Author: Loring Schultz

Christian Devotional Writer
Devotionals

Advent 2025: Season of Giving

Loring Schultz
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

“Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need, and plenty left over to share with others.” (2Cor.9:6-8 nlt)

This past Tuesday was ‘Giving Tuesday.’ It is the final day of the after-Thanksgiving events promoted by retailers in the United States. ‘Black Friday’ starts it off, which was at one time the busiest shopping day of the year but no more. It is followed by ‘Small Business Saturday’ to help support those smaller business owners who are affected by the big box stores and major retail  corporations. The Monday after thanksgiving has now become ‘Cyber Monday’ which ,of course, needs no explanation. And finally we come to ‘Giving Tuesday,’ a day to donate to your favorite charity or organization.

Coming from a Christian perspective, I would think ‘giving’ should be first day after Thanksgiving or perhaps the day before. But I’m not complaining. According to numbers from the non-profits, ‘Giving Tuesday’ is very successful. Last year in 2024, $592 billion dollars were donated to charities and non-profit organizations. So, I’m OK where it is as it does start the season of giving.

The apostle Paul was addressing the church in Corinth about the gift they were gathering for the poor in Jerusalem. He wanted them to be ready when Paul’s men arrived to pick it up. Paul used the example of a farmer who plants generously will have a generous crop. Paul was not preaching a prosperity gospel. He said they must decide in their hearts how much to give and he did not want them to give reluctantly or feel pressured to do so for God loves a cheerful giver.  

When we share and give to others, especially those in need, we can be sure of a blessing from God. Let that not be our motive, but to help those God has put in our space and in our hearts this advent season. It is the season of giving; the season we celebrate God giving us His Son that we may be saved from eternal wrath. May we celebrate this season by meeting the needs of the unfortunate both physical and spiritual by introducing them to Jesus, the reason for the season.  

Devotionals

Who Are You Waiting For?      

Loring Schultz

Read: Isaiah 30:12-17 NLT – This is the reply of the Holy One of – Bible Gateway

“Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it.” Isaiah 30:15 NLT

Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com

What troubles you? Where do you go and to whom do you go to get relief from your troubles? Hezekiah, king of Judah, was seeking an alliance with the forces of Egypt in their trouble with the invading Assyrian army. They apparently forgot about God in the midst of their troubles. The powerful Egyptian army looked like the best option with their swift horses to help them escape the approaching danger. But the Lord reminded them,  “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved.” (Is.30:15 nlt)

Judah was resting in the strength and material sources of their current world system to relieve them of their troubles. They trusted in a foreign government who had no allegiance to the God of heaven. Judah was willing to join themselves to a godless nation for safety rather than to trust in the Lord their God. The Lord warned them it would not work, but they did not want to hear it.

How many times have you chosen the remedies of the world before going to the Lord for what troubles you?  Worse yet, how many times have you been given counsel in the things of the Lord, but as King Hezekiah, you ignored it. The Lord God knows each of us intimately which means He knows exactly what it is that troubles us and how to solve the issue. Returning to the Lord and resting in Him is our only sure way to safety. So, who or what are you waiting for? The Egyptians may have fast horses, but your troubles may be indeed faster, our world may have some answers, but only God knows how to meet your need in times of trouble. It’s time to trust Him in quietness and confidence.

Devotionals

Advent 2025: You’re Not Alone

Loring Schultz

THE FOLLOWING IS A DEVOTIONAL I WROTE DURING THE COVID-19 CHRISTMAS SEASON

Photo by Keenan Constance on Pexels.com

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” Matthew 1:23 NLT

The Christmas season not only brings joy, happiness, and hope for the New Year, but also with it comes the sadness for those who are no longer with us. There is not a year that goes by that many of us have not experience the loss of a loved one during the year. Perhaps this year more than any other there are more of us who have realized this and in increasing number. There will be empty places at the table that were once filled with warm smiling faces. Familiar voices will be heard only by captured video throughout the years that are shared. There will be some joy in the remembrance of them, but the emptiness continues to be felt and those moments when we are alone are too difficult to overcome. But, for Christians, we are not alone.  

One of the most comforting verses in all of scripture is Matthew 1:23 for it says, “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” Yes, God was with us in the flesh as Jesus walked the earth for thirty-three years before His death on the cross. And due to His death and resurrection, those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savoir have God, the Holy Spirit with us at all times. My friend, if you’re a Christian, You’re not alone.

Jesus is with us through the Holy Spirit and He has promised “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Heb. 13:5) We have the assurance that those who have gone on before us are in the presence of their Lord and Savior. And our Lord and Savior is with us also in the presence of the Holy Spirit. Take comfort this Christmas season that you are not alone even though the void of your loved one is real. But Jesus is also real. He knows your grief, and He is with you. He came to offer you Salvation so you will not be separated from Him forever. He came that He would be with you so that you will be not alone. He came because He loves you and He loves those who are now in His presence. You’re not alone!

