Category: Devotionals

Devotionals

Have you hardened your heart towards God?         

Loring Schultz

Read: Job 9:1-12 ESV – Job Replies: There Is No Arbiter – Then – Bible Gateway

“He is wise in heart and mighty in strength—who has hardened himself against him, and succeeded?” Job 9:4 ESV

Photo by Rafael Garcin on Unsplash

Life throws us many nasty curveballs, to use a baseball analogy. We may be in the batter’s box, expecting a fastball down the middle of the plate, but the Lord God is on the mound, and He has a variety of pitches to keep us guessing. We don’t always get the pitches we would like, but they are from the hand of the Lord God and for our good. We may even get a brush back if we try to crowd the plate. God doesn’t like that; it’s His territory.

Job asked the question, ‘who has hardened himself against him (God), and succeeded?’ (Job 9:4 nlt) No answer is required. It is obvious, no one! Now it is true in baseball that both the pitcher and batter succeed against each other, but when the Lord God is on the mound or has a bat in His hands in the box, we don’t stand a chance. His purpose will prevail.

During times of struggle and unexpected occurrences in our lives, there may be a tendency to harden our hearts toward God. We may even do it unconsciously, not realizing it. We drift away from Him. Some of us automatically distanced ourselves from God, and then others simply question God. There’s nothing wrong with questioning God or asking ‘why.’ He understands but be careful to take note of the condition of your heart. Don’t let it become calloused with doubt, bitterness, or unbelief.   

When struggles and confusion begin to consume our days, what is needed most is listening ears and a soft heart towards the Lord. We can’t go off on our own without Him and expect to succeed in overcoming our problems. So, while you’re looking for that fastball, just take the strike and look unto the Lord God. He’s got it covered.

Devotionals

Come to Jesus, He will never drive you away

Loring Schultz

“…………whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” John 6:37b NIV

Photo by Alekon pictures on Unsplash

Is there any sin you can commit that is outside the reach of God’s forgiveness? Have you found yourself in a place where you cannot approach God due to your sin, and yet knowing that you need to? Is the light of your Christian life clouded by repeated sin and keeps you from going to God for forgiveness? Have you reached a point where you feel God will or has driven you away from Him due to your sin?

Just a couple more questions. Do you believe in God? Have you accepted Jesus as your personal savior? Do you believe the Bible is God’s Holy Word to us and every word is true? If you answered yes to these last three questions there is some very good news in the pages of God’s Word especially for you, the good news of God’s forgiveness and restoration for all believers saved by His grace. It is true God hates sin, but He loves you and me, the sinner.

In teaching the crowd that followed Him after feeding five thousand men plus women and children, Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (Jn. 6:35 nlt) Jesus was telling them He was the way to salvation and eternal life. Those in need of repentance and forgiveness of sin leading to eternal life were to come to Him, He was the bread of life, eternal life. Jesus didn’t say to those with the most grievous sins to stay away, but ‘whoever comes to me I will never drive away.’

Jesus does not turn anyone away who comes to Him for salvation, nor He will not drive away any of those who accepted Him as savior when coming to Him in confession and asking for forgiveness. His words apply in granting salvation and in forgiving our sin after our salvation.  Jesus died for your sins past, present, and future no matter how deplorable. Jesus wants us to come to Him with our sin, whatever it is, and confess it to Him. He will not turn His back on us, in fact, Jesus promised, “………whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” (Jn.6:37b niv)

“He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.” (Ps.103:12 nlt)

“For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again” (Prov.24:16 nkjv)

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 Jn.1:9 nkjv)

Devotionals

No Secrets with God

Loring Schultz

There are specific things in our lives we would like to remain secret. Not all these things are of a sinful nature, referred to as secret sins, but also certain matters of embarrassment we rather not be made public. I can recall many dumb and embarrassing things I have done in my life I’d rather be left in the memory of those who have witnessed them. True friends will keep the secret, but others are not so obliged in revealing the episode to others. There is not much you can do after the fact except hope it will not be used against you as a butt of a joke or even worse to harm you. 

