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)
Welcome to my bulletin article site. What I do is minister to young Christians, their families, their friends, and others in the Fort Gibson, OK area. So check-in every now and then, and I'll try to have an encouraging word for you.
Monday, February 09, 2009
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)
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)
Friday, January 23, 2009
A crowded throne can make you feel the squeeze
by Barrett Vanlandingham
January 27, 2009
I ran across a YouTube video on the internet that perfectly illustrates the struggle Christians face everyday in deciding who’s in charge of their life.
In case you want to look at it yourself, the name of it is “The Stool.” I know, it’s not an attractive title. Nonetheless, it’s a skit that centers around a conversation between Jesus and a Christian. We’ll call her Chris for short. She decides to give Jesus a chair to sit on. They agree that whoever is sitting on the chair gets to make all the decisions for her. Chris soon finds herself in an uncomfortable situation when friends come along and try to talk her into participating in sinful activities. Everytime she can’t make up her mind about what to do, she finds herself trying to make room to sit on the chair that she already gave to Jesus. Sometimes, Jesus would get squeezed half-way off the chair, and sometimes, he wound up all the way off because Chris was taking up all the room. This led to some very pointed discussion between the two as Jesus was trying to make decisions for Chris who kept forgetting who was in charge of her life. She eventually stated that she couldn’t make up her mind. To which, Jesus replied, “You just did.”
Does this sound familiar to you? It’s not a bad idea to frequently ask yourself, Who is sitting on the chair of my life?”
In the New Testament, John writes what he saw in a vision of heaven. It was a celebration like none other.
“…Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." 9Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: 11"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being (Revelation 4:8-9)."
We serve a God who is worthy of our praise, and is worthy to sit on the throne. In reality, there is nothing we can do to knock Jesus off His throne. However, we do oftentimes prove by our actions that we “think” we can take his place on the throne, a notion that could not be further from the truth, nor would we ever really want to take his place. Think about it, if we place ourselves on the throne, who would we to turn to in times of trouble?
May we pray fervently for the will to keep Jesus on the throne of our life, and have faith enough to never try to push him out of his role as Savior. (end)
The Greatest Commandments
by Barrett Vanlandingham
January 20, 2009
Did you ever wonder exactly what God expects from us? One time, a group of so-called religious men who were always trying to trip-up Jesus asked him a question. They wanted to know which was the greatest commandment of them all. Jesus responded with this quote found in Mark’s Gospel account.
“30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' 31The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)
One might ask, “How could this be? How could over 600 Jewish laws be boiled down to only two?”
The answer is found in Matthew’s account of this Q & A session when he says,. “40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:40)
So, what exactly does that mean? Well, if you think about it, it makes sense what Jesus was talking about. He’s saying that if you’re fully submitting to God’s will in every part of your life, you really don’t have to worry about whether you’re going to break the rest of those 600-plus rules.
You see, when we tell God that we love him with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength, that means we will do anything to keep from disappointing him. Under the Old Testament Law, the large number of rules alone made it next to impossible to get it right. So, the only thing they could do was to check the rules off their list as they completed each good deed or avoided violating a particular law.
So, when Jesus came along and became the perfect sacrifice, there was no longer a need to follow a religion of checklists including animal sacrifices. Besides, it was never meant to be permanent, but simply a “schoolmaster” to bring us to a new and better covenant.
In the New Testament, Jesus over and over stresses the importance of treating other people with respect, kindness, compassion, and sacrificial love. In the form of a human, Jesus now knew firsthand what our struggles were like. Perhaps, that’s why he also told us to love our neighbor, and said there are no laws more important than loving God and loving others.
That part about these two commandments being what the law and prophets hang on is just that. No matter what rule we can think of, we will always be pleasing to God as long as we give God the sacrificial love that he gives us. The Bible also mentions the impossibility of loving a God we haven’t seen while treating those we have seen with hatred (1 John 4:16-21).
May God give each of us the burning desire to love others the way he loves each of us, thereby finding true joy in what will certainly become an abundant life (John 10:10).
by Barrett Vanlandingham
January 27, 2009
I ran across a YouTube video on the internet that perfectly illustrates the struggle Christians face everyday in deciding who’s in charge of their life.
In case you want to look at it yourself, the name of it is “The Stool.” I know, it’s not an attractive title. Nonetheless, it’s a skit that centers around a conversation between Jesus and a Christian. We’ll call her Chris for short. She decides to give Jesus a chair to sit on. They agree that whoever is sitting on the chair gets to make all the decisions for her. Chris soon finds herself in an uncomfortable situation when friends come along and try to talk her into participating in sinful activities. Everytime she can’t make up her mind about what to do, she finds herself trying to make room to sit on the chair that she already gave to Jesus. Sometimes, Jesus would get squeezed half-way off the chair, and sometimes, he wound up all the way off because Chris was taking up all the room. This led to some very pointed discussion between the two as Jesus was trying to make decisions for Chris who kept forgetting who was in charge of her life. She eventually stated that she couldn’t make up her mind. To which, Jesus replied, “You just did.”
Does this sound familiar to you? It’s not a bad idea to frequently ask yourself, Who is sitting on the chair of my life?”
In the New Testament, John writes what he saw in a vision of heaven. It was a celebration like none other.
“…Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." 9Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: 11"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being (Revelation 4:8-9)."
We serve a God who is worthy of our praise, and is worthy to sit on the throne. In reality, there is nothing we can do to knock Jesus off His throne. However, we do oftentimes prove by our actions that we “think” we can take his place on the throne, a notion that could not be further from the truth, nor would we ever really want to take his place. Think about it, if we place ourselves on the throne, who would we to turn to in times of trouble?
May we pray fervently for the will to keep Jesus on the throne of our life, and have faith enough to never try to push him out of his role as Savior. (end)
The Greatest Commandments
by Barrett Vanlandingham
January 20, 2009
Did you ever wonder exactly what God expects from us? One time, a group of so-called religious men who were always trying to trip-up Jesus asked him a question. They wanted to know which was the greatest commandment of them all. Jesus responded with this quote found in Mark’s Gospel account.
“30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' 31The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)
One might ask, “How could this be? How could over 600 Jewish laws be boiled down to only two?”
The answer is found in Matthew’s account of this Q & A session when he says,. “40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:40)
So, what exactly does that mean? Well, if you think about it, it makes sense what Jesus was talking about. He’s saying that if you’re fully submitting to God’s will in every part of your life, you really don’t have to worry about whether you’re going to break the rest of those 600-plus rules.
You see, when we tell God that we love him with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength, that means we will do anything to keep from disappointing him. Under the Old Testament Law, the large number of rules alone made it next to impossible to get it right. So, the only thing they could do was to check the rules off their list as they completed each good deed or avoided violating a particular law.
So, when Jesus came along and became the perfect sacrifice, there was no longer a need to follow a religion of checklists including animal sacrifices. Besides, it was never meant to be permanent, but simply a “schoolmaster” to bring us to a new and better covenant.
In the New Testament, Jesus over and over stresses the importance of treating other people with respect, kindness, compassion, and sacrificial love. In the form of a human, Jesus now knew firsthand what our struggles were like. Perhaps, that’s why he also told us to love our neighbor, and said there are no laws more important than loving God and loving others.
That part about these two commandments being what the law and prophets hang on is just that. No matter what rule we can think of, we will always be pleasing to God as long as we give God the sacrificial love that he gives us. The Bible also mentions the impossibility of loving a God we haven’t seen while treating those we have seen with hatred (1 John 4:16-21).
May God give each of us the burning desire to love others the way he loves each of us, thereby finding true joy in what will certainly become an abundant life (John 10:10).
Friday, January 09, 2009
How to say “I love you!”
by Barrett Vanlandingham
January 13, 2009
So why doesn’t she seem to appreciate the flowers I get her? Why doesn’t he seem to appreciate me doing the dishes and cleaning the house? Why don’t my children seem appreciative of all the gifts I give them?
I suppose if you were to stack together all the books ever written about relationships, you couldn’t find a room big enough to house them. Author Gary Chapman has penned a series of books on the “Love Languages” of adults, young children, and teenagers. The book “The Love Dare” by Alex and Stephen Kendrick was featured in “Fireproof,” a recent movie focusing how to fireproof your marriage.
I remember how shocked I was the first time I found out that men and women actually have differing ways of what makes them feel loved. Children also have their own ideas of what makes them feel loved. Beyond that, not even all men, all women, or all children have the same love languages.
Some people feel loved when they receive gifts. Others feel loved when they hear the words “I love you.” Still others feel loved when they receive help with household chores or other duties. And others feel love when physical romance is present.
A mix-up can occur when someone assumes what makes them feel loved is what they need to do to make someone else feel loved. If the recipient of the effort has a different love language, the result may be frustration instead of the desired effect of feeling loved.
So what do you do? Well, you can start by asking your loved one what it is that makes them feel loved. But it is important that you establish that what you’re asking is “What makes you feel loved?” Not, “What makes you feel happy at the moment?”
A child may say at first that a new MP3 player or the latest cell phone would make them feel loved. But if you talk with them more you might find out they feel loved when a parent spends time with them, listens to them, provides a home cooked meal, or makes sure they get to school and other activities and back home safely.
A spouse may like a nice gift. Who doesn’t? But they may truly feel loved when they know you’re sacrificing your wants and even time for the overall security or good of the family. If the other spouse is paying attention, they will reward the sacrifices by responding to the other’s love language. Simple respect and appreciation for each other’s needs and each other’s efforts will go a long way towards preventing feelings of resentment. Not only that, but showing appreciation with your actions to back up your words may actually translate to the best “I love you” of all.
With February 14th only a month a way, this would be a great time to start thinking of how to make this year’s Valentine’s Day the best ever. If you’re looking for different outcomes this year in any of your relationships, it will be worth your time to invest some thought and prayer into changing your method. One of the best lines in the recent movie “Fireproof” comes after the husband spends 40 days doing one nice thing per day for his spouse regardless of her reaction in order to save their marriage. Eventually, he won her over and made the statement, “God has given me a love for you I never had before.”
May God bless you all year long as you heed Jesus’ words. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Even if you had no other reading material for advice in your relationships, John 13:34 would be a great place to start. (end)
by Barrett Vanlandingham
January 13, 2009
So why doesn’t she seem to appreciate the flowers I get her? Why doesn’t he seem to appreciate me doing the dishes and cleaning the house? Why don’t my children seem appreciative of all the gifts I give them?
I suppose if you were to stack together all the books ever written about relationships, you couldn’t find a room big enough to house them. Author Gary Chapman has penned a series of books on the “Love Languages” of adults, young children, and teenagers. The book “The Love Dare” by Alex and Stephen Kendrick was featured in “Fireproof,” a recent movie focusing how to fireproof your marriage.
I remember how shocked I was the first time I found out that men and women actually have differing ways of what makes them feel loved. Children also have their own ideas of what makes them feel loved. Beyond that, not even all men, all women, or all children have the same love languages.
Some people feel loved when they receive gifts. Others feel loved when they hear the words “I love you.” Still others feel loved when they receive help with household chores or other duties. And others feel love when physical romance is present.
A mix-up can occur when someone assumes what makes them feel loved is what they need to do to make someone else feel loved. If the recipient of the effort has a different love language, the result may be frustration instead of the desired effect of feeling loved.
