Devotionals – Page 30 – Word for the Soul

The Day is Coming

October 7, 2025October 6, 2025 Loring Schultz

“O Zion, messenger of good news, shout from the mountaintops! Shout it louder, O Jerusalem. Shout, and do not be afraid. Tell the towns of Judah, ‘Your God is coming!’ Yes, the Sovereign LORD is coming in power. He will rule with a powerful arm.” Isaiah 40:9-10 NLT

Two years today, October 7, 2023, the nation of Israel was savagely attacked by the terrorist group Hamas. 1,195 people were brutally murdered and 251 innocent victims were taken hostage by heavily armed and trained killers. 45 of the hostages have died during their captivity and as of this date 48 remain held in Gaza by Hamas. The world is closer today of seeing this tragedy end than any time during the last two years. But the problem with negotiating an end to the war is Hamas continues to push their ultimate goal of getting rid of every Jewish person in the land of Israel, even though they won’t admit it. It’s hard to reach a compromise when one party won’t be satisfied until you’re dead.

The day is coming when there will be total peace in Israel, all of the Middle East, and the entire world. The prophet Isaiah spoke to the Jewish people of that future day. He specifically said, ‘Your God is coming!’ Jesus, the Messiah, came the first time to save His people from their sins, and He is returning a second time to rule on the earth from Jerusalem restoring all of Israel’s land to its full God ordained boundaries. All of Isarel today wants peace and will negotiate in the spirit of achieving it and we pray to that end. But the day is coming when Hamas and those who hate Israel will be eliminated. Christ will rule and Israel will have their entire land and the peace to go with it.

So, in the meantime, what should Bible believing Christians be doing. First of all, we should always be praying for the peace of Jerusalem. (Ps.122:6) Second, we should be praying for the salvation of the Jewish people by recognizing and accepting Jesus Christ as their Messiah who has come to save them. And third, we should live godly lives before the entire world as we wait for our Lord’s return, because we do not know when that day is coming!

Devotionals

Tell the Truth

October 6, 2025October 4, 2025 Loring Schultz

“But Paul said, ‘I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I utter words of sober truth.’” Acts 26:25 NASB

When I was a young boy there were certain times I was afraid to tell the truth. These occasions were associated with something I had said or done wrong and telling the truth would have dire consequences for me in the form of punishment. Making up a good story was not an option; my parents would never buy it. They would know I wasn’t telling the truth. So out came the truth with the consequences of punishment along with it.

Today, many years later, telling the truth can still have consequences for me although not due to the same circumstances. The apostle Paul in his defense of the gospel said, “I am not out of my mind…….but I utter words of sober truth.” Today if we preach Jesus Christ, the true gospel message, even using His words we are sometimes accused of being irrational or “out of our minds.” We are accused of being insensitive, offensive, and narrow minded.

One very important point to remember is that we are not making up a good story, we are telling a good story, the Greatest Story ever to be told. And we are commanded by Jesus Himself to tell the story (Mt.28:19-20.) Yes, there may be consequences, but Jesus promised never to leave us or forsake us (Heb.13:5.) Let us not be afraid of the consequences, let us not be afraid to ‘Tell the Truth!’

Devotionals

A Trustworthy Statement

October 3, 2025October 1, 2025 Loring Schultz

“It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.” 1 Tim.1:15 nasb

What makes a statement trustworthy? Well, for one thing, consider the source. Our modern-day news sources have us searching across the internet to a verify a breaking news story. When news outlets are trustworthy, this is unnecessary. It would nice to have the assurance the news we consume every day is trustworthy.

Having accurate information is important in our day-to-day lives- but crucially important for our souls after this life. The church in Ephesus had trustworthy statements they could count on through previous teaching from Paul establishing sound doctrine. These statements were common knowledge to the people if they had paid attention to the apostle’s teaching. Paul uses the term, ‘a trustworthy statement’ in his letter to Timothy. In fact Paul uses it five times in his Pastoral Epistles, and it is found in no other place in the New Testament.

The trustworthy statement is, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” (1Tim.1:15 nasb) Just eight simple words to explain the most vital life-or-death breaking news story ever, and we can count on it. It comes from the most reliable trusted news source in history, the Holy Spirit speaking through the apostle Paul. No need to fact check or search other sources. The Lord God can be trusted.

So, what have you done with this breaking news? Don’t put it off another day. This news story will not be updated. It will not change. Don’t look for an updated version of this news. You have all the information you need to make your decision. So, what will it be? It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance.

Devotionals

Answer the Call

October 2, 2025October 1, 2025 Loring Schultz

Read: Luke 5:27-32 NLT – Jesus Calls Levi (Matthew) – Later, as – Bible Gateway

“Later, as Jesus left the town, he saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow me and be my disciple,’ Jesus said to him. So Levi got up, left everything, and followed him.” Luke 5:27-28 NLT

Cell phones are a target for every scammer looking to deceive and make a quick dollar. The block call list on our phones grows with the amount of scam calls or pesky fundraiser calls we receive daily. For clarification, I’m not against fundraising, it’s just those repeated pesky calls. It is only natural we secure our phones and block certain numbers from potential scam artists. A typical reaction when seeing an unwelcomed call is, ‘Oh no, not again’ and we quickly delete and block it. But there may be some calls that are annoying that you should answer, in fact you need to answer.

