A Christian Perspective

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

The Art of Persuasion: Being Pushed in the Wrong Direction

April 9, 2024April 6, 2024 Loring Schultz

“I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the LORD helped me.” Psalm 118:13 ESV

Have you ever had the feeling you are being led in a direction that is not comfortable? You find yourself going along and agreeing with every wind of change around you and soon find yourself asking, how did I get here? You’re being pushed in the wrong direction. Those doing the pushing are using the ‘Art of Persuasion.’ A quick ‘google’ search reveals the following from Forbes.com: “Persuasion is the art of getting people to do things that are in their own best interest that also benefit you. Everyone can be persuaded, given the right timing and context, but not necessarily in the short term.” (1) Our current secular society has been influenced by the methods of those desiring to change the culture to what benefits them. This is not unique to the 21st century but has been progressing for centuries. The cultural elites of our time are patient knowing that in time everyone can be persuaded to change.

There are four basic stages to the ‘Art of Persuasion’ according to the ‘Harvard Business Review,’ “First, effective persuaders establish credibility. Second, they frame their goals in a way that identifies common ground with those they intend to persuade. Third, they reinforce their positions using vivid language and compelling evidence. And fourth, they connect emotionally with their audience.” (2) The Art of Persuasion can certainly be used in a positive matter. This model can greatly help in sharing the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and all Christians should strive for that, but awareness of how it is being used to distort the gospel and discredit the truths of the Bible is vital if we are to stay in our lane.

Psalm 118 is a jubilant psalm of thanksgiving. The psalmist not identified but possibly is King David acknowledges his past distresses and praises God for deliverance from his enemies. “I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the LORD helped me.” (Ps. 118:13 esv) David confirms his trust in the Lord by not putting his trust in man. “It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.” (Ps. 118:8-9 esv) The psalmist words should encourage us to seek refuge in the Lord and not man, or any governmental authority, especially if they are using the ‘Art of Persuasion’ to push us in the wrong direction.

Read: Psalm 118:5-16 ESV – Out of my distress I called on the – Bible Gateway

(1) https://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonnazar/2013/03/26/the-21-principles-of-persuasion/?sh=147215eea4c9

(2) https://hbr.org/1998/05/the-necessary-art-of-persuasion#:~:text=First%2C%20effective%20persuaders%20establish%20credibility,connect%20emotionally%20with%20their%20audience.

A Christian Perspective

There are no Lone Rangers in the Kingdom of God

March 23, 2024March 22, 2024 Loring Schultz

“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT

The NCAA men’s basketball tournament, March Madness, is the second most anticipated sporting event in the United States behind the Super Bowl. I admit getting sucked into filling out a bracket and have it busted after the first round. Part of the excitement is picking and rooting for the underdogs to upset their overmatched opponents. It’s David vs. Goliath. My problem is the ‘Davids’ I pick lose, but there are others sure to beat Goliath as has been a recurring theme the last few years.

A noticeable reason for this increase in upsets is finally starting to be discussed by the sports media. It has been ignored mostly due to the media not being willing to criticize the negative effects of the changes implemented by the NCAA over the years. I will stick to basketball, but the football program has even bigger problems that will come to surface in the fall. My perspective is student athletes are not student athletes. Major universities have adopted the one and out season, where a skilled high school athlete enters a ‘Division 1’ school to play for only one year. There is also the transfer portal which has been in effect for a while, but now that money is involved and playing time is at a premium, the students are more athletes than students looking out for themselves more than their education and their school. Many of the top 25 college basketball teams are in this category. Basketball is a team sport, and yes, an outstanding player does make a difference, but it doesn’t always lead to championships.

Enter the mid-majors’ men’s college basketball programs. To be fair, these programs deal with the same issues, but on a much smaller scale. Most of these schools have students who are upper classmen and have played together for two to four years. They are building a cohesive unit by working together towards a team goal of making the tournament and beating Goliath. They experience growth as they mature into young adults, encouraging one another to achieve their highest potential for the sake of the team, the coach, and their school. The major universities are doing a disservice to their basketball programs, their school, and the one and out students by promoting individualism which is rapidly starting to fail.

