Spending Time with Christian Family Is Important

by Barrett Vanlandingham

December 1, 2015      

            What a joy it was to sing songs of thanksgiving with my Church family during the special Tuesday night service this past week.  To top it off, our preacher, Dan Rouse, collected note cards from everyone who had written what they’re thankful for. It was heartwarming to say the least. Perhaps your church does something similar during the holidays. As I listened to the thoughts expressed on each card, I was reminded once again why I love my Christian brothers and sisters. The cards expressed thankfulness for things like grace, mercy, love, long marriages, family, church, health, community, a great school system, and freedom. The whole evening was so encouraging.

            Special nights like that make me wonder what it would have been like to live in the first century and be part of the very first Lord’s church. In Acts 2, Peter had just finished preaching the first Gospel sermon. Thousands believed, repented, confessed, were baptized, and were added to the Lord’s church just like we can be today!

            “And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.  And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved (Acts 2:42-47).”

            What a beautiful scene! Fellowship and encouragement among the very first New Testament Christians.  Imagine their prayers and expressions of thankfulness as the soon to be persecuted church was just getting off the ground. These brand new disciples were learning how to take the good news of Jesus Christ into a hostile and broken world. Those first Christians did an incredible job of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. The Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20) of taking the Gospel to people everywhere applies to today’s Christians, too. So our times of worship and fellowship to prepare us for evangelizing the lost are just as crucial. Today’s Christians must take full advantage of every opportunity to build up one another for the spiritual warfare we all face daily. Never underestimate the importance of the gathering together of Christians to worship God and to encourage one another. You just never know who really needed that warm greeting that would not have happened if you weren’t there. Have a blessed week!

God’s blessings are bountiful

by Barrett Vanlandingham

November 24, 2015

            During Thanksgiving, people throughout our neck of the woods, and all across the U.S. will honor God with praise and thanks for their blessings. Many will not.  But one of the incredible things about God that humbles me the most is the fact that He continues to bless us in countless ways even if we don’t remember to thank Him.

            You could open your Bible to any Psalm and find a meaningful passage that would give you lots to think about, along with reminders of things to be thankful for. Here’s one:

            “I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High (Psalm 7:17).”

            There are so many ways David described God in the Psalms. Righteous and Most High are only a glimpse of how David felt about his maker. David wrote Psalm 7 as a plea, asking God to keep him safe, even as a man named Cush (a Benjamite) was evidently trying to stir up trouble for him by spreading false information to an already jealous King Saul.

            You may remember in the book of 1 Samuel 18, King Saul was angry after David killed Goliath, not because the giant was dead, but because all the women of Israel danced and sang a song for Saul that spoke more highly of David than of Saul. They sang, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”

            David ends Psalm 7 the same way he did so many other of his writings that expressed fear, frustration, and outrage, by letting God know that no matter what happens to him, he trusts God and sees Him as worthy of honor. In this case, David’s uses of the words “righteous” and “Most High” are strong indicators of the confidence David had in God. Remember, by this time David had seen God’s mighty hand at work in a number of tense situations that could have resulted in his death many times over if it were not for God’s presence. 

            You may be experiencing problems with health, finances, fear, family squabbles, or other relationship situations. If so, follow David’s lead and thank God for being with you every step of the way. The apostle Peter also experienced lots of ups and downs. Remember his advice?

            “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:6-7).”

            God continues to pour out blessings on His creation daily, and He understands what you’re going through. You may recall what He went through so that we could have hope of heaven.  This week, take extra time to be thankful. Have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving week!

Spiritual security is worth your effort

by Barrett Vanlandingham

November 17, 2015

            One of the issues Americans place high importance on is national security. People of every nation around the globe no doubt feel the same about their countries.  We all want to feel safe. And while feeling safe physically is a very big deal, Christians know it is more important to be safe spiritually.

            The apostle Paul said, “You were bought at a price (1 Corinthians 7:23).” 

Safety always comes at a price. Jesus paid the ultimate price for our salvation.

One of Jesus’ closest friends said, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).”

            So how can we acquire or build the kind of faith (belief) John is talking about that leads to salvation? After all, we know the devil believes Jesus is God’s Son, yet we know God has already prepared eternal fire for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41).

            You want safety for eternity? The price has already been paid. But Paul says the Christian race still takes effort.

            “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified (1 Cor. 9:24-27).”           

            Here are three helpful tips for building your safe zone for eternity:

1)  Dig into God’s word for answers.  2 Timothy 3:16 says that the Bible has all the information we need to be complete and fully equipped spiritually. Paul also reminds us in this passage that every word of the Bible is inspired by God. I can’t think of any other instruction book that would give me the kind of confidence I get when I read those words!

2) Look for opportunities to do good for others. 2 Timothy 2:15 not only tells us to handle God’s word correctly, but also says that we should do our best to present ourselves to God as one approved. You see, it does no good to have only head knowledge without applying it to the way you live. You certainly can’t ignore the greatest commands: Love God, and love others (Matthew 22:36-40).  Inspired no doubt by James 2:26, the late singer/songwriter Rich Mullins sang it this way: “Faith without works is like a song you can’t sing, it’s about as useless as a screen door on a submarine.”

3) Surround yourself with good people. Hebrews 10:25 reminds us that Christians should not neglect meeting together, since being around other Christians encourages an attitude of love and good works. The author says that is very important as we anticipate Judgment Day.

            Pray today for the desire to run the Christian race in a way that pleases God, and brings about spiritual security for eternity. Have a blessed week!

The power of words is not reliant on wordiness

by Barrett Vanlandingham

November 3, 2015

            Before my friend and church elder Harvey Young passed away a few years ago, I always enjoyed hearing what he had to say, especially in a group discussion. He sat usually sat there in silence, listened, and just when I thought no one else had anything to say, Harvey always chimed in with some of the most profound observations. Maybe you have had the similar experiences in your friend circles.

             The lesson in that for me, other than the content of the comment, was always a reminder that fewer words can often carry the most weight.

            Remember these words?  “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”  That’s an 800 year old quote from an Italian preacher known as Francis of Assisi. I can’t even remember most conversations from a week ago.

            Single words and short phrases or sentences are often some of the most meaningful. Think about the words “I love you” or when a judge says, “guilty” or “not guilty”, or when a teacher or coach says, “You can do it!” The entire outlook of a day can change in an instant.

            One of my new favorite verses of the Bible comes from the book of Psalms. They are the words of David when he fled his son Absalom who was trying to kill David and take over his father’s throne.

            “But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head (Psalm 3:3).”  Even though David himself seems to be a man of many words and actions, it is a short message like this that carries as much meaning for us today as it did about 3000 years ago. Short sections of the Old Testament Psalms were quoted by most of the New Testament writers 1000 years later.

            As I wrote this article, I glanced up to see a note I keep posted on the cabinet above my desk. It is from Harvey and his wife Jo who has also passed away: “Dear Barrett & Lisa, We just want to remind you that we love and appreciate you and your sweet family. You are in our prayers as we know how difficult your work is. We love you, Harvey & Jo”

            Most of us will never pen an original quote that will be known worldwide, but each of us can send a thoughtful note, or call someone, or even make a personal visit to someone who could use some encouragement. You never know what a difference a few kind words will make. It was true in David’s time, and it is true today. Have a blessed week!