Tag: Jesus

Devotionals

Living for Christ is Suffering for Christ

Loring Schultz

“So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin.” 1 Peter 4:1 NLT

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Supporting and taking a stand for a political candidate in a divided nation comes with harassing you by name calling, accusing you of not having a mind of your own, and associating you with every statement that candidate makes whether you agree with it or not. All candidates for any public office have flaws as we all do as we are all sinners. That shouldn’t stop us from exercising the privilege we have to cast a ballet in an election year. Unfortunately taking some hits in supporting a candidate is a sad commentary of the times. Presidential elections in America have revealed the true sentiment against those who hold a different view, both between the candidates and between neighbors. This may be a preview of the increasing hostility towards Christians in the coming days.

The apostle Peter tells us if we are following Jesus and living for Him, we will suffer. Gradually, if you are living for Christ, your desires will continually change drawing yourself away from the world and closer to Christ and His heavenly kingdom.  “You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God.” (1Pt.4:2 nlt) It will become more difficult to find things in common with those you associate with as your Biblical worldview with clash with their secular worldview. We are not to disengage with those outside of Christ but realize there will be increasing friction more than being blocked from their social media pages. Living for Christ and standing up for the truth of God’s Word has not been easy the last few years and will grow into a bigger challenge in the years ahead. Is the church ready for the challenge? Are you ready for the challenge?

Christians do not need to worry about the name calling or having others think we have lost our minds. People in Jesus’ day said the same thing about Him. And we do not need to be concerned about being associated with Jesus’ words. He speaks the truth and only the truth. The fact checkers only need to search the Word of God. But there is a ‘but’ here. Peter says, “So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too.” (1Pt.4:1a nlt) Christians in America are under scrutiny for our beliefs and standing up for God and His Word. We have been spared physical persecution by the grace of God up until now but will be ready when the persecution begins. To live for Christ means to suffer for Christ. Are you ready for the challenge?

Read: 1 Peter 4:1-9 NLT – Living for God – So then, since Christ – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Spiritual Blindness

Loring Schultz

“Then Jesus went over to their synagogue, where he noticed a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees asked Jesus, ‘Does the law permit a person to work by healing on the Sabbath?’ (They were hoping he would say yes, so they could bring charges against him.)” Matthew 12:9-10 NLT

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The lure of having power and influence have corrupted even the most prestigious individuals. The love of being in control causes blindness to everything that is right, logical, and all that is common sense. Examples are easy to find in the rhetoric and actions of some government officials of our day. They desire to control, not for the betterment of those they serve, but for themselves and those who have supported them and their causes. Powerful people in the market place are also capable of falling into the same trap. They are blinded along with the politicians and government leaders by their own love of power, wealth, and recognition. The truth is before their eyes, but they fail to see it.

The Pharisees in the New Testament had a power problem themselves resulting in spiritual blindness. They were the religious ruling power. Knowing the Law, both the Old Testament and the traditional Laws set forth over the years, they used their knowledge to elevate themselves to a position of control. This rise to power had blinded them to what they knew the Old Testament revealed about Jesus the Messiah. The many additional Laws enacted over the years blinded them further as to the need for them, except to keep them in power that they were not willing to give up.

Matthew 12:10 records for us Jesus being asked a question by the Pharisees, “‘Does the law permit a person to work by healing on the Sabbath?’ (They were hoping he would say yes, so they could bring charges against him.)” Healing on the Sabbath would have been a violation of the Law bringing charges against Jesus, although the Old Testament does not reference it. The rabbis considered healing attempts as work unless the individual was close to death which was not the case in this instance. They were obviously using another manmade law which was illogical and lacking common sense.

The Pharisees had corrupted themselves through their desire for power and influence. They had blinded themselves to who they were dealing with. They did not want to hear Jesus say the word ‘yes,’ but to perform the healing on the Sabbath. They knew Jesus had the power to heal the man, but their hated for Him and the thought of losing their power forced blindness upon them. Getting rid of Jesus was their only priority. “Then (Jesus) said to the man, ‘Hold out your hand.’ So the man held out his hand, and it was restored, just like the other one! Then the Pharisees called a meeting to plot how to kill Jesus.” (Mt. 12:13-14 nlt)

Lest we think we, as Christians, are incapable of such spiritual blindness, think again. Christians are very capable of spiritual blindness when desires are place ahead of God’s will and contrary to His Word. Whether it is power and influence we seek, or a pleasurable desire outside of God’s will, be sure blindness will overshadow God and all His holiness. Let us be careful not to allow anything into our lives that will cause us to have spiritual blindness.

Devotionals

Self-Reliance Won’t Work

Loring Schultz

“Why couldn’t we cast out that demon?” Matthew 17:19b NLT

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The Lord has gifted each of us with individual skills to use for His service. For most of us these skills are devoted to the workplace where we are to serve Him. Others use their God-given skills within the family, homeschooling, caring for children and the elderly. Still others are uniquely gifted in various forms of arts and entertainment along with those of athletic skills to use as a platform in sharing Jesus. We all have one thing in common, whatever abilities we possess enabling us to perform the work we are doing has been given by God our creator.

Jesus’s disciples had no more than the skills of fisherman but were empowered by Him to carry out the ministry of teaching, healing the sick, and casting out demons. The disciples were successful in that work going out in pairs of two with the abilities Jesus gave them. (Mk.6:12) But sometime later after they had returned and Jesus was not with them, a man approached them asking for his son to be delivered from a demon, and they could not do it. When they had pressed Jesus for an answer, He said to them, “You don’t have enough faith, I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” (Mt.19:20 nlt) Their failure was due to self-reliance. They forgot the ability to cast out demons came from God the Son, it wasn’t a skill they developed by working hard for it. Jesus said if they had faith (in Him) as small as a mustard seed nothing would be impossible. 

