Tag: Salvation

Devotionals

Walk not in darkness, but in the light           

Loring Schultz

“Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, ‘I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life…..I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.’” (John 8:12, 12:46 NLT)

Three people wearing parkas walking on a snowy street in Utqiaġvik with houses and streetlights in the background.
Three people warmly dressed walk down a snowy street in Utqiaġvik at dusk.

Utqiagvik (Barrow) Alaska is the northern most city in United States. Located within the Arctic circle, 1,300 miles south of the North Pole, Utqiagvik is the largest city in the North Slope borough of the state near Point Barrow the most northern point. Due to its geography Utqiagvik experiences six months daylight in spring and summer and six months darkness in fall and winter, although not complete darkness. On May 10th  of this year Utqiagvik saw its last sunrise until August 2nd. Sunlight will be visible 24/7 for three months. The reverse is true when the sun sets on November 18th for last time until January 23rd. That is a lot of cold dark nights.

 The residents of this northern Alaska town walk in darkness or light depending on the season. The dark season does bring with it bits of depression among the people longing for the sun to reappear. It happens frequently in other parts of the world during dark, snowy, or rainy days. Now, imagine several months of it. But the sun does reappear in Utqiagvik right on time as the God of creation planned it. Utqiagvik is in a temporary period darkness for a time and then the light appears.

The rest of us in the world, unlike the people of northern Alaska 300 miles inside the Arctic circle, are living within a dark, sinful, broken world 365 days of the year. People are longing for better days, for a bright future, for peace on earth, and for the veil of darkness to be removed for the light to enter. There is a longing to walk in the light. That longing can be fulfilled. Jesus said He is the light of the world. “I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.” (Jn.12:46 nlt) Walk not in darkness but trust in Jesus, the light that remains forever.

Devotionals

The Right Words            

Loring Schultz

Read: Matthew 10:16-20 NLT – “Look, I am sending you out as sheep – Bible Gateway

“God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” Matthew 10:19-20 NLT

Photo by Soul Winners For Christ on Pexels.com

How many times have you been in a situation where you could not find the right words to say? How did you feel? Depending on the circumstances you may have felt embarrassed, not up to speed, or even frighten. You were counselling someone who needed help and your mind drew a blank or you were afraid of their reaction would be to what you were about to say. Whatever the case may be, Christians should not be afraid but encouraged for we have the Holy Spirit to guide us and help us through.

When Jesus sent His disciples out to proclaim that the kingdom of God was at hand He told them to beware. They were be aware of the coming resistance. First of all, they will be as sheep among wolves. They will be handed over to the authorities and beaten for their spoken words. Proclaiming the good news of Jesus would have them arrested and put on trial. But Jesus tells them to take advantage of this opportunity to speak to these rulers in the courts and all who are present about the gospel.

Today in 2026 Jesus is still sending out His disciples (us) to proclaim the gospel. All that early disciples were to beware of applies to us today. There is an increasing negativity of Christianity worldwide. We are beginning to see persecution in countries where Christianity and the gospel was freely heard and accepted. Several European countries and our friends to the north in Canada have laws on the books to suppress Christianity by claiming it is hate speech. And I am afraid it is soon coming to America.

We need not be afraid when that day comes but encouraged. God will give us the right words to say in proclaiming the Gospel and He will give us the right words when we are put on trial for speaking those right words of the gospel. “For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” (Mt.10:20 nlt)

Devotionals

To Whom Will You Go?

Loring Schultz

Read: John 6:60-69 NLT – Many Disciples Desert Jesus – Many of – Bible Gateway

“Simon Peter replied, ‘Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.’” John 6:68-69 NLT

Photo by Amy Faru00edas on Pexels.com

The New Testament book of John chapter 6 records the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000. Most of those people followed Him back to Capernaum for what Jesus said of them, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs.” (Jn.6:26 nlt) The people were content to have their stomachs full. They could not look past their concern for their physical needs. Jesus told them not to be concerned about the food that perishes but for the food that leads to eternal life. (Jn.6:27)

  Jesus then explained that He was the bread of life coming down from heaven giving life to the world. Salvation is granted to all who eat His flesh and drink His blood. (Jesus is using a spiritual analogy here-Jn.6:53-59) It represents Christ’s physical death on the cross and His shed blood as necessary for eternal life. Those who accept Christ as savior receive (His flesh and blood) as payment for their sins and have everlasting life. This is hard for people today to grab hold of and understand and even more so in Jesus’ day as he spoke these words. And the Scriptures say many left Him after these words.

The story above is not the only one used in our day to refute Christianity. There are many which orators take out of context to explain away the truth of the gospel that Jesus is the only way to the Father. Sadly, many people are taken in and led amiss by these teachers, and yes pastors, with their false words. The disciples were asked by Jesus if they were going to follow the crowd away from Jesus and Peter spoke up and said, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.” (Jn.6:68 nlt) Peter’s words are still true today, ‘to whom will you go?’

