Word for the Soul

“I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again. I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.” 2 Timothy 1:4-5 NLT

What do others remember about you? The older you get the more time there is for others to accumulate what stands out about you that they remember. I admit there are some things I’d rather people would forget about me, perhaps you can recall some of those things yourself. We all want people to think well of us and to remember the positive things in our lives. But it doesn’t always work out that way. All of us are fallen human beings living in a fallen broken world and with that comes things we would rather forget and certainly have others forget about us.

The past is the past, so what have we been doing lately? Are we growing in Christ? Are we in the Word of God daily? Do we have an active prayer life? Are our lives reflecting a change of heart and attitude that is only possible through a relationship with Jesus Christ? All these things are building blocks for a firm foundation of living the Christian life. Others around us will see the change, mark the difference, and begin to remember for future reference the people we are in Christ. In this case only we can say the good outweighs the bad as we continue to grow in all manners as a Jesus followers. Others will see it and remember.

Wherever we are in our Christian walk it is always a good thing to stop and self-examine ourselves. Are we reflecting Christ in a way that people will remember us as encouraging or a disappointment of what should be? All of us no matter what our age are building a foundation of remembrance in the eyes and minds of those around us. May there be no cracks in that foundation as we continue to build on the only foundation that could be laid, Jesus Christ. Let us have something others will remember us by, our life in Jesus Christ the hope of salvation for all people.

Devotionals

Our Greatest Need

April 30, 2026April 29, 2026 Loring Schultz

“O let me never lose sight of my need of a saviour, or forget that apart from him I am nothing, and can do nothing.” (1)

What is your greatest need? Have you ever thought about it? This question is often asked in light of the current moment in time. We do live in the present. Have you ever considered there is one need that is supersedes all other needs in our lives? This need, when met, will assist us with dealing with all other needs because it is our greatest need, our need of a savior. Our greatest need in this life is to make sure our greatest after this life is met. Along with the fulfillment of that need comes help from above in our everyday walk in this life.

The Puritan writer in the ‘Valley of Vision’ collection of Puritan devotions writes, “O let me never lose sight of my need of a saviour, or forget that apart from him I am nothing, and can do nothing.” (1) We can get so tangled in our present needs we lose sight of the bigger picture. What is important and what should be our primary priorities are overshadowed by current troubles. Yes, our pressing needs are a concern and need to be dealt with and the provider of our greatest need is there to help us through them.

Our greatest need must be met first. All of us are alienated from God due to our sinful nature and must be reconciled to Him. That reconciliation was made possible by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for our sins. “For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” (Ro.5:10 niv) When we accept Christ as savior our greatest need in this life and more importantly in eternity has been met. So, have you taken care of your greatest need? Once you are assured of that, the rest of this life with all its needs will be met by the one who solved your greatest need, your need of a savior.

(1) Arthur Bennett Ed. The Valley of Vision. East Peoria: Versa Press, 2023. Pg. 32

Devotionals

First Thing in the Morning

April 29, 2026April 28, 2026 Loring Schultz

Read: Psalm 5 NKJV – A Prayer for Guidance – To the Chief – Bible Gateway

“My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up.” Psalm 5:3 NKJV

Woman sitting on bed looking out window at sunrise

Do you have a routine every morning after you awake? Depending with what is scheduled it may differ from day to day as you go about getting ready for the new day. But my thought here is those very first moments as you wake up while you are still in bed, what are your thoughts, do you have any, do you have a routine? David had a routine every morning of looking up and lifting his voice to God. “My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up.” (Ps.5:3 nkjv)

This is something we can all do first thing in the morning because we all are a position to look up while lying in bed. We’re half-way there. Next we allow the Lord to hear our voice as we direct it towards Him. The good thing is we can do this silently, especially if you are married so as to not wake up your spouse, if single, then you can lift up your voice as loud as you feel led. We do not need to speak audibly to the Lord for Him to hear us, only to speak silently directly to Him in our quiet moments.

Staring your day looking up to God and thanking Him for rest received through the night and the joy of giving you another day to serve Him starts you out on the right foot. There’s no need to worry of getting out of the wrong side of the bed as saying goes. You have taken care of first things first. Not a bad routine to begin tomorrow first thing in the morning.

