Devotionals – Page 54 – Word for the Soul

Long Days

March 28, 2024March 27, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Man goes out to his work, and to his labor until the evening.” Psalm 104:23 ESV

Some workdays seem extremely long. Occasionally during my days in retailing I would joke with my associates that I’m only working a half day, after all twelve hours is literally a half day. We have grown accustomed to an eight hour work day and five day work week in the United States. But it hasn’t always been that way and in some countries a forty-hour work week is unheard of. As fortunate as we are in the United States to have such employment guidelines, there are many people who work long hours resulting in long days that tap into their strength and energy.

The Psalmist writes “Man goes out to his work, and to his labor until the evening.” The point is; we are to be working in the world God has created. God has gifted each of us with certain skills and abilities to contribute to the work of maintaining and managing His creation and to ensure that our basic needs are met and those of our neighbor.

Your work may be exhausting and time consuming, but take heart, Jesus also became weary (Jn. 4:6), and so He understands. At times His disciples were tired and exhausted, and Jesus told them to rest awhile (Mk. 6:31). And the Old Testament prophet Isaiah writes, “but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Is. 40:31 esv) So, during your long days wait on the Lord, rest in Him, and you might just mount up with wings like an eagle and finish that twelve-hour day.

Devotionals

The Lord said to my Lord

March 27, 2024March 26, 2024 Loring Schultz

“David himself, in the Holy Spirit, declared, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet.”’ Mark 12:36 ESV

“The Lord said to my Lord.” Does this statement sound confusing to you, perhaps even contradictory? Confusing to most of us without explanation, but it is certainly not contradictory. During Jesus’s final week before His crucifixion, known as Passion Week, He was in constant battles with the Jewish scribes and the Pharisees, the religious leaders of the day. Jesus taught in the temple every day before those who came to hear Him. Most were astonished at His teaching hanging on to every word He spoke. This obviously angered the religious leaders as they saw their power and influence eroding away from someone who claimed to be the Son of God, the Messiah. If these leaders had carefully studied the Old Testament, they would have known that Jesus was right, He was the Son of God, the Messiah.

They were constantly trying to trip up Jesus with their questions. Jesus turns the tables on them and asks them a question. He asks a question from a familiar passage in Psalms explaining that Jesus existed before David, proving His deity, proving He is eternal, and proving He is the Son of God. Jewish teaching was and is correct that the Messiah will be the son of David, yet David refers to Him as his Lord. Jesus asks them, ‘“What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?’ They said to him, ‘The son of David.’ He said to them, ‘How it then that David, in the Spirit, is calls him Lord, saying, The Lord said to my Lord………If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?”’ (Mt. 22:42-45 esv) The point being that the Messiah is both divine and human. He is David’s son and He is David’s Lord.

An ordinary man, no matter how good he was, or how well he taught, or how well he lived as an example to others with love and compassion could ever be an adequate substitute for our sin. It had to be a perfect man, without sin. Jesus Christ who died on Calvary’s cross was indeed the divine Son of God in human flesh. The deity of Christ is vital to our understanding His purpose for coming, understanding our sin nature, and understanding God’s plan of Salvation for those who trust in Christ. As John the Baptist proclaimed, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (Jn 1:29b)

Read: Psalm 110 ESV – Sit at My Right Hand – A Psalm of – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Compassion of Christ

March 26, 2024March 25, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Jesus wept.” John 11:35 NIV

The shortest verse in the Bible speaks volumes of the compassion of Jesus. At the gravesite of His beloved friend Lazarus, scripture records that “Jesus wept.” The Greek word that is used here indicates a quiet weeping, the shedding of tears, a solemn approach to the grief He felt. Grief is undeniable to those who lost loved ones and friends in death. Individuals grieve in different ways, cope with it in different ways, and each one is on their own timetable in the various stages of grieving. But there is one commonality with them all, Jesus grieves with each one of them.

