Tag: Salvation

Devotionals

Something to Talk About         

Loring Schultz

Read: Luke 16:19-31 NIV – The Rich Man and Lazarus – “There was – Bible Gateway

“In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’” Luke 16:23-24 NIV

Photo by Chris Barbalis on Unsplash

In presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ some advocate not mentioning ‘hell’ in fear of turning away people. Unfortunately even pastors in some of our most prominent churches will not preach on hell for the same reason. They would rather preach on the love of Jesus and for us to follow Jesus’ teaching on love, and well we should, but Jesus also taught about ‘hell.’ Jesus talked about hell to warn us the consequences of rejecting Him and the sacrifice He made for us on the cross of calvary.

Jesus tells a story found in the New Testament book of Luke about a rich man and the poor man, Lazarus. Most scholars consider this story one of Jesus’ parables, but if it is a parable, it is the only one He tells with an actual name of an individual. In any case, Jesus is clearly referring to hell in this story.

The rich man had all the comforts life could offer. He was rich, had fine clothing, and plenty of food, life was good. Lazarus was a poor beggar with sores covering his body. He would crave to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. One living in luxury and the other in dire poverty. Jesus says, “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.” (Lk.16:22-23 niv) Lazarus and the rich man both died physically, but their souls live on. Lazarus is in comfort at Abraham’s side while the rich man is suffering in torment.

Don’t miss the point here. The rich man isn’t in hell because he was rich, but because he rejected God and His plan for salvation. Lazarus isn’t alongside Abraham because he was poor in life, but because he accepted God’s plan of salvation. Jesus is confirming there are two destinations for each one of us when we die, heaven or hell. Jesus came to save us from the torments of hell if we put our trust in Him for salvation. Jesus felt it was important enough and something to talk about. We should too!

A Christian Perspective

Back to Church Sunday

Loring Schultz

“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.’” Matthew 11:28-30 NLT

Photo AI Generated

Tomorrow Sunday September 21st is ‘National Back to Church Sunday.’ Recognized on the third Sunday in September, it is a drive to invite people back to church, and if one has never attended church, now is a good time. It is community, and where you will find peace, but it is so much more than that. A Bible believing, preaching church will introduce you to Jesus Christ, God the Son. He is where true peace comes from. Peace in this world and assurance of life eternal. There is the ultimate community with brothers and sisters in Christ which the world cannot match. No matter where you reside in this world, find a Bible believing church in your area and attend this Sunday. See you there!

Devotionals

A Shaken Reed

Loring Schultz

“What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?” Luke 7:24b ESV

Photo by Mabel Amber on Pexels.com

Have you ever noticed a reed, a tall slender blade of grass, blowing in the wind? It blows whichever way the wind is blowing. It is weak in that it is easily swayed.

Jesus asks those in the crowd, who have been following Him, and who apparently had followed John the Baptist, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?” John the Baptist, obviously wasn’t a man easily swayed by public opinion. He didn’t sugar coat his message to the people. He was a true prophet of God. (Luke 7:26-28)

Are you a reed shaken by the wind? I need to ask myself the same question, am I a reed shaken by the wind of this world that prevents me from speaking the truth? The truth about the sinful condition of mankind, the wrath of God, and the judgment to come. One cannot read through the entire Holy Scriptures, The Bible, and not see it. The truth is those without Christ will die in their sins into eternal damnation. But, the truth is also that Jesus came to pay the penalty for sin and those who put their faith and trust in Him will escape the eternal punishment and received eternal life in Heaven with Him.

Are you proclaiming the whole truth of God’s Word, the Bible, or is your reed (your message) being shaken by the wind?

Devotionals

Leaving Them All Behind

Loring Schultz

Read: Ruth 1:1-18 NLT – Elimelech Moves His Family to Moab – In – Bible Gateway

“But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.’” Ruth 1:16 NLT

Photo AI Generated

‘“Yes,’ Jesus replied, ‘and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the Kingdom of God, will be repaid many times over in this life, and will have eternal life in the world to come.’” Luke 18:29-30 NLT

Our current society has helped drive families apart with a selfish attitude towards others, it’s a ‘me first’ society. Over time some families are restored but there needs to be forgiveness and a complete ‘same mind’ agreement for reconciliation. Many families struggle with problems in the home, forcing some to abandon their family, leaving them all behind. Societal ills make up most family break-ups today, but believe it or not, a deep faith in God and trusting in His Son Jesus for salvation made up the rest.

The book of Ruth gives us one of the earliest pictures of someone leaving their family to serve the Lord God of heaven. Ruth, a Moabite woman, became a widow at a young age. Her mother-in-law, Naomi, was returning to her homeland in Judah from where she, her husband and their two sons left due to a severe famine. Ruth wanted to return with Naomi back to Israel. She had a great love for her mother-in-law, but also a great love for God. Perhaps Ruth saw something in Naomi even through the bitterness of her sorrow of losing her husband and two sons that caused Ruth to say, “Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.” (Ruth1:16b nlt) Ruth left her family behind to serve and worship God.

