You can understand more about God than you might think

by Barrett Vanlandingham

March 3, 2015

            I couldn’t help but laugh last week as the Tuesday paper came out while our brief but respectable snowfall covered the ground and even resulted in school cancellations. What timing! In the back of my mind, I felt there was a chance it would snow that day because of the forecast, especially if I wrote about the fact that predicting snowfall is easier than predicting Judgment Day. Bottom line, none of us knew for sure it would snow in our exact area. If I would have known, the tone of my article would have been much different. 

            I am pretty confident God really does enjoy playing with us sometimes just to give us something to smile about. I actually take comfort in that. I think God tries to communicate with us more than we give Him credit for. I just think most times we don’t listen or notice, because if we did listen and notice, I think we could make more sense out of those times when things either do or do not go our way, keeping in mind that free will also plays a big role in outcomes.

            All of the writers of the Bible were inspired by God in the stories and commands they put on paper (Galatians 1:11-12, 2 Peter 1:20-21, 2 Tim. 3:16). Even Jesus said the words He spoke were not His own but came from the Father (John 14:10).  And although the writings of the Bible have been complete for about two-thousand years (Jude 1:3), God does continue to let His will and presence be known. He doesn’t do this through revealing new ideas (Galatians 1:8) that run counter to the Bible as some have insisted.  But rather, God continues to operate in the same consistent way.  “Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).”

            I am always encouraged to read about archaeologists’ discoveries that confirm geographical locations, and names and titles mentioned in the Bible. I am always amazed when a new scientific discovery proves once again that God’s description of things in nature, space, and the creation story of Genesis are just as the Bible says, instead of being proven wrong by whatever the latest theory people seem to be chasing.

            It really is nice to take comfort and confidence in knowing that science of any kind never has and never will overturn the truths written in God’s word.  Even in 1947 when hundreds of handwritten copies of Old Testament books and other Jewish writings together known as the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in caves, nothing disputed the Bible.  The manuscripts date back to 200 years before the time of Christ.  That’s a thousand years older than the 800 A.D. copies of the Old Testament that were previously the oldest to be discovered.

            If we will pay attention to the written word as well as His creation, we can learn a lot about God, His will for us, and yes, even a little about His sense of humor.  By the way, before I could finish writing this Friday afternoon, it started snowing again!  Smile and have a blessed week!

Predicting the final day is harder than predicting the weather

by Barrett Vanlandingham

February 24, 2015

            As I look at my watch while writing this, I am wondering if the weather is going to hold out as I take a busload of teenagers to a weekend youth rally in Russellville, Arkansas in about three hours.  I’m thinking, “The forecast looks a little messy, but overall promising.” Bottom line? I just don’t know.

            I hear people talking a lot these days about whether we going to have any real accumulation of snow this winter?  We already know the groundhog saw its shadow, which means six more weeks of winter.  But where is it? A few flakes here and there, and just enough ice on the roads to cancel school for a day is all we can get.  Seems like all the signs are there, but nothing significant is happening, at least around here (at the time I am writing this).

            Spiritually speaking, people do the same thing. We don’t have Doppler radar to predict the coming of Judgment Day. But that doesn’t stop people from looking for signs that the end is near. Over the years, people have tried to predict dates and times of the end. They were wrong.  People have even mistakenly tried to make a connection between a description in a Bible verse and similar events that may be happening today, but to no avail.

            The apostle Paul told his much younger brother in the faith, Timothy, “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days (2 Tim. 3:1).”  He went on to describe people in the “last days” in terms of being unholy, slanderous, without self-control, and so on. It may shock you to know he was not even describing people of the world, since non God followers have always been viewed in this way. Paul was actually describing Christians! 

            The term “last days” was one that was used by people in Old Testament times to describe the Messianic Age, the time after the coming of Christ into the world (Lipscomb/Shepherd Commentary, Gospel Advocate Co., 1983, p. 226). In other words, the last days have been taking place from the time of Jesus’ ministry, and will continue all the way up until Judgment Day. So, it is correct to say that we are living in the “last days,” and have been for about two-thousand years. Think about it. There have been “wars and rumors of wars (ref: Mark 13:5-8),” and “nation rising up against nation” for thousands of years, and Jesus says, “Do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come,” and “These are the beginning of birth pains.”   Since that’s the case, is there any way to know when the end will come? 

            Jesus says, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, not the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come (Mark 13:32-33).”

            On a practical level, we need to be prepared to meet Jesus face to face everyday. You see, whether we die before He returns, or are still alive when we hear the trumpet sound and see Him on the clouds, one thing is for sure: the end will come and we must be ready.  Have a blessed week!

