People of faith experience less stress

by Barrett Vanlandingham

February 2, 2016

           Last Sunday after evening worship, my youth group met at mine and Lisa’s friends’ house for what we call a devotional.  David and Sara Perry provided the hospitality, the grilled hamburgers, peanut butter cookies and chocolate cake, and the 30 teens who showed up brought some serious appetites, their beautiful voices for praise, and some amazing insight that should be very encouraging for the older generation.

            I asked several of them beforehand to answer (in front of everyone) the question of three reasons why they have hope. Their answers with very little time to think about it were simply heart-warming.  One student said she has hope because God has a long history of choosing imperfect people to lead others in His path. Another said, “Hey, if David was known as a man after God’s own heart even though he messed up a LOT, maybe I have a chance!”  Another talked about the support he receives by being a part of a church family who places their hope in God. Another said he was encouraged by the examples of older Christians, “not just the really old ones, but also those in their 20’s and 30’s who are staying faithful to God.”  One by one, each of the teens expressed their feelings of why they have hope. It all came back to their relationship with God, their church family, and the way they see God working in their lives and the lives of others.

            It should be no surprise, but in a quick internet search I found survey after survey showing that people who place a high importance on the practice of faith and church attendance have lower stress levels, less depression, shorter hospital stays, longer lives, and happier lives than those who are less involved in church activities.  Even children of parents who attend church more often are reportedly less likely to be lonely or depressed.

            The surveys and articles I read were only a couple of years to several years old. But there are other articles, or letters I should say, that were written 2000 years ago that say basically the same thing. In the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew includes several verses that are devoted to telling people they have nothing to worry about as long as they are seeking God first (Matthew 6:25-34).

            The apostle Peter encourages his readers to give God their stress, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).”

            We already know that Jesus was a fan of meeting with fellow God followers each Sabbath.  In Luke 4:16, the writer says that Jesus “went into the synagogue, as was his custom.”  The important work Jesus had to carry out benefitted greatly by the frequency of time he spent in fellowship, worship, the reading of God’s word, and prayer. A Christian’s work today also requires this type of commitment that not only relieves stress, but provides hope. Have a blessed week!

The Christian Walk is not meant to be a run

by Barrett Vanlandingham

January 26, 2015

            When we read inspirational stories from the Bible, it is easy to get the idea that maybe we’re doing something wrong in regards to our Christian walk, otherwise exciting things would be happening all the time. There’s a temptation to compare ourselves to the Bible’s spiritual highlight reel, and then come to the conclusion that our spiritual walk is more like a crawl in comparison to what we read.

            Think about these stories: 1) Noah building an ark to save his family from the flood, 2) God testing Abraham’s faith by asking him to use Isaac as a sacrifice, 3) God asking Moses to lead the children of Israel out of Egyptian slavery, 4) Elijah calling down fire from above to prove his God was real, and that Baal was a false god.

            The fact is, there’s a reason why those of us who follow Jesus refer to it as the Christian walk, instead of the Christian run. It’s a long journey. Yes, there are times when we must “flee”. Paul urges Christians to “flee from sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18).”  He also tells Timothy to remind God’s people to “flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace (2 Timothy 2:22).”  At one point, Paul even compares the Christian journey to a race (1 Cor. 9:24). Still, disciples of Christ must learn to walk first, not run. And even then, we must pace ourselves so that we do no become weary in well-doing (Galatians 6:9).

            The Holy Spirit inspired writers to record the incredible miracles we read about. But there was not a huge flood every year, and we have no reason to think that God required Abraham to prove his faith every day at an altar, or that Moses crossed the Red Sea every day, or that Elijah had a monthly showdown on Mount Carmel with hundreds of false prophets.

            Great men and women of the Bible had lives just like you and me. They didn’t have mountaintop moments and huge spiritual battles every day, and neither do we. God has never expected his followers to experience their spiritual journey in a dead sprint all the time. Even Jesus had to withdraw to quiet places to be alone and talk to His Father.

            This past weekend I took 41 teens and chaperons to Arlington for a youth rally with over 4000 more teens where the theme was “Walk”.  The message was basically that even though we often fail, and think we should be a several more miles into our journey than we are, we must remember that being a follower of Jesus means that we take steps, not leaps, towards our goal. It is important to practice trusting God every day with the little things in life. This builds our faith so that when the huge challenges come along, it is easier to trust God. It worked for Noah, Abraham, Moses, Elijah, and many others we read about in the Bible. 

            Remember Paul’s message to Christians in Corinth:  “For we WALK by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7, ESV).”  This week, think about these two questions:  What is the step God is asking you to take?  What’s holding you back from taking it?

            Have a blessed week!

God is still watching out for you

by Barrett Vanlandingham

January 19, 2016

            It is so nice when encouragement comes along unexpectedly. I was studying to teach a middle school Bible class a few days ago when I ran across a thought that just really made me feel good about life and faith, so pretty much everything.

