Times of trouble can bring about blessings

by Barrett Vanlandingham

September 30, 2014

            Nobody likes a bully. However, sometimes things that start badly have good endings that might not have happened otherwise.
            Just this year at a high school in Grand Prairie, Texas a group of mean kids tricked a special young lady named Lilly into thinking she had been nominated as homecoming queen. What a cruel prank! But two of the actual nominees made a pact that if either of them were to win, they would crown Lilly instead. That's exactly what happened. In fact, the principal said in all his years there he had never experienced anything greater. So, hats off (or crowns off) to queen Anahi Alvarez and runner-up Naomi Martinez for doing such a wonderful thing in combating bullies at their school.
            Yes, kids can be mean. So can immature grown-ups. We've all seen it, and most of us have experienced it. It is difficult to control the actions of other people. However, we do have the ability to react in ways that will make a difference.
            All through the Bible, we read stories about people who simply put were bullies. But when God intervened, somehow even the worst of circumstances ended with a positive outcome. Remember the Old Testament story of Joseph? His jealous brothers meant to harm him. But in doing so, Joseph was put in a position that in the end helped him become Governor of Egypt, and his good planning saved the much of the known world, including his jealous brothers, from starvation. What his brothers meant for harm, God meant for good.
            How about the New Testament story of Paul? He no doubt thought he was doing the right thing when he participated in killing Christians before he was converted to Christianity. God gave Paul free will just as he gives us free will today. Unfortunately, Paul chose to be a bully of the worst kind. In the end, God used temporary blindness to help Paul see the error of his ways. He ended up writing half of the New Testament. He also turned out to be a much greater force for Christianity than he ever was a misguided zealot for his Jewish faith.
            While God never closes the door on a repentant heart, He has a history of allowing people to suffer the consequences of their rebelliousness. Yes, sometimes innocent people suffer because of thoughtless people. But in the end, good always prevails, and if only for a short time so does unity. The bullies in Grand Prairie probably learned a great lesson that will impact their actions throughout their life. Let's all remember to pray for our enemies and those here and around the world whose hearts are void of compassion. Have a great week!

A world in need of prayer

by Barrett Vanlandingham
September 23, 2014

            Did you ever have one of those days when the lightbulb in your brain turned on and you thought, “What a brilliant idea!  Why didn’t I think of that?”

            Well, a couple of weeks ago one of the ladies in my church family had an idea that turned out to be a tremendous blessing to everyone who was in attendance that Wednesday evening!

            Cheryl Petree asked our church leadership, “Can we have a special night of prayer?”  Our elders wisely agreed, and conducted a prayer service unlike any I’ve ever been a part of.

            Each elder took turns praying for specific topics regarding the condition of our world.  The topics ranged from wisdom and courage for all, to government leaders, safety, world peace and help for the persecuted & those in danger.  And yes, we even prayed what is often the most difficult prayer of all, that the hearts of our enemies would soften, and their eyes would turn towards Jesus.

            We also watched a video that highlighted a little known 81-foot tall granite statue in Plymouth, Massachusetts known as the Forefathers Monument.  It was completed in 1889, paid for by federal taxpayer dollars!

            The statue serves as a reminder to our nation that a free society and liberty can be attained through Biblical faith, morality, law, and education.  It tells the story of how the early pilgrims believed our nation could get back on track if we lost our way.   It is a fascinating video that you can easily find on Youtube, or if you want more information just Google “Forefathers monument, Pathway to Liberty.”

            2 Chronicles 7:14 also has good advice.  It comes from the Lord Himself who says,  “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

            A close look at this passage reveals that the targeted audience is not the worldly heathen.  It is not aimed at people who have little or no knowledge of God’s will for their lives.  It is aimed directly at God-followers who have simply lost their way, people who may have once been totally dedicated to obeying the will of God but have become arrogant, wicked, uncommitted in their faith, and unwilling to go to the Father in prayer.

            There are a lot of things even our strongest friends are unable to do for us.  But there is nothing our God can’t do.  Have a great week!

Kindness is priceless

by Barrett Vanlandingham
September 16, 2014

            In the day in and day out grind of life, things can get to a point where one day is just about like all the others with minimal variation.  But last week was different for me. 

            A Christian brother called to say, “Hey, I noticed the fiberglass backboard of the basketball goal behind the church building is just about all torn to pieces.  Would you mind if I replaced it with a solid metal backboard?  I bought one the other day at an auction for about five bucks?” 

            I thought, “Wow!  What a blessing!”   My friend noticed the old backboard was in far less than stellar condition, and he made arrangements to do something about it without even being asked.  And just now, while I was writing this article one of my Christian sisters brought-in a dish of freshly baked brownies.  Now if that’s not a blessing, I don’t know what is!  I must admit, those kinds of things just make my day!  But another thing I must admit, I personally need to do a lot better at being like those two friends, noticing when others need help, and then taking care of it, or maybe just doing something nice just for fun!

            God has given each of us a passion, a gift, or a talent for something, not everything.  So, the kinds of things I notice that need to be done may not be the same things somebody else notices or has a passion for.  That’s why it takes effort from all of us, including me.  That’s the way God created everything and everyone.  He is all about teamwork and unity, from groups of people, right down to how our bodies function, and most certainly how church families operate.

            Romans 12:4-5 says, “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body and each member belongs to all the others.”

            Paul goes on to list some of the gifts God has bestowed upon Christians who make up the church.  Serving, encouraging, showing mercy, and the ability to lead are among those gifts.  To the people we come in contact with, sharing our gifts with others is truly a God-sent.  You see, God never intended for us to behave like hoarders, but instead use our gifts to bless the lives of others.  In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

            Let others see by your actions that God is good.  Have a great week!

It is important to get in line with God’s will

by Barrett Vanlandingham
September 9, 2014

            God has blessed each one of us with a very special talent.  He has made each one of us just the way we are, and He loves each one of us just the way we are.  That’s a BIG deal.

            A new television commercial for “Under Armour” features a very muscular, short, stocky, non-traditional but very successful professional ballerina named Misty Copeland.  The ad’s goal is to bolster women’s self-image, and convey perseverance.  Copeland is changing the preconceived stereotypes of what a ballerina is supposed to look like.  She is one of several female athletes featured in the new “Under Armour” ads that end with the tagline “I will what I want”.

            The Christian race is similar to this mindset, with one major difference.  Instead of saying, “I will what I want”, the caption should read, “I will what God wants”.  Jesus set the ultimate example for us as He was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane just before he was arrested, tortured, and crucified.

            “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” (Mark 14:36)

            This passage is not to be confused with the idea that God does not want us to set goals and use our talents to the best of our ability, and maybe just sit around waiting for God to kick us into gear somehow. That would be an extreme position to take, and unbiblical.  But we should also not be under the misconception that God is smiling down on us when we only use our talents to bring attention to ourselves or to simply feel good about ourselves.  That would be the other extreme.

            For the Christian, our will (or those things we want) needs to be in line with God’s will.  Remember Paul’s words to the church in Galatia?  “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25)   Too often we get that phrase turned around and expect God to keep in step with us.  We must remember who the Leader is, and who knows the way to heaven.

            It is good for Christians to be involved in all walks of life.  Otherwise, it would be difficult to be a good influence.  In fact, Christians are some of the most fascinating and talented people in the world because they take seriously what it means to do their best with the abilities God has blessed them with.   Remember, God can work mightily through you to accomplish His will, no matter what your opinion is of yourself.  So have a great week and remember to let your will be God’s.