A Christian Perspective

A Message to the Church: “Building with a mind to work together”

Loring Schultz

Nehemiah 4:6 ESV — So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.

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Many problems confront the church today. A leading cause for problems to sneak in are cracks in the wall allowing contaminating elements to settle in and take root. Once inside and growing the fungus is seen as not being all that bad, in fact it is healthy and right. As a result very few notice the additional cracks and the loose bricks and mortar that are eroding the structure of the walls as they collapse. Again only a few seem to notice the walls are down. Only a few notice their protection from the elements of the world is gone. The rest do not need protection from the world, they have become the world.

There are valid purposes for walls in our society. Walls are erected for protection to keep one safe and from harm, especially from those with a desire to harm others. Walls of protection are not only of stone, brick and mortar, but spiritual. The church needs both, with spiritual defenses being its main concern. The fruit of the Spirit is a good place to start, “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Gal.5:22-23 esv) The building or rebuilding and maintaining the spiritual walls of protection is an ongoing effort for the church today involving a daily commitment to the truth and obedience of God’s Word. Most importantly it takes “Building Together” and “A Mind to Work.”

The walls of Jerusalem had been broken down as the city was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians years earlier. They had never been rebuilt after the return of the Jews under the reign of Cyrus, the King of Persia. Nehemiah, a cupbearer for King Artaxerxes of Persia, was visited by one of his brothers and some of his friends from Judah. Their message was not a good report, but one of great concern. The Jews remaining in the city of Jerusalem were in great distress due to the walls and gates of the city being torn down and burned with fire. (Neh. 1:3) They had no protection from their enemies who did not want a wall built and prevented them from doing so on several occasions.

Nehemiah realized the needed effort for the reestablishment of Jerusalem and the safety and protection of its people. He knew of the opposition he would face along with all those who would join him. The church today also faces opposition as we attempt to rebuild the broken walls due to the neglect of being obedient and not standing for the truth God’s Word over the years by compromise. Now is the time to start rebuilding secure walls by reading, studying and obeying God’s Word. We need to forbid negotiations with the world to find common ground that is contrary to scripture. We are to live the life of the Gospel Message of those who have been redeemed and transformed by the blood of Christ sharing that Good News.

The years ahead for the church are not going to be easy. Paul in writing to Timothy says this, “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.” (2Tim.3:1 esv) We are certainly seeing some of those difficult times in our current day and we can be sure that they will continue to get worse as time goes on before the Lord returns. We as Christians, as the church, are to have a “mind to work” with our Christian brothers and sisters in securing our walls of defense in order for us to remain faithful and be able to live by example and explain the Gospel Message to those who desperately need to hear it.

Devotionals

Piety in Giving

Loring Schultz

“Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 6:1 RSV

Photo by Soroush Karimi on Unsplash

Piety is word that is seldom used in 21st century America. Defined as “the quality of being religious or reverent” could have some bearing as to the nonuse of it as there are fewer and fewer who would associate themselves with being named as such. Another factor could be the misuse of the word by those who claim to be “religious or reverent” and by example are not. But this should not deter those of us who truly desire to be “religious or reverent.” The word “piety” used by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount as translated by some versions is to note the difference in a Christian’s moral righteousness and their religious righteousness, their piety. It is OK to be pious, but it is a matter of the heart and our true motives.

Jesus warns His disciples of the tendency to alter their motives in noble causes like giving to the poor. They may have love for the poor and a deep desire to help them as part of their moral righteousness, but in transacting the giving there is a temptation to put a little emphasis on themselves to show how religious they are. Jesus’ point was to draw a contrast between the motives of the religious rulers of the day with their self-glorification and those who motives were to bring glory to God. The reward the religious leaders received was the praise of men which would quickly dissipate into a faded memory. The reward of the truly pious giver is from the eternal God and it will not fade.

The religious rulers (scribes and Pharisees) were all about public appearance. Jesus instructs us that our giving is to be between us and the Lord. “Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” (Mt.6:4 nlt) Practice your piety before God and not toward men.

“But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.” (Jer.17:10 nlt)

Devotionals

Trust the Process  

Loring Schultz

“Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” Philippians 2:12-13 NLT

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The term ‘trust the process’ has been used over the last decade to encourage people that a positive outcome is achievable by patiently following certain steps. It has been used politically to bring about change, companies and organizations use it to build a better financial future, and professional sports teams have adapted it to encourage their fan base that better days are ahead. The Philadelphia 76er’s, of the NBA, first coined the phrase in 2013. A strategy was introduced that over time the fans would be enjoying the benefits of having to ‘trust the process.’ Unfortunately it hadn’t worked out as planned. However the last five years, expect for the 2024-25 season, have seen much improvement and there are high hopes this year with the addition of longtime veteran Lebron James.

