Category: Devotionals

Devotionals

Are They Hanging Around?

Loring Schultz

“Israel failed to destroy the nations in the land, as the LORD had commanded them. Instead, they mingled among the pagans and adopted their evil customs. They worshiped their idols, which led to their downfall.” Psalm 106:34-36 NLT

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The apostle Paul informs us of a sure promise that all Christians have, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2Cor.5:17 niv) If that is true, why do we hang onto certain things that should be gone, not only gone but be destroyed? I guess we could say, ‘we still have a sin nature’, and that is true, but that is not an excuse to let that certain sin hang around. The Bible says, ‘the old has gone.’

Israel was given specific instructions from God to complete when they entered the Promised Land. “You must destroy all the nations the LORD your God hands over to you. Show them no mercy, and do not worship their gods, or they will trap you.” (Dt.7:16 nlt) Israel left some of the pagan nations hang around by not destroying them as God had commanded. Eventually they did become trapped into worshiping their gods by intermingling with them. The psalmist writes, “They worshiped their idols which led to their downfall.” (Ps.106:36 nlt)

There is a reference in the sports world when a team fails to put away their opponent, ‘they’re letting them hang around.’ If the defense doesn’t get serious and beef up their attack mode, their downfall is certain as the psalmist says. A team cannot afford to sit back on its heels and let the opponent run all over them. If they had taken take of business in the beginning of the game, they wouldn’t be in danger of succumbing to defeat.

Likewise, Christians need to be taking care of business and not allow any of our besetting sins to hang around, but to destroyed them. We can be certain if we fail to destroy what God commands us, we will become complacent, compromising, and caught up with what we should not have left hang around.

Read: Psalm 106:34-48 NLT – Israel failed to destroy the nations in – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Nothing Prevents the Fruition of God’s Plans

Loring Schultz

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

“So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it.” Matthew 27:66 NLT

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Have you ever felt you messed up God’s plans for your life? You say to yourself, ‘Obviously, God’s plans didn’t work out or I wouldn’t be in the situation I am in. I messed up along the way throwing the plans off course.’ It may be true that you messed up, I’ve done it myself but rest assured God’s plans for you are still in tack. There is nothing you can do to alter the plans the creator of the universe has for you since before you were born. It’s hard to understand, I know. Take heart, you may have messed up, but it didn’t mess up God’s plans.

Every Christian should be thankful nothing prevents the fruition of God’s plans especially His plan of salvation for all who believe in Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. God’s plan of salvation was for His only Son to come to earth, live a perfect life, die as a sacrifice for sins, be buried, and rise again on the third day. Nothing was going to mess that up. The leading priests and the Pharisees also had a plan that worked, but it didn’t turn out the way they thought it would. They asked to Pilate to have the tomb in which Jesus was buried be guarded and sealed. The religious rulers were afraid the disciples would steal Jesus’ body and claim He had risen from the dead as Jesus said He would after three days. The seal remained in place for no one tried to steal Jesus’ body, but Jesus did rise on the third day.

Many of those who followed Jesus didn’t understand all they witnessed during His arrest, trials, and crucifixion. It seemed a master plan had gone terribly wrong. Yes, it was a master plan, but everything about it was right. You can trust God for the plans he has for you. He sent His Son to die as a sacrifice for your sin. It was His plan for you and me. “Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?” (Ro.8:32 nlt) Rejoice that God has a plan for you. You may not understand it, but He does. Trust Him that nothing will prevent all His plans from coming to fruition.

Read: Matthew 27:62-66 NLT – The Guard at the Tomb – The next day, – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Humble Yourself Before God

Loring Schultz

“Show me what sins hide thee from me and eclipse thy love;                             Help me to humble myself for past evils, to be resolved to walk with more care, For if I do not walk holily before thee, how can I be assured of my salvation?” (1)

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“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” James 4:6 ESV

Are you one who finds it hard to admit you’re wrong? You just cannot find it in yourself the possibility you didn’t have it right. This demeanor will eventually cause distance between you and others over time. Having this attitude, ‘I am always right’ will lead you into a false perception of right and wrong. It’s a sad way to live in this world, but more tragic when it comes to the things of God and eternal life after this life is over. A person will lose friends in this life by on-going pride but will forfeit eternal life with Christ in heaven by not humbling themselves before Him and acknowledging Jesus is the only way to heaven.