Jesus confirms there is a cost in following Him. In speaking to His disciples Jesus acknowledged there will be those who leave their families for the sake of the gospel, but they will be richly rewarded. Some will leave in pursuit of ministry work for Christ, but some others will be forced to leave their families who have rejected them for following Christ. If you are in this latter group know that Jesus understands, for He was also rejected by His family. Continue to follow Jesus, pray for your family, and don’t look back.

A Christian Perspective

The Truth Hurts    

Loring Schultz

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.” 2 Timothy 4:7 NLT

Photo by Bruno van der Kraan on Unsplash



Why are there so many people who hate the truth? It’s very simple; the truth hurts. Being confronted with the truth upsets the apple cart in life. The lifestyle, ideology, religion nuances, intolerance, and overall hatred for the truth of the Bible reveals one’s true feelings towards those who hold to Biblical truths. This is nothing new. Hatred for the truth of the Bible and the gospel of Jesus Christ has been active for centuries. It has been growing over the last century particularly in third world countries and in Europe, and most recently here in the United States over the last several decades.

This past Wednesday, the day before the anniversary of ‘911’ in the United States, another tragedy unfolded in the assassination of conservative civil rights activist, author, and private citizen Charlie Kirk. He was gunned down during an event at an American university speaking the truth as he has been doing for over a decade. Only 31 years old, he leaves behind a wife and two young children. Kirk had been very influential in changing the culture among young people especially on college campuses. He spoke the truth plainly and with common sense which could not be denied, but often it was perceived as hate speech and divisive. The truth is only divisive when not recognized and accepted as truth. It’s only divisive because the truth hurts.

Charlie Kirk was also a devout Christian who spoke boldly and was unashamed of his salvation in Jesus Christ. He often engaged with those who question him sincerely about his faith and also with those who rigorously opposed him. He was a friend to all and would speak and listen to anyone who wanted to dialogue with him.

The assassin wanted to silence the truth, because the truth hurts. The problem for the assassin and others who want to silence the truth is truth cannot be silence. Kirk’s voice may have been silenced but there are millions of other voices who will continue speaking boldly the truth about civil rights, liberty, and the gospel, some for the first time. The United States has reached a ‘turning point’ referring to Kirk’s organization and ministry. This tragedy has awakened many of us not to sit on our hands anymore. We have work to do. Satan and his minions will continue their attempts to silence the truth with vengeance. Sadly, this is not only an American problem but one that is raging in every country around the world.

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash

Hatred for the truth will continue until Jesus Christ returns. Speaking the truth in love, boldly and unashamed as Jesus did, with those who disagree with us is our calling to this generation. Yes, they may hate us, but they hate the truth more, because the truth hurts.

Devotionals

The Basis for Christian Hope             

Loring Schultz

“This letter is from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, appointed by the command of God our Savior and Christ Jesus, who gives us hope.” 1 Timothy 1:1 NLT

Photo by Daniela Paola Alchapar on Unsplash

 

Christian hope is guaranteed. A Christian can count on it. It is sure because the basis for Chrisian hope is Jesus Christ. What is this Christian hope? It is the assurance of salvation guaranteeing forgiveness of sin and the assurance of eternal life in heaven with Christ for all who accept Him as Lord and savior. Yes, it’s that simple, and it is hope we can count on.  

The various definitions of ‘hope’ in most dictionaries are found in Jesus.

Hope – 1. A feeling that what is wanted will happen. The desire to be assured of heaven is something all people want if they admit it or not. Jesus provides that feeling of assurance. 2. The object of this. Obviously the object of this hope is Jesus who makes it possible. 3. A person or thing on which one may base some hope. Again, this is Jesus. He is the basis for this hope.

Paul gives us verses he pointed out to Timothy in his letters of instruction and encouragement to him. I Timothy 2:5 reads, “For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus.” (nlt) In chapter 4 Paul writes, “This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.” 1 Tim.4:10 nlt)

Christians have a hope that is not wishful thinking but guaranteed by Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The apostle Paul begins his first letter to young Timothy by stating he was appointed by the command of God and Jesus who gives us all hope. Paul wanted to ensure Timothy that all our hope in this world and assurance of eternity in heaven is found in Jesus Christ, the basis for our hope. Do you have the assurance of this Christian hope or is it still wishful thinking?

Devotionals

Tragedy Unites

Loring Schultz

“I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God” John 3:3 NLT

Photo by Mikhail Nilov on Pexels.com

On September 11, 2001, tragedy united the citizens of America. A sudden terrorist attack came to shores of the United States. In New York city, Washington, D.C. and in a rural community in Pennsylvania four jet planes carrying innocent passengers to their destination were brought down by radical religious extremists. Innocent workers, by standers, and those who just happened to in the buildings suffered the same ill-fate of those on the planes. It was a day that is etched in every American mind as to where they where when they hear and saw the news, I know I do. Also what is remembered is the unity of spirit among people immediately brought about by this tragedy.

