Author Archives: lrbartel

Aug 20 2016
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Devos

Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord!

I wrote this post for the “Coffee with the Lord” group in 2010. The passage was my Bible reading again today. It’s still true!! And I’m still doing it…

“The key idea of some passages of Scripture is a bit hidden at times … NOT Psalm 150!!! “Praise the Lord! … Praise Him…Praise Him…Praise Him…Praise Him…Praise Him… Praise Him…Praise Him…Praise Him…Praise Him… Praise the Lord!… Praise the Lord!” Get it? Repetition wins the day! Think I’ll do what it says… and PRAISE THE LORD!”

Aug 19 2016
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Devos

You call yourself a “Christian?” … Behave yourself!

Your Name
My last name is “Bartel” – and growing up, my father would not let me forget it! He’d say to me, “Now son, behave yourself! Remember you’re a Bartel!” He had a reputation – our family was known and respected as followers of Jesus Christ in our community – and my dad and mom were determined to protect the name “Bartel” in our community. More than that though, they were determined to protect “the Name above every name” – the name of Jesus Christ – and the reputation of those who called themselves “Christians” in our community!
 
Apostle Paul wrote to young Timothy and told him, “I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you in case I am delayed, to let you know how people ought to conduct themselves (the English Standard Version translates it “Behave”) in the household of God, because it is the church of the living God, the support and bulwark of the truth. And we all agree, our religion contains this amazing revelation: He was revealed in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles, believed on in the world, taken up in glory!” (1 Timothy 3:14–16 NET)
 
As a “Bartel” I had a responsibility… But more than that, as a Christian – as a follower of Jesus in my community and culture, I have a responsibility. Christians are a part of the family of God! We claim to believe in, worship and serve “the Living God.” What we believe and practice we claim to be “the Truth” – in fact, we see ourselves as “the support and bulwark of truth” in our culture! We confess – we claim – to serve God, Who revealed Himself in human flesh and was validated by the Holy Spirit at His baptism. Angels knew Him personally. His Name was proclaimed among the nations, lives were transformed by belief in Him and after His resurrection from the dead He ascended back into Heaven. In light of those incredible realities, it seems to me (and it seemed to Apostle Paul) that we have a responsibility to “behave ourselves!” We’re “Christians” after all! We bear His name! I can almost hear my Heavenly Father say, “Now son, behave yourself!”
Aug 18 2016
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Devos

Universal praise… What a vision of the future!!!

Picture a world… no, more than that… picture the entire universe radiating worship – resounding with the sounds of praise and worship! Go ahead, picture it – imagine it! Wouldn’t that be wonderful! … incredible! … awesome! That’s the picture that entered my mind when I read Psalm 148 this morning during “Coffee with the Lord” – one of the “Hallel Psalms.” Here is the Psalm to help you see it… Hear it… And imagine it!

”PRAISE THE LORD! PRAISE THE LORD from the heavens; PRAISE HIM in the heights! PRAISE HIM, all his angels; PRAISE HIM, all his hosts! PRAISE HIM, sun and moon, PRAISE HIM, all you shining stars! PRAISE HIM, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!

“LET THEM PRAISE THE NAME OF THE LORD! For he commanded and they were created. And he established them forever and ever; he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.

“PRAISE THE LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word!

“Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! Beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds!

“Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! Young men and maidens together, old men and children!

“LET THEM PRAISE THE NAME OF THE LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven. He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints, for the people of Israel who are near to him. PRAISE THE LORD!”
(Psalm 148 ESV)

Wow! What an incredible, mind-boggling picture! And one day it will be completely fulfilled!! I want to be a part of its realization and fulfillment… beginning NOW! Don’t you?

 

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