Author: Loring Schultz

Christian Devotional Writer
A Christian Perspective

What if Elizabeth and Mary had said ‘My body, My choice’?

Loring Schultz

            The abortion issue has been drawn front and center once again in the United States since the U. S, Supreme Court decision in June, 2022 that overturned the Roe v. Wade decision of 1973 legalizing abortion in the Untied States. The decision did not outlaw abortion, but sent the matter down to each individual state to decide the issue. Many states have already taken action on both fronts, for and against. The 2024 election is bound to heat up with organizations supporting the campaigns of their choice. Pro-life and Pro-choice with the feminist slogan leading the chant of the My Body, My Choice movement.

            The opening chapters of the New Testament gospel of Luke details with accuracy the birth of Jesus Christ. The gospel writer chronicles the sequence of events from the announcement of John the Baptist’s birth, Jesus’s cousin, to the announcement of Jesus’s birth leading up to the birth of both John and the birth of Christ. Holy Scripture details the miraculous power of God in the conception of both John the Baptist and Jesus. Elizabeth, John’s mother, was well advanced in years, and Mary was still a virgin. The angel Gabriel in the announcement to Mary concluded by saying, “For nothing will be impossible with God.” (Lk. 1:37)

            Elizabeth and her younger cousin Mary were both, as is often said, ‘with child.’ The detailed evidence cannot be denied as when the two of them met shortly after Mary’s conception.  Elizabeth was six months along when Mary received the announcement that she would have a baby. Mary immediately went to visit her cousin on receiving the news concerning both of them. Scripture records for us the greeting with detail and accuracy, “In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb.” (Lk. 1:39-41b)

            The evidence is in according to the Word of God. Elizabeth and Mary were both carrying life in their wombs, life that was recognized. It is life by the giver and creator of life, God Himself. John the Baptist went on to be the forerunner of Jesus, the Messiah. Jesus came into this world to save mankind from their sins assuring them of eternal life through faith in Him. The Bible is very detailed and accurate about God’s plan for salvation and nothing can alter His plan. But what if Elizabeth and Mary had said, ‘My body, my choice’ and chose not to have their babies? Obviously it did not happen, nor could it have happened. But just saying, ‘What If’?

Devotionals

These past two thousand years

Loring Schultz

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:1-3 NASB

            Jesus’s love for us is such that He wants us to be with Him throughout all eternity. He has been preparing a place for us for two thousand years. His love for us is such that He left His heavenly place in order to make it possible for us to be in that place with Him. Sound confusing? It’s not really! Jesus, God the Son, left heaven’s throne coming down to earth to redeem those who will put their trust in Him for Salvation. Let’s just say the necessary arrangements needed to be made for us to enter eternity with the Lord Jesus.

            The incarnation of Christ is part of God’s plan of Salvation for mankind. We are all in a lost state, sinners from birth, and cannot stand or live in the presence of God. Our society today tells us that God is a God of love and He would not condemn anyone. It is true God is a God of love, but He is also a Holy God who cannot accept sin. Sin against a Holy God must be dealt with and there is nothing we can do to make it right. Isaiah 64:6 says, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” (NKJV) As much as we try and as careful as we are to live a clean life doing what is right, the Bible says that our very best is as ‘filthy rags.’

            So where is our hope this Christmas? Our hope is in Jesus, the Christ child, who lived a perfect life, and laid down that perfect life for us to accept Him for Salvation. We can then stand before God in Christ’s righteousness and live in eternity in the place He has been preparing for you and me these past two thousand years.

Devotionals

The Breath of Life

Loring Schultz

“Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person.” Genesis 2:7 NLT

“………But you have not honored the God who gives you the breath of life and controls your destiny!” Daniel 5:23b NLT

Photo by Julian Jagtenberg on Pexels.com

            How many of God’s blessings do we take for granted? Our normal everyday life activities have countless examples of all we take for granted until it’s gone, even for a short time. A power outage in your home disrupts everything. It’s amazing what you now are unable to do with no electricity. Lack of fresh water is more than an inconvenience especially if lasting more than a couple of days. Most of us take for granted that our automobile is going to start when we get in it, but we all know that is not always the case, and we can go on and on with those things we take for granted.