Levi, a tax collector in Jesus’ day, answered such a call. Tax collectors were the most hated people in first century Palestine. They scammed people by charging an excess amount over what was owed to the Roman government and put the money in their own pockets. What made it worse was a fellow Jew sitting in the tax booth. Levi, no doubt, heard of Jesus. He may have been one who had said, ‘Oh no, here He comes again!’ Levi may have blocked Jesus out of his mind, but there He was again around his tax booth. One day Jesus called him, and Levi answered the call.

Now Scripture doesn’t inform us how many times Levi was in the vicinity of Jesus’ teaching. Levi may have just heard of Jesus, but he was beginning to take it in, and when the call came he answered it. You could be in a similar situation. You have heard about Jesus through various resources. You may have friends who shared the gospel with you. However, you say, ‘Oh no, not again,’ and you’re about to block them once again, but there’s a hesitation in doing so. It’s the Holy Spirit who is working in you and wants you to answer the call. So, answer the call. It’s not a scam!

Devotionals

Repetitiveness of Proverbs

October 1, 2025September 30, 2025 Loring Schultz

“For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold.” Proverbs 3:14 NLT

“My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold, my wages better than sterling silver!” Proverbs 8:19 NLT

Did you ever wonder why so many verses in the book of Proverbs are often repeated. I have. My first thought was, obviously they’re important enough to be repeated. Along with that, some people don’t get it the first time, yours truly included, therefore the repetition. The book of Proverbs is an Old Testament book all about wisdom. Many subjects are repeated more than once indicating their importance. One such subject among the repetitive verses speak of the value of wisdom over money.

In Proverbs chapter 8, ‘wisdom’ is personified, a poetic device used to help us understand and relate, especially in contrasting ‘wisdom’ and ‘folly.’ Wisdom says that her gifts or fruit are better than gold. She produces higher wages than we can ever earn from a Fortune 500 company. It is true that wisdom helps and guides us into a position to make a nice living, but that is not the point here. The point here is simple, to have wisdom is to enjoy all the fruit, benefits, and wages it produces in our lives. It is more profitable than sliver and gold as described in Proverbs 3:14 above.

If you seek wisdom from its foundation in the “Fear of the LORD” (Pr.9:10 nlt) and follow its leading you will have all you need to function in life. Your assets no matter how much or how little will be better than gold along with the wisdom you have obtained from the Lord.

One final thought from ‘wisdom’, “Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it.” (Pr.8:10-11 nlt)

Devotionals

Jesus Came in Peace

September 30, 2025October 1, 2025 Loring Schultz

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Zechariah 9:9 ESV

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Are you at peace? Whatever your situation in life might be at this moment, are you at peace? It is hard to be at peace in certain situations such as in the loss of a loved one or caring for a loved one with a terminal disease or going through a severe illness yourself. Perhaps you are going though marital problems, family instability, or a financial crisis. Name your own crisis at this time of your life. It doesn’t matter what it is. It is in these times that our faith in the Lord is tested if we’re trusting Him that His peace, which surpasses all understanding, is still there. It is. I know at times it may not feel like it is not there, but it is.

Every Easter season on Palm Sunday we celebrate Jesus’ Triumphant entry into Jerusalem, at the beginning of Passion week. Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem was prophesied by Zechariah in his Old Testament prophetic book. “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (Zech.9:9 esv) There is a very important point we do not want to miss here. Jesus rode into Jerusalem ‘mounted on a donkey.’ A donkey is a lowly animal of peace. Jesus came in peace, to provide peace, peace which surpasses all understanding.

Since Jesus came in peace to give us everlasting peace by saving us from our sins and guaranteeing eternal life, there are no gaps in His peace towards us once we have been saved and are born again to new life. Jesus’ peace is always with us. He is always with us. Trust Him in your time of crisis to show you His peace. “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil.4:7 esv)

Devotionals

Hope for Restoration

September 29, 2025September 27, 2025 Loring Schultz

“Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days. The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses. Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy! Say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.’” Isaiah 35:1-2a, 4 NLT

There is an abundant need for restoration in our world today. Relationships in broken families need to be restored. Broken marriages need healing returning to health, strength, and stability. Incarcerated individuals need restoration while in prison and when released back into society. Those who have fallen into addiction of drugs, alcohol, pornography, or gambling are in dire need of restoration. Most governments around the globe have fallen far from the original intent of the law. Societal ills are the major cause of broken relationships, crime, addictions, and corrupt governments. And sin is the cause of all our societal ills including each of us who are estranged from God. But there is hope, hope for restoration.

The prophet Isaiah writes about a future day of restoration for the nation of Israel and the world during the Millennium period when Christ will rule on the earth. There will be no societal ills to worry about, no addictions, broken families, or corrupt governments. “Say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.’” (Is. 35:4 NLT) It is a comfort to know all will be restored in the future, but what about now you may say, where is my hope for restoration?

