The after-life is not a complete mystery
by Barrett Vanlandingham
January 30, 2013

            Hebrews 9:27-28 says, “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him (ESV).”

            That’s pretty straight forward!  From this passage, we know that someday: 1) Jesus is not going to bear the consequences of mankind’s sin anymore.  2) We’re all going to die once.  3)  We’re all going to be judged.  4)  Some people will be saved. 

            But where do we go after death?  Scripture points to what could be described as a waiting place called Hades (New Testament Greek word) or Sheol (Old Testament Hebrew word). Within the waiting place, one side is described as torment, the other as paradise.

Both are written about in the story of the rich man and Lazarus (ref: Luke 16:19-31).  We can tell a few things about what this after-life place is like because of a conversation between the rich man who was in torment, and Abraham and Lazarus who were in paradise.  They could talk but they could not cross from one side to the other.  Also, the rich man was not allowed to communicate with his five living brothers to warn them about the reality of torment.

In Matthew 24:36-51 and chapter 25 Jesus tells several stories and parables to illustrate that our fate is set after we die, since there is nothing more we can do to obey the Master.

The final judgment or the second coming involves something much different than the waiting place scenario.  It is described as a day, not days, and not an on-going process as people die, but rather a day in which no one knows the day or the hour (ref: Matthew 24:36). It is a day in which Jesus will return to bring his faithful home to heaven.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 says, “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and the trumpet call of God.”  Paul goes on to say that those who are already dead in Christ will rise first, followed by the saved who are still living.  We can presume that Judgment Day has not already happened since we are still doing spiritual battle, not to mention the fact that we have not yet heard the trumpet call of God!!

             The apostle Paul says, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad (2 Corinthians 5:10).”

            People have a lot of questions about the specifics of Christ’s return, exactly how He will carry out Judgment Day, and exactly what heaven will be like.  But the fact that there are a lot of things we simply do not know should have no bearing on how we prepare ourselves to meet our Maker face to face.   Have a great week!

Mountaintop experiences don’t come along everyday
by Barrett Vanlandingham
January 23, 2013

            The other day a high school boy texted me to say that he was trying to be more Christ-like, but that no one seemed to notice his efforts.  He added that it is discouraging when you are doing your best to make a difference and spread the love of God and nobody acknowledges it.  He basically wanted some ideas for things he could do that would cause people to say, “Wow, God is good!”  He said that he wanted to be out of the ordinary, an exception, and to know clearly his purpose.  Obviously, this young man has a good heart for doing the Lord’s work, and I told him so.

But the one thing I think a lot of us forget is that those “Wow moments” are not really everyday occurrences.  Even in Bible times, the mountaintop experiences only happened now then, maybe only once in a lifetime.  The rest of the time we just live our lives as God wants us to, being willing vessels for him, being prepared to take advantage of those opportunities when God calls us.

Think about it.  Noah lived to be 950 years old!  Granted, he spent a hundred years building an ark.  But there was only one flood.  So he lived over 800 years with no other major events that the Holy Spirit felt worthy recording in the Bible.  It was the same with other people we read about in God’s word.

1) Elijah only had one showdown on Mount Carmel with the prophets of Baal.  2) Moses was 80 before he led the children of Israel out of Egypt and experienced many of God’s miracles such as the ten plagues and the parting of the Red Sea.  3) Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den just once (and he was also in his eighties).  4) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown in the furnace only once.  5) God asked Abraham once to sacrifice his son Isaac, and then sent an angel to stop him.  6) Peter got to walk on water just once.  7) And John’s vision that resulted in the book of Revelation was also a once in a lifetime thing.

But when all of these stories (and many more) are included in one Bible, it is easy for us today to draw the wrong conclusion that incredible miracles used to happen at the top of every hour!  God knows his people have always had trouble with patience and faith. 

That is probably why He included reminder passages for us to read such as “They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31), and “There is a time for everything” (Ecclesiates 3:1), and “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise” (2 Peter 3:8-9), and “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)

God doesn’t perform on command like we sometimes pray that he will. But he does provide each of us everyday with more than enough evidence to continue a faithful journey with Him.  Just remember, God knows exactly what we need, and when we need it.  We just have to be prepared to serve.  The “wow moments” will come.  Have a blessed week!

It’s not too late to cook up a spiritual strategy for 2013!
by Barrett Vanlandingham
January 16, 2013 

It’s just hard to beat a good biscuit!  A few days ago, preacher Dan and I hosted the monthly area ministers’ breakfast, which gave us the chance to show off our sweet cooking skills.

