Author Archives: lrbartel

Nov 22 2016
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Devos

The Power of an Encouraging Word! Can that be Prophetic?

an-encouraging-wordI’m thankful for prophetic voices in the Church that urge us to godly, righteous, Christ-honoring lives! Voices that encourage us to live in such a way that God can use us and bless us so that we can be a blessing to others!
 
I grieve that sometimes the “prophetic voice” has been given a false caricature – a stereotype that is largely negative and shrill. Don’t get me wrong, warning and correction may characterize the “prophetic voice” but it may also bear a positive, encouraging tone and message. In fact, that is precisely how Paul in 1 Corinthians 14:3 characterized it! He said, “The one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation!
 
This morning during “coffee with the Lord” I read an account that affirms the positive, encouraging tone of prophecy…
 
Asa had become king in Judah and he showed some promise as an emerging leader with godly inclinations and traits. The Bible says one day, “The Spirit of God came upon Azariah, the son of Oded, and he went out to meet Asa and said to him, ‘Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: The Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you… Take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!’”
 
And the result? As soon as Asa heard these words, the prophecy of Azariah the son of Oded, he took courage and put away the detestable idols from all the land of Judah… he repaired the altar of the Lord… He gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and those from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon… and they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and with all their soul… And all Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and they sought the Lord with their whole desire, and He was found by them, and the Lord gave them rest all around.” (From II Chronicles 15:1-19)
 
You know what? When I think back on the prophetic voices within the Church that I’ve been exposed to… I would have to say voices like that of Azariah – Positive, challenging, encouraging voices that urged me to live for the Lord with all my heart and, as a result, experience God wonderful blessing – have done more to help me in my Christian walk then the shrill, negative voices. And during this Thanksgiving week I want to thank God for prophetic voices like Azariah’s within the Church! They’ve made a positive impact upon my life!
Nov 21 2016
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Devos

“After all He’s done for me! … Just thankful!!!

grateful-thankful-to-godThanksgiving week!!! And this was my Bible reading during “coffee with the Lord” this morning!…

“He [Jesus Christ, my Savior] Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” (From 1 Peter 2:24–25 ESV)

Jesus, in keeping with the Heavenly Father’s plan, came to earth, offered Himself willingly, suffered and died on the cross for my sin, and yours. His sacrifice made forgiveness possible and resulted in our “justification” [our acquittal, though guilty!) when we put our trust in Christ to save us! As a result, we can “die to sin and live to righteousness” – When we fully identify with and appropriate His death, burial and resurrection! Water baptism is the Christian rite that illustrates this – and declares it!) So we’re FREE! His wounds have brought us healing – wholeness!

The Old Testament prophetic passage that Jesus fulfilled with His death, burial and resurrection [Isaiah 53:4-6] declared… “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him (Jesus) the iniquity of us all!” So Apostle Peter said, “We were straying like sheep” but then adds “but we have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls!” Oh, praise the Lord… He sought me, and found me, forgave me, healed me and brought me “home” to Himself!!! (Check out John 10:11-15 and Luke 15:3-6)

I’m forever grateful! … Thanksgiving week (and Thanksgiving Day) is special to me! Thank you, Jesus, for what you accomplished through your death, burial and resurrection! How did the old worship song put it? “After all He’s done for me! After all He’s done for me!! How could I do less than give Him my best, and live for Him completely?… After all He’s done for me!!!)

Nov 19 2016
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Devos

I’m grateful to be a citizen of the United States… But I’ve got a citizenship that “trumps” that one…

citizenship-usa

I live in the United States and am extremely thankful for that! I’m also proud to be a Texan (got here as fast as I could). Deep within, however, my roots – my birthplace – is in Western Montana (Ronan, Montana to be precise – a little town in the Mission Valley of, at most, a thousand people or so). Grateful for my citizenship here and the freedoms I enjoy. But I’m often grieved today at the moral and spiritual climate of American culture! We, as a nation, have degenerated from the moral and spiritual legacy that once characterized our nation.

I was thinking about that – and my responsibilities as a citizen – when I read the following this morning during my time of devotions (I call it “coffee with the Lord”)…

“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles [the unconverted – in this passage it refers to those who are not yet followers of Jesus – those who have not yet experienced “new birth”] honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.” (from I Peter 2:11-12 ESV)

You see, I have a citizenship that “trumps” my earthly citizenship – by the grace of God I’m a citizen of “the Kingdom of Heaven” or “the Kingdom of God!” I live my life here on earth as a “heavenly ambassador” (check out II Corinthians 5:17-20). I want to live in such a way that I am an attractive, winsome, representative for my Heavenly homeland and kingdom. I live in America, but I want the values that guide my life to be Heavenly values – God’s values! Believe me, I want I Peter 2:11-12 to be fulfilled in my life! And if you’re a citizen of the “Kingdom of Heaven” through “new birth” I bet you want to live that way as well!

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