So what do you do? Well, you can start by asking your loved one what it is that makes them feel loved. But it is important that you establish that what you’re asking is “What makes you feel loved?” Not, “What makes you feel happy at the moment?”
A child may say at first that a new MP3 player or the latest cell phone would make them feel loved. But if you talk with them more you might find out they feel loved when a parent spends time with them, listens to them, provides a home cooked meal, or makes sure they get to school and other activities and back home safely.
A spouse may like a nice gift. Who doesn’t? But they may truly feel loved when they know you’re sacrificing your wants and even time for the overall security or good of the family. If the other spouse is paying attention, they will reward the sacrifices by responding to the other’s love language. Simple respect and appreciation for each other’s needs and each other’s efforts will go a long way towards preventing feelings of resentment. Not only that, but showing appreciation with your actions to back up your words may actually translate to the best “I love you” of all.
With February 14th only a month a way, this would be a great time to start thinking of how to make this year’s Valentine’s Day the best ever. If you’re looking for different outcomes this year in any of your relationships, it will be worth your time to invest some thought and prayer into changing your method. One of the best lines in the recent movie “Fireproof” comes after the husband spends 40 days doing one nice thing per day for his spouse regardless of her reaction in order to save their marriage. Eventually, he won her over and made the statement, “God has given me a love for you I never had before.”
May God bless you all year long as you heed Jesus’ words. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Even if you had no other reading material for advice in your relationships, John 13:34 would be a great place to start. (end)
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Make 2009 a Re-New Year
Your Relationship with Jesus Is Most Important
by Barrett Vanlandingham
January 6, 2009
You would be hard pressed to find an issue that means more to the average person than having quality relationships. More than money, more than popularity, good relationships are a top priority for most people. So, why do so many relationships get into trouble? Why do best friends turn into enemies? Why do marriages fail? Why do neighbors and families feud? The answer simply put is this: Not enough Jesus!
You see, while it is certainly a good thing to desire good relationships over so many other things that the world has to offer, those relationships must still take their proper place under your relationship with Jesus.
Do you remember the story of the wise man building his house on the rock, and do you remember what happened when the foolish man built his house on the sand? The rains came, and while the wise man’s house stood firm, the foolish man’s house fell with a great crash (Matthew 7:24-27).
For Christians, Jesus is our Rock (with a capital R). So when 2009 threatens to blow you away with busy-ness, just remember who comes first. If the answer for you is your spouse, children, or friends, or worse yet, money which is the root of all evil, 2009 or any other year will most likely be a rocky one (with a little r). The fact is that we are all human, and so we tend to put faith and trust in things we can see. But Christians and everyone else need to be reminded that our love and faith should be directed towards God through Jesus (John 14:6, Romans 6:1-11, 2 Corinthians 5:14-21). If you do this, he will make sure you still have plenty left for those people in your life who mean so much to you.
The Bible is full of stories that remind us of what God can do when we put our trust in him. In 2 Kings 4, there was a poor man and woman who revered God. The husband died and his creditors were going to take her sons as slaves to repay her husband’s debt. She told her story to Elisha who was a prophet of God. And since she had nothing in her house “except a little oil,” Elisha told the woman to ask her neighbors for empty jars. Then he told her to pour oil into each of the jars until they were full. After all the jars were full, she asked her son to bring her another jar. But since there were no more jars left, her original supply of oil stopped flowing. Then Elisha told the woman to sell the oil and pay her debts. God knows our needs.
Isn’t that an amazing story? The devil wants us to think that if we consistently do God’s will, that somehow our relationships will suffer. Parents are tempted to think that if they bring their kids to church too often, their kids will turn away from God. Women and especially teenage girls often think that if they don’t “give in” to their boyfriend’s desire for the kind of romance that is supposed to take place inside of marriage, that the man or boy will toss them aside. The examples could go on. The point is that when we give all we have (no matter the amount) to God in regards to our faith, love, and talents, God can and will do mighty things. Remember the story of the five loaves and two fish Jesus used to feed the five-thousand?
May God bless you in the New Year as you renew your strength by putting your hope in the Lord (Isaiah 40:31) (end).
Your Relationship with Jesus Is Most Important
by Barrett Vanlandingham
January 6, 2009
You would be hard pressed to find an issue that means more to the average person than having quality relationships. More than money, more than popularity, good relationships are a top priority for most people. So, why do so many relationships get into trouble? Why do best friends turn into enemies? Why do marriages fail? Why do neighbors and families feud? The answer simply put is this: Not enough Jesus!
You see, while it is certainly a good thing to desire good relationships over so many other things that the world has to offer, those relationships must still take their proper place under your relationship with Jesus.
Do you remember the story of the wise man building his house on the rock, and do you remember what happened when the foolish man built his house on the sand? The rains came, and while the wise man’s house stood firm, the foolish man’s house fell with a great crash (Matthew 7:24-27).
For Christians, Jesus is our Rock (with a capital R). So when 2009 threatens to blow you away with busy-ness, just remember who comes first. If the answer for you is your spouse, children, or friends, or worse yet, money which is the root of all evil, 2009 or any other year will most likely be a rocky one (with a little r). The fact is that we are all human, and so we tend to put faith and trust in things we can see. But Christians and everyone else need to be reminded that our love and faith should be directed towards God through Jesus (John 14:6, Romans 6:1-11, 2 Corinthians 5:14-21). If you do this, he will make sure you still have plenty left for those people in your life who mean so much to you.
The Bible is full of stories that remind us of what God can do when we put our trust in him. In 2 Kings 4, there was a poor man and woman who revered God. The husband died and his creditors were going to take her sons as slaves to repay her husband’s debt. She told her story to Elisha who was a prophet of God. And since she had nothing in her house “except a little oil,” Elisha told the woman to ask her neighbors for empty jars. Then he told her to pour oil into each of the jars until they were full. After all the jars were full, she asked her son to bring her another jar. But since there were no more jars left, her original supply of oil stopped flowing. Then Elisha told the woman to sell the oil and pay her debts. God knows our needs.
Isn’t that an amazing story? The devil wants us to think that if we consistently do God’s will, that somehow our relationships will suffer. Parents are tempted to think that if they bring their kids to church too often, their kids will turn away from God. Women and especially teenage girls often think that if they don’t “give in” to their boyfriend’s desire for the kind of romance that is supposed to take place inside of marriage, that the man or boy will toss them aside. The examples could go on. The point is that when we give all we have (no matter the amount) to God in regards to our faith, love, and talents, God can and will do mighty things. Remember the story of the five loaves and two fish Jesus used to feed the five-thousand?
May God bless you in the New Year as you renew your strength by putting your hope in the Lord (Isaiah 40:31) (end).
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Why I Trust in Jesus
by Barrett Vanlandingham
December 30, 2008
As we begin a new year, it's only fitting to re-evaluate our lives. We need to take inventory of where we stand spiritually to see if we're coming up short of where we should be.
For me, it seemed most important to begin with the basics. The question of "Why do I trust in Jesus?" After all, if I'm going to base my life on him, and profess to dedicate every waking moment to imitating him, this question must be answered firmly.
Here are three main reasons I believe we can all trust in Jesus.
1) Jesus gives us purpose of existence. He gives us reason to wake up, to live, and to be joyful. Sadly, there are many people who feel they have no reason for their existence. When they get up in the morning, the only reason they have to get out of bed is to go to work, school, run errands, eat, pay bills, go to one kind of practice or another, or do a hobby. If that's their only motivations for starting the day, it's no wonder there are so many crabby people out there with pinchers ready to inflict pain on anyone who dares to cross them. But hallelujah! Jesus gives us all the reason we need to wake-up, get on with our day, and be joyful. Just think of all the earthly gifts he has blessed us with such as laughter, memory, even forgetfulness, loyalty, love, friends and family, and forgiveness, understanding, and patience from both. And how about eternal gifts such as forgiveness of sins, love, joy, peace, and citizenship in heaven. Just think about the impact Jesus Christ has had on humanity since the day he arrived! Just think about the way so many people's lives have changed for the better because of him.
2) Jesus gives us opportunity to make a real difference. Just think about the opportunities we have with our families, friends, co-workers, and neighbors including the ones on our block and those who wait on our tables. Ask any restaurant worker and they will probably tell you that "church people" are among the most rude and worst tippers they see all week. If we approached our heavenly goals the same as we approach ball games and other earthly passions where there's a time clock and a winner and loser involved, something tells me we would all have a more urgent mindset when it comes to winning souls including our own. After all, when it's all said and done and we're all standing before God on Judgement Day, do you really think anyone's going to be impressed with your earthly popularity, or how much money you had, or how talented you were? No, at least if your emphasis on those things outweighed your focus on spiritual things. How would you feel on Judgement Day if you were a non-believer, and you came to the realization that a so-called Christian didn't tell about Jesus because they were afraid to lose their popularity? On the other hand, just imagine the great rejoicing that will most certainly take place as a result of brave Christians stepping out of their comfort zones to save someone's soul.
3) Jesus gives us more than enough to believe in, to talk and write about, and even to die for. Let's face it. To the human mind, living the Christian life involves risk. For two-thousand years now, people have believed that Jesus is God's son, they've written thousands and thousands of books and articles about him, and they've been willing to suffer persecution for his sake. Christians and even atheists have written about him, and studied and debated about him. Ancient writers, theologians, historians, and philosophers outside of the Bible have also written about Jesus. They've quoted from the New Testament and have listed books of the Bible in their own writings dating back to between 100-400 A.D. It seems like someone would have been able to find even a shred of proof that Jesus was not the son of God if it were at all possible. The fact is, IT'S NOT POSSIBLE. Jesus is the son of God. He came here for one purpose, to save our souls.
May God bless you with renewed confidence in your trust of Jesus the Christ. (end)
by Barrett Vanlandingham
December 30, 2008
As we begin a new year, it's only fitting to re-evaluate our lives. We need to take inventory of where we stand spiritually to see if we're coming up short of where we should be.
For me, it seemed most important to begin with the basics. The question of "Why do I trust in Jesus?" After all, if I'm going to base my life on him, and profess to dedicate every waking moment to imitating him, this question must be answered firmly.
Here are three main reasons I believe we can all trust in Jesus.
1) Jesus gives us purpose of existence. He gives us reason to wake up, to live, and to be joyful. Sadly, there are many people who feel they have no reason for their existence. When they get up in the morning, the only reason they have to get out of bed is to go to work, school, run errands, eat, pay bills, go to one kind of practice or another, or do a hobby. If that's their only motivations for starting the day, it's no wonder there are so many crabby people out there with pinchers ready to inflict pain on anyone who dares to cross them. But hallelujah! Jesus gives us all the reason we need to wake-up, get on with our day, and be joyful. Just think of all the earthly gifts he has blessed us with such as laughter, memory, even forgetfulness, loyalty, love, friends and family, and forgiveness, understanding, and patience from both. And how about eternal gifts such as forgiveness of sins, love, joy, peace, and citizenship in heaven. Just think about the impact Jesus Christ has had on humanity since the day he arrived! Just think about the way so many people's lives have changed for the better because of him.
