Judgement – Word for the Soul

“Turn us again to yourself, O God. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved.” Psalm 80:3 NLT

As I write this on Thanksgiving day, the United States has yet faced another tragedy on the day before this holiday of thanks. Two of our brave National Guard are fighting for their very lives as they were targeted and shot on the streets of our nation’s capital for doing their job to protect American citizens. There should be such an outcry that it is heard in every corner of the world. I say every corner of the world because it affects every nation and every person in wherever country they live.

That outcry needs to be what the psalmist wrote when pleading for restoration after Israel was plummeted by a foreign power. “Turn us again to yourself, O God. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved.” (Ps.80:3 nlt) Israel had repeatedly sinned against God being warned countless times they continued to turn their back on God, therefore their destruction. The United States has turned its back on God, and we continue to do so. There have been recent attempts to right the ship and I pray they will continue to move forward, but what is needed is a total commitment to return to the country’s founding Judea-Christian principles found only in the Word of God.

There is a sense that God’s hand of judgment is on America. If you think not, take time to read through the history of fallen nations and empires examining the culture and practices of their day and compare them to America in 2025. I think you will see a remarkable resemblance. I do not believe that all is lost, but we are on the verge of losing it all if we do not turn ourselves back to God so He will turn us again back to Himself.

Devotionals

What Do You See?

June 18, 2025June 16, 2025 Loring Schultz

Read: Habakkuk 1:1-11 NLT – This is the message that the prophet – Bible Gateway

“Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all this misery? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight.” Habakkuk 1:3 NLT

The prophet Habakkuk had a couple complaints for God he wanted to get off his chest. First, Habakkuk was in doubt God was hearing his prayers. If He was, God wasn’t responding. Secondly, Habakkuk doesn’t understand why he must witness all the evil around him while the culprits go unpunished. Sound familiar? Habakkuk saw nothing but misery through destruction, violence, people fighting, and no justice in the courts. Again, sound familiar. The old saying is true, ‘the more things change the more they stay the same.’

Habakkuk was writing over 2,500 years ago and his words are just as relevant today and could be posted on any social media website. If you ever thought about or have questioned God, you’re not alone. When we see the same things that the old prophet saw in his day it makes us want to cry out with him, why? And perhaps we feel God is not listening to us as Habakkuk felt. But we are both wrong in our assessment of God’s attention to our prayers. He does listen and answers in His timing and according to His will.

God told Habakkuk the guilty will not go unpunished. The guilty, in this case, was his own people, the people of Judah. “The LORD replied, ‘Look around at the nations; look and be amazed! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it.’” (Hab.1:5 nlt) God was going to use the evil Babylonian Empire to bring justice to His own people. This of course caused Habakkuk to question God even more, but through it all he rested in God working His plan which included bringing judgment on the Babylonians.

We do not understand the fine workings of God. They are too high for us, as high as the heavens. But we can rest that God hears our prayers as we tell Him what we see asking for justice in our world. God will bring about justice according to His plan and use people and nations we would never consider, but then again, we are not God. Only He can bring about true justice. So, it’s OK to question God and tell Him what we see, just remember He has the perfect plan already worked out.

Devotionals

Court will Convene

May 16, 2025May 13, 2025 Loring Schultz

“‘But the court will convene for judgment, and his dominion will be taken away, annihilated and destroyed forever.” Daniel 7:26 NASB

Interest in apocalyptic literature has increased over the years. It took a massive jump in the 20^th century and seems about ready to reach its peak, but that is speculation on my part. What is certain; we are living in unprecedented times. A massive technological explosion only matched by the increase in greed, violence, government corruption, persecution, and outright distain for God puts us on a track where there seems to be no return. The world, under the influence of the evil one, is heading in that direction.

