Above the Sun: The anticipation is almost too much!

by Barrett Vanlandingham

June 7, 2020

            Remember when you were a kid and couldn’t wait to see everyone on the first day of school, but at the same time were a little stressed because you hadn’t seen them in so long? That’s kind of how I feel about coming back together as a church family. Excited and a little uneasy all at the same time.

            It will no doubt be amazing to see and visit and worship with everyone back in the church building setting again. The fellowship of Christians to encourage and build up one another is one of the most important strategies God gives us to stay strong and grow spiritually. A Christian’s faith influences every minute of our lives. So, the fact that most churches have not met in person since mid-March really has been a significant change.

The online worship times at my church are always helpful and inspiring. This is true even for the Lord’s Supper since we all get to take communion at the same time to remember the Lord’s death instead of waiting for the tray to be passed. This prolonged way of life hopefully has reminded us that the church is not a building, it is us. We should always worship God with every part of our lives wherever we are.

Sheltering has reminded me that if I am going to stay strong spiritually and grow in my faith, I must do a better job of holding myself accountable in all areas. I enjoy watching sports, and I also enjoy watching houses and yards be renovated and upgraded. But watching someone else do those things never seems to make me, my house, or my yard look any better. The same is true whether I am worshiping in person with my church family or at home or on the road. Sheltering has taught me that online worship or worshiping with my family or a small group can be just as impactful as when we meet at the building if I put forth effort and take it seriously, becoming more intentional about the way I honor God and remember what His son did for us and the hope it brings.

And while it is true that you get out of it what you put into it, I think most of us figured out very quickly there is just something very special about being able to come together in person as a church family. In fact, knowing how quickly life can change has likely altered how we approach an average day. Things have changed. That’s okay. We can take comfort in the truth that Christians are part of a kingdom that will never end. Have a great week!

Above the Sun: There is a link between Bible study and encouragement

by Barrett Vanlandingham

May 31, 2020

           

            During tough times, most of us look for ways to feel better. For some, this means browsing for good deals online. Others might look for ways to give their yard or flowerbeds a fresh new look. New furniture is always nice. Listening to positive music or motivational speakers online can be encouraging. A friend or family member who always seems to know just the right thing to say is also a very good thing. One proven remedy is thousands of years old and is stated by the apostle Paul.

            “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

            It is funny how easy it is to overlook some of the best solutions for a bad day (or a bad life). In this verse, Paul connects what is written in the Bible with encouragement. When you get down to it, encouragement is something that brings about hope. Sometimes I pray that God gives us something to smile about today. I guess what I am really asking is for God to provide something encouraging to me so that I can feel a sense of well-placed hope. God provides us plenty to smile about if we look in the right places. The best place to start is where God has spoken through the writers of the Bible. Then, after gaining knowledge of His word we must apply it. This takes endurance. Hope is the result.      

            If anyone would understand what it is like to experience physical or social distancing from those we love, it would be the apostle Paul. He wrote letters to the church in Thessalonica for the very purpose of encouraging new Christians after his visit to them had been cut short by persecution.

            “17 But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. 19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy” (1 Thessalonians 2:17-20).

            Though Paul was not able to visit them, he wrote and even sent Timothy who was evidently a lesser known evangelist than Paul to “to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials” (1 Thessalonians 3:2-3).

            And so to you I say the same with these thoughts rooted in His word: Stay strong in the faith. Be encouraged that God is in control. He rewards His faithful, and He makes all things beautiful in its time.

            Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Even Paul learned to be an encourager

by Barrett Vanlandingham

May 24, 2020

            You have probably heard someone talk about the fact that their mouth is always getting them into trouble.

Yes, it is hard to be an encourager all the time. But we can all improve, and in doing so we can make a huge difference in the lives of the friends, family, co-workers, and others we interact with. In writing to the church in Ephesus, the apostle Paul gave us all some good guidelines for what we choose to say.

            “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29).