            My thought is we take for granted the very air we breathe the most, not to mention the source of our air supply. The Old Testament book of Genesis says, “He (God) breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person.” (Gen. 2:7b NLT) God breathed into us the very breath of life. He has created air consisting of mostly of three gases; nitrogen, oxygen, and argon, which He also created, to maintain our breath of life. Have you ever thought, what if God had decided there would an ‘air outage’ for a period of time? I think it’s safe to say none us would be around to remember it. Electricity and water supplies are vital for survival in our current day, but it doesn’t mean instant death when their service is interrupted. But it is “God who holds your breath in His hand.” (Dan.5:23 NKJV)

            The prophet Daniel told King Belshazzar he was going to lose the kingdom and his life that very night because he did not humble himself before God but mocked Him and praised their gods of silver and gold. Daniel was clear in his explanation to Belshazzar that he did not honor the true God who gave him the breath of life and the air to breathe, but took it for granted. “…But you have not honored the God who gives you the breath of life and controls your destiny!” (Dan. 5:23b NLT)  

            It is a message for us to take to heart. Let us count our blessings, (as the old song goes), naming them one by one. May we not take any of them for granted, especially the air we breathe supplied to us by the one who gave us the Breath of Life.

Devotionals

Ring The Bell

Loring Schultz

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 ESV

            The familiar sounds of the Christmas season are many. From the Christmas music, to the holiday greetings, to the sounds of traffic in the streets, to children’s eager anticipation of coming the event on the 24th of December; the sounds of the season constantly remind us that Christmas Day is approaching.

            Among these sounds are the bells of the Salvation Army Bell Ringers. A tradition that started in 1891 in the city of San Francisco, California. Stationed in shopping malls and other retail outlets as well as on street corners, the bell ringers remind people of the need of others during the Christmas season. The sound of the bell is to draw our attention away from ourselves and our task at hand and reflect on those unfortunate in our neighborhoods and around the world.

            The physical and material needs of the countless people in our midst cannot be denied. Christians (the church) should be at the forefront of meeting this need. As the church rings the bell of awareness and participates in meeting the material needs of the downtrodden among us, it also has the responsibility to be a bell ringer for the eternal Salvation of others. Jesus said, speaking of Himself, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Lk. 19:10 ESV) The spiritual need is great and it needs to be met.

            Our Lord instructs us to be witnesses, Bell Ringers, for Him. This Christmas season as you hear the bell ring and drop money into that Red Kettle, pick up your spiritual bell and ring it for all the world to hear the need of Salvation and spread the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Devotionals

Cross-Examine Me

Loring Schultz

“Put me on trial, LORD, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart.” Psalm 26:2 NLT

            Like many of us here in the United States I have been summoned to serve a turn in jury duty. Most of my experiences have been sitting around waiting to see whether or not I would be called to sit on a trial. But there were several occasions that I had the privilege to participate as a juror in a criminal trial. One of the most tense and informative aspects of a trial is the cross-examination, either by the prosecutor or the defense attorney. It is during that questioning that previous testimony is either substantiated or debunked as truthful. You might say it gets to the heart of the matter.

            In the 26th Psalm, King David seems anxious to get to the heart of the matter of his own life, and the many accusations made against him. He asks the LORD to put him on trial and cross-examine him. David asks that his motives and his heart be put on display for God to see. David writes, “Declare me innocent, O LORD, for I have acted with integrity” (Ps. 26:1a) David is not claiming he is perfect or without sin, but that he is innocent of the false charges against him, and is not afraid to stand before the justice of God in these matters. It is quite revealing of David’s confidence to have the Lord God cross-examine him.

            Would we be able to say the same thing to the Lord? “Put me on trial, LORD, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart.” We can if we are confident of our innocence in a certain matter, but what about our motives and what is truly lying beneath the surface of our hearts. There are some things that even a well-informed attentive jury cannot get to the root of, but we can be certain that an Almighty God who knows all will get into those deepest crevasses of the heart for the truth. We cannot hide it from God. May we live in such a way that we will never be afraid to say “Lord cross-examine me!”

Read Psalm 26: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+26&version=NLT

Devotionals

Drifting Away

Loring Schultz

“So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.” Hebrews 2:1 NLT

            The closer we get to Christmas Day listening to Christmas music increases for most people. I say most people for there are many who have had their fill over the years to last the rest of their lives. For those who indulge right after Thanksgiving or wait until the Christmas spirit hits you on the 24th of December, listen very carefully to the truth you hear in the old familiar carols and contemporary music pertaining to the birth of Christ. For soon the music will be put on the shelf for another year, but the truth does remain.

            The writer of the book of Hebrews penned these words, “So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.” (2:1 NLT) He is not referring to Christmas music per se, but to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ which is embedded in many Christmas carols. In particular, the writer is continuing his exhortation on the superiority of Jesus over the angels and confirming His deity. The child born that first Christmas is Jesus, the second person of the trinity, sent to earth for our redemption. He is fully God and fully man, our Savior.

