Tag: Devotional

Devotionals

At Last

Loring Schultz

‘“At last!’ the man exclaimed. ‘This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from ‘man.’ This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” Genesis 2:23-24 NLT

            God’s design and purposes for us are always perfect. They are just the right fit for us to live comfortably in this world. There may be times we do not see God’s design for our lives as we struggle in the confusion of our current day. But God’s way and purposes are right. He does not make mistakes, especially when it comes to His creation.

            Adam may have felt God make a mistake after he was given the task to name all the animals God created and found none he could relate to or even have a conversation with. Unknowingly to Adam, God had a plan for an equal partner for him. He will create the perfect helper for him, a woman.  “And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.” (Gen. 2:21-22) Adam was blessed and encouraged by God’s provision and perfect plan in providing him a helper by establishing marriage and the way to populate the earth.

            We share the same blessing today. It is still God’s perfect design of male and female created in His image. “In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Then God blessed them and said, ‘Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it.’” (Gen. 1:27a-28b) God’s design for marriage is naturally between one man and one woman, and it is the only way to populate the earth. No wonder Adam was excited and exclaimed, “At last!”

Devotionals

Joyful singing

Loring Schultz

“Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing.” Psalm 100:2 NASB

            Whether an old time hymn, a chorus medley, or one of our many contemporary compositions, worship songs tell the greatness of God, His Holy attributes, His love and mercy and our response to Him through Praise and Worship.

            The psalmist writes, “Come before Him with joyful singing.” Unfortunately or not, our response and participation in worshiping God through song is not always “with joyful singing.”  There made be instances when your mind is clouded, you are not feeling well, or you are having one of those days. Well take heart my friend, the Lord knows of your situation.

            Participating in worship songs is not only an outward activity, but also an inward response to our Lord. It is a matter of the heart. I admit my musical ability is limited, in fact it is very limited, including singing. My singing is anything but joyful to the general public, and I am not one who adheres to “make a joyful noise to the Lord.” Yes, the Lord knows of my situation, but I do not want to subject my brothers and sisters to my joyful noise.

            So whether you are having a bad day and you are not yourself, or your musical talent is on the short side, worshiping the Lord through song can still occur as the Lord knows your heart. You can worship, sing along and praise God in your heart. And the good news is that one day we will all be worshiping God around the throne in heaven with nothing to distract us, no sickness, no cares of this world, only joyful singing and with no one singing off key, not even me.

Devotionals

Time Management

Loring Schultz

“How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.” James 4:14 NLT

            Time is a precious commodity, how well do you use it?  You may have heard the phrase “Time Well Spent.” How many of those have you had in your life? How about “Killing Time,” how many of those moments have you had?

            The value we put on our time spent is determined on where our heart is and where our passions lie. It may be a good idea to examine how we spend our time and on what. It may be uncomfortable for some of us, but then again it may encouraging as well.

            The bottom line is, the time we have on earth compared to eternity “is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.” Let’s all make better use of it.

Devotionals

Living in Nod

Loring Schultz

“So Cain left the LORD’s presence and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.”  Genesis 4:16 NLT

            One of the most tragic verses in all of Scripture is found in the very first book of the Bible, the Old Testament book of Genesis. The results of leaving the presence of the Lord is to live a life in the land of Nod, a life of wandering. The familiar story of Cain and Abel is well-known even among occasional church goers. It is a story of jealousy between siblings leading to the first murder in history. It is a story of obedience and disobedience. It is a story of anger when one does not get their own way, and it is a story of the consequences when one turns their back on God doing their own thing without acknowledging who He is.

            Although this story appears at the beginning of human history, it is still found and very active in our present day. Certainly not all wanderers have murdered a brother or sister, but all who wander have rejected God in one form or another. There are two types of wanderers, those who have never accepted Christ as their Savoir, rejecting His plan of Salvation, and then there are those who are born again, but find themselves turning their backs on God by ignoring His guidance and living their life on their own terms.

            The truth of the matter is, living every day without God in your life is living in the land of Nod, the land of wandering. We were created in the image of God and made to have a relationship with Him. If we are not in a relationship with the one who made us, how could we be anything but unsatisfied with life wandering about seeking true contentment?

            Living in Nod is living outside the presence of God, but God is aware and see us even as we are not living before Him. Wherever you are today, give up your wandering by turning back to God and allow Him to lead your life. If you have never turned to God do so now and accept His Son Jesus for Salvation. Live in God’s presence and turn away from living in Nod.

Read the story of Cain and Abel: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+4%3A1-16&version=NLT

Devotionals

Going from last to first

Loring Schultz

“So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.” Matthew 20:16 NLT

            Today is Thursday September 7,2023. This date has been marked on the calendar of many football fans since last year’s Super Bowl. It is the start of the NFL season with renewed hope for discouraged fans of low performance teams and continued enthusiasm for the highly successful ones. Week 1 starts with every team equal in the standings. With no games played, every team is in first place and you can say every team is also in last place. But as the season unfolds there will be separation and the cream will rise to the top.

