.  Once again God was right, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ (Romans 10:17).”

            I love verses such as 1 John 1:7 that remind me that as long as I continue to walk in God’s light where he is, the blood of Jesus will continue to cleanse me from all sin. 

            It’s like wearing a Jesus covering all the time.  Galatians 3:26-27 says, “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”

            Of course, the water itself has no supernatural properties (1 Peter 3:21).  The Bible describes what happens during baptism as God’s power at work. 

            “…having been buried with him (Christ) in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.”   

            It is not our power or works that save us.  It is God who does the work, and it is God who saves us by his grace, through our faith (Ephesians 2:8) in Jesus as our Savior, and when we allow our love for Christ to be shown in our obedience to him (James 2:24-26). 

            So, what are we supposed to do with this information in the coming year?  Well, according to scripture, if you want to turn over a new leaf, so to speak, and become a new creation, you must be “in Christ”, or clothed in Christ.  Paul says in Romans 6:3-4 that baptism "into Christ" makes it possible for Christians to live a new life.  He also says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).”

            Anyone or anything can be dunked.  But baptism is different.  It involves a person who believes that Jesus is the son of God, and who is ready to begin a new life of obedience to him.  Have a great week!

The weeks after Jesus’ birth are fascinating, too

by Barrett Vanlandingham

December 24, 2013

            The birth of the Christ child immediately drew the attention and praise of nearby shepherds (Luke 2:8) who visited him in a manger, with Joseph and Mary there.  Then, up to 24 months later, Wise Men from the east came to worship and bring gifts to Jesus in a house. 

            But what happened in between?  Those were not the only significant appearances recorded in the Bible regarding the early days of our Savior.  On the eighth day, when the baby was circumcised, Joseph and Mary named him Jesus (Luke 2:21). This was the name the angel had given Him before He was even conceived.

            When Jesus was 41 days old, his parents brought him to the temple in Jerusalem to present Him to God, and also to offer a sacrifice to the Lord.  The 41 days is how long it took under Jewish law for a woman to be considered purified after giving birth to a son, or 81 days if she gave birth to a girl (Leviticus 12).

            To me, one of the most exciting parts of the day at the temple involves an elderly man named Simeon.  Luke 2:25 says that he was righteous and devout, and that God’s Holy Spirit prompted him to go to the temple.  He no doubt was very happy he listened to God that day, because when Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to the temple, Simeon was not only there, but the following verses tell us exactly what happened. They also quote his exact heartfelt words in the presence of the baby, Joseph, and Mary.  We can only dream of being so fortunate!

            “Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, now you dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel (Luke 2:28-32).”

            Can you even imagine the joy of this elderly man, Simeon?!  He is the only person recorded in the Bible as having held the Christ child in his arms while talking to Jesus’ heavenly Father, God?!  Even God himself did not get to hold his own son in the flesh. Other friends or family must have also held this child.  But Simeon is certainly in a small circle who can say they held the Christ child on the day he was presented to God in the temple.

            As always, the important part of the story is what our response will be today.  Will we, like Simeon, pay attention to where God’s Spirit is leading us?  Do we allow Jesus to be the Light for our path?  And do we lift up and glorify the King of Kings in the way we live?  Have a great week!

The mystery behind the three gifts may not be so mysterious

by Barrett Vanlandingham

December 17, 2013

                                 

            Unless we fall victim to a cleverly-timed, random, holiday infomercial, most of us try to buy or make Christmas gifts that either fit the personality of the one to whom we’re presenting the gift, or the gift is something the person needs.

            So, did you ever wonder about the choice of gifts brought by Wise Men in the Bible, also known as Magi or astrologers, to give to the probable toddler? 

            “And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh (Matthew 2:11, ESV).”      

            Did they just have a weak moment and randomly purchase these items from a traveling salesman or maybe a bi-vocational sheep herder?  Not likely.  After all, these visitors “from the east” had plenty of time to think about what kind of gifts they would bring, since it would have taken several months to get to Jerusalem from any number of places east of the Euphrates River, after having seen Christ’s star.  In fact, since the paranoid King Herod ordered the slaughter of all males in the area who were two years old and under “in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi (Matt. 2:16),” we can be reasonably certain that Jesus was not still a newborn in a “manger”.  As verse 11 points out, the Wise Men actually went “into the house.”  It was earlier that the “shepherds” visited the “baby” in a manger (no room in the inn).

