Devotionals

A Cry of Rejected Love

Loring Schultz

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.” Matthew 23:37 NLT

Free Bibleimages.org

I am sure many of us have felt the rejection of love, either by a romantic relationship, by a parent or sibling, by our closest friends, or a group of people you had a close bond with. There is a deep hole in your heart that takes time to fill if at all. Our Lord Jesus, being fully man and fully God, also felt the rejection of love from those He came to save, His own chosen people of Israel.

In the final week of Jesus’ life on earth, known as Passion Week, before His crucifixion Jesus cried out His heart-felt rejection from the people of the nation and the city of Jerusalem which he loved. Despite His rebuke of them in rejecting and killing the prophets throughout their history, Jesus loved His people and wanted to protect them from harm by coming to save them. But they refused and rejected His love for them.

We are amid the Lenten season with Passion Week just around the corner. As we observed the events of Jesus’ last week may we remember the reason for each one. Jesus came to us in our sinful world for just that reason, to die redeeming us from eternal wrath away from God for those who trust in Him for salvation. He rose again on Easter Sunday to assure of everlasting life. This Easter season do not reject the love Jesus has shown towards you. Jesus wants to gather you and protect you under His wings of salvation, please let Him do it. Accept His gift of salvation.

Bible Studies

“Prayerful Repentance” LIVING IN BABYLON: The Book of Daniel

Loring Schultz

“O my God, lean down and listen to me. Open your eyes and see our despair. See how your city—the city that bears your name—lies in ruins. We make this plea, not because we deserve help, but because of your mercy.” Daniel 9:18 NLT

FreeBibleimages.org

            We have come to end of our short study of the book of Daniel covering the historical narrative of chapters 1-6. The rest of the book is apocalyptic material and eschatological in theological content. We will conclude with the main theme of our study ‘Living in Babylon’ a comparison of living in our world today with lessons we can learn from the Jewish captives living in ancient Babylon. In our final lesson we will learn from Daniel’s example of his prayer in chapter 9.

            Daniel is in his 67th year of captivity with his Jewish brothers and sisters. Taken captive as a teenager, Daniel is now past eighty years old. He is keenly aware from reading the Old Testament scrolls of Jeremiah’s prophecy the captivity would last 70 years. The time was rapidly approaching for the nation to return to their homeland. Daniel offers up a powerful prayer of repentance not only for himself, but for the whole nation of Israel, fasting, covering himself with sackcloth and ashes. The nation is about to go back to the land they were driven from due to their sin towards the Lord God. Daniel’s pattern of prayer serves as a good model for us to follow in our daily prayers. It is filled with worship to God, humility, confession of sin, and making our requests known to Him.

            Daniel begins his prayer by acknowledging how great and awesome God is. He always fulfilled His covenant with Israel keeping His promises as they obeyed Him. But then Daniel confesses, “But we have sinned and done wrong. We have rebelled against you and scorned your commands and regulations.” (Dan. 9:5nlt) The Jewish people refused to heed the many warnings God had given for many years through the prophets He sent them. Daniel furthers acknowledged God was in the right to punish them as He had. The guilty was not just a few or those only living in Jerusalem, but the entire nation was guilty. “All Israel has disobeyed your instruction and turned away, refusing to listen to your voice.” (Dan. 9:11nlt)

            The confessions in Daniel’s prayer can easily be applied to the modern-day Babylon we are living in. Referring to ancient Israel Daniel confessed, “O LORD, we and our kings, princes, and ancestors are covered with shame because we have sinned against you.” (Dan. 9:8nlt) All one needs to do is to look around and review the news cycle over the last 50 years to wonder if Daniel wasn’t referring to many countries in our world today with the United States on top of the list. Israel had been warned many times throughout their history of the consequences of their disobedience and even suffered for it before the Babylon captivity, and still they refused to obey God. “Every curse written against us in the Law of Moses has come true. Yet we have refused to seek mercy from the LORD our God by turning from our sins and recognizing his truth.” (Dan. 9:13nlt) I’m afraid if the United States and other countries around the world continue this path of rejecting the Lord God of heaven and earth, a day of judgment is the horizon.

            Daniel praises God for His blessings of bringing the nation Israel out of the bondage of slavery in Egypt. “O Lord our God, you brought lasting honor to your name by rescuing your people from Egypt in a great display of power. But we have sinned and are full of wickedness.” (Dan. 9:15nlt) Dismissing the Lord’s past blessings they continued to sin against God bringing judgment upon themselves. The United Staes of America has been richly blessed by God from its founding, but as with the nation of Israel, it has turned its back on God. If God had not spared His people from judgement, the United States and all other countries of the world will not be spared either.

