Category: Devotionals

Devotionals

Daniel Prays for His People

Loring Schultz

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

“Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.” Daniel 9:3 ESV

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Believe it or not, one of the hardest things for Christians to do is to pray. You may be one who believes it from your own experience. Finding the right words to say either in a group or in private holds some people back. Others fear they’re not worthy enough to address God, or He wouldn’t hear anyway. Still others haven’t built that relationship with Him as His children where He welcomes us to simply talk with Him. Scripture has given us several models of prayer to follow for our help, the most notable is Jesus’ example in the Lord’s prayer. The prophet Daniel gives us his exemplary prayer in Daniel chapter 9 to follow.

Daniel’s prayer consists of six elements all to be considered when giving serious thought in wanting to improve our prayer life. He realized Judah’s seventy years of captivity was about to end and petitioned the Lord on behalf of his people. Daniel’s preparation and his prayer shows his reverence for the Lord God. May we take advantage of this prayer to enrich our own prayer life. That’s why it’s there!

  1. Humility – v.3, Daniel fasted and covered himself with sackcloth and ashes. (we can skip the sackcloth and ashes)
  2. Worship – v.4, ‘O Lord, the great and awesome God’
  3. Identified with the people – v.5, ‘we have sinned and done wrong’ 
  4. Confession – v.5-15, ‘To us, O LORD, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you.’
  5. Petition – v.16-18, ‘O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake’
  6. God’s Glory – v.19, ‘O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.’
Devotionals

Get Wisdom         

Loring Schultz

“The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” Proverbs 4:7 NIV

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The most important thing you can receive in this life is not wisdom; it is the Lord God. Having a relationship with God and accepting His Son, Jesus Christ, as your personal savior is the only real thing that matters in this life. What you do you with Jesus in this life will determine your destiny after this life is over. It is vital, and it is urgent, because we do not know what tomorrow will bring.

So, where does wisdom place on the top ten list of most important things to receive in this life. I believe it’s number two. First, you can’t achieved wisdom without God. The wisdom book of Proverbs starts in chapter 1 by saying, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.” (Pr.1:7 niv) The word ‘fear’ is not one of fright or terror, but a reverential awe of the Lord God Almighty. We recognize who He is as creator of the universe, who created us with a mind, soul, and spirit to have a relationship with Him, and we stand in awe. Any wisdom we obtain comes from God.

The Lord God has given all mankind the ability to think and reason as we are made in the image of a personal God. But wisdom and understanding are vastly different from the natural abilities that God has given everyone. All of us are born with a sin nature clouding our perspective and reasoning, especially accessing right from wrong. Some of the most brilliant educators, scientists, doctors, financers, mathematicians, poets, and all who have done great work in their fields of expertise lack true wisdom and knowledge that is only available in God. True wisdom and knowledge are only available when one knows God and is in awe of Him.

So, how do we get wisdom? ‘The fear of LORD is the beginning of knowledge.’

Devotionals

God’s Boundary Stone

Loring Schultz

“Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors.” Proverbs 22:28 NIV

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In the Old Testament book of the Law Deuteronomy, Moses lays out the laws of landmark. “Do not move your neighbor’s boundary stone set up by your predecessors in the inheritance you receive in the land the LORD your God is giving you to possess.” (Dt.19:14 niv) Boundary markers were set to establish and secure one’s property. Moving the property line to enrich yourself was a serious crime. This law became necessary, especially to widows who had no defense in their times of distress. King Solomon referred to this ancient law in our verse for today. The NLT translation gives us clearer understanding, “Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers set up by previous generations.” (Pr.22:28 nlt) The boundary marker was set in stone as we may say today. It was not to be moved.

God has ancient boundary markers for each of us which we are not to move. The boundaries He places around our lives are set in stone. What’s on the other side is not for us. This isn’t stealing property from your neighbor and seizing his BBQ gas grill, it’s robbing your own soul from living in righteousness by engaging with what is in the forbidden zone on the other side. God establishes boundaries in our lives to protect us and help us to grow in the fruit of the spirit.

Temptation to move the boundary stone comes to all of us at one time or another. The grass is not always greener on the other side; most likely it is dried up and barren as the prodigal son found out. (Lk.15) God put those boundaries in place to warn and protect us from harm physically and spiritually. God’s boundary stone is not to be moved. It’s there for our benefit.

