God – Page 31 – Word for the Soul

“Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD. And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD………” 2 Kings 19:14-15a NIV

King Hezekiah of Judah was in dire straits. He was totally outmatched by the King of Assyria with his vast army of soldiers, horses and chariots. The king of Assyria sent messengers to taunt and instill fear into the people of Judah saying they did not stand a chance against their forces. Their intent was to convince them to surrender. (2 Kings 18) The messengers made their way to Hezekiah reminding him of Assyria’s most recent victories, completely destroying the nations in their path.

How many times do you feel outmatched in the events that surround your life? Circumstances beyond your control seep in unexpectedly and unwanted causing panic and uncertainty. You see no way out, no solution to your problem for you are in dire straits. Anxiety sets in clouding your thinking and you want to let off steam to anyone who will listen, anyone who can help.

There is one who can help, God. Take a lesson from King Hezekiah. The King took the letter and he “spread it out” before the Lord. Picture it in your mind; Hezekiah laying the letter before the Lord, detailed with the devastation that will come if they do not surrender. The Lord didn’t need to see the letter to know what it contained, He knew, but the visual presentation of giving it to God demonstrates Hezekiah’s faith that God was the only one who could take care of it. And God did. (2 Kings 19:35) Whatever your dire circumstance today, spread it out before the Lord!

Devotionals

The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far from the Tree

January 19, 2024January 18, 2024 Loring Schultz

“When the men who lived there asked Isaac about his wife, Rebekah, he said, ‘She is my sister.’ He was afraid to say, ‘She is my wife.’ He thought, ‘They will kill me to get her, because she is so beautiful.’” Genesis 26:7 NLT

You may be familiar with the proverbial saying ‘the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.’ Coming into English in the 1830’s from an existing German proverb the meaning refers to an individual’s traits resembling their parents. It is used to explain one’s actions in both a positive and negative way. One who is successful in life having successful parents is an apple from the tree of successful parents. A bad apple usually falls from a bad tree picking up undesirable traits. Now to be fair, that does not always hold true either positively or negatively, but when it is recognized, the saying seems appropriate.

We have an example in the Old Testament of an apple not falling far from the tree in Genesis chapter 26. Issac is instructed by God to go down to Egypt due to the famine and reside there. Upon arriving Issac introduced his wife Rebekah as his sister out of fear for his life. This could have brought severe consequences for Rebekah if the king of the region took her for himself. Issac sinned by lying and having no regard for the safety of Rebekah. Abraham, Issac’s father, had done the same thing twice years earlier. (Gen. 12:23; 20:3) Although Abraham was a righteous man and justified by his faith in God, he set a bad example for his son to follow.

All of us have sinned and have fallen short of God’s standards. (Ro.3:23) Even those of us who have accepted Christ as savior need daily forgiveness. Despite our failures, which will continue, are we still growing and producing good fruit? Are we good apples or bad apples? Jesus said in John 15:5a, “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.” (NLT) As others observed us, are they able to say positively in a favorable manner, ‘the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.’

Devotionals

Blue Monday

January 17, 2024January 16, 2024 Loring Schultz

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3 ESV

Did you ever have one of those days where something just doesn’t feel right? There’s a slightly depressed feeling you can’t quite shake off. Your thinking is muddled, finding it hard to concentrate. I had one of those days this week on Monday. My first thought was the after effect of my Dallas Cowboys being humiliated in a playoff game the day before, but upon thinking about it further even partly muddled I knew that wasn’t the reason, at least not all of it. There had to be more to it than losing a football game, the Cowboys have disappointed me before.

The third Monday in January has become known as Blue Monday. It was first recognized in 2005 as a PR stunt by the British travel company Sky Travel. According to ‘National Today’ much controversy exists concerning the cause of the saddest day of the year, but there is agreement as to what could contribute to it such as, snow and cold weather, Christmas bills arriving in the mail, and trying to maintain your New Years resolutions. I had no idea there was Blue Monday until my wife told me she heard it reported on a newscast as I confided in her how I was feeling all day. Again, thinking through this as clearly as possible, we are having some winter weather, but it’s manageable, I thank the Lord we have no after Christmas bills, and I don’t make New Years resolutions, so it wasn’t a case of Blue Monday.

