Tag: The Bible

Devotionals

Nothing More to Say      

Loring Schultz

Read: Psalm 119:89-96 NASB – Lamedh Forever, LORD, Your word stands – Bible Gateway

“Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.” Psalm 119:89 NASB

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There comes a time in everyone’s life when defending our position on a matter is useless, for there is nothing more to say. We’ve exhausted all reasoning for our actions to no avail because we have been proven wrong. Matters of opinion are less crucial unless those opinions turn into action with dire consequences. When we engage in activities contrary to God’s Word but acceptable to the world and to our culture, it’s bound to not end well. As the fruit of our decisions ripens and becomes known, we try to explain it away, defending our actions as in vogue with the world. You may be in sync with your friends and colleagues, but you are not in alignment with God in your reasoning.

The point is simple, God’s Word stands. It cannot be overruled. It can’t be reasoned with to persuade change. It is settled. There is nothing more to say. The psalmist writes, “Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.” (Ps.119:89 nasb) It’s done, completed, and forever. God’s Word doesn’t change with culture. Culture changes towards the Bible when people take God seriously and study His Word with an open mind to spiritual truth.

Instead of exerting your energy trying to justify what is not in Scripture, why not apply that energy in a study of God’s Word. Invest your time and energy discovering the truth. You’re not going to find approval for what the world approves in the Bible unless you pick and choose certain passages and apply them in error to suit your purpose. Disregarding sections of Scripture as not relevant to today’s culture doesn’t change the fact that God’s Word is settled truth. You can redact them with a sharpie but under the black mark the truth is still there. Let’s reason together, when God’s Word is settled there’s nothing more to say!

Devotionals

Lent 2026 – The Cross in the Old Testament

Loring Schultz

Read: Psalm 22:13-18 KJV – They gaped upon me with their mouths, – Bible Gateway

“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?……they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them and cast lots upon my vesture.” Psalm 22:1, 16-18 KJV

Photo by Tim Wildsmith on Unsplash

The message of the cross is not just a New Testament story. The man upon that cross is seen all throughout the Bible including much of the Old Testament. Jesus Christ, God the Son, the Messiah is that man on the cross. You may have heard that ‘history’ is really ‘HIS-story’ Jesus Christ. There is plenty of evidence in the Old Testament to convince even the strongest doubters that Jesus is the promised Messiah who was to come. He came in His Father’s timing to earth to paid the penalty for our sins on the cross of calvary.

The author of Psalm 22, King David, prophesized Jesus on the cross when expressing his own thoughts in his prayer of anguish to the Lord. “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Ps.22:1 kjv) David, a godly servant, was under constant attack unjustly by his enemies. Our Lord Jesus was under attack unjustly as David, both as righteous sufferers. But, in our Lord’s suffering, as unjust as it was, justice was served in payment for our sin debt. Jesus ultimately defeated death by rising from the dead to ensure salvation and eternal life for all who believe in Him.   

 There is much to learn about Jesus in the Old Testament. This Lenten season as we focus on the cross let us glean through those treasured sacred writings and discover the many references to Christ within its pages for it is His-story.

A Christian Perspective

The Greatest Show on Earth; what are we willing to accept?     

Loring Schultz

“But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies.” Romans 1:18, 24 NLT

Last Sunday the greatest show on earth, Super Bowl LX, was televised and streamed across the world. That title once belonged to the circus act of ‘Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey.’ I realize they are still around, but the NFL’s Super Bowl has long surpassed them in more ways than one and not for the better.

Writing as one who watched the first Super Bowl as an impressionable youth, the NFL has changed dramatically over 60 years. The game itself has not changed all that much except for how the game is played according to the NFL but that is a subject for another day. Today is about what we as Christians are willing to accept in our entertainment choices when they cross the lines of decency, morality, and the Word of God. Rule changes in the NFL do not cross any of these lines. What does cross the line is the NFL’s push to grow its product by bowing to a decaying culture at the expense of corrupting our future generations. Of course, I’m speaking of the morally bankrupt half-time show witnessed by millions of people especially the impressionable youth of our day.

No, I didn’t watch it not even to be able to better review it, there was no need to. Debauchery does not need to be witnessed to know what it is. The problem within the current culture is that many people don’t see the problem and it is a big problem, nor do they care. It is understandable those outside of Christ would fall into this category, but for Christians who claim to follow Jesus and His teachings to not see the problem by staying silent or worst yet accepting it is unconscionable. The book of Romans says, “But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness.” (Ro.1:18 nlt) God is angry and so should we be.

