Category: Devotionals

Devotionals

God’s Rescue Mission for the Lost

Loring Schultz

“I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak.” Ezekiel 34:16a NLT

“For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” Luke 19:10 NLT

Photo by Greg Rosenke on Unsplash

Search and rescue teams are sent out to find people who have encountered distress and possible danger and are lost due to a tragic event. These could include those lost at sea, adventurous mountain climbers and cave explorers, those working in mines around the world after an accident, survivors of major storms in need of rescue, lost hikers who become detached from their group, and many other situations where an individual or group of people are lost. The mission of the search and rescue team is to look diligently to find the lost and rescue them from the danger around them.

Many Christians today have lost their way and find themselves in need of being rescued by the Lord. Sadly, most do not realize it. The ways of the world take preference over the things of God. Over time, even a seasoned Christian will begin to drift away and suddenly find themselves lost. But the Lord God, the great shepherd, searches for those who are His and brings them back bandaging the wounds they incurred following the things of the world. The Lord never gives up on His people.

You may be one today who knows you are lost. You got in that boat just to fish around a little and found yourself drifting further and further from the shore and away from Lord Himself. Storms of life are starting to rise, and you can’t seem to make your way back. You have lost your sense of direction, and know you are lost. You may not know where you are right now, but God does, and He is on a search and mission rescue. When you sense His presence nudging you, don’t dismiss it. He is walking on the water towards you. Let Jesus into the boat. He will lead you back to shore through the storm healing your self-inflicted wounds and will strengthen you.

Devotionals

On the Spur of the Moment

Loring Schultz

“One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, ‘Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!’ And they left their nets at once and followed him.” Matthew 4:18-20 NLT

Photo by Eugene on Unsplash

Have you ever done anything on the spur of the moment? Perhaps you were prompted or had a sudden urge and without thinking about it, you did it. How did that work out for you? Perhaps it worked out or perhaps not. It’s too late now to reverse course, what’s done is done. The New Testament story of Jesus calling His first disciples is hard to explain in our 21st century world. On the spur of the moment Peter and his brother Andrew and later James and John, dropped everything, left their livelihood, and decided to follow Jesus.

Scripture doesn’t reveal what were in the minds of these four new recruits for Jesus’ ministry. There have been many sermons preached on the immediate response of Peter, Andrew, James, and John. How would we respond if we were in their shoes? Would we react as they did? Would we leave our jobs, our careers, and our families as James and John to follow Jesus? That could be a hard sell for most people. The point is are we willing to give up all to follow Christ.  

It seems a lot easier for us today to make that decision than the first disciples. We have so much more information through the completed Word of God about Jesus, His life, His sacrifice, and His resurrection. But even with all that knowledge of Christ many still refuse to follow Him. It still takes a spur of the moment decision to follow Jesus Christ as the first disciples had. Jesus says in the gospel of John, “For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me.” (Jn.6:44a nlt) If you feel the Spirit of God drawing you today, accept Jesus as your savior and begin to follow Him. “For God says, ‘At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.’ Indeed, the ‘right time’ is now. Today is the day of salvation.” (2Cor.6:2 nlt) Join the first four disciples who left it all and followed Jesus on the spur of the moment. This one will work out.

Devotionals

Use It or Lose It

Loring Schultz

“When thou takest away my outward blessings, it is for sin,

          in not acknowledging that all I have is of thee,

          in not serving thee through what I have,

          in making myself secure and hardened.”  (1)

          Photo by Jack Niles on Unsplash      

There is an old hymn entitled “Count Your Blessings.” The chorus goes, ‘Count your blessings-name them one by one; Count your blessings-see what God hath done; Count your blessings-name them one by one; Count your many blessings-see what God hath done.’ (2) I’m sure most of us have see God’s blessings in our lives. If we take the time to count them, we will be overwhelmed in all God has done for us. With so many blessings we probably even forgot one or two. God not only blesses us for ourselves, but to share His blessings with others.

What has God blessed you with? What has He and gifted you with that can help present the gospel and be shared with others? The Lord may have blessed you with musical talent. Are you using that talent to the best of your ability to serve Him? The Lord may have blessed you with a brilliant mind in science, are you using it for His glory? You may be blessed with leadership skills, are you a part of an organization or company that can benefit having a Christian working among them. Whatever recognizable talent God has blessed you with can be and should be used for Him.

