Tag: Holy Spirit

Devotionals

Confidently Waiting for the Lord

Loring Schultz

“Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.” Psalm 27:14 NLT

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Are you able to say with confidence that you always wait with patience for the Lord to help you? Do you have confidence that He will? It is not easy when a heavy burden overshadows your light of day. You find it difficult to concentrate, thinking ahead waiting for the burden to be lifted. You have prayed, but you just can’t leave it there with the Lord. Rehashing it in your mind causes anxiety and you feel the answer can’t come soon enough. Let’s take a look at King David in Psalm 27. He had a mounting problem with those who were conspiring against him, but he prayed to the Lord and waited patiently with confidence.

First of all, David knew he needed not to be afraid. He said, the Lord was his light, his salvation and his protection from danger. (Ps.27:1) David came to this conclusion from the experience of God’s help in the past. You can probably recall instances when God answered your prayers in the past. Rest on that! Secondly, David portrays God’s protection from his enemies as concealing and hiding him in His sanctuary. (Ps.27:5) The sanctuary in David’s day meant the presence of the Lord. If you are a believer in Christ, you have the Holy Spirit residing in you. Rest also in that! And third, David had an intimate prayer session with God. “My heart has heard you say, ‘Come and talk with me.’ And my heart responds, ‘LORD, I am coming.’” (Ps.27:8 nlt) Rest in the fact you are invited by God to come and talk with Him!

David prayed earnestly pouring out his heart. He held nothing back and we shouldn’t either. God desires our honest prayers from the heart, so let it all out. David did and was able to say, “Yet I am confident I will see the LORD’s goodness
while I am here in the land of the living.” (Ps.27:13 nlt) And he closes his psalm by saying, “Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.” (Ps.27:14 nlt)

Read: Psalm 27 NLT – Psalm 27 – A psalm of David. The LORD – Bible Gateway

Bible Studies

An Act of God

Loring Schultz

“And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea……Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.” Matthew 8:24a, 26b ESV

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An act of God as defined today is an uncontrollable event such as an earthquake, tornado, hurricane and other related storms. Insurance companies rely on information regarding these disasters in settling payments to cover damages as a result of an occurrence in which the policy holder had no control over. When we think of natural disasters, we cannot help but see the great power and strength that are accompanied with them. The inability and helplessness we feel is real as there is not a thing we can do to deter them. It is truly out of our hands. The media in reporting these disasters and the insurance companies in dealing with them are theologically correct when they call it an act of God. It is truly an act of God.

Jesus’s disciples experienced an act of God in a fierce storm that came upon them as they attempted to cross the Sea of Galilee. Storms were common in the region and often came about without any warning especially on the water. Most of Jesus’s disciples would have been familiar with the storms known to affect the region. A number of them were experienced fishermen who spent long hours on the sea as their livelihood. Yet, scripture records the terror the disciples felt as a result of the storm. Their experience and knowledge were no match for the magnitude of the storm. They felt helpless and were indeed helpless. They cried out to Jesus, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” (Mt. 8:25b esv) Whether they knew that Jesus could truly save them in that hour the Bible doesn’t tell us, but the only hope these men had been in the one who they had seen perform miracles as they followed Him. So, they called on Him to save them.

While it may be safe to say the disciples had a good idea that Jesus could help in their dire need, they certainly were not prepared for end results. Jesus arose after being rattled out of a sound sleep by His panicking followers, He called them out for their lack of faith, and then rebuked both the winds and sea. A great storm on the sea was rebuked and a great calm came over the sea that not even a ripple was upon it.

The Bible says, “And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” (Mt. 8:27) The disciples were in the presence of God the Son. Those of us who know the Lord Jesus as their Savior have the spirit of Christ within us, the Holy Spirit. The storms in our lives may seem too much to bear at times, but we have the assurance of God with us, Immanuel, who can rebuke the storms and bring calm into our lives, truly an Act of God!

Read: Matthew 8:23-27 ESV – Jesus Calms a Storm – And when he got – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Confidence in Christ

Loring Schultz

“Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13 NASB

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For many Christians the idea of sharing their faith is an intimidating experience. Over the years it has become increasingly confrontational in our political and cancel culture environment. Most likely the most controversial experiences occur when quoting Jesus’s own words found in the gospel of John when He said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (Jn.14:6 nasb) Jesus is stating as a matter of fact that He is the only way of salvation and eternal life with God the Father. He said it in confidence because it is true.

