Category: Devotionals

Devotionals

Love Your Enemies

Loring Schultz

Read: Luke 6:27-36 NLT – Love for Enemies – “But to you who – Bible Gateway

“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you.” Luke 6:27 NLT

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The word ‘love’ is being tossed around so flippantly in our day that it is losing its meaning. Culturally and politically, it is used to ensure a safe place where love brings everyone together across all lines of ethnicity, religion, political affiliation, race, and gender. This indeed works until it is found out that one does not agree with certain issues, then they are ostracized for their opinions or beliefs. What was to bring people is now separating them causing division. Love only works for some people when it is their definition of love, and you agree with them. The banished ones still strive to love those now disassociating with them, but it is to no avail.

You may have been or are now at the receiving end of such hostility for your opinions and your belief in Scripture. It is during these times that we look again to the Bible at some references of love. The ultimate definition of love is to sacrifice your life for others. “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” (Ro.5:8 nlt) The God of heaven sacrificed His Son Jesus, who willingly went to the cross for us defining the true meaning of love.

Again, “This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. We love each other because he loved us first.” (1Jn.4:10, 19 nlt) God first loved us enabling us to love Him and others. We are incapable of loving others outside of Christ. Which means we can love those who hate us, and look down on us, or as Jesus would say ‘we could love our enemies.’ Don’t be fooled by the world’s shallow definition of love. Give our enemies the opportunity to experience the true love of God through our actions towards them despite their feelings towards us.

Devotionals

Submissive to God’s Will         

Loring Schultz

Read: Daniel 3:8-30 NLT – But some of the astrologers went to the – Bible Gateway

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you.’” Daniel 3:16 NLT

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The well-known Bible story of the three Hebrew boys thrown into the fiery furnace is applicable for all Christians today. Really?! The familiar names of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego not only have a ring to them, but they represent all Christians living in a pagan society. They held positions of rank in the Babylonian government, were under the king’s rule, but they were also followers of the Lord their God, the God of Israel. Christians today hold jobs in a secular pagan society, are under the authority of the government, and we are followers of Jesus Christ.

The government of Babylon, King Nebuchadnezzar, issued an order for all people within the boundaries of the empire to bow down and worship the golden image he had erected. Bowing down would be recognizing the gods of Babylon and the king as a god by being obedient to the order given. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego when called before the king for not bowing did not need to think it over, but told King Nebuchadnezzar they didn’t need to defend themselves. Their actions were intentional. Their minds were made up, and they would not bow but rested on the Lord their God to deliver them from the king either in death or by rescuing them from the fiery flames of the furnace. They submitted to the will of God.

We may not be put in a fiery furnace situation as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, but we are beginning to see increase pressure to suppress Christianity across the world, and even in the United States. When those moments come, will we be able to be as intentional as the three Hebrew boys and be submissive to God’s will whatever it may be, or will we bow down to gods of this world.

Devotionals

Do Not Be Silent            

Loring Schultz

“It is a sin to be silent when it is your duty to protest.” Abraham Lincoln

“Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” James 4:17 NLT

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Today marks the 216th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday here in the United States. Born in a backwoods cabin in rural Kentucky, Lincoln became the 16th President of the United States during this country’s most turbulent times. Two months before Lincoln’s inauguration the first state to withdraw from the union took place paving the way for the start of the Civil War. Although Lincoln never joined a church or proclaimed association with any religion, he relied heavily on the truths of Scripture especially during his presidential years. Many of his quotes recorded for us in history stem from these truths.

Abraham Lincoln was not one to remain silent on the ills that plagued America during the mid-19th century. He is noted for saying, ‘It is a sin to be silent when it is your duty to protest.’ James wrote something similar, “Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” (Ja.4:17 nlt) President Lincoln’s greatest accomplishment was the Emancipation Proclamation that eventually ended the horror of slavery in the United States and put an end to the Civil War.

The United States still has horrors today that are afflicting the nation. Sadly, many Christians are standing on the sidelines and not engaging in the protest over evil by remaining silent. Our silence could be considered by some as agreeing with the current anti-God secular worldview. We could be considered as agreeing with the majority. Remember the majority accepted slavery in Lincoln’s time. Today, the majority accepts all kinds of evil as spelled out in God’s Word. Let us not be silent but confront the evils in our society knowing it is a sin not to do what we ought to do.

Devotionals

The Lamp of God Burns Continually

Loring Schultz

“Command the people of Israel to bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to keep the lamps burning continually. The lampstand will stand in the Tabernacle, in front of the inner curtain that shields the Ark of the Covenant. Aaron and his sons must keep the lamps burning in the LORD’s presence all night.” Exodus 27:20-21 NLT  

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When the children of Israel set out for the Promised Land under Moses’ leadership, the Lord God gave instructions in the building and maintaining the Tabernacle of God. (Ex.25-27) One of the articles inside the Holy place of the Tabernacle was the golden lampstand. It was crafted resembling an almond tree in bloom. The lampstand gave light for the priests serving in the Tabernacle, and it was to be lit at twilight and never to go out until morning.