God’s grace extends farther than you might think

by Barrett Vanlandingham

February 17, 2015

            Over the years, I have had people tell me they have done just too many bad things in their lifetime for God to save them.  Sometimes, this leads to a bad attitude, hopelessness, or sometimes it leads to embracing the idea that there is no such thing as God.  That way, there’s no accountability and no reason to even try to change for the better.  Either way is a sad existence, and not necessary.

            In Matthew 20 Jesus tells the parable of the workers in the vineyard.  In summary, the landowner paid each of the five groups of workers a full day’s wages, even though some of them began their shift early morning, some at 9am, some at noon, some at 3pm, and some at 5pm. But when the shift was over at 6pm and the landowner paid everyone the same amount, those who had been working since 9am “began to grumble against the landowner.”  His response, “Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?”

            The outcome is encouraging, especially for those who feel too much time has gone by or too much water has gone under the bridge for them to be saved.  It is never too late for anyone to come to Christ.  Jesus wants all to come to Him, from little children to the elderly, and everyone in between.  

            There is nothing I’ve read in the Bible that indicates we will be required on Judgment Day to pull out our time sheet and prove how many hours, days, weeks, months, and years we have spent in service to the Master.  Of course, it is never a clever strategy to bank on a sincere deathbed confession since none of us really knows how or when we will cross over from this life to the afterlife.  But this parable makes it clear that those who have not put in even an hour’s work in service to God can be rewarded in the same way as those who have served the Lord their entire life.

            The Bible says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  This includes Christians and non-Christians alike.  The fact is we are all sinners, even those who have spent every day of their life trying to do what’s right. One thing is for sure, we all need a Savior.

            “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ (Galatians 3:26-27).”

            No, we will not be required to score high on a list of service points, but we do want to make sure we stand before the Master one day clothed in His Son. That is one requirement we do not want to be too late in fulfilling. Why not accept God’s grace by obeying His will for your life today?  Have a great week!

Don’t let the devil steal your spiritual growth

by Barrett Vanlandingham

February 10, 2015

            As I was reading the parable of the sower this week, the very first scenario Jesus spoke of really caught my attention.  “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up (Matthew 13:3-4).”

            In verse 19 Jesus explains it this way, “When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path.”

            If we as Christians are doing our job, at least the people we have contact with should know about the story of Jesus and how we can have hope because of Him (John 3:16).  The problem comes when that person chooses to do nothing with the seed that was given to them, or when a person doesn’t understand how to apply what was given to them. If the seed is not allowed to take root, the devil will steal it at the first opportunity.

            When my son was a toddler, he often managed to say or do something in public that would be embarrassing to his parents if anyone was paying attention.  I am guessing most parents could tell a similar story.  I would sweat bullets while praying no one noticed what he just said or did. Some of my friends and family told me that was payback!

            This reminds me in some strange way about how the devil must feel when a Christian parent tries to teach their child an important lesson, or when a Christian neighbor tries to reach out to a guy down the street.  In both cases, satan is sweating bullets in hopes the good advice never sinks in, or even better, that the intended target was not paying attention, or didn’t understand how to apply what you were trying to tell them.  At that point, the evil one gets a second chance to sow a clever distraction in hopes the Christian neighbor will get discouraged or forget to follow-up on the good message originally sown into either a hard heart, or into a heart that just didn’t understand.

            Even for mature Christians, it is important to keep studying and making an effort to understand God’s word on a deeper level. Why?  Because even Bible teachers and other Christians can have bad experiences and disappointments that result in hardened hearts.  A once vibrant spiritual journey can look more like a coasting or even a stagnant existence.  A mature Christian may even continue to teach and have knowledge of God’s word, but they’ve allowed their life experiences to steal their joy and their passion for Christ and serving others.  That’s when the devil rushes in to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). That’s when the devil tries to get a foothold (Ephesians 4:27) on your heart.

            Without prayerful and regular Bible study, we may miss out on some of life’s richest blessings because of not understanding how to apply knowledge we’ve received.  May God bless you with the desire to know and understand more of God’s will, and the confidence to apply it in your life.  Have a great week!

The Bible challenges today’s Christian teachers

by Barrett Vanlandingham

February 3, 2015

            In last week’s article, I wrote about an often overlooked scripture (Ephesians 3:10-11) in which Paul tells Christians that part of our job as members of the Lord’s church is to teach the angels about the wisdom of God.  

            I must admit it’s more than a little intimidating to think angels are learning about God from us!  But when you think about it, those Bible verses should not affect us that way. After all, the reason Jesus Himself came to earth was not only to save us through His sacrifice, but also to walk in our shoes, and be tempted in the ways we are tempted, and to be faced with the daily struggles of humanity.  God not only allowed humans to educate His Son here on earth, but He allows His church to educate angels to this very day.

