Devotionals

Real ID

Loring Schultz

“Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, ‘Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven.’” Matthew 9: 2 NLT

Photo by Lerone Pieters on Unsplash

Due to security concerns in the aftermath of the attacks on America on September 11, 2001, the United States congress enacted the “The REAL ID Act of 2005.” “The law sets forth requirements for state drivers’ licenses and ID cards to be accepted by the federal government for ‘official purposes,’ as defined by the Secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security. The Secretary of Homeland Security has defined ‘official purposes’ as boarding commercially operated airline flights, and entering federal buildings and nuclear power plants, although the law gives the Secretary unlimited authority to require a ‘federal identification’ for any other purposes.” (1) Documentation required for a Real ID are the following: photo ID with full legal name and birthdate, proof of birthdate, legal status, social security number, and a form showing your name and principal residence. The information is vital to ensure you are the real you, a Real ID.

In Jesus’s day the process was similar minus the photos and a social security number. Records were kept of birthplace and one’s heritage as in Joseph’s case, Jesus’ earthly father. There were means for one to identify himself as far as what records were available at the time. The citizens of Capernaum knew who Jesus was. He was a carpenter, the son Mary and Joseph, and himself a carpenter. They knew His brothers and sisters, and the neighborhood He grew up in. They knew of Jesus, the man, but they were not familiar with His true identity, His Real ID.

The people of the city brought a paralyzed man to Jesus. They had reason to believe that Jesus could heal him. They had witnessed Jesus heal others and identified Him as one who could heal. Jesus recognized their faith in Him but added further documentation to confirm His real identity. Mathew 9:2 tells us, “Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, ‘Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven.’” (nlt)  The religious leaders were the first to respond, but to themselves. “That’s blasphemy! Does he think he’s God?” (Mt.9:3 nlt) They knew Jesus was claiming to be God. Proving that He is indeed God, for Jesus knew what they were thinking. He said, “Is it easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” And the man jumped up and went home!” (Mt.9:5-7 nlt)

The twenty-seven books of the New Testament in the Bible are documents proving Jesus’ identity. In fact, the entire Bible speaks of Jesus and the plan of salvation. He is the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of Man, the Son of God, God the Son. His Real ID.

(1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_ID_Act

Devotionals

Does Your Faith Waver?

Loring Schultz

Read: Matthew 14:22-33 NLT – Jesus Walks on Water – Immediately – Bible Gateway

“But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. ‘Save me, Lord!’ he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. ‘You have so little faith,’ Jesus said. ‘Why did you doubt me?’” Matthew 14:30-31

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‘Just have faith’ is an expression we have all heard and spoken at one time or another. Although meant well, it does not carry the true sentiment of having true faith most of the time. The writer of the New Testament book of Hebrews says, “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.” (Heb.11:1 nlt) True faith does not waver if we believe it. If faith is proof of the reality of the evidence we cannot see how can we deny the evidence? The evidence can be translated as ‘divine assurance.’

We have this gift of divine assurance from the Lord, yet all of us have wavered in our faith. Claiming faith in God to help us in a dire situation sees us through dark times, but before we know it we begin to have doubts and our faith wavers. We had the courage to step out in faith through the Lord’s leading but didn’t rest on that faith as troubling times continued. One major reason is we let our eyes wonder around our circumstances by not remaining focused on God and our faith wavers.

The Lord gives us the perfect example of this in His Word with the apostle Peter. Just think of the courage and faith it took Peter to step out of that boat in the middle a dark stormy night with the billowing waves around them. We sometimes forget about the great faith it took. Peter had divine assurance Jesus was leading him and watching over him. But then it happened, Peter’s faith wavered. Yes, because of the billowing waves around him.

The waves in the storms of life will have the same effect on us today. We will see the trouble around us in the corner of our eye but if remain focused on God our faith will not waver. If you had faith to get out of the boat then that same faith will not waver as the Lord sees you through it. Remain focused on God’s ‘divine assurance.’

Devotionals

Church Picnics

Loring Schultz

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35 NLT

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With the summer winding down, so are the many festivals, fairs, and church picnics that are a part of the summer season as mosquitos and iced tea. There are still plenty of festivals and fairs in southeastern Pennsylvania to attend, but the traditional church picnic has been dwindling for a number of years. A significant reason would be the shrinking of the church roles in many churches. Church attendance has been steadily dropping over the years and those remaining are getting older. There are simply not enough able bodies or those who care enough to be part bringing the church together in the love of Christ.

