Category: Devotionals

Devotionals

The Lord’s Garden in Eden      

Loring Schultz

Read: Genesis 2:6-9 NLT – Instead, springs came up from the – Bible Gateway

“Then the LORD God planted a garden in Eden in the east, and there he placed the man he had made.” Genesis 2:8 NLT

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

The Garden of Eden in the book of Genesis is sometimes referred to as ‘paradise.’ The Septuagint Bible uses a word that forms our English word ‘paradise.’ Indeed, it certainly would be a paradise by today’s standards but so much more. The Bible says after God created Adam He planted a garden and placed Adam in it. This was no ordinary garden. It was planted in pure uncontaminated soil in a perfect environment of the newly created earth. We would expect everything grown there to be without spot or wrinkle, perfect fruit hanging from the tress.

God placed in His garden all kind of trees beautiful and producing delicious fruit. Today we still enjoy the fruit of God’s creation, but it comes at the expense of working the cursed ground. Adam did not have that problem but he still worked in the garden. Adam’s work was dominion over the garden in serving God. He was allowed to eat from any tree in the garden except the ‘tree of the knowledge of good and evil.’ Adam had sweet fellowship with his creator while working to care for the garden and the trees providing him with sustaining food.

The Lord loved and cared for Adam providing him with a paradise in which to live and all the fruit he could eat. But God did place one restriction, not to eat from that one specific tree or he would be sure to die. (Gen.2:17) We know the story, Adam disobeyed God along with his wife Eve and the process of dying had begun. There was another named tree in the Lord’s Garden of Eden, the ‘tree of life.’ This tree is a symbol of the eternal ‘tree of life’ that will be in the new heaven. (Rev.22:2) Adam noticed that ‘tree of life’ every day as it was placed in the middle of garden alongside the forbidden tree. God gave Adam and Eve freedom of choice. They willfully chose wrong. May we choose to obey God in all our actions. We have a tree of life waiting for us. If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your savior, now is the time to look upon calvary’s tree of life in which Jesus died and accept His offering for your sin. The Lord’s Garden of Eden in the new heaven awaits you.

Devotionals

Guard Your Heart

Loring Schultz

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs 4:23 NLT

iStock Photo #2219497836

Major League Baseball’s Cleveland franchise opened the 2022 season under a new name. Although Cleveland had name changes three times within fourteen years, this is the first name change in over one hundred years for this historic franchise. The new name that was chosen is “Guardians,” and for good reason. Outside Progressive Field, the home of the Cleveland franchise, stands four 43-foot statues on the Hope Memorial Bridge known as “Guardians of Traffic.” Standing for almost one hundred years they represent, in a figurative way, the watching over and protection of traffic across the bridge connecting downtown Cleveland with its neighbors across the Cuyahoga River. Through hundreds of names considered and countless hours in deciding, the team finalized the process by selecting “Guardians,” those who stand guard and protect.

King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, said the following, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” (Pr.4:23 nlt) Our hearts are much more than our emotions and how we are feeling. Scripture defines the heart as the mind, our inner being, our thinking, reasoning, and our will. There is an enormous amount of traffic that surround our lives like a freeway in any major city. This includes our hearts. As we travel on the highways of life precautions need to be in place to not slow us down or bring us to a total stop due to an accident. Driver instructors emphasize defensive driving to their students as part of the training. Our hearts need to be guarded defensively in what we encounter in front of us. How will we respond to the traffic around us? What we engage in and where we put our thoughts will be determined by how well we guard our hearts.

The “Guardians of Traffic” on Cleveland’s Hope Memorial Bridge is a suitable example of ever flowing traffic on bridges and in the human heart. It is essential to guard our hearts in not going in a wrong direction and to avoid dangerous situations by keeping our eyes on the road and our hands on the wheel, guarding our hearts.

Solomon adds “Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.” (Pr.4:25-27 nlt)  Guard your heart!

Devotionals

A Slip of the Tongue

Loring Schultz

Read: Leviticus 24:10-16 NLT – An Example of Just Punishment – One day – Bible Gateway

“Those who curse their God will be punished for their sin. Anyone who blasphemes the Name of the LORD must be stoned to death by the whole community of Israel.” Leviticus 24:15-16 NLT

Photo by Liana S on Unsplash

Cussing has been around since the Bible days. There were forms of cussing and certain words that were profane and offensive for that time. I am sure some of those words have stood the test of time and are still with us along with the ones of today that in times past they could not even imagine. We know cuss words when we hear them today but we may not be able to recognize the profane words from the past and vice versa. What has been recognizable throughout history is cursing God or using His name in vain as a curse word. It is known as blasphemy.