Between the two of us we managed to come up with gravy and a triple batch of homemade biscuits (my grandma’s recipe handed down through my mom), and Dan’s scrambled eggs and smoked, sweet Arkansas bacon.

If Jesus’ mother, Mary, made biscuits half as good as my mom and grandma, I can totally understand why the temptation to turn stones into bread was a worthy enough story to include in the Bible!   After all, can you imagine what must have been going through Jesus’ mind as he was tempted to whip up some piping hot comfort food, probably to taste just like his mom’s? This, after forty days of fasting and going toe to toe with the devil and some cleverly devised temptations just before Jesus’ earthly ministry began.

It is strange to think, but the same tempter that approached Jesus in the desert nearly 2000 years ago is the same devil we will do battle with in 2013. Satan is more equipped to deliver harm than any opponent in any boxing ring or bowl game.  That’s a scary thought!

Last year was such a great year for our church family in so many ways. Maybe it was for yours, too.  Praise be to God!  And with many plans in the works for 2013, I am certain Satan is going to be gunning for us as much this year as ever.  Satan hates it when Christians succeed.

But here’s the deal.  The same spiritual weapons Jesus had available to him in the desert are the same weapons we can arm ourselves with today.  Jesus made God’s word an inseparable part of who he was. That is why he was able to answer the devil’s temptations everytime with the phrase “It is written”. We can do that, too. When we read the Bible, God’s word is also written in our hearts.  Jesus said, “For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34).”  Constant prayer and guidance from God’s Holy Spirit are also an important part of this recipe.

One of the great things about having a Savior who was tempted in every way (Heb. 4:15) is that we can trust that his inspired word (2 Tim. 3:16-17) gives us everything we need to know about living righteously.  So as much as I love a good biscuit, in 2013 it should probably be my consumption of Jesus, the Bread of Life that sees an increase.  How about you? Have a great week!

There are no victimless sins
by Barrett Vanlandingham
January 9, 2013

            Our culture has bought into the lie that whatever sin a person commits, privately or otherwise, only affects them.  This has never been true.

            In 1 Samuel 21 we are told the story of the shepherd boy turned decorated war hero David who also worked as harp player for King Saul.  His job was to play the harp anytime King Saul was upset about something so he would calm down.  And although David did his job masterfully, King Saul became increasingly jealous of the fact that so many people were fans of David.  They would sing, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”

            Occasionally, Saul would become so incensed he would throw a spear at David, even while he was playing the harp!  How would you like to have a job where you boss was always trying to kill you? 

Well, David eventually had enough. But instead of taking vengeance on God’s anointed king, he ran away with no food or weapons to a town called Nob.  Ahimelech the priest lived there, and when he saw David approaching, he trembled and asked why David was wandering around by himself.   This is where David made a crucial mistake.  He told Ahimelech that King Saul had sent him on a secret mission and that David was supposed to meet his men later at a certain place.  Ahimelech gave him some bread and Goliath’s sword, and David left.

In reality, there were no orders from King Saul, no secret mission, and no meeting with his men.  It was all a lie, probably to save face after running away.  But David’s lie would come back to haunt many innocent, unsuspecting people in the town of Nob.

The king’s chief shepherd, Doeg the Edomite, told Saul about the exchange he had seen between Ahimelech the priest and David.  Saul was so angry he sent Doeg to kill all 85 priests in Nob including Ahimelech, also every man, woman, child, and infant, as well as all the sheep, cattle, and donkeys (ref: 1 Sam. 22:18-19). This all happened as the result of a single lie from the mouth of David.  

Every decision we make has a consequence, either good or bad.  The writer of James 3:16-17 says that the world’s idea of wisdom results in envy, selfish ambition, disorder, and every evil practice.  “But wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure.”  The apostle Paul says we need to keep our minds on things that are pure in order to enjoy the peace of God (ref: Phil 4:8).  You see, when our minds are on evil, even secretly, there are negative consequences that steal our time away from teaching the lost about the love of Christ.  May we all strive to have purity in everything we say, do, and think.  Have a great week!

Christians can make a difference in 2013
by Barrett Vanlandingham
January 2, 2013

            Happy New Year, everyone!  I pray that we all do our best to make 2013 truly a new year, not only in name, but also a year of spiritual revival.              The Lord’s church plays an important role in making our community a great place to live.  But it is important for us to remember that the church is not brick and mortar.  The church is the body of Christ.  The apostle Paul wrote about Jesus and Christians (the body) in this way, “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.  And he is the head of the body, the church (Colossians 1:17).”