Church picnics come in all shapes and sizes. Not all churches have a church picnic, nor is it required that a church have a picnic, at least I do not see it in Scripture. But what I do see are references to love one another, as Jesus told His disciples before He was about to go to the cross. Jesus’s main concern was for those who followed Him to genuinely love each other as He has loved them and their love would show others they were true followers of Him.

A big part of loving one another is having fun together, formally we call it fellowshipping with one another. We show our love for each other by being together, eating together, playing together, and just having a fun time and enjoying each other’s company. As you have your church picnic do all of the above proving that you are Christ’s disciples and fellowship together, and don’t forget the mosquitos and iced tea.

Devotionals

Christian Tears

Loring Schultz

“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 KJV

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Finding comfort through mourning sounds like an oxymoron. They fit perfectly together as Jesus spoke in the second beatitude, “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” How can mourning bring me comfort, you ask? It all depends on your relationship with Jesus Christ.

The late John R. W. Stott, theologian and evangelical Anglican preacher had written; “The truth is that there are such things as Christian tears, and too few of us ever weep them.”  Weeping tears over the sins and conditions of the world, including our own before a Holy God brings about true mourning. It also brings about the reality of who God is and who we are before Him. It brings about true repentance as we see ourselves before God. Confessing our sins, turning away from them, and living a life pleasing to Him result in immense joy and comfort.

The question becomes how often have you been comforted by our Lord through mourning? I need to ask myself the same the question. Do we truly mourn and weep as the Old Testament prophets, the apostle Paul and even Jesus did over the sins of people? Do we shed tears over our own sins? Do we come clean before God, admitting our sin before Him through mourning? Confessing our sins by shedding tears will open the door to true comfort of forgiveness, grace, and mercy. Jesus said, “Blessed are they that mourn (those who shed Christian Tears) for they shall be comforted.”

Devotionals

Food for the Journey

Loring Schultz

“……I don’t want to send them away hungry, or they will faint along the way.” Matthew 15:32b NLT

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

I am sure we have all heard the expression, ‘life is a journey.’ Indeed, it is. Curiously though no two people are on the exact same path in life. There may be similarities, but just as everyone is unique in their own way, their journey in life follows the course planned out for them. And for the Christian, the Lord had your life journey drawn up before you were even conceived in your mother’s womb. “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” (Ps.139:16 nlt)

Throughout our journey in life, we need subsistence to sustain us. We need a daily intake of food to nourish us to survive our physical life, and we need a daily intake of spiritual food to survive in our spiritual life while on this earth. During Jesus’ ministry on earth, He had two occasions where He provided food for thousands of people as they were coming to Him for healing and to hear His teaching. Jesus had compassion for the people giving them both physical and spiritual food. He did not want to send the crowds away hungry because they might faint along the way.

Our Lord Jesus has the same compassion for us in our spiritual walk with Him. He does not want us to faint along the way in our life journey. He provides us with food to sustain our spiritual growth through His Word. As we have our quite time with Him, through our devotions, prayer, and Bible reading we can rest assured that we will not go away hungry. Make sure you put in the effort to get your daily spiritual nourishment for the journey. Jesus does not want to send you away hungry.

Bible Studies

I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: Jesus’ seven “I AM” statements – 6

Loring Schultz

Read: John 14:1-6 ESV – I Am the Way, and the Truth, and the – Bible Gateway

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” John 14:6 ESV

Photo by Greg Rosenke on Unsplash

Starting out on a journey, whether a local excursion or an extended trip across the miles requires a knowledge of the way to get to your destination. Whether using your smart phone, a GPS system, or downloaded directions from a maps web site,  all will show several ways to get there. That is fine when traveling from here to there in our world. At times more than one option is sometimes desirable and even recommended. Today’s GPS systems will even redirect you if you make a wrong turn. If you see your life here on earth as a journey, which it is, where is your destination at the end of your life and where are you getting your directions? Will your world religions and earthly maps warn you if you made a wrong turn and are going in the wrong direction?

Ultimately if your destination is heaven; there is only one road, only one way to eternal life in heaven with God the Father. In Jesus’ sixth “I am” statement in John’s gospel, Jesus said very clearly the He is the only way to the Father. Of the seven “I am” statements, this one is the most controversial in our day. Why, because Jesus declares there are no other roads or religions, no short cuts, no long way around, no alternative route to heaven except through Him.

If what Jesus said is not true, then He would be a liar, and if He is a liar, He could not be God the Son, and if he is not God the Son, then He could not save us from our sins. All roads do not lead to heaven, only one does, Jesus! If there are other ways to eternal life except through Jesus, then Jesus’ death on the cross was in vain. No, “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (Jn.14:6 esv)

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

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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.