            As Christmas music comes into your hearing this season listen very carefully to the lyrics being sung not letting them go over your head as an old familiar tune, but let them sink in. Every opportunity you get this year to attend a Christmas play, a musical, a concert, a ‘spectacular of lights display’, or a special church service let the truth of God’s Word be absorbed into your heart and mind. Don’t allow the truth of the gospel drift away from you as the season drifts away with the music.

Bible Studies

“Leave Nothing Undone” Conquering New Territory: The Book of Joshua (….through faith, courage, obedience, and devotion to the Word of God)

Loring Schultz

“Just as the LORD had commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did. He left nothing undone of all that the LORD had commanded Moses.” Joshua 11:15 ESV

            There will come a time in your new surroundings of your new territory where you will reach a comfortability level, mine is usually around the three to four month range. I hesitate to use the word ‘completion’ for in reality we are never completely finish with anything as long as we have breath. But becoming comfortable in your new territory is a sign you have been faithful in obeying God in His leading. You will see how the Lord directed as you look back over your introduction period. It is also a time to review if there is anything you may have left on the table, anything left undone that God has instructed you to do during your settling in to your new place.

            We look again to Joshua and the nation Israel as this study comes to a close. Israel had been led to the shores of the Jordan River after forty years of wandering in the wilderness. Leadership was passed down from Moses to Joshua to lead the people into the Promised Land. A side note here; the tribes of the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had already received their inheritance on the west side of the Jordan which is also part of the Promised Land. However, the fighting men from each tribe were to accompany their brothers in battle of conquering the new territory returning when the land was in control.

            Under Joshua’s leadership from the Lord’s commands Israel had great success as God opened up the Jordan River for them crossing over safely. They were led to victory over Jericho as the walls surrounding the city fell down flat. With the Lord’s miraculous help Joshua and the nation Israel continued clearing the land of their enemies until they had control of it. Overall, Israel was able to accomplish this as they followed God’s instructions of being strong, courageous, faithful and obedient to His commands.

            Several insights from God’s Word, apart from being strong, courageous, faithful, and obedient, were noted throughout the last ten weeks to encourage us in conquering our new territory. We learned not to dismiss those in our lives God has placed there, such as Rahab, the harlot. They may very well be used in aiding us through the tough terrain. Being totally committed to following the Lord and His instructions is vital. Joshua and the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord were totally committed as they set their feet in the waters of the Jordan River during flood stage and the people followed. (Perhaps you are setting an example for others by stepping out into the impossible, but possible with God) Remembering what the Lord has done for us also serves as an example and encouragement to others as they witness our lives.

            Our most important insight; Continual prayer and worshiping God is the foundation to our relationship with the one who is leading us in our move into our new territory. It is where we find the faith, strength, courage, and obedience to carry on, especially when things get tough as we saw last week with Israel faced with fighting a coalition of five armies. Above all, we have seen the faithfulness of God in supporting and fighting for Israel in entering the land that God had promised them they would be enter and would be theirs. We have also seen the forgiveness and restoration provided to us when we disobey and sin against God. It doesn’t alter His plans for us. It may set us back, but His plans still prevails

            If you have already reached your comfortability level in your new territory, or still have a ways to go, one last insight for you to remember when getting there. Leave nothing undone. The Bible tells of Joshua leaving nothing undone. “Just as the LORD had commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did. He left nothing undone of all that the LORD had commanded Moses.” (Jos. 11:15 ESV) Joshua followed through on all he was commanded and led to do. We are to do the same. Look carefully, observe well, and notice anything that may have been put aside for later but now needs to be done. Leave nothing undone and settle peaceably in the new territory God has for you. He has placed you there. He has plans for you there.

“So Joshua took control of the entire land, just as the LORD had instructed Moses. He gave it to the people of Israel as their special possession, dividing the land among the tribes. So the land finally had rest from war.” (Jos. 15:23 NLT)

Read Joshua 11, Israel Defeats the Northern Armies: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua%2011&version=NLT

A Christian Perspective

2023 Word of the Year-Authentic

Loring Schultz

            The tradition of Merriam-Webster’s ‘word of the year’ is a short one beginning in 2003 with the word ‘democracy.’ A quick glance of the previous years most searched for words gives us a snapshot of what was on the minds of those searching that particular year. In 2004 the word ‘blog’ was getting noticed and I’m fortunate it’s still influential today as you would most likely not be reading this. 2005 and 2006 were years of mistrust and defining our own truth as the words ‘integrity’ and ‘truthiness’ took the top spots. The Presidential election year of 2012 saw two words share the honor, ‘socialism’ and ‘capitalism.’ The social network of LGBTQ+ had the general public searching for the word ‘they’ in 2019, a pronoun pertaining to individuals whose gender is not revealed or identify as non-binary. The last three years are very fresh in our minds as ‘pandemic’, ‘vaccine’, and ‘gaslighting’ had effected almost every soul across the globe. 

