Word for the Soul

Who is the Greatest?

February 17, 2024February 16, 2024 Loring Schultz

“An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. Then he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.’” Luke 9:46-48 NIV

In 1964 before his heavy weight title fight against Sonny Liston, Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, made his famous pronouncement, ‘I am the greatest.’ Backing up his claim he went on to defeat Liston by a TKO after six rounds. No one can deny Ali’s greatness in the ring throughout his career; retiring in 1981 with 56 wins, only 3 loses, and 3 world titles. Many consider him to be the G.O.A.T (greatest of all time) at least in the boxing realm and that may indeed be true. Desiring to be the best in your sport, even considered great by working hard at it is an admirable endeavor, but be careful not to let your pride get in the way.

Jesus’s disciples were eagerly waiting the Messianic kingdom He was about to bring into existence. They were also anxious about their role in the kingdom asking Jesus which of them would be the greatest. The disciples were concerned because some were selected over others for specific tasks. This caused contention among them. They were more concerned with having prominence in the kingdom than what Jesus had assigned for them. Each of the disciples wanted to insure a favorable position, one that would meet their expectations, but they had it all wrong.

This became a teachable moment for the disciples and for us today. Jesus had a little child stand beside Him and then He said to His disciples, ‘Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.’ (Lk. 9:48 NIV) The kingdom is not about position or status. Jesus is saying humility is at forefront in the kingdom of God. And entrance into the kingdom of God is not of our own achievements, but by the lowly position of simple faith in Him and that constitutes the greatest in the kingdom.

Let us not be prideful of our accomplishments while here on earth whatever they may be but give the glory to God. And let us take the lowly position of childlike faith in accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and be the greatest in the kingdom by being the least.

Devotionals

What have you done to be accepted by God?

February 16, 2024February 15, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.” Romans 3:27-28 NLT

Paul, writing to the church in Rome, says, “Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law.” (Ro. 3:27 NLT) There are many churches today, denominational, and autonomous, that have incorporated sets of rules or by laws to be agreed to and followed by members of the church. But in no way by obeying them along with your good deeds of kindness do they guarantee you or help you get a seat in heaven. Paul further goes on to say, “It is based on faith. So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.” (Ro. 3:27b-28 NLT) Paul was referring to the Old Testament law of Moses, but it can be easily applied here in our day. The people in Paul’s day, both Jews and Gentiles, were saved by faith in Christ and not by keeping the law.

There has been a false narrative passed down from generation to generation that says, if my good deeds of kindness outweigh my bad deeds, God will accept me into heaven. No one can take issue with ‘good deeds being good.’ Yes, they are, and we should do as many of them as possible. But where do we find reasonable evidence that God accepts these as good enough for entrance into heaven except in our mind. The only rock-solid evidence we have for entrance into heaven and eternal life is found in the pages of scripture, the Holy Bible.

Being accepted by God is not about doing good works or obeying the rules for church membership as important they may be. Acceptance by God for salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9 ESV)

If you feel you have fallen short with all you’re trying to do for God’s acceptance, you’re right! If you feel you are doing enough or the best you can to be accepted by God, I’m sorry but you are wrong. Salvation and acceptance by God into heaven is through simple faith as recorded for us in God’s Word. So, what have you done to be accepted by God? All you need to do is have faith!

Read: Romans 3:21-31 NLT – Christ Took Our Punishment – But now – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Love, Bless, Do Good, and Pray for those who Hate You!

February 15, 2024February 14, 2024 Loring Schultz

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy’ ‘But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.’” Matthew 5:43-44 NKJV

I have heard people say, ‘I like everybody.’ Others have commented, ‘There isn’t a person he or she hasn’t met they do not like.’ Not to be overly critical, but I find that hard to believe. There are a lot of people I don’t like. Sounds unchristian, I know. But think about it. Do you like everyone you know or have ever met? A pastor friend of mine said to me a few years back as I was pursuing a pastorate ministry, you don’t need to like everyone in your congregation, you need to love them. I admit it was a comforting thought, but then realized I needed to love them. That is hard enough, but what about those you despise and hate you, how do you love them?

In the most famous sermon of all time, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, He said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy’” (Mt. 5:43 NKJV) Loving your neighbor is certainly found in the pages of the Old Testament of which those in His hearing would have recognized. But ‘hate your enemy’ is not in scripture but was from hearing the scribes and Pharisees interpretation on how to apply the command of ‘love your neighbor.’ Obviously, they taught that if you didn’t like someone and they were indeed your enemy, it was permitted to hate them.

