Author Archives: lrbartel

Mar 17 2020
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Devos

Dealing with issues that frighten or haunt you… Biblically

Coronavirus-CDC-645x645

Are you like many of us, dealing with concerns and issues related to the Coronavirus/COVID-19 epidemic… or perhaps there is another issue that frightens or haunts you?

Psalm 27 provides a wonderful, calming antidote! It is a Psalm of King David who faced many dangers and enemies… It’s interesting to me, that some key leaders in our nation and medical people have referred to the COVID-19 virus as “an assault.”

Listen, the Lord’s presence – the Lord’s house – is a refuge in difficult, dangerous times! David found it so… Here, read it for yourself! (It was just the medicine – the tonic – that I needed this morning!)…

“The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lordis my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? … The one thing I ask of the Lord— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple. For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock. Then I will hold my head high… At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the Lord with music. Hear me as I pray, O Lord. Be merciful and answer me! My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” …Teach me how to live, O Lord. Lead me along the right path… Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord!” (From Psalm 27 NLT)

Mar 15 2020
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Devos

Reflecting on the past… present… and future – and praying!

My prayerI don’t know what your past was like… or what you’re facing right now… or the concerns you have about the future!

I thought about those things this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord!” Part of my Bible reading was Psalm 25… It contains a wonderful prayer about those very things!

Just to let you know… I prayed that prayer as I thought back on my past… as I reflected on the things I’m facing right now… and as I prepare to move into whatever the future brings…

Here it is… I recommend making it your prayer today, as well…

“O Lord, I give my life to You!  I trust in You, my God!  Do not let me be disgraced – don’t let my enemies rejoice in my defeat!

“Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road I need to follow!  Lead me by your truth and teach me, for You are the God who saves me.

“All day long I put my hope in you!  Remember O Lord, Your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown for long ages past!

“Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth!  Remember me, instead, in the light of your unfailing love, for You are merciful, O Lord!” (From Psalm 25:1-7 in the New Living Translation)

A wonderful, appropriate prayer, don’t you think?

Mar 10 2020
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Devos

Psalm 19… What a marvelous Psalm!

Psalm 19 graphicPsalm 19… what a marvelous Psalm! This morning during my Bible reading I was reminded of three things as I read it…
 
1. Every day – day-by-day and night-by-night – I look up and see God’s glory grandly displayed in the splendor of the heavens!
 
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork…” (19:1-6)
 
2. And every morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” (and during other times and opportunities that I have) I am comforted, counseled, confronted, convicted, and cleansed by the marvelous truth of God’s word revealed through Scripture!
 
“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul! The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple! The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple! The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart! The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes! The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever! The rules of the Lord are true and righteous altogether! More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb! Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward!” (19:7-11)
 
3. All of that – God’s revelation in the heavens and nature, and also God’ revelation through His infallible word – prompt me to cry out from the bottom of my heart often, as I did again this morning…
 
“Who can discern his own errors? O, declare me innocent from hidden faults! Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sin – let them not have dominion over me! … Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer!” (19:12-14)
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