Author: Loring Schultz

Christian Devotional Writer
Bible Studies

“Godly Leaders are not Distracted or Intimidated” Godly Leadership: the book of Nehemiah

Loring Schultz

“So Sanballat and Geshem sent a message asking me to meet them at one of the villages in the plain of Ono……Remember, O my God, all the evil things that Tobiah and Sanballat have done. And remember Noadiah the prophet and all the prophets like her who have tried to intimidate me.” Nehemiah 6:2a, 14 NLT

Photo by Lukáš Kačaliak on Unsplash

When time is running out and efforts to put a plan in place are fading as days go by, one gets desperate. This was the case with Nehemiah’s enemies, Sanballat, Tobia, Geshem, and others outside Jerusalem who had tried to put a stop to the rebuilding of the walls around the city. The wall itself was now completed and the finishing work of installing the doors in the gates was about to start. An all-out, last-ditch effort was made by the opposition to not only stop the work but to eliminate Nehemiah.

Sanballat, Tobia, and Geshem realized they could not stop them by force since Nehemiah had put in place defensive and offensive strategies to protect the on-going work and provide safety to the workers. Their enemies then went to a plan of deception.  “So Sanballat and Geshem sent a message asking me to meet them at one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But I realized they were plotting to harm me.” (Neh.6:2 nlt) Cleverly Nehemiah was given the option of choosing one the villages in the plain of Ono to have this conference. The idea was to present it as a safe place, but Nehemiah saw through that refusing to go and sending a message back.

Nehemiah knew of a possible threat on his life, but more important to him was the total completion of the walls and gates surrounding Jerusalem. He was not going to let anything distract him from completing the job. Nehemiah replied with a great answer, “I am engaged in a great work, so I can’t come. Why should I stop working to come and meet with you?” (Neh.6:3 nlt) In a subtle way, Nehemiah let them know he knew this meeting was only to stop the work. Ono was seven miles from Jerusalem and was the most western part of the Jewish resettlement after retuning from captivity. He was not going to let the work be compromised by leaving it to attend a meeting. Nehemiah knew what was up and wasn’t going to let it distract him.

Christians need constant awareness of distractions that come our way which seem innocent enough, but they are deceiving. Anything that keeps us from finishing what the Lord had us start must be carefully examined to ensure it’s not a trap by the evil one to stop us. Opposition will always come in some form when doing a work for God, you can count on it. Don’t get distracted.

Sanballat and the rest of his crew were persistent in sending the same message four times. But Nehemiah was just as persistent in sending the same reply four times. When this latest plan failed to stop the work, they came up with another one. “The fifth time, Sanballat’s servant came with an open letter in his hand.” (Neh.6:5 nlt) Official correspondence in those days would be written on a papyrus or leather sheet. It would be rolled up and sealed for authenticity, and it was meant for the recipient. This letter that was sent was an open letter. It was an insult to Nehemiah as the governor for Sanballat wanted the entire public to know about it. Our government officials today use the same tactics in the form of leaks to the public through unnamed sources to news and media outlets. The news was meant to be damning to Nehemiah’s reputation. It insinuated he would lead the Jews in revolt against the king of Persia and install himself as king after the city was fully secured. There is always an element of some truth in false statements to make them believable. Nehemiah did have a deep love for Jerusalem, and he was a great leader, but these allegations were obviously lies in which Nehemiah quickly condemned and called them out on it. He then continued the work with greater determination. “They were just trying to intimidate us, imagining that they could discourage us and stop the work. So I continued the work with even greater determination.” (Neh.6:9 nlt)

The enemy was not yet done. Just as Satan and his minions always tries to get one last shot at us today, he did the same through Shemaiah, a false prophet. Shemaiah tried to persuade Nehemiah to seek shelter in the temple. He told him there was a threat to his life, a half-truth. The threat was not outside, but inside. Nehemiah knew that seeking protection in the Temple area at the alter of asylum was permissible, but to go into the holy place in the Temple of God as a layman was a sin. Shemaiah was seeking to either kill his reputation by having him sin against God in front of the people because of his cowardice or he was planning the kill Nehemiah himself.  Either way, Nehemiah again knew of the deception once Shemaiah tried to convince him to hide in the Temple of God. He also knew Sanballat and Tobia had hired him. “They were hoping to intimidate me and make me sin. Then they would be able to accuse and discredit me.” (Neh.6:13 nlt) Nehemiah’s reputation and the morale of the people were at stake if he fell to the deception.

