Word for the Soul

“Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart.” Matthew 12:25 NLT

The United States of America has established itself as the leader of the free world since its founding in 1776. Based on principles found in the Holy Scriptures from God who created the heavens, the earth, and human beings in His image, these principles have guided the nation for 250 years this July 4^th. Sadly, the United States once united ‘in God we trust’ have abandon, not only the motto, but very God Himself. Although not every citizen has rejected God and His Word, enough has that the United States is now a country divided.

The founding fathers are at the heart of this current divide. Disagreements over the intent of the framers of the constitution and its stability or fluidity have risen over the years. Legislation has been created and court decisions have been entered seizing the opportunity to establish law not found in the constitution. There is naturally a division when these laws are enacted as both sides see their view as the right one. The truth is the only view that matters is God’s and what He has written in His Word.

Many laws have been passed and put into effect and by law are legal, but by God’s law they do not pursue equal justice and violate the dignity of men and women made in God’s image. The founding fathers knew they were men with human flaws and needed divine revelation in drafting the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Biblical principles were applied to ensure liberty and justice for all. When these principles are neglected and God is no longer relevant in governing the nation, legislation will become law that will divide the citizens of the country.

The United States is more divided in 2026 than any time in its history including the Civil War. History books record for us the result of such division that occurred in the first half of the 1860’s. We may not be heading into a civil war as in the past, but we are in a civil war of ideas, justice, and morality. Jesus’ words need to be resounded across every state in the union, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation.” (Mt.12:25 nkjv) The United States is on the verge of collapse in Jesus’ words if we don’t reunite under His rule and authority. There is some good news that a reuniting may indeed occur. President Donald Trump announced this past Thursday at the National Prayer Breakfast that on May 17, 2026, at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. the United States will be rededicated as ‘One Nation under God.’ May we pray this will be a turning point as America begins its next 250 years.

Devotionals

Lasting Joy and Peace

February 6, 2026February 5, 2026 Loring Schultz

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NIV

Photo by Quang Nguyen Vinh on Pexels.com

Every human being needs a little joy and peace from time to time. But what happens when the ‘little’ doesn’t last and fades away? There are many things that we escape to in search of joy and peace. Entertainment by way of musical artists, major sporting events, and the theatre provide moments of joy, peace, and relaxation for a few hours if your team wins, or you hear your favorite song. Travelling on vacation to an exotic resort and taking in all the sights of your surroundings may give a sense of awe and pleasure during your stay. And then there is the inexpensive way to find joy and peace in settling down with a good book, or taking a nature walk in God’s creation. All of these will satisfy your desire for joy and peace for a period, but there is a way to experience joy and peace that never fades away.

Paul writing to the church in Rome encouraged them by saying, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Ro. 15:13 niv) Paul was convinced his readers would be filled with lasting joy and peace as they trusted in God. Paul also knew the Holy Spirit would instill hope in each believer in Christ, hope being the assurance of salvation and not wishful thinking. The assurance of salvation is guaranteed to bring lasting joy and peace in this life for those who accept Christ.

Be careful of the distinction between ‘joy’ and ‘happiness’, and ‘peace’ and ‘inner peace.’ Joy is real contentment that comes through the Holy Spirit in midst of trials and sorrows. Happiness is a joyful pleasure for a moment in masking our sorrow. Inner peace is the true peace we enjoy every day from the Holy Spirit’s presence, and not only for a quiet moment. The Christian’s joy and peace is rooted in the God of hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Have you experienced true lasting joy and inner peace, or are you still in the momentary state of peace and happiness? “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him.”

Devotionals

True Faith

February 5, 2026February 4, 2026 Loring Schultz

Read: 1 Timothy 5:1-8 NLT – Advice about Widows, Elders, and Slaves – Bible Gateway

“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples…. But those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers.” (Jn.13:35, 1 Tim.5:8 nlt)

What does ‘true faith’ look like? If you were asked to put it into words, how would you describe it? It may help to separate the two words and take each one on its own. ‘True’ is according to fact and not false. It is accurate, correct, and real or (authentic). What is notable is the first definition found in ‘Websters New World Dictionary’ for the word ‘true’ is ‘faithful.’ So, let’s move on to ‘Faith’ as defined in Webster. ‘Faith’ is unquestioning belief, specifically in God. Complete trust or confidence, loyalty.

