Author: Loring Schultz

Christian Devotional Writer
A Christian Perspective

Evil Among Us    

Loring Schultz

Read: Matthew 13:24-30 NLT – Parable of the Wheat and Weeds – Here – Bible Gateway

“Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.” Matthew 13:30 NLT

Photo by Steve Johnson on Unsplash

In the political world the United States and most developed countries have a divided populace. The divide is largely between those on the ‘right’ or conservatives, and those on the ‘left’, liberals. Within each side there are multiple factions sub-dividing themselves which makes for an even a more complicated political system. The bottom line is there seems to be nothing that both sides can agree on and that is sure disaster. Speaking more accurately with confidence as a citizen of the United States than other parts of the world, it looks like America, who is celebrating its 250th anniversary this year, will not see a tri-centennial if  it does not get it together soon. A house divided against itself cannot stand.

Having said the above, Jesus told a parable which kind of helps us understand the division we have in the world. It is a simple manner of good and evil. Please note I am not calling out one side or the other. I am noting there is good and evil in the world, a natural divide, which Jesus explains in His parable of the ‘Wheat and the Weeds.’

Jesus says a farmer planted good seed in his field. “But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away. When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew.” (Mt.13:25-26 nlt) In Jesus’ day if someone wanted to destroy a neighbor’s field they would secretly plant ‘darnel’ (weeds) within the good seed. As they both begin to grow, the weeds are not noticeable but appear to be same as the wheat.

Applying it to the kingdom of God and our day, Satan is the one who planted the weeds in God’s field. Good and evil are present in our day and age. The saved and unsaved live in this world side by side. Satan’s plan is to infiltrate the world, especially Christian churches with the weeds in our society appearing good and righteous but are evil and doing the devil’s bidding. This is causing the divide we see in many churches today, even evangelical churches. Comparing it to the politics and governing of our day we can clearly see the evil among us.

For Christians who desire to see our governments rule righteously we are to pray to that end. But evil and corruption will not be wiped out completely, at least not until Jesus comes back again. Good and evil will work side by side. The saved and unsaved will live together side by side. Jesus says, “Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.” (Mt.13:30 nlt)

Photo by Janosch Lino on Unsplash

So, what should be our main concern? It should be the salvation of the unsaved as we are living together with them side by side until that day comes. On that terrible day the weeds will be tied into bundles and burned in the everlasting fire. Yes, getting rid of evil in our politics and government saves for the moment but changing someone’s evil sinful heart saves for eternity. 

Devotionals

Teaching by example 101

Loring Schultz

Read: 1 Timothy 4:11-16 ESV – Command and teach these things. Let no – Bible Gateway

“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12 ESV

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

How many teachers can you recall from your learning years that have influenced you through your life? Maybe there have been many, maybe some or only a few, perhaps there had been only one. What was it you remember about their character? What have learned from them that has stuck in your mind and has become a way of life for you? You may have the desire to influence others as those teachers have influenced you, especially in the Christian faith, but you expect you don’t possess the skills or have the knowledge to do so. Don’t worry about it. All you need to do is take a course in ‘Teaching by example 101.’

Our class instructor is the apostle Paul. We will be sitting in with Timothy, a young Pastor who is learning from his most influential teacher. Paul advises Timothy not to let anyone look down on him because he is young. Timothy had been with Paul since his teenage years and already learned much from him. Still, he had much to learn. Paul gave Timothy five areas of Christian living as examples to the people in the church he was pastoring. We can apply these examples to our lives no matter our skills or education level for we are in ‘Teaching by example 101.’

Paul is stretching Timothy’s mind and ours to what we already know. We can’t live the Christian life without the help of the Holy Spirit. The good news is that every believer in Christ has received the Holy Spirit upon conversion and is capable of Christian living and being an example in speech, conduct, showing the love the Christ, displaying faith, and living in purity. What a privilege it is to influence others in righteousness. No, Christians are not perfect, but our commitment to being an example in a consistent manner is something that will be caught rather than taught. In this way we continue to influence others.

Devotionals

Consistent Faith   

Loring Schultz

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

“Then Peter called to him, ‘Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.’ ‘Yes, come,’ Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.” Matthew 14:28-29 NLT

FreeBibleimages.org

Consistent faith. Do you have it? Faith in God, the only one to put our faith and trust in. So, again, do you have consistent faith? How about limited faith, do you have that? We tend to think limited faith is better than having no faith at all. Perhaps that is true, but it can lead some disastrous outcomes. Having the faith to go all in with God requires our faith be consistent.

