Author: Loring Schultz

Christian Devotional Writer
A Christian Perspective

When Good People do Nothing, Evil will Prosper 

Loring Schultz

“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:12 NLT

Photo by Tessa Rampersad on Unsplash

The most notable sermon and the one referred to most often is Jesus’ ‘Sermon on the Mount.’ People, both Christians and non-Christians, strive to live by Jesus’ words in His text. When mentioning the ‘golden rule’ there are not many who would not have heard or understood its meaning. They may not know its origin or where it is found in the Bible, or even that they are the words of Jesus, but they are familiar with, ‘Do unto others’ and try to live in such a way to treat others as they would like to be treated. None of us want to be treated badly, but when we are, most of us wouldn’t want that same fate to fall upon others, especially the most innocent who cannot help themselves, the unborn baby in the womb.

Eva Edl is an 89-year-old woman who escaped a communist concentration camp in Yugoslavia at the end of World War II. Nazi Germany’s death camps were being liberated, but the Soviets were just beginning after the war. Although being born in Yugoslavia, Eva and her family were of German descent and spoke the German language. Soon after the war the communist government embarked on a genocidal operation against the Danube-Swabians as they were called. Eva and her grandmother were forced into a boxcar of a train headed to one of the Soviet death camps. It was in that concentration Eva became a Christian and eventually was rescued from the horrors inside.

Eva immigrated to the United States after spending eight years in an Austria refugee camp after her escape from the communist concentration camp. She became an advocate of the Pro-Life movement since the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973. Eva felt God’s call on her to help rescue babies from death whatever the ramifications were for her own life. She realized many people had laid down their lives to rescue her and others out of the concentration camps and she realized the same thing happening again in the United States of America and she had to respond.

The consequences of her stance on abortion have come to fruition after being arrested 46 times since the 1980’s. Eva was convicted along with six others by a Federal jury on August 20th of this year after their arrest at an abortion clinic in Sterling Heights, Michigan, on Aug. 27, 2020. She faces up to 10 years in prison for violation of the FACE ACT and is to be sentenced on September 26, 2024.

Sadly, it takes the example of an Eva Edl who has lived through a death culture and knows what it looks like for us to see what is right before our eyes. We as Christians are complaisant by our attitudes in thinking abortion is only a political issue and that is the problem. We choose to not get involved. But abortion is more than a political issue it is a moral issue, a matter of life and death. The pro-abortion sector is doing all they can to secure pro-abortion candidates in the upcoming election this November, under the guise of ‘reproductive healthcare’ which it is not. The life and health of the baby is never considered, surely not healthcare.

It is time for all Christians, men and women, in America and across the world to become Eva Edl’s. If we do nothing as those who watched the concentration camps trains go by, the evil of abortion will continue to prosper, and our voices will eventually be silence along with the baby in the womb.

Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash

Listen to Eva Edl’s interview with Glenn Beck: https://www.glennbeck.com/radio/prolifer-biden-doj-die-prison

Eva Edl’s Biography: https://www.shelookslikemylittlegirl.com/

DOJ Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/seven-defendants-convicted-federal-civil-rights-conspiracy-and-freedom-access-clinic

Devotionals

A Powerful Offense in the Home      

Loring Schultz

“I will lead a life of integrity in my own home.” Psalm 101:2b NLT

“But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15 NLT

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There is an all-out assault on the family in 2024. It can be debated when the assaults started to occur, and what was the driving force setting it in motion. But there is no debate about the effects of broken families in the current day. Destruction of the family unit is one of Satan’s major goals. He, indeed, is the culprit in the destruction of the family. Satan and his demons are on the lookout for any breach in the family wall that is not fully secure. Defensive shields need to be erected, but more importantly in this case, the best defense is a powerful offense.

The Lord has laid down guidelines for us to follow in the structure of a family. Very simply, God created man in His image, male and female. He instituted marriage between one man and one woman, and children as a blessing creating a family unit. The husband (father) is to be the spiritual head of the family with the wife (mother) spiritual helpmeet to her husband. Both are responsible for bringing their children up in the admonition of the Lord. Simple enough, but there is a lot more to it as most married couples will tell you. Living in a fallen world with Satan shooting his arrows into the family through society’s ills, it’s time to deflect those arrows with a powerful offense of the Word of God and serve Him fully with a whole heart as a family.