Devotionals

Jesus is not there

April 28, 2026April 27, 2026 Loring Schultz

Read: Luke 24:1-7 NKJV – He Is Risen – Now on the first day of – Bible Gateway

“Why do you seek the living among the dead?” Luke 24:5 NKJV

Early on that first Easter morning the Bible says the women appeared at the tomb of Jesus with spices to anoint His body. But Jesus wasn’t there. Two angels who stood by asked them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” (Lk.24:5 nkjv) The message was clear; Jesus was not there. Why would He be in a place reserved for dead people? It was a dead place. Jesus was alive and not with the dead.

As I read this passage of Scripture this morning those words jumped out at me. ‘Why do you seek the living among the dead?’ I thought of it in a spiritual sense. Some things we may participate in, calling them vices or not so bad, is Jesus there? Those sins that easily entangle us (Heb.12:1), is Jesus there? I would think not. It is a dark place among the dead. Jesus is not there. But those of us who know the Lord as Savior have His Spirit living in us, so, when we engage in that vice or activity we bring Jesus along with us.

The world today has many dead places of sin in which our Lord would never go. It is true He is the creator of the world and ever-present. The world has also been corrupted by sin and is dead, but Jesus is alive. When a person turns to Christ in repentance for their sin they become alive in Him. Once dead, now alive! We cannot get away from the temptations of our sinful dead world, but we have the Christ’s Spirit in us to help us through it. Remember Jesus is not there, don’t bring Him along with you.

Devotionals

Judges we are not, but rescuers we are

April 27, 2026April 24, 2026 Loring Schultz

“And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.” Jude 1:22-23 NLT

Firefighter helping elderly woman from floodwaters next to rescue boat — A firefighter helps an elderly woman during a severe flood rescue mission.

The New Testament book of Jude containing only one chapter is a must read for every Christian. Jude, our Lord Jesus’ brother, is warning us of false teachers who claim being saved by grace gives us license for immorality. The thought is our sins will not be held against us, which is true, and we won’t lose our salvation which is also true, but sin is sin and evil in God’s sight. What Jude had written to the early Christians he could have written specifically to us today. “I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives.” (Jude1:4 nlt)

Many Christian churches today are succumbing to pressure compromising the truth with voices that contradict Scripture. Some Christians are easily swayed especially if it is presented in a way that applies to our current day and culture. Accepting these new norms will confuse a new Christian and will prove disastrous for the church. False teachers seem so eloquent, reasonable, loving, knowledgeable, persuasive, and most of all seem to be telling the truth. Jude writes, “In the same way, these people—who claim authority from their dreams—live immoral lives, defy authority, and scoff at supernatural beings.” (Jude1:8 nlt) We must be aware of the progressing influence of those who want to deny Biblical truth.

There will be those among us in our church family who will fall into this trap and begin to live out and support those involved in the social norms of society that contradict Scripture. Jude encourages a gentle approach to those who are confused. “And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering.” (Jude1:22 nlt) We are not to jump all over our Christian brothers and sisters but take an approach that rescues them from judgment. The consequences of sin including God’s judgement on what He hates should be presented in a gentle manner. More importantly, the rescuer must be in a right relationship with God and living righteously with sin confessed. We all sin daily whether we think we do or not. Let us

Paul, the apostle also gives us advice on rescuing others from coming judgment, “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.” (Gal.6:1 nlt) Let us be on the alert. There is enough of temptation to sin in the world without having false teachers who ignore or put their spin on God’s Words deceiving even the very elect of God. Let us call them out and rescue our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Bible Studies

“A Son is Promised” – The Story of Abraham

April 26, 2026April 25, 2026 Loring Schultz

Read: Genesis 18:1-15 NLT – A Son Is Promised to Sarah – The LORD – Bible Gateway

“I will return to you about this time next year, and your wife, Sarah, will have a son!” Genesis 18:10 NLT

Open Bible showing Genesis chapter 18 and surrounding pages on a wooden table with red ribbon bookmark

When we last left Abraham two weeks ago he was beginning to understand the meaning of his name. The Lord changed his name from Abram (Exalted Father) to Abraham (father of many nations). God promised Abraham that many nations would come forth from Ishmael but the covenant promise would be through a son yet to be born to Sarah his wife. The name Issac was already given to this son of promise. Abraham obeyed God by conducting the circumcision of every male the sign of the covenant. The Lord promise will be fulfilled and Abraham will have a son and become the father of many nations.

