Devotionals – Page 51 – Word for the Soul

Your Will or God’s Will Be Done?

May 8, 2024May 7, 2024 Loring Schultz

“‘Abba, Father,’ he cried out, ‘everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.’” Mark 14:36 NLT

Yesterday our devotional study focused on the two-step process in how to make God’s desires our desires. Today’s devotion falls along those same lines but with a twist. God promises our hearts will be filled with our desires when they match God’s desires for us. How well then do you handle God’s desires and His will for you when it brings pain and suffering into your life?

Jesus, the God-man, faced the reality of following His Father’s will in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before His crucifixion. He knew of God’s plan of salvation for each of us before the world began and He followed every detail. The time had come for the payment of sin to be completed. The sacrifice for sin would be made in a few short hours. Jesus was about to experience the most excruciating pain and suffering imaginable as the sins of the world would be laid upon Him. His Father would turn His back on Him causing Jesus to call “out with a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?’ which means ‘My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?’” (Mk.15:34 nlt)

In the garden that night Jesus knew His Father was capable of an alternative plan if it was His will to do so. Jesus prayed for this to be so. “‘Abba, Father,’ he cried out, ‘everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me.” (Mk.14:36a nlt) The physical pain in the ‘cup of suffering’ will be accompanied by the spiritual separation from His Father that was forthcoming. Jesus asked that it be taken away, but then said, “Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” (Mk.14:36b nlt)

Whatever your pain and suffering may be, it is understandable to ask the Lord to remove it and He will not fault you for that. There are times when He will remove it completely or partially, and times when He does not. Knowing that God desires your heart to be filled with His desires and for His will to be done wouldn’t you rather God’s will than your own will? May we all be able to say with the Lord Jesus, “Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” (Mk.14:36 nlt)

Read: Mark 14:32-42 NLT – Jesus Prays in Gethsemane – They went – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Desires of Your heart; it’s a two-step process

May 7, 2024May 6, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.” Psalm 37:4-5 ESV

Fulfilling a desire of your heart sometimes takes a lifetime. Striving and working towards that goal seems less strenuous as you picture that coveted desire in your mind. Finally, you reach the end of that rainbow only to find out the desire didn’t fill your heart. But take heart, there’s a better way to ensure your desires will fill your heart before you set out on that long journey. The fulfillment of the desires of your heart is a two-step process.

Step1: Delight yourself in the Lord, and totally commit your life to follow Him, trusting Him to lead you in the right way. The Lord God knows what is best you, He created you and understands you better than you understand or know yourself. Delight yourself in getting to know God more intimately through prayer and a daily reading of His Word. Commit to be obedient of all you have learned through Scripture, and trust God to help you through the Holy Spirit.

Step 2: Make sure your desires are God’s desires. It is not as difficult as it sounds if you are willing to let go and let God direct you. Take a good hard look at your desires and ask, is this a desire God would have for me? If you have strong desires that center more on yourself hoping that these are also God’s desires, ask God to change your desires to His and He will.

The Lord God promises to act on our behalf when it comes to obeying Him in desiring what He desires for us. Again, God knows how He made us and how we are wired for His service. He also knows we can only have complete fulfillment in the desires of our hearts when our desires are also His desires. If you haven’t yet begun the two-step process there is not a better time than right now, it is time to start to have the desires of your heart fulfilled.

Devotionals

Watching through Serving

May 6, 2024May 1, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone.” Matthew 25:14 NLT

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash

In our current year 2024 there has been a great emphasis put on the return of Christ by Christians and the coming of the apocalypse, or end of the world as they see it, by non-Christians. Fueling this are current events as the Israel-Hamas war, the war in Ukraine, increasing government corruption in many nations around the world including the United States, the never-ending stream of violence, the recent solar eclipse, and now the dual event of the 13- and 17-year cicadas emerging at the same time in few short weeks. No doubt these are troubling times and the Lord’s return would be pleasant welcome but are we, as Christians, watching for His return through serving Him or are we serving the interests of the prognosticators of our day.

