Author: Loring Schultz

Christian Devotional Writer
Bible Studies

“Beware of Persuasive Influences of Sin” The Gospel of Jesus Christ: the book of Mark

Loring Schultz

Read: Mark 8:11-21 NLT – Pharisees Demand a Miraculous Sign – Bible Gateway

“As they were crossing the lake, Jesus warned them, ‘Watch out! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod.’” Mark 8:15 NLT

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Continuing with our series in the book of Mark on Sunday’s Biblical Insights this week we see Jesus on the move again. After miraculously feeding another large crowd of almost 16,000 with seven loaves of bread and a few fish, Jesus leaves the Decapolis region and heading back across the sea to the region of Dalmanutha.

 Once again people are waiting for His arrival. This time it is the Pharisees who have not given up questioning Jesus but continue to harass Him demanding proof of His deity. They were demanding Jesus show them a sign to prove the divine authority He is claiming. The Pharisees have seen His previous miracles but wanted more. They were looking for a convincing celestial event to prove His power over the heavens and the earth. When Jesus heard this, he sighed deeply. Last week we noted Jesus’ compassion by sighing at the healing of the deaf and mute man, this week He sighs in grief for their refusal to believe. Jesus refused to give in to their demand knowing that the Pharisees really didn’t believe He could perform such a miracle. Their intent was to keep on trying to discredit Jesus and deflate His popularity.  

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Jesus left Dalmanutha after this confrontation with the Pharisees. “So he got back into the boat and left them, and he crossed to the other side of the lake” (Mk,8:13 nlt) Jesus went back to the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee arriving at the fishing town of Bethsaida on the northern shore, the home to Peter, Philip, and Andrew. During the trip Jesus’ disciples were taught an important truth, although they were unaware of it at the time. ‘Beware of Persuasive Influences of Sin.’ “As they were crossing the lake, Jesus warned them, ‘Watch out! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod.’” (Mk.8:15 nlt) The disciples’ minds instantly went to the fact they forgot to take food along for the trip. Whether they thought Jesus was referring to this or something else is not clear, but “At this they began to argue with each other because they hadn’t brought any bread.” (Mk.8:16 nlt) How often we’re quick to jump to conclusions thinking we know why something is occurring. It’s usually not the case, just our minds feeding our self-serving attitude. These were the disciples on the boat that day.

What Jesus told His disciples went right over their heads. Jesus was referring to the yeast as a symbol of evil or corruption. A tiny amount of yeast can ferment a large amount of dough. A little yeast of sin in our lives will ferment into a large lump of uncontrollable sin leading to disaster. The Pharisees had the yeast of hypocrisy. This was seen by their earlier demand for Jesus to perform a sign when they didn’t believe He could perform one. Herod’s yeast was secularism and worldliness. A little influence in these areas is all that is needed to quickly rise the temptation of sin. This is what Jesus was telling His disciples back then and to us in our day. Beware of persuasive influences of sin.

Jesus knew the disciples didn’t get it and knew what they were arguing about. They were missing a vital spiritual point because they were focusing on their material needs, namely food. “Why are you arguing about having no bread? Don’t you know or understand even yet? Are your hearts too hard to take it in?……Don’t you remember anything at all?” (Mk.17-18 nlt) The disciples witnessed Jesus feeding 4,000 men plus women and children just days before and saw Him feed 5,000 men plus women and children before that, and yet they’re worried about what they will eat when the miracle worker is right in front of them. So concerned they were that they missed His important teaching about the influences of sin.

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Christians today have the same problem of deciphering what to beware of in all the influences in our lives. Herod’s yeast of secularism is likely the most influential to beware of. Living in the world and not being part of the world is a daily struggle. It’s easy to succumb, that is why Jesus gave us the warning, beware. The Pharisees yeast of hypocrisy should not be dismissed as if it can’t be applied to us. It can. It’s too easy to say one thing and do another. We live in a world where it is very easy to be persuaded by all that is around us. We should not be naive in thinking we can always discern if the persuasive influences in our lives are of a sin nature or not without the help of the Holy Spirit. Jesus tells to beware, and He has sent His Holy Spirit to help us beware and live a life free from giving in to the persuasive influences of sin.