            The study material I was reading from said that in the first century, the Jews used the terminology “the Word” to refer to God expressing Himself. The apostle John used the term “the Word” to describe Jesus and define Jesus as the One who was not only with God in the beginning, but actually was God, not just a part of God, or related to God, but that Jesus is God just like the Holy Spirit is God.

            “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made (John 1:1-3).”  These thoughts are echoed in Colossians 1:15-17.

            The rest of the chapter makes it crystal clear that John’s use of the term “the Word” meant “Jesus”. 

            Some people may wonder why this information should be so encouraging to Christians and really all of humankind. The reason is that the idea of God expressing Himself through Jesus is just one more puzzle piece that helps us understand our Savior a little better. We already knew from Genesis 1:26 that it wasn’t just God the Father by Himself there at the time of creation.  Genesis 1:2 says the Spirit was also there, and both John and Paul state that Jesus was not only there, but that He was the One doing the actual creating. This is totally consistent with the idea that God expressed Himself through Jesus (the Word). It is also interesting that in my Spanish Bible, “the Word” is translated “el Verbo” or in English, “the Verb”.

            The fact that God expressed Himself through Jesus is very encouraging because it was God’s Son, Jesus, who came to this earth to find out what life is like for us, to give us a living, breathing example of how God wants us to live our lives, and to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Scripture says that the blood of bulls and goats could not save us, but only the blood of God in the flesh, Jesus, “the Word”, “el Verbo”, the perfect sacrifice. Then, when Jesus ascended back to the Father, He sent His Holy Spirit to be our Comforter, our Advocate, and to continue making sure the Heavenly Father understands us, to this very day (Romans 8:26-27).

            In my times of spiritual struggle, I find encouragement in the fact that God knows exactly how we feel. It wasn’t a disconnected Jesus who came here, but rather God, expressing Himself through Jesus, “the Word”.   And because of that, the Bible says that we can confidently take our fears, failures, bad days, and any other kind of day to God in prayer, knowing He understands, and knowing He has provided a way to heaven for those who are willing to trust Him and obey His word. Have a great week!

God is faithful to his children

by Barrett Vanlandingham

January 12, 2016

            Every parent I know, myself included, has had days when they wondered what planet their offspring was living on at the moment. Most children have thought the same about their parents. We all have those challenging days, weeks, or even years. But the Bible’s most famous psalmist appears to have had way more than his share of tough days, though many of those were self-inflicted.

            King David’s own son, Absalom, even tried to kill him and take his throne after underhandedly turning many of the Israelites against the king, convincing them that only he understood their challenges and could provide justice in their favor. In fear for his life, King David fled Jerusalem for a time. In the end, David’s armies were victorious over the thousands of Israelites who had turned their allegiances away from him in favor of his son. Absalom wound up being killed by one of David’s generals in spite of orders to treat Absalom gently. It was the conspiracy by David’s son, and God’s righting of the situation that compelled David to compose what we know as Psalm 3:1-4. He wrote,

            “O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, there is no salvation for him in God. But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy hill.”

            In just these few verses, it is easy to see the anguish David was feeling as he was dealing with the disloyalty of the Israelites, the loss of his throne, the loss of a relationship with his son, and the death of a son.        With the piling up of all those negatives, it must have been difficult for David to defend his beliefs that God could save him. It is very possible that David felt guilt that his own poor decision making might actually be the reason Absalom was so rebellious. After all, David took no action when one of his other sons, Amnon, raped Tamar (Amnon’s half-sister). So, it wound up being Absalom who had Amnon killed for committing the crime against Tamar. That was the beginning of the breaking down of David and Absalom’s relationship.

            Even though David often acted wrongly, he knew that getting back on track with a faithful God was his only hope, whether the consequences were the result of a rebellious son, or the result of bad parenting. In our lives today, it is still easy to lay blame on someone else when things go badly for us.  

            One lesson we can learn from David is that our God is faithful, and will always lift us from the depths of despair when we cry out to Him. Lesson number two is that we are never too far away from God to ask Him for help.  He will always take us back even if there are consequences to pay this side of heaven. We all make mistakes. The only thing we can do is ask God’s forgiveness, and commit to serving God wholeheartedly starting right now. Have a blessed week!

Go with God in 2016

by Barrett Vanlandingham

January 5, 2016

            Surprise, surprise!  I have already made my first mistake of 2016. You would think a simple task such as putting the correct date on a newspaper column, or at least the right year, would not be that difficult. But it seems that just about every New Year I manage to label my “Fort Faith” column with the previous year. I usually make the correction before emailing it to the Muskogee Phoenix for publication in the Fort Gibson news section, so it’s not that big of a deal, and it’s not exactly sin or anything, but it does remind me that humans make mistakes.

            So, if this minister cannot even get the date right on my first article of the year, how in the world can I expect to do things right with regard to the bigger things in life, such as battling temptation and staying strong in spiritual warfare? As a minister, it is common for young people (and older people, too) to approach me, expressing frustration because they can’t seem to overcome a particular temptation.