Jesus’s compassion for the grieving is rooted in the realization that death occurs to each of us due to our sin nature. We are born with a sinful nature. David writes in Psalm 51:5, “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.” (niv) The separation and sorrow cause by death is the direct result of sin in our lives; for this Jesus wept. There is no escaping physical death in this world, but the good news is that we can escape the judgement of the spiritual second death. Hebrews 9:27 says, “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” (niv) Jesus’s compassion for each of us is such that He willingly laid down His life to redeem us from the eternal judgment of the second death, eternal separation from Him and the heavenly Father.

As Easter, Resurrection Sunday, is fast approaching, we are reminded of Jesus’s words to Martha, Lazarus’s sister, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (Jn. 11:25-26 niv) If we believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, we will never face the second death, but will live eternally with Him.

What compassion Jesus has for us in our grief. What compassion He has for our eternal souls in sacrificing His life to save us who trust in Him for eternal life. Jesus absolutely rose from the grave that first Easter morning and is alive today to bring us continuing comfort and peace in our season of grieving.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (Jn.14:27 niv)

FYI, Jesus did raise Lazarus from the dead.

Read the story: John 11:17-44 NIV – Jesus Comforts the Sisters of Lazarus – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Signs of the End of the World (as we know it)

March 25, 2024March 20, 2024 Loring Schultz

“For as the lightning flashes in the east and shines to the west, so it will be when the Son of Man comes.” Matthew 24:27 NLT

As each new season of the year is about to make its entrance there are signs to indicate what’s on the horizon, but also what is setting. The spring season is here in the state of Pennsylvania. We had signs of warmer temperatures, less snowfall, longer daylight hours, and flowers starting to push up from the ground to confirm God’s faithfulness in the change of the seasons. These signs clearly showed ‘winter’ was coming to an end and ‘spring’ was arriving. God is faithful in all He does with every word in scripture to come about just as He said.

We are living in unprecedented times and I’m sure you have heard many people say we are surely living in the last days. All that is going on in the world today adds fuel to the notion these are the signs of the end of the world. But we live in a fallen world where there is constant chaos and evil at every turn and always has been. This is not a reflection of the end. But Jesus does give us definite signs to look for when the end of the world is about to come.

Jesus’ disciples asked Him, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?” (Mt. 24:3nlt) Jesus gave them specific signs that will occur in the last days. They include false Messiahs, there will be wars and threats of more wars, nation will go against nation, and there will be famine and earthquakes. Jesus then tells them, “But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.” (Mt. 24:8nlt)

It is obvious we have seen these signs for some time now and they seem to be increasing every day. There is nothing more in prophecy to be fulfilled for Jesus Christ to return for His saints before the tribulation if you believe in the rapture or His return at the end of the tribulation. We have seen the signs. There will be no doubt when He returns that it is indeed Jesus. “For as the lightning flashes in the east and shines to the west, so it will be when the Son of Man comes.” (Mt. 24:27nlt) He will then set up His kingdom and reign on the earth for one thousand years and it will be the end of the world as we know it.

Read: Matthew 24: 3-28 NLT – Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

There is a Light at the End of the Tunnel

March 22, 2024March 21, 2024 Loring Schultz

“So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.” 1 Peter 1:6 NLT

Life has its many trials. There are many dark roads we travel on and not by choice. It is often said and is true that the longer you live the more dark roads you will travel, the more trials will come upon you, but you will have many opportunities to test your faith in the Lord, and there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The apostle Peter tells us, “These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold.” (1 Pt. 1:7a nlt)

The Christian’s faith in Jesus leads to salvation. “The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.” (1 Pt. 1:9nlt) But we live in this interim period after our acceptance of Christ for salvation and the full fulfillment of that decision where we are still in a fallen world filled with trials and temptations. Jesus Himself says to us, “…. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (Jn. 16:33b nlt) Jesus is assuring us that our faith in Him is not in vain. Although we have trials and sorrows in this world, Jesus our savior has overcome the world. We can trust Him to see us through the trials and come out with our faith strong in the Lord Jesus bringing much praise to the glory of God.

