Category: Devotionals

Devotionals

Impure Desires

Loring Schultz

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:27-28 ESV

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Former President Jimmy Carter in an interview with Playboy magazine during the 1976 Presidential campaign admitted the following; he had “looked upon a lot of women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times. This is something God recognizes I will do — and I have done it — and God forgives me for it.” (1) Then candidate Jimmy Carter was brutally honest with himself and the public to his understanding of Jesus’s teaching of the seventh commandment, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’

As in the sixth commanded where Jesus condemns anger and hate aligning it with murder as a matter of the heart; He now equates looking with lustful intent (impure desires) with the act of adultery. Yes, God will forgive us for breaking this commandment as we confess it to Him, but the seriousness of this sin is not to be overlooked. Jesus continues by adding, “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.” (Mt. 5:29esv) The use of such a graphic illustration by our Lord indicates His desire for us to realize the severity of the consequences of our impure desires. Jesus is not advocating to maim ourselves. But as Charles R. Erdman states, “He warns against allowing any occasion for evil thought. No matter how great the sacrifice involved, one must put out of his life all that might cause him to be tempted needlessly, anything which might endanger the purity of his soul.” (2)

We come across many opportunities every day and every hour to be taken in by temptation permitting impure desires to emerge. What do you need to sacrifice in your daily life to limit unsuspecting temptations? What habits can you form to steer you away from areas where you are vulnerable to impure desires? How might daily reading of God’s Word and private time in prayer with Him help you?

Jesus’s teaching is straight and to the point. He doesn’t mince words and He provides solutions to our reoccurring sin problems including impure desires. May we heed His teaching.

(1) https://www.ajc.com/news/state–regional-govt–politics/the-time-jimmy-carter-was-interviewed-playboy-about-lust/qYHZQip6pyQF2rB8kxOk4K/

(2) Charles R. Erdman, “The Gospel of Matthew” (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983), p 58.

Devotionals

Is there anything you can’t do?

Loring Schultz

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Ephesians 3:20 NLT

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There are plenty of things I can’t do, I can’t sing, I can’t bake a cake, and I can’t speak French just to name three. There is a lot I can do by God’s grace and His giftedness in me. Most of the things I can’t do fall into two areas, the Lord has not given me the natural ability to do it, or I am uninterested in learning something new. When I have taken an interest in learning something, the Lord has always helped me to be good at it if it was His will for me. The end of Paul’s second prayer to the church at Ephesus got me to thinking how much I can accomplish, as Paul puts it, “through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” (Eph. 3:20nlt)

If you are struggling in an area of your life where you are lagging not being able to put your best foot forward even with the ability to do it, are you allowing God’s mighty power to work in you? Perhaps you’re at a point where you sense you are not going any further, you have reached your limit. One thing you can’t do is limit what God can do through you. Another thing you can’t do is neglect to ask God for His help in your struggles. He can do more than you will even ask Him for, especially in what He has called and gifted you to do.

There are plenty of things we can’t do, but there is nothing we can’t do if it is God’s will for us as He works in us. It is beyond our imagination of all that God can accomplish through us if we ask Him and give all the glory to Him, ‘more than we might ask or think.’

Devotionals

A Golden Opportunity

Loring Schultz

“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” Job 23:10 NIV

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Occasionally, in our lives we come across the opportunity of a lifetime. Whether it’s your dream job, an exotic vacation, meeting a celebrity or sports figure, a scholarship to a major university or being appointed to high level government position, we look at it as a golden opportunity, one that is too good to pass up. They may come about by chance with no effort on your part, or through hard work with blood, sweat, and tears. Whatever the case, we are grateful for the opportunity and do not take it for granted.

The biblical figure ‘Job’ is often referenced in describing those who are suffering or have suffered due to some personal tragedy in their lives. Job is the perfect example in these circumstances as it is said in comparison, ‘no one has suffered more next to Job.’ Job had lost his entire family, save his wife, all his livestock, and his servants in one day by Satan’s hand as he accused Job integrity before God. God then permitted Satan to afflict Job again with painful sores over his entire body, knowing the He could trust Job to remain faithful. The Lord did permit the attacks on Job proving to Satan Job’s faithfulness that he would not curse God, but also to give Job a golden opportunity.

