Category: Devotionals

Devotionals

Cross-Examine Me

Loring Schultz

“Put me on trial, LORD, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart.” Psalm 26:2 NLT

            Like many of us here in the United States I have been summoned to serve a turn in jury duty. Most of my experiences have been sitting around waiting to see whether or not I would be called to sit on a trial. But there were several occasions that I had the privilege to participate as a juror in a criminal trial. One of the most tense and informative aspects of a trial is the cross-examination, either by the prosecutor or the defense attorney. It is during that questioning that previous testimony is either substantiated or debunked as truthful. You might say it gets to the heart of the matter.

            In the 26th Psalm, King David seems anxious to get to the heart of the matter of his own life, and the many accusations made against him. He asks the LORD to put him on trial and cross-examine him. David asks that his motives and his heart be put on display for God to see. David writes, “Declare me innocent, O LORD, for I have acted with integrity” (Ps. 26:1a) David is not claiming he is perfect or without sin, but that he is innocent of the false charges against him, and is not afraid to stand before the justice of God in these matters. It is quite revealing of David’s confidence to have the Lord God cross-examine him.

            Would we be able to say the same thing to the Lord? “Put me on trial, LORD, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart.” We can if we are confident of our innocence in a certain matter, but what about our motives and what is truly lying beneath the surface of our hearts. There are some things that even a well-informed attentive jury cannot get to the root of, but we can be certain that an Almighty God who knows all will get into those deepest crevasses of the heart for the truth. We cannot hide it from God. May we live in such a way that we will never be afraid to say “Lord cross-examine me!”

Read Psalm 26: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+26&version=NLT

Devotionals

Drifting Away

Loring Schultz

“So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.” Hebrews 2:1 NLT

            The closer we get to Christmas Day listening to Christmas music increases for most people. I say most people for there are many who have had their fill over the years to last the rest of their lives. For those who indulge right after Thanksgiving or wait until the Christmas spirit hits you on the 24th of December, listen very carefully to the truth you hear in the old familiar carols and contemporary music pertaining to the birth of Christ. For soon the music will be put on the shelf for another year, but the truth does remain.

            The writer of the book of Hebrews penned these words, “So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.” (2:1 NLT) He is not referring to Christmas music per se, but to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ which is embedded in many Christmas carols. In particular, the writer is continuing his exhortation on the superiority of Jesus over the angels and confirming His deity. The child born that first Christmas is Jesus, the second person of the trinity, sent to earth for our redemption. He is fully God and fully man, our Savior.

            As Christmas music comes into your hearing this season listen very carefully to the lyrics being sung not letting them go over your head as an old familiar tune, but let them sink in. Every opportunity you get this year to attend a Christmas play, a musical, a concert, a ‘spectacular of lights display’, or a special church service let the truth of God’s Word be absorbed into your heart and mind. Don’t allow the truth of the gospel drift away from you as the season drifts away with the music.

Devotionals

Are you easily persuaded?

Loring Schultz

“I am warning you ahead of time, dear friends. Be on guard so that you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing.” 2 Peter 3:17 NLT

            This morning we experienced the first snow that covered the ground in our area. Although it didn’t amount to much as I write this in the afternoon it is all but gone. But during that brief time there was caution on the roads when driving and secure footing was needed while walking to not slip and fall. In Peter’s final words from the book of 2 Peter, he gives us a warning to be careful not to lose our secure footing. He is not referring to the slippery conditions cause by wet snow, but to the slippery slope of listening to false teachers that can easily persuaded us to abandon the truth of the gospel.  

            Peter noted that many will be persuaded by their teaching, “They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money.” (2 Peter 2:1b-3a NLT) There is plenty of false teaching in the name of Christ occurring in our day. A secure footing is required as we walk in slippery conditions.

            If you are inclined to be persuaded easily, understanding of the scriptures is a must to remain steadfast in your faith and not lose your footing. A careful study of the Bible with the guidance of the Holy Spirit is where you start. As you immerse yourself in the Word you will be begin to connect the dots observing the entire Bible is about Jesus Christ and God’s plan of Salvation for those who trust in His Son. The apostle John gives us the best advice on fact checking a Pastor, evangelist, or teacher if their message is the truth of God’s Word. John writes, “Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.” (1 Jn. 4:1 NLT) Test (fact check) them with what God says in His Word and be not easily persuaded to error, but steadfast with secure footing.

Devotionals

The Advent Calendar

Loring Schultz

“For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” Luke 19:10 NLT

 This time of year we are accustomed to seeing various presentations of the advent calendar. The counting down of days to Christmas day has been a tradition for many years. We have designer calendars for our special interests or hobbies. We have chocolate candy calendars for chocolate lovers of all ages. We have cheese calendars for those who have a hankering for cheese, and we even have whiskey calendars, which I am not recommending, just making a point.

