Loring Schultz

Why the Past Matters

July 25, 2024July 24, 2024 Loring Schultz

“These are the clans that descended from Noah’s sons, arranged by nation according to their lines of descent. All the nations of the earth descended from these clans after the great flood.” Genesis 10:32 NLT

Representatives from 195 countries have arrived in Paris, France for the XXXIII Olympiad. The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution for all Member States to observe the Olympic Truce. A pause in hostilities around the globe during the games may act as a catalyst for peaceful resolutions to all worldwide conflicts. The efforts are noble, but the world has been in constant conflict since sin entered it in the Garden of Eden. The nations may be in constant conflict, but we are all one people, one family, one race, the human race.

After the Lord scattered the people from Babel by confusing their language, Genesis chapter 10 gives the breakdown of the first nations in the areas now known as Asia, Europe, and Africa. These nations all descended from Noah’s three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth after the great flood. They were few in number, but 7,000 years later there are 195 countries on this planet. Why does this matter? Because all of us are decedents from people in one of those early countries. As the number of nations grew and expanded across the globe our ancestors moved right along with them to our present day.

Knowing the past matters for our understanding of who we are in relation to each other and in the eyes of God. God is our creator and despite our differences in language and culture beginning at the tower of Babel we are all part of the human race. The tragic events that occur around the world creating trauma and chaos are rooted in sin. Sin that was enacted in the beginning with Adam and Eve. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Ro.3:23 nasb)

There is a small sample of every nation, culture and language in Paris, France the next two weeks. They may be from different nations, but all are part of the human race dating back to the first nations so many years ago. Those in the human race, that’s all of us, are in need of saving grace from Jesus Christ unto salvation whether in Paris or anywhere in the world. That is why the past matters.

Devotionals

Hope in Our Rebellion

July 24, 2024July 23, 2024 Loring Schultz

“At one time all the people of the world spoke the same language and used the same word” Genesis 11:1 NLT

There is always hope for those who rebel against God. An example of mass rebellion against the creator God occurred in the early chapters of the book of Genesis. One hundred years after the destructive flood that saved only Noah and his family the people rebelled against God in their pride and refused God’s command to move on and populate the earth. Everyone spoke the same language and they said, “Come, let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world.” (Gen.11:4 nlt)

That famous tower they intended to build was the ‘tower of Babel.’ It was to be a symbol of their strength and achievements of what they were capable of without God’s help. They were assigning glory to themselves in building this great tower. It would stand as a monument of how great they were. They quickly forgot God and became their own god. The God of heaven quickly put an end to that by confusing their language. God who created mankind now created multiple languages among the people so they couldn’t understand each other and were forced to separate and move on.

God had caused the separation due to their sin. They wouldn’t scatter across the earth as God told them to. Sometimes we put ourselves in a position of not following God’s instructions and God separates from what is keeping us from serving Him. But there is always hope that follows. After the Lord separated the people at the tower of Babel scripture tells us that through the line Shem, one of Noah’s sons, came Abraham, and through his line came our savior Jesus Christ.

There was a time when the world had one language and although we enjoy the many different cultures and languages today as represented in Paris this week, it came about due to sin. But there is hope, for God sent His Jesus to reconcile all of us back together through Him no matter our language. “After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb.” (Rev.7:9 nlt)

Read: Genesis 11:1-9 NLT – The Tower of Babel – At one time all – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

The Incredible Race

July 23, 2024July 22, 2024 Loring Schultz

“The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7b NLT

An incredible race is about to unfold before the world this Friday July 26, 2024. Over 10,000 athletes from 195 countries will be racing towards a gold, silver, or bronze medal in the 2024 Olympic games in Paris. This incredible race occurs every four years in a different country awarded the opportunity to host the games. The host nation displays their country, their culture, and the people with pride. Within 195 different countries there are many different cultures, nationalities, ethnic groups, and skin color. The Olympic games have a way of displaying God’s wonderful creation, the human race, the true incredible race. Our devotions this week will coincide with the thousands of athletes and fans from hundreds of cultures across the globe as they convene in Paris displaying God’s incredible race.

