Word for the Soul

“I will lift up the cup of salvation and praise the LORD’s name for saving me.” Psalm 116:13 NLT

Hurricane Helene recently brought death and destruction to most of the southeastern sections of the United States. From the western shores of Florida through Georgia, North and South Carolina, and Tennessee, Hurricane Helene has caused 175 deaths as of this writing. “According to CBS, almost half of the deaths caused by Helene have been in North Carolina alone, where six months’ worth of rain fell. After Helene hit late on Thursday, record flood crests were measured in at least seven locations in North Carolina and Tennessee. More than a million people in some of the affected states also remained without power on Wednesday morning (10/2/24), according to monitoring site Poweroutage.us.” (1)

Millions of people are thanking the Lord today for saving their lives during this deadly storm. Many have lost their homes and all their belongings, but they are praising God they were spared from death. Christians understand this as God’s Providence. Perhaps there is still work for them to do in the name of the Lord, or maybe God is trying to tell them something, or it’s simply God’s grace upon them. Whatever the case, He spared their life, and they are thankful.

People have close calls with death every day across the globe. They are thankful in being saved from death. Non-Christians may not thank God, but they are thankful. Christians thank the Lord knowing it was by His hand of protection they were saved. Perhaps you have had a brush with death in your life, a near death experience as we say. Do you remember how you felt and what was your reaction towards God at that moment? Has that feeling faded with time? How about the day of your salvation when you put your faith in Christ? How well do you remember that day? Has that feeling faded with time? When we think what we have been saved from, should we not be thanking the Lord every day for our salvation? Today would be a good day to start.

Read: Psalm 116:12-19 NLT – What can I offer the LORD for all he – Bible Gateway

(1) https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgmgz3elmjxo

Samaritan’s Purse Is Responding to Hurricane Helene (samaritanspurse.org)

Devotionals

Overthrow the Lofty Opinions Against God and His Word

October 2, 2024October 1, 2024 Loring Schultz

“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,” 2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV

Some people barricade themselves in ideological forts of their choosing to justify their resentment to God and His Word. Their ideology makes perfect sense to them, and they stick to it. Dr. John MacArthur unveils these forts as thoughts, ideas, speculations, reasonings, philosophies, and false religions that keep them at bay with the God of the Bible. The forts are used to codify what they perceive to be right, regardless of what the Bible says. Christians who live by a Biblical worldview also have their own ideology that makes perfect sense. God, the creator of the world and human life, sent His Son Jesus Christ to save those who trust in Him, and He has given us His Word on the proper way to live. It’s simple and that’s all there is to it.

You may feel torn in the spiritual battle you are in if you are a believer. You hesitate to speak the truth to not lose friends, but you are disturbed by all you see and hear from the ideologies of the world, even from your friends. You may be intimidated by the philosophies of the world system. They sound reasonable and hard to argue against. But you will never win an argument or lead someone to Christ by engaging in the ideologies of the world. And you certainly won’t do so by remaining silent. God does not want us to be silent, but to overthrow those lofty opinions and to do so by His Word and in love.

Paul said to the believers in Corinth, “We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.” (2Cor.10:3-4 nlt) What Paul is saying is that we do not use the world’s wisdom or its ideologies to reveal truth and lead souls to Christ, but we use ‘God’s mighty weapons’ the sword of the Spirit, the Bible. Paul goes on to say in this way we overthrow every lofty opinion or ideology against God. Be bold for God, lost souls depend on it.

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12 ESV

Devotionals

The Brevity of Life

October 1, 2024September 30, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty.…. Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.” Psalm 90:10a, 12 NLT

Today marks the 100^th birthday of former United States President Jimmy Carter. He is by far the oldest living president in American history. The second longest lifespan for a U.S. President was George H. W. Bush at age 94 followed by Gerald R. Ford at 93. Cater became president in 1977 following the 1976 election, the first presidential election I participated it while in college. A lot of years have passed between then and now, but they seem almost like yesterday. I guess that is why the psalmist was inspired to write, “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.” (Ps.90:12 nlt)

Before making that statement, the psalmist says, “Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty.” (Ps.90:10a nlt) If that doesn’t make you think. I’m very close to the age granted to me before the extension for good health, and that time has gone by very quickly. Indeed, I need to realize, as all of us do, that life is short compared to eternity. But as short as life is, we have given a responsibility to leave our mark for Christ in the world we leave behind.

