Category: Devotionals

Devotionals

A God Moment

Loring Schultz

“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand.” Psalm 95:6-7 NKJV

            Have you ever had a God moment? How would you describe it? Each one of us is different in our own way and I’m sure our God moments would differ, of course seeing that you had one. GotQuestions.org describes it his way, “Many Christians define a God moment as an intimate, unique, or uncommon experience that helps them see that something or someone bigger than themselves (i.e., God) is at work in their lives. It might be an answered prayer, a sudden revelation, or a chance encounter.” (1) The simplest things could be a God moment for me. What some would consider a coincidence, I see as God presenting Himself making His presence known, a God moment.

            The other day during my quiet study time with the Lord, I was reading a devotional from a well-known Pastor and author, and was struggling to concentrate particularly on the key verse. Perhaps due to the early hour of the morning or my allowing my mind to wander, the verse wasn’t sinking in. Asking the Lord to sharpen my focus, He did just that. As I was reading the verse, the song on the radio was singing the exact words in exact time with my reading them. It got my attention. It was a God moment. The song produced and performed by ‘Maranatha Music.’ was “Oh come, let us worship and bow down.” In perfect timing they sang as I read, “Oh come, let us worship and bow down;  Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand.” (Ps. 95:6-7 NKJV)

            The verse itself is a call to worship the Lord and recognize Him as our creator and God. He watches over us as His sheep and is with us at all times. There are many God moments in our lives that come and go without us even realizing them, not to mention the ones we take for granted. It is nice to be reminded with a God moment we are not expecting that He is continually pasturing His sheep. Have you been reminded lately with a God moment? Chances are, you were.

Devotionals

The Road to Nowhere

Loring Schultz

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.’” John 14:6 NASB

            Where I currently reside (Berks County, Pennsylvania) there is a stretch of highway fondly named “The Road to Nowhere” due to the slow construction process which resulted in its incompletion. Today it is complete. You may have heard some say that “All roads lead to God, to Heaven and to eternal life.” But if that is the case, we need to carefully consider why Jesus said “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

            If there are other roads to God and eternal life, how could Jesus make such a statement? He could make such a statement my friend because it is true. He was not mistaken, He was not lying to attract followers, nor was He out of His mind. He is God the Son who completed the road to Salvation by travelling the road to Calvary’s Cross, Dying and Rising again on the third day.

Jesus’s words on the cross were, “It is finished.” Any other road is “A Road to nowhere.”

Devotionals

A False Impression

Loring Schultz

“In the morning, as Jesus was returning to Jerusalem, he was hungry, and he noticed a fig tree beside the road. He went over to see if there were any figs, but there were only leaves. Then he said to it, ‘May you never bear fruit again!’ And immediately the fig tree withered up.” Matthew 21:18-19 NLT

            An outward appearance can give a false impression. Examples can be found on realtor’s website listings, pre-owned automobile lots, even restaurant meus (it doesn’t look like the picture!) I am not being critical of those in the auto industry, food service or in real estate, but we all know there are times when the product does not meet up to the standards that were presented once examine. Jesus found this to be true on His way back into Jerusalem with His disciples.

            Walking with His disciples on the road back to Jerusalem early in the morning, Jesus became hungry and noticed a fig tree up ahead. From a distance it looked green and full of leaves. It gave the appearance of being able to supply ample nourishment to one who is hungry. However when Jesus and His disciples got close enough for a closer look, they found nothing but leaves, no figs. The tree gave a false impression of what could be on it, but was not!

            Jesus’s reaction to this false claim was immediate judgment, He cursed the tree, ‘May you never bear fruit again!’ The result, the fig tree withered up immediately. Some theologians see this as an illustration of the nation Israel that was unfruitful despite being God’s chosen people. Our application for today is for those of us who claim to be Jesus followers, Christians in the true sense of the word with all the external trimmings, but showing no fruit. There are Christians who give a false impression of who they are until someone gets close enough to see otherwise.

            Jesus became hungry on the road into Jerusalem and needed the fruit from the fig tree to sustain Him the rest of the way. Unfortunately there was no fruit to be seen. People today on life’s road need the fruit of Gospel, spiritual nourishment for this life and for eternity. When they see us up ahead, observe us, and move closer to us, will they find that we are true followers of Jesus and able to show them the way or will they only find a False Impression?