            Scripture also says that Christ feeds and cares for his body of which we are members (ref: Ephesians 5:30).   But how do we become members of Christ’s body?  In writing to the church in Corinth (several years after Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension), Paul says, “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body-whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free-and we were all given the one Spirit to drink (1 Corinthians 12:12-13).”

            Peter, James, and Paul were among those apostles who knew very well what it meant to make a fresh start.  During a Jewish Feast known as Pentecost (that for Christians also marks the beginning of the church), Peter told a crowd of thousands, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.  And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).”   This echoes the words of Jesus from the book of John 3:3-5.

In the book of Acts, Luke wrote that a disciple named Ananias had a vision in which the Lord told him to tell Paul to “be baptized and wash your sins away (Acts 9:18, 22:14-16)”.  In Acts 9:15 and 22:15, the Lord reveals that Paul was to preach to all people, Gentiles, their kings, the people of Israel (Jews).

It doesn’t matter who you are or what you’ve done wrong in the past, God’s grace is extended to everyone.  Prison ministry volunteers at the Fort Gibson Church of Christ take this seriously.  In 2012, they baptized 162 inmates who were willing to obey God’s plan of salvation!

            Good New Year’s resolutions are nothing but unreachable goals if they are not based on a credible plan and followed through.  This is also true for spiritual matters.  In 2 Kings 5 we are told of a leper named Naaman.  The prophet Elisha told him to dip in the Jordan River seven times to cure his leprosy.  Naaman thought this was a bad idea and figured there must be a better way to be cured.  But in the end, Naaman obeyed the Lord’s prophet, and guess what?  It worked!  You see, even if Naaman had believed the prophet’s words, but did not follow through in obedience, then his cure would certainly have been in jeopardy.

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says….  As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead (James 1:22 and 2:26).”     

So yes, God’s amazing grace is our lifeline to salvation (not our works), but scripture makes it clear that we must reach out in obedience and take hold of it.  God bless you in 2013 as you strive to spread his light and love to a lost world (ref: Matthew 28:19-20).

           

Being a Christian is about much more than wearing a label
by Barrett Vanlandingham
December 26, 2012

Now that winter is officially here as of December 21, we will definitely see some changes in the weather. Obviously, the drop in temperature and chances of snow do not happen because of the label of winter, but rather because God created this season to be this way.

God also created a plan for Christians to follow. But just like the seasons, Christians do not change their behavior just because they have a new label. People change in response to their realization of the depth of the love of Jesus.

In 2 Corinthians 5:14 the apostle Paul says, “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.”

Paul further explains that Christians are not to live for themselves, but instead for Jesus whose selfless act on the cross gives us hope today.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Cor. 5:17)

Paul explained this concept of self-sacrifice repeatedly to new Christians in the first century. His message to the church in Galatia echoed his letter to the Corinthians.

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20).”

So what does this mean to us as Christians? We have a lot of work to do. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

There are people (yes, even here in Fort Gibson) who will never know about the love of Christ unless you show it to them through your attitude. Yes, inviting someone to a worship service is a good thing. But perhaps the best way to introduce lost souls to Jesus Christ is to be a light to those around you the same way Jesus became a light to the world.

Christ’s love is available for all people. And it is Christians whose job it is to plant seed. You may never know the impact of a kind word or a good deed. But in a world where Godless people continue to make decisions contrary to God’s will, it is becoming more and more important for Christians (starting with me) to get out of our pews, out of our comfort zones, and share God’s love to those who many may have written off as unreachable.

May God bless us all this week in spite of our unworthiness, to humbly wear the name Christian as we put our faith into action. Have a great week!

God goes with us through life’s valleys
by Barrett Vanlandingham
December 19, 2012

            As a minister, I have a lot of opportunities to be in the presence of those who are experiencing life’s tremendous joys such as a wedding or the birth of a baby, and the dreaded valleys of life that we all have to deal with sooner or later.  The past several days have been a valley for me and my family.

            As my sister, Patti, reached across the countertop in my parents’ kitchen during a recent visit, I noticed a bruise on each of her hands.  I asked her if everything was alright, not expecting what she told me since she has always been in good health.  She looked straight at me and said, “No, everything is not alright.”  The IV bruises on her hands were only the beginning of a story that would change everything for me and the rest of our family.

            For months, Patti has been craving ice.  When her daughter (my niece), who is an RN, found out, she said that craving ice is a symptom of low iron!  And while low iron can be caused by a number of things, Patti had tests done and found out only a few days ago some very bad news.  She has stage four colon cancer that has spread through her bloodstream to her liver.  At age 52 and no other outward symptoms, Patti and our entire family are still in shock.

