Word for the Soul

“Once when John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, some people came to Jesus and asked, ‘Why don’t your disciples fast like John’s disciples and the Pharisees do?’” Mark 2:18 NLT

In this week’s Biblical Insights, we sit back and listen to the first two of many discussions Jesus has with the Pharisees, other religious rulers, and the people of Israel in the book of Mark. Jesus’ discussions along with His teaching is the core of the gospel of Mark. His favorite name for Himself is the ‘Son of Man.’ Jesus corrects misunderstandings and outright misinformation leveled against Him by the religious rulers, and He answers all questions presented to Him. He confirms His deity, the future coming kingdom, and that He is the way of salvation and the only way to the Father.

After the dinner party Levi had for Jesus in his home, some people came to Jesus with a question concerning fasting. “Why don’t your disciples fast like John’s disciples and the Pharisees do?” (Mk.2:18 nlt) Now, these two groups couldn’t be more apart on religious matters, but the people’s concern was legitimate. John the Baptist’s disciples probably were fasting as an expression of the repentance John preached. John was also in prison at this time, so their fasting could have been in mourning for him. The Pharisees, on the other hand, fasted twice a week as a religious ritual. Fasting was a sign of contrition and penitence as far back as the days of the Judges but had become a mere outward expression. The only fasting that was required by Mosaic law was on the Day of Atonement. The Jewish people found it odd that Jesus’ disciples did not fast as other religious people did, so they asked the question.

Jesus takes this opportunity to hint of His mission here on earth. He compares Himself to a bridegroom and His disciples as guests in a marriage celebration. A marriage was a joyous occasion, no time for mourning, why would they fast. But there will come a day when Jesus leaves them, and then they will fast. It will be appropriate at that time.

Expanding on the scope of His mission, Jesus uses two illustrations to explain something new is coming. Jesus’ new gospel of repentance and forgiveness of sin cannot relate to the old traditional rituals. “Besides, who would patch old clothing with new cloth? For the new patch would shrink and rip away from the old cloth, leaving an even bigger tear than before. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the wine would burst the wineskins, and the wine and the skins would both be lost. New wine calls for new wineskins.” (Mk.2:21-22 nlt)

The Pharisees prompt the second of Jesus’ discussions this week. They observe Jesus’ disciples picking heads of grain and eating them as they were traveling along the road next to the grainfields. What upset them was this occurred on the Sabbath day. They claimed Jesus’ disciples were breaking the Sabbath by working harvesting wheat on the Sabbath day. As ridiculous as that sounds, that is how far they stretched the law to conform to their new rules and regulations. Some Christian leaders today are guilty of adding do’s and don’ts above what God has stated in His Word. Just a note of caution to be sure we are biblically sound.

The Old Testament book of Deuteronomy says, “And when you enter your neighbor’s field of grain, you may pluck the heads of grain with your hand, but you must not harvest it with a sickle.” (Dt.23:25 nlt) The Pharisees should have been familiar with that scripture, but their concern is it was the Sabbath day. Jesus gives them the example of David and his men, what they did when exhausted from hunger. “He went into the house of God (during the days when Abiathar was high priest) and broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. He also gave some to his companions.” (Mk.2:26 nlt) Jesus was illustrating they may have done what was forbidden, but it is also lawful to do good and save a life on the Sabbath. He emphasized the true spirit of the Sabbath is intended for man restoration; spiritual, mental, and physical. (Mk.2:27)

Jesus again confirms His Deity in His discussion with the Pharisees when He claimed He is Lord of Sabbath. He is greater than the Sabbath and therefore has the authority to reject the Pharisees rules and regulations concerning the Sabbath day. Jesus will have continual run ins with these religious rulers as we will see throughout the book of Mark, and He will confront them with who He is and His mission why He is here. Jesus said, “The time promised by God has come at last! The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!” (Mk.1:15 nlt)

A Christian Perspective

God will not forget Israel

February 8, 2025February 6, 2025 Loring Schultz

“So the people of Israel ate manna for forty years until they arrived at the land where they would settle. They ate manna until they came to the border of the land of Canaan.” Exodus 16:35 NLT

