Category: Devotionals

Devotionals

Hope, Tribulation, and Prayer  

Loring Schultz

Read: Romans 12:9-21 ESV – Marks of the True Christian – Let love – Bible Gateway

“rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,” Romans 12:12 NASB

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The Bible has many key verses that are remembered and memorized by individuals to grab on to and hold for certain needs as they arise. Romans 12:12 is one example. “rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer. “ (nasb)  This verse is often referenced in doing a word search on prayer, which is what led me to this verse this week. Being devoted to prayer should not only be during our times of struggle but always being in prayer daily.

But I got to think about the other two words. A biblical word search of ‘hope’ and ‘tribulation’ will also lead you to this verse along with several others. Paul, the author of Romans, says Christians should be rejoicing in hope. There is much to be joyful for. Despite the pain and suffering in the world affecting all people, Christians and non-Christians alike, there is a blessed hope for all who know Christ as savior. We can rejoice knowing the assurance of Jesus’ return and in our redemption from sin from His work on the cross.

Being patient in tribulation may be a little hard to do. Tribulation is a scary word. Other translations use the word ‘trouble’ or ‘affliction’ for ‘tribulation.’ It may soften the blow a little, but not much. The Greek word that is used here means, “a pressing, pressure, anything which burdens the spirit.” No matter how you look at it, being patient when you have any kind of trouble pressing down on you requires help from the Holy Spirit. And Christians have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them, another hope (a certainty) to rejoice in.

If we are devoted to prayer in our daily lives we will grow in our relationship with the Lord. If we are devoted to prayer our hope in Christ will be realized. If we are devoted to prayer we will feel the Holy Spirit working in our lives through every trial and tribulation. Let us start with being devoted to prayer.

Devotionals

Restoration: A Dream Come True

Loring Schultz

Read: Psalm 126 NLT – Psalm 126 – A song for pilgrims – Bible Gateway

“When the LORD brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream!” Psalm 126:1 NLT

 Photo by Alvaro Naranjo on Unsplash

True restoration is only realized when one is truly broken. Brokenness shows itself in various ways. The most common form of brokenness among all of us who breathe is in personal relationships. Here again, these show themselves through various means and circumstances. The longing for a relationship to be restored at times seems an impossibility, but when it occurs is a dream come true. Restorations do occur in accordance with God’s will and timing.

The nation Israel was restored to their land after seventy years of captivity in Babylon due to their gross sin against God. Although it was prophesized that they would return, it all seemed like a dream to them when it happened. They almost couldn’t believe it. Psalm 126 is a song of joy for the restoration of Israel to the land. The psalmist wrote that they were filled with laughter and sang for joy. The surrounding nations joined them in acknowledging the amazing things God had done for them. They asked the Lord to restore their fortunes by planting their seeds in tears, but they will rejoice in the harvest to come once again.

God is in the restoration business. No one is more broken than a sinner separated from God because of their sin. We were born with a sin nature, making us all broken and in need of restoration to God. With God being in the restoration business, He made it possible for each of us to be restored to Him through the blood of Christ on the cross of Calvary. There is nothing we could ever do to make things right with God. It is only through our acceptance of Christ as our savior. We can rejoice with the broken people of Isarel in their restoration to their land and our salvation through Christ’s sacrifice for us as we accept Him. A dream come true.

Devotionals

An Opportune Time       

Loring Schultz

Read: Luke 4:1-13 NIV – Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness – Bible Gateway

“When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.” Luke 4:13 NIV

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A familiar story in the New Testament of the Bible is the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. Notably the devil offered up three temptations that are recorded in Scripture. It can be assumed that these were the only temptations the devil threw at Jesus but can we be sure. In our text today in Luke 4:2 it says, ‘where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.’ (niv) That language in all translations points to on-going temptations throughout the forty days. We are not told what the temptations were, but they were there. At the end of the forty days Scripture records that Jesus was hungry having fasted the entire time and Satan saw an opportune time to employ a few more temptations on Jesus.

The evil one tempts us at our weakness moments. Jesus was tempted in His weakest physical moment when wandering in the wilderness for forty days and not eating. At the completion of the forty days the first recorded temptation by Satan was “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” (Lk.4:3 niv) Certainly a weak moment for Jesus. His answer, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’” (Lk.4:4 niv) Jesus resisted the temptation at His weakness moment. At the conclusion of the last two temptations Scripture tells us the devil left him until an opportune time.

Satan did not give up on Jesus but looked for another opportunity to tempt Him or trap Him through the schemes of the Pharisees. As Satan waited for an opportune time to tempt Jesus, he waits for just the right time to tempt us, usually in our weakest moment. We need to have our guard up at all times. The devil will not give up. He will wait for the weakest moment. Peter warns us “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1Pt.5:8 niv) Don’t give the devil an opportune time.

Devotionals

Need a quick reply?