One of the most well-known stories in the New Testament is Jesus walking on the water. Many of us forget the fact that two people are recorded in the Bible for having walked on water. Peter is often forgotten. It could be because it didn’t end very well. We also forget the great faith it took for Peter to step out of that boat in the midst of stormy sea. Peter had faith in Jesus at the outset but when the wind and waves circled around him his faith sunk as did his body when he took his eyes off the object of his faith. Peter had great faith, but it wasn’t consistent when trouble surrounded him.

You may find yourself today struggling with your faith in God. You started out with great faith in the Lord, but things aren’t going as well as when you first stepped out of the boat. Question? Are your eyes still on Jesus or on the surrounding events or problems in the world and in your life? Consistent faith will see you through. God will not abandon you. Jesus didn’t let Peter sink but pulled him up from drowning in his lack of faith. The Lord will do the same for you, but a lot of stress and difficult times can be avoided with a little more consistency in our faith.

Devotionals

This Prophecy is for You          

Loring Schultz

Read: Isaiah 40:1-5 NLT – Comfort for God’s People – Bible Gateway

“Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills. Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places.” Isaiah 40:4 NLT

“For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me.” John 6:44 NLT

Photo by KTMD ENTERTAINMENT on Unsplash

Isaiah brings a prophecy of comfort to the nation Israel after just prophesying of the judgment to come upon them for their sin against God. They will be carried off by the Babylonians into exile for seventy years. The Lord God tells Isaiah to “Comfort, comfort my people, Speak tenderly to Jerusalem. Tell her that her sad days are gone and her sins are pardoned.” (Is.40:1-2 nlt)

The road back to the Promised Land was cleared by the Lord after their forgiveness. They will be able to return home and re-establish worship with God. “Clear the way through the wilderness for the LORD! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God!” (Is.40:3 nlt) This prophecy also references the coming of the Messiah for the Jewish people. John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus, quoted these verses announcing His arrival. John’s words were not only for the Jewish people but for all mankind. The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world has come.

How does this prophecy relate to each of us in our current day? The road to salvation for us is made straight and smooth as it was for the nation of Israel on their return to the Promised Land. The geographical features of the valleys, mountains and hills, along with the curves and rough places symbolizes the carnal mind and heart of the sinner. The road must be leveled for us to reach the promised land of salvation in Christ. The Lord has done this through Holy Spirit for all who accept God’s calling unto salvation. We cannot clear the way on our own. It is the Holy Spirit that leads us unto salvation.

“He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.” (Titus 3:5-6 nlt)

Devotionals

Joyful Singing

Loring Schultz

“Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing.” Psalm 100:2 NASB

Whether an old-time hymn, a chorus medley, or one of our many contemporary compositions, worship songs tell of the greatness of God, His Holy attributes, His love and mercy and our response to Him through Praise and Worship.

The psalmist writes, “Come before Him with joyful singing.” Unfortunately or not, our response and participation in worshiping God through song is not always “with joyful singing.”  There made be instances when your mind is clouded, you are not feeling well, or you are having one of those days. Well take heart my friend, the Lord knows of your situation.

Participating in worship songs is not only an outward activity, but also an inward response to our Lord. It is a matter of the heart. I admit my musical ability is limited, in fact it is very limited, including singing. My singing is anything but joyful to the general public, and I am not one who adheres to “make a joyful noise to the Lord.” Yes, the Lord knows of my situation, but I do not want to subject my brothers and sisters to my joyful noise.

So whether you are having a bad day and you are not yourself, or your musical talent is on the short side, worshiping the Lord through song can still occur as the Lord knows your heart. You can worship, sing along and praise God in your heart. And the good news is that one day we will all be worshiping God around the throne in heaven with nothing to distract us, no sickness, no cares of this world, only joyful singing and with no one singing off key, even me.

Devotionals

First Fruits; giving our first and best to the Lord              

Loring Schultz

Read: Leviticus 23:9-14 NLT – Celebration of First Harvest – Then the – Bible Gateway

“Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. When you enter the land I am giving you and you harvest its first crops, bring the priest a bundle of grain from the first cutting of your grain harvest.” Leviticus 23:10 NLT.

