Author Archives: lrbartel

Apr 26 2020
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Devos

A Springtime Song of Worship

Beautiful Spring Day

Got up early this springtime morning in the middle of this coronavirus / COVID-19 crisis to have my daily devotions (I call my devotional time “coffee with the Lord). I felt a little down… But got my Bible, a good cup of coffee, and as part of my Bible reading I read Psalm 65… after I finished it, I gave it this title… “A Springtime Song of Worship!”

Is that title appropriate? See what you think…

“What mighty praise, O God, belongs to you!

We will fulfill our vows to you, for you answer our prayers.

All of us come to you.

Though we are overwhelmed by our sins, you forgive them all.

What joy for those you choose to bring near, those who live in your holy courts.

You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds, O God our savior.

You are the hope of everyone on earth.

You formed the mountains by your power and armed yourself with mighty strength.

You quieted the raging oceans with their pounding waves.

Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of your wonders.

From where the sun rises to where it sets, you inspire shouts of joy!

“You take care of the earth and water it, making it rich and fertile.

You drench the plowed ground with rain, melting the clods and leveling the ridges.

You soften the earth with showers and bless its abundant crops.

You crown the year with a bountiful harvest.

The grasslands of the wilderness become a lush pasture, and the hillsides blossom with joy.

The meadows are clothed with flocks of sheep, and the valleys are carpeted with grain. they all shout and sing for joy!”

(From Psalm 65 New Living Translation)

Hey, I looked outside… It’s a beautiful day out there! I made the word of this wonderful Psalm “my springtime son of worship.” … Regardless of the circumstances in our day! Our Creator God and Savior is worthy of our praise!

Apr 23 2020
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Devos

Waiting for God to Act or Answer… Not Easy!

Looking at your watchWaiting for someone or something is NEVER easy! (Ever had to do it?) But it’s especially difficult for “Type A” personalities (and I happen to be one)!
 
Pace the floor… Look at the watch… Pace the floor… Look at the phone for a message… Pace the floor… Check with your wife, roommate or friend… Pace the floor… Look out the window… Pace the floor… Get it? And I could go on and on…
 
Waiting for the Lord is no easier… Waiting for Him to act… Waiting for His promises to be fulfilled… Waiting for an answer to prayer… Waiting for His intervention… Even waiting for His blessings!
 
There’s a Psalm about that… Psalm 62:
 
“I WAITED QUIETLY before God. My victory comes from Him! HE ALONE is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken.
 
“Let all that I am WAIT QUIETLY before God! My hope is in Him! HE ALONE is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.
 
“My victory and honor come from GOD ALONE! He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. Trust in Him at all times!”
 
And then an exhortation to steer clear of illegitimate means to solve problems (even legal means if it is a demonstration of self-trust)… “Don’t make your living by extortion or put your hope in stealing! (Illegitimate means) And if your wealth increases, don’t make it the center of your life! (Legitimate but the evidence of self-trust) (From Psalm 62 NLT)
 
Did you get it? … Wait quietly for God alone!
 
Not easy you say? I know! But here’s a wonderful promise… “But those who WAIT FOR THE LORD will RENEW THEIR STRENGTH; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint!” (Isaiah 40:31 ESV) A promise of supernatural, divine enablement for those quietly wait for the Lord to act and trust Him completely! Wow!
Apr 22 2020
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Devos

God’s got an “open door policy!”

Open door policy
So grateful for God’s “open door policy!”
Seriously, I had a wonderful boss, who on the day he hired me, told me, “I’ve always maintained an ‘open door policy!’ If you need to visit with me about a concern or matter, just stop by and if I’m free we can talk about it. If I’m not immediately free my secretary has been instructed to schedule time together with you at my earliest available opportunity.”
Just gotta say… What a blessing! What a relief! And the best part… He wasn’t kidding! He practiced it!
Well during my time of “coffee with the Lord” today, my mind drifted to some persistent matters of concern – some big, some not so big, but troubling nevertheless! I was fretting about them…
And then I heard God’s sweet, persistent voice pierce through my fretting and anxiety… “Hey, LeRoy, remember I have an ‘open door policy!”
And He does! Listen to God’s word on the issue:
“Since we have a great high priest in the heavens, Jesus the Son of God… who can sympathize with us in our weaknesses and has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin – therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need!” (From Hebrews 4:14-16)
“For through Him [Jesus Christ] we have access in on Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God!” (From Ephesians 2:18-19)
“In Christ Jesus our Lord we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in Him” (From Ephesians 3:12)
And one more… “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (From Philippians 4:6-7)
Now if that isn’t an “open door policy” I don’t know what one is! Imagine it – an “open door policy” with the Almighty God through Christ Jesus! Going to “Cast all my care upon Him! He cares for me!” … and you! (From 1 Peter 5:7)
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