Category: Devotionals

Devotionals

In His Own Image

Loring Schultz

Read: Genesis 1:26-28 NLT – Then God said, “Let us make human – Bible Gateway

“So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27 NLT

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

What does it mean to be created in the image of God? If we are honest with ourselves, examining our hearts and minds along with looking in the mirror, we are prone to say, ‘no way!’ But take heart, it has nothing to do with us because we are the created ones. The Lord God is our creator and Scripture says He created us in His own image. So what does that mean? Let’s take a look at it.

First of all it must be understood that we are unlike any other living creature God has created. Humans are immortal beings having souls lasting into eternity. We have the ability to communicate and have fellowship with God and God with us, no other living creatures have this intelligence and personal design. Humans have a self-conscious knowing right from wrong (although not always followed). We also have the ability to learn accumulating knowledge. We have the ability to think and reason applying these to situations that occur in our lives.

In the story of creation in the first twenty-five verses of the Bible we see God as personal, a creator, intelligent, having a will, and ruler over all He created. The Lord God created us in His image. He has given us dominion over all He created and has supplied us with wisdom, knowledge, and intelligence to maintain His creation giving us the capacity to also create and build. Being created in God’s own image is where we get the ability to do anything in life. Again, it doesn’t come from us but from being made in the image of God. So, do not be afraid to look in the mirror. It’s OK!

Devotionals

Pride is a Repellent

Loring Schultz

“Though the LORD is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud.” Psalm 138:6 NLT

Man standing behind a table filled with trophies, medals, and framed certificates at an achievement awards ceremony
A man proudly showcases numerous trophies and certificates at an awards event.

Summer days and nights bring much enjoyment with longer daylight hours and warmer temperatures. Along with the joy comes the need to protect one shelf from the sun’s rays and the nasty bugs that are as much a part of summer as relaxing at your favorite picnic spot. Protection comes from the variety of items on the market today from sunscreen to bug repellents. These work to keep away dangerous rays from the sun and annoying pests of summer for a better experience of the warmer season.

I never thought of pride being a synonym for repellent, but David says in Psalm 138 that the Lord ‘keeps his distance from the proud.’ Pride acts as a repellent by keeping itself at arm’s length from all who are around it. Prideful individuals who constantly boast of their accomplishments turn off everyone in the sound of their voice. People grow tired and weary of hearing the repeated claims of their achievements. Their pride is repelling and driving them away.

We can all call to mind someone who would fit into that category of boastful pride, but where would we place ourselves on the same scale? We may tend to overlook a little boasting now and then thinking I deserve it (I did an excellent job). And maybe so, but where should our boasting be? Paul gives us some good advice. “Therefore, as the Scriptures say, ‘If you want to boast, boast only about the LORD.’” (1Cor.1:31 nlt) The Lord is the one who enables to achieve anything so let us boast in Him and not repel ourselves to others and especially to the Lord God.

Devotionals

Offering Lip Service

Loring Schultz

“Then the Lord said, ‘Because this people draw near with their words And honor Me with their lip service, But they remove their hearts far from Me, And their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote’” Isaiah 29:13 NASB

Man speaking at microphone during community forum with crowd

I am sure there is not one of us who hasn’t been assured of some affirming word only to find out you were paid lip service. It could come as a compliment, a sincere interest in solving a problem, or pledging support to a project. Over time you realize that the compliment was short lived, there was no real interest in solving the problem, and the project is not being supported, all from those who spoke words of admiration, problem solving, and support, but it was only lip service.

Unfortunately in our fallen world lip service is given with no thought to the dishonestly of the words spoken. Some may excuse it as not wanting to hurt anyone. Others may consider it the best option to avoid confrontation, others use it to buy time, and still others have no regard for their deliberate untruthfulness only to make themselves look sincere.  Lip service can come from our best friends, teachers, family members, co-workers, bosses, and even politicians. But before we add to the list, as it is exhaustive, we need to start with ourselves, and examine where we, as Christians, offer lip service.