Often, we become complacent and maybe too comfortable in our ability to do our jobs needing no outside help. We become self-reliant on the abilities God has given us as if they are there due to our knowledge or gained experience alone. It is true, we can and should continue to learn, grow, and develop our skills to the optimum level possible. But there are times in our lives where all the training, studying, and experiences are not enough to solve the problem at hand. We need the Lord to intervene by asking Him in faith to help us move that mountain and not depend on self-reliance. It won’t work.

Devotionals

Be Ready to Give an Answer    

Loring Schultz

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

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Presidential campaigns here in the United States have a lot of criticism between candidates the closer to election day. The opposition is quick to point out deficiencies in their opponent. Once noted it is hard to overlook. One example is the claim of not being ready to give an answer when asked a question. This is a relevant concern, of course, as the future and safety of the people are at stake. How much more the future of eternity for those who do not know Jesus Christ as their savior if we are not ready to give an answer.

Peter in addressing Christians scattered throughout the world suffering severe persecution wrote, “But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.” (1Pt.3:14-15 nlt) Especially when they were suffering for doing good, Peter instructed them to always be ready to explain to those who asked about their Christian hope. Peter knew most definitely that some would be asked when people observed their demeaner during insults and ridicule. (1Pt.3:9-11)

Christ followers have always suffered ridicule and persecution. Christians today are being murdered at a faster rate as any time in history. Still, we are told to always be ready to give an answer for the hope that lies within us. You can be certain when those outside of Christ see Jesus’ light in you pursuing peace and working to maintain it during ridicule and persecution they will ask, where did you get this hope that is in you?

You can respond with Peter’s words in 1 Peter 3:18, “Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.” (nlt) And you can conclude with ‘I am safely brought home and have eternal life.’ So, be ready!

Read: 1 Peter 3:8-22 NLT – All Christians – Finally, all of you – 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

Spiritual Hunger and Thirst

Loring Schultz

“Jesus replied, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’” John 6:35 NLT

Photo by Kamil Szumotalski on Unsplash

Satisfying our physical hunger and thirst is rather easy. There are a variety of foods to choose from when we are hungry. Usually, we select something we like and enjoy and after partaking our hunger is satisfied. The same holds true for quenching our thirst. It’s not very pleasing to drink something not enjoyable to us. We make sure, if possible, we get what we like. But the fact is, if we have a meal with our favorite food and beverage, it will satisfy for the moment, but it doesn’t last, and we will need to eat and drink again. Our physical bodies need to be refueled daily, and the Lord supplies what we need to survive in this life.

Spiritual hunger and thirst work similarly in satisfying our souls. We try what we like, something non-judgmental, inclusive, non-committal, and feels good. Just like physical hunger and thirst, it satisfies for a while, but spiritual hunger and thirst comes back. When we try to fill our souls with what we like we will never be satisfied, because we are filling our souls with the temporary. What we need is something that will fill us eternally. Our souls have a spiritual craving to be filled and satisfied for eternity and it can only be accomplished by a relationship with Jesus Christ, God the Son.

Jesus used the illustration of the necessity of bread for survival in physical life with Himself as the spiritual bread which will satisfy forever and necessary for eternal life. “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) God provides the bread we need to survive in our physical bodies. The same is true for our souls, God has provided the only food possible to satisfy our craving for spiritual things and for eternal life, His Son, Jesus Christ. Nothing else satisfies, but Christ.

All the religions of the world and churches who do not adhere to God’s Word for the truth of salvation will leave you empty and continually searching for truth and satisfaction. God has provided the only way for you to be filled and satisfied spiritually in this life and guaranteed eternal life, it is Jesus! You can satisfy your spiritual hunger and thirst by accepting Christ as your personal savior. No need to be refueled.

Devotionals

Finding Common Ground

Loring Schultz

“Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.” 1 Corinthians 9:22b NLT

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The apostle Paul had a heart for sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with as many people as possible. In order to do that effectively he had to as he says, ‘…..try to find common ground with everyone.’ Paul was aware people would not be receptive to him if he could not relate to them. He also acknowledged in his efforts to reach others for Christ that there was a red line that could be crossed. Paul was careful to say, “But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.” (1Cor.9:21b nlt) Paul understood there was no compromising his life of being set apart to God and separated from the world. Yet, he sought to find common ground.

Finding common ground is a difficult task for modern-day Christians. There are countless gray areas to avoid and soon enough if we are not careful end up finding ourselves compromising God’s standards. When our common ground is in an area that displeases God and is a violation of His laws, we lose any chance we have of appearing authentic and true to the Scriptures. It is difficult to explain God’s saving grace with verses John 3:16 and Ephesians 2:8-9 as truth while accepting others passages of Scripture as not true or not applicable in 2024. It’s all or nothing. It’s either God’s unchanging Word for life or it is not.

Christians are still encouraged to find common ground with those outside of Christ. Paul has communicated that to us, and Jesus gave us only two these commands while he was on earth, ‘“you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.’” (Mk.12:30-31 nlt) Loving God with all your heart includes obeying and living in accordance with Scripture and loving our neighbor includes sharing Jesus’ good news of the gospel along with loving them with common ground also in accordance with God’s Word. Finding common ground without compromise is not easy, but it is necessary to accurately present the truth of the gospel.

Read: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 NLT – Even though I am a free man with no – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Anticipating Eternal Life       

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

Photo by Preslie Hirsch on Unsplash

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

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

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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           

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

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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