Some people are good at keeping certain areas of their lives extremely private and secret. This is not to condemn one who does this, but for whatever reason they choose not to share and keep secret, there is one who knows everything. God the Father knows every detail and the deep dark secrets of our lives. We are unable to keep any secret from God. He even knows what we are thinking, or what we are about to think. But God will not reveal what He knows about us to anyone. God can keep a secret.

Although God can keep a secret, He will never allow us to get away with any sin in our lives unconfessed. And there will be a day when all Christians will stand before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account of our lives, both public and private. 2 Corinthians 5:10 says, “For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.” (nlt) May we keep in mind even though God forgives us of our sin, and can keep a secret, “that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.” (Rom. 2:16 nlt)

Devotionals

Never Alone

Loring Schultz

“I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” John 14:18 KJV

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Everyone needs a little comfort every now and again. A kindly spoken word will do the trick for some while others need someone able to provide deep comfort only by their presence, no words necessary. The frustrations of living in a complex society can be soothed quickly by others as they encourage us. They affirm the everyday struggles we all deal with, and their words are a lift to our spirit. It is often enough to help us continue. But there are times when we need the constant presence of those who comfort us in our time of need. Unfortunately, that is not always possible in our world of responsibility. However, there is one constant companion who will never leave your side and is there to comfort. So, you will never be alone.

In the upper room the night before going to the cross Jesus prepared the disciples for His leaving. He informed them they would not be left comfortless; He would always be with them. He promised to send the Holy Spirit, His constant presence with them. Jesus assured them, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.” (Jn.14:16 nlt)

Jesus kept His promise. The Holy Spirit is with every believer in Jesus Christ. If you know the Lord as your savior, He is your constant companion and always by your side. “For he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” (Heb.13:5b esv) What a comfort it is to know of the Lord’s presence with us in whatever we are going through. There may be times when you feel you are struggling alone, but if you’re a child of God you are not alone. Your friends and closest loved ones cannot always be there when you need them, but Jesus is always there by your side. You’re never alone.

Devotionals

Teaching by example 101

Loring Schultz

Read: 1 Timothy 4:11-16 ESV – Command and teach these things. Let no – Bible Gateway

“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12 ESV

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

How many teachers can you recall from your learning years that have influenced you through your life? Maybe there have been many, maybe some or only a few, perhaps there had been only one. What was it you remember about their character? What have learned from them that has stuck in your mind and has become a way of life for you? You may have the desire to influence others as those teachers have influenced you, especially in the Christian faith, but you expect you don’t possess the skills or have the knowledge to do so. Don’t worry about it. All you need to do is take a course in ‘Teaching by example 101.’

Our class instructor is the apostle Paul. We will be sitting in with Timothy, a young Pastor who is learning from his most influential teacher. Paul advises Timothy not to let anyone look down on him because he is young. Timothy had been with Paul since his teenage years and already learned much from him. Still, he had much to learn. Paul gave Timothy five areas of Christian living as examples to the people in the church he was pastoring. We can apply these examples to our lives no matter our skills or education level for we are in ‘Teaching by example 101.’

Paul is stretching Timothy’s mind and ours to what we already know. We can’t live the Christian life without the help of the Holy Spirit. The good news is that every believer in Christ has received the Holy Spirit upon conversion and is capable of Christian living and being an example in speech, conduct, showing the love the Christ, displaying faith, and living in purity. What a privilege it is to influence others in righteousness. No, Christians are not perfect, but our commitment to being an example in a consistent manner is something that will be caught rather than taught. In this way we continue to influence others.