Devotionals

How deep are your roots?

Loring Schultz

“The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.” Matthew 13:20-21 NLT

            Deep strong roots are vital to a tree’s survival in storms with heavy winds. The deep seeded roots prevent the tree from falling over and at the same time are growing stronger by the wind during a storm by pulling and stretching. Throughout the life of a tree, the roots are working its way downward in search of water and nutrients. For a tree to flourish and survive its roots must continue to grow stronger by absorbing what is necessary; fertile soil with the proper nutrients and just enough wind to keep them stretching from the swaying of the tree.

            In Jesus’ Parable of the Soils, He gives us four examples of different types of soil the farmer incurs as he is planting seed. Some seed fell by the wayside, or foot paths along the border of a field. Some seed fell on rocky places or shallow soil. Others fell among thorns and still others on fertile soil. The seed represents the Word of God (the gospel) that is planted in the hearts of people. There are many who hear the gospel in various forms. Some take to it enthusiastically as soon as they hear it representing the shallow soil. Then there are those who hear it but do not understand for the seed never penetrated into their hearts, and still others hear the word, but also hear the word of worries of this life and accumulating wealth crowding out the truth of the gospel. Then there are those who truly hear and understand the gospel representing the good soil.

            As Christians, we are to live our lives in a manner that will draw individuals to Jesus Christ. We are to take advantage of every opportunity to share the gospel message. Jesus’ Parable of the Soils informs us of the possible reactions of each one who hears the Word. Not all will respond in the same way, and some not at all. We are only called to be faithful in presenting the gospel and allow the Holy Spirit to do the work.

            The seed falling on rocky and shallow soil can be taken a step further for Christians who have already accepted the salvation of the Lord. How deep are your roots? Believers today need strong deep roots to carry on God’s plan for them. Just as a tree planted in fertile soil needs water, nutrients, and winds to develop deep roots, Christians need to drink from the well of living water, feast on the nutrients of God’s Word, join in prayer with other believers, and receive with joy the winds of change in their lives which help develop Deep Roots.   

Devotionals

Hidden Sins; exposing our innermost thoughts and desires

Loring Schultz

“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.”  Hebrews 4:12-13 NLT

            The subject of transparency is a well-recognized topic in 2023 particularly in the world of politics. The truth of the matter is, many who claim to be transparent usually turn out to be not so transparent. Transparency defines as, ‘the quality of being done in an open way without secrets’ is far from what the general public observes. Perhaps there are good intentions on the campaign trail to present oneself as transparent, but the thought of exposing compromising positions or a deficiency while in office is considered a matter to be kept close to the vest.

            Politicians are not alone in abusing transparency. Every one of us have a problem with being transparent, totally transparent. Many of us have fine admirable qualities such as honesty, sympathy, a non-judgmental character, caring for others, selflessness, and a loving attitude. While those qualities may be seen most of the time, there are circumstances when one or two of our admirable qualities are overshadowed by something we try to cover up-and if exposed they would cause a great deal embarrassment. It is at these moments we become non-transparent, thinking we have covered up our deficiencies and maintained our integrity.  

            But as hard as we try to remain transparent while covering up a deficiency or sin in our lives, eventually it becomes known if not dealt with honestly. We may be able to cover up our sin for a time before others, but we can never cover up anything from God who knows and sees all. Hebrews 4:13 says, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.” (NLT)

            God is aware of our innermost thoughts and desires, we cannot hide them from God. We are capable of covering up our sin before others and even to ourselves as we refer to them as hidden sins and no big deal. But the Word of God has a way of reminding us that it is a big deal “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” (Heb. 4:12 NLT) If we are serious about eradicating our hidden sins, we need to be immersed in the God’s Word allowing Him through His Word to expose our innermost thoughts and desires and be transparent before Him.

Devotionals

Are you hiding your talent?

