Tag: Jesus

Devotionals

Be Growing in Grace and Knowledge of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Loring Schultz

“I am warning you ahead of time, dear friends. Be on guard so that you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing. Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 3:17-18a NLT

Photo by Chris Yang on Unsplash

It is easy to be swayed one way or another on any subject with so many opinions floating around social media. You may take a firm stance on an issue, but slowly if you are not careful your stance will begin to develop some cracks of doubt. That could very well be a plus in your direction if your stance is found to be false or misrepresented. But it is disastrous if you succumb to pressure to soften your stance to please others when it is the truth. Jesus prayed on behalf of His disciples to His Father, “Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.” (Jn.17:17 nlt) Jesus confirms the truth of God’s Word. Our stance based on the Word of God must be firm for it is true.

Peter, in writing his second letter to Christians in Asia Minor, warned them to be aware of false teachers who were infiltrating the Christian church. Peter begins and ends his letter with the same words of encouragement, “May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.” (2Pt.1:2 nlt) The importance of growing in the knowledge of God was vital to their Christian Walk to recognize falsehood and stand against. Christians today face the same errors and outright distortion of Scripture being claimed as truth for our times.

Peter was aware was the social pressure put on Christians even in his day. “I am warning you ahead of time, dear friends. Be on guard so that you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing.” (2Pt.3:17 nlt) A sure way of growing in the grace and knowledge of God is to read and study His Word daily. Know for sure what God says in Scripture so you can stand securely on the truth. God’s truth is the Bible.

Get started today: https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/

A Christian Perspective

Embrace the Gift of Peace for 2025

Loring Schultz

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27 NLT

FreeBibleimages.org

As 2024 is rapidly coming to a close, the hope for peace and prosperity is wished for all people and nations in the New Year. As the world looks forward to the horizon of 2025, it can’t help but to be reminded of the sunset we are seeing in the present year. So many conflicts among nations continue to rise. Social issues are still demanding their presence on the world stage, and the attack on the nuclear family is ever increasing. World Peace may seem to be hard to come by in 2025. It is not only hard to come by but will not happen despite the best efforts of world leaders. But there is peace available to every man, woman, and child in the New Year, and it is a gift we only need to receive.

 This gift of peace was first given to us as a promise from God the Father bridging the gap between us and God created by Adam and Eve. A gift of peace, a savior, would come into the world. (Gen.3:15) The gift of peace was born to us over 2,000 years ago in a stable in the town of Bethlehem. “The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” (Lk.2:11, 14 nlt) This gift of peace, Jesus Christ, came into an unpeaceful, sinful world and has provided peace for all who believe in His name, accepting Him as savior.

On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus gave His disciples a deeper meaning to the salutation ‘Shalom’ meaning peace. “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (Jn.14:27 nlt) This peace reflects our reconciliation with God the Father through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for our sins. This is true peace and nothing the world can provide. The world can only crave lasting peace which they cannot provide. Jesus’ peace is real and is the answer for all the fears in the world.

Devotionals

Feeling Empty; the search for fulfillment

Loring Schultz

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6 NIV

Photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash

Living in the 21st century there is no shortage of things to do. If looking to be entertained, there are thousands of choices to choose from, such as movies, concerts, sporting events, shopping, going for a drive, or staying home and accessing your hundreds of choices on your Smart TV. Getting away for the weekend has an abundance of venues to choose from and places to stay. Spending quality time with friends and family is always a good choice and fulfilling.

Despite the many things we do in life, entertaining ourselves, enjoying family time, achieving success in our jobs and careers, why do some people still have that empty feeling inside? How many people do you know, or perhaps yourself, that do all they can to enjoy life and live it to the fullest, and confess they still have this empty feeling. There is no fulfillment, something is missing. They need to find that missing piece to life’s puzzle. It happens more than you know and to more people than you may think. If you are not surprised by this, you may be one in need of fulfillment.

You’ve heard the cliché, ‘looking for love in all the wrong places.’ Well, it fits here. It is not that the above examples are ‘wrong places,’ they are not. But you will not find complete fulfillment in any of them until the major piece that completes the puzzle is put in place. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Mt.5:6 nlt) Jesus equates being filled with desiring righteousness. True fulfillment of one’s life occurs when Christ’s righteousness is applied to our lives as we accept Him as Lord and savior. That empty feeling disappears. What we thought would bring us fulfillment suddenly doesn’t seem so important anymore when put in proper perspective.