2) Jesus gives us opportunity to make a real difference. Just think about the opportunities we have with our families, friends, co-workers, and neighbors including the ones on our block and those who wait on our tables. Ask any restaurant worker and they will probably tell you that "church people" are among the most rude and worst tippers they see all week. If we approached our heavenly goals the same as we approach ball games and other earthly passions where there's a time clock and a winner and loser involved, something tells me we would all have a more urgent mindset when it comes to winning souls including our own. After all, when it's all said and done and we're all standing before God on Judgement Day, do you really think anyone's going to be impressed with your earthly popularity, or how much money you had, or how talented you were? No, at least if your emphasis on those things outweighed your focus on spiritual things. How would you feel on Judgement Day if you were a non-believer, and you came to the realization that a so-called Christian didn't tell about Jesus because they were afraid to lose their popularity? On the other hand, just imagine the great rejoicing that will most certainly take place as a result of brave Christians stepping out of their comfort zones to save someone's soul.
3) Jesus gives us more than enough to believe in, to talk and write about, and even to die for. Let's face it. To the human mind, living the Christian life involves risk. For two-thousand years now, people have believed that Jesus is God's son, they've written thousands and thousands of books and articles about him, and they've been willing to suffer persecution for his sake. Christians and even atheists have written about him, and studied and debated about him. Ancient writers, theologians, historians, and philosophers outside of the Bible have also written about Jesus. They've quoted from the New Testament and have listed books of the Bible in their own writings dating back to between 100-400 A.D. It seems like someone would have been able to find even a shred of proof that Jesus was not the son of God if it were at all possible. The fact is, IT'S NOT POSSIBLE. Jesus is the son of God. He came here for one purpose, to save our souls.
May God bless you with renewed confidence in your trust of Jesus the Christ. (end)
Monday, December 08, 2008
The Christmas Grinch takes many forms
But joy can still be found
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(December 9, 2008)
Aahh, the holidays! Here in Fort Gibson, it’s the most wonderful time of the year, as the song goes. But with reports of break-ins, and even theft of mail as thieves look for cash and gift cards, this is one kind of Christmas Grinch that can make it difficult to find joy in December.
One might try finding joy in advertisements that push buying merchandise and not having to pay for it until 2010. But that’s just another Christmas Grinch that fools cash-strapped customers into the inevitable. They find themselves living under the dark cloud of debt, dreading their future of paying high interest rates for something they can’t afford.
The Christmas Grinch also strikes by inserting stress and lack of patience into shopping trips, family relationships, even things that are supposed to be fun like holiday parties, Christmas plays, musicals, caroling for the elderly, and oh yes, getting your taxes in order.
Or how many people have purchased computers, internet, and cell phones for Christmas to unite the family only to find out these are the gifts the Christmas Grinch tries to use year round to divide your family?
So, how do you prevent the Christmas Grinch from turning December into the most wonderful time of the year to be in a bad mood?
You might start by thinking about the joy you will bring to others because of your sacrifices. Then, diving into crowded stores and street traffic becomes purpose driven. For instance, our church is just one of thousands across the nation purchasing clothes and toys for needy children. This is something that everyone from civic groups to biker clubs and knitting clubs take part in every year.
As with any good deed, Satan always tries to find a way to turn it into a negative. That’s the devil’s job, and he’s very good at it. The thing we as followers of Jesus Christ must remember is that the battle has already been won. If you are a child of God, you’re going to heaven. How many will you take with you? The devil can deal out some very severe blows to our spiritual walk. But Jesus assures us that for every temptation we encounter, there is a way out so that we can stand up under the pressure (1 Corinthians 10:13). As long as we are on this earth, we will face temptation. The only question is whether you will choose to face it with Jesus’ help, or without it.
The fact that we have the Spirit of Jesus Christ himself working in our favor gives us confidence to ask the question, “Who could possibly be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
We should never be so naive as to think the world’s ways are not against us (John 15:18-21). We know that to be false. However, anyone who opposes the Lord will eventually find themselves without hope. Eventually, everyone will bow before God and confess that Jesus is Lord (Philippians 2:10 and Romans 14:11).
May God give you true joy this holiday season in spite of the devil, the Christmas Grinch, or whoever else is working against your efforts to bring honor to the Lord. (end)
But joy can still be found
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(December 9, 2008)
Aahh, the holidays! Here in Fort Gibson, it’s the most wonderful time of the year, as the song goes. But with reports of break-ins, and even theft of mail as thieves look for cash and gift cards, this is one kind of Christmas Grinch that can make it difficult to find joy in December.
One might try finding joy in advertisements that push buying merchandise and not having to pay for it until 2010. But that’s just another Christmas Grinch that fools cash-strapped customers into the inevitable. They find themselves living under the dark cloud of debt, dreading their future of paying high interest rates for something they can’t afford.
The Christmas Grinch also strikes by inserting stress and lack of patience into shopping trips, family relationships, even things that are supposed to be fun like holiday parties, Christmas plays, musicals, caroling for the elderly, and oh yes, getting your taxes in order.
Or how many people have purchased computers, internet, and cell phones for Christmas to unite the family only to find out these are the gifts the Christmas Grinch tries to use year round to divide your family?
So, how do you prevent the Christmas Grinch from turning December into the most wonderful time of the year to be in a bad mood?
You might start by thinking about the joy you will bring to others because of your sacrifices. Then, diving into crowded stores and street traffic becomes purpose driven. For instance, our church is just one of thousands across the nation purchasing clothes and toys for needy children. This is something that everyone from civic groups to biker clubs and knitting clubs take part in every year.
As with any good deed, Satan always tries to find a way to turn it into a negative. That’s the devil’s job, and he’s very good at it. The thing we as followers of Jesus Christ must remember is that the battle has already been won. If you are a child of God, you’re going to heaven. How many will you take with you? The devil can deal out some very severe blows to our spiritual walk. But Jesus assures us that for every temptation we encounter, there is a way out so that we can stand up under the pressure (1 Corinthians 10:13). As long as we are on this earth, we will face temptation. The only question is whether you will choose to face it with Jesus’ help, or without it.
The fact that we have the Spirit of Jesus Christ himself working in our favor gives us confidence to ask the question, “Who could possibly be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
We should never be so naive as to think the world’s ways are not against us (John 15:18-21). We know that to be false. However, anyone who opposes the Lord will eventually find themselves without hope. Eventually, everyone will bow before God and confess that Jesus is Lord (Philippians 2:10 and Romans 14:11).
May God give you true joy this holiday season in spite of the devil, the Christmas Grinch, or whoever else is working against your efforts to bring honor to the Lord. (end)
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Put some thought into your New Year’s resolution
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(December 2, 2008)
If you’re like most people, you start thinking about your New Year’s resolution somewhere around December 31. But realistically, is that enough time to make a major change in your life beginning on the first day of January? I don’t think so.
By the time you read this article and have time to let it sink in, you should still have the better part of three weeks to think about your resolution before you try to put it into effect.
I have a few things I want to do in the New Year. For starters, I would like to continue keeping my weight off. Since the last week of March I have lost about 60-pounds. However, everytime I have lost weight in the past, I have eventually gained it back. I am determined that’s not going to be the case this time. I’ve already made it through Thanksgiving with no significant weight gain. But I still have to make it through Christmas and all of the other parties that take place this time of year.
The other thing I am determined to do is to better understand the minds of teenagers including my own. As a youth minister, it is obviously in my best interest and in the interest of my youth group for me to understand their mindset. This will help me to do a better job teaching them God’s word and ways to apply it to their lives. As a parent of two teenage daughters (15 and 13) and a 10-year old son, I can clearly see that parenting adolescents is much more difficult than I ever thought it would be. Sometimes I wonder if my teenagers are even human! By the time it gets to that point, I’m sure they’re also wondering if their dad is even human!
One thing I have found to help me in both of these endeavors is two kinds of prayer. One is from me to God. The other is from my friends and family to God on my behalf. Both are extremely important.
James 5:13 says, “Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray…” Then in verse 16 James says, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” In Matthew 11:28, Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
It’s important for us to cultivate godly friendships for many reasons, not the least of which is having prayer partners. That’s what is so awesome about having a church family. People who attend worship regularly are not perfect people by any stretch of the imagination. We are all hopeless without the grace of Jesus Christ shown to us by his death, burial, and resurrection. In fact, Christ’s love for a wretch like me is exactly what compels people like me to worship him and have an active prayer life.
So what does any of this mean to you? Well hopefully (or prayerfully), it means that you will go to God in prayer right now and ask his guidance on changes you can make in your life that will draw you closer to him. Ask him to help you get rid of things in your life that are damaging your relationship with him and others. In fact, pray everyday about this. Then, you will most certainly be better equipped to make a New Year’s resolution that will stick!
(end)
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(December 2, 2008)
If you’re like most people, you start thinking about your New Year’s resolution somewhere around December 31. But realistically, is that enough time to make a major change in your life beginning on the first day of January? I don’t think so.
By the time you read this article and have time to let it sink in, you should still have the better part of three weeks to think about your resolution before you try to put it into effect.
I have a few things I want to do in the New Year. For starters, I would like to continue keeping my weight off. Since the last week of March I have lost about 60-pounds. However, everytime I have lost weight in the past, I have eventually gained it back. I am determined that’s not going to be the case this time. I’ve already made it through Thanksgiving with no significant weight gain. But I still have to make it through Christmas and all of the other parties that take place this time of year.
The other thing I am determined to do is to better understand the minds of teenagers including my own. As a youth minister, it is obviously in my best interest and in the interest of my youth group for me to understand their mindset. This will help me to do a better job teaching them God’s word and ways to apply it to their lives. As a parent of two teenage daughters (15 and 13) and a 10-year old son, I can clearly see that parenting adolescents is much more difficult than I ever thought it would be. Sometimes I wonder if my teenagers are even human! By the time it gets to that point, I’m sure they’re also wondering if their dad is even human!
One thing I have found to help me in both of these endeavors is two kinds of prayer. One is from me to God. The other is from my friends and family to God on my behalf. Both are extremely important.
James 5:13 says, “Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray…” Then in verse 16 James says, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” In Matthew 11:28, Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
It’s important for us to cultivate godly friendships for many reasons, not the least of which is having prayer partners. That’s what is so awesome about having a church family. People who attend worship regularly are not perfect people by any stretch of the imagination. We are all hopeless without the grace of Jesus Christ shown to us by his death, burial, and resurrection. In fact, Christ’s love for a wretch like me is exactly what compels people like me to worship him and have an active prayer life.
So what does any of this mean to you? Well hopefully (or prayerfully), it means that you will go to God in prayer right now and ask his guidance on changes you can make in your life that will draw you closer to him. Ask him to help you get rid of things in your life that are damaging your relationship with him and others. In fact, pray everyday about this. Then, you will most certainly be better equipped to make a New Year’s resolution that will stick!
(end)
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
What will you turn loose of to follow Jesus?
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(November 25, 2008)
In Matthew 4, we read about Jesus calling his first disciples shortly after his ministry began. Each of these four men would later be listed among the “twelve apostles” (Mark 3:13-19). Those are the twelve men Jesus personally chose to work with him, to preach, and to do miracles that would confirm his message (John 20:31).
“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him (Matt 4:18-21).”
