Jesus – Page 21 – Word for the Soul

Anticipating Eternal Life

August 16, 2024August 13, 2024 Loring Schultz

“So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.” 1 Peter 1:6 NLT

The anticipation of future joy has a way of helping us get through some hard times. A planned vacation will make our long workdays seem shorter. Looking forward to the holidays eases the pain of missing loved ones across the miles during the year. Anticipating your college graduation gives you confidence you will be on your way to your dream career. There is nothing wrong with looking ahead with joy with any of those things, but in this life, nothing is guaranteed and the tendency to change or not happen at all is always present. But not so for the Christian anticipating eternal life.

The apostle Peter tells us, “Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.” (1Pt.1:3b-4 nlt) The priceless inheritance we have is our salvation and eternal life with Christ. It was reserved there for us, and nothing can take it away, it is guaranteed. We, as Christians, are heirs with God and co-heirs with Christ. Paul writes in the book of Romans, “For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 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.” (8:16-17 nlt)

There are many trials all people go through living a sinful fallen world, but even more for those who name the name of Jesus and proclaim His way of salvation. (Jn.14:6) Living a Christ-like life with a Biblical Worldview will result in criticism, harassment, and possible legal troubles. But Peter says there is joy ahead. “So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.” (1Pt.1:6 nlt) Our world is rapidly decaying by the actions of the prince of this world, Satan himself, and Christians are not exempt from its effects, but we have a future joy as we anticipate a sure thing, eternal life.

Read: 1 Peter 1:3-9 NLT – The Hope of Eternal Life – All praise – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Two Heavens

August 9, 2024August 6, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24 NLT

The phrase, ‘This is heaven on earth,’ reveals emotions one thought not possible in this world. This could include a special event you weren’t expecting, a fabulous concert, the brilliant performance of a Broadway play, a breathtaking view of one of God’s many creations, or the relaxing sounds of the ocean waves as they make their way over the rocks unto the shore. Perhaps even spending the day at home with family would be heaven on earth. But would you be able to say, ‘my work is heaven on earth.’

Wherever your vocation may be, for the Christian, you are working for the Lord. You are serving Him in your place of employment. Paul told the church at Colosse, “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” (Col.3:23 nlt) We serve the Lord in our work, and He is pleased when we serve Him. God is also pleased in the work we accomplish serving others. We should consider that ‘heaven on earth.’ Paul also says there will be an award for serving Him, “Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.” (Col.3:24 nlt) Indeed, it is the Lord Christ in whom we serve.

Charles H. Spurgeon wrote in one of his ‘Morning and Evening Devotions’ about our work on earth, “My Master does not treat His servants churlishly (as a peasant); He gives to them as a king giveth to a king; He gives them two heavens-a heaven below in serving Him here, and a heaven above in delighting in Him forever.” (1) Spurgeon considered our work (serving Christ) on earth as being in heaven, and I think he’s right. If we are not enjoying our time here on earth working and serving God something’s wrong, for God is constantly with us and in that we should find enjoyment. Don’t be so focused on the future heaven that you miss out on the present one.

(1) Cowman, Mrs. Charles E. Streams in the Desert 2. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing, 1966. Pg.223.

Devotionals

Our Message of Unity

August 5, 2024July 31, 2024 Loring Schultz

“I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.” John 17:23 NLT

Have you ever given thought that Jesus has prayed for you? Jesus had a specific petition for all future Christians who would make up His church. Near the end of His “high priestly prayer” recorded in John’s gospel chapter 17, Jesus made His requests known soon before He was to go to the cross. He prayed that we would be with Him in eternity and see His Glory, but His specific request was that we all be one in complete unity. Imagine as Jesus was about to be crucified, His concerned for us future believers were for there to be unity. So how are we doing?

Before we answer, perhaps it would good for us to know why Jesus made this request. Jesus reasoned, ‘that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them.’ You made have heard the statement; ‘The only Christ the world will see, is the Christ they see in me.’ That is very true, and Jesus confirms it later in His prayer as He says, ‘O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you.’ (Jn.17:25 a nlt) Indeed, most of the world does not know God. Many have heard of God and have somewhat of a knowledge of Him, but they do not know the true God and Jesus Christ His Son.

