Category Archives: Devos

Jan 10 2018
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Devos

I’m a “Fan” and “Follower” of Jesus… Join me on the journey in 2018?

Following Jesus

I’m a “fan” and “follower” of Jesus! I not only admit it – I’m prepared to proclaim it! In fact, I’ve devoted my life, to the best of my ability and His enablement, to doing it daily!

In the “gospels” in the Bible (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) there periodically are places that serve as summaries of the life and ministry of Jesus. I read one such summary this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord”… It’s located in a strategic place – at the end of Matthew 4 and just before “the Sermon on the Mount” in Matthew 5. Here’s what the “summary” records about Jesus…

“And Jesus went throughout all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues [places of study and worship] and proclaiming the gospel of the Kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. His fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought to Him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and He healed them! And great crowds followed Him!” (Matthew 4:23-25 ESV)

Hey, what’s not to like about a guy like that – the “God-man” – Jesus Christ! Nothing is too hard for Him! Hebrews in the Bible declares that “He is the same, yesterday, today and forever!” (Hebrews 13:8) His “Kingdom message” (check out the chapters that follow – Matthew 5-7) would change the world if embraced and followed by those who claim to be His followers. His invitation – His call (more like a summons) to follow Him is powerful (read the passage before this one – Matthew 4:17-22)! But if you respond to His call, your life is forever changed – and for the better! Following Him beats following any political leader or celebrity all hollow! It’s the trail that results in life-transformation and ultimately leads to “eternal life!”

I’m so glad that I said “yes” to Him when I heard His call deep in my heart! The trail is not always easy, but He’s right there with you all the way! Seems to me, it’s a great way to begin 2018! Why not join me on the journey?

Jan 08 2018
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Devos

Declaring it Publicly… My Personal Mission, Vision and Values

Mission-Vision-and-ValuesMy Personal Mission, Vision and Core Values Statements… LeRoy R. Bartel

My Personal Mission and Vision Statement

To personally study and teach God’s word, and enable others to do the same, in such a way that the minds and hearts of people are engaged, they develop Godly attitudes and their lives are transformed through the power of the Holy Spirit as they are encouraged to respond obediently to God.

 

My Personal Core Values

  1. I value my marriage and family

Faithfulness and fidelity in marriage and family life are infinitely more important to me than any competing human loyalty.

  1. I value people

Since God loves everyone and His heart throbs redemptively for all people of the world, regardless of their race, gender, culture, or situation in life, so should I.

  1. I value the church

Since Christ “loved the church and gave Himself  for her”  (Ephesians 5:25), I should love it in spite of its imperfections, pray daily for its well-being, contribute my best to its mission and ministries, be willing to submit its authority, and live so its reputation in the world is positive.

  1. I value the Holy Spirit

The secret to effectiveness and victory in my Christian life is for me to live all of life sensitive and responsive to what the Holy Spirit is doing within all the various contexts of my life.

  1. I value my ministry

My ministry, to be effective, must be in keeping with my calling and gifts, must express itself as servanthood and stewardship, must be fundamentally interpersonal in nature, and made effective through the power of the Holy Spirit.

  1. I value the Bible

The Holy Scriptures are uniquely inspired by God and completely trustworthy.  They are essential to my life in Christ – my all-sufficient guide for faith and daily living.

  1. I value my daily quiet time with God

Time spent with God — getting to know Him, His Word, seeking His will, embracing His purposes, and listening to his voice — is not wasted, but wisely invested time!  It is essential for the effectiveness of my personal life and ministry.

Jan 06 2018
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Devos

Expressing pain and grief does not mean you don’t love God – and that He doesn’t love you!

Grief and AnguishToday, in my “coffee with the Lord” post, I want to affirm that in times of severe and persistent pain, great loss, and Satanic attack, Job 3 (you should read it in your Bible) expresses how godly people sometimes feel! And that’s ok … God isn’t shaken by their feelings and grief when they vent such feelings!!! Here’s just a brief introduction to Jobs grief after losing everything he held dear and Satan’s attack on him physically…

“After this Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth… Why did I not die at birth! … Why is light given to the one who is in misery, and life to the bitter in soul… For the thing that I feared has come upon me, and what I dreaded has befallen me!” (From Job 3)

Now if you doubt that Job was godly, here is God’s assessment of him… “There was a man whose name was Job, that he was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil… And the Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on earth, a blameless and upright man who fears God and turns away from evil?’’ (In fact, God said that twice about Job to Satan!) Furthermore, this is said of Job after he lost everything he held dear in a single day… “In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong” … and later, “In all this Job did not sin with his lips!” (from Job 1 & 2)

Hey, sometimes bad things happen to good people! Grief is natural! Questions about why pain, suffering and loss are happening to us arise in our hearts and minds!

But God can handle that grief and those questions! And we can have this confidence… “Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? … No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us! For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord!” (Romans 8:35-39)

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