            As interesting of an idea teaching angels is, there really is something else much more important for Christians to remember when it comes to teaching.  In the book of James, the writer tells us, “Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly (James 3:1).”

            New Testament letters such as this one penned by James are known as epistles.  These letters were written to address problems in the first century church, or to answer questions from new Christians.  James is not trying to discourage people from teaching if that is their gift.  He is simply reminding those who want the position of a teacher to remember that their words must not only reflect God’s truth, but teachers must also put these truths into action in their own lives. 

            Based on other New Testament writings such as Paul’s, it appears that the early church had the same problem we have today.  Many people want to air their feelings on religious issues in the role of teacher.  But those same people are not always willing or successful at putting into action the things they are teaching.  James weaves the requirement of the faith and deeds combination throughout his letter.  What a challenge this is to me!  Perhaps it is to you as well.

            The fact is, when we commit our lives to Jesus Christ, part of our job description involves teaching others the complete will of God (ref: Matthew 28:19-20).  Each of us teaches in some capacity.  We do not all hold the official title of teacher.  But those to whom we are closest, and others with whom we interact, and even people who know we are Christians and watch us from a distance, are learning from our words and our actions.   May God bless each of us with the desire to live out His will everyday, wherever we are, as people learn from what we do, and not just what we say.  Have a great week!

Even angels learn from the church

by Barrett Vanlandingham

January 27, 2015

            Most conversations regarding church attendance find their way to the book of Hebrews which says, “24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near (Heb. 10:24-25).”

            We understand the importance of coming together as worshippers to praise God and remember the sacrifice of His Son.  But there is another passage that may give you something new to consider when deciding just how much importance to place on His church.  We already know that Jesus died for the church to make it possible for sinners to be cleansed and give hope of heaven to a lost world.  But if you’re like me, you may have overlooked what Paul says God’s intentions for the church are in relation to the angels, yes angels!

            “10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord (Ephesians 3:10-11).”

            The Creator Himself wants the church to educate angels on the many aspects of the wisdom of God?  So, what in the world could angels need to know from Christians that they don’t already know by simply being in God’s presence?  For starters, angels do not have to have faith that God and heaven are real, since they already dwell in His presence (ref: Matt. 18:10).

            Can you imagine what angels must be thinking when they witness some of the things that are unique to humans, especially those baptized believers that God has added to His church (Acts 2:41, 47), those who were lost and are now found?  Something tells me there’s not a lot of brokenness in God’s presence, no guilt-ridden, remorseful hearts confessing their faults to one another and praying for each other to receive spiritual healing (ref: James 5:16).  Those are things that only happen on earth, among those who have put their trust in God, those who worship Him with all their heart having never seen Him face to face.  Those are things that must be pretty mind-blowing to angelic beings.

            Maybe that’s why Jesus said, “There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:10).”

            What a thrill that God actually allows Christians to take part in teaching angels things they couldn’t understand without observing the behavior of those in the Lord’s church.  We as Christians are honored that God allows us to participate in not only making a difference here on earth, but also among the angels as we honor God when we come together for worship, and as we honor Him in our daily lives in the way we interact with others.  Besides, do any of us really want to explain to God why we didn't participate in His plan for the church to teach angels?

            Have a blessed week!

God wants to see you in heaven

by Barrett Vanlandingham

January 20, 2015

            One of my favorite scriptures comes from John 14:1-4.  In this passage Jesus is comforting his disciples because His time here on earth is coming to a close. 

            “1. Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2.  In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?  3. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4. And you know the way to where I am going.”

            Wow!  It is hard for me to imagine actually needing to be comforted after spending three years preaching and doing miracles alongside Jesus Himself!  But His disciples did not exactly have the same perspective we do today.  Jewish teachers had taught people for generations that when the Messiah came, He would be an earthly king and would set up an earthly kingdom to benefit the Jews.  It is no wonder the disciples were confused that even though Jesus performed many miracles, His main interests were focused on a things beyond this earth.

            We are truly blessed to live in this day and time where we can learn about Jesus in a much broader context than the early disciples learned.  You see, when Jesus’ disciples and the earliest Christians were trying to get things figured out, they did not have the benefit of being able to go onto the internet and Google evidence of how to know the Bible is telling the truth.  Those early believers probably didn’t realize some of them would eventually be writing the books of the Bible by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. That must have been an amazing experience!

            Today, we not only have access to dozens of translations of the Bible, but almost unlimited resources including ancient history books from outside of the Bible that talk about Jesus.  Some of the authors were followers, some were not.  But they both confirmed His existence.  Beyond that, evidence of our universe being created by God and that the Bible is reliable has piled up like never before in just our lifetime.  The same science and technology that so many have tried to use to discredit God as Creator, have actually unearthed, revealed, scoped out, and focused in on so much evidence favoring the credibility of the Bible, that it would actually take more faith NOT TO believe in God and the Bible, than TO believe in Him.