King David made a pledge to reign as a righteous king and that started in his own home with his commitment to lead a life of integrity. David knew if he couldn’t live an exemplified life in his home, he would be incapable of leading a nation. He also knew he couldn’t do it without the Lord’s help, leading both his family and the nation. Christian fathers today cannot do it alone either, they need the Lord’s help in leading the family in a spiritual direction serving Christ. Joshua made it clear, as far as he was concerned, he and his family were going to serve the Lord. He knew failing to serve the God of the Bible would lead to all kinds of trouble. We see all kinds of trouble in Christian homes today as a result from the onslaught of the devil. These can be minimized drastically by going on the offense following David’s and Joshua’s offensive strategy for the families and homes.

One final thought: I realized with many broken Christian homes’ family structures vary. There are one-parent families, both men and women. Many Christian women are heads of the household due the father being absent. There are aunts, uncles, and grandparents who have assumed the role of head of the family. Whatever your circumstance, the Lord knows and will give you an extra spirit of grace as you train your children in the Lord. You can rest assured that your offensive strategy against the evil one will be just as powerful as you and your family are serving the Lord in your home with His help.

Devotionals

Finding Common Ground

Loring Schultz

“Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.” 1 Corinthians 9:22b NLT

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The apostle Paul had a heart for sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with as many people as possible. In order to do that effectively he had to as he says, ‘…..try to find common ground with everyone.’ Paul was aware people would not be receptive to him if he could not relate to them. He also acknowledged in his efforts to reach others for Christ that there was a red line that could be crossed. Paul was careful to say, “But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.” (1Cor.9:21b nlt) Paul understood there was no compromising his life of being set apart to God and separated from the world. Yet, he sought to find common ground.

Finding common ground is a difficult task for modern-day Christians. There are countless gray areas to avoid and soon enough if we are not careful end up finding ourselves compromising God’s standards. When our common ground is in an area that displeases God and is a violation of His laws, we lose any chance we have of appearing authentic and true to the Scriptures. It is difficult to explain God’s saving grace with verses John 3:16 and Ephesians 2:8-9 as truth while accepting others passages of Scripture as not true or not applicable in 2024. It’s all or nothing. It’s either God’s unchanging Word for life or it is not.

Christians are still encouraged to find common ground with those outside of Christ. Paul has communicated that to us, and Jesus gave us only two these commands while he was on earth, ‘“you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.’” (Mk.12:30-31 nlt) Loving God with all your heart includes obeying and living in accordance with Scripture and loving our neighbor includes sharing Jesus’ good news of the gospel along with loving them with common ground also in accordance with God’s Word. Finding common ground without compromise is not easy, but it is necessary to accurately present the truth of the gospel.

Read: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 NLT – Even though I am a free man with no – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

A Sure Thing for the Poor

Loring Schultz

“Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor! The LORD rescues them when they are in trouble. The LORD protects them and keeps them alive. He gives them prosperity in the land and rescues them from their enemies. The LORD nurses them when they are sick and restores them to health.” Psalm 41:1-3 NLT

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Guarantees are hard to come by these days. There is no such thing as a ‘sure thing.’ Certain consumer products are labeled to be guaranteed to work for a specified about of time, but we all know that is not always the case. You are guaranteed a degree by a major university if you study hard and apply yourself, but the school suddenly closes without warning. The same is true in the workplace, you’re guaranteed employment if the company can afford to stay in business. There are no guarantees, or sure things, in life outside the intervention of the Lord God.

David, the author of Psalm 41, gives us the assurance that joy is guaranteed when we are kind to the poor. These first three verses of Psalm 41 correspond to one of Jesus’ Beatitudes given in the Sermon on the Mount. “God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (Mt.5:7 nlt) David is ill and sees himself in this psalm he is writing. He was one who had shown mercy and knew the joy he had helping others. David trusted the Lord would show mercy and heal him giving him future joy in helping others who are sick and poor. David understood this as a sure thing.

Joy is extended to us as we give to the poor and meet their needs. The recipient of the gift, the poor, is joyous in the generosity of the giver for the adequate supply of needed substance. David continues noting the blessings bestowed upon those who are kind to the poor. The Lord God will rescue them from trouble and their enemies giving them on-going protection and prosperity. These are signs of a sure thing, guaranteed joy when helping the poor. David was confident God would show him mercy as he had shown mercy to those under his rule who needed help. The Lord will sustain us in our continued efforts to help the poor, bringing joy to all and that’s a sure thing!

