Tag: The Bible

Devotionals

Nothing Lasts Forever; Wrong!         

Loring Schultz

Read: 1 Peter 1:21-25 NLT – Through Christ you have come to trust – Bible Gateway

“For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.” 1 Peter 1:23 NLT

We have all heard ‘nothing lasts forever’ and ‘all good things must come to an end.’ The problem with those sayings is our agreement with them. Sure, a dream vacation ends too quickly, your favorite team missed the playoffs (again), your favorite childhood amusement park was torn down, old friendships fade away, and they are many other examples I could think of and you can as well. All good things do not always come to end, but then again they do not last forever either. But there are two things that are guaranteed to last forever, your new life in Christ and the Word of God.

Peter, the apostle, was addressing the early Christians of the first century in his letter of 1 Peter. They were living in days very much like ours. Their society was hostile towards Christianity but accepting of other pagan religions. There was persecution among believers from neighbors and the authorities leading to social ostracism. Yet, Peter had some encouraging words for these dishearten Christians. They were cleansed from their sins having been born again to a new life that will never end.

So you see all good things do not come to an end. Christians can rejoice that their salvation is secure and everlasting. Our new life is eternal. It will last forever, meaning there is no end. And we also have that guarantee from the very living Word of God itself which ‘remains forever.’ (v.25) If you truly desire something that will last forever guaranteed, there are only two things, the Word of God through which you will meet Jesus, your savior providing you with life never ending.

Devotionals

Theologically Speaking           

Loring Schultz

“And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples and said: ‘Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.’” Luke 6:20 ESV

“I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger.” John 6:35 ESV

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com

I have heard it said from a well-known modern-day theologian that everyone is a theologian. All of us have a theology that we hold to. You may say I have no theological point of view, not even a thought of one. But you do and have thought about it. Simply put, theology is the study of God. You may not study God, but you have thoughts about Him, and even if you say there is no God, you have thought about Him who you believe is not there, theologically speaking.

Even among Christians there are differing theological views concerning God and His Word. Putting a stronger emphasis on certain doctrines will distinguish a theological view not held by all Christians. This doesn’t insinuate error but a disagreement on the subject matter. There are many such passages presented in Scripture which can be worked out between believers or agreeing to disagree as the saying goes.

One example would be the text verses above, two statements by Jesus concerning those who have a hunger for God and righteousness. Jesus said, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.” (Lk.6:20 esv) Jesus is speaking of those who are poor in spirit seeking righteousness. In the book of John Jesus says, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger.” (Jn.6:35 esv) Jesus is not referring to physical hunger, but again a spiritual hunger.

In the above example some people will put a stronger emphasis on ‘poor’ and ‘hunger’ in their theological view in caring for the poor and hungry. No doubt helping the less fortunate is what all Christians ought to be doing. Helping the poor in spirit by feeding them the gospel message not only helps them in this life but saves their soul from eternal torment in eternity. The line between the two must be removed to see the truth of Scripture clearly and know our priorities as Christians, theologically speaking.

Devotionals

A Good Summer Read    

Loring Schultz

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT

Photo by Jessica Hearn on Unsplash
 

Summer vacations are a time to get away and relax from the daily grind of our work and everyday routines. Whether you are relaxing on a beach, a cabin in the woods, on an exotic island, or in your backyard a lot of us may have a book in hand. It may be a hardcover book, a paperback, your kindle, or your phone that is providing you with a good summer read. Whatever your method, you are engaging in a traditional summer activity of reading.

Deciding what will be your summer read could be an easy choice based on your likes and dislikes, or difficult wanting to use the time not only to relax but also to educate yourself about a certain subject. It could vary based on what is going on in your life this year or the events that surround you. As America has just celebrated its 250th birthday, I am drawn to Benjamin Franklin this year as my summer read.

We have a world of books available to us, both good and bad. May we choose wisely this summer with what will encourage us as we read for the pure enjoyment of it. Books that stimulate our minds and thinking in a positive direction in the chaotic world we live will help prepare us for the year ahead and beyond. There are many excellent Christian books available in stores, your on-line shopping site, and even on the boardwalk at favorite seaside vacation resort. I suggest you take advantage of them.