When you are among thousands of people who have gathered, it is natural to see the differences between yourself and other people. What do you notice first about those who differ from you? Do you have a first impression of them? And from where does that first impression come from? Does it come from recognizing every person as an image-bear of God? Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (nlt) Every human being in this incredible race is made in the image of God.

Our world today makes it easy to notice the difference in human beings and not always in a positive light calling out the mistreatment of selected individuals or people groups over others and rightly so. Sadly, others do so to push their own agenda without any care for the mistreated. It is easy even for Christians to get caught up in a non-biblical mindset.

Christians are to view everyone as seen through God’s eyes. “The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1Sa.16:7b nlt) The gathering of the nations in Paris represents the gathering that will take place in the kingdom of heaven. All who have accepted Christ as savior from every nation in every corner of the world will be present, the incredible race.

Devotionals

Going for Eternal Gold

July 22, 2024July 19, 2024 Loring Schultz

“All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:25 NLT

The XXXIII Olympiad will commence on July 26, 2024, in Paris, France. Athletes from all over the world will arrive in hopes of capturing that Olympic Gold Medal. Events will take place over the next seventeen days from track and field, swimming, gymnastics, skateboarding, volleyball, basketball, equestrian, boxing, 32 sports in all with 329 medal events. That’s a lot of gold. Individual athletes train for years for the opportunity to go for the gold. Members of team sports keep themselves in shape hoping to get that invitation to try out and be part of the Olympic dream. A lot, if not all, of personal pleasures and pursuits are put on the sidelines during the training process. There are two goals, to make the cut and to earn a gold medal.

The apostle Paul used athletic imagery quite often in his writings. He referred to his preaching as running in a race as he addressed the churches at Galatia. (Gal.2:2) Paul told the church at Philippi he pressed on to finish the race to receive the prize the Lord had for him. (Phi.3:14) He told Timothy to fight the good fight for true faith, and always be careful to compete by the rules. (1 Tim.6:12, 2 Tim.2:5) Paul also put in perspective the value of the goal he was trying to reach. He was going for eternal gold.

Paul commended the athletes of his day by noting their extensive disciplined training. Their goal was to win a wreath of greenery at the Isthmian games in Corinth. Obviously, this prize would not last the test of time, but they strived for it, nonetheless. Paul seems to say how much better the eternal prize would be. He was not dismissing the value of going for the gold in this life, but to have our priorities in order. Even a gold medal may lose its value one day and we certainly will not outlast that product of gold in our lifetime, so let us also go, with Paul, for eternal gold.

Bible Studies

“A National Crisis” God’s Providential Hand: The book of Esther

July 21, 2024July 19, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Women everywhere will begin to despise their husbands when they learn that Queen Vashti has refused to appear before the king.” Esther 1:17 NLT

Our next ‘Biblical Insights’ series will be a survey of the Old Testament book of Esther. We will attempt to extract as much pertinent information as it relates to our day concerning the providence of God for us individually, as well as the Christian church, Israel as God’s chosen people, and current events in the United States and across the world. God’s providential hand overrules all things, nothing happens by chance.

Critics and skeptics have line up for years to discount the the book of Esther on the grounds it lacks Biblical authority when there is no mention of God in its entire writing. It does seem like a valid point but when we place ‘Esther’ in context with the entirety of Scripture it’s hard not to confirm it as God’s Word. God is seen all throughout the pages of the book of Esther. His character, love for His people, His righteousness, and His control of events are on display in the in the reversals of outcomes some would call fate, but it is not fate but the providential hand of God.