The Lord has blessed Jimmy Carter with a long life. President Carter has made good use of the time God has given him. He served in the U.S. Navy, was a successful farmer in his home state of Georgia, elected to the state Senate in 1963 he then became the governor of Georgia before serving as U.S. President. Outside of politics, Carter is best known for his humanitarian work of building houses for the less fortunate in his ‘Habitat for Humanity Project.’ In fact, in honor of his 100^th birthday volunteers are constructing 30 new homes this week in St. Paul, Minnesota. President Carter has also served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher in his church for many years until his health prevented him to do so.

Today Jimmy Carter is 100 years old, and even at 100 years old, he is aware life is short. What is 100 years compared to eternity. President Carter has used his short time well and is still influencing people around the world. May we realize the precious time God has given us to work His plan in the world. Our life may be brief here on earth, but it can and will be used by God for His glory if we don’t squander it away.

Happy Birthday President Carter!

https://www.cartercenter.org/about/experts/jimmy_carter.html

https://www.habitat.org/carter-work-project

Devotionals

What are you hiding from the children?

September 30, 2024September 29, 2024 Loring Schultz

“We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.” Psalm 78:4 ESV

There are certain things parents hide from their children for their safety and to avoid confusion in material that is not age appropriate. Society does the same thing in keeping harmful material away from children, but sadly we are experiencing the present-day culture eroding those standards. Culture is lowering the age-appropriate standard to all-time lows on a variety of subjects causing harm and confusion to children. Christian parents are fighting an uphill battle in rising their children in the admonition of the Lord. What they hide from the innocent child in the home for their safety is often revealed in the classroom.

Psalm 78 begins with a determination by the older generation to tell their children what their fathers passed down to them. They would teach them the glories of the Lord, His great might, the wonders He has done, and that God was their source of hope in this world. They weren’t going to hide these biblical truths from their children but teach them as soon as they were able to understand. Parents are commanded by God to teach them the wonders of God, who He is, His love for them, the way to live in this world, and God’s gift of salvation to all who believe.

Yes, there are many things to remain hidden from young minds, but the Word of God is not one of them and it must never be hidden. Parents should be intentional in teaching the Bible to their children. Their only hope in this life is in the God of the Bible. Knowing the truth of God’s Word, His commandments, and His love for them will go a long way in helping counter the hidden things they will be exposed to by the culture. You can be sure the classroom will keep the Bible hidden, so make sure it is fully exposed and taught in the comfort of your own home.

Read: Psalm 78:1-8 ESV – Tell the Coming Generation – A Maskil – Bible Gateway

Bible Studies

“Godly Leaders are Prepared” Godly Leadership: the book of Nehemiah

September 29, 2024September 28, 2024 Loring Schultz

“If it please the king, let me have letters addressed to the governors of the province west of the Euphrates River, instructing them to let me travel safely through their territories on my way to Judah. And please give me a letter addressed to Asaph, the manager of the king’s forest, instructing him to give me timber.” Nehemiah 2:7-8a NLT

There are essential traits that every godly leader must possess. We will look at several of them during our course of study in the book of Nehemiah the next few weeks. Last week we noted the first and most important one, prayer and fasting. To be truly successful in any endeavor in life, especially leadership, a proper relationship with the Lord in prayer is a must. We closed last week with Nehemiah continuing to pray even though he had a plan. He knew having a plan was not enough. The Lord had to be a part of it. This week we will examine Nehemiah’s plan unpacking it and noting the value of his preparations for restoring Jerusalem starting with rebuilding the walls and gates.

As we begin chapter 2, four months have passed, and it is the month of Nisan in the spring 445 B.C… Nehemiah is in his usual position serving wine to King Artaxerxes. But there is a problem. The king notices Nehemiah’s countenance is not his usual self, but one of sadness. This frightens Nehemiah greatly for it was dangerous to display such a sad emotion before the king. The king’s officials were expected to always be happy in the presence of the king despite any personal situations they were dealing with. Nehemiah literally feared for his life. So, when the king asked him, “Why are you looking so sad? You don’t look sick to me. You must be deeply troubled.” (Neh.2:2 nlt) Nehemiah was terrified.