Devotionals

The Pathway to Life

Loring Schultz

“People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore correction will go astray.” Proverbs 10:17 NLT

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So far this week our devotions have been taken from the wisdom of King Solomon in the book of Proverbs. The sayings of Solomon provide insight into the simple everyday things in life through the wisdom God instilled in him. Adhering to them when we come across his words will save us a lot of trouble. In fact, we may say his entire wisdom collection would be the pathway to life, and we would be correct. However, I would like to focus on one verse in particular today, Proverbs 10:17, “People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore correction will go astray.” (nlt)

Solomon is instructing us on the importance of discipline. In this verse he is not referring to the correction or discipline of children as in, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Pr.22:6 esv) Although their discipline is important, Solomon here has everyone in mind, young and old. We are never too old or too young to learn when reprimanded. Most of us have heard the saying, ‘learn from your mistakes.’ Those who do are better off for it. The same is true when rebuked by God for going after the things of this world and not His righteousness. Some of us when confronted, even though we know we are guilty, refuse to accept it and continue to go our own way. Solomon says ignoring correction will continually lead us down a road away from God and all that is right.

The pathway to life is found in the Bible, God’s Word. The pithy sayings from Solomon is a good place to start viewing life from the perspective of the wisest men who ever lived. One of the many things he said was, ‘People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life.’ Let’s take him up on that, I’m sure he’s right.

Devotionals

Under Constant Surveillance    

Loring Schultz

“For your ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all your paths.” Proverbs 5:21 NIV

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Have you ever thought about how many times you’re on camera throughout the day? Videos of you are stored on hard drives of any public place you have been to, indoors or outdoors. Not to mention, many private homes have surveillance cameras on their property for security. Law enforcement does an amazing job in piecing together videos from security cameras and personal cell phones taken from various locations to secure a timeline reel. This technology works wonders for capturing criminals but has also opened another ‘can of worms’ as they say.

We live in a world where nothing is kept secret anymore. Our lives are open for all to see whether we like it or not. If we behave ourselves there will be no embarrassing moments or be caught in the act of criminal activity to worry about. This should serve as a reminder to always be in our best behavior. But there will always be moments where we say the wrong thing, act irrationally, and just do stupid things that will be caught on video. In those moments, we need to get over it and correct any wrongs we may have done.

As sophisticated as criminal surveillance has become it can’t compare with God’s 24/7 camera located in every corner of the globe, in every country, every city, every home, and every room. Proverbs 5:21 says, “For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all your paths.” (niv) Yes, our lives open for God to see everything, whether good or bad. Just as in the world today, nothing is kept secret but remember with God nothing has ever been kept secret. I’m sure there are many embarrassing moments and sinful acts in our past, but they’re over. If we haven’t confessed them, it’s time to confess them now and move forward under the constant surveillance of God which is a good thing.

Devotionals

What’s in your heart?     

Loring Schultz

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23 NIV

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What is it that’s in your heart, I mean constantly? What do you have endless thoughts about. It could be a good thing or a bad thing. Solomon tells us what’s in our heart controls everything we do. What we think about in our mind sinks into our heart and flows out by how we live our lives. Solmon tells us above everything else we do to guard our hearts. It will determine the direction our lives take.

This is like what the apostle Paul wrote to the church a Galatia. “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” (Gal.6:7-8 niv) If our minds are constantly on the things of God our hearts will desire to please Him in all we do. We will be sowing unto righteousness, realizing our need for salvation and accepting Christ as our savior and we will reap eternal life.

It is a sure thing we will reap what we sow. With the spring planting season upon us, if you plant tomatoes in your garden you’ll get tomatoes, not corn and vice versa. Whether we sow seeds in our mind to please ourselves or to please God they will make their way down to heart and grow as we continually nurture them by our hearts desire through our actions. At the end of the season, the fruit will be evident. Everything we do will be the result of what is in our heart. So, what is it that’s in your heart. It’s not too late to dig up those seeds of destruction and plant seeds of righteousness, the things of God. I urge you, ‘Above all else, guard your heart.’

Devotionals

The Holy Beings of Heaven                        

Loring Schultz

“As Gabriel approached the place where I was standing, I became so terrified that I fell with my face to the ground……While he was speaking, I fainted and lay there with my face to the ground. But Gabriel roused me with a touch and helped me to my feet.” Daniel 8:17-18 NLT

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When you think of angels, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Is it ‘fear’? Most of us would say no. How about ‘terrified’? No, again. Would you faint at their voice? Probably not. But the prophet Daniel experienced all three all three of these as the angel Gabriel approached him to give the interpretation his vision concerning future events. The fact that Daniel in his righteous and moral character would react this way in seeing one of God’s angels emphasizes the deep chasm between earthly beings and the holy beings of heaven.  

