Above the Sun: God’s light does not change like shifting shadows

by Barrett Vanlandingham
February 7, 2021 

            I wish I could take credit for the title of this article. After all, I am experienced in crafting what I hope are compelling sentences. But for me, I think the writer, James, rivals King David and Solomon here when he says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17).

The exact wording changes, depending on which version of the Bible you are using, but the message and the beautiful imagery remain the same. It may sound like I am a little obsessed with this verse. But in a time when there seems to be so much uncertainty, it is such a relief to know that God does not change, and neither does our mission as followers of Christ.

It is a little too cold right now to go outside and sit under a shade tree, but that doesn’t stop me from using my imagination. It is a nice thought, but even a good shade tree is not perfect. Every so many minutes, you have to move your chair if you want to stay in the shade. Why? Because our light source as well as our earth are always moving. The sun and earth, just like everything else, are created things subject to change. However, God is not a created thing. The writer of Hebrews says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

Here is a quote from Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei (1564-1642):

“The Sun, with all those planets revolving around it and dependent upon it, can still ripen a bunch of grapes as if it had nothing else in the universe to do.”

God always has time for us. He is a perfectly constant God, even though it is impossible for us, His children, to be this way.  That does not, however, prevent us from partnering with the Father of heavenly lights in the way we treat and reach out to others. The phrase “good and perfect gift” in James 1:17 is also translated to include “gift or act of giving.” James wanted to acknowledge that every good thing we have is because of God, the maker of light, and who is light, with or without the sun.

In our efforts to follow Christ’s example, the gifts we give to others may fall short, but our acts of giving have more to do with our attitude and our daily approach to life.

Jesus said, “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).

The writer of 1 John 1:5-9 tells us that walking in God’s light is where we can find forgiveness and salvation. As Christians, we can not only walk in the light, but we can be a light to help bring lost souls to Christ.  Have a great week.

Above the Sun: Walk in the light, be a light

by Barrett Vanlandingham
January 31, 2021 

            When I show up somewhere and see my parents there, I know I am in the right place. The world just seems brighter. They are without a doubt a significant lighthouse in my life. I am sure you can think of people you feel this same way about. You are comforted and have peace in their presence.

            In the Bible, light is used to symbolize God and his guidance, faith, and holiness. As Christians, we are called to not only walk in the light, but to be a light for others.

            There is a very short verse in the longest chapter in the Bible that gives us a good starting point. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

            How many of us can say that every word coming from our mouth helps show people the right way to go. The writer here uses these very descriptive thoughts to celebrate God’s instruction as the perfect guide for life.

            In John 1:4 says, “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” This description of Jesus should give those of us who strive to walk with him an extra boost of confidence. Everything about Jesus’ life points us in the right direction because his life here on earth actually doubled as a light for our journey. Not once did he ever shine his light in a direction that would not be good for us. We are to be this kind of light for others.

            In the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), we read about miracle after miracle that Jesus performed in the presence of his disciples and in front of people who hated him. He changed water into wine at a wedding, He healed a man who had been paralyzed for 38 years. He cast out demons, restored sight to the blind, and raised the dead.  He literally did more miracles than could be written down in the Bible.

            These are examples of Jesus’ life serving as light during his ministry of just three and a half years as he combined love, truth, and miracles to get people’s attention. Jesus told his disciples that they/we would do even greater things since he would soon be going back to the Father in heaven (ref: John 14:12).

 That’s where we come in. Obviously, Jesus did not mean that we would be able to create a greater universe than he did, or even be able to perform a simple miracle. But in the 2000 years since Jesus was on earth, his followers have not only had the benefit of walking in the light, but have reflected the light, love, and truth of Christ, giving hope to millions upon millions of lost souls.

In John 8:12, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.”  In Matthew 5:14-16 Jesus said, “You are the light of the world… let your light shine.”

            Doesn’t it just make you feel good that the Light of Life himself has confidence in us, that we are capable of taking his light to wherever it needs to shine?  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Decision-Making Principles: Is it constructive and beneficial?

by Barrett Vanlandingham
January 24, 2021 

So, what does it matter if your decisions are based on whether it is constructive and beneficial? The short answer? Christians should never seek to tear anyone down, but instead find ways to build up.

That was Paul’s message to Christians in Corinth. “23 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. 24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor” (1 Corinthians 10:23-24).

