Author Archives: lrbartel

Mar 15 2018
Leave a comment
Devos

Freedom from guilt and shame!! It’s possible!! Read… more than that, PRAY Psalm 25

Freedom.jpegRegrets! Shame! Guilt! …Tyrants that can destroy confidence, conscience, freedom and self-concept! The tragedy is the wounds are so often self-inflicted! At other times, it is the assaults, activities, and words of others that leave us deeply wounded!

What to do about it? Can anything decisive be done about it beyond what is simply suppression or just a psychological band aid?

Yes! A thousand times Yes! God can do something about it! (I know, because He’s done it for me and many others!)

I read Psalm 25 this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” and thought about the battle some of you wage daily with these negative, destructive feelings! If you’re struggling with these kinds of feelings, I’m urging you – no, more than that, I’m imploring you to read, reflect on, AND PRAY Psalm 25 personally!

Here’s just a taste of what it has to say…

“To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul! Oh my God, in you I trust! Let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me! … Make me to know Your ways, O Lord! Teach me Your paths! Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation for You I wait all the day long. Remember your mercy, O Lord, and Your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. REMEMBER NOT THE SINS OF MY YOUTH OR MY TRANSGRESSIONS! According to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of you goodness, O Lord! … FOR YOUR NAME’S SAKE, O LORD, PARDON MY GUILT FOR IT IS GREAT! … Turn to me and be gracious to me for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged. Bring me out of my distresses. Consider my affliction and my trouble AND FORGIVE ALL MY SINS! … Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you! (Selected verses from Psalm 25)

Does it work, you ask? I am telling you it does – I’ve tried it! And what’s more, here is what God’s word declares…”If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. BUT IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS, HE [GOD!] IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE US OUR SINS AND TO CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS!” (1 John 1:8-9)

Mar 13 2018
Leave a comment
Devos

“The Lord is my Shepherd” – How good is that!?

“The Lord is my shepherd!” – What a wonderful, comforting affirmation and declaration! I’ve been relishing it – tasting every delicious significance of it that I can, rolling it over and over on my spiritual palate – ever since I read it this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord.” (Psalm 23)

He is MY shepherd personally, but He also shepherds a flock for which He cares deeply… but He knows each one of those He shepherds by name (and they respond to His voice when He calls their name – check out John 10:1-16). He’s the “good shepherd” and He lays down His life for His sheep (also declared by Jesus in John 10)! In fact, if I have the Lord as my Shepherd (and I do) “I shall not want” – in other words I have everything I need! … And then Psalm 23 gets specific about what that involves…

He provides all the nourishment I need – I “lie down in green pastures!”

He leads me to the refreshment my soul craves – “beside still waters”

He “restores my soul” – when I am spent and ready to give up!

He leads and guides me in the “right paths” that He wants me to take

He comforts and reassures me when I’m afraid – when I face frightening “valleys as dark as death!”

Even when surrounded by enemies and adversaries He provides and protects me – He “prepares a table for me in the presence of my enemies!”

When wounded, He cares for my pain and hurts – He “anoints my head with oil”

Everything I need! – everything I could want! – everything my soul craves for! … “My cup overflows! Goodness and mercy follow me every day (every step) of my life” with the Lord as my Shepherd!

Oh, and when this life is over? “I will dwell in the house of the Lord FOREVER!” (Read Revelation 21-22 it will blow you mind! John 14:1-6a is awesome too… This is what our “Good Shepherd declared: “I am the way, and the truth and the life!”

I gotta tell you… I’m following Him! “The Lord is my Shepherd!”

 

 

Mar 11 2018
Leave a comment
Devos

My personal, heartfelt expression of gratitude and praise! (An adaption of Psalm 21)

Worship

I know and realize Psalm 21 is the personal heartfelt expression of gratitude and praise by David, as king of Israel… It is uniquely his Psalm of thanksgiving for all the Lord has done for him as the leader of God’s people.  But after having read it today during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I decided to personalize it as a common man for all the Lord has done for me!!!  Here it is rephrased as my personal expression of praise…

“Oh Lord, in Your strength I rejoice, in Your salvation I greatly exult!  So many times You have given me my heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of my lips!  You meet me with rich blessings and have crowned my life with so many things that are precious and valuable.  I asked life of You and You’ve given it to me – length of days that reach from now into forever!  I glory in Your salvation!  You’ve bestowed splendor and majesty upon me?  I am most blessed now and forever!  You make me glad with the joy of Your presence!  I trust in You, and through Your steadfast love I will not me moved!  Be exalted, Oh Lord in Your strength!  I will sing and praise You for you are powerful!” (Psalm 21 1-7 and 13 adapted for personal worship)

I don’t know if it captures your heart as it did mine, but if it does, I encourage you to use it to offer your heartfelt thanksgiving and praise to the Lord for all He has done – and does for you!

← Older posts
Newer posts →