Our hope for restoration in the here and now begins with the forgiveness of sins as we confessed them to God. “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” (1 Jn. 1:9 NLT) Paul writes in 2 Corinthians, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (5:17 NLT) As a new person in Christ the Holy Spirit comes upon you to assist in your struggles within your family, your temptations, and your addictions. (1 Cor. 6:19)

God is in the business of restoration, so there is your hope for restoration. “Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days. The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses. Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy!” (Is. 35:1-2a NLT)

Devotionals

The Law is intended for the lawless *

September 26, 2025September 23, 2025 Loring Schultz

Read: 1 Timothy 1:8-11 NLT – We know that the law is good when used – Bible Gateway

“For the law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy.” 1 Timothy 1:9 NLT

We have heard others say, ‘I have kept the Ten Commandments.’ Really? I will not go into how this is an utterly ridiculous statement except to say there is no one who has ever kept all Ten Commandments. If you find that hard to believe, just look in the mirror. Sorry! There are many laws spread out throughout the Old Testament the Jewish people were to observe. The leading Jewish rulers counted 613 of them. If people have a hard time obeying 10, I think it is safe to say that 613 is out of reach for even the noblest people.

Since none of us are able to keep the Law then what is the purpose for the Law? The Law was meant to show us just that point. None of us are capable of obeying it. The Law was meant to show us our sin and make us realize we need a savior. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (Ro.3:23) As Chuck Swindoll says, ‘the Law is intended for the lawless.’*

Christ Jesus came not to abolish the Law or the teaching of the prophets but to fulfill it. (Mt.5:17) He is the only one capable of obeying the entire Law. By Christ’s death on the cross for our sins, rising up and defeating death, He accomplished what was needed for our salvation. “We know that the law is good when used correctly.” (1Tim.1:8 nlt) but it won’t save us, because we can’t keep it, and that is why Christ came to save sinners.

Devotionals

What have you discarded?

September 25, 2025September 23, 2025 Loring Schultz

Read: Philippians 3:5-11 NLT – I was circumcised when I was eight days – Bible Gateway

“Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.” Philippians 3:8 NLT

The apostle Paul in his letter to the church at Philippi was expressing the value of knowing Christ in chapter 3. Paul noted all of his accomplishments starting with his pedigree as a true Jew. “I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one!” (Phil.3:5 nlt) He then went on to declare his membership as a Pharisee, those who knew and kept the strictest of Jewish Laws. Paul was on top of the Pharisaical ladder and so zealous for the Law that he persecuted all who went against it, especially Christians. But Paul gave it all up for the sake of knowing Christ, by stating, “I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.” (Phil.3:7 nlt)

This passage deals with those, as Paul, who thought self-righteousness, doing good deeds, obeying manmade laws in religion is the way to God. Paul realized it wasn’t the way. He needed to get rid of all his self-made rules, his piousness, and his self-accomplishments which he now considers worthless. Paul needed to discard all the garbage he was counting on for salvation. Christ Jesus has done it all for him and all Paul needed to do was to accept this by faith. “I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.” (Phil.3:9 nlt)

So, how about you? What are you counting on to get you to heaven? It’s time to discard those fruitless efforts and rely on the only true way to heaven, faith in Jesus. Paul calls them garbage, and so they are. Time to take out the garbage!

Devotionals

Something to Talk About

September 24, 2025September 22, 2025 Loring Schultz

Read: Luke 16:19-31 NIV – The Rich Man and Lazarus – “There was – Bible Gateway

“In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’” Luke 16:23-24 NIV

In presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ some advocate not mentioning ‘hell’ in fear of turning away people. Unfortunately even pastors in some of our most prominent churches will not preach on hell for the same reason. They would rather preach on the love of Jesus and for us to follow Jesus’ teaching on love, and well we should, but Jesus also taught about ‘hell.’ Jesus talked about hell to warn us the consequences of rejecting Him and the sacrifice He made for us on the cross of calvary.

Jesus tells a story found in the New Testament book of Luke about a rich man and the poor man, Lazarus. Most scholars consider this story one of Jesus’ parables, but if it is a parable, it is the only one He tells with an actual name of an individual. In any case, Jesus is clearly referring to hell in this story.

The rich man had all the comforts life could offer. He was rich, had fine clothing, and plenty of food, life was good. Lazarus was a poor beggar with sores covering his body. He would crave to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. One living in luxury and the other in dire poverty. Jesus says, “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.” (Lk.16:22-23 niv) Lazarus and the rich man both died physically, but their souls live on. Lazarus is in comfort at Abraham’s side while the rich man is suffering in torment.

Don’t miss the point here. The rich man isn’t in hell because he was rich, but because he rejected God and His plan for salvation. Lazarus isn’t alongside Abraham because he was poor in life, but because he accepted God’s plan of salvation. Jesus is confirming there are two destinations for each one of us when we die, heaven or hell. Jesus came to save us from the torments of hell if we put our trust in Him for salvation. Jesus felt it was important enough and something to talk about. We should too!