Author Archives: lrbartel

Sep 22 2017
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Devos

Called “blameless” – Wow! Is it possible?

blameless“Blameless” – a great Bible word! None of us really are “blameless!” The only One who was in the fullest sense was Jesus Christ… He could challenge His accusers with authority and ask, “Which of you can convince me of sin?” (John 8:46) He was the ONLY sinless One! Everyone else has sinned – we are all sinners! The Bible declares, “For ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God!” (Romans 3:23)

But to be called or viewed as “Blameless!” Wow! First of all, it can only be gained by faith in what Christ accomplished on behalf of us “sinners!” Romans 3:23 in the Bible (referred to earlier) has these verses that follow it… “And all are justified [made right with God – righteous in God’s sight] by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ … so that He might be just and the justified of the one who has faith in Christ!” (Romans 3:24-26) It can’t be earned – it’s God’s gift given to those who acknowledge their sinfulness and trust Christ to save them from sin!

But being “blameless” has another import aspect! It means living in such a way before neighbors, friends, associates, and even enemies and accusers that no fault can be found in their lifestyle! Not simply devoid of sin, but actually exemplifying a righteous lifestyle! Not “self-righteous,” because that is actually a vile sin of pride, but “blameless!” No fault can be effectively leveled against this kind of person! They exemplify everything good, loving, forgiving and right! Wow! What a person!!!

This morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I read the account of a case study in being blameless! Here it is right out of the Bible… The story of Daniel and his jealous accusers…

“Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. Then the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error fault was found in him! Then these men said, ‘We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God [an attack on his faith].” (Daniel 6:3-5)

Notice the rest of the chapter… This did not mean he was not persecuted! He was! In fact his blameless lifestyle resulted in the “lion’s den!” But ultimately God vindicated Daniel and the king acknowledged the reality of Daniel’s God!

Here the challenge Apostle Peter gave regarding “blameless” living… “FOR THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD, THAT BY DOING GOOD YOU SHOULD PUT TO SILENCE THE IGNORANCE OF FOOLISH PEOPLE. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love fellow Christians. Fear [reverence] God. Honor the emperor.” (I Peter 2:15-17)

I don’t know about you, but I want to be “blameless” before God – cleansed from my sin through faith in Christ! But I also want my life to reflect authentic righteousness – a lifestyle the exemplifies the transformation the Lord has worked within me… I want to be blameless “inside – out!”

Sep 19 2017
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Devos

Say “NO!” to a dictatorial leadership style… Learn leadership from Jesus!

A periodic leadership lesson from Scripture…

 
In relationships in general, in marriage, in parenting or when leading a group of people it’s all too easy to resort of “strong arm tactics” to get what you want and accomplish things. It’s called by different names: An “authoritarian” or “dictatorial” style (soften it a bit and it’s “benevolent dictatorship”… in other words, “What I’m demanding is really for your own good!”). But there’s no getting around it – it’s still demanding and totalitarian – even despotic. Sadly, this is an approach that communicates, “It’s my way or the highway!”
 
Admittedly, in troubled or dysfunctional organizations, there may be times when things are in total disarray and a leader must take control, or as we put it on the farm, “get a bridle on the horse!” But that should be a temporary, situational strategy, not a dominant leadership style.
 
This morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I read Philemon, Paul’s little epistle to a friend… It’s really an appeal from a Spiritual “father” to Philemon, urging him to receive back his runaway slave, Onesimus, extending to him Christian forgiveness and dignity. Paul’s appeal comes with “apostolic authority” but the approach he used was not dictatorial, but much more in keeping with the spirit and attitude of Jesus, our Savior and Lord.
 
Listen to the language Apostle Paul uses… “Though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you… “I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion, but of your own accord… So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me… Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.” (From Philemon 8-22)
 
Listen, I want to exhibit a “Christlike leadership style” in ALL my relationships… at home, in my neighborhood, at work, at play… EVERYWHERE to EVERYONE I am privileged to lead in some way! Apostle Paul put it another way in his epistles… He spoke of “the authority that the Lord had given for building up and not destroying or tearing down.” (2 Corinthians 10:8 and 13:10). That’s the kind of authority I want to exemplify and express!
Sep 17 2017
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Devos

We’re to be “His hands, His feet, His voice, His healing presence… representing HIM in our world!

Convey of Hope - HarveyNo additional comment really needed…

“Our people must learn to DEVOTE themselves to good works, so as to help in cases of URGENT NEED, and not be unfruitful.” (Titus 3:14)

I jotted this in the margin of my Bible:  “Harvey in South Texas and Louisiana, and Irma and others in Florida, etc.”

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