Devotionals

Looking for strength?     

Loring Schultz

Read: Psalm 105:1-8 NLT – Psalm 105 – Give thanks to the LORD and – Bible Gateway

“Search for the LORD and for his strength; continually seek him.” Psalm 105:4 NLT

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Finding newfound strength can come from the least expected places. You may get the right amount of strength needed to finish a job when your mind focuses on the benefits of the completed project. A sudden burst of energy comes through the eyes of a marathon runner as they see the finish line. A friend gives you an encouraging word to continue through your struggles, ‘you can make it’, so you go on. These examples and the like come when you need them the most and perhaps are  a little unexpected. You were probably too exhausted to conjure them up, they just appeared.

For the Christian who is following the Lord, they may seem like unexpected places at the time but from God’s point of view, they should have been expected. When we receive them it is all the more reason to praise God for His strength, lest we think it was our strength. Really, it was not. Oh yes, our bodies performed the task but with the ability, strength, and wherewithal supplied by our creator, the Lord God. It gives me great pleasure to see so many athletes giving glory to God after a sporting event which ever side of the score they were on. They realize their strength and talents come from the Lord.

Psalm 105 is an exhortation to Israel to remember what the Lord had done for them. His faithfulness to them should result in praise and worship. Remembering God’s care for them and His miracles on their behalf should give them confidence to “search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him.” (Ps.105:4 nlt) We should be able to do the same in 2026. Being in a frame of mind continuously seeking God we may not be surprised next time we get that expected strength but praise Him for it. But if we are surprised, that’s OK too. All the more reason to praise Him.

Devotionals

What’s done is done!      

Loring Schultz

“……but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Philippians 3:13b-14 NLT

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You have heard the statement, ‘what’s done is done.’ That statement is very true, yet we try to undo what has already been done, and the fact is we can’t go back. Sure, there are corrective measures we can take to not repeat things we wish were done differently. We call this, ‘learning from our mistakes.’ But what good does it do to dwell on the past. It will only cloud our focus on the future. What’s done is done.

As we begin this New Year, don’t let the past interfere with your plans going forward, or more accurately, God’s plans for you going forward in 2026. Paul, the apostle, gives us his perspective of forgetting the past in writing to the church in Philippi. Paul viewed his Christian life as a race. Every runner knows it is disastrous to look back. Looking back will slow you down and takes your eye off the goal. The goal is the finish line. We often find ourselves looking back to our own demise. If our eyes come off the goal even for a moment, it could prove to be harmful.

Paul was explaining he hadn’t yet achieved the goal of Christlikeness, but he was still running and pursuing that goal. He was looking forward to what lies ahead, the finish line and the end of the race, when the heavenly prize (Christlikeness) is accomplished. Paul did not look back on his sinful past. What’s done is done. He was forgiven and assured of heaven and eternal life, no need to look back. Jesus saved him, and that also is done is done. Paul is forgetting all that is behind him and looking forward to that heavenly prize in Christ Jesus, Christlikeness.

May we keep looking forward, forgetting the past in the New Year. Every Christian’s goal in the 2026 should be moving towards Christlikeness. All other goals are secondary. Working towards that goal will set the priority for other goals we have in mind as the Lord leads us to where He is calling us.

Devotionals

Committed to Godliness

Loring Schultz

“They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience.” 1 Timothy 3:9 NLT

As 2025 comes to an end and we embark on a new year, ask yourself ‘was I able to fulfill any of the commitments I made for the year?’ If you have, praise God! There are not many of us who have been able to keep those well intended commitments. Any failed attempts during the year are concerning when we are seeking to improve in certain areas of our lives, but when we fail in our commitments to God concerning our spiritual lives it’s disastrous. We have failed God, ourselves, and all those around us.

The apostle Paul gave Timothy the qualifications he was to pass on to the those who would become deacons in the church. In the middle of these qualifications we find the essential and most important one, “They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience.” (1Tim.3:9 nlt) The term ‘mystery of the faith’ refers to the truth of the gospel now revealed after being hidden until the resurrection of Christ. Jesus came to save sinners in which we are now to walk in the newness of life. Christians are to display Christ’s righteousness available through the Holy Spirit. Deacons must live a life that reveals the truth of the gospel which is living a life committed to godliness.

Although Paul is addressing future deacons of the church in this verse, this main qualification should be the commitment for every Christian to godliness in 2026. Those of us who know the Lord were called for a purpose. We are to share the gospel with others through words, through our lives, and through our commitment to godliness. Let’s make sure we fulfill this commitment all through 2026.