We live in a world that is outcome oriented. Goals are set and we are measured by the success or failure of achieving the sought-after outcome. But the increasing advancement of AI technology is beginning to throw away ‘the baby with the bath water.’ The strategy is now how can we achieve the fastest and most efficient ways to meet our end goals? There is nothing wrong with that except most of the time it takes away the human element of wisdom and discernment given to us by God.

As Christians we can make effective use of AI in advancing the gospel, but it is vital to also use the gifts God has given us. AI is outcome driven and uses data compiled from statistics, frequency, patterns, and then with speed comes to its conclusion. No human element involved. Christianity is not about outcomes in this life but the outcome of eternal life. Christianity in this life is process. No, it is not works driven but it is working hard, obeying God, and allowing Him to give us the desire to do what pleases Him. Yes, it is a process. So, let us ‘trust the process.’

Devotionals

Strong Foundations

Loring Schultz

Read:Psalm 11 NASB – The LORD, a Refuge and Defense. – For – Bible Gateway

“If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?” Psalm 11:3 NASB

Construction workers pouring concrete around rebar at an urban building site
Workers pour and level concrete amid dense rebar at a downtown construction site.

King David encourages apprehensive people who fear the crumbling of law-and-order by the underhanded authorities by saying, “In the Lord I take refuge; How can you say to my soul, ‘Flee as a bird to your mountain.” (Ps.11:1 nasb) During this time in David’s reign Israel’s enemies seem to be at an advantage. The people want to flee as a bird to the mountains. They have fallen to accept that the world order will not allow good to triumph over evil. This is relative to our day. We can easily fall into the same trap thinking, “If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?” (Ps.11:3 nasb)

David reminds the people God is still on His throne and He is the foundation. He will act righteously toward the righteous and bring judgement on those who abuse their power by their wicked deeds. The strong foundation of law-and-order is the Lord Himself and His Word. Any other foundation set up by the world is wicked and will not stand. They will achieve victories in this fallen world, but their ultimate end is destruction. “Upon the wicked He will rain snares; Fire and brimstone and burning wind will be the portion of their cup.” (Ps.11:6 nasb)

The bottom line is the Lord is the foundation of law-and-order in this world. It is a strong foundation. Let us now apply this to our spiritual lives. How strong is your foundation? Christians have the Holy Spirit living inside them from the time of salvation. You won’t possess any more of the Spirit than you already have, but are you building on that already strong foundation for the law and order in your life? God has given us His Word to live by. The world can rule righteously in law and order if it is based on God’s strong foundations. However, we know that is mostly not the case. So, we must be wise and discerning in the world’s view of law-and-order and God’s righteous view especially in our spiritual lives.

Devotionals

Life is Our Opportunity for Usefulness

Loring Schultz

“Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 NLT

Volunteers distributing food and supplies to community members outdoors
Volunteers distribute food and essential supplies to neighbors at a lively community support event.

The Puritans of the 16th and 17th centuries were wise in understanding the brevity of life. It may have been the shorter lifespan that they experienced compared to ours in the 21st century, but whatever the reason, they had a handle of what life is about and not waste a minute of it. ‘The Valley of Vision,’ a Puritan book of devotions is a must read for any Christian seeking how to get the most out of this life. The writers were stressing the importance of prayer and meditation seeking a deeper relationship with God. Contemplating who we are before a holy God and realizing life in its fullness can only be achieved by that close relationship is what inspired the Puritans to live the lives they did.

I have come across several key thoughts in my daily reading of ‘The Valley of Vision’ in the past week. One thought was that our lives are opportunities for us to be useful. We weren’t put on this earth just to take up space. God placed us here for a reason. We are to serve Him in this life. Every day of our lives is an opportunity to do just that. Each day of neglect is a day lost never to return. Yes, there will be days where opportunity is lost to no fault of our own, but the Lord also knows of those days and He understands. The key is, where is your heart and mind?

During the days you do not feel useful it is important to evaluate your time with God. Is your prayer and meditating on God’s Word on-going? Is your relationship with God strong? If it is, then your period of feeling useless should pass because God knows your frustration and perhaps it is His will for you at this time to set you down. But if the opposite is true in that your time with God is being compromised then it is time to evaluate further and bring to light the cause of this broken relationship. We have no time to waste. Our lives are an opportunity for usefulness because life is short for all of us.