Devotionals

Misplaced Priorities

Loring Schultz

Read: Haggai 1 NLT – A Call to Rebuild the Temple – On – Bible Gateway

“Then the LORD sent this message through the prophet Haggai: ‘Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins?’” Haggai 1:3-4 NLT

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Christians have a whole different set of priorities than non-Christians, or do we? Afterall the Lord has richly blessed us, and we are more than willing to support the church financially, or are we? The Lord God has bestowed upon us natural gives of ability and certain spiritual gifts which, of course, we use in service for Him, well maybe not. Jesus Christ opened the door of salvation for us by dying on the cross and we are eager to open that door to others, I wish that were true. Now, all this may seem harsh, and I am not calling out anyone. It is for all of us who proclaimed the name of Christ to self-examine if we have misplaced priorities in our life, me included.

After seventy years in captivity the Jewish people returned to Jerusalem. They restored worship and preceded to lay the foundation to rebuild the temple that was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. The work started with joy and praise to God for their return to the homeland, but soon the work was stopped due to opposition. It was during this time of hostility against them the Jews backed off rebuilding the temple. The focus became restoring their lives first even using the building material designated for the house of Lord for their own homes. The Lord sent the prophet Haggai to confront them and encouraged them to get their priorities in order and finish building the temple.

Christians today have as much opposition against them as the Jews of ancient days. It is just as easy for us to back off the Lord’s work. But we are reminded the Holy Spirit is with us and we need not be afraid or intimidated. The effects of misplaced priorities can have devastating results as the prophet Haggai explained to the Jews in Jerusalem. Concentrating only on themselves they were always lacking, coming up short. The Lord God did not bless their efforts. Haggai tells the people, “This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Look at what’s happening to you!” (Hag.1:7 nlt) When we find ourselves in similar circumstances it just may be the Lord getting our attention to recognize our misplaced priorities.

Bible Studies

Advent 2025: Christ’s Victory Over Satan    

Loring Schultz

“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”     Genesis 3:15 NIV

Photo by KaLisa Veer on Unsplash

This Sunday we are at the start of the advent season. Four ‘Advent Sundays’ that lead up towards the 25th day of December, Christmas Day. Most advent calendars will begin on December 1st and count down the twenty-four days before Christmas. Great anticipation builds as the big day approaches, especially for the children in our lives. That’s not to say that adults take a passive attitude towards it, we just don’t show it as much. Well imagine waiting 6,500 years for Christmas day, it did happen and it was worth the wait.

Genesis chapter 3 gives the beginning of the story in a well-known story, Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit. Our first parents sinned against God spiraling the entire human race into a sin nature. Paul writes in the book of Romans, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Ro.3:23 niv) Sin had entered the world alienating each of us from God. We needed a way to be reconciled back to the Lord and God had a plan right from the beginning. He would send His Son Jesus to reconcile us back to Him.

God said to Satan, the evil one, there will be hostility between your seed (the spiritual descendants of Satan) and her seed (those in the family of God). “He (Jesus) will crush your head, and you (Satan) will strike his heel.” (Gen.3:15 niv) This is a portrait of the cross. Jesus defeated Satan at the cross even though Satan was allowed to inflict suffering on the savior, but as His suffering led to Jesus’ death it paid the penalty for our sin. Three days later, Jesus rose from the dead assuring us of eternal life. Satan was defeated.

The promise was made. A savior was born, His name is Jesus, and He will save His people from their sins. It was a long first advent, but it came. ‘Joy to the World’ the Lord has come. Have you accepted God’s plan of salvation?

A Christian Perspective

Turn us again to yourself, O God       

Loring Schultz

Read: Psalm 80:3-7 NLT – Turn us again to yourself, O God. Make – Bible Gateway

“Turn us again to yourself, O God. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved.” Psalm 80:3 NLT

Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash

As I write this on Thanksgiving day, the United States has yet faced another tragedy on the day before this holiday of thanks. Two of our brave National Guard are fighting for their very lives as they were targeted and shot on the streets of our nation’s capital for doing their job to protect American citizens. There should be such an outcry that it is heard in every corner of the world. I say every corner of the world because it affects every nation and every person in wherever country they live.

That outcry needs to be what the psalmist wrote when pleading for restoration after Israel was plummeted by a foreign power. “Turn us again to yourself, O God. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved.” (Ps.80:3 nlt) Israel had repeatedly sinned against God being warned countless times they continued to turn their back on God, therefore their destruction. The United States has turned its back on God, and we continue to do so. There have been recent attempts to right the ship and I pray they will continue to move forward, but what is needed is a total commitment to return to the country’s founding Judea-Christian principles found only in the Word of God.

There is a sense that God’s hand of judgment is on America. If you think not, take time to read through the history of fallen nations and empires examining the culture and practices of their day and compare them to America in 2025. I think you will see a remarkable resemblance. I do not believe that all is lost, but we are on the verge of losing it all if we do not turn ourselves back to God so He will turn us again back to Himself.