            Patti is a wonderful wife, mom, and grandma, a dedicated Christian and Bible class teacher, and a very talented CPA in the accounting firm where she is also a partner.  She has always been very determined and driven in accomplishing her goals. The battle of overcoming colon cancer will be no different for her.  Patti will continue giving God the glory as the Holy Spirit, who dwells in her body, guides and comforts her each step of the way!  

            “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 5:16).”

Patti asked me to pray for healing and for the decisions she will have to make regarding treatment options.  I am calling for all of you prayer warriors to help me in this.  Patti will appreciate it.  Some of you are no doubt in one of life’s lows, so just know that I am also praying for you, and am calling for anyone reading this article in the paper or online to do the same. 

God hasn’t done any miracles lately (that we know of) such as parting the Red Sea.  Those were done so that people back then and today would believe in the truth of his message.  But we know he still causes the sun to rise and set.  He holds the universe together.  I would say that’s a miracle! He also still causes rulers to rise and fall.  He rewards those who earnestly seek him.  He provides for our every need, and he still has compassion for those who need his healing.  Glory to God forever!  Remember to pray always, and have a blessed week!

Being the light of the world is a team effort
by Barrett Vanlandingham
December 12, 2012

            There are so many things about the holidays that hold significance for many of us.  Santa Claus, Jesus Christ, gatherings of family and friends, and the extra attention put on acts of compassion are some of the biggies in my book. 

The joys of the season are highlighted by bright lights, blinking and twinkling reds, blues, greens, Christmas music, ringing bells, and special events.  Most would agree that Americans have been blessed in ways the rest of the world can barely imagine.  Certainly, our community enjoys its share of blessings this time of year.

As I drive past the giant lighted Christmas tree in downtown Fort Gibson, my first thoughts are always something like, “Wow!  That is impressive.  I’m glad somebody got that done.” 

So while the lighted tree is pretty incredible, it is those people who had a role in putting all the decorations into place who we should thank.  Being a Christian is the same way.  Christ is the true light of the world (ref: John 1:3-9). Still, we are to be a reflection of him for all to see, not for our glory but for God's.

Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:14-16).”

This passage takes place just after crowds of people witnessed Jesus preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing those suffering from various diseases, demon possession, and paralysis (ref: Matt 4:24).   By God’s grace and power, Jesus performed these miracles so that people would believe not only that he was the son of God, but that obedience to his message would result in salvation.  This was an amazing day in Galilee, and Jesus wanted the people to spread the news of what they had seen and experienced of God’s indescribable gifts for those who believed in Jesus.

Just like those who witnessed Christ’s compassion 2000 years ago, Christians today are also called to be a light to all those around by teaching and modeling God’s will.  At the end of the day, it’s all about bringing glory to our Savior and Creator.  The apostle Paul sums it up nicely.  “And they praised God because of me (Galatians 1:24).”   Have a great week!

A drainage ditch can teach a good Bible lesson
by Barrett Vanlandingham
December 5, 2012

            The drainage ditch that runs across the middle school lawn in Fort Gibson has never really held any special significance for me.  But because of the changing of the seasons I could not help but notice how lush and green the grass was on both of its banks.  The color was accentuated even more because the grass even a few feet away was already dormant, yellow, having lost its green color. 

The contrast was so stark, I even took a picture of it when I picked my son up from school.

 

There is a well-known Bible passage from the book of Psalms that describes the man who stays close to God, away from wicked lifestyles, and instead delights in the law of the Lord day and night.

            “He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers (Psalm 1:1-3, ESV).”

            When there’s plenty of rain, the school lawn looks green whether it is close to the stream, or not. But in the winter season or in times of drought, any sight of green grass makes it obvious where the ground is retaining water. 

            Christians are a lot like the green grass by streams of water.  A lot of times, we feel spiritually strong when we have a lot of success, and things around us seem to be doing well. But when life throws challenges in our direction, it’s almost like the green field around us turns yellow and dormant.  Only then do we really find out the importance of being planted firmly in the Lord, our spiritual stream of water. 

During a feast, Jesus stood and said, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him (John 7:37-38).”

In the very next verse, the writer, John, says Jesus was referring to the Holy Spirit as the streams of living water that people would later receive who believed in Jesus.

Today, we can be planted by those same streams of living water, just like Christians were 2000 years ago.  God’s Spirit makes his home inside of us when we repent and are baptized for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38).  But just like the grass by the drainage ditch that stays green even when the rest of the grass has yellowed, Christians must choose to stay close to the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:25) if we are to survive times of spiritual drought.  Have a great week!