            There are more than a few explanations for the choice of gifts.  One is that they were expensive, and Joseph could have easily carried these items to be used as barter during their trip to Egypt where they stayed until Herod’s death. 

            Another explanation is that the Wise Men, however many there were (the Bible doesn't say) brought three gifts fit for a king!  In the Old Testament, the Queen of Sheba and many others brought gifts to King Solomon including gold, spices, and jewels (1 Kings 10). 

            A third possible explanation has more to do with symbolism.  In Exodus 30:22-38, a recipe is given for anointing oil that included myrrh, and another recipe for incense that included frankincense.  Both recipes were considered holy, and to be used only on burnt offerings by priests, or on other holy items used in some way to honor God, but not to be used simply for anyone’s enjoyment, under the penalty of being cut-off from God’s people.

            For those reasons, one tradition says the gold was given in recognition of Christ as King, the frankincense in recognition of Jesus as High Priest, and myrrh to symbolize the anointing oil that would be needed after his sacrificial death.

            The most important gift we can give to Christ today is that of our love and obedience.  God bless you, and have a great week!

Is God really listening?

by Barrett Vanlandingham
December 10, 2013

            As I write this article, I am on hold with AT&T while a customer service representative is trying to figure out why my cell phone can receive text messages but it cannot send them.

            I was thinking to myself that there has to be a spiritual parallel here somewhere, and then it hit me!  Why does God get to tell us everything He wants us to know through the Bible, but when we communicate to God through prayer, many of us wonder if our message actually gets there?  And if He does hear our thanksgivings and pleas for help, what does He think about them, and how are we supposed to know His time frame for answering?  Wow! Serving an invisible God can be frustrating sometimes!  Any other relationship would probably be doomed from the start if it were modeled after this kind of communication. 

            Thankfully, our relationship with God is not like any other relationship, nor is the ultimate outcome.  While we do have a personal relationship with God, He is also the Savior to the masses who believe and obey Him.  He has already proven His love to us by coming to earth in the form of Jesus, a 100-percent human and 100-percent God being.  And just so people would believe in His message and His identity, Jesus did miracles, A LOT OF MIRACLES.  In fact, Jesus regularly performed miracles seen by thousands of people during His ministry. Those were in addition to the crucifixion and resurrection which fulfilled prophecy from a thousand years before those events happened.

            John said, “Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.  But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name (John 20:30-31).”

            God threw us a lifeline when He sent His Son, Jesus, to save us from sin and its consequences.  But the bottom line is that we still must believe in a God we haven’t personally seen, and we must believe in a story that we did not personally witness.  The same could be said of other historical figures who no one doubts existed.  However, none of this means we are somehow relegated to worshipping a God we have never experienced.  He impacts our lives everyday if we will just take notice of what He has done and continues to do, and all of those “little” coincidences that simply cannot be explained in the absence of a living God. 

            Many first and second century writers from outside of the Bible quote scripture and even talk about Jesus in ways that are consistent with the Bible’s description.  They include Josephus, Clement of Rome, Ignatius, Polycarp, Irenaeus, Justin Martyr, Tacitus, Pliny the Younger, Lucian, and even the Babylonian Talmud (a collection of writings by Jewish rabbis from 70-200 A.D.).  With each generation, more overwhelming evidence continues to surface in science, history, archaeology, geology, and astronomy that supports the Bible’s teachings.

            Yes, we would all like immediate audible answers when we talk to God, and we want them in our preferred time frame.  But the evidence of God’s existence and His love for us is overwhelming.  His word already gives us all the information we need to make it to heaven (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The least we could do is to have faith that He has our best interest at heart, even if we don’t always understand his reasons or timing.  His grace gives us something more than worthy of our belief and obedience.  And in the end, the reward of heaven will be more than worth it.  Have a great week!

December distractions can disrupt the Christian mindset

by Barrett Vanlandingham
December 3, 2013

            Now that we have made it through Thanksgiving, it’s on to Christmas!  What a most wonderful time of the year.  Gift-giving, families reuniting, beautiful decorations, joyful music, and of course the fact that so many people think about the coming of Christ also makes this season very special.