Jesus confronting the scribes and Pharisees quoted from Isaiah in Matthew chapter 15, THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME,
TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN (Mt.15:8-9 nasb)

The religious rulers were adhering to manmade oral laws handed down after the Babylonian captivity that were not part of the Law. They were honoring God with their lips by obeying laws they have made to honor Him through ritual and not from their hearts. They were uttering lip service to please God and make themselves look good, so they thought. They were more concerned in following their rules than following the Lord God.

Even as Christians, we are prone to lip service if we are not walking by the Spirit. One basic definition of lip service is ‘service by words only.’ I’m afraid many of us are able to relate. It is bad enough treating others with lip service, but how many times do we treat God with lip service? When we worship God on the Lord’s Day with others of like faith, or when we have our prayer time alone with Him, do our actions as we depart match the words we have spoken? Is there action to prove true the words we just spoken from our hearts, or were they only words? The Lord is please with those who worship Him from the heart and not through lip service.

Devotionals

Do not be deceived, evil is not good

Loring Schultz

“Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:16-17 ESV

US Supreme Court building with columns and dome, people walking on stairs and plaza, and American flag on flagpole
Visitors walk around the front of the US Supreme Court building with an American flag waving nearby.

Deception has been around  since the Garden of Eden. At the root of all deception is the father of lies Satan, himself. Satan has been deceiving people for years that bad is not that bad or not bad at all, in fact it’s actually good. The Puritans of the 17th century recognized the deceitfulness in some of the laws of their day that were evil.

 In one Puritan prayer it says,

“Show me how to know when a thing is evil,

                   which I think is right and good,

                   how to know when what is lawful

                   comes from an evil principle….” (1)

The above could have been written in 2026. Even Christians, when not careful, can be influenced by the world around them in seeing things from a secular worldview or even worse from a distorted Biblical worldview in the name of fairness and justice. Don’t be deceived. Evil is not good. If Scripture says it is evil, then it is evil. Secular governments passing legislation that attributes to the acceptance of anti-biblical truths puts Christians on defense for just believing the truth of Scripture.

Let us take heart and pray for one another to stand strong in defense of God’s Word. This is nothing new, but it is the devil’s continual attempt to sway people away from God and the truth of His Word. Sadly, it worked on Eve in the garden and with many others throughout history and is running rampant today. Pray that you will not be deceived.

(1) Bennett, Arthur Ed. The Valley of Vision. East Peoria: Versa Press, 2023. Pg 69

Devotionals

Stay Sharp  

Loring Schultz

“When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments.” 2 Timothy 4:13 ESV

Photo by Mariia Chalaya on Unsplash

As we age we tend to not be as sharp as we once were. This occurs both physically and mentally. Physically it is best to stay active as best as you are able and mentally the same holds true. Our learning ability may slow down, but we are still capable of learning new things. Keeping our minds sharp by reading, playing brain teaser games (there are plenty on your smartphone), and engaging in deep conversations help keep our minds alert adding to our quality of life.

Keeping our minds sharp and focused is particularly important as we grow older and so is applying some of the above to help us fill our souls with the things of God. The apostle Paul in his concluding thoughts to Timothy in his letter requested he come to see him soon. Both Paul and Timothy knew that Paul’s days may be short. Paul requested a few things. He asked Timothy to bring Mark along with him, and to stop by Troas to pick up Paul’s cloak that he left there. Winter was settling in soon and it would provide much needed comfort. But most importantly Paul instructed Timothy to bring ‘the books, and above all the parchments.’

The books were papyrus scrolls of the Old Testament, and the parchments were skins of vellum used for smaller documents, Paul’s personal copies of the Scriptures. Here is a man up in age who had already confided to Timothy ‘the time of my departure has come.’ (2Tim.4:6 evs) Why would he want these writings in his present circumstances? Paul wasn’t finished yet. He wanted to stay sharp right up to the end of his days and have his soul filled and refreshed. This is a lesson for all of us whatever our age to continue learning from the Word of God. There is nothing more important. Let us stay sharp!

