Author Archives: lrbartel

Nov 16 2016
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Devos

Salvation is our Heavenly Father’s plan and provision… “He’s a good, good Father, that’s Who He is!”

good-good-fatherGood fathers deeply desire and love to leave wonderful legacies and rich inheritances for their children!

And in the words of a wonderful contemporary worship song, our Heavenly Father is…

“…A good good father
It’s who you are, it’s who you are, it’s who you are!
And I’m loved by you
That’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am!”
(Chris Tomlin) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqybaIesbuA

Thought about that today when I met Him for my time of “coffee with the Lord!” You see, “salvation” is our Heavenly Father’s idea – His wonderful plan – His provision through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ!

Please read over the following words from Peter’s letter to scattered refugees who had experienced persecution and all kinds of trials in the 1st century and relish the truth they express as it applies to you!

“All praise be to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you,… pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay! And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine… Your faith is far more precious than mere gold! So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world… The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls. This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about it… And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit… It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.”

(From 1 Peter 1:3-12 New Living Translation)

What a wonderful legacy – what a wonderful inheritance – what a wonderful gift our Heavenly Father has provided and left us! “He’s a good, good father! That’s who He is! – And I’m loved by Him, that’s who I am” – And that’s who you are! Gotta tell you… I’m starting Thanksgiving early… and enjoying an early Christmas too! His plan and provision are incredible!!!

Nov 13 2016
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Devos

On Exemplary Leadership… Learning from King David

leadershipOnce again in my Bible reading during “coffee with the Lord” I was deeply impressed by the quality of King David’s leadership. There are good reasons that every king in ancient Judah and Israel was measured against his leadership. King David was the prototypical national leader! More than that, he presents an exemplary pattern for all kinds of leaders today! I only wish more leaders exhibited the qualities of leadership King David demonstrated!
Don’t get me wrong… David wasn’t perfect – in fact, he was a flawed person. His terrible sin in plotting the killing of Uriah and his moral failure with Bathsheba, Uriah’s wife, led to terrible consequences. But David, when confronted with his sin, confessed it and the record of his sincere repentance is documented in Psalm 51.
But what impressed me so much this morning was the leadership David exhibited in 1 Chronicles 28 & 29… Believe me, a worthy read!
In this passage David humbly expresses gratitude for God choosing him as a leader but also accepts the limitations that God has placed on his leadership. David readily accepts the reality that God desires for him to pass the baton of leadership on to his son, Solomon, and seeks to prepare him and the people for the transition of leadership.
Although one of David’s life-goals had been to “build a house for the Lord,” it is clear his vision will be fulfilled by another, and David accepts that reality. In fact he tells Solomon, “Be careful now, for the Lord has you chosen you to build a house the sanctuary; be strong and do it!”
Then David pulled out the rolls of detailed blueprints for the temple and said, “All this God made clear to me in writing from the hand of the Lord, all the work to be done according to the plan.” Then he urged Solomon, “Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the Lord God, even my God, is with you! He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished!”
Finally the exemplary leadership of David is exhibited in the provisions he made for the fulfilling of this God-given vision! This is how the Bible describes it… “And David the king said to all the assembly, ‘Solomon my son, whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced, and the work is great, for the palace will not be for man but for the Lord God! So I have provided for the house of my God, so far as I was able… In addition to all that I have provided for the holy house, I have a treasure of my own of gold and silver, and because of my devotion to the house of my God I now give it…’
Then David challenged the people to follow his example in giving: He asked, “Who then will offer willingly, consecrating himself today to the Lord? Then the leaders of fathers’ houses made their freewill offerings, as did also the leaders of the tribes, the commanders of thousands and of hundred, and the officers over the king’s work… Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly!”
(From 1 Chronicles 28:1 – 29:9)
My prayer this morning… Oh, God give us more leaders like this – leaders who exhibit this kind of quality! And Lord, help me to be a leader who exhibits the kind of exemplary leadership David displayed!

Nov 10 2016
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Devos

Following Jesus as a “Spirit-filled, Spirit-led” Person – an Exciting Adventure!

Exciting Adventure.pngHow does the Bible say it? “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.” (Psalm 37:23) And in other place… “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In ALL your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct (or make straight) your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

This morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I was reminded of that truth once again as I read the account in Acts of Philip, the Spirit-filled and Spirit-led follower of Jesus!

Philip got up in the morning, just as he had every other day and had his time of devotion (his time of “coffee with the Lord”) … And I imagine during that time he committed his entire day to the Lord and his service – however the Lord desired to lead him and use him.

Sometime during the day (we don’t know when) the Bible says “an angel of the Lord” spoke to Philip and said, “Arise, and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” Now it appears that would not be a road you would naturally choose to travel because “this was a desert place.” But in the words of Scripture, Philip was obedient and “He arose and went.”
On that barren, desert road that day there happened to be an important court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who managed and oversaw all her treasures. He was traveling back to Ethiopia from Jerusalem where he had worshiped. He was a “God-fearer” (a non-Hebrew who worshiped Jehovah). He had an open heart and apparently was searching for spiritual reality.

The Holy Spirit “nudged” Philip, pointed out his chariot, and said to him, “Go over and join that chariot.” Philip did, and heard him reading Isaiah’s prophecy about the Messiah (Isaiah 53:7-8). A conversation ensued, Philip explained the “good news about Jesus” who fulfilled the prophecy and the Ethiopian, from a pagan country and culture, became a follower of Jesus and was baptized!

When they both came up out of the water, Philip said goodbye to the Ethiopian official, and the Bible says “he went on his way rejoicing!” But the Bible says this about Philip, who had committed that day to the Lord: “The Spirit of the Lord carried him away… and he found himself in Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.” Wow! How exciting!!

(Read the story for yourself… It’s found in Acts 8:26-40)

Incredible! And all in a day of someone who was following Jesus, was filled with the Spirit, and was sensitive and responsive to the Holy Spirit’s leading and direction! What an adventure! Don’t know about you, but I want to live that way! Just a few minutes ago during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I told the Lord that I wanted my day to belong to Him – that I wanted Him to lead me, guide me, and use me in any way He saw fit! …And “I’m fastening my seatbelt” … Gonna be an exciting day!

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