Devotionals – Page 3 – Word for the Soul

Hard Working Shepherds

February 20, 2026February 19, 2026 Loring Schultz

“Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, ‘You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.’ And in another place, ‘Those who work deserve their pay!’”1 Timothy 5:17-18 NLT

The word ‘shepherd’ is used often to describe elders in the church but always to distinguish pastors. A pastor is the shepherd of the flock, the congregation. He excels in leadership, preaching, and teaching. While all elders help in leading, preaching and teaching, the lead elder is the pastor, the head shepherd. Paul had a few things to say about head shepherds in his first letter to Timothy.

First of all he said elders (shepherds) who do their work well are to be respected. Some translations use the term ‘worthy of double honor’ which means ‘a valuing by which the price is fixed.’ In other words as in the NLT Paul says secondly they should be paid well. This is especially true for those who work hard (toil) to a point of weariness and exhaustion. They are worthy of double honor.

A pastor’s (shepherd’s) main responsibility can be narrowed down to three things. They are to feed the sheep, love the sheep, and protect the sheep. All the hard work a pastor does day in and day out will fall under one of these three categories, and it can become exhausting. A true shepherd is committed to the health and welfare of the sheep under his care. The Lord, the ultimate head shepherd, assigns a pastor to the sheep pen He desires to place him.

May each of us be aware of the tremendous responsibility given to our pastors from the Lord in feeding, loving, and protecting us through all the hard work of preaching and teaching they do and remember that they are worthy of double honor.

Devotionals

Assured of Victory

February 19, 2026February 17, 2026 Loring Schultz

Read: Revelation 21:1-8 NLT – The New Jerusalem – Then I saw a new – Bible Gateway

“All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.” Revelation 21:7 NLT

“For ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.’” Romans 10:13 NLT

How can one be assured of victory? I think if we’re all honest with each other we should all agree none of us humanly speaking can be assured of victory. Recent disappointments in the 2026 Winter Olympic games have proven this to be true. Top world athletes found themselves falling victim to what was once referred to as ‘the agony of defeat.’ All revved up and ready to go after years of practice and keeping their bodies in shape failed when a slight slip or two resulted in not making it to the podium.

Failing to achieve victory in this life is a minor inconvenience compared to failing to stand on the podium in heaven having been assured victory in Christ. In Christ we all can be assured of victory. It has nothing to do with how hard we train in doing good works but everything to do with what Christ has done for us on the cross. The apostle Paul tells us that, “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” (Ro.10:13 nlt) You can count on that because it is the truth of God’s Word.

Victory is ours through Jesus Christ. All each of us need to do is repent of our sin and accept Him as Lord and Savior. But failure to do so in this life will result in the most tragic of all defeats. “For everyone has sinned; (even a little slip) we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” (Ro.3:23 nlt) Don’t be left off the podium when there is still time to be assured of victory.

Devotionals

Lent 2026: Near the Cross

February 18, 2026February 16, 2026 Loring Schultz

“He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right.” 1 Peter 2:24 NLT

Today marks the beginning of Lent for Christians around the world. It is a period of reflection for many preparing for the Easter season starting on Palm Sunday, the beginning Holy Week, and ending Easter Sunday, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. For some people this time also includes a period of prayer and fasting. There is a desire to give up or refrain from something during this time as a sacrifice to draw closer to God. Many also engage in extended Bible reading or dive into a book to help them grow spiritually during the Lenten season. There are many other activities people participate in to bring them into a deeper relationship with Christ during these next few weeks.

I would encourage you to seek out something that works for you to draw closer to Christ this Easter. It’s important to remember this is not must-do-activity because it is the Lenten season, it is a must-do to grow in Christ as we should be doing daily. We get no extra points or crowns in heaven because we observed Lent by sacrificing our favorite foods, etc. but we will grow in Christ, love Him more, and have a deeper relationship with Him when our focus is on Him and not ourselves.

Whatever you decide to do this year, if anything, let me suggest having your focus on the cross. It is the centerpiece of the season with the resurrection as the climax and grand finale.

In the words of Fanny J. Crosby,

“Near the cross, a trembling soul, Love and mercy found me; There the bright and Morning Star Sheds its beams around me.”

“Near the cross! O Lamb of God, Bring its scenes before me; Help me walk from day to day, With its shadows o’er me.”

“In the cross, in the cross, Be my glory ever; Till my raptured soul shall find Rest beyond the river.”

Devotionals

God’s Guiding Light Through the Wilderness

February 17, 2026February 17, 2026 Loring Schultz

“The Israelites left Succoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness. The LORD went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or by night. And the LORD did not remove the pillar of cloud or pillar of fire from its place in front of the people.” Exodus 13:20-22 NLT

Wilderness wandering can cause you to lose focus. Managing to think and see clearly in a valley of overwhelming frustration seems impossible. All of us find ourselves in a wilderness at some point in our lives. Not only is our vision blurry, but there seems to be no exit ramp to brighter days.