Devotionals

Where Dreams Come True

Loring Schultz

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.” Revelation 21:1-2 NLT

Family walking through an amusement park beneath a large roller coaster

Life has a way of throwing us curve balls (a baseball analogy) such as the sayings, ‘dreams come true’, ‘wish upon a star’, ‘if you believe it, it will happen’ and on it goes. The sad reality is that dreams do not come true at least for most of us. There are times when a longtime wish or dream comes along, but even in that moment while the joy is there when it is over all that is left are the memories, yes, good memories, but only memories. A marketing strategy for the world’s most known theme park is, ‘Where Dreams Come True’, but again it lasts only in the moment and in your memory along with your digital imagines and videos. And to be honest, they will not last either.

There is nothing wrong with enjoying life here on earth. God created the earth and all that is in it for our enjoyment. Even when we dream for something special, He will bless us to receive it if it is His will. Careful consideration should be noted as we enjoy God’s blessings here on earth that this is not our home and our wishful thinking and dreams should be focused on eternity. It is only natural to desire certain comforts here on earth and dream wishing for them by planning and working to able to enjoy them. But remember as you are enjoying them, they are temporary and do not last.

The apostle John while in exile on the island of Patmos received a revelation from the Lord of the end times. May we be aware there is more to life than this earth and how many years we may live on it. In fact, not only will our physical lives come to an end, but the physical earth and all its wonders will also come to an end and disappear. All will be replaced by a new heaven and a new earth with a new Jerusalem in the center of it all where Christ will reign. This is the only place where dreams not only come true but will never end lasting into eternity. It is time to focus our dreams ‘where dreams come true.’

Bible Studies

I Am the Resurrection and the Life: Jesus’ seven “I AM” statements – 5

Loring Schultz

Read: John 11:1-44 NLT – The Raising of Lazarus – A man named – Bible Gateway

“Jesus told her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.’” John 11:25 NLT

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The story is told of another miracle perform by Jesus in the eleventh chapter of the gospel of John. It is also the basis for His fifth “I AM.” This particular one is perhaps the greatest of them all. Jesus raised a person from the dead, one who had been dead four days. The person was Lazarus, a very close and personal friend of Jesus along with Lazarus’s sisters Mary and Martha. When Jesus heard that his friend Lazarus was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was before he left in response to the news. (Jn.11:6) The question immediately comes to mind, why? Why did he wait two days?

Some have suggested that Jesus knew that Lazarus was already dead when the messenger’s arrived to tell Him that His friend was sick. Perhaps so, but there seems to be a deeper explanation. For those present at Lazarus’s resurrection and for those of us in our day, it is a matter of trust (or faith) in Jesus Christ. Do we believe He is in control of every portion of our lives, that He is never late, and that He loves us knowing what is best for us? Do we believe He is God the Son, and have faith that nothing is impossible for Him to do?

Raising Lazarus from the dead was not impossible for Jesus to do, He is the resurrection and the life. Jesus also said, “Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.” (Jn.11:26 nlt) We are assured of a place in heaven and eternal life if we put our trust and faith in Jesus Christ, God the Son.

Jesus is speaking to you and me when He says, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, (insert your name)?” (Jn.11:25-26 nlt)

A Christian Perspective

The World’s Revolutions

Loring Schultz

“Trust in the Lord always, for the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock, He humbles the proud and brings down the arrogant city. He brings it down to the dust.” Isaiah 26:4-5 NLT

Protest crowd holding signs beneath globe reading WORLD REVOLUTIONS, FREEDOM, JUSTICE, and POWER TO THE PEOPLE
A silhouetted crowd rallies beneath a globe celebrating revolutions and calls for freedom, justice, and people power.

Unstable governments in the world today are not new. Governments have been toppled since Bible days, just read the Old Testament. But one thing always remains stable, The LORD GOD is the eternal rock. Today there are conflicts in the Middle East, a war in Ukraine, and whatever it is called in Iran that are taking place to bring down governments by creating chaos in a revolutionary manner. Some granted, are to eradicate evil and that unfortunately is necessary, however many of the world’s revolutions today are evil in their nature. In a broken world, we can only expect this.

