Word for the Soul

Misplaced Trust

April 20, 2024April 19, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Don’t put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there. ””Psalm 146:3 NLT

This morning as I write this, the news media is covering Israel’s attack on Iran in response to Iran’s attack on Israel a week earlier. News outlets are also reporting the arrest and suspensions of over one hundred students at Columbia University in a makeshift encampment as part of a pro-Palestinian protest. Anti-Semitism has been on the rise at Columbia along with many institutions of higher learning across the America. A week ago in Dearborn Michigan, anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian protesters chanted ‘Death to America’ and ‘Death to Israel.’ On Monday of this week, the state of New York has put a former President of the Unted States on trial for falsifying business records. And, this week, articles of impeachment were drawn up against the Dept. of Homeland Security Secretary for failing to secure the United States border. Yes, it does look like the United Staes and the world is on fire as the news media also reports.

The world asks the question, who can put out the fire? Where are the world’s most respected and knowledgeable negotiators willing to reach a peace deal? Are there any world leaders who will look out for the interests of their citizens and not for themselves? Are there leaders among us who will fight off corruption at every turn instead of looking the other way or covering it up? Do we have those in authority who will stand for truth wherever it leads them? It’s obvious if we had less leaders as listed above, we wouldn’t be feeling the heat from the flames spreading all around us. I’m not saying there is no hope, no hose to help extinguish the fire. This world has many good and decent, highly intelligent people in leadership that need our prayers and support. But be careful that your trust in them is not a misplaced trust.

Psalm 146 is the first of the joyous praise songs that closes the Psalter. It begins with praising the Lord, and then warns us where not to put our trust, being very specific. “Don’t put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there. When they breathe their last, they return to the earth, and all their plans die with them.” (Ps.146:3-4 nlt) The warning is clear. Our trust is not to be in powerful people, but in the Lord. “He made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. He keeps every promise forever.” (Ps.146:6 nlt) The rest of the Psalm continues with the guaranteed hope we have as we see God fulfill all His promises. We can be sure our trust in God is never a misplaced trust. Put your trust in Him.

Read: Psalm 146 NLT – Psalm 146 – Praise the LORD! Let all – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Turn the light on and be careful you don’t fall

April 19, 2024April 18, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105 KJV

As a child growing up, I can recall my mother giving a warning as I would either descend or ascend a flight of stairs. She would say, “Turn the light on, and be careful you don’t fall.” My wife gives me that same warning today. The common thread in both their warnings is their love for me and not wanting to see me fall resulting in injury. I’m thankful to the Lord for my mother who loved me all her days and for my wife who loves me still and cares for me.

In the same way, the Lord God loves and cares for each of us. He does not want us to stumble or fall in our walk in this life. It is very easy to do so, even for most Christians, with all of the temptations of a dark world without a light to expose the dangers. God has given us all we need to walk securely and confidently without falling if we read it, study it, and obey it; it is His Word to us, the Bible.

Psalm 119:105 says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Ps. 119:105 kjv) In ancient days, Middle Eastern towns had no fixed lamps for lighting. One who was travelling at night would need a hand torch or a lantern to light the way and only one step or two at a time. Careful observation of what the light revealed guided the traveler and kept him from dangers in his path on the road. Each step taken enabled the traveler safe passage to his destination without harm.

Christians we go through life in a dark world, and we need the light of God’s Word to light the way. Taking one step at a time with the light He gives us, the Lord guides us through the dangers of hidden influences and encourages us to live righteously in Christ Jesus. Let us all heed the warning from all those who love us; turn the light on and be careful you don’t fall.

Devotionals

Food for the Journey

April 18, 2024April 17, 2024 Loring Schultz

“……I don’t want to send them away hungry, or they will faint along the way.” Matthew 15:32b NLT

I am sure we have all heard the expression, ‘life is a journey.’ Indeed, it is. Curiously though no two people are on the exact same path in life. There may be similarities, but just as everyone is unique in their own way, their journey in life follows the course planned out for them. And for the Christian, the Lord had your life journey drawn up before you were even a thought in your parents’ mind. “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” (Ps.139:16 nlt)

Throughout our journey in life, we need subsistence to sustain us. We need a daily intake of food to nourish us to survive our physical life, and we need a daily intake of spiritual food to survive in our spiritual life. During Jesus’ ministry on earth, He had two occasions where He provided food for thousands of people as they were coming to Him for healing and to hear His teaching. Jesus had compassion for the people giving them both physical and spiritual food. He did not want to send the crowds away hungry for they might faint along the way.

