Category: Devotionals

Devotionals

Feeling Empty; the search for fulfillment

Loring Schultz

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6 NIV

Photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash

Living in the 21st century there is no shortage of things to do. If looking to be entertained, there are thousands of choices to choose from, such as movies, concerts, sporting events, shopping, going for a drive, or staying home and accessing your hundreds of choices on your Smart TV. Getting away for the weekend has an abundance of venues to choose from and places to stay. Spending quality time with friends and family is always a good choice and fulfilling.

Despite the many things we do in life, entertaining ourselves, enjoying family time, achieving success in our jobs and careers, why do some people still have that empty feeling inside? How many people do you know, or perhaps yourself, that do all they can to enjoy life and live it to the fullest, and confess they still have this empty feeling. There is no fulfillment, something is missing. They need to find that missing piece to life’s puzzle. It happens more than you know and to more people than you may think. If you are not surprised by this, you may be one in need of fulfillment.

You’ve heard the cliché, ‘looking for love in all the wrong places.’ Well, it fits here. It is not that the above examples are ‘wrong places,’ they are not. But you will not find complete fulfillment in any of them until the major piece that completes the puzzle is put in place. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Mt.5:6 nlt) Jesus equates being filled with desiring righteousness. True fulfillment of one’s life occurs when Christ’s righteousness is applied to our lives as we accept Him as Lord and savior. That empty feeling disappears. What we thought would bring us fulfillment suddenly doesn’t seem so important anymore when put in proper perspective.

If you’re struggling with that empty feeling why not look for fulfillment in the right place by looking to Christ and desiring His righteousness. It’s the missing piece you need in your search for fulfillment.

Devotionals

Harmony in the Church

Loring Schultz

“May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 15:5-6 NLT

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

The Old fashion hymn sing has been resurrected over the last decade as the classic church hymns have vanished in many of today’s churches. However, there are still churches that include an occasional hymn as part of the worship service. Some churches will schedule a special hymn night throughout the year for the lovers of the old fashion hymns. Nationally, Gerald Wolfe’s Gospel Hymn Sing makes its rounds throughout the United States keeping the old gospel hymns alive by reintroducing them to the current and next generations. There is a hunger not only for the music, but for the deeply inspired lyrics from these songwriters of yesteryear.

As these old fashion hymns are sung, especially in church, they are an example of unity and harmony. There are those who sing the main melody and those who sing the harmony parts, my mother was always one of them. Those singing the main parts and those singing the harmony parts combine with those playing the instruments in worshiping and praising through God through music. It is an example of what harmony in the church looks like. We all have a different part to play and sing, and not only in the music. If we all do are part, a beautiful rendition of Christ’s church will be seen and heard.

Unfortunately, there is not always harmony among believers in the church and the music falls flat. Paul’s desire for the church was for it to “live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.” (Ro.15:5b nlt) The outside world is watching the disharmony among us as many believers are exiting the church. Perhaps an old fashion hymn sing is just what we need to get back in tune with God and the truth of His Word, harmonizing with each other for the sake of the gospel to all generations.

Devotionals

What are your treasures, and where are you storing them?     

Loring Schultz

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” Matthew 6:19-21 NLT

Photo by Alex Hudson on Unsplash

Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount address many topics such as, one’s attitude towards a brother, adultery and divorce, retaliation, love, prayer and fasting, judging others, and the golden rule. Jesus was also concerned with what we do with our money, and He expressed that in teaching us about the treasures we accumulate. Our treasures come to us mostly through our use of money. What are we investing in and accumulating on this side of heaven. Can we name them? Are they obvious and evident for all to see where our heart is? Let’s take a closer look at this.

First, our treasures need not only be material things bought with money. Jesus said, “Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” (Mt.6:21 nlt) Here’s one example, your treasure may be the accolades you received over the years for your accomplishments in your field of expertise. Dwelling on these will lead to pride failing to give God the glory. This would be what Jesus refers to as ‘storing up treasures here on earth’ and not storing them in heaven. You could have been an influence on others as they witnessed your work for the glory of God. Their lives may have been changed by your actions, storing treasures in heaven.  You see, it is not always money, but it is a large part of it.

