Tag: Prayer

Devotionals

Do you have a story to tell?      

Loring Schultz

Read: Psalm 66 NLT – Psalm 66 – For the choir director: A – Bible Gateway

“Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me.” Psalm 66:16 NLT

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Psalm 66 is a psalm of praise for God’s answer to prayer. It is a psalm of both national deliverance and individual deliverance. The psalmist and the nation have been saved from their enemies. The whole earth is encouraged to shout joyful praises to God for His awesome deeds. (Ps.66:1-4) All of us are invited to “Come and see what our God has done, what awesome miracles he performs for people!” (Ps.66:5 nlt) The psalmist has a story to tell.

The story is told of God dividing the Red Sea making a pathway for His children to escape from their enemies on dry ground. This same God continues to rule the nations today and they are advised not to rebel against Him. Again, the psalmist encourages praise, “Let the whole world bless our God and loudly sing his praises. Our lives are in his hands.” (Ps.66:8-9 nlt)

The psalmist testifies of the trouble both he and the nation have gone through. Not unlike our troubles today. It is described as going through flood and fire, but not without God’s knowledge and His purposes. In the end the Lord brings us out to a place of great abundance. This causes the psalmist to say, “Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me.” (Ps.66:16 nlt) He has a story to tell.

How about you? Do you have a story to encourage someone today? What has God delivered you from that can help one who is struggling with the same thing? It could be something big or something small, it doesn’t matter. Sometimes small things cause us the most heartache. Share how the Lord delivered you from them, and how He answers prayer. We all have a story to tell. It’s time to be a storyteller.  

Devotionals

Are You Looking for a Relationship or an Experience?    

Loring Schultz

“So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” John 1:14 NLT

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One of my personal devotionals I read had an interesting comment last week. The writer stated there is a big difference between an experience with Jesus and a relationship with Him. That got me to thinking. Some Christians have the idea that Christianity is about feelings and experiences. They need to feel God’s power through the Holy Spirit doing great miracles in their lives to feel His present. In between there is an emptiness they try to fill looking for that next big spiritual moment, when that moment is right around the corner and is always there.

Granted there are extra special moments the Lord bestows upon us, and we should be grateful and praising Him for each one. The Lord God loves to enrich us with answered prayer, healing, and bringing miracles into our lives. But nothing pleases Him more that when we sit quietly at His feet as Mary did in the gospel of Luke. “Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught.” (Lk.10:39 nlt) The Lord wants us to spend with Him through prayer, reading His Word, meditating on what His Word says, and taking time to listen to Him. That’s a relationship.

The quietest moments spent with Jesus daily will lead to a relationship that will outlast any previous experience you may have had. Because every day you go back for more time not looking or waiting for something great to happen because it is already happening. So, what are you looking for? You may have both.  

Devotionals

National Day of Prayer            

Loring Schultz

“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior.” 1 Timothy 2:1-3 NLT

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Today is the 74th annual National Day of Prayer observed in the United States. The first Thursday each May is designated by the U.S. Congress as a day of prayer for the nation. The President is required by law to sign a proclamation encouraging every citizen “to turn to God in prayer and meditation” for the people, the leaders, and the needs of the country.

As Christians we shouldn’t need a special day to remind us to pray for the country and those who lead us. The apostle Paul gives us instructions to do so in the book of 1 Timothy. ‘Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority.’ This should be part of our daily prayers so as Paul says that we live in peaceful times marked by godliness and dignity. Most of us would agree, I’m sure, that America and most of the world need godliness and dignity. This then should be our prayer.

We are to pray for our fellow citizens and all those who reside in our country asking God to intercede for them and giving thanks for them. When God’s people set the example of praying daily for our leaders, for those they lead, and for the needs of America it will bring a greater significance to the National Day of Prayer. Others may not be so reluctant to participate but will join us in prayer.