On the surface, Job’s suffering does not look like a golden opportunity. Job himself, throughout the book of Job questions why, but is convinced he did nothing wrong. Job relays to his three friends that God knows of his conduct and is testing him, not to refine him by purifying him of his sins, but to prove his innocence and he will come forth as gold. (Job 23:10)

Does God test His children today? Yes, I’m afraid He does. But He puts us to the test to draw ourselves closer to Him, to increase our faith in Him, to trust His plan for us, and to show ourselves as a true follower of Jesus to others in need. It may be hard at the time, but may we thank the Lord for each golden opportunity.

Devotionals

I am the Resurrection and the Life

Loring Schultz

“Jesus told her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.’” John 11:25 NLT

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The story is told of another miracle perform by Jesus in the eleventh chapter of the gospel of John. This particular one is perhaps the greatest of them all. Jesus raised a person from the dead, one who had been dead four days. The person was Lazarus, a very close and personal friend along with Lazarus’s sisters Mary and Martha. When Jesus heard that his friend Lazarus was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was before he left in response to the news. (Jn. 11:6) The question immediately comes to mind, why? Why did he wait two days?

Some have suggested that Jesus knew that Lazarus was already dead when the messenger’s arrived to tell Him that His friend was sick. Perhaps so, but there seems to be a deeper explanation. For those present at Lazarus’s resurrection and for those of us in our day, it is a matter of trust (or faith) in Jesus Christ. Do we believe the He is in control, that He is never late, that He loves us unconditionally, that He is God the Son, and that nothing is impossible for Him to do?

Raising Lazarus from the dead was not impossible for Jesus to do, He is the resurrection and the life. Jesus also said, “Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.” We are assured of a place in heaven and eternal life if we put our trust and faith in Jesus Christ, God the Son, who said, “I am the resurrection and the life.

Read: John 11:1-44 NLT – The Raising of Lazarus – A man named – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Be a Humble Servant

Loring Schultz

“The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Matthew 23:11-12 NLT

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Receiving recognition for a job well done is a humbling experience, at least it should be. Serving in the church of God must be a humbling experience, and not an occasion to flaunt the recognition placed on us for our work. We are serving the Lord God of heaven and not ourselves. The church is no place for self-seeking ambition, either in the role of teaching, administration, social activities, financial management, or building and ground maintenance. Jesus rebuked the scribes and Pharisees for just that in seeking recognition and being ambitious in their role of sitting in ‘Moses’ seat’ as they referred to their authority.

Jesus was in the habit of constantly rebuking the religious leaders as they confronted Him, but this is by far His harshest criticism of them; it was their hypocrisy that justified the rebuke. Jesus did not condemn their position or teaching within the original intent of Law of God but rebuked them for not practicing what they taught. They were hypocrites. All their work was done to impress people and they flaunted their status to let everyone know they were in charge, they were holy, and they deserved honor. Jesus said, “They love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi.’” (Mt. 23:7nlt) The scribes and Pharisees were starting to claim they were the source of truth and forgetting God.

In speaking to His disciples and the crowd around Him Jesus said, “Don’t let anyone call you ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one teacher, and all of you are equal as brothers and sisters.” (Mt. 23:8nlt) This is an important lesson for the church today to comprehend. Jesus is saying He is the ultimate teacher, and His word is the absolute only authority. Jesus is not condemning positions of leadership or teachers in the church, but of pride and overstepping. We are all equal brothers and sisters in His church and all of us need good solid preaching and teaching of God’s Word. But we must all remember, “The greatest among ‘us’ must be a servant. But those ‘of us’ who exalt ‘ourselves’ will be humbled, and those ‘of us’ who humble ‘ourselves’ will be exalted.” (Mt. 23:11-12nlt)

Read: MATTHEW 23:1-12 NLT – Jesus Criticizes the Religious Leaders – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Elizabeth Elliot: You are Loved with an everlasting Love

Loring Schultz

“You are loved with an everlasting love, that’s what the Bible says, and underneath are the everlasting arms” Elizabeth Elliot

“The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Deuteronomy 33:27a KJV

 Black & white photographs — Cornell Capa © International Center of Photography/Magnum Photos.
 

March is ‘Women’s History Month.” There have been many women in evangelical circles over the years who have done tremendous work for the cause of Christ. A very notable woman in the advancing of the gospel throughout the world is Elizabeth Elliot. Born in Brussels, Belgium in 1926 to missionary parents, she herself became a missionary to the Auca/Waodani tribe in the Amazonian jungle of Ecuador. First with her husband, Jim Elliot, and then as a single mother after her husband’s death.