Through Nehemiah’s godly leadership with the people responding with a mind to work, and the help of God, the wall around the city was rebuilt in just fifty-two days. “So on October 2 the wall was finished—just fifty-two days after we had begun. When our enemies and the surrounding nations heard about it, they were frightened and humiliated. They realized this work had been done with the help of our God.” (Neh.6:15-16 nlt) The threats, distractions, and intimidation had no effect on Nehemiah and as a result the work was finished. This would make a good ending to the story of Nehemiah’s godly leadership, but we are only at the half-way point. The work never stops. The rest is yet to come.

Read: Nehemiah 6:1-7:3 NLT – Continued Opposition to Rebuilding – Bible Gateway

A Christian Perspective

America at the Crossroads

Loring Schultz

“This is what the LORD says: ‘Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, No, that’s not the road we want!’” Jeremiah 6:16 NLT

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Last week’s ‘Christian Perspective’ focused on the question ‘Is America Fixin’ to Fall,’ (1) Several self-incriminating examples were noted that if not done away with could very well do away with the United States. This week the main point in ‘A Christian Perspective’ is America is at the crossroads. America’s future will be decided in a few days after the results of the U.S. Presidential election is announced. The country could not be more divided, growing more hostile in what separates us. Any resemblance to truth has been thrown out in almost every political ad being replaced with statements taken out of context, exaggerations, and outright lies. Desperation is setting in not only for the candidates but also for those in both camps who see their defeat as an end to democracy as they see it. For clarification, ‘democracy’ is defined by Webster’s New World Dictionary as, “government by the people, directly or through representatives.”

Some of Jeremiah’s prophecies to Judah could have been spoken to ‘We the people’ of the United States. We looked at one last week and here is another from Jeremiah 6:16, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.’ But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’” (nlt) The Lord told Judah to ‘Stop’ at the crossroads. America needs to stop. Stop what we are doing long enough and look around. Look back at where we have been and look forward to where we are going. The Lord says to ask for the old, godly way and walk in it. America is not walking in a godly way in 2024, but just the opposite. One candidate has referenced in campaign speeches ‘we’re not going back.’ But in this case, going back is not a bad idea if we’re going back to the godly principles America was founded on. The Lord says if we travel that old, godly path, we will find rest for our souls. ‘We the people’ have not had rest in our souls for decades.

Again, the Lords words to Judah through Jeremiah parallels America today. ‘We the people’ are responding to God the same way by saying, “No, that’s not the road we want!” The United States has pushed God aside in favor of ourselves. God becomes relevant when He is needed to round up votes, but not to His godly ways of administering equal justice, governing honestly, and protecting the sanity of life. Yes, America is at the crossroads. Judah was at the crossroads, and they refused to go the old, godly way resulting in their destruction. America and the world at large are at the crossroads between good and evil. As Christians we understand God is in control and He will choose the President of the United States for His purposes. But that does not excuse us for not participating in voting for those who will best follow the old, godly way remaining on that path so those they govern, ‘We the people,’ will find rest for our souls.

(1) Is America Fixin’ to Fall? – Word for the Soul

Devotionals

Are They Hanging Around?

Loring Schultz

“Israel failed to destroy the nations in the land, as the LORD had commanded them. Instead, they mingled among the pagans and adopted their evil customs. They worshiped their idols, which led to their downfall.” Psalm 106:34-36 NLT

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The apostle Paul informs us of a sure promise that all Christians have, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2Cor.5:17 niv) If that is true, why do we hang onto certain things that should be gone, not only gone but be destroyed? I guess we could say, ‘we still have a sin nature’, and that is true, but that is not an excuse to let that certain sin hang around. The Bible says, ‘the old has gone.’

Israel was given specific instructions from God to complete when they entered the Promised Land. “You must destroy all the nations the LORD your God hands over to you. Show them no mercy, and do not worship their gods, or they will trap you.” (Dt.7:16 nlt) Israel left some of the pagan nations hang around by not destroying them as God had commanded. Eventually they did become trapped into worshiping their gods by intermingling with them. The psalmist writes, “They worshiped their idols which led to their downfall.” (Ps.106:36 nlt)

There is a reference in the sports world when a team fails to put away their opponent, ‘they’re letting them hang around.’ If the defense doesn’t get serious and beef up their attack mode, their downfall is certain as the psalmist says. A team cannot afford to sit back on its heels and let the opponent run all over them. If they had taken take of business in the beginning of the game, they wouldn’t be in danger of succumbing to defeat.

