Tag: Jesus

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

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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

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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

A Christian Perspective

No Disinformation Spoken in the Word of God       

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

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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 21st 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.

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Devotionals

Three Crosses

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

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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

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

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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.