Loring Schultz

“Then when you call, the LORD will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.” Isaiah 58:9 NLT

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Today’s devotional is light-hearted with an experience I’m sure a lot of us go through. There are times when we need an immediate answer. Urgent matters required a quick response. But what about needing a quick response that is not critical, but only to your timetable. It can be frustrating waiting for an answer or getting the run around as your request for service gets passed around only to wind up back where you started. Yes, our time is precious and valuable, and we don’t want to waste it, but living in an imperfect world we are going to have delays and needless waste of time can be expected.

I experienced such an incident this week. With an already full daily schedule, a scheduled appointment for a quick fix at the car dealership turned out to more than a quick fix but not fixed at all. I got caught up between two car dealerships and a third-party service provider as to who will fix it. I’m not complaining (really,) the problem will be resolved, but I was frustrated with the amount of extra time I spent reaching out to the other parties. Living in a day when communication is so much faster it sure took me a long time to finally convince Chatbot that I needed to speak to a representative. Chatbot wasn’t programmed for this unique dilemma.

What a comfort it is to know that when we call upon God, He will answer and quickly. To be fair to Chatbot, it answered quickly, but only had programed answers for the most common problems, not my unusual circumstance. God has all the answers all the time, and He needs no reprogramming or updates. He is the original programmer of all things, and He is quick to reply.  

Devotionals

Be careful not to pick up stones

Loring Schultz

Read: John 8:1-11 NLT – A Woman Caught in Adultery – Jesus – Bible Gateway

“They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, ‘All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!’” John 8:7 NLT

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The story of a woman caught in adultery recorded in John’s gospel is a very familiar one with Christians and non-Christians alike. It reveals the hypocrisy of certain religious leaders and those who assumed the role of being one up on everyone else on morality. The main point made by many is Jesus’s words, “let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” Admittedly there is not one of us who is able to throw that first stone, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” (Rom.3:23 nlt) That lesson should be applied to every Christian in our daily walk in the world in which we live. But there is also another point that lies underneath the surface of the immediate that reveals the foundation for that exchange with Jesus.

The law in which the accusers wanted evoked would have been the Old Testament law of adultery. But certain facts of the case were not presented in their entirety as only one of the participants was presented. This didn’t seem to bother those who brought the woman for their own interpretation of God’s law. The fact is they weren’t as pious towards the carrying out the law as they were about trying to set up a trap for Jesus. They cared nothing about the law, but only the response from the one who came as a fulfillment of the law.

The religious leaders brought to Jesus a woman, minus the man, caught in the act of adultery. Their intent was to corner Jesus into deciding on whether or not to stone her according to the Law. Jesus essentially ignored them knowing of their deception. If He agreed to stone her, Jesus would be looked upon as having no forgiveness or compassion. If He did not comply with the Law it would appear Jesus was not who He said He was, the Son of God. They did not give up but kept on asking Him. They wanted Jesus to answer them either way to discredit Him. Jesus was interfering with their authority and their way of life.

There are those today who view Jesus as interfering with their authority and their lives. They demand an answer to the laws they perceive as right and just in their own eyes. They view the commands of God found in scripture as irrelevant today. They have gathered stones in their hands and are willing to throw the first stone, believing they have no sin. But tragically their aim is at God and His Word for interfering with their way of life. Be careful not to pick up stones.

Devotionals

Our Unchangeable God 

Loring Schultz

Read: Malachi 3:6-18 NLT – A Call to Repentance – “I am the – Bible Gateway

“I am the LORD, and I do not change.” Malachi 3:6 NLT

Photo by Engin Akyurt on Pexels.com

Aren’t you glad we have an unchangeable God? Just think how many times a day you change your mind. Sometimes when we change our minds it doesn’t work out so well. Ask yourself, have I ever changed my mind towards God? If you did, how did that work out, or are you still working it out? We never need to worry about God changing His mind towards us, because He never will. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and He doesn’t change His mind.

The Lord God was calling His people Israel to repentance through the prophet Malachi. They had sinned against Him countless times. Israel would repent and turn back to God. God would forgive them but they would again change their minds and go back to their old ways. Sounds a lot like us in our day. God did not give up on His people Israel and He doesn’t give up on us either. God’s forgiveness is always available when we confess our sins and repent, because our God doesn’t change His mind.

God’s forgiveness, grace, and mercy is the same as it was for Adam and Eve in the garden when they first sinned. His plan of salvation for sinners has not changed, and every one of us should be eternally grateful for that. God’s Son Jesus Christ is still the only way of salvation and eternal life with the Father. (Jn.14:6) The way of salvation is through Christ alone by faith alone. “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.” (Ro.10:9-10 nlt) It’s still the same way today, no additions and no subtractions, for we have an unchangeable God.