Likewise, Christians need to be taking care of business and not allow any of our besetting sins to hang around, but to destroyed them. We can be certain if we fail to destroy what God commands us, we will become complacent, compromising, and caught up with what we should not have left hang around.

Read: Psalm 106:34-48 NLT – Israel failed to destroy the nations in – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Nothing Prevents the Fruition of God’s Plans

Loring Schultz

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

“So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it.” Matthew 27:66 NLT

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Have you ever felt you messed up God’s plans for your life? You say to yourself, ‘Obviously, God’s plans didn’t work out or I wouldn’t be in the situation I am in. I messed up along the way throwing the plans off course.’ It may be true that you messed up, I’ve done it myself but rest assured God’s plans for you are still in tack. There is nothing you can do to alter the plans the creator of the universe has for you since before you were born. It’s hard to understand, I know. Take heart, you may have messed up, but it didn’t mess up God’s plans.

Every Christian should be thankful nothing prevents the fruition of God’s plans especially His plan of salvation for all who believe in Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. God’s plan of salvation was for His only Son to come to earth, live a perfect life, die as a sacrifice for sins, be buried, and rise again on the third day. Nothing was going to mess that up. The leading priests and the Pharisees also had a plan that worked, but it didn’t turn out the way they thought it would. They asked to Pilate to have the tomb in which Jesus was buried be guarded and sealed. The religious rulers were afraid the disciples would steal Jesus’ body and claim He had risen from the dead as Jesus said He would after three days. The seal remained in place for no one tried to steal Jesus’ body, but Jesus did rise on the third day.

Many of those who followed Jesus didn’t understand all they witnessed during His arrest, trials, and crucifixion. It seemed a master plan had gone terribly wrong. Yes, it was a master plan, but everything about it was right. You can trust God for the plans he has for you. He sent His Son to die as a sacrifice for your sin. It was His plan for you and me. “Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?” (Ro.8:32 nlt) Rejoice that God has a plan for you. You may not understand it, but He does. Trust Him that nothing will prevent all His plans from coming to fruition.

Read: Matthew 27:62-66 NLT – The Guard at the Tomb – The next day, – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Humble Yourself Before God

Loring Schultz

“Show me what sins hide thee from me and eclipse thy love;                             Help me to humble myself for past evils, to be resolved to walk with more care, For if I do not walk holily before thee, how can I be assured of my salvation?” (1)

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“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” James 4:6 ESV

Are you one who finds it hard to admit you’re wrong? You just cannot find it in yourself the possibility you didn’t have it right. This demeanor will eventually cause distance between you and others over time. Having this attitude, ‘I am always right’ will lead you into a false perception of right and wrong. It’s a sad way to live in this world, but more tragic when it comes to the things of God and eternal life after this life is over. A person will lose friends in this life by on-going pride but will forfeit eternal life with Christ in heaven by not humbling themselves before Him and acknowledging Jesus is the only way to heaven.

Human pride gets in the way of a lot of things in this life. There are times when we think we can do better with what is presented to us adding our own recipe. The good news about salvation is that there is nothing you can add to the presentation of the gospel. In fact, what is required is to take away your pride, recognizing and admitting that you are a sinner in need of a savior. The Bible says we have all sinned and fallen short on God’s scale. (Ro.3:23) It takes rejecting our pride in an admission and confession of our sins by accepting Christ as savior to be assure of heaven. God does indeed oppose the proud but gives grace to those who humble before Him.

“It is the meek and humble who are shown thy covenant, know thy will, are pardoned and healed, who by faith depend and rest upon grace, who are sanctified and quickened, who evidence thy love.” (1)

(1) Bennett, Arthur. The Valley of Vision. East Peoria: Baer of Truth Trust, 2023. Pg 9, The Divine Will.