Before someone thinks ‘who are you to judge’ I’m not judging. I’m angry, and mostly angry at my brothers and sisters in Christ who are accepting of this kind of public behavior for all the world to see. It’s not OK, and no I’m not perfect, but I know when something is not OK with God. His Word tells us, for all who care to pay attention, what is right and wrong, what we should accept and what we should condemn. Reading through the Bible can be unsettling at times for we will come across passages we don’t like, but they’re in there, so we need to deal with it.

What are we willing to accept to be accepted by the culture? Many of us stay silent to not offend others notably friends, co-workers, and family. We want to be part of ‘the greatest show on earth’ with the Super Bowl parties, the commercials, and the half-time entertainment. We bring our families together for some family entertainment. The sad truth is Super Bowl LX was far from family entertainment. The Greatest Show on Earth clearly belongs to ‘Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus.’ Pass the cotton candy.

Devotionals

Daily Bible Reading: Your Guide Through Uncertainty

Loring Schultz

“The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.” Psalm 119:130 NKJV

When entering a dark room, the first thing we do is turn on a light. If we enter a room we haven’t been in before, we search for the light switch using the limited light illuminating from outside the room. In either case, when the room has light, we can now move around and conduct our business.

There are many dark rooms we enter in life. Some are daily decisions to be made and others major decisions made only occasionally in our lifetime. All have the uncertainty in the shadow of what’s ahead. If only there was no shadow at all with enough light to enter, we would be confident we’re making the right move.

The Psalmist wrote, ‘The entrance (or unfolding) of Your words gives light.’ The Bible contains everything we need to know in making those decisions of uncertainty. We need light to shine through the shadows of both the daily decisions and the life changing ones. Seeing that we make decisions daily, it stands to reason, the light always needs to be on. Daily reading of Scripture is a must for every Christian if we are to be in His will and make the right decisions.

Our Lord will not abandon us to make our own decisions without His guidance and for that we should be thankful. He has given us His Word in clarity so that all could obey it. The Psalmist also wrote, ‘It gives understanding to the simple,’ and that means all of us. God’s Word is the light which illuminates our ability to understand His message to us, most importantly for salvation, but also for those decisions to be made in the shadows of a dark room.

A Christian Perspective

United States: A Country Divided

Loring Schultz

 “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart.” Matthew 12:25 NLT

Photo by Connor Gan on Unsplash

The United States of America has established itself as the leader of the free world since its founding in 1776. Based on principles found in the Holy Scriptures from God who created the heavens, the earth, and human beings in His image, these principles have guided the nation for 250 years this July 4th. Sadly, the United States once united ‘in God we trust’ have abandon, not only the motto, but very God Himself. Although not every citizen has rejected God and His Word, enough has that the United States is now a country divided.

The founding fathers are at the heart of this current divide. Disagreements over the intent of the framers of the constitution and its stability or fluidity have risen over the years. Legislation has been created and court decisions have been entered seizing the opportunity to establish law not found in the constitution. There is naturally a division when these laws are enacted as both sides see their view as the right one. The truth is the only view that matters is God’s and what He has written in His Word.

Many laws have been passed and put into effect and by law are legal, but by God’s law they do not pursue equal justice and violate the dignity of men and women made in God’s image. The founding fathers knew they were men with human flaws and needed divine revelation in drafting the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Biblical principles were applied to ensure liberty and justice for all. When these principles are neglected and God is no longer relevant in governing the nation, legislation will become law that will divide the citizens of the country.

The United States is more divided in 2026 than any time in its history including the Civil War. History books record for us the result of such division that occurred in the first half of the 1860’s. We may not be heading into a civil war as in the past, but we are in a civil war of ideas, justice, and morality. Jesus’ words need to be resounded across every state in the union, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation.” (Mt.12:25 nkjv) The United States is on the verge of collapse in Jesus’ words if we don’t reunite under His rule and authority. There is some good news that a reuniting may indeed occur. President Donald Trump announced this past Thursday at the National Prayer Breakfast that on May 17, 2026, at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. the United States will be rededicated as ‘One Nation under God.’ May we pray this will be a turning point as America begins its next 250 years.

