Tag: God

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.

A Christian Perspective

Climate Change

Loring Schultz

“Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Such shifts can be natural, due to changes in the sun’s activity or large volcanic eruptions. But since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas……Because the Earth is a system, where everything is connected, changes in one area can influence changes in all others. The consequences of climate change now include, among others, intense droughts, water scarcity, severe fires, rising sea levels, flooding, melting polar ice, catastrophic storms and declining biodiversity.” (1)

            The above statement is furnished to us from the ‘United Nations Climate Action’ page. The following are from the pages of the Bible which concurs with the United Nations at least to the effects of climate change. “Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” (Ro. 8:20-22 NLT) Scripture confirms the created earth is under the curse of God and it came about after sin entered the paradise of the Garden of Eden. “And to the man he said, ‘Since you listened to your wife and ate from the tree
whose fruit I commanded you not to eat, the ground is cursed because of you. All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it.’”  (Gen. 3:17 NLT) The earth experienced its first ever change of climate during the great flood of Noah’s day, for it had never rained before that time in history. Scripture records for us in Genesis 7:11-12, “When Noah was 600 years old, on the seventeenth day of the second month, all the underground waters erupted from the earth, and the rain fell in mighty torrents from the sky. The rain continued to fall for forty days and forty nights.” (NLT) Waters bursting up from the ground with rain falling from the sky for the first time ever no doubt that is climate change.

            The point is, climate change is not restricted only to the last 200 years. But the recent noticeable changes cannot be denied. Every individual living on planet earth, especially Christians, has a responsibility to be a good steward of God’s creation for our generation and the generations to come. We are to praise God for His magnificent creation and work to maintain its wondrous beauty as far as it depends on us with what we can do.

            The Bible also gives us encouragement that we will not destroy the earth. Our planet will not succumb to our increasing manmade climate change. After the great flood, God told Noah, “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.” (Gen. 8:22 ESV) The seasons will not change regardless of our recklessness, but will remain. They will remain until the next disastrous climate change effect takes place during the tribulation period described in the book of Revelation. “I watched as the Lamb broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake. The sun became as dark as black cloth, and the moon became as red as blood. Then the stars of the sky fell to the earth like green figs falling from a tree shaken by a strong wind. The sky was rolled up like a scroll, and all of the mountains and islands were moved from their places.” (Rev. 6:12-14 NLT) We can eliminate fossil fuels entirely, but it will not save the planet from the sure destruction during the tribulation period.

            The earth as we know it will be radically changed in the future, but not by us driving our electric vehicles. Jesus Christ will return at the end of the tribulation and established His Kingdom and will rule on earth for a thousand years with Satan bound and cast into the bottomless pit. What will our environment and climate be like, we don’t know. But we do know that Christ, God the Son, will be here on earth ruling, I’m sure the ‘son’ will shine.

            The ultimate and final climate change will be at the end of Christ’s thousand year reign on the earth. Satan will be sent to his eternal final destination, the lake of fire, along with all those whose names were not found written in the book of life. The apostle John writes in Revelation 21:1-4, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever,” and no worries about carbon emissions, fossil fuels and climate change. https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/what-is-climate-change

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

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

You Know Me

Loring Schultz

“O LORD, You have searched me and known me, You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar.” Psalm 139: 1-2 NASB

            What a comfort it is to know that God, the God of the universe, knows us intimately. He knows of our struggles, our fears and our limitations. He also knows of our joy and all our successes. But let us also look at the other side of coin; yes it is a comfort to know that God knows all about us, and He does know ALL about us. Look again at the end of verse 2, “You understand my thought from afar.” He even knows the thoughts of our minds, yes, good thoughts pleasing to Him and evil thoughts that fly in the face of His Holiness.

            King David wrote Psalm 139 as a prayer of devotion to the Lord to examine his heart and to get rid of anything displeasing in His sight. King David wanted to be true to the Lord and be led in His righteousness. (Psalm 139:23-24) And how is it with you? The comfort of knowing that God sees all and knows all about us is a great comfort, but it should also serve as a great wakeup call as He does see ALL and knows ALL about us, good and bad.

            May we be as King David desiring to be true to God and be led in His righteousness. For He Knows You and He Knows Me!

Read Psalm 139: Psalm 139 NASB1995 – God’s Omnipresence and Omniscience. – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Our Plan – God’s Plan

Loring Schultz

            As one who has more years behind him than in front of him, I often look back throughout my life and ask, ‘Is this the way I planned it?’ Most dreams and desires have not been met, at least not yet, and perhaps will not come about. Some dreams and desires have come about beyond my wildest imagination leading me to admit that it had to be God’s planning and not of my doing.

            The Lord gives us free will to make our own choices and to make our life plans. But as we go through life we discover looking back that our life is not exactly as we planned. Oh, it may be heading in the right direction, but we’re not there. Perhaps you have already arrived at where you planned to be, but the road to getting to your destination was not what you had envisioned, not even close. That’s when we see God’s plan.

            It is inevitable that God’s plans for His children overrides any plans we may have. God had specific plans for our lives from eternity past before the foundations of the world were laid. His plans cannot change, they are carved in stone, as we may say. Whatever direction our plans take we can be sure that God’s hand is in it.

            The Lord instructed the prophet Samuel to go to Bethlehem to the house of Jesse for He had chosen Jesse’s son David to be King in Israel. Samuel was to anoint David as the next king to follow after King Saul. We are not told what David’s dreams and ambitions were during his teenage years as he worked tending sheep out in the fields. But no doubt, the Lord was preparing David in his occupation for the plans He had for him. David was also the most unlikely candidate among Jesse’s sons to be king, but our thoughts are not God’s thoughts. Our ways which seem right to us are not God’s ways which are right to Him.