Loring Schultz

“But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” Matthew 25:18 ESV

            Where do your talents lie? In what areas do you excel? Do others notice your gifts and talents? Have you been encouraged to use your talents more effectively? If you are like me, you know there are certain things you are good at, some things you are really good at, and then there is one talent or gift that surpasses all expectations. And if you’re like me, my friends and family know that the gift and talent is from the Lord, it’s certainly not me. Believe me there are many more things I am not good at than what I am good at. But what I am good at, the Lord expects it to be used for His Glory and His Kingdom and that is the standard for all Christians.

            In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells the “Parable of the Talents” (Matt. 25:14-30) concerning the coming of the kingdom. In the parable, a man going on a journey entrusts to each of his three servants’ talents (money) to be used and invested until he returns. Each one is given according to his ability as to what he is capable of handling. One receives five talents, one receives two, and another received one. The Bible says the one who received five talents immediately went out and did business with them doubling the investment. Likewise the one who had two did the same. But the third one did nothing with his talent actually burying it in the ground for safe keeping, so he thought. Upon returning, the man was well pleased with the first two servants. They faithfully used the talents given to them by their master. Not so with the third, he was not pleased at all, in fact he called him wicked and lazy. The servant hid the talent his master gave him. There wasn’t anything to show for it.

            Wherever your talents lie, are you using them for the Lord? Are you using them to advance the gospel? Are others in your community being helped by them? Is your workplace benefitting by your use of them? Have you had opportunity to use them in your social and recreation time with friends and family? Are you using your talents for the Lord or are you hiding them?

Read Matthew 25:14-30, The Parable of the Talents: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2025%3A14-30&version=ESV

Devotionals

Finish what you started

Loring Schultz

“Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have.” 2 Corinthians 8:11 NLT

            I once had a boss challenge me to ensure that each project I started would be completed. He further indicated that his previous assistant, completed only 90% of each project. He would occasionally comment on my work by saying, “I see a lot of 10 % in the store.” It made quite an impression on a 22 year old fresh out of college beginning a career in retail management. 

            In the business world, uncompleted projects can lead to negative results effecting the profitability of the business impacting both consumers and associates of the business. Failure to complete erodes away best of intentions and the best laid plans.

            The apostle Paul reminded the church in Corinth of their commitment and desire to help the poor Christians in Jerusalem. The work of collecting money had started, but it had stopped. It was not completed. The needy people in Jerusalem will not get relief and the Corinthian church will missed out on a blessing. Paul encourages them to finish what they started.

            Is there a project that you have started for the Lord with the best of intentions and have not yet completed it? Evaluate your situation as to how you can best complete it with the Lord’s help. Don’t miss out on an opportunity to please God by blessing others and in turn receive a blessing yourself. Complete the leftover 10% and finish what you started.

Devotionals

Jesus; The Lord of the Temple

Loring Schultz

“He said to them, The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!” Matthew 21:13 NLT

            For centuries theologians have debated the authenticity of Jesus Christ. Is he truly God in the flesh, the God-man, or is he just a good-man? Whichever side one is on all would agree that he was a good man. More would go on to say he was a mighty prophet, a great teacher, and one who could do great things. We still have the debate going on today in the 21st century. I find it amazing for those who say they believe the Bible is the word of God, yet doubt many portions of it such as Jesus’s own words in John 8:58, “…….I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I AM!” (NLT) Jesus declared Himself to those who doubted to be Yahweh, the Lord of the Old Testament who eternally self-existed.

            During Jesus’s three years of ministry before He went to the cross He made several references to God being His Father and being equal to Him. When questioned by the rulers of the Jews in order to accuse and attack Him, Jesus told them, “The Father and I are one” (Jn. 10:30) They knew what He meant proclaiming to be equal with God picking up stones in order to stone Him for blasphemy. Another occasion occurred the day after Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem when He went into the temple. Jesus had witnessed the buying, selling and exchanging of money permitted outside the temple area for travelers coming a great distance for the Passover had made its way inside the temple sacred courts. Not only was business being conducted, but deceptive means were being used to cheat the pilgrim travelers.

            Scripture tells us Jesus drove out those desecrating the temple with authority. “He said to them, The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!” (Mt. 21:13 NLT) Jesus had the authority to do so because He is the Lord of the temple. In the same respect scripture also tells us, “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” (1 Cor. 6:19-20 NLT) May we be careful not to desecrate our bodies, the temple of the Holy Spirit, and remember who is the Lord of the temple.