Photo by adrianna geo on Unsplash

            Making his petition to God, Daniel knowing of God’s mercies asks Him to turn His anger away from them as they prepare to return to Jerusalem. Daniel doesn’t want God’s name to dishonored by the surrounding nations as Israel was a reproach to them. Daniel pleas for mercy for their restoration back in the Holy Land. “O my God, lean down and listen to me. Open your eyes and see our despair. See how your city—the city that bears your name—lies in ruins. We make this plea, not because we deserve help, but because of your mercy.” (Dan. 9:18nlt) Daniel is offering a prayer for repentance for the nation because God is merciful. May all of us pray for the country in which we live during our days in Babylon and be praying for each other, not that we deserve it, but because God is merciful.

Read: Daniel 9:1-19 NLT – Daniel’s Prayer for His People – It – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

I Pledge Allegiance

Loring Schultz

“Then she cried out, ‘Samson! The Philistines have come to capture you!’ When he woke up, he thought, ‘I will do as before and shake myself free.’ But he didn’t realize the LORD had left him.” Judges 16:20 NLT

“If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine.” Matthew 10:37 NLT

FreeBibleimages.org

The Old Testament account of Samson and Delilah is intriguing in both Delilah’s deceptive means and the secret of Samson’s strength. Delilah attempted several times to entice Samson to reveal the secret of his great strength. Of course she was doing this for her own financial gain, and Samson went along to satisfy his own need in playing a game with her. Samson, a Nazirite from birth, should not have been in the position he was in. Although a man of great strength, he had a weakness for captivating women, a weakness which led to disastrous consequences.

A Nazirite is one who is separated unto God. In Samson’s day there were three restrictions for a Nazirite; no wine, no haircuts, and no contact with a dead body. In Samson’s case the angel of the Lord announced his birth to his mother by saying, “You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and his hair must never be cut. For he will be dedicated to God as a Nazirite from birth. He will begin to rescue Israel from the Philistines.” (Judges 13:5nlt)

Many view when Samson finally gave in to Delilah, and she cut his hair, that the secret of his strength was in his hair. Samson himself said to her, “……If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as anyone else.” (Judges 16:17nlt) But, modern day theologian John MacArthur makes the following observation, “His strength came from his unique relation to God, based on his Nazirite pledge. His long hair was only a sign of it. When, Delilah became more important to him than God, his strength was removed.” (1) Samson’s pledge of allegiance was to Delilah, not to God as before.

Jesus, in instructing His disciples, said “If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine.” (Mt. 10:37nlt) These sound like harsh statements, but they are from Jesus, God the Son, who sacrificed His life on the cross for our sins, in order that we may have eternal life. To whom do you pledge allegiance?

Read the rest of the story of Samson and Delilah: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges+16&version=NLT

(1) The MacArthur Study Bible; Word Publishing, Thomas Nelson Bibles, 1997.    

Devotionals

Impure Desires

Loring Schultz

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:27-28 ESV

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

Former President Jimmy Carter in an interview with Playboy magazine during the 1976 Presidential campaign admitted the following; he had “looked upon a lot of women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times. This is something God recognizes I will do — and I have done it — and God forgives me for it.” (1) Then candidate Jimmy Carter was brutally honest with himself and the public to his understanding of Jesus’s teaching of the seventh commandment, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’

As in the sixth commanded where Jesus condemns anger and hate aligning it with murder as a matter of the heart; He now equates looking with lustful intent (impure desires) with the act of adultery. Yes, God will forgive us for breaking this commandment as we confess it to Him, but the seriousness of this sin is not to be overlooked. Jesus continues by adding, “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.” (Mt. 5:29esv) The use of such a graphic illustration by our Lord indicates His desire for us to realize the severity of the consequences of our impure desires. Jesus is not advocating to maim ourselves. But as Charles R. Erdman states, “He warns against allowing any occasion for evil thought. No matter how great the sacrifice involved, one must put out of his life all that might cause him to be tempted needlessly, anything which might endanger the purity of his soul.” (2)

We come across many opportunities every day and every hour to be taken in by temptation permitting impure desires to emerge. What do you need to sacrifice in your daily life to limit unsuspecting temptations? What habits can you form to steer you away from areas where you are vulnerable to impure desires? How might daily reading of God’s Word and private time in prayer with Him help you?