            In the Bible, God has given us a roadmap to heaven.  So when I read those precious words of Jesus telling me that He has gone to prepare a place for me, I get really excited!  I know many of you do, too.  I look forward to reuniting with so many loved ones who’ve gone there.  But most of all, I look forward to meeting Jesus Christ, the One who made it all possible.  Have a great week!

A good feast is difficult to turn down

by Barrett Vanlandingham

January 13, 2015

            One bird, then no birds, then 14 birds.  How amazing it is to watch a scouting bird perch on the bird feeder under my pergola, get a few bites, and fly away.  At first, I thought the bird did not like what I had to offer.  But then, it brought several friends to join in the feast! Finches and Chickadees, all there for a few quick beak-fulls of birdseed. Some appeared to wait their turn, while others would dive-bomb their way into an open spot.

            Why did the other birds follow the first one back to the bird feeder?  It is the same reason many people attend church services for the first time.  It has to do with the attitude and message of the Christians who already attend.  If the existing church members have a positive message and a great attitude when they go back to work or school or wherever they encounter the most people, then it’s only natural their friends, classmates, or co-workers are curious.  That curiosity is an open door to invite them to worship or another church-related activity.

            On the other hand, when people know you attend church, but they see your bad attitude on the job, at school, at sporting events, or maybe at restaurants while a server is taking your order, then it is not likely they would want to follow you back to church on Sunday.  It is important for Christians to lead holy lives everywhere. That doesn’t mean snooty or “holier than thou” lives.  It simply means to be set apart from the world for service to God. Having a good all around attitude which includes having a servant-heart towards others is a HUGE part of serving God. A holy life is evident when Christ’s love is present in your thoughts, speech, and conduct.

            Jesus took the whole “greatest commandment” thing of loving God and loving your neighbor as yourself to another level when He said,             “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another (John 13:34-35).”  How could anyone resist love like that?

            So next time you see a bird flying somewhere with other birds following, just remember it is because the lead bird not only has a message worth listening to, but also has an attitude that has been changed by the feast it has eaten.  The other birds naturally want to follow. The same is true for people.  The question is, has your attitude been changed by what you’ve been feasting on spiritually?  Or is your message just words only, with no evidence of spiritual nutrition in your life?  May we all strive to give and live a message of love, peace, and joy that can be clearly seen by others.  

Jesus can make your New Year beautiful

by Barrett Vanlandingham

     Most of us have experienced things that didn’t go our way in 2014. Unfortunately, disappointments are just part of life on earth. But that doesn’t mean your life can’t improve.

Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:17 these very encouraging words, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

Sadly, most people overlook the joy that can be found in Christ. They look to the world instead of God’s word for answers to their questions about love and contentment. Even Christians sometimes get caught up in looking for fulfillment in every direction except the one that counts.

How sad it is to see parents pushing their children to be involved in everything except church activities. How sad it is to see fathers and mothers putting great amounts of effort into gaining social status and achieving worldly goals at the expense of spending time teaching and modeling Christlike values to their children and to each other. How sad it is when people go to ministers, and beg them to try to fix a family problem that could have been avoided in the first place if Godly priorities had been in place all along.

How sad it is to see families try to deal with loss or other problems without the Lord.

God wants us to do our best with our talents and abilities. How exciting it is when a professional athlete or actor models the Christian life even when no one around them supports Godly values. God wants us to make a difference for His kingdom.

This way, when tragedy or disappointment happens, our house will not crumble because it is built on the foundation of our Rock and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

In this life we will all face trouble whether we do it with the support of Christ and His church, or without.

God bless you and have a Happy New Year!

Snowman Christians can be a little cold

by Barrett Vanlandingham

December 23, 2014

            It won’t be long now before we start seeing snowmen popping up here and there.  The other day I actually tried to look up the origins of the snowman, and even though I found some interesting stories, no one seems to know the origins of our wintery friends. 

            If snowmen could talk, we probably still wouldn’t know much about them because of how they appear on the scene, and then leave before we know it.  Church members can be a little like snowmen at times, especially those who rush in to church at the last minute and then leave before anyone can have any meaningful interaction.  They look great for a short amount of time and then disappear as if they are afraid they will melt if they stay too long. 

            Every congregation has snowman Christians, and probably most of us have been guilty of being one at some point.  Our rush-rush-rush culture we have created is responsible for much of the problem of keeping others at arm’s length and even distrust that has found its way into just about every part of our lives, yes even the church.