            The apostle Paul reminds us that “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).” So, we already know it would be impossible for any of us to keep from sinning, even though it’s only the first week of a New Year.  I guess the question is what are we going to do about it?

            Well, if you’re singer/songwriter Amy Grant, you record a song telling Christians “Don't try so hard. God gives you grace and you can't earn it. Don't think that you're not worth it because you are. He gave you His love and He's not leaving, gave you His Son so you'd believe it. You're lovely even with your scars. Don't try so hard.”

            Let me just say I’ve been an Amy Grant fan for a long time. And even though most of those lyrics are right on target, the phrase “Don’t try so hard” goes directly against God’s inspired word. Paul told Christians in Rome. “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer (Romans 6:1-2).”

            Dedicated disciples of Jesus must understand that spiritual warfare is a very real thing with a very real opponent, and must be approached in the most sober-minded of ways. The Bible never says it’s okay to knowingly fall into the devil’s traps. We often do this unknowingly, and that’s what God’s grace is for, not so we can spit in God’s eye and expect Him to reward us.

            Paul told the early church, “Do not give the devil a foothold (Ephesians 4:27).”  And later he says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12).”

            So, it is important to know who your opponent is, and pinpoint where the devil and his dark forces are likely to strike in your life, seek support from your brothers and sisters in Christ, and then PRAY about it.

            “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 5:16).”

            James also says, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you (James 4:7-8).”

            It is unrealistic and unbiblical to think any of us can keep from stumbling spiritually in this New Year or any other year. But we serve an amazing God who knows our heart, and will continue to forgive those who are clothed in Christ (Galatians 3:26-27), covered by his blood, as we do our best to walk by faith in his light (1 John 1:7).  After that, it really is God’s grace (and not our works) that will make the difference. Have a great week!

Saying good-bye to your burdens is easier with God’s help

by Barrett Vanlandingham

December 29, 2015

            As we close in on the end of 2015, it is not only time to say good-bye to this past year, but also hello to a new year of our Lord, 2016.

            There will be new opportunities (as there are each year), to replace failure with success, to replace a bad attitude with a good one, to replace a lax attitude in your work or personal life with one that shows you care for the people around you. Even one little change can make a huge difference in the way we approach life and the joy we receive while living it.

            The prophet Jeremiah wrote down these words of hope (600-550 B.C.) from God to those exiles that King Nebuchadnezzar had taken from Jerusalem to Babylon, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).”

            Christians must remember that each of these positive changes are made possible by the Creator Himself. However, it will be your choice as to whether you continue allowing that one (or more) negative thing in your life to keep eating away at you, or let God help you say good-bye to the burdens, worries, and concerns of 2015 in exchange for the joy of the Lord.

            In the New Testament book of John 10:10 Jesus says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that you may have life, and have it more abundantly (to the full).”

            You see, God has designed great things for you in your life. The only question is whether you will let God lead you in that direction.

            The apostle Paul says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).”

            We’ve all heard of millionaires and billionaires who were anything but happy people, or at the very least, figured out that happiness doesn’t come from money. In fact, many of them give tons of money to charities because they understand that true joy does not come from personal accomplishments as much as it does from sharing your accomplishments in some way with other people.

            So, I encourage you to pick one person out each week. Make it your goal to put a smile on that person’s face, or make their day better in some way. Pray for that person, and see how God not only blesses them, but you, too.  You might not be at a place in your life where you can help hundreds or thousands of people everyday with your new attitude. But maybe that’s not God’s plan for you.  Maybe God has just one person in mind for you to help. Then, what if that person turns out to be the one to do something BIG. Besides, even making a difference in one person’s life is a BIG deal whether anyone else knows about it or not.

            I am sure the apostles and those early disciples of Jesus had no idea that the persecution they went through for the cause of Christ would eventually result in people around the world knowing the story of Jesus, and receiving salvation because of it.

            Decide today to serve someone as Jesus served, and to tell His story in 2016. It will make a difference in their life and yours in the coming year and beyond. Remember Jesus’ words in the book of Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”  Have a blessed week!

What I told my kids about Santa and Jesus

by Barrett Vanlandingham

December 22, 2015

            Christmas was coming soon, and my son, Britton, was just a small child at the time. We had been on a roll several nights in a row talking about all kinds of things at bedtime such as Santa, elves, reindeer, presents, and so on.

            But one night he asked me if Jesus was real. I said, “Of course, he’s real.”  Britton countered, “Is Jesus real in the same way Santa is real?”

             I thought to myself, “O boy! This is one of those conversations I am not quite ready to have!”  After all, any time the topic of Santa’s realness had come up in the past with Ashton and Gracie, Lisa and I always just grinned and said, “If you don’t believe in Santa in this house, he won’t bring you any presents.”

            I am certain the girls had it figured out, but they went along with our answer just for fun. It was kind of an unspoken rule to not let the cat out of the Christmas stocking, so to speak, so that Britton wouldn’t know.