“The LORD had said to Abram, ‘Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.’” Genesis 12:1-3 NLT

God’s chosen people are the Jews. Their home is the land promised to them by God, it is the land of Israel far beyond the present-day borders. The city of Jerusalem is the Lord’s holy habitation. (Ps.46:4-5) One day, perhaps sooner than we think, Israel will have all the land God had promised when Christ returns and rules from Jerusalem in His earthly kingdom. But until then………

Yes, but until then we will continue to have unrest in that section of the Middle East known as the Holy Land. Empires and world leaders have fought over the land for centuries, displacing the people residing there. Israel became a nation state in 1948 and was first recognized by the United States, and the U.S. has been a friend to Israel ever since. The fighting continues today not only for the land but for the destruction of Israel and the death of the Jews. Many have tried to negotiate peace that lasts only until the next rocket is fired. There will be no true peace in the Holy Land until Christ returns. But until then………

But until then God will continue to watch over His people. If anyone would doubt God’s care for Israel, just look at His provision of food that lasted 40 years in the wilderness. Every day except Saturday, the Lord provided nourishment for their survival. God didn’t forget or abandon them in the wilderness, and He is not going to forget them now. God promised He would make them a great nation. He will bless those who blesses Israel and He will curse those who do not.

The people residing in the Holy Land have gone through the horror of war due to the hatred towards the Jewish people, God’s chosen. It will come to an end one day, but until then, let every Christian be in support of Israel and encourage our government leaders to do the same. May we pray for the ‘Peace of Jerusalem’ and the families suffering from the on-going conflicts. May we pray for the salvation of those who have not come to accept Christ as their savoir, and may we pray, Maranatha ‘come, Lord Jesus’!

Devotionals

Live as Children of Light

February 7, 2025February 5, 2025 Loring Schultz

Read: Ephesians 4:17-32 NLT – Living as Children of Light – With the – Bible Gateway

“Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:24, 30 NLT

Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.com

New converts to Christianity have a hard time relinquishing their old sinful habits. Once a person accepts Christ as savior they are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, but the flesh takes time to surrender. In fact, total surrender will not happen until we’re with Christ in glory. We can make progress in our Christian Walk if we are constantly reminded of the old ways that we are to let go of and replace them with renewed thoughts and attitudes. We’ve been given a new nature in Christ to help us walk in the light.

Paul tells us to put on that new nature, but in a sense, we already have it. He is reminding us to live as if we have it, because we do. Paul is telling us it’s now time to remove our dirty old clothes and put on our clean new ones. In his letter to the church in Ephesus, Paul lays out a section of living as children of light. (Eph.4:17-32) Before we came to know the Lord, we were living in darkness. There was no need for instructions on evil behavior, it came naturally. But even with our new nature, the old one still hangs around. Paul tells us to get rid of it by saying, “Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.” (Eph.4:21-22 nlt)

Listing some of the things that still creep into our lives, Paul tells us to throw them in the pile of dirty clothes along with other sins he didn’t mention. For every piece we throw off, Paul tells us what to put on in its place. It takes time, but a steady progression of living in the light eliminates the darkness.

Devotionals

Don’t Let It Go to Your Head

February 6, 2025February 5, 2025 Loring Schultz

Read: Daniel 3:1-7 NLT – Nebuchadnezzar’s Gold Statue – King – Bible Gateway

“Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18 NLT

Pride can become a self-inflicting disease when we have an unduly high opinion of ourselves. Its symptoms are arrogance, egotistic, conceited, and other not so fine characteristics. Can there be good effects of pride as there is good and bad cholesterol, or good stress vs. verses bad stress? Well yes. You can take pride in a job well done, in graduating college with high honors, or passing the state boards in your vocational choice, and you can be prideful of the achievements your children earn throughout their lives. But in all these cases, let them not go to our heads.