            If I were going into a battle I would want to know as much as I could about those who are assigned to cover my back, just as they would feel more confident if they knew me better.  Spiritually, it’s the same way.  The Bible makes a parallel between living the Christian life and fighting a battle.  In 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 and Ephesians 6:10-20 Paul talks about spiritual war.  In Hebrews 6:25 the writer talks about the encouragement we should receive from each other when we meet together as Christians.  In the first century, the early church experienced a lot of persecution.  It’s no wonder why those Christians met together daily (Acts 2:46), and it’s no wonder why “the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:47) 

            If you feel more encouragement away from your Christian family than with, that is a problem that needs to be fixed. The good news is you can do something about it. Start by simply treating others the way you want to be treated (Matthew 7:12), not just people your age.  In fact, Barna Group research shows meaningful relationships in the church have a profound impact on whether someone stays in the church.  

            No one feels comfortable being on a team with someone who puts in the least amount of time possible, just enough time to dress up, show up, go through the motions for a short time, and say they’re on the team.  That’s what a snowman Christian does, and then he disappears until the conditions are perfect for him to appear for another short visit.  I think most Christians undervalue their presence and interaction among their church family.  In our culture, it’s easy to forget that spending time with your church family is not just about you.  It’s about demonstrating love for God and for others.

            So, even though being frigid, well-dressed, and predictably seasonal are great qualities in a snowman, it’s not really a good thing in a Christian family.  Have a blessed week and Merry Christmas!

Christmas Lights Are Beautiful Reminders

by Barrett Vanlandingham

December 16, 2014

            Here in Oklahoma’s oldest town, we have a lot to be thankful for.  I can’t help but be reminded of the blessings of life when I drive through downtown and see the beautiful Christmas lights donning our tree (one of the state’s tallest), and the twinkling lights decorating the light poles near the gazebo.  Many of our neighborhoods throughout Fort Gibson do an amazing job at bringing in the holiday season with Christmas scenes for all to enjoy.  What a blessing!

            So what do you think about when you see all those colorful blinking lights of all shapes and sizes strung on rooftops, windows, curbs, and trees?  I guess one could mention stress and shopping deadlines.  But for me, I think I’ll stick to time with family, joy, laughter, good things to eat, holiday music, and caroling.  I would like to add one more thing for Christians to consider, though.

            Jesus said it best.  “You are the light of the world. A town built 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 others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”  (Matt 5:14-16, NIV)

            A decorated Christmas tree (or house or yard) is much more than something pretty to appreciate in the month of December.  It is a beautiful reminder that if a simple tree donning colorful blinking and twinkling bulbs can help change the attitude of an entire nation for one month, imagine how much of a difference Christians could make if we let our light shine all year long.  What if we let Jesus shine through us in our homes, schools, jobs, sporting events, vacation, hobbies, in our choices of recreation and entertainment?

            I think Christians sometimes undervalue what it means to be a Christian, and the opportunities we have to make a difference that matters.  In the day to day grind of life, it is easy to get wrapped up in perspectives on life that are completely opposite of how Jesus wants us to live.  2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.”

             That amazing life now and in the life to come is the result of God's grace offering a plan of salvation for us to obey.  It calls for

1) believing that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God (John 8:24),

2) living a life of repentance or exchanging worldly living for a walk with God (Luke 13:3),

3) confessing with your mouth and actions that Jesus is Lord (Matthew 10:32-33),

4) being baptized for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38, Galatians 3:26-27, Romans 6:1-11).

            Christians, I have three words to remind you of: You are SAVED.  The blood of Jesus Christ shed on the cross made sure of it.  All I can say to that is... WOW.  We have a gift and a message to share and to shine that is unlike any other.  So, shine on and have a blessed week!

Jesus is amazing for so many reasons!

by Barrett Vanlandingham

December 9, 2014

            One of the most incredible things about Jesus’ life and death is that he knew when he was going to die, he knew how he was going to die, he knew that some of his closest friends were going to turn their backs on him, and yet he followed through with his plan to save us anyway.

            The reason Jesus knew those things is because: 

1) He was the Son of God, and He was simply capable of knowing those things.  

2)  Jesus was a well-studied Jewish Rabbi who knew well the words of the Old Testament where the prophecies were written.

            You may remember that on multiple occasions, Jesus found himself outnumbered by hostile crowds who wanted to kill him because they did not believe Jesus’ claim that he was the son of God (Luke 4:28-30, John 8:59, and John 10: 31-39).  But because his time to die had not yet come, he escaped their grasp each time.  And even if it were his time to die, it would be by crucifixion, not by stoning or being shoved off a cliff like the crowds were trying to do in the above scripture references.