It was January 8, 1956, when Jim Elliot and four other missionaries were speared to death in an effort to make contact the Auca/Waodani tribe. Two years later, Elizabeth returned with her 3-year-old daughter and Rachel Saint the sister of Nate Saint who was also killed in the attack of the missionaries. They led many to Christ during their stay before returning to the states in 1963. Elizabeth published her 2nd and 3rd books while serving among the Aucas in Ecuador.

Elizabeth Elliot went on to write over 20 books. She was an adjunct professor at Gordon-Conwell Seminary, and hosted a daily radio program, ‘Gateway to Joy,’ for twelve years beginning in 1988. Through all her accomplishments in serving the Lord, it was her time in Ecuador returning to the same people who killed her husband and presenting the gospel of Christ that has sealed her place in history. The Museum of the Bible in Washington, D. C. opened ‘The Elisabeth Elliot Exhibit’ on March 30, 2023.

What would cause someone to return to the very place and to the same people who murdered their husband? In her own words Elizabeth had said, “Faith does not eliminate questions. But faith knows where to take them.” She took her questions to God and He answered them. Having a deep love for Jesus, her savior, she wanted to share that love. Elizabeth wrote, “The deepest things that I have learned in my own life have come from the deepest suffering. And out of the deepest waters and the hottest fires have come the deepest things I know about God.” This she also shared with her readers, radio audience, and those who heard her lectures. You are loved with an everlasting love.

Link: Elisabeth Elliot ‘TRUST & OBEY FOR THERE’S NO OTHER WAY’

Devotionals

Are you an agent for comfort?

Loring Schultz

“Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer.” 2 Corinthians 1:6 NLT

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Any trials of suffering we go through whether physical, emotional, financial, or relational, it is often said there is a reason for it. At the time of our suffering, we do not want to hear that, but there is indeed a lot of truth to that statement. There is a reason for it. 

Paul, the apostle, told the people of the church in Corinth the suffering he and his companions were going through was to comfort them. Eventually the church will go through the same suffering. Paul, having already gone through it, was able to help them in their need, most of all to comfort in times of persecution. Paul was an agent for comfort.

The comfort Paul and his friends received was from God. He tells them, “……God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others……” (2 Cor. 1:3-4nlt) Whatever suffering you are going through, the Lord God will supply His grace and comfort to you as you will be able to comfort others with the same trial. “When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” (2 Cor. 1:4b nlt)

It is difficult going through trials of suffering, but assuring for the Christian who knows God the Father is there to provide comfort. And our suffering will be turned to comfort and our comfort will become joy as the Lord uses us as His agent for comfort to others.

Read: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 NLT – God Offers Comfort to All – All praise – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Do You Fear God?

Loring Schultz

“Moses said to the people, ‘Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin,'” Exodus 20:20 ESV

“………. By fearing the LORD, people avoid evil.” Proverbs 16:6 NLT

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What does it mean to fear God? For those who do not know Him, it could be ‘the fear of the unknown.’ The same could be true of those who say they believe there is a God, but fear exists due to the uncertainty of who He is. For those of you who say you have a relationship with God, believing that He is, what does it mean for you to fear God?

When scripture speaks of the ‘fear’ of God it is referring to the ‘reference’ or ‘awe’ of God. God in all His splendor and glory is to be praised. The God of the universe who spoke it into existence out of nothing should fill us with awe. When we observe the creation of the earth and enjoy its beauty and magnificence, we stand in amazement of how great God is. The Bible tells us this great God thinks of us, “How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!” (Ps. 139:17-18nlt) God, as awesome as He is, thinks of us constantly. This should make us pause to thank the God of the universe for His precious thoughts towards us, but also to make us think of how we disappoint Him when we sin. It should cause to come to grips with the fact that a holy God, the creator of the universe, the creator of life, and all powerful has just seen us sin.

After Moses received the Ten Commandments from the Lord, the Israelites stood at the base of the mountain and were extremely frightened by the thunder, lightning, and smoke arising from the mountain. They said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.” (Ex. 20:19esv) Moses answered them by saying, ‘Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.’ (Ex. 20:20esv) The fear the Israelites felt from the presence of the awesome, powerful, holy God is the same fear (reference-awe) God wants us to have for Him that we may not sin. Do you fear God?