            Well, that response bought us a few years, until Britton just had to bring Jesus into the conversation!    He finally said, “Is Santa real in a make-believe fairy-tale kind of way, and not in the same way Jesus is real?”  I responded, “Yeah, that’s about the size of it.”  He said, “Okay, that’s kind of what I was thinking. I just wanted to make sure.”  I told him that Santa stories are just for fun at Christmas time, but that Jesus is very real, and that He is actually God’s son who came to earth to save us and make it possible for us to go to heaven someday.

            The fact is, bringing Jesus into any conversation changes everything. For Christians, Jesus should already heavily influence everything we say, do, and think. Our friends, co-workers, family, and everyone else should be able to understand clearly by the way we live our lives that Jesus Christ is not only real, but He is our only hope of eternal salvation, and is the reason for true love, peace, and joy here on earth.

            For over 3000 years, the content of the Bible’s Old Testament has been protected by Jewish scribes. They carefully made and passed down handwritten copies for future generations. For instance, the Dead Sea Scrolls date back to 200 years before Jesus was born. The scrolls, discovered in the 1940’s, contained multiple copies of the Old Testament that are identical to what we have today, 2200 years after the scrolls were copied.

            Dozens of Old Testament prophecies about Jesus came true in the New Testament just in the details of how and where he was born. 2700 years ago (about 700 B.C.), the prophet Isaiah wrote, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14).”

            Yes, the prophecy came true! Today, Christians still celebrate the coming of Christ. Yes, we love to tell the story of the baby Jesus prophesied hundreds of years earlier. But more importantly, Christians take joy in spreading the word that Jesus grew into a man, was baptized, received God’s Spirit, began His ministry, and was tempted in every way possible. He died on the cross for the sins of humanity, resurrected on the 3^rd day, and has gone to prepare a place for those who choose to become his disciples and obey His word. Now that’s a Christ for masses to celebrate. So, Merry Christmas and have a blessed week!

True disciples must represent Christ all the time

by Barrett Vanlandingham

December 15, 2015

            He was a wirey, 4-feet tall, very energetic 7^th grade boy with an ornery grin, lots of cute freckles, and a mind full of imaginative ways to have fun and no apparent inhibitions to hold him back. He would be a challenge for any youth chaperon, anywhere.  But last weekend I had the honor of having this kid at my fall youth retreat!  Other than the fact he was seen crawling around on the roof of the camp’s two-story lodge, and later, running through the girls’ dorm (thank goodness no one was in there), then throwing handfuls of cookies into the boys’ bathroom showers and wet floor where he had evidently been having a water fight, I can barely begin to describe the amount of chaos that sweet child was able to pull off in only a matter of minutes! It was a little bit like trying to catch a squirrel. As wild as that scene may sound to you (and me), it really happened. 

            It occurs to me, though, that God might just feel the same about people like me and you as I felt about “squirrel boy”.  Even as adult Christians, our spiritual lives can be a total mess, our witness in the community can be rendered ineffective by the way we present ourselves as Jesus’ disciples when we think no one is paying attention. Unless we are committed to drawing people closer to God every hour of every day in the way speak, act, and think, we leave unguarded opportunities for the devil to set traps in our lives and gain footholds (Ephesians 4:27). If we’re not careful, we can cause spiritual destruction everywhere we go: sporting events, restaurants, around total strangers, and among those we know the best. In spite of the fact God completely understands us, I wonder if He ever just shakes his head in disbelief when he sees the amount of damage we’re inflicting on the cause of Christ.

            While I was at camp over the weekend, Lisa and I were about to sit down at a long cafeteria style table across from each other to eat lunch when she noticed a cup sitting on the table. She asked some campers eating nearby if this spot was taken. They said it wasn’t. But Lisa responded in her usual thoughtful way, “I can move to another spot if this one’s taken.” So I said in my sleep-deprived tone, “Sit down! No one’s sitting there.”  An adult chaperon from another town (actually a close buddy of mine) said to her, “Does he always speak to you that way?”  Lisa (the good sport) responded jokingly with her best fake Brooklyn accent, “Yeah, what’s it to ya? That’s just the way we talk! Mind ya own business.”  While everything turned out okay in that instance, it was a good reminder to me that people are listening to the way I speak to my wife. And more importantly, Lisa is listening to the way I address her. And most importantly, God is listening.

            Paul told the church in Ephesus, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Ephesians 4:32-5:2).”

            Paul’s words are timeless and are just as significant today as back then. Always remember to represent Christ to those you don’t know, and those you do. Have a blessed week!

A Christian’s spiritual brew must be ready to serve

by Barrett Vanlandingham

December 8, 2015

            “Do not be deceived: Bad company ruins good morals (1 Corinthians 15:33).”

            I wouldn’t be writing on this particular topic if I were not such a tight wad when it comes to getting every last drop of goodness out of my Keurig coffee pot. It’s not actually mine. It’s the community Keurig in the church secretary’s office. I use washable/re-fillable K-Cups so I can brew whatever kind of coffee I want (by the cup). My dream!