Human pride gets in the way of a lot of things in this life. There are times when we think we can do better with what is presented to us adding our own recipe. The good news about salvation is that there is nothing you can add to the presentation of the gospel. In fact, what is required is to take away your pride, recognizing and admitting that you are a sinner in need of a savior. The Bible says we have all sinned and fallen short on God’s scale. (Ro.3:23) It takes rejecting our pride in an admission and confession of our sins by accepting Christ as savior to be assure of heaven. God does indeed oppose the proud but gives grace to those who humble before Him.

“It is the meek and humble who are shown thy covenant, know thy will, are pardoned and healed, who by faith depend and rest upon grace, who are sanctified and quickened, who evidence thy love.” (1)

(1) Bennett, Arthur. The Valley of Vision. East Peoria: Baer of Truth Trust, 2023. Pg 9, The Divine Will.

Devotionals

This Ministry of Giving

Loring Schultz

“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.” 2 Corinthians 9:12 NLT

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35b NLT

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There are several famous saying that people attribute as coming from the Bible. ‘God helps those who help themselves,’ sorry, but not in the Bible. “Money is the root of all evil,’ not in there either. ‘Cleanliness is next to godliness,’ nope, and not even, ‘Heaven gained another angel.’ But one well-known saying is in the Bible, and it was spoken by Jesus Himself, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ We can count on this one as being true and important enough to be applied in our lives since Jesus said it.

The apostle Paul had a few things to say to the church at Corinth about giving. He started with the farmer analogy by saying, “Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.” (2Cor.9:6 nlt) Paul is not preaching a prosperity gospel, but for each of us decide what we can afford to give and to give generously and with a cheerful heart. He then assures us that God will supply all we need, and we will have enough left over to give again to others who are in need.

Giving is a ministry every Christian can participate in whether we have much or little. And it doesn’t always need to be money that we give. Paul quoted Psalm 112:9, “As the Scriptures say, ‘they share freely and give generously to the poor.’” (2Cor.9:9a nlt) If we give what we can to help others in need we will be blessed. “Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous.” (2Cor.9:11a nlt) Yes, it is as Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35b nlt)

Read: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 NLT – Remember this—a farmer who plants – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Need Help?

Loring Schultz

“My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth!” Psalm 121:2 NLT

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I am amazed at the technological advances I have seen in my lifetime. It only makes me wonder what the next sixty years will bring. Oh, I won’t see them, I just wonder. Despite all the modern-day advances we have, I still need help at times to maneuver around something I am experiencing for the first time. Once I get the hang of it, whatever I’m working on goes much smoother. It got me to thinking, no matter how far we advance in technology, discover new methods of accomplishing tasks, or coming up with new inventions we can advertise on television for $19.95 plus shipping, it is only through the wisdom God gives us to perform such tasks.

Christians should be thankful for the gift of brilliant, intelligent people the Lord has given us. Advances in the field of medicine have saved millions of lives over the years. I mentioned technology above that has made our lives easier. Space exploration has made it possible to conduct scientific experiments that could not be done otherwise. Gifted musicians and entertainers provide a soothing outlet in our fast-paced world. I could go on and on, and I’m sure you can think of some examples. The bottom line is that God provides all these things to help us.

The psalmist said, “My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” (Ps.121:2 nlt) The ultimate source of help in our lives is God the Father. There is nothing He can’t do to help us. He created the heavens and the earth by speaking them into existence. God will come to our aid when we need help. He may even use some of the resources listed above. Even if you just need a song.

Read: Ps 121 NLT – Psalm 121 – A song for pilgrims – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Put into practice what you have learned

Loring Schultz

“Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:9 NLT

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A vital element of living the Christian life is continuing to grow in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are to be continually learning and being built up spiritually. Christianity is an on-going educational process in the Word of God. There are no semester breaks, no spring trips to Florida, or summer vacations. Education never stops, and gradation day is not until the Lord calls us home.

The purpose of education, whether secular schooling or studying the Bible, is to put into practice what we have learned. In secular education we put into practice that which will help us in life get a job, provide for our needs, help others, be an instrumental part of society, and learn from history what worked in the past and what hadn’t worked. There may be graduation days in secular education, but if we are wise, we will continue to be a student using what we have learned as a foundation. As an old saying’ goes, ‘things are always a changin.’