Some of you may feel you’re a small cog in a big wheel, but that cog is extremely vital. You’re a small piece of the puzzle, but without that piece, the picture is not complete. Take note how God has blessed you and use what he has given you to serve Him and others. School districts need crossing guards and hall monitors, not only science teachers. Churches and concert venues need ushers and set up crews for the service or concert to run smoothly. All organizations and companies need hands-on individuals who support the work through whatever their responsibilities are.

Count your blessings naming them one by one using and sharing them for God’s glory whether in public, your neighborhood, or in the home. They are yours to use or to lose. “So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents.” (Mt.25:28 esv)

(1) Bennett, Arthur. The Valley of Vision. East Peoria: Banner of Truth Trust, 2023. Pg 20, Union with Christ.

(2) Johnson Oatman, Jr.                      

Devotionals

Traveling an Unfamiliar Road

Loring Schultz

“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:8 NLT

Photo by Tim Gouw on Pexels.com

Life is a journey. When on a journey we travel many roads. Some roads are exciting and adventurous. There are roads in life that lead us into confusion and uncertainty. Others take detours along the way setting us off course. These detours are those unfamiliar roads we must travel and usually when we least expect it. But we do not travel that road alone.

In life’s journey we will at one time, or another find ourselves on a road we never thought we would travel. It may be a life-threatening illness, recovery from an accident, a major upcoming surgery, the breakup of a marriage, losing a child, financial ruin, loss of employment, and at this point you can fill in the blank_____. Unfamiliar roads of this nature are filled with uncertainty, confusion, discouragement, and outright fear. We need someone to tamp down the fear and uncertainty with what is on the road ahead.

The nation Israel was on the verge of entering an unfamiliar road leading to the Promised Land. On this road were powerful nations that had to be eliminated. It was a road the people of Israel didn’t expect. They were afraid, and understandably so. The Lord God told Moses to say to them that God would be going ahead of them on that unfamiliar road, and they need not be afraid. The Lord would be with them and would not abandon them.  

Whatever unfamiliar road you are on, remember the Lord God is ahead of you. The road is not unfamiliar to Him. God knows every detour occurring in your life and He is already there. This may be an unexpected detour to you, but not to God. He is already on the road ahead of you!

Read: Deuteronomy 31:1-8 NLT – Joshua Becomes Israel’s Leader – When – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Giving Thanks: not only reserved for Thanksgiving Day                  

Loring Schultz

“But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.” Daniel 6:10 NLT

Photo by Simon Maage on Unsplash

There are many verses in Scripture that refer to giving thanks. Jesus Himself set an example in giving thanks to His Father while on earth. The angels expressed thanks to God and to His Son. Thanks are to be given in private and public worship to God and for all things, and especially as a part of our daily prayers.

One of the greatest examples recorded in the Bible of giving thanks in private worship and daily prayer is found in Daniel chapter 6. The very familiar story of Daniel in the lions’ den comprises this 6th chapter of Daniel. Daniel was faced with certain death if he continued praying to God, praising Him and giving thanks. King Darius inadvertently signed an edit that sealed Daniel’s fate. Any person found praying to any divine object or human, except the king would be thrown into the lions’ den. It was Daniel’s daily routine to pray with his windows opened towards Jerusalem three times a day giving thanks to God.

Paul wrote, “pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks.” (1Thess.5:17-18a) Daniel is indeed an example of Paul’s words. He prayed continually and although it must have been hard to give thanks for his situation, the Bible said he gave thanks to God. Yes, it is sometimes hard for us to see pass our circumstances thanking God for them. But God does not allow anything to come into our lives He hadn’t ordained to happen. We need to thank Him, for He knows all things and what is best for us.

So let us not be saving up our thanks for Thanksgiving Day, but may we be like Daniel, praying and giving thanks to God daily and in everything.

Devotionals

Sin’s Deadly Destruction

Loring Schultz

‘“Repent and turn from your sins. Don’t let them destroy you! Put all your rebellion behind you and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O people of Israel? I don’t want you to die,’ says the Sovereign LORD. ‘Turn back and live!’” Ezekiel 18:30b-32 NLT

Photo by Rhodi Lopez on Unsplash

Sin has a way of ruining our lives. You can bet, if you’re involved in some illegal activity long enough, you’ll get caught and pay the price. Illicit sexual behavior will result in broken homes, broken relationships and broken individuals. Habitual lying disgraces your reputation where you can’t be trusted even when you are telling the truth in an urgent manner. Yes, sin is known to ruin us, for the author of sin is Satan, the father of lies and all things contrary to God.

