Loring Schultz

A Golden Opportunity

June 23, 2025June 19, 2025 Loring Schultz

“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” Job 23:10 NIV

Occasionally, in our lives we come across the opportunity of a lifetime. Whether it’s a dream job, an exotic vacation, meeting a celebrity or favorite sports figure, a scholarship to a major university or being appointed to a high-level government position, we look at it as a golden opportunity, one that is too good to pass up. Opportunities may come about by chance with no effort on our part without the hard work of blood, sweat, and tears. Whatever the case, we are grateful for the opportunity and do not take it for granted.

The biblical figure ‘Job’ is often referenced in describing those who are suffering or have suffered due to some personal tragedy in their lives. Job is the perfect example in these circumstances as it is said in comparison, ‘no one has suffered more next to Job.’ Job had lost his entire family, save his wife, all his livestock, and his servants in one day by Satan’s hand as he accused Job’s integrity before God. God then permitted Satan to afflict Job with painful sores over his entire body, knowing the He could trust Job to remain faithful. The Lord did permit the attacks on Job proving to Satan Job’s faithfulness that he would not curse God, but also to give Job a golden opportunity.

On the surface, Job’s suffering does not look like a golden opportunity. Job himself, throughout the book of Job questions why the suffering, but is convinced he did nothing wrong. Job relays to his three friends that God knows of his conduct and is testing him, not to refine him by purifying him of his sins, but to prove his innocence and he will come forth as gold. (Job 23:10)

Does God test His children today? Yes, I’m afraid He does. But He puts us to the test to draw ourselves closer to Him, to increase our faith in Him, to trust His plan for us, and to show ourselves as a true follower of Jesus to others in need. It may be hard at the time, but may we thank the Lord for each golden opportunity.

Bible Studies

“Who is the Greatest?” The Gospel of Jesus Christ: the book of Mark

June 22, 2025June 19, 2025 Loring Schultz

Read: Mark 9:30-37 NLT – Jesus Again Predicts His Death – Bible Gateway

“Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.” Mark 9:35 NLT

In the sports world, ‘who is the Greatest” is debated over social media and between sports commentators and pundits. Each sport has its own debate as ‘who is the Greatest in their sport and the conversation expands to who is the greatest sport athlete of all time. We refer to that individual as the G.O.A.T. (the Greatest of All Time) Although each sport will also have its own G.O.A.T.. The world has its own categories of ‘who is the Greatest’ among presidents, political leaders, war heroes, entrepreneurs, risks takers, inventors, musicians, entertainers, the list goes on. The world debates ‘who is the Greatest and many in the world desire to be the greatest in their field of expertise. Jesus has some thoughts on who is the Greatest in this week’s look into the gospel of Mark in our Biblical Insights.

Jesus is leaving the Caesarea Philippi region for the last time and heading to Jerusalem where in a few months He will suffer and be put to death on a cross. Traveling with His disciples, His ministry in the Galilean region is now over. Jesus makes a planned stop in Carpernaum His home base during His three years of ministry, also for the last time. The ministry to the people may be completed, but Jesus’ ministry in teaching His disciples is continuing and with greater emphasis for His time is short. Jesus wanted to prepare the disciples for the soon-to-be events, but so far they couldn’t understand what Jesus was referring to when He spoke of His death and resurrection. “(Jesus) wanted to spend more time with his disciples and teach them. He said to them, ‘The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but three days later he will rise from the dead.’ They didn’t understand what he was saying, however, and they were afraid to ask him what he meant.” (Mk.9:31-32 nlt)

When Jesus and His disciples arrived in Capernaum scripture says they settled into a house. Most likely this was Peter’s and Andrew’s home where Jesus stayed most often. The first thing Jesus did, probably after the door was close, was to asked them a question. “Jesus asked his disciples, ‘What were you discussing out on the road?’” (Mk.9:33 nlt) Jesus didn’t need to ask them, He knew, but it required an answer which they failed to give. The verb ‘asked’ is in the perfect tense suggesting a repeating. It probably wasn’t the first time Jesus asked them, but asked continually on the road, but they stifled their conversation and did not answer. Now they’re alone with Jesus, the door closed and still no response. Why didn’t they answer, “because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest.” (Mk.9:34 nlt) They were embarrassed being concerned about their own status in Jesus’ kingdom than trying to understand what He was teaching them.

Before we jump on the disciples with criticism, let’s think this through. While we’re thinking of this let’s think about ourselves and the world we live in. Someone’s rank and status in the Jewish culture of the disciples’ day were important roles to achieve. Rank and status in our culture is just as important to those seeking that high position as it was for the disciples. Whatever we may be seeking if it doesn’t line up with Jesus’ mission for us is a selfish reason for wanting to achieve it. Jesus is about to revolutionize our concept of leadership and greatness through teaching the disciples, which they need as well.