So, what are your treasures today and where are your storing them? On the financial side, are you making investments in the kingdom of God, or is in this world in the here and now. Are you investing in people and using your successes to help those in need, for it is Jesus who said, “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.25:40 nlt) May we examine ourselves truthfully and know what our treasures are (what is important to us) and begin storing them in heaven. We may surprise ourselves in a good way or perhaps not, either way it’s a good exercise.

Devotionals

Where to Find True Miracles: God’s Power Today

Loring Schultz

“Give thanks to him who alone does mighty miracles. His faithful love endures forever.” Psalm 136: 4 NLT

“For with God nothing shall be impossible.” Luke 1:37 KJV

Photo by CLARA METIVIER BEUKES_on unsplash

Do you need a miracle in your life, something that contradicts all known scientific laws? Where do you go to look for this miracle? There is only one place to go, but the world has its own recommendations to consider keeping you from going to the true source. For instance, the god of this world, Satan, would have you believe that coincidence or random occurrences in your favor are only by chance, denying any divine supernatural power. Some may look for that divine power, but they look in all the wrong places. Many are caught in false religions of the world promising hope and miracles only to find themselves less wealthy and being accused of not having enough faith. Others put their faith in gods of astrology, and various gods presented and worshiped as divine throughout the centuries. None of these possess divine supernatural power to perform miracles. They are not the God of heaven, who alone does mighty miracles.

The question many people ask is this; does God still perform miracles today? The answer is, yes, absolutely! The greatest miracle is a soul set free, and God through the Holy Spirit performs this miracle daily. Scores of people are being radically changed forever from a wayward life every day by accepting God’s only Son Jesus Christ as their savior. People even the world thought were beyond hope, change, and redemption are living a clean life for the Lord and serving others.

Yes, miracles are still happening today. A radically changed person does defy all known scientific laws without divine help. It is the spiritually dead coming to life, everlasting life in Christ. It’s happening every day. Have you received your saving miracle yet, if not do so today!

Devotionals

Finding Your Second Wind: Strength for Life’s Marathon

Loring Schultz

“So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.” Hebrews 12:12-13 NLT

Photo by Quino Al on Unsplash

 A phenomenon occurs for some athletes running a marathon known as a second wind. The runner beyond the point of exhaustion, out of breath and unable to keep the pace, suddenly finds the strength to continue. This can happen at various stages of the race depending on the individual. There are no sure explanations as to why this occurs. Several opinions have been introduced medically, scientifically, and psychologically to help bring some clarity, but it remains a mystery.

The Bible refers to the Christian life as running a race. (Heb.12:1) It is also fair to say that our life is a marathon. Running in a consistent manner day after day throughout our lives is not without a couple of stumbles along the way. We are all subject to times of weakness, stumbling, and running out of gas. The trials in life will sap our energy and knock us down. But we are to be encouraged due to a second wind which is available to every Christian. The writer of Hebrews puts it this way, “So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.” (Heb. 12:12-13)

How do Christians get a more secure grip on tired hands and have their knees not buckle under?  Is this second wind also a mystery? Well, sort of. All who have accepted Christ as Savior have in their possession the Holy Spirit. To most Christians that is a mystery. But it is true. The Holy Spirit is there to guide us through this marathon called life. He strengthens us in weak moments, provides much needed energy to keep going, and assures us that He will be with us right up to the finish line.

Getting a second wind in running a marathon is having those knees and legs strengthen as to keep moving, not stumble, and finish the race. Even a race in which you have trained for and are giving your best effort sometimes needs a little extra push from a mysterious source. Getting a second wind in the marathon of life simulates the marathon runner in every way except the Christian running in life’s marathon can be sure of the second wind, the Holy Spirit, and it is not a mystery.

