Tag: God

Devotionals

Straining at the oars

Loring Schultz

“He saw the disciples straining at the oars.” Mark 6:48a NIV

Have you ever felt abandoned from the Lord, especially in tough times? You may be facing difficulties at your workplace when 8-hour days are turning into 12 hours days with no relief in sight. You’re studying for a college degree and can’t keep up with the assignment load. You’re a young mother with a houseful of children all wanting and needing your attention. There are yet many other tough time scenarios we can apply, just pick the one that fits you best. But rest assured the Lord has not abandoned you, in fact He always has His eye on you.

Jesus’s disciples were put in a situation where it appeared to them, they were abandoned. Jesus sent them out ahead of Him by boat to Bethsaida across the Sea of Galilee, while He spent time alone in prayer with His Father. What should have been a relatively short trip was turning into an over 8-hour trip with constant wind not in their favor. The wind was carrying the boat towards the center of the lake instead of maintaining a straight course one or two miles offshore. Imagine what thoughts would have been going through the minds of the disciples. Perhaps the same thoughts we have in strenuous times.

The Bible explains to us Jesus saw the difficulty His disciples were having. “Later that night, (when evening came) the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake” (Mk. 6:47-48 niv) Jesus did not go out to them until dawn early the next morning, and He came out to them walking on the water.

During your long difficult days never lose sight that our Lord Jesus never loses sight of you while ‘straining at the oars,’ but He is watching and will be there with the help you need. You’re not abandoned. Learn to put your trust in Him for He sees, He hears, and He’ll be there.

Bible Studies

SOLA GRATIA (Grace Alone)

Loring Schultz

“But no man can be thoroughly humbled until he knows that his salvation is utterly beyond his own powers, devices, endeavors, will, and works, and depends entirely on the choice, will, and work of another, namely, of God alone.” Martin Luther

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The third of the Five Solas to be recognized during the Reformation period was ‘sola gratia’ or (grace alone). In the early sixteenth century there was an emphasis on church teaching of salvation by works of merit and indulgences. Scripture says we are saved by grace alone as Paul writes in the book of Ephesians, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” (Eph. 2:8 esv) The first reformer of the sixteenth century was Martin Luther and he had said, “Our salvation depends entirely on the choice, will, and work of another, namely, of God alone.” We cannot take any credit leading to our salvation, God has done it all.

Yes, ‘for by grace we been saved through faith,’ but the reality is God gives us the faith to believe in His Son through the Holy Spirit as He draws us to Himself. Our regeneration proceeds our faith. It is by His grace that He grants us the faith to believe in Jesus for we would never do this on our accord. Paul, the apostle, quoted from the Old Testament in the book of Romans, “as it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.’” (Ro.3:10-12 esv) God’s saving grace towards sinners is His granting unmerited favor upon us. When God’s saving grace is applied to us it cannot fail to accomplish the purpose for which it was given.

The saving grace that God bestows on His chosen cannot be understood or appreciated until we have a full knowledge of what we have been saved from. There is not one of us who has a right to eternal life, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Ro. 3:23 esv) We are all sinners in Adam, “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.” (Ro. 5:12 esv) And the punishment for sin is death, physical death and spiritual death being eternally being separated from God in the lake of fire. “And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Rev. 20:15 esv)

As we come to accept that there is nothing we could ever do to find favor with God to enter into His presence, we should find ourselves in continued praise and worship for what He has done for us through His grace. God has chosen to love us in Christ, underserving sinners that we are. As Paul writes again in Romans, “For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one-man Jesus Christ.” (Ro. 5:17 esv)

Devotionals

Have you considered my servant?

Loring Schultz

“Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” Job 1:8 NIV

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How well do you handle adversity? The troubles that come into your life will determine your relationship with God by how you will react. Do you seek after God during a personal crisis for comfort and guidance, or do you blame God and demand an answer, even cursing God for the tragedies that are occurring? Those of us who are Christians are reminded, that no matter how hard it can be to accept, God is in control. He allows the events in our lives to happen to draw us closer to Him and for His Glory.