O, if this world could only apply this message. Paul is saying people have the freedom and are permitted to do a lot of things, but that doesn’t mean all those things are constructive or even a good idea at all. Just because something is legal doesn’t mean Christians or anyone else should do it. I am sure you can think of a lot of things that fit into that category.

As Christians, we are called to make good use of our time and conduct ourselves in ways that will draw others into the household of faith where there is a life in Christ worth celebrating. The Bible is full of passages that instruct us to make sure the choices we make “build up.” This starts with simply making the choice to show up and participate. In other words, God wants us to spend time with other Christians, both inside and outside of worship. This building up we receive from each other helps keep us from swerving onto the wrong road in our faith journey.

 “23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. 26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God” (Hebrews 10:23-27).

Next, our thoughts, words, and actions should be well thought out and have a noble and worthwhile purpose.

            “What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up” (1 Cor 14:26, Ephesians 4:11-16).

            This is a great reminder for when we want things done our way, either in worship settings or in daily life. We have to ask ourselves if what we are wanting to do builds up others too, or just ourselves. This becomes especially important when dealing with those whose faith is weak or non-existent, or maybe they are a new brother or sister in Christ.

            “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.  Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. For even Christ did not please himself…” (Romans 15:1-11)

            God bless you and have a great week!   

Above the Sun: Decision-Making Principles: Will It Cause You to Do Evil Things?

by Barrett Vanlandingham
January 17, 2021 

So, what does it matter if your decisions are based on whether it causes you to do evil things? The short answer? It is only when you are walking in the light that you have fellowship with God (1 John 1:7).

To me, John’s answer is the bottom line, because if walking in God’s light gives us a relationship with Him, the opposite of that is also true. So, if we choose to walk in darkness where evil exists and has free reign of influence over us, that puts us out of fellowship with God and our church family which is a really bad and risky place to be. As John continues with the idea of walking in God’s light, he says God’s light is where the blood of Jesus purifies us from all sin. The word “all” includes past, present, and future sins that we are willing to repent or turn from as we strive to commit to doing life God’s way.

An equally strong God-inspired message comes from the pen of Paul. His letter to early Christians in Ephesus applies to us today. It gives practical advice on how to remain in the light that John wrote about, and away from dark influences that could alter your behavior in favor of evil.

“8 For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them” (Ephesians 5:8-11).

Paul’s message here is clear. Learn to identify righteousness, goodness, and truth, in other words, things that are at home in the light of God. These are tools Christians can use to decide if our words and actions represent light or dark. Paul’s letter indicates it is not good enough to just stay away from darkness. Part of walking in the light also means labeling or exposing evil. What friend would avoid a dangerous situation and then not notify others about such a threat?

If your decision is likely to cause either you or someone else to sin or veer into the realm of evil, then it would be wise to re-think your decision. This is true whether it impacts words that come out of your mouth, or actions you may be considering, or even the things you allow to take up space in your mind.

In this lifetime, we will never be able to describe ourselves as perfect since we are human. But in Romans 2:6, Matthew 25:26-30, 2 Corinthians 5:10, and 1 Corinthians 4:5 we find plenty of motivation for choosing righteousness over evil and wickedness. In the end, nothing is hidden from God. He knows completely our thoughts and motives, and will expose and judge them accordingly.

Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Decision-Making Principles: Does it appear evil?

by Barrett Vanlandingham
January 10, 2021 

So, what does it matter if your decisions are based on whether it appears evil? The short answer?  Rebelling against God or even flirting with evil has never ended well from the beginning of humanity.

In the Old Testament, the young King Manasseh of Judah got heavily involved in witchcraft.

 “He sacrificed his children in the fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, practiced divination and witchcraft, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the Lord, arousing his anger” (2 Chronicles 33:6).

It was only after God allowed him to be taken into captivity by Assyria that he had time to re-consider his ways. God forgave him and restored his kingdom.

Another case: King Saul disobeyed God, and so God rejected him as king and would not answer his prayer when Saul asked God’s advice during a time of war. So, Saul asked a medium (witch) to bring up the spirit of the prophet Samuel for advice. Samuel appeared but refused to help.  If he had helped, this would have been an act of rebellion, and would have put Samuel in the place of God which was something Samuel was unwilling to do. Just a few chapters earlier, Samuel compared rebellion to the sin of divination (witchcraft), and arrogance to idolatry (1 Samuel 15:23-24).