            A major topic in sports talk radio podcasts leading up to opening weekend is which teams, if any, will rise from last place to first place this coming season. There were only two that caught my ear as being possible contenders, one being the New York Jets with the arrival of future Hall of Famer Aaron Rogers, and the other the Atlanta Falcons in a division with not much competition. Going from last to first in the NFL is a major accomplishment through the hard work of physical training, dedication, coaching, discipline, patience, and focusing on one game at a time. Not many have done it, but it has been done.

            Jesus had a few things to say about those who are last and those who are first. He, of course, was not referring any sporting event but to service in the work of the Lord. Jesus used the Parable of the Vineland Workers to illustrate that faithfulness in serving Him will be rewarded. There were the first in line workers who agreed to work for the landowner for a day at a specific rate of pay. Others were hired by the landowner throughout the day right up to 5 PM, but for no specific rate of pay. As the wages were paid out, those who were hired first were upset that those who worked only part of the day received the same amount of pay. Jesus’s point was those who agreed to work for the said amount received what was due, and those who received the same payment were recipients of the landowners reward to them for their faithfulness.

            All who have accepted Christ as Savior, either as a young child, a teenager, young adult, middle age, or senior citizen will be rewarded eternal life. God rewards faithfulness in service to Him according to the ability and the time each one has to serve Him. Some have more opportunity to serve the Lord than others, but all will receive the full day’s pay of eternal life.

            Going from last to first in a NFL season will get you a reward, going from first to last will get you fired. In the Kingdom of God the reward is the same for all who receive Christ as Savior for Salvation, eternal life. “So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.”    Read the Parable of the Vineyard Workers: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+20%3A1-16&version=NLT

Devotionals

Recurring Sin

Loring Schultz

“Moses answered the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.’” Exodus 14:13 NIV

            Is there a sin in your life that you just can’t seem to get rid of? It keeps recurring as if you have never dealt with it before. Could it be that you don’t want to be free from it? As the late modern day theologian R. C. Sproul use to say, “We sin because it’s pleasurable.” But deep down it our souls, if we are honest with ourselves and truly love God, we know that God hates sin and it is not exactly pleasurable with Him. So we need to get rid of it and the sooner the better.

            The children of Israel were in slavery for four hundred years by the Egyptians. They were forced to comply with all the demands made on them. Physical hard work to the point of torture in satisfying their task masters was the bulk of the demands. Israel longed to be freed from the never ending struggle of the helplessness they felt in being enslaved by the Egyptians. The Lord did not forget about His children in Egypt and miraculously delivered them as recorded in the Old Testament book of Exodus.  As they were on their way to the Promised Land, once again they were being pursued by the subjects of their past struggles, the Egyptians have returned.

            Similar to Israel being chased by their slave masters and now backed into a corner, or the Red Sea as we know it, Christians at times find themselves in the same place. Recurring sin is as if we never left the bondage of sin we were in before coming to know the Lord. The truth is, we have a sin nature and will continue to sin until we have our glorified bodies in eternity. But to allow the recurring sin to have its hold on us by not letting go completely is giving the green light for all kinds of temptation to creep in and take us captive once again. Give it to the Lord and He will make a path for you and see you through to the other side with your sins buried in the deepest sea. It’s time to give it up. It’s time to get rid of it. It’s time to find it dead upon the shore.

“O GOD OF MY EXODUS, Great was the joy of Israel’s sons, when Egypt died upon the shore, Far greater the joy when the Redeemer’s foe lay crushed in the dust.” (The Valley of Vision Devotional) “Resurrection” Arthur Bennett (Editor) 1975.

Read the Biblical account of the Red Sea crossing: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2014&version=NIV

Devotionals

Moved with compassion

Loring Schultz

“Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.” Matthew 20:34 NASB

            The story is told in the gospel of Matthew of two blind men sitting along the road crying out to Jesus as He was passing by, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” (Mt. 20:31) Jesus stopped and asked what they wanted Him to do for them; their response “Lord, we want our eyes to be opened.”

            These men had a physical need to see. Jesus, ‘Moved with compassion,’ touched their eyes and immediately were able to see.

            What about spiritual blindness? For those outside of Christ there is a spiritual need to see, to see the light as the saying goes, and to see our need for a Savior. Jesus has the same compassion today. If we doubt His compassion all we need to do is to look at the cross. When we acknowledge our need for salvation and call out to Him, Jesus will be ‘Moved with compassion’ and open our eyes and touch our hearts.

