Eternal Life – Page 2 – Word for the Soul

Humble Yourself Before God

October 23, 2024October 22, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Show me what sins hide thee from me and eclipse thy love; Help me to humble myself for past evils, to be resolved to walk with more care, For if I do not walk holily before thee, how can I be assured of my salvation?” (1)

“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” James 4:6 ESV

Are you one who finds it hard to admit you’re wrong? You just cannot find it in yourself the possibility you didn’t have it right. This demeanor will eventually cause distance between you and others over time. Having this attitude, ‘I am always right’ will lead you into a false perception of right and wrong. It’s a sad way to live in this world, but more tragic when it comes to the things of God and eternal life after this life is over. A person will lose friends in this life by on-going pride but will forfeit eternal life with Christ in heaven by not humbling themselves before Him and acknowledging Jesus is the only way to heaven.

Human pride gets in the way of a lot of things in this life. There are times when we think we can do better with what is presented to us adding our own recipe. The good news about salvation is that there is nothing you can add to the presentation of the gospel. In fact, what is required is to take away your pride, recognizing and admitting that you are a sinner in need of a savior. The Bible says we have all sinned and fallen short on God’s scale. (Ro.3:23) It takes rejecting our pride in an admission and confession of our sins by accepting Christ as savior to be assure of heaven. God does indeed oppose the proud but gives grace to those who humble before Him.

“It is the meek and humble who are shown thy covenant, know thy will, are pardoned and healed, who by faith depend and rest upon grace, who are sanctified and quickened, who evidence thy love.” (1)

(1) Bennett, Arthur. The Valley of Vision. East Peoria: Baer of Truth Trust, 2023. Pg 9, The Divine Will.

Devotionals

Be Ready to Give an Answer

September 6, 2024September 2, 2024 Loring Schultz

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

Presidential campaigns here in the United States have a lot of criticism between candidates the closer to election day. The opposition is quick to point out deficiencies in their opponent. Once noted it is hard to overlook. One example is the claim of not being ready to give an answer when asked a question. This is a relevant concern, of course, as the future and safety of the people are at stake. How much more the future of eternity for those who do not know Jesus Christ as their savior if we are not ready to give an answer.

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 did 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!

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

Devotionals

Spiritual Hunger and Thirst

September 4, 2024September 1, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Jesus replied, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’” John 6:35 NLT

Satisfying our physical hunger and thirst is rather easy. There are a variety of foods to choose from when we are hungry. Usually, we select something we like and enjoy and after partaking our hunger is satisfied. The same holds true for quenching our thirst. It’s not very pleasing to drink something not enjoyable to us. We make sure, if possible, we get what we like. But the fact is, if we have a meal with our favorite food and beverage, it will satisfy for the moment, but it doesn’t last, and we will need to eat and drink again. Our physical bodies need to be refueled daily, and the Lord supplies what we need to survive in this life.

Spiritual hunger and thirst work similarly in satisfying our souls. We try what we like, something non-judgmental, inclusive, non-committal, and feels good. Just like physical hunger and thirst, it satisfies for a while, but spiritual hunger and thirst comes back. When we try to fill our souls with what we like we will never be satisfied, because we are filling our souls with the temporary. What we need is something that will fill us eternally. Our souls have a spiritual craving to be filled and satisfied for eternity and it can only be accomplished by a relationship with Jesus Christ, God the Son.

Jesus used the illustration of the necessity of bread for survival in physical life with Himself as the spiritual bread which will satisfy forever and necessary for eternal life. “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (Jn.6:35 nlt) God provides the bread we need to survive in our physical bodies. The same is true for our souls, God has provided the only food possible to satisfy our craving for spiritual things and for eternal life, His Son, Jesus Christ. Nothing else satisfies, but Christ.

All the religions of the world and churches who do not adhere to God’s Word for the truth of salvation will leave you empty and continually searching for truth and satisfaction. God has provided the only way for you to be filled and satisfied spiritually in this life and guaranteed eternal life, it is Jesus! You can satisfy your spiritual hunger and thirst by accepting Christ as your personal savior. No need to be refueled.