Attempting to find a cause for days of confusion, depression, or lack of concentration is above my pay scale as they say, but one thing I do know is that when we allow our minds to slip away from Christ, we open our minds up to whatever the world has to offer, and it usually isn’t so good. The prophet Isaiah has a quick and easy cure for Blue Monday’s or any other blue days of the week when he writes, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (Is. 26:3 ESV) We all succumb to Blue Monday days at one time or another, but we do not need to stay there if we keep on minds our Christ and keep trusting in Him.

Devotionals

God’s Temple

January 16, 2024January 15, 2024 Loring Schultz

“In building the temple, only blocks dressed at the quarry were used, and no hammer, chisel or any other iron tool was heard at the temple site while it was being built.” 1 Kings 6:7 NIV

The Old Testament Jewish Temple is where God met with His people. It was the worship center for the Jewish people. The temple was built during King Solomon’s reign, taking seven years to complete. Careful considerations were taken for the sacredness of the project. They were building a house for the Lord God, His Holy Presence will be there. 1 Kings 6:7 tells us that they prepared the stone blocks at the quarry away from the Temple site, WHY, so that “no hammer, chisel or any other iron tool was heard at the temple site while it was being built.” The Holiness of God’s presence, even future at that point, was recognized and respected.

The New Testament informs us that believers in Jesus Christ have a body that is the Temple of the Holy Spirit. “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (1 Cor. 6:19-20 NIV)

So, the question for us is: What noises are we allowing to enter the temple? Noises that affect our relationship with Him. Noises that are contrary to His Holiness. Noises that forfeit our ability to glorify God by bringing harm to our bodies. May we recognize the Holiness of God and bring Honor and Glory to His Name through our bodies.

Bible Studies

SOLA GRATIA (Grace Alone)

January 14, 2024January 13, 2024 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

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.’” (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) May we chose to live for Him as He chose us to live with Him.

Devotionals

Are you growing where God planted you?

January 13, 2024May 6, 2024 Loring Schultz

‘“Consider the lilies of the field…’ (Mt. 6:28). They grow where they are planted. Many of us refuse to grow where God plants us. Therefore, we don’t take root anywhere.” Oswald Chambers (1)

We live in a transit society. Countless people do not stay long enough in one area to establish any roots. Most employments are only for a season of time pulling up stakes to the next job. Growing families move quite frequently due to changing needs within the household. Others move to enjoy a more seasonable climate, live in a safer community, or avoid an increasing tax scale. And then there are circumstances beyond our control that precipitate a change in our lives that is unexpected. The company you work for is going out of business, you lost your home due to a fire or flooding, or a family member has need of assisted living are necessary reasons for you to uproot and replant yourself. But do you realize God is the one who is doing the planting? And wherever God plants us, He expects us to grow.

If you are like me, you have had your share replants in your life. Looking back and pondering over each move in my life it is clear the Lord directed my steps and planted me in my new environment. As I reviewed my time in each season of my life there were periods of tremendous growth, but sadly, there were periods of stagnation. There were times, as Oswald Chambers said, when I didn’t take root anywhere. Perhaps I didn’t like where God had planted me, or even worst didn’t realize it was Him who placed me there. Advancing in years provides many opportunities for do-overs and learning from your mistakes and I have taken advantage of all of them.

So, the question is, are you taking advantage of the season you are in and growing where God has planted you? Make no mistake you are indeed where God wants you to be. God planted you in the field of His choice-your occupation, your city or town, your church, your neighbors, your high school, your college or university, your family, are all God’s choice. You were planted to grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Savoir Jesus Christ. You were planted to grow spiritually in your relationship with the Lord your God. You were planted to grow and bear fruit for all to see leading others to salvation. It’s time to grow wherever you are, taking root and bearing fruit for we do not know when the Lord will uproot us replanting us in another location.

