Devotionals – Page 46 – Word for the Soul

Hope in Our Rebellion

July 24, 2024July 23, 2024 Loring Schultz

“At one time all the people of the world spoke the same language and used the same word” Genesis 11:1 NLT

There is always hope for those who rebel against God. An example of mass rebellion against the creator God occurred in the early chapters of the book of Genesis. One hundred years after the destructive flood that saved only Noah and his family the people rebelled against God in their pride and refused God’s command to move on and populate the earth. Everyone spoke the same language and they said, “Come, let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world.” (Gen.11:4 nlt)

That famous tower they intended to build was the ‘tower of Babel.’ It was to be a symbol of their strength and achievements of what they were capable of without God’s help. They were assigning glory to themselves in building this great tower. It would stand as a monument of how great they were. They quickly forgot God and became their own god. The God of heaven quickly put an end to that by confusing their language. God who created mankind now created multiple languages among the people so they couldn’t understand each other and were forced to separate and move on.

God had caused the separation due to their sin. They wouldn’t scatter across the earth as God told them to. Sometimes we put ourselves in a position of not following God’s instructions and God separates from what is keeping us from serving Him. But there is always hope that follows. After the Lord separated the people at the tower of Babel scripture tells us that through the line Shem, one of Noah’s sons, came Abraham, and through his line came our savior Jesus Christ.

There was a time when the world had one language and although we enjoy the many different cultures and languages today as represented in Paris this week, it came about due to sin. But there is hope, for God sent His Jesus to reconcile all of us back together through Him no matter our language. “After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb.” (Rev.7:9 nlt)

Read: Genesis 11:1-9 NLT – The Tower of Babel – At one time all – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

The Incredible Race

July 23, 2024July 22, 2024 Loring Schultz

“The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7b NLT

An incredible race is about to unfold before the world this Friday July 26, 2024. Over 10,000 athletes from 195 countries will be racing towards a gold, silver, or bronze medal in the 2024 Olympic games in Paris. This incredible race occurs every four years in a different country awarded the opportunity to host the games. The host nation displays their country, their culture, and the people with pride. Within 195 different countries there are many different cultures, nationalities, ethnic groups, and skin color. The Olympic games have a way of displaying God’s wonderful creation, the human race, the true incredible race. Our devotions this week will coincide with the thousands of athletes and fans from hundreds of cultures across the globe as they convene in Paris displaying God’s incredible race.

When you are among thousands of people who have gathered, it is natural to see the differences between yourself and other people. What do you notice first about those who differ from you? Do you have a first impression of them? And from where does that first impression come from? Does it come from recognizing every person as an image-bear of God? 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) Every human being in this incredible race is made in the image of God.

Our world today makes it easy to notice the difference in human beings and not always in a positive light calling out the mistreatment of selected individuals or people groups over others and rightly so. Sadly, others do so to push their own agenda without any care for the mistreated. It is easy even for Christians to get caught up in a non-biblical mindset.

Christians are to view everyone as seen through God’s eyes. “The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1Sa.16:7b nlt) The gathering of the nations in Paris represents the gathering that will take place in the kingdom of heaven. All who have accepted Christ as savior from every nation in every corner of the world will be present, the incredible race.

Devotionals

Going for Eternal Gold

July 22, 2024July 19, 2024 Loring Schultz

“All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:25 NLT

The XXXIII Olympiad will commence on July 26, 2024, in Paris, France. Athletes from all over the world will arrive in hopes of capturing that Olympic Gold Medal. Events will take place over the next seventeen days from track and field, swimming, gymnastics, skateboarding, volleyball, basketball, equestrian, boxing, 32 sports in all with 329 medal events. That’s a lot of gold. Individual athletes train for years for the opportunity to go for the gold. Members of team sports keep themselves in shape hoping to get that invitation to try out and be part of the Olympic dream. A lot, if not all, of personal pleasures and pursuits are put on the sidelines during the training process. There are two goals, to make the cut and to earn a gold medal.

The apostle Paul used athletic imagery quite often in his writings. He referred to his preaching as running in a race as he addressed the churches at Galatia. (Gal.2:2) Paul told the church at Philippi he pressed on to finish the race to receive the prize the Lord had for him. (Phi.3:14) He told Timothy to fight the good fight for true faith, and always be careful to compete by the rules. (1 Tim.6:12, 2 Tim.2:5) Paul also put in perspective the value of the goal he was trying to reach. He was going for eternal gold.