A Christian Perspective

Are you trained for war?          

Loring Schultz

Read: Psalm 144 NLT – Psalm 144 – A psalm of David. Praise – Bible Gateway

“Praise the Lord, who is my rock. He trains my hands for war and gives my fingers skill for battle.” Psalm 144:1 NLT

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The Bible contains a lot of tough verses we wrestle with. Several publications are offered with the sole purpose of answering questions and explaining these tough verses. Our key verse today is one tough verse. “Praise the Lord, who is my rock.” That’s not tough to comprehend, in fact it’s quite refreshing. What follows confuses us. Training for war? “He trains my hands for war and gives my fingers skill for battle.” (Ps.144:1 nlt) Many Christians have a passivist view of war for many reasons. I’m not going to stir the pot of debate on the world’s wars, but I am going to state that every Christian is in a war whether we agree with it or not. So, my question is, are you trained for war?

King David, the author of Psalm 144, was the king in the theocratic government of Israel. The Lord God empowered David to overcome his enemies, all who were against the God of heaven and His people. This was war against unholy idol worshipers with no regard for the true God and who continually fought against Israel. The Lord God thoroughly trained David in every way to fight against the enemies of the Lord. Ultimately David knew God was his rock and fortress. “He is my loving ally and my fortress, my tower of safety, my rescuer. He is my shield, and I take refuge in him. He makes the nations submit to me.” (Ps.144:2 nlt) But he was still trained to subdue the enemies of the Lord.

King David had the nations’ armies against him, and Christians today have Satan’s armies against us. The apostle Paul instructs us to put on the full armor of God to stand against the devil. (Eph.6:11-17) The one major difference here is we’re not to fight but be trained in putting on the armor. Once on, we stand! No matter your view on war, Christians are in a war as Paul states, “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” (Eph.6:12 nlt) Paul then tells us to ‘stand our ground.’ Having on the full armor of God we are now fully trained for war by standing firm.

Devotionals

Truth Thrown to the Ground    

Loring Schultz

Read: Daniel 8:9-14 NIV – Out of one of them came another horn, – Bible Gateway

“Because of rebellion, the LORD’s people and the daily sacrifice were given over to it. It prospered in everything it did, and truth was thrown to the ground.” Daniel 8:12 NIV

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Interpretation of Biblical prophecy is not a subject to take lightly but should be taken it very seriously. Much of Biblical prophecy is hard to understand and explain, but not all of it. God has spelled out future events for us to understand to the best of our ability with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. With that being said, there are many interpretations of Scripture concerning the end times among some of the most gifted scholars and theologians throughout history. Are some right and others wrong? How about you, are you right, are you wrong? The debate goes on.

God gave us the Bible, to understand. If we cannot understand what he wrote to us, then what is the benefit of having it? I concede, not every Christian understands everything in Scripture, but there is enough we can understand with the Spirit’s help. Daniel’s visions of prophecy sound too confusing to comprehend, but that may not always be the case if we think them through. Today’s short reading in Daniel chapter 8 predicts the persecution of the Jews in the second half of the second century B.C. from Antiochus IV the ruler of the Seleucid kingdom. Antiochus’ actions included destroying copies of Scripture and entering the most Holy Place sacrificing pigs on the altar. Some see similarities to antichrist in the last days of the tribulation. This could be true.

What do you know for sure? Daniel 8:12 says, ‘truth was thrown to the ground.’ We know in those last days, as is the case today, the truth of God’s Word will be denied. Christians will be persecuted during the tribulation as they are today, a false god will be worshiped, and truth will be thrown to the ground. So, don’t worry if you don’t understand it all. Rejoice in what you know.

