Category: Devotionals

Devotionals

Truth Thrown to the Ground    

Loring Schultz

Read: Daniel 8:9-14 NIV – Out of one of them came another horn, – Bible Gateway

“Because of rebellion, the LORD’s people and the daily sacrifice were given over to it. It prospered in everything it did, and truth was thrown to the ground.” Daniel 8:12 NIV

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Interpretation of Biblical prophecy is not a subject to take lightly but should be taken it very seriously. Much of Biblical prophecy is hard to understand and explain, but not all of it. God has spelled out future events for us to understand to the best of our ability with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. With that being said, there are many interpretations of Scripture concerning the end times among some of the most gifted scholars and theologians throughout history. Are some right and others wrong? How about you, are you right, are you wrong? The debate goes on.

God gave us the Bible, to understand. If we cannot understand what he wrote to us, then what is the benefit of having it? I concede, not every Christian understands everything in Scripture, but there is enough we can understand with the Spirit’s help. Daniel’s visions of prophecy sound too confusing to comprehend, but that may not always be the case if we think them through. Today’s short reading in Daniel chapter 8 predicts the persecution of the Jews in the second half of the second century B.C. from Antiochus IV the ruler of the Seleucid kingdom. Antiochus’ actions included destroying copies of Scripture and entering the most Holy Place sacrificing pigs on the altar. Some see similarities to antichrist in the last days of the tribulation. This could be true.

What do you know for sure? Daniel 8:12 says, ‘truth was thrown to the ground.’ We know in those last days, as is the case today, the truth of God’s Word will be denied. Christians will be persecuted during the tribulation as they are today, a false god will be worshiped, and truth will be thrown to the ground. So, don’t worry if you don’t understand it all. Rejoice in what you know.

Devotionals

Rejoicing in Our Problems

Loring Schultz

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.” Romans 5:3-4 NLT

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There isn’t anyone alive who hasn’t faced problems during their lifetime. We all face problems or if you prefer to call them trials and tribulations or sufferings and afflictions, we all have them. Probably not too many of us can say we have rejoiced during those unforgettable periods of our life. Perhaps even fewer could say it was beneficial going through that trial. But there are always benefits of any trial we go through, even if we fail or refuse to see and acknowledge them. God’s hand is involved in all things in this world and that includes our individual lives. He will work it out for good. (Ro.8:28)

The apostle Paul says we can rejoice during our problems and trials. He is one who is qualified to make such a statement for he had his fair share of problems in his life. First Paul says our problems help us develop endurance. We learn to endure, holding fast in our situation if we don’t give up. This develops strength, both physically and in our character. Professional athletes face times when endurance is essential to get them to the next level or overcoming a rehabilitating injury. Our newly developed character is just what we need to get us through and what others need as they witness our strength in character despite our circumstances. This character strengthens our hope in God, and the confident hope of our salvation through Christ.

Suffering, trials, and all sorts of problems are not what we look forward to in life. But they come to all of us when we least expect it. After the initial shock wears off, look to the Lord God for His purpose in it, and rejoice that He has your best interest at heart. It is only then you can look forward to developing endurance, strength of character, and a confident hope in the God of your salvation. And be ready to share your rejoicing with others.

Devotionals

Standing for the Truth of the Gospel  

Loring Schultz

“For we cannot oppose the truth, but must always stand for the truth.” 2 Corinthians 13:8 NLT

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There is a saying, I admit, that I often use. “The truth is somewhere in the middle.” I use it because in most cases it turns out to be true. Take any news story today which has two sides to it as they report it. It lands somewhere in the middle of the two reported stories. Each reporter and/or advocate slant their bias towards their version of the truth, usually a half-truth. They are partially true, but when the whole truth is revealed, their half-truth turns out not to be true. Still, some people hold on to their perspective of the truth even though it is flawed and misleading. This may seem harmless and a just a matter of opinion, but in a life-or-death situation this will be disastrous.

