Author Archives: lrbartel

Feb 22 2016
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Devos

Your suffering may not be the result of some sin in your life! Just saying!

I know what tends to happen when good people face prolonged illness and severe pain. If they are not careful they can begin to think God is punishing them for something they have done wrong or that they are suffering the consequences of some sin in their life. I’ve stood by their bed as they have suffered and tried to comfort them, reassure them and provide God’s perspective in their suffering.
 
Now the Bible makes it clear that it is possible for us to suffer for our sin… God can allow physical pain and disease to bring us to the realization that there are issues in our life that need to be addressed. We should not run from that reality. But, on the other hand, those who love the Lord and trust in Him should not default to self-accusation and morbid introspection. When bad things happen to good people they should renew their trust in the Lord, pray for healing and help, claim His promises and depend on the goodness of His character in faith! After all, Job’s suffering wasn’t the consequence of his sin!
 
I think Psalm 6 reveals that King David, faced a challenge like that sometime in His life. Now David wasn’t a perfect person (any reading of II Samuel 11-12 and Psalm 51 reveals that reality)! But God also called him “a man after my own heart who will do everything I want him to do” (1 Samuel 13:14 cp. Acts 13:22)!
 
So here’s my best advice to Christians who are suffering… Confess any known sin in your life, reaffirm your commitment and trust in the Lord’s promises and character, pray for healing and help, and depend on the Lord to help, heal and sustain you (and whatever you do, don’t get caught up in morbid self-condemnation!). Here’s how David expressed that in Psalm 6:
 
“O Lord, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath! Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing; heal me O Lord, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O Lord – how long? Turn, O Lord, deliver my life! Save me for the sake of your steadfast love! For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol [the grave] who will give you praise? I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping… But the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping! The Lord has heard my plea! The Lord accepts my prayer!” (from Psalm 6)
 
Someone needed to hear this today!
Feb 21 2016
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Devos

My Song for Sunday Morning

It’s early Sunday morning – “the Lord’s Day!” In a little while I’ll join fellow Christians at church. I expect to meet the Lord there and experience His presence among us. In preparation for that, I arose early this morning I set aside an unhurried for worship, prayer, Bible reading and reflection… Part of my Bible reading included Psalm 5… After reading it, I gave it this title:
 
“My Song for Sunday Morning”
 
“Give ear to my words, O Lord!
Consider my groaning!
Give attention to the sound of my cry,
My king and my God,
For to You I pray!
 
“Oh Lord, in the morning You hear my voice…
For You are not a God who delights in wickedness;
Evil may not dwell with you!
But I, through the abundance of Your steadfast love will enter Your house!
I will bow down in Your holy temple, in reverence of You!
 
“Lead me, O Lord in Your righteousness!
Make Your way straight before me!
Let all who take refuge in You rejoice!
Let them ever sing for joy!
Spread Your protection over them!
That those who love Your name may exult in You.
 
“For You bless the righteous, O Lord!
You cover them with favor as with a shield!”
 
(A personal adaptation of Psalm 5 for Sunday morning)
 
Just let me say, I’m looking forward to gathering with fellow Christians this morning! I expect to sense and experience God’s presence among us there!
Feb 20 2016
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Devos

A potpourri of brief reflections today from my time of “coffee with the Lord!”

So much good stuff this morning in my Bible reading during “coffee with the Lord” I just decided to give you a potpourri of brief reflections from my devotions! (NOTE: I use a Bible reading plan I developed several years ago in which I read a passage from each of the five major divisions of Scripture – Old Testament historical books, Biblical poetry, Prophetic literature, the Gospels and Acts, and the epistles. If you’re interested in getting a free pdf of the Bible reading plan – “Necessary Food” message me your e-mail address.)
 
Exodus 7:8 – 8:32 A hard heart makes a person both stubborn and stupid! (Lesson learned from Pharoah) But, Praise the Lord, God has the ability to soften hard hearts! (Ezekiel 36:26-27)
 
When you are in deep trouble and anxiety over what is going to happen to you, cry out to God in prayer and put your trust in Him! He will answer you, give you incredible peace and joy, and even a good night’s sleep! Psalm 4
 
Oh the incredible grace and goodness of God! He goes with us through our trails, protects us, provides for us, and forgives our sin! He is the only true God – the Living God – a wonderful Savior! What a tragedy when His people do not honor Him with their love and obedience! Isaiah 43 (read it all!)
 
Matthew 14:13-21 – Jesus is grieving. He has just heard of the beheading of John the Baptist. He needs some time alone. But the needy multitudes gather. And “He has compassion on them and healed their sick.” Bone tired from ministry, at the end of the day, instead of sending the multitude away, He takes 5 loaves and 2 fish and feeds everyone until they are full! 12 big baskets are left over! Wow! What a Savior! Miracles happen when we serve others with what we have in Jesus’ name!
 
1 Corinthians 1:4-9 We are a blessed people! Paul said, “I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge – even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you – so that you are no tacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” It was true for them… It’s also what God does for His people today!
 
Just a few thoughts from my devotions today… I just LOVE having “coffee with the Lord” every day!
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