The Bible says Jesus sat down and called His disciples to Himself. Whenever Scripture notes that Jesus ‘sat down’ to teach, it is to stress an official time of teaching. Pay attention and listen, the Rabbi, the teacher, is about to speak, and speak Jesus did. “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.” (Mk.9:35 nlt) This goes against the grain in our day and I’m sure the disciples questioned this statement. Jesus is not condemning leadership but showing how it is to be exercised. Leaders are always needed in any culture. The disciples had the desire to be first, to be on top. Jesus was reversing that line of thinking. In reality, the disciples’ position in leadership was secure and recognized by Jesus when He called them together. Now they needed to know how to act like leaders.

For that Jesus put a little child in front of them. Since this was Peter’s home, it could very well have been Peter’s child, “Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, ‘Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me.” (Mk.9:36-37 nlt) The willingness to humble oneself and serve a little child by putting them in your arms is the mark of true Greatest. When we act in this way, we are serving Christ and God the Father. This is also an example of all Christians who have come to know the Lord by simple faith and humbling themselves like a trusting little child.

Who is the Greatest among us? Those who humble themselves at the feet of Jesus accepting Him as their personal savior through faith as a child for forgiveness of sin and assurance of salvation and eternal life. It doesn’t end there, then we follow Jesus’ example when He said, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others.” (Mk.10:45 nlt) Who is the Greatest, it is those who serve. It could be you!

A Christian Perspective

It is Never Safe to Do Wrong

June 21, 2025June 18, 2025 Loring Schultz

Read: Ecclesiastes 8:9-13 NLT – The Wicked and the Righteous – I have – Bible Gateway

“When a crime is not punished quickly, people feel it is safe to do wrong.” Ecclesiastes 8:11 NLT

Photo by KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA on Pexels.com

According to ‘The Council of State Governments Justice Center’ website, “Failing to arrest people who commit violent crime undermines justice, safety, and trust in government. More accountability, instead of arbitrary punishment, is urgently needed. Failing to solve violent crime means less justice for victims and their families, less trust in the justice system’s ability to protect and respond, and a greater risk of retaliatory violence” (1) King Solomon put it this way, “When a crime is not punished quickly, people feel it is safe to do wrong.” (Ec.8:11 nlt) The same Justice Center reports, “Unsolved violent crime is a national issue facing nearly every state. In 2022, more than 50 percent of violent crimes reported to law enforcement went unsolved in 38 states. And in 6 states, over two-thirds of all violent crime went unsolved.” (1)

There is definitely a problem in America punishing violent crime or any non-violent crime. What exasperates the problem is the failure not to convict those guilty of a crime but to release them without any consequences back into society. We should all agree that Solomon is right when he says, people then feel it is OK and safe to do wrong. “After all, it looks like I got away with it. I got off.” But every parent knows if you let your little ones get away with the small things, bigger ones are not far behind. The criminal justice system does have its challenges, but it must be more forceful in punishing the small offenders not sending them out with a ‘get out of jail free card’ to use against the innocent.

It is never safe to do wrong even if our district attorneys fail to prosecute and our court judges release the guilty. There is one greater who will enact perfect justice. Solomon also wrote, “The wicked will not prosper, for they do not fear God. Their days will never grow long like the evening shadows.” (Ec.8:13 nlt) We can rest comfortably their day will come. “It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Heb.10:31 nlt) In the meantime we should all be praying for safety and justice in the streets of America and around the world.

(1) The Accountability Gap: Unsolved Violent Crime in the United States – Tools for States to Address Crime

Devotionals

The Prophets Have Spoken

June 20, 2025June 18, 2025 Loring Schultz

“And He said to them, ‘O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?’” Luke 24:25-26 NASB

Interest in the return of Christ has peaked again over the last few weeks for many Christians around the world. Tensions in the Middle East between Israel and Iran have escalated on top of the current crisis with the terror group Hamas. We are living in uncertain times for sure, but only the Lord God knows for sure when the end will come for this world and Christ begins to reign in His kingdom.

Christians can know for certain, and even non-Christians can know that these events will indeed happen. The Bible is filled with all sorts of prophecy concerning what we call ‘the end times.’ A thorough look through the Old Testament gives us a preview of the expected Messiah who was to come and is to come. All the prophecies concerning the birth of Christ has come true. All the prophecies of His death and resurrection have come true. So, there is no doubt the prophecies of the end times ending with Jesus’ reign on earth will also come true.