Isn’t it always a pleasure to get that first cup of fresh coffee just brewed. How about that first slice of pizza coming out of a brick oven, or those warm gooey chocolate cookies cooling on the tray. Nothing beats the taste of those fresh products. They are in the freshest and best state they will be in and we appreciate being able to enjoy them before they become day old. They are the first and best.

Have you ever thought about God wanting our first and best? Ancient Israel hadn’t thought of it either until they were about to settle in the Promised Land. God gave them instructions for the festivals they were to celebrate in worship to Him. There were seven in total with the Festival of First Fruits occurring on the second day of the feast of Unleavened Bread. This would be the month of Nisan on the Jewish calendar in the spring of the year. Israel was to dedicate the first portion of the earliest barley crop to God. The first fruits belonged to God. It symbolized consecrating the entire future harvest to the creator God for all things belong to Him. Israel anticipated a successful future crop through faith in the Lord God.

Israel was to bring the first and best to the Lord of their crops during the Feast of First Fruits, but this also filtered down to all that God had blessed them with. They were to give the first and best of their entire substance to support the work of the Temple and the priests. “You must also give to the priests the first share of the grain, the new wine, the olive oil, and the wool at shearing time.” (Dt.18:4 nlt) The Lord is the creator of everything and all that we have is from the hand of God.

The Lord God wants the first and best from all who follow Him. It is a form of worship as it was for ancient Isarel that each of us give back a portion of what God has blessed us with. We need to remember it’s all His anyway, we are only stewards of what he has given us to manage. It’s not just our finances and material goods God wants, he doesn’t need the money, but He also desires the first and best of our time and talents as well. May we give the Lord that first fresh cup of coffee.

Bible Studies

SOLA FIDE (Faith Alone)

Loring Schultz

“No doctrine is more important to evangelical theology than the doctrine of justification by faith alone—the Reformation principle of sola fide. Martin Luther rightly said that the church stands or falls on this one doctrine.” John MacArthur

 “The doctrine of justification by faith is like Atlas: it bears a world on its shoulders, the entire evangelical knowledge of saving grace.” J. I. Packer

We have come to the fourth sola of the ‘Five Solas’ of the Reformation period, ‘sola fide’ or (faith alone.) Simply put, it is by faith alone with nothing added, in Christ Jesus alone, that we enter into a saving relationship with Him securing our salvation. The apostle Paul writes, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” (Eph.2:8 esv) A part of the gift God gives to us is the gift of faith to believe. We would not believe on our own, nor would we have the faith to do so. God grants it to us. Paul goes on further to say, “not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Eph.2:9 esv) There is nothing we can do to work our way into heaven. It is all by God’s grace alone to us through faith alone and nothing else.

It is amazing that God sees us as righteous through His Son as we put our faith in Him. Our righteousness and justification comes only through Jesus Christ and what He accomplished in our place on Calvary’s cross. The Devotional series “Heart of the Reformation” notes, “Faith alone preserves the truth that the Lord is our only Savior. Faith looks outside of ourselves and only to Jesus as the Redeemer.” Again, there is nothing we can do to gain righteousness and be justified before God except through Jesus Christ. We are sinful creatures with a sin nature and find it impossible to keep any of God’s commandments. We could never accumulate enough good deeds to be seen as righteous in God’s eyes and earn our way to heaven. Dr. R. C. Sproul notes, “The question is not whether we are going to be saved through works; the question is whose works. We saved through the works of the one who alone fulfilled the terms of the covenant works.” We are to believe in faith the works of Christ on our behalf and believe in faith alone!

In Jesus’s parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Lk.18:9-14), Jesus points out to those who thought themselves to be righteous that they were not. The so-called righteous Pharisee in his prayer exalted himself by saying, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.’ The tax collector’s prayer was a humbling response, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ Jesus explained, ‘I tell you; this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other.’ It couldn’t be clearer; Jesus is stating justification is by faith alone and not by works. “Martin Luther rightly said that the church stands or falls on this one doctrine.”

A Christian Perspective

Pay Them No Mind       

Loring Schultz

“The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless.” Proverbs 10:20 NLT

Photo by Grigorii Shcheglov on Unsplash

Not to get into politics, well, maybe a little. Mostly everything in one way or another is political. We all have opinions and convictions we hold to. At times we find it hard not to respond to voices opposite of ours. Especially if they are said or written in a mean-spirited and untruthful manner. We may feel it’s our right and duty to expose this wrong for what it is, foolish and worthless. So, perhaps a better response would be to ‘pay them no mind.’

