Above the Sun: Gentleness brings so many good things

by Barrett Vanlandingham

March 8, 2020

            The term “gentle” is used as a compliment to describe someone who just seems nice. They are mannerly. Everybody likes this person because they could easily command more attention, but choose to let others shine. A gentle person looks out for others’ comfort and well-being, and puts self-interests aside.

            Gentleness is the 8^th of nine qualities Paul lists in the “fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians 5:22-23. Those nine qualities are those things we as Christians are to apply to our daily lives as we “live by the Spirit” and strive to “keep in step with the Spirit” (5:25).

            To me, gentleness is one of the most difficult spiritual qualities simply because there are so many things that happen in the course of a day that tempt us to behave otherwise. Gentleness is marked with meekness, patience, kindness, compassion, tenderness, and sweetness. One who has a gentle spirit is not to be confused with someone who is weak. On the contrary, it takes tremendous strength to exhibit gentleness, especially under stressful conditions.

            When my dad opened the Sonic in Tahlequah in the late 60’s I spent many years watching him train new employees. He would stand next to them as long as it took to make sure they made the hotdog, cooked the hamburger, or dressed out the bun exactly like he trained them. He made sure there were no droplets of pop on the side of the drink cup before it went out to the customer. Over and over, he gently but firmly instructed new employees.

            Jesus is the greatest example of gentleness. He said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke up on you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

            We all benefit from God’s gentleness when we look in the right places. The problem is that sometimes we look for comfort in the wrong places. Just today, I saw a big rant on Facebook that started with one true, but controversial statement. One by one, people began to fan the flames of discontent and anger. It’s safe to say that no one exhibited gentleness and no one appeared to be comforted. The reason is because they were taking their complaint to social media instead of talking to God about it. He is the one who can change hearts. His gentleness is backed by truth and love. Those who go to Him find peace and comfort.

            Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Faithfulness is essential to the Christian life

by Barrett Vanlandingham

March 1, 2020

            Lisa told me a story about when she was a young girl and her dad told her she could go to her friend’s house for a birthday party if she cleaned her room. Well, she piddled around and did not hold up her end of the deal. So, when it was time for the birthday party, Lisa’s dad did not allow her to go because she had not cleaned her room. To this day, Lisa’s dad is a man of his word. He means what he says.

            It is a high compliment when someone makes the statement: “He means what he says” or when someone says “If he says he will do it, he will do it.”  Descriptions like these indicate that a person is known for their loyalty and dependability. The Bible uses the word “faithfulness” when someone exhibits these kinds of endearing qualities.

            Faithfulness is the 7^th of the nine qualities Paul lists in the “fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians 5:22-23. Paul is saying here that God’s Holy Spirit is faithful to us, and Christians must be faithful to God as we profess to “live by the Spirit” (5:25).

            In a marriage ceremony, the bride and groom often utter the phrase “and to be faithful to you alone as long as we both shall live” in their most sacred vows to each other. And while about 50-percent of married couples break the promise of faithfulness and dissolve their marriages, Jesus Christ is ALWAYS faithful. He NEVER breaks His vow to us, His bride.

            Christians who’ve been clothed with Christ in baptism (Galatians 3:27) are added to His church (Acts 2:38, 41, 47) and can now walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3-5), united with Christ as His bride (Ephesians 3:25-27, 2 Corinthians 11:2, John 3:27-30, and Matthew 25:1-13).

            In this bride and groom relationship we have with Christ, we submit to being fully transparent. We know and love Him, and He knows and loves us (Galatians 4:9, 1 Corinthians 8:3). He protects, defends, and grants us an inheritance. We no longer see ourselves as being our own, but instead, we are His because He paid the price for us. We live our lives to mirror the faithfulness we see in Him. We are faithful to God, and we as Christians faithfully support one another as we daily fight a spiritual war against the forces of darkness, and look forward to “the crown of life” bestowed on those the Lord finds faithful when He returns (Revelation 2:10).

            Have a great week!

Above the Sun: For Goodness Sake

by Barrett Vanlandingham

February 23, 2020

            With the possible exception of a grading scale that includes superior, good, and average, the word “good” far outweighs the words great, awesome, amazing, incredible, or any other words used to describe how you feel about something or someone.

