Devotionals – Page 19 – Word for the Soul

Have You Hurt God?

August 4, 2025August 4, 2025 Loring Schultz

“They will recognize how hurt I am by their unfaithful hearts and lustful eyes that long for their idols.” Ezekiel 6:9 NLT

When you think about God, what comes to mind? How about His awesome power in creating the earth and the entire universe. Maybe you are drawn to His awareness of every occurrence in the world at the same time, or perhaps it is the comfort you receive knowing that God hears your prayers when millions of people are also in prayer with Him. Words cannot do justice in describing God. Our best attempts in characterizing God will fail. He is so awesome, powerful, holy, loving, all-knowing, the list goes on……….and on………and on. There are not enough words, so I guess we will leave at that.

Have you ever thought of God’s emotions? 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) We know that we are emotional beings, some more than others. If we are made in God’s image, it stands to reason that God is an emotional God. If we can display emotion, God certainly can.

Have you ever been hurt by someone? Had your heart broken? Have you caused the hurt of someone and broken their heart? If your answer is yes to either circumstance, you know both how it feels when you were hurt and the effects your actions had on the one you hurt. Now comes the hard part. Have you ever hurt God? Our emotional God can also be hurt by our actions.

The Lord speaking through Ezekiel, concerning Judah, said, “Then when they are exiled among the nations, they will remember me. They will recognize how hurt I am by their unfaithful hearts and lustful eyes that long for their idols. Then at last they will hate themselves for all their detestable sins.” (Ez.6:9 nlt) The Lord God was sending them into exile for 70 years for their sins against Him, sins that hurt Him deeply by turning to idols.

How many idols do we have in our own lives that are hurting God? We may have never thought about this quite this way before, but our sins against God do hurt Him. Our unfaithful hearts and lustful eyes towards our idols take us away from Him, and yes, He’s hurt. May we have faithful hearts, and our eyes gazed on Him.

Devotionals

Being an Example of the Lord

August 1, 2025July 29, 2025 Loring Schultz

Read: John 13:12-17 NLT – After washing their feet, he put on his – Bible Gateway

“If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” John 13:14-15 NLT

Christians have an obligation to be an example to others in this world in the things of God. He saved us for a purpose other than to fill another place in heaven. Jesus is not currently living on earth, but we are. We are His hands and feet during our time here. Jesus gave us many examples in Scripture to follow on how to live the Chrisitan life and lead others to Him. The question remains, are we doing that?

One of the greatest examples Jesus gave us was on the night before His death. He washed His disciples feet. Jesus humbly took care of a need His disciples had, to have their dirty feet washed. People we come across everyday have needs to be met. It may not be dirty feet, but dirty laundry in need of being washed. It may a ride to the store or having the store brought to them at our expense. It may be lending a helping hand in a difficult family situation. Jesus’ example of washing the disciples feet extends far beyond the scene itself.

Jesus’ main point is for us to be humble enough to address any menial task that comes our way, especially if it is someone in need. These examples we follow from Christ is the essence of Christianity. We do them to show people Christ, the light in a dark world. We do them in Jesus’ name to lead them to the Savoir their greatest need, and we do them to be the example the Lord desires us to be.

Devotionals

Assurance of Eternal Life

July 31, 2025July 30, 2025 Loring Schultz

Read: 1 Peter 1:18-25 NLT – For you know that God paid a ransom to – Bible Gateway

“For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.” 1 Peter 1:23 NLT

Some Christians struggle with the possibility that they could lose their salvation and eternal life. The Bible has several verses that can ease those unfriendly thoughts. In Peter’s letter to Gentile and Jewish believers he quotes from Isaiah to illustrate the power of the Word of God to renew souls unto the Lord, the Word that lasts forever. ‘“But the word of the Lord remains forever.’ And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.” (1Pt.1:25 nlt)

A person is saved as they are drawn by God through the Holy Spirit to Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself said, “For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me.” (Jn.6:44 nlt) And Paul writes in Titus, “ he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.” (Titus 3:5 nlt) Peter is expressing in 1 Peter the importance of the Word of God in salvation. The Bible points us to look at ourselves as sinners in need of repentance and belief in Christ. He is leading us to the Word of God, which contains the good news of the gospel.