Devotionals

Have You Ever Complained to God?  

Loring Schultz

Read: Psalm 55 NASB – Prayer for the Destruction of the – Bible Gateway

“As for me, I shall call upon God,  And the LORD will save me. Evening and morning and at noon, I will complain and murmur, And He will hear my voice.” Psalm 55:16-17 NASB

 Photo by Santiago Lacarta on Unsplash

I do not believe there are any Christians who at one or another have not complained to God. If you are one, please tell me how you do it. I promise I will not take offense, simply curious. Among life’s difficulties and the unexpected that come into our lives it is not always easy to hold back even questioning God as to why. The Lord knows are frame that we are but dust, we have emotions capable of running wild, and some of us have a low tolerance of pain. Once in awhile an unexpected difficulty will come our way and we will let our emotions get the best of us, yes, even before God.

Psalm 55 is a prayer of King David during a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem. It had been put forth by those who were closest to him. There is upheaval in the city and finding someone trustworthy seems impossible with the false accusations and rumors spreading among the people. David was under severe stress feeling abandoned by those close to him and does not know whom he could trust. Through all this David still knows he can trust God even as he brings forth his complaint. “Give ear to my prayer, O God……Give heed to me and answer me; I am restless in my complaint and am surely distracted.” (Ps.55:1-2 nasb)

God understands the trials we go through. He does not mind a question here and there in our crying prayers to Him. The Lord understands when we lift up our hearts in a complaint before Him. David was confident God would hear his voice. The Lord will hear your voice as well and answer you even in your complaint.

Devotionals

Hope in Our Rebellion

Loring Schultz

Read: Genesis 11:1-9 NLT – The Tower of Babel – At one time all – Bible Gateway

“At one time all the people of the world spoke the same language and used the same word” Genesis 11:1 NLT

Photo by Kind and Curious on Unsplash

There is always hope for those who rebel against God. An example of mass rebellion against the creator God occurred in the early chapters of the book of Genesis. One hundred years after the destructive flood that saved only Noah and his family the people rebelled against God in their pride and refused God’s command to move on and populate the earth. Everyone spoke the same language and they said, “Come, let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world.” (Gen.11:4 nlt)

That famous tower they intended to build was the ‘tower of Babel.’ It was to be a symbol of their strength and achievements of what they were capable of without God’s help. They were assigning glory to themselves in building this great tower. It would stand as a monument of how great they were. They quickly forgot God and became their own god. The God of heaven quickly put an end to that by confusing their language. God who created mankind now created multiple languages among the people so they could not understand each other and were forced to separate and move on.

God had caused the separation due to their sin. They would not scatter across the earth as God told them to. Sometimes we put ourselves in a position of not following God’s instructions and God separates from what is keeping us from serving Him. But there is always hope that follows. After the Lord separated the people at the tower of Babel scripture tells us that through the line Shem, one of Noah’s sons, came Abraham, and through his line came our savior Jesus Christ.

There was a time when the world had one language and although we enjoy the many diverse cultures it came about due to sin. But there is hope, for God sent His Jesus to reconcile all of us back together through Him no matter our language. “After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb.” (Rev.7:9 nlt)

Devotionals

A Divine Drought

Loring Schultz

Read: Psalm 42 NIV – BOOK II Psalms 42–72 -Psalm 42 – For – Bible Gateway

“Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.” Psalm 42:7 NIV

Photo by Melisa u00d6zdemir on Pexels.com

The area in which I reside has been experiencing drought conditions for the past  several months. Residents wait with anticipation until the next ‘drought monitor’ is updated only to find out there has been no improvement. Ninety-five percent of the county where I live is affected by this drought. It has not reached disastrous proportions yet, but vegetation and lawn gardens are beginning to show its lack of rain.

Droughts occurring on the earth have an enormous effect on drinking water and food supply. The food chain will not see disruption until the end of the season or even the following year, but water shortage is felt immediately. Without water humans and animals cannot survive. A drought is serious business if it lasts for an unprecedented period of time.

