Author: Loring Schultz

Christian Devotional Writer
Bible Studies

Jesus’ Seven Cries from the Cross                 

Loring Schultz

Our Lord Jesus suffered on the cross six hours that first Good Friday. He willingly laid down His life by way of crucifixion to pay the penalty for our sin. He made seven statements or ‘cries’ amid the pain and suffering for us to remember the importance of each one.

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“And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ And they cast lots to divide his garments.” (Lk. 23:34esv) Jesus is not only asking forgiveness for the Roman soldiers, but all who had a part in His crucifixion. His compassion and grace are on full display even as the soldiers are dividing up His garments among themselves. John MacArthur commenting on this cry states, “Some of the fruit of this prayer can be in the salvation of thousands of people in Jerusalem at Pentecost.”  

 “And he said to him, ‘Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.’” (Lk. 23:43esv) Jesus assures the thief on the cross that he will be with Him in Paradise as he believed Jesus is the Christ and trusted Him for salvation. This is a precious promise that no one is beyond salvation and unredeemable even up to the eleventh hour. It also illustrates there are those who continue to reject Christ in our current day as represented by other thief.  

 “When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son!’” (Jn. 19:26esv) For although He was suffering and in anguish, Jesus was not going to leave any unfinished business. As the first born according to the Law, Jesus was responsible for the care of His mother. He entrusted her to the care of His beloved disciple John. Jesus was not only obeying the Law, but He was also fulfilling it. “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” (Mt. 5:17esv)

 “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying…. ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’” (Mt. 27:46esv) This fourth cry from Jesus through His physical pain is now matched with the emotional the pain of abandonment. Jesus who only knew constant fellowship with His Father was now feeling the divine wrath of God on Him. Jesus experienced this spiritual death of the rejection of His Father in our stead as our sin was upon Him. “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Cor. 5:21esv)

 “After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said, ‘I thirst.’” (Jn. 19:28esv) Here the humanity of Jesus is seen as He states a matter of fact ‘I thirst.’ This was not an appeal to satisfy His thirst but demonstrates His suffering to the end for our sin.

 “When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, ‘It is finished,’” (Jn. 19:30esv) Our redemption for sin was marked ‘paid in full’ by Christ’s completed work on the cross.

“Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!’” (Lk. 23:46esv) Jesus willingly laid down His life for your sin and mine. “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.” (Jn. 10:18esv)

A Christian Perspective

There are no Lone Rangers in the Kingdom of God

Loring Schultz

“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT

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The NCAA men’s basketball tournament, March Madness, is the second most anticipated sporting event in the United States behind the Super Bowl. I admit getting sucked into filling out a bracket and have it busted after the first round. Part of the excitement is picking and rooting for the underdogs to upset their overmatched opponents. It’s David vs. Goliath. My problem is the ‘Davids’ I pick lose, but there are others sure to beat Goliath as has been a recurring theme the last few years.

A noticeable reason for this increase in upsets is finally starting to be discussed by the sports media. It has been ignored mostly due to the media not being willing to criticize the negative effects of the changes implemented by the NCAA over the years. I will stick to basketball, but the football program has even bigger problems that will come to surface in the fall. My perspective is student athletes are not student athletes. Major universities have adopted the one and out season, where a skilled high school athlete enters a ‘Division 1’ school to play for only one year. There is also the transfer portal which has been in effect for a while, but now that money is involved and playing time is at a premium, the students are more athletes than students looking out for themselves more than their education and their school. Many of the top 25 college basketball teams are in this category. Basketball is a team sport, and yes, an outstanding player does make a difference, but it doesn’t always lead to championships.

Enter the mid-majors’ men’s college basketball programs. To be fair, these programs deal with the same issues, but on a much smaller scale. Most of these schools have students who are upper classmen and have played together for two to four years. They are building a cohesive unit by working together towards a team goal of making the tournament and beating Goliath. They experience growth as they mature into young adults, encouraging one another to achieve their highest potential for the sake of the team, the coach, and their school. The major universities are doing a disservice to their basketball programs, their school, and the one and out students by promoting individualism which is rapidly starting to fail.

