True joy this season may only be a prayer away

by Barrett Vanlandingham

November 29, 2016

          By now, most of us are trying to figure out how to lose those five pounds we put on last week, how to pay for all those Christmas gifts, and how to deal with a jillion other things that occupy our minds during the holidays.

          We are headed into what many people feel is not the “most wonderful, hap, happiest time of the year,” but rather, the most stressful time of year. One friend of mine says the busy pace and commercialization of the holiday season are enough to make him want to say, “Bah humbug!” I say, to each his own regarding whether someone likes the holiday season. But the Bible does offer some solutions that, if followed, would bring joy into any season of the year.

          The apostle Peter was a bit of a worry wart, and at times was known to try to take situations into his own hands instead of trusting in God. By the time he wrote the letters we know as first and second Peter, he had evidently grown a lot in wisdom. He said, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).”  This was the same guy who walked on water until he took his eyes off Jesus, and later cut off the soldier’s ear who came to arrest Jesus, then that same night denied that he even knew Jesus.

          Most of you reading this would agree that Jesus Christ has had a profound impact on your quality of life. Still, most of us would also agree that when the going gets tough, we lack trust in Him, and forget to go to Him in prayer.

          Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).”

          Jesus has been where we are. He understands our struggles. He is truly the only one who is capable of giving us rest. The apostle Paul agrees.

          He said, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7).”

          Have a great day!

Take some time to be thankful

by Barrett Vanlandingham

November 22, 2016

          “How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you (Psalm 31:19).”

          There is no doubt about it. We serve a good, good Father. We have more things for which to be thankful than we can possibly count.

          In 1864, English hymnist and poet Folliot S. Pierpoint penned these words:

“For the beauty of he earth, For the beauty of the skies, For the love which from our birth, over and around us lies. Lord of all, to Thee we raise this our sacrifice of praise. For the beauty of each hour, of the day and of the night, Hill and vale and tree and flower, Sun and moon and stars of light. Lord of all, to Thee we raise this our sacrifice of praise.  For thy church that evermore lifteth holy hands above, offering up on every shore her pure sacrifice of love. Lord of all, to Thee we raise this our sacrifice of praise.”

          Pierpoint simply wanted to give thanks in song to God for the wonders of nature. So if you were going to write a song to thank God for something, what would it be? Your family, health, friends? Or how about thanking God for the gift of music or art. Have you ever thought about the impact the arts have on any culture including ours? In Oklahoma, there are probably more than a few who would thank God for football!

          The point is, even in a world that is caught up in only thinking about self, we can all thank God for something meaningful. This week, many of you are probably going to sit down with those you love and have a Thanksgiving meal, and catch up on each other’s lives. Others of you will spend Thanksgiving Day in a soup kitchen, serving less fortunate people, and those who have no place to call home.

           “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Colossians 3:17).”

          Have a blessed week!

We owe a debt of gratitude and faithfulness

by Barrett Vanlandingham

November 15, 2016

         I had such a nice time at Fort Gibson’s Veteran’s Day Assembly on Friday morning. My favorite part every year is when the veterans from each branch of the military stand while the school band plays the song that represents each branch. I know before I ever enter the building I will get all choked up. I think a lot of people feel that way. We simply feel a debt of gratitude towards those who laid their lives on the line so that we as a nation could continue to be free. Dead or alive, the veterans who are honored across our nation and here at home are part of a great cloud of witnesses that inspires and remind us of the cost of freedom.

          The Hebrew writer used this kind of language to describe the confidence we as Christians should have as we engage in spiritual warfare. It is important to remember those men and women of faith who’ve gone before us, and who were willing to follow God wholeheartedly, even if it meant putting their own lives in danger. Remembering their bravery and sacrifice helps us to keep moving forward in our faith.

          “1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:1-3).

          Thankfully, the sacrifices of our nation’s military make it more likely that our sacrifices are mostly limited to standing up for biblical truths in our conversations and behaviors than being asked to die for our faith. Pray that God helps us all to speak the truth in a way that people will know us by our love. Have a blessed day! 

Accountability helps us grow in faith

by Barrett Vanlandingham

November 8, 2016

          As I was taking my teenage son, Britton, to a voice lesson last Friday, he was excited to have the opportunity to be coached by a renowned vocal instructor. Her name is Marjorie, and she has a long list of credentials. She had the task of helping fine tune Britton’s voice to play the lead in Fort Gibson’s musical production of Phantom of the Opera (November 18-20). Marjorie is sweet and tough, all rolled into one. Britton was looking forward to what she had to say, but when the critique began, I could see it was a little uncomfortable for him.

          Not many of us enjoy going through what it takes to improve, whether you’re talking about music or other arts, athletics, or academics. But we all like the end result. This is also the case for improving spiritually. If we are to succeed in our battles with Satan, we must be willing to grow in our faith. This means replacing bad habits and attitudes with good ones, and being accountable to God and fellow Christians.

          Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful (John 15:1-2).”

          Fact is, as long as we are human, we are imperfect. Notice here that Jesus doesn’t exempt fruit bearing branches from being trimmed a little. This is also the case for Christians. None of us is able to be perfect, since perfectly following God’s plan for us still involves mess ups. If we were perfect, there would have been no need for Jesus, the perfect sacrifice, to come to earth, to show us how to live, and to be crucified for our sins. Our response to his love is to believe in him, be clothed in him through baptism (Galatians 3:26-27) and continue walking in his light (1 John 1:7).

          Spiritual critiquing in love, not finger pointing, is an important practice for Christians who want to grow in faith. Have a blessed week!

          By the way, if you would like tickets to the musical, contact the school office.