Paul commended the athletes of his day by noting their extensive disciplined training. Their goal was to win a wreath of greenery at the Isthmian games in Corinth. Obviously, this prize would not last the test of time, but they strived for it, nonetheless. Paul seems to say how much better the eternal prize would be. He was not dismissing the value of going for the gold in this life, but to have our priorities in order. Even a gold medal may lose its value one day and we certainly will not outlast that product of gold in our lifetime, so let us also go, with Paul, for eternal gold.

Devotionals

Loving Others

July 19, 2024July 16, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives” 1 Corinthians 14:1 NLT

There are certain passages of Scripture both in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible that are well-known to both avid readers and non-readers. One such passage is 1 Corinthians 13 in the New Testament, known as the ‘Love Chapter.’ Many people can recite verses embedded in the text even if they cannot recall where it is found. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” (1Cor.13:4 niv) And on it goes. It is read at wedding ceremonies and other venues where the subject is love, pursuing love, maintaining love, and administering love. These words of the ‘Love Chapter’ are more than adequate in pledging one’s love for another, and for an in-depth study of love from God’s perspective, but the apostle Paul had another thought in mind as he wrote to the church in Corinth. Their lack of love for others was hindering the full potential of their spiritual gifts.

The church in Corinth had many problems Paul needed to address. One was their abuse and selfish attitude of spiritual gifts. There was boasting and pride among those with certain gifts. Those with less influential gifts yearned for the more recognizable ones often disdaining their brothers and sisters who had them. They were ignorant of the fact that their gift was intended for others. Yes, the gifts were theirs given to them by God but were to be used to encourage others in the church. Their lack of love for others made the gifts meaningless.

Paul explains this at the beginning of the ‘Love Chapter.’ “If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing.” (1Cor.13:1-2 nlt) Paul is saying to the Corinthian church and to us he would be nothing and his gifts would not amount to anything or benefit anybody if he did not love others.

The greatest gift given to humanity is the Love of God; God’s Love in His plan of salvation, Christ’s Love in His sacrifice on the cross, and the Holy Spirit’s Love in His presence and administering our spiritual gifts. We are to love others as God has loved us putting into proper place the spiritual gifts He has given us. “Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives” (1Cor.14:1 nlt)

Read: 1 Corinthians 13:1-14:1 NLT – Love Is the Greatest – If I could speak – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

It is God who works in you

July 18, 2024July 17, 2024 Loring Schultz

“for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13 ESV

Is God calling you to serve in a ministry you feel you have no qualifications or the ability necessary to fulfill that role? It is prudent to evaluate if you can provide this service, but if it is the Lord God calling you and not others advising you to do it, the evaluation process will go quickly confirming the fact that God thinks you are qualified. This does not mean you will not question yourself or be fearful if you fail at times, you may, but God has this. He called you.

Paul encouraged those in the church at Philippi informing them, “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Ph.2:13 esv) Whatever the Lord is calling you to do you can count on the fact that He will be working in you. He knows you can’t do it on your own and you need His help through the Holy Spirit. The Lord wants His message to get through. He will not fail to help you.

We all fail to realize that God can see below the surface of our lives to the passions and dreams within us we may not even know were there. God wants to use them for His purposes, and He will draw them out as He calls us. It is at this time we become frightened at the possibility of doing something we never thought possible. What has laid below the surface was put there from our creator from eternity past and He will use it in His time. God may be bringing to the surface your desires to serve Him and is beginning to work in you whatever your age or status in life. So, don’t dismiss His calling, but trust Him to work in you for His good pleasure.

