Bible Studies

The Father’s Discipline

Loring Schultz

Read: Luke 15:11-24 ESV – The Parable of the Prodigal Son – And – Bible Gateway

“A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living.” Luke 15:13 NLT

Man in ragged clothes kneeling and embracing older man in blue robe outside stone house

One of the most favorite passages in all of scripture is found in Luke’s gospel. It is one of the many parables spoken by Jesus, The Parable of the Prodigal Son. Other names include, The Parable of Two Brothers, the Lost Son, the Forgiving Father, or my favorite The Parable of the Father’s Love. It is well represented in many sermons on Father’s Day each year. The loving father anxiously awaiting the return of his son who has left him is an example of God the Father who waits anxiously for us to return. All of us in one way or another take a step or two, or even a mile away from our heavenly Father. But we can rest assured that when we come to our senses, as the prodigal son did, our heavenly Father is there to greet us and forgive us. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 esv)

But what about the other side of the coin, the Father’s discipline? We have no indication if the prodigal son was punished after the fattened calf celebration. But that was not Jesus’s point in telling this parable. Along with the demonstration of the father’s love for his son is the demonstration that the lost can be found. But we are also confident of the father’s love especially through discipline. The writer of the book of Hebrews sets forth from the Old Testament, “And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? ‘My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.’” (Heb. 12:5, 6 ESV) He continues, “…..but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Heb.12:10b, 11 esv)

We have a heavenly Father who loves us enough to forgive us and restore us back to fellowship with Him, and we have a heavenly Father who loves us enough to discipline us in order that we may share His Holiness. May we cherish both.

Devotionals

A Golden Opportunity

Loring Schultz

“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” Job 23:10 NIV

Photo by David Cain on Unsplash
 

Occasionally, in our lives we come across the opportunity of a lifetime. Whether it is a dream job, an exotic vacation, meeting a celebrity or favorite sports figure, a scholarship to a major university or being appointed to a high-level government position, we look at it as a golden opportunity. Opportunities may come about by chance with no effort on our part or by arduous work through blood, sweat, and tears. Whatever the case, we are grateful for the opportunity and do not take it for granted.

The biblical figure ‘Job’ is often referenced in describing those who are suffering or have suffered due to some personal tragedy in their lives. Job is the perfect example in these circumstances as it is said in comparison, ‘no one has suffered more next to Job.’ Job had lost his entire family, save his wife, all his livestock, and his servants in one day by Satan’s hand as he questioned Job’s integrity before God. God then permitted Satan to afflict Job with painful sores over his entire body, knowing the He could again trust Job to remain faithful. The Lord did permit the attacks on Job proving to Satan Job’s faithfulness. Job would not curse God and God gave Job a golden opportunity.

On the surface, Job’s suffering does not look like a golden opportunity. Job himself, throughout the book of Job questions why the suffering, but is convinced he did nothing wrong. Job relays to his three friends that God knows of his conduct and is testing him, not to refine him by purifying him of his sins, but to prove his innocence and he will come forth as gold. (Job 23:10 niv)

Does God test His children today? Yes, I am afraid He does. But He puts us to the test to draw ourselves closer to Him, to increase our faith in Him, to trust His plan for us, and to show ourselves as true followers of Jesus to others in need. It may be hard at the time, but may we thank the Lord for each golden opportunity to be used for His glory.

Devotionals

Stay Active and Keep Moving

Loring Schultz

Read: Hebrews 6:9-12 NKJV – A Better Estimate – But, beloved, we – Bible Gateway

“Do not become sluggish but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Hebrews 6:12 NKJV

People praying and exercising in a gym with Christian signs and a crucifix
A group engages in prayer and exercise at a gym emphasizing spiritual and physical strength.

The one piece of advice I received repeatedly before retiring was to ‘stay active and keep moving.’ I knew that to be true for in my working years as a retail store manager, I have spent more time on the floor than in the office, despite what others might say. A sudden stop in physical activity would not end well. For the most part I have maintained a regular schedule that keeps me moving physically. But I admit there are times when sluggishness sets in from missing the gym and the accumulation of late-night snacks. Thankfully, I recognize the need to stay active with frequent visits back to the gym to become sluggish free.