Devotionals

Consistent Faith   

Loring Schultz

Read: Matthew 14:22-33 NLT – Jesus Walks on Water – Immediately – Bible Gateway

“Then Peter called to him, ‘Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.’ ‘Yes, come,’ Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.” Matthew 14:28-29 NLT

FreeBibleimages.org

Consistent faith. Do you have it? Faith in God, the only one to put our faith and trust in. So, again, do you have consistent faith? How about limited faith, do you have that? We tend to think limited faith is better than having no faith at all. Perhaps that is true, but it can lead some disastrous outcomes. Having the faith to go all in with God requires our faith be consistent.

One of the most well-known stories in the New Testament is Jesus walking on the water. Many of us forget the fact that two people are recorded in the Bible for having walked on water. Peter is often forgotten. It could be because it didn’t end very well. We also forget the great faith it took for Peter to step out of that boat in the midst of stormy sea. Peter had faith in Jesus at the outset but when the wind and waves circled around him his faith sunk as did his body when he took his eyes off the object of his faith. Peter had great faith, but it wasn’t consistent when trouble surrounded him.

You may find yourself today struggling with your faith in God. You started out with great faith in the Lord, but things aren’t going as well as when you first stepped out of the boat. Question? Are your eyes still on Jesus or on the surrounding events or problems in the world and in your life? Consistent faith will see you through. God will not abandon you. Jesus didn’t let Peter sink but pulled him up from drowning in his lack of faith. The Lord will do the same for you, but a lot of stress and difficult times can be avoided with a little more consistency in our faith.

Devotionals

This Prophecy is for You          

Loring Schultz

Read: Isaiah 40:1-5 NLT – Comfort for God’s People – Bible Gateway

“Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills. Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places.” Isaiah 40:4 NLT

“For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me.” John 6:44 NLT

Photo by KTMD ENTERTAINMENT on Unsplash

Isaiah brings a prophecy of comfort to the nation Israel after just prophesying of the judgment to come upon them for their sin against God. They will be carried off by the Babylonians into exile for seventy years. The Lord God tells Isaiah to “Comfort, comfort my people, Speak tenderly to Jerusalem. Tell her that her sad days are gone and her sins are pardoned.” (Is.40:1-2 nlt)

The road back to the Promised Land was cleared by the Lord after their forgiveness. They will be able to return home and re-establish worship with God. “Clear the way through the wilderness for the LORD! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God!” (Is.40:3 nlt) This prophecy also references the coming of the Messiah for the Jewish people. John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus, quoted these verses announcing His arrival. John’s words were not only for the Jewish people but for all mankind. The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world has come.

How does this prophecy relate to each of us in our current day? The road to salvation for us is made straight and smooth as it was for the nation of Israel on their return to the Promised Land. The geographical features of the valleys, mountains and hills, along with the curves and rough places symbolizes the carnal mind and heart of the sinner. The road must be leveled for us to reach the promised land of salvation in Christ. The Lord has done this through Holy Spirit for all who accept God’s calling unto salvation. We cannot clear the way on our own. It is the Holy Spirit that leads us unto salvation.

“He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.” (Titus 3:5-6 nlt)

Devotionals

Joyful Singing

Loring Schultz

“Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing.” Psalm 100:2 NASB

Whether an old-time hymn, a chorus medley, or one of our many contemporary compositions, worship songs tell of the greatness of God, His Holy attributes, His love and mercy and our response to Him through Praise and Worship.

The psalmist writes, “Come before Him with joyful singing.” Unfortunately or not, our response and participation in worshiping God through song is not always “with joyful singing.”  There made be instances when your mind is clouded, you are not feeling well, or you are having one of those days. Well take heart my friend, the Lord knows of your situation.

Participating in worship songs is not only an outward activity, but also an inward response to our Lord. It is a matter of the heart. I admit my musical ability is limited, in fact it is very limited, including singing. My singing is anything but joyful to the general public, and I am not one who adheres to “make a joyful noise to the Lord.” Yes, the Lord knows of my situation, but I do not want to subject my brothers and sisters to my joyful noise.