“We are told that the shivering weeds of the Arctic regions are nothing less than our forest trees-the stately oak and the sturdy elm. The very grasses and ferns of the temperate climate becomes trees in the tropics………The power of God through His Spirit will work within us to the degree that we permit it. The choice is ours.” (1)

(1) Cowman, Mrs. Charles E. Streams in the Desert 2. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing, 1966. Pg.204-205

Read: Philippians 2:12-18 ESV – Lights in the World – Therefore, my – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Be happy in your work

July 17, 2024July 16, 2024 Loring Schultz

“When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands, You will be happy and it will be well with you.” Psalm 128:2 NASB

The average person spends about one-third of their life working at a job. Some less and some maybe more. I’ve fallen into the ‘more’ category but I’m not complaining. Much of it was time well spent and some of it not so much, but it was where the Lord placed me. I can’t say I was always happy, but I was content most of my working days. Most of my enjoyment can be summed up in Psalm 128:2, “When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands, You will be happy and it will be well with you.” (nasb) One of my favorite verses especially during long hard days has always been from the book of Ecclesiastes, “There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God.” (Ec.2:24 nasb) That verse got me through a lot of difficult days as I anticipated the meal that was waiting for me at home my wife had prepared.

Being happy in your work is a lot more than looking forward to an evening meal. It encompasses all the fruits of your labor. Providing for yourself and your family, using your resources to help others in need and supporting measures to spread the Gospel are some of the many reasons to be happy in your work. Not all workplaces have a positive environment, but if you are going to spend eight hours a day there, you might as well make the best of it. One of the most important benefits you can receive that is not part of your employer’s benefit package is the benefit of building friendships and relationships with those you toil and sweat with sharing bits and pieces of your lives. If done right, they last a lifetime.

The bottom line is, are you happy in your work? No, we are not always going to be, but when you add up the benefits of your labor you will find joy and contentment in the fruit that has been produced knowing that the Lord’s Hand was in it. As the song goes, ‘Be happy.’

Read: Psalm 128 NASB – Blessedness of the Fear of the LORD. – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

What Makes You Tremble?

July 16, 2024July 15, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.” Psalm 119:165 NIV

Photo by Ioann-Mark Kuznietsov on Unsplash

This past weekend on Saturday July 13, 2024, the core of the United States was shaken and most of the world with it as it witnessed an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally. The former President escaped with minor injuries, but a man in the crowd was killed and two others were seriously wounded from gunshots fired into the crowd. It was a moment that made one tremble at hearing the news. As the events unfolded that evening and through the weekend there developed a realization of what was speculated may happen, did happen. There is now an unsettling anticipation for the days ahead. People are looking for relief from the trembling they feel, calling for all to tamp down the temperature of political rhetoric. The feeling of trembling by most Americans is understandable and should not be ignored. But there is a great equalizer when we shift our trembling away from the things of a fallen world to the eternal God and His Word.

What most Americans felt this past weekend was true legitimate fear and anxiety. The 119^th Psalm speaks of another true legitimate fear but without the anxiety that makes our hearts tremble, and that is the Word of God. “Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart trembles at your word.” (Ps.119:161 niv) The psalmist trembles, fears, dreads, and is in awe, of God’s Word. He does not fear as when government rulers persecute him for their power is no match for God and His Word. He trembles and is awe of the power of the Scriptures and the promises it holds for all who believe in God. “I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil.” (Ps.119:162 niv)

People in the United States will experience uncharted territories the next few months. There may be more times of trembling here in America along with the current unrest in the world. But hear what the psalmist says and be encouraged, “Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.” (Ps.119:165 niv) We may tremble at the evil in the world, but we can stand firm in great peace, not stumbling as we shift our trembling to the Lord and His Word.

Read: Psalm 119:161-168 NIV – ש Sin and Shin Rulers persecute me – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

I Am the Greatest

July 15, 2024July 10, 2024 Loring Schultz

“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’” Matthew 18:1 NIV

In 1964 before his heavy weight title fight against Sonny Liston, Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, made his famous pronouncement, ‘I am the greatest.’ Backing up his claim he went on to defeat Liston by a TKO after six rounds. No one can deny Ali’s greatness in the ring throughout his career; retiring in 1981 with 56 wins, only 3 loses, and 3 world titles. Many consider him to be the G.O.A.T (greatest of all time) at least in the boxing realm and that may indeed be true. Desiring to be the best in your sport, even considered great by working hard at it is an admirable endeavor, but be careful not to let pride get in the way.

Jesus’s disciples were eagerly waiting the Messianic kingdom He was about to bring into existence. They were also anxious about their role in the kingdom asking Jesus which of them would be the greatest. The disciples were concerned because certain ones were selected over others for specific tasks. They were more concerned with having prominence in the kingdom than what Jesus had assigned for them. They wanted to insure a favorable position, one that would meet their expectations. But they had it all wrong.