 And the point is; what are you counting down to? What is at the end of your advent calendar? Jesus states clearly that the day each of us is counting down to in our own way is the day He came to earth, whether you believe it or not. He came into this world “to seek and save those who are lost.” This includes all of us who are counting down to that one day of excitement. He came to give us more than peace on earth one night a year, but to give us an inner peace of knowing Him in this life. He came to give us more than an enjoyable day with friends and family on Christmas, but to give us everlasting enjoyment with Him in eternity through the Salvation He offers through His death, burial, and resurrection. So what are you counting down to? Here’s a little hint-you don’t need to wait until December 25th to enjoy the Savior of Christmas!

Devotionals

Our Hope is in the Lord, not in Powerful People

Loring Schultz

“Don’t put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there. When they breathe their last, they return to the earth, and all their plans die with them. But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the LORD their God.” Psalm 146:3-5 NLT

            The year 2023 is rapidly coming to a close. There is truth to the old sayings, ‘time flies’ and ‘time waits for no man, or woman.’ It is also true the older you get the faster it goes and I’m now on that fast moving train. Time flies. With time moving on as it does, where is your hope for the future? In whom do you place your trust and hope? Whom do you have confidence in to lead you and help you in this world we are living in and ultimately in the next world? The Psalmist of Psalm 146 says this, “But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the LORD their God.” (146:5 NLT)

            As 2024 rolls in so does another Presidential election year in the United States. What was once a very exciting time for me every four years being intrigued with politics has become a time of frustration and disappointment in the political process. I have learned over the years that putting your trust in people over God also adds to this frustration and disappointment. Our trust is to be in God who “controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings.” (Dan. 2:21 NLT) People no matter how noble, honest, sincere, humble, smart, or tenacious they are, will fail and disappoint you, even the most powerful people.

            As Christians our trust and hope is to be in God, and God alone. Our current culture is crumbling in the United States and seemingly out of control. One can easily be overcome with frustration, disappointment, and depression. Therefore, the words of the Psalmist written many years ago are here to comfort us today as we head into 2024, “Don’t put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there….. But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the LORD their God. “(Ps. 146:3, 5 NLT)

Read Psalm 146: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20146&version=NLT

Devotionals

Give your best to the Lord

Loring Schultz

“Cursed is the cheat who promises to give a fine ram from his flock but then sacrifices a defective one to the Lord.” Malachi 1:14a NLT

            Successful athletes sacrifice much in striving to achieve the best they can be. When reaching the pinnacle of being able to perform at a high level, they do not slack off, but continue to give their best. Their desire is to see the results of heavy training, a healthy diet, and the sacrificing of creature comforts. Giving their best is self-satisfying and pleasing to teammates in a team sport. When one does not give their best in the sporting world it is very noticeable. Teammates and fans alike recognize it immediately and one’s individual statistics cannot hide the fact. Giving a lackluster performance when one is more than capable to step it up by giving their best is, well let’s say, cheating.

            God accused Israel of cheating by not giving their best sacrifice. They had it in their power to do so, they had their best, and even promised to do so, but chose to not give it. God demanded the very best, an unblemished animal, for sacrifice. Israel thought they would get by offering a less than stellar performance but they did not get away with it.

            Christians today will also not get away with not giving their best in serving the Lord. God is holy and He demands the best that each one of us is capable of doing. He will call us out. We cannot hide or get away with it. The talents and gifts the Lord has given to us are to be used for His honor and His glory to the best of our ability. Although I am a sports enthusiast I was never much of an athlete, but the Lord has given me other talents that I am to use in serving Him. All of us have the opportunity and capability, with the Lord’s help, to give our best. Give your best to the Lord!

Read the account of Israel giving unworthy sacrifices: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Malachi+1%3A6-14&version=NLT

Devotionals

Angels Worship Him

Loring Schultz

“And when he brought his supreme Son into the world, God said, ‘Let all of God’s angels worship him.’” Hebrews 1:6 NLT

“Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.’” Luke 2:13-14 NLT

            Have you ever thought of the significance of the angels announcing Christ’s birth and preceding to worship Him in highest praise? We read the familiar story of the shepherds being the first to hear the news and quite spectacularly in the gospel of Luke. (Lk. 2) Angels are God’s ministering spirits to serve Him and on this particular night they were sent out to shout the good news of the Messiah’s birth. God’s created spirit beings, the angels, worshiped the Christ child because He was God the Son, the second person of the trinity. Hebrews 1:6 says, “And when he brought his supreme Son into the world, God said, ‘Let all of God’s angels worship him.’” (NLT) And they did.

            This is of vital importance especially in our day as there are many who consider Jesus to be no more than an angel of higher rank. Others perceive Him to be a prophet, and still others believe He was just a man sent by God for good works and to act as a model on how we are to live our lives. Today’s world is filled with false religions that support these claims and sadly there are many (so called) Christian churches among them.