The current condition of the world should not surprise anyone because Scripture is clear that the times will continue to grow worst and worst before Jesus’ return. Paul writing to Timothy says, “You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times.” (2Tim.3:1 nlt) We are all witnesses of the violence and the conditions across this world as man’s heart also grows worst and worst. It is the old saying, ‘it is like a snowball rolling downhill.’

Tragically they are men, women, and children dying everyday due to the desires of those who revolt against what they perceive as evil in their own eyes. These are the world’s revolutions. They have no foundation in truth just a distorted view of the world as they claim it should be. Again, this is pure evil orchestrated by the evil one himself, Satan. These conflicts and wars will continue until the Great Tribulation and the battle of Armageddon predicted in the New Testament. That will be a revolution like no other and the final one. Jesus Christ will eliminate all evil from the face of the earth and will set up His own perfect and righteous rule of government.

Devotionals

Dominion over God’s Creation

Loring Schultz

Read: Psalm 8 ESV – How Majestic Is Your Name – To the – Bible Gateway

“You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet.” Psalm 8:6 ESV

Robotic factory assembling EV chassis, with technicians, welding arms, and text “EV CHASSIS 001” and “JONES MFG.”
Robotic arms weld an electric vehicle chassis while technicians monitor the advanced manufacturing line.

After God created the heavens and the earth He then created you and me with responsibilities. David writes in the 8th psalm that God gave us dominion over His creation, or as David says, ‘over the work of your hands.’ I suppose that would include all the earth. We are to be good stewards over it. God put us in charge as managers to care for His creation in all aspects of it. Christians especially are to possess a spirit of collaborating with God as His co-workers in maintaining His creation and helping others in this world.

During the last century and so far in this century there is much debate about the environment and if we are living up to our mandate in maintaining God’s creation. The question being are we good stewards over the earth? Physical features of the earth are not the only areas of maintaining what God has created. It would encompass anything and everything in the world to make it thrive and make our lives better in the process, from working conditions, medical advancements, education, and efforts to maintain peace.

A major breakthrough over the last few years is the advancement of ‘Artificial Intelligence.’ This has been a game changer for all of us. ‘Artificial Intelligence,’ AI as it is known, has been in the development stages since the 1950’s. It is now here and continues to grow. Like everything else that God has put into our charge, may we be good stewards on how we use AI on a personal level. Those of us who are employed in the development of AI for use in the business, education, and manufacturing world may we as Christians work as God’s co-workers in that which He has given us for our benefit.

Devotionals

Break up your fallow ground

Loring Schultz

“Plow up the hard ground of your hearts! Do not waste your good seed among thorns.” Jeremiah 4:3b NLT

Farmer driving a green tractor while plowing a prairie field
A farmer drives a vintage green tractor across a broad prairie field

Every farmer knows that in order to harvest a bountiful crop there is plenty of hard work involved along with adequate rainfall and proper sunlight. It begins in early spring by tilling the ground and preparing it for planting seed. Many farmers today also used a “no-till farming” method when planting seed. Whichever method is used, the soil must be in a condition best suitable for the seed to be received to produce the highest potential for growth. The farmer’s goal is for a bountiful harvest.

A goal of every Christian should be a bountiful harvest of spiritual growth. It is an on-going process of growing in our love for Christ and in the knowledge of His love for us. It is growing in the understanding of His Word by daily reading and applying it to our lives. A bountiful harvest of faith, hope, and love is to be lived out for all to see and benefit from it.

Unfortunately there is problem today among many Christians, “Unprepared Soil.” Many Christians are not only lacking a spiritual bounty to share, but they are also not receiving the blessings themselves. Just as proper condition of the soil is vital to receiving Salvation (Parable of the Sower – Luke 8:4-15), it is equally important for those who know the Lord to continue to grow spiritually and in all truth. Hearts and minds that are unprepared are nothing but hard ground as the prophet Jeremiah notes. Our hearts and minds need to be broken up, plowed up, and ready to receive the Word of the Lord. Hosea, another Old Testament prophet, writes “Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the Lord.” (Hosea 10:12 nasb)

The questions before each of us are “Am I growing spiritually?” “Am I receiving a blessing each time I read the Bible or hear a sermon?” “Do I have a blessed intimate prayer time with God?” or “Does my heart need to be re-tilled, turned over, and soften into good soil?” Our hearts and minds are easily harden by neglecting the things of God and paying more attention to the things of this world.

Break up your hard ground and prepare your soil to receive the spiritual seeds watered by God’s showers of blessings with the light of His Son Jesus Christ. In doing so you will reap a bountiful spiritual harvest with the help of the Holy Spirit.