Tragedy has a way of uniting people and reminding them what is truly important. Christians are already united through the Holy Spirit, brothers and sisters in Christ, but there is a tragedy that should unite us stronger together and is the fate of those without Christ. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” (Jn.3:3 nlt) This are Jesus’ words, not mine. The tragedy that awaits those we know, and love is real and should unite us in reaching out to the lost. Believe it or not, it is a tragedy far worse than ‘911’ as it is known in the United States. There is something we can do to avoid this tragedy for many people and that is follow Jesus’ last command to us before He ascended to heaven. “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” (Mt.28:19 nlt)

The way we make disciples is to share the good news of the gospel. There is a tragedy on the horizon for all those who do not know Christ as their savior. It is a tragedy that will last for eternity if not dealt with in this life. This good news needs to be presented to them while there is still time, for none of us know when our last day on earth will be, as those on September 11, 2001. Let this upcoming tragedy unite all of us in Christ to lead those without Christ to His saving knowledge and advance the Kingdom of God.

Devotionals

If we live by the Spirit; then how should we walk?

Loring Schultz

“Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” Galatians 5:24-24 NASB

Photo AI Generated

A sad reality for many Christians is the failure to know that the Holy Spirit is living inside of us. At conversion when one accepts Christ by the nudging of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit that led you to salvation is now with you and will never leave you. I think most of us find it hard to accept that that the creator of the heavens and the earth, Almighty God is living inside of us in the Holy Spirit, but that is what the Bible teaches.

Paul encouraged the churches in Galatia by declaring, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” (Gal.2:20 nasb) Paul is saying Christ lives in him through the Holy Spirit. The same is true for every believer. Christians had that old self crucified with Christ, we are new creatures, the old has pass away, the new has come. (2 Cor.5:17) Later Paul says if that is the case then we should all be walking by the Spirit.

We must admit it is challenging to walk by the Spirit in our current day, but it is not impossible. The Holy Spirit, the creator God, is living within us to help us walk as believers in Christ. Once a true knowledge and understanding of the Holy Spirit is realized that walk goes much easier. We rely on Him and His presence with the daily temptations that prevent from walking as we should. Remember we have crucified the flesh. What is dead cannot be brought to life, and it won’t be if we walk by the Spirit.

Devotionals

How to become right with God

Loring Schultz

“I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.” Galatians 2:21 NLT

Photo AI Generated

Have you done your good deed for the day yet? Depending on when you are reading this, the beginning of your day or ending it or perhaps on your lunch break, there is still time to complete that good deed. When and if you do a good deed, does it count towards your entrance into heaven? How many good deeds you have stacked up at the gate so far? What’s the magic number you need for the gate to open? How do you know if your reached it? Do your good deeds outweigh your bad deeds? You hope they do. But you can never be sure. Trying to work your way into heaven is a fruitless effort. It will never be achieved no matter how hard you try. So, why don’t you quit trying to be good enough to become right with God, because you can’t, and count on Jesus’ righteousness through accepting Him for salvation.

The apostle Paul was telling the churches in Galatia that following the law would never make them right with God. If that where the case, then there was no reason for Jesus to die for our sins, seeing we could handle it ourselves through obeying the law and doing good deeds. The truth is there is nothing we can do to stand righteous before God. It is only through Jesus’ righteousness applied to us as we accept Him as our savior. That is why Jesus came. He needed to come to be the perfect sacrifice for sin which we could never be. Isaiah wrote, “We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind.” (Is.64:6 nlt) Even our good deeds are as filthy rags. They certainly won’t get us into heaven. They won’t make us right with God. But faith through grace will get us both right with God and into heaven.

Don’t give up doing good deeds. But know they are not what gets you into heaven. Accept Jesus Christ as your savior, having His righteousness applied to you, and your good deeds will be done in the name of Jesus showing others you are a child of God.

Devotionals

No Key Needed

Loring Schultz

“I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” John 10:9 ESV

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Valuables are kept protected, usually under lock and key. Every major bank in the world has a secure vault to store tangible assets away from would be criminals. Access into that valuable space is only through having the key or security code to enter. Your own personal valuables are kept secured by whatever means you choose to protect them. Entrance into your assets again is only possible by the one who holds the key. Can you imagine having the most valuable possession known to man not under lock and key, but having free access to it, no key needed?

Jesus says, “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” (Jn.10:9 esv) Most doors have locks on them. The more value behind the door the bigger and stronger the lock, at least that is how it works in our fallen world. Jesus says He is the door to salvation, eternal life after our live on earth is over. He also provides for us in this world finding pasture. Is there anything of more value than that. I think not! Yet, there is no mention of a key needed to open the door of salvation. No security codes or secret passwords are needed to enter through the door.

Salvation, as valuable as it is, is a free gift. Jesus paid it all on the cross of calvary. Our sin debt is paid. All we sinners need to do is to repent and accept Christ as our savior for payment of our sins. Jesus unlocked the door by His death and resurrection for all who believe in Him. No key needed.