For those of you who reside outside the United States, Paul’s words apply to you as well. Whether your country has a National Day of Prayer or not, we should be in prayer for those who lead us, the needs of the country, and especially the people. Perhaps you can be catalyst in the establishment of a National Day of Prayer in your country. I understand it is easier said than done. But we serve a great God, and it is His desire that we pray for our leaders to change their hearts and minds “that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.”

Devotionals

That Very Hour

Loring Schultz

Read: John 4:43-54 NLT – Jesus Heals an Official’s Son – At – Bible Gateway

“Go back home. Your son will live!” ……. “Yesterday afternoon at one o’clock his fever suddenly disappeared!” John 4:50, 52 NLT

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God reveals the answers to our prayers in His timing. We need not worry if He hears us, He does. “The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers.” (1Pt.3:12 nlt) Knowing that God hears our prayers gives us assurance that He will answer them. When we get the answer is up to God. He will answer when the time is right and is in line with His purposes. When God hears our prayers, He doesn’t need to think how He will answer. He has already determined it. God doesn’t change His mind or have a change of heart in our waiting process. His answer will come as decided.

Sometimes it’s hard to distinguish between an answer of ‘no’ or ‘wait.’ The answer ‘no’ may be realized rather quickly, but then again perhaps the Lord has a lesson for us in the waiting period. Rest assured, either way you’ll have the answer. The same is true for a ‘yes’ answer to prayer. We may receive it quickly or need to wait accordingly for God’s will. But He has already answered and will reveal it to us.

One of the greatest joys is to have an answer to prayer immediately. I’ve had several in my life, and I trust you have too. Looking back, we rejoice in God’s immediate response to our immediate need. In the gospel of John there is story of a government official who had such an immediate answer to prayer, but didn’t realize it until the next day.

John writes, “There was a government official in nearby Capernaum whose son was very sick. When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged Jesus to come to Capernaum to heal his son, who was about to die.” (Jn.4:46-47 nlt) At 1 o’clock in the afternoon, Jesus told the man to go home that his son will live. He believed Jesus and started home. On his way home the next day he met some of his servants who told him his son was alive and well. The fever suddenly left him at that very hour at 1 o’clock in the afternoon the day before. Whether we receive an instant answer to our prayers or need to wait, we know God hears us and determines His answer that very hour always revealing it to us in His timing.

Devotionals

Come Talk with God      

Loring Schultz

Read: Psalm 27 NLT – Psalm 27 – A psalm of David. The LORD – Bible Gateway

“My heart has heard you say, ‘Come and talk with me.’ And my heart responds, ‘LORD, I am coming.’” Psalm 27:8 NLT

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David’s prayers in the Psalms are simple and direct. He prays exactly how he feels, whether it’s through joy, comfort, praise, sorrow, anger, confession, abandonment, fear, or whatever else was on his heart, he prayed to the Lord simply and direct. David had an intimate relationship with the God of heaven so much so, that his heart heard Him say, ‘Come and talk with me.’ Several other translations say, ‘Seek My face.’ David was constantly seeking to be with his God in prayer that when he heard ‘Come and talk with me’, he was always ready to say, ‘LORD, I am coming.’

We may all not sense God speaking in our hearts as David but all of us can develop the characteristic of seeking God’s face. Seeking His face is nothing more than having a deeper desire for intimate fellowship with your creator. The more we desire Him, the more we will be aware of His desire for us. God also desires to be with us intimately. This is often missed by our routine repetitive early morning prayers and out the door we go. God is inviting us to seek His face to come and talk with Him. Talking with someone is to have a conversation. Speaking and listening. Taking time to listen to God is just as important as telling Him all your problems.

Listen closely to what God is saying to you through the Holy Spirit in prayer. You may never hear God speak audibly to you in prayer, I never have, but I’ve felt His presence and direction many times through prayer as I seek His face. God desires to have that intimate fellowship with us through prayer. He is saying, ‘Come and talk with me.’ May we have the same desire by seeking His face and be ready to say, ‘LORD, I am coming.’