Peter says in our text verse those who are born again now have a life that will last forever. The Holy Spirit uses the eternal living Word of God to convict us of our need of salvation. The ‘forever’ Word of God clearly defines the good news of salvation through Jesus. We can be sure as the Word of God will last forever, our salvation in the Lord will last forever. No worries.

Devotionals

Before Abraham Was……I AM !

July 30, 2025July 29, 2025 Loring Schultz

Read: John 1:1-5 NLT – Prologue: Christ, the Eternal Word – In – Bible Gateway

“Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I AM!’” John 8:58 NLT

The historic Jesus did not begin at His birth 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem. Scholars note the period of time Jesus was on the earth as history for our time, which is correct, therefore the term ‘the historic Jesus.’ True, the history of Jesus’ life and ministry on earth started on the night He was born, but the Biblical Jesus has a history that never began, yet it is still history. (I don’t understand it, either) Jesus never had a beginning, that is why He was able to claim to the Jews, ‘before Abraham was even born, I AM!’ (Jn.8:58 nlt)

The people knew what He meant because they picked up stones to stone Him for blasphemy. Jesus claimed to be God. The apostle John wrote concerning the deity of Jesus, “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God.” (Jn.1:1-2 nlt) John is, with certainty, equating the ‘Word’ with Jesus. They are one and the same. John later writes in chapter 1, “So the Word became human and made his home among us.” (Jn.1:14 nlt) No doubt, John is referring to Jesus Christ. The Word is Jesus. The Word is God.

So, what does this have to do with us today. Our belief in Christ is to be more than doing the good deeds Jesus did and commanded us to do. Do them, yes, but also understand who He truly is and why He came. He gave up heaven’s glories to be born into this world to save those who will believe on Him. He paid an awful price, which was our debt, but he did it willingly. The historic Jesus is the one and only Jesus, God the Son, from eternity past who had one mission in which all His commandments flow. “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mk.10:45 nlt)

Devotionals

Who is the Jesus you’re following?

July 29, 2025July 28, 2025 Loring Schultz

Read: 1 Peter 2:18-21 ESV – Servants, be subject to your masters – Bible Gateway

“For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” 1 Peter 2:21 ESV

Following Jesus in today’s world is not easily done. Oh sure, there are people who have no trouble following the Jesus they have set up in their mind. This Jesus is loving and kind (which He is), cares for the poor and underprivileged (which He does), and is all about justice (and He is). Following Jesus in each of these character traits is a godly endeavor every Christian should strive to achieve. But only following these traits about Jesus is not following the Biblical Jesus. It’s not following Him completely. If we are following the Biblical Jesus there will be some suffering involved. Peter tells us, ‘For to this you have been called.’

Peter was writing to Christians scattered throughout Asia Minor due to persecution for living out their faith in Christ. Living for Jesus involves all those things listed above and so much more. If attending only to those Christian deeds you probably won’t come under persecution, but if you stand for the truth of the gospel the stones will begin to fly. Peter encouraged his readers by saying, “But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called,” (1Pt.2:20-21 esv) Every true Chrisitan has received the efficacious call to salvation, and with that call the suffering of injustice when we live out and proclaim the truth of the gospel.

Jesus completed His mission in suffering and dying for our sins. That was the plan. What put Jesus on that cross was His outspoken words of truth against the religious rulers of the day. It cost Him His life, but that was the plan. Peter says Jesus left us an example that we might follow in His steps. Jesus patiently endured His suffering for us; may we patiently endure our suffering for Him. If you have not been suffering in any way for Jesus, who is the Jesus you’re following?