            The son of God knew exactly how everything would happen because he was the Christ. And even the human Rabbi part of him understood the things that had been written about him as much as a thousand years before he arrived on earth in human form.

            The Old Testament prophecies are very impressive, and are great evidence that Jesus was who he said he was.  Nearly all of these prophecies were things that Jesus would have had absolutely NO control over whatsoever IF he were not the Son of God.  In fact, out of dozens of prophecies about Jesus, even if he were able to fulfill only eight of them, that translates to a 1 out of 10 to the 28th power of a chance that the prophecies could be true… unless Jesus was the Son of God.  That is a 1 with 28 zeros! 

            We know from prophecy that Jesus would be rejected by the Jews (Psalm 118:22), die a humiliating death (Ps 22), betrayed by a friend (Ps 41:9), sold for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12),  beaten (Isaiah 52:14), spit upon (Is 50:6), hands and feet pierced (Ps 22:16), his side pieced ( Zech 12:10), given gall and vinegar (Ps 69:21), no broken bones (Ps 34:20), buried in a rich man’s tomb (Is 53:9), his enemies would cast lots for his clothing ( Ps 22:18), He would rise again (Ps 16:10), ascend into heaven ( Ps 68:18), and would sit down at the right hand of God (Ps 110: 1).  These were all prophecies that proved true in the New Testament.  Even non-Bible authors in the first, second, and third centuries spoke of Jesus Christ and Christians in their writings.  The life of Jesus is something that century after century has not been able to stop talking about.

            That’s the kind of Savior we serve!  So, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, let’s also never forget Christ’s love for us, and what he went through just so we could live in heaven when this life is over.  Have a great week!

Let the Christmas season unwrap your joy!

by Barrett Vanlandingham
December 2, 2014

            I might be sticking my head in the sand just a bit.  But since columnists generally like to write about holiday stress and the irony of it, I thought it might be a good time to talk about the good things associated with Christmas in hopes that it might influence someone to choose the Christ-like  joy of the holidays over anything else.

             Yes, it is true that we don’t know the day, date, or month that Christ was born.  That doesn’t matter anyway.  The fact that He came to earth at all gives us reason to celebrate year ‘round, and the holiday season gives us all a great place to start! (if you haven’t started already)

            No matter who you are, people typically don’t just open a gift, react with joy, and then put it back in the box never to be seen again.  Even if the gift was a paper weight, we use it more than just during the holidays.  Just imagine what a difference it would make if every Christian spread the joy of Christ the other eleven months as well.  Everybody would start to see Christian values here and there in everyday life, in restaurants, at sporting events, at work, and at home.  There is really no end to the possibilities.  They might even ask questions about why you always seem to be joyful, even in the midst of adversity.  Boom!  There’s your opportunity to tell someone about where your strength comes from.  Do you have an answer ready?  The psalmist David experienced many great highs and lows in his lifetime, many victories and failures.  Here is just one of many of his writings explaining how he was able to keep going.

             “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.” (Psalm 28:7)       

            When I first became the youth minister here at the Fort Gibson Church of Christ on May 5, 2002 one of my Elders, the late Harvey Young, told me it would be a good idea to always have a sermon in my pocket since you never know when you will be called on to preach.  That advice has proven to be true.  So, over the years it made sense to pass that advice on to my youth groups by telling them that if they will be ready to answer a question about what a difference Christ has made in your life, then God will provide even more opportunities for the light of Christ to shine through you.

            Of course, I pray that all of you will be able to experience the joy of the holidays.  But more importantly, I pray this is only the beginning of a way of life for some to look for the best in others, and to look for opportunities to serve other people even when it’s not convenient, and to tell others about the saving grace of Jesus Christ, and what He can do them.

            Have a great week!

God gives us reason to be thankful

by Barrett Vanlandingham
November 25, 2014

            Psalm 106:1 says, “Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”

            Those words were penned about three-thousand years ago by an unnamed Jewish writer, someone very familiar with the book of Exodus, an even earlier Old Testament writing.  The author talks about the various ways in which God continued to show love for the writer’s ancestors even though they showed disrespect to God after Moses led them out of Egypt and across the Red Sea on dry land, “through the depths as through a desert.” (v. 9) 

            Often, the people would praise God for helping them out of a bad situation (not unlike today), but they “soon forgot what he had done.” (v. 13)   The author very humbly begs for mercy when the end comes, confessing wrongdoing and wickedness that were much like that of the early Jews.

             The unnamed writer seems certain of a couple of things:

1)  God was known to teach the Jews tough lessons when they turned their backs on Him. 

2)  God was known to have mercy on them when they cried out to Him.

            The author evidently wants to make it clear to God (and future readers) that there are those who still love God, and who want to be gathered “from the nations, that we may give thanks to your Holy name and glory in your praise.”  (v. 47)

            The chapter winds down with another statement of honor.  “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Let all the people say, “Amen!”