The apostle Paul was adamant of the truth, especially when it came to the truth of the gospel. They are no half-truths in the gospel. The truth is Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (Jn.14:6 nlt) That is the whole truth revealed. Those who sugar coat the gospel with charitable deeds, being a good person, obeying the law, being kind to others, and tolerate of other religions who claim alternative ways to heaven and eternal life are doing more than spreading half-truths, but propagating a false gospel. A life-or-death situation cannot succumb to half-truths.

Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, “For we cannot oppose the truth, but must always stand for the truth.” (2Cor.13:8 nlt) Paul made sure the Corinthians knew he was always speaking the truth in everything he taught them. Even when he was reprimanding them, it was always the truth. Paul did not mince words to sound less forceful. They needed to hear what Paul was telling them for their own good. We are not doing any favors to those who do not know the true way of salvation by sugar coating the gospel with half-truths. It this case, ‘the truth is never somewhere in the middle.’

Devotionals

Does God Dwell Within You?  

Loring Schultz

“But will God really dwell on earth with humans? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built.” 2 Chronicles 6:18 NIV

Photo BLB ESV Global Study Bible

King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, couldn’t come to terms that God who created the heavens and earth could possibly show Himself and dwell in the Temple he had built. The universe is not big enough for God to dwell in, let alone Solomon’s Temple. But God did manifest Himself showing His presence in the Temple. He chose to be with His people as they came to offer sacrifices and worship Him.

Christians today find it just as hard to accept the living God, the creator of the universe, can live inside us through the Holy Spirit once we have accepted Christ as savior. But Scripture is clear that is the case. John, the apostle writes, “This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.” (1Jn.4:13 niv) And Paul in writing to the church in Corinth encouraged them by saying, “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” (1Cor.3:16 niv) The God of the universe dwells in every believer.

If you find that hard to believe, just take it by faith because it is true. The closer you get to God in your private time with Him through prayer and reading His Word you’ll begin to know it is true. He is with you and desires to be with you. Solomon marveled how God could be present in the huge, magnificent Temple of his day. We marvel today that our bodies are called the Temple of the Holy Spirit and God dwells within us. What a comfort that should be when we take it by faith, and may we live accordingly.  

Devotionals

Wholesome Words         

Loring Schultz

Read: Ephesians 4:17-32 NASB – The Christian’s Walk – So I say this, – Bible Gateway

“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29 NASB

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It isn’t often or ever that the same daily Bible verse appears on my desk calendar and the Bible app on my phone. So was the case a couple of days ago. I’m not one to read too much into these occurrences accepting them as a coincidence. But I’m also not one to not take a second look. Although I’m persuaded God was not giving me a sign, I am convinced He leads me in my writing through daily verses of Scripture and daily experiences in my life. Today’s verse is a good one.

In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he addresses the ‘Christian’s Walk’ in chapter four. He encourages them not to walk as they did before coming to know Christ, but to put on their new nature. He tells them to stop lying, and not to be angry. Paul continues and instructs them not to steal, and to make sure they are working for a living. He then gets to the part where he tells them, “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” (Eph.4:29 nasb)

This may be the most important instruction he gives. Paul is saying that our speech should serve as edification to those around us. Careless words slip out so easily causing a lot of hurt feelings. Instead of building others up, we tear them down with our unwholesome words. When we hurt others, we grieve the Holy Spirit. Paul wraps it up by saying, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.” (Eph.4:30-31 nasb) We can only do this with wholesome words.

Devotionals

Court will Convene

Loring Schultz

“‘But the court will convene for judgment, and his dominion will be taken away, annihilated and destroyed forever.” Daniel 7:26 NASB

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Interest in apocalyptic literature has increased over the years. It took a massive jump in the 20th century and seems about ready to reach its peak, but that is speculation on my part. What is certain; we are living in unprecedented times. A massive technological explosion only matched by the increase in greed, violence, government corruption, persecution, and outright distain for God puts us on a track where there seems to be no return. The world, under the influence of the evil one, is heading in that direction.