Our Lord Jesus has the same compassion for us in our spiritual walk with Him. He does not want us to faint along the way in our life journey. He provides us with food to sustain our spiritual growth through His Word. As we have our quite time with Him, through our devotions, prayer, and Bible reading we can rest assured that we will not go away hungry. Make sure you put in the effort to get your daily spiritual nourishment for the journey. Jesus doesn’t want to send you away hungry.

Devotionals

A Sacrifice of Thanksgiving

April 17, 2024April 16, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God and keep the vows you made to the Most High…. But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me.” Psalm 50:14, 23a NLT

We have recently come out of the Lenten season with the conclusion of Easter Sunday a few weeks ago. A significant part of Lent is to withhold or give up something as a sacrifice to the Lord. This is done to yearn for God more than the sacrifice you gave up. It is a time to drive away any distractions that would keep you from getting closer to God leading into Passion Week. It is a shame we only allot one time a year for this sacrifice as a church, but it can and should be a part of our daily spiritual walk with the Lord.

The idea is not what we give up for the Lord, but that we are in a constant growing relationship with Him. In Psalm 50, a psalm of Asaph, the Lord says, “O my people, listen as I speak.
Here are my charges against you, O Israel: I am God, your God! I have no complaint about your sacrifices or the burnt offerings you constantly offer. But I do not need the bulls from your barns
or the goats from your pens.” (Ps.50:7-9 nlt) The Lord then explains He doesn’t need any of their animal sacrifices. All the animals of the forest are His, and He certainly doesn’t need them for food. God wants their sacrifices to be a sacrifice of thanksgiving.

Not to diminish any sacrifice we make to the Lord, but the best sacrifice we can make, and make it daily, is a sacrifice of thanksgiving. Giving thanks to God praising Him for all He is, and all He has done for us. The Lord Himself says, “Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God and keep the vows you made to the Most High…. But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me.” (Ps, 50:14, 23a nlt) May we truly honor the Lord today with a sacrifice of thanksgiving.

Read: Psalm 50:7-15 NLT – “O my people, listen as I speak. Here – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Trusting God Completely

April 16, 2024April 15, 2024 Loring Schultz

“But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, ‘Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!’” Numbers 20:12 NLT

Learning from past experiences in life is valuable. Life lessons are to be adhered to not make the same mistake again. If we do not learn from our history, we are sure to repeat it, mistakes, and all. The Christian life is full of learning experiences. A deep soul search for each of us will reveal the Lord’s presence and guidance through each one. Maybe not all of them were pleasant but reassuring of God’s guiding hand. Throughout all our experiences the Lord wants to build our trust in Him. He wants us to trust Him completely, not taking anything into our own hands.

Moses, the man of God, had more life experiences with the Lord’s help than anyone throughout history. He saw God work in miraculous ways in Israel’s release from slavery in Egypt, the opening of the Red Sea, mamma falling for food each day without exception, among other notable events in his time in the wilderness. He had learned to trust God, and his faith in Him grew stronger each year, but Moses, the man of God, had a moment when he failed to trust God completely.

The Israelites, known for their constant grumbling for forty years finally got to Moses. They were complaining again, this time, about the lack of water. Even after all they had witnessed all of God’s provisions over the last forty years, the Israelites still looked to Egypt as a better place. The Lord gave Moses and Aaron specific instructions to provide water, “You and Aaron must take the staff and assemble the entire community. As the people watch, speak to the rock over there, and it will pour out its water.” (Num.20:8a nlt) Moses took the staff, as instructed, but did not speak to the rock, but struck it twice in anger. Moses may have reasoned to himself that striking the rock was in order, for on a previous occasion the Lord told him to strike the rock for water, but not this time. (Ex. 17:6) He not only struck it once, but twice, and did not speak to it all. Moses didn’t trust God completely adding his own measures to it.

Failure to trust God has its consequences, both for Moses and for us. Moses and Aaron were prevented from entering the Promised Land due to their sin of not trusting God completely and taking the glory for themselves. We, too, at times run ahead of God assuming what worked the first time will work this time, failing to listen for God’s instructions for there may be a slight a change in them. God wants us to daily walk with Him, building our trust in Him, listening for His still small voice as He leads us. Out life lessons are learned by trusting God completely.

Read: Numbers 20:1-13 NLT – Moses Strikes the Rock – In the first – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

They found Jesus, or did they?

April 15, 2024April 9, 2024 Loring Schultz

“And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.” Ezekiel 36:26-27 NLT

The world has known of people who in their own words had a ‘come to Jesus’ moment. A present public life which is contrary to their previous lifestyle is doubted by some and praised by others. Over time the genuineness of their conversion is seen by the actions represented in their lives. The apostle Paul writes, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Cor. 5:17 nlt) Truly those who have come to know the Lord will display the new life being lived out in them.

