Author Archives: lrbartel

Jan 10 2017
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Devos

Ah! … The blessing of the Lord!

the-blessing-of-the-lord

Ah, to be the recipient of God’s favor and blessing! How does the writer of Proverbs put it… “The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and He adds no sorrow with it!” (Proverbs 10:22) It’s one thing to have the approval of the broader culture… It’s quite another to have God’s favor and blessing! This morning I read a very well-known passage – the Beatitudes – where Jesus makes the point that what receives His approval and blessing is not at all what the broader culture esteems, honors, values and “blesses”! In fact, what He blesses is diametrically opposite of the things the broader culture awards and approves of!

Here is what Jesus said that God blesses…

“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

“God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

“God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.

“God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice [what is right/righteous], for they will be satisfied.

“God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

“God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will one day see God.

“God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.

“God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are My followers.”

(From Matthew 5:2–11 The New Living Translation)

Yup… Not at all what the broader culture values, seeks, and approves of! But it is what GOD approves of and blesses! Sorry… I’m counter cultural on this one! I choose to spend my life seeking God’s approval and blessing!

Jan 09 2017
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Devos

Good news! Need some? Here it is!!

bad-news-good-news
Sometimes you read, hear, or see something that brings a great sense of relief and incredible joy … we call it “good news!” It makes you let out a sigh of relief, brings a smile to your face, causes you to quicken your step! The sky may have been cloudy, the temperature cold and damp, and your circumstances like foreboding storm clouds. But then you hear the “good news!”
Well I read some wonderful “good news” in the Bible for every person alive! “Good news” directly from God – we call it an “inspired” message! Here it is…
“God has shown us a way to be made right with him! … We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for EVERYONE who believes, no matter who we are! For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God freely and graciously DECLARES THAT WE ARE RIGHTEOUS! He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for our sin! People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood for our sin…. Thus He declares sinners to be right in His sight when they believe [put their trust] in Jesus.” (From Romans 3:21–26 NLT)
And if this “Good News… the Gospel” doesn’t bring a smile to your face, a sigh of relief deep within, and joy to your heart… You haven’t really gotten the message yet! You don’t understand its implications, or haven’t taken hold of its truth and made it your own by faith! Early This morning during “coffee with the Lord,” as I read these words from the Bible, I paused and relished their truth like a delicious breakfast (and they would also make a wonderful lunch or a delectable dinner)! Let me just say I’m just glad I’ve claimed this “Good News” as my own!
Jan 08 2017
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Devos

The Charismatic Call of Jesus… Pretty hard to resist it!

follow-meThere was a tone of urgency in my father’s voice… “LeRoy, come here!”
 
I could have refused to respond… but wouldn’t have chosen to respond! There was something in the tone of his voice – the urgency – my relationship with him – my knowledge of him – that caused me to respond obediently and immediately!
 
This morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I read a passage like that… A passage that would describe as “Christ’s Charismatic Call.” It was more than just an invitation (although it was that). It was almost a summons! It had magnetic, drawing power. It invited – probably instigated or catalyzed a positive response is a better way to describe it. Here the description of it from the Bible for your consideration…
 
“While walking by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘FOLLOW ME, and I will make you fishers of men!’ IMMEDIATELY they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and HE CALLED THEM. IMMEDIATELY they left the boat and their father AND FOLLOWED HIM.” (From Matthew 4:18-22)
 
Do you remember when you heard the Gospel… God’s call – God’s summons – to believe what God had done for you through Jesus Christ, embrace it, and begin the lifelong journey of following Christ? Do you remember? You probably could have resisted it… but there was something about it – a magnetic drawing power – that invited a positive, obedient response! Apostle Paul called it “the obedience of faith!” Aren’t you glad you responded to it when you heard it? Why not be God’s mouthpiece to share it with someone else today, or tomorrow, or sometime this week, and allow the Holy Spirit to draw them into the life-transforming journey – following Christ?
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