The Lord commanded that there be a sufficient supply of olive oil on hand to keep it burning continuously. Care was taken to ensure that the olives used in providing the oil were beaten rather than crushed, for it would produce a finer quality of clearer fuel burning brighter and with less smoke. This command to provide olive oil was given to the people to ensure that the priests would be able to keep the lamps burning.

Dark storm clouds and shadows of discouragement that fill our life dim the light around us. Soon we find ourselves fumbling in the dark and losing our way. But there is no need for Christians to succumb to the darkness when we have the light. Jesus tells us, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” (Jn.8:12 nlt) The light in the Tabernacle symbolized the life-giving and light-giving power of God. It also typified our Lord Jesus who is the true light who came into the world to save us. Those of us who know Him as savior have the light, the lamp of God that burns continually. So, no need to walk around in the dark.

Devotionals

Joy, win or lose

Loring Schultz

Read: Psalm 16 ESV – You Will Not Abandon My Soul – A Miktam – Bible Gateway

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11 ESV

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The results of NFL’s ‘Super Bowl 59’ are in as the game was played last evening in New Orleans, Louisiana. As I write this, the game is a day away. I anticipate there will be many joyous celebrations from fans of the winning team, and not so joyous on the other side. Locally I reside 60 miles from Philadelphia and this morning there is either joy or sadness in the Philly area. In fact, there will be joy or sadness across the sporting world due to the outcome. Did Kansas City set a record with their 3rd in a row? Either way, whatever the result, don’t let it take away your joy.

David writes in Psalm 16:11, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (nlt) David says there is fullness of joy, or complete joy, in God’s presence. He is not referring to happy moments as when your favorite team wins the Super Bowl. David is referring to a lasting joy that overcomes any disappointment, sadness, or sorrow that comes our way in life. Our joy in God is not based on external circumstances, but on His internal presence in our lives with His Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

To secure that internal joy that will never fade away receive Christ as your personal savior if you have never done so. If you’re a child of God but your joy is missing a beat, perhaps there is something in your life that needs to be corrected. Make it right with God and restore your joy, win or lose.

Devotionals

Live as Children of Light         

Loring Schultz

Read: Ephesians 4:17-32 NLT – Living as Children of Light – With the – Bible Gateway

“Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:24, 30 NLT

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New converts to Christianity have a hard time relinquishing their old sinful habits. Once a person accepts Christ as savior they are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, but the flesh takes time to surrender. In fact, total surrender will not happen until we’re with Christ in glory. We can make progress in our Christian Walk if we are constantly reminded of the old ways that we are to let go of and replace them with renewed thoughts and attitudes. We’ve been given a new nature in Christ to help us walk in the light.

Paul tells us to put on that new nature, but in a sense, we already have it. He is reminding us to live as if we have it, because we do. Paul is telling us it’s now time to remove our dirty old clothes and put on our clean new ones. In his letter to the church in Ephesus, Paul lays out a section of living as children of light. (Eph.4:17-32) Before we came to know the Lord, we were living in darkness. There was no need for instructions on evil behavior, it came naturally. But even with our new nature, the old one still hangs around. Paul tells us to get rid of it by saying, “Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.” (Eph.4:21-22 nlt)

Listing some of the things that still creep into our lives, Paul tells us to throw them in the pile of dirty clothes along with other sins he didn’t mention. For every piece we throw off, Paul tells us what to put on in its place. It takes time, but a steady progression of living in the light eliminates the darkness.

Devotionals

Don’t Let It Go to Your Head   

Loring Schultz

Read: Daniel 3:1-7 NLT – Nebuchadnezzar’s Gold Statue – King – Bible Gateway

“Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18 NLT

Photo by Yan Krukau on Pexels.com

Pride can become a self-inflicting disease when we have an unduly high opinion of ourselves. Its symptoms are arrogance, egotistic, conceited, and other not so fine characteristics. Can there be good effects of pride as there is good and bad cholesterol, or good stress vs. verses bad stress? Well yes. You can take pride in a job well done, in graduating college with high honors, or passing the state boards in your vocational choice, and you can be prideful of the achievements your children earn throughout their lives. But in all these cases, let them not go to our heads.

King Nebuchadnezzar, in the book of Daniel, let his dream Daniel interpretated for him go to his head. In fact, he erected a statue with a gold head symbolizing himself. Daniel told him he represented the head of gold in the figure of the man he saw in his dream. We do not know how long after his dream Nebuchadnezzar had the statue built. We do know that the king told Daniel, “Truly, your God is the greatest of gods, the Lord over kings.” (Dan.2:47 nlt) But over time his sentiment towards God wore off. He would now order everyone in the Babylonian Empire to bow down and worship his golden statue. Nebuchadnezzar’s pride got to him. This was both a religious and political act to be obeyed. Failing to comply would result in immediate death.

