Christians have the ultimate retirement
by Barrett Vanlandingham
October 20, 2009

Boxing great George Foreman is quoted as saying, “I don`t even think about a retirement program because I`m working for the Lord, for the Almighty. And even though the Lord`s pay isn`t very high, his retirement program is, you might say, out of this world.”
Big thanks to Stephen, a high school student who sent me that quote in a text message this week. It mirrors Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:19-21. Jesus says, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Later in chapter 6 Jesus reminds us to spend our time seeking out his will for us, and he will give us what we need.
These Biblical truths are just about as opposite from the world’s way of thinking as you could possibly get, aren’t they? But then again, the world’s mind is not set on things above, and is not seeking the same goal.
God is not saying he wants us to sit around and be lazy, waiting on him to miraculously do everything for us. He certainly expects us to provide for our families, and to use our talents to his glory. But if the search and hoarding of material possessions becomes the most important thing in our lives, Jesus is simply telling us we’re looking in the wrong direction. In fact, if we’re using our God-given talents in a way that does not honor him, we are also spinning our wheels spiritually, and worse yet, in the wrong direction.
Experiencing true joy is not something that has to begin after this life is over. You see, Christians can live a life of contentment in the here and now. Yes, even in the midst of pain, suffering, and disappointment, Christians can approach life with confidence. God’s people know that life on earth is at best temporary. Our goal during this short life we’re blessed with needs to be that of honoring God in our obedience to him, our love and trust of him, and our attitude and service to others.
Yes it’s true that most people don’t strike it rich as a result of walking on the Lord’s path. But it’s also true that God gives us what we need even when we think we need something more or something different.
The payoff for God’s retirement plan comes sooner for some than for others. We don’t understand all of the why’s about that either. But one thing is for sure. We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, and God rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Romans 8:28 & Hebrews 11:6) What more could we ask? Have a great day!


Showers of blessings are not just dumb luck
by Barrett Vanlandingham
October 13, 2009

When I see so much rainfall as we have experienced lately, I can’t help but think of all the ways God showers us with blessings. Have you ever tried to count all of your blessings? There’s a song written 112 years ago that we sing in worship called “When Upon Life’s Billows.” The chorus says, “Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your blessings, see what God has done.”
For me, just trying to process all of the ways God blesses me is like trying to shove a giant tub of cookie dough thru a small funnel. It’s next to impossible. But it sure is fun to taste the sweetness as I make an attempt.
For me, life is not perfect. We haven’t made it to heaven just yet. We all suffer many of the same physical and emotional aches and pains while recognizing there are always those in our community who struggle much more. I keep a busy schedule like many people, and I am not a rich man by the world’s standards. Most people aren’t.
I’m way too forgetful, but hey, last Sunday our pulpit minister Dan Rouse reminded us that forgetfulness is a blessing. I’ve been blessed a lot in that area lately it seems.
I will say, however, that I do have a wonderful wife and three fantastic children. Our life in Fort Gibson is good. But the joy any of us experiences does not come by accident. The apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 9:6 “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”
We should never just give of our time or money in order to receive a blessing. But it’s no accident that those who do go the extra mile are blessed beyond measure. I know a lot of wonderful people here in Fort Gibson who I look up to greatly because of their selfless acts of service. Their compassionate, kind, and Christ-like attitudes inspire me to try harder everyday.
Let’s never forget the principle taught in Luke 11:48 which says, “…From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”
Today, take some time to count a few of your blessings, thank God for them, and then pass on a blessing to someone else. Thisway of thinking will not only bless you, your family relationships, your friendships, and our community, it is also a time-proven way of thinking and living that has full backing in God’s word. Have a great day!


Fear is no way to live
by Barrett Vanlandingham
October 6, 2009

October is known for a lot of things. Fall festivals, leaves turning beautiful colors, and of course Halloween. My church, the Fort Gibson Church of Christ, is doing a Trunk r Treat where kids and their parents can safely walk through our parking lot from one trunk to the next where church members will be handing out treats.
When I was a kid, two of my favorite costumes were Dracula and Frankenstein! Of course, none of us was trying to seriously portray the spiritual “dark side.” We were simply having fun looking scary. These days, I prefer a slightly kinder, gentler, possibly humorous costume. Besides, there’s not much call for a scary youth minister. However, it does not offend me when kids dress up in creepy costumes as long as it’s not too offensive. My kid wants to be the “Headless Horseman.” I guess that’ll work.
In our walk towards heaven, we are bound to face plenty of people and situations that cause us fear and anxiety. Unbearable bosses, financial fears, spousal stresses, parenting problems, medical misfortunes, you name it. This broken ball we live on called earth is full of difficulties.
In spite of that, the Bible encourages us to live our faith and testify boldly about our Lord. 2 Timothy 1:7 says “For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” (NIV) Other versions say that God didn’t make us cowardly or fearful.
In fact, God made us in his own image (Genesis 1:27). And even though the psalmist David faced many trials and fearful situations, he still knew without a doubt who was in control in the end. He certainly made his share of mistakes at various times in his life, but he ultimately trusted God in all things, and you can too.
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:14) Please take time to read the entire 139th Psalm. It’s very inspirational to read and think about God’s tremendous power, and to try to comprehend the amount of love that God has for us.
May God bless you with confidence as you prayerfully consider laying all your fears in God’s hands so that you can serve him wholeheartedly. The fears of this life will not last forever. Life in heaven for eternity will. In the end, it will be more than worth every ounce of trust you put in our Savior Jesus Christ. Today, try telling someone about what he’s done in your life.

This is the season for spiritual change
by Barrett Vanlandingham
September 29, 2009

Just one week into the fall season and you can already feel it in the air. The transformation from sweltering heat and sticky humidity to that feeling of a fresh, crisp autumn on the horizon always gives my attitude a much needed boost. Everytime there is a change of season, I think about spiritual changes that need to happen in my life. I use it as a time of reflection and re-commitment.
It won’t be long before the leaves on the trees begin to turn colors and fall to the ground. This is a natural part of the cycle that brings new growth in the spring. We all need to look at our own priorities, our thoughts, our actions, and our words. We need to pray about these things and re-evaluate the direction of our life and how we apply God’s word in our life. This is the only way we will ever improve and continue to become what God wants us to be.
About 450 years before the time of Christ in the month of September (Tishri, the seventh month on the Jewish calendar), God’s people listened attentively to Ezra read from God’s word from daybreak until noon. The people re-committed themselves to God, living according to the Bible, celebrating with great joy that the Lord was their strength, and giving to those in need (ref: Nehemiah 8:1-12).
So, what does any of this mean to us today? I can’t think of a better way to experience fall than how the Israelites did on that day in Jerusalem so long ago, a day when they celebrated all the blessings that came with being God’s children.
Today there are more blessings than ever in being a child on God. In fact, since the time of Christ more people than ever have access to a special relationship with God. People of all nationalities and races (no longer only Israelites) are invited to trust in him and wear the name Christian, and as a result will be saved (ref: Romans 10:11-13).
But make no mistake about it, trusting involves obedience which is how God knows we truly love him (John 14:15). It takes more than just having knowledge that Jesus is the son of God in order to be saved. We have multiple New Testament examples of Satan and demons believing in the identity of Jesus; yet the Bible says they have no place in heaven. Scripture tells us plainly “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22)
Can you think of any better way to begin a new season than to not only have knowledge of what God expects of us, but to apply it in your daily life? Let this not only be a new season, but a new spiritual awakening, a time to re-commit your life to God, a time to serve him by serving others, a time to let your old ways of sin and self-doubt fall dead like leaves to the ground, and thereby gaining Christ by dying to sin. (ref: Romans 6:11). Serious Bible students will want to read the first eleven verses of Romans 6 to find out how to get into Christ. God bless you and have a Spirit-led week. (end)

See You at the Pole should happen everyday
by Barrett Vanlandingham
September 22, 2009

Most people would admit that today’s “See You at the Pole” national day of prayer is a very good thing. How wonderful it is that people of so many walks of faith are willing to approach God in prayer at the same time.
This year’s SYATP challenge is to engage your school, engage your community, and engage your world for his glory! This is certainly a worthy endeavor and it is one that Jesus wanted.
In John 17, just before Jesus is arrested, he prays for himself, for his followers, and for those who will eventually believe in him because of the message carried by obedient believers. Starting in verse 20, Jesus’ prayer is for complete unity, that all believers would be one.
But how can this possibly happen? After all, there are literally hundreds of denominations of the Lord’s church, and thousands of off-shoots beyond that. The fact is, if all those who call themselves Christians would pray for unity everyday instead of just one day a year, things might begin to change for the better.
Wouldn’t it be amazing if when you opened the Yellow Pages to look for a church in Fort Gibson, there was only one listing? Let’s not squabble over names. Think about if every church building sign simply read “The Lord’s Church meets here.” Think about if everyone who met in every building was willing to let the Bible speak for itself. Think about if we were all willing to believe God actually meant what he said and that we don’t have to change his word at all to fit our beliefs. Think about if we were all willing to be “Christians only” instead of trying to be the “Only Christians.”
I will be the first to admit that when I pray with people of other beliefs, I am sometimes distracted by “religious” words and phrases that are unfamiliar to my way of speaking. I also worry that the other person(s) may not believe exactly as I do. And then I have a light-bulb moment when I realize that not even every person at the congregation I attend believes exactly the same as I do on every issue.
So I guess what it boils down to is this: Just how united do we have to be in order to be “one” and therefore pleasing to God? I don’t know. But this I do know. Jesus died for his church, not churches, and the closer we follow his word, the closer we will be to becoming “one” in the Lord.
Let’s all pray today and everyday that when the Lord returns, the church which is his body will not be scattered and shattered, but will be found in one piece. (end)

