Author: Loring Schultz

Christian Devotional Writer
Devotionals

Pushing God Aside        

Loring Schultz

Read: Numbers 20:1-13 NLT – Moses Strikes the Rock – In the first – Bible Gateway

“Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out.” Numbers 20:11a NLT

Photo by Jonas Kakaroto on Unsplash

Have you ever found yourself saying amid a problem, ‘Hey, no problem, I got this?” Maybe you asked the Lord for His help, probably not if you ‘got this’. Sometimes it works and sometimes not. Our failure to ask God for His help is just that, our failure. The Lord is always there to help us even when we do not ask Him. So perhaps it was God all along who had this.

Nevertheless, Christians are to be careful of a having a smug attitude. Thinking we don’t need God in situations we deem we can handle is pushing God aside. Yes, the Lord gave us a brain to work things out, but if our attitude is ‘I’ got this ignoring God, we’re forgetting God by pushing Him aside. There may not be any consequences other than a failed project, but a continuing do-it-yourself-attitude without God will lead to disobeying to God at some point and then there will be consequences.

Moses did not have a do-it-yourself-attitude except one time, and it cost him from entering the Promised Land. The children of Israel were constantly complaining about their conditions traveling in the wilderness. Once again there was a lack of water, and they complained bitterly to Moses. They blamed Moses for no water and for making them leave Egypt entering the wilderness to die. Moses and Aaron went before the Lord and He instructed them on what to do.

The Lord said to Moses, “You and Aaron must take the staff and assemble the entire community. As the people watch, speak to the rock over there, and it will pour out its water.” (Num.20:8a nlt) Moses had the experience of providing water for the people of Israel years earlier through the Lord’s help. He followed the Lord’s instructions to strike the rock at Horeb and water gushed out. (Ex.17:6) But this time the Lord instructed Moses to speak to the rock and water would come forth. Frustrated with the people’s complaining, Moses basically said, ‘I got this.” “Then he and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock. ‘Listen, you rebels!’ he shouted. ‘Must we bring you water from this rock?’” Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out.” (Num.20:10-11a nlt) Moses was taking the glory for himself rather than putting it on God where it belonged. He pushed God aside and the consequences of that sin was being denied entrance into the Promised Land.

We may not have such an experience as Moses but let us not carry an “I got this’ attitude thinking we don’t need God, especially if our efforts included something the Lord would disapprove of. May we be wise in what is right and wrong and not push God aside.

Bible Studies

“Jesus Proves His Deity” The Good News of Jesus Christ: the book of Mark

Loring Schultz

Read: Mark 2:1-12 NLT – Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man – When – Bible Gateway

“So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Mark 2:10a NLT

FreeBibleimages.org

Jesus had become a popular figure with the Jewish people as we saw in last week’s Biblical Insights. This week Jesus becomes a polarizing figure with the Jewish leaders, the teachers of the Law. Jesus finished His first tour through Galilee and returned to Capernaum. Scripture says the news spread quickly that He was home. People of celebrity status find it difficult to return home without a big fanfare or with news leaking out. Jesus was indeed well-known. Remember He was forced to go outside the city to continue His ministry due to the crowds, and He has now returned home with His disciples. Most likely Jesus stayed in Peter’s home while in Capernaum. It would become Jesus’ ministry headquarters. Capernaum was convenient as it was centrally located with direct access to the Sea of Galilee.

It didn’t take long for Peter’s home to be filled with people wanting to see Jesus for healing and to hear Him teach. There was no more room in the house and an overflow crowd was assembling outside reminiscent of today’s concert venues and speaking events of famous people. While Jesus was preaching, four men arrived carrying their paralyzed friend on a mat. There was no way into the house due to the crowd, but they were determined to get their friend to Jesus for his paralytic condition was severe. There was only one thing to do, if they couldn’t get in by going through the door, they would go through the roof.

“They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus.” (Mk.2:4 nlt) Palestinian houses of that day had a flat roof that were used for relaxation in the cool of the day and sleeping during hot nights. They had an outside staircase which led up to the roof. The roof was made with a thick layer of clay baked by the sun, then covered with mats and branches across wooden beams. The four men saw their opportunity to help their friend and proceeded up the staircase to the roof.

Once on the roof, they dug a hole through the clay large enough to lower the paralytic down in front of Jesus. Jesus recognized that these men, including the paralytic, had the faith the He could heal the man physically. But Jesus took care of the most pressing need first. The forgiveness of sins for salvation. “Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, ‘My child, your sins are forgiven.’” (Mk.2:5 nlt) Many Jews believed that one’s illness, especially severe, was because one’s sins. Once Jesus heals the man of his paralysis, which only God can do, they could not deny that He could forgive sins. But the Jewish leaders did just that.