Read: Exodus 20:1-21 ESV – The Ten Commandments – And God spoke – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

God Has No Favorites

Loring Schultz

“And the leaders of the church had nothing to add to what I was preaching. (By the way, their reputation as great leaders made no difference to me, for God has no favorites.)” Galatians 2:6 NLT

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We all have favorites of one thing or another, but favorites when it comes to people is not wise. There are people we look up to with favoritism as much as we try to deny it. Some favoritism is not bad. My deep love for music across all genres has positioned me to be observant of true talent of an artist over their popularity therefore instilling my favorites. The same can be said of those on my list of favorite baseball players, and so on. But when it comes to my favorite pastor, radio preacher, theologian, or missionary organization I need to be more than careful they are on the top of my list for the right reason.

In my daily reading of scripture the other day, a verse from the apostle Paul jumped out at me. Paul was telling the churches of Galatia of his meeting with the leaders of the Jerusalem church, Peter, James (the Lord’s brother), and John. Paul went there to confirm that his ministry to the Greeks was the same gospel they were preaching to the Jews. He wanted to be sure his theology agreed with theirs and asked for their support. He noted Peter, James, and John had nothing to add to his preaching, but then Paul said this, ‘By the way, their reputation as great leaders made no difference to me, for God has no favorites.’ (Gal. 2:6 nlt) It got me to thinking.

The fact that Peter and John were original apostles of Jesus, and James was the Jesus’ brother did not elevate them higher than Paul, nor was their preaching of more value. Their mere reputation did not result in greater preaching, or greater blessing from God. Each would be ministering where and to whom God has assigned for His purposes. Fast forward to our day, the Lord assigns each minister of the gospel to meet the needs of those in their care. The only favorites one should have concerning the ministers of the gospel is the sermon, ministry, book, devotionals, or other work by those God has chosen to encourage and strengthen us spiritually in our time of need. We will always look favorably to those God has used to inspire us. Let us also thank God for them as we remember God has no favorites.  

Devotionals

Select Believability    

Loring Schultz

“The LORD said to my Lord, ‘Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.’” Psalm 110:1 NLT

“Since David called the Messiah ‘my Lord,’ how can the Messiah be his son?’” Matthew 22:45 NLT

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A survey conducted by Ligonier Ministries in 2020 found that 52% of adults in the United States believe that Jesus is not God. Taking the results of that survey at face value, it mirrors 52% of U.S. adults do not believe in the Bible or have what I call ‘select believability.’ It is tragic to fall into the trap of considering certain portions of scripture as subject to debate or simply not true. I would hate to think John 3:16 or Romans 10:9, or even 1 John 4:16, “God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.” (NLT) would fall under select believability.

The very basis of our salvation is found in the truth of Jesus Christ being God. Yes, fully man and fully God. A perfect sacrifice was needed to redeem us from our sin and Jesus being only a man would not qualify. There needed to be perfect, sinless lamb to take away the sins of the world. (Jn. 1:29) Sadly, those who believe Jesus is not God have no hope of eternal salvation. Their hope lies in what they believe or disbelieve in scripture. It comes down to what makes the most sense and is logical. Jesus Himself assures us that he indeed is God.

Jesus was constantly being bombarded with questions from the Jewish rulers during His day. All their questions were to trap Him and disprove His claim of deity being the Messiah. Jesus finally got His chance to submit a question to them, which cleared up the whole matter and silence them once and for all. Jesus was able to do what the Jewish rulers could not do, He trapped them with their own words. They couldn’t answer accurately without acknowledging Jesus is the Messiah.

Jesus asked them whose son is the Messiah. The answer was well-known by all Jewish people, the Messiah would be the son of David. Jesus then quoted David’s prophecy in the book of Psalms, “The LORD said to my Lord, ‘Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.’” (110:1 NLT) Then He asked the rulers, “Since David called the Messiah ‘my Lord,’ how can the Messiah be his son?’” (Mt. 22:45 NLT) If the rulers answered correctly, they would have said the Messiah is the divine son of God and existed before David from all eternity, but they could not. “No one could answer him. And after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions.” (Mt. 22:46 NLT) Don’t fall in line with the 52% suffering from select believability when the truth is plain to see in scripture. Jesus is God!