King Nebuchadnezzar, in the book of Daniel, let his dream Daniel interpretated for him go to his head. In fact, he erected a statue with a gold head symbolizing himself. Daniel told him he represented the head of gold in the figure of the man he saw in his dream. We do not know how long after his dream Nebuchadnezzar had the statue built. We do know that the king told Daniel, “Truly, your God is the greatest of gods, the Lord over kings.” (Dan.2:47 nlt) But over time his sentiment towards God wore off. He would now order everyone in the Babylonian Empire to bow down and worship his golden statue. Nebuchadnezzar’s pride got to him. This was both a religious and political act to be obeyed. Failing to comply would result in immediate death.

Nebuchadnezzar’s actions caused by his pride seem over the top of anything we might be capable of. Actually, they aren’t. Receiving that promotion at work, or being noted as the head of the class, or ranking #1 in the pickle ball tournament, may not cause us to want to be worshiped, but if it goes to our head, we sure want people to notice. Take pride in a job well done and forget about the head of gold.

Devotionals

The Lord’s Honored Guest

February 5, 2025February 4, 2025 Loring Schultz

Read: Psalm 23 KJV – The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not – Bible Gateway

“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” Psalm 23:5 KJV

Being held in a position of honor has always been a bit uncomfortable for me, not that it has happened very often. I’m thankful for the times in my life they have occurred. Some years back my wife and me along with my spiritual mentor and his wife received such an honor from the church we belonged to for we both were moving out of the area. It was a pleasant surprise, a joyous occasion, and a humble experience in the recognition we all received.

On such occasions we may also feel unworthy to receive such an honor. Yet, those providing the festivities have a different opinion. It was based on the love we had for each other in being part of the church family, the family of God. In reality, we are all sinners saved by grace through Christ’s love for us. As He has loved us, we love one another in our church family. The church held this special honor because of their love for us.

The 23^rd Psalm, probably the most familiar passage in Scripture, ends with an honored guest experience. The psalm is written by King David, and he reveals that he is the Lord’s honored guest at His table. “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.” (Ps.23:5a kjv) God is the gracious host providing a banquet and treating David as an honor guest. David was overwhelmed saying, “my cup runneth over.Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” (Ps.235b-6a kjv)

That same honor applies to us today. If anything should make us feel uncomfortable or unworthy this would be it. The Lord God preparing a banquet for us and seating us as a guest of honor. But it is because of His great love for us that he invites us to His table to partake of His salvation prepared for us. You’re the Lord’s honored guest, don’t decline the invitation. R.S.V.P.

Devotionals

Quick to Listen and Slow to Speak

February 4, 2025February 3, 2025 Loring Schultz

Read: James 1:16-27 NLT – So don’t be misled, my dear brothers – Bible Gateway

“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.” James 1:19, 22 NLT

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Have you heard the expression ‘foot in mouth’? Perhaps you know the meaning of it all too well. For those who don’t, ‘foot in mouth’ is saying something embarrassing or inconsiderate at an inappropriate time. We must admit we have all been there. It is mostly unintentional, but it doesn’t relieve the awkwardness of the situation. One of biggest reasons for us putting our foot in our mouth is failing to listen. Our minds race ahead wanting to give a clever answer thinking we know it all, or we are totally oblivious not paying attention which will soon be found out by our response.

A slip of the tongue will happen accidentally from time to time, yet most can be prevented by following James’ advice to ‘be quick to listen and slow to speak.’ This is especially true in our spiritual conversations with others. Our attention is to be devoted to the person speaking to us at the time. Listening carefully and slowly preparing our thoughts on how to respond will avoid any embarrassment.

James is not only referring to how we listen to others in this passage, on the contrary, he is also referring to and more importantly, how we listen to God through His Word. He encourages us to humbly accept the Word of God planted in our hearts, being quick not only to listen, but to do all it says. To be careful when we do speak to others that we have an accurate understanding of what God’s Word says. The one who listens intently will progress in their spiritual growth and will be in a better position to help others understand the Word as we are quick to listen and slow to speak.

Devotionals

Guaranteed Good Things

February 3, 2025February 1, 2025 Loring Schultz

“For the LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.” Psalm 84:11 NLT

It’s always nice to have a guarantee on something you purchase. There is a satisfying comfort in the thought if the product breaks it can be replaced, even if you break it. But a guarantee is only as good as the word of the one backing it up. There are occasions when a guarantee is not guaranteed according to ‘the fine’ print. Always read the fine print. We all assume that there is no such thing as a sure thing, but we assume wrong. There are sure things. With the Lord God there are many sure things, and they are guaranteed.