The church is a group of individuals who do not act independently. We are all in need of each other. Paul, the apostle, tells those in the church in Thessalonica “to encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” (1 Th. 5:11nlt) God has bestowed spiritual gifts to every Christian to be used for His service, and they work best when involved with the church of fellow believers. This is not to say ministries outside of the church, or your personal ministry is not valid, it is to say that the encouragement you need through prayer and support come from those in whom we share like faith. Faith and trust in Jesus Christ. I heard a statement many years ago I have never forgotten, ‘There are no Lone Rangers in the Kingdom of God.’ If you are involved in a personal ministry, do not try to do it alone. If you are involved in a church ministry, bring others alongside with you to share the burden and build a cohesive team to help share the gospel carrying out the work of the church. It’s a winning combination when we work with each other and together with Christ, the head of the church, as our coach. Goliath’s will fall and souls will be brought into God’s Kingdom with a host of rangers.

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Devotionals

There is a Light at the End of the Tunnel

Loring Schultz

“So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.” 1 Peter 1:6 NLT

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Life has its many trials. There are many dark roads we travel on and not by choice. It is often said and is true that the longer you live the more dark roads you will travel, the more trials will come upon you, but you will have many opportunities to test your faith in the Lord, and there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The apostle Peter tells us, “These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold.” (1 Pt. 1:7a nlt)

The Christian’s faith in Jesus leads to salvation. “The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.” (1 Pt. 1:9nlt) But we live in this interim period after our acceptance of Christ for salvation and the full fulfillment of that decision where we are still in a fallen world filled with trials and temptations. Jesus Himself says to us, “…. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (Jn. 16:33b nlt) Jesus is assuring us that our faith in Him is not in vain. Although we have trials and sorrows in this world, Jesus our savior has overcome the world. We can trust Him to see us through the trials and come out with our faith strong in the Lord Jesus bringing much praise to the glory of God.

“So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.” (1 Pt. 1:6nlt) The Lord comforts us during our dark days here on earth by reminding us of His power of overcoming the darkness. Jesus is the light of the world. And for those who have accepted Him as their savior, He is the light at the end of the tunnel.

Read: 1 Peter 1:3-9 NLT – The Hope of Eternal Life – All praise – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Carefully determine what pleases the Lord

Loring Schultz

“Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.” Ephesians 5:10 NLT

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Throughout any given day we make hundreds of choices. If our day is not already preplanned, we have the task of deciding how to fill the day. Even in those preplanned days, would our scheduled activities please the Lord? Obviously work, fulfilling family needs, spending time with the Lord, and volunteering in the community would be pleasing to God. It is those gray areas that are concerning for the Christian. Areas of personal conviction between you and God if you participate in them hinders your relationship with Him. It doesn’t need to be outright sin that would displease God, James tells us, “Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” (Ja. 4:17nlt) This is especially true in the things you hold in conviction to do or not to do.

Developing convictions between you and the Lord begins with spending time in the Bible and in prayer with Him. During times of confusion in certain areas of your life search the scriptures and ask God for guidance as to what He pleases Him, then go do it or not do it as the Lord placed the conviction on your heart. Not every Christian will have the same convictions. What is a conviction for me may not necessarily be a conviction for you and vice versa. That doesn’t mean that God is not pleased with both of us. He is pleased as we are obedient to His will for us.

There are common denominators for all Christians to agree with convictions in what pleases and displeases God. Paul writes to the church in Ephesus, “Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret…… Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.” (Eph. 5:11-12, 17nlt) As you plan your day, carefully determine what pleases the Lord.