The events of the book occur over a ten-year period fifty-five years after the Jews were freed from captivity by Cyrus, king of Persia at that time. Approximately 50,000 Jews returned to Jerusalem after the exile. Many stayed in Babylon and surrounding areas to live out their lives while others moved eastward to Susa one of the three capitals of the Persian Empire. This is where the story of Esther takes place in 483-473 B. C. the Persian Empire of world history. Scripture says the Empire included 127 provinces stretching from India, present day Pakistan to Ethiopia presently northern Sudan.

We start this week with a look into the Persian Empire and its king boasting of its power, strategizing to assume more power, flaunting their many luxuries, and partying for a week. The king gets insulted by his wife near the end of the festive week and it becomes a national crisis. King Ahasuerus, highly embarrassed and furious, seeks counsel from his advisers on how to proceed. The advisors not wanting to waste an opportunity to increase their own power informed the king how his wife’s actions would filter down to every woman in the kingdom. “Before this day is out, the wives of all the king’s nobles throughout Persia and Media will hear what the queen did and will start treating their husbands the same way. There will be no end to their contempt and anger.” (Es.1:18 nlt) So they advise the king to make a decree banishing Queen Vashti from the presence the king and a new queen be put installed in her place. The decree would be sent across the Empire and upon receiving and read, women everywhere would learn the fate of disobeying their husbands. “He (the king) sent letters to all parts of the empire, to each province in its own script and language, proclaiming that every man should be the ruler of his own home and should say whatever he pleases.” (Es.1:22 nlt)

Officials today often look to solidify policies of their agenda by taking advantage of circumstances that arrive unexpectedly and create legislation that has nothing to do with the events that triggered it. It was used as an opportunity to expand their power and influence for their own means. This should not be a surprise, it’s as old as the Persian Empire.

Queen Vashti had a very legitimate reason for insulting her husband, King Ahasuerus. Near the end of the seven-day drinking party, the king wanted to show off his beautiful wife in a lewd matter. “He wanted the nobles and all the other men to gaze on her beauty, for she was a very beautiful woman.” (Es.1:11b nlt) The Queen was giving her own party for the women of the royal palace when the men sent from her husband came to bring her to the king’s party. Naturally she refused, suspecting the reason of her appearance. Some Biblical scholars have also suggested Queen Vashti may have been pregnant at the time. In any case, we have a king with no regard to the dignity of the Queen and more importantly, his wife.

As mentioned earlier, nothing happens by chance. This is a chess match between the God of the universe and Satan the god of this world. King Ahasuerus was used by Satan in his drunken state to concur with his advisors that a national crisis has developed. He disposes his Queen and passes a decree to strengthen male superiority across his Empire, but God has the next move in the selection of the next Queen.

……….to be continued.

Read: Esther 1 ESV – The King’s Banquets – Now in the – Bible Gateway

A Christian Perspective

The Attack on the Kingdom of Heaven

July 20, 2024July 18, 2024 Loring Schultz

“And blessed is the one who is not offended by me……. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence.” Matthew 11:6, 12a ESV

There is an all-out effort by governments around the world to silence the Christian church, the United States included. We should not be surprised by this or think this is unique to the 21^st century. It is true, persecution of Christians, attacks on churches, and labeling followers of Jesus as radicals outside the norms of society, have been steadily increasing, but attacks on Christians have been around since Jesus came to earth and declared, ‘Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’(Mt.4:17) All Christians are a part of the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus made it clear there were attacks on His kingdom in His days on earth and they have continued throughout time. He told John the Baptist’s followers since the day John started preaching repentance and preparation for the coming of the Messiah the kingdom of heaven was under attack. John had been arrested by King Herod, the ruling authority at the time. He had been put in prison and eventually executed. The kingdom of heaven has been suffering violence ever since and will continue to increase in scope until the day of Jesus’ return.