Nebuchadnezzar’s actions caused by his pride seem over the top of anything we might be capable of. Actually, they aren’t. Receiving that promotion at work, or being noted as the head of the class, or ranking #1 in the pickle ball tournament, may not cause us to want to be worshiped, but if it goes to our head, we sure want people to notice. Take pride in a job well done and forget about the head of gold.

Devotionals

The Lord’s Honored Guest

Loring Schultz

Read: Psalm 23 KJV – The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not – Bible Gateway

“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” Psalm 23:5 KJV

Being held in a position of honor has always been a bit uncomfortable for me, not that it has happened very often. I’m thankful for the times in my life they have occurred. Some years back my wife and me along with my spiritual mentor and his wife received such an honor from the church we belonged to for we both were moving out of the area. It was a pleasant surprise, a joyous occasion, and a humble experience in the recognition we all received.

On such occasions we may also feel unworthy to receive such an honor. Yet, those providing the festivities have a different opinion. It was based on the love we had for each other in being part of the church family, the family of God. In reality, we are all sinners saved by grace through Christ’s love for us. As He has loved us, we love one another in our church family. The church held this special honor because of their love for us.

The 23rd Psalm, probably the most familiar passage in Scripture, ends with an honored guest experience. The psalm is written by King David, and he reveals that he is the Lord’s honored guest at His table. “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.” (Ps.23:5a kjv) God is the gracious host providing a banquet and treating David as an honor guest. David was overwhelmed saying, “my cup runneth over.Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” (Ps.235b-6a kjv)  

That same honor applies to us today. If anything should make us feel uncomfortable or unworthy this would be it. The Lord God preparing a banquet for us and seating us as a guest of honor. But it is because of His great love for us that he invites us to His table to partake of His salvation prepared for us. You’re the Lord’s honored guest, don’t decline the invitation. R.S.V.P.

Devotionals

Quick to Listen and Slow to Speak

Loring Schultz

Read: James 1:16-27 NLT – So don’t be misled, my dear brothers – Bible Gateway

“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.” James 1:19, 22 NLT

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Have you heard the expression ‘foot in mouth’? Perhaps you know the meaning of it all too well. For those who don’t, ‘foot in mouth’ is saying something embarrassing or inconsiderate at an inappropriate time. We must admit we have all been there. It is mostly unintentional, but it doesn’t relieve the awkwardness of the situation. One of biggest reasons for us putting our foot in our mouth is failing to listen. Our minds race ahead wanting to give a clever answer thinking we know it all, or we are totally oblivious not paying attention which will soon be found out by our response.

A slip of the tongue will happen accidentally from time to time, yet most can be prevented by following James’ advice to ‘be quick to listen and slow to speak.’ This is especially true in our spiritual conversations with others. Our attention is to be devoted to the person speaking to us at the time. Listening carefully and slowly preparing our thoughts on how to respond will avoid any embarrassment.

James is not only referring to how we listen to others in this passage, on the contrary, he is also referring to and more importantly, how we listen to God through His Word. He encourages us to humbly accept the Word of God planted in our hearts, being quick not only to listen, but to do all it says. To be careful when we do speak to others that we have an accurate understanding of what God’s Word says. The one who listens intently will progress in their spiritual growth and will be in a better position to help others understand the Word as we are quick to listen and slow to speak.

Devotionals

Guaranteed Good Things

Loring Schultz

“For the LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.” Psalm 84:11 NLT

Photo by Volkan Olmez on Unsplash

It’s always nice to have a guarantee on something you purchase. There is a satisfying comfort in the thought if the product breaks it can be replaced, even if you break it. But a guarantee is only as good as the word of the one backing it up. There are occasions when a guarantee is not guaranteed according to ‘the fine’ print. Always read the fine print. We all assume that there is no such thing as a sure thing, but we assume wrong. There are sure things. With the Lord God there are many sure things, and they are guaranteed.

Psalm 84:11 says, “The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.” (Ps.84:11b nlt) It sounds to me like we are guaranteed good things from God. It certainly seems like a sure thing for God said it. There is no fine print to watch out for. The conditions are clearly spelled out for us so there is no misunderstanding. We only need to read it as it is written. It’s God speaking. But take note that it is conditional. God promises not to hold back any good thing that helps or benefits us when we obey Him and do what’s right.

With that said, we do not always see things the Lord allows in our lives as good things as we do what’s right. We must then search ourselves and ask do we trust God that His words are true? If we are in a right relationship with Him obeying His Word, and no we are not perfect, we can be assured that God will honor His Word and not withhold any good thing from us. It’s a guarantee.