In Matthew 25 we find another one of Jesus’ many parables concerning the kingdom of heaven. The parable of the Three Servants, or more commonly known as the parable of the Talents, is a story of three employees given responsibilities to be carried out in their boss’s absence. He entrusted them with his investments so his work would continue to carry on. Upon his return, which he did not specify when that would be, he expected those assignments to be completed and for his employees to be at work. Returning home the boss did find two of them faithful in their assignments, doubling the investments. The third employee neglected his responsibility of investing in his boss’s work only to give him back what he was entrusted with. He failed to bring in further investments in his boss’s business.

The boss or ‘master’ in this parable is a representation of Jesus. The employees or servants of Jesus is us. He has given each of us assignments according to our ability to serve Him, bringing others into the kingdom and increasing His investment. Serving the Lord wholeheartedly focuses our minds on His return. Charles R. Erdman says, “Those who are faithful in their work are in a true sense watching for the coming of the King.” When we truly serve Jesus, the King, we acknowledge His return and anticipate it. Let us be careful not to neglect our work by hiding the truth of the gospel while investing our time with the prophets of the apocalypse. Jesus is coming back unexpectedly so keep watching through serving.

Read: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2025%3A14-30&version=NLT

Devotionals

My Thorn in the Flesh

May 4, 2024May 3, 2024 Loring Schultz

“……So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.” 2 Corinthians 12:7 NLT

Trimming rose bushes for an inexperienced gardener may be hazardous to their flesh, I know. My wife is the gardener around our home, but last fall I decided to contribute and cut down the rose bushes. They were cut down extremely low from their present state as they grew wildly blocking my view from our front porch. So, truth be told, I had a hidden agenda. But as experienced gardeners know rose bushes grow back, and with my wife’s guidance as I was trimming last fall, they are now growing rapidly and fuller and it’s only the beginning of May. Looks like I’m in for some more thorns in the flesh this fall.

A thorn in the flesh is not enjoyable, it is painful. It is a nuisance as you do your trimming. They are always in the way. There are many ‘thorns in the flesh’ in life, therefore the saying of ‘dealing with my thorn in the flesh’ is a way to express frustration with annoyances that hinder your ability to accomplish your goals or so you may think. The thorns could be a physical ailment you are dealing with, constant disruptions in your employment or place of business, or even that annoying obnoxious neighbor who knows the right thorny buttons to push. As much as we don’t appreciate the annoyances there may very well be a good reason for them. And they most likely come from a source we think not.

The apostle Paul tells us the story about his thorn in the flesh, not what it is but why he has one. Paul details an amazing experience he had fourteen years earlier, “…. I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell…. even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.” (2Cor.12:4, 7 nlt)

The purpose of Paul’s thorn in the flesh was to keep him humble. The Lord did want a proud apostle boasting in himself, but in the power of the Lord Jesus. So, Paul was made weak to show the power of God through his weakness. (2Cor.12:9-10) This thorn also came from an unlikely source, Satan, but under God’s direction. And even though Paul prayed three times for it to be remove, God allowed it to remain saying to him each time, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” (2Cor.12:9a nlt)

Whatever your thorn in the flesh may be, thank the Lord for it and allow His love guide you through your weakness into His strength and say with the apostle Paul, “…. So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” (2Cor.12:9b nlt)

Read: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 NLT – Paul’s Vision and His Thorn in the – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Our Call to Love and Obedience

May 3, 2024May 2, 2024 Loring Schultz

“And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the LORD your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul. And you must always obey the LORD’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good.” Deuteronomy 10:12-13 NLT

Some Christians today struggle with God’s call on their life and understandably so. I’ve been there along with many others of our generation and those of generations past. We’re conflicted by what may or not be a sign from God in a certain direction. We put out feelers to those we trust confiding in them our struggle. Afraid of missing God’s calling or being unable to fulfill all He has for us; we drift along anticipating that bolt of lightning to strike us making clear His will for us. Sometimes it happens that way but don’t waste precious time waiting for lightning to strike.

Just prior to the children of Israel entering the promised land God gave His requirements (His will) for them. His will for them was to fear Him, live for Him, love Him, and serve Him with all their heart and soul, and of course to always obey the Lord’s commands. Israel was at the starting gate and their call was to love God and obey Him. This was foundational for their own good and even survival. Love and obedience were the springboard in seeking God’s will going forward.