Photo by Pieter Pienaar on Unsplash

A Christian Perspective

Forced Learning

Loring Schultz

“Command and teach these things….…. devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.” 1 Timothy 4:11, 13 ESV

‘Forced Learning,’ it sounds negative. It gives the impression of lack of freedom and choice. It can also assume indoctrination. The world’s education system has many contributors forcing their brand of learning based off their worldview to indoctrinate unexpecting students. This is occurring from early childhood development to our colleges and universities. Sadly it is also in some of our most prestigious non-profit and religious organizations and even in some churches. The justification for this teaching is they are in sync with the changing progressive culture. People in the early days of the New Testament found themselves in much the same situations. Paul, the apostle, has a few words to say about this.

Paul was giving Timothy instructions on being a disciplined servant of Christ. Timothy’s job was to teach and instruct the church of the ways of God, salvation, and Chrisitan living in a world with an ever-changing culture. Paul said to ‘Command and teach these things.’ The early church faced false teachers claiming something new and contrary to Scripture. Timothy was to devote himself to being persistent in the public reading of Scripture in worship services. He was also to continue to exhort and teach the brethren, in fact Paul told Timothy to ‘command and teach these things.’ It sort of sounds like ‘forced learning,’ but if Timothy’s teaching was based on the truth of God’s Word from God Himself then Timothy had a responsibility to carry out that command to teach those things.

Christians today have the same responsibility to communicate the truth of God’s Word. This is not to be left up to the pastor but is an obligation of every living saint. The error of false teaching must be met with truth from the Bible. The progressive cultural of our day is increasingly drifting away from the Bible with their forced learning procedures. It’s time to ‘command and teach these things.’ in the love of Christ.

Devotionals

Early Riser           

Loring Schultz

Read: Proverbs 8:12-36 KJV – I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find – Bible Gateway

“I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.” Proverbs 8:17 KJV

Photo by VD Photography on Unsplash
 

Are you an early riser? You may ask, ‘well, it depends on what you mean by early.’ I get it. So, this is not to persuade you to get up before or at the crack of dawn. (Although I think that is best) It is for you to reserve your best, full alert, attentive, concentrated, quiet time for God whatever the time of day.

For Jesus, His best time to pray to His Father was in the pre-dawn hours. Observing the busy days Jesus had during the course of His ministry it is easy to see His best time was when no one else was around. This should be our goal as well. Whenever that time is convenient is when and where we should be looking to seek after God. Proverbs is a book of wisdom and wisdom is personalized and is speaking in Proverbs 8:17 when it says, “I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.” (kjv) Can we apply this verse to seeking after God? I think we can!

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Pr.1:7 kjv) True wisdom comes when seeking after God with reverential fear or ‘awe’ of who He is. God Almighty is the source of wisdom. Wisdom says, “The LORD formed me from the beginning, before he created anything else. I was appointed in ages past, at the very first, before the earth began.” (Pr.8:22-23 nlt) The Lord God is the creator of everything. Wisdom comes through His mighty sovereign hands.

So, again my purpose is for each of us to find that secluded place which is the best uninterrupted time to seek after God through devoted prayer and time in His Word. You may also be surprised that a little bit of wisdom comes with it.

Devotionals

Food for the Journey

Loring Schultz

“……I don’t want to send them away hungry, or they will faint along the way.” Matthew 15:32b NLT

FreeBibleimages.org

I am sure we have all heard the expression, ‘life is a journey.’ Indeed, it is. Curiously though no two people are on the exact same path in life. There may be similarities, but just as everyone is unique in their own way, their journey in life follows the course planned out for them. And for the Christian, the Lord had your life journey drawn up before you were even a thought in your parents’ mind. “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” (Ps.139:16 nlt)

Throughout our journey in life, we need subsistence to sustain us. We need a daily intake of food to nourish us to survive our physical life, and we need a daily intake of spiritual food to survive in our spiritual life. During Jesus’ ministry on earth, He had two occasions where He provided food for thousands of people as they were coming to Him for healing and to hear His teaching. Jesus had compassion for the people giving them both physical and spiritual food. He did not want to send the crowds away hungry for they might faint along the way.

Our Lord Jesus has the same compassion for us in our spiritual walk with Him. He does not want us to faint along the way in our life journey. He provides us with food to sustain our spiritual growth through His Word. As we have our quite time with Him, through our devotions, prayer, and Bible reading we can rest assured that we will not go away hungry. Make sure you put in the effort to get your daily spiritual nourishment for the journey. Jesus doesn’t want to send you away hungry.