Looking for rest can be a full-time job
by Barrett Vanlandingham
September 8, 2009

I took Labor Day off, but spent the entire day doing chores around the house. It was almost enough to have me asking, “When can I get back to work?”
The Bible has lots to say about work, even from the beginning of the Old Testament. God worked six days to create the world and then rested on the seventh. The New Testament has plenty to say about work too. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 tells us that those who do not work should not eat. 1 Timothy 5:13 tells us that those who are idle become gossips and busybodies.
Granted, working for the Lord is often even more difficult than physical labor, and a lot more difficult than sitting around gossiping. But the Bible is quick to point out some incredible rewards for your hard work in serving him.
In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus says, 28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Those words were spoken shortly after Jesus denounced cities after they saw him perform miracles but refused to repent or change their ways.
That doesn’t sound all that different from our culture today. There may be those out there who haven’t heard the Gospel story of Jesus and as a result have not obeyed. But on the other hand, there are many who have heard it over and over again yet refuse to obey the Lord. How can this possibly be? One excuse is about as good as another, but the fact is that once a person commits to the Lord there is a lot of work to do. Most people simply are not willing to put forth the effort it takes to apply God’s word to their life.
You see, when Jesus said he would give rest to the weary, he wasn’t talking about physical rest from physical work. He was talking about rest as in peace of mind, contentment, and joy that come from laying your worries on Jesus. When we agree to work for the Lord, we are agreeing to a way of life that is difficult. Jesus knows that. Therefore, he reassures Christians that when we follow him, we can be sure he will help us along the way.
Ask God to open your eyes to the joys found only in serving him. (end)

Playing on God’s team is even more exciting than football season
by Barrett Vanlandingham
September 8, 2009

There is just something about the coming of the fall season. School has begun, there’s renewed hope in the air of having a great school year, there’s a whole new class of young drivers on the road to watch out for, there’s homecoming floats to get ready, there’s the sound of the band practicing early in the morning, and there’s FOOTBALL. I played linebacker at Tahlequah High School in the early eighties. Go Tigers! So, I know a little about the excitement of football season.
All of those things seemed tremendously important at the time. But as we all know, the years go by and a little perspective tends to put life’s events in the proper order.
The apostle Paul, who was growing older, told young Timothy these important words to live by: “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” (1 Tim. 4:8)
I get the idea that Paul must have watched his share of sporting events. In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, he makes spiritual applications of running a race to get the prize. He talks about those who compete in the games going into strict training, and he talks about a fighter who only beats the air. Of course, in each of these Paul is really talking about the game of life and where it leads.
The writer of Hebrews (possibly Paul) talks about running the race with perseverance (Heb. 12:1-2). Which race? The writer says “…the race marked out for us.” He goes on to say that Jesus endured the cross because of the joy set before him. His goal was that of saving our souls through his life, crucifixion and resurrection. That was the “joy set before him.” He did it for us. Amazing thought, isn’t it? Just how far would you go to save someone’s soul?
Jesus then victoriously sat at the right hand of God in order to encourage us and give us a goal that we can attain. We can make it to heaven by following Christ’s example of living a life dedicated to serving and loving God, and serving and loving others. It’s only by God’s grace that he gives us such a plan to follow.
If you want a real challenge with a real reward, living for God in an increasingly immoral world is the toughest challenge any of us will ever face. But it is also the only challenge that comes with a reward of eternal life in heaven where there are no worries, no pain, no death, only joy and praise of God the Father who makes it all possible. Real victory comes for those who have the choice to live life however they want, but choose to live it for God who in turn gives the richest blessings of all, peace and joy, now and later.
Being on God’s team can feel lonely, especially when we look at the world’s team which has so many members. But when it’s time for God’s team to march victoriously into the end zone of heaven, many on the opposing team will want to switch sides. But for them it will be too late. Please pray today that God gives us the wisdom and perseverance to suit up and play for him everyday until the clock on life’s scoreboard runs out. (end)

Things we can learn from a 2500 year old prayer
by Barrett Vanlandingham
August 25, 2009

In Daniel 9, we find an amazing prayer recorded for us over 2500 years ago. The reason it’s so incredible is not necessarily the wording of the prayer, but instead Daniel’s attitude while addressing God.
Daniel had been reading the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. (Daniel 9:2) Evidently, Daniel, an exiled Jew in Babylon who was an old man by then, knew that Jerusalem’s tough times should be nearing an end. Although, he could still see no sign of hope for the Jewish people being allowed to return to Jerusalem.
At that point, Daniel did something we can all learn from today. The very next verse says that Daniel “…turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.” (9:3)
In simple terms, Daniel humbled himself to the greatest extent he knew how, and then addressed God. He acknowledged his own sin and guilt, as well as that of the Israelites who were God’s chosen people. He also pled for mercy. With Daniel’s life of dedication and faithfulness to God, we have no reason to think God did not hear his prayer. After all, “The Lord is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous.” (Proverbs 15:29) In fact, Daniel 9:21 says that while he was still praying, the angel Gabriel came to deliver God’s answer to his prayer.
So what does this mean to us? God hears and answers the prayers of those who have a relationship with him. It’s not good enough to simply call yourself a Christian or just believe that God is real. After all, God made a covenant of love with the Israelites. They knew who God was, but they chose to not have an obedient relationship with him. That’s why God allowed their city to be overtaken. This should cause people in our society today to wake up and come to one very important realization. Just because you believe in God and wear the name Christian doesn’t mean you are in a secure relationship with him.
By worldly standards, most would say that if anyone had a right to brag about being righteous, it would be the one who survived being thrown into the lion’s den. But Daniel walked humbly before the Lord in all things, and continued to pray to God in spite of the world’s opinion of how he should live his life. He was rewarded for his dedication.
May God bless you as you walk humbly before him. (end)

Christians gain strength between the lions
by Barrett Vanlandingham
August 18, 2009

Daniel in the Old Testament is known as a teenager who was dedicated and faithful to God. But make no mistake about it; Daniel should also be known just as much as an inspiration to mature adults, a “golden ager” dedicated to the Almighty, even when faced with possible death from the bone crushing jaws of lions.
For the last few weeks, my articles have come from the book of Daniel. And although he, along with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were probably about 15 years old when Babylon’s king Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem and took them into custody to train them for service in the Babylonian court, by chapter six Daniel is not a young man. He’s probably about 85 years old, and has continued all those years serving in the Babylonian palace while also continuing to be devoted to the God of heaven instead of the Babylonian gods. That’s where this story takes up.
Darius the Mede is now king. This is the third of four kings Daniel will serve under. Darius had planned to set Daniel over the whole kingdom because of his exceptional qualities (Daniel 6:3). But jealousy on the part of the other palace administrators entered the picture. They decided to appeal to the king’s ego and have him issue a ruling that anyone who prays to any god or man besides the king during the next 30 days should be thrown into the lion’s den. This was a clever trick since the laws of the Medes and Persians forbade kings to change a ruling after it was made.
Daniel heard about the edict, but continued to pray three times a day in his upstairs room “…where the windows opened toward Jerusalem.” (6:10) Long story short? Daniel was found out, and then thrown into the lion’s den. But as you might suspect, the Lord closed the mouth of the lions. Daniel was released the next day without a scratch! Relieved, Darius had Daniel’s accusers along with their families thrown into the lion’s den. Let’s just say the outcome for them was quite different. (6:24)
Darius then issued a decree that every person in the kingdom must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.
This story should be of great comfort to Christians who are getting up in years. The God who was faithful to a teenage Daniel was also faithful as he became an elderly man. Likewise, that same God will be faithful to me and you as we age and continue to put our faith and dedication in God. There are many distractions and temptations that can cause us to doubt the power of God, but the story of Daniel in the lion’s den is one that should give us more confidence with each passing year. (end)

God’s graffiti is too important to ignore
by Barrett Vanlandingham
August 11, 2009

