Author Archives: lrbartel

Mar 20 2017
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Devos

Getting just a taste of the splendor, might, majesty and glory of God…

Lightening storm over the Ocean Psalm 29I don’t know if this will work or not today… but I’m going to give it a try. Imagine the most awesome display of God’s might, power and glory displayed in nature… Lightening, thunder, and wind! What would it be like? How would it leave you feeling? Come on, use your imagination! Well there’s a Psalm about that… Psalm 29.

Now here is what I’m going to do… I’ve put the text of Psalm 29 below – and a YouTube link that I hope will work for you while you read it to provoke your imaginary powers. I think it’s effect will be positive and you’ll come out of the experience sensing just how great and awesome God is! Let’s give it a try… Now don’t read fast – read expressively… (Yeah, I know this is what you get when you get a Bible teacher who has a vivid imagination!)

The link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ult4hwTpkhg

“Ascribe to the LORD, Oh, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength! Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.

“The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty!

“The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon. He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox.

“The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire. The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

“The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth and strips the forests bare, and in his temple all cry, “Glory!”

“The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king forever. 11 May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace!”

(From Psalm 29 ESV)

Mar 19 2017
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Devos

Broken promises… Impulsive commitments to God… What to do?

Unkept promises
Thought this morning during “coffee with the Lord” about all my good intentions, passionate declarations, and impulsive commitments… followed by failure! Wanted to just weep and hang my head in shame!
What prompted those thoughts? Reading the story of Peter’s impulsive declaration when Jesus told his apostolic band right after the institution of the first Lord’s Supper in Matthew 26, “You will all fall away because of me this night! For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’”
That prediction really bothered Peter! Impulsively he declared, “Though they all fall away because of You, I will never fall away!”
Jesus knew better… He knew human frailty… He knew Peter! He told Peter, “Truly, I tell you this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times!”
Now Peter was really bothered – he became even more determined (and impulsive) … He thought he knew himself better than His Lord. He strengthened his declaration… “Ever if I must die with you I will not deny you!” And then group pressure took over, “And all the disciples said the same thing.” (From Matthew 26:26-35 ESV)
Read the end of the chapter… Peter’s sad and bitter failure… (Matthew 26:69-75)
Then I thought of my strong declarations and impulsive commitments when and where I miserably dropped the ball and failed the Lord… And I jotted this in the margin of my Bible, “Without God’s forgiveness, mercy and grace we’re all sunk!”
Praise the Lord for 1 John 1:8-9! “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us! But if we confess [acknowledge] our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness!” And to that I sigh deeply, offer thanksgiving, and worship – Praise the Lord! I’m depending on it, aren’t you?
Mar 18 2017
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Devos

My Personal Core Values

Core values against compassIt’s been a while since I posted these. One of the best projects I ever undertook was devoting about two months to crafting and refining these expressions of who I am and what I stand for. I trust posting them will be a blessing to someone and perhaps an encouragement for them to craft their own expression of their core values. [Hint: The last two are the core values that have given raise to “Coffee with the Lord”]

My Personal Core Values

  1. I value my marriage and family

Faithfulness and fidelity in marriage and family life are infinitely more important to me than any competing human loyalty.

  1. I value people

Since God loves everyone and His heart throbs redemptively for all people of the world, regardless of their race, gender, culture, or situation in life, so should I.

  1. I value the church

Since Christ “loved the church and gave Himself up for her”  (Ephesians 5:25), I should love it in spite of its imperfections, pray daily for its well-being, contribute my best to its mission and ministries, be willing to submit to its authority, and live so its reputation in the world is positive.

  1. I value the Holy Spirit

The secret to effectiveness and victory in my Christian life is for me to live all of life sensitive and responsive to what the Holy Spirit is doing within the various contexts of my life.

  1. I value my ministry

My ministry, to be effective, must be in keeping with my calling and gifts, must express itself as servanthood and stewardship, must be fundamentally interpersonal in nature, and made effective through the power of the Holy Spirit.

  1. I value the Bible

The Holy Scriptures are uniquely inspired by God and completely trustworthy.  They are essential to my life in Christ – my all-sufficient guide for faith and daily living.

  1. I value my daily quiet time with God

Time spent with God — getting to know Him, His Word, seeking His will, embracing His purposes, and listening to his voice — is not wasted, but wisely invested time.  It is essential for the effectiveness of my personal life and ministry.

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