Loring Schultz

The choice is yours!

January 4, 2024January 3, 2024 Loring Schultz

“If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.” Proverbs 9:12 NLT

It is estimated the average individual makes 35,000 decisions in a single day. That number may sound unrealistic but is backed up by numerous creditable sources such as, ‘Psychology Today’, ‘The National Library of Medicine’, and several business and educational institutions measuring the effects of so many choices. Most of these decisions are basic everyday decisions as what clothes to wear, what I am going to have for lunch, should I use blue or black ink, should I repost or comment on a certain post, should I surprise my wife with flowers on my way home, along with other choices in our daily activities. Even my choice to in writing this devotional, ‘the choice is yours’, is one of my 35,000 decisions I’ll make this day.

Some choices we make each day do not always work out for the best. We have the best of intentions at the time based on our normal pattern of doing things, but it turns out to have been the wrong choice. A lesson to learn is we will not always make the right decision. Each of us are flawed individuals capable of making bad decisions. In trivial matters it’s no big deal as is wearing ‘white’ after Labor Day, but in wearing something offensive or provocative is another matter. There is a way for all of us to limit our bad choices significantly by following the advice of the wisest man that has ever lived outside of Christ, King Solomon.

We should all be in agreement in desiring to make wise choices. Within those 35,000 decisions we make a day are many we do not give deep thought to as they become mere habit. There is nothing wrong with that, but what is the foundation in our decision making. What we need is wisdom. True wisdom, Godly wisdom. King Solomon gives us this advice, “Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” (Prov. 1:7 NLT) We must admit some of our decisions are downright foolish putting us in line with fools. Wrong decisions will be made, but they can be greatly reduced when every decision, even those of habit, has their foundation in the reverence of the Lord.

James in the New Testament also writes, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” (Jas. 1:5 NLT) Again, wisdom is the key, the foundation, in making good decisions. In Proverbs 9:12 Solomon notes, “If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.” (NLT) Gaining Godly wisdom will ensure decisions that benefit you while rejecting God’s wisdom leads you to suffer the consequences. The choice is yours!

Devotionals

God’s High Surveillance Camera

January 3, 2024December 28, 2023 Loring Schultz

“You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book?” Psalm 56:8 NKJV

Have you ever had the feeling someone is watching you? In today’s world it is more than a feeling, it is true. Just think of how many times in a day you have been observed by surveillance cameras. They range from the local grocery store, the sandwich shop, the bank, the gas station, amusement parks, going for a stroll on your favorite beach, and just about anywhere, even knocking on your neighbor’s front door. As efficient as these surveillance cameras are they can only capture what is in range and only if a subject enters into it. But think about a surveillance camera that is on you at all times, day and night, and you are never out of range. That is some high surveillance.

David writes in Psalm 56, “You number my wanderings.” David was aware of God’s ever present eyes upon him as he was being pursued by his enemies. God was constantly watching over David knowing every step that he took. God didn’t lose track of a single day or hour of David’s life, having him under constant surveillance numbering and remembering his travels. The same is true for us today. As we go through our days and nights the Lord’s constant surveillance is on us. He sees our fears, our struggles, and our tears. There is not a moment that we are out of His sight. God is aware of every step we take and every step that is taken against us.

What a comfort it is to be assured that we are never out of sight when we are in trouble and in need of help. But the other side of that coin is that we can be just as assured that we are never out of His sight when we find ourselves doing something that displeases Him. The Lord doesn’t turn His back on our sin. He sees all.

Let it be a comfort to us that God is there in our time of need. He is there for us in grace, mercy and forgiveness as we confess our sins before Him, and He is there during trouble brought upon us from the world in which we live, all through His High Surveillance Camera.

Read Psalm 56: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+56&version=NKJV

Devotionals

Called to be a Faithful Servant

January 2, 2024December 28, 2023 Loring Schultz

“Know that the LORD has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.” Psalm 4:3 NIV

What has the Lord called you to do? There are some who can respond immediately and positively as to the Lord’s calling on their life. There are others who struggle with this not being able to pinpoint an explicit calling. They wonder if their life as lived is God’s calling and according to His will. Then there are others, like myself, who throughout our lives note a specific turn in direction. This directional turn is due to changes in employment, family situations, ministry opportunities, retirement, and other events planned or unplanned.