Have you ever seen a hand writing on a wall without the rest of the body attached? Now that would definitely get my attention, and I would probably react the same as Babylon’s King Belshazzar did in about 539 B.C. His face turned pale, his knees literally knocked together, and his legs gave way (Daniel 5:6). The last time my knees knocked was 20 years ago when I saw my bride coming down the aisle to marry me. Not because I was scared like Belshazzar was, but because of her stunning radiance, just to clarify.
The handwriting on Belshazzar’s palace wall happened as he was giving a great banquet for a thousand of his nobles he was trying to impress. Mission accomplished! He had just given orders to bring in the gold and silver goblets that his father, Nebuchadnezzar, had raided from the temple in Jerusalem. Belshazzar, along with his wives and concubines, and his guests drank wine from the goblets as “…they praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone.” (Daniel 5:4)
“Suddenly, fingers from a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. The king watched the hand as it wrote.” (v.5)
The letters spelled “MENE MENE TEKEL UPARSIN.” But none of the king’s wise men in all of Babylon could tell what these words meant. So Belshazzar eventually called in Daniel, the Hebrew prophet who had interpreted dreams for his father for so many years.
Not that ignorance is bliss would have worked for Belshazzar anyway, but the King could have probably done just fine without the handwriting and the subsequent interpretation that turned out to mean that the king was on the verge of losing his kingdom. In fact, he died that very night, his kingdom was divided between the Medes and the Persians, and the king was replaced by Darius. The reason for Belzhazzar’s downfall was because he failed to learn the lessons of his father, Nebuchadnezzar, who learned to humble himself before God. Belshazzar not only knew about his father’s journey from arrogance to humility, but he chose to set himself up against the Lord of heaven and worship many gods instead of the one true God (5:22-23).
So what does all of this mean to me and you? Well, those of us who have already heard the Gospel story of Jesus really have no excuse to not be ready on judgment day. On the day God returns to take his faithful home to heaven, those who have humbled themselves before the Lord, choosing his ways and not their own will experience the greatest joy ever known to mankind.
Who can you tell about Jesus before it’s too late? Have a great day! (end)

Idol worship and fiery furnaces are still around today
August 4, 2009
by Barrett Vanlandingham

Just exactly what does it take in order for us to honor false gods over the Lord God? It happens in our community every day, doesn’t it? Even though Fort Gibson is a wonderful place to live, you don’t have to look very far to find someone worshiping a false god. As hard as we try, our town is not sheltered in the least from the same evil influences that attack the rest of the world. Sometimes, idol worship comes in the form of earthly possessions. Other times, idol worship comes in the form of spending more time honoring hobbies and sports than we spend honoring God and spreading the Gospel story of Jesus to those around us.
Last week, my article centered around four Hebrew teenagers named Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They chose to trust God instead of Babylon’s King Nebuchadnezzar. The end result? They turned out to be wiser and healthier than any of the other Israelites who were taken captive during the siege of Jerusalem in about 600 B.C. Make no mistake about it. It wasn’t their diet of vegetables and water over the food from the king’s table that made the difference. It was their dedication to God. They resolved to not defile their bodies with food and wine that could have been used as a sacrifice in idol worship. They chose to avoid the very appearance of evil just as the apostle Paul articulates in 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22.
The book of Daniel has even more amazing stories that illustrate choosing to honor God instead of idols. In Daniel 3 we read about Nebuchadnezzar making an image of gold ninety feet high and proclaiming, “As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp pipes and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.” (3:5-6)
There are no surprises in the outcome. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to fall down and worship the statue of gold. As a result, they were thrown into a furnace that was heated as much as possible because of the king’s anger towards them. But once again, the good news was that because they remained loyal to God, not even one hair on their heads was singed, their robes were not scorched, and they didn’t even smell like fire.
The world is still full of fiery furnaces that threaten Christians today. Threats of no job promotions, no pay raises, or being left out of the inner circles in the professional world are commonplace. For kids, being laughed at, being left out, and being bullied are just the beginning. Cruelty of many kinds can take place when young people choose to behave in Godly ways instead of following the crowd.
In the end, it’s the dedicated Christian who will see victory. “…Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10)

Young and old can learn from Daniel
July 28, 2009
by Barrett Vanlandingham

Our society has a way of making us believe that if we don’t cave-in to idol worship of one kind or another, then there MUST be something wrong with us. Think about it. We MUST spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year on video games and television to avoid people thinking we’re out of the loop, or depriving our children of their right to be a couch potato. We MUST have the most impressive cars, gadgets, and clothes in order to gain status in the community. We MUST be in all the right social circles in order to further our careers. And we MUST go on the most exotic vacations just for bragging rights. Having said all this, I do realize that some people’s motives for having all these things really are pure. It is possible to use earthly things to God’s glory, and we should. I will say, however, the temptation to do otherwise is strong.
As for standing your ground spiritually, one of the most inspirational characters of the Old Testament is most certainly Daniel. His self-titled book has intrigued people of all ages for generations. The first six chapters contain stories of faith that are easily understood by all. The last six chapters contain visions that challenge the most advanced Bible scholars. When read properly and in context, the book of Daniel will encourage us to have more faith as we serve God, and it will reassure our faith in the inspiration of the Bible.
The name Daniel means “God is my judge.” He was a person of deep and abiding faith as a young and old man. In chapter one, he introduces us to three of his friends named Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They were all Hebrew teenagers when Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon invaded Jerusalem and the area around it known as Judah. Nebuchadnezzar hauled them back to Babylon along with many other captured Israelites from Judah’s royal family. The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained in Babylonian language and literature for three years and then enter the king’s service.
Here’s the lesson. Daniel and his three friends resolved to not defile themselves with the king’s food. They asked permission to have a diet of only vegetables and water for ten days. At the end of that time, the four teenagers looked healthier than any of the young men who ate the king’s choice food. God also blessed them with knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. Daniel could even understand visions and dreams. In every matter of wisdom, the king found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in the whole kingdom.
As with anything God asks us to do, it’s not the physical act that makes the difference. It’s our faith in God, and Him rewarding us for it. In the case of the four Hebrew teenagers, it wasn’t the special diet that made them smart and healthy, it was God rewarding them for their faith in Him instead of putting faith in the king and his lavishness.
You may think it would be difficult to do without some of life’s “extras”. But when you trust in God, you will find that you can spend more time, money, and effort on Godly things, and our He will take care of you.
If you have a story of someone being blessed after putting God or others first, please let me know and I might include it in a future article. God Bless. (end)

Small doses of sin can really build up!
by Barrett Vanlandingham
July 21, 2009

My wife and I recently bought a pre-owned mini-van. It was exactly what we were looking for, a 2007 Nissan Quest. But I have to admit, besides reliability, one of the greatest things about getting a new car is just that it’s clean! This is especially the case for those of us who still have children living at home.
Here’s where the story gets good. We decided to sell our 2003 Chrysler Town & Country ourselves. And even though it runs great, it occurred to us that we would need to do some cleaning of the interior before anyone would want to buy it. Some cleaning turned into a LOT of cleaning. So, after two days of detailing it inside and out, my wife and I along with our kids now have a new appreciation and education on the topic of mini-van maintenance. You would not even believe the amount of crushed-up, ground-in candy bars, M & M’s, gummy bears, candy corn, Kix Cereal, and even melted crayons we successfully removed from the cup holders, the floor and from the inset brackets that anchor-down the kids’ seats, which by the way we took out and cleaned, too.
At some point, I thought to myself, there must be a good lesson in this somewhere. Here’s what I found in a chapter of the New Testament known as the Seven Woes.
Jesus says in Matthew 23:27 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean.”
Little did I realize, but everytime I or someone else spilled or dropped even a little something in the mini-van over the course of five years, it built up! What I wound up with was a BIG MESS that was mostly hidden until I made the decision to open-up my car for inspection. That’s exactly what happens to us when we allow sin or junk of many kinds to come into our lives. We may intend to get rid of most of it, but there’s always the residue of consequences that are leftover. There’s only so much we can get rid of on our own. After that, it’s only by the blood of Jesus Christ that we can be made completely clean and stay that way, ready for inspection by our peers or even God.
It’s scary to think of becoming completely transparent. Even those who profess to be dedicated Christians have floor mats in their lives that haven’t been cleaned out from under in a very long time. Sin builds up and we often forget it’s there until something happens that makes us re-commit our lives to Jesus. God bless your efforts to be spiritually beautiful inside and out. (end)

Are you hot?
July 14, 2009
by Barrett Vanlandingham

As I try to learn Spanish, it occurred to me why foreigners have difficulty learning English. So many of our words and terms have multiple meanings. Take the word “hot.”
If you’re an adult, “hot” means one thing, usually something to do with temperatures not unlike some we’ve felt this summer. If you’re a teenager, “hot” can mean something totally different, usually a reference to good looks and not to morals as was the case in my parents’ generation. If you’re playing a game, the terms “cold, hot, hotter, and HOT” are meant to give directions to a secret location where something has been hidden. And last but not least, hot (as in fire) in the Bible takes on meaning that should quickly get all of our attention as it is used to describe hell, the place reserved for the devil and those who follow him instead of God.
In Paul’s instructions to young Timothy, Paul says, “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.” (1 Tim. 4:1-2)
Paul was very concerned not only with false teaching, but also with Christians who would get caught up in them, resulting in backsliding in the faith. The fact is we all have influence on somebody. And as followers of Jesus Christ we have a responsibility to lead people in the right direction so we don’t act as a hot iron that sears the consciences of those we teach with our own opinions, traditions, likes and dislikes. The wise Bible student will use God’s word as the only authority on spiritual matters which includes everything for Christians.
Paul spoke firmly to those who would mislead others in regards to God’s word.
“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!” (Galatians 1:8)
Wow, now if that doesn’t get your attention I don’t know what will! Something tells me that the word hot might barely begin to describe the place reserved for those who pervert the words of the Bible.
The book of James says a big amen to Paul when the writer says, “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” (James 3:1) James goes on to warn us against using our tongue for evil.
May God bless you this week in your relationships with family, friends, and co-workers as you strive to be the kind of hot that irons God’s truths onto anyone who will listen. (end)

