Mitchell Landress

My father is a giver. That is the way he expresses his feelings toward those he loves. Whether it is buying you breakfast, a new shirt, filling your gas tank up before your long trip, or simply making sure that you have money in your all too empty wallet, he is a giver. For those who follow Gary Chapman, this is his "love language". Most of us either know someone like this or we have this trait in ourselves. So it is no small wonder that we would expect this out of heavenly father. What we might not be ready for and what God may be ready to reveal to us is a love that we have not known - a love that takes away. At first glance it almost seems backwards and down right cruel. Why would a God who loves us take away from us the things that we love? How is this an expression of love? Is it not cruel? Is it not hate? Indeed it is not! God knows what we need most. God knows what will bring us more contentment and more satisfaction that anything and knowing this - if He really loves ...

Matthew 1:1-17 1 The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham: 2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. 3 Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar , Perez was the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram. 4 Ram was the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon. 5 Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab , Boaz was the father of Obed by Ruth , and Obed the father of Jesse. 6 Jesse was the father of David the king. David was the father of Solomon by Bathsheba who had been the wife of Uriah. 7 Solomon was the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa. 8 Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah. 9 Uzziah was the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. 10 Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh, M...

A student recently asked me to help her with the preparations of a Bible study. The answer I gave her was not the answer she was looking for, so it started me thinking. How do you teach a Bible study if you have never done it before and have no training. Here are a few basics that might get the beginner on the road, but are probably "old hat" to the seasoned teacher. Should You Be Teaching? This is a good place to start. Anyone who wants to lead in a meaningful Bible study needs to have some time carved out of their schedule to spend time in the Bible. This allotment of time will often come at a great price. Other items on the schedule will need to be sacrificed or scaled back. Also, the heart must have a spark of yearning in it to know more of Scripture, a thirst if you will. Without this, the Bible study will be bland at best. In my experience, few people have this desire - but they make for incredible Bible study leaders. Meditate On Scripture This is the key. Saturate you...

We have a saying in the South, actually we have many sayings in the South. Some of them make more sense than others. One that I am particularly fond of is "Good Ol' Boy." The term however is hard to place. It is definitely male, that much is obvious, but the "good" part is a little harder to define. You don't exactly have to be of the greatest moral character to have the term "Good O'l Boy" ascribed to you. You can be a good ol' boy and drink, you can even drink to excess. You can smoke, cuss, chew, and date women who do - and still be a "good ol' boy." You can spend time in jail and be a "good ol' boy", in fact I have visited some of them there. You can lie and even steal and still be dubbed this way by all of southern royalty. It makes you wonder though- is there anything that can get you disqualified from being a "good ol' boy"? As far as I know there are only a few things: selling government sec...

Few songs have been able to minister to me in the way this song has. Through the hardest times in my life this song has been a source of comfort, strength, and joy. I just wanted to share it with anyone who may need it as much as I have. Thy Mercy Thy mercy, my God, is the theme of my song The joy of my heart and the boast of my tongue Thy free grace alone from the first to the last Hath won my affection and bound my soul fast Without thy sweet mercy I could not live here Sin would reduce me to utter despair But through Thy free goodness my spirit's revived And He that first made me still keeps me alive Thy mercy is more than a match for my heart Which wonders to feel its own hardness depart Dissolved by Thy goodness I fall to the ground And weep for the praise of the mercy I've found Hallelujah! Great Father of mercies Thy goodness I own In the covenant love of Thy crucified Son All praise to the Spirit whose whisper divine Seals mercy and pardon and righteousness mine All pra...

Colossians 2:13-15 13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, 14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him. My wife says that I am terrible "movie-picker-outer". It's not that the movies that I choose are full of violence or nudity or anything of that sort, it is just that some of my favorites movies tend to lack a few key elements; such as plot, direction, good actors, and so on and so forth. So I was greatly dismayed this week as I did some research on one of the films that I loved as a child. In 1981 there was a remake of the 1952 classic The Legend of The Lone Ranger. This movie held a great place in m...

You simply must see this!! This is John Piper at his best and he is taking on the prosperity gospel and rightly calling it the lie that it is. It is an incredible message from a godly and holy man. Please take the time to watch this!

At the beginning of Mark chapter thirteen Jesus is leaving the temple area and one of his disciples points out the grandure of the temple buildings. Jesus' remark to that disciple concerns the fact that these buildings will one day be torn down. The disciples question Him further as to the times of these events, and so begins an extended teaching from Jesus on the end times.As Jesus' remarks are drawing to a close, He makes this comment in Mark 13:30: "Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place." (NASB) So the reader is left to wonder the meaning of this statement. Either our understanding of generation is wrong, or we are understanding what Jesus meant by "these things" wrong. I think there are at least two solutions. The word for generation (genea: Greek) could mean, as some side column reference Bibles note, "the human race". This is possible, since the events have not all happened and the human race...