The church is a group of individuals who do not act independently. We are all in need of each other. Paul, the apostle, tells those in the church in Thessalonica “to encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” (1 Th. 5:11nlt) God has bestowed spiritual gifts to every Christian to be used for His service, and they work best when involved with the church of fellow believers. This is not to say ministries outside of the church, or your personal ministry is not valid, it is to say that the encouragement you need through prayer and support come from those in whom we share like faith. Faith and trust in Jesus Christ. I heard a statement many years ago I have never forgotten, ‘There are no Lone Rangers in the Kingdom of God.’ If you are involved in a personal ministry, do not try to do it alone. If you are involved in a church ministry, bring others alongside with you to share the burden and build a cohesive team to help share the gospel carrying out the work of the church. It’s a winning combination when we work with each other and together with Christ, the head of the church, as our coach. Goliath’s will fall and souls will be brought into God’s Kingdom with a host of rangers.

A Christian Perspective

America’s Failure to Praise God

March 8, 2024March 8, 2024 Loring Schultz

“When you have eaten your fill, be sure to praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you. But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the LORD your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today.” Deuteronomy 8:10-11 NLT

In the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy, Moses is giving his final instructions from the Lord to the nation of Israel as they were about to enter the Promised Land. Moses tells them to be careful to obey all the commands God is giving them. (Dt. 8:1) It was the Lord God who was giving them this land of a fruitful bounty. They were to remember and praise God after they ate and were filled who had bless them and given them the land. But then a warning was given to be careful they do not forget God in their prosperity and disobey his commands. Israel in the Old Testament had done that many times and America is doing the same thing in our day.

America was once considered the breadbasket of the world. That is not case at the present time as Brazil is rising to the top spot along with the Ukraine. The war in Ukraine since 2022 has proven their contribution to the world’s food supply as shortages and higher prices have occurred. America still produces 75% of the nation’s food supply, and the United States is still the world’s top food exporter as of 2018. But it has no doubt become a global market.

The fact of the matter is that despite the decline of the nation’s food supply, America still has the potential to feed the world. Somewhere along the line America has failed when according to a report from NPR in October of 2023, ‘44.2 million people lived in households that had difficulty getting enough food to feed everyone in 2022, up from 33.8 million people the year prior, including more than 13 million children.’ Not to mention the increasing homeless population among the ever-increasing poverty rate, America is failing.

Moses’ words from the Lord can easily be applied to the United States of America. This country was established on godly principles founded in the pages of holy scripture. God has richly blessed America, but we have lost our way, strayed from godly principles, and forgot God. America’s failure to praise God for past blessings has created a self-sufficient attitude resulting in a nation turning its back on God. But as God had restore Israel many times after repenting and turning back to God, God will restore America to its greatness to be the breadbasket of the world, but only as we repent and turn back to God.

A Christian Perspective

For the time is coming, Israel will live in safety.

February 21, 2024February 20, 2024 Loring Schultz

‘“For the time is coming,’ says the LORD, ‘when I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David’s line. He will be a King who rules with wisdom. He will do what is just and right throughout the land. And this will be his name: ‘The LORD Is Our Righteousness.’ In that day Judah will be saved, and Israel will live in safety.’” Jeremiah 23:5-6 NLT

October 7, 2023, is a date that will be remembered around the world, but especially in the land of Israel. On that date the terrorist group Hamas attacked incident civilians in the privacy of their homes and a music festival in the early morning hours. It was the deadliest attack in Israel’s history with 1,200 deaths and some 240 individuals taken hostage. Modern day Israel as a nation has been under attack since its independence as the state of Israel after the British Mandate expired in 1948. They have successfully defended the country from on-going attacks from their enemies all around them, and I believe will continue to do so.