Devotionals

Water to Quench Your Soul     

Loring Schultz

“Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, ‘Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink!’ For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” John 4:37-38 NLT

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It is springtime in Pennsylvania, and I once again started my weekly chore of mowing our lawn. I couldn’t help but notice the brown patches still part of our lawn from last year’s drought. In fact, we are not totally out of the woods yet, needing a few more healthy rain events. Water is essential for growth and life itself. The rain we had caused the grass to grow in areas not severely affected by lack of rain last summer. But much more water and sun are needed to bring the entire lawn back to complete health.

Our spiritual lives can become dry as a drought driven patch of grass. Just as water is essential for our very lives, so is the spiritual water Jesus offers us essential for our spiritual lives. We first need it to save our souls from spiritual death to eternal life. As Jesus told the woman at the well, “But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” (Jn.4:14 nlt) Jesus is the spiritual water we need for salvation and eternal life. He offers it to us freely. Jesus is authorized to do so for He paved the way by dying on the cross for our sins recognized this Good Friday and rising from the dead on Easter morning to secure our eternal life.

Spiritual water is also needed for our souls to be refreshed daily by Jesus through prayer and reading His Word. As Christians our eternal home may be secured, but we still need daily spiritual water to help us grow, be fruitful, and not become a dried-up patch of grass. It is easy to develop a thirst for the things of the world, but soon we find out it never satisfies, yet we keep drinking from the fountain without quenching our souls. The Lord Jesus has the water to guarantee our salvation and to quench our thirsty souls. Why not take a drink from Jesus’ fountain today.

Devotionals

That’s What Friends Are For    

Loring Schultz

Read: John 15:12-17 ESV – “This is my commandment, that you – Bible Gateway

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13 ESV

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The Lord Jesus calls us His friends. If you have accepted Him as your Lord and savior you could not ask for a better, closer friend. Jesus gave His disciples an example of great love and true friendship when He said to them, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (Jn.15:13 esv) History has provided us with stories of people who have sacrificed their lives to save someone from harm or even death. We thank God for their selflessness and remember them for the true heroes they are. They were a true friend when a true friend was in need.

Jesus lived out that example of a true friend while He was on earth right up to the end of His earthly life. Jesus laid down His life for all of us He calls friends, all of us who are in desperate need of saving grace only He can provide by taking our punishment at the cross. No, we couldn’t ask for a better friend. Of all the friends we have in this world, none can compare with Jesus who saved us from eternal damnation and separation from Him and heaven forever. He can help us like no other friend is able with the problems and concerns we have in this world. Jesus is taking care of the here and now and has secured our eternal destiny for those who believe in Him. Jesus has taken care of everything for us. That’s what friends are for!

What a Friend we have in Jesus,
  All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
  Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
  O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
  Everything to God in prayer!

Joseph Scriven

Devotionals

Daniel’s Exemplary Prayer      

Loring Schultz

Read: Daniel 6:1-13 NLT – Daniel in the Lions’ Den – Darius the – Bible Gateway

“But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem.” Daniel 6:10 NLT

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Christians struggle today as to when is it appropriate to disobey the government. What would be a legitimate reason to ignore certain laws and encourage others to do the same. I’m sorry, I’m not about to give you an approved list which enables you to defy the government, but I will give us all an example of what is right when the time is right.

The prophet Daniel lived his entire adult life in captivity. Captured as a teenager and brought to Babylon during the destruction of Jerusalem, Daniel proved to be an example of one who completely trusted and obeyed God whatever the circumstances. He never wavered, and the Lord used Daniel to work out and reveal His purposes. Now in his eighties, and still well respected by those who now held him captive, Daniel was about to put his faith and obedience on display.  