Why do you think Peter, Andrew, James, and John were so receptive to dropping everything including family to follow Jesus? It may be because we’re told a few verses earlier that Jesus actually lived near the lake (:12) which fulfilled a prophecy from Isaiah 9:1-2. Maybe the fishermen and were already well acquainted with Jesus. Maybe James and John’s dad, Zebedee, could see the difference Jesus’ message of repentance had made on his sons, and therefore, was willing to continue fishing with only his hired hands (Mark 1:20). Those chosen could have easily gone back to full-time fishing work if Jesus’ mission proved to be a fraud. After all, it’s not like they hopped a jet and went to the other side of the world. Jesus’ preaching and healing were taking place throughout Galilee where the fishermen were from.
So I have two questions for you:
1) What would you be willing to drop in order to follow Jesus?
2) Why?
The first disciples dropped their nets, left their boats, and left their families. In the first century, Jesus told the crowd in Luke 14:25-33 that there is a cost to following him. Our attitude must be the same as Jesus describes in this passage of one having complete devotion. We should be willing to place God high above all else. Luke 9:57-62 reminds us that “sacred cows” such as family tradition or anything else are not as important as teaching the good news of Jesus Christ and leading the lost to Heaven. This does not mean that we should use as an excuse the work of the Lord to ignore our families. That route is clearly condemned in quite a number of passages (Mark 7:9-13 & 1 Timothy 5:8).
We live in a culture not unlike that of Jesus’ time. People were more concerned with their status in the community than their status with God. The challenge of getting people to place a higher priority on serving God than on being served was received about as well back then as it is today.
Turning loose of things that stand in the way of you and Jesus may seem difficult until you count the cost of the alternative. Remember, we know exactly where holding God’s hand will lead us. Can holding on to the pleasures of this world offer the same? May God bless your decision-making this week. (end)
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(November 25, 2008)
In Matthew 4, we read about Jesus calling his first disciples shortly after his ministry began. Each of these four men would later be listed among the “twelve apostles” (Mark 3:13-19). Those are the twelve men Jesus personally chose to work with him, to preach, and to do miracles that would confirm his message (John 20:31).
“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him (Matt 4:18-21).”
Why do you think Peter, Andrew, James, and John were so receptive to dropping everything including family to follow Jesus? It may be because we’re told a few verses earlier that Jesus actually lived near the lake (:12) which fulfilled a prophecy from Isaiah 9:1-2. Maybe the fishermen and were already well acquainted with Jesus. Maybe James and John’s dad, Zebedee, could see the difference Jesus’ message of repentance had made on his sons, and therefore, was willing to continue fishing with only his hired hands (Mark 1:20). Those chosen could have easily gone back to full-time fishing work if Jesus’ mission proved to be a fraud. After all, it’s not like they hopped a jet and went to the other side of the world. Jesus’ preaching and healing were taking place throughout Galilee where the fishermen were from.
So I have two questions for you:
1) What would you be willing to drop in order to follow Jesus?
2) Why?
The first disciples dropped their nets, left their boats, and left their families. In the first century, Jesus told the crowd in Luke 14:25-33 that there is a cost to following him. Our attitude must be the same as Jesus describes in this passage of one having complete devotion. We should be willing to place God high above all else. Luke 9:57-62 reminds us that “sacred cows” such as family tradition or anything else are not as important as teaching the good news of Jesus Christ and leading the lost to Heaven. This does not mean that we should use as an excuse the work of the Lord to ignore our families. That route is clearly condemned in quite a number of passages (Mark 7:9-13 & 1 Timothy 5:8).
We live in a culture not unlike that of Jesus’ time. People were more concerned with their status in the community than their status with God. The challenge of getting people to place a higher priority on serving God than on being served was received about as well back then as it is today.
Turning loose of things that stand in the way of you and Jesus may seem difficult until you count the cost of the alternative. Remember, we know exactly where holding God’s hand will lead us. Can holding on to the pleasures of this world offer the same? May God bless your decision-making this week. (end)
Doing good things for others just makes you feel good
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(November 18, 2008)
We all like to get good deals, don’t we? But have you ever spent money on something you didn’t have to, even though you knew it wasn’t the best deal for you financially speaking? I hope you have.
I try to be a very good steward of the money God blesses me with. Oh okay, I’ll go ahead and say it. I’m a tight wad most of the time. But when I actually open my eyes to the possibilities of what would happen if weren’t, there are definite benefits that cannot be measured in dollars and cents.
I’m not talking about blowing your bank account. Obviously, God wants us to take care of our families. He wants us to invest our money well (Matthew 25:14-30). At the same time, we must reconcile that parable with Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:19-21 when he said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…” I’m just saying that occasionally it’s healthy to loosen up a little. It encourages others, and their reaction can often be of great encouragement to you. Balance is the key in good deeds versus stewardship.
Sometimes, the gift of time is worth more to someone than money or things that cost money. Just think about those people in your life who you feel are special. Now think about how you would feel if you knew that starting next month, you would no longer get to see or talk with them. How would that change your priorities? Would you make an effort to spend more time with them? Would you try to have more patience with them? Would you do more nice things for them? Most of us would likely say yes to each of those questions. But what about giving or helping people you don’t know. Sometimes, it’s helpful to put yourself in their shoes in order to help you make a godly decision.
So, what does all of this mean to you? Well, it could mean that next time you have the opportunity to put a smile on someone’s face, just do it even if it costs time or money. It could mean that the next time you feel blessed emotionally or financially, take a little of your joy and give it to someone else.
In the Old Testament (OT), God’s people were expected to give tithes and offerings. So, it’s possible that they gave more than 20-percent of their earnings to the work of the Lord.
The New Testament doesn’t tell us a specific amount to give. However, it does say in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, “6. Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” In Matthew 5:20 Jesus says, “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law (OT), you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Is heaven motivation enough for you? Don’t get me wrong, we can never do enough kind deeds to earn our salvation separate from God’s grace. But, God knows our hearts, our thoughts, and our motives. We know that to whom much is given, much is expected (Luke 12:48). Romans 5:8 reminds us that Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. And it is only when we imitate Christ’s love in our attitudes and actions that we move from being unproductive in our knowledge (2 Peter 1:3-11), to being effective servants who will certainly receive a “rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” May we follow God’s example in giving each of us grace and mercy instead of what we deserve. (end)
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(November 18, 2008)
We all like to get good deals, don’t we? But have you ever spent money on something you didn’t have to, even though you knew it wasn’t the best deal for you financially speaking? I hope you have.
I try to be a very good steward of the money God blesses me with. Oh okay, I’ll go ahead and say it. I’m a tight wad most of the time. But when I actually open my eyes to the possibilities of what would happen if weren’t, there are definite benefits that cannot be measured in dollars and cents.
I’m not talking about blowing your bank account. Obviously, God wants us to take care of our families. He wants us to invest our money well (Matthew 25:14-30). At the same time, we must reconcile that parable with Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:19-21 when he said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…” I’m just saying that occasionally it’s healthy to loosen up a little. It encourages others, and their reaction can often be of great encouragement to you. Balance is the key in good deeds versus stewardship.
Sometimes, the gift of time is worth more to someone than money or things that cost money. Just think about those people in your life who you feel are special. Now think about how you would feel if you knew that starting next month, you would no longer get to see or talk with them. How would that change your priorities? Would you make an effort to spend more time with them? Would you try to have more patience with them? Would you do more nice things for them? Most of us would likely say yes to each of those questions. But what about giving or helping people you don’t know. Sometimes, it’s helpful to put yourself in their shoes in order to help you make a godly decision.
So, what does all of this mean to you? Well, it could mean that next time you have the opportunity to put a smile on someone’s face, just do it even if it costs time or money. It could mean that the next time you feel blessed emotionally or financially, take a little of your joy and give it to someone else.
In the Old Testament (OT), God’s people were expected to give tithes and offerings. So, it’s possible that they gave more than 20-percent of their earnings to the work of the Lord.
The New Testament doesn’t tell us a specific amount to give. However, it does say in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, “6. Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” In Matthew 5:20 Jesus says, “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law (OT), you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Is heaven motivation enough for you? Don’t get me wrong, we can never do enough kind deeds to earn our salvation separate from God’s grace. But, God knows our hearts, our thoughts, and our motives. We know that to whom much is given, much is expected (Luke 12:48). Romans 5:8 reminds us that Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. And it is only when we imitate Christ’s love in our attitudes and actions that we move from being unproductive in our knowledge (2 Peter 1:3-11), to being effective servants who will certainly receive a “rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” May we follow God’s example in giving each of us grace and mercy instead of what we deserve. (end)
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Parents Must Fight the Devil for Your Children
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(November 11, 2008)
1 Kings 3:12 says that Solomon, the son of King David was the wisest human being who ever lived and will ever live.
So, if you’re seeking wisdom on how to raise your children or on just about any topic at all, this might be a good place to start. It may not make your job any easier or any less heart-breaking at times, but at least you can feel at peace with what will be the likely outcome.
Solomon is credited with writing the majority of the book of Proverbs. Chapter 1:4 tells us that part of the purpose for the book is to give “knowledge and discretion to the young” and also to give guidance to even the wise and discerning.
In the first century, most of the biblical instruction on child-rearing came from the Old Testament since the New Testament was still in the process of being written. So, when Paul, who was an Old Testament scholar, says in Ephesians 6:4 “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord,” his thoughts on this topic must have certainly been colored by books such as Proverbs.
The fact is our children need instruction. They would be exasperated and in a constant state of frustration and confusion if they had no spiritual direction. We see it all the time these days, young people acting out because they have no spiritual purpose or foundation, no measuring stick of right or wrong.
Proverbs 19:18 says, “Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death.”
In other words, if you ever want your children to see heaven, provide the kind of spiritual structure in your household that will keep them headed in the right direction. Don’t just sit by and watch your children walk towards the gates of hell. FIGHT FOR THEM. Even if you have to go toe to toe with the devil himself, you can have the confidence that God will back you up.
One of my favorite passages is Proverbs 22:6. “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
I have an uncle whose heart was as hard as it could be when he was a younger man. He quit the church as soon as he left home and stayed away for 45-years. But these days, you couldn’t keep him from attending worship three times a week. He was trained in the way he should go.
Parents, as you know, there are many times when you look at your screaming, yelling teenagers or even your two-year olds, and are trying to figure out what kind of alien has invaded them. Bottom line? Stay strong. Use God and his standards as your principles for parenting. You may feel like the devil is slapping you around at times. But you can have confidence that in the end, you will be victorious if you consistently make God number one in your family, and model it by your own example. Your child may appear that they could care less about your godly efforts. But rest assured, they are taking notice, and God will eventually reward them, in part, because you introduced them to Jesus and fostered a relationship that will last long after this life is over. (end)
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(November 11, 2008)
1 Kings 3:12 says that Solomon, the son of King David was the wisest human being who ever lived and will ever live.
So, if you’re seeking wisdom on how to raise your children or on just about any topic at all, this might be a good place to start. It may not make your job any easier or any less heart-breaking at times, but at least you can feel at peace with what will be the likely outcome.
Solomon is credited with writing the majority of the book of Proverbs. Chapter 1:4 tells us that part of the purpose for the book is to give “knowledge and discretion to the young” and also to give guidance to even the wise and discerning.
