Tag: Jesus

Devotionals

Lent 2026 – The Cross in the Old Testament

Loring Schultz

Read: Psalm 22:13-18 KJV – They gaped upon me with their mouths, – Bible Gateway

“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?……they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them and cast lots upon my vesture.” Psalm 22:1, 16-18 KJV

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The message of the cross is not just a New Testament story. The man upon that cross is seen all throughout the Bible including much of the Old Testament. Jesus Christ, God the Son, the Messiah is that man on the cross. You may have heard that ‘history’ is really ‘HIS-story’ Jesus Christ. There is plenty of evidence in the Old Testament to convince even the strongest doubters that Jesus is the promised Messiah who was to come. He came in His Father’s timing to earth to paid the penalty for our sins on the cross of calvary.

The author of Psalm 22, King David, prophesized Jesus on the cross when expressing his own thoughts in his prayer of anguish to the Lord. “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Ps.22:1 kjv) David, a godly servant, was under constant attack unjustly by his enemies. Our Lord Jesus was under attack unjustly as David, both as righteous sufferers. But, in our Lord’s suffering, as unjust as it was, justice was served in payment for our sin debt. Jesus ultimately defeated death by rising from the dead to ensure salvation and eternal life for all who believe in Him.   

 There is much to learn about Jesus in the Old Testament. This Lenten season as we focus on the cross let us glean through those treasured sacred writings and discover the many references to Christ within its pages for it is His-story.

Devotionals

Hard Working Shepherds

Loring Schultz

“Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, ‘You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.’ And in another place, ‘Those who work deserve their pay!’”1 Timothy 5:17-18 NLT

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The word ‘shepherd’ is used often to describe elders in the church but always to distinguish pastors. A pastor is the shepherd of the flock, the congregation. He excels in leadership, preaching, and teaching. While all elders help in leading, preaching and teaching, the lead elder is the pastor, the head shepherd. Paul had a few things to say about head shepherds in his first letter to Timothy.

First of all he said elders (shepherds) who do their work well are to be respected. Some translations use the term ‘worthy of double honor’ which means ‘a valuing by which the price is fixed.’ In other words as in the NLT Paul says secondly they should be paid well. This is especially true for those who work hard (toil) to a point of weariness and exhaustion. They are worthy of double honor.

A pastor’s (shepherd’s) main responsibility can be narrowed down to three things. They are to feed the sheep, love the sheep, and protect the sheep. All the hard work a pastor does day in and day out will fall under one of these three categories, and it can become exhausting. A true shepherd is committed to the health and welfare of the sheep under his care. The Lord, the ultimate head shepherd, assigns a pastor to the sheep pen He desires to place him.

May each of us be aware of the tremendous responsibility given to our pastors from the Lord in feeding, loving, and protecting us through all the hard work of preaching and teaching they do and remember that they are worthy of double honor.

Devotionals

Assured of Victory         

Loring Schultz

Read: Revelation 21:1-8 NLT – The New Jerusalem – Then I saw a new – Bible Gateway

“All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.” Revelation 21:7 NLT

“For ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.’” Romans 10:13 NLT

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How can one be assured of victory? I think if we’re all honest with each other we should all agree none of us humanly speaking can be assured of victory. Recent disappointments in the 2026 Winter Olympic games have proven this to be true. Top world athletes found themselves falling victim to what was once referred to as ‘the agony of defeat.’ All revved up and ready to go after years of practice and keeping their bodies in shape failed when a slight slip or two resulted in not making it to the podium.

Failing to achieve victory in this life is a minor inconvenience compared to failing to stand on the podium in heaven having been assured victory in Christ. In Christ we all can be assured of victory. It has nothing to do with how hard we train in doing good works but everything to do with what Christ has done for us on the cross. The apostle Paul tells us that, “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” (Ro.10:13 nlt) You can count on that because it is the truth of God’s Word.

Victory is ours through Jesus Christ. All each of us need to do is repent of our sin and accept Him as Lord and Savior. But failure to do so in this life will result in the most tragic of all defeats. “For everyone has sinned; (even a little slip) we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” (Ro.3:23 nlt) Don’t be left off the podium when there is still time to be assured of victory.

Devotionals

Lent 2026: Near the Cross

Loring Schultz

“He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right.” 1 Peter 2:24 NLT

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Today marks the beginning of Lent for Christians around the world. It is a period of reflection for many preparing for the Easter season starting on Palm Sunday, the beginning Holy Week, and ending Easter Sunday, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. For some people this time also includes a period of prayer and fasting. There is a desire to give up or refrain from something during this time as a sacrifice to draw closer to God. Many also engage in extended Bible reading or dive into a book to help them grow spiritually during the Lenten season. There are many other activities people participate in to bring them into a deeper relationship with Christ during these next few weeks.

