Author Archives: lrbartel

Jan 05 2016
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Devos

A New Year Reminds of the Need for Change!

Time to Change

If there is anything that the beginning of a New Year reminds us of it is the need for change!

Change is what the word “repent” stresses! Change of heart! Change of mind! Changed attitudes! Changed behavior!

We err when we think repentance is merely a feeling – just feeling sorry for our mistakes, failures and sin… We also make a mistake if we think authentic repentance is just saying we’re sorry about those things. Real repentance is more than just feelings and words – it is “doing a 180” – it is actually changing!

In my Bible reading this morning, I read about John the Baptist… Repentance was what he called His generation to do in preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ, the Messiah! You really ought to read his message for yourself this morning in Matthew 3:1-12 from the Bible. I’m going to try to paraphrase aspects of it this morning for my personal benefit and yours…

“John proclaimed ‘It’s time to change! God’s Kingdom – The Kingdom of Heaven has arrived!’ John was the one who fulfilled what Isaiah, the prophet, was talking about when he predicted ‘one who would come – a voice crying out, ‘Get ready for the Lord’s coming! Get the road that He will travel straightened out and ready for Him!’ … John said, ‘Don’t simply say, I’m sorry for my sin. Do something about it – actually change! Demonstrate your sincerity! Don’t depend on your religious heritage or affiliation! It won’t work! Judgment is coming! Listen, I’m just a voice – He’s the real thing! I baptize you as a sign that your repentance is real! When the Lord comes, He’ll send His Holy Spirit or His judgment… You’ll choose which one it will be!’” (A personal paraphrase from Matthew 3:1-12)

Now I believe the Lord is coming again! (Read the promise in Acts 1:4-12 and Hebrews 9:26b-28) I want to be ready! Simply saying, “I’m sorry” for my sin and failure won’t cut it! The Lord wants change! And the good news is, He not only provided forgiveness for our sin – He empowers change through the power of the Holy Spirit! Oh, may 2016 be a year marked with positive change in my life!

Jan 04 2016
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Devos

Integrity: Inside-Out congruent character

Integrity

Integrity: Living out – doing the right thing, because it is the right thing, inside-out! The refusal to betray oneself or God, regardless of temptation, trial or circumstance for mere convenience or momentary benefit.

Integrity is what Job, in the Bible exhibited. He lost everything – His home, his property, his way of making a living, his children! God even allowed Satan to attack him physically and he experienced a dread disease and experienced unremitting pain. One who was closest to him urged him to abandon his fidelity to God and embrace death (perhaps even take his own life). Integrity took over and exhibited itself in Job’s life… His reply? “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord! … Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive (or experience) evil?” And then the testimony of Scripture to Job’s integrity, “In all of this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong – in all this Job did not sin with his lips!” (from Job 1:20-22 and 2:9-10)

What a man of integrity! Job’s neighbors and friends knew he had it! God Himself, testified that he had it! In fact, He told Satan on two occasions, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears (reverences) God and turns away from evil?” (Job 1:8 and 2:3)

Oh, I want to exhibit that quality in my life – integrity: righteous, inside-out… consistently, regardless of the temptation or trial! God help me! (And I believe He will… I know I can’t do it on my own!)

Jan 03 2016
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Devos

Culture seems to value the self-confident and arrogant… Not God! He “graces” the humble!

Our culture seems to value prideful confidence and arrogant demeanor. It elevates the talented showman and strutting diva – the person that’s “good!” and they know it – “gifted” and they are more than will to display it and will publicize it and even “trash-talk” anyone they view as a competitor. “It the way things are in the real world,” they say, “get used to it!”

That’s not God’s way – it’s not what He values! The Bible says, “He opposes (resists and mocks) the proud, but gives grace (His favor and help) to the humble!” (check out Proverbs 3:34; James 4:6; and 1 Peter 5:5)

In fact, in my Bible this morning, I read these words… A prophecy that will one day be fulfilled!

“Enter into the rock and hide in the dust from before the terror of the LORD, and from the splendor of his majesty. The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled, and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day! For the LORD of hosts has a day against all that is proud and lofty, against all that is lifted up—and it shall be brought low! … And the haughtiness of man shall be humbled, and the lofty pride of men shall be brought low, and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day… Stop regarding man in whose nostrils is breath, for of what account is he?” (Isaiah 2:10–22 ESV)

Some humility might not hurt eh? Gotta tell you, I want to value what God values! It pays!

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