Devotionals

Immanuel ‘God with Us’

July 28, 2025July 27, 2025 Loring Schultz

“ Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).” Isaiah 7:14 NLT

You may be thinking this is a ‘Christmas in July’ devotion, well almost, but not quite. My church is having Vacation Bible School this week with the theme ‘Wonder Junction’ a curriculum from ‘Answers in Genesis’. (1) It’s a week of wondering about Jesus and what better way to start than with His birth. Since we really don’t know exactly when Jesus was born, it could have been in July, so we may not be that far off. The main thing is Jesus did come down from heaven to be born of a virgin. Jesus, Immanuel is God with us.

The birth of Christ doesn’t cover a lot of pages in the Bible. In fact, there are only four chapters in Scripture that tell us the story. They are the first two chapters in each of the New Testaments books of Matthew and Luke. We have many references to Jesus the Messiah coming into the world scattered throughout the Old Testament. Our text verse notes that a virgin will give birth to Him who is called Immanuel, ‘God with us’. Of all the verses the predict Jesus’ birth, the most significant ones are those declaring His deity as God the Son. The prophet Isaiah also wrote this of the coming Messiah, “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Is.9:6 nlt)

It is vital for our salvation that Jesus is indeed God the Son. A perfect sacrifice was needed to pay the debt owed to God the Father for our sins. We could never pay it, but Jesus could, because He was the sinless Son of God, perfect in every way and willing to sacrifice His life for our salvation. Yes, let us remember Christmas is all about ‘God with us’ whether we celebrate it in July or on December 25^th.

(1) https://answersingenesis.org/vbs/

Devotionals

Our Special Obligation

July 25, 2025July 23, 2025 Loring Schultz

Read: Ephesians 5:1-20 NLT – Living in the Light – Imitate God, – Bible Gateway

“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.” Ephesians 5:15 NLT

Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.com

Every Christian has a special obligation to live carefully in this world. The Lord God has brought us out of darkness and into His light. We should reflect that light in every endeavor of our lives. Paul instructs us to live wisely and not like fools. Fools live in darkness, but Christians live in the light.

We live in the world, but we are not to be part of the world. Christians are part of the body of Christ, separate from the world with its lusts and desires. When we engage in worldly behaviors we are committing spiritual adultery. “You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.” (Ja.4:4 nlt) Being a friend of the world is not living carefully, but foolishly.

Paul tells us, “Don’t participate in the things these people do.” (Eph.5:7 nlt) We have a special obligation not to, so let’s not. Paul continues, “Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. (our obligation) 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.” (Eph.5:10-12 nlt) Our godly character will expose those sinful acts without saying a word. And doing what pleases the Lord will add to our godly character as we live in His light.

Living carefully in a fallen world is not easy for the Christian, but it is our special obligation. The Lord has not left us to live this life alone; He has sent His Holy Spirit to dwell in every believer to help us fulfil our obligation to live carefully in this world. Now it’s up to us to live in the light.

Devotionals

No one is Holy like the Lord

July 24, 2025July 23, 2025 Loring Schultz

“No one is holy like the LORD! There is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.” 1 Samuel 2:2 NLT

What is your definition of ‘holy’? Does it match with Webster’s New World Dictionary’s #1 definition, ‘dedicated to religious use; sacred.’ How about the Biblical definition, ‘being set apart, dedicated to God and His purposes’? I hope it is at least one of the two because they are the same.

Has anyone ever referred to you as holy knowing you are a Christian? They may say in jest or really mean it. I’ve had that experience many times in my life and always would come back a response of ‘no not me, I’m not holy!’ But when I think about it they are right whatever their intent. Being holy is being separated from the world and unto the Lord. Scripture conveys the idea that all Christians are holy unto the Lord. The apostle Peter wrote, “So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, ‘You must be holy because I am holy.’” (1Pt.1:14-16 nlt)

Not before we get carried away with being holy, may we keep in mind there is only one who is truly holy. Holy in the sense of being ‘sinless, spiritually pure, deserving deep respect, awe, etc.’ as defined in the dictionary. And as we study the Bible and read all of God’s attributes, observe His ways and His love for the world we come to realize there is no one Holy like the Lord. So let us rejoice in being holy unto the only true Holy one, the Lord God.