The New Testament book of Revelation is where most people go to read about those future events. Revelation is a book of prophecy as any in the Old Testament, John himself writes, “And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the words of prophecy written in this book:” (Rev.22:18 nlt) In one of Daniel’s visions in the Old Testament is a prophecy of Jesus’ death, “After this period of sixty-two sets of seven, the Anointed One will be killed, appearing to have accomplished nothing,” (Dan.9:26 nlt) And in the same vision, we have a peak into the much further future of the tribulation, “The ruler will make a treaty with the people for a period of one set of seven, but after half this time, he will put an end to the sacrifices and offerings. And as a climax to all his terrible deeds, he will set up a sacrilegious object that causes desecration, until the fate decreed for this defiler is finally poured out on him.” (Dan.9:27 nlt) This is a prophecy of the antichrist. We can trust the prophets, for they have spoken. It will certainly come to pass.

Devotionals

The Source of All Comfort

June 19, 2025June 17, 2025 Loring Schultz

Read: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 NLT – God Offers Comfort to All – All praise – Bible Gateway

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NLT

The apostle Paul began his second letter to the church in Corinth by declaring God is merciful and the source of all comfort. As much as we try to comfort others, we will never succeed as God does. God is the source of all comfort, meaning comfort (to soothe in distress or sorrow) is given best by comforter Himself, God. Sometimes God will use an agent like us to comfort others. Discernment is key in knowing when and how to approach one in need of comfort. For that, it is essential we are walking in step with God and in prayer for His guidance.

One of the essential tools the Lord will have us use is our own experience in being comforted by God when we were in distress. It wasn’t pleasant at the time, and not pleasant now as we think back on it, but it can be used to bring comfort to one suffering at the moment. God has comforted us so we can in turn comfort others. When God shows His mercy and grace upon us through our bad times it’s hard for others not to notice. But there will always be some who do not notice or may have no knowledge of your past troubles, as they deal with their own anguish. That is why you need to share with the one who is suffering just as you were. They need the comfort you received as you tell your story and point them to the source of all comfort, the Lord God.

Understandably, there are things you would rather not share. I get it. That is why a close relationship with the God of all comfort is vital to know what to share, how to share, and when to share how God comforted you during those days. He is the source of all comfort, and you already experienced that. Trust Him to guide you in providing comfort to others.

Devotionals

What Do You See?

June 18, 2025June 16, 2025 Loring Schultz

Read: Habakkuk 1:1-11 NLT – This is the message that the prophet – Bible Gateway

“Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all this misery? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight.” Habakkuk 1:3 NLT

The prophet Habakkuk had a couple complaints for God he wanted to get off his chest. First, Habakkuk was in doubt God was hearing his prayers. If He was, God wasn’t responding. Secondly, Habakkuk doesn’t understand why he must witness all the evil around him while the culprits go unpunished. Sound familiar? Habakkuk saw nothing but misery through destruction, violence, people fighting, and no justice in the courts. Again, sound familiar. The old saying is true, ‘the more things change the more they stay the same.’

Habakkuk was writing over 2,500 years ago and his words are just as relevant today and could be posted on any social media website. If you ever thought about or have questioned God, you’re not alone. When we see the same things that the old prophet saw in his day it makes us want to cry out with him, why? And perhaps we feel God is not listening to us as Habakkuk felt. But we are both wrong in our assessment of God’s attention to our prayers. He does listen and answers in His timing and according to His will.

God told Habakkuk the guilty will not go unpunished. The guilty, in this case, was his own people, the people of Judah. “The LORD replied, ‘Look around at the nations; look and be amazed! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it.’” (Hab.1:5 nlt) God was going to use the evil Babylonian Empire to bring justice to His own people. This of course caused Habakkuk to question God even more, but through it all he rested in God working His plan which included bringing judgment on the Babylonians.

We do not understand the fine workings of God. They are too high for us, as high as the heavens. But we can rest that God hears our prayers as we tell Him what we see asking for justice in our world. God will bring about justice according to His plan and use people and nations we would never consider, but then again, we are not God. Only He can bring about true justice. So, it’s OK to question God and tell Him what we see, just remember He has the perfect plan already worked out.