Our physical bodies can experience major health issues with an inadequate supply of water. Our souls will experience major spiritual issues during a ‘divine drought’ caused by lack of spiritual water. There are several reasons a spiritual (divine) drought occurs and symptoms will soon become noticeable. Not living for the Lord by doing your thing is one way to disengage from Him and soon lack the spiritual water needed to survive. A sure way to create a ‘divine drought’ is to neglect the reading of God’s Word. It is the spiritual water we need. And a third way is not communicating with God on a daily basis through prayer.

There are many other reasons for a ‘divine drought.’ If you are going through one at the moment and the reason is not one listed above, think through your life for something that is there that should not be. There is something that is preventing the spiritual water from entering your soul. Pray about it and ask the Lord to reveal it to you. If you already know what it is, deal with it. Allow the Lord to rain down His spiritual blessings on you and end your ‘divine drought.’

Devotionals

Including Peter     

Loring Schultz

Read: Mark 16:1-7 NLT – The Resurrection – Saturday evening, – Bible Gateway

“Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.” Mark 16:7 NLT

FreeBibleimages.org

Can you recall the feeling you had when you were left out of something? You volunteer for a good-will project, put in the effort to make it successful and when the day comes to begin the project you are not selected to participate. It made not have been anything you have done to be left off the project, but for some reason you were not chosen to participate. Hurt feelings are sure to arise.

But, what about if you had done something irresponsible to give your organization a bad name that precipitated in you not being included? You would still feel hurt, but also sad remorse for what could have been, but wasn’t. You no longer have any  control over the situation. The good-will project will go on without you.

Peter, one of Jesus’ most trusted disciples, had done something which he thought eliminated him from any future good-will project. He denied three times that he even knew his master, Jesus. Remembering what Jesus said that before the evening was over he would deny Him three times, Peter went out and wept bitterly after he did exactly what Jesus said he would do. For sure Peter gave Jesus a bad reputation by being associated with a liar. Any chance to work on His behalf would seem to be lost. But that was not the case.

On the morning of Jesus’ resurrection from the grave the three women came to the tomb of Jesus and found it empty except for an angel sitting on the right side. The women were frighten and did not know what to say so the angel encouraged them by saying, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body.” (Mk.16:6 nlt) Then the angel told them to go tell the disciples, ‘including Peter,’ to go meet Jesus in Galilee. Peter was not going to be left off the team. By God’s grace and forgiveness Peter was restored to do a great work for Christ.

Devotionals

Preach the Word of God 

Loring Schultz

Read: 2 Timothy 4:1-5 NLT – I solemnly urge you in the presence of – Bible Gateway

“Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.” 2 Timothy 4:2 NLT

Photo by Andrew DeGarde on Pexels.com

A lot of Christians think only pastors are to be preachers. They surmise pastors are more qualified in reaching people than those sitting in the pews. There is a lot of truth to that, but not in all areas. People exist all around us that the pastor will never reach. One reason is that the pastor obviously does not know every person in your sphere of influence. He cannot reach them, but you can. And if no pastor is available to preach the Word to them, you’re it my friend.

The apostle Paul’s final charge to Timothy in his second letter to him was to preach the word of God. Now Timothy was already a pastor, so why would Paul need to encourage him to preach the Word? Paul did not want him to only preach, but to correct any false teaching he heard that was going around by encouraging the church with good sound teaching. The reason being is that people will begin to fall away from the truth of the gospel. They will desire teaching that pleases them and keeps them in their comfort zone ignoring the Word of God.

So, how does this fit in with us? There are many churches today that fit into that category. Pastors are preaching only what the people want to hear and not make them feel uncomfortable. They are not preaching the truth of Salvation but are distorting it by accepting the world’s standards and not God’s. Therefore many of our friends and family, if they are church-goers in one of these churches, need to hear the truth of the gospel from those who can preach the truth. That is you and me. We may not be ordained ministers but learning the truth that is fed to us every Sunday we will be equipped to preach the truth of the Word of God.