If you’re struggling with that empty feeling why not look for fulfillment in the right place by looking to Christ and desiring His righteousness. It’s the missing piece you need in your search for fulfillment.

Devotionals

Harmony in the Church

Loring Schultz

“May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 15:5-6 NLT

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

The Old fashion hymn sing has been resurrected over the last decade as the classic church hymns have vanished in many of today’s churches. However, there are still churches that include an occasional hymn as part of the worship service. Some churches will schedule a special hymn night throughout the year for the lovers of the old fashion hymns. Nationally, Gerald Wolfe’s Gospel Hymn Sing makes its rounds throughout the United States keeping the old gospel hymns alive by reintroducing them to the current and next generations. There is a hunger not only for the music, but for the deeply inspired lyrics from these songwriters of yesteryear.

As these old fashion hymns are sung, especially in church, they are an example of unity and harmony. There are those who sing the main melody and those who sing the harmony parts, my mother was always one of them. Those singing the main parts and those singing the harmony parts combine with those playing the instruments in worshiping and praising through God through music. It is an example of what harmony in the church looks like. We all have a different part to play and sing, and not only in the music. If we all do are part, a beautiful rendition of Christ’s church will be seen and heard.

Unfortunately, there is not always harmony among believers in the church and the music falls flat. Paul’s desire for the church was for it to “live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.” (Ro.15:5b nlt) The outside world is watching the disharmony among us as many believers are exiting the church. Perhaps an old fashion hymn sing is just what we need to get back in tune with God and the truth of His Word, harmonizing with each other for the sake of the gospel to all generations.

Devotionals

What are your treasures, and where are you storing them?     

Loring Schultz

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” Matthew 6:19-21 NLT

Photo by Alex Hudson on Unsplash

Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount address many topics such as, one’s attitude towards a brother, adultery and divorce, retaliation, love, prayer and fasting, judging others, and the golden rule. Jesus was also concerned with what we do with our money, and He expressed that in teaching us about the treasures we accumulate. Our treasures come to us mostly through our use of money. What are we investing in and accumulating on this side of heaven. Can we name them? Are they obvious and evident for all to see where our heart is? Let’s take a closer look at this.

First, our treasures need not only be material things bought with money. Jesus said, “Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” (Mt.6:21 nlt) Here’s one example, your treasure may be the accolades you received over the years for your accomplishments in your field of expertise. Dwelling on these will lead to pride failing to give God the glory. This would be what Jesus refers to as ‘storing up treasures here on earth’ and not storing them in heaven. You could have been an influence on others as they witnessed your work for the glory of God. Their lives may have been changed by your actions, storing treasures in heaven.  You see, it is not always money, but it is a large part of it.

So, what are your treasures today and where are your storing them? On the financial side, are you making investments in the kingdom of God, or is in this world in the here and now. Are you investing in people and using your successes to help those in need, for it is Jesus who said, “I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!” (Mt.25:40 nlt) May we examine ourselves truthfully and know what our treasures are (what is important to us) and begin storing them in heaven. We may surprise ourselves in a good way or perhaps not, either way it’s a good exercise.

Devotionals

Where to Find True Miracles: God’s Power Today

Loring Schultz

“Give thanks to him who alone does mighty miracles. His faithful love endures forever.” Psalm 136: 4 NLT

“For with God nothing shall be impossible.” Luke 1:37 KJV

Photo by CLARA METIVIER BEUKES_on unsplash

Do you need a miracle in your life, something that contradicts all known scientific laws? Where do you go to look for this miracle? There is only one place to go, but the world has its own recommendations to consider keeping you from going to the true source. For instance, the god of this world, Satan, would have you believe that coincidence or random occurrences in your favor are only by chance, denying any divine supernatural power. Some may look for that divine power, but they look in all the wrong places. Many are caught in false religions of the world promising hope and miracles only to find themselves less wealthy and being accused of not having enough faith. Others put their faith in gods of astrology, and various gods presented and worshiped as divine throughout the centuries. None of these possess divine supernatural power to perform miracles. They are not the God of heaven, who alone does mighty miracles.