Devotionals

The Forgotten Miracles

June 17, 2025June 16, 2025 Loring Schultz

Read: 2 Kings 2:1-14 NLT – Elijah Taken into Heaven – When the – Bible Gateway

“Then Elijah folded his cloak together and struck the water with it. The river divided, and the two of them went across on dry ground!” 2 Kings 2:8 NLT

“He struck the water with Elijah’s cloak and cried out, ‘Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?’ Then the river divided, and Elisha went across.” 2 Kings 2:14 NLT

Out of all the miracles that are recorded in the Bible, how many do you remember? Most likely those repeated most often in books, presented on the movie screen, heard from the pulpit, and taught in a children’s Sunday School class are most remembered. Who cannot recall the miracle of Moses and the Red Sea departing in the classic movie, ‘The Ten Commandments,’ or Jesus feeding the 5,000 in the most recent ‘The Chosen’ series along with all the other miracles that are brought to life through that video production. The Bible contains many miracles throughout its pages. It’s impossible to remember them all, even most of them. These are the forgotten ones until you come across them in your daily reading and you say to yourself, ‘Oh yeah, I forgot about that one.’

In today’s text we find two of those forgotten miracles. They are easily forgotten because they pale in comparison to a much bigger miracle, and a similar one with the same results. The prophet Elijah is about to pass his mantle to Elisha for the Lord was about to usher Elijah into His presence in a whirlwind by a chariot of fire. Before the big event, the two prophets cross over the Jordan river by Elijah dividing the water with his cloak and they cross over on dry land. After Elijah is taken up to heaven, Elisha does the same thing with his master’s cloak. These two miracles are not as grand as Moses and the Red Sea departure, or Joshua’s crossing the Jordan river with 2 million people as they entered the Promised Land, but miracles just the same.

Which brings us to this point. We each may have had a major miracle in our life which we will never forget and continually praise God for, but how many smaller, much smaller miracles have God worked in our lives that are quickly forgotten. These are the events in our lives in looking back we know it was only by the miraculous hand of God at work. These too are miracles. May we continue to praise God for all His miracles in our lives and not one of them be forgotten.

Devotionals

Our Future Glory

June 16, 2025June 13, 2025 Loring Schultz

Read: Romans 8:18-25 NLT – The Future Glory – Yet what we suffer – Bible Gateway

“Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.” Romans 8:18 NLT

Suffering. Not a pleasant topic, but one that all of us understand. It comes to us in all stages of life from the youngest to the eldest and everyone in between. There are numerous degrees of suffering, some bearable and others hard to bear. Whatever it is you are suffering from, whatever your age, and whatever the decree of your suffering, the last thing you want to hear is ‘don’t worry, it will get better.’ Well, I’m sorry to say this but ‘don’t worry, it will get better.’

I’m also sorry to say it may not get better in this life, but for Christians we have the Lord walking with us through our suffering. The Lord is also able to take away our suffering in this life, and He may very well choose to do so. It may or may not be His plan. But as we walk with God we are assured that He has planned what is best for us today, tomorrow, and in the future.

Paul, writing in Romans said, “Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later……And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering” (Ro.8:18, 23 nlt) Paul writes of a future day where he says ‘don’t worry, it will get better.’ All Christians will one day will have a perfect glorified body with no pain and no suffering. Yes, while in this life we groan for that future taste of glory while we suffer here on earth, it can’t come soon enough. Be assured it will come. Better days are ahead of us. ‘Don’t worry, it will get better.’

Bible Studies

“If I Can?” The Gospel of Jesus Christ: the book of Mark

June 15, 2025June 12, 2025 Loring Schultz

Read: Mark 9:9-29 NLT – As they went back down the mountain, he – Bible Gateway

‘“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?’ Jesus asked. ‘Anything is possible if a person believes.’” Mark 9:23 NLT

Last week on Biblical Insights Peter, James, and John had an incredible experience seeing Jesus transfigured in front of them with Moses and Elijah talking with Him. They couldn’t wait to get back and tell everyone, but wait, they couldn’t. Jesus told them they weren’t to tell anyone what they saw until He was raised from the dead, which raised more questions from the inquisitive three. They were asking each other what Jesus meant by raising from the dead. Their minds couldn’t accept a suffering dying Messiah.

They did, however, ask Jesus a question on the way down from the mountain. “Why do the teachers of religious law insist that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes?” (Mk.9:11 nlt) Perhaps seeing Elijah speaking with Jesus prompted this question. Jesus answered that Elijah would indeed come first to set things in order, and in fact Elijah had already come. Jesus confirms that His cousin John the Baptist is the Elijah figure that would come before the Messiah preaching repentance which he paid a price for. Jesus said, “But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they chose to abuse him, just as the Scriptures predicted.” (Mk.9:13 nlt)

When Jesus, Peter, James, and John returned to the rest of the disciples there was a large crowd that gathered to watch the dispute between the disciples and the religious teachers. “When the crowd saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with awe, and they ran to greet him.” (Mk.9:15 nlt) The arguing between the disciples and the teachers stemmed from the fact the disciples couldn’t cast out a demon from a demon possessed boy. Jesus asked what all the arguing was about. A man spoke out, “Teacher, I brought my son so you could heal him. He is possessed by an evil spirit that won’t let him talk.” (Mk.9:17 nlt) Jesus wasn’t there when the man came so he then asked the disciples to do it, but they were not able to cast out the evil spirit. This led to an argument with the religious teachers who were obviously gloating over the fact the disciples failed.