People today will use the excuse that it was just a slip of the tongue, or I got overly excited or angry, or that’s just the way I talk. The problem with all those excuses is that there is no excuse for blaspheming God’s name or His Son’s name. It is sad to see it roll so easily off the tongues of so many that they do not even think about it. When one uses the Lord’s name in vain they are blaspheming a Holy God, their creator. God who spoke into existence the universe, the earth, all animal creatures, and mankind will not tolerate His name not being glorified.

I believe the problem today is that God is not thought of as Holy. All His works are Holy and just. God cannot look upon or hear sinful acts without punishment. God has shown us this at the cross of calvary. He could not look upon sin and therefore God turned His back on His Son Jesus bearing our sin on the cross. Our sin was paid for. Jesus bore the burden.

We should all be thankful we do not live in the Old Testament Bible days. The punishment for a slip of the tongue was death. God is Holy. God is still holy today. Blasphemy against God is still as serious as it was back then, but Jesus has already paid that penalty for us. Let us keep that in mind the next time we have a slip of the tongue.

Devotionals

Something New   

Loring Schultz

Read: Acts 17:16-21 ESV – Paul in Athens – Now while Paul was – Bible Gateway

“Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.” Acts 17:21 ESV

Bearded men discuss an astronomical instrument and scroll in an ancient marketplace
.

A common expression each of us have when we meet an old acquaintance is ‘what’s new’? It could also be a dear friend we see often and asks, ‘what’s new’? Everyone is interested in the latest developments of one’s life or life in general. In other words, ‘what’s going on’? The apostle Paul had an experience where he met with a bunch of people who were always asking, ‘what’s new’? While in Athens waiting for Silas and Timothy to join him Paul walked around town looking at the sights. He noticed the many idols of worship of different gods spread throughout the city. They apparently did not have enough gods and were always looking for something new.

Paul would go to the marketplace and speak about Jesus with whoever was there wanting to hear something new. He also spoke with the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers who were certainly interested in this new thing being presented. They had no clue about the Lord God of heaven or His Son Jesus, as many in our day do not as well, or at least have an understanding. We may find this hard to believe but just look at a few statistics below from here in America:

“Most adults—not quite six in 10—believe Jesus was God (56%). Millennials are the only generation among whom fewer than half believe Jesus was God (48%). About half of Americans agree, either strongly or somewhat, that while he lived on earth, Jesus Christ was human and committed sins like other people (52%). Many adults believe, however, that they will go to heaven as a result of their good works. Broadly speaking, this is the most common perception among Americans who have never made a commitment to Jesus—and it is also quite common among self-identified Christians.” (1) It looks like the church in America has ‘something new’ to share. That’s us family!

(1) https://www.barna.com/research/what-do-americans-believe-about-jesus-5-popular-beliefs/

Devotionals

Prone to Wander

Loring Schultz

“I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come and find me, for I have not forgotten your commands.” Psalm 119:176 NLT

“Oh, to grace how great a debtor, Daily I’m constrained to be, Let that goodness like a fetter
Bind my wandering heart to Thee, Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love
Here’s my heart, oh, take and seal it, Seal it for Thy courts above” Robert Robinson

Hiker with backpack walking along a mountain trail toward distant peaks

‘Come Thou Fount’ is an old hymn found in many church hymnals and even sung occasionally in churches today. Written in 1757 by Robert Robinson, a Methodist minister at the time, it was reflection of his life in the past and would prove true again in his future years. Robinson was uncontrollable as a child and teenager after his father died when he was only eight years old. That all changed when he and his friends attended a George Whitefield meeting to heckled him, but the Lord had other plans and he was converted through Whitefield’s preaching. Writing the hymn just two years after his conversion his past wanderings were fresh in his mind. In his later years he wandered between several denominations in his pastorate and was known to be unhappy and prone to wander.