Nehemiah gave an immediate response. “Long live the king! How can I not be sad? For the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.” (Neh.2:3 nlt) Nehemiah appealed to the reverence of one’s ancestral burial ground by noting the ruins around them. The city’s gates in those days represented the very life of the city. They were a place for social gatherings. It was also the place where the elders of the city met to settle disputes brought to them from the residents. Nehemiah was both honest and direct in his answer to King Artaxerxes which the king understood as a deep matter of concern. And due to the relationship built up over the years the king was quick to offer help in any way he could. Building relationships through trust with those you work for and work with will pay dividends in the future. This is one example, but of course, we don’t do it to get something out of it, but to be obedient to God as representing Him in the workplace.

A quick silent prayer was offered by Nehemiah to the God of heaven before his reply to the king. “So I prayed to the God of heaven.” (Neh.2:4b esv) When prayer is needed in the moment, Nehemiah’s response is the way to go. There is no time for proper posture, getting your list out, or reading scripture first, you need to pray now. Just do it! God will hear and answer. Nehemiah had been praying for such an occasion over the last four months. He never knew when the opportunity would come, so he needed to be ready. Ready to ask the king for his help when the time arrived, and of course he prayed. This was the day he was waiting for and he was prepared.

Praying, fasting, planning, and preparing are essential traits for godly leadership as mentioned, but ‘patience’ is also an essential trait. This could be the hardest to achieve, but nothing is impossible with God as you take it to Him in prayer. Godly leaders must be patient to work on God’s timetable. Rushing into a project, even well planned out, based on our own assumptions that the right time is right will prove disastrous. Prayer is vital in determining when God gives us the green light. Godly leaders will not go on their assumptions but will wait for clarity from the Lord.

The patience of Nehemiah paid off as the time had come that he was preparing for to deliver his request to the king. His prayer life and his confidence in God gave him the boldness of a godly leader who trust is in the Lord. Nehemiah boldly asked for a leave of absence from his important role as the king’s cupbearer. “If it please the king, and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.” (Neh.2:5 nlt) The king granted his request, and the time of his absence was agreed to. Nehemiah then shown he had done his homework planning what he would need. He boldly asked King Artaxerxes for letters of authorization for clear passage through other jurisdictions. Nehemiah then asked for a letter of authorization to secure timber from the king’s forest to build the walls and gates of Jerusalem and even timber his own home when he gets there. He evidently researched and knew where to find the lumber he needed. Nehemiah prepared to take on the project of rebuilding Jerusalem. Beginning with prayer and fasting, working a plan, and preparing to present it to the king, and with great patience when the time had come, Nehemiah was ready. “And the king granted these requests, because the gracious hand of God was on me.” (Neh.2:8b nlt)

Leadership today is need of a Nehemiah approach to be a godly leader. Whether involved in church ministry, working in the business world, or in government, godly leaders who pray, plan, and are prepare will confidently be able to accomplish much and make a difference where God has placed them. If you aspire to be a leader, be prepared. You never know when that door will finally open when the gracious hand of God is on you.

Read: Nehemiah 2:1-8 NLT – Nehemiah Goes to Jerusalem – Early the – Bible Gateway

A Christian Perspective

Standing in the Gap for America

September 28, 2024September 27, 2024 Loring Schultz

“I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one. So now I will pour out my fury on them, consuming them with the fire of my anger. I will heap on their heads the full penalty for all their sins. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken!” Ezekiel 22:30-31 NLT

The United States of America is still the greatest, most prosperous nation in the world today. Cemented on Judeo-Christian values from the pages of Holy Scripture by the founding Fathers, the United States has been blessed as no other nation for the undivided attention given to God’s commands and the truth given to us from our creator. But, I’m afraid those days are surely coming to an end. The United States as a country has abandon God and we are starting to see the beginning of the end of our freedom unless a radical change back to God is made very soon.

It is impossible for anyone to not be aware of the deterioration of the very fabric of our nation. Even the casual observer of the news is confronted with political turmoil, ever increasing crime, hatred towards others, racism, scandals within our government institutions, attempts to silence free speech, discrimination, churches turning away from the truths of God’s Word, and Federal government spending causing the rise in the debt ceiling. The fact is, although being aware of the crisis in our country, many people are either disinterested or simply don’t care. Others are too busy with their own concerns, some are part of the problem, and then there are others who do care but only complain. They never take the initiative by getting involved to help in any way they can, even praying for the country.