Devotionals

Rejoicing in Our Problems

Loring Schultz

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.” Romans 5:3-4 NLT

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There isn’t anyone alive who hasn’t faced problems during their lifetime. We all face problems or if you prefer to call them trials and tribulations or sufferings and afflictions, we all have them. Probably not too many of us can say we have rejoiced during those unforgettable periods of our life. Perhaps even fewer could say it was beneficial going through that trial. But there are always benefits of any trial we go through, even if we fail or refuse to see and acknowledge them. God’s hand is involved in all things in this world and that includes our individual lives. He will work it out for good. (Ro.8:28)

The apostle Paul says we can rejoice during our problems and trials. He is one who is qualified to make such a statement for he had his fair share of problems in his life. First Paul says our problems help us develop endurance. We learn to endure, holding fast in our situation if we don’t give up. This develops strength, both physically and in our character. Professional athletes face times when endurance is essential to get them to the next level or overcoming a rehabilitating injury. Our newly developed character is just what we need to get us through and what others need as they witness our strength in character despite our circumstances. This character strengthens our hope in God, and the confident hope of our salvation through Christ.

Suffering, trials, and all sorts of problems are not what we look forward to in life. But they come to all of us when we least expect it. After the initial shock wears off, look to the Lord God for His purpose in it, and rejoice that He has your best interest at heart. It is only then you can look forward to developing endurance, strength of character, and a confident hope in the God of your salvation. And be ready to share your rejoicing with others.

Devotionals

Standing for the Truth of the Gospel  

Loring Schultz

“For we cannot oppose the truth, but must always stand for the truth.” 2 Corinthians 13:8 NLT

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There is a saying, I admit, that I often use. “The truth is somewhere in the middle.” I use it because in most cases it turns out to be true. Take any news story today which has two sides to it as they report it. It lands somewhere in the middle of the two reported stories. Each reporter and/or advocate slant their bias towards their version of the truth, usually a half-truth. They are partially true, but when the whole truth is revealed, their half-truth turns out not to be true. Still, some people hold on to their perspective of the truth even though it is flawed and misleading. This may seem harmless and a just a matter of opinion, but in a life-or-death situation this will be disastrous.

The apostle Paul was adamant of the truth, especially when it came to the truth of the gospel. They are no half-truths in the gospel. The truth is Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (Jn.14:6 nlt) That is the whole truth revealed. Those who sugar coat the gospel with charitable deeds, being a good person, obeying the law, being kind to others, and tolerate of other religions who claim alternative ways to heaven and eternal life are doing more than spreading half-truths, but propagating a false gospel. A life-or-death situation cannot succumb to half-truths.

Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, “For we cannot oppose the truth, but must always stand for the truth.” (2Cor.13:8 nlt) Paul made sure the Corinthians knew he was always speaking the truth in everything he taught them. Even when he was reprimanding them, it was always the truth. Paul did not mince words to sound less forceful. They needed to hear what Paul was telling them for their own good. We are not doing any favors to those who do not know the true way of salvation by sugar coating the gospel with half-truths. It this case, ‘the truth is never somewhere in the middle.’

Devotionals

Does God Dwell Within You?  

Loring Schultz

“But will God really dwell on earth with humans? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built.” 2 Chronicles 6:18 NIV

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King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, couldn’t come to terms that God who created the heavens and earth could possibly show Himself and dwell in the Temple he had built. The universe is not big enough for God to dwell in, let alone Solomon’s Temple. But God did manifest Himself showing His presence in the Temple. He chose to be with His people as they came to offer sacrifices and worship Him.

Christians today find it just as hard to accept the living God, the creator of the universe, can live inside us through the Holy Spirit once we have accepted Christ as savior. But Scripture is clear that is the case. John, the apostle writes, “This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.” (1Jn.4:13 niv) And Paul in writing to the church in Corinth encouraged them by saying, “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” (1Cor.3:16 niv) The God of the universe dwells in every believer.

If you find that hard to believe, just take it by faith because it is true. The closer you get to God in your private time with Him through prayer and reading His Word you’ll begin to know it is true. He is with you and desires to be with you. Solomon marveled how God could be present in the huge, magnificent Temple of his day. We marvel today that our bodies are called the Temple of the Holy Spirit and God dwells within us. What a comfort that should be when we take it by faith, and may we live accordingly.  