Fort Faith: Ups and Downs of Life
July 7, 2009
by Barrett Vanlandingham

Well, I’m still in one piece after having taken my youth group to Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington. One of my friends said it just right: “I still like the rides, but some of the rides no longer like me.” Let me put this into perspective. I rode the Titan rollercoaster once! Some of the kids rode it 15 to 20 times! This giant orange rollercoaster track is 300-feet tall which is about the same height as the Lookout Tower and the Superman Tower. The ride goes about 90 miles an hour almost straight down before it levels off and shoots back up for some unbelievably intense twists and turns. The night before we went into the park, our youth group had a devotional in which I told them to think about the ups and downs of life when they ride rollercoasters the next day. But after having ridden the Titan for myself, I must confess that the only part of life I could think about during a 90 mph drop was the part where it ends!
For youth ministers, summertime is our one big shot at making an impact on our kids that will last through the school year. A busy youth calendar is not just something to keep the youth group busy. It’s a tool that incorporates experiences that happen through church camps, mission trips, and fun trips of many kinds into the overall mindset of teenagers. It’s about creating memories that ministers like me can refer back to during the school year. Those positive experiences and memories can help snap a kid out of difficult situations involving peer pressure.
Parents, as you know, your kids will go through many emotional and spiritual ups and downs while you’re trying to guide them through adolescence. The only question is whether they will go through these challenging times with God or without Him. At some point, our children will grow up and leave home. Part of a parent’s job is to prepare their children for life outside of the nest. And although keeping your children involved in church youth group activities and Bible class is very important, it is more important for parents to model Christ-like behavior. This way, kids can see the end result of Bible study, church attendance, commitment to marriage, and honesty in business and interpersonal relationships.
“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:8).
Adults go through ups and downs, too. The challenges are a little different. But the God who helps us get through the teenage years is the same God who can help us through our grown-up struggles.
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize without weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet was without sin.”(Hebrews 4;15) (end)

And the moral of the story is… God always wins!
by Barrett Vanlandingham
June 30, 2009

Surprise, Surprise! God wins another battle. In this final part of my five part series on Nehemiah, we will take a look at what led to his success in restoring dignity for God’s people.
It was a bad day for Israel in 605 B.C. when Babylon’s King Nebuchadnezzar invaded Jerusalem. This happened twice more over the next several years. Judah’s most prominent, intelligent, and powerful were hauled into exile in Babylon (modern-day Iraq). But after about 150 years, Nehemiah came on the scene. He was serving as the cupbearer to the new world power, King Artaxerxes of Susa (modern-day Iran).
Nehemiah received the news that Jerusalem, the centerpiece of Jewish pride lay in ruin, with its walls torn down and gates burned. He sat down, wept, mourned and fasted for days, prayed, then approached the king to get permission to go back to his homeland to rebuild the wall and gates, and restore dignity to the Jewish people.
Let’s read. "So the wall was completed on the 25th of Elul, in 52 days. When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God." (Neh. 6:15-16)
Isn’t it amazing that the nation of Israel made the same mistakes over and over, and then in the end it was always the same thing that rescued them from their consequences? Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? I mean, it had been 150 years since the Jews were exiled into Babylon. God delivered them into the hands of the enemy because of their disobedience. And even though by Nehemiah’s time many Jews had already been allowed to return home, damage to the Jerusalem wall and gates had already been done. The once great city lay in ruin and disgrace.
But as with any great challenge or obstacle, it often only takes one person to start a cycle of encouragement that results in a complete turnaround. That was the case for Nehemiah. That’s also the case for us. We often simply need to be reminded of where we need to turn to find answers to life’s problems. But it has to start with somebody who is willing to stand up for God.
The month of Elul referred to in the above passage is the sixth month of the Jewish religious calendar. This comes to mind as I write this article in the month of June. For Jews, Elul is known as the month of repentance, divine mercy, and forgiveness since there are no festivals or feast days during Elul. For Christians, repentance, recognition of God’s mercy, and thankfulness of God’s forgiveness and forgiving others should be part of our daily life.
May God bless our homes and community as we strive to have the courage of Nehemiah in seeking God’s help to encourage others to make a difference where it counts. (end)

Teamwork is key to facing challenges
by Barrett Vanlandingham
June 23, 2009

This section of the Old Testament book of Nehemiah no doubt inspired the writers of the New Testament on the topic of unity and teamwork. Nehemiah received the horrible news of the destruction of Jerusalem’s wall and gates. He mourned, fasted, prayed to God, received permission from the king to inspect the wall for himself, and he successfully challenged the locals to help re-build the wall by reminding them of the disgrace and encouraging them with accounts of how God had blessed his efforts so far.
In part four of my series on Nehemiah, we will take a look at Nehemiah’s plan to re-build the wall and gates of Jerusalem and restore the dignity of God’s people, the Jews.
“Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set its doors in place, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and as far as the Tower of Hananel. The men of Jericho built the adjoining section, and Zaccur son of Imri built next to them!” (Neh. 3:1-2)
This is just a small portion of the scripture detailing who built what. The point I want you to get is that the Jewish people had a common goal. And even though they were from all walks of life, they each had a job to do that was equally important as the next guy’s. When they received threats, they watched out for each other. At least for a time, half the people built, while the other half stood guard, especially at the low points of the wall and near families.
This is also the way a church family is supposed to operate. Let’s read what Paul says in Romans 12:4-6. “Just as each one of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us…” Paul also says in Galatians 6:2 to “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” James says, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”
We will all experience low points in life when the devil is trying to knock us down. That’s when we need a Christian brother or sister to help guard our section of the wall. And depending on the kind of attack, we may need to call on a brother or sister who has talents in a particular area such as prayer, listening, encouragement, teaching, or serving. The point is that we can all be used to God’s glory in overcoming the devil’s schemes.
Next week in the final part of my series, we will look at Nehemiah’s victory. (end)

The challenge to change needs help from God
by Barrett Vanlandingham
June 16, 2009

In the first two parts of my series on Nehemiah, we have seen that he had to face disappointment and heartache. These are challenges we still face today. In Nehemiah’s case, the problem was that the wall of Jerusalem had been broken down and the gates burned during the time of the Jewish exile to Babylon in about 600 B.C. This was a disgrace to the Jews since Jerusalem was a great part of their dignity and identity. When Nehemiah heard the news of the destruction, he was broken-hearted, he sat down, mourned and fasted for days, prayed, and then went before the king to get permission to survey the land firsthand.
So, in part three we will take a look at Nehemiah’s next move. With a fire lit under him having witnessed the scene for himself, he went to all the locals in Jerusalem who would be helping with the re-building and gave them a challenge.
“Then I said to them, ‘You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.’” (Neh. 2:17)
As with any presentation given by a motivational speaker, the one doing the talking has to feel passionate about the topic. Nehemiah wanted change. So how did he motivate the people to help? He did his homework and knew what he was talking about. He spoke with confidence and reminded the people of what was at stake. And he told them about his relationship with God, and about everything the Lord had done so far to bless his efforts. But as with every challenge, there is a counter-challenge. After the people got on board, trouble came in the form of three men who mocked, ridiculed, made threats, and started rumors. Sanballat, Tobiah, and Gesham were determined to stop Nehemiah from restoring the dignity of the Jewish people.
As you are reading this, I will be in Santa Monica, Mexico near Monterrey with the rest of our mission team from the Fort Gibson Church of Christ. We will be helping construct a church building there. This situation is not unlike that of Nehemiah’s time. A weakened government and powerful drug cartels have made parts of Mexico unstable. However, our efforts to build church buildings in several Mexican towns continue to be successful only because God has responded to many prayers from people right here in Fort Gibson. Without God’s help, any nation including Mexico is destined for failure. In fact, without God, any individual is also destined for failure, and people are what make up nations.
Remember the word of the apostle Paul in Colossians 2:6-7. “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
Next week in part four, we will take a look at Nehemiah’s plan of action for rebuilding the Jerusalem wall. (end)

Successful grieving takes time and technique
by Barrett Vanlandingham
June 9, 2009

