Disappointed…disgusted…but not in despair! I read, listen and watch the news and want to vomit! Leaders nationally (both parties) have created a polarized, poisonous atmosphere in this nation of ours. Moral values have evaporated and decayed within the social fabric of our country. Perversion and exploitation are rampant! Insane, destructive decisions are made at both a national, state, and local level. The courts are corrupted. What to do? Despair? NO!!! With God’s help I intend to be salt and light within our culture – a positive, Christ-like influence within my community and nation! I intend to share the life-transforming – culture transforming Gospel of Jesus Christ within the contexts given me! And I can pray fervently for a spiritual and moral revival in this nation of ours and our world (and I will!)… until Jesus returns! My personal manifesto!!!
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Author Archives: lrbartel
Gotta tell you… I want faith like my dad, and Abraham had!
When my father, Ewalt W. Bartel, became a follower of Jesus he exhibited the kind of faith God honors! He was the kind of Christian that embraced the idea, “If God said it – or promised it – that settled it! He believed it and acted upon it!” As a result my dad had strong faith, deep commitment and a fruitful, satisfying, miracle-filled Christian life! His faith (and obedience to God) still inspires and challenges me today!
Abraham, in the Bible, was that kind of person! (And incidentally, so was his wife Sarah!) Here’s what the Bible says in Romans about their faith…
When God promised Abraham that he would be “the father of many nations” (Genesis 17:5)… “In the presence of the God in Whom he believed, Who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told… He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old, or the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God! But he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what He had promised! THAT IS WHY “HIS FAITH WAS COUNTED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS!” (cp. Genesis 15:6) But the words “It was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also! And it will be counted to US WHO BELIEVE IN HIM WHO RAISED FROM THE DEAD, JESUS OUR LORD, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification!” (From Romans 4:16-25)
In other words that how we, who are sinners, become righteous – that’s how we ‘get right with God’ – that’s how we please the Lord… faith that believes – faith that acts on God word – God’s provision – God’s promises!
Oh, I’ve got to tell you… I want to exhibit the kind of faith my dad, Ewalt, had… and the kind Abraham had! I know it pleases God! I know it leads to a life of adventure and miracles! It’s the best way – the ONLY way – to become an authentically righteous person (check out Hebrews 11:6)!
What does it mean to be “Blessed” anyway? The answer might surprise you!
We often throw around phrases for special occasions (and even out of courtesy) and we don’t even think about what they mean! The big one that came to mind during my Bible reading time today was “Blessings!” or “Bless you!” – Matthew 5:1-12 (you really ought to read it!).
What people generally think of with those words and what the Bible teaches are two very different things! After all, who is REALLY “blessed” anyway? What does “blessing” look like? And finally, who (or perhaps, better “Who”) really is the source of blessing?
I would argue that “blessing” ultimately comes from God – “blessing” is really a “God-thing!
And who is “blessed?” Not those you might imagine based upon the popular view of things: Jesus taught it was, “The poor in Spirit…those who mourn…the meek…those who hunger and thirst for righteousness…the merciful…the pure in heart…the peacemakers…those who are persecuted for righteousness sake… even when others revile you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things against you falsely” because you are a devoted, obedient, follower of Christ!
And what does “blessing” look like? Well, not at all like we often imagine… It’s not necessarily gaining riches, position, power or fame – not even necessarily being healthy… It’s gaining the Kingdom of heaven, being comforted, inheriting the earth, spiritual satisfaction, one day seeing God Himself, being called a “child of God” – even being able to rejoice in persecution when it’s for the right reason!
So here’s the deal… After reading Matthew 5:1-12 (often called the “beatitudes”) in my Bible this morning and reflecting on what Jesus taught there, I paused… and prayed… and told the Lord, “I really don’t care about the popular concept of “blessing!” – I want YOU to be able to bless me, and bless me for the right reasons! I just have a feeling I’ll be reflecting on that for awhile and spending some time seeking to be the kind of person God can bless!