A good place for us to start in seeking God’s will is to put ourselves in the starting gate with the children of Israel. What does the Lord require of us in 2024? Very simple, the same requirements He had for His chosen people Israel He has for His chosen people in Christ, our call to love and obedience. If we start there, with the basics, we will be in God’s will. Over time as we grow spiritually the Lord will reveal His plans for us going forward and they will be as clear as a bright sunny day with not a cloud in the sky.

Read: Deuteronomy 10:12-22 NLT – A Call to Love and Obedience – “And – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

An Endless River of Righteous Living

May 2, 2024May 1, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Away with your noisy hymns of praise! I will not listen to the music of your harps. Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living.” Amos 5:23-24 NLT

There are many lessons in the pages of Scripture to learn from today. After all, God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He does not change. His love for us is the same. His laws do not change over time. All His holy attributes do not change as the attribute of the Immutability of God tells us. We can be confident God doesn’t change and His Word doesn’t change either. It is the same and valid for all eternity, including the year 2024.

In the Old Testament book of Amos, the prophet was called to issue a warning to the northern tribes of Israel. They were to repent of their social evils and pagan worship. Their only hope to prevent judgment from God was total repentance from the blasphemous worship of God they were performing and their lack justice among the people. The Lord wanted a complete change of mind and heart towards Him, the Lord their God, which in turn would result in ‘a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living.’ (Amos 5:24 nlt)

Christians today may not equate themselves with all the sins of ancient Israel, but there are similarities to be considered. Are we always just in our dealings with others? Are we more than fair in areas which are under our control? When we worship God are our hearts in the right place? Have we been living righteously throughout week as we enter to worship God on Sunday morning? No, none of us are righteous, but we can walk in step with God through the Holy Spirit. Are we doing that? As with nation of Israel in Amos’s day, the Lord wants to see justice and an endless river of righteous flowing in our lives when we come to worship Him along with our noisy hymns of praise!

Devotionals

A Little Straight Talk

May 1, 2024April 30, 2024 Loring Schultz

“After they gathered again in Galilee, Jesus told them, ‘The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.’ And the disciples were filled with grief.’” Matthew 17:22-23 NLT

There comes a time in everyone’s life when a little straight talk is needed. The best way to handle this is to give it to them straight. Important matters needing attention should not be dismissed due to not wanting to hurt or offend someone. When one is mature enough to handle the truth, an honest conversation from one who is trustworthy will be beneficial helping them to go forward in life.

Jesus’ disciples needed a little straight talk. It is not that Jesus was not forthright in speaking to them. In manners they were able to understand, Jesus explained everything to them plainly. Jesus didn’t ignore His disciples’ questions answering them in their ability to comprehend. When Jesus spoke in parables to the people, He then privately explained them to the disciples. But when the disciples began to realize that Jesus was truly the Messiah, the time had come for some straight talk. Jesus was about to tell them of His betrayal, His death, and His resurrection; His mission.

It was difficult for the disciples for accept this especially Peter who ‘took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things.’ (Mt. 16:22 nlt) Sometimes straight talk is hard to handle but it is necessary. In Peter’s case and in ours as hard as it is to accept, Jesus’ mission on earth was to live a perfect life and to lay it down by being betrayed, crucified, and rising from the dead so that we may have eternal life with Him. It has been said, ‘a little straight talk never hurt anyone’, and in fact this straight talk saves everyone who believes.

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (Jn. 3:16 nlt)

Devotionals

Sealed for Freshness

April 30, 2024April 27, 2024 Loring Schultz

“When you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14 ESV

An assortment of food products come in a vacuum sealed package to ensure freshness. Instructions are marked on the package to keep sealed after opening to maintain freshness as long as possible. But once it is opened, it will never go back to its original state of freshness. And eventually the product will lose all its nutritional value and taste around the expiration date. Most packages also contain a warning not to be used if the seal is compromised in any way. The contents cannot be trusted to be authentic and may be spoiled or tampered with. When the time comes to consume the product, we want to be sure it is as fresh as when it was first sealed.