Psalm 84:11 says, “The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.” (Ps.84:11b nlt) It sounds to me like we are guaranteed good things from God. It certainly seems like a sure thing for God said it. There is no fine print to watch out for. The conditions are clearly spelled out for us so there is no misunderstanding. We only need to read it as it is written. It’s God speaking. But take note that it is conditional. God promises not to hold back any good thing that helps or benefits us when we obey Him and do what’s right.

With that said, we do not always see things the Lord allows in our lives as good things as we do what’s right. We must then search ourselves and ask do we trust God that His words are true? If we are in a right relationship with Him obeying His Word, and no we are not perfect, we can be assured that God will honor His Word and not withhold any good thing from us. It’s a guarantee.

Bible Studies

“Radical Change” The Good News of Jesus Christ: the book of Mark

February 2, 2025January 31, 2025 Loring Schultz

Read: Mark 2:13-17 NLT – Jesus Calls Levi (Matthew) – Then Jesus – Bible Gateway

“As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at his tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow me and be my disciple,’ Jesus said to him. So Levi got up and followed him.” Mark 2:14 NLT

Have you noticed someone who has truly come to Christ and the radical change that has occurred in their life? I emphasize ‘truly’ for there are many who profess finding Jesus, but their lives do not show it. They are easily exposed to being fraudulent, no true conversion has taken place. Unlike the truly converted, whose lives have changed and taken on a new a meaning. Things they have done before they no longer do, things they would never do they are doing unashamed. Jesus has a way of making that happen in the most unlikely individual when they realize they need a savior. This week in our study in the gospel of Mark we meet up with such a person, Levi, whose name was changed to Mathew after he met Jesus in his place of business.

Jesus went out to the lakeshore after healing and forgiving the sins of a paralytic proving His deity in Peter’s house. Again, Jesus was teaching all who came to Him. “Then Jesus went out to the lakeshore again and taught the crowds that were coming to him.” (Mk.2:13 nlt) Jesus came to a tax booth near the Sea of Galilee. Tax booths were set up by the Roman government to collect taxes for infrastructure and to support the government. They were set strategically along the main roads to collect tolls like in our day. Commercial fishing was also taxed, so you would find a tax booth near a major fishing location. There Jesus saw Levi in his tax collector’s booth and said to him, ‘follow me and be my disciple.’ Levi didn’t hesitate to leave his lucrative job behind he went out and followed Jesus.

Levi is a good example for us to look at of one having a radical change after accepting Christ as savior. Levi was a tax collector, one of the most despised people in Israel at that time. Tax collection ran like our modern-day franchises. Tax offices were purchased from the Roman government with the right to collect taxes in a certain area. Operators were allowed to keep everything above the required government tax rate. Tax collectors made an exuberant living by charging excess fees far above what was reasonable, and most were dishonest. These tax collectors were making themselves rich at the expense of their own people. Levi left the money on the table, realizing that he needed a savior more than the money due to his sins, and he was now about to show everyone his radical change.

Levi’s quick response to Jesus and what he is about to do next is a testimony to the genuineness of his conversion. Levi decided to have a dinner party in honor of Jesus and invite his friends, colleagues, and associates. “Later, Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners.” (Mk.2:15 nlt) Levi wanted his guests to meet Jesus who had made such a change in his life. This did not sit well with the Jewish leaders who were looking for anything to discredit Jesus. Jesus sitting among these people and having a meal with them was an offense to these Pharisaical leaders. “But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, ‘Why does he eat with such scum?’” (Mk.2:16 nlt) The leaders felt any contact with these people would make Jesus a sinner. Sinner was a common term for tax collectors, adulterers, robbers, and the like. But in their eyes, anyone who did not follow the Mosaic Law as they interpreted it were sinners, or scum.