This became a teachable moment for the disciples and for us today. Jesus sat a little child before them and said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt.18:3-4) Jesus is saying entrance into the kingdom of God is not of our own works, but by the lowly position of simple faith in Him and that constitutes the greatest in the kingdom.

Let us not be prideful in our accomplishments here on earth but give the glory to God. Let us take the lowly position of childlike faith in accepting Jesus Christ as Lord, and be able to proclaim in the kingdom, ‘He is the greatest.’

Devotionals

Nurture your Spiritual Gift

July 12, 2024July 8, 2024 Loring Schultz

“I’ve waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it down. It’s just taking up space in the garden.” Luke 13:7 NLT

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash

I am not much of a gardener, never have been, but I’m learning little by little the last few years. Planting a few pepper and tomato plants with my wife and caring for them has been a new experience for me. Of course, I pay particular attention to my variety of hot pepper plants, which weren’t planted until this novice got involved. One thing I do know is that if a plant does not produce its fruit, or very little, it hasn’t performed up to the potential for which it was planted. Now I realize part of the fault falls on the gardener, but I’m still learning.

The same is true for a Christian who has had a spiritual gift planted in them by the heavenly gardener. The Lord God gives a spiritual gift to every believer to be cultivated and grow for service in His church. He is the master gardener and has given us the Holy Spirit, His Word, access to Him through prayer, and encouragement of other Christians to help us reach our full potential in administering our spiritual gifts. However, failure in not producing fruit is not the fault of the master gardener, but the believer in Jesus Christ. Every Christian is responsible to nurture their spiritual lives and grow spiritually with the resources the Lord God has given us.

Jesus told a parable of a barren fig tree in the gospel of Luke. He said, “A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed. I’ve waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it down. It’s just taking up space in the garden.” (Lk.13:6-7 nlt) This is a sad example of many Christians who never mature beyond their initial acceptance of Jesus as savior. The Lord comes looking for fruitful lives but there is no fruit to be found. Their spiritual gifts lie dormant, not nurtured but neglected. It is as if Jesus said in the parable, ‘they are just taking up space in my church.’

The caretaker was told to cut down the tree by the master gardener, but a second chance was given. The Lord God gives each of us, second, third, and even fourth chances. In fact, His grace is limitless. His desire is for us to grow in Him, bearing fruit, and nurture our spiritual gifts. God wants us to live up to our full potential in serving Him in the church and to do that, we must be nurturing the spiritual gifts He has planted in us.

Read: Luke 13:6-9 NLT – Parable of the Barren Fig Tree – Then – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

A Guiding Light through a Dark World

July 11, 2024July 9, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105 NLT

The first moments of a power outage occurring after sunset are sudden darkness. Whether in the comforts of your own home or in a public building, you can almost feel the darkness before the emergency lighting kicks in. I’ve had plenty of those experiences working in the public, and it is not fun especially when the emergency lighting doesn’t come on due to a faulty generator. Guiding people through a dark building to the exits was challenging. To be fair, in later years it got a lot easier to escort people out with light illuminating from cell phones. I thanked the Lord for modern technology, only if the generator could have gotten on the same page.

Going through life without the light of God’s Word is like trying to exit a building in the dark. You simply don’t know where you are going as you lose your direction. Bumping into things and other people is dangerous. There is no viable way to walk through safely unless you stand still and wait. Standing still in life is not an option, so without proper guidance from your creator you will stumble into areas you should avoid not seeing the warning signs ahead. The dangers we should avoid in life is clearly spelled out for us in the Bible. It may have been written thousands of years ago, but the dangers back then were the same dangers we have now. Ours are only modernized.

The psalmist realizes God’s Word is the light needed to navigate in this dark world. He writes, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path………I will obey your righteous regulations. I have suffered much, O LORD; restore my life again as you promised. LORD, accept my offering of praise, and teach me your regulations.” (Ps.119:105-108 nlt) God’s Word is filled with many life experiences relevant to our day. Proper lessons can be learned and applied in today’s dark world to keep us from stumbling and falling as we are guided by the light of God’s Word.

Read: Psalm 119:105-112 NLT – Nun Your word is a lamp to guide my – Bible Gateway