            If I say someone is “just good to the bone,” or “this coffee is so good,” or someone is “a good teammate,” or when I refer to my wife as a “good woman,” or when I say “that was a good steak dinner,” or my friend Dan is “just a good man,” there are several other highly complimentary qualities that are implied.

            Good is not just that level of accomplishment you find that’s less than perfect and better than average. The word “good” is in a league of its own because it just seems to embody so many other qualities that would be left out if you used another word.

            Goodness is the 6^th of the nine qualities Paul lists in the “fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians 5:22-23. Goodness is one of a very few words that the apostle and inspired writer could think of to describe God the Spirit. When Paul says we as Christians are to live by the Spirit (5:25), he is implying that we are to be known by those nine special qualities including goodness.

            What a wonderful world it would be if everyone strove to simply be good. This means good to everyone: your neighbor, spouse and kids, the barista who makes your coffee, your co-workers, the employee behind the customer service counter, and good to yourself.

            You’ve heard the saying “Two wrongs don’t make a right.” Paul addressed this in the first century when he told the early church that goodness overcomes evil (Ephesians 12:21). Remember, if you are around someone who is in a mood, that is precisely the time when your goodness needs to come out the most. When someone is at their wits’ end, or when someone is struggling in any way, the quality of goodness modeled by you in that situation could make all the difference in what happens next, and also how that person views those who profess to honor God with our lives.

            Goodness is one of the ways we practice agape’ or the kind of love that seeks another’s highest good. Goodness is one of the traits of someone who has admirable character, that person who does the right thing even when no one knows about it.

            Paul told the Galatians to “Do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (6:10). Our challenge here is to model goodness in a way that makes everyone we meet want to become part of the family of believers. Being a witness for Christ not only involves knowing our Bibles, but applying God’s word in our daily lives in a way that others will see God’s goodness through us.  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Try a little kindness

by Barrett Vanlandingham
February 16, 2020

            I remember feeling a little embarrassed the first time a friend told me to “be kind” while I was speaking harshly about another friend who had made me angry. My embarrassment had nothing to do with the truths I was stating about the person I was upset with. It had everything to do with my bad attitude, my choice of words, my tone, and even my body language. I had been caught red handed being a mean-spirited “Christian,” and just felt horrible about it. Even though I am in my 50’s now, and was a young man when that conversation took place, it was a much-needed eye opener that has stuck in my head ever since.

            Kindness is the 5^th out of nine qualities of the Holy Spirit listed by the apostle Paul in Galatians 5:22-23. God the Holy Spirit is on equals with God the Father and God the Son. Out of all of the good things that could be said about the Godhead or the Trinity, kindness is right there in the middle of what Paul refers to as the “fruit of the Spirit.” It’s sort of like the hall of fame for descriptive words that people who are following God want incorporate into their lives. Paul uses the phrase “keeping in step with the Spirit.” Kindness is one of those steps we should always strive for.

            One time a young minister contacted me distraught because an older gentleman told him he was not a good listener. The man began to speak in disrespectful tones. He accused the young minister of just nodding his head like a “bobblehead” while listening to several chaperons arguing their opinions to the young minister about an argument that had flared-up among some kids during a youth event. The man based his opinion on the fact that the young minister did not immediately act on the statements he was hearing. In reality the young minister was using his Spiritual gifts of wisdom and discernment to make sure he did not act in haste and cause an already bad situation to become even worse. He was trying gather all the facts he needed before deciding what to do next, especially since there were conflicting sides to the story.

            We all make mistakes. And we all appreciate kindness and being given the benefit of the doubt. But we often forget this principle when the shoe is on the other foot.

            “29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:29-32).

            Have a great week!

Above the Sun: You can know and show God’s love

by Barrett Vanlandingham
February 9, 2020

            For many generations, people have misunderstood what it means to love and be loved the way God intended. It was an issue even in the first century, and the apostle Paul quite a lot on this topic. Last week, we looked at the fact that it does no good to portray any of the other good qualities God wants us to live out in our lives such as faith, joy, kindness, and self-control if we do not have love. In 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, Paul goes further in explaining what love should and should not look like. 