Sadly, there are many who make a profession of faith in Christ who have had an emotional experienced of some sort but have not fully committed their lives to Christ. It may have been a self-serving decision determining to be a better person, or a hope for better circumstances to influence their life. But eventually whether they found Jesus or not will be revealed.

Ezekiel prophesying of Israel’s spiritual regeneration notes it is an action of the Lord God. God says He will give them a new tender responsive heart by taking out their stony stubborn heart, and He will put a new spirit in them. His spirit will enable them to be obedient to God’s decrees. Notice it is the Lord God who gives them the new heart with the ability to obey Him. Jesus says in the gospel of John, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them…… This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.” (Jn. 6:44, 65 niv)

Those of us who have truly found Jesus, found Him as the Holy Spirit drew us to Him. Accepting Christ, we have received the Holy Spirit enabling us to obey Him and ‘walk the walk’ as we say. This is not to say we don’t ever sin again, but our walk will be consistent with our faith in Christ with no one needing to question did we find Jesus. No, He found us, and we accepted His free gift of salvation as His spirit drew us to Himself.

Is the Holy Spirit drawing you to salvation in Christ? Do not resist His gift of a new tender responsive heart leading to salvation and accept Him as Lord and Savior of your life.

Bible Studies

Parables of the Kingdom of Heaven: Parables of Jesus

April 14, 2024April 13, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables.” Matthew 13:34 NLT

This week we look at Jesus’ ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ parables and there are a few, six to be exact. Most of them are short and to the point, but even in Jesus’ longer parables there are life changing points for ‘Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!’ (Mt.13:43b nlt) We noted last week that parables were an earthly story with a heavenly meaning, and these parables of the ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ leave no doubt as to the heavenly meaning. They do indeed point to the Kingdom of Heaven itself. Jesus taught His disciples the Kingdom of Heaven is future and those who will populate it will be those who respond to the message of their preaching and the preaching of the gospel throughout the ages until Jesus returns. It is still in effect today. There will be those who accept the preaching and those who will not respond to the message that kingdom of God is at hand.

There are five characteristics of the Kingdom of Heaven that are seen in these parables. The preaching of the gospel, the growth of the gospel, the power of the gospel, the value of the gospel, and the response of the gospel. The book of Matthew is our source this week found in chapter 13 and verses 24-50.

In the first parable in this passage, the parable of the wheat and the weeds (Mt.13:24-30), and the last parable of the fishing net (Mt.13:47-50) we find both the preaching of the gospel and the response of the gospel. Jesus says the preaching of the gospel “……is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away.” (Mt.13:24-25 nlt) “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of every kind.” (Mt.13:47 nlt) The preaching of the gospel goes out just as last week’s parable, the farmer scatters his seed with some taking hold and some not. Here the seed is planted and takes root accepting the gospel, but the evil one has also planted seeds becoming weeds as they reject God’s Word. The gospel net of preaching the good news is thrown out into the sea to catch all kinds of fish, but here again there are many who were there only for the ride into the shore.

A familiar parable is the parable of the mustard seed. (Mt.13:31-32) A mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds, but it grows into a large tree. The gospel message starts out small among believers but begins to spread quickly and rapidly encompassing many in its fold. It spreads quickly due to its magnificent power as illustrated in the parable of the yeast. “Jesus also used this illustration: ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.’” (Mt. 13:33 nlt) The power of the gospel through the influence of the Holy Spirit cannot be resisted by those called of the Lord.

Jesus gives us two very short parables to emphasize the value of being in the Kingdom of Heaven. In the parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl, the value is so great that one would give up everything they owned to possess it. Nothing could be more important, nothing else matters in this world than to be prepared for the next world.

The fifth characteristic of the Kingdom of Heaven as noted above is found in both the parable of the wheat and weeds and the parable of the fishing net. It is the response to the gospel message. Jesus’ heavenly message in these parables is the gospel is being preached, it grows in the power of the Holy Spirit, and it is the most valuable thing you can ever possess. But His message also speaks of those who will be in the Kingdom of Heaven and those who will not. Jesus’ words are clear in both parables as He distinguishes between the acceptance and rejection of the gospel. “Just as the weeds are sorted out and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the world. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Mt.13:40-42 nlt)

It is a sobering thought there are many who believe they are the wheat in the field or the good fish in the net, only to find themselves being thrown out with bad. Don’t make the same mistake, accept the preaching of the gospel message, and secure your place in the Kingdom of Heaven. “Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!” (Mt.13:43 nlt)

Read: Matthew 13:24-50 NLT – Parable of the Wheat and Weeds – Here – Bible Gateway

A Christian Perspective

Unity in Our Faith

April 13, 2024April 12, 2024 Loring Schultz

“This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.” Ephesians 4:13 NLT

This past Monday millions of people across North America felt a sense of unity experiencing a once in a lifetime totality of a solar eclipse. Comments heard on social media, major news networks, and the NASA telecast all celebrated the coming together of humanity as the sun, the moon, and the earth all lined up. Sadly, in most cases, it didn’t last more than four minutes, and it will be years before it will be experienced again in this part of the world. People do have a longing to belong and to be a part of something bigger than themselves to be shared with others. How important it is to have that longing fulfilled not only for a matter of minutes, but for a lifetime and through all eternity.