Devotionals

Travel lighter in the New Year          

Loring Schultz

“Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:29-30 NLT

We are rapidly approaching the eve of another New Year. Looking back throughout the current year, what burdens have you carried that were too much for you to bear? How often have you felt you were walking alone through all your difficulties? You imagine to yourself how much easier life would be if you had someone walking beside you helping to carry your burdens.  But not just anyone, it needs to be someone who knows you intimately. One who understands your feelings, knows your hurts, knows your strengths and weaknesses and still loves you, one who will continue to walk with you helping and guiding you along the way. There is such a one and His burden is light.

Jesus teaching the way of salvation in the gospel of Matthew said the following, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Mt. 11:28 NLT) Those in Jesus’s day as in our day struggled in finding the meaning of life, finding happiness and contentment, working exhaustively in trying everything and anything new looking for hope and that pie in the sky feeling. The truth is, what Jesus offers is more than an unrealistic pie in the sky moment, but a true reality of a light burden in this life as we trust in Him and walk with Him.

Jesus uses the example of being yoked with Him as two farming animals are yoked together with a wooden bar. The purpose was to distribute the weight evenly, lining them together in order to work efficiently with no extra burden on one or the other. The burden of plowing was made much easier by the wooden bar, and our burden in life is made much easier when we are yoked together with Christ. He knows us intimately, He is gentle, He will guide us and supply our need along the way, and it is where we can find rest only in Him. Jesus says, “For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Allow yourself to be yoked with Christ in 2026 and beyond and may we all travel lighter in the New Year!

Devotionals

Wholehearted Worship

Loring Schultz

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 NASB

Is your heart always in everything you do, whatever it is? How many times do you utter the phrase, “My heart’s just not in this.” It could be a work project, which would be understandable, or it could be an enjoyable recreation activity and you still cannot get your whole heart interested and excited. Let’s face it we all have days like that, sometimes for good reasons, but not always.

When it comes to Worshiping God we need to desire that our hearts be in it, 100% in it, but then again we know that is not always the case. King David was particularly conscious of this. He wrote “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, Be acceptable in Your sight.” David wanted his worship, his prayers and his thoughts to be acceptable to his Lord, his Rock and his Redeemer. And we should want the same thing for us, but it is much more than an hour church service or a fifteen minute personal devotion time. I heard someone once say that, “Life is Worship.” We should be acknowledging God in everything we do; every aspect of our lives, our work, our play and our thoughts; we should be Worshipping God!

The way to Wholehearted Worship is to live your “Life as Worship.”

Bible Studies

SOLA SCRIPTURA (Scripture Alone)

Loring Schultz

“I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, since it is neither right nor safe to go against conscience. May God help me. Amen.” (Luther at Diet of Worms, 1521)

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Over the next five weeks we will be addressing the ‘Five Solas’ of the Reformation. These are five Latin phrases from the Reformation period of the 16th century. “Sola’ in Latin is the English word ‘only.’ The early reformers recognized a drift away from Scripture in the Catholic Church essential to the teaching of the gospel. The “Five Solas’ represent the very core of the Christian faith. They are as follows, Sola Scriptura: Scripture is the only infallible authority for faith and practice. Solus Christus: Christ in His person and work is the only Savior. Sola gratia: Only the sovereign grace of God accomplishes salvation. Sola fide: Faith is the only instrument by which we are untied to Christ and receive all His benefits. Soli Deo gloria: The purpose of salvation is to give all glory to God alone. We begin with ‘Sola Scriptura.’ Scripture is the only infallible authority for faith and practice.

The apostle Paul declared in 2 Timothy, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16-17 esv) Since Scripture is breathed out by God, His words spoken to us, it stands to reason that His Word stands. It is the only one that counts. The Bible is the only authority for the church today and always has been. The Bible is verbally and divinely inspired. They are the very words of God. It is the highest authority possible for it comes from God Himself and is the only source of His voice to us today.

The Bible is sufficient for all we need in the way of Salvation and how we are to live. There are no rules to follow that supersede or add to the teaching of Scripture. Again, ‘Scripture is the only infallible authority for faith and practice.’ Church constitutions and rules of procedures are important but we must be careful not to add or subtract the truth of Scripture.

The reformers knew Christians often looked for God’s power in external things of the church rather than Scripture itself. It didn’t help that most church goers of the day didn’t have access to the Scriptures. The reformers task was to then restore confidence in the people of the church in the Word of God and with understanding that God’s power and truth was in His Word and His Word alone.

The perspicuity, or clarity, of Scripture is affirmed by Scripture itself. God instructed Israel to teach their children His commandments. (Dt. 6:6-9) God gave us His Word for all to understand even the youngest among us. The Holy Spirit also guides us as he illuminates the words of Scripture to us in comprehending the truth of Salvation.