            As Christians, we should be thinking about the very special gift of Jesus all year long. And even though December has traditionally become the time that many people celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ on earth, oddly enough, it is also the time that the stresses of the holiday season can squeeze our thoughts of Jesus right out of the picture if we’re not careful.

            If anyone had an excuse to not make room for Jesus, it would be Joseph and Mary.  They took on the responsibility, even though it wasn’t easy.  Just think about all the distractions and difficulties they faced in order to make room in their lives for Jesus.  First off, when most of us wake up in the morning, we never imagine that an angel is going to personally greet us with an unexpected message that is about to turn our life upside down. 

            Can you imagine what this teenage Mary must have thought when she was informed of her new assignment to give birth to the Christ child even though she was still a virgin?  You talk about a stressor!  How would she explain to her soon to be husband, her family, and her friends that she is pregnant?  We already know most of what Joseph was thinking, not to mention what everyone else probably thought as soon as she started showing still out of wedlock.

             Joseph and Mary accepted the challenge, but that didn’t mean the difficult days were over.  They had to travel from Nazareth about 100 miles to Bethlehem for a census of the entire Roman world, without the benefit of fast, reliable, and comfortable transportation.  It would have been at least a weeklong walk one way, and even if Mary was riding on a donkey with Joseph walking, they would still have to endure weather conditions, danger from robbers, and exhaustion.  These would have been factors no matter what month of the year.  By the way, it is unlikely that the shepherds and their flocks were outside in the winter and it also unlikely that a census requiring everyone to travel would have taken place in the winter.

            As soon as they arrived, imagine the crowds, and the lack of places to stay as evidenced by the fact that there was no room at the inn for them.  So, the baby was born in a cattle stall, and placed in a feeding trough instead of whatever accommodations they had prepared back home.  Joseph and Mary certainly had to adjust their schedules to make room for the challenges surrounding the birth of Jesus.  Let us all take a closer look at the things that are taking our minds and commitment away from our Christian walk during the holidays and the rest of the year, too.  Always remember to make room Jesus. Have a great week! 

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

by Barrett Vanlandingham
November 26, 2013

            I guess there’s a good reason why I have a hard time teaching lessons about God’s grace even though we are all dependent on it whether we know it or fully understand it.  The apostle Paul talks about grace and its connection to the good news of Jesus Christ and what He has done for us. But ultimately, Paul says in 2 Corinthians 9:15 “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”

            During this month of remembering to give thanks for so many things, oddly enough, the one thing we cannot adequately describe is the very thing for which we should be most grateful, grace. Songwriters for thousands of years have tried to craft and string together words, phrases, sentences, and notes in such a way to help worshippers reflect and celebrate our bountiful blessings and our Creator who made them. 

            One song written by Johnson Oatman in 1897 is titled “When Upon Life’s Billows.” It describes the burdens we bear and the challenges we face in contrast to the thankfulness and joy a person should feel when you “count your many blessings, (and) see what God hath done.”

            Another of my favorites was written by Dennis Jernigan in 1990 titled “Thank You, Lord!”   The lyrics of this song are simple and powerful as they say, “For all that you’ve done I will thank You, For all that You’re going to do. For all that You’ve promised, and all that You are is all that has carried me through, Jesus I thank You.  And I thank You, thank You, Lord. And I thank You, thank You, Lord!  Thank You for loving and setting me free, Thank You for giving your life just for me. How I thank You.  Jesus I thank You, gratefully thank You. Thank You.”

            The task of making clear the meaning of grace and just how thankful we should be for grace is something many have tried.  But just as with life itself, the important thing is not whether we write the perfect song, or live the perfect life.  That is just not going to happen this side of heaven, although, in speaking about grace, Paul says that we are to not use grace basically as a convenient excuse for disobedience and choosing to sin (ref: Romans 6:1).  Jesus even said that he will reward each person for what he has done (ref: Matthew 16:27).