There is not a Christian alive today who has never wandered. Not you. Not me. We are all prone to wander away from the Lord. Some of us are neglecting prayer and Bible reading. Some are absent in the gathering of the saints for worship. Some of us are indifferent to the needs of others. There are some of us who are caught up in some sin, and others who turned a blind eye in not helping such a one only to repeat the matter. These may be harsh words, but the Bible says, “All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own.” (Is.53:6 nlt)

Although we wander, we have a Savior who has His eye on us, going after us and bringing us back into the fold. In Jesus’ parable of the lost sheep, Jesus says, “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost?” (Mt.18:12 nlt) Our Lord will not leave you abandoned in your season of wandering.

If you have wandered from the Lord and think there is no way back you are wrong. He is searching for you. Those nudges you are sensing are from the Lord. The uncomfortable feelings you are having as well as those well-timed words from a friend are also from the Lord. Pray with the psalmist in Psalm 119, “I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come and find me, for I have not forgotten your commands.” And then sing, “Here’s my heart, oh, take and seal it, Seal it for Thy courts above.”

Devotionals

God Rested, so should we                  

Loring Schultz

“So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.” Genesis 2:1-3

Photo by Oxana Lyashenko on Unsplash

Unfortunately there are people who have no trouble resting. In fact they rest every chance they get whether they need to or not. This devotion is not for them although if you are one of them this may be for you. God resting on the seventh day set a pattern for us to follow. Our bodies are not equipped to go non-stop seven days a week for very long. The Lord knew this when He created us. Hard work is commendable and it is rewarded by our Lord to rest one day out of seven.

There are times when this is not always possible. No one understands this better than me working in retail for forty-five years. I am sure you can place yourself in your line of work of certain times and seasons where mandatory overtime is required, but rest assure (no pun intended) the Lord knows about it. The important thing is to make time when appropriate to rest and spend some quiet moments with the Lord.

It is not only those in the workforce who need to follow this pattern of rest that the Lord has given us, but to all those who are in volunteer work and especially those who are raising children and maintaining a home. The Lord values our lives in this world and desires to see us joyful and effective in our responsibilities and that requires resting our bodies and filling our souls with His presence. Christians have no good excuse for not following God’s pattern of rest for our lives. God will help us find the rest we need if we make a serious attempt to find it and ask Him for help in the process.

Devotionals

Signs from Heaven

Loring Schultz

Read: 1 Samuel 10:1-16 ESV – Saul Anointed King – Then Samuel took a – Bible Gateway

“ And this shall be the sign to you that the LORD has anointed you to be prince over his heritage…….Now when these signs meet you, do what your hand finds to do, for God is with you.” 1 Samuel 10:1, 7 ESV

An elder pours water over a kneeling man's head before gathered witnesses

Saul, Israel’s first king, did not have an exceptional resume for the job. He was from the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest of the twelve tribes, and his family was the smallest in that smallest tribe. Saul worked on his father’s farm. He was not one to seek the limelight and did not particularly have an interest in spiritual things of God. His best and only feature was his height. Saul fit the bill of what the people were looking for in their first king. They wanted someone who could go out and fight their battles for them. Saul was a big and tall strong man who looked like a king from the other nations which the people also desired. God granted their wish and had Samuel anoint Saul as their king.

Saul, himself, was the last person who thought he should have been Israel’s first king. He felt unqualified. The Lord knew this and gave Saul signs through the prophet Samuel that this is God’s will and he would be king over Israel, God’s people. The Lord gave Saul a series of three signs to confirm that he was chosen to be king, verses 2-7 in the text for today. Assurance was given to Saul for him to continue with no hesitation. This was God’s will.

You may be feeling the call of God to a particular ministry, or job, or any number of things and you feel unqualified. But be assured of this, if the call is real, a call of God, you will know. He will give you signs without you asking for them. They will just show up. You will become more confident with each sign that comes and soon you will find yourself taking that step. It also works the other way too. No signs means no call, or signs may lead you to see it is not what God wants for you just now. Pray for wisdom and discernment during these times. The Lord will always answer with signs from heaven.    