The wisest man who ever lived was Solomon. If there is anyone whose vast experiences gives credibility on the topic of good versus evil, wisdom versus folly, it is him.

“11 I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. 12 When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble. 13 Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life. 14 Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. 15 Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on. (Proverbs 4:11-15).

In Leviticus 19:26-33, God gave Moses laws to pass along to the Israelites, that included a warning against seeking out spiritists or mediums.

In so-called Bible times, much like today, there were false teachers and false prophets who claimed to teach the will of God. The early Christians had evidently been deceived by them, and as a result tended to just ignore all prophecies.

In the book of Thessalonians, the apostle Paul told Christians to not just throw out all prophecies but to “test them all and hold on to what is good.” They were able to “test” by comparing anyone’s teachings to the teachings of God’s word including the teachings of Christ supported by the countless miracles He performed so that people would believe His message.  Those prophecies and teachings that did not make the cut would be considered a form of evil and should be avoided (Thes. 5:21-22). The same is true today. It is always best to make decisions based on truths that are supported by God’s word. If it is not supported by God’s word, it is evil.

Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Decision-Making Principles: Will it promote purity?

by Barrett Vanlandingham
January 3, 2021 

So, what does it matter if your decisions are based on promoting pure thoughts and actions? The short answer?  God promises peace beyond understanding for those who do.

None of us really has to be reminded of how people everywhere are feeling during these days of pandemic unrest, emotional unrest, social unrest, political unrest, relationship unrest, and most of all spiritual unrest. The troubles of 2020 may not stop just because we are now in 2021, but that does not mean we have to deal with challenges in the same way. If our 2020 strategy did not work well for us, 2021 is the perfect time and opportunity to make some positive changes, at least in the way we handle stress and worry.

It was during times of trouble that the apostle Paul wrote these words to Christians in Philippi who were concerned about how Paul was doing chained to a Roman guard. Likewise, Paul was concerned about the young church’s inner conflict and about persecution from the outside. His letter served as encouragement that even in times of trial, it is possible and advisable to live life with joy.

            “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8).

            Just before this, Paul told his readers the peace of God comes through having a committed prayer life. This makes sense because what better way is there to “think about these things” than to be in a peaceful state of mind made possible through prayer. In the absence of an active prayer life to bring about peace, there is no one who would have a more stressful life than Paul who survived hunger, cold, being stoned, beaten with rods, and shipwrecked. Paul encouraged these new Christians to practice the same things he was preaching and practicing in his own life, which included prayer and obedience to Christ’s teachings.

            Without peace that comes from a relationship with God, people become impatient, often finding other solutions to their worries and failed relationships instead of waiting for an answer from the One who loves them most, God. Any other path to peace than God takes our thoughts away from the things Paul talked about in the verse above.

You want peace? Paul says to pray and let your mind be focused on things like purity, God’s truths, love for others, honor, and spiritual excellence. Any other path to peace is sure to fail.

             “Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble” (Psalm 119:165).  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Decision-Making Principles: Will It Cause Anyone to Stumble?

by Barrett Vanlandingham December 27, 2020

As the New Year approaches, many decisions are being made as to the changes people want to have happen in their life. For several weeks now, my articles have focused on some of the principles that should guide every Christian’s decision-making.  

We have looked at “Are my decisions Bible-based?”  “Would Jesus do it?”  “Does it bring glory to God?”  “Have I prayed seriously about it?”  and “Are my motives selfish?”

One of the blessings that has come about by living in a Covid-minded culture is that we have all been forced to think more about how our decisions affect other people. Just one cough or sneeze can cause severe illness or even death for someone else, especially those who are most at risk. This would be true for any airborne sickness for which a vaccine has not been invented, or even for the common cold for which there is no vaccine.

So, what does it matter if my decision-making principles are based on whether it could cause someone else to stumble spiritually?  In short, the Bible is very clear on the fact that God takes it very seriously when a stronger Christian does or says anything that results in sin for a weaker Christian. Sin can affect someone’s eternal destiny.

The apostle Paul said it is important to consider the effect on other people even when it comes to what we put into our own bodies.

“15 If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love… 19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall” (Romans 14:13-21).