We are given a glimpse of this reality in the book of Job. A conversation between God and Satan is unveiled in the first chapter of Job, verses 6-12. “Then the LORD said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.’” Satan, the adversary, accuses Job of being upright only due to the fact that God has bless him tremendously. He goes on to say if the Lord would stretch out his hand against him, then Job would curse God to His face. Satan is given the go ahead.

Unimaginable physical pain and suffering, along with the loss of his family and all his possessions is most likely the worst experience anyone ever encountered. As you read through the book of Job, you will find that Job, although very distraught at his suffering, never curses God, never loses his faith in God, and remains blameless and upright.

The Lord could say to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job,” because He knew Job could be trusted in following through continuing to trust God. The question is; can you and I be trusted to follow through continuing to trust God during our trails and suffering? Can the Lord say, ‘Have you considered my servant (your name here)’?

Bible Studies

Advent 2025: The Word in a Manger    

Loring Schultz

Read: John 1:1-5, 14 NLT – Prologue: Christ, the Eternal Word – In – Bible Gateway

“So, the Word became human and made his home among us.” John 1:14 NLT

Photo by Lee Young on Unsplash

We have reached the fourth Sunday of Advent and are only four days away from Christmas. Preparations are being made for the big day which will start with our Christmas Eve service. Many carols sung that evening in churches around the world will reflect the ‘babe in a manger’ born on that silent night. Most people may know that child is the ‘Christ child born of Mary,’ but how many truly know who He is. How about you, do you know?

The apostle John gives a detailed description of who this baby is. Although the story of Jesus’ birth is found only in the gospels of Matthew and Luke, John recaps it in one simple verse. “So the Word became human and made his home among us.” (Jn.1:14 nlt) John wrote his gospel to prove the deity of Christ. Jesus as the Son of God, very God in the flesh. He begins immediately with the very first verse, “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (Jn.1:1 nlt)

John’s reference to the ‘Word’ was used as both Jews and Gentiles would have been familiar with what John was expressing. One of the uses of this term by the Greeks would have been ‘divine reason.’ The Jews used it as a term relating to God. When John used ‘Word’ in verse one the Gentiles would think ‘divine reason’ and the Jews would think God. So, what did John say? The ‘Word’ always existed. The ‘Word’ was with God in the beginning and the ‘Word’ was God.

This baby is the ‘Word’ in a manger, the one who created the world and holds its existence. He is the light of world bringing salvation to all who put their trust in Him. The ‘Word’ in a manger is Jesus Christ, the second person of the trinity. He is God in the flesh. ‘O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord.’

Devotionals

Who Are You Waiting For?      

Loring Schultz

Read: Isaiah 30:12-17 NLT – This is the reply of the Holy One of – Bible Gateway

“Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it.” Isaiah 30:15 NLT

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What troubles you? Where do you go and to whom do you go to get relief from your troubles? Hezekiah, king of Judah, was seeking an alliance with the forces of Egypt in their trouble with the invading Assyrian army. They apparently forgot about God in the midst of their troubles. The powerful Egyptian army looked like the best option with their swift horses to help them escape the approaching danger. But the Lord reminded them,  “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved.” (Is.30:15 nlt)

Judah was resting in the strength and material sources of their current world system to relieve them of their troubles. They trusted in a foreign government who had no allegiance to the God of heaven. Judah was willing to join themselves to a godless nation for safety rather than to trust in the Lord their God. The Lord warned them it would not work, but they did not want to hear it.

How many times have you chosen the remedies of the world before going to the Lord for what troubles you?  Worse yet, how many times have you been given counsel in the things of the Lord, but as King Hezekiah, you ignored it. The Lord God knows each of us intimately which means He knows exactly what it is that troubles us and how to solve the issue. Returning to the Lord and resting in Him is our only sure way to safety. So, who or what are you waiting for? The Egyptians may have fast horses, but your troubles may be indeed faster, our world may have some answers, but only God knows how to meet your need in times of trouble. It’s time to trust Him in quietness and confidence.