Shortly after Abraham followed God’s instructions for circumcision, the Lord appeared again to Abraham. It was a hot afternoon in the Midde East and Abraham was sitting at the entrance of his tent when three men approached him. Abraham’s life was characterized by living in tents. He was still a wanderer traveling through the land promised to him by the Lord. Two of these three men were angels and the third was a theophany, another presentation of Jesus in human form. It doesn’t seem Abraham recognized Him at first but later realizes who He is.

Abraham immediately offered the Near Eastern hospitality of the day. “When he saw them, he ran to meet them and welcomed them, bowing low to the ground. ‘My lord,’ he said, ‘if it pleases you, stop here for a while.’” (Gen.18:2-3 nlt) Abraham used the customary greeting of respect, ‘My lord’, when he addressed the Lord. There were no hotels or inns in that day and weary travelers would depend on the hospitality of others for food and rest. It was considered a good deed to feed and put up travelers to rest from their journey and Abraham was quick to do it.

Abraham had water brought to wash their feet as they rested in the shade under a tree while food was being prepared. Sarah used her best flour to bake fresh bread, and “Abraham ran out to the herd and chose a tender calf and gave it to his servant, who quickly prepared it.” (Gen.18:7 nlt) A choice calf was going over and above the normal standards for feeding travelers. Before Abraham brought out the roasted meat and fresh bread he got some yogurt and milk to complete the meal. Abraham was not only a man of great faith but a man of generosity. The New Testament instructions on showing hospitality is taken in part from Abraham’s example here in this passage. The writer of Hebrews admonishes us to “Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!” (Heb.13:2 nlt)

After the meal, the visitors asked where Sarah was. Abraham replied she was in the tent. “Then one of them (the Lord) said, ‘I will return to you about this time next year, and your wife, Sarah, will have a son!’” (Gen.18:10 nlt) Sarah overhearing the conversation from inside the tent laughed to herself. After all she was about ninety years old and Abraham would be one-hundred when Issac is to be born. Sarah said to herself, “How could a worn-out woman like me enjoy such pleasure, especially when my master—my husband—is also so old?” (Gen.18:12 nlt) It seemed an impossibility to have a child at her age. Although the lifespans in their day were much longer Sarah was way past the age of child-bearing. Of course the Lord heard Sarah’s response and said, “Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” (Gen.18:14 nlt)

Sarah denied laughing, even if it was only to herself, for she was afraid. But the Lord knew. A thought for us to take hold of. The Lord hears all we say, silently to ourselves, and even in our thoughts. The Lord heard Sarah and He hears us. There is nothing too difficult for the Lord; in hearing our thoughts to ourselves or promising Sarah will have a son in her old age.

Next week Abraham intercedes for Sodom and Gomorrah………..

A Christian Perspective

God’s Word will never disappear; No Update Needed

April 25, 2026April 23, 2026 Loring Schultz

“Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.” Luke 21:33 NLT

Recently a presiding bishop aligned with a major Christian denomination stated there was a need for a third testament of the Bible because God’s Word has become problematic. In a recent message she says, “This a very dangerous thing that I’m about to say now… a bit dangerous. I’m of the opinion that we need a Third Testament. because the Bible has become problematic…… I am completely frustrated with the ways in which the text speaks to the kind of vitriolic God that makes those kinds of things. And people will say, ‘well, it’s in the book.’ And I said, then we need to pull that page out. And they said, well, you can’t do it. It’s the Word of God. I said, no, it’s words about God. Come on now. But is it the Word of God? No. It is not the Word of God.” (1)

I remember a pastor friend of mine saying to me many years ago, ‘you have two choices, you either believe the Bible is God’s Word or you don’t. I choose to believe it.’ with that said I believe it also. There is no in-between. Yes, it is a dangerous thing that the bishop said. Obviously the bishop’s choice is clear. The problem as I see it is that a new third testament, according to the bishop’s own words, would also be ‘words about God.’ I don’t think God is going to write another text to suit those who refuse His already written Word which is never going to disappear. You can tear some pages out, but there’s always another Bible around. It is not going away.

What is needed are the Words of God from God and we already have them. “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2Pt.1:20-21 niv)

God gave us all we need to know on how to love our neighbors, how to treat each other with respect, how to find help through the Holy Spirit in the temptations of sin, how to live obedient to His Word, and most of all how to find salvation and eternal life through confession and repentance accepting Jesus Christ as our savior. There is no need for further revelation. God’s words will never disappear, and we can trust them with confidence.