Bible Studies

SOLA SCRIPTURA (Scripture Alone)

Loring Schultz

“I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, since it is neither right nor safe to go against conscience. May God help me. Amen.” (Luther at Diet of Worms, 1521)

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Over the next five weeks we will be addressing the ‘Five Solas’ of the Reformation. These are five Latin phrases from the Reformation period of the 16th century. “Sola’ in Latin is the English word ‘only.’ The early reformers recognized a drift away from Scripture in the Catholic Church essential to the teaching of the gospel. The “Five Solas’ represent the very core of the Christian faith. They are as follows, Sola Scriptura: Scripture is the only infallible authority for faith and practice. Solus Christus: Christ in His person and work is the only Savior. Sola gratia: Only the sovereign grace of God accomplishes salvation. Sola fide: Faith is the only instrument by which we are untied to Christ and receive all His benefits. Soli Deo gloria: The purpose of salvation is to give all glory to God alone. We begin with ‘Sola Scriptura.’ Scripture is the only infallible authority for faith and practice.

The apostle Paul declared in 2 Timothy, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16-17 esv) Since Scripture is breathed out by God, His words spoken to us, it stands to reason that His Word stands. It is the only one that counts. The Bible is the only authority for the church today and always has been. The Bible is verbally and divinely inspired. They are the very words of God. It is the highest authority possible for it comes from God Himself and is the only source of His voice to us today.

The Bible is sufficient for all we need in the way of Salvation and how we are to live. There are no rules to follow that supersede or add to the teaching of Scripture. Again, ‘Scripture is the only infallible authority for faith and practice.’ Church constitutions and rules of procedures are important but we must be careful not to add or subtract the truth of Scripture.

The reformers knew Christians often looked for God’s power in external things of the church rather than Scripture itself. It didn’t help that most church goers of the day didn’t have access to the Scriptures. The reformers task was to then restore confidence in the people of the church in the Word of God and with understanding that God’s power and truth was in His Word and His Word alone.

The perspicuity, or clarity, of Scripture is affirmed by Scripture itself. God instructed Israel to teach their children His commandments. (Dt. 6:6-9) God gave us His Word for all to understand even the youngest among us. The Holy Spirit also guides us as he illuminates the words of Scripture to us in comprehending the truth of Salvation.

“Sola scriptura also fueled the translation of the Bible into German, French, English, and other languages, and prompted Bible teaching in the common languages of the day, rather than in Latin. In this way, the good news of Jesus Christ could be read by the ordinary people.” (Evangelical Alliance UK)

Devotionals

New Gems of Truth

Loring Schultz

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16 KJV

Photo by Dan Farrell on Unsplash

‘What’s new?’ is a question you have asked and have been asked countless times. The inquiry ranges from new developments in one’s life to what’s new in general terms. It also carries with it the idea that something new means something old is done away with, and that is true in most cases, but not all. In particular, it is not true of sacred scripture, the Bible. There has been debate in recent decades over the authority of the Old Testament since Jesus’s time on earth and the completion of the New Testament. The New Testament records Jesus’s ministry, His pronouncement of the Heavenly Kingdom, the New Covenant, the early church, and future events. It is thought by some that Jesus’s fulfilment of the Old Testament oversees the necessity to follow the truths recorded in it. But Jesus has a much different view of sacred scripture from today’s debaters.

Jesus quoted often from the Old Testament mostly from the book of Deuteronomy. He explained the scriptures on the road to Emmaus as He walked along with Cleopas and his friend starting with Moses and all the prophets on how they related to Himself. (Lk. 24:13-32) Jesus also said to His disciples before His ascension into heaven, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.” (Lk. 24:44-45) Jesus wanted His disciples and us to understand the truths of Old Testament especially concerning Himself and the plan of Salvation.

While teaching the disciples about Himself and the kingdom of God in Matthew chapter 13, Jesus asked them, “Do you understand all these things?’ ‘Yes,’ they said, ‘we do.’” (Mt. 13:51) Jesus then went on, “Every teacher of religious law who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a homeowner who brings from his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old.” (Mt. 13:52) Now that they understood the truths about Jesus in the Old Testament, the disciples had new gems of truth to teach alongside the old truths. Today we have God’s completed Word in the Old and New Testaments. The insights from Jesus’s parables are understood through the truths of the Old Testament and Old Testament truths are understood through ‘New Gems of Truth.’