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

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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!

Devotionals

Advent 2025: The Great Commission of the Old Testament

Loring Schultz

Read: Isaiah 49:1-7 NLT – The LORD’s Servant Commissioned – Bible Gateway

“He says, ‘You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.’” Isaiah 49:6 NLT

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Our key verse today, Isaiah 49:6, is sometimes referred to as ‘The Great Commission of the Old Testament.’ The scripture reading, Isaiah 49:1-7, is the ‘Second Servant Song’ of the Messiah found in the book of Isaiah. This passage of scripture is all about the Messiah-Servant who will restore the people of Israel but will also be a light to Gentiles bringing salvation to all. Jesus Christ, our redeemer, came through the line of the Jewish people. He came for His chosen people. Jesus, the Messiah, had come but not for the purpose they might have anticipated, but to be offered as a sacrifice to restore all mankind to God through His death on the cross.

This Great Commission is seen in Simeon, a righteous and devout man, who was also waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Lord revealed to Simeon that he would die until he would see the Messiah. As the Lord led him to go the Temple, Simeon met Mary and Joseph who were there for the purification offering and to present Jesus to the Lord as the Law of Moses required. When Simeon saw the child he took Him in his arms saying, “I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!” (Lk.2:30-32 nlt)

The true light of the world has come. Prophesied in the Old Testament as a commission to explain the truth in His purpose for coming to earth. Jesus came for much more than to restore Israel, but to bring all people to salvation who believe in His name.

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Devotionals

Advent 2025: Christmas Dreams

Loring Schultz

“But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.’” Matthew 1:20 NKJV

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Many of us have had Christmas dreams at one time or another. From early childhood dreaming about what occurs on Christmas Eve and what the man in the red suit will leave behind serves as a starting point for many of the dreams we have into adulthood. Dreams of having the perfect Christmas with friends, family, and that special loved one now replaces a visit from the man from the North Pole. Dreams of peace during the Christmas season encourages us as we engage in the busy day to day activities and preparations that the season brings. And what do all these have in common? They all anticipate what is coming and hope that their dreams come true.

Dreams are very much a part of Christmas. In fact, as far back as the first Christmas, dreams played an important role in the birth of Christ. There are five recorded dreams in Matthew’s account of Jesus’s birth. An angel of the Lord appears in all of them, stating God’s perfect will. It is part of His salvation plan from the beginning.

An angel appears to Joseph in four of these dreams. Joseph, as you can imagine, was quite concerned of Mary’s condition. He is assured “that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.” After Jesus’s birth Herod seeks the child to kill Him. An angel again appears in a dream and instructs Joseph to take Mary and the Child and go to Egypt. After Herod’s death, Joseph is further instructed in a dream to return to Israel and then to settle in a city called Nazareth. These dreams also fulfil the prophecies spoken by the Old Testament prophets concerning the coming Messiah.

Christmas dreams are fine in anticipating that special day if put in the proper perspective, even dreaming of a White Christmas or visions of sugarplums dancing in your head. These dreams are the product of years of tradition in celebrating the greatest birth of all time. But let us not forget those first dreams that first Christmas that made the most anticipated arrival of the Christ Child secure- His arrival for you and me. Pleasant Dreams!