Jesus, as he always did, corrected their ill-advised thinking. He knew what they had heard and were taught was the growing sentiment of how to treat people and said to them, ‘But I say to you.’ He was telling them to forget what they heard from their teachers and listen to Him. Those who follow Jesus, live by a whole set of different rules, His rules. We are to love our enemies, bless those who ridicule and mock us, be nice to those who mistreat us, and pray for those who take advantage of us, and persecute us. Again, how are we to do this, love those who hate us? On our own this is impossible, but with Christ’s love living in us through the Holy Spirit, we are assured to love our enemies, even those we don’t like.

Read: Matthew 5:43-48 NKJV – Love Your Enemies – “You have heard – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Guard the Treasure

February 14, 2024February 13, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.” 2 Timothy 1:14 NASB

What treasures have you been entrusted with? Those who have children have those precious jewels placed in their trusting care from God. Those who work in financial institutions have large sums of money entrusted to them. Those who serve in law enforcement have the safety of the lives they protect and serve entrusted to them. And those of us who are Christians have the treasure of the Gospel entrusted to us.

The apostle Paul instructs his son in the faith, Timothy, to guard the treasure which had been entrusted to him, the life giving message of Salvation. Timothy was instructed to guard or keep watch over the presentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ against the false teachers of his day.

Just as Timothy had false teachers in his day, we also have false teachers in our day who distort the Gospel of Salvation through Jesus Christ. We are to guard and keep watch, “through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us” the True Gospel Message of Jesus Christ. And we can use Jesus’s own words: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life………. I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (Jn. 3:16, 14:6 NASB)

We have been entrusted with the most valuable treasure known to mankind, Guard the Treasure!

Devotionals

Can you keep a Secret?

February 13, 2024February 12, 2024 Loring Schultz

“And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.” Romans 2:16 NLT

There are specific things in our lives we would like to remain secret. Not all these things are of a sinful nature, referred to as secret sins, but also certain matters of embarrassment we rather not be made public. I can recall many dumb and embarrassing things I have done in my life I’d rather be left in the memory of those who have witnessed them. True friends will keep the secret, but others are not so obliged in revealing the episode to others. There is not much you can do after the fact except hope it will not be used against you as a butt of a joke or even worse to make sport of you to harm you.

Some people are good at keeping certain areas of their lives extremely private and secret. This is not to condemn one who does, but for whatever reason you choose not to share and keep secret, there is one who knows everything. God the Father knows every detail and the deep dark secrets of our lives. We are unable to keep any secret from God. He even knows what we are thinking, or what we are about to think. But God will not reveal what He knows about us to anyone. God can keep a secret.

Although God can keep a secret, He will never allow us to get away with any sin in our lives unconfessed. And there will be a day when all Christians will stand before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account of our lives, both public and private. 2 Corinthians 5:10 says, “For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.” (NLT) May we keep in mind even though God forgives us of our sin, and can keep a secret, “that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.” (Rom. 2:16 NLT)

Devotionals

A Law of Perfect Harmony for All Time

February 12, 2024February 6, 2024 Loring Schultz

“……give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and give to God what belongs to God.” Matthew 22:21 NLT

“Christianity never should be identified with any political party or social theory, but Christians ever should take their stand for loyalty, for order, and for law.” Charles R. Erdman

During Jesus’ ministry on earth, there were two influential groups who hated Him and wanted Jesus dead. One group were the Pharisees, or the Jewish religious rulers of the day. The other was known as the Herodians, supporters of Herod backed by the Roman government. These two groups hated each other, but they had a common enemy Jesus that brought them together. Their goal was to trap Jesus in questioning the legitimacy of paying taxes to the Roman government headed by Caeser. In answering, yes or no, each party would be able to claim Jesus’ disloyalty either to Rome as an act of treason, or to the Jewish nation. Jesus’ answer not only settled the matter then and there, but also set precedent for all Christ followers from that day forward.

Jesus said very simply to give Caeser what he is owed and give God what He is owed. The Roman government, although harsh especially to the Jews, were the authority figure that provided protection and law and order in the land. Maintaining infrastructure of the region is also a reason to support the authorities for what is owed to them. God also demands what is owed to Him. God is owed the dedication of our lives through obedience, service, and worship to Him.

The Pharisees and the Herodians had it all wrong. They calculated Jesus had to answer one way or the other sealing His fate. Jesus’ answer to them was in perfect harmony. We are obedient to God when giving to the government what is owed as a God-ordained authority, Ceaser included, and we are obedient to God when surrendering our lives to Him. An appropriate lessons for us to heed during the upcoming tax season is to stand for loyalty, law, and order as good citizens of our country, and to stand in obedience to God as citizens of heaven for Jesus gave us a law of perfect harmony for all time!