Christians today, as well as in Paul’s day, must rise above the laws and policies that make otherwise disgusting, questionable, harmful, or unethical practices legal. Paul told Christians in Corinth that just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should, especially when it affects others in a negative way. Our ultimate goal should be that of saving souls.

23 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. 24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.

32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 33 even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. (1 Corinthians 10:23-24, 32-33).

Jesus doubled down on this issue in regard to the effects our decisions and actions have on young believers.

“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea” (Matthew 18:6).

In  Matthew 18:7 and John 16:33, Jesus told his disciples that we will all face trouble in this life. But by becoming more intentional in our decisions and actions, we can partner with God in making a positive difference in the lives of others in 2021. Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Jesus Changed Everything

by Barrett Vanlandingham
December 20, 2020 

            I think one of the most interesting things about Jesus is that he did not first come into existence when he was born.

            In John 1, the writer makes it clear that starting 2000 years ago with his birth, Jesus (the Word) experienced human life just like we do. But John also describes Jesus as Creator, which speaks to his eternal nature, a quality shared among God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

            “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome (or understood) it…. 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

            Although the Holy Spirit is almost immediately referenced in the Bible (Genesis 1:2), God uses the word “us” in the making of mankind (Genesis 1:27) which may be the first reference to include Jesus as part of the Godhead, since we were created in God’s image and not in the image of angels. Paul also refers to Jesus as Creator (Colossians 1:15-20).

            Jesus coming here made it possible for us to go to heaven. There are several kinds of sacrifices in the Old Testament that were required for those who wanted their sins forgiven. Some of those offerings involved the blood of bulls and goats, some did not. Take flour for instance. Yes, flour. It was allowed as a sin offering, to be burned on the altar, on top of the food offerings when someone could not afford a proper animal sacrifice (Leviticus 5:11-13).

            The writer of Hebrews 9:22 says forgiveness of sin is not possible without the shedding of blood. But the important thing to remember is that it was never the animal blood, grain, washing with water (Lev 17:15), money (Exodus 30:11-16), oil (Lev 14:29), turning a goat loose into the wild (Lev 16:10), or any other offering that ultimately made the difference. It was the blood of the only perfect sacrifice that ever lived. Jesus was that sacrifice. He changed everything for our broken world. Without him, our sins could never be forgiven, back then or today.

            Scripture uses the term “forgiven” in reference to those Old Testament offerings because those were acts of faith and obedience that would eventually be completed by God’s grace in the form of Jesus on the cross hundreds of years later. So, faithful obedient people who lived before Jesus’ crucifixion and after can all be saved.

            John 1:29 says, “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”   1 John 3:5 says, “But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin.”  Revelation 2:10 says, “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”          

            So, if you think of baby Jesus when you see Christmas lights, or sing Christmas carols, or see a nativity scene, please also remember he did a lot of work to save us long before that. He is not only the “Reason” for this season. He is the Reason for all seasons, past, present, and future.  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Decision-Making Principles: Do I have any doubts about this?

by Barrett Vanlandingham
December 13, 2020 

            So what does it matter if my decisions are based on whether I have doubts that it is the right thing to do? In short, if I am willing to risk my relationship with God, I am telling God that His will doesn’t matter as much as my wants matter.  This means I was willing to follow my own will even though I had an inkling that God may not be okay with it.

            Let’s say you want to watch a movie. You have heard it has a little bit of nudity and profanity in it.  You feel a little guilty for choosing to go ahead with it, but you do anyway. Afterwards, you realize you were evidently thinking of the wrong movie because the one you just watched was clean.  Did you sin in this example?

            Or how about this scenario: Many of the people you hang around use curse words. You know that’s wrong, so you choose to say a word that rhymes with a curse word. You feel a little guilty about saying it, but you really just want to fit in. After all, it’s not technically a curse word.  Did you sin in this example?

            To me, issue like these are hard to deal with because as a Christian, all I really want to do is make sure my actions and words are righteous, and a benefit to God’s kingdom and never a problem for it. But since too often I am just a selfish human, I am tempted to lean in favor of what I want, especially if I can convince myself the Bible doesn’t make a strong argument against whatever I am considering.

            The apostle Paul is a big help on this topic. If you have not read Romans 14, be prepared to have your mind blown. At least, that’s kind of how I felt the first several times I read it. The context here is the interaction of weak and strong Christians, and how being on God’s team is more about promoting righteousness, peace, and joy than judging each other’s attempts to honor God by things we do, eat, drink, or even the days we consider sacred.