Read: Ephesians 5:10-20 NLT – Carefully determine what pleases the – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Perpetual Fire of Forgiveness

Loring Schultz

“The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out.” Leviticus 6:13 NIV

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The third book of the Law of Moses is the Old Testament book of Leviticus. Its theme is God’s holiness, and God’s will for Israel’s holiness. God’s teaching to Israel in Leviticus is how to approach their holy God in worship and in the sacrifices required of them, especially those concerning their sin. Much emphasis is placed on the priests in establishing this reverent and holy approach to God. All animals sacrificed on the altar had to be perfect without defect. “In this way the priest will make atonement for them for the sin they have committed, and they will be forgiven.” (Lev. 4:35niv)

The Lord gave Moses detailed instructions for all the sacrifices the priests were going to perform. The most significant command was that the fire on the altar was to be continuous. “The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add firewood and arrange the burnt offering on the fire and burn the fat of the fellowship offerings on it.” (Lev. 6:12niv) The people of Israel were assured of God’s readiness to always forgive their sin at any time of the day or night.

The same assurance has been granted us today. God is always there waiting for us to come before Him with our confession. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 Jn. 1:9niv) No need to bring a perfect animal to an altar for sacrifice every time we sin. A perfect lamb was sacrificed on the cross at Calvary to take away our sin. Jesus, the lamb of God paid the penalty for our sin ‘once for all.’ But we still sin and for that there is the perpetual fire of God’s readiness to forgive.

Devotionals

Corrupt Files of Deceitful Desires

Loring Schultz

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires.” Ephesians 4:22 NIV

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I bought my first computer in January of 2000. Noticing that no catastrophes occurred during the Y2K scare, I surmised that it was now safe to invest in the future or get left behind. Other than a few breakdowns due to viruses and corrupt files leading to a major clean-up or a new hard-drive, I’ve had rather successful experiences. As of this writing I am about to purchase my fourth computer in twenty-four years. The time has come as my computer is beginning to slow down faster than I am, and my IT guy informed me I need to upgrade before the end of the current year. So, I will once again have a computer which will continue to outpace me.

During one of my discussions with my IT expert, as he fixed a minor problem for me, he indicated that a corrupt file may also contribute to the slowing down process. I’ve heard of that before, not only from my own personal experience, but from my work experience over the years. A week or two later I came across this verse in Ephesians, “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires.” (4:22niv) Christians are to have their guard up and not allow the corrupt files of the past have access into their lives through deceitful desires.

A corrupt file on your computer will slow it down, or in the worst case shut it down. Christians can store vast knowledge of God’s truth through scripture. We can share the gospel through walking as Jesus walked. But if we let deceitful desires to infiltrate our minds ever so slightly, we have assured ourselves of slowing down the work of the gospel. We will become ineffective. If you need a cleanup in your life, an anti-virus program, or a completely new upgrade in your spiritual life, there is an IT expert on call for you.

Read: Ephesians 4:17-24 NIV – Instructions for Christian Living – So – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

A Cry of Rejected Love

Loring Schultz

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.” Matthew 23:37 NLT

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I am sure many of us have felt the rejection of love, either by a romantic relationship, by a parent or sibling, by our closest friends, or a group of people you had a close bond with. There is a deep hole in your heart that takes time to fill if at all. Our Lord Jesus, being fully man and fully God, also felt the rejection of love from those He came to save, His own chosen people of Israel.

In the final week of Jesus’ life on earth, known as Passion Week, before His crucifixion Jesus cried out His heart-felt rejection from the people of the nation and the city of Jerusalem which he loved. Despite His rebuke of them in rejecting and killing the prophets throughout their history, Jesus loved His people and wanted to protect them from harm by coming to save them. But they refused and rejected His love for them.

We are amid the Lenten season with Passion Week just around the corner. As we observed the events of Jesus’ last week may we remember the reason for each one. Jesus came to us in our sinful world for just that reason, to die redeeming us from eternal wrath away from God for those who trust in Him for salvation. He rose again on Easter Sunday to assure of everlasting life. This Easter season do not reject the love Jesus has shown towards you. Jesus wants to gather you and protect you under His wings of salvation, please let Him do it. Accept His gift of salvation.

