God – Page 27 – Word for the Soul

Safety in the House of God

April 26, 2024April 25, 2024 Loring Schultz

“But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God. I will always trust in God’s unfailing love.” Psalm 52:8 NLT

Photo by Rafael Albaladejo on Pexels.com

Churches across the globe have been considered sacred places of refuge for centuries. Most notable in times of war, churches were shelters for all who entered through their doors whosever side they were on. Sanctury churches today have a much more complicated task within the twists and turns of world culture. But the mission remains the same, to protect by providing refuge in the house of God.

When David was on the run from King Saul who was in pursuit to kill him, David penned Psalm 52. David describes the wickedness of his enemies and God’s judgement on them as he rests safely in God’s protection. David writes, “But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God. I will always trust in God’s unfailing love.” (Ps.52:8 nlt) Olive trees live a span of hundreds of years. David is putting his trust in the lasting mercy of God for protection. Olive trees also represent prosperity. Being in God’s presence (house of God) David would not only find safety but will grow in his knowledge of Him. David is filled with praise in the sanctuary of God, “I will praise you forever, O God, for what you have done. I will trust in your good name in the presence of your faithful people.” (Ps.52:9 nlt)

Psalm 52 is a picture of the reality of evil around us, but also of the justice of God in protecting His children while administrating judgment on the wicked of our day. Christians should take comfort that we are in the house of God, our place of refuge through the Holy Spirit, and are safe as we thrive in His presence praising Him!

Read: Psalm 52 NLT – Psalm 52 – For the choir director: A – Bible Gateway

A Christian Perspective

The Temple of the Living God

April 24, 2024April 23, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God.” 2 Corinthians 6:14, 16a NLT

There are deep divisions in the world in which we live. We have come to notice it more in recent years due to the political landscape of our day, but divisions have always been throughout millenniums. The bottom line is all the divisions in the world stem from one source, one’s belief or non-belief in the creator of all things. Jesus Himself said, “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.” (Lk. 11:23 nlt) It is easy to see from Jesus’ words, why there is so much division between people, nations, communities, and all the religions of the world. Jesus’ words are divisive, and in today’s world divisiveness is not tolerated. The world is to be united.

The apostle Paul tells the church in Corinth they are the temple of God. Every individual in Christ is a temple of the living God. He stresses God’s temple cannot be in union with the religions of the world (idols). In the same way, Christians (God’s temple) cannot be in union with those who oppose God by living contrary to His teachings in Scripture. Christians are not to be supportive of legislation enacted that violates God’s moral laws, but we are to pray for all those in authority. Paul again writing to Timothy says, “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.” (1Tim. 2:1-2 nlt)

Christians are to be a beacon of light in a dark world, always being careful not to have our light dimmed by sin in our lives, but to live righteously. Christians are also to be careful not to alienate ourselves from others. We are to live in the world but not be part of it. (Ro.12:2) The command from Christ to tell others about Him cannot be realized if we isolate ourselves. The world must see the temple of the living God in our lives. It is a delicate balance, but scripture points to the fact no union is possible with those outside of Christ no matter how much the desire for unity.

Read: 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 NLT – The Temple of the Living God – Don’t – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

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

April 19, 2024April 18, 2024 Loring Schultz

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

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

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

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

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

Devotionals

A Sacrifice of Thanksgiving

April 17, 2024April 16, 2024 Loring Schultz

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

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

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

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

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

Devotionals

Trusting God Completely

April 16, 2024April 15, 2024 Loring Schultz

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

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

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

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

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

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

Devotionals

They found Jesus, or did they?

April 15, 2024April 9, 2024 Loring Schultz

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

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

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

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

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

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

Devotionals

Restoration: A Dream Come True

April 12, 2024April 11, 2024 Loring Schultz

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

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

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

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

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

Devotionals

When the cloud remained the Israelites did not set out

April 11, 2024April 10, 2024 Loring Schultz

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

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

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

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

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

Devotionals

Wisdom is Never Proven Wrong

April 10, 2024April 9, 2024 Loring Schultz

“But wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it.” Luke 7:35 NLT

Throughout my life I have had the privilege of knowing people with immense wisdom. Whether I knew them personally or professionally, or knew of them through acquaintances, their advice proved true helping me in any given situation. The Bible has many references to wisdom, in fact there is a complete section of the Old Testament known as the ‘Wisdom Books.” Probably the most well-known are Solomon’s sayings of wisdom in the book of Proverbs.

Solomon writes in the very first chapter of Proverbs, “Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” (Pr. 1:7 nlt) So how does one become wise? It begins by realizing that wisdom is not in ourselves. You need a strong foundation for anything to be built or succeed. Solomon says the foundation of wisdom is the ‘fear of the Lord.’ The reverential fear or awe of God is the true meaning of this fear. Not to be afraid, but to respect God the creator of all things, including us, is Solomon’s point.

Jesus Himself rebuked the religious rulers for their lack of wisdom in not recognizing the godly ministries of both Him and John the Baptist. “But wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it.” (Lk. 7:35 nlt) There were those who were spiritually wise that knew both John the Baptist and Jesus’ ministries were God’s plan. The religious rulers were proving themselves to be fools and not wise following wisdom in the fear of the Lord.

You may not be a man or woman who possesses a vast amount of knowledge, but you can possess a vast amount of wisdom in the reverential fear of the Lord. When you acknowledge the Lord God, your life will be an example that wisdom from the Lord is never proven wrong.

A Christian Perspective

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.