            “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

            The day will come when we no longer need faith or hope because we will be in the presence of God!  Being in God’s presence is also the reason love will always be there, because God is love. Thankfully, we do not have to wait until we get to heaven to experience the joys made possible because of love.

            Taking a closer look at the above passage, Paul is saying we can demonstrate the kind of love God expects from us by seeking one another’s highest good instead of being self-seeking. When Paul speaks of not being easily angered, he may be thinking back to his earlier days when he thought he was in the right by persecuting Christians. Imagine how thankful he was as time passed and the same Christians who lived in fear of Paul now welcomed him and chose to forget Paul’s wrongs. He knows how good it feels to experience love in that way, and he wants this attitude of forgiveness to prevail everywhere.

            Paul’s letter also contrasts love and deception when he says love rejoices with the truth. Satan, the father of lies (John 8:44), often sets traps meant to confuse people about the true meaning of love. But God’s truth stands firm and gives His children something to rejoice in!  It is God’s LOVE and the fact that we can place our hope and trust in it. We can be assured that God has been pursuing us for a very long time. But we can only experience His love to the fullest by submitting to the truths found in His word. In this way, we will not only know God’s love, but we will also show God’s love to others.  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Love is the most valuable thing

by Barrett Vanlandingham
February 2, 2020

            You only need to step inside any retail store to be informed immediately on what is the biggest event of this month. Red and pink valentine cards, candies, stuffed animals, and flowers everywhere!

            Despite the tremendous amount of love shown towards all things football, and in particular tonight’s Superbowl, it is actually Valentine’s Day that has people reaching for their wallets the most to the tune of 20-billion dollars compared to just under 15-billion for the Superbowl. There’s no doubt about it, February is the month when most people think about what it means to love and be loved by the special people in their lives.

            Love is the most popular element of the fruit of the Spirit we are to apply to our lives. The apostle Paul mentions it first in his letter to Christians in Galatia (Galatians 5:22-23) probably because Jesus puts it at the top of His list of most important commands: Love God, love others (Mark 12:30-31). Without love, none of the other good qualities of God’s Holy Spirit would even be possible. Love has to come first.

            “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:13).

            It just seems like if you could actually move a mountain based on the amount of faith you have, that would put you in a category of elite to say the least. But Paul says even having that ability would not make you special in the least in the absence of your willingness to love God and love others. The biblical love we are to strive for is the kind that puts the good of others above our wants, instead of making decisions based on only what we get out of it.

            Can you imagine what life would be like if God gave us what we deserved everyday instead of giving us multiple second chances? God continually shows us the greatest example of true love. He really does look out for our best interest. He wants more than anything for us to join Him in heaven someday. And so, He continues to amaze us with the kind of love that will motivate us to love Him and love others in the same kind of selfless ways He has shown us. When we model this kind of love to those in our circles of influence, more people are drawn closer to Jesus, and the changes in our communities and beyond will be seen and felt by all.  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Patience is not easy, but necessary

by Barrett Vanlandingham
January 26, 2020

            Recently, I was behind another car as we approached a green light. My patience was tested when the car in front of me abruptly slowed down in anticipation of a yellow light just as I was speeding up. Well, I had to throw on my brakes and stop behind the car even though I felt we both could have made it through without breaking any laws. We all face tests daily in regard to our patience.

            I confess that even though patience is a fruit of the Spirit, it is has never been one of my strong suits. Nevertheless, it is a quality that characterizes God’s Holy Spirit, and is also one of the qualities that Christians are supposed to apply to our lives.

            The apostle Paul said, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). Yes, keeping in step with the Spirit means patience must be practiced just like love, joy, peace, and so on.

            Paul told the Ephesian Christians to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:1–3).  He told Christians in Colossae to use patience while resolving conflict.  He told Timothy that Christian leaders should patiently endure evil, and correct opponents with gentleness (2 Tim 2:24-25).

            The Christian’s patience is rooted in knowing that God will eventually bring all things to an end so that God’s glory is fully known by all. Our practice of patience should also be strengthened when we remind ourselves that we are all sinners redeemed by God’s grace. We must realize the soul of the person we are frustrated with may be the exact location where God is working. That’s another reason why Christians are instructed to leave room for God’s vengeance instead of trying to get back at someone.