The Lord speaking through the prophet Ezekiel was looking for someone to intercede on behalf of the people of Jerusalem who were about to be taken captive, and the city destroyed. Their continued sinning by turning their back on God is about to unleash the consequences. Sadly, the Lord found no one to ‘stand in the gap’ rebuilding the wall of righteousness. There was no one to teach repentance and return to the Lord their God. Jerusalem was destroyed and the people taken to Babylon in captivity.

The United States must heed this warning from the Old Testament book of Ezekiel, if the Lord God did not spare His own people from destruction due to their sin, what makes us think He will spare the United States of America? “So now I will pour out my fury on them, consuming them with the fire of my anger. I will heap on their heads the full penalty for all their sins. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken!” (Ez.22:31 nlt) Who will help rebuild the wall of righteousness, the sacred Judeo-Christian values that established the United States, and stand in the ‘stand in the gap?’ Will it be you? Will it be me? May it be both of us!

The link below will help get us off to a good start. Today is Day 2 of ’40 Days of Prayer before the U. S. Presidential election.’ May we all be in prayer as we stand in the gap for the next 40 days for America and other countries around the world.

40 Days USA | A Call To Pray For Our Nation

Devotionals

The Lord Directs Our Steps

September 27, 2024September 26, 2024 Loring Schultz

“The LORD directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?” Proverbs 20:24 NLT

I say to myself, ‘I shouldn’t have done that,’ after I already did it. Then I ask myself, ‘why did I do that?’ to which I have no answer, most of the time. Solomon’s proverb may or may not be comforting at this time when he writes, ‘The Lord directs our steps.’ If I did something stupid, how could that be the Lord directing me, but on the other hand if it turns out for the good it had to be the Lord directing me. As I look back over my life, I’ve had many of those occasions perhaps you have too, but do not waste your time trying to figure out how the Lord directs our steps, just accept it.

You may ask, ‘Is God directing my steps when I am involved in sin?’ Absolutely not! God is holy and cannot accept sin in His sight. That is why God the Father turned His back on Jesus at Calvary when the sins of the world were placed on Him at the cross. God gives us free will in making choices in this life, but when we put our trust in Him and accept His Son as our savior God will lead those who are His according to His will. Do Christians still sin. Absolutely! Although God is not directing our steps into sin, He will still work out His purposes as we confess and repent providing us with grace and mercy.

It’s hard to accept at times that we could be in a certain place due to the consequences of our sin and yet the Lord continues to bless us. He uses us in influencing others towards Him according to His will. God does not give up on His children who confess and come back to Him. He will even use our past to glorify Him as we repent and live a life of righteousness. “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.” (Is.42:3 niv) God does direct the steps of those who are His, even the stupid things we do. He will make them right. But remember God never directs us into sin, but as we confessed and repent, He will forgive us applying His grace and mercy. Hard to accept, I know. Just accept it and praise Him for it!

Devotionals

Faithfully Preach the Truth

September 26, 2024September 25, 2024 Loring Schultz

“We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us.” 2 Corinthians 6:7a NLT

Have you ever traveled outside your own country either on business or a vacation? When your guide left you for a little free time on your own, how comfortable did you feel? Did you fit in as if you were one of the locals? Probably not. If we as Christians can not say that about living in this world, then something is drastically wrong. Peter addressed the Christians of his day in writing to them as ‘foreigners and exiles.’ (1Pt.2:11) They were living in a foreign land where they did not fit in. Christians today are still living in a foreign land. We may feel at home, but again that is a problem. The Lord has placed us in the country of our origin in this life, but this is not our home, heaven is. And when he has placed us here, He has given us a job to do, ‘faithfully preach the truth.’ So, it is time to get uncomfortable.

Paul, the apostle and a contemporary of Peter, is the greatest example of living as an exile outside of Jesus Himself. Paul found himself exiled from his own people after his conversion to Christ. He was a Jewish scholar studying under Gamaliel and became the strictest of Pharisees. His mission in life was to persecute the Christians, including death. When Paul started preaching Christ as Lord, he became an enemy of the Jewish leaders who were his peers. Paul’s life changed dramatically from being one the Jewish elites to going hungry, imprisoned, and being beaten. Paul had become uncomfortable in more ways than one with the world. Physically, but also with the pleasures of the world. Paul’s mission now was to ‘faithfully preach the truth.’

