Tag: Christian Living

A Christian Perspective

Evil Among Us    

Loring Schultz

Read: Matthew 13:24-30 NLT – Parable of the Wheat and Weeds – Here – Bible Gateway

“Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.” Matthew 13:30 NLT

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In the political world the United States and most developed countries have a divided populace. The divide is largely between those on the ‘right’ or conservatives, and those on the ‘left’, liberals. Within each side there are multiple factions sub-dividing themselves which makes for an even a more complicated political system. The bottom line is there seems to be nothing that both sides can agree on and that is sure disaster. Speaking more accurately with confidence as a citizen of the United States than other parts of the world, it looks like America, who is celebrating its 250th anniversary this year, will not see a tri-centennial if  it does not get it together soon. A house divided against itself cannot stand.

Having said the above, Jesus told a parable which kind of helps us understand the division we have in the world. It is a simple manner of good and evil. Please note I am not calling out one side or the other. I am noting there is good and evil in the world, a natural divide, which Jesus explains in His parable of the ‘Wheat and the Weeds.’

Jesus says a farmer 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. When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew.” (Mt.13:25-26 nlt) In Jesus’ day if someone wanted to destroy a neighbor’s field they would secretly plant ‘darnel’ (weeds) within the good seed. As they both begin to grow, the weeds are not noticeable but appear to be same as the wheat.

Applying it to the kingdom of God and our day, Satan is the one who planted the weeds in God’s field. Good and evil are present in our day and age. The saved and unsaved live in this world side by side. Satan’s plan is to infiltrate the world, especially Christian churches with the weeds in our society appearing good and righteous but are evil and doing the devil’s bidding. This is causing the divide we see in many churches today, even evangelical churches. Comparing it to the politics and governing of our day we can clearly see the evil among us.

For Christians who desire to see our governments rule righteously we are to pray to that end. But evil and corruption will not be wiped out completely, at least not until Jesus comes back again. Good and evil will work side by side. The saved and unsaved will live together side by side. Jesus says, “Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.” (Mt.13:30 nlt)

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So, what should be our main concern? It should be the salvation of the unsaved as we are living together with them side by side until that day comes. On that terrible day the weeds will be tied into bundles and burned in the everlasting fire. Yes, getting rid of evil in our politics and government saves for the moment but changing someone’s evil sinful heart saves for eternity. 

Devotionals

Teaching by example 101

Loring Schultz

Read: 1 Timothy 4:11-16 ESV – Command and teach these things. Let no – Bible Gateway

“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12 ESV

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How many teachers can you recall from your learning years that have influenced you through your life? Maybe there have been many, maybe some or only a few, perhaps there had been only one. What was it you remember about their character? What have learned from them that has stuck in your mind and has become a way of life for you? You may have the desire to influence others as those teachers have influenced you, especially in the Christian faith, but you expect you don’t possess the skills or have the knowledge to do so. Don’t worry about it. All you need to do is take a course in ‘Teaching by example 101.’

Our class instructor is the apostle Paul. We will be sitting in with Timothy, a young Pastor who is learning from his most influential teacher. Paul advises Timothy not to let anyone look down on him because he is young. Timothy had been with Paul since his teenage years and already learned much from him. Still, he had much to learn. Paul gave Timothy five areas of Christian living as examples to the people in the church he was pastoring. We can apply these examples to our lives no matter our skills or education level for we are in ‘Teaching by example 101.’

Paul is stretching Timothy’s mind and ours to what we already know. We can’t live the Christian life without the help of the Holy Spirit. The good news is that every believer in Christ has received the Holy Spirit upon conversion and is capable of Christian living and being an example in speech, conduct, showing the love the Christ, displaying faith, and living in purity. What a privilege it is to influence others in righteousness. No, Christians are not perfect, but our commitment to being an example in a consistent manner is something that will be caught rather than taught. In this way we continue to influence others.