            God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are all one and so are their spiritual qualities. Jesus modeled these qualities including patience under the toughest of circumstances. It is hard to imagine the amount of patience it took for Jesus to allow himself to be doubted, scoffed at, and tortured, all the while knowing he could have stopped it at any time. The experiences Jesus went through while he was on earth give us confidence that he truly understands what we go through. Finally, Jesus knows what we are capable of accomplishing when we choose to walk with the Spirit as he did. Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Peace to you

by Barrett Vanlandingham
January 19, 2020

            It’s only been a month since much of the world was focused on the birth of Jesus, the Christ child. Even though that was an incredibly awesome day in history (to say the least), so much more has happened since that time. Today, I want to write about a single word that was foretold by the angels that very day.
            "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests" (Luke 2:14).
            Peace! How ironic it is that the One who left His own home in heaven, and allowed himself to be humiliated, beaten, and crucified is the only One who could bring true peace to a broken world. As with any gift, you can choose to accept it, or reject it. Thinking of it that way helps explain Jesus’ words in Matthew 10.
            “Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven. Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:32-34).
            At first glance, you might think these two Bible passages are at odds with each other since one indicates the coming of peace, and the other appearing to saying the opposite. A closer look reveals the two fit perfectly. The angels’ proclamation of peace is true for those who are favored by God. Who are the favored? Jesus answers that in the Matthew 10 passage and following. He explains that people will have free will to make one of two choices: Jesus or the world. Those who choose Jesus will find peace because that is where God’s favor rests, in His son. Those who go against Him by choosing worldly happiness, relationships, friends, or even family will lose their life (or heavenly reward).

            It is hard sometimes to stay the heavenly course, especially when we have a loved one who has strayed from God’s will, to pursue a counterfeit peace. We are stressed and our peace feels threatened. Satan uses this scenario to his advantage. He tries to convince us that if we just leave truth behind, maybe even temporarily, we can appear more real or relatable, and have a better chance at pulling someone out of sin. This is the kind of deception we should expect from Satan, the father of lies. The dark path will not lead anyone to God and will not bring about peace. It will only bring about more confusion for you and your loved one as Satan’s grip tightens.

            There is only one way to find everlasting peace, and that is through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Stay true to Him in your own life and in the advice you give to others, and let God do the rest. Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Details matter in spiritual warfare

by Barrett Vanlandingham

January 12, 2020

            I saw a meme on social media the other day that really made me think. It said, “You can’t follow all the Bible’s rules, so just trust Jesus.”

            I believe both statements are true, but together they send a message that can easily be misunderstood in the absence of good definitions of what “can’t follow” means, and what “just trust Jesus” means. When I read a statement like that, my first thought is that it means since we are not perfect, God lets us off the hook from even trying.

            While it is true that none of us is perfect, we can perfectly follow God’s will. He knows we make mistakes. That is what grace is for. But intentional willful sin is very different from unintentional sin. It’s a matter of the heart. Paul tells us in Romans 6 that it is not proper for us to go on sinning so that grace can make up for our shortcomings. He says Christians should not chose to live in sin any longer.

            The devil and his army of demons know without a doubt that Jesus is the son of God and that good overcomes evil. But Satan and those who follow him choose to not follow God’s rules even though they trust that those rules are correct. People are like that, too. There are many who know in their mind that Jesus is the son of God, and that He is our only hope. The problem is they have made a choice to follow the devil’s ways instead of God’s ways.  That is not the same thing as trying to follow God’s will, knowing you cannot be perfect, but trusting Jesus to save you in the end.

            We are not saved because of the good works we do, even though we were created to do good works (Ephesians 2:10). No matter how many good things we do, and no matter how many of God’s rules we obey, we are sure to miss something. We are saved by God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). So, no, we are not capable of saving ourselves. The blood of Jesus Christ is the only thing that can forgive us of our sins and continually wash them away for those who are walking in His light (1 John 1:7). Baptism is the point at which our sins are washed away (Acts 22:16) and we clothe ourselves in Jesus (Galatians 3:26-27). It is because of God’s grace that He has provided a way for us to be saved. Simply having knowledge that Jesus is our only hope does no good unless we choose to obey His commands (James 1:22, 2:14, 24, 26). Obeying His commands is how Jesus knows we love Him (John 14:15, 21, 23, 24).