Combining these two words together we may say ‘true faith’ is ‘our complete trust and belief in God that is authentic based on what is fact and accurate, the Lord God.’ You may come up with other variations, but you get the idea. It is a starting point. We can mix and match these definitions to help us explain ‘true faith’ and most would be within reason of each other, but what does ‘true faith’ look like from God’s perspective?

Christian compassion for one another is a major component of ‘true faith.’ Jesus said our love for each other will show the world we are His disciples. This is especially true of our love for our families. When there is a lack of love and concern for our families it is immediately noticed by unbelievers. Even most unbelievers care for their own families. Paul writes, “those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith.” (1Tim.5:8 nlt) It’s sad, but some Christians have indeed denied the true faith. This ought not to be. May our ‘true faith’ be authentic in the Lord God from His perspective having true love for another, especially those in our own household.

Devotionals

Confidence in the Resurrection

February 4, 2026February 3, 2026 Loring Schultz

“But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!” Job 19:25-27 NLT

Job during his most painful moments and losing all hope in this life had confidence in the resurrection. The visit of his three friends along with Elihu gave him no comfort or hope as Job was chastised by them for what they perceived as sin in Job’s life that caused his suffering. The basis for Job’s confidence are his words in verse 25 of chapter 19. “I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last.” (nlt)

Although suffering and anticipating he was about to die, Job knew he had a redeemer and his redeemer lives. His redeemer was able to raise him up even after his body had decayed. He believed in the eternal God and that Job himself was an eternal being with a soul. Job describe that he will see God in his body, a new glorified body, and not one in spirit only. He would see God with his own eyes and was overwhelmed at the thought.

Do you have the confidence Job had? Do you believe you will be resurrected and see God and His Son Jesus Christ? If you have accepted Christ as savior you will indeed be resurrected even if you have doubts how all that will occur, it will happen. If you have not accepted Christ you too will be resurrected, but not unto Christ but unto judgement and eternal separation from Him. Each one of us is an eternal being who will live on in the resurrection. Do you have confidence where you will spend eternity? If you’re not sure, make sure today.

The Plan of Salvation: https://www.gotquestions.org/plan-of-salvation.html

Devotionals

An Endless River of Righteous Living

February 3, 2026February 2, 2026 Loring Schultz

“Away with your noisy hymns of praise! I will not listen to the music of your harps. Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living.” Amos 5:23-24 NLT

There are many lessons in the pages of Scripture to learn from today. After all, God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He does not change. His love for us is the same. His laws do not change over time. All His holy attributes do not change as the attribute of the Immutability of God tells us. We can be confident God doesn’t change and His Word doesn’t change either. It is the same and valid for all eternity.

In the Old Testament book of Amos, the prophet was called to issue a warning to the northern tribes of Israel. They were to repent of their social evils and pagan worship. Their only hope to prevent judgment from God was total repentance from the blasphemous worship of God they were performing and their lack justice among the people. The Lord wanted a complete change of mind and heart towards Him, the Lord their God, which in turn would result in ‘a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living.’ (Amos 5:24 nlt)

Christians today may not equate themselves with all the sins of ancient Israel, but there are similarities to be considered. Are we always just in our dealings with others? Are we more than fair in areas which are under our control? When we worship God are our hearts in the right place? Have we been living righteously throughout week as we enter to worship God on Sunday morning? No, none of us are righteous, but we can walk in step with God through the Holy Spirit. Are we doing that? As with nation of Israel in Amos’ day, the Lord wants to see justice and an endless river of righteous flowing in our lives when we come to worship Him along with our noisy hymns of praise!

Devotionals

You Know Me

February 2, 2026February 1, 2026 Loring Schultz

Read: Psalm 139 NASB – God’s Omnipresence and Omniscience. – Bible Gateway

“O LORD, You have searched me and known me, You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar.” Psalm 139: 1-2 NASB

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

What a comfort it is to know that God, the God of the universe, knows us intimately. He knows of our struggles, our fears and our limitations. He also knows of our joy and all our successes. But let us also look at the other side of the coin; yes, it is a comfort to know that God knows all about us, and He does know ALL about us. Look again at the end of verse 2, “You understand my thought from afar.” He even knows the thoughts of our minds, yes, good thoughts pleasing to Him and evil thoughts that fly in the face of His Holiness.