I would encourage you to seek out something that works for you to draw closer to Christ this Easter. It’s important to remember this is not must-do-activity because it is the Lenten season, it is a must-do to grow in Christ as we should be doing daily. We get no extra points or crowns in heaven because we observed Lent by sacrificing our favorite foods, etc. but we will grow in Christ, love Him more, and have a deeper relationship with Him when our focus is on Him and not ourselves.

Whatever you decide to do this year, if anything, let me suggest having your focus on the cross. It is the centerpiece of the season with the resurrection as the climax and grand finale.

 In the words of Fanny J. Crosby,

“Near the cross, a trembling soul, Love and mercy found me; There the bright and Morning Star Sheds its beams around me.”

“Near the cross! O Lamb of God, Bring its scenes before me; Help me walk from day to day, With its shadows o’er me.”

“In the cross, in the cross, Be my glory ever; Till my raptured soul shall find Rest beyond the river.”

Devotionals

Our confident hope of salvation

Loring Schultz

Read: Romans 5:1-5 NLT – Faith Brings Joy – Therefore, since we – Bible Gateway

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.” Romans 5: 3-4 NLT

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Our faith in Christ should give us joy. A part of that joy are the problems we run into with those who do not know the Lord. The criticism, ridicule, and sometimes persecution is a joyful experience. I don’t mean outward happiness like having a great day, but an inner joy that only comes through knowing Christ. Being the subject of mockery or being persecuted does not make for a happy experience and when it comes upon us it’s OK not to be happy.

Paul, the apostle, explains we can have joy and rejoice when problems and trials occur. In verse 2 of Romans 5 Paul says with confidence and joy we look forward to sharing God’s glory with others as we live the Christian life. But, along with that will come the backlash from those who wish to inflict trials on us. Paul also says not to worry because problems and trials develop endurance and with endurance comes strength of character. Now here’s the best part, ‘character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.’

Two things to observe here: 1. Being ridiculed and persecuted for your Christian faith is proof of authentic faith in Christ, and 2. We have the confident hope the glory of our salvation will be realized in eternity one day. “And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.” (Ro.8:17-18 nlt)

Devotionals

Come to Jesus, He will never drive you away

Loring Schultz

“…………whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” John 6:37b NIV

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Is there any sin you can commit that is outside the reach of God’s forgiveness? Have you found yourself in a place where you cannot approach God due to your sin, and yet knowing that you need to? Is the light of your Christian life clouded by repeated sin and keeps you from going to God for forgiveness? Have you reached a point where you feel God will or has driven you away from Him due to your sin?

Just a couple more questions. Do you believe in God? Have you accepted Jesus as your personal savior? Do you believe the Bible is God’s Holy Word to us and every word is true? If you answered yes to these last three questions there is some very good news in the pages of God’s Word especially for you, the good news of God’s forgiveness and restoration for all believers saved by His grace. It is true God hates sin, but He loves you and me, the sinner.

In teaching the crowd that followed Him after feeding five thousand men plus women and children, Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (Jn. 6:35 nlt) Jesus was telling them He was the way to salvation and eternal life. Those in need of repentance and forgiveness of sin leading to eternal life were to come to Him, He was the bread of life, eternal life. Jesus didn’t say to those with the most grievous sins to stay away, but ‘whoever comes to me I will never drive away.’

Jesus does not turn anyone away who comes to Him for salvation, nor He will not drive away any of those who accepted Him as savior when coming to Him in confession and asking for forgiveness. His words apply in granting salvation and in forgiving our sin after our salvation.  Jesus died for your sins past, present, and future no matter how deplorable. Jesus wants us to come to Him with our sin, whatever it is, and confess it to Him. He will not turn His back on us, in fact, Jesus promised, “………whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” (Jn.6:37b niv)

“He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.” (Ps.103:12 nlt)

“For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again” (Prov.24:16 nkjv)

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 Jn.1:9 nkjv)

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 comfort only by their presence, no words necessary. 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 in our world of responsibility. However, there is one constant companion who will never leave your side and is there to 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 if you’re a child of God 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.

Devotionals

Teaching by example 101

Loring Schultz

Read: 1 Timothy 4:11-16 ESV – Command and teach these things. Let no – Bible Gateway

“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12 ESV

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How many teachers can you recall from your learning years that have influenced you through your life? Maybe there have been many, maybe some or only a few, perhaps there had been only one. What was it you remember about their character? What have learned from them that has stuck in your mind and has become a way of life for you? You may have the desire to influence others as those teachers have influenced you, especially in the Christian faith, but you expect you don’t possess the skills or have the knowledge to do so. Don’t worry about it. All you need to do is take a course in ‘Teaching by example 101.’