Jesus’s teaching is straight and to the point. He doesn’t mince words and He provides solutions to our reoccurring sin problems including impure desires. May we heed His teaching.

(1) https://www.ajc.com/news/state–regional-govt–politics/the-time-jimmy-carter-was-interviewed-playboy-about-lust/qYHZQip6pyQF2rB8kxOk4K/

(2) Charles R. Erdman, “The Gospel of Matthew” (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983), p 58.

Devotionals

Is there anything you can’t do?

Loring Schultz

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Ephesians 3:20 NLT

Photo by Los Muertos Crew on Pexels.com

There are plenty of things I can’t do, I can’t sing, I can’t bake a cake, and I can’t speak French just to name three. There is a lot I can do by God’s grace and His giftedness in me. Most of the things I can’t do fall into two areas, the Lord has not given me the natural ability to do it, or I am uninterested in learning something new. When I have taken an interest in learning something, the Lord has always helped me to be good at it if it was His will for me. The end of Paul’s second prayer to the church at Ephesus got me to thinking how much I can accomplish, as Paul puts it, “through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” (Eph. 3:20nlt)

If you are struggling in an area of your life where you are lagging not being able to put your best foot forward even with the ability to do it, are you allowing God’s mighty power to work in you? Perhaps you’re at a point where you sense you are not going any further, you have reached your limit. One thing you can’t do is limit what God can do through you. Another thing you can’t do is neglect to ask God for His help in your struggles. He can do more than you will even ask Him for, especially in what He has called and gifted you to do.

There are plenty of things we can’t do, but there is nothing we can’t do if it is God’s will for us as He works in us. It is beyond our imagination of all that God can accomplish through us if we ask Him and give all the glory to Him, ‘more than we might ask or think.’

Devotionals

A Golden Opportunity

Loring Schultz

“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” Job 23:10 NIV

Photo by brut carniollus on Unsplash

Occasionally, in our lives we come across the opportunity of a lifetime. Whether it’s your dream job, an exotic vacation, meeting a celebrity or sports figure, a scholarship to a major university or being appointed to high level government position, we look at it as a golden opportunity, one that is too good to pass up. They may come about by chance with no effort on your part, or through hard work with blood, sweat, and tears. Whatever the case, we are grateful for the opportunity and do not take it for granted.

The biblical figure ‘Job’ is often referenced in describing those who are suffering or have suffered due to some personal tragedy in their lives. Job is the perfect example in these circumstances as it is said in comparison, ‘no one has suffered more next to Job.’ Job had lost his entire family, save his wife, all his livestock, and his servants in one day by Satan’s hand as he accused Job integrity before God. God then permitted Satan to afflict Job again with painful sores over his entire body, knowing the He could trust Job to remain faithful. The Lord did permit the attacks on Job proving to Satan Job’s faithfulness that he would not curse God, but also to give Job a golden opportunity.

On the surface, Job’s suffering does not look like a golden opportunity. Job himself, throughout the book of Job questions why, but is convinced he did nothing wrong. Job relays to his three friends that God knows of his conduct and is testing him, not to refine him by purifying him of his sins, but to prove his innocence and he will come forth as gold. (Job 23:10)

Does God test His children today? Yes, I’m afraid He does. But He puts us to the test to draw ourselves closer to Him, to increase our faith in Him, to trust His plan for us, and to show ourselves as a true follower of Jesus to others in need. It may be hard at the time, but may we thank the Lord for each golden opportunity.

Devotionals

I am the Resurrection and the Life

Loring Schultz

“Jesus told her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.’” John 11:25 NLT

FreeBibleimages.org

The story is told of another miracle perform by Jesus in the eleventh chapter of the gospel of John. This particular one is perhaps the greatest of them all. Jesus raised a person from the dead, one who had been dead four days. The person was Lazarus, a very close and personal friend along with Lazarus’s sisters Mary and Martha. When Jesus heard that his friend Lazarus was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was before he left in response to the news. (Jn. 11:6) The question immediately comes to mind, why? Why did he wait two days?

Some have suggested that Jesus knew that Lazarus was already dead when the messenger’s arrived to tell Him that His friend was sick. Perhaps so, but there seems to be a deeper explanation. For those present at Lazarus’s resurrection and for those of us in our day, it is a matter of trust (or faith) in Jesus Christ. Do we believe the He is in control, that He is never late, that He loves us unconditionally, that He is God the Son, and that nothing is impossible for Him to do?