Read: Matthew 22:15-22 NLT – Taxes for Caesar – Then the Pharisees – Bible Gateway

Bible Studies

“Guilty by Association” LIVING IN BABYLON: The Book of Daniel

February 11, 2024February 9, 2024 Loring Schultz

“The king was furious when he heard this, and he ordered that all the wise men of Babylon be executed. And because of the king’s decree, men were sent to find and kill Daniel and his friends.” Daniel 2:12-13 NLT

Living in a godless society is like walking on eggshells for God-fearing people. It’s walking a tightrope high above a sea of debauchery. One false move and you either fall into it willingly and participate in the corruption, or you call on the Lord to sustain you through it. Christians often find themselves needing to choose between conforming to the accepted norms of the culture or take a stand for the Lord and the truth of His Word. We saw last week in our Biblical Insights on the book of Daniel, the stand Daniel took in refusing to eat the king’s food in violation of the Hebrew law. Offering a plan B to the king’s chief of staff to replace the food with vegetables and water was blessed by God. Daniel and his friends were well nourished and appeared healthier compared to the other trainees in Nebuchadnezzar’s court. This week we highlight the Lord’s blessing on the value of prayer while living in Babylon.

Christians living in a godless culture may also find themselves guilty by association in a whimsical moment to convict all in a certain group whether guilty or not. Chapter 2 begins with Daniel in the royal service of King Nebuchadnezzar who has a disturbing dream that kept him up all night. “He called in his magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers, and he demanded that they tell him what he had dreamed. As they stood before the king, he said, ‘I have had a dream that deeply troubles me, and I must know what it means.’” (Dan. 2:2-3 NLT) Needless to say, his so-called pagan wizards and astrologers had no clue. They needed the king to first tell them his dream and then they would conjure up something that sounded good to please the king. The king threatened to have them all executed if they couldn’t tell him the dream and then interpret it. The astrologers tried to convince Nebuchadnezzar by saying it was impossible for any human to tell beforehand a person’s dream. The pagan king then ordered the execution of all the wise men which Daniel was one.

Living in Babylon, a pagan culture, is not without hope. Daniel had seen the Lord’s hand at work in placing him and Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah in the king’s service. He knew they were not without hope for the Lord was with them. Daniel requested more time from the king, which was granted, and he and his three friends prayed to the God of heaven and sought His help in telling and interpreting the dream. The Lord answered by revealing the dream to Daniel and its interpretation in a vision that night. God does not forget those who are in His service even when placed in Babylon.

Daniel was then brought before King Nebuchadnezzar confirming what the others had told him, “There are no wise men, enchanters, magicians, or fortune-tellers who can reveal the king’s secret. But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the future.” (Dan. 2:27-28 NLT) Daniel then preceded to tell the king his dream providing the interpretation. The king’s dream is a prophecy partially fulfilled of all the world kingdoms from King Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon to the final kingdom to come of Christ’s kingdom at His second coming. Daniel completed by saying “The great God was showing the king what will happen in the future. The dream is true, and its meaning is certain.” (Dan. 2:45b NLT)

The Lord once again blessed Daniel by his promotion to ruler over the province of Babylon and chief of all Nebuchadnezzar’s wise men. Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were also appointed over all the affairs of Babylon while Daniel served in the king’s court. There is a lesson for us today as we live in Babylon. The Lord can and will raise up those who are faithful to Him when faced with adversity or get pronounced guilty by association. A life of prayer is a must when living in a pagan culture. Daniel and his friends were in high positions in godless government system. Their example teaches us it is possible to live in the light of God’s Word living in Babylon as we continue to take a stand and bring everything before Him in prayer.

Read: Daniel 2:1-19, 46-49 NLT – Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream – One night – Bible Gateway

A Christian Perspective

FOUNDATIONS, FISTS, AND FURY: GOD’S RIGHTEOUS JUDGEMENT

February 10, 2024February 9, 2024 Loring Schultz

“God says, ‘At the time I have planned, I will bring justice against the wicked.’ ……It is God alone who judges; he decides who will rise and who will fall.” Psalm 75:2, 7 NLT

There seems to be more heartbreaking news every day. The world in which we live is being shattered by evil, injustice, war, and natural disasters. Adding to the problem is the political unrest around the globe, a failing economy with rising prices, and a secular worldview that disregards any mention of the God of the Bible in solving our problems. There is no safe haven in which to turn, or so we think. But there is, for the Christian and the non-Christian alike, it is the Lord God, the God of the Bible.