            Nevertheless, I re-discovered something the other day I should have already known. There are two buttons with pictures on them. One shows a larger cup. The other pictures a smaller cup. You’re supposed to push one or the other depending on how much coffee you want.

            My goal was to be able to push the large coffee button twice!  So, to make sure it didn’t overflow, I used a short oversized non-insulated plastic container that would fit under the spout. This way I could have more to drink (even though it’s a little watered down).  When it finished brewing, I poured some of it into a smaller insulated mug.  Aahh, the temperature and taste were to my liking. I had come up with the perfect solution to getting the most coffee per K-Cup.

            Here’s the problem: by the time I drank enough hot coffee from my insulated mug to need a re-fill, the coffee in the original non-insulated container was barely lukewarm! It’s one thing to have slightly watered down coffee. It’s an entirely different and much worse thing for it to also be lukewarm.  Gross! But what a great object lesson!

            It really is important to surround or insulate yourself with Godly people. When we slack on church attendance, or even when we never miss, but tend to hang out with non-Christians all the other days of the week, we put our spiritual lives in jeopardy. The Bible warns about becoming lukewarm Christians (Revelation 3:16). This is why God’s word places so much emphasis on being careful about who you choose as your closest allies. The apostle Paul said,

            “14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, ‘I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people (1 Corinthians 6:14-16).’”

            God wants his children to spend some time with non-believers since without this interaction, the lost might never get into a relationship with Christ. But dedicated disciples will do what it takes to be renewed and restored daily to keep their own cup full of hot coffee (so to speak). This means fellowshipping often with committed Christians, spending time in God’s word, continually talking to God, and striving daily to walk in God’s light. When you do those things, your spiritual brew will stay insulated and ready to serve others when opportunities arise.

            Have a blessed week!

Spending Time with Christian Family Is Important

by Barrett Vanlandingham

December 1, 2015      

            What a joy it was to sing songs of thanksgiving with my Church family during the special Tuesday night service this past week.  To top it off, our preacher, Dan Rouse, collected note cards from everyone who had written what they’re thankful for. It was heartwarming to say the least. Perhaps your church does something similar during the holidays. As I listened to the thoughts expressed on each card, I was reminded once again why I love my Christian brothers and sisters. The cards expressed thankfulness for things like grace, mercy, love, long marriages, family, church, health, community, a great school system, and freedom. The whole evening was so encouraging.

            Special nights like that make me wonder what it would have been like to live in the first century and be part of the very first Lord’s church. In Acts 2, Peter had just finished preaching the first Gospel sermon. Thousands believed, repented, confessed, were baptized, and were added to the Lord’s church just like we can be today!

            “And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.  And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved (Acts 2:42-47).”

            What a beautiful scene! Fellowship and encouragement among the very first New Testament Christians.  Imagine their prayers and expressions of thankfulness as the soon to be persecuted church was just getting off the ground. These brand new disciples were learning how to take the good news of Jesus Christ into a hostile and broken world. Those first Christians did an incredible job of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. The Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20) of taking the Gospel to people everywhere applies to today’s Christians, too. So our times of worship and fellowship to prepare us for evangelizing the lost are just as crucial. Today’s Christians must take full advantage of every opportunity to build up one another for the spiritual warfare we all face daily. Never underestimate the importance of the gathering together of Christians to worship God and to encourage one another. You just never know who really needed that warm greeting that would not have happened if you weren’t there. Have a blessed week!

God’s blessings are bountiful

by Barrett Vanlandingham

November 24, 2015

            During Thanksgiving, people throughout our neck of the woods, and all across the U.S. will honor God with praise and thanks for their blessings. Many will not.  But one of the incredible things about God that humbles me the most is the fact that He continues to bless us in countless ways even if we don’t remember to thank Him.

            You could open your Bible to any Psalm and find a meaningful passage that would give you lots to think about, along with reminders of things to be thankful for. Here’s one:

            “I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High (Psalm 7:17).”

            There are so many ways David described God in the Psalms. Righteous and Most High are only a glimpse of how David felt about his maker. David wrote Psalm 7 as a plea, asking God to keep him safe, even as a man named Cush (a Benjamite) was evidently trying to stir up trouble for him by spreading false information to an already jealous King Saul.

            You may remember in the book of 1 Samuel 18, King Saul was angry after David killed Goliath, not because the giant was dead, but because all the women of Israel danced and sang a song for Saul that spoke more highly of David than of Saul. They sang, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”

            David ends Psalm 7 the same way he did so many other of his writings that expressed fear, frustration, and outrage, by letting God know that no matter what happens to him, he trusts God and sees Him as worthy of honor. In this case, David’s uses of the words “righteous” and “Most High” are strong indicators of the confidence David had in God. Remember, by this time David had seen God’s mighty hand at work in a number of tense situations that could have resulted in his death many times over if it were not for God’s presence. 