Raising Lazarus from the dead was not impossible for Jesus to do, He is the resurrection and the life. Jesus also said, “Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.” We are assured of a place in heaven and eternal life if we put our trust and faith in Jesus Christ, God the Son, who said, “I am the resurrection and the life.

Read: John 11:1-44 NLT – The Raising of Lazarus – A man named – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Be a Humble Servant

Loring Schultz

“The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Matthew 23:11-12 NLT

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash

Receiving recognition for a job well done is a humbling experience, at least it should be. Serving in the church of God must be a humbling experience, and not an occasion to flaunt the recognition placed on us for our work. We are serving the Lord God of heaven and not ourselves. The church is no place for self-seeking ambition, either in the role of teaching, administration, social activities, financial management, or building and ground maintenance. Jesus rebuked the scribes and Pharisees for just that in seeking recognition and being ambitious in their role of sitting in ‘Moses’ seat’ as they referred to their authority.

Jesus was in the habit of constantly rebuking the religious leaders as they confronted Him, but this is by far His harshest criticism of them; it was their hypocrisy that justified the rebuke. Jesus did not condemn their position or teaching within the original intent of Law of God but rebuked them for not practicing what they taught. They were hypocrites. All their work was done to impress people and they flaunted their status to let everyone know they were in charge, they were holy, and they deserved honor. Jesus said, “They love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi.’” (Mt. 23:7nlt) The scribes and Pharisees were starting to claim they were the source of truth and forgetting God.

In speaking to His disciples and the crowd around Him Jesus said, “Don’t let anyone call you ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one teacher, and all of you are equal as brothers and sisters.” (Mt. 23:8nlt) This is an important lesson for the church today to comprehend. Jesus is saying He is the ultimate teacher, and His word is the absolute only authority. Jesus is not condemning positions of leadership or teachers in the church, but of pride and overstepping. We are all equal brothers and sisters in His church and all of us need good solid preaching and teaching of God’s Word. But we must all remember, “The greatest among ‘us’ must be a servant. But those ‘of us’ who exalt ‘ourselves’ will be humbled, and those ‘of us’ who humble ‘ourselves’ will be exalted.” (Mt. 23:11-12nlt)

Read: MATTHEW 23:1-12 NLT – Jesus Criticizes the Religious Leaders – Bible Gateway

Bible Studies

“Legitimate Disobedience” LIVING IN BABYLON: The Book of Daniel

Loring Schultz

“But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.” Daniel 6:10 NLT

Photo by Library of Congress on Unsplash

            The United States has had its share of civil disobedience since its independence. Defined by Merrian-Webster as “refusal to obey governmental demands or commands especially as a nonviolent and usually collective means of forcing concessions from the government” has been used by people over the years for a vast range of issues. Some examples of civil disobedience in the United States include, Susan B. Anthony arrested for illegally voting in the 1872, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white man on an Alabama bus in 1955, the Vietnam war period had many protests resulting in civil disobedience, and the pro-life movement has been actively involved in similar demonstrations having led to civil disobedience. Is all civil disobedience legitimate disobedience? Being obedient to holy God, the ultimate ruler and authority, in standing up for the truth spelled out in His word is what is expected from every Christian.

            Our study in the book of Daniel presented us with an example of ‘legitimate disobedience’ in chapter 3. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down and worship the golden stature King Nebuchadnezzar set up. These three were notable officials in the king’s court and yet took the stand of refusing to worship anything or anyone other than the true God. Legitimate disobedience to those in authority has its consequences as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego found out. The Lord God delivered them from harm in the fiery furnace, however they did not know that would in fact be the case. They still took a righteous stand for God.

            As we approach chapter 6, we have another encounter of ‘legitimate disobedience.’ Darius the Mede was king who divided his kingdom into 120 provinces with officials over each one and three administrators over all the officials. Daniel was one of the three administrators and soon to be promoted to the top position in the empire due to expertise and work ethic. His two colleagues and some of the officials resented a Jewish captive holding such a high position and tried to find some dirt on him. “Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy.” (Dan. 6:4nlt) When their efforts failed, they devised a plan to get rid of him.

            Daniel’s conspirators came up with a foolproof plan guaranteed to bring him down. They were aware of Daniel’s work ethic and loyalty to Darius the king, but they were also aware of his devotion to the God of heaven he prayed to three times a day as was his practice. The officials brought a proposal to the king in the guise of total agreement of all of them (note Daniel wasn’t there) “……that the king should make a law that will be strictly enforced. Give orders that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions.” (Dan. 6:7nlt) Laws passed in the Medo-Persian empire were unchangeable and could not be reversed even by himself once he signed it, and he signed this one. They had him, or so they thought.