As horrific as the current and future events are for this world, we can rest assured God is still in control. In the end God will make all things right. Perfect justice will be administered. In fact, the court room is being prepared, and it may not be long before the court is in session. Satan’s hold on this world will end. The prophet Daniel recalls in one of his visions, “‘But the court will convene for judgment and his dominion will be taken away, annihilated and destroyed forever.” (Dan.7:26 nasb)

As Christians we can rejoice in God’s judgement and rejoice even more for His saving grace sparing us from His judgement against sin. (except for the grace of God go I) People are curious about ‘the end of the world’ as they say. We may not understand all that is going to occur in those future days, but we can tell those with inquiring minds what we are certain of, God’s salvation plan. God sent His Son, Jesus, to redeem us from God’s judgment of sin by putting that sin and judgment on Himself. Accepting what Jesus has done for us guarantees us an eternal home with Him. Another fact we are certain of is this; Jesus will return, and His court will convene. Satan’s dominion will be destroyed forever. Tell what we know.

Devotionals

Is there anything you wouldn’t do?    

Loring Schultz

Read: John 13:3-20 NASB – Jesus, knowing that the Father had – Bible Gateway

“If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” John 13:14 NASB

FreeBibleimages.org

On the night Jesus was betrayed, He taught us the meaning of servanthood. Jesus was celebrating the Passover for the last time with His disciples before His crucifixion. When no one took the initiative to do what was customary in that day, to wash the feet of those entering the home, Jesus responded. His twelve disciples never gave it a thought, it wasn’t their home, but a room granted them for the occasion. It was the servant’s job of the home to perform this duty. Since it wasn’t their home and they weren’t servants, the disciples inferred, not my job. But the Lord showed them, it was their job, it’s our job.

Pride, indifference, laziness, lack of urgency, and unawareness are all factors in reasoning, not my job. Paying more attention to ourselves than to those around us causes us not to see peoples’ needs that are right in front of us. How many times have you said to yourself, ‘someone should do something about this?’ and then pass it by. Yes, maybe it’s none of your business, but if it’s needed or urgent and the right thing to do within reason, we should do it. There is also a tendency to assume that some jobs are just beneath us, and we wouldn’t want to be seen doing them. Jesus washed the disciples’ dirty feet. All the disciples saw it, John wrote about it, and we read it. All the world now knows, and it was done to teach us all.

So, is there anything you wouldn’t do as a courtesy or to help someone in need? Outside of it being shady or illegal, there shouldn’t be. May we follow Jesus’ example and take up jobs that aren’t our jobs, but in realty are our jobs. Happy serving!

Devotionals

Do you have a story to tell?      

Loring Schultz

Read: Psalm 66 NLT – Psalm 66 – For the choir director: A – Bible Gateway

“Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me.” Psalm 66:16 NLT

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Psalm 66 is a psalm of praise for God’s answer to prayer. It is a psalm of both national deliverance and individual deliverance. The psalmist and the nation have been saved from their enemies. The whole earth is encouraged to shout joyful praises to God for His awesome deeds. (Ps.66:1-4) All of us are invited to “Come and see what our God has done, what awesome miracles he performs for people!” (Ps.66:5 nlt) The psalmist has a story to tell.

The story is told of God dividing the Red Sea making a pathway for His children to escape from their enemies on dry ground. This same God continues to rule the nations today and they are advised not to rebel against Him. Again, the psalmist encourages praise, “Let the whole world bless our God and loudly sing his praises. Our lives are in his hands.” (Ps.66:8-9 nlt)

The psalmist testifies of the trouble both he and the nation have gone through. Not unlike our troubles today. It is described as going through flood and fire, but not without God’s knowledge and His purposes. In the end the Lord brings us out to a place of great abundance. This causes the psalmist to say, “Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me.” (Ps.66:16 nlt) He has a story to tell.