Christians today need to be careful we don’t look down on non-Christians by not associating with them. Jesus gave us a command to go into all the world and preach the gospel making disciples in all nations. (Mt.28:19-20) Jesus also said “But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.” (Mt.5:44, 46 nlt) Jesus answered the Jewish leaders in Levi’s home by saying, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” (Mk.2:17 nlt) A self-righteous person feels no need to come to Christ for salvation, but a sinner does. And that sinner will have a radical change take place in their life for all their friends and the world to see.

A Christian Perspective

The More Things Change the More They Stay the Same

February 1, 2025January 31, 2025 Loring Schultz

“For you are God, O Sovereign LORD. Your words are truth, and you have promised these good things to your servant.” 2 Samuel 7:28 NLT

Traditional news sources we have become accustomed to have come to an end. The Econo Times reported at the end of last year, “The media landscape in 2024 is undergoing seismic changes as traditional news outlets face dwindling audiences and staff layoffs. Networks like CNN, NBC, and Vox have been forced to reduce staff, while platforms like X have gained prominence as sources of news, bolstered by user interaction and a perception of greater control over the narrative. Consumers are increasingly seeking news that feels participatory and relevant to their lives, often turning to platforms like X and TikTok for real-time updates and direct engagement.” (1) A major factor in the decline of network news has been political bias by these organizations. With the rise of social media and independent journalists creating their own platforms, news seekers gravitated to the non-bias sources. But this is also becoming a problem.

The new media landscape is not much different than the old. Newly created news organizations and social media platforms are catering to a certain segment of society they see as profitable. The political biases have not disappeared but only changed locations. The more things change the more they stay the same. There may be more of a balance between different points of view in this ‘new’ versus the ‘old’ media. It’s become a point-counterpoint news media. Elon Musk’s ‘X’ formerly ‘Twitter’ is countered by ‘Bluesky’ founded by Jack Dorsey, the former CEO of ‘Twitter.’ Video hosting service ‘Rumble’ is countered by ‘Tik Tok’. ‘Facebook,’ a pioneer in social media platforms with its own problems, currently seems to be in the middle of the road. And then there are live stream news sources and podcasts from both sides of the aisle as we say in America. Well, you get the idea.

The bottom line is, can all or any of these news sources in the current media structure be trusted to tell us the truth. I’m sure there is plenty of honest reporting, and I have come upon a few I trust. But that doesn’t relieve us of our responsibility to make sure by doing our own fact checking and not letting personal biases we carry cloud our thinking and judgement. With that in mind, there is only one source we can go to get the truth every time, for it is the only source of truth in all history, and that is the Bible, God’s Word. Within its pages we will find how we are to live in treating other people, in conducting our business, in handling selfishness and pride, in applying true justice, in loving one another, and if you can name it, you’ll find an answer to that as well, and more importantly we will find how to love the Lord our God. We can be thankful the more things change in our world; the more God’s Word stays the same. You can factcheck it.

(1) Legacy Media’s Collapse Leaves Millions Turning to Social Platforms for News – EconoTimes

Devotionals

Intimidation

January 31, 2025January 29, 2025 Loring Schultz

“Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the LORD means safety.” Proverbs 29:25 NLT

Sometimes there are people who try to get the best of us, meaning getting under our skin or intimidating us making us fearful of their intentions. Christians especially come under the attack of intimidation. Standing up for Biblical values in a secular world and claiming Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven will give plenty of fuel for people who think otherwise to prove us wrong. Intimidation presents itself in various ways, but it is always to make us fearful and second guessing ourselves.

Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, said that when we become fearful of others, we set ourselves up to be trapped. If our focus is not continuously on God, we will start to lose our confidence as we get bombarded by others trying to intimidate us. This will lead to our becoming fearful eventually trapping ourselves in doubt and confusion trying to defend ourselves when our trust is to be in the Lord.

The Lord will never leave us standing alone. He is always with us. “For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.’” (Heb.13:5b nlt) When we put our trust in Him, we need not fear for we are safe. As Christians we are to do the work He gives us, proclaiming the gospel, and living in accordance with His Word. So let the world intimidate us for our Biblical worldview, and be not fearful, but answer boldly in the fear of the Lord our God, trusting Him for His safety and protection on us. “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe.” (Ps.4:8 nlt)