Peter and John, in the book of Acts, made a similar statement about Jesus. They were brought before the Jewish ruling body, the Sanhedrin, to answer by what power and name a cripple man had been healed. Peter and John wasted no time in claiming it was in Jesus’s power and name that the healing took place. Then added, “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12 nasb) Peter and John told the Jewish rulers that the Jesus they rejected is the only way to God and they spoke it in confidence.

The cultural climate in the days of the early church although different than ours, did possess some similarities. Many nations around them had other gods, and the Jewish leaders were stuck in their traditions.  All claimed they had the way to eternal life. Peter and John’s remarks went against the religious culture of their day, but it did not stop them from proclaiming Christ as the only way.

Christians today need to be encouraged by the confidence Peter and John had through the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Jesus promised us the helper, the Holy Spirit, would come. Every born-again Christian possesses the Holy Spirit to help us in the confidence needed in sharing our faith. Let us find our confidence in Christ and boldly speak the word.

Read: Acts 4:1-22 NASB – Peter and John Arrested – As they were – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Your Comforts Delight My Soul

Loring Schultz

“In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.” Psalm 94:19 NKJV

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Interpretation of the word ‘soul’ varies both in its modern usage and in the Bible. The Hebrew writer as in the text above sees ‘soul’ as his very self, his living being, desire, emotion, and passion. In our modern-day language, the palmist means his complete being, who he is including his inner self. The use of ‘soul’ in the New Testament is ‘breath or breath of life’ also as in the Old Testament includes feelings, desires, affections, but most notably the soul is designed for eternal life not dissolved by death but lives on.

The psalmist writes during his days in the midst of injustice being done to the weak and defenseless, “In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delights my soul.” (Ps.94:19 nkjv) The wrongs were being committed by arrogant and evil people who were in authority. What he saw the murders of the innocent and orphans, and heard their arrogant and boastful speech, the Hebrew writer’s soul was filled with anxiety. He describes it as a multitude of anxieties that keep piling up in an evil society and the psalmist reaches out to the Lord to comfort him during these times. (Ps.94:12-16) The Lord’s help comes, “Unless the LORD had helped me, I would soon have settled in the silence of the grave.” (Ps.94:17 nlt)

You may be under uncontrollable stress and anxiety this day. You are not alone. Many people suffer from increased anxiety from everyday pressure in the current times in which we live, even Christians. This is not a new development for God to handle. He has had a lot of experience in providing comfort to souls. If your total being, your soul, has had anxieties building up within you it’s time to have your soul comforted by the Lord God. It will be a delight.

Read: Psalm 94 NKJV – God the Refuge of the Righteous – O – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Pardon our mess, Under Construction           

Loring Schultz

“So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.” 1 Corinthians 14:12 NIV

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A lot of public businesses cannot afford to close during a renovation project. Signs are posted throughout the business stating, ‘Pardon our mess, we’re under construction to better serve you.” Churches also cannot afford to pause preaching the good news of the gospel on Sundays, so when appropriate, signs are displayed ‘Pardon our mess; Under Construction.’ It is not only the brick and mortar of the physical building that needs renovation over time, but the spiritual condition of the body (the real church) that needs a makeover, and that may start with the proper display of our spiritual gifts. Knowing and understanding our spiritual gifts may take time and putting them into practice may take even longer and the process could get messy. So, ‘Under Construction’ signs may become necessary.

Paul addressed the church in Corinth concerning their abuse of spiritual gifts. They weren’t using them properly and the misuse was dividing the church and causing confusion for outsiders who attended. Spiritual unity and harmony were missing. They were doing their own thing, and the church was not being edified.  Paul did not scold them for their desire for the gifts but for failing to seek those gifts that build up the church, and to use them in a proper manner. Paul wrote, “But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.” (1Cor.14:40 nlt) The Corinthian church was indeed under construction and I’m sure it got messy.

We may not have the same problems of the early Corinthian church understanding and misusing our spiritual gifts. But we are capable of exalting ourselves, ignoring others, or even hiding our gifts keeping a blessing from the church body for which they were intended. All of us are still under construction so even if those signs are not visible, may we see them around each other encouraging one another to pardon our mess for we are all under construction to better serve each other.