A Christian Perspective

Pay Them No Mind       

Loring Schultz

“The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless.” Proverbs 10:20 NLT

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Not to get into politics, well, maybe a little. Mostly everything in one way or another is political. We all have opinions and convictions we hold to. At times we find it hard not to respond to voices opposite of ours. Especially if they are said or written in a mean-spirited and untruthful manner. We may feel it’s our right and duty to expose this wrong for what it is, foolish and worthless. So, perhaps a better response would be to ‘pay them no mind.’

The last few weeks here in the United States we witnessed a full display of foolishness, to be polite, of the rhetoric concerning government affairs. It began with a biased news media and politicians feeding their hungry base of social media pundits who repeat and add on to their reporting to support their ideology on the subject. But their main agenda is to cause division within the nation. I will say they have succeeded. It is tempting to want to call them out, but will they see the error of their ways? Scripture says, Don’t waste your breath on fools, for they will despise the wisest advice.” (Pr.23:9 nlt)

Most disheartening are the posts on social media by well-respected individuals, people you know, close friends, and even family members who post an opposing point of view based on ideology and not the truth. There’s an old saying, ‘don’t let the facts get in the way of a good story.’ As believers in Christ we walk a fine line. Yes, truth should be told and lies exposed. But how do we do this? The apostle Paul gives us some advice, “Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible.” (Eph.5:10-11, 13-14 nlt)

Christians have the light of Christ within them. Light automatically dispels darkness, lies are uncovered. So how do we respond? We respond by living a Christlike life and speaking the truth in line with God’s Word. When the lies start to come our way, it’s best to ‘pay them no mind.’

Devotionals

What’s done is done!      

Loring Schultz

“……but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Philippians 3:13b-14 NLT

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You have heard the statement, ‘what’s done is done.’ That statement is very true, yet we try to undo what has already been done, and the fact is we can’t go back. Sure, there are corrective measures we can take to not repeat things we wish were done differently. We call this, ‘learning from our mistakes.’ But what good does it do to dwell on the past. It will only cloud our focus on the future. What’s done is done.

As we begin this New Year, don’t let the past interfere with your plans going forward, or more accurately, God’s plans for you going forward in 2026. Paul, the apostle, gives us his perspective of forgetting the past in writing to the church in Philippi. Paul viewed his Christian life as a race. Every runner knows it is disastrous to look back. Looking back will slow you down and takes your eye off the goal. The goal is the finish line. We often find ourselves looking back to our own demise. If our eyes come off the goal even for a moment, it could prove to be harmful.

Paul was explaining he hadn’t yet achieved the goal of Christlikeness, but he was still running and pursuing that goal. He was looking forward to what lies ahead, the finish line and the end of the race, when the heavenly prize (Christlikeness) is accomplished. Paul did not look back on his sinful past. What’s done is done. He was forgiven and assured of heaven and eternal life, no need to look back. Jesus saved him, and that also is done is done. Paul is forgetting all that is behind him and looking forward to that heavenly prize in Christ Jesus, Christlikeness.

May we keep looking forward, forgetting the past in the New Year. Every Christian’s goal in the 2026 should be moving towards Christlikeness. All other goals are secondary. Working towards that goal will set the priority for other goals we have in mind as the Lord leads us to where He is calling us.

Devotionals

Are We Walking in Paul’s Sandals?    

Loring Schultz

“Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:9 NLT

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The apostle Paul was the greatest teacher and example in living the Christian life outside of Jesus Christ Himself. Paul was a vessel chosen of Christ to bear His name before Gentiles, kings, and sons of Israel. (Acts 9:15) Paul was taught by the Lord, the greatest teacher, so he knew what he was talking about. He also wrote one half of the New Testament under the influence of the Holy Spirit. He wrote to several churches and individuals inspiring and teaching them all to live godly and according to their calling in Christ Jesus. Paul also led by example.