            There’s an old saying: “The devil is in the detail.” It means there’s more to something than meets the eye. In spiritual warfare, we must remember this so as not to fall victim to the devil’s schemes.

            There’s an even older saying: “God is in the detail” which means whatever you do should be done thoroughly.  Those who wear the name Christian are Christ followers, and every word and deed that comes from us should be something that can be done in the name of Jesus (Colossians 3:17).

            Life as a Christian who strives to trust and obey is challenging. But when we learn to put God first in our lives, even when we fail, we have the assurance that God’s grace will carry us through. Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Choose Joy

by Barrett Vanlandingham

January 5, 2020

            Now that the holidays are past, it’s time to get on with it.  Life, I mean, and all the things that are part of our daily routine must become the norm again, only this time, it’s a brand-new year.

            2020 has a nice ring to it, and provides us with a clean slate. We get to choose how we will be feeling about things this time next year. A new year doesn’t erase consequences of bad decisions from the previous year, but it does provide a new space to adjust the direction we’re headed in a variety of ways: emotionally, financially, spiritually, and so on.

            I dialed up Janet, our church secretary, for some ideas on good topics to write about. Without hesitation, she said, “I think Joy would be a good one. So here we go!

            Next to Love, Joy is the second quality listed in the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). It is not the same as happiness. We can have joy even if we are sad. Joy does not appear and disappear with every fleeting emotion. Joy is not circumstantial. It sticks around whether things are going good or bad for you at the moment. Joy is that feeling of peace and contentment you have when you turn your life over to God and trust Him to provide everything you need, just like when Jesus said, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).

            This verse is part of a famous message Jesus gave known as the Sermon on the Mount. He covered a variety of topics on how to get the most out of this life, spiritually, as we prepare for Judgment Day. Here, Jesus connects the spiritual with the physical, telling the people to not worry about things like food and clothing, but to set Godly priorities and just watch how everything falls into place in just the right way. When we learn to do this, we will have a joyful life.

            Anyone who has lived very much life knows that facing trouble is just a part of life in a broken world. The apostles faced trouble, hardship, and even death, as did many other Christians in the first century and beyond. It even happens today.

            Most of you reading this article have experienced disappointment with Christian friends or family members who have turned their back on God. Maybe you have been that person. These are not happy times. But we can still be joyful, knowing that God is very creative in dealing with His children and disciplining them in ways that will get their attention, and bring them back to Him. We’ve all seen it happen. God’s timing is perfect. Ours is not.

            We can take joy in knowing that God is in control of even our next breath. He also gives us free will. We can choose to make God our priority and live a joyful life, or we can choose to butt heads with him and suffer consequences now and later. Either way, in the end, every person who has not bowed to God and confessed that Jesus is Lord will do exactly that (Philippians 2:10 and Romans 14:11).

            When Jesus died on the cross, He was not happy about it. But He was joyful because He knew He was accomplishing what He set out to do, save those who believe in Him and obey. We can all take joy in knowing that.  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: A new life can be a wonderful life!

by Barrett Vanlandingham

December 29, 2019

            There’s just something special about new things, and the countdown is on for New Year’s Eve celebrations everywhere. Each year, we all have high hopes for what is to come in the New Year. That’s why we don’t call it Unknown Year, or Have No Idea What’s Going to Happen Year, or Let’s Hope I Don’t Fail Again Year!  It’s our chance to turn things around, make things right, or just start over. It’s the New Year, and we look forward to successfully overcoming our challenges, and meeting our goals, or even setting some goals!

            The Bible speaks with optimism about new things. In Revelation 21, John wrote these words about what Jesus revealed to him in a vision concerning our eternal reward after the old universe passes away: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth” (Rev. 21:1).  “He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new” (Rev. 21:5).  What a beautiful thought from Jesus Himself, the One who left His own home, conquering sin and death to give hope to those who believe in Him (John 1:12)! Considering the fact that Jesus made our physical universe and everything in it to His specifications, and then said it was “very good,” I cannot even imagine what it will be like to experience eternal life in a new place, a spiritual place that Jesus would describe as new!   