The question many people ask is this; does God still perform miracles today? The answer is, yes, absolutely! The greatest miracle is a soul set free, and God through the Holy Spirit performs this miracle daily. Scores of people are being radically changed forever from a wayward life every day by accepting God’s only Son Jesus Christ as their savior. People even the world thought were beyond hope, change, and redemption are living a clean life for the Lord and serving others.

Yes, miracles are still happening today. A radically changed person does defy all known scientific laws without divine help. It is the spiritually dead coming to life, everlasting life in Christ. It’s happening every day. Have you received your saving miracle yet, if not do so today!

Bible Studies

“Elizabeth’s Song” 5 Songs of Hope for Advent    

Loring Schultz

“And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!’” Luke 1:41-42 ESV

FreeBibleimages.org

During the next couple of weeks throughout the Advent season we will be looking at 5 songs of hope as recorded in Luke’s gospel on the birth of Christ. Music and particularly songs of praise are all throughout Scripture. Music alone has a way to lift the soul. What better time of year is there than to celebrate with music than the Christmas season. Christmas music will be filling the airwaves, churches, school auditoriums, concert halls, and shopping malls. It can certainly change your mood, mostly for the better, but some might argue with that. These 5 songs of hope for Advent are songs spoken to praise God for the hope He has bestowed upon us in sending His Son for the hope (assurance) we have of salvation.

Our first song this Sunday is ‘Elizabeth’s Song.’ It is not at all lengthy, but rather short and to the point speaking volumes of praise and theological truth. The occasion was Mary’s visit to Elizabeth and Zechariah upon hearing the news of them having their first child. “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” (Lk.1:42b-45 esv)

Elizabeth was Mary’s older cousin, much older. Zechariah, a priest, was told by an angel of the Lord while he was serving in the Temple burning incense that his wife Elizabeth, who was barren, would have a child in their old age. The angel said his name would be John, and there would be much rejoicing and gladness, “And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” (Lk.1:16-17 esv) John would be the forerunner of Jesus, the Messiah and John’s cousin. He would lead people to repentance preparing the way for the Lord.

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s voice upon arriving, the Bible says the baby leaped in her womb. Perhaps John was singing his own song meeting his aunt and cousin for the first time. Elizabeth was then filled with the Holy Spirit and started her song about the hope that was to come. ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!’ Elizabeth praised Mary’s faith and the child to be born to her. She realized through the Holy Spirit this must be the Messiah, the son of God for she said, “And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Lk.1:43 esv) Elizabath evidently knew of the prophet Isaiah’s words, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Is.7:14 esv) She was in the presence of her cousin Mary and yes, was impressed that Mary would visit her, but Elizabeth also in the presence of the Messiah, her savior.

Elizabeth’s song of hope introduces the savior who was coming into the world, born of a virgin as prophesized in Scripture. Her own child, John, perhaps also at the influence of the Holy Spirit leaped for joy at the coming savior. Although Elizabeth may not have been able to understand it all, she did realize the blessings she and her husband Zechariah were given and through the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth knew enough to break out in song. It was a song of praise to God and a song of hope for all people in the coming of the Messiah.

FreeBibleimages.org

Read: Luke 1:5-25, 39-45 ESV – Birth of John the Baptist Foretold – In – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

The Season of Hope; may we be ready to explain it             

Loring Schultz

“When Christ was born, so was our hope.” Max Lucado

“…. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.” 1 Peter 3:15b NLT

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

This Christmas season children of all ages are hoping they receive what they asked for from the man in the red suit. From Amazon’s No.1 pick ‘JOYIN 13 in 1 Dinosaur Toys,’ to ‘Nex Playground Game System’ at a cool price of $159, and ‘MrBeast Lab Mutators,’ for the little kids, to the hottest video games, cell phones, and the latest in digital devices for the coming of age crowd, not to forget the big toys for us adults; all have hope they will receive that requested gift on Christmas morning.  

‘Hope’ defined by most dictionaries is ‘to cherish a desire with anticipation:to want something to happen or be true.’ All of us hoping for that gift have the desire to have that hope come to realization. Although, if we are honest with ourselves, we know it does not always hold true. Oh, it is true the one supplying the gift will do everything possible to ensure the granting of the request, but unavoidable circumstances beyond their control always get in the way.