Daniel was one of the top officials in the new kingdom of Medo-Persia serving Darius the king. Darius’ favoritism of his highly regarded official brough envy among his colleagues so much they concocted a plan to get rid of him. They convinced the king to sign a law stating that “for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human— (except Darius the king)—will be thrown into the den of lions.” (Dan.6:7 nlt) They knew Daniel would not comply, seeing him three times a day praying towards Jerusalem, they got him, well, sort of.

If you’re familiar with the story of ‘Daniel in the lions’ den’ you know it has a happy ending. Daniel knew that if he obeyed the king’s law, he would be disobeying God. So, he did what he always did, he reached out to God for help in his daily prayers. Daniel had no assurance that God would deliver him, but he knew that He could, and he was not going to disobey the Lord God who had blessed him all his life. Let the same be said of us.

Devotionals

A Distress Call     

Loring Schultz

Read: Jonah 2 NIV – From inside the fish Jonah prayed to – Bible Gateway

“He said: ‘In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry.’” Jonah 2:2 NIV

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A ‘distress call’, also known as a distress signal, is an internationally recognized call for help. The calls are communicated through radio signals over medium to high frequencies across land or sea. The signals alert emergency units that a watercraft, aircraft, or other vehicle is in imminent danger and in need of rescue. Other forms of distress signals include an emergency aerial or handheld flare, sending morse code S.O.S., showing flames on a vessel, a continuing sound of fog-signaling devices, and firing a gun at one-minute intervals. All are forms of communication with the sole purpose of crying out for help in a desperate situation.

The prophet Jonah sent out his own distress call from the belly of a great fish. He no doubt needed a rescue. Although he was in that desperate spot due to his own disobedience to God, he cried out to the only one who could save him. Jonah had a change of heart after God kept him alive after his attempt to take his own life by having his crew mates throw him overboard. Jonah refused to follow where God told him to go and what he was to do. In fact, he went in the opposite direction.

You may find yourself in a similar situation today. You’re not where God was leading you and told you go. You’ve been running in the opposite direction doing your own thing, and it’s not working out for you. You may not be far away from danger, or perhaps you are already there needing to send out that distress call. Jonah said the Lord listened to his cry; He will listen to yours. It’s never too late to turn around and go where God is calling you and do what He has planned for you. Don’t hesitate, send out that distress call!    

Devotionals

Does God Answer Your Prayers? He answers more than you realize  

Loring Schultz

Read: Acts 12:1-19 NIV – Peter’s Miraculous Escape From Prison – Bible Gateway

“So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him….and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.” Acts 12:5, 16 NIV

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Have you ever experienced the resolution of a problem that occurred unexpectedly. It may have been a major concern you thought was not possible to resolve, or something minor that was just an annoyance. Then you come to realize and say to yourself, ‘Hey, I prayed about that!’ We pray about many things, and it seems that none of our prayers are being answered. Then out of the blue comes an answer to a prayer and we don’t realize it until later. It may have been a prayer we put on the burner, but God did not forget. He heard and answered. If we put our minds to it, there will be many answers to the prayers we made revealed to us. Yes, God did answer those prayers, and it could have been not in the way we desired. Perhaps that is why we forget, but He did answer.

The early church in the book of Acts had been praying for Peter who was in prison and about to be executed. King Herod was beginning to arrest Christians and had put the apostle James to death. When he saw his actions pleased the Jewish rulers, he preceded to arrest Peter also, planning to kill him after the Passover. When the people in the church heard of it, they immediately started praying earnestly for Peter’s release. Their prayers were answered. An angel of the Lord appeared before Peter waking him up, his chains fell off, and the angel led him out of the prison.

However, when Peter went to the home where the church people were praying and knocked on the door, they didn’t believe it was him, except for a servant girl named Rhoda. Finally, they were convinced after they were astonished that God answered their prayer. The Lord does what seems impossible. He answers quickly, as in Peter’s case. Sometimes He answers slowly as in our case, but He always answers. When we eventually do remember, let us rejoice, thanking Him for answering prayer and not forgetting.