In the first century, most of the biblical instruction on child-rearing came from the Old Testament since the New Testament was still in the process of being written. So, when Paul, who was an Old Testament scholar, says in Ephesians 6:4 “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord,” his thoughts on this topic must have certainly been colored by books such as Proverbs.
The fact is our children need instruction. They would be exasperated and in a constant state of frustration and confusion if they had no spiritual direction. We see it all the time these days, young people acting out because they have no spiritual purpose or foundation, no measuring stick of right or wrong.
Proverbs 19:18 says, “Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death.”
In other words, if you ever want your children to see heaven, provide the kind of spiritual structure in your household that will keep them headed in the right direction. Don’t just sit by and watch your children walk towards the gates of hell. FIGHT FOR THEM. Even if you have to go toe to toe with the devil himself, you can have the confidence that God will back you up.
One of my favorite passages is Proverbs 22:6. “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
I have an uncle whose heart was as hard as it could be when he was a younger man. He quit the church as soon as he left home and stayed away for 45-years. But these days, you couldn’t keep him from attending worship three times a week. He was trained in the way he should go.
Parents, as you know, there are many times when you look at your screaming, yelling teenagers or even your two-year olds, and are trying to figure out what kind of alien has invaded them. Bottom line? Stay strong. Use God and his standards as your principles for parenting. You may feel like the devil is slapping you around at times. But you can have confidence that in the end, you will be victorious if you consistently make God number one in your family, and model it by your own example. Your child may appear that they could care less about your godly efforts. But rest assured, they are taking notice, and God will eventually reward them, in part, because you introduced them to Jesus and fostered a relationship that will last long after this life is over. (end)
Monday, November 03, 2008
God’s people must remain faithful
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(November 4, 2008)
No matter who you voted for in the election, it is of greatest importance that we remember everyday to cast our vote for God. Whether you are a life-long Democrat or Republican, God’s party is eternal, non-partisan, and ultimately the only party-line worth holding. Make no mistake about it, God has never been, and never will be tolerant of views and practices that go against his word. Matthew 12:36 tells us that God “…will reward each person according to what he has done.”
If God accepted every view on every issue, there would be no boundaries at all. What kind of world would that be? Even animals behave better with boundaries. One time as I was feeding a dog a leftover hamburger, I thought it would be a good idea to reach into the dog-bowl to remove the bun so the dog would have a clear understanding that I had actually given it a piece of meat. I think the only clear understanding that came out of that deal was on my end: that once you put food into a dog-dish, it is no longer yours to mess with. The teeth marks on my hand eventually went away, long after I learned a lesson of respecting boundaries. God also has boundaries he expects us to respect, no matter what public policy allows.
In 1 Kings 18:1-46, the Israelites had once again started to “…waver between two opinions.” Some people believed that Baal (false god) was the real God, while others believed that the Lord was the one true God. So, Elijah organized a contest to see who the real God was. The real God would be the one who answered by fire his followers’ prayers to accept bull-meat sacrifices on their respective alters.
The 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah (Baal’s female counterpart) had to have been intimidating because of their numbers and their flamboyant methods of trying to get the attention of their Baal. They danced and shouted all morning until noon, then began to slash themselves all afternoon. When all was said and done, their god would never answer, since in reality, he did not even exist.
But when Elijah called on Jehovah God, the Lord not only set the meat ablaze, but the fire burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, the soil around the alter, and even the water in the trench around the alter.
What does this mean to us?
1) We serve the all-powerful and only God.
2) There are going to be a lot of fads, trends, and other changes in our culture along with plenty of pressure to conform to the world’s idea of what is normal. But the simple truth is that God’s will for us does not change. In Revelation 22:18-19, the writer warns of the severity for anyone who would add to, or take away from God’s word.
3) We should remember these words from Joshua 24:15 as he reminded the tribes of Israel just how faithful the Lord had been to them, and what their response should be: “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
May God bless you as you choose God daily, and pay close attention to these words from Proverbs 4:27. “Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” (end)
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(November 4, 2008)
No matter who you voted for in the election, it is of greatest importance that we remember everyday to cast our vote for God. Whether you are a life-long Democrat or Republican, God’s party is eternal, non-partisan, and ultimately the only party-line worth holding. Make no mistake about it, God has never been, and never will be tolerant of views and practices that go against his word. Matthew 12:36 tells us that God “…will reward each person according to what he has done.”
If God accepted every view on every issue, there would be no boundaries at all. What kind of world would that be? Even animals behave better with boundaries. One time as I was feeding a dog a leftover hamburger, I thought it would be a good idea to reach into the dog-bowl to remove the bun so the dog would have a clear understanding that I had actually given it a piece of meat. I think the only clear understanding that came out of that deal was on my end: that once you put food into a dog-dish, it is no longer yours to mess with. The teeth marks on my hand eventually went away, long after I learned a lesson of respecting boundaries. God also has boundaries he expects us to respect, no matter what public policy allows.
In 1 Kings 18:1-46, the Israelites had once again started to “…waver between two opinions.” Some people believed that Baal (false god) was the real God, while others believed that the Lord was the one true God. So, Elijah organized a contest to see who the real God was. The real God would be the one who answered by fire his followers’ prayers to accept bull-meat sacrifices on their respective alters.
The 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah (Baal’s female counterpart) had to have been intimidating because of their numbers and their flamboyant methods of trying to get the attention of their Baal. They danced and shouted all morning until noon, then began to slash themselves all afternoon. When all was said and done, their god would never answer, since in reality, he did not even exist.
But when Elijah called on Jehovah God, the Lord not only set the meat ablaze, but the fire burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, the soil around the alter, and even the water in the trench around the alter.
What does this mean to us?
1) We serve the all-powerful and only God.
2) There are going to be a lot of fads, trends, and other changes in our culture along with plenty of pressure to conform to the world’s idea of what is normal. But the simple truth is that God’s will for us does not change. In Revelation 22:18-19, the writer warns of the severity for anyone who would add to, or take away from God’s word.
3) We should remember these words from Joshua 24:15 as he reminded the tribes of Israel just how faithful the Lord had been to them, and what their response should be: “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
May God bless you as you choose God daily, and pay close attention to these words from Proverbs 4:27. “Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” (end)
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Spiritual Treats Are the Sweetest of All
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(Fort Faith - October 28 - 2008)
Here in Fort Gibson, trick-or-treating is no doubt one of the all-time favorite activities of the year for kids. It not only gives kids a chance to wear costumes and visit dozens of houses in search of something sweet, but it also gives us adults some great inner-action with a younger generation that generally feels we have nothing in common with them.
So, what can we do as Christians with this wonderful opportunity of face to face inner-action with complete strangers, as well as with friends and neighbors? One time I heard a great sermon on personal evangelism, and the key phrase that kept coming up was “just talking!” He was simply saying that in your conversations, always try to include something about Jesus Christ, church, God, you get the idea. In other words, if you’re getting your hair cut, you might mention to the barber that you need a trim for an upcoming church event. Or, you might say to a sales clerk that you need a warmer jacket for when you go door-knocking to invite people to church. Or, if you are test-driving a car with a salesman, you might run a quick errand to the church building. “Just talking!”
So, maybe as you give out candy to trick-or-treaters, you can also say something to them that honors God. In fact, while I’m giving advice, here’s a list of ten things you could say to honor God on Halloween night:
1) Jesus loves you (John 3:16). Take him with you everywhere you go.
2) God is good, all the time (Mark 10:18).
3) You look as pretty as a little angel.
4) God sure blessed us with some great weather.
5) Show me your muscles. Wow! I bet you’re as strong as Sampson (Judges 13-16)
6) Wow! Your costume is as colorful as Joseph’s coat! (Genesis 37)
7) That’s a big growl. You sound as powerful as the “Lion of Judah!” Do you know who that is? Jesus. (Revelation 5:5).
You might reserve these last few for the older kids.
8) You look as scary as judgment day for the unsaved!
9) The Bible says God made us in his image (Genesis 1:27), but I don’t think that’s quite what he had in mind!
10) I bet God likes your costume, because it sure scared the devil out of me!
The point is, we can all do better at working our faith into our conversations. But one word of caution: Even when joking around, we must remember that our words and actions teach others about our level of commitment to God. May we always accurately convey God’s saving message in the spirit of love as our Heavenly Father commands. It’s the sweetest treat of all. (end)
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(Fort Faith - October 28 - 2008)
Here in Fort Gibson, trick-or-treating is no doubt one of the all-time favorite activities of the year for kids. It not only gives kids a chance to wear costumes and visit dozens of houses in search of something sweet, but it also gives us adults some great inner-action with a younger generation that generally feels we have nothing in common with them.
So, what can we do as Christians with this wonderful opportunity of face to face inner-action with complete strangers, as well as with friends and neighbors? One time I heard a great sermon on personal evangelism, and the key phrase that kept coming up was “just talking!” He was simply saying that in your conversations, always try to include something about Jesus Christ, church, God, you get the idea. In other words, if you’re getting your hair cut, you might mention to the barber that you need a trim for an upcoming church event. Or, you might say to a sales clerk that you need a warmer jacket for when you go door-knocking to invite people to church. Or, if you are test-driving a car with a salesman, you might run a quick errand to the church building. “Just talking!”
So, maybe as you give out candy to trick-or-treaters, you can also say something to them that honors God. In fact, while I’m giving advice, here’s a list of ten things you could say to honor God on Halloween night:
1) Jesus loves you (John 3:16). Take him with you everywhere you go.
2) God is good, all the time (Mark 10:18).
3) You look as pretty as a little angel.
4) God sure blessed us with some great weather.
5) Show me your muscles. Wow! I bet you’re as strong as Sampson (Judges 13-16)
6) Wow! Your costume is as colorful as Joseph’s coat! (Genesis 37)
7) That’s a big growl. You sound as powerful as the “Lion of Judah!” Do you know who that is? Jesus. (Revelation 5:5).
You might reserve these last few for the older kids.
8) You look as scary as judgment day for the unsaved!
9) The Bible says God made us in his image (Genesis 1:27), but I don’t think that’s quite what he had in mind!
10) I bet God likes your costume, because it sure scared the devil out of me!
The point is, we can all do better at working our faith into our conversations. But one word of caution: Even when joking around, we must remember that our words and actions teach others about our level of commitment to God. May we always accurately convey God’s saving message in the spirit of love as our Heavenly Father commands. It’s the sweetest treat of all. (end)
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Separation of Church and State? Not in the Constitution
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(October 21 - 2008)
On November 4, 2008 our country will elect a new President of the United States, either John McCain or Barack Obama.
And out of all the issues that have been debated, one thing has stood the test of time for every federal and local administration: Our dependence on God, and consequences for not following God’s moral code.
As part of their inaugural addresses, every U.S. President has called on God to bless this country. On April 30, 1789, George Washington said,
“It would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official Act, my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the Universe, who presides in the Councils of Nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that his benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the People of the United States,”
Our Declaration of Independence acknowledges the God of the Bible four times, referring to Nature’s God, Creator, Supreme Judge of the World, and divine Providence.
All fifty states call on God in their state constitutions. Author and first Governor of Pennsylvania, William Penn (1644-1718), said, "Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants."