Devotionals

Anticipating Eternal Life

August 16, 2024August 13, 2024 Loring Schultz

“So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.” 1 Peter 1:6 NLT

The anticipation of future joy has a way of helping us get through some hard times. A planned vacation will make our long workdays seem shorter. Looking forward to the holidays eases the pain of missing loved ones across the miles during the year. Anticipating your college graduation gives you confidence you will be on your way to your dream career. There is nothing wrong with looking ahead with joy with any of those things, but in this life, nothing is guaranteed and the tendency to change or not happen at all is always present. But not so for the Christian anticipating eternal life.

The apostle Peter tells us, “Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.” (1Pt.1:3b-4 nlt) The priceless inheritance we have is our salvation and eternal life with Christ. It was reserved there for us, and nothing can take it away, it is guaranteed. We, as Christians, are heirs with God and co-heirs with Christ. Paul writes in the book of Romans, “For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.” (8:16-17 nlt)

There are many trials all people go through living a sinful fallen world, but even more for those who name the name of Jesus and proclaim His way of salvation. (Jn.14:6) Living a Christ-like life with a Biblical Worldview will result in criticism, harassment, and possible legal troubles. But Peter says there is joy ahead. “So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.” (1Pt.1:6 nlt) Our world is rapidly decaying by the actions of the prince of this world, Satan himself, and Christians are not exempt from its effects, but we have a future joy as we anticipate a sure thing, eternal life.

Read: 1 Peter 1:3-9 NLT – The Hope of Eternal Life – All praise – Bible Gateway

Bible Studies

I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE: Jesus’ seven “I AM” statements – 6

July 7, 2024July 3, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” John 14:6 ESV

Starting out on a journey, whether a local excursion or an extended trip across the miles, requires a knowledge of the way to get to your destination. Whether using your smart phone, a GPS system, downloaded directions from a maps web site, or perhaps if you’re like me, refer to a road map occasionally (yes they still exist), all will show various ways to get there. That’s fine when traveling from here to there in our world. At times more than one option is sometimes desirable and even recommended. Today’s GPS systems will even redirect you if you make a wrong turn. If you see your life here on earth as a journey, which it is, where is your destination at the end of your life and where are you getting your directions? Will your world religions and earthly maps warn you if you made a wrong turn and are going in the wrong direction?

Ultimately if your destination is heaven; there is only one road, only one way to eternal life in heaven with God the Father. In Jesus’ sixth “I am” statement in John’s gospel, Jesus said very clearly the He is the only way to the Father. Of the seven “I am” statements, this one is the most controversial in our day. Why, because Jesus declares there are no other roads or religions, no short cuts, no long way around, no alternative route to heaven except through Him.

If what Jesus said is not true, then He would be a liar, and if He is a liar, He could not be God the Son, and if he is not God the Son, then He could not save us from our sins. All roads do not lead to heaven, only one does, Jesus! If there are other ways to eternal life except through Jesus, then Jesus’ death on the cross was in vain. No, “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (Jn.14:6 esv)

Read: John 14:1-6 ESV – I Am the Way, and the Truth, and the – Bible Gateway

Bible Studies

I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE: Jesus’ seven “I AM” statements – 5

June 30, 2024June 22, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Jesus told her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.’” John 11:25 NLT

The story is told of another miracle perform by Jesus in the eleventh chapter of the gospel of John. It is also the basis for His fifth “I AM.” This particular one is perhaps the greatest of them all. Jesus raised a person from the dead, one who had been dead four days. The person was Lazarus, a very close and personal friend of Jesus along with Lazarus’s sisters Mary and Martha. When Jesus heard that his friend Lazarus was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was before he left in response to the news. (Jn.11:6) The question immediately comes to mind, why? Why did he wait two days?