Staying active and moving is not only for our physical health, but also for our spiritual health. In fact the apostle Paul writes, “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” (1Tim.4:8 nlt)  When we let our spiritual life lay dormant and are absorbing the junk food of the world there is no other outcome but to become sluggish or spiritually unhealthy. Without a correction this will lead to all kinds of spiritual problems and create a chasm between you and God.

Just as physical exercise and staying active keeps us healthy and not in a sluggish state, spiritual exercise such as Bible reading, prayer, worship, sharing the gospel, helping others, and having Christian friends will keep us active and moving in our Christian life. Age does not matter. Young, old, and in-between, we all need spiritual exercise. If you’re feeling a bit sluggish, it’s time to hit ‘God’s Gym.’  

Bible Studies

“Final Thoughts” – The Story of Abraham   

Loring Schultz

Read: Genesis 22:15-18 NLT – Then the angel of the LORD called again – Bible Gateway

Abraham looking at stars in desert

This week we come to the end of our study of Abraham in Sunday’s Biblical Insights. This man of great faith gave us much to admire and many examples to follow both good and bad. Although Abraham was a great man, he was also human and needed God in his life to direct him in all that God wanted him to do. Abraham was chosen by God to leave his family and homeland to a land God promised to give him and his descendants. Abraham would become the father of the Jewish people. So, Abraham set out for the Promised Land with his wife Sarai and his nephew Lot. That, indeed, took a lot of faith.

As we noted in our study, Abraham was not only the father of Jews but is known as the father of all who believe. Abraham received the good news that salvation for all would come through him. The Lord told Abraham in Genesis chapter 12, “All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” (Gen.12:3 nlt) Jesus Christ, the Messiah, came through Abraham’s seed. God’s salvation for sinners came through Abraham. The gospel of Matthew in the New Testament begins with the words, “This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham.” (Mt.1:1 nlt)

Last week we witnessed Abraham’s ultimate test of faith. God had told him to kill and sacrifice his son Issac on Mount Moriah. This great man of faith didn’t waver, at least not by an outward appearance that we can see, but proceeded with faith that God would raise him up from the dead or provide a substitute for his son. In this scene we discovered a foreshadowing of Jesus’ crucifixion in Issac’s willingness and the Lord supplying a substitute. A sacrifice was needed for our sin and God provided a substitute for all who believe in His name, Jesus Christ, God the Son.

Of everything we covered in our study of Abraham, this is the most important connection to your life that you can make. Abraham makes a wonderful story. It is God’s story of redeeming mankind through the seed of one man He chose to become the father of the Jewish people. From the line of King David of the tribe of Judah, the Messiah, Jesus Christ, the savior of the world, was born. All you need to do is have the faith to believe it. “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.” (Eph.2:8 nlt)

A Christian Perspective

The Perception of Corruption

Loring Schultz

Read: Psalm 14 NLT – Psalm 14 – For the choir director: A – Bible Gateway

“Only fools say in their hearts, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good! The wicked frustrate the plans of the oppressed, but the LORD will protect his people.” Psalm 14:1, 6 NLT

California Republic flag with a bear and red star on white background
The California Republic flag waves against a clear blue sky

The term ‘perception of corruption’ has been trending on social media the last ten days since the California primary election here in the United States. It comes down to a simple observation of the modern technological age we live that all the ballots have not yet been counted. I am old enough to remember old relic voting machines that worked fine. When the polls closed 8 PM the vote totals were captured and sent to the county courthouse and on a good night the results were announced around 10 or 11 PM. Mail-in ballots, of course, were available to those serving overseas and for those who proved they would not been available to vote on election day in their precinct. Oh My, how things have changed.

Proponents of the new laws that have created this log jam say it is to ensure every person exercises their right to vote, and that every vote is counted. In all my years of voting I have never heard a report of a citizen registered to vote that had been denied that right, either in person or mail-in ballot, and their vote was counted. So, there must be another reason for reshaping the voting procedures in the United States. There is an old saying that goes something like this, ‘if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it.’ Well, it wasn’t broken, but it is now.