World leaders and politicians support the idea that the only road to peace in the Middle East is a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinian people. The concrete barrier that must first come down is for there to be agreement that the nation of Israel and the Jewish people have the right to exist and to defend itself. Hatred for God’s chosen people, the Jews, is not limited to our time, but has been real throughout history in the pages of the Old Testament. Sad to say, there will be no true peace in Israel in the immediate future, but there will be real true lasting peace one day. A time is coming that Israel will live in safety, and that means peace.

The prophet Jeremiah tells us of a coming king, a descendant from the throne of David, that will rule in Jerusalem, and His name is “The LORD Is Our Righteousness.” It is the Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah, who will rule with wisdom and justice not only in Israel but the entire world in His earthy kingdom. And Isaiah the prophet says, “In that day the heir to David’s throne will be a banner of salvation to all the world. The nations will rally to him, and the land where he lives will be a glorious place.” (Is.11:10 NLT)

Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, will return on that day and the nation of Israel will finally receive Him as their Messiah. And He will rule in righteousness. “In that day Judah will be saved, and Israel will live in safety.” (Jer, 23:6b NLT) Until that day, let us Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem!

Read: Isaiah 11 NLT – A Branch from David’s Line – Out of – 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

A Christian Perspective

Forgetting the Work of God

February 3, 2024February 2, 2024 Loring Schultz

“The Ephraimites, armed with the bow, turned back on the day of battle. They did not keep God’s covenant but refused to walk according to his law. They forgot his works and the wonders that he had shown them.” Psalm 78:9-11 ESV

The United States of America is indeed a nation that has been enormously blessed by God. From its conception almost two-hundred and fifty years ago until the present day, the nation has been guided by the hand of almighty God. But what was conceived and brought forth through the prayers and faith of our forefathers is about to go at it alone without God. America is on its way to a major re-set along with the rest of the world, forgetting the work of God throughout the short history of the nation. It is about to be replaced with a Godless culture and secular society. We have seen the beginnings of this re-set emerging over the last sixty years.

Psalm 78 is both an instructive and a warning psalm. It is addressed to the children of Israel in the northern kingdom. It serves as instruction for them to not walk in the ways of their fathers and warnings of the consequences if they do. The children of Ephraim, the Ephraimites, are called out primarily due to their size as they were the largest tribe in the northern kingdom. The psalmist writes, “The Ephraimites, armed with the bow, turned back on the day of battle.” (Ps. 78:9) They did not turn back because of cowardice, they were anything but that, turning back signifies their refusing to obey God’s law, and forgetting His works in the past and going their own way.

Let us pray for America to not continue down this path of forgetting God’s blessings towards us as a nation and to welcome Him back into our culture and society. But on the other hand, what about each of us individually? Have we also turned our back on God? Have we forgotten the work God has done for each one of us? Do we ignore His commandments and the truth of His Word? Are we placing our wants and desires above having a relationship with Him? Are we willfully going at it alone without His help?

Forgetting the work of God in the past will lead to destruction in the future for us individually and the United States as a nation.

Read Psalm 78, a psalm of Instruction and Warning: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2078&version=ESV

A Christian Perspective

It’s going to be a long year, so…….

January 18, 2024January 17, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” Colossians 3:12 ESV

The early signs of 2024 seem to indicate this is going to be a very long year here in the United States. We have a Presidential election, and the news media is already taking sides. Each network has their bias and will state it loud and clear throughout the year. This may turn out to the most negative campaigning for the White House in the history of the United States. Not only do we have the news networks making noise, but social media out does the major networks by a landslide (no pun intended). Reading posts we find disturbing from people we know and respect, even from friends, will put us in an awkward position of how to respond, or even if we should. Probably we shouldn’t respond, but then again, some things just cannot be ignored, like the truth.

Paul writing in the book of Colossians two thousand years ago gives us good advice even for today, “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” (Col. 3:12 ESV) There are hard questions to be asked and answered this year. Many concerns need to be addressed for the safety and moral compass of the United States going forward in the future. The next president is going to have all those issues before them, whoever they may be. No doubt, a deep divide exists as to who is best qualified for the job, and how they will govern for the betterment of the nation as a whole and for the people. So, there will be a lot of loud, partisan discussion from both sides.