Psalm 75 in the Old Testament can easily be applied to today’s world. Israel’s security as a nation was in jeopardy by godless worldly forces. Being threaten by outside nations Israel put their trust in God in this thanksgiving psalm. The psalmist begins by praising God and is assured by God in the next verse of His plan. “God says, ‘At the time I have planned, I will bring justice against the wicked.’” (Ps. 75:2) As Israel depended on the God of the Bible thousands of years ago, we can still depend on Him to bring about justice in our world that has gone awry.

The foundations of the world are held safely by God. He is the one who has firmly planted them. No natural catastrophe, war, or political chaos will be able to upheave them. (Ps. 75:3) Those who shake their fists at God over such events are warned by God Himself not to be boastful and proud. Their defiant arrogant speaking is both evil and foolish. God is still in control of the events in this world, and He will judge according to His righteous judgement. (Ps. 75:4-7)

The Lord will pour out His fury, His righteous judgement, on the wicked. All who do evil will not escape the justice due them by a Holy God. (Ps. 75:8) The world’s safe haven is in the God of the Bible who will bring about true justice. Those deserving His righteous judgment will experience God’s wrath, and those in need justice from the wicked will be rewarded God’s favor. “For God says, “I will break the strength of the wicked, but I will increase the power of the godly.” (Ps. 75:10)

Take heart in the news of the day remembering that God is in control and that He is the one who said, “At the time I have planned, I will bring justice against the wicked.”

Read Psalm 75: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+75&version=NLT

Devotionals

Praying Intelligently

February 9, 2024February 8, 2024 Loring Schultz

“In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” Romans 8:26 NASB

Most people find it hard to pray, let alone pray intelligently. Sometimes we lag searching for the right word or the correct sequence in expressing our concerns to God. We tend to think if not spoken correctly God may misunderstand what we are praying for. We’re afraid of missing some important details of our request due to our many distractions squashing the whole prayer. Even the most experienced prayer warriors discover distractions, lapses in concentration, and the never-ending mind wandering as part of their prayer time. But through all the distractions and trying to find the best way to express ourselves to God, we are assured we can pray intelligently.

Praying intelligently is not having all the i’s dotted and the t’s crossed, or systematically referenced for comprehension, but having the Holy Spirit guide you and speak for you when you don’t know what to say or how to say it. Paul writes in Romans, “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words.” (8:26 NASB) We can take comfort in knowing the Holy Spirit knows and understands what we want to say and brings it before the Father. There are times when we find it difficult how to pray for a situation, the Holy Spirit is aware of that, and then there are times when we simply can’t pray at all, the Holy Spirit knows that too.

Our heavenly Father wants us to come before Him in prayer. As a father He desires the best for His children and wants to have quality time with us. We need to remember God knows what we need before we ask Him, and what we are going to ask Him before we ask. So why don’t we spend some quality time with our Father with the Holy Spirit as our helper and pray intelligently.

Devotionals

Your work will never be forgotten by the Lord

February 8, 2024February 7, 2024 Loring Schultz

“For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.” Hebrews 6:10 NLT

Photo by Kampus Production on Pexels.com

The following is from the Barna Group, April 27, 2022, “As of March 2022, the percentage of pastors who have considered quitting full-time ministry within the past year sits at 42 percent. Over half of pastors who have considered quitting full-time ministry (56%) say ‘the immense stress of the job’ has factored into their thoughts on leaving. Beyond these general stressors, two in five pastors (43%) say ‘I feel lonely and isolated,’ while 38 percent name ‘current political divisions’ as reasons they’ve considered stepping away.” (1)

No doubt, being a pastor is no easy job. It’s not a profession to pursue seeking to become rich, for most anyway, but is a calling to preach the gospel and minister to the church family. Pastors today encounter a host of problems and concerns that their predecessors never dealt with or even thought possible. With that being said God called them both in their time to minster to their generation.

Of the many reasons given by pastors who have considered leaving the ministry, the most disturbing may be the feeling of loneliness and isolation. It is hard to imagine that those who care for so many by personal contact would feel this way. But that is the case for 43% who answered the survey. Perhaps some of these feelings come from a sense of ingratitude and/or of being taken for granted, after all it is the pastor’s job. This should be an eyeopener for all us in the church to be more supportive of our local pastors.

A word of encouragement for all pastors from the writer of the book of Hebrews, which I’m sure you are familiar with, “For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.” (Heb. 6:10 NLT) And when Christ returns, he will bring with Him your crown of glory to lay at His feet. “And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” (1 Pt. 5:4 ESV) Yes, your work will never be forgotten by the Lord.

(1) Pastors Share Top Reasons They’ve Considered Quitting Ministry in the Past Year – Barna Group