Jun 27 2016
Leave a comment
Devos

Get out of the stands or the sidelines… Get into the game!

Get in the gameThey’re usually standing on the sidelines or in the stands… They never get into the game. And for them, there’s really no excuse. They’re physically able, they may have even participated successfully in the past. But for some reason now they prefer not to be involved or committed. It may be fear, it may be timidity, it may be boredom, it may be dislike, it may be that they just don’t want to be involved! Oh, don’t get me wrong, they have an opinion about how the game should be played! Give them a minute and half an opportunity and to hear them talk, you’d think they’d be all-stars… But instead, they’re on the sidelines!

I read a statement this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” that left me frustrated! In fact I had a conversation with the Lord about it! Here is what Jesus said…

“Whoever is not with me is against me! And whoever does not gather with me scatters! (Luke 11:29)

I gotta tell you, I do NOT want to be that “Whoever” person! I don’t want to be uninvolved and noncommittal! I want to be “in the game!” I want to be a part of “the Lord’s win” – the “Kingdom’s success!” Hear me Lord… I never want to be an “armchair quarterback” second guessing everything the team does and picking apart every player’s performance… even criticizing the “coaches game plan” (that would be the God’s Divine redemptive strategy)! I want to be “in the game” – and even if I’m “on the bench awhile” I’ll be itching for my opportunity when He turns my way and says, “Bartel! Tell the QB, John 3:16 – you’ll take the Gospel and run right!” Just get me in the game! No sidelines for me!!

Jun 27 2016
Leave a comment
Devos

Hey, your Heavenly Father is “a, good, good Father!”

Child begging for something

Sometime your children can drive you to distraction! Know what I mean? You love them with all your heart but if they want something they’ll ask… and then ask again… and again… and again… and again… (and you guessed it… AGAIN!) Now my dad and mom as a boy, loved me – there was no question about it in my mind! But finally, out of frustration, they’d look at me with a scowl on their face and say, “Son, if you ask me for that again you’ll never get what you’re asking for!

Now I want you to note… They loved me and wanted the best for me – I’m convinced! But I was being obnoxious – I was really getting under their skin with my persistence (and I guess you could say “impudence”)! They were human, after all…

But God is divine! And there is a wonderful passage in Scripture that draws on this analogy, both by contrast and comparison! It is a passage that reveals the wonderful character of our Heavenly Father (a “Father,” incidentally with no human frailty and flaw!)…
First the issue of repeated asking… “impudence” in making a request…

“And Jesus said to them, ‘Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his IMPUDENCE he will rise and give him whatever he needs.” (ESV)

With God, persistence pays off! Don’t give up – keep asking! He won’t get angry (remember He’s divine!)

Then the issue of God’s pure, compassionate, character – interested only in “good gifts” for His children…

“What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit [“good gifts” in Matthew 7:11] to those who ask him!” (ESV)

And then what ties both analogies together… an analogy of persistence (or even “impudence”) and one of a generous, caring parent…

“And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened!” (NLT)
(From Luke 11:5-13)

Wow! What a wonderful, gracious, good Heavenly Father. Even superior to the best human parents anyone has ever had! So keep asking… and trust the fundamental goodness of His character. He really wants what is best for you!

Jun 26 2016
Leave a comment
Devos

“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name we give glory!

Our culture worships human accomplishments and performance… which leads to confidence… which, without Biblical and spiritual self-understanding leads to arrogance and pride… which ultimately leads to folly, and expresses itself as sin!
 
It just seems like there has been so much of it lately… I can…! I will…! I can assure you if I’m in charge…! I’ve accomplished this…! I’ve achieved that! Gloating! Trash talk! Intimidation! Self-acclaimed glory! I’m frankly sick of it!
 
In light of all of that, what a refreshing read Psalm 115 was this morning! Helped me keep things in perspective – God’s perspective! Here’s some of what it says…
 
“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name give glory! For the sake of Your steadfast love and Your faithfulness! … Oh Israel, trust in the Lord! He is your help and shield. O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord! He is your help and shield. You who fear [reverence] the Lord, trust in the Lord! He is your help and shield! The Lord has remembered us; He will bless us! He will bless those who fear [reverence] the Lord, both the small and the great! … We will bless the Lord from this time forth and forevermore! Praise the Lord! (From Psalm 115)
 
Reminded me of something the New Testament says… “Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, ‘He catches the wise in their craftiness,’ 20 and again, ‘The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.’ So let no one boast in men! … What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?” (from 1 Corinthians 3:18-21; 4:7)
 
Wise people – Godly people – Give God the credit for anything they accomplish! They honor Him for any abilities they possess! “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name we give glory! … Praise the Lord!” That’s the way I want to live!
← Older posts
Newer posts →