Read: Psalm 41 NLT – Psalm 41 – For the choir director: A – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Hold Loosely the Things of the World

Loring Schultz

“Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away.” 1 Corinthians 7:31 NLT

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Corrie Ten Boom was a watchmaker working in her father’s shop, in the Netherlands, along with her sister Betsie during World War II.  She and her family help many Jewish people escape from the Nazis hiding them in their home. Discovered by the enemy, Corrie and her sister both found themselves in a concentration camp in Germany where Betsie died. Corrie was released twelve days later due to a clerical error. The Ten Booms where a very successful family with a thriving watchmaking business yet risked it all to help Jewish refugees being sought by the Gestapo and the Nazis. Their lives reflect an understanding of the temporary use of things in this world as Corrie is well-noted by saying, “Hold loosely to the things of this life, so that if God requires them of you, it will be easy to let them go.” It is estimated the Ten Booms rescued close to 800 Jews.

The accumulating of things is an American way of life. Back in my early days it was called ‘keep up with Jones’ who were your neighbors. Do all you can to have a two-car garage, the latest appliances, and a spot on the city council, or membership in a highly sophisticated club. Today it’s owning a nice home, having the latest gadgets, a secure retirement account, acquiring that prestige job, and having the most followers on social media.

Whatever you possess, whether little or much, are you holding them loosely? There is nothing wrong with having ‘things.’ We run into problems when we become attached to them. Our possessions should be viewed as necessary tools needed to live a secure life, care for our families, help our neighbors, and assist the poor. Material possessions are not the only things we should hold loosely. Paul makes a point that we are to be careful not to be attached even to the good things of the world, but to hold them loosely “for this world as we know it will soon pass away.” (1Cor.7:31b nlt)

Our time is short to serve Christ in this world. May we hold loosely what we have. If God takes what we have for His purposes, Corrie Ten Boom says, “it will be easy to let them go.” Perhaps it’s time for us to start holding loosely the things of this world.

Devotionals

Nothing Last Forever, not so!

Loring Schultz

“The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:8 NLT

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The summer months are not officially over, but here in the United States the Labor Day holiday marks the unofficial end of summer. There will be three weeks left until fall begins on September 22nd, and I might add it has become my favorite part of the summer season since relocating to southeastern Pennsylvania. But shortly after autumn begins the change of the season starts to become evident. You do not need to mow your lawn as often, the leaves on the trees begin to change color, the evenings and early mornings are much cooler, the last of the garden vegetables will be harvested, and the flowers begin to fade. Living in an area where the seasons change you are aware that whatever season it is, it will not last forever. We also see God’s faithfulness in the changing of the seasons and we are guaranteed the passing season will return. Summer may only be for a season lasting three months, but God makes sure it does last forever as He brings it around nine months later.

Unfortunately, there are things in life that do not last forever, in fact many things. Some leave a scare on our hearts, others are bid a fond ado, and still others are dealt with mixed emotions of what has faded away and is gone forever. Living life is hard without having a constant you can count on always being there, something or someone that will last forever, at least in your lifetime. There is such a constant available to you, something and someone, both in the same package.

The Lord God is eternal. He had no beginning, and He will have no end. God is responsible for the changing of the seasons. He has been faithful being right on time in changing the seasons and has never missed a year yet. God has also given us His written Word which He also guarantees will last forever. In a complicated changing world, it is a sigh of relief and comfort to know there is God who is always there and never changes, and He gave us His unchanging Word that will stand forever. As the flowers fade in your garden this autumn do you have the assurance that you too will be brought to new life in eternity as the flowers will return in the summer season.

Our earthly lives will not last forever, but our souls will live on in eternity according to God’s Word which stands forever and never changes. So, where will you spend eternity? If you’re not sure, why not make sure today. Eternity is forever!