            The apostle Paul also frequently used the term new to describe the life of committed Christians. In writing to the church in Corinth he said, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

            To the church in Rome and Galatia, Paul explained how we get in or into Christ. He also explained what being in Christ allows those who are clothed in Him to do because of their new status (Galatians 3:26-27). “Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life” (Romans 6:3-4).

            What a beautiful reflection we get to be a part of! The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus is acted out in our immersion (baptism). Paul says believers who are baptized have the opportunity to live a brand new life, one that they were unable to live before. In Acts 2:38, Peter explains that those who turn to God and are baptized receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:19 explains that our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 explains the fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

            The Bible references in this article can help you experience a new life in the New Year. God bless you in your spiritual journey, and have a great week!

Above the Sun: The Spirit gives and we should too

by Barrett Vanlandingham

December 22, 2019

                       

             It is exciting to think of the smiles, laughter, happiness, and joy that will most certainly fill the hearts of those celebrating this special holiday we call Christmas. Just three days away!

          Yes, I still enjoy receiving a gift. But those of us who are, let’s say, a little more mature in years than we used to be, know that there is just a real satisfaction in giving. We appreciate being able to give, and we remember what it was like to receive a gift when we really needed it. It is only natural to want to forward those blessings to others. After all, we are made in the image of God. He gave his son so that we might have eternal life. His Holy Spirit gives to every Christian everyday. So, it should be no surprise when we find more joy in giving than receiving, since Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

          Jesus not only gave his life so we could have life, he also gave up his home for a time so he could show us how to live. These are two great gifts that motivate us to think of ways to serve others like Jesus did.

          Just think about the gifts that are made available to all humans through the work of God’s Holy Spirit. Luke says we “receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” when we are baptized (Acts 2:38). The Holy Spirit guides us, comforts us, acts as an advocate for us, interceding for us when we just don’t know what to pray.  The Holy Spirit can work in partnership with Christians to keep us in check when we stray, and can also help others to see the error of their ways so that they will long and search for a better life that only a God-focused life can provide. That spells opportunity for the sinner and for the Christian looking for opportunities to reach lost souls for Christ.

          In Galatians 5, we read about the fruit of the Spirit: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithful, gentleness, and self-control. These are qualities of God that he gives to us by his Spirit. As Christians with free will, we can choose whether to accept or reject these blessings. We can also choose whether to bless the lives of others by passing these gifts on to other people. The Christian who strives to walk in the footsteps of Jesus understands why giving to others is a much greater blessing than receiving.

          I hope each of you has a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

Above the Sun: Awaiting that Day is a thrill of its own

by Barrett Vanlandingham

December 15, 2019

                       

            Just TEN days until Christmas! What an exciting time for kids of all ages, as they eagerly wait and dream about what Santa might be putting under their tree.

            When I think of what Jesus meant when he told an adult audience that they need to become like little children in order to inherit the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:2-4), I can’t help but think of how excited kids become as Christmas draws nearer. Simply put, they trust that Christmas is going to be the best day of the year! That trust results in uncontainable excitement over what is to come.

            The apostle Paul describes the sharp contrast between those who set their minds on earthly things, living as enemies of the cross, instead of staying focused on the amazing gifts offered by God, and trusting that because of His son, Jesus, we have hope.

            “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20).

            It is a huge challenge, isn’t it, to eagerly await the return of Jesus? While it looms in the back of our minds, I expect for most of us the word “eagerly” probably doesn’t describe how we feel about Judgment Day. But it should! Committed followers of Jesus should look forward to the second coming the way a child looks at the coming of Christmas Day and all those presents surely coming their way! Our excitement is not based on whether we feel we have successfully avoided the naughty list and made it onto the nice list. Our eagerness is based on Jesus’ power to save those who put their trust in Him and obey His will (James 1:24-26).

            ”For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. ¹² It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, ¹³ while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, ¹⁴ who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good” (Titus 2:11-14).