(1) Chambers, Oswald Utmost Classic Readings and Prayers. Discovery House: Grand Rapids, 2012. Page 22

Devotionals

Depending on God to Hear and Answer Our Prayer

January 11, 2024January 10, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Then he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer.’” Daniel 10:12 NLT

Do you have the assurance you can depend on God both to hear and to answer your prayer? If you are struggling with prayers that haven’t been answered yet, or perhaps not answered in a way you find favorable, you might begin to doubt if God has even heard your request. Be assured that He has. However, we succumb to suspicion amid a long delay. Our tendency is to pray more feverously along with fasting pouring our heart out to God, which certainly is a good practice, but if we are doing this to ensure He has heard us or persuade His answer our way these prayers are fruitless.

The Lord certainly desires us to be persistent in our prayers and we should be, but He also wants us to have a loving relationship with Him without all the requests. I remember my mother saying to me many years ago you only need to tell the Lord your request once, He will not forget and will answer in His timing and according to His will. You may have had an experience where God answered a prayer from long ago you forgot that request was made. I have been there many times. God does hear, He doesn’t forget, and He does answer.

The prophet Daniel mourned and fasted for three weeks praying for an understanding of the visions he had seen. An angel, most likely Gabriel, came in answer to his prayer. The first thing he said after calming Daniel’s fears was God heard his prayer the first day Daniel prayed. His request was heard, and Gabriel came in answer to it. We can rest assured God will indeed do the same for us today. He does hear our prayers and is ready to answer in His time. Our requests are in the most secure safe deposit box with no chance of being lost or forgotten. We can depend on God to hear and answer our prayer.

Devotionals

The LORD himself watches over you!

January 8, 2024January 3, 2024 Loring Schultz

“The LORD himself watches over you!” Psalm 121:5a NLT

We are already a couple of days into the New Year and there is not a whole lot of optimism for prosperous, healthy, and safe 2024. News media outlets along with social media have been looking towards this coming year as a pivotal year with great anticipation. Politically the U.S. Presidential election is this year (‘the most important election of our lifetime,’ where have we heard that before). There are currently two wars being fought overseas, one in the land of Israel, the other in Eastern Europe, and tensions are rising among nations with each other and mainly against the United States. And here in the United States we have enough tension and division among us to start our own war between ourselves.

Living in a broken world it is easy to see the results of the sinful actions of pride, lust, hate, the craving of money, recognition, control, and power. It is also easy to see the rejection of the God of the Bible that fuels the evil and chaos in the world today. As Christians we understand the only true hope for this world is in Jesus Christ. When people of all ages, ethnicity, male and female from every country on earth come to trust in Him for salvation this world becomes a better place. We also know that one day Jesus will reign on the earth as the King of kings, but until that time, which may be soon, we have 2024 in front of us.

As we contemplate about 2024 it is true there have been many signs and warnings over the last few years if not taken seriously could cause an eruption of chaos in the United States and around the world, not to mention God’s judgment on those who have turned their back on Him. So I suppose some turmoil in the world would not come as a surprise. As Christians we need to pray for changed lives and hearts towards the only true God, asking for His grace and mercy in our time of need.

Although we are in unsettling times we have a God who has never failed to keep a watch over us. Psalm 121 is a psalm that speaks of God’s protection and help throughout our lives and in times of trouble. The psalmist writes our help comes from the Lord. (v. 2) He will not allow us to stumble. The Lord doesn’t stumble, slumber or sleep. (vv.3-4) He is always there to protect us. “The LORD will keep you from all evil.” (v. 7 ESV) Whatever the New Year has in store for us you can be sure that God is already there to protect His children. The signs of the times, as we say, may be prevalent for 2024, but “The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade,” (v. 5) nothing will be able to harm us. The Lord will keep watch over us as we come and go in ’24 and forever more!

Read Psalm 121: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20121&version=NLT

Devotionals

Are you a minister of the gospel?