Is it really possible that all fifty states are guilty of violating the U.S. Constitution in their own state constitution? Come on! Is it really possible that every U.S. President has broken the law by asking for God’s assistance in running our nation’s government? Or is it that satan has slowly and skillfully taken generations to bluff our governmental leaders and lull voters into thinking everything will be okay and taken care of by “someone else?”
Our U.S. Constitution never even once mentions the phrase “separation of church and state.” Yet, Christians feel forced to be politically correct to appease an ever-increasingly worldly culture that expects tolerance from us, while we get no tolerance from those who are clinging to a phrase that doesn’t even exist in our constitution.
Yes, Thomas Jefferson did respond to a letter in 1802 from Danbury Baptist Church leaders who were worried about their religious freedoms. But when he mentioned the phrase “wall of separation between church and state,” he was re-assuring those church leaders that the U.S. government would not threaten their religious freedoms. He was not saying that God had to be taken out of all government-funded entities.
The people of North Korea know what it’s like to be under a Godless government. May each of us pray fervently for our lawmakers and judges who interpret laws, that they will remember the spirit as well as the Spirit that has made our country great. (end)
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(October 21 - 2008)
On November 4, 2008 our country will elect a new President of the United States, either John McCain or Barack Obama.
And out of all the issues that have been debated, one thing has stood the test of time for every federal and local administration: Our dependence on God, and consequences for not following God’s moral code.
As part of their inaugural addresses, every U.S. President has called on God to bless this country. On April 30, 1789, George Washington said,
“It would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official Act, my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the Universe, who presides in the Councils of Nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that his benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the People of the United States,”
Our Declaration of Independence acknowledges the God of the Bible four times, referring to Nature’s God, Creator, Supreme Judge of the World, and divine Providence.
All fifty states call on God in their state constitutions. Author and first Governor of Pennsylvania, William Penn (1644-1718), said, "Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants."
Is it really possible that all fifty states are guilty of violating the U.S. Constitution in their own state constitution? Come on! Is it really possible that every U.S. President has broken the law by asking for God’s assistance in running our nation’s government? Or is it that satan has slowly and skillfully taken generations to bluff our governmental leaders and lull voters into thinking everything will be okay and taken care of by “someone else?”
Our U.S. Constitution never even once mentions the phrase “separation of church and state.” Yet, Christians feel forced to be politically correct to appease an ever-increasingly worldly culture that expects tolerance from us, while we get no tolerance from those who are clinging to a phrase that doesn’t even exist in our constitution.
Yes, Thomas Jefferson did respond to a letter in 1802 from Danbury Baptist Church leaders who were worried about their religious freedoms. But when he mentioned the phrase “wall of separation between church and state,” he was re-assuring those church leaders that the U.S. government would not threaten their religious freedoms. He was not saying that God had to be taken out of all government-funded entities.
The people of North Korea know what it’s like to be under a Godless government. May each of us pray fervently for our lawmakers and judges who interpret laws, that they will remember the spirit as well as the Spirit that has made our country great. (end)
The devil’s tricks are always cleverly disguised
by Barrett Vanlandingham (October 14 - 2008)
As I sat down to write this article in my office in Fort Gibson, I checked my e-mail and was reminded that the devil can find us wherever we live. In my inbox was an e-mail which informed me that $6.2 million dollars had been deposited into my bank account. The return address even said “Your ATM Account.” If I hadn’t already received similar e-mails several times before, I might have thought, “Whoo Hoo! I’m rich, I’m rich!” I also receive e-mails fairly often from a “wealthy businessman” from another country who wanted me to open an account for his $50-million dollars. He even agreed to give me ten-percent for my trouble. What a deal! I received another e-mail saying I could “click here” to watch instant pornography (and nobody would even know). The junk e-mails I received were even worse before I figured out how to block most of them.
Each of the e-mails I received has two things in common:
1) They are masterminded by satan.
2) They make promises that will only lead to spiritual death as well as many earthly problems even if the sin is private.
You have about as much chance that someone is going to deposit six-million dollars into your account as you do at finding real happiness through pornography.
October is a month filled with not only fall festivals, but also practical jokes and disguises. As Christians, we need to also use this month to be reminded of the disguises satan uses to trick us. The deceiver makes promises that only result in temporary earthly happiness. They quickly switch to heartache, conflict, guilt, and unfulfilled expectations of contentment instead of true joy, true peace, and true love which last forever.
Remember what the apostle Paul said in 1 Timothy 6:10? “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Thessalonians 5:22 says, “Abstain from all appearances of evil.”
In the seventh chapter of Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived said this about the man who chose to have relations with an adultress. “:22 All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose :23 till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life… :27 Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.”
You see, the promises of the world will let you down. Just ask Wall Street and the investment banks. They may have been paved with good intentions, but they were swallowed up with greed or selfishness just like Jonah, and just like King David who lusted after Bathsheba, an act which cost lives. But the promises of God will never let you down. As imitators of God (Ephesians 5:1), we should also never break promises in exchange for the lies of the devil which are empty and only serve to provoke God’s wrath (Eph. 5:7). We are to not partner with them or approve of them (Romans 1:32).
May God bless you as you lift up His name, cling to the cross, and approach his throne of grace everyday with confidence (Hebrews 4:16).
by Barrett Vanlandingham (October 14 - 2008)
As I sat down to write this article in my office in Fort Gibson, I checked my e-mail and was reminded that the devil can find us wherever we live. In my inbox was an e-mail which informed me that $6.2 million dollars had been deposited into my bank account. The return address even said “Your ATM Account.” If I hadn’t already received similar e-mails several times before, I might have thought, “Whoo Hoo! I’m rich, I’m rich!” I also receive e-mails fairly often from a “wealthy businessman” from another country who wanted me to open an account for his $50-million dollars. He even agreed to give me ten-percent for my trouble. What a deal! I received another e-mail saying I could “click here” to watch instant pornography (and nobody would even know). The junk e-mails I received were even worse before I figured out how to block most of them.
Each of the e-mails I received has two things in common:
1) They are masterminded by satan.
2) They make promises that will only lead to spiritual death as well as many earthly problems even if the sin is private.
You have about as much chance that someone is going to deposit six-million dollars into your account as you do at finding real happiness through pornography.
October is a month filled with not only fall festivals, but also practical jokes and disguises. As Christians, we need to also use this month to be reminded of the disguises satan uses to trick us. The deceiver makes promises that only result in temporary earthly happiness. They quickly switch to heartache, conflict, guilt, and unfulfilled expectations of contentment instead of true joy, true peace, and true love which last forever.
Remember what the apostle Paul said in 1 Timothy 6:10? “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Thessalonians 5:22 says, “Abstain from all appearances of evil.”
In the seventh chapter of Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived said this about the man who chose to have relations with an adultress. “:22 All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose :23 till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life… :27 Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.”
You see, the promises of the world will let you down. Just ask Wall Street and the investment banks. They may have been paved with good intentions, but they were swallowed up with greed or selfishness just like Jonah, and just like King David who lusted after Bathsheba, an act which cost lives. But the promises of God will never let you down. As imitators of God (Ephesians 5:1), we should also never break promises in exchange for the lies of the devil which are empty and only serve to provoke God’s wrath (Eph. 5:7). We are to not partner with them or approve of them (Romans 1:32).
May God bless you as you lift up His name, cling to the cross, and approach his throne of grace everyday with confidence (Hebrews 4:16).
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Whose Robe Are You Wearing?
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(October 7 - 2008)
In my house growing up, it was always fun to put on a robe. Or, if I really wanted to have an adventure I would put on my mom’s robe, and transform into royalty, or Moses, Abraham, or even Jesus. Getting to carry a big stick to serve as my “rod or my staff” was a bonus that compounded the fun. Nobody but me really knew who I was pretending to be since the costumes for all my characters looked basically the same.
That wasn’t the case in 2 Kings 10:22. That’s where we read about how Jehu, the King of Israel at the time, tricked all the ministers of Baal (false god) into putting on robes. This action made them easily identifiable so Jehu could have them put to death.
King Jehu called together an assembly of all the people. He told them they were there for the purpose of holding a great sacrifice for Baal. Jehu said, “…Anyone who fails to come will no longer live.” When the temple was crowded, “full from one end to the other,” Jehu said to the keeper of the wardrobe, “Bring robes for all the ministers of Baal.” Then, after sending everyone away who was not a minister of Baal, Jehu ordered them to be slaughtered. The bodies were thrown out, the temple was demolished, and people after that used the temple site as a latrine.
So what does this mean to us? Things are not always as they appear. And sometimes, culture can even convince us to put on robes that identify us with the world even though we profess to side with God. In your spiritual battles, you have the choice everyday of putting on a robe that identifies you as being on the world’s side, or you can choose everyday to put on a robe that identifies you with God’s team. Evil forces in this world are very clever at disguising sinful activities as things that bring lasting joy. But the robe of sin will only weigh you down and lead toward spiritual death.
Sometimes, we think we can fool people as to which side we’re on. The fact is, most people are not fooled for long. The true color of your robe is usually revealed at some point in your life. And God is NEVER fooled.
Revelation 6:11 and 7:9 indicates that God can clearly distinguish those who have given-up their lives for the hope of life in heaven. They are the ones with white robes, washed in the blood of Jesus the Lamb. Are you washed in the blood of Jesus?
Acts 22:16 tells us the apostle Paul was baptized to wash his sins away. Romans 6:1-11 tells us that after you’re baptized, you can live a new life. Acts 2:36-47 says that three-thousand people were baptized for the forgiveness of sins, and that the “saved” were added to the church.
May God bless each of us with the wisdom to lay down our pride and do whatever God asks of us to be saved. Will your robe be white when God returns? (end)
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(October 7 - 2008)
In my house growing up, it was always fun to put on a robe. Or, if I really wanted to have an adventure I would put on my mom’s robe, and transform into royalty, or Moses, Abraham, or even Jesus. Getting to carry a big stick to serve as my “rod or my staff” was a bonus that compounded the fun. Nobody but me really knew who I was pretending to be since the costumes for all my characters looked basically the same.
That wasn’t the case in 2 Kings 10:22. That’s where we read about how Jehu, the King of Israel at the time, tricked all the ministers of Baal (false god) into putting on robes. This action made them easily identifiable so Jehu could have them put to death.
King Jehu called together an assembly of all the people. He told them they were there for the purpose of holding a great sacrifice for Baal. Jehu said, “…Anyone who fails to come will no longer live.” When the temple was crowded, “full from one end to the other,” Jehu said to the keeper of the wardrobe, “Bring robes for all the ministers of Baal.” Then, after sending everyone away who was not a minister of Baal, Jehu ordered them to be slaughtered. The bodies were thrown out, the temple was demolished, and people after that used the temple site as a latrine.
So what does this mean to us? Things are not always as they appear. And sometimes, culture can even convince us to put on robes that identify us with the world even though we profess to side with God. In your spiritual battles, you have the choice everyday of putting on a robe that identifies you as being on the world’s side, or you can choose everyday to put on a robe that identifies you with God’s team. Evil forces in this world are very clever at disguising sinful activities as things that bring lasting joy. But the robe of sin will only weigh you down and lead toward spiritual death.