Knowing God’s calling and His will for your life is a challenge for most Christians, but one explicit calling is not hard to understand. It is God’s command to be faithful. Being faithful is God’s calling on every believer in His Son, Jesus Christ, and that is one thing that every Christian can do without exception. Is it easy? No, not in our own strength. But, “Know that the LORD has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.” (Ps. 4:3 NIV)

In our modern times of the 21^st century it is becoming increasing difficult to take a stand for a Biblical worldview without being ridiculed or shamed into silence. But the Lord calls us to be faithful and that we must be. We have been set apart from the world into His Service for His Glory. We are to live lives that glorify God by following Jesus’s example. We should not be afraid or intimidated to speak the truth of God’s Word and we ought to live as faithful servants that attract the world to our saving Lord. May we be faithful in our call to be a faithful servant.

Devotionals

Travel lighter in the New Year

January 1, 2024December 28, 2023 Loring Schultz

“Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:29-30 NLT

We are rapidly approaching the eve of another New Year. Looking back throughout the current year, what burdens have you carried that were too much for you to bear? How often have you felt you were walking alone through all your difficulties? You imagine to yourself how much easier life would be if you had someone walking beside you helping to carry your burdens. But not just anyone, it needs to be someone who knows you intimately. One who understands your feelings, knows your hurts, knows your strengths and weaknesses and still loves you, one who will continue to walk with you helping and guiding you along the way. There is such a one and His burden is light.

Jesus teaching the way of salvation in the gospel of Matthew said the following, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Mt. 11:28 NLT) Those in Jesus’s day as in our day struggled in finding the meaning of life, finding happiness and contentment, working exhaustively in trying everything and anything new looking for hope and that pie in the sky feeling. The truth is, what Jesus offers is more than an unrealistic pie in the sky moment, but a true reality of a light burden in this life as we trust in Him and walk with Him.

Jesus uses the example of being yoked with Him as two farming animals are yoked together with a wooden bar. The purpose was to distribute the weight evenly, lining them together in order to work efficiently with no extra burden on one or the other. The burden of plowing was made much easier by the wooden bar, and our burden in life is made much easier when we are yoked together with Christ. He knows us intimately, He is gentle, He will guide us and supply our need along the way, and it is where we can find rest only in Him. Jesus says, “For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Allow yourself to be yoked with Christ in 2024 and beyond and may we all travel lighter in the New Year!

Happy New Year 2024!

Bible Studies

SOLA SCRIPTURA (Scripture Alone)

December 31, 2023December 28, 2023 Loring Schultz

“I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, since it is neither right nor safe to go against conscience. May God help me. Amen.” (Luther at Diet of Worms, 1521)

Over the next five weeks we will be addressing the ‘Five Solas’ of the Reformation. These are five Latin phrases from the Reformation period of the 16^th century. “Sola’ in Latin is the English word ‘only.’ The early reformers recognized a drift away from Scripture in the Catholic Church essential to the teaching of the gospel. The “Five Solas’ represent the very core of the Christian faith. They are as follows, Sola Scriptura: Scripture is the only infallible authority for faith and practice. Solus Christus: Christ in His person and work is the only Savior. Sola gratia: Only the sovereign grace of God accomplishes salvation. Sola fide: Faith is the only instrument by which we are untied to Christ and receive all His benefits. Soli Deo gloria: The purpose of salvation is to give all glory to God alone. We begin with ‘Sola Scriptura.’ Scripture is the only infallible authority for faith and practice.

The apostle Paul declared in 2 Timothy, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16-17 ESV) Since Scripture is breathed out by God, His words spoken to us, it stands to reason that His Word stands. It is the only one that counts. The Bible is the only authority for the church today and always has been. The Bible is verbally and divinely inspired. They are the very words of God. It is the highest authority possible for it comes from God Himself and is the only source of His voice to us today.