            “19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.

22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin” (Romans 14:19-23).

            1 Corinthians 8 also explores this topic in regard to eating meat sacrificed to idols. Paul says even though there is only one God, and idols really amount to nothing, we would be in the wrong to cause a weaker brother to go against his conscience because a stronger brother’s example encouraged him to do so.

            Christians must always be vigilant that our words or actions never send a message that cause others to stumble spiritually or cause a divide or decay of anyone’s relationship with our Lord. Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Decision-Making Principles: Is it a righteous use of my time?

(Re-edited from newspaper version to make the three points clearer; new version used in the church announcement sheet on December 6)
December 6, 2020
by Barrett Vanlandingham  

            What does it matter if my decisions are a righteous use of my time?

The short answer: Time is running out, and in the end, we do not want to get caught opposing Jesus and the example he set for us to follow.

            . This was the message of the apostle Paul to Christians in Ephesus:

“15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit“ (Ephesians 5:15-18).

            Paul talks about three ways we should use our time: 1) be careful and make wise use of it, 2) don’t be foolish in what you think God expects of you, 3) and don’t waste your time with debauchery which is the opposite of righteousness. 

First, anyone who would try to argue that a person’s unwise and careless choice to sin instead of living righteously is no one else’s business needs to read the Bible. It is full of examples of innocent people suffering consequences because of their relationship to someone who did not think about anyone but themselves. That is exactly why the children of Israel had to wander around in the wilderness for 40 years. They could have gone directly from Egyptian slavery to the “Promised Land” of Canaan in a matter of days But most of the Israelite spies did not have faith that the Lord would help them conquer the land (Numbers 14). They convinced the people of this and even encouraged them to grumble against Moses and the Lord. The Israelites all suffered because they chose to be influenced be the careless unwise actions of a few.

Second, in the parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew 25, only five of them made wise use of their time and chose to bring enough lamp oil to keep their flames burning while waiting to greet the bridegroom. As a result, they were ready and prepared to enter the wedding banquet. However, the five foolish virgins were shut outside because they assumed they could show up late for the wedding banquet after they went to purchase more lamp oil. They foolishly did not understand the will of the bridegroom. The same could happen to us if we choose to not take the time to understand God’s will.

            Third, a few thousand years before Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, Noah engaged in debauchery after the flood when he got drunk on wine from his vineyard (Genesis 9:20-27). Debauchery is any Godless act involving out of control behavior.  In time, and evidently with some life changes on Noah’s part, Bible history describes him as faithful, heir of righteousness, and as a preacher of righteousness (Hebrews 11:7, 2 Peter 2:5).  Still, Noah would have saved his family and entire nations a lot of turmoil if he would have exercised some self-control. His son Ham was the father of the nation of Canaan. But because of Noah’s anger over Ham seeing him passed out drunk and naked and telling his brothers about it, Noah cursed the entire nation of Canaan to be slaves of the territories belonging to brothers Japheth and Shem.

A wise Christian is holy. This means serving God with the limited time we have. And just like in the days of Noah, choosing sin over righteousness, even if only temporarily, not only affects the one making the bad choices, but other people, too. There is no middle ground. Choosing righteousness is the wise choice.

            Jesus said, “As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4).  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Decision-Making Principles: Have I Prayed Seriously about It?

by Barrett Vanlandingham
November 29, 2020 

            What does it matter if my decisions are made only after serious prayer?

The short answer: God knows when your heart is sincere versus just saying words.

            The first recorded instance of prayer came after the birth of Adam’s grandson (Seth’s son), Enosh, when “people began to call upon the name of the LORD” (Genesis 4:26).

            Perhaps this resulted from the example Adam set by giving God credit for the birth of Seth after Abel’s murder (4:25). Adam and Eve had a lot of things they could have stayed bitter about besides their banishment from the Garden of Eden. But their willingness to move ahead with God may very well have set the tone among family and friends to acknowledge their Creator and have a sincere prayer relationship with Him.

