Good spiritual health requires effort

by Barrett Vanlandingham

March 31, 2015

               I have many friends who are working to get their bodies into better shape. I love reading their online posts and visiting with friends who are choosing better eating habits and sensible exercise plans. It helps motivate me.  Even though I’m pretty sure it’s not in my body’s best interest to train for a half-marathon, there are a few things I could be doing just to feel better and increase my energy level.

            In matters of faith, the same thing applies. We could all stand to be in better shape, spiritually.  But there are no miracle cures. Even spiritual growth involves goals, effort, commitment, and accountability.  It’s like the old saying, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.”

            Lisa and I still laugh about a bottle of shellfish pills I ordered 20 years ago from a late night infomercial that would supposedly prevent fat from being absorbed into my system. The selling point was that you could eat whatever you want, and there wouldn’t be any negative consequences. The miracle pill didn’t work. All it did was make me sick to my stomach.

            I can think of several friends who motivate me to put effort into my spiritual growth. My first Bible professor at Oklahoma Christian University, Dr. Howard Norton, once mentioned some of the benefits he receives from his yearly reading of the Bible. I have always been grateful Dr. Norton shared that because I just figured he was naturally a spiritual giant.  Also, my friend Glen told me the other day about some of the benefits he has received over the years from being part of Bible study groups. I was impressed by that because Glen is a businessman who is constantly busy, but he finds time outside of normal Sunday and Wednesday worship times to grow his faith. Also, there are some ladies at my church who formed a group a couple of years ago they call GROW (God Renewing Our Women). They meet each Thursday for Bible study and practical life application. 

            You may remember the old saying, “You only get out of it what you’re willing to put into it.”  How true! People who are in good spiritual shape don’t get there by accident. They work at it.  Otherwise, they would face the same consequences everyone else does who ignore the Bible’s instructions on obtaining good spiritual health. For Christians, our physical goals must be tied to our spiritual goals. We must ask ourselves, “How will this decision impact me or others spiritually?”

            Now at 250, I’ve lost 10 pounds this month by watching my portion sizes, limiting fat and sugar intake, walking a mile a day, light exercise, and trying not to eat past 6:30. My goal is to make sure my physical health doesn’t limit my spiritual health and opportunities to impact my family and others for Christ.  If this sounds like a goal you’re interested in achieving, let’s pray for each other!    Have a great week!

It is good to stay in touch with God’s word

by Barrett Vanlandingham

March 24, 2015

            “ I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book (Revelation 22:18-19).”

            I must admit when I re-read those words from the book of Revelation a few days ago, they did not set well with me.  I found that strange but I was not sure why. What was most disturbing were not the words themselves, but rather the fact that I had an uncomfortable reaction when I read them.

            Oddly enough, I had been doing research on some possible themes and topics for summer camp, and it was that passage from Revelation 22:18-19 that I came to first. It was part of a series of lessons under a theme I ran across titled “Revive.”  The lesson, which I had actually written ten years earlier, taught the importance of reviving the integrity of how we treat scripture. In other words, are we willing to let the Bible speak for itself, or only follow until that point at which we disagree?  You know what I mean?

            For whatever reason, I probably had not read, or at least given much thought to, those verses in years. What bothered me was that in such a relatively short amount of time, even a minister who studies and teaches several times a week can allow himself to be swayed by cultural norms. How could I dip my toe even a little into the societal mindset that says, “I want to do what I want to do!”  Or maybe that wasn’t it at all.  Maybe what bothered me is that I’ve heard those verses so many times spoken in the negative tone of “I am right and you’re wrong!” instead of in a spirit of love.

            Whatever the reason for my cringing reaction, I decided it must be worth further study, especially if it means getting back to the very simple principle of letting God be God, letting God do the instructing, and letting me do the following, especially since I am not the one with the answers. The fact is, God loves us very much. So, when He says something, especially when it comes in the last chapter of the last book of the Bible, maybe God is simply trying to leave us with the most important words we need to remember, which happen to also be the words we too easily forget.

            The apostle Paul planted many congregations of the Lord’s church and spent a lot of time reminding them to stay revived, renewed, and not to go back to their former way of life.  Paul told the church in Rome, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:2).”

            Yes, the Bible often says things in a very straightforward manner that is not politically correct in our culture today (and not back then either). But since our souls are at stake, would we really want God’s instructions to be any other way?  Have a great week!