Devotionals

This Ministry of Giving

Loring Schultz

“So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:12 NLT

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35b NLT

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There are several famous saying that people attribute as coming from the Bible. ‘God helps those who help themselves,’ sorry, but not in the Bible. “Money is the root of all evil,’ not in there either. ‘Cleanliness is next to godliness,’ nope, and not even, ‘Heaven gained another angel.’ But one well-known saying is in the Bible, and it was spoken by Jesus Himself, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ We can count on this one as being true and important enough to be applied in our lives since Jesus said it.

The apostle Paul had a few things to say to the church at Corinth about giving. He started with the farmer analogy by saying, “Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.” (2Cor.9:6 nlt) Paul is not preaching a prosperity gospel, but for each of us decide what we can afford to give and to give generously and with a cheerful heart. He then assures us that God will supply all we need, and we will have enough left over to give again to others who are in need.

Giving is a ministry every Christian can participate in whether we have much or little. And it doesn’t always need to be money that we give. Paul quoted Psalm 112:9, “As the Scriptures say, ‘they share freely and give generously to the poor.’” (2Cor.9:9a nlt) If we give what we can to help others in need we will be blessed. “Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous.” (2Cor.9:11a nlt) Yes, it is as Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35b nlt)

Read: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 NLT – Remember this—a farmer who plants – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Need Help?

Loring Schultz

“My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth!” Psalm 121:2 NLT

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I am amazed at the technological advances I have seen in my lifetime. It only makes me wonder what the next sixty years will bring. Oh, I won’t see them, I just wonder. Despite all the modern-day advances we have, I still need help at times to maneuver around something I am experiencing for the first time. Once I get the hang of it, whatever I’m working on goes much smoother. It got me to thinking, no matter how far we advance in technology, discover new methods of accomplishing tasks, or coming up with new inventions we can advertise on television for $19.95 plus shipping, it is only through the wisdom God gives us to perform such tasks.

Christians should be thankful for the gift of brilliant, intelligent people the Lord has given us. Advances in the field of medicine have saved millions of lives over the years. I mentioned technology above that has made our lives easier. Space exploration has made it possible to conduct scientific experiments that could not be done otherwise. Gifted musicians and entertainers provide a soothing outlet in our fast-paced world. I could go on and on, and I’m sure you can think of some examples. The bottom line is that God provides all these things to help us.

The psalmist said, “My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” (Ps.121:2 nlt) The ultimate source of help in our lives is God the Father. There is nothing He can’t do to help us. He created the heavens and the earth by speaking them into existence. God will come to our aid when we need help. He may even use some of the resources listed above. Even if you just need a song.

Read: Ps 121 NLT – Psalm 121 – A song for pilgrims – Bible Gateway

Bible Studies

“Godly Leaders Administer Justice, are Generous, and Lead by Example” Godly Leadership: the book of Nehemiah

Loring Schultz

“When I heard their complaints, I was very angry……You must restore their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and homes to them this very day. And repay the interest you charged when you lent them money, grain, new wine, and olive oil.” Nehemiah 5:6, 11 NLT

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As we come to chapter 5, this is a passage in Scripture that seems to be misplaced chronologically. When Nehemiah was sent to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls he was also installed as governor by King Artaxerxes. It is suggested by some commentators that the events of chapter 5 take place later in Nehemiah’s first twelve years as governor rather than when the walls were being rebuilt. But then there are others who think not. To me, it does seem it fits better later in Nehemiah’s first stay in Jerusalem as governor, and I will work from that viewpoint in this week’s insight. Whether at the time of rebuilding the walls or later in his governorship, Nehemiah exhibits a godly leader who administers justice, is generous, and leads by example.

Some of the men of Judah, along with their wives, raised a cry of protest against their fellow Jews. They were being taken advantage of due to financial hardship. There had been a famine in the land sometime earlier and many needed to sell their farmlands and homes for food to survive and borrowed money to pay their taxes to the Persian king. (Neh.5:3-4) Of course the wealthy saw an opportunity to make themselves richer and bought up property and loaned out money with interest against the Law of Moses. Some of the poor sold their sons and daughters to the nobles as slaves to make payments on their debt. The rich got richer, and the poor got poorer. I think we can identify with that even in our day.