Our class instructor is the apostle Paul. We will be sitting in with Timothy, a young Pastor who is learning from his most influential teacher. Paul advises Timothy not to let anyone look down on him because he is young. Timothy had been with Paul since his teenage years and already learned much from him. Still, he had much to learn. Paul gave Timothy five areas of Christian living as examples to the people in the church he was pastoring. We can apply these examples to our lives no matter our skills or education level for we are in ‘Teaching by example 101.’

Paul is stretching Timothy’s mind and ours to what we already know. We can’t live the Christian life without the help of the Holy Spirit. The good news is that every believer in Christ has received the Holy Spirit upon conversion and is capable of Christian living and being an example in speech, conduct, showing the love the Christ, displaying faith, and living in purity. What a privilege it is to influence others in righteousness. No, Christians are not perfect, but our commitment to being an example in a consistent manner is something that will be caught rather than taught. In this way we continue to influence others.

Devotionals

Consistent Faith   

Loring Schultz

Read: Matthew 14:22-33 NLT – Jesus Walks on Water – Immediately – Bible Gateway

“Then Peter called to him, ‘Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.’ ‘Yes, come,’ Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.” Matthew 14:28-29 NLT

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Consistent faith. Do you have it? Faith in God, the only one to put our faith and trust in. So, again, do you have consistent faith? How about limited faith, do you have that? We tend to think limited faith is better than having no faith at all. Perhaps that is true, but it can lead some disastrous outcomes. Having the faith to go all in with God requires our faith be consistent.

One of the most well-known stories in the New Testament is Jesus walking on the water. Many of us forget the fact that two people are recorded in the Bible for having walked on water. Peter is often forgotten. It could be because it didn’t end very well. We also forget the great faith it took for Peter to step out of that boat in the midst of stormy sea. Peter had faith in Jesus at the outset but when the wind and waves circled around him his faith sunk as did his body when he took his eyes off the object of his faith. Peter had great faith, but it wasn’t consistent when trouble surrounded him.

You may find yourself today struggling with your faith in God. You started out with great faith in the Lord, but things aren’t going as well as when you first stepped out of the boat. Question? Are your eyes still on Jesus or on the surrounding events or problems in the world and in your life? Consistent faith will see you through. God will not abandon you. Jesus didn’t let Peter sink but pulled him up from drowning in his lack of faith. The Lord will do the same for you, but a lot of stress and difficult times can be avoided with a little more consistency in our faith.

Bible Studies

SOLA FIDE (Faith Alone)

Loring Schultz

“No doctrine is more important to evangelical theology than the doctrine of justification by faith alone—the Reformation principle of sola fide. Martin Luther rightly said that the church stands or falls on this one doctrine.” John MacArthur

 “The doctrine of justification by faith is like Atlas: it bears a world on its shoulders, the entire evangelical knowledge of saving grace.” J. I. Packer

We have come to the fourth sola of the ‘Five Solas’ of the Reformation period, ‘sola fide’ or (faith alone.) Simply put, it is by faith alone with nothing added, in Christ Jesus alone, that we enter into a saving relationship with Him securing our salvation. The apostle Paul writes, “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) A part of the gift God gives to us is the gift of faith to believe. We would not believe on our own, nor would we have the faith to do so. God grants it to us. Paul goes on further to say, “not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Eph.2:9 esv) There is nothing we can do to work our way into heaven. It is all by God’s grace alone to us through faith alone and nothing else.

It is amazing that God sees us as righteous through His Son as we put our faith in Him. Our righteousness and justification comes only through Jesus Christ and what He accomplished in our place on Calvary’s cross. The Devotional series “Heart of the Reformation” notes, “Faith alone preserves the truth that the Lord is our only Savior. Faith looks outside of ourselves and only to Jesus as the Redeemer.” Again, there is nothing we can do to gain righteousness and be justified before God except through Jesus Christ. We are sinful creatures with a sin nature and find it impossible to keep any of God’s commandments. We could never accumulate enough good deeds to be seen as righteous in God’s eyes and earn our way to heaven. Dr. R. C. Sproul notes, “The question is not whether we are going to be saved through works; the question is whose works. We saved through the works of the one who alone fulfilled the terms of the covenant works.” We are to believe in faith the works of Christ on our behalf and believe in faith alone!

In Jesus’s parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Lk.18:9-14), Jesus points out to those who thought themselves to be righteous that they were not. The so-called righteous Pharisee in his prayer exalted himself by saying, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.’ The tax collector’s prayer was a humbling response, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ Jesus explained, ‘I tell you; this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other.’ It couldn’t be clearer; Jesus is stating justification is by faith alone and not by works. “Martin Luther rightly said that the church stands or falls on this one doctrine.”