Devotionals

Are You Teachable?

July 23, 2025July 22, 2025 Loring Schultz

Read: Psalm 25:1-11 NLT – Psalm 25 – A psalm of David. O LORD, I – Bible Gateway

“He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.” Psalm 25:9 NLT

Are you willing to learn what you haven’t known before? Do you have a desire to experience something new? Is your attitude promising towards gaining knowledge? In other words, are you teachable? For the older folks, the phrase ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks’ is not true.’ For you younger people, the phrase ‘I know all I need to know’ is not true either. Nobody knows everything, and we are never too old to learn, especially in the things of God.

The common denominator in being teachable for all ages is, ‘are we humble?’ Are we humble enough to admit we are without the resources to teach us all we need to know about living the Christian life? King David knew he needed the Lord to teach and lead him. He put his trust in God. David acknowledges the sins of his youth asking the Lord to not remember them, but to remember him in His unfailing love and mercy.

David understood he needed a humble attitude before the Lord if he wanted to be taught by Him and learn from Him. He expresses this in verses 9 and 10 in our text, not only for himself but for us today. David writes, “He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way. The LORD leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.” (Ps.25:9-10 nlt)

Christians are to be teachable. Christians should desire to be taught by our Lord. Christians need to be walking humbly with God with an aggressive attitude to learn all we are being taught. So again, are you teachable? If not, humble yourself before God and learn from the Great Professor.

Devotionals

God in His Mercy will not throw you away

July 22, 2025July 16, 2025 Loring Schultz

Read: 2 Samuel 14 NLT – Joab Arranges for Absalom’s Return – Bible Gateway

“……But God does not just sweep life away; instead, he devises ways to bring us back when we have been separated from him.” 2 Samuel 14:14 NLT

Are you separated from a loved one or a dear friend by something you have created? Perhaps the separation is the fault of the other party. Regardless, there is separation. Do you have a desire to restore the relationship or are you just as content to throw it away for good? Maybe you have done all you can to reconcile but to no avail. Don’t give up, ‘God devises ways to bring us back when we have been separated from him.’ We should do the same. You possibly may be one who refuses to make amends but hear this, ‘God does not sweep life away’, and neither should we. Living in a sinful world always hinders us from doing the right thing or even pursuing it. But a better understanding of God and His mercy will go a long way in helping us strive for reconciliation.

A story is told of King David longing to see his son Absalom in the second book of Samuel. Absalom had been banished after killing his brother Amnon for raping their sister Tamar. Joab, captain of David’s army, sought a way to convince the King to bring Absalom back. He sent a woman to David claiming to be a widow with a story about her two sons, one dying by the hand of the other accidently. The rest of the family was demanding he be turned over for execution, leaving her husband’s name erased. David responded, ‘“Leave it to me,’ the king told her. ‘Go home, and I’ll see to it that no one touches him.’” (2Sa.14:8 nlt) The woman then confided in King David revealing her true purpose, “She replied, ‘Why don’t you do as much for the people of God as you have promised to do for me? You have convicted yourself in making this decision, because you have refused to bring home your own banished son.’” (2Sa.14:13 nlt) David got the message Joab sent him and had Absalom brought home.

Difficult passages in the Bible such as the one above provide us with real life situations with truth and wisdom in handling them. Joab devised a way for the King to bring back Absalom. When we have strayed from our King, the Lord Jesus, due to our sin He doesn’t throw us away, but is constantly devising ways to bring us back into fellowship with Him showing us His mercy. It doesn’t matter what we have done. His mercy covers it. When we devise ways to reconcile with those who are separated from us, we extend mercy to them as the Lord extends it to us. Devising ways to reconcile is a lot harder than just throwing them away, but it is worth it in the long run. So, don’t give up!