            The theme of submitting to the Father’s will is carried into the New Testament where Jesus set the ultimate example of humility: dying on the cross for our sins. Jesus applauds this quality in the parable of the self-righteous Pharisee and the humble tax collector who had both gone up to the temple to pray. Pharisees were among the religious elite. They were well-studied and strived to follow God’s law to a tee which resulted in the sin of having a “better than thou” attitude. Tax collectors were often known to be dishonest. But in this parable, it was the tax collector who exhibited sincerity, humility, and deep embarrassment over the life he was living as he approached God in prayer. In the end, it was the tax collector’s prayer that God accepted.

            “11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’  13 But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner’” (Luke 18:11-13).

            In the famed Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warned his disciples against practicing righteousness such as good works and public prayer for the purpose of impressing others:

            “7 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words” (Matthew 6:5-7).

            Public prayer leaders, teachers, and servants of various kinds are much needed. In fact, just one chapter before this, Jesus tells us to let our light shine, but with an attitude that would glorify God and not ourselves (Matthew 5:14-16).  

            It really is about the heart, whether a prayer is public or private. Our motives for offering prayer matter (James 4:3), as do our efforts in walking God’s path during our faith journey here in this life (James 5:16, 1 Peter 3:12, 1 John 1:7).

            Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Decision-Making Principles: Are my motives selfish or unselfish?

by Barrett Vanlandingham
November 22, 2020 

            What does it matter if my decisions are based on selfish or unselfish motives?

The short answer: God wants us to think of others first.

            James 4:3 tells his readers that the reason they did not receive from God what they asked for was because they asked with wrong motives. James said their motive was strictly pleasure. He said we cannot be friends with the world and with God. In fact, James said, “Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God” (James 4:4).

            God not only places this much importance on our motives in dealing with the subject of prayer and our intent when we approach Him, this frame of mind is also important in our everyday life. God cares about our motives, not just what we do and say, but why we do and say.

            Remember, God is patient with us and does not want anyone to lose their soul. That is why He urges us to pattern our lives after Jesus and walk by His Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit, and verse 25 tells us we should stay in step with the Spirit. None of the Spirit’s qualities such as love, joy, and peace have anything to do with selfishness, and in Philippians 4:8, we are told to think about things that are pure and lovely. Selfishness somehow did not make the list of things to think about.

            The apostle Paul said that when the Lord comes, He will expose motives of the heart and give praise to those who prove faithful (1 Corinthians 4:1-5). I sometimes wonder if any of us would live our lives more faithful to God if punishment for wrong motives and disobedience were immediate. I don’t know. In the Old Testament days, God was more immediate in this regard, but it did not seem to have any effect. People have always been stubborn and rebellious. But make no mistake about it, just because people are not punished immediately for sin does not mean God has forgotten.

            In his letter to the church in Philippi, Paul hits this topic head on:

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:3-5).  He proceeds to write about the humility Christ showed by putting His own comforts aside in order to save us.

            Paul told a much younger Timothy that devoting himself to God’s word would not only result in salvation for himself but for those who learned from Timothy’s example (1 Timothy 4:15-16).

            Our motives really do matter. So many times, people we thought were honest turn out to be dishonest, or were only doing something for selfish reasons. That is so disheartening. May we all strive to be pure in heart in everything we say, do, and think. Have a great week.

Above the Sun: Decision-Making Principles: Can it be done in Jesus’ name?

by Barrett Vanlandingham
November 15, 2020 

            What does it matter if my decisions can be done in the name of the Lord Jesus?

The short answer:  As God’s chosen people (1 Peter 2:9), we should have a Christlike attitude and feel confident that if Jesus were physically standing here with us today, he would agree with our words and actions. We should be able to say, “Jesus told me to” or “I checked with Jesus and he said it is okay.”

            The apostle Paul said, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17).

            Why would Paul say something like that? Well, he tried life the other way and it did not work for him. Paul wound up being struck blind by Jesus himself on his way to persecute Christians. It was by experiencing temporary but total blindness that Paul learned to see spiritually as well as regain his physical sight (Acts 9, 22, 26).

            Paul spent the rest of his life following “the Way.” Acts 9:1 is the first time this term is used to describe Christians “belonging to the Way.”  It comes from a Greek word meaning road, highway, or way of life leading to salvation or the true way of life in relation to God. The expression occurs throughout the book of Acts.

            Today, we can read stories of “the Way” of Jesus and apply those solid Biblical teachings to help us distinguish good from evil (Hebrews 5:14).