As Christians we are to declare the truth, but more specifically the truth of the gospel. People need to come into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. The only hope America has is Jesus. 2024 has all the markings of becoming a turbulent year. But the negative, harsh, and hateful rhetoric of this historic year can be tamed down effectively and efficiently as Paul points out by God’s chosen ones. May we who are believers in Christ start now and ‘put on compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience’ with those we encounter this year. Let the light of Christ be visible for all to see. It’s going to be a long year!

A Christian Perspective

Silent Protest

January 6, 2024January 5, 2024 Loring Schultz

One of the many rights enjoyed by every citizen in the United States is the right to protest. In fact it is the very first amendment to the constitution. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” It is worthy to note that it states the right to ‘peaceably assemble.’ I am sure we can all relate to what has been demonstrated as peaceful protest over the years as not being very peaceful. That is not to say there have not been peaceful demonstrations or protests, there have been, and that is the way it should be, especially among Christians.

Living in the first quarter of the 21^st century has certainly brought about many issues to protest, both as citizens of the United States and members of the Christian church. Christians have an obligation to present the truth to those who don’t know the truth. Here in the United States we are afforded the freedom to do so in a peaceable manner. Christians are also to live honorable lives before the general public and governing authorities to dispute any false accusations that may be brought against us.

Whether we gather with others to protest an injustice on biblical grounds or stand our ground individually by not engaging in the sins of the world we are protesting, let it be done by way of a ‘silent protest,’ peaceably and by living a life honorable to Christ. Peter encourages us it is God’s will that our honorable lives will silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against us. (1Peter 2:15) Let us as citizens of heaven be humble and obedient citizens here on earth bringing honor and glory to God so all may believe in Him and His Son, Jesus Christ.

“It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil.” 1 Peter 2:15-16 NLT

Read 1 Peter 2:13-17, Respecting people in authority: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+2%3A13-17&version=NLT

A Christian Perspective

What if Elizabeth and Mary had said ‘My body, My choice’?

December 16, 2023December 15, 2023 Loring Schultz

The abortion issue has been drawn front and center once again in the United States since the U. S, Supreme Court decision in June, 2022 that overturned the Roe v. Wade decision of 1973 legalizing abortion in the Untied States. The decision did not outlaw abortion, but sent the matter down to each individual state to decide the issue. Many states have already taken action on both fronts, for and against. The 2024 election is bound to heat up with organizations supporting the campaigns of their choice. Pro-life and Pro-choice with the feminist slogan leading the chant of the My Body, My Choice movement.

The opening chapters of the New Testament gospel of Luke details with accuracy the birth of Jesus Christ. The gospel writer chronicles the sequence of events from the announcement of John the Baptist’s birth, Jesus’s cousin, to the announcement of Jesus’s birth leading up to the birth of both John and the birth of Christ. Holy Scripture details the miraculous power of God in the conception of both John the Baptist and Jesus. Elizabeth, John’s mother, was well advanced in years, and Mary was still a virgin. The angel Gabriel in the announcement to Mary concluded by saying, “For nothing will be impossible with God.” (Lk. 1:37)

Elizabeth and her younger cousin Mary were both, as is often said, ‘with child.’ The detailed evidence cannot be denied as when the two of them met shortly after Mary’s conception. Elizabeth was six months along when Mary received the announcement that she would have a baby. Mary immediately went to visit her cousin on receiving the news concerning both of them. Scripture records for us the greeting with detail and accuracy, “In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb.” (Lk. 1:39-41b)

The evidence is in according to the Word of God. Elizabeth and Mary were both carrying life in their wombs, life that was recognized. It is life by the giver and creator of life, God Himself. John the Baptist went on to be the forerunner of Jesus, the Messiah. Jesus came into this world to save mankind from their sins assuring them of eternal life through faith in Him. The Bible is very detailed and accurate about God’s plan for salvation and nothing can alter His plan. But what if Elizabeth and Mary had said, ‘My body, my choice’ and chose not to have their babies? Obviously it did not happen, nor could it have happened. But just saying, ‘What If’?