The Bible is sufficient for all we need in the way of Salvation and how we are to live. There are no rules to follow that supersede or add to the teaching of Scripture. Again, ‘Scripture is the only infallible authority for faith and practice.’ Church constitutions and rules of procedures are important but we must be careful not to add or subtract the truth of Scripture.

The reformers knew Christians often looked for God’s power in external things of the church rather than Scripture itself. It didn’t help that most church goers of the day didn’t have access to the Scriptures. The reformers task was to then restore confidence in the people of the church in the Word of God and with understanding that God’s power and truth was in His Word, and His Word alone.

The perspicuity, or clarity, of Scripture is affirmed by Scripture itself. God instructed Israel to teach their children His commandments. (Dt. 6:6-9) God gave us His Word for all to understand even the youngest among us. The Holy Spirit also guides us as he illuminates the words of Scripture to us in comprehending the truth of Salvation.

“Sola scriptura also fueled the translation of the Bible into German, French, English, and other languages, and prompted Bible teaching in the common languages of the day, rather than in Latin. In this way, the good news of Jesus Christ could be read by the ordinary people.” (Evangelical Alliance UK)

Devotionals

Press on in 2024

December 30, 2023December 28, 2023 Loring Schultz

“Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus is calling us.” Philippians 3:13b, 14 NLT

Once again we approach the end of another year and the start of a New Year. For some of us the New Year can’t come fast enough, for others (this past year has been good and don’t want to see it end). But what do they both have in common? Both are looking forward to a good year ahead. One is looking towards an improvement in their current situation and the other for a continuing of their current conditions in the New Year.

So is our perspective in the world in which we live. But this world is not all that there is. For the Christian, our life in this world is referred to as being in a race. The end of the race (the finish line) is entrance into heaven. The prize is eternal life and Christlikeness in heaven. This should be our goal at the start of each New Year, to “Press On” towards our heavenly prize by living the transformed life through Christ for all to see, so press on in 2024.

Devotionals

Let us not neglect each other by our absence

December 29, 2023December 28, 2023 Loring Schultz

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:23-25 ESV

Most polling groups surveying church attendance over the past decade have come up with similar results, an overall decline in church attendance. The Covid-19 pandemic of 2020 certainly has contributed to the decline, but attendance has not rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. It is perceived by some the pandemic only enhanced what was already a steady disinterest in attending worship services. On-line streaming of church services have also helped to fuel the legitimate stay at home reason and watch it when convenient. I do thank the Lord for advances in technology to be able to bring church to shut-ins, those hospitalized, those serving overseas, and for those who find it impossible to attend for unforeseen reasons. But scripture is clear in instructing us not to neglect meeting with each other (and Zoom is no substitute) to encourage each other in the Lord.

The book of Acts records for us the spread of Christianity and the establishment of local churches in every city where the gospel was preached as converts came to know Christ. The training of pastors and elders were taking place to teach and shepherd the newly form flock. They warned against false teachers that distort the gospel, and Christians were instructed to love and care for one another. The early days of the church saw much persecution against them and encouraged each other as a family. All who have accepted Jesus Christ as their savior is part of the universal family of God. The local church serves as an assembly of brothers and sisters in Christ, a family intended to worship the Lord together and encourage each other in our faith.

The author of the book of Hebrews writes, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Heb. 10:24-25 ESV) The author in this text is instructing us to encourage each other by stirring up one another to love and good works for two very important reasons. 1. It was the habit of some to neglect meeting together for worship, and 2. The Day (return of Christ) is drawing near.

Today, it is safe to say, we have a lot more than some who are neglecting their brothers and sisters in Christ by their absence on Sunday morning-and we are two thousand years closer to the return of Christ than the early church. So our need is as urgent as theirs, even more so. If you make only one New Year’s Resolution this year may it be to join with our family in Christ in worship every week. Let us not neglect each other by our absence.