As horrific as the current and future events are for this world, we can rest assured God is still in control. In the end God will make all things right. Perfect justice will be administered. In fact, the court room is being prepared, and it may not be long before the court is in session. Satan’s hold on this world will end. The prophet Daniel recalls in one of his visions, “‘But the court will convene for judgment and his dominion will be taken away, annihilated and destroyed forever.” (Dan.7:26 nasb)

As Christians we can rejoice in God’s judgement and rejoice even more for His saving grace sparing us from His judgement against sin. (except for the grace of God go I) People are curious about ‘the end of the world’ as they say. We may not understand all that is going to occur in those future days, but we can tell those with inquiring minds what we are certain of, God’s salvation plan. God sent His Son, Jesus, to redeem us from God’s judgment of sin by putting that sin and judgment on Himself. Accepting what Jesus has done for us guarantees us an eternal home with Him. Another fact we are certain of is this; Jesus will return, and His court will convene. Satan’s dominion will be destroyed forever. Tell what we know.

Devotionals

Judges we are not, but rescuers we are

August 19, 2024August 18, 2024 Loring Schultz

“And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.” Jude 1:22-23 NLT

The small New Testament book of Jude containing only one chapter is a must read for every Christian as is all the Bible, but Jude in particular. Jude, our Lord Jesus’ brother, is warning us of false teachers who claim being saved by grace give us license for immorality. The thought is our sins will not be held against us, which is true, and we won’t lose our salvation which is also true, but sin is sin and evil in God’s sight. What Jude had written to the early Christians he could have written specifically to us today. “I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives.” (Jude1:4a nlt)

Many Christian churches today are succumbing to pressure compromising the truth with voices that contradict Scripture. Some Christians are easily swayed especially if it is presented in a way that applies to our current day and culture. Accepting these new norms will confuse a new Christian and will prove disastrous for the church. False teachers seem so eloquent, reasonable, loving, knowledgeable, persuasive, and most of all seem to be telling the truth. Jude writes, “In the same way, these people—who claim authority from their dreams—live immoral lives, defy authority, and scoff at supernatural beings.” (Jude1:8 nlt) We must be aware of the progressing influence of those who want to deny Biblical truth.

There will be those among us in our church family who will fall into this trap and begin to live out and support those involved in the social norms of society that contradict Scripture. Jude encourages a gentile approach to those who are confused. “And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering.” (Jude1:22 nlt) We are not to jump all over our Christian brothers and sisters but take an approach that rescues them from judgment. The consequences of sin including God’s judgement on what He hates should be presented in a gentle manner. Most importantly, the rescuer must be in a right relationship with God and living righteously with sin confessed. We all sin daily whether we think we do or not.

Paul, the apostle also gives us advice on rescuing others from coming judgment, “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.” (Gal.6:1 nlt) Let us be on the alert. There is enough of temptation to sin in the world without having false teachers who ignore or put their spin on God’s Words deceiving even the very elect of God.

Devotionals

Words Better Left Unsaid

August 1, 2024July 31, 2024 Loring Schultz

“And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak.” Matthew 12:36 NLT

There is not a person who has ever lived who has not regretted something they said. In the heat of the moment negative words fly from the best of us. It comes from our human nature, but more specifically from our sinful nature. But for the Christian, we have the Holy Spirit to guide us through circumstances that raise our tempers. James, through the Holy Spirit wrote, “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” (Ja.1:19 nlt) This is only possible through the Holy Spirit as we walk by the Spirit. (Gal5:16) Still, there are slip ups with negative and careless words proceeding from our mouths when we least expect it.

Jesus’ words in the above verse should be a deep concern for all Christians. It is true Jesus is addressing the Pharisees here, but His words go way beyond the hypocritical speech of the Pharisees to us today in our daily conversations. Jesus fast forwards to judgment day and the accounting that will be accessed upon each and every one of us. The word ‘idle’ in this verse is defined as, ‘thoughtless or profitless.’ That’s a far cry from angry, provoking, deceiving, and intentionally driven hateful words.