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“Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (Jn.14:6 nlt)

“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Ro.10:9 nlt)

Bible Studies

“A Sleepless Night” God’s Providential Hand: The book of Esther

Loring Schultz

“On that night the king could not sleep. And he gave orders to bring the book of memorable deeds, the chronicles, and they were read before the king.” Esther 6:1 ESV

God does work in mysterious ways. We can also call it God’s providential hand at work. Last week in our look in the book of Esther we left off with Haman feeling good about himself. He set in motion the act of finally getting rid of Mordecai, the hated Jew. Haman couldn’t wait until the king’s edit was in force killing all the Jews. He needed to finish him off immediately. In rapid succession, the gallows were being built overnight and Haman made sure he arose early the next morning to go before the king and get permission to execute the rebellious Mordecai. All was going according to plan, except for one thing, King Ahasuerus had trouble falling asleep that night. God was making the next move with His providential hand.

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Sleep aids were not available back in the day of the Persian Empire and perhaps he tried a little wine to help him relax, but he still couldn’t fall asleep. So, he did the next best thing. The king had the records of his reign brought in and read to him. There’s nothing more boring to put you to sleep than listening to government records being recited. But in this case, before falling asleep he was stimulated by the account of Mordecai who had saved his life. “In those records he discovered an account of how Mordecai had exposed the plot of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the eunuchs who guarded the door to the king’s private quarters. They had plotted to assassinate King (Ahasuerus).” (Es.6:2 nlt)

It seems strange to us at times that people don’t get the recognition they deserved at the time. The king’s officials knew of Mordecai’s discovery and moved to save the king, but somehow the reward or thanks escaped the king. We may have experienced the same results where we find ourselves going unnoticed for an important deed we had done. But take heart, our providential God knows and will reward us in due time.

King Ahasuerus asked how Mordecai was rewarded for uncovering this plot, in which the reply was nothing was done to reward him. The king’s heart was moved to appropriate gratitude and honor for the man who saved his life. He wanted the advice of one of his officials and asked if anybody was in the courtyard that early morning. Sure enough, Haman had just arrived and was invited to come in by the king.

The king may have been pleased that it was Haman, his most trusted and highest official, who was in the courtyard that morning. It was fortunate for King Ahasuerus, but not for Haman. Haman was asked what should be done for the man who the king desires to honor. True to his character, Haman applied this to himself, “Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?” (Es.6:6b esv) He then proceeded to honor himself in a glorious way to secure his position as the king’s right-hand man. Haman wasn’t interested in financial gain, only for the acclaim and adoration of the people. One commentator noted that there is irony here, Haman held back the identity of Jews he wanted to destroy, and King Ahasuerus didn’t reveal who he wanted to honor.

All the elements of a proper recognition of the one the king wants to honor as suggested by Haman had to be bestowed upon Mordecai. Haman thought he would be the one dressed in Royal robes the king wore. He would ride on the king’s own horse, and one the king’s officials would parade him through the city square shouting, “This is what the king does for someone he wishes to honor!” (Es.6:9b nlt) But Haman felt the providential hand of God turn his entire world upside down when King Ahasuerus said to him, “Excellent! Quick! Take the robes and my horse and do just as you have said for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the gate of the palace. Leave out nothing you have suggested!” (Es.6:10 nlt) Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.” (nlt) Haman is now beginning to fall into the hand of God where he will never escape.

Haman obeyed his instructions from the king and paraded Mordecai through the city square facing humiliation. Dr. John MacArthur notes, “Mordecai’s distress turned to Haman…… just days before Mordecai was in the city square with sackcloth and ashes, now he (is) honored by the king in royal robes.” Haman returns to his home dejected by the morning’s turn of events and is greeted by his wife and friends who realize this is from the God of the Jewish people and tell him that his plan and he himself is doomed.

The examples we see of God’s providential hand in the book of Esther are for our benefit today. The future doesn’t always look bright, in fact it seems very dark, but God still has His moves to make. He will make them at the appropriate time for His glory and for our benefit. In the meantime, we continue to serve God and trust Him for His will to done. There are plenty of Haman’s in the world today, but God will frustrate their plans perhaps by another sleepless night and eventually they will be brought down. We will uncover Haman’s fate and the Jews miraculous survival in the weeks ahead through God’s providential hand.

Read: Esther 6 ESV – The King Honors Mordecai – On that – Bible Gateway

A Christian Perspective

Responsibilities of a President in the Eyes of God

Loring Schultz

“For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.” Romans 13:1 NLT

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The God of the Bible clearly states that all authority placed on individuals on this earth comes from Him. That includes Presidents. The American people may feel their vote put their candidate in office, but it is ultimately God’s choice who will be the next President of the United States. The apostle Paul writes, “Those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.” (Ro.13:1b nlt) Being placed there by a holy God comes with the responsibility to administer their duties in a godly manner and what God directs through His Word, the Bible. This has nothing to do with any organized religion, but has everything to do with God, and God alone, and His Word being obeyed in every walk of life, and that includes governing a nation.