“So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.” (1 Pt. 1:6nlt) The Lord comforts us during our dark days here on earth by reminding us of His power of overcoming the darkness. Jesus is the light of the world. And for those who have accepted Him as their savior, He is the light at the end of the tunnel.

Read: 1 Peter 1:3-9 NLT – The Hope of Eternal Life – All praise – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Carefully determine what pleases the Lord

March 21, 2024March 20, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.” Ephesians 5:10 NLT

Throughout any given day we make hundreds of choices. If our day is not already preplanned, we have the task of deciding how to fill the day. Even in those preplanned days, would our scheduled activities please the Lord? Obviously work, fulfilling family needs, spending time with the Lord, and volunteering in the community would be pleasing to God. It is those gray areas that are concerning for the Christian. Areas of personal conviction between you and God if you participate in them hinders your relationship with Him. It doesn’t need to be outright sin that would displease God, James tells us, “Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” (Ja. 4:17nlt) This is especially true in the things you hold in conviction to do or not to do.

Developing convictions between you and the Lord begins with spending time in the Bible and in prayer with Him. During times of confusion in certain areas of your life search the scriptures and ask God for guidance as to what He pleases Him, then go do it or not do it as the Lord placed the conviction on your heart. Not every Christian will have the same convictions. What is a conviction for me may not necessarily be a conviction for you and vice versa. That doesn’t mean that God is not pleased with both of us. He is pleased as we are obedient to His will for us.

There are common denominators for all Christians to agree with convictions in what pleases and displeases God. Paul writes to the church in Ephesus, “Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret…… Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.” (Eph. 5:11-12, 17nlt) As you plan your day, carefully determine what pleases the Lord.

Read: Ephesians 5:10-20 NLT – Carefully determine what pleases the – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Perpetual Fire of Forgiveness

March 20, 2024March 19, 2024 Loring Schultz

“The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out.” Leviticus 6:13 NIV

The third book of the Law of Moses is the Old Testament book of Leviticus. Its theme is God’s holiness, and God’s will for Israel’s holiness. God’s teaching to Israel in Leviticus is how to approach their holy God in worship and in the sacrifices required of them, especially those concerning their sin. Much emphasis is placed on the priests in establishing this reverent and holy approach to God. All animals sacrificed on the altar had to be perfect without defect. “In this way the priest will make atonement for them for the sin they have committed, and they will be forgiven.” (Lev. 4:35niv)

The Lord gave Moses detailed instructions for all the sacrifices the priests were going to perform. The most significant command was that the fire on the altar was to be continuous. “The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add firewood and arrange the burnt offering on the fire and burn the fat of the fellowship offerings on it.” (Lev. 6:12niv) The people of Israel were assured of God’s readiness to always forgive their sin at any time of the day or night.

The same assurance has been granted us today. God is always there waiting for us to come before Him with our confession. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 Jn. 1:9niv) No need to bring a perfect animal to an altar for sacrifice every time we sin. A perfect lamb was sacrificed on the cross at Calvary to take away our sin. Jesus, the lamb of God paid the penalty for our sin ‘once for all.’ But we still sin and for that there is the perpetual fire of God’s readiness to forgive.

Devotionals

Corrupt Files of Deceitful Desires

March 19, 2024March 18, 2024 Loring Schultz

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires.” Ephesians 4:22 NIV

I bought my first computer in January of 2000. Noticing that no catastrophes occurred during the Y2K scare, I surmised that it was now safe to invest in the future or get left behind. Other than a few breakdowns due to viruses and corrupt files leading to a major clean-up or a new hard-drive, I’ve had rather successful experiences. As of this writing I am about to purchase my fourth computer in twenty-four years. The time has come as my computer is beginning to slow down faster than I am, and my IT guy informed me I need to upgrade before the end of the current year. So, I will once again have a computer which will continue to outpace me.

During one of my discussions with my IT expert, as he fixed a minor problem for me, he indicated that a corrupt file may also contribute to the slowing down process. I’ve heard of that before, not only from my own personal experience, but from my work experience over the years. A week or two later I came across this verse in Ephesians, “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires.” (4:22niv) Christians are to have their guard up and not allow the corrupt files of the past have access into their lives through deceitful desires.