As the world looks at the church and individual Christians today, do they see unity? Do they see the love of Christ between us? Are we in a unifying fashion convincing the world that Jesus is God’s Son sent to save us from eternal damnation? Does the world see their spiritual need by observing authentic Christianity in unity, or is it muddled by in-fighting, pride, and disagreements in doctrine not essential to Salvation? There are legitimate differences of opinion in the teaching of scripture in churches today, but they should not be at the expense of alienating those outside of Christ from hearing the message of the Gospel. So how are we doing in displaying our message of unity?

Read: John 17:20-26 NLT – “I am praying not only for these – Bible Gateway

A Christian Perspective

No Disinformation Spoken in the Word of God

August 3, 2024July 31, 2024 Loring Schultz

“And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, ‘Have mercy on us, Son of David.’” Matthew 9:27 ESV

“And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, ‘Never was anything like this seen in Israel.’ But the Pharisees said, ‘He casts out demons by the prince of demons.’” Matthew 9:33-34 ESV

Disinformation is a term that has gained great prominence in the past few years. Defined by Merriam-Webster as, “false information deliberately and often covertly spread (as by the planting of rumors) in order to influence public opinion or obscure the truth,” has been on display in full force in both social media and the news media. The purpose of each piece of disinformation that is dispensed is to enhance one’s agenda. There are those who will do whatever it takes to secure their position and see to it that their policies go forward.

We may be inclined to believe that disinformation is a 21^st century phenomenon, but it can be seen far back in history. During Jesus’ days walking the earth He performed many miracles. Jesus healed the sick, calm storms, fed thousands of people with two fish and five loafs, caused the blind to see and the deaf to hear, and He even raised the dead. The crowds were astonished by what they were witnessing, could this be the Son of David they said? Two blind men had the faith that Jesus was indeed the Son of David, the Messiah, who had come. They also had the faith that Jesus would be willing and able to heal them. “Then he touched their eyes, saying, ‘According to your faith be it done to you.’ And their eyes were opened.” (Mt.9:29-30a esv) But this did not set well with the religious rulers of the day, the Pharisees. They had their own agenda and Jesus was getting in the way.

The Pharisees seized the opportunity to discredit Jesus after He had cast out a demon from a mute and demon-possessed man with a bit of disinformation. They claimed that Jesus casted out the demon by the supernatural power of the prince of demons, even though they knew very well who Jesus was. The crowds were not wrong in saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.” Matthew Henry notes in his commentary on the gospel of Matthew, “Because the people marveled, they must say something to diminish the miracle, and this was all they could say.”

We live in a time where disinformation is a way of life for many. Truth has become what it is said to be by those who proclaim it. If you desired true information there is only one true source for it, the Word of God. It is our instruction book on how to live from God Himself. “The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.” (Ps. 119:160 esv) No disinformation is ever spoken in the Word of God.

Devotionals

Three Crosses

August 2, 2024July 31, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.’ And Jesus replied, ‘I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.’” Luke 23:42-43 NLT

On a spring morning outside Jerusalem three men were sentenced to death by crucifixion by the authority of the Roman government. Crucifixion was the most barbaric and tortuous form of execution known to man. The horrors of the pain involved is accompanied by shame and humiliation all in public view. Of the three crucified that morning, two were clearly guilty of crimes deserving of death. But the man in the middle, Jesus, clearly was not. Although Jesus was not deserving of death, as confirmed by Pontius Pilate, His being on Calvary’s Hill that day with the two criminals is a picture of God’s love, God’s mercy, God’s grace, and a picture of all of us.

We may not want to admit it, but the two criminals are a picture of each and every one of us. All of us are deserving of death due to our sin. Born with a sin nature, we are sinful creatures living in a fallen world and will die physically as a result. The Bible is clear, “And just as each person is destined to die once.” (Heb.9:27a nlt) We deserve to die physically due to our sin. The two criminals on the cross deserved to die physically for their sins and specifically on that day for actions committed against humanity for which they were found guilty.