The commands of God throughout Scripture are not for only those in the day they were written. The Bible was written by 40 different authors through the Holy Spirit over 1,500 years. Obviously, it was not only for their time, but is God’s instruction book going forward for future generations to know Him, and His way of salvation through His Son Jesus Christ. It is also the manual on how to govern and to live in a fallen world. Those in authority need to heed what God says in His book. Government leaders must learn from the mistakes of the kings in the Old Testament with their paganism and anti-God lifestyle. The Roman Empire in the New Testament brought about great achievements to provide infrastructure that was needed and improved society, but they also were a corrupt and pagan government and eventually the Roman Empire fell.

The United States government is no different than any other country in the world. All leaders are in authority by God to rule, punish evil doers, maintain peace, and provide security and protection for those under their governance. They are under His authority to govern righteously in accordance with His Words laid out in Scripture. The next President of the United States may think their sole responsibility is to uphold the constitution, or save democracy, but it is to submit to the Lord God of heaven who gave them their authority to use righteously and governed accordingly.

Devotionals

Underestimating the Power of God

Loring Schultz

“You placed the world on its foundation so it would never be moved.” Psalm 104:5 NLT

Photo by NASA on Unsplash

Have you ever wondered how the earth hangs in vast the spaces of the universe? Or what holds it in place and if it should drop, where and how far down would it go? Is there a bottom it would reach, and what would it be. All the other trillions of stars hang in space as well. They do not drop out of sight, and again if they did, how far down would they go until they reach bottom if there is a bottom? It is in times like these when my mind tries to understand what is impossible for me to grasp that I realize how much I underestimate the power of God.

Instead of trying to understand this with my limited knowledge I need to take it by faith in what God Himself says in His Word through the authors He inspired. Psalm 104 is a hymn of praise to God who created the heavens and the earth, a parallel to the Genesis account of creation. The psalmist writes, “You placed the world on its foundation so it would never be moved.” (Ps.104:5 nlt) It is not going to move or drop out of space because God set it on its foundation. Of all the images available of the earth hanging in space, I’ve never seen one with it resting on a foundation as the world globe I have in my office. God Himself is the foundation. He holds the entire universe in the palm of His hand.

Underestimating the power of God is a foolish thing to do. One look at creation, God speaking our world and the entire universe into existence, should put to rest any doubt this same God can solve any of our problems and help us in our time of need. Do you find yourself underestimating His power and more importantly His love for you? The Lord’s love for you is as great as His power, and He will use His power to help you. It is the same power that placed the earth where it sits on its foundation never to be moved.

Read: Psalm 104 NLT – Psalm 104 – Let all that I am praise – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

A Call to Holy Living

Loring Schultz

“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.’” 1 Peter 1:15-16 NLT

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash

God calls every Christian to holy living. In fact, He says ‘you must be holy.’ Don’t allow God’s statement to alarm you. He is not calling you to be perfect as He is without a trace of sin. We all know that is not possible, and if anyone knows that is not possible it is God. So, what does God mean when He gives us this command, we must be holy. He is calling us to holy living and not to a perfect sinless life without any flaws or defects. And is this possible, yes!

The Lord is calling us away from our old way of living before we were saved. Dr. John MacArthur notes, “Holiness essentially defines the Christian’s new nature and conduct with his pre-salvation lifestyle.” We are called to live separately from the sinful ways of the world as the new Christ-like nature takes over. Being holy, in essence, is being separated from the world and not living in accordance with the world systems. Christians are to be set apart from sin and impurity and set apart to God.

Habakkuk 1:13 says, “But you are pure and cannot stand the sight of evil.” (nlt) The hearts and minds of every Christian should continually reflect on the purity of God. Our goal is to live in purity and recognize God cannot stand the sight of evil. When we fail, which will be often, the Lord offers forgiveness when we confess and He gives us grace to see us through as we continue on with our call to holy living.

Read: 1 Peter 1:13-16 NLT – A Call to Holy Living – So prepare your – Bible Gateway