Every once and a while The Lord will allow you to go through situations that you would never imagine could be beneficial. Jesus told Peter, on the night that He was betrayed, that Satan had demanded permission to sift him like wheat. Jesus told Peter that He had prayed for him and then instructed Peter that when he returns that he was to strengthen his brothers. (Luke 22:31-34) I do not know what Peter felt during this time. I do know what his life was like after Christ was raised from the dead. Peter was changed. That is in fact putting it lightly. I want to share a few lessons I learned from the grace that God has shown to me as He allowed me to be sifted. God will stop at nothing to humble his servants. He abhors arrogance and will seek it out to destroy it at all costs and will not tolerate any to remain. Ministry is a privilege and not a right. No one deserves to be a minister, it is an honor and must be treated as such. God's Word is the only thing that will heal some wounds....

Which is true, predestination or free will? The answer is that both are true. They are both true because the Bible affirms that both are true. God does choose those who will be saved and it is settled, and those who follow Christ freely choose him as an act of their own free will or volition.Since the Bible affirms both, why then is there is still debate? The debate comes when some choose to emphasize the one and not the other. If one is emphasized over the other, it should be because one has strong convictions that the Bible emphasizes one stronger than the other.Those who emphasize the predestination side of salvation are Calvinists, after the French Reformer John Calvin. Those who emphasize the free will aspect of salvation are typically referred to as Arminians, after Jacob Arminius. It is however, impossible to answer this question without giving away my position. I am a Calvinist (5 points, if you are counting; and if you want to know what the five points are I will post that bel...

I am a young earther. That means that I believe that The LORD created the heavens and the earth and all that they contain in six literal 24 hour periods. Those who hold that the evolutionary model is correct (billions and billions of years without a creator) often say that the six literal days is impossible because the sun (the basis for a 24 hour day) is not created until day four(Genesis 1:14-19). A good point to be sure, but what of the light that is spoken of in 1:3? The famous line "Let there be light" is often equated with the sun. But if the sun is created 3 days later than the light, what could this first act of creation be? I believe the hint to what is happening is found at the polar opposite end of the Bible. In Revelation 21:23 Scripture states: "And the city [New Jerusalem i.e., heaven] has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the lamb," and again in 22:5 it states; "And there will...

Having made it home from a week of travels to the SBC and tour of Texas (DFW area) and while still suffering from a minor case of jet-lag I felt the need to post a few reflections from the 2007 meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention while they were still fresh on my mind. These thoughts are neither in-depth, nor educated (which may mean inaccurate), but they are reflections from an observer and participant. The Messengers For the most part I was disappointed with the messengers of the SBC. They seem to be neither engaged in the serious matters of the SBC, nor caring that they are not. Many sit during the worship songs or make useless cell phone calls. I was also amazed by the number of empty seats. Where were you? The Seminary Presidents This was very encouraging. I thank God for men like R. Albert Mohler Jr., Daniel Akin, and Paige Patterson who will take a bold stand for the cause of the gospel, the high calling of the minister, and the innerancy of Scripture. They are "bold...

Often lovers will speak of proclaiming their love from the mountain tops. Here in Gainesville, FL it loses a little punch, since mountains only appear in pictures. A greater voice might be to proclaim my love for my wife from the high mountain of cyberspace for many to hear. Often in Christianity, and especially at Mother's Day, people are fond of quoting Proverbs 31. This is truly a picture of a godly woman and my wife would be all of these things. Or at least she would be if the opportunity availed her. Not much of a market for wool and flax these days, but if there were, I am sure that my wife would dominate the trade. But here are a few things that I love about my wife that send her way beyond the greatness that is described in Proverbs 31, so I attempt (but not really) to write Proverbs 32. She's the jewel that crowns her family and her smile is more bright than day, she's encouraging and sure each step along the way. Her laughter is contagious and her house is safe an...

Fighting For Joy By Remembering Promises In my bedroom there is a jar. It sits on top of my dresser right beside the television set. It is a small glass jar with a glass lid. It is only about five inches tall and equally as wide. Inside the jar is my loose change. Whatever is left in my pockets at the end of the day, that didn't make into the seat cushion or in the nearest Coke machine- goes in the jar. Not much change either. It is only about half full, or half empty depending on the level of your melancholy. Mine tends to be high. I don't know exactly how much change is in their. In fact, I couldn't even guess. There are pennies, nickels, dimes, maybe a few quarters (but not too many quarters -remember the Coke machine, oh and gumball machines too, those will eat up your quarters). The point is, its just there. I don't know how much money is in it. I don't count this money and I don't depend on it for anything important. So, it is unimportant to me. If it were...

Savoring The Easy Yoke of Salvation In Christ I have this chair in my living room. The chair and its matching couch were given to me by my parents. In fact, all of the furniture in our apartment was given to us by some relative or another. Nothing really matches, it’s a hodge-podge of sorts – kind of like a garage sale. A well organized garage sale, but a garage sale nonetheless. Anyway, back to this chair. I love to sit in this chair. You can sit in it very comfortably in the normal "seated" position, but that is rarely how I sit in it. You see, the chair is oversized. It has a low back and low arm rests and the cushions are really soft. So the best way for me to sit in this chair is to tuck myself back in one of its corners and then pull my feet up into the chair with me. I can then sling one arm over the back of the chair and nestle one elbow into the cushiony arm, completely ready for any task that is given to me. As long as those tasks include: TV watching, thinking, tal...