God grants peace in the midst of trials

by Barrett Vanlandingham

March 17, 2015

            Funny how problems that weren’t even on your radar when you woke up that day, suddenly become priorities. That’s the kind of day I had last Monday. First, I realized my driver’s license expired about a week and a half before!   Next, my oldest daughter called from college telling me her car needs over $2000 in repairs on a vehicle that is only worth about $4000.  To top it all off, I got a sore throat and chest congestion.  If that weren’t enough for me, several of my church family members have been struggling with their health this week in ways that make my problems look like nothing! Please take a minute and pray for them since I know a lot of you are prayer warriors.  I am pausing to pray for you & your loved ones, too.

            In John 16, Jesus basically tells his disciples that if they thought things were tough so far, just wait.  Things were about to get a lot worse as far as being persecuted for teaching about Christ and living in obedience to Him.  But he goes on to say that those who love Him are loved by the Father. I will come back to that magnificent statement in a minute.

            Jesus said, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world (John 16:33, ESV).”

            The lesson we are to take from this statement is simple and of greatest encouragement.  The fact is, we have not lived in the Garden of Eden for quite some time now, so we can know with certainty bad stuff is going to happen in this life. Jesus reassures his disciples by saying He has overcome the world, meaning this: If Jesus can do it, so can those who choose to trust and obey His will for us. There is no one who can do a better job helping us in our spiritual battles than Jesus!

            Jesus’ comment in verse 33 is preceded by a statement in verse 27 that I think should fill us with even more confidence.  “...the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God (John 16:27).”

            There are no other words Jesus could have spoken to bring more peace to today’s obedient Christians than those. The fact that “the Father himself loves you” does not mean there will not be problems in this life, but it does mean that the Creator himself makes all things beautiful in its time (ref: Ecclesiastes 3:11).  Have a great week!

Following the One who paid it all comes at a price

by Barrett Vanlandingham

March 10, 2015

            I went to Harp’s grocery store in Fort Gibson to buy two gallons of milk last week just in case the weatherman was right.  But as usual, I came out with a cart full of much more, including bottled water, grape juice, meat, cereal, cream of mushroom, cream of celery, corn, green beans, bread, eggs, an onion, a few other things, and yes, two gallons of milk.  I think the price was $73.  The funny thing is, I wasn’t even hungry!  I was just trying to be prepared.

            Wow, it costs a lot to be prepared!  It’s no different in the Christian life. One of the biggest frustrations in ministry comes when the parent of an older teenager expresses worry and concern about their child who doesn’t want to make time for worship, Bible reading, prayer, or even practice Christianity.  Believe me, I sympathize and empathize when it comes to these types of parenting issues. Preparing our children for spiritual battle takes sacrifice.

             For the minister, the frustration is not just about what’s going on now, it is about how that family got to this point in the first place, by rarely filling their child’s spiritual grocery cart with even the essentials of Christian commitment, much less the extra things just to be prepared. In hindsight, most parents wish they had gone ahead and paid the $73 (so to speak) and more.

            God’s word encourages Christian parents to guide their children to practice Christianity and to model the life of Christ among their friends and classmates. This also prepares them for life as a productive Christian when they grow up.  But parents often fall victim to peer pressure just like kids do, gauging success by worldly standards. Next thing you know, the parent’s desire to prepare their child for a life of popularity, or life as a sports star, entertainer, musician, brainiac or whatever, outweighs their desire to prepare them for a life of service to the Lord. 

            As a result, parents sink more and more attention into their child’s extracurricular activities, while dropping the ball almost entirely when it comes to youth group, church-related activities, setting a good example for their children. The outcome is less than desirable. That’s when parents finally wakes up and do one of two things: 1) give up because they know they messed up and are too embarrassed or prideful to ask for help from a minister or other Christian friend, or 2) tells the minister about their problem, hoping they can fix it.

            Yes, many things can be done to remedy what has resulted from misguided parenting decisions. But we really do reap what we sow (ref: Galatians 6:7).  Even if the child’s spiritual walk is straightened out to the point they can keep in step with the Spirit (ref: Ephesians 5:25), the child still missed out on many blessings that were forfeited in the name of chasing worldly success.  You may have even experienced something similar as an adult.

            Preparing our children to model Christianity comes at a price that cannot be put off until later.  It costs more than just lip service or even posting Bible verses on social media. It may mean the child’s teammates have to do without them if events routinely interfere with worship times.

            God bless you Christians and those considering a walk with Christ, the One who truly paid it all.  Have a great week!