Another picture we see in the three crosses, pertaining to the two criminals, is a picture of the world in their acceptance or rejection of Christ. The two criminals each had a choice to make about Jesus. One wanted nothing but escape from his present condition, the other acknowledging his sin, realizing his spiritual condition, called out to Jesus in his time of real need asking to be with Him in paradise. It is a true picture of the world today.

God’s love is on full display as He sent His Son to die undeservedly for those who deserve to die. The picture of His mercy and grace is evident by Jesus’ words to the one criminal, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” The choice is yours and mine. Which one of the three crosses are you on?

Read: Luke 23:35-43 NLT – The crowd watched and the leaders – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Why the Past Matters

July 25, 2024July 24, 2024 Loring Schultz

“These are the clans that descended from Noah’s sons, arranged by nation according to their lines of descent. All the nations of the earth descended from these clans after the great flood.” Genesis 10:32 NLT

Representatives from 195 countries have arrived in Paris, France for the XXXIII Olympiad. The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution for all Member States to observe the Olympic Truce. A pause in hostilities around the globe during the games may act as a catalyst for peaceful resolutions to all worldwide conflicts. The efforts are noble, but the world has been in constant conflict since sin entered it in the Garden of Eden. The nations may be in constant conflict, but we are all one people, one family, one race, the human race.

After the Lord scattered the people from Babel by confusing their language, Genesis chapter 10 gives the breakdown of the first nations in the areas now known as Asia, Europe, and Africa. These nations all descended from Noah’s three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth after the great flood. They were few in number, but 7,000 years later there are 195 countries on this planet. Why does this matter? Because all of us are decedents from people in one of those early countries. As the number of nations grew and expanded across the globe our ancestors moved right along with them to our present day.

Knowing the past matters for our understanding of who we are in relation to each other and in the eyes of God. God is our creator and despite our differences in language and culture beginning at the tower of Babel we are all part of the human race. The tragic events that occur around the world creating trauma and chaos are rooted in sin. Sin that was enacted in the beginning with Adam and Eve. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Ro.3:23 nasb)

There is a small sample of every nation, culture and language in Paris, France the next two weeks. They may be from different nations, but all are part of the human race dating back to the first nations so many years ago. Those in the human race, that’s all of us, are in need of saving grace from Jesus Christ unto salvation whether in Paris or anywhere in the world. That is why the past matters.

Devotionals

Hope in Our Rebellion

July 24, 2024July 23, 2024 Loring Schultz

“At one time all the people of the world spoke the same language and used the same word” Genesis 11:1 NLT

There is always hope for those who rebel against God. An example of mass rebellion against the creator God occurred in the early chapters of the book of Genesis. One hundred years after the destructive flood that saved only Noah and his family the people rebelled against God in their pride and refused God’s command to move on and populate the earth. Everyone spoke the same language and they said, “Come, let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world.” (Gen.11:4 nlt)

That famous tower they intended to build was the ‘tower of Babel.’ It was to be a symbol of their strength and achievements of what they were capable of without God’s help. They were assigning glory to themselves in building this great tower. It would stand as a monument of how great they were. They quickly forgot God and became their own god. The God of heaven quickly put an end to that by confusing their language. God who created mankind now created multiple languages among the people so they couldn’t understand each other and were forced to separate and move on.

God had caused the separation due to their sin. They wouldn’t scatter across the earth as God told them to. Sometimes we put ourselves in a position of not following God’s instructions and God separates from what is keeping us from serving Him. But there is always hope that follows. After the Lord separated the people at the tower of Babel scripture tells us that through the line Shem, one of Noah’s sons, came Abraham, and through his line came our savior Jesus Christ.