The prophet Ezekiel prophesized to the remaining people left in Judah to repent of their sins as they were about to be destroyed by the Babylonians. There was still a chance for them to escape the same fate their predecessors faced if they repented their sins and turned to the Lord. The Lord speaking through Ezekiel says, “Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O people of Israel?” (Ez.18:31 nlt) A holy God must judge sin, and the people of Israel were guilty on all counts, and judgement was coming. But God also said, ‘“I don’t want you to die, says,’ the Sovereign LORD. ‘Turn back and live!’” (Ez.18:32 nlt)

The Lord God gives us the same message today, ‘I don’t want you to die, turn back and live!’ God is a merciful, just and holy God, and because He is just and holy, He must judge sin. “For the wages of sin is death.” (Ro.6:23a nlt) All of us die physically due to our sin nature. Our spiritual death is just payment for our sins and rejecting Christ as savior.  But God is also a merciful God who does not want us to die spiritually and be separated from Him, but to turn to His Son Jesus and live eternally. “But the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Ro.6:23b nlt)

Sin does have a way of ruining lives, and if not dealt with can bring about deadly destruction and even an early death. But even more tragic is the deadly destruction of your soul if you haven’t repented and accepted Christ as your savior There will be an eternal separation of spiritual death from God the Father and eternity in heaven. Don’t go another day without making it right with the Lord, He wants you to live.

Find Peace with God | Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

Devotionals

Promise Box

Loring Schultz

“The Lord shall be thine everlasting light.” Isaiah 60:20 KJV

Promise Box

I have a ‘promise box’ sitting on my desk. It was a Christmas gift from a neighbor a few years back, a little plastic box in the shape of a loaf of bread with ¾ x 2 ¾ inch cards with a daily Bible verse printed on both sides. It’s called a ‘promise box’ because it contains God’s promises right from Scripture. The daily bread we need to sustain us in our spiritual walk each day is found in every verse pulled from that bread box. The card I pulled out today contained the following verses, “The Lord shall be thine everlasting light.” (Is.60:20 kjv) and “The Lord thy God…keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him.” (Dt.7:9 kjv)

Some days the verses I get are just what I needed for that day, either for something I am going through or inspiration for the next devotional I write. And then there are days when they don’t seem to fill a pressing need. I came to realize that in those days I am looking more at the card than at God. Every verse contains His Words and promises to me whether I think it’s what I need or not. Every verse of Scripture God sends our way is truthful, helpful, encouraging, and contains a promise we need if we take the time to read it carefully.

Isaiah 60:20 is an encouragement for living in a dark world with uncertainty. God is our everlasting light. A light that will always be there, and we need not fear that we will walk in darkness, we won’t, that’s a promise. Deuteronomy 7:9 is a promise that God will be faithful to keep His covenant and show lovingkindness to those who love Him. We can be assured that God’s continual love and mercy will always be upon us. What a comfort that should be for all of us every day.

I encourage you to come up with a ‘promise box’ of some sort if you don’t already have one. Place it somewhere you frequent daily to see it and take in God’s promise to you for that day. You may be surprised it may be exactly what you need for that day.  

Devotionals

A Cry for Individual Revival

Loring Schultz

“Revive me according to Your lovingkindness, So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.” Psalm 119:88 NKJV

Photo by ennif pendahl on Unsplash
 

I’m sure you have the cry, ‘we need a revival in our land,’ or ‘we need a revival in the church.’ I would agree with both of those cries and have heard them many times. Have you ever heard the cry within yourself, ‘I need a revival?’ I can’t say I have heard that too often to my shame. Probably my sense is I don’t need revival, and maybe you don’t either. But if revival doesn’t start with us individually, where will it start.

Revival needs a spark to set ablaze those around them hungry for a spiritual awakening. As I write this, the northeast corner of the United States has numerous  wildfires that have started from a spark of some kind due to the dry conditions from lack of rain. They only need a little spark to ignite the dry brush and send the flames along its path. Spiritual revival works much the same way, a little spark from you or me can ignite those around us who are dry spiritually. A spark in a dry forest is dangerous and deadly, but a spark to an individual dry soul, dry souls within the church, and dry souls in the land where you live is refreshing and lifesaving.