            Living in Babylon today is not much different than Daniel’s day. Our conspirators today use the same tactics to overthrow us and bring us down. Authentic Christianity today lived out is guaranteed to upset those who hold to a secular worldview. Secularists despise those of faith in authority. They will expose a conviction held by Christians in a negative light, even pursing legal action to remove and discredit them. Unfortunately, there are many who cave and compromise.

            Daniel is an example needed in our world today. He did not cave. His enemies knew he wouldn’t. Their plan was foolproof for they knew of Daniel’s integrity and convictions. “Then the officials went together to Daniel’s house and found him praying and asking for God’s help. So they went straight to the king and reminded him about his law.” (Dan. 6:11-12a nlt) King Darius also knew Daniel would not give in when the officials reported Daniel’s continued prayer habits. “Hearing this, the king was deeply troubled, and he tried to think of a way to save Daniel. He spent the rest of the day looking for a way to get Daniel out of this predicament.” (Dan. 6:14 nlt) Darius realized he was used by those who wanted Daniel dead, the most competent and loyal administrator he had.

Photo by Mika Brandt on Unsplash

            We know the rest of the story. The king had no choice but to have Daniel thrown into the lion’s den but had hope that Daniel’s God would save him. (Dan. 6:16) We know God did indeed save him by sending an angel to shut the lion’s mouths, but again as with Daniel’s three friends thrown into the fiery furnace, he did not know if God would save him, but knew that He could.  Daniel took a courageous stand of ‘legitimate disobedience’ for he was not about to let any authority prevent him from praying to the Lord God. A foolproof plan today only works against us if we become a Daniel and hold to our convictions, not cave, or compromise trusting God for the outcome in whether He will deliver us. Do we have the courage to do more than civil disobedience, but to stand for God in ‘legitimate disobedience?’

Read: Daniel 6 NLT – Daniel in the Lions’ Den – Darius the – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Elizabeth Elliot: You are Loved with an everlasting Love

Loring Schultz

“You are loved with an everlasting love, that’s what the Bible says, and underneath are the everlasting arms” Elizabeth Elliot

“The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Deuteronomy 33:27a KJV

 Black & white photographs — Cornell Capa © International Center of Photography/Magnum Photos.
 

March is ‘Women’s History Month.” There have been many women in evangelical circles over the years who have done tremendous work for the cause of Christ. A very notable woman in the advancing of the gospel throughout the world is Elizabeth Elliot. Born in Brussels, Belgium in 1926 to missionary parents, she herself became a missionary to the Auca/Waodani tribe in the Amazonian jungle of Ecuador. First with her husband, Jim Elliot, and then as a single mother after her husband’s death.

It was January 8, 1956, when Jim Elliot and four other missionaries were speared to death in an effort to make contact the Auca/Waodani tribe. Two years later, Elizabeth returned with her 3-year-old daughter and Rachel Saint the sister of Nate Saint who was also killed in the attack of the missionaries. They led many to Christ during their stay before returning to the states in 1963. Elizabeth published her 2nd and 3rd books while serving among the Aucas in Ecuador.

Elizabeth Elliot went on to write over 20 books. She was an adjunct professor at Gordon-Conwell Seminary, and hosted a daily radio program, ‘Gateway to Joy,’ for twelve years beginning in 1988. Through all her accomplishments in serving the Lord, it was her time in Ecuador returning to the same people who killed her husband and presenting the gospel of Christ that has sealed her place in history. The Museum of the Bible in Washington, D. C. opened ‘The Elisabeth Elliot Exhibit’ on March 30, 2023.

What would cause someone to return to the very place and to the same people who murdered their husband? In her own words Elizabeth had said, “Faith does not eliminate questions. But faith knows where to take them.” She took her questions to God and He answered them. Having a deep love for Jesus, her savior, she wanted to share that love. Elizabeth wrote, “The deepest things that I have learned in my own life have come from the deepest suffering. And out of the deepest waters and the hottest fires have come the deepest things I know about God.” This she also shared with her readers, radio audience, and those who heard her lectures. You are loved with an everlasting love.

Link: Elisabeth Elliot ‘TRUST & OBEY FOR THERE’S NO OTHER WAY’