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Author: Theodore Barthels

FOLLOW THAT STAR

Written by Theodore Barthels | January, 2001
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Every year we read once again of the journey of the Wise Men from the East who came so far to find the new-born King that they might worship Him. Every year our attention is focused on that mysterious star which they somehow knew marked the Savior’s birth, and set them off on their long… Read More »FOLLOW THAT STAR Read More

The Miracle of Pentecost Continues

Written by Theodore Barthels | June, 2012
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Post Tags: gospel,holy spirit,message of gospel,miracle of faith,miracles,pentecost,
If I were to ask you what the greatest miracle of Pentecost is, what comes to mind?  The sound coming from heaven as of a rushing, mighty wind? Probably not so much. The tongues appearing to be fire that sat upon each of the disciples on that Pentecost morning? It’s likely more of us think of… Read More »The Miracle of Pentecost Continues Read More

A Lenten Devotion

Written by Theodore Barthels | March, 2012
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“Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.” 2 Timothy 2:15 Our text is one of the verses of the 53rd chapter of Isaiah which we often associate with the Lenten season.   Read More

Thoughts About Christmas Greetings

Written by Theodore Barthels | December, 2011
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I got to thinking about some of the Christmas greetings we hear and use. Out in the world it has become controversial to use a truly Christian Christmas greeting. We hear people exclaim “Happy Holidays!” with great exuberance, but that greeting rings artificial for the child of God. Read More

The Amazing Power of God’s Word

Written by Theodore Barthels | July, 2011
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Post Tags: creation,faith,word of god,
“By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” Hebrews 11:3 It is that time of year when we enjoy getting out in nature and looking at the beauty of God’s creation. Family trips taken to… Read More »The Amazing Power of God’s Word Read More

Easter Joy and Peace

Written by Theodore Barthels | April, 2011
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Post Tags: easter,living god,resurrection of christ,
As we sing our “Hallelujahs” on Easter morning, we will be rejoicing with genuine joy from our hearts. We may think that feeling such a joy is only natural on the anniversary of the resurrection of our dear Lord Jesus. However, as we read the accounts of that first resurrection morning, we are reminded that the… Read More »Easter Joy and Peace Read More

Behold the Glory of the King of Kings

Written by Theodore Barthels | January, 2011
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Post Tags: epiphany,king of kings,wise men. magi,
As we come to the close of the Christmas season, we hear once again the remarkable account of how, by God’s guidance and grace, the Wise Men from the East came searching for the one “who has been born King of the Jews” (Matthew 2:2), so that they might bow before Him and worship Him. In this event we see the… Read More »Behold the Glory of the King of Kings Read More

The Authenticating Power of Jesus’ Resurrection

Written by Theodore Barthels | April, 2002
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Knowing that you have the “real thing” can be very important, especially when there are many cheap imitations around. Some will even steal the brand name or trademark of the genuine to pawn off the imitation or the counterfeit, to the great loss of those who have received the false product. At the time of… Read More »The Authenticating Power of Jesus’ Resurrection Read More

Possessing Lasting Wealth

Written by Theodore Barthels | September, 2001
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“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew… Read More »Possessing Lasting Wealth Read More

ADVENT — OUR HOPE IN HIS COMING

Written by Theodore Barthels | December, 2001
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We live in distressing times, times of considerable unrest in the world. Terrorists would unsettle us with threats of violence. Anthrax rumors and scares abound. Great distress has been seen in the world before. It always causes the same nervous reaction among men, even among the children of God. When some spoke to Jesus of… Read More »ADVENT — OUR HOPE IN HIS COMING Read More

THIS BLEST COMMUNION

Written by Theodore Barthels | July, 2001
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“The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we, being many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread” (1 Corinthians 10:16-17). One of… Read More »THIS BLEST COMMUNION Read More

The Joyful Hope of the Resurrection Morning

Written by Theodore Barthels | April, 2001
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A new day dawned, and with it the women who served and so loved the Lord Jesus looked forward to a sad duty of love. The prospect of a dismal future lay before them–a future without a living Lord. They made their way out to the tomb where they were certain the body of the… Read More »The Joyful Hope of the Resurrection Morning Read More

The Privilege of Prayer

Written by Theodore Barthels | February, 2013
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“The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them”  (Psalm 145:18-19) Wouldn’t it be nice if we could pick up the telephone and talk to the President of the… Read More »The Privilege of Prayer Read More

My Redeemer Lives —

Written by Theodore Barthels | April, 2000
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A Timeless Truth, An Eternal Hope I know that my Redeemer lives! When we speak these words we are brought to the joy of the empty tomb. We join the women who heard with amazement the glad good news: “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen!”… Read More »My Redeemer Lives — Read More

Luther’s Stand for the Truth —

Written by Theodore Barthels | October, 2000
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The Courage of Christian Conviction One of the most cherished pictures of the Reformation is that of Luther at the Diet of Worms. Boldly Luther stood before king, princes, nobles, and papal emissaries and refused to recant or withdraw his writings which represented his profession of faith in the truth of God’s Word. Surely we… Read More »Luther’s Stand for the Truth — Read More

Treasured Citizenship

Written by Theodore Barthels | July, 2000
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I don’t know if there is another holiday that calls forth the patriotic spirit in Americans like our Fourth of July celebrations. Again this year we have seen the parades, saluted our American flags, and blasted off tons of fireworks across our land. We know that we live in the best country in the world,… Read More »Treasured Citizenship Read More

EDUCATED TO GO OUT INTO THE WORLD

Written by Theodore Barthels | August, 1998
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It is almost time to send my youngest, the last of my four beautiful daughters, out into the world. Every parent surely must wonder, as I do: “Is my child ready to face the world? Is my child ready to go out there on his/her own?” My child is five years old and will only… Read More »EDUCATED TO GO OUT INTO THE WORLD Read More

THE ENDURING MERCIES OF GOD

Written by Theodore Barthels | November, 1998
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Again this month we join our nation in a day of national thanksgiving as we praise God for the bountiful and rich blessings which He has showered upon our land. The curious thing is that one must wonder how many in our nation even begin to comprehend who the true God is, or that it… Read More »THE ENDURING MERCIES OF GOD Read More

A SEASON FOR PASSION

Written by Theodore Barthels | February, 1999
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As we enter the season of Lent, we remember it also as the Passion season. The original meaning for the word passion, and the first still given in my dictionary, is suffering or agony, with special reference to the suffering of our Lord Jesus. And so it is that His suffering and His death on… Read More »A SEASON FOR PASSION Read More

The Wonder of Pentecost Power

Written by Theodore Barthels | May, 1999
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“Then Peter said to them, Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who that are afar off, as many… Read More »The Wonder of Pentecost Power Read More

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