Christians must be compassionate
by Barrett Vanlandingham
November 28, 2012

            You drive up to an intersection.  A man stands there with a sad face and a handwritten sign that says, “Will work for food!”  You see another guy sleeping under a bridge, a doorway, or a park bench.  You see another man with his wife and children at your worship service who obviously needs help.

The reality is that Jesus said, “The poor you will always have with you…” 

This is the time of year when the number of street beggars seems to increase.  So how are Christians supposed to respond?  We’ve all seen the investigative reports that show swindlers posing as down and out homeless people.  God will deal with them in his own way and time.

The Apostle Paul speaks strongly against expecting to get something for nothing.  “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.”  (2 Thessalonians 3:10)

Now granted, a person who is not a Christian may not know about this command, and may not live by them, especially since our tax dollars feed and clothe people whether they put forth any effort to earn a living or not.  In fact, an argument could be made that poor people are less likely now than ever to feel the need to be a part of the Lord’s body (the church).  Why? Because the government supplies all their earthly needs.  In the first century, this was a function of the church.

Jesus not only met people’s physical and nutritional needs by providing healing and food, but he also met their spiritual needs by showing them the way to heaven.  Paul says we should “do good to all people, especially those who belong to the family of believers (Galatians 6:10)”.

This is a challenge to all Christians to not only seek opportunities to teach the Gospel story of Jesus Christ, but also opportunities to be good stewards of our finances.  This may mean that we cannot give money to every beggar we see.  But we should be receptive when the Holy Spirit nudges us to give a little extra to children’s homes, mission efforts in poor countries, and churches or charities who have the ability to spend the money where needed.  And yes, it may mean personally giving to a street beggar or other needy friend now and then.  Who knows?  Maybe God provides opportunities for us to show compassion just to see how we will react. 

In Matthew 25:34-46, Jesus encouraged his followers to help those who were hungry, in need of clothes, medical help, or a simple visit in prison.  He said, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”   Have a great week!

Gaining patience is frustrating but rewarding
by Barrett Vanlandingham
November 21, 2012

As a parent and youth minister I have tried to come up with answers for kids who just want to know “Why?”

For that matter, we adults still spend a lot of time looking for that answer. The fact is that some things will never make sense no matter how much we try to understand. For me, Algebra is a good example of that.

Besides the basic math skills of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and fractions, my family tends to do better when we stick to reading, writing, and the performing arts.

Maybe you’ve also heard a child question what good will ever come out of learning many of those difficult mathematical concepts. And with a few exceptions, I would tend to agree.

The answer I typically give after trying to show some degree of compassion is simply that they may or may not ever use those math facts again.

But one thing is for sure. As Christians, we will face trials in life that far surpass any frustration experienced in math or any other kind of class that challenges us beyond the norm.

My “go to” passage for dealing with this issue comes from the New Testament.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:2-4).”

One of the qualities of the Holy Spirit that we are to imitate is patience. It takes a lot of everything including patience to stick with something (or persevere) when things get tough. The problem for most of us is that the trials we must go through in order to gain patience can be very difficult.

But if the immature do not learn to weather the storms that blow-in the gift of patience, then they will find it extremely difficult to survive in the grown-up world.

Adults know that patience is necessary when it comes to dealing with daily life that often brings frustrations. But more importantly, patience is needed carry out the Lord’s desire for us to save souls.

Jesus said, “Therefore, go make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you (Matthew 28:19-20).”

Christians are to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). Can you imagine accomplishing this without patience? Many have tried unsuccessfully.

Pray that God allows us to use our trials to develop patience, and that souls will be saved as a result. Have a great week!

Reach Barrett Vanlandingham at the Fort Gibson Church of Christ at (918) 478-2222 or barrett@ftgcc.org.

God gives us the freedom to decide our destiny
by Barrett Vanlandingham
November 14, 2012

            As I watched Fort Gibson’s Veteran’s Day assembly last Friday, it occurred to me once more just how blessed our little community really is. 

There is no doubt we live in the greatest nation on earth. Our military continually defends the freedoms we hold dear.  It is important for each of us to pray continually for God to bless us with the wisdom to look to Him for guidance in our decisions and those made on our behalf.

Since childhood I’ve heard people describe the United States of America as a Christian nation.  History would agree that we were founded on Godly principles.  But the same liberties that have allowed us to enjoy freedom of religion continue to be used by powers of darkness to cause our nation to slip into moral decline.  It’s the same old trick the devil has used on mankind since the beginning.  And now barely over half of all Americans attach any importance to faith.