Devotionals

Steady Working

Loring Schultz

“……The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” Luke 10:2 NLT

            Labor Day is here once again. Like most holidays in the United States, the significance of the day is often overshadowed by festive celebrations of picnics, recreational activities, sporting events, and the like. That is not to say we shouldn’t celebrate, but at times we tend to look for any excuse to celebrate and we forget the purpose. Labor Day is no different. Labor Day is a National holiday both in the United States and in Canada celebrated on the first Monday in September. It recognizes American and Canadian workers for their contribution and achievements to a working society in the development of both countries. A labor force that is steady working towards building a better society, economically and for the advancement of all people is worthy of recognition on Labor Day.

            But there is also another labor force that is steady working towards building a better society, the building of the Kingdom of God. And it is also for the advancement of all people. There is a problem though within this work force, it is extremely short handed. This job market is huge and there are plenty of opportunities. But as so often happens in the U. S. job market, some people would rather stay home rather than apply for the job. Our Lord Jesus makes reference to this in Luke’s gospel, “……The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” (10:2)

            There is certainly plenty of work to do. It is steady work we call job security, and you will never be laid off. And yes, if you know the Lord Jesus as your Savoir you are more than qualified. You were called for this purpose to serve and work for Him in the field He has placed you. The Lord has placed a light within you and me to share with others who are struggling in this dark world.  

Country singer-song-writer Paul Overstreet in his song ‘Steady Working’ wrote the following;

 “So many hearts are hurting, Lives broken into, So many souls are searching, For someone to tell them the truth, Now you and I have been given, The light inside our hearts, I have made my decision, I’m gonna go and shine a light in the dark….You know I’m steady working for my Jesus, Steady working for my Lord.”

            Sometimes in working for the Lord Jesus we are not recognized as those in today’s Labor force are not recognized. But we should never do it for our own recognition, but to bring glory to God by adding to His Kingdom. Besides we will receive the ultimate recognition when we hear our Lord Jesus say, ‘Well done good and faithful servant for Steady Working.’

Listen to Paul Overstreet ‘Steady Working’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcWiGR-A80g&list=RDXcWiGR-A80g&index=1

Devotionals

Beautiful Noise

Loring Schultz

“Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!”  Psalm 100:1-2 ESV

            Legendary singer, musician, and entertainer Neil Diamond wrote most of his recordings including ‘Beautiful Noise’ in 1976. Diamond’s career is such a success that his popularity has earned him the biggest tribute, a Broadway musical based on his life and music entitled ‘Beautiful Noise.’ I can testify, he being one of my of my favorite musical artists, Neil Diamond’s music and live performances are nothing short of a ‘Beautiful Noise.’ Diamond wrote, “It’s a beautiful noise, Made of joy and of strife, Like a symphony played, By the passing parade, It’s the music of life.”

            The music of life is indeed a beautiful noise for God is the creator of life. All our joys and our sufferings are known to Him. In His providence our lives are mapped out for us under God’s direction. We have free will, but God is directing and is aware of every step and misstep we take. He is there when we mess up forgiving us of our sin as we confess and repent. It’s a beautiful noise.

            The Psalmist writes in Psalm 100, “Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!” (100:1-2) Gathering together for worship each Sunday is a time for rejoicing and singing to the Lord. But notice, the Psalmist says ‘all the earth’ is to make a joyful noise. All the earth is to be glad and serve the Lord. Everyone is encouraged to come at anytime and anyplace with singing, making a joyful noise to the Lord. Now that’s a ‘beautiful noise!’

Devotionals

Downtime

Loring Schultz

“…. and I will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days. He shall build a house for My name” 1 Chronicles 22:9b-10a NASB

            How well do you utilize your “downtime”, the time set aside from your normal daily grind and activities? God has given us an example in the story of creation in the book of Genesis. God rested on the seventh day from all His work (Genesis 2:2-3). A day of rest is established for us because we need it. No matter the urgency or importance of our jobs or responsibilities, we cannot continue to function 24/7 without breaking down. God in His ultimate wisdom and love for us knew that, therefore the example for us to rest.   

            That being said, after we have rested and refocused, do we use the time God has given us in pursuit of a work He has for us to do? There are some projects we simply cannot do during our normal work days. When given the opportunity from God, do we work the work He has for us, or do we spend the extra time on ourselves?

            King Solomon had such an opportunity from God. During his reign as king, Israel had peace from the wars his father King David had all of his life. It was in David’s heart to build the Temple for the Lord, but the Lord said it was not to be. David’s son, Solomon, would build it. Solomon obeyed and followed the Lord’s instructions in building the Temple. Solomon wisely used the “downtime” for the work of the Lord. He did not put it on the back burner or use the time for himself.

            Whether it is only our day off or a relatively quiet time in our lives, let us look to what God wants to accomplish through us during the opportunities He has given us in our downtime.