A Christian Perspective

Turn us again to yourself, O God       

Loring Schultz

Read: Psalm 80:3-7 NLT – Turn us again to yourself, O God. Make – Bible Gateway

“Turn us again to yourself, O God. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved.” Psalm 80:3 NLT

Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash

As I write this on Thanksgiving day, the United States has yet faced another tragedy on the day before this holiday of thanks. Two of our brave National Guard are fighting for their very lives as they were targeted and shot on the streets of our nation’s capital for doing their job to protect American citizens. There should be such an outcry that it is heard in every corner of the world. I say every corner of the world because it affects every nation and every person in wherever country they live.

That outcry needs to be what the psalmist wrote when pleading for restoration after Israel was plummeted by a foreign power. “Turn us again to yourself, O God. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved.” (Ps.80:3 nlt) Israel had repeatedly sinned against God being warned countless times they continued to turn their back on God, therefore their destruction. The United States has turned its back on God, and we continue to do so. There have been recent attempts to right the ship and I pray they will continue to move forward, but what is needed is a total commitment to return to the country’s founding Judea-Christian principles found only in the Word of God.

There is a sense that God’s hand of judgment is on America. If you think not, take time to read through the history of fallen nations and empires examining the culture and practices of their day and compare them to America in 2025. I think you will see a remarkable resemblance. I do not believe that all is lost, but we are on the verge of losing it all if we do not turn ourselves back to God so He will turn us again back to Himself.

Devotionals

Northern Lights    

Loring Schultz

“When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—the moon and the stars you set in place—what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
human beings that you should care for them?” Psalm 8:3-4 NLT

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Last week a major portion of North America was treated to a display of the Northern Lights. Aurora Borealis, as they are called, are spectacular displays of light that occur in the night sky caused by particles from the sun colliding with the earths upper atmosphere. There are many scientific terms and research that has been done by very intelligent people for explaining how and why these lights occur. I appreciate them all, but I’ll go with the most natural one of all, it’s God painting the sky.

David writing in Psalm 8 notes the wonders he sees in the night sky with the moon and stars. No magnificent light show of the aurora borealis is mentioned. But what David witnessed was enough. The numbers of stars he couldn’t count in the sky and the light of the moon proved God’s greatness and His magnificent show without any northern lights. On a side note, in David’s time the night sky had no intrusion from city lights, airplanes, or cloud-covered gases. David saw the night sky as God had intended it, a spectacular view and a portrait of His greatness.

How often do we pause to recognize God’s creation all around us? We shouldn’t need a reminder of a northern lights occurrence to pay attention to His handiwork. It is seen every day and everywhere if we look for it. The greatest northern light that has ever appeared was when God sent His Son, the light of the world, into this world to save us from our sin. You don’t need to wait for particles from the sun to collide with earth’s atmosphere to see His light, only for the Son to collide with your heart through the Holy Spirit. His light is always visible; will you see it?

Devotionals

The Breath of Life

Loring Schultz

“Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person.” Genesis 2:7 NLT

“………But you have not honored the God who gives you the breath of life and controls your destiny!” Daniel 5:23b NLT

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How many of God’s blessings do we take for granted? Our normal everyday life activities have countless examples of all we take for granted until it’s gone, even for a short time. A power outage in your home disrupts everything. It’s amazing what you now are unable to do with no electricity. Lack of fresh water is more than an inconvenience especially if lasting more than a couple of days. Most of us take for granted that our automobile is going to start when we get in it, but we all know that is not always the case, and we can go on and on with those things we take for granted.