King David writing in Psalm 14 sheds some light on how and why this corruption may take place. Those who say there is no God are fools. This does not need to be an outright denial of God, but an arrogance of one claiming to be working for the benefit of others and believe that God is silent of their deception. As they work to help others they perceive their methods are righteous because they are legal, but as David wrote, “The wicked frustrate the plans of the oppressed.” (Ps.14:6 esv) It is indeed a perception of corruption. The people they claim they are trying to help are just as confused as the rest of us. Under the disguise of assisting others the powerful politicians become more powerful and filled with greed which they cannot let go of.

Christians today need to speak up whenever corruption raises its ugly head. But there are ways in which to act and ways not to act. We must be in prayer for our proper response and be praying for the United States and its election process that it will remain free from corruption and eliminating anything that enables a perception of corruption.

Devotionals

Acting Religiously         

Loring Schultz

Read: 2 timothy 3:1-5 NLT – The Dangers of the Last Days – You – Bible Gateway

“They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!” 2 Timothy 3:5 NLT

Photo by Howard Wang on Unsplash

When referring to the end times, the last days, or the end of the world, people are quick to point to the ever-increasing sins listed in 2 Timothy chapter 4. Selfishness, boastful, ungrateful, proud, unloving, unforgiving, no self-control, loving pleasure more than God, and the list goes on. We have seen these sins throughout history and even more in the current 21st century. It is easy to see the vile sins of a fallen generation and yes they are increasing. But what is overlooked is what does not seem vile, in fact, it is looked as virtuous (good and righteous). But it belongs in the same list of sins as the others. It is ‘acting religiously.’

There are many today who act righteous but truly are not. Chuck Swindoll writes, “Paul concluded his list of ‘savage’ behavior with perhaps the most despicable of all. Some dress themselves in the august robes of godliness yet pursue their own lusts. They pretend to be godly in order to justify their own selfish desires…Today, this false godliness can range from……..corrupt minsters fleecing the flock for personal gain, to businessmen seeking networking possibilities within the church, to sanctimonious Christians rationalizing their greed.” (1) Strong words. Paul says to ‘Stay away from people like that.’ (2Tim.3:5 nlt)

Today we are beginning to witness pastors speaking evil as good and good as evil. Some people within the church are acting religiously in accepting the norms of a corrupt and perverse culture. Acceptance by the world has replaced the acceptance of the Word of God. My God-fearing Christians it is time for us to take a stand against the false religions and false teachers of our day even though they are ‘acting religiously.’

(1) Swindoll, Living Insights 1&2 Timothy. Carol Stream: Tyndale, 2014. Pg 228

Devotionals

A Word of Encouragement

Loring Schultz

Read: Psalm 73 NLT – BOOK THREE (Psalms 73–89) -Psalm 73 – Bible Gateway

“Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.” Psalm 73:25-26 NLT

Mountain sunrise over a lake with Psalm 73 text about God's strength
A scenic mountain sunrise accompanies an uplifting verse from Psalm 73 about God’s enduring strength.

A fellow elder shared with us after our weekly prayer session this morning how encouraging Psalm 73 is. Our church is currently going through selected passages of Psalms for a summer Bible reading program. Seeing his comments I thought it best to review the Psalm and see what I might have missed. Yes, it is encouraging.

A psalm of Asaph that begins Book 3 in the Psalter is a reflection of what most Christians experience in certain seasons of life. During the downtimes in life, and there are many, we tend to look back at better days or to those who do not seem to have it so bad. We envy them who seem to have it all together. They may not be living for the Lord, but they have no worries, they are healthy, financially set, no internal family struggles, life is good, and like Asaph writes, “These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for!” (Ps.73:7 nlt) And we surmise that we do not. But we are wrong, troubles and downtimes included.

The psalmist had reached the point where he questioned whether his obedience to God was for nothing. I’m afraid many Christians have found themselves asking the same question. The turning point for the psalmist was when he went into the sanctuary. “Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.” (Ps.73:17 nlt) Worshiping God opened the psalmist’s eyes to God’s justice. The bottom line is the wicked does not get away with anything.

Well now, what about us with our struggles and the downtimes in life? Follow the lead of Asaph as he confessed his sin of assessing life from a secular worldview. (Ps.73:21-24) He had come to realize that nothing is better or more desirable than God. May we come to the same conclusion!