Devotionals

Wholesome Words         

Loring Schultz

Read: Ephesians 4:17-32 NASB – The Christian’s Walk – So I say this, – Bible Gateway

“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29 NASB

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It isn’t often or ever that the same daily Bible verse appears on my desk calendar and the Bible app on my phone. So was the case a couple of days ago. I’m not one to read too much into these occurrences accepting them as a coincidence. But I’m also not one to not take a second look. Although I’m persuaded God was not giving me a sign, I am convinced He leads me in my writing through daily verses of Scripture and daily experiences in my life. Today’s verse is a good one.

In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he addresses the ‘Christian’s Walk’ in chapter four. He encourages them not to walk as they did before coming to know Christ, but to put on their new nature. He tells them to stop lying, and not to be angry. Paul continues and instructs them not to steal, and to make sure they are working for a living. He then gets to the part where he tells them, “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” (Eph.4:29 nasb)

This may be the most important instruction he gives. Paul is saying that our speech should serve as edification to those around us. Careless words slip out so easily causing a lot of hurt feelings. Instead of building others up, we tear them down with our unwholesome words. When we hurt others, we grieve the Holy Spirit. Paul wraps it up by saying, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.” (Eph.4:30-31 nasb) We can only do this with wholesome words.

Bible Studies

“The Compassion of the Savior” The Gospel of Jesus Christ” the book of Mark

Loring Schultz

Read: Mark 7:31-8:10 NLT – Jesus Heals a Deaf Man – Jesus left – Bible Gateway

“I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat.” Mark 8:2 NIV

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Jesus, the healer and miracle worker, continues His ministry departing Tyre in the Phoenician region, and heading back to the Sea of Galilee. Jesus and His disciples traveled 20 miles north passing through Sidon, then traveled southeast to the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee to the area of the Decapolis. As always, when Jesus arrives, a crowd forms and the sick are quickly brought to Him.

“A deaf man with a speech impediment was brought to him, and the people begged Jesus to lay his hands on the man to heal him.” (Mk.7:32 nlt) Jesus wanted some privacy with the man and led him away so they could be alone. Mark records Jesus put His fingers into the man’s ears. The reason for this is not given, but a good indication maybe He was letting the man know he would soon be able to hear. The next sequence seems strange to us for our times as Jesus spits and touches the man’s tongue and, “Looking up to heaven, he sighed and said, ‘Ephphatha,’ which means, ‘Be opened!’” (Mk.7:34 nlt) The man was healed instantly. He could hear and speak plainly. Mark adds that Jesus sighed while performing this miracle, perhaps a display of His compassion for the man and what he has gone through. We would be careful to note that Jesus’ physical actions played no part in the healing, it was His miraculous power that opened the man’s ears and loosened his tongue.

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Again, Jesus tries to maintain a low profile during this phase of His ministry, but it isn’t possible as the news of this healing begins to spread. The people once again responded in amazement of one who could heal a man who was deaf and mute. Isaiah, in his writings, prophesied about the coming Messiah and what He will do. “And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind and unplug the ears of the deaf. The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy!” (Is.35:5-6 nlt) The people were witnessing the unveiling of Isaiah’s prophesies.

Soon another large crowd develops, grows, and begins to follow Jesus for three days seeking healing and desiring to hear His teaching. After three days whatever food everyone had was now depleted and they were far from home. Notice Jesus’ compassion for the people as he speaks with His disciples. “I feel sorry for these people. They have been here with me for three days, and they have nothing left to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will faint along the way. For some of them have come a long distance.” (Mk.8:2-3 nlt) When Jesus looked upon the crowd at the feeding of the 5,000, we looked at a few weeks ago, He stress His compassion for them as sheep wandering around without a shepherd. This time Jesus is stressing His concern for this crowd’s basic need of food, nourishment to sustain them physically. This a lesson all Christians and the church need to heed. Yes, we need to preach the gospel to them, but it goes a lot better when the people are fed and are not hungry.