            As we read God’s word, our faith in God and our hope through Jesus Christ is strengthened. Those who put their faith in Jesus “clothe yourselves with Christ” by being “baptized into Christ” (Galatians 3:26-27). This is when God adds you to His church (Acts 2:41, 47). This is accomplished with God’s power, grace, and work, not ours (Colossians 2:12, Ephesians 2:8-9).

            Being clothed in Christ allows us to follow the example of Jesus. We are to live as he lived and do the good works that God gave us to do (Ephesians 2:10).

            New Christians and even those of us who’ve been around for a while need to be reminded of what it means to “Do all in the name of the Lord.”         

            In Colossians 3:1-17, Paul took the opportunity to tell his readers exactly how to do this and win the ultimate prize of appearing with Christ in glory (3:4). Paul said to “set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

            Next, Paul does two things. He makes list of sinful activities such as impurity, idolatry, and lying that Christians need to put to death in their lives. Then, he makes a list of good qualities such as kindness, compassion, patience, and humility to apply in the lives of those who are clothed in Christ.

            At the end of Paul’s list, he tells us to “forgive as the Lord forgave you” and “put on love,” which unifies everything else (3:14).

            Doing things in the name of Jesus involves more than just saying his name before you say or do something, it involves careful decision-making, leading to a life reflecting the love, joy, humility, and compassion of Christ. Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Decision-Making Principles: Does it bring glory to God?

by Barrett Vanlandingham
November 8, 2020

            One might ask, “What does it matter if my decisions bring glory to God?” The short answer: Jesus brought glory to the Father by serving others and we should too.

            If you are a Christian, it is Christ who lives in you (Galatians 2:20). He lived here to do the will of the Father (John 6:38) and to bring honor to Him (John 17:1, 4, 18, 19). As disciples of Jesus Christ, we should also strive to bring glory to God by doing His will (John 15:8).

            It is by studying the Bible that we learn how to bring glory to God, and at the same time learn to distinguish good from evil (Hebrews 5:14).

            In 1 Corinthians 10:31-33, the apostle Paul said that everything we do should be to glorify God, no matter what it is. This kind of life seeks the highest good of other people, and in the end will result in the salvation of souls that would otherwise be lost.

            God has never been a fan of lip service and man-made traditions presented as God’s law. People have always tried to trick God into believing they are bringing honor and glory to Him when it was really only about making themselves look good or doing what was convenient for them.

            In Matthew 15:7-9, Jesus refers back to words written 700 years earlier by the prophet Isaiah: “The LORD says: ‘These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught’’” (Isaiah 29:13).

            Jesus uses this passage to scold the religious high and mighty of the day (Pharisees) who took an over-abundance of pride in doing things right while pointing out others’ faults. The Pharisees failed at applying the heart of God and the intent of God’s law in real life situations. Most often, the Pharisees failed with regard to compassion, mercy, and just plain old common sense such as when Jesus explained the hypocrisy of the Pharisees when they criticized Him for working on the Sabbath when He healed a man’s sickness.

            "If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?" (Luke 14:5)

             In Isaiah 1:13-20, the prophet expressed God’s disgust with a rebellious nation whose sacrifices were considered by God to be “meaningless offerings.” Even their prayers were ignored by God because their check-mark religion of offerings and ceremonies did not change their heart to be like God’s. Their religion was shallow and did not translate to their willingness to live right, defend the oppressed, and seek justice (1:15-17).

            False religion does not bring glory to God. It is worthless (Jeremiah 7:1-11).

Using God’s blessings for evil, like Israel did, is also a good way to get on God’s bad side (Hosea 2:8-13). And in Malachi 1:6-14, God is disgusted with Israel for offering Him inferior sacrifices and thinking God won’t notice or care that they were not giving Him their best.

            It is just as important to honor God today as it was thousands of years ago. And just like back then, glorifying God is not about pumping up God’s ego and self-esteem. It is really all about serving others in such a way they will also want to trust God’s word and walk the path of righteousness that leads to salvation.

            Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Decision-Making Principles: Would Jesus do it?

by Barrett Vanlandingham
November 1, 2020 

            So why does it matter if your decisions are based on whether Jesus would do it?  In short, if He wouldn’t do it, then we shouldn’t either.

            The apostle and writer John quotes Jesus as saying, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father expect through me” (John 14:6).

            Now THAT is some serious motivation to do as Jesus did and to speak as He spoke. Jesus made sure we have all we need to do just that.