There was a time when the world had one language and although we enjoy the many different cultures and languages today as represented in Paris this week, it came about due to sin. But there is hope, for God sent His Jesus to reconcile all of us back together through Him no matter our language. “After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb.” (Rev.7:9 nlt)

Read: Genesis 11:1-9 NLT – The Tower of Babel – At one time all – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Going for Eternal Gold

July 22, 2024July 19, 2024 Loring Schultz

“All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:25 NLT

The XXXIII Olympiad will commence on July 26, 2024, in Paris, France. Athletes from all over the world will arrive in hopes of capturing that Olympic Gold Medal. Events will take place over the next seventeen days from track and field, swimming, gymnastics, skateboarding, volleyball, basketball, equestrian, boxing, 32 sports in all with 329 medal events. That’s a lot of gold. Individual athletes train for years for the opportunity to go for the gold. Members of team sports keep themselves in shape hoping to get that invitation to try out and be part of the Olympic dream. A lot, if not all, of personal pleasures and pursuits are put on the sidelines during the training process. There are two goals, to make the cut and to earn a gold medal.

The apostle Paul used athletic imagery quite often in his writings. He referred to his preaching as running in a race as he addressed the churches at Galatia. (Gal.2:2) Paul told the church at Philippi he pressed on to finish the race to receive the prize the Lord had for him. (Phi.3:14) He told Timothy to fight the good fight for true faith, and always be careful to compete by the rules. (1 Tim.6:12, 2 Tim.2:5) Paul also put in perspective the value of the goal he was trying to reach. He was going for eternal gold.

Paul commended the athletes of his day by noting their extensive disciplined training. Their goal was to win a wreath of greenery at the Isthmian games in Corinth. Obviously, this prize would not last the test of time, but they strived for it, nonetheless. Paul seems to say how much better the eternal prize would be. He was not dismissing the value of going for the gold in this life, but to have our priorities in order. Even a gold medal may lose its value one day and we certainly will not outlast that product of gold in our lifetime, so let us also go, with Paul, for eternal gold.

A Christian Perspective

The Attack on the Kingdom of Heaven

July 20, 2024July 18, 2024 Loring Schultz

“And blessed is the one who is not offended by me……. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence.” Matthew 11:6, 12a ESV

There is an all-out effort by governments around the world to silence the Christian church, the United States included. We should not be surprised by this or think this is unique to the 21^st century. It is true, persecution of Christians, attacks on churches, and labeling followers of Jesus as radicals outside the norms of society, have been steadily increasing, but attacks on Christians have been around since Jesus came to earth and declared, ‘Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’(Mt.4:17) All Christians are a part of the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus made it clear there were attacks on His kingdom in His days on earth and they have continued throughout time. He told John the Baptist’s followers since the day John started preaching repentance and preparation for the coming of the Messiah the kingdom of heaven was under attack. John had been arrested by King Herod, the ruling authority at the time. He had been put in prison and eventually executed. The kingdom of heaven has been suffering violence ever since and will continue to increase in scope until the day of Jesus’ return.

There is a silver lining to this dark cloud of attacks against Christians. Jesus said, ‘blessed is the one who is not offended by me.’ (Mt.11:6) When we are not offended by Christ by standing firm in His truth we will be blessed. Jesus didn’t say we won’t be attacked, or arrested and sent to prison, or worse, no, He said we are blessed. The persecution that has been prevalent in many parts of the world has found its way to America’s shores. It may not as brutal or intense as in other countries, but the groundwork has been laid to remove God, His Word, and His way of salvation from all education and government institutions. Freedom to speak the truth of God’s Word even from the pulpit is rapidly being considered hate speech and subject to prosecution.

Christians will be attacked, that is of course when we are not offended by the name of Jesus as the only way of salvation and are offended by the rules and regulations of our godless society. Being silent during these days is not an option. It either signals our approval that we are not offended by anti-God legislation, or it shows our weakness and lack of faith in the God we serve. The assault on Christians is here to stay, it’s not going away. Remember the Lord God promises to be with us and promises us His blessings especially when we are attacked for His name.

Devotionals

Loving Others

July 19, 2024July 16, 2024 Loring Schultz

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

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