Bible Studies

“Prayerful Repentance” LIVING IN BABYLON: The Book of Daniel

Loring Schultz

“O my God, lean down and listen to me. Open your eyes and see our despair. See how your city—the city that bears your name—lies in ruins. We make this plea, not because we deserve help, but because of your mercy.” Daniel 9:18 NLT

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            We have come to end of our short study of the book of Daniel covering the historical narrative of chapters 1-6. The rest of the book is apocalyptic material and eschatological in theological content. We will conclude with the main theme of our study ‘Living in Babylon’ a comparison of living in our world today with lessons we can learn from the Jewish captives living in ancient Babylon. In our final lesson we will learn from Daniel’s example of his prayer in chapter 9.

            Daniel is in his 67th year of captivity with his Jewish brothers and sisters. Taken captive as a teenager, Daniel is now past eighty years old. He is keenly aware from reading the Old Testament scrolls of Jeremiah’s prophecy the captivity would last 70 years. The time was rapidly approaching for the nation to return to their homeland. Daniel offers up a powerful prayer of repentance not only for himself, but for the whole nation of Israel, fasting, covering himself with sackcloth and ashes. The nation is about to go back to the land they were driven from due to their sin towards the Lord God. Daniel’s pattern of prayer serves as a good model for us to follow in our daily prayers. It is filled with worship to God, humility, confession of sin, and making our requests known to Him.

            Daniel begins his prayer by acknowledging how great and awesome God is. He always fulfilled His covenant with Israel keeping His promises as they obeyed Him. But then Daniel confesses, “But we have sinned and done wrong. We have rebelled against you and scorned your commands and regulations.” (Dan. 9:5nlt) The Jewish people refused to heed the many warnings God had given for many years through the prophets He sent them. Daniel furthers acknowledged God was in the right to punish them as He had. The guilty was not just a few or those only living in Jerusalem, but the entire nation was guilty. “All Israel has disobeyed your instruction and turned away, refusing to listen to your voice.” (Dan. 9:11nlt)

            The confessions in Daniel’s prayer can easily be applied to the modern-day Babylon we are living in. Referring to ancient Israel Daniel confessed, “O LORD, we and our kings, princes, and ancestors are covered with shame because we have sinned against you.” (Dan. 9:8nlt) All one needs to do is to look around and review the news cycle over the last 50 years to wonder if Daniel wasn’t referring to many countries in our world today with the United States on top of the list. Israel had been warned many times throughout their history of the consequences of their disobedience and even suffered for it before the Babylon captivity, and still they refused to obey God. “Every curse written against us in the Law of Moses has come true. Yet we have refused to seek mercy from the LORD our God by turning from our sins and recognizing his truth.” (Dan. 9:13nlt) I’m afraid if the United States and other countries around the world continue this path of rejecting the Lord God of heaven and earth, a day of judgment is the horizon.

            Daniel praises God for His blessings of bringing the nation Israel out of the bondage of slavery in Egypt. “O Lord our God, you brought lasting honor to your name by rescuing your people from Egypt in a great display of power. But we have sinned and are full of wickedness.” (Dan. 9:15nlt) Dismissing the Lord’s past blessings they continued to sin against God bringing judgment upon themselves. The United Staes of America has been richly blessed by God from its founding, but as with the nation of Israel, it has turned its back on God. If God had not spared His people from judgement, the United States and all other countries of the world will not be spared either.

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            Making his petition to God, Daniel knowing of God’s mercies asks Him to turn His anger away from them as they prepare to return to Jerusalem. Daniel doesn’t want God’s name to dishonored by the surrounding nations as Israel was a reproach to them. Daniel pleas for mercy for their restoration back in the Holy Land. “O my God, lean down and listen to me. Open your eyes and see our despair. See how your city—the city that bears your name—lies in ruins. We make this plea, not because we deserve help, but because of your mercy.” (Dan. 9:18nlt) Daniel is offering a prayer for repentance for the nation because God is merciful. May all of us pray for the country in which we live during our days in Babylon and be praying for each other, not that we deserve it, but because God is merciful.

