Hit Send!

by Barrett Vanlandingham

November 7, 2017

          One of the biggest lies Satan has pulled on our generation, and the generation before, and so on, is this:

            “You can’t make a difference in this world. You’re just one person.  You’re too young, or you’re too old. You should wait.”  So year after year, we sit, and wait for the perfect time, and say we are too busy, or that our act of compassion isn’t really needed or won’t be noticed. So just like an unsent text message, your good intention goes nowhere.

            It is inspiring to see selfless people helping others, especially when those being helped do not know who is helping. However, most people believe the lie, and do nothing.  You see, just like a button on a cell phone, God wants us to HIT SEND everyday on our Christ-like attitude.

            Christians can be just as guilty as anyone out there, as we “go to church” (instead of being the church). We also form opinions about social and political causes and things we read about on social media and in the news. We rant about it, run a 10-K about it, and protest about it. But when it comes to putting God’s word into action, participating in solutions and answers and teaching and serving and loving others in ways that are actually needed, we are afraid to “HIT SEND”. That button requires commitment.

            So, God’s message is never sent, received, delivered, liked, copied, replied to, and no one is saved as they are, saved as a new creation, or saved as a child of God. Today’s Christians need to step up and HIT SEND right where we are, and make a real difference in our world one person at a time, even if nobody else knows about your good deed.

            Those around us need to experience Jesus living and working through us. We serve a God who is the ALL-POWERFUL CREATOR. He can take our feeble efforts and do something incredible with them if we will just HIT SEND, and do it in a spirit of love.

            Today, pray about one situation where you want God to help you make a difference, and then HIT SEND. Have a great week!

The best treat is the joy of the Lord

by Barrett Vanlandingham

October 31, 2017

          Do you know anyone who just always seems to be upbeat and happy? It’s nice to have those kinds of people in our lives, isn’t it, especially if they know when to turn it off.

          The truth is, happiness is circumstantial and for those who just naturally have upbeat personalities. Being happy all the time is just not possible for anyone, but being joyful all the time is, especially for those who live according to God’s word. After all, the reward of heaven is not that far away no matter who or how old you are!  Now, that’s something to smile about.

          One of my favorite hymns is “The Joy of the Lord.”  It comes from Nehemiah 8:9-12 when Nehemiah the governor told the Israelites, “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”  This was his response when he saw the people weeping as they listened to God’s word being read at a revival by Ezra the priest and some of the Levites. Nehemiah told the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.”

          Some people have mistakenly thought that at holy gatherings, God’s people must be straight-faced and somber, or even weeping. But in Nehemiah’s day, he and the Levites explained to the people that there is a connection between holiness and joy. Yes, God’s word was no doubt cutting its listeners to the heart as they compared what they were hearing with how they were living. But those who repented and committed their lives to the Lord found joy and strength through the One who still gives us hope.

          It was also that way in Acts 2:36-47 where we find joy (vs. 46-47) being expressed after the people believed Peter’s message about Jesus. They spoke openly about their predicament, and then repented and were baptized for the forgiveness of their sins. It was at that point God’s Spirit began to dwell in them and the Lord added the saved to His number. Believers in Christ were strengthen spiritually by the joy that could only be found in the Lord. This new and joy-filled life is an eternal treat available to all who are in Christ (Romans 6:3-5). Have a joyful week!

No Tricks! God can help you overcome the deceiver

by Barrett Vanlandingham

October 24, 2017

          So I got an email that said, “Thanks for your new payment of $2734.67.  Click on this link to see your receipt.”

          I thought, “O no!!  What have I done?”  Then I realized I hadn’t done anything wrong, and that this email was either trying to trick me into activating a computer virus by clicking on the link, or they were trying to get my personal information. I checked with my bank to see if an unauthorized withdrawal had been attempted. Nothing showed up. 

          I get similar emails from hackers pretending to be my email carrier telling me that if I don’t click a link to update, my account will be discontinued. One time a caller told me I had a virus on my computer and wanted me to pay him to fix it. My mom got the same call. They wanted to take control of her computer remotely.  THESE ARE ALL SCAMS.

          The devil also works in this way. He is the greatest deceiver of all time. And just like these scammers, don’t waste your time engaging him or his dark forces in any conversation or correspondence. They are clever, and always appear to be on your side. If you make the choice to give Satan access to any part of your life, he won’t stop until he controls all of it. We must all heed the words of James 4:7, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

          The Bible has much to say about deception. In 1 Timothy 4:1 Paul says, “The Spirit says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” 

          1 John 4:1 says, “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” John says those who are not from God speak from the viewpoint of the world.

          In both the Old and New Testaments, the writers warn against adding to or taking away from God’s word. Paul reminds us that Scripture thoroughly equips Christians for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16).  Any other word that contradicts the Bible is not from God. May He bless you richly as you seek to follow His will.

Autumn doesn’t fall on its own

by Barrett Vanlandingham

October 17, 2017

          In just a few days, the beautiful green trees of summer will give us a spectacular view as the fall foliage steps in to take the spotlight on God’s colorful stage.

          In Genesis, we get a peek at what those days of history were like when God originally created the beauty of nature just few thousand years ago.

          “Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds. And it was so… and there was evening, and there was morning - the third day” (Genesis 1:11, 13)

          “Now the Lord planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground - trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food” (Genesis 2:8-9).

          In Genesis 5:3 we are told that when Adam was 130 years old, he fathered a son and named him Seth. The historical timeline is easy to follow from there all the way to where we are today, roughly six-thousand years later, and our Creator is still wowing us through the wonders of nature.

          Hey, if Jesus can be born of a virgin, walk on the water, raise Lazarus, Tabitha, and Jairus’s daughter from the dead, re-attach Malchus’s right ear, die in exactly the same manner as the prophets foretold, and finally raise Himself from the grave and ascend back to heaven, I really have no problem believing that He created everything in only six days, only a few thousand years ago, not millions or billions. Besides, the Bible’s account of creation is also supported by science (God created that, too).

          The writer of Psalm 96 was no doubt awestruck by God’s creative ability shown in nature: “Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.”

          So, when you see the leaves start to turn, just remember to praise our awesome God who is behind it all. Have a great week!

Ancient words that can make your day

Barrett Vanlandingham

October 10, 2017

           

            There is nothing more refreshing than having a conversation with someone who has a positive and encouraging attitude. Whether you are having problems with relationships, finances, job, or school, here are a few Bible verses that can bring sunshine and smiles to a Christian’s day:

“6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

            “28 ...The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:28-31).

            “1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure” (1 John 3:1-3).

            “2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:2-4).”

            “58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

            It is amazing how our attitude can improve when we listen to God. Have a great day!