The last few weeks here in the United States we witnessed a full display of foolishness, to be polite, of the rhetoric concerning government affairs. It began with a biased news media and politicians feeding their hungry base of social media pundits who repeat and add on to their reporting to support their ideology on the subject. But their main agenda is to cause division within the nation. I will say they have succeeded. It is tempting to want to call them out, but will they see the error of their ways? Scripture says, Don’t waste your breath on fools, for they will despise the wisest advice.” (Pr.23:9 nlt)

Most disheartening are the posts on social media by well-respected individuals, people you know, close friends, and even family members who post an opposing point of view based on ideology and not the truth. There’s an old saying, ‘don’t let the facts get in the way of a good story.’ As believers in Christ we walk a fine line. Yes, truth should be told and lies exposed. But how do we do this? The apostle Paul gives us some advice, “Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible.” (Eph.5:10-11, 13-14 nlt)

Christians have the light of Christ within them. Light automatically dispels darkness, lies are uncovered. So how do we respond? We respond by living a Christlike life and speaking the truth in line with God’s Word. When the lies start to come our way, it’s best to ‘pay them no mind.’

Devotionals

No Excuse; examine the evidence

Loring Schultz

All of us must admit there are times when something is so obvious, so clearly seen, so clearly heard, even so clearly felt, that we cannot deny is authenticity. Indeed it must be true.  Despite the efforts of some who will try to dissuade you from a certain truth either through false comments or actions, if you take the time to examine what they are saying and doing you will find plenty of evidence to the contrary. What is true is true and what is false is false. There is always evidence as to what is true and to what is false if we only take the time to search it out for ourselves. In our current day, we have a vast pool of informational sources available to us to search out a matter. As a result of this, we are without excuse if we continue to be persuaded by others and not look at the evidence ourselves.

When it comes to the existence of God however, God has made it easy for us to determine He does exist and He is God. All throughout history up to including today, there are many people who deny the existence of the God of the Bible. Some display their denial through their words, but most exhibit their denial through their actions. Therefore if there is no God, then there is no God to answer to and I am free to do as I please. They become their own gods determining what is right or wrong according to themselves and their current culture. Their actions are having severe consequences on themselves and society as a whole. Even though some claim to know God, they obviously do not know the God of the Bible.  

But the good news is the God of the Bible, the true God, has made Himself known to every individual through nature itself and the creation of the world. He has made it easy for us to know Him so we are without excuse. We have no excuse for living as if there are no consequences in living in violation of His Word, as if He doesn’t exist or doesn’t care about our actions. He does!

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com

“For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So, they have no excuse for not knowing God.” (Ro,1:20 nlt)

Devotionals

Training for godliness              

Loring Schultz

Read: 1 Timothy 4:6-10 NLT – A Good Servant of Christ Jesus – If you – Bible Gateway

“…… train yourself to be godly. Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:7-8 NLT

A physical fitness program is worthwhile pursuing. There are countless benefits in maintaining good physical health. It is often said, ‘you have one life to live, so make it a good one.’ Being physically fit through exercising and healthy eating habits improves your life tremendously in this world but unfortunately doesn’t do a thing for the afterlife. But there is a training program available that will provide benefits for this life and the one to come. It is training yourself for godliness.

Paul told Timothy to train himself to be godly and to pass it on to those in the church he was pastoring. Timothy was battling false teachers submitting error in biblical doctrine leading people astray through godless ideas. It sounds very familiar to our day. Paul says not to waste time arguing over these ‘myths or fables’ which there really are, but to put a training program in place to instill godliness.

A spiritual training program for godliness requires self-discipline just as any physical fitness program. One must be dedicated to wanting spiritual growth and have a strong desire to live a godly life. Paul says this program promises benefits in this life. Benefits to us include a closer walk with God, a more effective prayer life, greater understanding of the Bible, and encouragement to share the gospel with others. This leads to the benefits of others as they now hear the word of God presented to them by godly people speaking and living the truth of the gospel and not the godless ideas of the day. We need to combat the false godless teaching of our day, but we must first be spiritually trained for godliness. So, let us get with the program.