            When Jesus left this earth, the Bible says He sent his Holy Spirit to be with us: “I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you” (John 16:7).

            Jesus knew what He was talking about. After He had left this earth, the Holy Spirit (or Helper) did, in fact, make His presence known during the Jewish feast known as Pentecost. About 120 of Jesus’ disciples who had gathered, both men and women, began to miraculously declare the wonders of God in other languages (Acts 2:11) that could be understood by thousands of people from various nations who had come to the feast (Acts 1-2).  

            Peter explained to the crowd that this miraculous event was foretold by the prophet Joel, and that King David wrote about the resurrected Messiah long ago, the very Jesus “whom you crucified” (Acts 2:36). The message and miracles were so convincing that three-thousand previously non-believers now believed in Jesus as their only hope of salvation. They repented, were baptized, and the Lord added them to the church that very day (Acts 2:41, 47).

            The New Testament tells us the Holy Spirit is available to help, guide, comfort, and even intercede for us when we do not know what to ask of God (Romans 8:26-27). Peter says every baptized believer receives the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). Yes, your body can become a temple of the Christ’s Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Romans 8:9-11) and have available all the qualities of His Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) that Christians are supposed to stay in step with (Galatians 5:25). Paul warned early Christians to not quench the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19). So yes, it is possible to throw away such a magnificent gift.

            The writers of the 27 books of the New Testament were inspired by Christ’s Holy Spirit in the words they wrote down for everyone since that time to read and receive instruction from God (2 Timothy 3:16).

            Hebrews 5:14 tells us those who consume the Bible’s message can distinguish good from evil. And why wouldn’t this be the case since Jesus’ Holy Spirit inspired the very words of the Bible, and Jesus himself is the pioneer and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2)? He experienced the best and the worst of life on earth. He showed us how to live by faith, obeying and trusting the Father to save us even when life gets complicated (Colossians 3:1-4).  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Decision-Making Principles: Is It Biblical?

by Barrett Vanlandingham
October 25, 2020 

            “But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:14).

            So why does it matter if your decisions are based on what the Bible says? According to the writer of Hebrews, it is because your chances of making the best decisions possible depend on having knowledge of God’s word, the Bible. And when we apply God’s word daily to our lives, we get better at identifying right from wrong, unholy from holy, sin from righteousness.

            The question of whether something is biblical is important because the Bible, after thousands of years, has continued to prove reliable in every way: geographically, historically, archeologically, and societally. We still base years in history on their relation to Christ’s time on earth: B.C. or A.D.

            We can trust the Bible, Old Testament (OT) and New Testament (NT). People such as Josephus, Polycarp, Ignatius, Tertullian, and Origen who lived within a few years of Jesus to 300 years afterwards spoke about Jesus, made lists of the books of the NT, and quoted the NT thousands of times.  

            Writers of the NT made 103 references to Old Testament (OT) scriptures, of which, 60 referred to Genesis. Jesus himself quoted and made reference to the writings of at least 14 books of the Old Testament including Genesis and the facts about creation (Matthew 19:4, Mark 13:19, Gen. 1-2), and Cain’s killing of Abel (Luke 11:51, Gen. 4:8), marriage defined as the coming together of a man and a woman (Mark 10:6-8, Gen 1:18, 2:22-24), Noah and the flood (Luke 17:26-27, Gen. 6-9), and the story of Jonah being swallowed by a big fish (Matthew 12:39-41, Jonah 1).  He also made reference to OT people including Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, Solomon, the Queen of Sheba, Elijah, the prophets Isaiah, Daniel, and others.

           In the NT, Colossians 1:15-17 and John 1:1-14 place Jesus with God in the beginning where creation is described in Genesis 1-2.

            John 5:39 quotes Jesus himself making a strong connection with the OT:

            He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you:

Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the

Prophets and the Psalms” (John 5:39).

            All of this serves to remind us that though we are New Testament Christians today, the writers of the NT and Jesus clearly believed in the wisdom, credibility, accuracy, and reliability of the OT. In fact, 2 Timothy 3:16 says “all scripture is inspired by God,” and that would include the NT as well since 2 Peter 3:15-16 refers to Paul’s NT writings as “scripture.”

            This world throws us a lot of distractions. But God has given us his holy word to guide us every step of the way. Have a great week!