How about you? Do you have a story to encourage someone today? What has God delivered you from that can help one who is struggling with the same thing? It could be something big or something small, it doesn’t matter. Sometimes small things cause us the most heartache. Share how the Lord delivered you from them, and how He answers prayer. We all have a story to tell. It’s time to be a storyteller.  

Devotionals

Not Your Father’s Temple        

Loring Schultz

“But many of the older priests, Levites, and other leaders who had seen the first Temple wept aloud when they saw the new Temple’s foundation.” Ezra 3:12 NLT

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

The older some people get, the more they long for the ‘good old days.’ Of course, not everyone does this, but most of us like to at least reminisce about a time in the past. Our minds may recall the past perfectly, especially those with significant meaning attached to them. The sights and sounds of those events are etched forever in our mind. Trying to recreate those special moments sometimes work out, but other times they fail to capture what it once was. These sad occurrences often happen when we go back to a place that has changed due to our carelessness, mismanagement, or our outright sin.

The older folks from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin experienced a super letdown when the foundation was laid for the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple. After seventy years of captivity, the Jewish people were allowed to return to their homeland with the purpose of rebuilding the Temple that was destroyed and to reestablish worship with God. The original Temple that was destroyed was Solomon’s Temple with its magnificent splendor in structure, size, and beautiful ornamental arrangements. It was a sight to behold. The destruction of the Temple along with the people being taken captive were due to their continued disobedience to the Lord God. But God in His faithfulness promised they would return after seventy years to the place from where they were taken. They would rebuild and worship God once again in Jerusalem, but it would no longer be the same.

You may be at a place in your life where God has restored you after a period of bad times. You may be back in fellowship with Him, but you keep going back to those ‘good old days.’ Perhaps it’s regret or guilt you just can’t seem to shake, or the bitterness you refuse to let go of. Whatever the case is, know that God is making all things new. “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?” (Is.43:19 nlt) The Lord forgives us of our past sins and will restore us as we confess and repent. He puts us a new path looking forward to His future blessings. Rejoice God hasn’t forgotten you and see His leading to something new as you wipe away the tears from your eyes.

Devotionals

You Can’t Stay Mad at God Forever            

Loring Schultz

Read: Job 22:21-30 NLT – “Submit to God, and you will have – Bible Gateway

“Submit to God, and you will have peace; then things will go well for you. Listen to his instructions and store them in your heart. If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored—so clean up your life.” Job 22:21-23 NLT

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If you’re a Christian, you can’t stay mad at God forever. Let me rephrase that. If you’re truly a Christian, you can’t stay mad at God and not have it affect your life. It’s impossible. The disconnect between you and your creator who had you in mind before time began leads to a life of confusion, bitterness, and loneliness. He made you and chose you for a relationship with Him, and now you’re mad at Him. God may not be mad at you, but disappointed you blame Him for the state you are in. If you want that relationship restored, you can’t stay mad at God forever.

The book of Job is an interesting book. Job, through no fault of his own, lost everything that mattered to him, even his health, except for his wife. He had three friends who tried to console him but only accused him of sinning before God. Their solution was to confess, repent, and his troubles would go away. The only problem was, Job hadn’t sinned. Although they failed to recognize Job’s true character, their advice was good if it was warranted. Take Eliphaz’s third response to Job in chapter 22. All good advice. Too bad it was wasted on a man who couldn’t use it.

Though Job couldn’t use Eliphaz’s advice, we can. Seeing your life unraveled by the choices you’ve made, it’s easy to want to put the blame on someone else. After all, it couldn’t be you. Ultimately, you conclude that it must be God. So, you blame Him. Why would He let this happen? You are mad, and your life is miserable. It’s time to not be mad at God anymore.

If we submit to God, returning to Him and listen to His instructions we will be restored. “Then you will take delight in the Almighty and look up to God. You will pray to him, and he will hear you, and you will fulfill your vows to him. You will succeed in whatever you choose to do, and light will shine on the road ahead of you.” (Job 22:26-28 nlt) Not bad advice for one who needs it. Don’t stay mad at God. You can’t do it!