          Grace, and therefore salvation, has been offered, but as with any offer, we can choose to accept the offer or reject it. When there is a prize-winning ticket about to be drawn, people become eager. They make sure they have their tickets in hand, and make sure they are where they need to be in order to hear their number called, just like a child awaiting Christmas.

          Are you where you need to be spiritually, eagerly awaiting that final day when God calls us home? What a gift! Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Mary Christmas!

by Barrett Vanlandingham

December 8, 2019

                       

“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19). I love this this short but powerful statement spoken by the mother of Jesus. It was just after a visit by some shepherds who an angel had told to go see the newborn Savior Messiah. They were told they would find him wrapped in cloths and lying in a feed trough (or manger) in Bethlehem. Well, that’s exactly where they found him and his parents. For Joseph and Mary, the surprise visit by the shepherds was one more confirmation that God was involved in their lives.

            First, the angel Gabriel tells her she is going to become pregnant by the Holy Spirit even though she is a virgin, and then the angel explains the situation to fiancé Joseph. Mary went to visit her “very old” cousin, Elizabeth, who was previously unable to conceive, but was six months along in her own pregnancy with a baby boy who would be known to us as John the Baptist, the one who would prepare the way for his cousin, Jesus. As soon as Mary greeted Elizabeth, baby John leaped in the womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, exclaiming in a loud voice,

            “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored that the Mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” (Luke 1:42-45)

            We can assume here, but the text does not say that Mary’s greeting to Elizabeth included the news of her being pregnant with the one who would be called Jesus. It just says that Elizabeth’s baby leaped upon hearing Mary’s greeting, and then Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. It is not a stretch to think that somehow John, still in the womb, was overjoyed at being in the presence of his cousin, Jesus the Messiah! God’s work is being witnessed up close and personal just like it was with the miraculous visit by the shepherds, and again with the wise men who sometime later followed a star, and came to bring gifts to the child after Joseph and Mary had moved into a house.

            To say that Mary and Joseph were going through a spectacular season of life would be the understatement of the century! Can you even imagine the amount of treasuring and pondering going on in Mary’s mind in the days following the birth of the Christ child?

            When something special happens in our lives, it is natural to treasure it up and replay the scenes over and over in our minds. May we all remember the events surrounding Mary’s Christmas, and have a Merry Christmas, too.  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Christmas lights are very symbolic

by Barrett Vanlandingham

December 1, 2019

                       

            “The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:9-14).

            Each year, I look forward to seeing Christmas lights. They remind me of two things: Jesus as THE light, and my responsibility as a Christian to be light in a dark world. What an indescribable blessing it is that the son of God chose to humble himself, leaving the comforts of heaven, in exchange for living here on earth, becoming the perfect sacrifice for our sins, and proclaiming good news and freedom through him. (Philippians 2:5-8 and Luke 4:18-19). Jesus not only took on the role of Creator and Savior, but also Example and Light for all of humanity.

            Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, the Old Testament prophets Malachi and Isaiah referred to him as the “sun of righteousness” and “a light for the Gentiles.”  When the baby Jesus was only a few days old, a Godly man named Simeon was one of the first to hold him. Simeon praised God and called Jesus “salvation” and “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel” (Luke 2:32)

            Life here on earth can get a little confusing at times when we try to split our allegiances between God’s way and the world’s way. We allow ourselves to be given mixed messages when we try to keep one foot in the light and one in the dark. But with Jesus, the message is clear.

             Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

            When we follow Jesus, we are not only blessed with walking in his light, but others will be blessed by his light we carry inside us. Jesus challenged his disciples to be light.

            “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ 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. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).

            Have a beautiful December, enjoy the lights, and BE a light!

Above the Sun: Reasons to be thankful abound (pt 4): “Hope”

by Barrett Vanlandingham

November 24, 2019

            Coming up with only four things to be thankful for in the month of November was very difficult, not because I couldn’t think of enough, but because I seriously couldn’t stop counting! In the final part of my series, I’d like to write about “Hope.”