Paul’s words of instruction are just as much for us today as it was for those early Christians. In writing to the church at Philippi, Paul encouraged them to, “Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.” (Ph.4:9 nlt) As we apply Paul’s words to ourselves in 2025, how are we doing? Are we walking in his sandals?

It is a much bigger responsibility than most of us may realize. It’s not just living the godly life but living in such a way that we are influencing the next generation for Christ. Are we setting Christlike examples for others to follow on a consistent basis? Paul opens up his life for examination to the Philippians by saying to follow his example in everything they heard him say and do. It is a bold statement that is more challenging than I’d like to admit, but it is what Paul is instructing us to do. So, again the question is, are we walking in Paul’s sandals? 

Devotionals

Is your word good enough?   

Loring Schultz

“All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’” Matthew 5:37 NIV

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Promises are broken every day so they say. Promises are made to be broken they also say. Promise makers are not always promise keepers. Although some promises are broken intentionally others are not. Unintentional broken promises are no fault of the promise maker who had given their word. Their word was good enough to assure the one promised that the pledge would be honored. Then there are those who know they will not keep the promise they are agreeing to as they are making the promise. Their deception is in making an oath by swearing in the name of someone or something usually of a sacred or personal nature. Their word was not good enough for complete trust and honesty. They had to pad it with an oath.

Jesus’s word to us from the Sermon on the Mount is this, “But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.  And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.” (Mt. 5:34-36) People in Jesus’s day thought they could break an oath if it wasn’t sworn in the name of God without consequences. Today we would call that ‘an out” or “a loophole.” But Jesus confirms that everything falls under God and His name. God’s throne is in heaven, He created the heavens and the earth, and He created us. There is nothing belonging to ourselves that is able to back up an oath. Jesus says, “All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’” and then He adds these words, “anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” (Mt. 5:37)

So, what about you? Is your word good enough to secure a promise or do you need to add some assurance in order to be believed? For the Christian our word should be taken at face value, which should be the reflection of the Lord Jesus in our lives. In the world in which we live others should expect our word to be nothing more than a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ as good enough for the Jesus follower.

Devotionals

Heroes

Loring Schultz

Read: Judges 6:1-16 NLT – Gideon Becomes Israel’s Judge – The – Bible Gateway

“The angel of the LORD appeared to him and said, ‘Mighty hero, the LORD is with you!’” Judges 6:12 NLT

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“Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.” 1 Corinthians 1:27 NLT

Do you ever consider yourself to be a hero, a mighty person of valor, a mighty and courageous warrior? If not, consider yourself to be one, because you are or at least you could be. All around us wherever we reside there is some kind of trouble. Some of us have quite a bit, others not so much, but we live in an imperfect world so there will be some. Trouble and chaos stem from sin in the world. Sinners do what comes naturally. At times it takes the form of violence, drug and alcohol abuse, along with many other vices that run through our neighborhoods.

Gideon had a different kind of trouble in his day. The children of Israel once again did evil against God who then put them under the hand of the Midianites. The Midianites would constantly attack, stealing their crops and their livestock. Israel was starving from lack of food. When Israel cried out to God, as in other times, God raised up a judge to deliver them. This time it was Gideon, whose family was the weakest tribe of  Manasseh, and Gideon was the weakest in his family. Yet, God chose him to deliver Israel with His help.

The apostle Paul said God chose the weak and those the world considers foolish to shame those who think they are wise. That’s us. The Lord has chosen us, Christians, to tell the good news about Him and His salvation plan for everyone. The trouble in our world will be relieved only through the changed lives of men and women who trust in the Lord. That’s where we come in. Heroes live a life pleasing to God drawing others to accept Christ. He alone saves them but uses His heroes. Consider yourself one in God’s eyes.

Devotionals

Hypocrisy   

Loring Schultz

“Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed or hidden that will not be known. Therefore, whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.” Luke 12:1-3 ESV

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The Pharisees of the New Testament were hypocrites. Said one thing and done another- especially when it came to religious things. They were quick to enforce the Law on others while not living within the Law themselves when it came to the love of God and loving their neighbor. Perhaps you can relate as you think of a few modern-day Pharisees you might know. Jesus told His disciples to be beware of the leaven (evil and corruption) of the Pharisees. Jesus called it hypocrisy.