Another weekend is here and again this Sunday church doors will be opened. These doors will lead into all different structures to conduct worship services. From the little white church in the country, to major cathedrals across the world, to modern theater assemblies, to rented spaces in various buildings, to a house church around the corner, the church doors will be opened. If you are looking for something to fill the empty space in your life going through those doors this weekend is a good place to start. There will be others there to share in the experience of hearing of the love of Christ being preached.

The apostle Paul was very concerned about the unity of believers in their faith. He knew the only thing that would cement them in unity with others was sound teaching from the Word of God. Unity among believers is only possible when built on the strong foundation of biblical truth. In writing to the church at Ephesus Paul explains the gifts the Lord gave to the church was for their benefit, “Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.” (Eph. 4:11-13 nlt)

Unity is a wonderful and beautiful thing if held together by truth. Make sure as you make your way through the church doors that truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ is the foundation of their unity. If so, you have found a place to belong filling that empty space through Christ. You will be with others who also need a touch of God’s grace and you will not need to wait years to return, you can return next week.

Devotionals

Restoration: A Dream Come True

April 12, 2024April 11, 2024 Loring Schultz

“When the LORD brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream!” Psalm 126:1 NLT

True restoration is only realized when one is truly broken. Brokenness shows itself in various ways. The most common form of brokenness among all of us who breathe is in personal relationships. Here again, these show themselves through various means and circumstances. The longing for a relationship to be restored at times seems an impossibility, but when it occurs is a dream come true. Restorations do occur in accordance with God’s will and timing.

The nation Israel was restored to their land after seventy years of captivity in Babylon due to their gross sin against God. Although it was prophesized that they would return it all seemed like a dream to them when it happened. They almost couldn’t believe it. Psalm 126 is a song of joy for the restoration of Israel to the land. The psalmist wrote that they were filled with laughter and sang for joy. The surrounding nations joined them in acknowledging the amazing things God had done for them. They asked the Lord to restore their fortunes by planting their seeds in tears, but they will rejoice in the harvest to come once again.

God is in the restoration business. No one is more broken than a sinner separated from God because of their sin. We were born with a sin nature, making us all broken and in need of restoration to God. With God being in the restoration business, He made it possible for each of us to be restored to Him through the blood of Christ on the cross of Calvary. There is nothing we could ever do to make things right with God. It is only through our acceptance of Christ as our savior. We can rejoice with the broken people of Isarel in their restoration to their land and our salvation through Christ’s sacrifice for us as we accept Him. A dream come true.

Read: Psalm 126 NLT – Psalm 126 – A song for pilgrims – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

When the cloud remained the Israelites did not set out

April 11, 2024April 10, 2024 Loring Schultz

“When the cloud remained over the tabernacle a long time, the Israelites obeyed the LORD’s order and did not set out.” Numbers 9:19 NIV

Nothing could be more frustrating than to be in a position where you feel the need to move on but have no direction where to. Your anxiety ratchets up a notch as you look over alternatives. Staying in your present condition is not an option for you as you prepare to make your escape. I have been there several times in life, mostly in job related situations, and the answer from the Lord was always the same, ‘as long as the cloud remains stay where you are.’ The Lord did keep me from getting over my skis as I waited patiently for Him, but it was not easy.

During Israel’s journey through the wilderness, the Lord guided them by a cloud in daylight and by fire at night. He gave them instructions when they were to set out from their location and when they were to settle. If the cloud was stationary over the tabernacle, they would not break camp and move out. It was only in the Lord’s timing as the cloud was lifted and in His leading that they were to move. It didn’t matter how long they were in one place or how restless they had become they were to stay put. “Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out.” (Num. 9:22 niv)

Your periods of frustration with current circumstances have not missed the eyes of God. He knows of your situation and ultimately what is best for you. You can go ahead of God and leave the cloud behind, the cloud that is leading you, or you can give your problem to Him and let Him work in His timing. Be patient and do not rush ahead. Bring your desires and frustrations before God in prayer and wait for His response. You may ask, how will I know His response. Don’t worry, you’ll know! The cloud will lift, and you will move on. Waiting is not always easy, but it is well worth the wait when you see God work in a way you never imagined or thought possible.

Read: Numbers 9:15-23 NIV – The Cloud Above the Tabernacle – On the – Bible Gateway