“Sola scriptura also fueled the translation of the Bible into German, French, English, and other languages, and prompted Bible teaching in the common languages of the day, rather than in Latin. In this way, the good news of Jesus Christ could be read by the ordinary people.” (Evangelical Alliance UK)

A Christian Perspective

Mentors

Loring Schultz

THE FOLLOWING IS A REPOST FROM SEPTEMBER, 2023.

“Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.” Hebrews 13:7 NASB

Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash

The company I worked for before my retirement designated certain individuals in each department as a “mentor.” A “mentor” by definition is a wise advisor, a teacher or coach. Their name tag reflects one who is knowledgeable and is in a position to train those within the department. Training is leading by example. Mentors demonstrate and explain the proper procedures for the department to be successful, but more importantly that the associate is successful in the future.

Just as we need mentors in our workplaces, we need mentors within the church. We need those who are spiritual and knowledgeable in the things of God and His Word to train those who are the future of the church. Individual believers need mentors who lead by example, who walk the talk as the saying goes (although none of us are perfect.) Believers need mentors to help them grow to spiritual maturity.

The writer of Hebrews says, “Remember those who led you……..imitate their faith.” Perhaps there is one that you remember who has influence you in your walk with Lord, I have such a one. One to whom I am eternally grateful for the time he invested in me many years ago.

As we remember those who led us, let us be leading those who will follow behind us. Let our lives be the name tag that tells others that we are mentors.

Devotionals

Advent 2025: Back to Work

Loring Schultz

Read: Luke 2:15-20 NLT – When the angels had returned to heaven, – Bible Gateway

“The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.” Luke 2:20 NLT

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The day after Christmas can be a real letdown. In fact for a lot of people it is. So much time is spent preparing for the day in lightning speed and twenty-four hours later it’s over. Sometimes there’s a feeling you missed it. That could indeed be the case and now it is back to work the day after. How do you shake this letdown feeling?

For the Christian, Christmas doesn’t come only on December 25th. We should be celebrating Jesus’ coming to earth to save us every day of the year. The joy of the Christmas season is a continued joy of the Christian life through the presence of the Holy Spirit. There should never be a letdown from that. Taking a special day to recognize Jesus’ birth is a proper form of worship every Christian should participate in. The day is about Jesus, celebrating His coming into the world. But when the true meaning of Christmas is overshadowed by all our festivities there’s bound to be a letdown when it’s all over.

The shepherds in Luke’s gospel were privileged to be part of that first Christmas. Their work was interrupted in the middle of night by angels announcing the birth of a savior and saying,  “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” (Lk.2:14 nlt) They immediately went into Bethlehem looking for the one described to them by the angel. When they found Him they told everyone their story and what the angels told them about this child.

The shepherds had just witnessed the first Christmas. They were told the reason for that first Christmas. After their visit to Mary, Joseph, and the Christ child the shepherds went back to work. There was no letdown. They celebrated the true meaning of Christmas. We shake this letdown feeling by going back to work in the same spirit as the shepherds; glorifying and praising God for sending His Son.

Devotionals

Advent 2025: Christ’s Gift of Mercy to Us                  

Loring Schultz

“Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people.” Hebrews 2:17 NLT

Christmas Day is a day of exchanging gifts with family, friends, and loved ones, and sometimes with not-so-loved ones. I’m sure we have all experienced ‘should I give so and so a gift this year?’ Whatever our reasoning is, it defeats the purpose of the true meaning and spirit of Christmas. There should never be a standard to live up to in order to receive a gift. If that were the case, most of us would not have anything under our tree on Christmas morning, myself included. When we do receive a gift from someone unexpected, we are surprised, thankful, and at times embarrassed and even feel unworthy. We may feel a need to reciprocate, but nothing seems adequate in response.

Such should be our sentiment to Jesus for His gift of mercy to us. Jesus left His throne in heaven to come down to earth for us in a special way for a special purpose. The New Testament book of Hebrews says, “Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die…… Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God.” (Heb.4:14a, 17a nlt) Christ’s gift of mercy to us is His becoming our faithful High Priest offering Himself as a sacrifice for our sin once and for all. Jesus was faithful to God the Father’s required payment for sin, a perfect and holy sacrifice. “He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.” (1Jn.2:2 nlt)

This Christmas let us remind ourselves as one loved or not-so-loved there is one gift we could never re-gift, the sacrifice of the Christ child born that early Christmas morning. Let us also remind ourselves there are no ‘not-so-loved’ with God, “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (Jn.3:16 nlt)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!