The world is always changing, and I might add mostly not for the better. However, there are many positive changes that do occur in our world today and we should embrace them. The changes in which we are never to agree are those that are contrary to God’s Word. Although our world is constantly changing, the Word of God never changes. It is not subject to change, nor does it adapt to current culture. If it did, the Bible would not be the Word of God. It is the world who changes the words of Scripture to adapt to its culture, not the Lord God. It is His Word, and he hasn’t changed it.

Having now confirmed the immutability of the Bible, we know what was written stands in truth as much today as it did in the days it was written. We should not hesitate to put into practice what we learn. As Christians the Bible teaches us how to live and grow spiritually through the Holy Spirit and the teachings of Jesus. No matter how long one has been a Christian, none of us have arrived at full knowledge. We are continually learning new things in our modern world putting them into practice. More importantly there is still a lot to learn from the Bible. Paul told the church at Philippi to, “Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me.” (Ph.4:9a nlt) Paul taught them from the Old Testament Scriptures and what the Lord had revealed to him at that time. He knew they would be encouraged and grow spiritually in doing so. So, whatever our age so let us continue or start our study of God’s Word and put into practice what we have learned.

Check out the following sites for help in studying the Bible:

https://www.gty.org/library/articles/A178/how-to-enjoy-bible-study

https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/5-tips-studying-bible-effectively

6 Bible Study Methods You Need to Know (and Try)
Devotionals

Mr. Know It All

Loring Schultz

“When I gave my heart to know wisdom and to see the task which has been done on the earth (even though one should never sleep day or night), and I saw every work of God, I concluded that man cannot discover the work which has been done under the sun. Even though man should seek laboriously, he will not discover; and though the wise man should say, ‘I know,’ he cannot discover.” Ecclesiastes 8:16-17 NASB

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I’m sure all of us at one time or another have met someone who thinks they know it all. A Mr. Know It All! If you haven’t met that person, I should hope it’s not you. Please take no offense, but the wisest man who ever lived, Solomon, said, “Not even the wisest people discover everything, no matter what they claim.” (Ec.8:17b nlt)

King Solomon was granted wisdom from the Lord surpassing every person who ever lived before him and every person who will live after him. The Lord was pleased with Solomon that he asked for wisdom in leading God’s people as king and did not ask anything for himself. Solomon’s wisdom has been unmatched ever since that eventful day 3,000 years ago.

Solomon made an exhaustive study on the work of God. Day and night examining all of God’s creations, His magnificent wonders, understanding them and applying them in the many proverbs he wrote. He soon realized he could never discover all of God’s works. “I concluded that man cannot discover the work which has been done under the sun……though the wise man should say, ‘I Know.’ He cannot discover.” (Ec.8:17 nasb)

Christians are blessed having the Holy Spirit in their lives. Many times, the Lord has given me wisdom through His spirit in handling difficult situations. Sometimes I amaze myself with what seems like profound wisdom coming from my lips. But then I remember, it’s not me, or my wisdom, its God’s wisdom working through me. God doesn’t need any ‘know it all’s in His kingdom. Even Solomon realized in all his wisdom that he was not a Mr. Know It All! That title belongs to the Lord God of heaven.

Devotionals

Believers are Secure in Christ

Loring Schultz

2 Timothy 2:11-13 ESV

 11. The saying is trustworthy, for:

 If we have died with him, we will also live with him;

12. if we endure, we will also reign with him;

if we deny him, he also will deny us;

13. if we are faithless, he remains faithful—

 for he cannot deny himself.

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Many of our Christian hymns from yesteryear provide deep doctrinal truth in their lyrics. You may think of hymns such as ‘The Old Rugged Cross,’ ‘Calvary Covers It All,’ ‘Blessed Assurance,’ and ‘Amazing Grace’ as ones possessing such truths. Most of these old favorite hymns were taken directly from Scripture which indeed explains the powerful doctrinal truths found in them. A very old Christian hymn in the first century was derived from Paul’s second letter to Timothy found in 2 Timothy chapter 2. Although we don’t know the name of the hymn, we do have the lyrics, and they speak of the doctrinal truth that all true believers are secure in Christ.