The magnificent splendor of these heavenly beings and the reaction from earthly creatures when they meet are noted in Scripture. Zechariah, the priest, encounter the angel Gabriel one day in the Temple as he was serving before the Lord and Scripture says he was shaken and overwhelmed with fear. (Lk.1:12) Gabriel told Mary not to be afraid when he appeared before her to announce Jesus’ birth. (Lk.1:30) When Jesus was born, an angel of the Lord brought the good news first to the shepherds, and they too were terrified. “Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified.” (Lk.2:9 nlt)

Not all appearances of angels in Scripture are met by fear, but their presence does emphasize the divide between heaven and earth. Holy beings of heaven separate from the world who stand before a holy God bring just a portion of His radiance on this earth. One day all of us who have accepted Christ as savior will experience that radiance for eternity with the angels.  

Devotionals

Thoughts of the World   

Loring Schultz

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV

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When it comes to spiritual matters and the things of God, the world has its endless thoughts on the truth of the matter. The world will inform us what is and what is not truth, or it will tell us it’s inside us and we will discover it by searching within ourselves. Just be yourself and love yourself. Then there are so called minsters of the gospel preaching a feel-good message of positivity and good works. The apostle Paul needed to defend his ministry against some of the same things we witness in our world today. False prophets were doing their work during Paul’s day as in ours. Paul, himself, was accused of being a false prophet and only in it for money. The thoughts about God in the world are many, and all are against the truth and His salvation message.

Paul was unrelenting in the defense of his ministry and the gospel. He stated, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2Cor.10:5 niv) Anything that slightly resembled an alternative view of the gospel pitting itself against the Lord God, Paul demolished those arguments. They cannot be allowed to stand. Paul knew those distorted thoughts about God lead to confusion and heartache. That is why he took every one of those thoughts and conformed them to Christ.

Christians today need to rally behind Paul’s example of boldness in demolishing the false narratives of God in our culture. Sitting silent on the sidelines while the world is scoring points does not advance the kingdom of God. The Lord has given us all we need to inform the world of the truth, His Word, the Bible. It’s time we use it boldly to explain the truth about God.  

Devotionals

You, the preacher!          

Loring Schultz

Read: Romans 10:9-15 NLT – If you openly declare that Jesus is – Bible Gateway

“How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” Romans 10:14 NKJV

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The Christian church has local congregations of all sizes. We have mega churches with thousands of members within their building and satellite locations. Mid-size churches with a few hundred people seems to be norm, at least in the United States. Then you have very small congregations with a hundred people or less. Whatever the size of the church, most pastors take on more responsibilities than are necessary but try to tell them that! Their efforts are commendable, and we appreciate their service, but there are times when we, the congregates, need to step up mostly in some of our smaller churches. You may have heard it said, the pastor can’t do everything. That’s true, he can’t.

One main area a pastor needs our help is presenting the gospel message to others. You are probably thinking, ‘well isn’t that his job.’ Well, yes, it is, but it is also our job. We’re fed the word of God each week through sound teaching to equip us to go out and do the Lord’s work. A major part of that work is to tell others about Jesus Christ. Paul, writing in Romans, is explaining the very important and simple way of salvation, “For Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” (Ro.10:13 nlt) but then he adds, “But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him?” (Ro.10:14 nlt) So, how are they going to hear about the one who is offering salvation? They need a preacher, not ‘the preacher,’ as in a better translation, “And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?” (Ro.10:14b nlt) That someone is you and me, along with our pastor.

No, the pastor can’t do everything. So, may we be willing, energetic, and enthusiastic in sharing the gospel with others. Then let us help him set up the tables and chairs for the family fellowship and maybe mow the lawn.  

Devotionals

Procrastination; it’s not time yet

Loring Schultz

“This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: The people are saying, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD.’” Haggai 1:2 NLT

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To procrastinate is to put off doing something until later. Unless it’s for a good reason, procrastination could be disastrous even deadly. When knowing there is a need and we do not respond looking out for our interests first, a callous attitude towards others and the things of God will quickly develop. We’ll start making excuses and getting very astute in them. Soon it becomes all about us and only if we have time then we will help others and seek what God has for us to do for Him.

The returning exiles in Judah had gone back to their land after seventy years of captivity and were to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. They encountered some push back from people who had settled in the land and soon the work stopped. Over time the work of rebuilding God’s Temple was no longer important to them, but building their own homes and neighborhoods were. People started saying that it wasn’t time yet to get back to work. Perhaps the hostilities were still there, or we still have work to do securing our homes and farmland, or the economy may not be strong enough to support the effort, were likely excuses to procrastinate. The actual reason was they were selfish and did not care about the things of God.

As Christians when a need arises that the Lord God is directing our hands to the work, may we not procrastinate and say ‘it’s not time yet’ for I have things to do first. God knows our responsibilities and He will not direct us to a work we have no time for or incapable to perform. When the Lord calls, it is always time.