There is a silver lining to this dark cloud of attacks against Christians. Jesus said, ‘blessed is the one who is not offended by me.’ (Mt.11:6) When we are not offended by Christ by standing firm in His truth we will be blessed. Jesus didn’t say we won’t be attacked, or arrested and sent to prison, or worse, no, He said we are blessed. The persecution that has been prevalent in many parts of the world has found its way to America’s shores. It may not as brutal or intense as in other countries, but the groundwork has been laid to remove God, His Word, and His way of salvation from all education and government institutions. Freedom to speak the truth of God’s Word even from the pulpit is rapidly being considered hate speech and subject to prosecution.

Christians will be attacked, that is of course when we are not offended by the name of Jesus as the only way of salvation and are offended by the rules and regulations of our godless society. Being silent during these days is not an option. It either signals our approval that we are not offended by anti-God legislation, or it shows our weakness and lack of faith in the God we serve. The assault on Christians is here to stay, it’s not going away. Remember the Lord God promises to be with us and promises us His blessings especially when we are attacked for His name.

Devotionals

Loving Others

July 19, 2024July 16, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives” 1 Corinthians 14:1 NLT

There are certain passages of Scripture both in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible that are well-known to both avid readers and non-readers. One such passage is 1 Corinthians 13 in the New Testament, known as the ‘Love Chapter.’ Many people can recite verses embedded in the text even if they cannot recall where it is found. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” (1Cor.13:4 niv) And on it goes. It is read at wedding ceremonies and other venues where the subject is love, pursuing love, maintaining love, and administering love. These words of the ‘Love Chapter’ are more than adequate in pledging one’s love for another, and for an in-depth study of love from God’s perspective, but the apostle Paul had another thought in mind as he wrote to the church in Corinth. Their lack of love for others was hindering the full potential of their spiritual gifts.

The church in Corinth had many problems Paul needed to address. One was their abuse and selfish attitude of spiritual gifts. There was boasting and pride among those with certain gifts. Those with less influential gifts yearned for the more recognizable ones often disdaining their brothers and sisters who had them. They were ignorant of the fact that their gift was intended for others. Yes, the gifts were theirs given to them by God but were to be used to encourage others in the church. Their lack of love for others made the gifts meaningless.

Paul explains this at the beginning of the ‘Love Chapter.’ “If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing.” (1Cor.13:1-2 nlt) Paul is saying to the Corinthian church and to us he would be nothing and his gifts would not amount to anything or benefit anybody if he did not love others.

The greatest gift given to humanity is the Love of God; God’s Love in His plan of salvation, Christ’s Love in His sacrifice on the cross, and the Holy Spirit’s Love in His presence and administering our spiritual gifts. We are to love others as God has loved us putting into proper place the spiritual gifts He has given us. “Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives” (1Cor.14:1 nlt)

Read: 1 Corinthians 13:1-14:1 NLT – Love Is the Greatest – If I could speak – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

It is God who works in you

July 18, 2024July 17, 2024 Loring Schultz

“for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13 ESV

Is God calling you to serve in a ministry you feel you have no qualifications or the ability necessary to fulfill that role? It is prudent to evaluate if you can provide this service, but if it is the Lord God calling you and not others advising you to do it, the evaluation process will go quickly confirming the fact that God thinks you are qualified. This does not mean you will not question yourself or be fearful if you fail at times, you may, but God has this. He called you.

Paul encouraged those in the church at Philippi informing them, “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Ph.2:13 esv) Whatever the Lord is calling you to do you can count on the fact that He will be working in you. He knows you can’t do it on your own and you need His help through the Holy Spirit. The Lord wants His message to get through. He will not fail to help you.

We all fail to realize that God can see below the surface of our lives to the passions and dreams within us we may not even know were there. God wants to use them for His purposes, and He will draw them out as He calls us. It is at this time we become frightened at the possibility of doing something we never thought possible. What has laid below the surface was put there from our creator from eternity past and He will use it in His time. God may be bringing to the surface your desires to serve Him and is beginning to work in you whatever your age or status in life. So, don’t dismiss His calling, but trust Him to work in you for His good pleasure.