So whether you are having a bad day and you are not yourself, or your musical talent is on the short side, worshiping the Lord through song can still occur as the Lord knows your heart. You can worship, sing along and praise God in your heart. And the good news is that one day we will all be worshiping God around the throne in heaven with nothing to distract us, no sickness, no cares of this world, only joyful singing and with no one singing off key, even me.

Devotionals

First Fruits; giving our first and best to the Lord              

Loring Schultz

Read: Leviticus 23:9-14 NLT – Celebration of First Harvest – Then the – Bible Gateway

“Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. When you enter the land I am giving you and you harvest its first crops, bring the priest a bundle of grain from the first cutting of your grain harvest.” Leviticus 23:10 NLT.

Isn’t it always a pleasure to get that first cup of fresh coffee just brewed. How about that first slice of pizza coming out of a brick oven, or those warm gooey chocolate cookies cooling on the tray. Nothing beats the taste of those fresh products. They are in the freshest and best state they will be in and we appreciate being able to enjoy them before they become day old. They are the first and best.

Have you ever thought about God wanting our first and best? Ancient Israel hadn’t thought of it either until they were about to settle in the Promised Land. God gave them instructions for the festivals they were to celebrate in worship to Him. There were seven in total with the Festival of First Fruits occurring on the second day of the feast of Unleavened Bread. This would be the month of Nisan on the Jewish calendar in the spring of the year. Israel was to dedicate the first portion of the earliest barley crop to God. The first fruits belonged to God. It symbolized consecrating the entire future harvest to the creator God for all things belong to Him. Israel anticipated a successful future crop through faith in the Lord God.

Israel was to bring the first and best to the Lord of their crops during the Feast of First Fruits, but this also filtered down to all that God had blessed them with. They were to give the first and best of their entire substance to support the work of the Temple and the priests. “You must also give to the priests the first share of the grain, the new wine, the olive oil, and the wool at shearing time.” (Dt.18:4 nlt) The Lord is the creator of everything and all that we have is from the hand of God.

The Lord God wants the first and best from all who follow Him. It is a form of worship as it was for ancient Isarel that each of us give back a portion of what God has blessed us with. We need to remember it’s all His anyway, we are only stewards of what he has given us to manage. It’s not just our finances and material goods God wants, he doesn’t need the money, but He also desires the first and best of our time and talents as well. May we give the Lord that first fresh cup of coffee.

Devotionals

No Excuse; examine the evidence

Loring Schultz

All of us must admit there are times when something is so obvious, so clearly seen, so clearly heard, even so clearly felt, that we cannot deny is authenticity. Indeed it must be true.  Despite the efforts of some who will try to dissuade you from a certain truth either through false comments or actions, if you take the time to examine what they are saying and doing you will find plenty of evidence to the contrary. What is true is true and what is false is false. There is always evidence as to what is true and to what is false if we only take the time to search it out for ourselves. In our current day, we have a vast pool of informational sources available to us to search out a matter. As a result of this, we are without excuse if we continue to be persuaded by others and not look at the evidence ourselves.

When it comes to the existence of God however, God has made it easy for us to determine He does exist and He is God. All throughout history up to including today, there are many people who deny the existence of the God of the Bible. Some display their denial through their words, but most exhibit their denial through their actions. Therefore if there is no God, then there is no God to answer to and I am free to do as I please. They become their own gods determining what is right or wrong according to themselves and their current culture. Their actions are having severe consequences on themselves and society as a whole. Even though some claim to know God, they obviously do not know the God of the Bible.  

But the good news is the God of the Bible, the true God, has made Himself known to every individual through nature itself and the creation of the world. He has made it easy for us to know Him so we are without excuse. We have no excuse for living as if there are no consequences in living in violation of His Word, as if He doesn’t exist or doesn’t care about our actions. He does!

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com

“For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So, they have no excuse for not knowing God.” (Ro,1:20 nlt)