Some have suggested that Jesus knew that Lazarus was already dead when the messenger’s arrived to tell Him that His friend was sick. Perhaps so, but there seems to be a deeper explanation. For those present at Lazarus’s resurrection and for those of us in our day, it is a matter of trust (or faith) in Jesus Christ. Do we believe He is in control of every portion of our lives, that He is never late, and that He loves us knowing what is best for us? Do we believe He is God the Son, and have faith that nothing is impossible for Him to do?

Raising Lazarus from the dead was not impossible for Jesus to do, He is the resurrection and the life. Jesus also said, “Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.” (Jn.11:26 nlt) We are assured of a place in heaven and eternal life if we put our trust and faith in Jesus Christ, God the Son.

Jesus is speaking to you and me when He says, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, (insert your name)?” (Jn.11:25-26 nlt)

Read: John 11:1-44 NLT – The Raising of Lazarus – A man named – Bible Gateway

Bible Studies

I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD: Jesus’ seven “I AM” statements – 4

June 23, 2024June 20, 2024 Loring Schultz

“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.” John 10:14-16 NLT

Jesus, in His fourth “I am” statement in the gospel of John said, ‘I am the good shepherd.’ ‘Good’ meaning ‘noble’, ‘worthy’ or a model of what a shepherd is to be. This indicates that not all shepherds were good. The responsibility of a shepherd is to care for the sheep, leading them, feeding them, and protecting them from danger even at the risk of their own lives, ultimately saving them from life-or-death situations.

Jesus says the noble, worthy shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. All of us are like sheep in a helpless life-or-death condition having no hope but to be rescued by Jesus, the ‘Good Shepherd.’ The Old Testament prophet Isaiah writes, “All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all.” (Is. 53:6 nlt) Jesus did just that by laying down His life, offering it as a sacrifice for our sins by dying on the cross, providing the way of Salvation for us.

Throughout history there have been many deceiving shepherds who have led people astray. Prophets from the many false religions in the world administer their deceptive teaching concerning the way of Salvation and eternal life. They may sound sincere and persuasive but, they are sincerely wrong, and it ends in eternal destruction. They strive to lead people into thinking there are other ways to God. But there is no one who has ever said that they laid down their life for the sheep, nor could they, nor did they. There is only one good shepherd. Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” Follow Jesus, the only Good Shepherd. He will not lead you astray, but into eternal life.

Bible Studies

I AM THE DOOR Jesus’ seven “I AM” statements – 3

June 16, 2024June 13, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep………. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” John 10:7, 9 ESV

We call our dwelling places home, whether an apartment, a dorm room, a house, or a recently purchased condo all of them have a main door for entrance. Upon going through the door and entering we find peace, security, and safety in the dwelling of our own home.

In Jesus’ day shepherds would lay across the entrance (or gate) of the sheep pen during the night to guard the sheep, protecting them from danger and unwanted visitors. Within the confines of the sheep pen, their home, the sheep had safety and security. The door was being guarded.

In Jesus’ third ‘I am’ statement of His salvation message Jesus says, ‘I am the door.’ He is the entrance or the gate we must go through to be assured of eternal life in heaven. Entrance to an eternal home in Heaven is only through Jesus Christ and no one else or any effort on our part. In 2024 many people may find this statement intolerant. But these are Jesus’ words, and He says to all of us, ‘If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.’ and only there.

Looking forward to arriving at our earthly homes and entering through the door, we find the comforts, peace and security we have anticipated. And we can be assured of another home we will have for a much longer time than our short stay here on earth, that time is eternity, which does not end. May we look with greater anticipation to arrive at that home. Perhaps you do not have the assurance you will have a home of peace, comfort and security after this life? Romans 10:13 says, “For ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.’” (nlt) There is no other way to eternal life in heaven with God the Father except going through Jesus Christ, the door.

Read: John 10:7-10 esv – So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Is there Life after Death?