King David wrote Psalm 139 as a prayer of devotion to the Lord to examine his heart and to get rid of anything displeasing in His sight. King David wanted to be true to the Lord and be led in His righteousness. (Psalm 139:23-24) And how is it with you? The comfort of knowing that God sees all and knows all about us is a great comfort, but it should also serve as a great wakeup call as He does see ALL and knows ALL about us, good and bad. May we be as King David desiring to be true to God and be led in His righteousness.

Bible Studies

Do not neglect your worship to God

February 1, 2026January 30, 2026 Loring Schultz

Today marks the beginning of the second month of 2026. Where has the new year taken you so far? Are there several changes occurring at this time? Whatever this year continues to bring don’t neglect your worship to God. Our Sunday’s Biblical Insights for this week.

“While the Israelites were camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, they celebrated Passover on the evening of the fourteenth day of the first month.” Joshua 5:10 NLT

The Israelites are on the verge of implementing their campaign in conquering their new territory, the land God had promised them. The Lord had brought them to the banks of the Jordan River after forty years in the wilderness. He miraculously led them across the swollen river by causing the flowing waters to back up clearing the way for them to proceed on dry ground. The people erected a memorial of stones taken from the middle of the dry river bed as instructed by the Lord to remind them and future generations of God’s presence among them in their journey. There was yet one requirement needed to be fulfilled before entering the land, and that was the returning to the Abrahamic Covenant of commitment to the Lord.

During the forty years of wilderness wandering Israel was under judgment for disobeying God by not following through to enter the land due to their lack of faith in Him. Circumcision, the surgical sign of commitment to the Abrahamic Covenant, was not carried out, nor was the Passover celebrated since the first anniversary of being led out of Egypt. All of that generation, except for a very few, died in the wilderness due to their unbelief. It was now the next generation that would be the recipients of God’s promise to bring His chosen people into the Promised Land. They had shown their belief and trust in God by obeying His commands and knowing that He would be with them.

This new generation only knew life in the wilderness. They were guided by a cloud during the day and by fire at night and had fresh manna delivered every morning for food. Life was about to change radically for them, but all by God’s design. We need to have the same understanding as well for the changes we go through as God’s designs for us. Old familiar ways will be replaced by new never imagined experiences all for our good by the Lord Himself.

The first thing Joshua did after setting in place the memorial stones was to follow God’s command to circumcise all the males below forty years old. The Abrahamic Covenant was about to be reinstated. The covenant relationship which was broken by their fathers was about to be restored to the new generation setting them off on the right foot as enter the Promised Land. The Passover would also be reinstated and celebrated each year on the fourteenth day of the first month. Worship was reestablished with the Lord God as they went forward.

It is just as important in our day when we are going through changes in our lives to continue our walk with God and continue to worship Him. He is the one who will see us through the difficulties in our new territory, after all He is the one who has placed us there and has a plan for us. It is even more important if we have not been in a right relationship with God, as with Israel, to ask the Lord to restore us. Then we are able to worship to Him wholly.

After Israel celebrated the Passover the Bible tells us they started to eat the fruit of the land and the mana ceased. The old provisions from God were over and God’s promised new provisions were on display and abundant for their needs. Our needs will also be met during our transition period, perhaps in different ways than before for we are in new territory just as God planned it.

Wherever you are in adjusting to your new circumstances be careful to not neglect your worship to God. The Lord God, creator of the heavens and earth, and everything in between, including you, is worthy of worship. Do not get caught up in the changes you may be going through but take advantage of this time to draw closer to God through worshiping the one who is directing you into your new territory.

NEXT WEEK WE BEGIN A NEW SERIES IN BIBLICAL INSIGHTS. ‘THE STORY OF ABRAHAM’

A Christian Perspective

Forced Learning

January 31, 2026January 29, 2026 Loring Schultz

“Command and teach these things….…. devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.” 1 Timothy 4:11, 13 ESV

‘Forced Learning,’ it sounds negative. It gives the impression of lack of freedom and choice. It can also assume indoctrination. The world’s education system has many contributors forcing their brand of learning based off their worldview to indoctrinate unexpecting students. This is occurring from early childhood development to our colleges and universities. Sadly it is also in some of our most prestigious non-profit and religious organizations and even in some churches. The justification for this teaching is they are in sync with the changing progressive culture. People in the early days of the New Testament found themselves in much the same situations. Paul, the apostle, has a few words to say about this.