Devotionals

Unfinished Business

December 28, 2023December 26, 2023 Loring Schultz

“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom……..…..Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!” Psalm 90:12, 17 ESV

“This too shall pass” is a familiar comment used by many in referring to circumstances that are mostly undesirable, although not always. As we come to a close of another year, yes this too shall pass. Most of us cannot wait until this year is over with all its turmoil. A New Year brings with it a ray of hope for a better year and a brighter future. But what about any unfinished business for this year that is on our agenda, and we all have some. If you are like me, you pass it on to the next year for there is not enough time left to finish it in the current year. It is fine to continue on with projects, goals, and the fulfilment of desires pushing them into the following year, but none of us are guaranteed another year to complete our projects or to reach our goals. It is time for us to realize the importance of each day in doing our work, the work the Lord God has given us to do.

I remember many years ago my grandfather telling me how fast time flies and the fastest time for him was between the ages of 60 and 80. As I find myself now in that bracket I realize what he meant. A few years ago while discussing matters of the church with a colleague of mine, he asked me if I had an “exit plan.” I had never given that any thought until then. But the fact is, the Lord has assigned each of us work and given us opportunity to perform that work where He has placed us. The Lord has placed each of us strategically where we live, work, and Worship Him for His purposes, and He has given us the time in which to accomplished those tasks.

How are you using the time He has given you? We know for certain when one calendar year ends and another begins, however there is not one of who knows the amount of time God has given on this earth to do His work. Let us not leave any Unfinished Business, for this too shall pass.

Devotionals

Contentment

December 27, 2023December 26, 2023 Loring Schultz

“….. for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.” Philippians 4:11 NASB

Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

Contentment by definition is “a state of happiness and satisfaction.” Are you able to say you are always in a state of happiness and satisfaction? How about most of the time? Perhaps half of the time? Maybe some of the time? Or could it be that you are never in a state of happiness and satisfaction?

What is your foundation you rely for contentment (your state of happiness and satisfaction)? Is it money, a successful job, an eloquent home, a luxurious automobile, a stable relationship with that certain someone, a secure family life, or even a quiet evening sitting on the beach watching the sunset? These things and similar desires will grant us happiness and satisfaction for a while. The problem lies in the fact that our circumstances change quite often, sometimes daily, and that being the case we need a constant, unchangeable, secure entity to rely on; and that is in the person Jesus Christ, God the Son.

Paul, the apostle, knew what it was like to be poor and hungry living with minimal supplies. He also experience having an abundant supply. But his contentment didn’t depend on whether he was rich or poor. He wrote in Philippians 4:11, “for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.” His constant, unchangeable, secure entity was Jesus. Paul says “I can do all things through Him (Jesus) who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13 NASB) It is true you can be in a state of happiness and satisfaction even when things all around you are in disarray through Jesus Christ. That’s Contentment! True Contentment is only found in Jesus.

Devotionals

The Day After; A Christmas Letdown

December 26, 2023December 22, 2023 Loring Schultz

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 KJV

So much emphasis is put on one day of the year, Christmas Day. Traditionally it is known as the ‘hustle and bustle’ of Christmas. Concerts, plays, and musicals performed by preschoolers up to the professional level take our time either by preparing or attending these holiday events. The purchasing of gifts for family, friends, associates, and that special loved one adds to our time. Christmas is also the baking season. Who doesn’t enjoy their favorite Christmas cookies this time of year? There are parties to go to and meals to prepare, especially that Christmas dinner. With all the preparations during the Christmas season for celebrating one day many people are glad when it is over, but many also suffer a letdown for a day only last twenty-four hours and it is soon gone.

The day after Christmas can be a depressing time if your emphasis is only on the day itself. Although Christmas day itself and the weeks leading up to it can be a time of goodwill, joy, and peace even among those who hardly agree with each other, this will soon past. The struggles of everyday life continue into the New Year. Is it possible to avoid an after Christmas letdown? Are we able to maintain the joy and peace of Christmas on the day after and all through the year? Yes we are!

The apostle John penned the most familiar verse in the Bible, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (Jn.3:16 KJV) When our emphasis is on, as we say, ‘the reason for the season’ and we have come to trust Jesus as our Savoir, we as Christians should never have an after Christmas letdown. We may miss the cookies and time with family and friends, but we have the presence of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit all through the year.

For those of you have not trusted in Jesus for Salvation, put your faith in Him by confessing and repenting your sins this Christmas and avoid your after Christmas Letdown.