The Jewish leaders thought to themselves Jesus was committing blasphemy, for only God could forgive sins. Jewish theology taught that even the Messiah could not forgive sins, so indeed, Jesus was a blasphemer in their eyes, He was claiming deity. Jesus asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’?” (Mk.2:8b-9 nlt) It may be easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven’ but when the paralytic gets up and walks, proof that Jesus healed him, it is proof that Jesus has the power to forgive sins as well.

“Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!’ And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. (Mk.2:10b-12a nlt) The man came into the house through the roof laying on a mat and went out walking through the front door to the amazement of those around. The paralytic was completely healed, which no one could deny. It was another one of Jesus’ instantaneous healings. This miracle healing along with Jesus proving His deity intensified the conflict between Jesus and the Jewish leaders. It put the leaders in conflict with Jewish people, for the people “were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, ‘We’ve never seen anything like this before!’” (Mk.2:12b nlt) A Biblical Insight for us is, ‘preaching the truth about the deity of Jesus Christ is sure to find conflict especially in our day.’ May we continue to be faithful and proclaim Jesus is God the Son. For Jesus said, “So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” (Mk.2:10a nlt)

FreeBibleimgaes.org
A Christian Perspective

Raise your right hand and repeat after me    

Loring Schultz

“But you are near, O LORD, and all your commands are true. The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever.” Psalm 119:51, 60 NLT

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com

Much has been made on social media and mainstream news networks of Donald Trump not having placed his hand on the Bible during the swearing in ceremony. The best of intentions sometimes goes awry even in a well-planned inauguration of a president of the United States. The President-elect had chosen the first Bible his mother gave him and the famous Lincoln Bible used by President Lincoln. The problem was the oath was already being administered when the future first lady was in position with the Bibles. Yes, an unintentional case of bad timing even in a Presidential inauguration.

Regardless of whether President Trump had his hand on the Bibles, does that relieve him of holding to the oath since he did not have his hand placed on them, or if he did does it make his oath more authentic? I find these questions interesting for discussion, but I also find them irrelevant. The main question to consider is, is the Bible relevant to the one taking the oath. Does a future president or anyone taking an oath in a court room believe the Bible is God’s Word, every word of it, and fearing the Lord God Almighty? I thought of that question last weekend before the inauguration on my drive to visit a family member by something that provoked me on the radio.

This is a lesson for all of us to consider when we’re asked to raise our right hand and swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. If we believe in the God of the Bible and His Son Jesus Christ, and believe His Word is true, we can easily place our hand on the Bible. But if there is no Bible we can still swear by His Word and His Name, for we are committing to tell the truth before His presence. Whether Donald Trump had his hand on the Bible or not, his oath was before a Holy God who gave us His Holy Word. What makes an oath authentic is swearing before the one you truly believe in.

Devotionals

Keep Moving Forward   

Loring Schultz

Read: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 NLT – even though I have received such – Bible Gateway

“The righteous keep moving forward, and those with clean hands become stronger and stronger.” Job 17:9 NLT

Photo by David Cain on Unsplash
 

Navigating through trials in life can slow us down, preventing us from doing what we are called to do. Trials vary in nature and scope unique to everyone. There may be similarities, but each trial is personalized in its own way, and each of us handles it in our own way.  Life’s trials do not discriminate but are equally divided among all people. So, it is important for followers of Christ to have a proper Biblical view on handling trials in life.

Scripture provides us with two biblical characters who suffered tremendous trials during their lives. The suffering of Job is referred to often when one comes upon tragedy in their life. Many people, even non-Christians are familiar with the Old Testament book of Job. Job suffered unimaginable catastrophe after catastrophe. Losing his family, except for his wife, and all his possessions in one day, and then being physically struck with painful boils over his entire body, Job remained faithful to God. He may not have had the best attitude at times, but he was able to say, “The righteous keep moving forward, and those with clean hands become stronger and stronger.” (Job 17:9 nlt) Job’s premise is those whose faith in God does not waver in times of distress and trials will gain strength through the trails they endure.

The apostle Paul had what he called ‘a thorn in the flesh.’ Paul’s thorn is not identified but was so severe he asked the Lord to remove it three times. The Lord did not take it away, but “Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’” (2Cor.12:9a nlt) Paul saw his thorn in a different light. He was now glad for it as the power of Christ was now working through him. Paul realized as did Job that in moving forward in trails you gain strength. It is not our strength, but the Lord’s strength working through us. So, keep moving forward in your trials.