Last week in part one of five articles on Nehemiah, we looked at a serious problem being faced by the Jews in about 450 B.C. The walls of Jerusalem had been torn down and its gates had been burned by the Babylonians. The centerpiece of Jewish civilization had been shattered, its dignity destroyed. But now that the Medo-Persians (modern-day Iran) were in control, exiled Jews such as Nehemiah were being allowed to go back to their homeland only to be horrified by the destruction. This week, we’re going to take a look at Nehemiah’s reaction to the news he received about Jerusalem.
“When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days, I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.” (Neh. 2:4)
This was no doubt an unusual sight considering the fact that Nehemiah held the very important position of cupbearer to King Artaxerxes. This would be about the same as turning on the news and seeing one of the President’s cabinet members sitting on the front lawn of the White House, crying, refusing to eat, and praying. Any witnesses must have been alarmed as to what could have brought such a powerful man to his knees. Other biblical accounts of mourning also involve sitting in the dust, and putting on sack cloth and ashes (Jonah 3:6, Jeremiah 6:26, Ezekiel 27:30).
The point is Nehemiah knew what it felt like to be saddened and even humiliated. Nehemiah’s reaction is a great model for us to follow. He didn’t brush it off and say, “Oh well!” or “Times change!” or “It’s not my problem!” He reacted appropriately. He sat down and wept. He took time to think about the seriousness of the situation for his people. He did without food for a time presumably so he could stay focused on the crisis at hand. Most importantly, he took his concerns before the Lord in prayer, and he confessed that his sins and the sins of his people, the Israelites were what led to their sad state of affairs. After praying to God, Nehemiah went before the king and received permission to go to Jerusalem to survey the devastation firsthand.
One thing Nehemiah had going for him is that he knew very well the agreement God had made with the Israelites. That if they would only return to God and obey his commands, the Lord would once again bless them.
Most of us will experience some degree of sadness and humiliation in this life whether self-inflicted or not. That’s a given. We live in a broken world. The question is how to react to bad news or bad circumstances. Reading God’s word will re-acquaint you with people from long ago who dealt with similar circumstances, how they got into their predicaments, and how it was resolved. Then taking your grief before the Lord will result in peace and comfort, and will give you wisdom and direction as to your next move. We will take a look at Nehemiah’s next move in part three. (end)

Nehemiah understands your challenges (Part 1 of 5 part series)
by Barrett Vanlandingham
June 2, 2009

Sometimes it’s easy to think that no one understands the challenges you are facing. But the Bible is full of people who have experienced everything you are going through in one form or another. That’s why it’s so important to read about the lives of Bible characters. They’ve been where you are.
Take Nehemiah for instance. 20 members of my youth group and 20 adults here at the Fort Gibson Church of Christ are going on a mission trip to Monterrey, Mexico June 13-19. We will be helping to construct a church building in the developing suburb of Santa Monica, Mexico. The more I thought about our trip, the more I began to relate with Nehemiah. In fact, every person going on this mission trip or any mission trip this summer should be able to relate with Nehemiah. He was a very well-respected man of God who definitely relates to anyone experiencing one of life’s valleys. He was an exiled Jew working as the cupbearer to the king in Susa (modern-day Iran) about 450 years before the time of Christ.
In this part one of a five part series on Nehemiah, we’re going to take a look at the problem he was facing and how similar this is to situations missionaries and others face today.
Let’s read Nehemiah 1:3. “They said to me, those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”
The problem was that Jerusalem was the single most important place on earth for the Jews. Major cities were defined by their walls. Without walls and gates, Jerusalem lost its dignity and respect not only as the centerpiece of the Jewish nation, but also as a city. People would view it as only a common village, not a great city. Many Jews, especially those with power and influence had been driven out of Judah into Babylonian exile (modern-day Iraq). They were later taken over by the Medes and Persians (modern-day Iran) who began to let them go back home. That’s when Nehemiah’s brother along with some other men told him about the condition of their homeland. Broken down walls and burned gates only added insult to injury to the Jews.
Mexico has been in the news a lot recently because of violence involving drug cartels, and illness and deaths caused by the H1N1 virus (aka: swine flu). Christians hate to see the diminishing of God’s word being spread as the result of anything the devil can come up with. But the fact is, fear brought on by over-reaction and hyped-up media reports has resulted in the cancelation of a lot of mission trips into Mexico. This is bad for Christian brothers and sisters there who need our resources to help in the saving of lost souls. Changing Mexico from the inside out may be the only way to change the turmoil there.
We all face daily challenges and uncertainties. Maybe not actual broken down walls, but maybe broken down family lives, broken down communication lines, broken down self-image or reputation. Nehemiah sought the help of God when he was at his lowest. We will take a look at his reaction to bad news in part two. Have a great week!

Make sure God has a place in your family this summer
by Barrett Vanlandingham
May 26, 2009

Waking up this week probably seems a little sweeter for a lot of kids. No more school! On one hand, this could spell trouble if your kids have too much unsupervised or unplanned time. On the other hand, summer vacation can make for some great opportunities to spend more time with your family. After all, time during the school year is a precious commodity to say the least. As if homework doesn’t keep them busy enough, just add one or two extra-curricular activities and that can make for a very hectic schedule in need of a break!
Even in the summer, spending time with your kids can seem more challenging than it should. Sometimes, all I feel like doing is reclining in my chair in the living room. Some of that is okay. We all need a little “down time,” parents and children. But it is important to be aware of what your kids are up to. They need quality time with you. And if you’re too busy, they will find other things to occupy their time. Some of those things may be good, others not so much. And with the extra time on their hands that summer provides, it’s more important than ever to take advantage of all the great possibilities for good parenting. An investment in your kids over the summer could pay off in a big way in the fall when you have to once again compete for time with your family.
The Bible speaks of using our time wisely. The apostle Paul said, “Be very careful how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16)
It’s not an accident that Paul placed this scripture just before another lengthy passage regarding relationships between husbands and wives, children and parents. In Ephesians 6:1-4, Paul stresses the importance of children obeying their parents. But he also reminds parents, and in particular fathers, to not purposely irritate or annoy their kids to the extreme, but instead to raise their children in the Lord. This not only requires quality family time at home or even on vacations, but it also requires regular Bible study. This can be a challenge. But it’s one that can be overcome if the parent is setting the example by studying at home, in Bible class, and in worship service. You can also incorporate God into your conversations. It’s good to do anyway, but it also reminds your children of your priorities. If not now, in the end your children will thank you for making God part of your family, even during summer vacation. (end)

Answers become clearer in the light
by Barrett Vanlandingham
May 19, 2009

It was late last Tuesday night. My daughter was depending on me to fix the computer printer so she could finish a project. But after spending nearly an hour trying to get it to work, the printer was still chewing up page after page. Something was broken, I just knew it! Finally, I decided to just leave it alone, sleep on it, and give it another try later. The next morning, I opened the front of the printer and spotted something I hadn’t seen the night before. So I got my flashlight to investigate further. There it was! A tiny piece of paper wadded up and blocking an area that was difficult to see in dim lighting. It was nothing that a pair of tweezers and a little light on the subject couldn’t handle. Immediately, two things crossed my mind. First I thought, “I have found my next Fort Faith topic.” Second, “I can’t believe it took me so long to figure out that my trusty flashlight would have been a big help the night before.”
As a minister, I think a lot about the word “light” and how it has so many spiritual meanings. Romans 8:27 tells us that God searches our hearts. How is he able to do that, and how does he always find what he’s looking for? It’s simple! Just as scripture says, God is light; in him there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). The writer goes on to say that in order for us to have fellowship with God and remain free from sin, we must walk in the light.
Many of life’s problems can be solved with light. Have you ever had someone approach you needing help with a personal crisis? And the more you listened, the more you realized that the solution was for them to stop walking in spiritual darkness.
How many times have you stubbed your toe as you walked across a dark room, and thought to yourself, “Ouch! I wish I had seen that!” Obviously, the best way to keep from stubbing your toe is to look where you’re going. And sometimes, that requires light. I remember as a young boy, walking across the cow pasture after dark, and almost always stepping in something the cows had left behind. That problem could have also been solved with light, not to mention the pile of dirty shoes that stayed on our back porch courtesy of the same problem, not using a light.
So how do we make sure we’re walking “in him”, in the light, where there is no darkness, and where we cannot be separated from the love of God? Romans 8:39 tells us we can find this assurance “in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, and Romans 6:1-11 tell us that believers are “baptized into Christ Jesus.”
May God bless your spiritual journey as you remember that God rewards those who earnestly seek him (Hebrews 11:6) (end)

Sonshine and reign will help you grow
by Barrett Vanlandingham
May 12, 2009

The grass in my backyard could definitely stand to be mowed. The weeds appear to be plotting a takeover. The problem is that the rain has made the ground too soggy to walk on without making deep footprints. Therefore, mowing lately has been next to impossible.
Spiritually speaking, we all know people who need to cut some things out of their lives before the weeds of sin choke them out. The only problem is that just like my backyard, people who are deep into sin often need a little “Sonshine” from someone who cares before they will let you help them with their problem. If you try to barge-in too fast, you might not be very effective because their life is just too weighed down with sin. Overly ambitious soul-savers can sometimes leave deep footprints on people that look worse than the battered sinner they had set out to save.
It is very important to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), and both parts of that verse are equally important. Yes, we must speak the truth in our efforts to inform someone that they are in spiritual danger. But we must make sure that we talk to people in a way that is perceived as a loving attitude just like Jesus had. We can never put enough emphasis on letting the love of Christ show through us. That’s why the greatest commandments are to love God and then love your neighbor.
One more thing to remember about soul saving is that if you convince someone to cut a particular sin out of their life, they are going to need something positive to replace it with. This is a fact that cannot be underplayed whether you’re talking about yard work, or self-improvement. Read what Jesus had to say about this.
“When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first.” (Matthew 11:24-26)
The best kind of rain is that of Jesus “reigning” in our lives. You see, as long as God’s Son shines in your heart, there will be no room for weeds to grow. Have a blessed day! (end)