Devotionals

Fate of the Unsaved at Jesus’ Return  

Loring Schultz

Read: 2 Thessalonians 1:3-10 NLT – Encouragement during Persecution – Dear – Bible Gateway

“They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power.” 2 Thessalonians 1:9 NLT

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Christians around the world anxiously await the return of Jesus Christ. As sin runs its course and persecution is on the rise the thought of Christ’s return is a blessed hope for all believers. The apostle Paul writing to the church at Thessalonica encourages them of that future day as they were beginning to face persecution. He also commends them for their faithfulness and endurance in their persecution. Paul says God will use this persecution to show His justice and to make the church ready for His kingdom. “In his justice he will pay back those who persecute you.” (2Thess.1:6 nlt)

This brings us to the other side of the coin. While Christians look forward to the return of Christ and the blessings it brings, the unsaved in this world have no such hope or blessings that come with it. Paul lays out in graphic detail the fate of those without Christ when He returns. “And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power.” (2Thess.1:7-9 nlt)

Ignoring God and refusing to recognize Him and His plan of salvation through His Son Jesus has fatal consequences. Should one be alive at the return of Christ and have not accepted Him, this will be your fate. If you pass into eternity before His return, your fate is the same, judgment with eternal destruction, not annihilation, but forever separated from God in hell. The return of Christ will be a glorious day to be sure, but not all will find it glorious. You don’t need to be one of those on that day. While there’s still time. accept Jesus as your personal savior before it’s too late.

Devotionals

Fight the Good Fight     

Loring Schultz

“This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience.” 1 Timothy 1:18-19 NASB

Photo by Kristin Snippe on Unsplash

All Christian believers are in a fight whether we like it or not. You may say, I’m not a fighter, but that is beside the point. If you stand for Jesus you’re in a fight. This is not something new in our day but has been the case since the early days of  the New Testament church. Christians throughout the centuries have been battling Satan and his demons. Satan is not giving up in case you haven’t noticed but he is in full attack mode as he sees the end of his days approaching.

The Lord God does not leave defenseless in this spiritual battle. He has given instructions through the writings of Paul such as in Ephesians chapter 6 where it says, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” (6:11 nasb) The best part of this fight is we only need to stand, but to ‘stand firm.’ We are to put the battle armor on to fight the good fight by standing firm. Paul encouraged Timothy to fight the good fight with holding to the truth (keeping the faith) and living a pure life (a good conscience). Satan is a liar hating the truth and certainly despises one who is living a pure godly life. So be aware, Satan’s eye is on us too.

Notice Paul said it was a ‘command’ to ‘fight the good fight.’ Timothy didn’t have a choice, and neither do we. Let us stand firm and fight the good fight.

“This is the lesson: never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never-in nothing, great or small, large or petty-never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.” Winston Churchill

Devotionals

Don’t Give Up               

Loring Schultz

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” Galatians 6:9 NLT

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Have you ever reached a point in your life when you throw up your hands and say, ‘why bother?’ You obey the law, except perhaps going over the speed limit, you’re kind to your neighbors sharing what the Lord has blessed you with, you volunteer for community projects, and you give to the poor. After a while you experience unsettling times when you sense your efforts are underappreciated or not recognized at all. On top of that, you don’t see anywhere your goodness has made a difference. Indeed, it can be unsettling. Paul has some advice for us ‘don’t give up.’

As the farmer waits patiently through the hot summer months until autumn to reap his crop, so must we be patient and not give up.. Our heavenly Father is the master gardener and we are His workers in His field. Our main job is to constantly plant seed, do good works as unto the Lord allowing Him to nurture our efforts by watering the ground and providing abundant sunshine to produce a bountiful crop. Some of our efforts may fall on hard stoney ground and never have the chance to sink in and make a difference. That shouldn’t stop us from doing good. We are to faithful and give it to the Lord.

It can be frustrating not seeing results from our work and not being appreciated, but we are not doing it for ourselves but for the Lord. His command to us is to love God with all our hearts and our neighbors as ourselves. And remember Paul’s advice, “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” So, don’t give up!

Devotionals

Hypocrisy   

Loring Schultz

“Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed or hidden that will not be known. Therefore, whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.” Luke 12:1-3 ESV

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The Pharisees of the New Testament were hypocrites. Said one thing and done another- especially when it came to religious things. They were quick to enforce the Law on others while not living within the Law themselves when it came to the love of God and loving their neighbor. Perhaps you can relate as you think of a few modern-day Pharisees you might know. Jesus told His disciples to be beware of the leaven (evil and corruption) of the Pharisees. Jesus called it hypocrisy.

Sadly, hypocrisy is alive and well in the Christian community today. A quick glance at any social media platform and you will see the fruit of hypocrisy. Modern-day Pharisees post their rant, which may be true and biblical, but is posted in a negative light to prompt a jarring response. Some of these same people then get caught participating in or supporting what they ranted about. Needless to say, social media lights up and is eager to expose the hypocrisy. Now to be fair, this happens to non-Christians alike, but the push back on Christians is relentless and it may be warranted. The sad truth is one’s reputation is ruined. You are now a hypocrite. Your voice has been silenced.

Every day on social media we witness Jesus’ words play out, “Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed or hidden that will not be known. Therefore, whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.” (Lk.12:2-3 esv) Those things whispered in our private rooms have a way of making it up to the rooftops, or shall we say the internet. Here’s a social media guideline for all of us to follow, “And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” (Col.3:17 nlt)