Devotionals

Serious Business

Loring Schultz

“Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them.” 2 Timothy 2:4 NLT

Photo by Nowrin Sanjana on Pexels.com

The Christian life is serious business. Our responsibilities must be taken seriously. We are Jesus’ followers who bear His name and are His representatives on earth. “So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us.” (2Cor.5:20) The gospel message which leads to salvation is placed upon every Christian to share with others as they are so gifted. Not everyone is a pastor, missionary, or Bible teacher but God has gifted each believer in Christ the ability to speak for Him right where they are.

Not only are we ambassadors for Christ, but we are soldiers in His army. Those in military service know their first allegiance is to the country they serve and their commanding officers. Christians are in the heavenly kingdom and our commander is the Lord Jesus. Soldiers in today’s army must restrict themselves from the things of civilian life. Their duty is total loyalty to the mission that is in front of them. Christians in Christ’s army have their mission instilled in their hearts and minds and must be ready to be deployed as He commands. Loyalty to our God and Savior takes first place.

The work that is put before us is of the upmost importance. There are countless important and vital jobs to better our lives and to save lives in the world today. Praise God if He has called you into one of those positions, but the most crucial job today saves lives from eternal damnation to eternal life with the lifesaving gospel of Jesus Christ. Be careful not to get caught up in frivolous things but remember who enlisted us to be in His army. It is serious business.

Devotionals

Do You Know God?

Loring Schultz

Read: John 1:1-5,John 1:14 NIV – The Word Became Flesh – In the – Bible Gateway

“No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.” John 1:18 NIV

Photo by Josh Eckstein on Unsplash

Do you know God? Not about God, but do you know Him? Do you know Jesus, again not about Jesus, but do you know Him? The apostle John begins his gospel by explaining that the ‘Word’ in verse one always existed. ‘In the beginning was the Word.’ The ‘Word’ was with God in the beginning and the ‘Word’ was God. So, what does that tell us? The ‘Word’ is God.

John goes on to explain the ‘Word’s’ incarnation in verse fourteen. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (Jn.1:14 niv) The ‘Word’ (Jesus) lived among us. We saw the glory of the Son (Jesus) who came from the Father. John later writes, “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.” (Jn.1:18 niv) The truth is, if you know Jesus, you know God. He has made Him known. Jesus is God the Son.

This is vital for Christians to understand. Our salvation depends on a perfect sacrifice being made to pay for our sins and reconcile us back to God. Jesus was not a prophet, a teacher, or an angel sent from God to show us the way; He is the way. He is God the Son. Early Christians in the New Testament were known as people of ‘The Way.’ There are several religious in the world who claim to know Jesus and follow His ways and teachings, even calling themselves Christians, but do not believe Jesus is God the Son. They are sincerely wrong! If Jesus were not God the Son, His death would be meaningless and we would still be in our sins. Know for certain who Jesus is. Your salvation depends on it!

Devotionals

Our Greatest Need

Loring Schultz

“O let me never lose sight of my need of a saviour, or forget that apart from him I am nothing, and can do nothing.” (1)

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

What is your greatest need? Have you ever thought about it? This question is often asked in light of the current moment in time. We do live in the present. Have you ever considered there is one need that is supersedes all other needs in our lives? This need, when met, will assist us with dealing with all other needs because it is our greatest need, our need of a savior. Our greatest need in this life is to make sure our greatest after this life is met. Along with the fulfillment of that need comes help from above in our everyday walk in this life.

The Puritan writer in the ‘Valley of Vision’ collection of Puritan devotions writes, “O let me never lose sight of my need of a saviour, or forget that apart from him I am nothing, and can do nothing.” (1) We can get so tangled in our present needs we lose sight of the bigger picture. What is important and what should be our primary priorities are overshadowed by current troubles. Yes, our pressing needs are a concern and need to be dealt with and the provider of our greatest need is there to help us through them.

Our greatest need must be met first. All of us are alienated from God due to our sinful nature and must be reconciled to Him. That reconciliation was made possible by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for our sins. “For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” (Ro.5:10 niv) When we accept Christ as savior our greatest need in this life and more importantly in eternity has been met. So, have you taken care of your greatest need? Once you are assured of that, the rest of this life with all its needs will be met by the one who solved your greatest need, your need of a savior.

(1) Arthur Bennett Ed. The Valley of Vision. East Peoria: Versa Press, 2023. Pg. 32

Devotionals

Be Humble, Pray, and Seek the Lord  

Loring Schultz

Read: 2 Chronicles 7:12-16 NLT – Then one night the LORD appeared to – Bible Gateway

“Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

Photo by Nuno Silva on Unsplash

A few days ago Donald Trump, the president of the United States, read a portion of Scripture as part of a marathon reading of the Bible in an America 250-themed event. The United States will celebrate its 250th anniversary of independence on July 4th of this year. The passage he read from in 2 Chronicles was appropriate as the Lord promises to bless those who call on Him and He will restore their land. America sure needs it. The news media did not see it that way but criticized the reading as misrepresenting the Bible and not applicable to our time. Granted it was a different time and I will not make this a political piece (that is for our Saturday’s Christian Perspective each week) but this passage does apply. It applies as an example for the nation and for every person in the world today. The Bible is God’s living and breathing Word and it applies to everyone every day.