February 19, 2024February 14, 2024 Loring Schultz

“But now, as to whether there will be a resurrection of the dead—haven’t you ever read about this in the Scriptures? Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, God said, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ So he is the God of the living, not the dead.” Matthew 22:31-32 NLT

The question, ‘Is there life after death?’ has been debated over millenniums. Almost every religion known to man has a belief of some form of an afterlife, and in as many different forms as there are the number of religions. Greek Philosophers and ancient Greek mythology had their theories as the ancient Egyptian religions had theirs. Different factions within Judaism and Christianity have several views on life after death. Some are embedded in tradition and some in scripture as interpreted by Jewish and Christian leaders over the centuries to our current day. But to ensure we are on solid ground, we look to the truth of God’s Word, the Holy Scriptures, and Jesus’ interpretation of life after death.

Jesus had an on-going back and forth with the religious rulers of His day who were looking to discredit Him in any way they could. After shutting down the Pharisees and the Herodians, the Sadducees where next to take a crack at Jesus. They came to Jesus with a question about the resurrection of the dead. A foot note needs to be placed here; the Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection, and the absurdity of their question proves their intent to entrap Jesus. They wanted to know; a woman married to more than one man during her lifetime whose wife would she be in the resurrection.

Jesus answered their question by not only confirming there is a resurrection, but also those waiting for the bodily resurrection are indeed very much alive. Jesus cited from the Torah, as the Sadducees only recognized Moses’ authority in the first five books of the Bible. Jesus quoted a direct statement from God Himself when Moses faced Him, “I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” (Ex. 3:6 NLT) Jesus then confirmed Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as living. “So he is the God of the living, not the dead.” (Mt. 22:32b NLT)

Is there life after death? Yes-Jesus said God is the God of the living: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We are all eternal beings and will be very much alive after our earthly bodies die. Where will you be living in eternity? Will you be with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the rest of all who have trusted Jesus as savior. You can be sure you will be- “For Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” (Ro. 10:13 NLT)

Read: Matthew 22:23-33 NLT – Discussion about Resurrection – That – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

My Comfortable Clothes Are Good Enough

February 5, 2024January 31, 2024 Loring Schultz

“But when the king came in to meet the guests, he noticed a man who wasn’t wearing the proper clothes for a wedding. ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how is it that you are here without wedding clothes?’ But the man had no reply.” Matthew 22:11-12 NLT

Most of us possess clothes while wearing them are very comfortable. Sometimes we regret even the need to remove them for washing, but it must be done. Physical clothing may not be the only clothing that is comfortable, our garments of intellect, financial success, good looks, and popularity never want to be removed even for something better. Jesus gave us parable to show us the terrible consequences of holding on to our comfortable clothes in place of what He has to offer, eternal life with Him.

The parable is ‘The Parable of the Great Feast,’ or the ‘Wedding Feast.’ A king prepared a wedding feast for his son. After all the preparations were made, he sent out his servants to gather all those who were invited, but they all refused to come. The king was very angry and sent his servants out again to invite others, in fact they were to invite everyone they saw. “So the servants brought in everyone they could find, good and bad alike, and the banquet hall was filled with guests.” (Mt. 22:10 NLT) Jesus told this parable in reference to the Jewish religious rulers who had rejected Him as the Messiah. The king in the parable represents God the Father, the son is Jesus the Messiah, and those invited were the Jewish people of the nation Israel.

God further extended His invitation of salvation to all people for John 1:11 says, “He came to his own people, and even they rejected him.” (NLT) Every person of all ethnicities, Jews included, male and female, black and white are invited to the wedding feast. But there is one caveat, you must remove your comfortable clothes and put on the wedding clothes the Lord has provided for you.

In the parable, those invited the second time were given wedding clothes (God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ His Son), but some refused it as the previous invited guests had done. They were too comfortable in the clothes they were wearing and felt no need to change. In their minds the clothes they had on were good enough and they were good enough to attend the wedding feast. But the king gave the harsh reality of rejecting His Son, Jesus Christ, “Bind his hands and feet and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Mt. 22:13 NLT) It’s time to throw away your old comfortable clothes, they are not good enough.

Read: Matthew 22:1-14 NLT – Parable of the Great Feast – Jesus also – Bible Gateway