The response to the saying, ‘May there be peace.’ is ‘let it begin with me.’ May our response to ‘We need a revival in our land and in our church,’ be ‘let it begin with me.’ The different Psalmists used the words ‘revive’ or ‘quicken’ in this sense fourteen times in the book of Psalms. They were aware of their need to be revived from time to time to live in obedience to God. We are all in need of revival, so may we cry out to the Holy Spirit to put a spark within us and ignite an individual revival in our souls to spread across His church and across the land.

Devotionals

Watch and Pray with Anticipation

Loring Schultz

“Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.” Mark 13:33 NKJV

Photo by Tachina Lee on Unsplash

Jesus tells us in Scripture that His return is certain, He is coming back. He is coming back for His bride, the church. The only drawback is, He doesn’t tell us when that will occur. So, Jesus gives us a warning to “take heed, watch and pray; lest, coming suddenly, he find (us) sleeping.” (Mk.13:33a, 36 nkjv)

Whenever there is an upcoming event in our lives, we get excited, perhaps counting the months, weeks, and days. We have a date we can focus on for any preparation needed to be done beforehand. The excitement builds with anticipation of that coming day. For all intents and purposes, the event usually occurs, but there is always a chance that it doesn’t come off or something goes wrong. Anticipation that had been building suddenly falls flat with our disappointment.

The greatest future event you and I will ever have will be the return of Jesus Christ. It will be an event that will not fall flat. We should be anxiously anticipating His return as we follow Jesus’ words to watch and pray.  Jesus gives us an illustration of this in the gospel of Mark, “It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch.” (13:34 nkjv) The Lord has given us work to do in His absence which we are to be engaged in. He also commands us to keep watch for His return for we do not know when it will be.

Keeping watch for Jesus’ return is a hard thing to do with our busy lives. Even in our quiet moments we could lose sight of this glorious upcoming event. That is why Jesus tells us to ‘watch and pray.’ Temptations and the activities of the world will dull our senses in the things of God. Jesus had to reprimand His disciples in the garden, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mk.14:38 nkjv)

We must keep our hearts and minds on Christ and His return. Distractions and temptations are part of this world we live in, that is why we must watch and pray with anticipation for Jesus’ return.

Read: Mark 13:32-37 NKJV – No One Knows the Day or Hour – “But – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Have You Hurt God?

Loring Schultz

“They will recognize how hurt I am by their unfaithful hearts and lustful eyes that long for their idols.” Ezekiel 6:9 NLT

Photo by Kindel Media on Pexels.com

When you think about God, what comes to mind? How about His awesome power in creating the earth and the entire universe. Maybe you are drawn to His awareness of every occurrence in the world at the same time, or perhaps it is the comfort you receive knowing that God hears your prayers went millions of people are also in prayer with Him. Words cannot do justice in describing God. Our best attempts in characterizing God will fail. He is so awesome, powerful, holy, loving, all-knowing, the list goes on……….and on………and on. There are also not enough words, so I guess we will leave at that.

Have you ever thought of God’s emotions? Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (nlt) We know that we are emotional beings, some more than others. If we are made in God’s image, it stands to reason that God is an emotional God. If we can display emotion, God certainly can.

Have you ever been hurt by someone? Had your heart broken? Have you caused the hurt of someone and broken their heart? If your answer is yes to either circumstance, you know both how it feels when you were hurt and the effects your actions had on the one you hurt. Now comes the hard part. Have you ever hurt God? Our emotional God can also be hurt by our actions.

The Lord speaking through Ezekiel, concerning Judah, said, “Then when they are exiled among the nations, they will remember me. They will recognize how hurt I am by their unfaithful hearts and lustful eyes that long for their idols. Then at last they will hate themselves for all their detestable sins.” The Lord God was sending them into exile for 70 years for their sins against Him, sins that hurt Him deeply by turning to idols.

How many idols do we have in our own lives that are hurting God? We may have never thought about this quite this way before, but our sins against God does hurt Him. Our unfaithful hearts and lustful eyes towards our idols take us away from Him, and yes, He’s hurt. May we have faithful hearts, and our eyes be gazed on Him.