Letter To A Friend Concerning Ephesians 4:8 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it says, "WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN." Ephesians 4:7-8 (NASB) The context of this passage concerns the unity of the church. Paul states in verse three that the Ephesians are to "preserve the unity of the church and in verse thirteen he states "until we all attain to the unity of the faith." That much is settled, God wants Christians to be united. The remarkable thing is that this unity comes to the church through the diversity of its people. Verse seven states that "But each one of us grace was given…" Verse 11 follows by saying "And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers." This grace from God is the gifts that God gives to His children so that the church of the lord Jesus Christ ...

4 Reasons I Believe Jesus Did Not Descend Into Hell Easter is a good time to contemplate Christ in the grave and throughout history many have debated as to just what happen during those three days. One view is that Christ descended into hell. Here are four reasons why I believe that this is not so. 1. Lack of Biblical Evidence Those who hold that Jesus descended into hell after His death on Friday of the Passion Week typically point to four passages of Scripture: Acts 2:27, Romans 10:6-7, Ephesians 4:8-9, and 1 Peter 3:18-20. Vague would be the best description of these passages. Save the reference from 1 Peter, you would have to read a preconceived notion on top of these text in order to “see” a reference to Christ’s descending into hell. But what of the reference from 1 Peter 3:18-20. The verse in question reads: “in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison.” (NASB). If Christ did not descend into hell, what could this possibly mean? In the context of suf...

Congregations Are Dying To Hear God's Word It didn't take long to get sick of the media coverage of Anna Nicole Smith's death. One fact was amazing however. The autopsy revealed that she had eleven different drugs in her system at the time of her death. Eleven different pills. This can only mean one thing. Desperation. I think the church is desperate too. A desperation born in thirst and hunger for what is real. But reality is not present. A child starving to death does not need cotton candy and a man suffering dehydration does not need Swiss mocha cappuccinos. Solid food and pure water will produce health. But we in church have settled for less. Our desperation has driven us to the same place that it drove Ms. Smith. We, in frantic desperation, have swallowed the wrong pill. And not just one. Before one is digested we swallow another and another and another until our stomach is packed and we are at the point of death. Only one thing satisfies and that is Jesus Christ. All ...

Why I Preach and Teach Expositional Messages But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. (2 Peter 1:20-21) When I make the comment that I believe Scripture is inspired, I do not mean in the same way that Willie Nelson was inspired to write Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain or that James Taylor was inspired to write Fire And Rain . This "inspiration" can be attributed to hard work, talent, focus, and moments of clear thinking (well, maybe not with Willie). This is not the definition I think of when I picture Moses or Matthew or John setting down with parchment and ink before them. When I say that the biblical authors were inspired, I mean that the Spirit of God came on them in such a way as to change their very will. That is, what they would have never written before or could have ever written before they now did. The Holy S...

Letter To A Friend On How To Listen To God We are good at asking God for things. The answer is not always quick in coming though. So what do we do? Our depravity would tell us to give up, consider the matter hopeless, and try to make as good of a decision for ourselves as possible. Waiting for the answer, it seems, may be the hardest part of our relationship with God. An all-inclusive answer on how to listen to God would take up much time and much space. Already, I have dwelt on this subject for three weeks. My friend needed an answer, from me as well as from God, this is a little of what I gave to her. Psalm 4 describes the communicative relationship between man and God. The end of verse three says "The Lord hears when I call to Him." This much is for sure, but what to do when the answer from God tarries? Verse four continues, "Tremble and do not sin". That is, wait in fear of the Lord, depending on Him and not with the attitude of a "double-minded man" (...

Training Our Hearts To Love Christ Above All Else There is a reason why the phrase True Love Waits is absent from our church this February. It is not because we do not value sexual purity among our youth- we most certainly do. It is the motive behind it that causes me to depart from the traditional phrase. There are at least two mistakes that I want to avoid. First, I don’t want to spend too much time congratulating those who have held on to their virginity, for fear that those who have not may think themselves unfit to serve Christ with their lives. Secondly, there is a deeper heart issue at stake, namely a love and passion for Jesus Christ. This can be missed if we try to frighten abstinence into our teens with talk of AIDS and teen pregnancy. Love Them Less takes a different approach. It is based on a poem by Dr. John Piper entitled "Love Her More and Love Her Less." The poem, originally written for his son’s wedding day, speaks to the fact that the spouse is to take the...

Fighting Against Isolationism As I was scanning through the information for Net-Flix this weekend I was amazed at how easy it sounds. I simply sign up for the service and the movies come right to my door. I never have to leave home. Then I realized what never leaving home means. It simply means that I lose another area of accountability in my life. As it is now, whenever I want to rent a movie, my wife and I go into the blockbuster store together and pick out our selection. Even though we have made a personal commitment never to watch a R-rated movie, I still find myself reading the back of the cases to see what the movies are about and of course to check the rating. What I have in the process is a means of accountability. I know that everyone in the store is potentially watching me and my conscience is telling me to stay above reproach in all that I look at. When movies come to your door you loose this area of accountability. You can order anything you want and no one sees your choice...