January 5, 2024January 4, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart……..But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” 2 Corinthians 4:1, 7 ESV

How often do you think of yourself as a minister of the gospel? We think of ministers being fully trained in seminaries, going through the process of ordination, pastoring a church by presenting a sermon in formal religious attire, visiting the sick, and helping the poor in the community. These are accurate descriptions of ministers serving in local churches with some variations in seminary training, ordination, and the manner in which the worship service is conducted either formal by tradition or more a contemporary style. But overall we think of the minster as the one who does the preaching and we do the listening, and that also is accurate. But when the service is over, the ministerial duties are passed on to us.

The word ‘minister’ in its verb form is defined as ‘to give help,’ ‘to tend to the needs of someone.’ As our needs are attended to by the minister during the sermon we are to go out and tend to the needs of others as we have been encouraged and fed the good news of Jesus Christ. We may feel unqualified, even unworthy, but those who know Christ as their savior have been saved by God’s grace and mercy through faith in Christ. It is God’s undeserved gift to us, yes we are unworthy, but again it is through God’s love, grace and mercy He extends the salvation message to all and uses us to minister to those in need of salvation.

The apostle Paul writing to the church in Corinth says, “Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.” (2 Cor. 4:1 ESV) This ministry is the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ given to us. Paul further writes, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” (2 Cor. 4:7 ESV) Paul uses the illustration of ‘this treasure in jars of clay’ to encourage us that God has entrusted us with the gospel message for it will show God’s power and not ours in sharing the gospel. Jars of clay are of little value, fragile, easily broken, and replaceable, yet God has stored this valuable treasure in us. So we are not to lose heart for God will grant us the necessary means for us to carry out the work of ministry. So are you a minister of the gospel?

Devotionals

The choice is yours!

January 4, 2024January 3, 2024 Loring Schultz

“If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.” Proverbs 9:12 NLT

It is estimated the average individual makes 35,000 decisions in a single day. That number may sound unrealistic but is backed up by numerous creditable sources such as, ‘Psychology Today’, ‘The National Library of Medicine’, and several business and educational institutions measuring the effects of so many choices. Most of these decisions are basic everyday decisions as what clothes to wear, what I am going to have for lunch, should I use blue or black ink, should I repost or comment on a certain post, should I surprise my wife with flowers on my way home, along with other choices in our daily activities. Even my choice to in writing this devotional, ‘the choice is yours’, is one of my 35,000 decisions I’ll make this day.

Some choices we make each day do not always work out for the best. We have the best of intentions at the time based on our normal pattern of doing things, but it turns out to have been the wrong choice. A lesson to learn is we will not always make the right decision. Each of us are flawed individuals capable of making bad decisions. In trivial matters it’s no big deal as is wearing ‘white’ after Labor Day, but in wearing something offensive or provocative is another matter. There is a way for all of us to limit our bad choices significantly by following the advice of the wisest man that has ever lived outside of Christ, King Solomon.

We should all be in agreement in desiring to make wise choices. Within those 35,000 decisions we make a day are many we do not give deep thought to as they become mere habit. There is nothing wrong with that, but what is the foundation in our decision making. What we need is wisdom. True wisdom, Godly wisdom. King Solomon gives us this advice, “Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” (Prov. 1:7 NLT) We must admit some of our decisions are downright foolish putting us in line with fools. Wrong decisions will be made, but they can be greatly reduced when every decision, even those of habit, has their foundation in the reverence of the Lord.

James in the New Testament also writes, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” (Jas. 1:5 NLT) Again, wisdom is the key, the foundation, in making good decisions. In Proverbs 9:12 Solomon notes, “If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.” (NLT) Gaining Godly wisdom will ensure decisions that benefit you while rejecting God’s wisdom leads you to suffer the consequences. The choice is yours!

Tag: God

Spread it out before the Lord!

The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far from the Tree

Blue Monday

God’s Temple

SOLA GRATIA (Grace Alone)

Are you growing where God planted you?

Depending on God to Hear and Answer Our Prayer

The LORD himself watches over you!

Are you a minister of the gospel?

The choice is yours!