Devotionals

Supported by Prayer       

Loring Schultz

Read: Daniel 2:17-30 NLT – Then Daniel went home and told his – Bible Gateway

“Then Daniel went home and told his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah what had happened. He urged them to ask the God of heaven to show them his mercy by telling them the secret.” Daniel 2:17-18a NLT

Photo by Ziph on Unsplash

One of the blessings of belonging to a Church is the prayer support provided by the church family. Close Christian friends outside your church family are also a blessing with their prayers. Even those we don’t know but have received our requests for prayer from another source are God’s blessings to us in our time of need. Prayer to the Lord God is our only hope when we have an urgent need. What a comfort it is to be supported by prayer with our friends and church family.

Daniel had an urgent need. He had just returned from asking King Nebuchadnezzar for time to reveal the king’s dream. Daniel’s pagan counterparts failed the king by not being able to fulfill his request by telling him his dream. Nebuchadnezzar had ordered the death of all the wise men in his service, including Daniel, for their failure. Upon returning home, Daniel confided in his three best friends what had happened and what would happen if the king’s request was not fully answered. Daniel asked his prayer partners to support him in prayer.

Whatever our need, especially the urgent, may we not neglect to seek others for prayer. It doesn’t need to be a whole congregation; a few close friends will do. Jesus says, “For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” (Mt.18:20 nlt) Daniel asked his three friends to support him in prayer, they prayed, and the Lord answered their request that night. May we not hold back in asking others God has placed in our lives to support us in prayer.

Devotionals

After Retirement

Loring Schultz

Read: Numbers 8:23-26 NLT – The LORD also instructed Moses, “This – Bible Gateway

“After retirement they may assist their fellow Levites by serving as guards at the Tabernacle.” Numbers 8:26a NLT

Photo by Vlad Sargu on Unsplash

Conditions for retirement vary from country to country. Age and numbers of years of service play a role in determining one’s qualifications for retirement. Certain occupations issue mandatory retirement once one reaches a certain age. Some people take an early partial retirement and maintain a work schedule, while others take an early retirement bringing their work to an end. And then there are those who choose to work indefinitely for as long as their health holds up. Whatever the situation of one’s retirement, what’s your plan after retirement? Do you have a plan? Does the Bible give us any guidance for a plan? Indeed, it does!

In the Old Testament book of Numbers, the Lord gave instructions to Moses concerning the Levites and their work serving in the Tabernacle. “This is the rule the Levites must follow: They must begin serving in the Tabernacle at the age of twenty-five, and they must retire at the age of fifty.” (Num.8:24-25 nlt) I do not expect any of us today would reject those conditions. But it is what follows that is divine guidance for us. God continues to say, “After retirement they may assist their fellow Levites by serving as guards at the Tabernacle, but they may not officiate in the service.” (Num.8:26a nlt) No, the Lord does not say ‘they must’ but ‘they may’ assist in another capacity.

Our Lord gives every Christian the opportunity, no matter how limited, to serve Him in another capacity once we have retired from our vocation. It could be in your field of expertise from your work throughout your career and now can assist others. It may be something you enjoyed doing in your spare time during your working years and now have more time to devote to it. It could possibly be something you never dreamed of doing, but the Lord has opened a door, and your heart is drawn to it. All of us who are retired, approaching retirement, planning for retirement, or just beginning our career, should take the Lord’s advice, when He says, ‘we may assist’ in our retirement. It is good advice. Let us assist where we can.

Devotionals

Fan into flames

Loring Schultz

“This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.” 2 Timothy 1:6 NLT

Photo by Bob Clark on Pexels.com

Are you using your “Spiritual Gift” that God has given you? Spiritual gifts differ from our God given natural gifts and abilities in that they are given to us by the Holy Spirit as we put our trust and faith in Jesus Christ for Salvation. Gifts such as; teaching, giving, exhorting, encouraging, serving, leadership and mercy. These gifts are given to us to serve the Lord where He has placed us within the local church and in the ministry He has for us wherever that may be.

The apostle Paul reminded Timothy to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave him. Timothy needed some encouragement. Perhaps he was fearful, timid or shy. We may feel the same at times, but whatever the case, it is good instruction for us today to fan into flames the spiritual gift that God has given us.

Think of it this way; your gift was given to you for a specific purpose and if you do not use it there will be many people who will miss out on a spiritual blessing that only you can provide. It is your spiritual gift. Use it.  

