Author Archives: lrbartel

Jan 19 2016
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Devos

Only giving or good deeds done without seeking recognition is rewarded by God

I am not sure many people really believe what Matthew 6:1-4 teaches! Here is what it says…
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your father who is in heaven! So when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you they have received their reward! But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
It seems to me, that the passage teaches that motivation in giving, or any other righteous act, is very important! If being noticed by others or receiving recognition and acclaim is really important to you, you’ve lost your reward from God.
Now, let me tell you, I’ve been around long enough and pastored enough churches to tell you that all you have to do is accidentally leave some people’s names off of a plaque or fail to recognize them with appropriate fanfare publicly and they will be deeply offended. In fact, I’ve had them ask me what would be done to give them or their family appropriate recognition if they gave a gift. Based upon this passage, if that is the motivation at all, it cancels out the whole thing from God’s point of view. You can almost hear the sound of the canceling signal… Blaaaaaaa! No reward!
Not only that, what a blessing is missed when an anonymous – non-acclaim-seeking gift is given! I hesitate to mention it, but it may help someone out there… Sharon and I, in one instance, decided to test it. We knew a family in our church had a deep financial need! We knew they had been seeking the Lord fervently in prayer for an answer. So we decided to “be the answer to their prayer” totally anonymously. We took a significant amount of money, got it in cash (at some risk), wrapped it in a note (typewritten… no name), went to a neighboring town and mailed it without a return address. The next Sunday, what incredible joy we experienced! The husband and wife were overflowing and effusive in praise to the Lord for answering their prayer! It was like “money from heaven” they said – they had no idea where it had come from… They said it “must have been God that dropped the idea in someone’s heart (or perhaps an angel that did it)! They shared it in their Sunday school class, they asked permission to share in our evening service! Sharon and I had a wonderful, warm, glow of grace-gratitude in our hearts… And they (nor the church) know who did it to this day! Fun! Fun!! Fun!!! But God knows!!! And one day… Can’t hardly wait!
Jan 18 2016
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Devos

No condemnation! What a way to live… and it’s possible!

I know what it is to feel guilty about something I’ve done (or neglected to do). It’s an awful, uncomfortable feeling! And it’s persistent – it just won’t go away! I also know what it is to stand before someone who is pointing an accusing finger at me for something I’ve done (or neglected to do) and know that what they’re saying is true – I am guilty! I wish those feelings were only feelings that I felt and experiences I’ve had as a child… they aren’t; I’ve been guilty as an adult. So we’re not just talking about feelings of guilt here – we’re talking about actual guilt – being “guilty as charged!” And it’s not just other people that can make you feel that way – The Holy Spirit is God’s agent to “convict” (or convince) us of our sin!
 
So I guess the issue is this: What to do about those feeling – how can a person deal with guilt?
 
Well, first of all, we need to “confess” (or acknowledge) our sin and ask God to forgive us (and others if we’ve wronged them)… Scripture promises, “If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
 
But there is something else – something that only the Holy Spirit can do (interestingly the same Holy Spirit that convicts us of sin)! I read about it this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord”…
 
Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Apostle Paul declared: “There is therefore now NO CONDEMNATION for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1–4 ESV)
 
Incredible! Not only do we receive forgiveness from God, we have “NO CONDEMNATION” – either from God or from within! The Holy Spirit actually works within to lift the inner accusation and empower us to live a righteous, holy life free of guilt! We’ve just got to learn to live “according to the Spirit” – The way He would lead us, prompt us and empower us to live!
 
Now, I know there is such a thing as “irrational guilt” – persistent feelings of guilt that have no basis in fact for those who have already dealt Biblically with their sin and asked God for forgiveness. But the Bible even addresses that issue! “By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before Him; for whenever our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and He knows everything!” (1 John 3:19-20 ESV) That’s when we take our stand, depend on God’s provision in Christ Jesus, claim His promise, resist the “accuser” (Satan), and depend on the Holy Spirit to work within us to bring “NO CONDEMNATION!”
Jan 18 2016
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Devos

Good News: Salvation, not only for individuals, but nations!

I am continually concerned about the spiritual and moral direction our nation and culture have taken! This concern not only has to do with national (and international) trends… It has to do with the drift and decisions of religious bodies that claim to be “Christian.” There are consequences for our decisions – tragic consequences! Any honest reading of the Bible makes that clear! Scripture warns… “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” (Galatians 6:7) And what is true for individuals is also true for nations… especially those who have the worship of the One True God as a part of their national heritage.
 
This morning during my time of “Coffee with the Lord” I read a passage that we most often default in our interpretation in a personal way. However, a closer examination reveals it has clear national implications…
Israel, as a nation, has drifted far from their covenant relationship with God. They had abandoned the first and second of the ten commandments (“You shall have no other gods before me!” And “You shall not make for yourself a carved image…you shall not bow down to them or serve them!” – Exodus 20:3-4) and had violated many other commandments as well! God allowed them to reap the consequences of their choices, and Assyria had become a cruel tool of God’s judgment (read portions of Isaiah 8-11)!
 
But there was hope for the repentant – those who would return to God – hope, not only personally but nationally! I am one, among many interpreters, who believe that Isaiah 12, not only proclaims hope and salvation personally for the repentant, but also proclaims salvation for a repentant nation! Here is what it says…
 
“You will say in that day: ‘I will give thanks to you, O LORD, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” With joy you (plural) will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you (plural) will say in that day: ‘Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth!’” (from Isaiah 12 ESV)
 
So I’m going to guard my heart personally and seek to serve the Lord faithfully. But I’m also going to pray for national revival and do all in my power to influence my neighbors and friends to return to the Lord and serve Him faithfully!
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