Devotionals

Believe What You Don’t Understand

Loring Schultz

Read: John 16:16-30 NLT – Sadness Will Be Turned to Joy – “In a – Bible Gateway

‘“In a little while you won’t see me anymore. But a little while after that, you will see me again.’ Some of the disciples asked each other, ‘What does he mean when he says, In a little while you won’t see me, but then you will see me, and I am going to the Father? And what does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand.”’ John 16:16-18 NLT

Photo by wisconsinpictures on Unsplash

Jesus’ disciples had a challenging time understanding what He was teaching them. I guess it would be fair to say we wouldn’t either. Jesus had spent three years with these men and was ready to leave them. Here in today’s text Jesus was summarizing the events which would take place in a few days from all He had taught them. Jesus told them plainly what was going to occur when they arrived in Jerusalem for the Passover but it didn’t register with them. To be fair, maybe it didn’t register with them because it seemed impossible. Each time Jesus told His disciples that He would be handed over as a criminal and be killed He always told them of His rising up in three days. But it was still hard for them to understand.

The disciples begin to understand as Jesus says He had been speaking to them figuratively. Then He said to them, “Yes, I came from the Father into the world, and now I will leave the world and return to the Father.” (Jn.16:28 nlt) This is a reference of Jesus’ ascension into heaven after he is raised from the dead. They finally got it. The disciples believed Jesus is the Son of God who came from the Father. They may not have understood everything, but they knew enough that Jesus is God who had come into the world to save sinners.

You may be struggling to understand all there is to know about Jesus and God the Father. God’s salvation plan may sound far fetched in its simplicity that it doesn’t register with you. But it is that simple. “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (Jn.3:16 nlt) Believe what you don’t understand.

Devotionals

Setting Our Prayers as Incense before the Lord      

Loring Schultz

“Let my prayer be set before You as incense, The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” Psalm 141:2 NKJV

“Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.” (Revelation 5:8 NKJV

Photo by Anup Ghag on Unsplash

The burning of incense in the Old Testament is a symbolism of prayers being raised up to God. These were mostly associated with the daily sacrifices that were made at the Tabernacle and later in the Temple. Aaron was instructed early in the Israelites wandering in the desert to burn these incenses daily. “Aaron shall burn on it sweet incense every morning; when he tends the lamps, he shall burn incense on it. And when Aaron lights the lamps at twilight, he shall burn incense on it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations.” (Ex.30:7-8 nkjv) The book of Revelation speaks of incense as the prayers of the saints in the text above. (Rev.5:8)

King David in one of his prayers of lament asks that his prayer would be lifted up as incense burning daily on the altar. (Ps.141:2) It was not only this prayer that David had in mind but that all his prayers would be an ongoing flow of incense reaching up to heaven. David then lifted up his hands symbolizing praising God as the priests who raised their hands upward to the Lord at the evening sacrifice.

How about our prayers? Can we say our prayers will be among those in the golden bowls of the saints? This should convict us to examine our prayer life. Some of us may need to move on from the ‘five minutes and out the door’ prayer. I will say that it is not the length of our prayers that matters but the attitude and the way we approach God knowing who it is we are speaking to. A holy God. David took his prayers seriously as to a holy God and so should we.

Devotionals

Do Not Fear; ‘Be still, and know that I am God!’

Loring Schultz

“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” Psalm 46:10 NLT

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

There has always been conflicts and war between the nations of the world since the days of the Old Testament. Our world is broken and is suffering the consequences of sin. War is one of those consequences. It is inevitable that skirmishes will result when sinful people are in disagreement with each other. Not being held in check, these disagreements eventually lead to outbursts of anger, violence toward your adversary, and eventually war between nations.

The world today in 2026 is experiencing war on several fronts. Ukraine and Russia are at war since the Russians invaded Ukraine in February 2022. The United States has been at war with Iran over its desire to have a nuclear weapon and the Middle East is still on edge since the terrorists group Hamas invaded and struck Israel three years ago this Wednesday October 7, 2023. Wars today as they were in Bible times are still going on and will continue to go on until Jesus rules on the earth in the millennial kingdom. So what are we to do in the meantime, in these days of war, ‘do not fear.’

The Lord God declares something that is extremely important for us to understand in our day. The Lord says in Psalm 46, “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” (nlt) God wants us to know that He alone is God and to be still, trusting Him, and not to fear. The day is coming when every nation will honor the Lord, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, the United States, China, Iran, North and South Korea, and every other nation on the planet. The Lord God will also be honored throughout the entire world by every person when Christ rules in His kingdom.

So let us take heart and not fear trusting God that He indeed is God. Better days are ahead, and wars will cease. Let us also pray for those caught in the war zones of these troubling times. May we pray for peace and safety and for courage and wisdom for the governmental leaders. Most of all pray for God’s Word to go out bringing comfort to all through Jesus Christ our Lord.