Sometimes, we think we can fool people as to which side we’re on. The fact is, most people are not fooled for long. The true color of your robe is usually revealed at some point in your life. And God is NEVER fooled.
Revelation 6:11 and 7:9 indicates that God can clearly distinguish those who have given-up their lives for the hope of life in heaven. They are the ones with white robes, washed in the blood of Jesus the Lamb. Are you washed in the blood of Jesus?
Acts 22:16 tells us the apostle Paul was baptized to wash his sins away. Romans 6:1-11 tells us that after you’re baptized, you can live a new life. Acts 2:36-47 says that three-thousand people were baptized for the forgiveness of sins, and that the “saved” were added to the church.
May God bless each of us with the wisdom to lay down our pride and do whatever God asks of us to be saved. Will your robe be white when God returns? (end)
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Goliath’s Failure Gives Giant Lessons for Us Today
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(Fort Faith, September 16, 2008)
By all accounts, the fight between Goliath and David should have ended much differently than it did. When you read 1 Samuel 17 it is easy to see that a nine-feet tall Philistine warrior whose armor weighed 125 pounds, and whose iron spear-tip alone weighed 15 pounds should have not wound up flat on the ground with his head cut off. But that’s exactly what happened in spite of the fact that Goliath even had his own shield bearer who went out before him.
No one else besides a shepherd boy named David would even dare to fight Goliath. So, what happened? What went wrong? Well, a couple of things. Goliath was obviously in the habit of placing his confidence in none other than himself. He was arrogant, threatening, rude, and irreverent towards God’s people. For forty days, Goliath came out to taunt King Saul and the Israelites saying, “…Choose a man and have him come down to me. If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us… This day I defy the ranks of Israel! (1 Sam. 8-10)…” After Goliath saw who was coming out to fight, he said, “:44 Come here… and I’ll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field.”
The whole scene sounds pretty intimidating to me. But that didn’t stop David who then said to the Philistine, “…You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head (1 Sam. 17:45-46)…”
What follows next is my favorite part of the story “:48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him.”
David takes five smooth stones and uses one of them in a sling to strike the giant down, and then takes Goliath’s sword and cuts off his head.
“:51 …When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran.”
I’m not sure which part of the story is more pathetic, Goliath’s over-confidence, or the Philistine army’s cowardly reaction to a young shepherd boy defeating their “hero.”
Two lessons we must learn from this are 1) where to put our faith, and 2) what kind of things we should place our priorities on.
David put his confidence in God even though the odds were against him. He had to endure criticism from many including his own brothers, and being made fun of by those who were only judging David from outward appearances.
May we all pray that God gives us the confidence to trust in Him even when the world says we’re not strong enough or smart enough to win the battle against the devil. May we never be afraid to lay our pride aside, and let God’s power work within us. (end)
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(Fort Faith, September 16, 2008)
By all accounts, the fight between Goliath and David should have ended much differently than it did. When you read 1 Samuel 17 it is easy to see that a nine-feet tall Philistine warrior whose armor weighed 125 pounds, and whose iron spear-tip alone weighed 15 pounds should have not wound up flat on the ground with his head cut off. But that’s exactly what happened in spite of the fact that Goliath even had his own shield bearer who went out before him.
No one else besides a shepherd boy named David would even dare to fight Goliath. So, what happened? What went wrong? Well, a couple of things. Goliath was obviously in the habit of placing his confidence in none other than himself. He was arrogant, threatening, rude, and irreverent towards God’s people. For forty days, Goliath came out to taunt King Saul and the Israelites saying, “…Choose a man and have him come down to me. If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us… This day I defy the ranks of Israel! (1 Sam. 8-10)…” After Goliath saw who was coming out to fight, he said, “:44 Come here… and I’ll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field.”
The whole scene sounds pretty intimidating to me. But that didn’t stop David who then said to the Philistine, “…You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head (1 Sam. 17:45-46)…”
What follows next is my favorite part of the story “:48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him.”
David takes five smooth stones and uses one of them in a sling to strike the giant down, and then takes Goliath’s sword and cuts off his head.
“:51 …When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran.”
I’m not sure which part of the story is more pathetic, Goliath’s over-confidence, or the Philistine army’s cowardly reaction to a young shepherd boy defeating their “hero.”
Two lessons we must learn from this are 1) where to put our faith, and 2) what kind of things we should place our priorities on.
David put his confidence in God even though the odds were against him. He had to endure criticism from many including his own brothers, and being made fun of by those who were only judging David from outward appearances.
May we all pray that God gives us the confidence to trust in Him even when the world says we’re not strong enough or smart enough to win the battle against the devil. May we never be afraid to lay our pride aside, and let God’s power work within us. (end)
Your decisions can make for generations of consequences
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(Fort Faith, September 30, 2008)
In 1 Kings 12:1-33 we read about how the mistakes of Jeroboam (Solomon’s official in charge of the labor force) caused problems for the northern kingdom of Israel for the next 250-years.
In 977 B.C. Israel split after Solomon died because his son, Rehoboam would not relieve any of the tax burdens on the people, and in fact planned to make it worse.
Rehoboam remained king of the southern kingdom of Judah where Jerusalem and the temple were located, while Jeroboam became king of the new northern kingdom of Israel.
Here’s where Jeroboam messed up, royally! He made two golden calves to which his people were to offer sacrifices. He set one in Dan and one in Bethel, both in the northern kingdom in an effort to keep his people from going down into the southern kingdom of Judah to Jerusalem to worship at the temple there. Jeroboam also appointed priests from “…all sorts of people even though they were not Levites (:31).” He also instituted a religious festival on the same day as the one in Jerusalem, so that sacrifices could be made to the idols instead of to God.
Jeroboam did these things because he feared for his life if the people were to again become loyal to Rehoboam, the king of Judah (:27). Jeroboam’s actions put him in direct opposition to God’s commands to not worship idols.
For the next 250 years, most of the 19 kings were evil and were said to have walked in the ways of Jeroboam. What a way to be remembered! Over and over in 1 Kings and 2 Kings we read about the sin that Jeroboam “…caused Israel to commit” until eventually they were removed from the Lord’s presence and exiled to Assyria (2 Kings 17:21-23).
There are many lessons that can be learned here. Trusting and obeying God for starters. But one very important lesson is this: Every decision we make has a consequence attached to it. In this case, the ripple effect was HUGE. It went on and on. Jeroboam’s actions to influence the people to worship idols started a trend that infected almost every king of Israel who came after him, and caused problems for the few good kings to have to deal with.
In 1 Kings 16:31 we read that King Ahab was even more evil than any king before him including Jeroboam. He went as far as to marry the wicked Jezebel and began to serve and worship the false gods, Baal and Asherah.
In 2 Kings 10:28-32 we read that King Jehu destroyed Baal worship, but he still did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam, “which he had caused Israel to commit.”
For us today, we need to keep in mind that even though culture puts a lot of pressure on us to accept worldly ways as normal, God’s standard has never changed. Doing things the world’s way may bring temporary happiness, but it will never bring the lasting joy that serving God can. And it is only by doing God’s will that we know for sure which direction our ripple effect is carrying us and those we influence. (end)
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(Fort Faith, September 30, 2008)
In 1 Kings 12:1-33 we read about how the mistakes of Jeroboam (Solomon’s official in charge of the labor force) caused problems for the northern kingdom of Israel for the next 250-years.
In 977 B.C. Israel split after Solomon died because his son, Rehoboam would not relieve any of the tax burdens on the people, and in fact planned to make it worse.
Rehoboam remained king of the southern kingdom of Judah where Jerusalem and the temple were located, while Jeroboam became king of the new northern kingdom of Israel.
Here’s where Jeroboam messed up, royally! He made two golden calves to which his people were to offer sacrifices. He set one in Dan and one in Bethel, both in the northern kingdom in an effort to keep his people from going down into the southern kingdom of Judah to Jerusalem to worship at the temple there. Jeroboam also appointed priests from “…all sorts of people even though they were not Levites (:31).” He also instituted a religious festival on the same day as the one in Jerusalem, so that sacrifices could be made to the idols instead of to God.
Jeroboam did these things because he feared for his life if the people were to again become loyal to Rehoboam, the king of Judah (:27). Jeroboam’s actions put him in direct opposition to God’s commands to not worship idols.
For the next 250 years, most of the 19 kings were evil and were said to have walked in the ways of Jeroboam. What a way to be remembered! Over and over in 1 Kings and 2 Kings we read about the sin that Jeroboam “…caused Israel to commit” until eventually they were removed from the Lord’s presence and exiled to Assyria (2 Kings 17:21-23).
There are many lessons that can be learned here. Trusting and obeying God for starters. But one very important lesson is this: Every decision we make has a consequence attached to it. In this case, the ripple effect was HUGE. It went on and on. Jeroboam’s actions to influence the people to worship idols started a trend that infected almost every king of Israel who came after him, and caused problems for the few good kings to have to deal with.
In 1 Kings 16:31 we read that King Ahab was even more evil than any king before him including Jeroboam. He went as far as to marry the wicked Jezebel and began to serve and worship the false gods, Baal and Asherah.
In 2 Kings 10:28-32 we read that King Jehu destroyed Baal worship, but he still did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam, “which he had caused Israel to commit.”
For us today, we need to keep in mind that even though culture puts a lot of pressure on us to accept worldly ways as normal, God’s standard has never changed. Doing things the world’s way may bring temporary happiness, but it will never bring the lasting joy that serving God can. And it is only by doing God’s will that we know for sure which direction our ripple effect is carrying us and those we influence. (end)
Monday, September 08, 2008
Autumn Fast Approaches
Is it ever too early to decorate your life with Christian virtues?
by Barrett Vanlandingham (9-9-08)
Not to jump the gun or anything, but it won’t be long now before the autumn season begins to cover Northeastern Oklahoma with cooler weather, crisp air, beautiful fall colors, and the rustling sounds of leaves.
Lisa actually wore a sweatshirt to Fort Gibson’s first football game. Not only that, but she also decorated our front porch and fireplace mantle with autumn leaves, scarecrows, and pumpkins. Lisa is not a fan of any particular state school, but I would definitely classify her as a “Sooner” at least in her drive to decorate for fall during the first week of September. But hey, if that’s all it takes to keep peace in the Vanlandingham house, then I’m definitely a huge fan of fall in September. Besides, autumn hits for real on September 22nd if you can believe that! So, why wait ‘til the last minute, right?
Anyway, what’s the point of all this talk of “Sooners” and fall decor? Spiritual lessons, of course. Friends, one of these days the Lord is going to return. It may be sooner. It may be later. But it will happen. We just don’t know when. Unlike autumn, there’s not a date on the calendar for us to highlight in order to be prepared for that final day.
As Christians, we are to decorate our lives with the fruit of the Spirit every single minute of every single day. Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Near the end of the apostle Paul’s life, he told Timothy to “…be prepared in season and out of season (2 Tim. 4:2).”
Jesus himself said “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father (Matt. 24:36).”
So what does this mean to us? If scripture says that no one but the Father knows when judgment day will be, then it would certainly be to our advantage to be prepared all the time. After all, God is good… all the time.
Wouldn’t that be strange if God was only good to us part of the time? What if God only let us breathe 23 hours a day? Or what if God only provided food for us every now and then? Or what if God only provided hope for us occasionally? Or what if every other day God changed His commands that he expects us to obey?