Swimming through life is easier with a Heavenly Partner
by Barrett Vanlandingham
May 3, 2009

My 10-year old son told me a few weeks ago just how much he hated swim class. He said, “The water is too cold and it’s just too far to swim to the other end of the pool.” The water was actually 80-degrees. But because the kids take a nice hot shower before they jump in the pool, of course, the water feels cold. As for the distance? Well, 25 meters is 25 meters hot or cold. I told him, “Son, you are going to swim to the other end of the pool if I have to jump in the pool and swim with you!” I showed up to his next swim class with my swimsuit on (under my clothes) just in case I had to make good on my threat. It was amazing to see such quick improvement. I guess the thought of your dad jumping into the pool during fourth grade swim class was a pretty good motivator. Luckily, just my presence was enough to persuade him to try harder. The next week I showed up again at swim class, and then the next day I came to his swim meet. Each time he swam much better.
Spiritually speaking, our journey in this life often seems uncomfortable. Sometimes our walk seems long and tiresome. Our Heavenly Father knows this and so does his Son. That’s why he sent his Holy Spirit to dwell inside every Christian (Acts 2:38) after we are immersed (baptized) into Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:26-27). We are never told that living the Christian life will be easy. In fact, we are told just the opposite (John 15:18-21). James 1:2 tells us trials must come so that we may grow to maturity in our faith. But make no mistake about it, the Holy Spirit is with us every step of the way, so it should be no surprise that he can show us how to escape temptations (1 Cor. 10:13). He will also show us the way to heaven unless we prevent him from doing his job by quenching the Spirit’s fire (1 Thes. 5:19).
When it comes down to it, Paul said it just right. “38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39).” That’s great news!
But still, you must follow the steps of Jesus to get to the finish line. The fact is, the only one who can steal your salvation is you by letting go of the Holy Spirit’s hand, so to speak. You are the one who can put out the Spirit’s fire. You are also the one who can turn your back on the Lord and follow the road that leads to spiritual death (James 1:13 and Hebrews 10:26).
Yes, swimming through life can be tough. But choosing to keep God’s Spirit with you all the way will most certainly put you on the path to eternal victory. (end)

The Lord Loves the Taste of Righteousness
by Barrett Vanlandingham
April 28, 2009

David was known for his tasteful acts of righteousness, at least until after he became King of Israel. And even then, he found his way back to God.
This is the fifth and final part of my series on Psalm 34 which centers around verse eight: “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” We will take a look at the proof that being righteous really did make a difference for David and others.
Psalm 34:15-22 says, “15. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry; 16. the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. 17. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. 18. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. 19. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; 20. he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. 21. Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned. 22. The Lord redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.”
Up until this point, David had taken care of sheep, slain lions and bears, killed a giant, won many victories for King Saul and God’s people, and had endured much jealousy from his brothers. And now, with Saul still trying to kill David who was best friends with Saul’s son Jonathan, David knows without a doubt that God’s eyes and ears are paying attention to his needs, and that God sees him as a righteous man.
Time after time, David had seen the Lord turn his face away from those who practiced evil ways. This resulted in evil people making bad decisions that only hurt themselves even more.
David is writing to assure the downcast and brokenhearted that God will not ignore those who take refuge in him.
During some of my darkest moments in life, I have come to realize that maybe I shouldn’t be so focused on how to change a situation I have no control over. I have often found that difficulties provide wonderful opportunities for me to drawer nearer to God and let him be in charge of areas in my life that I previously wanted to control. The burden lifted. Hebrews 4:15 assures us that Jesus understands our struggles.
May we all carry out the Lord’s will as we are given opportunity, and let God handle the outcome. He will make a difference in you and those around you. (end)

Pass the Peace, Please
by Barrett Vanlandingham
April 21, 2009

David knew the taste of a peaceful life even when times were tough.
The most recognizable part of David’s Psalm 34 is verse 8. “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” But since I focused on it earlier, I’m moving on to verses 11-14 for part four of this five part series. Let’s read David’s words and look for his recipe for avoiding evil.
“11. Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. 12. Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, 13. keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. 14. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”
By this point in David’s life, which you can read about in 1 Samuel chapters 16-21, he had learned a lot about the advantages of serving the Lord. So, when he says, “Listen to me,” it’s not because he just likes hearing himself talk. He actually wants to tell us something we need to hear. He knew firsthand of life’s distractions. That’s why he said, “Come, my children” which implies action or urgency. Remember when David “ran” to the battle line to fight Goliath? David now wants us pay attention to an important lesson.
David knew whatever words he spoke, he would have to defend them to his family, to King Saul, to his best friend Jonathan, and most importantly to God. He loved life and learned through experience what it took to see “many good days.” Pure speech was at the top of his list of advice for enjoying a good quality of life. Look where threats against God’s people landed Goliath. Dead! Look at the predicament David wound up in because of lusting for Bathsheba and then the deception that followed. Lives lost! About a thousand years later in the New Testament, Jesus said, “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken (Matthew 12:36).” That should give each of us reason to think before we speak. Most of us wouldn’t have near as many “I wish I hadn’t said that” moments if we were to remember those very important words of Jesus that not only lead to peace for those around us, but peace for ourselves.
David ends his thoughts in verse 14 by giving us two extremes, one to avoid, and one to pursue. The prize of turning from evil and doing good is obtained through seeking peace. It is once again no surprise that the pursuit of another “fruit of the Spirit” (ref: Galatians 5:22-23) is the answer to life’s problems. In fact, the best spiritual meals can be had only when you’re in a right relationship with God. We must make it a point to be at His supper table everyday and say, “Pass the peace, please!” It’s part of a spiritual food group that we must have in order to exercise our Christianity to the fullest. In other words, how can we possibly win souls for Christ if we ourselves are in spiritual turmoil. Have a blessed and peaceful week! (end)

The ancient recipe for victory is still tasty today
by Barrett Vanlandingham
April 14, 2009

I pray that you are enjoying my series titled “Taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8).” For me, it’s been very exciting and encouraging to look back three-thousand years at the life of David before he became King of Israel.
Last week, we looked at how incredible it was that David praised God continually during such a difficult and stressful period of his life. The pressure was on from King Saul. He had it out for David and wanted him dead, mainly because Saul was jealous of David’s many victories. Everytime David turned around, Saul was trying to pin him to the wall with a spear! Kind of makes the idea of being on “pins and needles” a little more inviting, strangely enough.
This week, let’s pick out four actions in David’s life that led to so many victories.
Let’s read Psalm 34:4-7. “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.”
Did you catch those? David did these four things: 1. Sought the Lord. 2. Looked to God. 3. Called out to God 4. Feared God.
Those four things resulted in an unbeatable recipe for David. For every action of David, there was a reaction from God. 1. Seeking the Lord led to an answer of being delivered from his fears. 2. Looking to God made David radiant and without shame. 3. Despite just how poor of a situation he was in, he called to God who heard and saved David from his troubles. 4. David respected or feared the Lord which resulted in God drawing close to David and delivering him.
This theme was carried into the New Testament in a number of places. James 4:2-3 comes to mind. The writer says, “…You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” We’re also told in Matthew 6:33 that if we seek God first and his righteousness, he will provide us with everything we need.
God knew David’s heart and blessed him greatly because of it. David humbled himself before the Lord and acknowledged God’s power as the reason for his success. God also knows our heart. The fact is, none of us would even have air to breathe if it weren’t for God having created it. Everything and everyone had to have been created at some point. David knew the origin of his strength and his victories, and he wasn’t too proud to let everyone know about his God. May we all be drawn closer to God as the taste of the Lord becomes sweeter and sweeter with each spiritual victory. (end)

The taste of praise is sweet
by Barrett Vanlandingham
April 7, 2009

David enjoyed the taste of praise in times of happiness and joy, as well as in times of fear and anxiety. In last week’s article, I marveled at David’s ability to praise God even when he was on the run from King Saul who was trying to kill him. David somehow was able to take shelter under God and write an amazing poem of praise that we call Psalm 34. In the middle of it David said, “:08 Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.”
The first three verses of Psalm 34 are just as incredible. “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. 2. My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. 3. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.”
It’s easy to feel confident in our faith when life’s recipe is mixed just right. But when any of the ingredients for having a happy life is missing, we sometimes struggle spiritually.
We pray to God during the tough times, but do we praise him like David did? How could David have been so spiritually connected during such a difficult and stressful time? I believe the answer lies in his heart. 1 Samuel 13:14 says that David was a man after God’s own heart.
The fact is, David knew that tough times would come and go. But his experience had already shown him that siding with God could allow him to accomplish things that would have seemed impossible to most people. Despite the fact that David was described as “only a boy” (1 Sam. 17:33), he was said to have slain tens of thousands during times of war in comparison to Saul’s thousands. This should have been no shock since the “Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power” (1 Sam. 16:13) from the day that Samuel anointed David to replace Saul as king.
In Psalm 34:2, David knew that the afflicted would be encouraged by hearing the Lord’s praise which was always on his lips. And why wouldn’t their spirits be lifted and hopes restored? After all, they were hearing about a God who worked in uncommon ways through a very common young man, and there were many witnesses to back up his story.
David is simply saying that praising the Lord continually made a big difference in his life and it can in yours too.
Barrett Vanlandingham can be reached at the Fort Gibson Church of Christ. ftgcoc_barrett@sbcglobal.nets or 478-2222.