A corrupt file on your computer will slow it down, or in the worst case shut it down. Christians can store vast knowledge of God’s truth through scripture. We can share the gospel through walking as Jesus walked. But if we let deceitful desires to infiltrate our minds ever so slightly, we have assured ourselves of slowing down the work of the gospel. We will become ineffective. If you need a cleanup in your life, an anti-virus program, or a completely new upgrade in your spiritual life, there is an IT expert on call for you.

Read: Ephesians 4:17-24 NIV – Instructions for Christian Living – So – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

A Cry of Rejected Love

March 18, 2024March 13, 2024 Loring Schultz

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.” Matthew 23:37 NLT

I am sure many of us have felt the rejection of love, either by a romantic relationship, by a parent or sibling, by our closest friends, or a group of people you had a close bond with. There is a deep hole in your heart that takes time to fill if at all. Our Lord Jesus, being fully man and fully God, also felt the rejection of love from those He came to save, His own chosen people of Israel.

In the final week of Jesus’ life on earth, known as Passion Week, before His crucifixion Jesus cried out His heart-felt rejection from the people of the nation and the city of Jerusalem which he loved. Despite His rebuke of them in rejecting and killing the prophets throughout their history, Jesus loved His people and wanted to protect them from harm by coming to save them. But they refused and rejected His love for them.

We are amid the Lenten season with Passion Week just around the corner. As we observed the events of Jesus’ last week may we remember the reason for each one. Jesus came to us in our sinful world for just that reason, to die redeeming us from eternal wrath away from God for those who trust in Him for salvation. He rose again on Easter Sunday to assure of everlasting life. This Easter season do not reject the love Jesus has shown towards you. Jesus wants to gather you and protect you under His wings of salvation, please let Him do it. Accept His gift of salvation.

Devotionals

I Pledge Allegiance

March 16, 2024March 15, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Then she cried out, ‘Samson! The Philistines have come to capture you!’ When he woke up, he thought, ‘I will do as before and shake myself free.’ But he didn’t realize the LORD had left him.” Judges 16:20 NLT

“If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine.” Matthew 10:37 NLT

The Old Testament account of Samson and Delilah is intriguing in both Delilah’s deceptive means and the secret of Samson’s strength. Delilah attempted several times to entice Samson to reveal the secret of his great strength. Of course she was doing this for her own financial gain, and Samson went along to satisfy his own need in playing a game with her. Samson, a Nazirite from birth, should not have been in the position he was in. Although a man of great strength, he had a weakness for captivating women, a weakness which led to disastrous consequences.

A Nazirite is one who is separated unto God. In Samson’s day there were three restrictions for a Nazirite; no wine, no haircuts, and no contact with a dead body. In Samson’s case the angel of the Lord announced his birth to his mother by saying, “You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and his hair must never be cut. For he will be dedicated to God as a Nazirite from birth. He will begin to rescue Israel from the Philistines.” (Judges 13:5nlt)

Many view when Samson finally gave in to Delilah, and she cut his hair, that the secret of his strength was in his hair. Samson himself said to her, “……If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as anyone else.” (Judges 16:17nlt) But, modern day theologian John MacArthur makes the following observation, “His strength came from his unique relation to God, based on his Nazirite pledge. His long hair was only a sign of it. When, Delilah became more important to him than God, his strength was removed.” (1) Samson’s pledge of allegiance was to Delilah, not to God as before.

Jesus, in instructing His disciples, said “If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine.” (Mt. 10:37nlt) These sound like harsh statements, but they are from Jesus, God the Son, who sacrificed His life on the cross for our sins, in order that we may have eternal life. To whom do you pledge allegiance?

Read the rest of the story of Samson and Delilah: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges+16&version=NLT

(1) The MacArthur Study Bible; Word Publishing, Thomas Nelson Bibles, 1997.