The children of Israel were just released into brighter days after 400 years in bondage by the Egyptians. The Lord promised He would guide them as they moved from Succoth and on to Etham by a cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night. After a miraculous escape through the parting of the Red Sea they found themselves on their way to Mt. Sinai. The cloud and pillar of fire never left them and soon they would need them more than ever. (Neh.9:19)

Israel soon found themselves wandering in the wilderness for 40 years after disobeying God in failing to enter the Promised Land when first presented to them. That generation would never see that exit ramp to brighter days again, but it will appear to their children. During those 40 years in the wilderness the Lord still led them and provided for them. The cloud and pillar of fire remained. The future generation saw God’s faithfulness as He led them through the wilderness and eventually into the Promised Land.

Whatever your wilderness journey is, the Lord is there to guide you through it. You may not have a physical cloud or a fire at night as Israel had, but what you have is the same assurance they had of the immediate presence of God. The Lord guided Israel into the Promised Land and He will guide you through your wilderness into the brighter days ahead.

Devotionals

Your Comforts Delight My Soul

February 16, 2026February 15, 2026 Loring Schultz

Read: Psalm 94 NKJV – God the Refuge of the Righteous – O – Bible Gateway

“In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.” Psalm 94:19 NKJV

Interpretation of the word ‘soul’ varies both in its modern usage and in the Bible. The Hebrew writer as in the text above sees ‘soul’ as his very self, his living being, desire, emotion, and passion. In our modern-day language, the palmist means his complete being, who he is including his inner self. The use of ‘soul’ in the New Testament is ‘breath or breath of life’ also as in the Old Testament includes feelings, desires, affections, but most notably the soul is designed for eternal life not dissolved by death but lives on.

The psalmist writes during his days in the midst of injustice being done to the weak and defenseless, “In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delights my soul.” (Ps.94:19 nkjv) The wrongs were being committed by arrogant and evil people who were in authority. When he saw the murders of the innocent and orphans, and heard their arrogant and boastful speech, the Hebrew writer’s soul was filled with anxiety. He describes it as a multitude of anxieties that keep piling up in an evil society and the psalmist reaches out to the Lord to comfort him during these times. (Ps.94:12-16) The Lord’s help comes, “Unless the LORD had helped me, I would soon have settled in the silence of the grave.” (Ps.94:17 nlt)

You may be under uncontrollable stress and anxiety this day. You are not alone. Many people suffer from increased anxiety from everyday pressure in the current times in which we live, even Christians. This is not a new development for God to handle. He has had a lot of experience in providing comfort to souls. If your total being, your soul, has had anxieties building up within you it’s time to have your soul comforted by the Lord God. It will be a delight.

Devotionals

Family Obligations within the Church

February 13, 2026February 12, 2026 Loring Schultz

“If a woman who is a believer has relatives who are widows, she must take care of them and not put the responsibility on the church. Then the church can care for the widows who are truly alone.” 1 Timothy 5:16 NLT

You have heard it said, ‘the church is a family’ and that it is. We have families within the church so we have families within a family, sounds confusing. Then there are some people who view the church as their only family and that is true as well. When it comes to helping those in need within the church family where does the responsibility lie. It lies with every true child of God to see to it that proper care is being administered through the guidance found in scripture.

In last week’s devotional entitled ‘True Faith’ we noted Paul saying that ‘those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers.’ (1 Tim.5:8 nlt) All Christians are responsible to care for their family, especially their immediate family. The church as a family has an obligation to care for its family members but not quite in the same way. Paul gives us an example of this concerning widows in the church. He addresses women in the church who have relatives who are widows to care for them. This could also be said of men in the church. Widows who have families able to provide for them should be under their care. The church then is able to better provide for those widows whose only family is the church.

When the church as a family follows the teaching of scripture in all areas of life, we can better serve our individual families and our church family. The church as a family will be able to also care for needs of those in the community in which we live. This is something our Lord wants us to do. “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’” (Mt.25:37-40 nlt)

Devotionals

Our confident hope of salvation

February 12, 2026February 12, 2026 Loring Schultz

Read: Romans 5:1-5 NLT – Faith Brings Joy – Therefore, since we – Bible Gateway

“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

Our faith in Christ should give us joy. A part of that joy are the problems we run into with those who do not know the Lord. The criticism, ridicule, and sometimes persecution is a joyful experience. I don’t mean outward happiness like having a great day, but an inner joy that only comes through knowing Christ. Being the subject of mockery or being persecuted does not make for a happy experience and when it comes upon us it’s OK not to be happy.

Paul, the apostle, explains we can have joy and rejoice when problems and trials occur. In verse 2 of Romans 5 Paul says with confidence and joy we look forward to sharing God’s glory with others as we live the Christian life. But, along with that will come the backlash from those who wish to inflict trials on us. Paul also says not to worry because problems and trials develop endurance and with endurance comes strength of character. Now here’s the best part, ‘character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.’