We know that God has a history of causing nations and rulers to rise and fall (Daniel 2:21).  So what we need to remember is that God is not an American.  He’s God.  His allegiance is not to any particular continent on the globe, but rather to His people wherever they are, those who include God in everything they say, do, and think.  The apostle Peter said it best.

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9).”

Christians feel discouraged when laws are passed that promote sin.  But we must never under-estimate God’s power to turn things around.  He’s done it in the past. He can do it now.  Our job is to look into God’s word, obey it, and trust God’s grace.  He listens to his children.  “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 5:16).”

I guess the question is whether people are willing to be part of God’s righteous nation, or continue to rebel and do their own thing.  Mankind has never been very good at choosing the shortest and easiest path to God.  Seems we always have to learn the hard way.  But just like satan sometimes uses good things for evil purposes, God has a history of turning evil into good.  In the Old Testament, God gave his people some advice that Christians should remember today.

“If my people, who are called  by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).”  Have a blessed week!

Politics does not decide moral standards

by Barrett Vanlandingham
November 7, 2012

We all know that the elected leaders we put into office decide which laws are approved on the local, state, and national scene.

One thing that does not change after an election is God’s view on how we should conduct ourselves. In Matthew 5:18 Jesus says, “For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.”

How unsettling it would be to serve a God who constantly changed his mind. Thankfully, the Bible reads the same today as always.

As long as we are on this earth, we can be assured that people will continue to make errors in judgment. That includes our lawmakers, no matter who you support. As the years go by, laws change to reflect the mindsets in our culture. There will continue to be laws approved that do not meet Godly standards. The apostle Paul wrote these words.

“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor (1 Cor. 10:23-24).”

The Pharisees and others questioned Jesus about how to handle issues of loyalty to government. The simplicity of Jesus’ answer astonished his listeners.

Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s. And they were amazed at him (Mark 12:17).”

So how does this apply to us today? Simply put, there are always going to be laws on the books that allow people to make decisions contrary to God’s will. This does not mean, however, that just because something is legal according to the law of the land, that it also meets God’s standards. Obviously, the list of behaviors that fits this description is too long for this article.

Students in my Bible classes have asked questions about when is it legal for them to engage in certain behaviors. I always tell them that Christians never get old enough to receive God’s approval for disobeying His will. Our decisions must be measured by God’s truth.

Christians should show proper respect for our governing authorities and for God (Titus 3:1-8, Romans 13:1-7, 1 Pet. 2:13-17), especially since God has a history of causing authorities to rise and fall (Daniel 2:21). So please include them in your prayers (1 Tim. 2:1-2). Have a great week!

Christians must send a clear message

by Barrett Vanlandingham
October 31, 2012

We all know that the phrase “Trick or treat!” really means “May I have some candy?” But most kids, (wisely, in this case) just stick with tradition so nobody will think they’re strange, right? Besides, that’s what their parents told them to say.

And while this way of thinking is fine when it comes to filling our bags with candy, this is not such a good way to carry out our spiritual walk. Christians need to be clear about what we believe and why we believe it. After all, we may only get one shot at saving a soul.

We live in a culture in which many believe anything goes just as long as their personal rights are not immediately invaded. The problem is that most everyone is connected in some way with others. And so how we act on our beliefs not only affects us, but other people, too.

A survey just released by Pew Forum says that nearly one out of five people has no religious affiliation. That is 19-percent of Americans, up from 15-percent in 2008, and up from six-percent in 1990. Oddly enough, two-thirds of the 19-percent say they believe in God.

To me, what is scary is the influence the devil has over our culture even though four out of five Americans actually claim to be people of faith. Maybe it’s because only 58-percent of Americans say religion is very important in their lives. By the way, that number is reportedly double that of many European nations.

As this trend continues, opposition to Christian beliefs in the coming years will be much greater than anything we’ve seen in our lifetime. It will become increasingly important for Christians to know and understand their Bibles, and how to clearly defend their faith.

In the first century, Christians knew a lot about persecution. The ruling leaders refused to believe the apostles’ teachings about Jesus even after witnessing firsthand supernatural miracles!

In Acts 4, Peter and John told about the resurrected Christ. They also healed a man who was known by everyone in Jerusalem to be crippled. Peter gave credit to Jesus, and said, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) Hope is found only in Jesus.

Now THAT is an unmistakably clear message. May God bless each of us with opportunities this week to speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15) and be a witness for Christ to someone who is in a lost condition. That will be the greatest treat of all. Have a great week!