Devotionals

Not Feeling Holy?          

Loring Schultz

“For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 1:9 NLT

Photo by Devin Avery on Unsplash

Every Christian has come to faith in the same way. The Lord calls us by the nudging of His Spirit leading us to realize our sin before Him. Sin that needs to be confessed and repented of, leading us to accept Christ’s payment for our sins, for there is nothing we can do to save ourselves. When we accept Christ as our savior, our sins are forgiven. God declares us righteous through Christ’s righteousness. Paul says, God saved us and called us to a holy life, and Peter writes, “But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, ‘You must be holy because I am holy.’” (1Pt.1:15-16 nlt) But do we always feel holy. No! In fact, far from it most of the time.

Not feeling holy is not an indication you are not saved. Your salvation does not depend on how you feel. If we monitored our feelings every day to see where we stand on the holiness scale, we would do nothing but continually doubt if our salvation is real and try to make sure that it was. Scripture is clear, we have been saved by grace through faith in Christ. (Eph.2:8) We did nothing to earn it. We did not make ourselves holy, God made us holy in Christ.

Understanding the biblical definition of ‘holy’ or ‘holiness’ may help us to see this in a better light. In the Old Testament, ‘The Hebrew word for holy is “qodesh” which means “apartness, sacredness,” or “separateness” showing that God is altogether holy, sacred, set apart or separate from His creation.” In the New Testament, “The Greek word used for holy or holiness is “hagios” and means much the same thing that the Old Testament word “godesh” means, which is “pure, morally blameless” or “set apart” as in set apart for holy use, which is what the saints of God have been called to.” (1) Having been ‘set apart’ for God’s use, we are to be separate from the things of the world.

This helps explain why at times we don’t feel holy. We don’t always set ourselves apart from the world and unto God. But that feeling is not the status of your salvation. The Holy Spirit is working in us to become more like Christ (holy) overtime. That process is called sanctification, being set apart for holy use. It is a journey every Christian goes through and none of have arrived yet, but one day we will. So, keep striving to be holy as God is holy and enjoy the journey.

(1) What Is The Biblical Definition Of Holy?

Bible Studies

“The Ministry Begins” The Good News of Jesus Christ: the book of Mark

Loring Schultz

Read: Mark 1:21-45 NLT – Jesus Casts Out an Evil Spirit – Jesus – Bible Gateway

“Jesus and his companions went to the town of Capernaum. When the Sabbath day came, he went into the synagogue and began to teach. So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and casting out demons.” Mark 1:21, 39 NLT

FreeBibleimages.org

The Good News of Jesus Christ is about to be told from Jesus Himself, for that is why he came. “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mk.1:38, 10:45 nlt) Jesus’ ministry is now in in full operation after His baptism, forty days in the wilderness being tempted by Satan, and choosing four fishermen to be His disciples. “Jesus and his companions went to the town of Capernaum. When the Sabbath day came, he went into the synagogue and began to teach.” (Mk.1:21 nlt)

Jesus begins His first of three tours through Galilee. The first stop Jesus made was to visit the local synagogue in Capernaum. It was where the Scriptures were read and studied, and God was worshiped. Jesus took advantage of the custom of having a visiting teacher speak and participate in teaching. As He began to speak, the people were amazed at His teaching compared to the local Rabbis. Jesus taught not as the other Rabbis who referred to and quoted previous Rabbinical teaching, but Jesus taught with authority, His own authority. It was not only His authoritative style, but the content of His teaching that impressed those in attendance. Jesus, the Son of God, certainly knew the Scriptures.   

Satan and his demons also knew the Scriptures and who Jesus is as was evident by the demon-possessed man among them. “Suddenly, a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit began shouting, ‘Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!’” (Mk.1:23-24 nlt) This demon-spirit knew Jesus was God the Son and was terrified at Jesus’ power. Jesus stopped the demon’s ranting immediately and ordered him to come out of the man. He didn’t want His identity known at this time. The demon left the man, and the people were yet in more amazement to what they just witnessed. They reasoned among themselves, ‘what kind of teaching is this, that even the demons obey Him?’ At this point, the news about Jesus spread quickly throughout Galilee.