Paul says believing the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ for salvation results in being sealed by the Holy Spirit. This occurs immediately upon our conversion. Our inheritance of eternal life is secure by the promise of the Holy Spirit. We cannot lose our salvation, and it will be as fresh and new as in the day we first accepted Christ as we enter the glories of heaven. We are sealed as a security mark is put over an enclosed envelope. The seal represents possession, security, and authenticity. The Holy Spirit also serves as a Christian identification mark. We are in Christ. Our salvation is secure.

Perhaps you struggle with the security of your salvation thinking you have done or could do something that would forfeit your place in heaven. It is true we all still sin even after we are saved, but God is faithful and just to forgive us of those sins. (1 Jn.1:9) And it is vital for you to know that you were sealed by the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of your salvation. It is real and will last for eternity. You do not need to worry about the seal coming off the secure envelope or the freshness seal being broken on the package. You can never lose your salvation by being contaminated by a broken seal or unsealed envelope. You are sealed for freshness.

Read: Ephesians 1:3-14 ESV – Spiritual Blessings in Christ – Blessed – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Continue to Do Good and Don’t Worry

April 29, 2024April 27, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats.” 1 Peter 3:13-14 NLT

It goes against logic that someone would suffer for doing good things or standing up for what is right, but it does happen. The sad truth is this is becoming more common in the days we live. However, in our broken world there have always been those who would denigrate those who strive to live godly lives. The apostle Peter in writing to the newly converted Gentiles scattered throughout the world told he them to “Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!” (1 Pt.3:17 nlt) Peter’s words were meant to encourage. It is a fact all Christians will suffer in one way or another during their lifetime by just living as God wants us to live. Peter’s words should encourage us today. Yes, it is better we suffer the consequences for obeying God than to suffer for doing wrong in the eyes of our neighbors.

Christians should not be surprised by the hatred towards those who speak the truth. Jesus, who is the essence of truth and always spoke it, said of those who follow Him, “And everyone will hate you because you are my followers.” (Mk.13:13a nlt) And “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.” (Jn.15:18 nlt) Peter, who walk with Jesus as His disciple, tells us not to worry or be afraid of their threats. Perhaps he remembers Jesus saying to him and the other disciples, “Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he’s the one to fear. I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels.” (Lk.12:4-5, 8 nlt)

The world will continue to despise anyone who attempts to tell the truth, especially those who claim the truth in Jesus’ name and according to Scripture. This should not discourage us from truth telling, for if all Christians are walking in unison as examples of Christ we are speaking the truth with our lives. Suffering for shining the light of hope in a dark world in the name of Christ will most likely escalate in the years to come, but let Peter’s words encourage us, ‘continue to do good and don’t worry.’

Devotionals

The Long Way Home

April 27, 2024April 26, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Normally it takes only eleven days to travel from Mount Sinai to Kadesh-barnea.” Deuteronomy 1:2 NLT

Taking the long way home is not always your choice, but most of the time it is. You may want to enjoy the scenery the extra miles provide, or you may want to search out a certain restaurant for your next night out or explore a potential new neighborhood in which you would like to live. You may also just want to kill time. But then there are times when the choice is not yours due to detours for several reasons forcing you to take the long way home. Disappointment and frustrations set in as the miles and time added up anticipating your arrival home. There are times in our lives when we take the long way home (God’s place for us) because we were afraid to take that initial step and trust God, rather, we played it safe.

The children of Israel played it safe. The result of not trusting God and not taking that first step turned their eleven-day journey home to the promised land into forty years. When Israel was in Kadesh-barnea, the point of entry to the land God had promised them, they refused to go ahead fearing the battles that would pursue. They didn’t trust God to place them safely in the land even though they were called and chosen to enter it. They didn’t trust God to take away their fear.

The Lord calls each one of us who have trusted Him as savior to a place of His choosing to serve Him. That place is ‘home’ where we will be the most comfortable in our service to God. Not all of us are called to be pastors, missionaries, or Sunday school teachers, but we are called to serve where God directs us and in what specific area of ministry He has for us. Heed that calling whatever it may be and wherever it may be. Don’t let your fear keep you from God’s plan for your life. You’ll probably end up there eventually so quit killing time by taking the long way home and trust God to bring you into His service sooner rather than later.