            God knows our heart.  God knows the challenges we face.  After all, Jesus came to earth partly to experience them first hand so he could understand why we have such a hard time getting it right (ref: Hebrews 4:15-16).  Bottom line?  He knew we could not do enough things right to be in the presence of God one day.  And so Jesus, the perfect sacrifice, died for us, giving us a roadmap to follow, and extending grace to all of us who are undeserving of eternal life in heaven, and that would be all of us.  Have a great week!

Kindness, grace, and thanksgiving have much in common

by Barrett Vanlandingham
November 17, 2013

            What goes through your mind when you give away money, time, or other things of value to someone in need, or maybe for a good cause?  Do you feel joy and cheer, or are you irritated that you feel guilted or pressured into giving?

            The apostle Paul reminded Christians in Corinth of the importance of generous giving by basically saying that you reap what you sow.  In return for being a cheerful giver, Paul says, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work (2 Cor. 9:8).”

            The Bible never says that I will have a forever blooming money tree in my back yard just because I did a kind deed or two.  In fact, James 4:3 explains that people sometimes don’t get what they pray for because of impure motives.  But still, when I hear the words “all grace” my ears perk up for sure!  Paul is simply saying that when we give generously and cheerfully to the work of the Lord, God will take care of us.  In other words, if we show wisdom in how we spend our time and money to make a difference, God will continue to bless us so that we can continue to help others. 

            But the blessing doesn’t stop there.  Paul says in 2 Cor. 9:13 that when we supply the needs of God’s people, men will praise God!  Why? Because the attitudes and actions of the givers are in step with the good news of Christ they have proclaimed. In short, people praise God when they see that a Christian’s walk matches his or her talk of God’s grace.  And then it would only be natural that someone would want to be a part of that.

            Even when a late night television talk show host known for off-color humor encourages America to pray for victims of the typhoon in the Philippines, the attention of millions of viewers is suddenly focused on our dependence on God.  You see, when people incorporate Godly character traits into their speech and actions, good things happen, not just for those being served, but even more so for those providing the service. 

            Paul often speaks of giving in terms of it being a benefit to the giver as well as bringing praise and thanks to God both from the recipient and those watching from afar, sometimes with an eye of skepticism.  November is a great time to spend with family and friends, and to be reminded of our blessings for which we should be thankful.  May we also look for opportunities to serve in ways that will bring glory to the One who is the giver of all good things.  Have a great week!

A 3000 year old song finds reason to be thankful

by Barrett Vanlandingham
November 12, 2013

            One of the most famous Bible passages used during Thanksgiving is Psalm 106:1. It says, “Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”  The writer of this Psalm was evidently so excited about the awesomeness of his God, he could not even wait to tell us the why’s first.  So he immediately begins by telling us what our response should be to God, even before telling us what all of the excitement is about, wetting our appetite for a glorious explanation.

            What follows next are two of the most simple, easy to understand, yet powerful and meaningful statements that could have been written. “For he is good; his love endures forever.”         People back then, same as today, have managed to find a thousand and one people, places, and things to idolize.  Most of them are NOT good, and certainly nowhere near as good as what the writer of this Psalm has experienced in his own life in his relationship with God. 

            But even with life full of chaos and uncertainties, the writer says, “for he is good.”  That statement alone is like calm in the middle of a storm.  When you think about the word “good”, and just how important that quality is in anyone you have a relationship with, and then apply that quality to the One you worship, it brings about a sense of peace and hope and security for the writer and anyone today who has submitted their life to this Lord who is “good”. 

            The only quality I can think of that could out-do “good” is in the second of those two statements, “his love endures forever.”  You talk about burying the lead story!  This is the greatest news of all!  Our Lord is not only good, but he proves it by how much he LOVES us, not just a little, but a LOT, and for a very long time as is punctuated by the last word, “forever”.

            The writer then spends the rest of the chapter recapping history, and how God continued to love his people, and try to convince them to stay faithful, even though they continued to rebel.  Near the end of the chapter, the Psalmist pleads to God for salvation so that thanks may be given. Finally, the writer bookends his opening statement with these words, “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Let all the people say, “Amen!”  Praise the Lord.”

            We have an amazing God who is forever full of goodness and love, two wonderful things we can always give thanks for.  Have a great week! 