Devotionals

The Season of Hope; may we be ready to explain it             

Loring Schultz

“When Christ was born, so was our hope.” Max Lucado

“…. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.” 1 Peter 3:15b NLT

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

This Christmas season children of all ages are hoping they receive what they asked for from the man in the red suit. From Amazon’s No.1 pick ‘JOYIN 13 in 1 Dinosaur Toys,’ to ‘Nex Playground Game System’ at a cool price of $159, and ‘MrBeast Lab Mutators,’ for the little kids, to the hottest video games, cell phones, and the latest in digital devices for the coming of age crowd, not to forget the big toys for us adults; all have hope they will receive that requested gift on Christmas morning.  

‘Hope’ defined by most dictionaries is ‘to cherish a desire with anticipation:to want something to happen or be true.’ All of us hoping for that gift have the desire to have that hope come to realization. Although, if we are honest with ourselves, we know it does not always hold true. Oh, it is true the one supplying the gift will do everything possible to ensure the granting of the request, but unavoidable circumstances beyond their control always get in the way.

Biblical hope is never affected by unavoidable circumstances. Biblical hope is fixed. It is guaranteed. Biblical hope is the future confidence in expecting all that God has promised will come to pass. God has promised that all who believe in His Son Jesus for salvation will be saved from the wrath to come and will have eternal life with Him. Our guaranteed hope, as Max Lucado described it, was born as Christ entered the world on that first Christmas morning. God’s promise to reconcile us back Himself through Christ by defeating Satan on the cross was fulfilled. (Gen.3:15) Our hope, our assurance of salvation, was born in Christ Jesus.

Our Christian (Biblical) hope is far different from hoping to receive the latest got-to-have gadget for Christmas. Our hope in Christ is sure, guaranteed and lifesaving. It is backed up by a holy God who keeps His promises and can do all things. As Peter says to us in this season of hope, “……. if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.”

Devotionals

Giving Thanks for a Soul Set Free

Loring Schultz

“Bring my soul out of prison, So that I may give thanks to Your name.” Psalm 142:7a NASB

“I will give thanks to the LORD according to His righteousness And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.” Psalm 7:17 NASB

Photo by Kirk Cameron on Unsplash

This Thanksgiving Day there are over 1 million people in prison in the United States. Souls who will not celebrate the holiday with friends and loved ones. Their cry may be as David’s was, ‘bring my soul out of prison.’ Their desire is to be restored back in society as it was before their incarceration. The fact is their soul can be set free right they are. A prison sentence will pay the debt to society when completed and freedom will be granted. However, there is a prison sentence where no one can ever serve and pay off. It is the sentence of an eternal death separated from God and heaven for our sinful nature and our sins against God. But that soul can indeed be set free.

Perhaps you are not behind prison bars on this day, but you are behind bars that are keeping you imprisoned in your own soul. Your struggles with a particular sin, or vices you can’t seem to control keep you under lock and key. Your desire is the same cry, ‘bring my soul out of prison.’ I’m not a psychologist and not offering advice of which my knowledge is very limited. Professional services are a god-sent in our day and age and should be used if needed. But one thing I do know is that a soul can be set from sin and eternal death through Jesus Christ, God’s Son who sacrificed His life that we may have life. He paid the penalty for a soul to be set free.

If you are sitting in prison behind bars on this day, please understand that your soul can be set free. You can have assurance of eternal salvation and that your sin debt has been paid. For those of you outside prison walls who also need to be set free from your struggles with sin, Christ has paid the sin penalty for you as well. Your prayer, ‘bring my soul out of prison, will be heard and answered by accepting Christ as your savior this day. Then you can praise and thank God with David this Thanksgiving by saying, “I will give thanks to the LORD according to His righteousness And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.” (Ps.7:17 nasb) Happy Thanksgiving!

Devotionals

Thanksgiving Travel: Following the Highway of God

Loring Schultz

“A highway shall be there, and a road, And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness.” Isaiah 35:8a NKJV

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God.’” Isaiah 40:3 NKJV

Photo by Peter Robbins on Unsplash
 

Today is the busiest travel day of the year across the United States as millions of Americans make their way to friends and family for Thanksgiving. “AAA projects 79.9 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the Thanksgiving holiday travel period. ‘Thanksgiving is the busiest holiday for travel, and this year we’re expecting to set new records across the board, from driving to flying and cruising,’ said Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel. (1) Of those estimated 79.9 million travelers, 71.1 million people will go by car. That’s a lot of highway miles.