            Wherever you are in this life, consider the Lord’s plan and the circumstances that brought you to this point. Ask Him to open your eyes to see how he has worked His perfect plan. Have faith in Him through obedience as He continues to work His plan for you in the days ahead.

Read the Story of David’s Anointing:  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+16%3A1-13&version=NIV

A Christian Perspective

In The Beginning

Loring Schultz

Everything has a beginning; your life, a relationship, a new year, a new school year, a semester, a job, an idea leading to a new consumer product, even this essay. Everything has a beginning to point to. Unfortunately everything also has an ending, after all, nothing last forever, but ‘not quite.’ 

            The most recognizable quote of ‘in the beginning’ is in the Scriptures of the Holy Bible. Genesis 1:1 say, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” The earth and all of the universe had a beginning. There was a time when the universe did not exist but then came into being. This is not a debate as to the origins of the planets and the universe, this view is to be understood God created in the beginning, in the beginning of our time.

            What exactly is ‘our time?’ NASA’s explanation of the universe is as follows, “The universe is everything. It includes all of space, and all the matter and energy that space contains. It even includes time itself and, of course, it includes you.” (1) Our time began when God created the universe, when He created all of space, matter, and energy. Our time began when God created man in His image, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” (Gen. 1:27) We had a beginning.

            While we had a beginning, our creator had no beginning. There is no time in which God did not exist. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “Who has done such mighty deeds, summoning each new generation from the beginning of time? It is I, the LORD, the First and the Last. I alone am he.” (Is. 41:4) Identifying Himself as the ‘First and the Last’ constitutes God existed before the universe began and will be around after it is gone. Jesus, God the Son, also identifies as the ‘First and the Last’ in the book of Revelation for He said “I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last.” (Rev. 1:11a)

            While we contemplate our lives having a beginning and an end, it is often hard, if not impossible, to understand God who never had a beginning and will never have an end. Don’t even try, it can’t be done. It is accepted only through faith in the God of the Bible. Once we have accepted God, His true Word, and Jesus Christ His Son for salvation it becomes clear that God is from eternity past and future, although we still can’t understand it. But this should also be a great comfort to us for He has all things under control and knows our deepest needs both now and in the future. He was there in our beginning and will be there in our end and this is where the ‘not quite’ comes in.

            Everything will certainly come to an end one day, except for a couple of things; the triune God, His Word, and the souls of people. We may have had a beginning in this life, but we were created with a body and a soul. The body will come to an end due to our sin nature, but our soul lives on into eternity. Those who have confessed and repented of their sin accepting Christ as Savior will spend eternity in the new heaven and the new earth, those who have rejected Christ will spend eternity in the lake of fire with Satan and his demons. “Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever…..And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Rev. 20:10, 15)

            When you were born, you were born for eternity. Your body will die, but your soul will live on. You are living in the beginning of eternity. Where will you be living when your earthly life has ended? Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (Jn. 14:6) The time is now to make the choice where you will spend eternity while you are still living ‘in the beginning.’

Devotionals

Am I Significant?

Loring Schultz

“So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27 NLT

            Am I significant? Does my life matter? What is my purpose for living? Why am I here? If you have ever asked yourself either of those questions, or if you are struggling with them now; let us tackle the first one. Am I significant? The answer is a thousand times, yes!

            The mere fact that God has created you in his own image establishes your significance. You matter to God and you are precious in His sight. You are His creation; created with the ability to reason, to show emotion, to love, to know right from wrong, and to enjoy fellowship with your creator. Your life matters to God because He did create you and He does have a purpose for your life. You are here, (wherever here is at this moment) by God’s perfect design and purpose.

            You are significant because God knows you. He knew you before you were born and He had specific plans for your life beforehand. The Lord told the prophet Jeremiah, “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.” (Jer. 1:5) Wow, what does that say to you? The Lord God knew you before you “before ‘HE’ formed you in your mother’s womb.” And yes, he has plans for you, plans that only you were designed to fulfill.  

            Be encouraged my friend if you are feeling insignificant, or if you are questioning your purpose in life. Reconnect with God, your creator. He has the plan for your life, that’s why he created you.

            Am I significant? A thousand times, YES!

A Christian Perspective

60% Water

Loring Schultz

How often do you think about the intricacy of your human body? Admittedly I don’t think of it too often, but when I do I am amazed at how the human body functions with all its many parts working together. Those of you in the medical field have a clearer picture and knowledge of the human body, but the awe in studying the human body cannot be ignored. Take for example our bodies contain over 200 different types of cells totaling in the trillions. We also have nine major organ systems, each of them composed of various organs and tissues working together as a unit. Not to mention, the human body with all its cells, organs, bone structure, etc. is about 60% water by weight. It is truly amazing.

            What is even more amazing is despite the more we learn about the makeup of the human body and how it functions still does not change the minds of those who still question the origin of human beings. Those who deny the existence of God or any form of intelligent design have a hard time explaining what is obvious; this could not have just happen by chance or evolve over the years on its own. There had to be a starting point, and that starting point is God.

            The Old Testament book of Genesis details the creation of the heavens, the earth, and human beings in chapters 1 and 2. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth….So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Gen. 1:1, 27) If you believe in God and believe His Word is true you will know with certainty that He created life. You may have heard something like, ‘it takes more faith to believe life evolved out of nothing than to believe God created life.’ Faith in nothing is nothing, but faith in God is everything.

            The psalmist, David, writing thousands of years before any modern day studies of the human body wrote, “Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.” (Ps. 139:14) If David thanked and praised God for His creative work in us, how much more should we today, all 60% water of us.