Christians can claim the words ‘Then if my people who are called by my name’ as applying to them, which I am one. When one accepts Christ as savior they have been drawn by the Holy Spirit unto salvation. We are called ‘Christians’ after Jesus Christ’s name and the Holy Spirit resides in every Chrisitan upon salvation. The Lord says when we humble ourselves, pray, and seek His face that He will hear us.

The Lord also demands that we turn from our wicked ways. Turning to God in prayer seeking Him with a humble attitude while still sinning against Him brings into question, how serious are we? Do we care about restoration or do we want to keep a couple of sins in our back pocket. The Lord God wants one-hundred percent commitment in our humility, prayer, seeking Him, and turning away from our sin. He then promises to forgive us and restore us. Yes, this passage applies today for everyone. Praise God that it does!

Devotionals

Our Guaranteed Inheritance               

Loring Schultz

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14 NIV

Engraved pocket watch, brass key, old letters, framed sepia photo, and vintage books on wooden table
Vintage keepsakes including an engraved pocket watch and old letters on a wooden table

It is a shame that in our world an inheritance is not guaranteed. The family fortune may not be handed down to you. A precious heirloom may be given to someone else. Your right as a child to inherent is not always guaranteed in this life. But as a child of God bought by the blood of Jesus Christ you are guaranteed an inheritance.

At the moment we receive Christ as our savior the Holy Spirit takes up residence within us. Not only is the Holy Spirit dwelling in us to guide us through this life, but He is the assurance of our salvation and eternal inheritance. The apostle Paul says we ‘were marked in Him with a seal.’ It is a seal of authenticity, authority, security, and ownership. We belong to Christ. Jesus purchased us and has given us His Holy Spirit as a pledge (deposit) guaranteeing our future inheritance.

There are not many guarantees in life that are 100% guaranteed, such as a product you may have purchased. The way you have treated or mistreated the item will determine if the guarantee is honored. Our salvation is guaranteed. There is nothing we can do to lose our salvation and our eternal inheritance. It does not depend on us as it did not depend on us when we trusted in Christ. It was the work of the Holy Spirit who led us and we are now sealed guaranteeing of our inheritance. Rejoice in that today!

Devotionals

Obey me, and I will be your God

Loring Schultz

“This is what I told them: ‘Obey me, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. Do everything as I say, and all will be well!’” Jeremiah 7:23 NLT

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

Do you believe in God? If your answer is yes, do you want Him to be your God? You may be a bit confused at this point, but just think it through. Just because you say you believe in God is He really your God or just one of many. Is He in competition with your career, your spouse, your vacation home, automobile, boat, or your favorite sports team? Does He hold first place on every shelf in your life, and do you obey Him wholeheartedly in everything you do? If not, then He is your God in name only.

The Lord speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to the nation of Israel says, “…. Obey me, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. Do everything as I say, and all will be well!” (Jer.7:23 nlt) This is what the Lord God wanted Israel to do when He led them out of Egypt. He didn’t want their offerings or their sacrifices, he only wanted their obedience. They believed in God, but also had other gods from the desires of their hearts to put alongside the God of heaven. Over time these idols, other gods, began to push the true God out of their lives. The Lord God says of them, “This is the nation whose people will not obey the LORD their God and who refuse to be taught. Truth has vanished from among them; it is no longer heard on their lips.” (Jer.7:28 nlt)

God is not to be the top rung on the ladder of our gods. He is the whole latter from top to bottom and our access to eternal life through Jesus Christ His Son. There is no other way of salvation and there are no other gods able to bring us satisfaction and joy in this life than the true God of heaven. Believe God when He says, ‘Obey me, and I will be your God’ and know for sure that He is.

A Christian Perspective

God of Eternal Hope      

Loring Schultz

“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NLT

Photo by Tori Nefores on Unsplash

We have just come out of the Easter weekend holiday. I heard messages last weekend of hope, peace, light and other necessary needs for our present world made possible through Jesus Christ rising from the dead. His resurrection gives us all hope for the day in which we live was expounded in their sermons. These words came from some of the world’s renowned and most respected Christian leaders. But there are serious flaws in their messages. It was not what was said, but what was not said.

I will not take away anything from those who pray for peace in this world, we need more spiritual leaders to be part of this. Their Easter message of hope and peace is available to all because of Christ’s resurrection but only through the saving grace of God as one accepts Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection for their sins does it apply. It is a personal experience. The main message of Christ’s resurrection has been replaced by a general one-size-fits-all secular version of hope and peace for this world neglecting the true reason why Christ came; to lay down His life for sinners. Jesus Christ came to save us all who are dead in our sins and believe on Him for salvation saving us from eternal punishment of hell’s fire.

It is true that those who accept Christ as savior from their sin have received joy, peace, and the light of Christ in this dark world that shines for all to see. That alone brings some peace to the world but realize it is a changed person who is now alive and has the Holy Spirit within them because of Christ’s resurrection. The hope of the resurrection we celebrate is future, an eternal hope. Christians who truly know the Lord as savior have the assurance (hope) of being resurrected on the last day and assured of eternal life. That is the true message of Easter (Resurrection Sunday) from the true God of eternal hope.