The beauty of God’s creation should inspire us to greater heights

by Barrett Vanlandingham
November 5, 2013

            Autumn is my very favorite season of the year.  In Fort Gibson, you can pick just about any road to drive, and you will be in awe of the beauty of God’s creation.  Shades of green, yellow, red, and orange are everywhere.  To top it off, the rolling hills in the distance off highway 62, and on this particular day the formation of the dark and light clouds in front of the sun overhead were simply spectacular, a golden lining that even the most skilled artists would envy bringing to life on a canvass of that magnitude.

            When I read through the book of Psalms, it is inspiring to think about David, the shepherd, who spent so much time in green pastures and valleys, climbing cliffs, wading creeks, also marveling at the same sun and sky we see today.  He knew without a doubt there was a Creator, and he knew that the God of this awesome creation was always by his side.  Those facts did not make David into a sinless human being as we know from reading about some of his behavior as a king, but it was a constant reminder that his only hope would be found in God.  The 23^rd Psalm may be the most famous of David’s writings, because it tells of all the reasons we can take comfort in God as our Shepherd.   The chapter that comes right after that is no less inspiring, because it continues with describing the awesomeness of God, but then turns to what our response to His care for us should be.

            “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters. Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to another idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God his Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob (Psalm 24, NIV 1984).”

            The same challenge applies to our generation today.  We certainly have the same God.  And in the New Testament, Paul made reference to the same concept of having clean hands and a pure heart as we approach God.  As he stated it, “I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing (1 Timothy 2:8).”

            In summary, it is only natural for mankind to be inspired by God’s handiwork.  But if our response to Him stops there, then we are depriving ourselves of the joyful obedience that comes with accepting his grace.  Have a great week!

Halloween masks parallel the way many people live

by Barrett Vanlandingham
October 29, 2013

            When I was a little boy, I loved Halloween!  I took the advice of my older, more experienced cousin, Steve (yes, I am naming names), and went trick-or-treating all around my neighborhood, and then put on a different mask, and went around my neighborhood again! 

            What a concept!  My cousin said it worked for him, so I thought I would give it a try.  I received twice as much candy without even having to leave my block!  But my scheme eventually failed.  The little old lady, Mrs. Girdner, who lived next door, was not tricked at all.  I still remember like it was yesterday when she said, “Hey, I think you’ve been by here already, haven’t you?”  I still remember how shocked I was that Mrs. Girdner appeared to know who I was even though I was wearing a different costume including a different mask!  There was no fooling Mrs. Girdner.  Of course, now, I am reasonably certain I didn’t fool anyone else either.

            Many people put on different masks when it’s not even Halloween, people who are not comfortable with their identity and are still searching for something to fill that void, something that would make them feel a sense of real worth and value.  So, they wear different masks, not the kind made of plastic or even the kind that involve stage make-up and wigs.  But that doesn’t stop people from pretending to be someone they’re not.  Most of the time they don’t fool anyone, and eventually their true identity is uncovered, one way or another.

            Jesus wants everyone to know exactly who they are, and that it is possible to live a life of true joy and confidence in their identity.  The Bible is full of scriptures on this topic that are a big help.  Take, for instance, Paul’s letter to the Colossian church which says, “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority (Col. 2:10).” 

            This same promise applies to us today. Simply put, if you have a good relationship with Christ, you have everything you need.  Material possessions are temporary, outward identities can change, and even friends and fame can come and go.  But putting your identity in Jesus Christ clothes you in the very One who triumphed over the cross! (ref: Col. 2:15) 

            Now, if that isn’t something awesome to attach your identity to, I don’t know what is!  In John 10:10, Jesus who said these words in reference to those who choose salvation through him, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy, I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

            There are lots of temporary identities.  Some can even bring happiness for a short while.  But only Jesus Christ has the power to bring real, full meaning to your life, both now and forever.  Have a great week!

Identity is more than what you look like

by Barrett Vanlandingham
October 22, 2013

            Fort Gibson is unique in that even though our world has changed in many ways, our little town has held on to its identity as a fort, or a place to find refuge.  You can also drive through Muskogee and see many old buildings and businesses that take you back in time to the old days.  You could say our area has been blessed to overflowing.  The question is whether we will continue to improve our community, or go the way that so many other cities and towns across America have gone, resulting in lifestyles and community standards that are not family friendly.

