Mitchell Landress

Are We To Be Removed From Suffering? Often the argument comes up, when the church is discussing the tribulation that is to come at the end of the age, that God will not allow those whom He loves to go through such tribulation. There are at least two reasons why we must proclaim this to be false. First, there is no way to reconcile the presence of martyrs in the book of Revelation and the exalted status that they receive with the idea that Christians are removed from trouble. This would mean that some Christians received a preferred treatment. It is true that God is capable of keeping His own from tribulation (Rev. 3:10), but at the same time there is much to be gained from laying down your life for the gospel (Rev. 6:9-11). There is also a second reason why we believe that God’s ultimate desire is not to keep us from trials and tribulations. The reason is that He is able to keep us safe through the tribulation. The idea here is paralleled to the way that God keeps us safe in death. Whe...

Our secretary asked me this morning to write out a list of all the things that I am thankful for so that they could be published in our church's weekly Enewsletter. So I gave it some thought. I wanted to be specific, because true gratitude is specific. The list is numerous and goes from the very serious to the very silly. Still, it is all true of me and in writing out the list I found that I am a grateful person. I encourage you to write out your own. Here is mine. The Spirit of Christ within me that both teaches me from His Word and disciplines my rebellion. Numerous copies of the Scriptures that water my thirsty soul. A beautiful wife who reminds me daily of the importance of laughter and still enjoys holding my hand. A wonderful son whose smile is as constant as it is contagious. Parents who are still giddy in love with each other. The youth who refresh me weekly with their questions about Scripture and ability to laugh at me and themselves. Those of the congregation who never c...

Can We Be Grateful When Life Is Too Good? Thanksgiving is an act of faith. It is the response of a submissive creature to its Creator. In Leviticus, Israel is instructed to bring offerings of thanksgiving to God. Throughout Psalms David sings praises of thanksgiving to the Lord for His deliverance and protection. Isaiah gave thanks to God when he saw through revelation what the future of Israel would be. Jesus, on the night of His arrest, gave thanks as He shared the Passover with His disciples. Thanksgiving is not about the comfort of our situation. Offerings were made by the Levites while they wandered through the wilderness. David wrote Psalms of thanksgiving in the midst of constant warfare. Isaiah gave thanks to God for the distant future, knowing that in the short-term his nation would be destroyed. Jesus ministered out of a thankful heart, knowing that His betrayal and crucifixion were imminent. Thanksgiving is not the response of pleasant situation, it is the resolve and trust ...