            Paul knew firsthand the benefits of encouragement. A Christian brother named Barnabas helped him in the beginning stages of his ministry to gain credibility among those who knew Paul in his former life as a persecutor of Christians. Having Barnabas as an encouraging friend evidently rubbed off on Paul since the New Testament is full of examples of Paul encouraging new Christians.

            In Acts 13:42-43 Paul and Barnabas had spent a Saturday at a Jewish synagogue teaching Jewish history and explaining to them how it was fulfilled in the good news of Jesus Christ. As they left, they encouraged the Jews to continue in the grace of God. The people invited Paul and Barnabas to come back the next week.

            In Acts 15 the mentor of encouragement, Barnabas, left with Mark to go on a missionary journey. Paul went with Silas and put his newfound encouragement skills to work. Luke tells us that Paul went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. That’s in stark contrast to the description we read of Paul the persecutor in the earlier chapters of Acts. It is hard to imagine that someone who was once a persecutor of Christians would later write nearly half of the New Testament books! Who knows just how big of a role Barnabas’s encouragement played in helping Paul reach his full potential as an evangelist and writer? Just think how different our world would be if we all followed the example of Barnabas!

            Even while Paul was in chains, he still managed to write letters that would encourage new Christians to choose words carefully. “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Colossians 4:5-6).

            Some people are better at encouraging others through talking, some with writing, and some through acts of kindness. The best thing about telling or showing people Jesus Christ and His love for us is that the message speaks for itself, loud and clear, and brings hope to communities and nations like nothing else can.  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Encouraging others is worth the effort

by Barrett Vanlandingham

May 17, 2020

            Even if you have a hard time putting a proper definition with the word encouragement, we all know what it feels like to be encouraged, and what it feels like to encourage someone else.

            For several weeks now, my Sunday morning online youth Bible class has focused on the topic of encouragement. And as expected, I always feel better just minutes after class starts, even if it is taking place through the Zoom app on my cell phone or computer. The fact that I can see and hear from my students is a huge blessing to me, and I hope it is to them, too. Learning how to think outside the box to encourage others is one big blessing that has come from the culture we’re living in right now.

            We are encouraged in two ways: by what we do and what others do. We are finding out that it is just as important to be a giver as a receiver of encouragement even though some people are simply better at being an encourager.  The fact is, the Holy Spirit has gifted some people with an extra measure of the ability to encourage. That is why you just feel encouraged when you are in the presence of people who possess this very special gift of being an encourager.

            In Romans 6, the apostle Paul says, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” So, no matter what the Holy Spirit has gifted you with, whether it is teaching, giving, helping, mercy, discernment or whatever, it is important to use that gift to build up others. God wants us to encourage others even if that is not our gift.

Paul told the early Christians to “encourage one another and build each other up” and that encouragement along with unity and peace will result in a closer relationship with the God of love and peace (2 Corinthians 13:11).

In Hebrews 3:13, the writer says, “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”

The Hebrew writer also says that meeting together and encouraging our brothers and sisters in Christ helps us all stay strong in the faith (10:23-24).

If we daily strive to add goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love to our faith journey (2 Peter 1:8), we cannot help but be more effective in encouraging others in their spiritual walk.

May God bless each of us this week with opportunities to be an encourager.  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Happy Mother’s Day!

by Barrett Vanlandingham

May 10, 2020

            Hello and I hope everyone is doing fine on this Mother’s Day. It is during times like these that moms have a tremendous amount to do with how the rest of us view what’s going on in the world. In spite of so many uncertainties, mothers continue doing what they do best which is to simply be a good woman, a task that brings countless blessings to all those closest to them, and to many others. Sounds simple on the surface, but in Proverbs 31:10-31 the wisest man who ever lived, King Solomon, reveals some of the wisdom he gained in his search for a good woman among his 700 wives and 300 concubines.

            “10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.

11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. 12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. 15 She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. 16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. 18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. 19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.

21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. 22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. 26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”

Here’s a link to a song I wrote recently about my wife of noble character, Lisa. Big thanks to my audio engineer son, Britton Vann Music, for recording, co-producing, and mixing me.  https://youtu.be/DoZ4WBxOoHQ

I hope you enjoy it.  Have a good week!