            You may be experiencing problems with health, finances, fear, family squabbles, or other relationship situations. If so, follow David’s lead and thank God for being with you every step of the way. The apostle Peter also experienced lots of ups and downs. Remember his advice?

            “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:6-7).”

            God continues to pour out blessings on His creation daily, and He understands what you’re going through. You may recall what He went through so that we could have hope of heaven.  This week, take extra time to be thankful. Have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving week!

Spiritual security is worth your effort

by Barrett Vanlandingham

November 17, 2015

            One of the issues Americans place high importance on is national security. People of every nation around the globe no doubt feel the same about their countries.  We all want to feel safe. And while feeling safe physically is a very big deal, Christians know it is more important to be safe spiritually.

            The apostle Paul said, “You were bought at a price (1 Corinthians 7:23).” 

Safety always comes at a price. Jesus paid the ultimate price for our salvation.

One of Jesus’ closest friends said, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).”

            So how can we acquire or build the kind of faith (belief) John is talking about that leads to salvation? After all, we know the devil believes Jesus is God’s Son, yet we know God has already prepared eternal fire for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41).

            You want safety for eternity? The price has already been paid. But Paul says the Christian race still takes effort.

            “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified (1 Cor. 9:24-27).”           

            Here are three helpful tips for building your safe zone for eternity:

1)  Dig into God’s word for answers.  2 Timothy 3:16 says that the Bible has all the information we need to be complete and fully equipped spiritually. Paul also reminds us in this passage that every word of the Bible is inspired by God. I can’t think of any other instruction book that would give me the kind of confidence I get when I read those words!

2) Look for opportunities to do good for others. 2 Timothy 2:15 not only tells us to handle God’s word correctly, but also says that we should do our best to present ourselves to God as one approved. You see, it does no good to have only head knowledge without applying it to the way you live. You certainly can’t ignore the greatest commands: Love God, and love others (Matthew 22:36-40).  Inspired no doubt by James 2:26, the late singer/songwriter Rich Mullins sang it this way: “Faith without works is like a song you can’t sing, it’s about as useless as a screen door on a submarine.”

3) Surround yourself with good people. Hebrews 10:25 reminds us that Christians should not neglect meeting together, since being around other Christians encourages an attitude of love and good works. The author says that is very important as we anticipate Judgment Day.

            Pray today for the desire to run the Christian race in a way that pleases God, and brings about spiritual security for eternity. Have a blessed week!

The power of words is not reliant on wordiness

by Barrett Vanlandingham

November 3, 2015

            Before my friend and church elder Harvey Young passed away a few years ago, I always enjoyed hearing what he had to say, especially in a group discussion. He sat usually sat there in silence, listened, and just when I thought no one else had anything to say, Harvey always chimed in with some of the most profound observations. Maybe you have had the similar experiences in your friend circles.

             The lesson in that for me, other than the content of the comment, was always a reminder that fewer words can often carry the most weight.

            Remember these words?  “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”  That’s an 800 year old quote from an Italian preacher known as Francis of Assisi. I can’t even remember most conversations from a week ago.

            Single words and short phrases or sentences are often some of the most meaningful. Think about the words “I love you” or when a judge says, “guilty” or “not guilty”, or when a teacher or coach says, “You can do it!” The entire outlook of a day can change in an instant.

            One of my new favorite verses of the Bible comes from the book of Psalms. They are the words of David when he fled his son Absalom who was trying to kill David and take over his father’s throne.

            “But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head (Psalm 3:3).”  Even though David himself seems to be a man of many words and actions, it is a short message like this that carries as much meaning for us today as it did about 3000 years ago. Short sections of the Old Testament Psalms were quoted by most of the New Testament writers 1000 years later.

            As I wrote this article, I glanced up to see a note I keep posted on the cabinet above my desk. It is from Harvey and his wife Jo who has also passed away: “Dear Barrett & Lisa, We just want to remind you that we love and appreciate you and your sweet family. You are in our prayers as we know how difficult your work is. We love you, Harvey & Jo”

            Most of us will never pen an original quote that will be known worldwide, but each of us can send a thoughtful note, or call someone, or even make a personal visit to someone who could use some encouragement. You never know what a difference a few kind words will make. It was true in David’s time, and it is true today. Have a blessed week!

God provides many reasons for giving thanks

by Barrett Vanlandingham

November 3, 2015

            Family, friends, food, and shelter are usually the answers I get when I ask teens to list some of the things for which they are thankful. That’s a great start, but that’s usually about the extent of it, at least when asked in a classroom setting. I guess it’s just an age issue, but when I start thinking about all the things for which I am thankful, it’s a near never-ending process, a little like what happens when you ask a 4-year old the same question. They just keep going!

            November is traditionally the time when people think more about being thankful. Many even look for opportunities to serve those less fortunate during this season. Once again, that’s a great start, but I kind of view November like I think about mission trips. The excitement and passion for thankfulness and serving others is not supposed to stop there. If anything, this month should be just the beginning or the spark for what we as Christians do year round. The obvious question to ask ourselves is whether we make it a practice to continually thank God for all the ways He blesses our lives. If the answer to that is yes, then the next question would be whether we let that thankfulness show everyday in the way we live and treat others.