“We are told that the shivering weeds of the Arctic regions are nothing less than our forest trees-the stately oak and the sturdy elm. The very grasses and ferns of the temperate climate becomes trees in the tropics………The power of God through His Spirit will work within us to the degree that we permit it. The choice is ours.” (1)

(1) Cowman, Mrs. Charles E. Streams in the Desert 2. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing, 1966. Pg.204-205

Read: Philippians 2:12-18 ESV – Lights in the World – Therefore, my – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Be happy in your work

July 17, 2024July 16, 2024 Loring Schultz

“When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands, You will be happy and it will be well with you.” Psalm 128:2 NASB

The average person spends about one-third of their life working at a job. Some less and some maybe more. I’ve fallen into the ‘more’ category but I’m not complaining. Much of it was time well spent and some of it not so much, but it was where the Lord placed me. I can’t say I was always happy, but I was content most of my working days. Most of my enjoyment can be summed up in Psalm 128:2, “When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands, You will be happy and it will be well with you.” (nasb) One of my favorite verses especially during long hard days has always been from the book of Ecclesiastes, “There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God.” (Ec.2:24 nasb) That verse got me through a lot of difficult days as I anticipated the meal that was waiting for me at home my wife had prepared.

Being happy in your work is a lot more than looking forward to an evening meal. It encompasses all the fruits of your labor. Providing for yourself and your family, using your resources to help others in need and supporting measures to spread the Gospel are some of the many reasons to be happy in your work. Not all workplaces have a positive environment, but if you are going to spend eight hours a day there, you might as well make the best of it. One of the most important benefits you can receive that is not part of your employer’s benefit package is the benefit of building friendships and relationships with those you toil and sweat with sharing bits and pieces of your lives. If done right, they last a lifetime.

The bottom line is, are you happy in your work? No, we are not always going to be, but when you add up the benefits of your labor you will find joy and contentment in the fruit that has been produced knowing that the Lord’s Hand was in it. As the song goes, ‘Be happy.’

Read: Psalm 128 NASB – Blessedness of the Fear of the LORD. – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

What Makes You Tremble?

July 16, 2024July 15, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.” Psalm 119:165 NIV

Photo by Ioann-Mark Kuznietsov on Unsplash

This past weekend on Saturday July 13, 2024, the core of the United States was shaken and most of the world with it as it witnessed an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally. The former President escaped with minor injuries, but a man in the crowd was killed and two others were seriously wounded from gunshots fired into the crowd. It was a moment that made one tremble at hearing the news. As the events unfolded that evening and through the weekend there developed a realization of what was speculated may happen, did happen. There is now an unsettling anticipation for the days ahead. People are looking for relief from the trembling they feel, calling for all to tamp down the temperature of political rhetoric. The feeling of trembling by most Americans is understandable and should not be ignored. But there is a great equalizer when we shift our trembling away from the things of a fallen world to the eternal God and His Word.

What most Americans felt this past weekend was true legitimate fear and anxiety. The 119^th Psalm speaks of another true legitimate fear but without the anxiety that makes our hearts tremble, and that is the Word of God. “Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart trembles at your word.” (Ps.119:161 niv) The psalmist trembles, fears, dreads, and is in awe, of God’s Word. He does not fear as when government rulers persecute him for their power is no match for God and His Word. He trembles and is awe of the power of the Scriptures and the promises it holds for all who believe in God. “I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil.” (Ps.119:162 niv)

People in the United States will experience uncharted territories the next few months. There may be more times of trembling here in America along with the current unrest in the world. But hear what the psalmist says and be encouraged, “Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.” (Ps.119:165 niv) We may tremble at the evil in the world, but we can stand firm in great peace, not stumbling as we shift our trembling to the Lord and His Word.

Read: Psalm 119:161-168 NIV – ש Sin and Shin Rulers persecute me – Bible Gateway