            And then one more “Praise the Lord” tacked on to the very end, as if to make sure that both God and future readers get the message of thankfulness loud and clear.

            So here we are, three-thousand years later.  Today, Christians serve the same God that the writer of Psalm 106 served.  The only difference is that we have three-thousand more years of evidence to analyze, to be thankful, and experience God’s love even more.  To me, it is truly amazing that God can be so consistent throughout the ages.  In the greatest show of love ever, God became flesh, lived among us, and went all the way to the cross to defeat sin once and for all, providing a way for us to make it to heaven if we will just trust and obey.

             Somehow I think that if the writer of Psalm 106 would have come along a thousand years later, and would have written this chapter while knowing of Christ’s sacrifice that covers not only us, but also those ancient Jews who continually rebelled in the wilderness, it would have read much differently.  The words, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good” might be the greatest understatement of all time, considering what He did for us. 

            Though the extent of God’s love was not fully known at that time, the unnamed writer seemed to know without a doubt that God’s love “endures forever.”  Even though we already know about Christ’s sacrifice, I am reasonably sure we still don’t know the extent of God’s love.  I am thankful now, but probably not nearly as thankful as I will be on the day Christ returns.  Have a happy Thanksgiving!

A future in heaven hinges on learning from the past

by Barrett Vanlandingham
November 18, 2014

            As I walked out into the blowing and freezing wind this week for the first time since last winter, I found myself doing that little ‘catch your breath’ thing that happens each year for me when I experience the first round of extreme cold weather.

            Why is it always so shocking for me?  Do I just not remember what it was like, or has it been so long that I am no longer accustomed to this kind of ‘in your face’ gusts?   I forget some things so quickly, and remember other things for years and years.

            Maybe this is why people keep making the same mistakes over and over.  We typically don’t repeat mistakes unless they have a potential benefit.  Speeding, over-eating, sexual sins, cursing, gossiping, ingesting mind-altering substances, and throwing away money to the casinos or lotteries are just a few dangerous snares.  We all know the consequences of bad decision-making. But just like a cart-pulling mule chasing a dangling carrot, people can get caught up in chasing empty promises, never gaining anything more than temporary satisfaction, if they are not committed to walking with God.

            The Israelites (the Jews) wandered in the wilderness for forty years because they simply did not trust God.  You see, even though God had chosen the Jews to be His people, they had not chosen Him. They had previously been held captive in Egypt’s pagan culture for 400 years.  And even after Moses displayed God’s power and led them out of slavery en route to the land God promised, they were still tempted to go back to the very situation that had enslaved them for so long. 

            The Jews complained to Moses, and said they would be better off back in Egypt.  Even after God performed miracle after miracle for their benefit, they foolishly believed the ten pessimistic spies who said the Promised Land was already occupied by people who were too powerful to overcome. As a result, God let the Jews wander in the wilderness until the older generation, who had not trusted God, had all died off.  This gave the younger generation a chance to witness some valuable lessons first hand, and get a fresh start in the land God promised.

            I think every generation hopes to make better decisions than those who have come before.  Sometimes I think about mistakes our generation has made.  And I just hope those who come after will learn and improve without God having to teach them some tough lessons the way He did the Israelites, and yes, the way He most certainly has taught us, if anyone’s paying attention. 

            Today, God has chosen all people, no matter what nationality, to trust and obey Him.  It’s an open invitation we would all be wise to accept.  Have a great week!

Those who paved the way for us deserve honor

by Barrett Vanlandingham
November 11, 2014

            It is important that we honor those men and women who have served in our nation’s military.  It is only because of them we continue to be a free country.  They inspire us to be better, to try harder, and to continue and improve upon the legacy they left for every American.

            The same is true for the men and women of faith we read about in the Bible.  It is because of them we are inspired to keep fighting the good fight of faith.  It is their efforts in spiritual warfare that give us confidence as we battle the temptations satan throws in our way.

            We owe a great deal of gratitude to those listed in Hebrews 11.  It is known as the Faith Chapter because verse after verse the writer lists people no different from you and me, but who allowed God to use them in very special ways to accomplish His will. 

            There are those you might expect such as Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses.  And then there are others like King David who messed up royally by lusting after Bathsheba while his army was out fighting on the battlefield.   Another unlikely entry in the Faith Chapter is the prostitute Rahab.  In both David and Rahab’s situations, even though they sinned, they also repented and lived their lives to the glory of God.

            The Hebrew writer ends the chapter by shifting from listing names, to telling of the horrific persecution suffered by unnamed others who flogged, chained, and imprisoned.