            In speaking to Christians in Galatia, the apostle Paul reminded them to not only bear their own burdens, but to be ready and willing to bear one another’s burdens.

            “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith (Galatians 6:9-10).”

            At first glance, it might be easy to get the wrong impression about Paul’s message here. He is not trying to get Christians to be nicer to each other than we are to other people. I believe Paul’s challenge to us is to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to all people in hopes they will be baptized into Christ (Romans 6:1-11, Galatians 3:26-27, Matthew 28:19-20). In doing so, Christians are truly doing “good” to those who need it most, the unsaved.

            Of course, those newly saved who God has added to His family (Acts 2:47) will also experience the unity that one would expect of a team of spiritual warriors all pulling for each other, providing for one another’s needs, and fighting together against a common adversary.

            I think being added to God’s family is the greatest thing for which I have to be thankful. It is also the most important thing I could do for someone else. This week, let’s all make an effort to introduce someone to Jesus Christ.  They will be thankful now and forever. Have a blessed week!

The love of Jesus is sweeter than candy

by Barrett Vanlandingham

October 27, 2015

            This weekend, trick-or-treaters will be hitting the neighborhoods, knocking doors, and collecting as much candy as they can possibly carry.  It’s a fun tradition I always looked forward to as a kid, and one that still brings as many smiles to the giver as to the receiver.

            On a daily basis, we all come in contact with people who are looking for something to smile about. That’s why most of us appreciate a funny joke, a heart-warming story, or a song that just makes us feel good. For years, one of my favorite elderly friends at church, I.B. Branscum, has handed me a wintergreen Lifesaver when I shake his hand. It still makes this 50-year old kid smile! We all like to be around people like that any time of year!

             As Christians, we have the best treats of all to share, and you won’t find them on any grocery store shelf, or in any plastic jack-o-lantern! I’m talking about the love of Christ. This includes a lot of wonderful things people are looking for even if they don’t realize it. Sometimes people are simply looking for acceptance, but if the arms of Christians are not open wide to welcome them in, they will look in another direction, probably one that leads them away from God. Sometimes people just need for someone to show them compassion. This is not to be confused with approval. But unless we show people the love of Christ in the form of hospitality, kind words, notes of encouragement, a visit, a good deed, or just a kind smile, we will not likely get the opportunity to teach them the way of the Lord. That is why practicing patience is so important. After all, God is patient with us (2 Peter 3:9).

            There are many ways to bless the lives of the people we come in contact with every day.  As Christians, we are to keep in step with the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul tells us the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

            If we let our light shine with those qualities in the way we live each day, it will be obvious to others that God really does make a difference and is worthy of our praise (Matthew 5:16).  God’s word is said to be “sweeter than honey to my mouth (Psalm 119:103).” To me, this is a challenge for Christians to share God’s message in a way that makes people want more.

            Jesus says, “A good person produces good from the good treasure of his heart, and an evil person produces evil from an evil treasure, because the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart (Luke 6:45)."

            This week, let’s all let our heart overflow with sweetness of God’s word, and the good that can only come from the love of Christ. It’s better than candy, and the smiles you get in return will be worth it.  God bless you!

Music is a gift from God

by Barrett Vanlandingham

October 20, 2015

            My son, Britton, plays baritone in the Fort Gibson High School Royal Regiment band. In fact, they are playing at a district contest today, and will defend their state champion status at the OBA (Oklahoma Bandmasters Association) competition on Saturday. I realize I might be a little biased, but as a minister, when I listen to live musical performances such as these, I can’t help but thank God for the gift of music. It is not only a gift to us, but God also likes it!

            In Revelation, John wrote, in part, about the future fall of Rome, but he also wrote about his vision of heaven. He sets the scene by describing a heavenly worship event that truly blows my mind!

            “² And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name. They held harps given them by God ³ and sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb:  “Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the nations. ⁴ Who will not fear you, Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed (Revelation 15:2-4).”

            Not only will God give harps to at least some of his worshippers in heaven, but an instrument is precisely how Christ will announce his second coming, as He returns to bring His faithful home.

            ^“16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God (1 Thessalonians 4:16).”

            In both instances, the instrument is a tool to help or aid something else of much greater importance. In the first passage, even though the worshippers are given harps, it is the message of what the worshippers sing that is offered to God. In the second passage, even though the trumpet of God will aid in getting all of humanity’s attention whether alive or dead, it is the message of God on judgement day that all of creation will be longing to hear. On that day, many will sadly discover that things like tone, pitch, emotion, and memory re-call did not evolve by accident, but that everything in the universe and in heaven was created by God.