The fact is, we serve an awesome God who is faithful, true, and just. We can depend on Him all the time, even if we don’t know exactly when His return will be. Practically speaking, our destiny is sealed when we die.
In Matthew 16:27 Jesus says, “For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.” May God bless each of us as we pray for the perseverance we need to be prepared all the time, and not wait ‘til the last minute since we don’t know when that will be.
Is it ever too early to decorate your life with Christian virtues?
by Barrett Vanlandingham (9-9-08)
Not to jump the gun or anything, but it won’t be long now before the autumn season begins to cover Northeastern Oklahoma with cooler weather, crisp air, beautiful fall colors, and the rustling sounds of leaves.
Lisa actually wore a sweatshirt to Fort Gibson’s first football game. Not only that, but she also decorated our front porch and fireplace mantle with autumn leaves, scarecrows, and pumpkins. Lisa is not a fan of any particular state school, but I would definitely classify her as a “Sooner” at least in her drive to decorate for fall during the first week of September. But hey, if that’s all it takes to keep peace in the Vanlandingham house, then I’m definitely a huge fan of fall in September. Besides, autumn hits for real on September 22nd if you can believe that! So, why wait ‘til the last minute, right?
Anyway, what’s the point of all this talk of “Sooners” and fall decor? Spiritual lessons, of course. Friends, one of these days the Lord is going to return. It may be sooner. It may be later. But it will happen. We just don’t know when. Unlike autumn, there’s not a date on the calendar for us to highlight in order to be prepared for that final day.
As Christians, we are to decorate our lives with the fruit of the Spirit every single minute of every single day. Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Near the end of the apostle Paul’s life, he told Timothy to “…be prepared in season and out of season (2 Tim. 4:2).”
Jesus himself said “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father (Matt. 24:36).”
So what does this mean to us? If scripture says that no one but the Father knows when judgment day will be, then it would certainly be to our advantage to be prepared all the time. After all, God is good… all the time.
Wouldn’t that be strange if God was only good to us part of the time? What if God only let us breathe 23 hours a day? Or what if God only provided food for us every now and then? Or what if God only provided hope for us occasionally? Or what if every other day God changed His commands that he expects us to obey?
The fact is, we serve an awesome God who is faithful, true, and just. We can depend on Him all the time, even if we don’t know exactly when His return will be. Practically speaking, our destiny is sealed when we die.
In Matthew 16:27 Jesus says, “For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.” May God bless each of us as we pray for the perseverance we need to be prepared all the time, and not wait ‘til the last minute since we don’t know when that will be.
Monday, August 25, 2008
If the world is against you, that’s not necessarily a bad thing
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(Fort Faith, August 26, 2008)
One day, as I sat and thought about the peer pressure the kids in my youth group are under, my thoughts began to form the word and music to this song based on the Gospel of John 15:18.
(verse 1) Walking down the halls at school, feeling like everybody’s fool, wondering why my blue skies have to turn gray. Well, they laugh and poke fun at me, because I practice Christianity. Some things never change, I guess it’s meant to be.
(chorus) Cause Jesus said no slave is greater than his master. If the world hates you, know it hated me first. And he said don’t fear. I’ll be with you always, holding your hand until your final day.
(verse 2) So I walked on to class with pride, my Bible held close to my side. The Crucified One’s been raised yes the battle’s been won. I don’t worry about a thing. I put a smile on my face and sing. And let the people know about my Savior and my King.
(to chorus then refrain) Sometimes I worry about this and ‘bout that, and then I begin to pray. That’s when everything’s okay.
(chorus) Cause Jesus said no slave is greater than his master. If the world hates you, know it hated me first. And he said don’t fear. I’ll be with you always, holding your hand until your final day.
(ending) That’s when I know everything’s gonna be okay.
My youth group took went to a rally the other day, and one of the nights before we went to bed we had a devotional with just us. One of the things they kept mentioning as a prayer request was to hold each other accountable for their actions during the school year. I must say I was a little taken back at their level of maturity on this matter. Peer pressure is such a mountain to overcome for all of us, especially for teenagers who are still young in the faith. I was amazed that they not only recognized the fiery darts of Satan, but that they also came up with a biblical solution and asked God to bless their dedication with a successful outcome. Siding with God and walking with the Lord will not guarantee an easy life or even a happy one, but the promise of a real future in heaven because of Jesus brings us true joy even now in the present.
After the youth rally, my wife and I went to eat at a Braum’s in Muskogee. I was already so deliriously tired from the trip that I was on the verge of laughing or crying at any moment. But what pushed me over the edge was this: the very enthusiastic young man behind the counter taking our order asked me if I was a youth minister. I said yes. He immediately had a bigger smile on his face, shook his head slightly, and said, “I love God.”
I’m sorry folks, but I thought for a minute I wasn’t going to be able to keep from crying right there in the middle of Braum’s at such an honest answer coming from such a transparent and cheerful person. I do not know the young man who waited on me that day, but I just wanted to shout hallelujah at his enthusiasm for the Lord.
“I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3)
Spiritual Warfare
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(Fort Faith, August 19, 2008)
The kids are back in school, mountains of peer pressure have begun to pile up on them. Meanwhile, parents and grandparents are left trying to figure out how to help those young souls they love so much make it through those tough years of adolescence.
Read Nehemiah 4:13-23. There are three things you should know about spiritual warfare that you can find in this passage. Here they are:
1. Do not be afraid
2. Remember the Lord
3. Fight
In about 600 BC, Nehemiah, the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes in the palace of Susa (in modern day Iran), had prayed to God and then received permission from the king to re-build the wall of Jerusalem. But the evil and jealous Sanballat the Samaritan was intent on preventing this from happening. The wall had been destroyed when the Jews were booted out of their city by the Babylonians.
Nehemiah used half of his workforce to build the wall, while the other half stood guard, paying special attention to the lowest points of the wall, and where there were families. This was done to make sure that Sanballat, along with several other bullies and their forces were not successful in stopping the re-building of the wall, which surrounded the very centerpiece of Jewish civilization.
Nehemiah said to the people, "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes." Later he said, “20. Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!"
You know, it’s easy to forget that even here in little Fort Gibson, we have a heavenly guest who wants to be part of our lives everyday. He’s the same God who was with Nehemiah 2600 years ago, and who helped him re-build the Jerusalem wall in only 52 days (6:15).
When we are walking with the Lord, we have every reason to be confident, not fearful. When we are constant in prayer, we can’t help but to constantly remember the Lord. And when we are fighting on the Lord’s side, we will find that the Lord is faithful to us, and will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear.
The apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 6 that when we use our Christian armor the way it was intended, we will be able to do three things: fearlessly make known the Gospel, we will pray in the Spirit continually, and we will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. That's the same basic message that Nehemiah taught 600 years earlier.
In 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, the apostles Paul says,
“3. For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
May God give each of us the perseverance to make sure we are in that number when the trumpet sounds and the Lord gathers us home. (end)
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(Fort Faith, August 26, 2008)
One day, as I sat and thought about the peer pressure the kids in my youth group are under, my thoughts began to form the word and music to this song based on the Gospel of John 15:18.
(verse 1) Walking down the halls at school, feeling like everybody’s fool, wondering why my blue skies have to turn gray. Well, they laugh and poke fun at me, because I practice Christianity. Some things never change, I guess it’s meant to be.
(chorus) Cause Jesus said no slave is greater than his master. If the world hates you, know it hated me first. And he said don’t fear. I’ll be with you always, holding your hand until your final day.
(verse 2) So I walked on to class with pride, my Bible held close to my side. The Crucified One’s been raised yes the battle’s been won. I don’t worry about a thing. I put a smile on my face and sing. And let the people know about my Savior and my King.
(to chorus then refrain) Sometimes I worry about this and ‘bout that, and then I begin to pray. That’s when everything’s okay.
(chorus) Cause Jesus said no slave is greater than his master. If the world hates you, know it hated me first. And he said don’t fear. I’ll be with you always, holding your hand until your final day.
(ending) That’s when I know everything’s gonna be okay.
My youth group took went to a rally the other day, and one of the nights before we went to bed we had a devotional with just us. One of the things they kept mentioning as a prayer request was to hold each other accountable for their actions during the school year. I must say I was a little taken back at their level of maturity on this matter. Peer pressure is such a mountain to overcome for all of us, especially for teenagers who are still young in the faith. I was amazed that they not only recognized the fiery darts of Satan, but that they also came up with a biblical solution and asked God to bless their dedication with a successful outcome. Siding with God and walking with the Lord will not guarantee an easy life or even a happy one, but the promise of a real future in heaven because of Jesus brings us true joy even now in the present.
After the youth rally, my wife and I went to eat at a Braum’s in Muskogee. I was already so deliriously tired from the trip that I was on the verge of laughing or crying at any moment. But what pushed me over the edge was this: the very enthusiastic young man behind the counter taking our order asked me if I was a youth minister. I said yes. He immediately had a bigger smile on his face, shook his head slightly, and said, “I love God.”
I’m sorry folks, but I thought for a minute I wasn’t going to be able to keep from crying right there in the middle of Braum’s at such an honest answer coming from such a transparent and cheerful person. I do not know the young man who waited on me that day, but I just wanted to shout hallelujah at his enthusiasm for the Lord.
“I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3)
Spiritual Warfare
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(Fort Faith, August 19, 2008)
The kids are back in school, mountains of peer pressure have begun to pile up on them. Meanwhile, parents and grandparents are left trying to figure out how to help those young souls they love so much make it through those tough years of adolescence.
Read Nehemiah 4:13-23. There are three things you should know about spiritual warfare that you can find in this passage. Here they are:
1. Do not be afraid
2. Remember the Lord
3. Fight
In about 600 BC, Nehemiah, the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes in the palace of Susa (in modern day Iran), had prayed to God and then received permission from the king to re-build the wall of Jerusalem. But the evil and jealous Sanballat the Samaritan was intent on preventing this from happening. The wall had been destroyed when the Jews were booted out of their city by the Babylonians.
Nehemiah used half of his workforce to build the wall, while the other half stood guard, paying special attention to the lowest points of the wall, and where there were families. This was done to make sure that Sanballat, along with several other bullies and their forces were not successful in stopping the re-building of the wall, which surrounded the very centerpiece of Jewish civilization.
Nehemiah said to the people, "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes." Later he said, “20. Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!"
You know, it’s easy to forget that even here in little Fort Gibson, we have a heavenly guest who wants to be part of our lives everyday. He’s the same God who was with Nehemiah 2600 years ago, and who helped him re-build the Jerusalem wall in only 52 days (6:15).
When we are walking with the Lord, we have every reason to be confident, not fearful. When we are constant in prayer, we can’t help but to constantly remember the Lord. And when we are fighting on the Lord’s side, we will find that the Lord is faithful to us, and will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear.
The apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 6 that when we use our Christian armor the way it was intended, we will be able to do three things: fearlessly make known the Gospel, we will pray in the Spirit continually, and we will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. That's the same basic message that Nehemiah taught 600 years earlier.
In 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, the apostles Paul says,
“3. For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
May God give each of us the perseverance to make sure we are in that number when the trumpet sounds and the Lord gathers us home. (end)
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