When Nehemiah heard their cry, he was filled with righteous anger. “When I heard their complaints, I was very angry.” (Neh.5:6 nlt) Nehemiah reacted quickly to the injustice that was occurring to his Jewish brothers and sisters who were under his leadership. He called in the nobles, (the wealthy) who had taken advantage of this plight to the poor and brought charges against them. He then called a public meeting and said, ‘“We are doing all we can to redeem our Jewish relatives who have had to sell themselves to pagan foreigners, but you are selling them back into slavery again. How often must we redeem them?’ And they had nothing to say in their defense.” (Neh.5:8 nlt) Nehemiah reminded them that he and others were working towards buying back those who sold themselves as slaves and ended up in the hands of pagan foreigners. And now the nobles were selling them back again into slavery, their Jewish brethren. After Nehemiah’s rebuke there was silence among the rich and famous in Jerusalem. Their greed was uncovered. Justice was about to be restored.

Nehemiah commanded the nobles to restore all the property they had confiscated and to return the money they collected in interest payments. They responded, “We will give back everything and demand nothing more from the people. We will do as you say.” (Neh.5:12a nlt) This was followed by Nehemiah’s insistence that their promise be confirmed with an oath. “Then I called the priests and made the nobles and officials swear to do what they had promised.” (Neh.5:12b nlt) Nehemiah shook out the folds of his robe signifying God will shake them if they break their oath. “The whole assembly responded, ‘Amen,’ and they praised the LORD. And the people did as they had promised.” (Neh.5:13b nlt) One commentator noted, “The Cancellation of the debt had unifying effects.” Acting and correcting an injustice enabling the wrongdoers to see the error of their ways and planting a seed for unity is the mark of a godly leader.

Nehemiah was not only an administrator of justice, but he was a generous man. Here is where we see Nehemiah’s first term as governor. “For the entire twelve years that I was governor of Judah—from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of the reign of King Artaxerxes—neither I nor my officials drew on our official food allowance.” (Neh.5:14 nlt) Nehemiah served for twelve years as governor before being called back to Susa by the king. It is noted Nehemiah did not take anything that he was entitled to as governor. He took no salary and accepted no food allowance. It should be also noted that Nehemiah was a very wealthy man drawing a substantial salary for being King Artaxerxes cupbearer. But nonetheless, governors before him took what they were entitled to, Nehemiah did not. He also had the right to collect taxes for himself, but again, he chose not to. He did not want to put an extra burden on the people.

Governors were expected to entertain diplomats from other territories on an on-going basis. All the provisions for these eloquent banquets were paid for by Nehemiah himself. He also fed all his officials every day from his own personal account. I think it is safe to say there are not many leaders today who show that kind of generosity. To be fair, there have been some leaders in recent history who did accept their salary, forgoing it to serve the people. But there are others who are only interested in gaining as much wealth as they kind. Nehemiah is an example of a leader truly in it to serve the people.

Last for this week, an additional insight of Nehemiah’s leading by example. “I also devoted myself to working on the wall and refused to acquire any land. And I required all my servants to spend time working on the wall.” (Neh.5:16 nlt) Nehemiah was alongside the workers in rebuilding the walls. He also had all his servants participate in the work. Nehemiah set the example that he would not ask anyone to do something he was not willing to do himself. That is another mark of a true godly leader. Overall, Nehemiah set an unselfish example for all the people. From administering justice, to his generous spirit, and to his willingness to put his hands to work, Nehemiah is an example much needed among our leaders today. May we pray for more Nehemiah’s in leadership, and may we pray for a little of Nehemiah in ourselves.

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Read: Nehemiah 5 NLT – Nehemiah Defends the Oppressed – About – Bible Gateway

A Christian Perspective

Is America Fixin’ to Fall?

Loring Schultz
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In 1980 the Charlie Daniels Band released the recording of ‘In America,’ the lead single from their album ‘Full Moon.’ The song rose to number 11 on the billboard charts as a call to patriotism after the stresses of the 1970’s in the United States. The opening line is, “Well, the eagle’s been flyin’ slow And the flag’s been flyin’ low And a lotta people sayin’ that America’s fixin’ to fall.” (1) The premise was, if united, America will stand and not fall from outside forces looking to destroy us. Although we fight among ourselves, we are united when threatened from the outside. That may still be true today, but what if the sources looking to destroy us are not on the outside, but from within. The phrase, ‘the enemy from within’ has got a lot of traction in the United States lately just three weeks before the election. However, I am not referring to any one political party, or any individuals, but to the nation as a whole.