            To understand Jesus’ deity, that He is truly the God-man, is everything. Our very salvation depends on a perfect, sinless, and blameless substitute sacrificed for the remission of sins. That substitute could only be Jesus Christ, the Son of God-the Messiah, whom the angels worshiped. Do you know Jesus as truly the Son of God and have you accepted Him as your Savior? Make this Christmas season be the year you accept Christ for even the ‘Angels Worship Him.’

Devotionals

A Wide Door of Opportunity

Loring Schultz

“for a wide door for effective work has opened to me” 1 Corinthians 16:9 ESV

Photo by Yusuf Kaya on Pexels.com

            Christians have a great opportunity to share their faith every December. Just take a look around, there are not many people who are not affected by the Christmas season in some way.  It could be the busyness of the season from the shopping, decorating your home, or preparing that special meal, not to mention exhaustion from participating in many activities and the anxiety that goes along with it. It could also be the lonely, distressed, and sad emotions the season brings. Yes, there is “a wide door” that is opened to share the love and peace of Christ and why He came-the true meaning of Christmas.

            We cannot escape the sights and sounds of Christmas from the festive lights and trees to the constant flow of Christmas music, to the cable networks and streaming services providing Christmas movies 24/7 repeating the same feature over and over again.

            The bottom line is; what an opportunity we have as Christians to engage our culture with the true meaning of Christmas. Not that there is anything wrong with Christmas trees, lights, continuous music or movies, there is not. And what about gifts, nothing wrong with gift giving either. We give gifts at Christmas following God’s example of giving. He gave us the greatest gift of all, His Son Jesus Christ. This Christmas may we all share our faith in Christ by “keeping the Main Thing, the Main Thing”, the Reason for the Season.

Devotionals

Worthless Things

Loring Schultz

“Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.” Psalm 119:37 NLT

Photo by Jean van der Meulen on Pexels.com

            Something of worth is defined as having a material value, especially in terms of money. Also something deserving of importance or merit is also considered valuable or worthy. Some things of worth range from jewelry, automobiles, real estate, furniture, fine china, and many others pieces of material worth, even money itself. Achievements such as receiving a college degree from a highly respectable university is very valuable when presented in the job market. 

            Worthless things would be the opposite of worthy things. Old rusted cars, run down property, broken china, worn down stained furniture, even the university degree if the holder devalued it by regrettable acts would now be useless. But even worthless things can be restored, just attend an antique automobile show, or visit an antique shop and you will see restoration. Real estate developers can turn unseemly property into luxurious residential areas, and many individuals have restored their reputation with the help of caring organizations.

            The psalmist wrote in Psalm 119:37, “Turn my eyes from worthless things.” In this section of Psalm 119, the psalmist desires to be instructed in God’s laws. He asks God to help him to turn away from worthless things. Taking our definition of worthless things, it would seem quite easy to turn away from those things, unpleasant as they are. But that is not what the psalmist had in mind. He really wanted to turn away from the worthy things. In comparison to God’s Word even the things of worth are worthless. He writes, “…..give me life through your word.”(119:37b) His desire was to look upon things of the greatest value, the Word of God.

            Having the proper perspective on who and what is worthy will go a long way in living our lives according to God’s Word. It will help us grow in our relationship with Him, and we will have a better understanding of what is of value and what is not. May we ask the Lord to turn our eyes from worthless things.

Read Psalm 119:33-40: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20119%3A33-40&version=NLT

Devotionals

Do you have the gift? Yes, you do!

Loring Schultz

“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies.” 1 Peter 4:10-11a NLT

            Fear of not being qualified or talented enough has kept many Christians from serving the Lord in their local church. There are also other, not so legitimate, reasons for not serving and you most certainly cannot serve if you do not attend church, but that is for another day. Today, be encouraged the Lord God has gifted you to serve Him in His church. If you are a child of God you have been given a spiritual gift, maybe even a combination of serval gifts, but one in particular to serve God within His church.

            The gifts that God bestows upon us at our conversion are spiritual gifts of a supernatural nature. They are gifts we did not possess before, nor could we achieve them on our own. They are also not to be confused with natural God given abilities which can and should be used to bring glory to God. These are gifts given to us by God to serve Him and our brothers and sisters in Christ where we gather together as a body of believers.

            It is also important to note not everyone has the same gift. Oh, there may be others who have similar gifts, but a variety of gifts works best for the church to function orderly and for all to be taught, encouraged, cared for, and blessed. Whether you have the gift of teaching, administration, leadership, hospitality, serving, exhortation and caring, or a hands on where needed, used the gift God has given you for His glory. You are qualified and talented enough so do not fear. Do you have the gift? Yes, you do!