Author Archives: lrbartel

Jun 13 2016
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Devos

Just a few reflections on “growing old”

I’ve met some “old folk” that were really positive, loving, and nice to be around. They were full of zest, kept their mind active, were as physically vigorous as possible, and Spiritually vibrant. Easy to want to “hang out” with that kind of person!

On the other hand, I’ve encountered some “old folk” who were negative, always complaining, critical, self-occupied, and moody… and a handful of them just plain ol’ mean! People avoided them… and you know what? …Their negative traits just got worse!

This is what I read about one “old guy” this morning during “coffee with the Lord”…

“Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyesight was clear, and he was as strong as ever… Now Joshua son of Nun was full of the Spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him, doing just as the LORD had commanded Moses. There has never been another prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face. The LORD sent him to perform all the miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt against Pharaoh, and all his servants, and his entire land. With mighty power, Moses performed terrifying acts in the sight of all Israel.” (From Deuteronomy 34:7–12 NLT)

Last birthday I turned 69… Guess some would call me “an old guy” … I’m ok with that; got a few years of living and serving the Lord under my belt. Gotta tell you though, I really want to live and die like Moses! As I approach my “latter years” I want to be nice to be around!! Here’s just a few things I’ve observed about Moses I’d like to emulate…

1) I’d like to do what is necessary to stay physically, mentally, emotionally, socially and Spiritually healthy and active!

2) I want to be able to look back with satisfaction on the young leaders I’ve invested in! I’d like to have the privilege in some way of “laying my hands on them, mentoring them, passing on some “anointing,” and rejoicing at their effectiveness and success!

3) The Lord knew Moses “face to face” … I want to know the Lord that way! … In an ever increasing personal way! I don’t want to lose my intimacy with Him as I head down the hill of life!

4) Oh, and signs and wonders! Oh Lord allow me to be a channel of your power all the way through life! I don’t want your miracle working power to be a “once-upon-a-time” deal with me – just a distant memory.

5) I don’t want to look back on my life with a lot of regrets! But when I’ve made mistakes, and experienced discipline, I want to be like Moses, and “take it like a man!” No complaining! Only Thanksgiving and deep appreciation for God’s grace!

That’s the kind of “old guy” I’d like to be! Help me Lord!!

Jun 12 2016
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Devos

Following Jesus… An exciting adventure, not simply a destination!

Exciting AdventureIf you had to choose between a wonderful destination or an exciting, ongoing adventure, which would you take? … Door #1 or door #2?
 
I don’t know about you, but I’d take the exciting, ongoing adventure every time! It’s too easy to simply settle in and get “rancid” – satisfied with a destination! An adventure has discovery and ongoing fulfillment written all over it (even if at times things get a bit scary)!
 
That’s why I think Apostle Paul, in his great apostolic prayer in Ephesians 1:15-23 was asking God to give His people an exciting, ongoing adventure – not simply a Spiritual destination! (And listen… I’m not one of those who believes even “Heaven” is simply a destination where we go, and settle in, and adjust to “mansion living!” I believe it will be one, ongoing, eternal experience of cosmic, universal adventure and discovery… FULFILLING in every way (all caps!).
 
So here’s the core of Paul’s prayer for your consideration today (I read it myself this morning during “coffee with the Lord” and am still relishing what the fulfillment of it has meant in my life in an on-going way so far…)
 
“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which He has called you, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe!” (From Ephesians 1:15-23 ESV)
 
Hey, an adventure – NOT simply a destination! Wow! Enjoy!!
Jun 11 2016
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Devos

An argument for the importance of reading and studying the entire Bible – the whole thing!

Bible Study and Prayer

This morning as I read from the Old Testament I was reminded of an interesting experience I had years ago… I had been reading in Chronicles in the Bible and was frankly bored… “This person “begat” that person, and that person “begat” another person, and that person, “begat” yet another person… (and the names were weird – really hard to figure out and pronounce!)  I found myself saying to the Lord in kind of a prayer-question, “Why on earth did you put this stuff in the Bible, anyway, Lord?  It’s really boring!”

Well, I was pastor of a church in North Dakota at the time and had to travel to Fargo that day to call upon someone who was in the hospital.  I got into the car, turned on the radio to a Christian station, and would you believe… the very first words I heard were these from someone speaking on a Christian program!… He said, “I was complaining to God about all the “begats” in the Bible one day, and I heard God say this to me: ‘If I cared enough to include the names of those people as a part of My plan in My word, I care about you!’”

I was dumbfounded!  Hey it really happened!  And I’ve never forgotten how God answered my question that day!

This morning this is what I read in Deuteronomy 31:  Moses commanded the Levites as they were preparing to enter the “Promised land”… “At the end of every seven years… when all Israel comes to appear before the Lord your God at the place the He will choose; YOU SHALL READ THIS LAW BEFORE ALL ISRAEL IN THEIR HEARING.  Assemble the people, men, women and little ones, and the sojourner within your towns that they may hear and learn to fear [i.e. reverence] the Lord your God, and be careful to do all the words of this law, and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear [i.e. reverence] the Lord your God, as long you live in the land that you are going over the Jordan  to possess.” (From Deuteronomy 31:9-13)

The whole thing – Every bit of it!  What seemed interesting and uplifting and even what didn’t!  And that reminded me of something Apostle Paul declared…

“From childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.  ALL SCRIPTURE IS INSPIRED BY GOD AND PROFITABLE for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man (or woman) of God may be complete, equipped for every good work!” (2 Timothy 3:15–17 ESV)

Makes a good case for reading the entire Bible through, doesn’t it?  It also reinforces the importance of systematic Bible study – study of the entire Bible – all of it… for EVERYONE in our churches, it seems to me.  Might be a good idea to read that 2 Timothy 3 passage again, slowly and reflectively, don’t you think?

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