Jesus’ reaction here may seem uncharacteristic for the Son of God, but it is in the very character of God who condemns our lack of faith. “Jesus said to them, ‘You faithless people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.’” (Mk.9:19 nlt) Jesus’ criticism was not only against the father and the disciples but also against the religious teachers and unbelieving people in general.

“So they brought the boy. But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth.” (Mk.9:20 nlt) Jesus asked the boy’s father how long this was happening to him. The man replied, “Since he was a little boy. The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.” (Mk.9:21-22 nlt) We may wonder what is meant being thrown into a fire. Open fires were commonplace in first century Palestine. Throwing the boy into water needs no explanation. Notice the evil nature of this demon. This was a violent evil spirit. A violent convulsion can be explained as if tearing the boy apart. The father asked for mercy by healing his son if He can.

The father’s reply to Jesus sparked a serious question from the Lord. “What do you mean, ‘If I can’? Anything is possible if a person believes.” (Mk.9: 23 nlt) The question was not if He could heal his son, Jesus has proven that many times over. The question is: did the father have faith to believe it. This is a question we all need to ask ourselves on occasion. Do we have faith to believe that the Lord will take care of us through all our circumstances. We may be just like the father who then said to Jesus, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mk.9:24 nlt) Sometimes we are all like this father, we can’t deal with our own unbelief. It’s OK. Ask Him to help you. Belief and unbelief often get mixed at the same time. Jesus emphasized faith here for those who needed an increase of their faith in Him. It is important to remember Jesus healed many people who had shown little or no faith in Him at all. Our healing has nothing to do with our faith, but our faith in God who is able to heal us according to His will.

Jesus rebuked the demon and commanded it to come out of the boy. “Then the spirit screamed and threw the boy into another violent convulsion and left him.” (Mk. 9:26 nlt) Jesus’ power forced the demon to cry out. It knew of His spiritual power against demons in the supernatural world, and it left the scene.

Later that day, the disciples asked Jesus why they couldn’t cast out the evil spirit. Jesus’ reply was, “This kind can be cast out only by prayer.” (Mk.9:29 nlt) Two notable points are here. The first is there are demons and evil spirits that are more violent and dangerous than others. The second and more important one is the disciples’ lack of prayer. It is amazing to think the disciples could not cast out that demon when Jesus gave the power to do so. They failed to remember their power came from Jesus and not from within themselves. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary sums it up this way for the disciples and us, “Unbelief and prayerlessness are sure to result in spiritual impotency.” May we never hear the Lord say to us, ‘If I Can?’

A Christian Perspective

Peaceful Protests Will Be Gone Forever

June 14, 2025June 10, 2025 Loring Schultz

Read: Revelation 21:1-8 NLT – The New Jerusalem – Then I saw a new – Bible Gateway

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” Revelation 21:4 NLT

For those of us living in America, and those viewing the news headlines across the world, an updated version of the First Amendment in the U.S. Constitution is on display. Peaceful protests have been redefined. Not sure who amended the First Amendment, but it sure looks like it was according to the news media and certain politicians. The fact is it was not amended, but still stands and says, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” (1) It is hard to watch this chaos unfold with the ignorance of those who ignore it and remain silent.

So, for what it is worth, I’m not remaining silent. There is no need to state the obvious for all people with even a speck of honesty know the reality of the situation. This world is in chaos, and it saddens me to say the United States is contributing to it with the divisiveness in the country. It is no longer divided by politics but between right and wrong. ‘Right is wrong and wrong is right.’ ‘Good is evil and evil is good.’ Millions of people in the world fear the future in its current state, and there are sound reasons for that. The truth is that life on this planet will only grow worse until the arrival of Jesus Christ to set up His kingdom. But there is good news, a guaranteed perfect future for those who know Christ as savior.

John, the apostle, wrote of that future time through the leading of the Holy Spirit and said, “He (Jesus) will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” (Rev.21:4 nlt) The likes of the lies, corruption, violence, and chaos we are witnessing today will be gone forever. Yes, even the amended ‘peaceful protests’ will be gone forever. Real peace will finally be observed. Let us repeat after John at the end of Revelation, “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev.22:20 nlt)

(1) https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-1/