Paul’s words of encouragement to Timothy in this section of his letter is to note that Timothy as a soldier for Christ and all believers are secure. Their salvation is secure in Christ Jesus. ‘If we have died with him’ signifies our union with Christ in His death. “We will also live with him’ assures us will be raised up from the dead with Him. ‘If we endure, we will also reign with him’ speaks of our current life and our future life in eternity. In this life Christians will suffer for their faith, but when we endure and persevere here, we will reign with Christ in our glorified bodies in eternity. Sadly, this phrase, ‘if we deny him, he will also deny us,’ is the reality of all those who profess to know Jesus but have never accepted Him as Lord and savior. They have denied Him in their lives. The Lord will say on that day, “but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.” (Mt.10:33 esv)

The last line of this ancient hymn, or perhaps this was the first chorus in Christian music, is our assurance of salvation. ‘If we are faithless, he remains faithful-for he cannot deny himself.’ God’s character is what we rest on. He remains faithful to us even through the countless times we are unfaithful to Him. God cannot be anything but Himself, faithful. Our salvation does not rest on us being faithful, but on what Christ has done for us. We are to be faithful in our Christian Walk, but our assurance of eternal life depends only on God for He remains faithful, and may we all praise God for that, either in a chorus or an old familiar hymn.

Devotionals

Are you following the Voice of Strangers?

Loring Schultz

“A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.” John 10:5 NASB

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All of us are comfortable with familiar surroundings. The voices of those we hang around with are welcomed at any time. When having a bad day hearing a familiar voice quiets your spirit. We may be quick to follow them to an event to help shed some of those anxious feelings. There is a trust factor with one we have cultivated a relationship with. You would not hang around with a stranger, in fact you wouldn’t recognize their voice. You would not follow the voice of a stranger.

One of Jesus’ seven ‘I am’ statements found in the gospel of John is ‘I am the door.’ Jesus is saying He is the door unto salvation. In Jesus’ illustration of Him being the door, He references the doorkeeper who is an under shepherd who guards the door at night and assists the shepherd in caring for His flock. The doorkeeper recognizes the shepherd’s voice and opens the door to the sheep pen. The shepherd’s sheep have already started to gather around the door for they responded to the shepherd’s unique call from outside the door. He calls them by name, and they follow Him because they know His voice. They will not follow the voice of a stranger.

Not all the sheep in the sheep pen followed Jesus’ in this illustration. They did not recognize His voice. It was the voice of a stranger. To many people today, Jesus is a stranger. They followed the voices of those they are familiar with, the voices of the world and the world’s system. The voices that say all religions lead to God, or just do the best you on your own, or living a life a love and peace will get you a blissful afterlife.

Don’t be fooled by the voices of false teachers or the secular views of the world. These are the voices of strangers to those who truly know Christ as savior. Jesus says, “A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.” (Jn.10:5 nasb) If these voices are familiar to you, then you are following the voices of those outside the saving knowledge of Christ. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (Jn.14: nasb) Accept Jesus’ call to salvation and become a sheep of His pasture recognizing His voice and never again follow the voice of strangers.

Read: John 10:1-10 NASB – Parable of the Good Shepherd – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

What are you harvesting?

Loring Schultz

“Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.” Galatians 6:7 NLT

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The law of sowing and reaping is proven true each autumn as farmers fields and neighborhood gardens are harvested with the produce and crops that were sowed early in the spring. Whatever was planted is sure to come up and nothing else. Farmers’ corn fields will produce corn and my home garden, as small as it will produce tomatoes and the various peppers my wife and I planted. As much as I would like some corn to roast on the grill, I’ll need to go to the grocery store. Seeds will produce only their own kind, what they are. And it is equally important to remember good seeds produce only good crops, and bad seeds produce only bad crops.

The same is true for how we live our life. What we sow now, or have sowed in the past, good or bad will be evident in due time. The bad or corrupt seeds of anger, jealousy, greed, sensual pleasure, pride, and envy if sowed and continued to grow will bring about destruction. Whereas the good seeds of love, kindness, generosity, self-control, goodness, patience, and faithfulness will produce a life that is well pleasing to God, our families, and our neighbors. So, what are you harvesting this year?