Two things to observe here: 1. Being ridiculed and persecuted for your Christian faith is proof of authentic faith in Christ, and 2. We have the confident hope the glory of our salvation will be realized in eternity one day. “And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.” (Ro.8:17-18 nlt)

Devotionals

Break me, then bind me up

February 11, 2026February 10, 2026 Loring Schultz

“Abase me to self-loathing and self-abhorrence, Open in me a fount of penitential tears, Break me, then bind me up; Thus will my heart be a prepared dwelling for my God.” (1)

How many of us hate sin? Think it through before you answer. Yes, it disgusts us to see the devils footprint on this world and cry out against it every day, but do we see our own sin the same way? If we’re honest with ourselves we often find our sin as not that bad. Often it is repeated because God will forgive us until the next time and the time after that, and it continues on and on. Does our sin disgust us that we cry out against it every day?

In a devotion entitled ‘The Great God’ from the Puritan prayers and devotions, ‘The Valley of Vision’ the author writes, “Abase me to self-loathing and self-abhorrence.” He is asking to be humbled to feel intense hatred for his sins. He asks, to “Open in me a fount of penitential tears” to be able to repent authentically. But here is where the rubber meets the road, the author writes, “Break me, then bind me up.” He needs to be broken by the hand of God in order to see the true consequences of his sin knowing that God will also bind him up making him whole again.

We may flirt with sin thinking it is no big deal but a little deal. Big or little it is abhorrent and loathing to God and should be to us. If it’s not, perhaps we need to be broken. Broken to the point through penitent tears that we see our sin as vile as the evil in the world around us. Then we can say with the author, “Thus will my heart be a prepared dwelling for my God.”

(1) Bennett, Arthur The Valley of Vision. East Peoria: Versa Press, 2023. Pg. 6

Photo by Shiona Das on Unsplash

Devotionals

God loves a cheerful giver

February 10, 2026February 8, 2026 Loring Schultz

“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV

“Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15 ESV

Many are the opportunities to give financially to charitable and non-profit organizations. These organizations are established to help those in need due to emergencies, such as natural disasters, a major health crisis, homelessness, addictions, mental health issues, among other humanitarian needs. There are also organizations set up to provide funding for environmental concerns, the advancement of the Arts and Sciences, as well as the protection of animals. Those who contribute do so out of a compassionate heart towards the cause and the desire to help people during difficult times.

Most of the time the heart is open to give and to give generously when it is a cause one is deeply committed to. When one’s life has been touched by the same circumstances as those now in need it becomes personal and being able to emotionally relate is a big factor in understanding the need.

Paul, the apostle, in encouraging the Corinthian church to give stated it this way, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Cor. 9:7 esv) For causes we are deeply concerned about, it is not out of reluctance or a guilt feeling that we give, but we give from the heart as we have decided to do. Paul was reminding the church at Corinth that they had started a collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem some time ago, but had not completed what they started. For some reason the giving had stopped. It is unclear as to the reason, but what is known is the desire of the Corinthians to support the poor in Jerusalem from the outset. (2 Cor. 8:10-11) They needed encouraging to finish the work.

Paul gives the perfect example of freely giving from the heart as he closes his treatise on giving. “Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” (2 Cor. 9:15 esv) God gave His Son Jesus, who paid the ultimate price for us. It has been said, “God is the first giver.” He decided in His heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God is a cheerful giver. Give what you have decided in your heart and encourage others to do the same, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Devotionals

Daily Bible Reading: Your Guide Through Uncertainty

February 9, 2026February 8, 2026 Loring Schultz

“The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.” Psalm 119:130 NKJV

When entering a dark room, the first thing we do is turn on a light. If we enter a room we haven’t been in before, we search for the light switch using the limited light illuminating from outside the room. In either case, when the room has light, we can now move around and conduct our business.

There are many dark rooms we enter in life. Some are daily decisions to be made and others major decisions made only occasionally in our lifetime. All have the uncertainty in the shadow of what’s ahead. If only there was no shadow at all with enough light to enter, we would be confident we’re making the right move.

The Psalmist wrote, ‘The entrance (or unfolding) of Your words gives light.’ The Bible contains everything we need to know in making those decisions of uncertainty. We need light to shine through the shadows of both the daily decisions and the life changing ones. Seeing that we make decisions daily, it stands to reason, the light always needs to be on. Daily reading of Scripture is a must for every Christian if we are to be in His will and make the right decisions.

Our Lord will not abandon us to make our own decisions without His guidance and for that we should be thankful. He has given us His Word in clarity so that all could obey it. The Psalmist also wrote, ‘It gives understanding to the simple,’ and that means all of us. God’s Word is the light which illuminates our ability to understand His message to us, most importantly for salvation, but also for those decisions to be made in the shadows of a dark room.