            Looking over the last twenty years it is easy to see the interests of individuals with the changes occurring within the ‘culture’, which ironically was the word of the year in 2018. It is also a picture of history in the present day being unveiled before us of world events and the changing culture, some good, but most not so good. What is evident is how most of these searched words over the years are defining society and our current culture. It is where things are going. And sadly all seem to have a political, social, and deceptive agenda attached to them. This year is no different with the 2023 word of the year ‘authentic.’ 

            ‘Authentic’ in Merriam-Webster is defined as: (1. not false or imitation: REAL, ACTUAL. 2. true to one’s own personality, spirit, or character. 3. worthy of acceptance or belief as conforming to or based on fact.) It certainly seems on the surface that most people are having a hard time determining what they are seeing or hearing as authentic. There is not much that is authentic.

            Merriam-Webster also noted on its website, “Authentic is often connected to identity, whether national or personal: words frequently modified by authentic include cuisine and dish, but also self and voice. Celebrities like singers Lainey Wilson, Sam Smith, and especially Taylor Swift all made headlines in 2023 with statements about seeking their “authentic voice” and “authentic self.”……… And with the rise of artificial intelligence—and its impact on deepfake videos, actors’ contracts, academic honesty, and a vast number of other topics—the line between “real” and “fake” has become increasingly blurred.” *

            A great deception is overshadowing every walk of life in our present day. People are being deceived by lies and corruption presented as truth, honesty, and moral by those with a hidden agenda for power to control and push through their ideas for a Godless society. The apostle Paul writes in the New Testament book of 2 Corinthians, “But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.” (11:14-15 NLT) They have succeeded in convincing manner; what was wrong is now right and what was right is now wrong. Is it any wonder why ‘authentic’ is the 2023 word of the year?  

Devotionals

Are you easily persuaded?

Loring Schultz

“I am warning you ahead of time, dear friends. Be on guard so that you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing.” 2 Peter 3:17 NLT

            This morning we experienced the first snow that covered the ground in our area. Although it didn’t amount to much as I write this in the afternoon it is all but gone. But during that brief time there was caution on the roads when driving and secure footing was needed while walking to not slip and fall. In Peter’s final words from the book of 2 Peter, he gives us a warning to be careful not to lose our secure footing. He is not referring to the slippery conditions cause by wet snow, but to the slippery slope of listening to false teachers that can easily persuaded us to abandon the truth of the gospel.  

            Peter noted that many will be persuaded by their teaching, “They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money.” (2 Peter 2:1b-3a NLT) There is plenty of false teaching in the name of Christ occurring in our day. A secure footing is required as we walk in slippery conditions.

            If you are inclined to be persuaded easily, understanding of the scriptures is a must to remain steadfast in your faith and not lose your footing. A careful study of the Bible with the guidance of the Holy Spirit is where you start. As you immerse yourself in the Word you will be begin to connect the dots observing the entire Bible is about Jesus Christ and God’s plan of Salvation for those who trust in His Son. The apostle John gives us the best advice on fact checking a Pastor, evangelist, or teacher if their message is the truth of God’s Word. John writes, “Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.” (1 Jn. 4:1 NLT) Test (fact check) them with what God says in His Word and be not easily persuaded to error, but steadfast with secure footing.

Devotionals

The Advent Calendar

Loring Schultz

“For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” Luke 19:10 NLT

 This time of year we are accustomed to seeing various presentations of the advent calendar. The counting down of days to Christmas day has been a tradition for many years. We have designer calendars for our special interests or hobbies. We have chocolate candy calendars for chocolate lovers of all ages. We have cheese calendars for those who have a hankering for cheese, and we even have whiskey calendars, which I am not recommending, just making a point.

 And the point is; what are you counting down to? What is at the end of your advent calendar? Jesus states clearly that the day each of us is counting down to in our own way is the day He came to earth, whether you believe it or not. He came into this world “to seek and save those who are lost.” This includes all of us who are counting down to that one day of excitement. He came to give us more than peace on earth one night a year, but to give us an inner peace of knowing Him in this life. He came to give us more than an enjoyable day with friends and family on Christmas, but to give us everlasting enjoyment with Him in eternity through the Salvation He offers through His death, burial, and resurrection. So what are you counting down to? Here’s a little hint-you don’t need to wait until December 25th to enjoy the Savior of Christmas!