Devotionals

The Cauldron is Lit

Loring Schultz

“This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:6-7 NLT

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Last evening the Olympic Cauldron for the 2024 Paris Summer Games was lit before thousands of fans in attendance along with millions watching across the world. It signifies the start of the XXXIII Olympiad where athletes from every nation will display the results of their determination and self-discipline in preparation to win a gold medal. The flames in the Olympic Cauldron also represents the flame of desire in every athletes’ heart to compete in the games and win gold. That flame continues to grow stronger being fanned by endless training, proper diet, and self-discipline. It now burns full and bright ready to be revealed for the world to see.

Christians who have accepted Jesus Christ as savior by trusting in Him for salvation have a lighted cauldron within them. Everyone has been given a spiritual gift by the Lord to use for His service in building up His church. We possess the flame, but it needs to be fanned occasionally for its full effectiveness. Unlike an Olympic athlete who must rely on their own strength, discipline, and training to achieve positive results, Christians have the Holy Spirit to help them along. Paul encouraged Timothy he was given a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline to help him carry out the work of the Lord.

The Lord doesn’t want our gift to remain a single flame, but to fan it into flames with the power of the Holy Spirit. Many Christians are timid and even afraid when it comes to volunteering in a church project when they know they have the gift to accomplish the task. Remember it is God, the Holy Spirit, creator of the universe, whom you possess along with your spiritual gift. Unlike the flames in the Olympic Cauldron which will be extinguished at the end of the games, your spiritual gift will never go out. The Holy Spirit will see to it your cauldron stays lit.

Devotionals

Loving Others

Loring Schultz

“Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives” 1 Corinthians 14:1 NLT

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There are certain passages of Scripture both in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible that are well-known to both avid readers and non-readers. One such passage is 1 Corinthians 13 in the New Testament, known as the ‘Love Chapter.’ Many people can recite verses embedded in the text even if they cannot recall where it is found. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” (1Cor.13:4 niv) And on it goes. It is read at wedding ceremonies and other venues where the subject is love, pursuing love, maintaining love, and administering love. These words of the ‘Love Chapter’ are more than adequate in pledging one’s love for another, and for an in-depth study of love from God’s perspective, but the apostle Paul had another thought in mind as he wrote to the church in Corinth. Their lack of love for others was hindering the full potential of their spiritual gifts.

The church in Corinth had many problems Paul needed to address. One was their abuse and selfish attitude of spiritual gifts. There was boasting and pride among those with certain gifts. Those with less influential gifts yearned for the more recognizable ones often disdaining their brothers and sisters who had them. They were ignorant of the fact that their gift was intended for others. Yes, the gifts were theirs given to them by God but were to be used to encourage others in the church. Their lack of love for others made the gifts meaningless.

Paul explains this at the beginning of the ‘Love Chapter.’ “If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing.” (1Cor.13:1-2 nlt) Paul is saying to the Corinthian church and to us he would be nothing and his gifts would not amount to anything or benefit anybody if he did not love others.

The greatest gift given to humanity is the Love of God; God’s Love in His plan of salvation, Christ’s Love in His sacrifice on the cross, and the Holy Spirit’s Love in His presence and administering our spiritual gifts. We are to love others as God has loved us putting into proper place the spiritual gifts He has given us. “Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives” (1Cor.14:1 nlt)

Read: 1 Corinthians 13:1-14:1 NLT – Love Is the Greatest – If I could speak – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

It is God who works in you

Loring Schultz

“for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13 ESV

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Is God calling you to serve in a ministry you feel you have no qualifications or the ability necessary to fulfill that role? It is prudent to evaluate if you can provide this service, but if it is the Lord God calling you and not others advising you to do it, the evaluation process will go quickly confirming the fact that God thinks you are qualified. This does not mean you will not question yourself or be fearful if you fail at times, you may, but God has this. He called you.

Paul encouraged those in the church at Philippi informing them, “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Ph.2:13 esv) Whatever the Lord is calling you to do you can count on the fact that He will be working in you. He knows you can’t do it on your own and you need His help through the Holy Spirit. The Lord wants His message to get through. He will not fail to help you.