(1) Bishop Says We Need a ‘Third Testament’ Because The First Two Are ‘problematic’ And ‘not the word of God’ – Protestia

Devotionals

Be Humble, Pray, and Seek the Lord

April 24, 2026April 23, 2026 Loring Schultz

Read: 2 Chronicles 7:12-16 NLT – Then one night the LORD appeared to – Bible Gateway

“Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

A few days ago Donald Trump, the president of the United States, read a portion of Scripture as part of a marathon reading of the Bible in an America 250-themed event. The United States will celebrate its 250^th anniversary of independence on July 4^th of this year. The passage he read from in 2 Chronicles was appropriate as the Lord promises to bless those who call on Him and He will restore their land. America sure needs it. The news media did not see it that way but criticized the reading as misrepresenting the Bible and not applicable to our time. Granted it was a different time and I will not make this a political piece (that is for our Saturday’s Christian Perspective each week) but this passage does apply. It applies as an example for the nation and for every person in the world today. The Bible is God’s living and breathing Word and it applies to everyone every day.

Christians can claim the words ‘Then if my people who are called by my name’ as applying to them, which I am one. When one accepts Christ as savior they have been drawn by the Holy Spirit unto salvation. We are called ‘Christians’ after Jesus Christ’s name and the Holy Spirit resides in every Chrisitan upon salvation. The Lord says when we humble ourselves, pray, and seek His face that He will hear us.

The Lord also demands that we turn from our wicked ways. Turning to God in prayer seeking Him with a humble attitude while still sinning against Him brings into question, how serious are we? Do we care about restoration or do we want to keep a couple of sins in our back pocket. The Lord God wants one-hundred percent commitment in our humility, prayer, seeking Him, and turning away from our sin. He then promises to forgive us and restore us. Yes, this passage applies today for everyone. Praise God that it does!

Devotionals

Twice a fool

April 23, 2026April 22, 2026 Loring Schultz

“As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness.” Proverbs 26:11 NLT

Have you ever done a foolish thing? Have you ever done a foolish thing twice? Do I dare say three times. Well I can say been there, done that! We are not perfect beings, but flawed creatures of habits, sometimes bad habits that get us into that same foolish thing with the same results. It won’t be different this time around if it is not in the will of God. But we fool ourselves into thinking that it will be.

The Lord is aware of our failures done in the pursuit of foolish things. Sometimes He waves a yellow flag warning us to slow down and think about what we are doing. When the red flag appears it’s time to stop if it is not late. Often times God allows us to go our way as He gives us free will, but He is always close by watching and providing warning signs. Will we trust God enough to heed His warning signs?

Some of us are innocently fooled to repeat a folly because of our desires. These desires may not be wrong in themselves but are we having conversations about them with God before we pursue them again. The Lord says, “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you.” (Ps.37:3-4 nlt)

Whatever reason we are drawn again into an act of foolishness we can learn from it if we are trusting in the Lord. He does not want to see us repeating our folly. God is a gracious and merciful God who wants nothing but the best for us and will give us the desires of our heart as it aligns with His will. So, if you are twice a fool, no worries, bring it to the Lord and ask Him to give you the desires of your heart and be a fool no more.

Devotionals

Our Guaranteed Inheritance

April 22, 2026April 21, 2026 Loring Schultz

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14 NIV

Engraved pocket watch, brass key, old letters, framed sepia photo, and vintage books on wooden table — Vintage keepsakes including an engraved pocket watch and old letters on a wooden table

It is a shame that in our world an inheritance is not guaranteed. The family fortune may not be handed down to you. A precious heirloom may be given to someone else. Your right as a child to inherent is not always guaranteed in this life. But as a child of God bought by the blood of Jesus Christ you are guaranteed an inheritance.

At the moment we receive Christ as our savior the Holy Spirit takes up residence within us. Not only is the Holy Spirit dwelling in us to guide us through this life, but He is the assurance of our salvation and eternal inheritance. The apostle Paul says we ‘were marked in Him with a seal.’ It is a seal of authenticity, authority, security, and ownership. We belong to Christ. Jesus purchased us and has given us His Holy Spirit as a pledge (deposit) guaranteeing our future inheritance.

There are not many guarantees in life that are 100% guaranteed, such as a product you may have purchased. The way you have treated or mistreated the item will determine if the guarantee is honored. Our salvation is guaranteed. There is nothing we can do to lose our salvation and our eternal inheritance. It does not depend on us as it did not depend on us when we trusted in Christ. It was the work of the Holy Spirit who led us and we are now sealed guaranteeing of our inheritance. Rejoice in that today!