The disciples, sensing Jesus’ compassion, respond in a manner of concern but failed to remember His previous miracle of feeding the 5,000 plus women and children. They were slow to learn, but so are we at times. Jesus doesn’t criticize them for their lack of faith at this moment, but He will address it later with them. For now, He simply ask them what they were able to find, knowing what He could do with what they brought Him. The disciples had seven loaves of bread and Jesus went to work. Jesus had the people sit down. He then took the loaves, gave thanks to God, started breaking the bread into pieces giving them to the disciples who distributed it to the crowd. Jesus was given a few small fish, but a few small fish is plenty in the Master’s hands. The disciples gave these out with the bread and the Bible says, “They ate as much as they wanted. Afterward, the disciples picked up seven large baskets of leftover food.” (Mk.8:8 nlt)

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Jesus met their physical need of nourishment for the way home, and most likely sent the leftovers with them. This crowd could have been close to 16,000 people when including the women and children. No one went home hungry that day. Jesus’ compassion for them is the same He has for us. It covers our whole being, body, soul, and spirit. He cares about our physical needs, our basic needs of food, clothing and shelter, and most of all our spiritual needs in providing the way of salvation through His shed blood on the cross at calvary.  We have a compassionate savior. Have you met Him yet or are you still searching for Him? He’s not hard to find, just follow the crowd.

A Christian Perspective

Power to the People       

Loring Schultz

“O God, You are awesome from Your sanctuary. The God of Israel Himself gives strength and power to the people.” Psalm 68:35 NASB

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In the 1960’s and early 1970’s the slogan ‘Power to the People’ gained a vast audience and became extremely popular in the United States. It was a call for people to take control of governments and institutions. Predominantly started and expressed by the younger generation against what was perceived as oppression from the older generation, it covered a lot of territory. Politically it was against the government and the Vietnam War. Segments of the movement were revolutionary with social justice at its roots. ‘Power to the People’ was used to exploit the rich, and defame any enterprise deemed as ‘The Establishment.’ This power was self-driven and self-accepted. Five decades later there is still fruit from that historic period.

Power and influence are contagious no matter where your politics or worldview stands. It is vital to seek the true source of power when attempting to change the world. King David in the 68th Psalm said, “The God of Israel Himself gives strength and power to the people.” (Ps.68:35 nasb) Israel is God’s chosen people. He gives His victorious power freely to His children. True strength and power only come from the Lord God above and not us. David also reminds us that true peace only comes from God and not us orchestrating it on our own. “The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace.” (Ps.29:11 nasb)

True power and true peace come from only one source, the Lord God of heaven. There are still many injustices in the world today needing to be addressed. Perhaps more ‘power to the people’ is necessary. But make sure you ask God to give you the power and not seek your own power to change the world. Don’t be persuaded by others who follow the god of this world. The Lord will gladly give His power to His people to carry out His will in helping others and living righteously.

Devotionals

Court will Convene

Loring Schultz

“‘But the court will convene for judgment, and his dominion will be taken away, annihilated and destroyed forever.” Daniel 7:26 NASB

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Interest in apocalyptic literature has increased over the years. It took a massive jump in the 20th century and seems about ready to reach its peak, but that is speculation on my part. What is certain; we are living in unprecedented times. A massive technological explosion only matched by the increase in greed, violence, government corruption, persecution, and outright distain for God puts us on a track where there seems to be no return. The world, under the influence of the evil one, is heading in that direction.

As horrific as the current and future events are for this world, we can rest assured God is still in control. In the end God will make all things right. Perfect justice will be administered. In fact, the court room is being prepared, and it may not be long before the court is in session. Satan’s hold on this world will end. The prophet Daniel recalls in one of his visions, “‘But the court will convene for judgment and his dominion will be taken away, annihilated and destroyed forever.” (Dan.7:26 nasb)

As Christians we can rejoice in God’s judgement and rejoice even more for His saving grace sparing us from His judgement against sin. (except for the grace of God go I) People are curious about ‘the end of the world’ as they say. We may not understand all that is going to occur in those future days, but we can tell those with inquiring minds what we are certain of, God’s salvation plan. God sent His Son, Jesus, to redeem us from God’s judgment of sin by putting that sin and judgment on Himself. Accepting what Jesus has done for us guarantees us an eternal home with Him. Another fact we are certain of is this; Jesus will return, and His court will convene. Satan’s dominion will be destroyed forever. Tell what we know.