The prophet Jeremah was commissioned by God to warn the people of Judah of the destruction that was coming their way because of their sins. Throughout his messaging Jeremiah not only warned them, but also let them know that if they repented and turned back to God, they would not be destroyed. “This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Even now, if you quit your evil ways, I will let you stay in your own land.’” (Jer.7:3 nlt) God is gracious and merciful. The people of Judah had plenty of opportunity to turn back to God, but they continued to turn their back on Him. America is in the same place today. America has turned their back on God as a nation.

Yes, the United States is a secular nation, but it has been founded on the principles of God’s Holy Word, the Bible. The Lord has blessed us throughout its short history and will continue to bless us if those founding principles stay in place. But if we remove them, I’m afraid our blessing will be removed as well. America will be fixin’ to fall.

For those of you who think America will never fall, remember God judged His own chosen people for turning their back on Him and not repenting. You may say but Israel was a theocracy, and you would be right, however, compare Jeremiah’s words of warning to them and the United States today. See how they are related. “But I will be merciful only if you stop your evil thoughts and deeds and start treating each other with justice; only if you stop exploiting foreigners, orphans, and widows; only if you stop your murdering; and only if you stop harming yourselves by worshiping idols. Then I will let you stay in this land that I gave to your ancestors to keep forever.” (Jer.7:5-7 nlt)

This enemy from within America is exactly what Jeremiah told Judah before their destruction and captivity if they did not repent; evil thoughts and acting on those thoughts, not treating each other with justice both personally and in the courts, a broken immigration system that is exploiting the innocent, not caring for the less fortunate among us, people being murdered every day on our city streets and in the womb, and worshiping the idols of our desires.

One other line from Charlie Daniels’ ‘In America,’ “We’re gonna put her feet back
On the path of righteousness and then God bless America again.” (1) I don’t think we have done that, but just the opposite. America’s fixin’ to fall, but it does not need to be. If we do put our feet back on the path of righteousness, God will bless America again!

(1) Source: Musixmatch Songwriters: Charles Fred Hayward / Charlie Daniels / William J. Digregorio / Fred Edwards / James W. Marshall / John Crain In America lyrics © Music Corp. Of America, Inc.

Devotionals

Put into practice what you have learned

Loring Schultz

“Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:9 NLT

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A vital element of living the Christian life is continuing to grow in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are to be continually learning and being built up spiritually. Christianity is an on-going educational process in the Word of God. There are no semester breaks, no spring trips to Florida, or summer vacations. Education never stops, and gradation day is not until the Lord calls us home.

The purpose of education, whether secular schooling or studying the Bible, is to put into practice what we have learned. In secular education we put into practice that which will help us in life get a job, provide for our needs, help others, be an instrumental part of society, and learn from history what worked in the past and what hadn’t worked. There may be graduation days in secular education, but if we are wise, we will continue to be a student using what we have learned as a foundation. As an old saying’ goes, ‘things are always a changin.’

The world is always changing, and I might add mostly not for the better. However, there are many positive changes that do occur in our world today and we should embrace them. The changes in which we are never to agree are those that are contrary to God’s Word. Although our world is constantly changing, the Word of God never changes. It is not subject to change, nor does it adapt to current culture. If it did, the Bible would not be the Word of God. It is the world who changes the words of Scripture to adapt to its culture, not the Lord God. It is His Word, and he hasn’t changed it.

Having now confirmed the immutability of the Bible, we know what was written stands in truth as much today as it did in the days it was written. We should not hesitate to put into practice what we learn. As Christians the Bible teaches us how to live and grow spiritually through the Holy Spirit and the teachings of Jesus. No matter how long one has been a Christian, none of us have arrived at full knowledge. We are continually learning new things in our modern world putting them into practice. More importantly there is still a lot to learn from the Bible. Paul told the church at Philippi to, “Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me.” (Ph.4:9a nlt) Paul taught them from the Old Testament Scriptures and what the Lord had revealed to him at that time. He knew they would be encouraged and grow spiritually in doing so. So, whatever our age so let us continue or start our study of God’s Word and put into practice what we have learned.

Check out the following sites for help in studying the Bible:

https://www.gty.org/library/articles/A178/how-to-enjoy-bible-study

https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/5-tips-studying-bible-effectively

6 Bible Study Methods You Need to Know (and Try)