Paul encourages us as he encouraged the church in Corinth to live as examples of Christ in a fallen world as he was doing. To live in purity, being patience and kind, and show sincere love. (2Cor.6:6) Paul knew Christians in Corinth would begin to feel as exiles in their own hometown when they started to feel uncomfortable with the world. He knew that would be hard for them, but also knew there is joy in serving the Lord. (2Cor.6:10) The same holds true for us. Yes, we want people to like us, but this is not our home. We should live as exiles preaching the truth of salvation, bringing as many people as we can to our home country, the heavenly kingdom.

Read: 2 Corinthians 6:3-10 NLT – Paul’s Hardships – We live in such a – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

A Refuge in Times of Trouble

September 25, 2024September 24, 2024 Loring Schultz

“The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.” Nahum 1:7 NIV

I don’t know of anyone I have ever met that has not had trouble in their life. Some people seem to have trouble following them wherever they go. One of favorite cartoon characters, ‘Ziggy’, had those experiences with a dark cloud always over his head. Ziggy is a good-natured fellow with a kind, warm heart, but that didn’t prevent him from troubled times. In fact, he didn’t let it bother him, he just went along his way being who he is, a kindhearted cartoon character. We can also go along in troubled times being who we are, Christians who know the Lord God.

It would be nice if all our troubles were little things happening to us that some would call bad luck, or the black cloud that hovers above us. But most of our times of trouble are more than a ‘Ziggy’ event, some of them even tragic. Becoming a Christian doesn’t guarantee all our troubles disappear, they don’t. We may find that a little odd. After all, why wouldn’t God keep us from trouble. He may not keep us from trouble, but God cares and is always with us as we go through it.

The Old Testament prophet Nahum writes, “The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.” (Na.1:7 niv) The Lord is our refuge, our safety net, our escape route, our defender, and our strength who will not abandon us. Whatever you may be going through this week remember God is there with you. God cares for you, and He is good. You will continue to have trouble in this life, but as a Christian you can rest assured God is with you. He will not leave you to work it out on your own but will be a refuge for those He cares for as you trust in Him.

Devotionals

Seeing Clearly

September 24, 2024September 23, 2024 Loring Schultz

“You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:5 ESV

Being able to see clearly is essential for us to have a good quality of life. Other physical and mental God given abilities also enrich our well-being. In many ways they complement each other and those who suffer physical blindness have leaned heavily on other abilities. Being able to compensate for a deficiency physically such as not seeing clearly unfortunately doesn’t carry over in a spiritual sense. Sadly, those who do not see clearly spiritually do not even realize that they are blind, blind to their own sin. They live their lives in a self-righteous state ignoring the possibility that they also are in need of some correction.

One of the most quoted sayings of Jesus is, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” (Mt 7:1 esv) Many repeat these words with the false intent to criticize anyone who would make a judgment against another. The premise being Jesus’ words, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” But Jesus goes on to say, “For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” (Mt.7:2 esv) Jesus is not saying that we are never to judge, but to not be condemning, hypocritical, or with a self-righteous attitude. In order to accomplish this within God’s standards we need to remove any false righteousness that has a hold on us blocking our vision to our inner selves.

Jesus’ used of comparisons has a way of undeniably coming to the point with precise clarity. He tells His listening disciples, “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” (Mt.7:3 esv) A ‘speck’ is a dry stalk, a twig, or a straw, in comparison to a ‘log’ which is a support beam. Obviously there is no comparison. With a strong support beam in front of you it is impossible to see a tiny wind-blown twig with any accuracy. Therefore you sense some fault and rush to condemning judgment without acknowledging your own faults. In a sense, you see right through your sin as if it didn’t exist.

As Christians, we have an opportunity to help a brother or sister in the Lord with the speck in their eye. However, we are unable to do so if we harbor sin in our lives. Let us confess our sins and rid ourselves of the log barriers affecting our vision and be able to help those in need resulting in all of us to ‘see clearly.’