Doing the right thing is important for yourself and your friends

by Barrett Vanlandingham
October 24, 2012

So what should you do if you think your friend is in spiritual danger? In other words, if God returned today, do you have any friends who you believe are not in a saved condition? And if so, what should you do? This scenario hit me in the face this week as I found out that an old college friend has fallen into a sinful lifestyle. and openly celebrates it on social media.

I wrote my friend in a private message that just because a person is tempted by a particular sin does not mean they have to fall so happily into it. Everyone, including every Christian (that means me, too), has something they struggle with. It is just part of being human. We are not robots programmed for only success or only failure. A loving God would not create us with a weakness that we could not overcome, and therefore be stuck with a spiritual death sentence. God actually gives us choices.

I am purposely not stating exactly what my old friend’s sin is because when it comes to falling into temptations, one sin can send us to hell just as quickly as the next. Willful sin is what happens when we choose to sin. All other sin is just a result of the fact that we are not perfect. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23).”

Both kinds of sin (Willful and unintentional) will send us to hell if not covered by the blood of Jesus. We are clothed in Jesus when we are baptized (Galatians 3:27). But when we choose to sin, we must make it right with God. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).” The unintentional sin is already covered (1 John 1:7) if the person has obeyed the Bible’s instructions on becoming a Christian.

James 5 indicates that prayer is a great place to start when trying to help a wayward friend. “19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins (James 5:19-20).”

Scripture also tells us to talk directly to a fellow Christian who is in spiritual danger.

15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother (Matthew 18:15)”.

It is difficult to stand by and watch the devil take hold of a Christian brother or sister. They may become angry with you even if your action is loving and patient. But if we do not pray and try to help them back into a good relationship with Christ, who will? Have a great week!

Fearing God is not the same as being afraid
by Barrett Vanlandingham
October 17, 2012

            When I was little, an older cousin had a Halloween mask that just scared the daylights out of me.  He didn’t even have to put the thing on.  It was scary enough on its own!  Safe to say I feared that mask with everything in me.

            The Bible talks about fear.  Fear of what will happen on Judgment Day, and Fear of God.  These are two different things, or at least they should be.  Scripture points out that people should not be afraid of God if our lives show that we love him.  After all, God IS love, and He loves us!  But we should definitely have healthy respect (or fear) of God so we do not fear the final day. 

            John says, “Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.  In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the Day of Judgment, because in this world we are like him.  There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:17-18)

            It troubles me when I see people who appear to have absolutely no respect for anyone.  Worse yet, people who try to appear to be religious, but their actions are nothing but a show.

Jesus quoted Isaiah in saying, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” (Matthew 15:8).

He said to be on guard against the hypocrisy that was so much a part of the way the Pharisees conducted themselves.  In that case, Jesus indicates that a person who follows the pattern of hypocrites should be frightened by God.  The Pharisees claimed to love God, but in the end they rejected His son. 

Jesus said, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.  But I will show you whom you should fear: fear him who, after the killing of the body, has the power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.” (Luke 12:4-5)

The apostle Paul had confidence and a healthy respect or fear of God when he said, “For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”  Paul lived with joyful assurance of heaven because of his obedience to God’s grace-backed plan.    I’ve told my youth group that if they were playing in the street, but they believed that a truck was coming and they got out of the way, they would survive.  Jesus related this principle in some of His final words:   “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16)

            Will you believe in Him and obey His words today?  Have a great week!

Proof of the Bible’s reliability is easy to find

by Barrett Vanlandingham
October 10, 2012 

            The Bible is the most reliable history book ever written.  There is plenty of support from ancient writings outside of the Bible and from archaeological digs that have proven names and places that skeptics thought did not exist.  Still, some critics doubt the accuracy of the Bible, while embracing other ancient writings that are much more scarce and even have more problems with their content.

            There are 24,633 ancient manuscripts (handwritten copies) of the New Testament in Greek (5309) and many other languages (19,324).

Julius Caesar and Plato have only 10 and 7 surviving copies, respectively, of their works.  There are 643 ancient copies of the mythical poetry “Homer’s Iliad”.

The oldest New Testament manuscript is a portion of the Gospel of John dating back to 125 A.D.  That’s likely only 25 years after John penned the original!  This lessens the chance of any textual corruption.  That’s a far cry better than the 1000 to 1300 years separating the copies of the other mentioned writings from their originals. 

The New Testament has an extremely small percentage of textual problems. For instance, only one-half of one-percent of its words are even in doubt for any reason.  For instance, some words are thought to have been misspelled in some copies versus others.  Also, there are a few sentences that appear in some manuscripts that do not in others.  It is important to note that none of the differences in content changes the Bible’s meaning, because the Christian doctrine found in the Bible is backed up in multiple other passages. 