Read Matthew 21:12-17, Jesus clears the temple: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+21%3A12-17&version=NLT

Devotionals

God’s never-ending forgiveness

Loring Schultz

“LORD, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness that we might learn to fear you.” Psalm 130:3-4 NLT

Have you ever kept track of your sins? Do you have an on-going count for the week, month, or year? If you’re like me, the obvious answer is no. But there are some that you just can’t shake loose even after confessing them to God. They resurface in your mind from time to time causing guilt feelings and uncertainty of God’s forgiveness. Rest assured your sins are forgiven if confession to the Lord God was made. Psalm 103:2 says, “He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.” (NLT) Your sins are gone. The east from the west cannot be measured without any substance as starting points. Your sin, the substance, does not exist, it’s gone. Not only do they not exist, but the Lord does not remember them, “I, I am he
who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.” (Is. 43:25 ESV)

 There may be some who think my sins would be easy to count as they are not many, or I have not sinned at all. But think again. Every selfish thought or mean spirited action against your neighbor, being prideful, a slip of the tongue using God’s name in vain, lying to prevent getting into trouble, going 80 mph in a 55mph zone, and being short of patience with your spouse are all examples of what the Lord considers sin, even though we made not see it that way. None of us are perfect, we were all born with a sin nature so it’s natural that we sin, but that is no excuse to sin or deny that we do.

 Think of all the little incidental sins mentioned above along with others you can think of. Add those we would consider bigger sins and try imagine how many there have been in your lifetime. Now compare that with today’s scripture verse, “LORD, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive?” I’m sure the list we compile for ourselves would not be as extensive as God’s would be, after all He doesn’t miss anything. But the good news is the Lord forgives as the rest of the verse indicates, “But you offer forgiveness that we might learn to fear you.” God’s forgiveness is never-ending and He remembers them no more as long as we confess and ask for forgiveness. This should be of great comfort to us for our sin is also never-ending as long as we are on this side of heaven.

Read Psalm 130: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20130&version=NLT

Devotionals

Walking in Freedom

Loring Schultz

“I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments.” Psalm 119:45 NLT

“So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.” John 8:36 NLT

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

            It is hard to imagine today in the 21st century there is still slavery going on across the world. It is known today as ‘Modern Day Slavery’ or ‘Contemporary Slavery.’ According to ‘The Guardian’ from July 2018 it is estimated that close to 50 million people are enslaved in some form of servitude. The U.S. State Department website has the following: “Human trafficking can include, but does not require, movement. People may be considered trafficking victims regardless of whether they were born into a state of servitude, were exploited in their home town, were transported to the exploitative situation, previously consented to work for a trafficker, or participated in a crime as a direct result of being trafficked. At the heart of this phenomenon is the traffickers’ aim to exploit and enslave their victims and the myriad coercive and deceptive practices they use to do so.” (1)

            We are living in a fallen and broken world with sin running rapid in every corner. Perhaps it shouldn’t surprise or shock us, but it does right down to our core. As Christians we need to be aware of the plight of these individuals supporting efforts to stop the spread of trafficking and to pray for those affected. In addition to ‘Modern Day Slavery’ there are many people in our society who feel trapped by addictions, abusive situations, emotional stress, and anxiety. Although not intentionally held against their will, they are being held against their will. Again, as Christians we need to pray and support those in need.

            Perhaps you may be one of the above feeling trapped or in a situation held against your will. Even in your confinement you can find and have freedom in Jesus Christ. The Psalmist writes when devoted to God’s commandments, His Word, he would walk in freedom or liberty. The Lord can lift the heaviest burden you are facing making it durable for you and give you joy and peace you thought not possible. And Jesus says to us who are trapped and overcome by sin, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free……I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.” (Jn. 8:31-32, 34-36 NLT)  The Lord Jesus can set you free from your sin establishing a permanent relationship with Him now and in eternity walking in freedom.

Read Psalm 119:41-48: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+119%3A41-48&version=NLT https://www.state.gov/what-is-modern-slavery/