            “They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted, and mistreated – the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in the deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.” (Hebrews 11:37-38)

            Those are some incredible descriptions of some amazing men and women of faith who lived in the Old Testament times, and none of those people were even alive by the time God’s son arrived on the scene.  In a huge act of faith, Jesus himself walked in man’s shoes so he could understand what it’s like to live as we live, and to be tempted as we are tempted, and to be persecuted, beaten, and crucified before finally ascending back to his Father in heaven to prepare a place for His faithful.

            So on this Veteran’s Day, and every day, it is appropriate to give honor to those who have served in our nation’s military, to those who make it possible for each of us to practice our Christianity without the kind of fear of persecution so many have had to endure in the past.  Have a great week!

One election outcome is already a sure thing

by Barrett Vanlandingham
November 4, 2014 

            When you go to a voting booth, the only thing you know for sure is that you are casting a ballot.  You might think you know the outcome, but you don’t know for sure until the ballots are counted.  That should not be the case when it comes to our eternal destiny.

            The apostle Peter said, “Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election.” (2 Peter 1:10)

            Sounds like a sure thing to me, and it did to Peter as well.  He actually begins the chapter by saying that God has given us complete instructions on how to live a godly life.  Peter says that if we implement godly qualities into our lives, we will not get caught up in evil desires that lead to worldly corruption, thereby avoiding the earthly and eternal consequences that would follow.  Peter goes on to list exactly what those godly qualities are that God wants us to strive for.

             “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:5-8)

            One of the things that catches my attention in this passage is that God expects us to not only grow in our knowledge of Him and these wonderful qualities,  but also to put them to work in our lives more and more each day.  God shows great wisdom in challenging us in this way.  He knows that in the day and day out grind of life, it would be easy for most us Christians to become lazy in the absence of striving to meet this challenge.

            Just because I may have shown a more loving attitude today than I did yesterday, that doesn’t mean I should stop there.  I know a lot of wonderfully loving people, but even the best Christian examples would gladly admit they fall way short of loving others the way Jesus did.  But when we commit to taking on the self-sacrificial attitude that Jesus took while he walked among us, we can be confident that our election into the joys of heaven is a sure thing, confirmed, without a doubt.  It’s in God’s word, and I believe it!

            In the end, it’s only by God’s grace any of us will be saved, but God’s word also says our obedience let’s God know we love him, and it most assuredly puts us on the right track to hear the words “Well done good and faithful servant.”   That’s an election result we can be sure of.   Have a great week!  

Spiritual Trick or Treating lasts all year!

by Barrett Vanlandingham
October 28, 2014

            In just a few days, kids will be putting on their Halloween costumes, and hitting the streets with one key phrase on the tip of their tongue: “Trick or Treat!”

            At my house, those are the words that unlock the cauldron full of candy when I answer the door.  If “Trick or Treat” is not enthusiastically shouted (or at least uttered) in my presence, there may be a trick, but definitely no treat.

            The tinier ones are actually mine and Lisa’s favorites.  It’s fun to hear them say, “Twick O Tweet”.  They might even get an entire handful of candy for that phraseology.

            Spiritually speaking, the devil doesn’t wait for Halloween to play tricks on us. It’s more of a year ‘round full-time job and even his treats turn out to be tricks. We all know to watch out for the obvious temptations involving various kinds of immorality.  But satan’s influences are also very much alive, even when it comes to matters of doctrine and faith.

            Paul says, “And no wonder, for satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness.” (2 Cor. 11:14-15)

            Paul often warned new Christians about the dangers of straying from the truth, in exchange for cleverly disguised false doctrine.   His words echoed those of Jesus himself who said during the Sermon on the Mount, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” (Matt. 7:15)

            This deceptive technique of being very convincing on the outside, while having less than honorable intentions on the inside is still a very effective trap today.  We see it all the time, when people have an agenda they’re trying to justify, and so they twist the truth of the Bible to mean what they want it to mean.  Other times, the deception is financially motivated.  The deceiver’s deeds are often exposed too late, after thousands or even millions of dollars have been donated by loyal followers who thought they were opening their wallets to deeds of righteousness, but turned out to be deeds of greed! 

            Sometimes, people fall into this trap because of a message that fits what they want to hear, even if it doesn’t match up with what the Bible says. That’s why everyone, yes even preachers and teachers, should be held accountable for their walk and their talk.  If a teacher is on the up and up, they will be honored to open their Bible and show you exactly how they came to their conclusion.

            Paul warned young Timothy that false teaching would be an issue for him to deal with, just like it was for Paul.  “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” (2 Tim. 4:3-4)

            Be careful every day to reject the devil’s tricks so you can enjoy a life of God’s treats!  Have a great week!