Jesus’ act of confronting the evil spirit drew much attention which is now going to escalate even further as He is beginning to heal all those who are sick and diseased. Jesus begins by healing Simon’s mother-in-law after the meeting at the synagogue. Jesus and His disciples go to Simon’s and Andrew’s home. Finding Simon’s mother-in-law sick with a high fever, Jesus touched her, healing her. After sunset when the Sabbath was over many people from all over converged on Simon’s and Andrew’s home. “That evening after sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. The whole town gathered at the door to watch.” (Mk.1:32-33 nlt) Jesus is ministering as He predicted, ‘the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve.’

As is often the case today, we call upon Jesus to help us in our time of need. He will not deny our request but will hear us and answer in accordance with His will. How sad it is so many of us only call upon the Lord only in the case of an emergency. He is our Lord and savior when things are bad and when all is well. Jesus came to sacrifice His life to give us the ultimate healing, a soul set free, and eternal life with Him. He desires for us to have constant fellowship with Him throughout our lives here on earth and not wait until we’re with Him in glory.

Jesus valued His time in prayer with His heavenly Father. After a long day of teaching, healing, and casting out demons, Jesus rose early the next morning, probably between 3-4 am going to a secluded place to pray. It was where Jesus, the man, met His spiritual battles. Satan and his demons constantly opposed Jesus all throughout His ministry. It was also where Jesus prepared Himself with conversations with His Father for the day’s work in ministry. If Jesus needed to do this, do we have any excuse for not doing it? We need it a lot more.

While traveling through Galilee preaching in the synagogues Jesus is met by a leper who knelt before Him begging to be healed. ‘“If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,’ he said. Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be healed!’” (Mk.1:40b-41 nlt) Leprosy was one of the most dreadful diseases during Jesus’ day. We should take note of the leper’s faith in Jesus that He could heal him. This is a testimony in Jesus’ power to heal such a terrible disease. Jesus then instructed the man to show himself to the priest to be declared clean so he could resume social contact. The priest could not deny the man was healed, and that only God had the power to cure leprosy.  Afterward the man went out and told everyone about his healing. Quickly it was impossible for Jesus to continue His ministry in the towns but needed to move out into the nearby fields around the cities. Jesus’ ministry is off to a fast start and will continue at a fast pace, for His time in preaching, teaching, healing, and casting out evil spirits is relatively short, three- and one-half years. We will pick it up next week.

FreeBibleimages.org

A Christian Perspective

National Sanctity of Human Life Day will Continue

Loring Schultz

“So, God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God, he created them; male and female he created them. Then God blessed them and said, ‘Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it.’” Genesis 1:27-28a NLT

Photo by Rene Terp on Pexels.com

This Wednesday January 22, 2025, is the annual observance of the National Sanctity of Human Life Day in the United States. The third Sunday each January is also noted as Sanctity of Life Sunday in many churches across America. On Friday January 24, the annual March for Life Rally will be held in Washington, D.C. (1) Each year pro-Life supporters gather in the nation’s capital to celebrate life and to urge federal legislators to draft and pass laws protecting the unborn in the womb. These faithful pro-Life advocates have been organizing these rallies since the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973.

There has been lot of noise on the other side by pro-Abortion advocates since the overturning of ‘Roe’ in June of 2022. Cries about not having access to abortion when the life of the mother is at stake are most repeated. An article on the Cincinnati Right to Life website says the following, “Medical science has progressed to the point where an abortion is never necessary to preserve the life or the health of the mother. This has been true for more than half a century.” (2) And the Charlette Lozier Institute reports that 0.3% of abortions are performed due to risk of the women’s life. (3)

The overturning of ‘Roe’ bringing the issue back to the states has resulted in some states passing legislation to restrict abortion, but despite these advances abortions have not decreased overall in the United States. According to a report from CNN Health, “Despite restrictions and bans that have taken effect in the two years since the US Supreme Court’s Dobbsdecision revoked the federal right to an abortion, the average number of abortions provided each month in the United States continues to rise, a new report shows. There were an average of 98,990 abortions each month in the first three months of 2024, according to the latest data from #WeCount, a research project from the Society of Family Planning. That’s about 14% higher than the average from the same period last year, or about 12,000 more abortions each month.” (2)

There is still much work to do in limiting and bringing abortion to an end. This upcoming week is a reminder of that. The National Sanctity of Human Life Day will continue until our nation respects and protects human life from conception in the womb, and in addition recognizes “God created human beings in his own image (and) then God blessed them and said, ‘Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it.’” (Gen.1:27a, 28a nlt)

(1) https://marchforlife.org/national-march-for-life/

(2) https://cincinnatirighttolife.org/what-percentage-of-abortions-are-medically-necessary/

(3)

Fact Sheet: Reasons for Abortion

Visit Preborn.com https://preborn.com/