            It is also important for us as Christians to hold on to our identity, and take seriously our responsibility to share the good news of Jesus Christ to others.  One of the biggest problems God’s children, the Israelites, had in the Old Testament is that they lost their identity.  This happened as time passed by and they began to intermarry with non-believers and even worship their false gods.  Often, this would happen after God blessed the Jewish people with military victories in new lands.  But instead of destroying the enemy and everything they owned as God ordered, they would disobey by sparing certain people and items of value they wanted to keep for themselves.  This not only resulted in intermarriage with pagans, but God’s people often wound up altering their own religious beliefs, which also altered their commitment to God.

            For decades now, technology has been changing the way our society operates, both in method and in speed. We have become sophisticated in ways that past generations could have barely imagined.  Even tractors these days have air conditioning, radios, and comfortable seats!   Local communities and plain ole folks like us have access to new frontiers around the world.  Progress is a great gift, and we must be good stewards of what we have been blessed with.  God never intended for his people to sit still all of the time. He wants us to use our time wisely, grow our talents, and find ways of creatively making a Godly impact on people.

            However, it is important for God’s people to remain obedient to His word if we expect to have a proper relationship with Him (2 Cor. 6:14-7:1).  Just because we have the ability to do everything faster and more efficient does not mean that all change is for the better, especially if we change who we are at the core.  It is still important for individuals and families to use God’s word as our measuring stick instead of justifying worldliness based on what society has said is appropriate.  At the end of the day, we must all remember where blessings come from.  David was not perfect by any means, but he knew the source of all good things.  He said, “I love you, O Lord, my strength.  The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

            God still wants to be that fortress and refuge in whom we can find our identity even today.  Have a great week!  

School homecoming festivities remind Christians of something more important

by Barrett Vanlandingham

October 15, 2013

            What are the odds that two “drama queens” would come out of one family?  Well, it happened to me (though not in the same year), and I could not have been more proud to walk Gracie (daughter #2) across the field before Friday’s homecoming football game in Fort Gibson.  Ashton (daughter #1) had her time in the spotlight in 2011.  She graciously took pictures of her sister this time around.

            From my perspective, the whole day was just perfect, from the parade, right down to Gracie’s fluffy, pink Cinderella dress, tiara, glamorous eyelashes and nails.  Twenty-eight queens in all, representing the various school organizations. They all looked spectacular, and their families were all beaming as they should have been.

            As thrilling as the homecoming royalty scene was for all of us, there is a kingdom that surpasses our imagination.  And to say that it is a royal kingdom would be the greatest understatement of all, since the glory of God our Creator will shine there forever! (Rev. 21:22)

            What a glorious homecoming day, when we at last reunite with all the faithful who have gone on before us. Just think of the thrill of being in the presence of angels singing “holy holy holy” to God. And just think about when you, and your family and friends who also trusted and obeyed God’s will, see heaven for the first time.  Imagine thinking to yourself, “It was worth it!”

             A school homecoming is pretty special alright. But our thoughts as Christians should be on preparing for that heavenly homecoming.  What a tragedy it would be for someone to promote, groom, and prepare their children for earthly successes only to find out on judgment day they should have spent more time helping them understand spiritual matters.

            Jesus says, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul (Matthew 16:26, NASB)?”

            You see, all along that man should have been working for eternal rewards for him (and his family) instead focusing on earthly, inferior, and temporary rewards (ref: Matthew 6:19-21).

            Fort Gibson has about two-dozen places of worship in and around our town available for folks to be a part of, even more in Muskogee.  Each of these groups has an incredible responsibility to teach the truth according to the Bible.  That is a tremendous challenge that must be taken seriously, for all ministers and other church leaders.  But in a lot of cases, parents or other family members are the ones who will have the greatest influence when it comes to a child’s success, spiritually, which is the most important accomplishment with rewards in this life, and the life to come (1 Timothy 4:8).

            Because of God’s grace, there is a reward in store for those faithful Christians who practice Godly qualities.  Peter says, “Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:11, NLT).”    Now THAT will be the ultimate homecoming.  Have a great week!