            When you’re a Christian, hope takes on a whole new meaning. It doesn’t mean the same thing as when someone says, “I hope so.” For Christians, hope is more akin to assurance or knowing with certainty. So, in 1 Corinthians 13:13 when the apostle Paul says, “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love” he is talking about something far more superior than guessing so, thinking so, or even hoping so.

          There would be nothing greatest about the idea of simply hoping for an eternal reward in heaven. Paul is highlighting the most important things in all of creation and beyond creation, all summarized in three words, and one of them is hope. This is the kind of hope that has been bought and paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ. What would it say about our Messiah if His death, burial, and resurrection only purchased a “maybe so or pretty sure” mentality about God’s promises? In human terms, I might describe Bible hope or assurance as how you feel as a little kid when your parent hugs you and says it’s going to be alright. But it actually goes way beyond that since humans really can’t guarantee anything to anyone.

            Hope in the Christian sense is such a strong word that the writer of Hebrews used it to help define the concept of faith.  Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” The two words go hand in hand to the extent that you cannot have one without the other.

          It is easy to see why Paul put faith, hope, and love in the same circle. Without faith and hope in Jesus Christ, there would be no obedience and therefore no love since Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15).

          Hope is a for sure thing for those who walk with Jesus in this life. It starts with coming to the realization that Jesus is God’s son, and our only Hope, and then choosing to obey and live life his way and not the world’s way. John 14:6 says that no one gets to the Father without going through Jesus. Galatians 3:27 and Romans 6:3-5 say we become clothed with Jesus to live a new life in Him when we are baptized. This is also the point at which God’s Spirit makes His home in us (Acts 2:38 and 1 Corinthians 6:19-20). That new life in Christ can be described as your Christian journey on God’s lighted path where your sins are continually washed away. 1 John 1:7 says, “If we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”

          A committed life in Jesus gives us the best kind of hope, one that seals our relationship with God and makes our eternal reward in heaven a done deal (Romans 8:18-39).  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Reasons to be thankful abound (pt 3): “Family”

by Barrett Vanlandingham

November 17, 2019

            Every year during our midweek Thanksgiving service at Fort Gibson church of Christ, church members turn in cards stating what they are thankful for. It serves as encouragement to everyone as our preacher reads each card outloud. The number one thing most people list, other than Jesus and church fellowship (which I wrote about in parts 1 and 2) is family. So today, I’d like to talk about family in part three of my November series on reasons to be thankful.        

            There is a reason why family (the kind that places God as its priority) always ranks high in the thankfulness category. It is what makes us feel secure and loved from a very young age, even in the face of life’s disappointments. Family members who love each other more than God are destined for failure. Created things simply cannot be placed on a higher level than the Creator if the family is to succeed long-term.

            I realize not everybody reading this had a good family experience. For that I am deeply sorry. It is not your fault. I pray God’s healing for you, and I pray that you have chosen to make things better for your children and grandchildren than what you grew up with. There is a huge difference between following your parents’ example versus what it means to learn from your parents’ example. It is only logical that each generation can and should do better, unless there are special circumstances preventing it.

            An active prayer life, regular Bible study, and being an active part of church fellowship are key in making your family experience one that each member can look back on and be thankful for. You really cannot have a fulfilling family life without Jesus. Have you ever witnessed or interacted with a family that did life without Jesus? It seemed shallow and strange, didn’t it? They go through the motions of family, but there’s no depth, no foundation, no anchor for the storms of life. Nothing of significance to talk about or plan for beyond worldly things, activities, or events. You see, a family doing life without Jesus is like sitting down to a Thanksgiving dinner that looks good, but has no taste or smell. They may not know or understand what they are missing at the time, but there’s definitely something missing! O yes, they may have something that resembles family bonds, but those bonds weak and based on worldly thinking.

            These two ways of defining family are extreme opposites, and are especially noticeable if you’ve ever gone to the funeral of someone who was a faithful Christian from a Christian family. You likely noticed there was much less waling and even joy at times simply because they know their loved one is better off. On the other hand, if you’ve ever witnessed a non-Christian funeral, you know it is a much more somber occasion because there is nothing to think about except loss and uncertainty about the future.

            God created the whole concept of family, and what it takes to have a good experience with your family. It is a very good thing when done God’s way, and is something for which we can be thankful. Have a great week!