What then is Jesus’ point for our accounting for every idle, thoughtless, and profitless word? The Wycliffe Bible Commentary explains it this way, “On the day of judgment the Lord will consider every man’s life in its entirety, even every idle word (not necessarily evil) coming from the overflow of his heart.” When we consider that Almighty God who is the Divine Judge and is aware of everything about our lives, our thoughts, our actions, our intentions, and our words, let there be no words better left unsaid.

Devotionals

Can you keep a Secret?

February 13, 2024February 12, 2024 Loring Schultz

“And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.” Romans 2:16 NLT

There are specific things in our lives we would like to remain secret. Not all these things are of a sinful nature, referred to as secret sins, but also certain matters of embarrassment we rather not be made public. I can recall many dumb and embarrassing things I have done in my life I’d rather be left in the memory of those who have witnessed them. True friends will keep the secret, but others are not so obliged in revealing the episode to others. There is not much you can do after the fact except hope it will not be used against you as a butt of a joke or even worse to make sport of you to harm you.

Some people are good at keeping certain areas of their lives extremely private and secret. This is not to condemn one who does, but for whatever reason you choose not to share and keep secret, there is one who knows everything. God the Father knows every detail and the deep dark secrets of our lives. We are unable to keep any secret from God. He even knows what we are thinking, or what we are about to think. But God will not reveal what He knows about us to anyone. God can keep a secret.

Although God can keep a secret, He will never allow us to get away with any sin in our lives unconfessed. And there will be a day when all Christians will stand before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account of our lives, both public and private. 2 Corinthians 5:10 says, “For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.” (NLT) May we keep in mind even though God forgives us of our sin, and can keep a secret, “that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.” (Rom. 2:16 NLT)

A Christian Perspective

FOUNDATIONS, FISTS, AND FURY: GOD’S RIGHTEOUS JUDGEMENT

February 10, 2024February 9, 2024 Loring Schultz

“God says, ‘At the time I have planned, I will bring justice against the wicked.’ ……It is God alone who judges; he decides who will rise and who will fall.” Psalm 75:2, 7 NLT

There seems to be more heartbreaking news every day. The world in which we live is being shattered by evil, injustice, war, and natural disasters. Adding to the problem is the political unrest around the globe, a failing economy with rising prices, and a secular worldview that disregards any mention of the God of the Bible in solving our problems. There is no safe haven in which to turn, or so we think. But there is, for the Christian and the non-Christian alike, it is the Lord God, the God of the Bible.

Psalm 75 in the Old Testament can easily be applied to today’s world. Israel’s security as a nation was in jeopardy by godless worldly forces. Being threaten by outside nations Israel put their trust in God in this thanksgiving psalm. The psalmist begins by praising God and is assured by God in the next verse of His plan. “God says, ‘At the time I have planned, I will bring justice against the wicked.’” (Ps. 75:2) As Israel depended on the God of the Bible thousands of years ago, we can still depend on Him to bring about justice in our world that has gone awry.

The foundations of the world are held safely by God. He is the one who has firmly planted them. No natural catastrophe, war, or political chaos will be able to upheave them. (Ps. 75:3) Those who shake their fists at God over such events are warned by God Himself not to be boastful and proud. Their defiant arrogant speaking is both evil and foolish. God is still in control of the events in this world, and He will judge according to His righteous judgement. (Ps. 75:4-7)

The Lord will pour out His fury, His righteous judgement, on the wicked. All who do evil will not escape the justice due them by a Holy God. (Ps. 75:8) The world’s safe haven is in the God of the Bible who will bring about true justice. Those deserving His righteous judgment will experience God’s wrath, and those in need justice from the wicked will be rewarded God’s favor. “For God says, “I will break the strength of the wicked, but I will increase the power of the godly.” (Ps. 75:10)

Take heart in the news of the day remembering that God is in control and that He is the one who said, “At the time I have planned, I will bring justice against the wicked.”

Read Psalm 75: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+75&version=NLT