My thought is we take for granted the very air we breathe the most, not to mention the source of our air supply. The Old Testament book of Genesis says, “He (God) breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person.” (Gen. 2:7b NLT) God breathed into us the very breath of life. He has created air consisting of mostly of three gases; nitrogen, oxygen, and argon, which He also created, to maintain our breath of life. Have you ever thought, what if God had decided there would an ‘air outage’ for a period of time? I think it’s safe to say none us would be around to remember it. Electricity and water supplies are vital for survival in our current day, but it doesn’t mean instant death when their service is interrupted. But it is “God who holds your breath in His hand.” (Dan.5:23 NKJV)

The prophet Daniel told King Belshazzar he was going to lose the kingdom and his life that very night because he did not humble himself before God but mocked Him and praised their gods of silver and gold. Daniel was clear in his explanation to Belshazzar that he did not honor the true God who gave him the breath of life and the air to breathe, but took it for granted. “…But you have not honored the God who gives you the breath of life and controls your destiny!” (Dan. 5:23b NLT)  

It is a message for us to take to heart. Let us count our blessings, (as the old hymn goes), naming them one by one. May we not take any of them for granted, especially the air we breathe supplied to us by the one who gave us the Breath of Life.

Devotionals

Self-righteousness doesn’t cut it         

Loring Schultz

Read: Titus 3:3-8 NLT – Once we, too, were foolish and – Bible Gateway

“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.” Titus 3:4-5 NLT

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

Our righteous acts on this earth have positive results among people in need. Recipients of our gracious good-will are blessed beyond measure in receiving what they desperately need but do not have the means to provide it. Lending a helping hand to non-profit organizations and supporting our local police and fire departments and being good neighbors goes a long way in caring for others. But all these righteous deeds added together don’t do a thing to get us into heaven.

You have heard some people say, ‘I’m hoping my good outweighs my bad.’ It’s sad how many people have that perspective when it comes to their eternal destiny. Perhaps you are one who is counting on just that, ‘good outweighing the bad.’ But the sad reality is that you can never do enough good to overcome the bad. Our bad is a sin nature which can never be changed by a lifetime of good behavior and righteous acts towards others. Our sin nature alienates us from God. God may be pleased with acts of kindness towards others, but it doesn’t erase our sin debt. Our self-righteousness doesn’t cut it.

The apostle Paul explains we are saved not because of ‘the righteous things we had done’ but because of God’s mercy to us. God washed away our sins by the sacrificial blood shed by His Son on the cross of calvary. Our righteous acts could never do that. God gave us a new birth and a new life which is impossible for anyone of us to do, but not through the Holy Spirit when we accept Christ as our savior. It’s time to stop weighing the good verses the bad, not stopping the good, but trusting our salvation on what God has done for us because of His mercy. Our self-righteousness just doesn’t cut it.

Devotionals

 Swept and in order

Loring Schultz
Photo by Josue Michel on Unsplash

It is always a good feeling when our homes are swept and in order. With the upcoming holidays, Thanksgiving in the United States and Christmas celebrated around the world, many of us spruce up our homes for expected company. Every spring around the Easter season we do the same calling it ‘spring cleaning.’ We clean out the dust from the long cold winter, let in the fresh air, and put everything in order.

Our spiritual lives work the same way. There are times when spring cleaning is in order. The sin in our life that has been hanging around filling our souls with the dirt of the world is starting to show its wear and tear on us. We make a commitment to the Lord, confessing our sin, sweeping the dirt out of our lives, and putting our lives on track to maintain a clean house. But once that sinful habit is gone, what have you replaced it with? Read what Jesus has to say:

“When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, searching for rest. But when it finds none, it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’  So it returns and finds that its former home is all swept and in order. Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before.” (Lk.11:24-26 nlt)

Just giving up a bad sinful habit is no guarantee it will not come back. If you haven’t filled your heart, mind, and soul with the things of God on a daily basis, it will come back as Jesus said and bring more sinful habits along with it. The first step is to confess those sinful habits, get rid of that sin, sweep your house and put it in order. Then fill your soul with God and His Word and the godly habits you will form will leave no room for those old habits to return.