The Lord tastes good in times of joy and stress
by Barrett Vanlandingham
March 31, 2009

Anyone who’s been to a summer church camp I’ve directed knows I like my theme titles to rhyme with the year. I’ve been working on a series of lessons for this summer titled “Tasting Fine in 2009.” It’s based on Psalm 34:8 which says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.”
David is the writer of the 34th Psalm. He wrote it as he was being forced to flee his country because Saul (King if Israel) was trying to kill him. He was so scared that he acted like a madman and let saliva run down his beard so that Achish (King of Gath) would let him go (1 Samuel 21:10-15).
But even in the middle of all this, David managed to praise God with such clarity of mind. In fact, each verse of the Psalm 34 poem begins with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. This is pretty impressive for someone who was on the run, afraid for his life, and struggling with feelings of insecurity. David trusted God, but it’s only natural for someone to feel uneasy when someone’s chasing you.
The fact is, David was definitely qualified to say that the Lord tasted good. Why? Because time after time, God helped David overcome King Saul’s efforts to kill him (1 Sam. 18:12 & 23:14). The Lord even blessed David with a best friend (Jonathan) who was the son of Saul! Can you imagine being best friends with someone whose dad was always trying to kill you? No thanks! But God had a plan that involved putting David in the right place at the right time. Sometimes we wonder why God allows things to happen as they do. It’s okay to wonder. But it’s more important to trust God even when we don’t fully understand how his plan needs to be carried out.
In David’s lifetime, he knew the negative consequences of excluding God from his decisions such as the time he lusted after Bathsheba. He also knew the blessings of taking refuge in the Lord such as the time God helped David kill Goliath. We all have giants to deal with, don’t we?
This idea of taking refuge in the Lord was important for David, and it is just as important for us today. Our world is full of distractions, and we need time alone with the Lord to revive. God desires a relationship with us. But we need a relationship with him. Have you tasted the Lord lately? (end)

Christians need to hit the Book more
by Barrett Vanlandingham
March 24, 2009

A slow decline in the number of people committed to basic Bible principles continues to produce some startling statistics. The latest Barna Group Survey says only one-percent of the youngest adult generation has a biblical worldview.
That means only one-percent of America’s 18-23 year olds believe the following:
1. Moral truth exists.
2. The Bible is completely accurate in all the principles it teaches.
3. Satan is considered to be a real being or force, not merely symbolic.
4. A person cannot earn their way into Heaven by good works.
5. Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth.
6. God is the all-knowing, all-powerful Creator who still rules the universe today.
What is scary about that percentage is that less than three years ago, another survey of the millennial (teenage) generation revealed only four-percent of that age group is committed to basic Bible principles. What’s worse is that this Millennial Generation is the biggest-ever group of teenagers in American history.
65-percent of the World War II generation said they were committed to basic Bible principles. 35-percent of the Baby Boomers said they were committed to basic Bible principles. 16-percent of Generation X said they were committed to basic Bible principles.
Now, imagine how the problems we face in our society today will be handled when the Millennial Generation is in the driver’s seat instead of the Baby Boomers.
Another Barna Group Survey cited in the Christian Post suggests that even though most Americans consider themselves to be of the Christian faith and say they know the content of the Bible, less than one out of ten Americans demonstrate such knowledge by their actions.
In an article for the Christian Science Monitor, Michael Spencer wrote, “We Evangelicals have failed to pass on to our young people an orthodox form of faith that can take root and survive the secular onslaught.” He goes on to say that we’ve spent billions in the name of religion, and have produced a culture of young Christians who know next to nothing about their own faith except how they feel about it. Spencer says, “Our young people have deep beliefs about the culture war, but do not know why they should obey scripture, the essentials of theology, or the experience of spiritual discipline and community.” He says, “Coming generations of Christians are going to be monumentally ignorant and unprepared for culture-wide pressures.”
Only when we model the love of Jesus Christ and apply his teachings will our friends, neighbors, and families take our commitment to God seriously. That will change more lives than any amount of political grandstanding and protesting issues in the name of religion.
Bottom line? Deuteronomy 6:4-9 had it right all along. God’s people must do a better job at studying and understanding their Bibles and following through with application, and teaching their children to do the same. It is imperative that we know exactly what we are commanded to do. And it is equally important that we take seriously our responsibility to obey the Bible’s teachings. “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22)

Spiritual Lessons from Driver’s Test
by Barrett Vanlandingham
March 17, 2009

As I sat there as a nervous dad in the Driver’s License Examiner waiting room Friday, I couldn’t help but feel a certain amount of apprehension for my 16-year old daughter. I thought to myself, “She’s only had her permit for six months. Is she ready to take that final step?” At any moment now, it would be her turn to get behind the wheel of my Jeep with the officer sitting next to her. Would she pass the test? I hoped so. But regardless, there was nothing else I could do to help her now. The training period was over. The officer read my daughter’s name loudly from the sign-in clip board. Her time had come, and off they went! Within 15 minutes, they returned. She had passed the test!
Spiritually speaking, there are some definite parallels to what parents go through in raising their children in the Lord. We train and train, but ultimately it is the child who has to decide whether to apply God’s word to their life. Eventually, they have to be tested for themselves away from their parents. That is the point at which a parent learns the meaning of “giving it over to God.”
Prayer is powerful. And beyond that, there is nothing else you can do to shelter your children from physical, emotional, or spiritual harm. It’s between them and God. But let me say again, “Prayer is powerful.” Prayer must be our first line of action, not a last resort.
So, as soon as we pulled into the driveway with her license in hand, I felt the urge to pray. I prayed for her, I prayed over “Herbert” (my 1982 Ford F-150 she will be driving), and I prayed for all the drivers on the road. Before she could even get into the pickup, I’m pretty sure I had wiped enough tears from my eyes to at least wash the hood. However, I restrained myself.
I wouldn’t have wanted the neighbors to think I wasn’t handling things well.
Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
I have no doubt that my daughter is developing her own relationship with God. But just like the driver’s test, she will stand before God one day and answer for herself. We all will. The good news is that for Christians, Jesus has already passed the test for us. We just have to follow the narrow road that leads to him (Matthew 7:13-14). (end)

The Most Misunderstood Part of God
by Barrett Vanlandingham
March 3, 2009

Maybe it’s because we are human, but it seems most Christians have an easier time understanding the idea of God the Father and God the Son than God the Holy Spirit.
But it is important for every Christian to spend time thinking about the Spirit and His work in the Bible and in us. Why? It’s because the Holy Spirit is that part of God who is actually closest to us.
In fact, according the scripture, if the Spirit had a physical address, it would probably read something like “Every Baptized Believer Avenue.”
You can read about that in Acts 2:38. That’s where Peter just finished preaching the first Gospel sermon. The people were deeply grieved, realizing they had just crucified the Son of God. So they asked, “What shall we do?” That’s when Peter said, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
God’s word reaffirms this truth many times in the New Testament. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 tells us that God “…anointed us, and set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”
Paul is simply saying that every Christian has a covenant or an agreement with God of the blessing of heaven. And to prove God means what he says, he sent his Holy Spirit to dwell inside us. The Holy Spirit makes his home in our body, our temple (2 Cor. 6:16 and 1 Cor. 3:16) when we obey his word. Part of that obedience is being baptized for the forgiveness of sins.
In John 14:15-17a, Jesus told his disciples, “If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-the Spirit of truth.”
Jesus said those words to let his disciples know that after he would be crucified, raised on the third day, and then go back to his heavenly Father, he would be sending that other part of God to guide them.
Jesus reaffirms this thought in some of the final words he would say to his disciples. It’s recorded in Matthew 28:18-20 after Jesus said that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him. “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
So what has the Holy Spirit done for us? The Spirit is what enabled Jesus and his disciples in the first century to do miracles to convince people that Jesus' message was true. Then, the Spirit made sure these events and other words of the Bible were written down accurately over the course of 1500 years, by 40 writers on three different continents. We can take a book of the Bible dating back over two-thousand years, and it will read the same as a new copy today (ref: 2 Peter 1:20-21).
So what does the Holy Spirit do for us today?
1. He gives us a way of escape in temptations (1 Cor. 10:13).
2. He gives us inner strength (Ephesians 3:16).
3. He communicates our prayers to God when we are not sure of what to ask (Romans 8:26-27).
4. He transforms us into the likeness of Jesus (2 Cor 3:17-18).
5. He leads us to partake in that wonderful fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
May God bless us all as we take confidence in knowing the power that is available to each of us who has made our bodies a home for God’s Holy Spirit. (end)