We all fail to realize that God can see below the surface of our lives to the passions and dreams within us we may not even know were there. God wants to use them for His purposes, and He will draw them out as He calls us. It is at this time we become frightened at the possibility of doing something we never thought possible. What has laid below the surface was put there from our creator from eternity past and He will use it in His time. God may be bringing to the surface your desires to serve Him and is beginning to work in you whatever your age or status in life. So, don’t dismiss His calling, but trust Him to work in you for His good pleasure.

“We are told that the shivering weeds of the Arctic regions are nothing less than our forest trees-the stately oak and the sturdy elm. The very grasses and ferns of the temperate climate becomes trees in the tropics………The power of God through His Spirit will work within us to the degree that we permit it. The choice is ours.” (1)

(1) Cowman, Mrs. Charles E. Streams in the Desert 2. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing, 1966. Pg.204-205

Read: Philippians 2:12-18 ESV – Lights in the World – Therefore, my – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Nurture your Spiritual Gift    

Loring Schultz

“I’ve waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it down. It’s just taking up space in the garden.” Luke 13:7 NLT

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I am not much of a gardener, never have been, but I’m learning little by little the last few years. Planting a few pepper and tomato plants with my wife and caring for them has been a new experience for me. Of course, I pay particular attention to my variety of hot pepper plants, which weren’t planted until this novice got involved. One thing I do know is that if a plant does not produce its fruit, or very little, it hasn’t performed up to the potential for which it was planted. Now I realize part of the fault falls on the gardener, but I’m still learning.

The same is true for a Christian who has had a spiritual gift planted in them by the heavenly gardener. The Lord God gives a spiritual gift to every believer to be cultivated and grow for service in His church. He is the master gardener and has given us the Holy Spirit, His Word, access to Him through prayer, and encouragement of other Christians to help us reach our full potential in administering our spiritual gifts. However, failure in not producing fruit is not the fault of the master gardener, but the believer in Jesus Christ. Every Christian is responsible to nurture their spiritual lives and grow spiritually with the resources the Lord God has given us.

Jesus told a parable of a barren fig tree in the gospel of Luke. He said, “A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed. I’ve waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it down. It’s just taking up space in the garden.” (Lk.13:6-7 nlt) This is a sad example of many Christians who never mature beyond their initial acceptance of Jesus as savior. The Lord comes looking for fruitful lives but there is no fruit to be found. Their spiritual gifts lie dormant, not nurtured but neglected. It is as if Jesus said in the parable, ‘they are just taking up space in my church.’

The caretaker was told to cut down the tree by the master gardener, but a second chance was given. The Lord God gives each of us, second, third, and even fourth chances. In fact, His grace is limitless. His desire is for us to grow in Him, bearing fruit, and nurture our spiritual gifts. God wants us to live up to our full potential in serving Him in the church and to do that, we must be nurturing the spiritual gifts He has planted in us.

Read: Luke 13:6-9 NLT – Parable of the Barren Fig Tree – Then – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Never Alone

Loring Schultz

“I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” John 14:18 KJV

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Everyone needs a little comfort every now and again. A kindly spoken word will do the trick for some while others need someone able to provide deep emotional comfort by only their presence. The frustrations of living in a complex society can be soothed quickly by others as they encourage us. They affirm the everyday struggles we all deal with, and their words are a lift to our spirit. It is often enough to help us continue. But there are times when we need the constant presence of those who comfort us in our time of need. Unfortunately, that is not always possible, if at all, in our world of responsibility. However, there is one constant companion who will never leave your side of comfort. So, you will never be alone.

In the upper room the night before going to the cross Jesus prepared the disciples for His leaving. He informed them they would not be left comfortless; He would always be with them. He promised to send the Holy Spirit, His constant presence with them. Jesus assured them, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.” (Jn.14:16 nlt)

Jesus kept His promise. The Holy Spirit is with every believer in Jesus Christ. If you know the Lord as your savior, He is your constant companion and always by your side. “for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” (Heb.13:5b esv) What a comfort it is to know of the Lord’s presence with us in whatever we are going through. There may be times when you feel you are struggling alone, but you are not alone. Your friends and closest loved ones cannot always be there when you need them, but Jesus is always there by your side. You’re never alone.