Biblical hope is never affected by unavoidable circumstances. Biblical hope is fixed. It is guaranteed. Biblical hope is the future confidence in expecting all that God has promised will come to pass. God has promised that all who believe in His Son Jesus for salvation will be saved from the wrath to come and will have eternal life with Him. Our guaranteed hope, as Max Lucado described it, was born as Christ entered the world on that first Christmas morning. God’s promise to reconcile us back Himself through Christ by defeating Satan on the cross was fulfilled. (Gen.3:15) Our hope, our assurance of salvation, was born in Christ Jesus.

Our Christian (Biblical) hope is far different from hoping to receive the latest got-to-have gadget for Christmas. Our hope in Christ is sure, guaranteed and lifesaving. It is backed up by a holy God who keeps His promises and can do all things. As Peter says to us in this season of hope, “……. if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.”

Devotionals

Giving Thanks for a Soul Set Free

Loring Schultz

“Bring my soul out of prison, So that I may give thanks to Your name.” Psalm 142:7a NASB

“I will give thanks to the LORD according to His righteousness And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.” Psalm 7:17 NASB

Photo by Kirk Cameron on Unsplash

This Thanksgiving Day there are over 1 million people in prison in the United States. Souls who will not celebrate the holiday with friends and loved ones. Their cry may be as David’s was, ‘bring my soul out of prison.’ Their desire is to be restored back in society as it was before their incarceration. The fact is their soul can be set free right they are. A prison sentence will pay the debt to society when completed and freedom will be granted. However, there is a prison sentence where no one can ever serve and pay off. It is the sentence of an eternal death separated from God and heaven for our sinful nature and our sins against God. But that soul can indeed be set free.

Perhaps you are not behind prison bars on this day, but you are behind bars that are keeping you imprisoned in your own soul. Your struggles with a particular sin, or vices you can’t seem to control keep you under lock and key. Your desire is the same cry, ‘bring my soul out of prison.’ I’m not a psychologist and not offering advice of which my knowledge is very limited. Professional services are a god-sent in our day and age and should be used if needed. But one thing I do know is that a soul can be set from sin and eternal death through Jesus Christ, God’s Son who sacrificed His life that we may have life. He paid the penalty for a soul to be set free.

If you are sitting in prison behind bars on this day, please understand that your soul can be set free. You can have assurance of eternal salvation and that your sin debt has been paid. For those of you outside prison walls who also need to be set free from your struggles with sin, Christ has paid the sin penalty for you as well. Your prayer, ‘bring my soul out of prison, will be heard and answered by accepting Christ as your savior this day. Then you can praise and thank God with David this Thanksgiving by saying, “I will give thanks to the LORD according to His righteousness And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.” (Ps.7:17 nasb) Happy Thanksgiving!

Devotionals

Thanksgiving Travel: Following the Highway of God

Loring Schultz

“A highway shall be there, and a road, And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness.” Isaiah 35:8a NKJV

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God.’” Isaiah 40:3 NKJV

Photo by Peter Robbins on Unsplash
 

Today is the busiest travel day of the year across the United States as millions of Americans make their way to friends and family for Thanksgiving. “AAA projects 79.9 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the Thanksgiving holiday travel period. ‘Thanksgiving is the busiest holiday for travel, and this year we’re expecting to set new records across the board, from driving to flying and cruising,’ said Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel. (1) Of those estimated 79.9 million travelers, 71.1 million people will go by car. That’s a lot of highway miles.

The United States has a vast interstate highway system which can get you to grandma’s house whether 50 or 500 miles away with no trouble. Years of planning the infrastructure of major roadways in America have proven successful. One only needs a roadmap from AAA or a GPS device and you’re all set.

Highways are mentioned several times in Scripture. Isaiah speaks about ‘The Highway of Holiness, a highway for our God.’ It was a prophetic exhortation to Israel for preparing for the coming of the Messiah. It foretold John the Baptist as the forerunner of Christ. “For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.’” (Mt.3:3 nkjv) The Messiah, the Lord Jesus, had come, and He has come to save those who call on His name.

God had designed His infrastructure of heaven’s highway for you and me before the world began. You don’t need a GPS or a road map. The plan of salvation and the highway to heaven is to simply trust in Jesus and His work on the cross for your sin. There is only one road, one highway to heaven. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (Jn.14:6 nkjv) Accept Christ as your savior this Thanksgiving and you’re on the highway to heaven. What a Thanksgiving feast that will be.

(1) Thanksgiving Travel Expected to Set New Record | AAA Newsroom