Cow Lips and Christianity Have Something in Common
by Barrett Vanlandingham
February 24, 2009

Interesting things always happen when you take God’s work into a mission field. This time in Monterrey, Mexico was no different. One of the local elders of a Monterrey Church of Christ has a taco stand where we ate breakfast one morning which was a first for me. We didn’t find out until afterwards that the tasty soft tacos were 100-percent cow lips! They call it barbecoa. If it hadn’t tasted so incredibly good, I would be saying, “YUK” right about now. I guess that was a small sacrifice to encourage a brother in Christ.
I can’t help but be more appreciative of life here in Northeastern Oklahoma everytime I take a trip across the Rio Grande. Ten of us from the Fort Gibson Church of Christ made the journey into Monterrey last week on a short term mission trip to continue construction on a new church building near there. The Fort Gibson Church of Christ purchased the land about a year and a half ago in the fast-growing suburb of Santa Monica. The foundation is finished, most of the walls are up, and now work on the floor, ceiling, and roof will take place soon. The 10-thousand square foot building will seat as many as 400 people, and will provide classroom space. Right now, the 60 members are meeting in a small building about the size of a garage.
While there are obviously some cultural differences between the U.S. and Mexico based on economics, politics, and tradition, there are more similarities than differences. And the desire to worship God seems just as strong there as it does here.
Jeri Collins, Glen and Robin Elliott, Everett Laney, Kenny Lashley, Dan Rouse, myself, and three others from the Sand Springs Church of Christ made the February 14-20 trip.
Despite the news reports of increased danger in Mexico, our group never felt in danger while we were there. Project Director Rick Owens has built over a hundred church buildings in the past 20-years with volunteer help, mostly teenagers who come in to help week after week. And not even once has there been an instance of violence aimed at any of the church groups, and no serious injuries. That’s impressive considering there have been literally thousands of teenage and adult groups make the trip over the years to dig foundations, lay block, mix and pour cement, and put up roof supports.
Not everyone is able to make a trip across the border or overseas on a mission trip. But everyone can help support those who do. May God bless you as you consider ways of taking the message of Jesus into the world (Matthew 28:18-20). (end)


Outstretched
by Barrett Vanlandingham
February 3, 2009


“With a mighty hand and outstretched arm, His love endures forever.” Those few words penned by the writer of the 136th Psalm should provide more comfort and present more challenges to Christians than the longest sermon ever preached.
How many times have we asked, “Where was God?” The fact is, the world used to be a near perfect place. That is, until sin entered, and Adam and Eve chose to follow the advice of the devil in the Garden of Eden. That’s the point at which mankind began to value created things more than the Creator. The world had become a broken place, full of tragedy and natural consequences.
As time passed, people became used to dealing with life outside of the garden, and began to feel that the world was a pretty good place to live as long as things were going their way. In other words, the “norm” for life on earth became defined as pretty good except for when bad things would happen.
So, when bad things would happen as a result of not living in a near perfect place, people began to look for someone to blame. Too often, that someone was God. It’s the same today.
We forget that we only have ourselves to blame for the world we live in. You see, in reality life on earth is a lot more work than it was when Adam and Eve were placed in the Garden of Eden. We need to cherish every blessing we receive as something special, not as something God owes us. The blessings should be looked at as the exception, not the rule. After all, does any of us really want from God what we deserve?
A youth minister friend of mine, Tom, was very angry with God because his dad developed a brain aneurism three days before Tom’s wedding. He survived the ordeal but Tom’s faith was shaken to the point of considering leaving his job and quitting the church. He was given the opportunity to go on a short-term mission trip to Africa. He went even though his heart was not in it. His job there was to play with children and sing to them while the more experienced missionaries were to have Bible studies with the kids’ parents. Tom found out that most of the children had aids and probably would not live long. The kids he thought were nine or ten, were actually malnourished teenagers. Tom became tired of singing to the children, so he asked them to sing something for him. They began to sing words that when translated are “Holy is the Lord.” One little four-year old boy had polio, but was still walking with leg-braces. And as soon as the singing began, the little boy outstretched his arms to heaven and sang with all his might, “Holy is the Lord.” That child knew more about the meaning of life in his four short years than most of us who’ve lived a lot longer.
Tom could no longer be angry with God for allowing his dad to suffer. The little boy had taught him the lesson that we all have the privilege of praising God for as long or as short a time as we have on earth.
God’s hand is outstretched to us. His love never fades. But we must also outstretch to God. For we did not create ourselves nor any of our blessings. We all understand the concept of being forgiven, yet still having to suffer consequences. Well, that’s a pretty good description of life on earth. We are forgiven because of God’s grace that provides us a way to do his will and reap the reward of heaven. That doesn’t mean bad things will never happen to us or those we love while we live here. We can be sure of that.
May God give us the confidence and understanding to reach out to God and praise his dear name even in times of crisis. (end)

Christian Clubs Flourish at School
by Barrett Vanlandingham
February 10, 2009

Alpha and Omega, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Kids for Christ, and Teens for Christ. Faith-based organizations are flourishing among students at Fort Gibson schools. At a time when so many people in our nation are trying to squelch Christianity and any public mention of God, it is very encouraging to see pockets of dedicated Jesus followers refusing to take their eyes off the prize. Fort Gibson Schools is one of those places.
I should mention at this point that even though I attend and participate in some of these organizations, I do not speak for them, the school, or the sponsors.
That being said, one of the highlights of my week is attending “Teens for Christ” at the Middle School. Students fill the library every Friday morning for a half-hour before school starts. They sing songs of faith and praise, pray, read the Bible, hear lessons, watch videos, and many times enjoy dramatic presentations or other talents performed by students.
Sponsors Beverly Rowan and Teresa Minor do an awesome job of encouraging students to take their faith into all aspects of their lives. Guest speakers and students share their faith in Jesus. They focus primarily on what we can all do to grow spiritually and to bring Jesus to the lost.
There are about as many different ideas on various doctrinal matters as there are kids and guest speakers in attendance. But somehow, the common belief and message that Jesus is God’s son and our only hope gives students a unified core to begin with. Leaders are encouraged to keep the message non-denominational for the short time we meet. It’s a method that strives for unity and a starting point for kids to do their own study and as the apostle Paul put it best: to “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).” Students often talk with each other about Bible-related things during the school day, partly because of faith-based organizations in the schools. It’s hard to have anything against that considering all the things they could be spending their time talking about.
May we all pray that God continues to work in our school system even as the world increasingly tries to turn the younger generation away from Him. (end)

God’s Well-Spring Flows into New Wineskins
by Barrett Vanlandingham
February 17, 2009

A couple of weeks ago, my church family shared in the joy of seeing two young men from my youth group, Lane and Tony, be baptized and added to the Lord’s number (Acts 2: 41, 47). What a thrill it was to see these two young souls put on Christ in baptism (Romans 6:1-11 and Galatians 3:26-27).
For new Christians and for any of us older ones, the challenge is how to not become jaded by the world, but instead stay fresh and open to God’s will in our lives.
With the memory of being tempted in the desert for 40 days and nights probably still on his mind, Jesus teaches a lesson to a wide audience of disciples, skeptics, and accusers. The setting was at a great banquet held for Jesus by Levi (AKA: Matthew). I believe the lesson was that of consuming God’s will into your life in new and fresh ways everyday through a relationship with Jesus. Luke 5:36-39 is certainly one of the most powerful parables for this in the New Testament.
This passage takes place just after Jesus started his ministry. He began to do miracles so that people would believe his message. He chose his first disciples. And then while at dinner, the very legalistic Pharisees and teachers of the Old Testament law began to compare Jesus’ ministry with that of John the Baptist. They criticized Jesus’ disciples for eating and drinking at times when followers of John and followers of the Pharisees would have fasted and prayed. This gave Jesus the opportunity to further explain his deity by introducing himself as the bridegroom. He said the bridegroom would eventually be taken away from his guests, and at that time they should fast and pray, but not while he was with them.
Then, Jesus said, “No one tears a patch from a new garment and sews it on an old one. If he does, he will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for he says, ‘the old is better (Luke 5:36-39).’”
What a tremendous challenge! The fact is, the Gospel message of Jesus is no less powerful and life-changing today than it was on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:22-41). That’s when Peter preached the first Gospel sermon and about three-thousand people were baptized for the forgiveness of their sins.
God’s word assures that Jesus’ blood continually cleanses Christians from their sins (1 John 1:7). But what is our end of the bargain? This same passage says we must “walk in the light, as he is in the light” so that we can continue to have that fellowship with our Savior. In other words, we become a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). We become a new wineskin of sorts that is capable of drinking in and storing a new way of life that is made possible through Jesus Christ.
May God bless us with the desire to never become old stagnant wineskins incapable of letting God’s will flow through our lives. But instead, may we all desire to be new wineskins with a continual thirst for more of God’s well-spring of life. (end)