Sadly, hypocrisy is alive and well in the Christian community today. A quick glance at any social media platform and you will see the fruit of hypocrisy. Modern-day Pharisees post their rant, which may be true and biblical, but is posted in a negative light to prompt a jarring response. Some of these same people then get caught participating in or supporting what they ranted about. Needless to say, social media lights up and is eager to expose the hypocrisy. Now to be fair, this happens to non-Christians alike, but the push back on Christians is relentless and it may be warranted. The sad truth is one’s reputation is ruined. You are now a hypocrite. Your voice has been silenced.

Every day on social media we witness Jesus’ words play out, “Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed or hidden that will not be known. Therefore, whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.” (Lk.12:2-3 esv) Those things whispered in our private rooms have a way of making it up to the rooftops, or shall we say the internet. Here’s a social media guideline for all of us to follow, “And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” (Col.3:17 nlt)

Devotionals

Are you ready to give an answer?

Loring Schultz

Read: Read: 1 Peter 3:8-22 NLT – All Christians – Finally, all of you – Bible Gateway

“And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.”    1 Peter 3:15b NLT

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The last two weeks in the United States have been a challenge for Christians defending their faith since the assassination of Charlie Kirk. But that hasn’t stopped them, nor should it. We are to continue to preach the gospel and be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks us about our hope in Christ.

Peter in addressing Christians scattered throughout the world suffering severe persecution wrote, “But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.” (1Pt.3:14-15 nlt) Especially when they were suffering for doing good, Peter instructed them to always be ready to explain to those who asked about their Christian hope. Peter knew most definitely that some would be asked when people observed their demeaner during insults and ridicule. (1Pt.3:9-11)

Christ followers have always suffered ridicule and persecution. Christians today are being murdered at a faster rate as any time in history. Still, we are told to always be ready to give an answer for the hope that lies within us. You can be certain when those outside of Christ see Jesus’ light in you pursuing peace and working to maintain it during ridicule and persecution they will ask, where do you get this hope that is in you?

You can respond with Peter’s words in 1 Peter 3:18, “Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.” (nlt) And you can conclude with ‘I am safely brought home and have eternal life.’ So, be ready!

Devotionals

A Christian’s Conduct

Loring Schultz

Read: Psalm 119:1-16 NLT – Psalm 119 – Aleph Joyful are people of – Bible Gateway

“Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees!” Psalm 119:5 NLT

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Every Christian has a spotlight shining on them. We could say it is the light of Christ reflecting off us and that would be true, but I surmise the spotlight is one placed on us by others who know of our faith and are keeping an eye on us. Those watching us are both other Christians and non-Christians, even our own church family. Living in the light of Christ and in obedience to Scripture is more than a testimony towards those outside of Christ but is a requirement on how all Christians should act before their brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, can be thought of as the ‘word of life’ intended to give us godly instruction. Almost every verse throughout the psalm has a reference to God’s Word. ‘Commandments, decrees, instructions, laws, word, and regulations’ are noted in the first sixteen verses of the chapter, and it continues up to its conclusion.. It is indeed a chapter of instruction. It is a chapter in the word of God that’s all about the word of God.

The psalmist in the front half portion of the psalm writes, “You have charged us
to keep your commandments carefully. Oh, that my actions would consistently
reflect your decrees! Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands.” (Ps.119:4-6 nlt) Being charged by God to keep His commandments and decrees, the psalmist’s desire is for his actions to match what God’s Word commands him to do. So should be our desire as Christians in 2025, to have our conduct submitted in accordance with Scripture. Our Christian conduct should reflect our faith in Christ by obeying His Word in front of those who do not know the Lord, leading them to Him, and to those who do.