The United States has a vast interstate highway system which can get you to grandma’s house whether 50 or 500 miles away with no trouble. Years of planning the infrastructure of major roadways in America have proven successful. One only needs a roadmap from AAA or a GPS device and you’re all set.

Highways are mentioned several times in Scripture. Isaiah speaks about ‘The Highway of Holiness, a highway for our God.’ It was a prophetic exhortation to Israel for preparing for the coming of the Messiah. It foretold John the Baptist as the forerunner of Christ. “For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.’” (Mt.3:3 nkjv) The Messiah, the Lord Jesus, had come, and He has come to save those who call on His name.

God had designed His infrastructure of heaven’s highway for you and me before the world began. You don’t need a GPS or a road map. The plan of salvation and the highway to heaven is to simply trust in Jesus and His work on the cross for your sin. There is only one road, one highway to heaven. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (Jn.14:6 nkjv) Accept Christ as your savior this Thanksgiving and you’re on the highway to heaven. What a Thanksgiving feast that will be.

(1) Thanksgiving Travel Expected to Set New Record | AAA Newsroom

Devotionals

Understanding Biblical Rebuke: A Path to Growth

Loring Schultz

“Let the godly strike me! It will be a kindness! If they correct me, it is soothing medicine. Don’t let me refuse it.” Psalm 141:5a NLT

“Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.” Proverbs 27:6 NLT

Photo by Liza Summer on Pexels.com

I don’t believe any of us like it when we are called out for a particular sin or behaving in a displeasing manner, especially from a friend. Perhaps worse yet be it from an elder in your church or the pastor. We may come up with many excuses of which none are valid. Criticism of church leadership sometimes follows in the familiar rhetoric of ‘who are they to judge.’ Well, they are to judge with righteous judgment the flock Jesus, the great shepherd, has given them.

Peter’s words to pastors are this, “Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.” (1Pt.5:2 nlt) Paul instructs the young pastor, Timothy, “Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.” (2Tim.4:2 nlt) Good teaching is not only spoken from the pulpit or the classroom, but through godly rebuke and discipline for correction to one who has sinned. It may hurt, but it is a comforting blow. The psalmist describes it by saying, “Let the godly strike me! It will be a kindness! If they correct me, it is soothing medicine. Don’t let me refuse it.” (Ps.141:5a nlt)

Correction through a rebuke is never pleasant but is sometimes necessary. It is a blow, but a godly blow. It is given in kindness for the benefit of the one who receives it. It is for correction and is the medicine that is needed. If we are smart, we won’t refuse it. And if it happens to come from a friend, a true friend, remember, “Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.” (Pr.27:6 nlt) They have your best interest at heart.

Devotionals

Thankfulness through Giving            

Loring Schultz

“Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!” 2 Corinthians 9:15 NLT

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

In gift giving, the recipient is the one giving thanks. They are thankful for the gift received and for the giver. We don’t think much about the giver being the one giving thanks, but as Christians that should be our main intent in giving any gift or doing any good deed for someone. God the Father gave the first gift, His Son Jesus Christ. No other gift will ever match or come close to the gift He gave us. We can never top it. But we can be thankful.

God gave us His only Son to redeem us from eternal separation from Him. Jesus came willingly to earth as a man to pave the way for our salvation from eternal hell fire. Thankfulness, indeed, should be our way of life. One sign of being thankful is giving. The apostle Paul describes the ministry of giving to the church in Corinth as a two-fold operation. The needs of people will be met, and God will be thanked for it. “So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.” (2Cor.9:12 nlt) Paul goes on to say, “For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ.” (2Cor.9:13b nlt)

The good news of Christ is the gospel unto salvation which we have accepted and are thankful. We show our thankfulness by giving of ourselves, sharing the gospel, and meeting the needs of others. Yes, through giving. Our thankfulness through giving is not only for others, but also to the one most deserving, Jesus Christ. “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) May we always be giving thanks and praise to our Lord Jesus in everything we say and do, in this way we show our thankfulness through giving.