Devotionals

The World Cup

Loring Schultz

“And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, ‘Each of you drink from it, for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.’” Matthew 26:27-28 NLT

Golden FIFA World Cup trophy on a pedestal at a soccer stadium
The iconic FIFA World Cup trophy stands proudly on the pitch before a match with a packed stadium

The FIFA Men’s World Cup has once again descended on the nations of the world. This year three North American countries will host the 2026 World Cup with the United States being one of the hosting countries. Soccer is the only sport in the world that is recognized and played globally. Therefore the term, ‘World Cup,’ is appropriate. It is available to all who qualify to participate in striving to win the World Cup. Sadly, there will only be one winner and the winning nation will celebrate the accomplishment of winning the World Cup.

There is another World Cup that is available for all who qualify to participate in where there are no losers. This cup contains the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. In the first ‘Lord’s Supper,’ which we continually observe today, Jesus told His disciples the cup of wine represented His blood that ‘is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.’ It is available to all who qualify. Qualifying is simply accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

Qualifying for the 2026 World Cup requires much training, practice, physical fitness, and teamwork. Those nations who make the cut are in the tournament but not guaranteed the victory. When making the cut with Jesus you are guaranteed victory because victory does not depend on your performance, but on God’s gift given through grace. It is truly a World Cup, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (Jn.3:16 nlt)

Devotionals

Carefully determine what pleases the Lord

Loring Schultz

“Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.” Ephesians 5:10 NLT

Photo by Joel Muniz on Unsplash

Throughout any given day we make hundreds of choices. If our day is not already preplanned, we have the task of deciding how to fill the day. Even in those preplanned days, would our scheduled activities please the Lord? Obviously work, fulfilling family needs, spending time with the Lord, and volunteering in the community would be pleasing to God. It is those gray areas that are concerning for the Christian. Areas of personal conviction between you and God if you participate in them hinders your relationship with Him. It doesn’t need to be outright sin that would displease God, James tells us, “Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” (Ja. 4:17nlt) This is especially true in the things you hold in conviction to do or not to do.

Developing convictions between you and the Lord begins with spending time in the Bible and in prayer with Him. During times of confusion in certain areas of your life search the scriptures and ask God for guidance as to what He pleases Him, then go do it or not do it as the Lord placed the conviction on your heart. Not every Christian will have the same convictions. What is a conviction for me may not necessarily be a conviction for you and vice versa. That doesn’t mean that God is not pleased with both of us. He is pleased as we are obedient to His will for us.

There are common denominators for all Christians to agree with convictions in what pleases and displeases God. Paul writes to the church in Ephesus, “Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret…… Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.” (Eph. 5:11-12, 17nlt) As you plan your day, carefully determine what pleases the Lord by developing convictions.

Devotionals

Your Will or God’s Will Be Done?

Loring Schultz

“‘Abba, Father,’ he cried out, ‘everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.'” Mark 14:36 NLT

How well will you handle God’s desires and His will for you if it brings pain and suffering into your life?

Man kneeling on wet cobblestone path outside church, holding hands near face and crying.

Jesus, the God-man, faced the reality of following His Father’s will in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before His crucifixion. He knew of God’s plan of salvation for each of us before the world began and He followed every detail. The time had come for the payment of sin to be completed. The sacrifice for sin would be made in a few short hours. Jesus was about to experience the most excruciating pain and suffering imaginable as the sins of the world would be laid upon Him. His Father would turn His back on Him causing Jesus to call “out with a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?’ which means ‘My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?’” (Mk.15:34 nlt)

In the garden that night Jesus knew His Father was capable of an alternative plan if it was His will to do so. Jesus prayed for this to be so. “‘Abba, Father,’ he cried out, ‘everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me.” (Mk.14:36a nlt) The physical pain in the ‘cup of suffering’ will be accompanied by the spiritual separation from His Father that was forthcoming. Jesus asked that it be taken away, but then said, “Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” (Mk.14:36b nlt)

Whatever your pain and suffering may be, it is understandable to ask the Lord to remove it and He will not fault you for that. There are times when He will remove it completely or partially, and times when He does not. Knowing that God desires your heart to be filled with His desires and for His will to be done wouldn’t you rather God’s will than your own will? May we all be able to say with the Lord Jesus, “Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” (Mk.14:36 nlt)