The consistent message of the Bible from cover to cover is a great source of confidence for Christians today.  In fact, if we were to turn back time 2000 years, first century Christians would likely be heard saying the same thing.  After all, they believed the Bible enough to undergo severe persecution or even die for it.

Many doubters have tried to prove the Bible unreliable.  But in the end, many have wound up converting themselves to Christianity.  Josh McDowell’s “Evidence That Demands a Verdict” is a great resource for proving the Bible’s reliability, as is Brad Harrub’s book “Convicted”, or “The Case for a Creator” by Lee Strobel.  Or if you prefer the internet, here are a couple of places to start:  1)  www.s8int.com  2) www.apologeticspress.org

Our culture as a whole frequently changes its mind on a variety of moral and social issues.  But Christians can be comforted in the fact that the message of the Bible does not change.  In the end, it is God’s word in comparison to our obedience that will determine where we spend eternity.  Thanks be to God for his amazing grace that shows us the way.   Have a blessed week!

Christ’s love changes us from the inside out
by Barrett Vanlandingham
October 3, 2012

            October brings many creative disguises.  But this is not the only time of year when people who appear to be one thing turn out to be another.  Sometimes that’s a good thing, and other times not so good.

            In the New Testament we read about Jesus approaching a tax collector named Matthew to make him a disciple.  Jesus said, “Follow me.”  And he did.   So what’s odd with this picture?  Well, in today’s times I would say nothing.  But back in the first century, tax collectors were thought of as thieves who gouged the taxpayer for more than what was due so they could keep the extra for themselves.

            The Pharisees who were known to be religious people were always trying to catch Jesus doing something wrong.  So when Jesus went to Matthew’s house to eat dinner with him and many other tax collectors and “sinners”, the Pharisees tried to make a big deal out of it.  They wanted the disciples to explain why their teacher would spend time with those kinds of people.

            And who knows, Matthew may have been less than upright. If Matthew had seen some of the miracles Jesus had been performing, maybe he followed Jesus in hopes of turning this miracle man into a cash cow.  But after spending some time with Jesus and his disciples the picture changed.  Jesus saw this as an opportunity to show love and compassion to a group of people who had only known criticism and hatred from their community.  The Pharisees were not asking questions about the “sinner dinner” because they cared, but rather to make Jesus look bad for hanging out with undesirables.

            On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  But go and learn what this means” I desire mercy, not sacrifice.  For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:12-13)

            In this story, the Pharisees were masquerading as God-fearing religious people while Matthew was disguised as an undesirable sinner.  But in the end, as history would have it, the roles were switched.  What made the difference?  In both cases Jesus exposed what was in the heart.  It is when we allow Christ to control our hearts that we find out just how much joy life can bring.  May we get rid of our masks and get real with God so we can begin making a difference in the lives of others.  Have a great week!

It’s good to be child-like
by Barrett Vanlandingham
September 26, 2012

            Just like reading any other book, I’ve learned over the years to make sure I read the Bible in context.  In other words, find out the story surrounding a verse before jumping to any conclusions.  This makes for a better informed Bible student and can help you teach others.

For instance, without context, you could read the words of Paul and the words of Jesus and come away very confused about whether we are to be more mature or more childlike.

In 1 Corinthians 13:11 Paul says, “When I was a child, I talked as a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.  When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.”

            But in Matthew 18:3 Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

            So which verse should we obey?  Both!  Here is the key.  Paul is actually explaining Christian maturity, while Jesus is encouraging purity.  There is no contradiction.

Paul is talking about how so many of the things that have been done in the name of religion eventually cease, but that “love never fails”.   Paul followed Jesus’ teachings closely in dealing with those who would argue over the things a child might argue over: Who is the greatest?  Who baptized you?  Who gets the best seat?  Who has the best spiritual gift?

Paul compares our spiritual journey with the process of growing out of childhood into adulthood.   And in the end, love is the most important thing.  He writes about this in Ephesians 5:1 saying, “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Now in Matthew 18:3 when Jesus said that we should become like children, again he is not talking about maturity, but rather purity.  He condemns those who would destroy the innocence of a child by introducing them to sin. 

Jesus ties maturity and purity together in Matthew 10:16 as he explains to the twelve apostles how they should conduct themselves when they go out to teach. “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”  Jesus knows it will take the wisdom and perseverance of a mature adult to maneuver through a culture often hostile to the teachings of Jesus.  But the apostles would also need to become innocent like children who blindly trust that their parents will take care of them.  May we all learn to put our total trust in God who will find a way for us even when there seems to be no way.  Have a blessed week!