Read: Daniel 9:1-19 NLT – Daniel’s Prayer for His People – It – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

I Pledge Allegiance

Loring Schultz

“Then she cried out, ‘Samson! The Philistines have come to capture you!’ When he woke up, he thought, ‘I will do as before and shake myself free.’ But he didn’t realize the LORD had left him.” Judges 16:20 NLT

“If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine.” Matthew 10:37 NLT

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The Old Testament account of Samson and Delilah is intriguing in both Delilah’s deceptive means and the secret of Samson’s strength. Delilah attempted several times to entice Samson to reveal the secret of his great strength. Of course she was doing this for her own financial gain, and Samson went along to satisfy his own need in playing a game with her. Samson, a Nazirite from birth, should not have been in the position he was in. Although a man of great strength, he had a weakness for captivating women, a weakness which led to disastrous consequences.

A Nazirite is one who is separated unto God. In Samson’s day there were three restrictions for a Nazirite; no wine, no haircuts, and no contact with a dead body. In Samson’s case the angel of the Lord announced his birth to his mother by saying, “You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and his hair must never be cut. For he will be dedicated to God as a Nazirite from birth. He will begin to rescue Israel from the Philistines.” (Judges 13:5nlt)

Many view when Samson finally gave in to Delilah, and she cut his hair, that the secret of his strength was in his hair. Samson himself said to her, “……If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as anyone else.” (Judges 16:17nlt) But, modern day theologian John MacArthur makes the following observation, “His strength came from his unique relation to God, based on his Nazirite pledge. His long hair was only a sign of it. When, Delilah became more important to him than God, his strength was removed.” (1) Samson’s pledge of allegiance was to Delilah, not to God as before.

Jesus, in instructing His disciples, said “If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine.” (Mt. 10:37nlt) These sound like harsh statements, but they are from Jesus, God the Son, who sacrificed His life on the cross for our sins, in order that we may have eternal life. To whom do you pledge allegiance?

Read the rest of the story of Samson and Delilah: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges+16&version=NLT

(1) The MacArthur Study Bible; Word Publishing, Thomas Nelson Bibles, 1997.    

Devotionals

Impure Desires

Loring Schultz

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:27-28 ESV

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Former President Jimmy Carter in an interview with Playboy magazine during the 1976 Presidential campaign admitted the following; he had “looked upon a lot of women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times. This is something God recognizes I will do — and I have done it — and God forgives me for it.” (1) Then candidate Jimmy Carter was brutally honest with himself and the public to his understanding of Jesus’s teaching of the seventh commandment, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’

As in the sixth commanded where Jesus condemns anger and hate aligning it with murder as a matter of the heart; He now equates looking with lustful intent (impure desires) with the act of adultery. Yes, God will forgive us for breaking this commandment as we confess it to Him, but the seriousness of this sin is not to be overlooked. Jesus continues by adding, “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.” (Mt. 5:29esv) The use of such a graphic illustration by our Lord indicates His desire for us to realize the severity of the consequences of our impure desires. Jesus is not advocating to maim ourselves. But as Charles R. Erdman states, “He warns against allowing any occasion for evil thought. No matter how great the sacrifice involved, one must put out of his life all that might cause him to be tempted needlessly, anything which might endanger the purity of his soul.” (2)

We come across many opportunities every day and every hour to be taken in by temptation permitting impure desires to emerge. What do you need to sacrifice in your daily life to limit unsuspecting temptations? What habits can you form to steer you away from areas where you are vulnerable to impure desires? How might daily reading of God’s Word and private time in prayer with Him help you?

Jesus’s teaching is straight and to the point. He doesn’t mince words and He provides solutions to our reoccurring sin problems including impure desires. May we heed His teaching.

(1) https://www.ajc.com/news/state–regional-govt–politics/the-time-jimmy-carter-was-interviewed-playboy-about-lust/qYHZQip6pyQF2rB8kxOk4K/

(2) Charles R. Erdman, “The Gospel of Matthew” (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983), p 58.