            When my 20-year old daughter was about four, she asked me if I thought she was an angel. Haha. I told her no, I didn’t think she was an angel, but that she was definitely a gift from God. As for the high school band. It’s the same thing. Their performances are simply magnificent!  I know many of the band members, and they are no angels!  But I truly believe the music they perform is a good thing, made possible by our Creator, a blessing to those who hear it, and I suspect God likes it too. Good luck Royal Regiment!   Have a great week!  

Pray about everything everyday!

by Barrett Vanlandingham

October 13, 2015

            Since I told you in last week’s column about my dad and the chest pains he had been dealing with, I am very happy to tell you things are just fine now after his doctor installed a stent in a vein on the left side of his heart. Thanks for the prayers of righteous people. God is so good.

            My “O ye of little faith” question to God would be this: Was my dad’s heart already healthy, or did prayer really make a difference?  When I was a young Christian, if something I prayed for turned out to be nothing, I probably would have thought my prayers were not needed after all.  I do not think that way now. As I have matured in my faith, I have come to realize there are some things we will never know this side of eternity. However, I will say that God has answered prayers, God does answer prayers, and He will again. We often don’t get the answer we wanted, or maybe in the time frame we wanted it. But God does answer prayers in the best way, even though we may not understand His reasoning.  Humanity must learn to have faith in Him, and trust that God will make all things work for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28) whether in good times or bad.

            My heart and prayers go out to those families who have lose loved ones because of situations that just don’t make sense. 16-year old Ben Hamm of Bartlesville died last month from a head injury he received in a football game. His dad, Steven, is the youth minister at the nearby Dewey church of Christ, and continues to encourage others to draw near to God, just as Ben did, and was known as a fine Christian young man. I have never met Steven or his wife Misti, but their continued faith has become a huge inspiration for me and so many others. Please pause and pray for the Hamm family.

            One thing is for sure, God cannot be tempted, nor will He ever tempt us (James 1:13).

As far as when it is appropriate to give God the glory for things?  It is good to give praise and honor to God anytime we receive good news, or even when we simply receive no bad news since God is the giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17).  Even when you have an average or boring day, it could be because a prayer warrior brought your name before the Lord to be blessed that day?  Just think of all the days that go by that God might have had a direct hand in causing a happy ending when it could have easily ended differently.

            We can all live in the peace and comfort of knowing that ultimately God is in control. The New Testament says Christ not only created everything, but he also holds all things together (Colossians 1:17), and is the only path to God (John 14:6).  Even ancient writings outside of the Bible confirm Jesus’ existence and his miracles, which the Bible says were performed so people would believe that Jesus is God’s son, and the giver of eternal life (John 20:31).

            Today, talk to God often, and give Him credit for all of life’s little “coincidences” that are a blessing.  Have a great week!

Health concerns are great reminders of Biblical truths

by Barrett Vanlandingham

October 6, 2015

            We all have those days we could live without. For me, one came last week when I received a text from my mother saying my dad had suffered chest pains and shortness of breath. A trip to the ER in Tahlequah helped, but then a week later as I sat down to write this Fort Faith column, I received another message that he had yet another attack overnight. He took nitro pills to settle things down, and then worked on setting up an appointment with a surgeon. We all have friends and family who are going through life challenges of one kind or another. I write these things not just as emotional therapy for myself, and not even to inform the world about my dad’s health, but simply to bring attention to a spiritual truth the apostle Paul wrote about long ago.

            He said, “1 Our bodies are like tents that we live in here on earth. But when these tents are destroyed, we know that God will give each of us a place to live. These homes will not be buildings that someone has made, but they are in heaven and will last forever.

            2 While we are here on earth, we sigh because we want to live in that heavenly home.

            3 We want to put it on like clothes and not be naked. 

            4 These tents we now live in are like a heavy burden, and we groan. But we don’t do this just because we want to leave these bodies that will die. It is because we want to change them for bodies that will never die.

            5 God is the one who makes all of this possible. He has given us his Spirit to make us certain that he will do it.

            6 So always be cheerful! As long as we are in these bodies, we are away from the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:1-6, CEV).”

            I love Paul’s perspective. After living the first part of his life as a persecutor of Christians, he lived the rest of his life being persecuted as a Christian evangelist. Everything he dished out to Christians like Stephen, he was on the receiving end of it later. Paul lived through beatings, hunger, imprisonment, homelessness, and exposure to cold. At some point, it became clearer than ever to Paul that these bodies we live in are temporary, like tents that can only be patched up for so long. They were never meant to last forever. While in a Roman prison being held for preaching the Gospel, Paul was trying to decide if it would be better to live or die. He decided it would be a win-win, but with the edge actually in favor of death.

            “If I live, it will be for Christ, and if I die, I will gain even more (Philippians 1:21).”

            We should never wish our lives away, since we are partners with God in bringing souls to Christ. But the fact is, if people like Paul, John the Baptist, Stephen, Job, and Jesus himself suffered while in the body, we will too. The important thing to remember is that God is with us on the mountaintops and in the valleys of life. And no matter what happens here, faithful Christians will be rewarded, and will be re-united one day in heaven. So, it’s best to always be prepared.  Have a blessed week!