Paul was giving Timothy instructions on being a disciplined servant of Christ. Timothy’s job was to teach and instruct the church of the ways of God, salvation, and Chrisitan living in a world with an ever-changing culture. Paul said to ‘Command and teach these things.’ The early church faced false teachers claiming something new and contrary to Scripture. Timothy was to devote himself to being persistent in the public reading of Scripture in worship services. He was also to continue to exhort and teach the brethren, in fact Paul told Timothy to ‘command and teach these things.’ It sort of sounds like ‘forced learning,’ but if Timothy’s teaching was based on the truth of God’s Word from God Himself then Timothy had a responsibility to carry out that command to teach those things.

Christians today have the same responsibility to communicate the truth of God’s Word. This is not to be left up to the pastor but is an obligation of every living saint. The error of false teaching must be met with truth from the Bible. The progressive cultural of our day is increasingly drifting away from the Bible with their forced learning procedures. It’s time to ‘command and teach these things.’ in the love of Christ.

Devotionals

Early Riser

January 30, 2026January 29, 2026 Loring Schultz

Read: Proverbs 8:12-36 KJV – I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find – Bible Gateway

“I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.” Proverbs 8:17 KJV

Are you an early riser? You may ask, ‘well, it depends on what you mean by early.’ I get it. So, this is not to persuade you to get up before or at the crack of dawn. (Although I think that is best) It is for you to reserve your best, full alert, attentive, concentrated, quiet time for God whatever the time of day.

For Jesus, His best time to pray to His Father was in the pre-dawn hours. Observing the busy days Jesus had during the course of His ministry it is easy to see His best time was when no one else was around. This should be our goal as well. Whenever that time is convenient is when and where we should be looking to seek after God. Proverbs is a book of wisdom and wisdom is personalized and is speaking in Proverbs 8:17 when it says, “I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.” (kjv) Can we apply this verse to seeking after God? I think we can!

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Pr.1:7 kjv) True wisdom comes when seeking after God with reverential fear or ‘awe’ of who He is. God Almighty is the source of wisdom. Wisdom says, “The LORD formed me from the beginning, before he created anything else. I was appointed in ages past, at the very first, before the earth began.” (Pr.8:22-23 nlt) The Lord God is the creator of everything. Wisdom comes through His mighty sovereign hands.

So, again my purpose is for each of us to find that secluded place which is the best uninterrupted time to seek after God through devoted prayer and time in His Word. You may also be surprised that a little bit of wisdom comes with it.

Devotionals

Have you hardened your heart towards God?

January 29, 2026January 28, 2026 Loring Schultz

Read: Job 9:1-12 ESV – Job Replies: There Is No Arbiter – Then – Bible Gateway

“He is wise in heart and mighty in strength—who has hardened himself against him, and succeeded?” Job 9:4 ESV

Life throws us many nasty curveballs, to use a baseball analogy. We may be in the batter’s box, expecting a fastball down the middle of the plate, but the Lord God is on the mound, and He has a variety of pitches to keep us guessing. We don’t always get the pitches we would like, but they are from the hand of the Lord God and for our good. We may even get a brush back if we try to crowd the plate. God doesn’t like that; it’s His territory.

Job asked the question, ‘who has hardened himself against him (God), and succeeded?’ (Job 9:4 nlt) No answer is required. It is obvious, no one! Now it is true in baseball that both the pitcher and batter succeed against each other, but when the Lord God is on the mound or has a bat in His hands in the box, we don’t stand a chance. His purpose will prevail.

During times of struggle and unexpected occurrences in our lives, there may be a tendency to harden our hearts toward God. We may even do it unconsciously, not realizing it. We drift away from Him. Some of us automatically distanced ourselves from God, and then others simply question God. There’s nothing wrong with questioning God or asking ‘why.’ He understands but be careful to take note of the condition of your heart. Don’t let it become calloused with doubt, bitterness, or unbelief.

When struggles and confusion begin to consume our days, what is needed most is listening ears and a soft heart towards the Lord. We can’t go off on our own without Him and expect to succeed in overcoming our problems. So, while you’re looking for that fastball, just take the strike and look unto the Lord God. He’s got it covered.