Of course let us not forget the most important summer read of them all, the Bible. You will find everything you are looking for in your search for a good read this summer. It made not appear all at once, but if you stick to it you will find what you need with the enjoyment of being in God’s presence preparing you for the days ahead.

Devotionals

Do not be deceived, evil is not good

Loring Schultz

“Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:16-17 ESV

US Supreme Court building with columns and dome, people walking on stairs and plaza, and American flag on flagpole
Visitors walk around the front of the US Supreme Court building with an American flag waving nearby.

Deception has been around  since the Garden of Eden. At the root of all deception is the father of lies Satan, himself. Satan has been deceiving people for years that bad is not that bad or not bad at all, in fact it’s actually good. The Puritans of the 17th century recognized the deceitfulness in some of the laws of their day that were evil.

 In one Puritan prayer it says,

“Show me how to know when a thing is evil,

                   which I think is right and good,

                   how to know when what is lawful

                   comes from an evil principle….” (1)

The above could have been written in 2026. Even Christians, when not careful, can be influenced by the world around them in seeing things from a secular worldview or even worse from a distorted Biblical worldview in the name of fairness and justice. Don’t be deceived. Evil is not good. If Scripture says it is evil, then it is evil. Secular governments passing legislation that attributes to the acceptance of anti-biblical truths puts Christians on defense for just believing the truth of Scripture.

Let us take heart and pray for one another to stand strong in defense of God’s Word. This is nothing new, but it is the devil’s continual attempt to sway people away from God and the truth of His Word. Sadly, it worked on Eve in the garden and with many others throughout history and is running rampant today. Pray that you will not be deceived.

(1) Bennett, Arthur Ed. The Valley of Vision. East Peoria: Versa Press, 2023. Pg 69

Devotionals

Stay Sharp  

Loring Schultz

“When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments.” 2 Timothy 4:13 ESV

Photo by Mariia Chalaya on Unsplash

As we age we tend to not be as sharp as we once were. This occurs both physically and mentally. Physically it is best to stay active as best as you are able and mentally the same holds true. Our learning ability may slow down, but we are still capable of learning new things. Keeping our minds sharp by reading, playing brain teaser games (there are plenty on your smartphone), and engaging in deep conversations help keep our minds alert adding to our quality of life.

Keeping our minds sharp and focused is particularly important as we grow older and so is applying some of the above to help us fill our souls with the things of God. The apostle Paul in his concluding thoughts to Timothy in his letter requested he come to see him soon. Both Paul and Timothy knew that Paul’s days may be short. Paul requested a few things. He asked Timothy to bring Mark along with him, and to stop by Troas to pick up Paul’s cloak that he left there. Winter was settling in soon and it would provide much needed comfort. But most importantly Paul instructed Timothy to bring ‘the books, and above all the parchments.’

The books were papyrus scrolls of the Old Testament, and the parchments were skins of vellum used for smaller documents, Paul’s personal copies of the Scriptures. Here is a man up in age who had already confided to Timothy ‘the time of my departure has come.’ (2Tim.4:6 evs) Why would he want these writings in his present circumstances? Paul wasn’t finished yet. He wanted to stay sharp right up to the end of his days and have his soul filled and refreshed. This is a lesson for all of us whatever our age to continue learning from the Word of God. There is nothing more important. Let us stay sharp!

Devotionals

God Given Natural Resources

Loring Schultz

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT

Illustration of natural resources including flora and fauna, land and minerals, water and marine resources, and energy and renewable resources.
Illustration showing different types of natural resources supporting life on Earth.

Scripture says, “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it.” (Ps.24:1 nlt) It’s all His for in the book of Genesis it says God created the earth. Our God has given us the earth to live in, manage it, and enjoy it. We could not do this on our own if God had not supplied us with natural resources created for our benefit. Just think of the natural resources that are vital for our survival. They fall into two categories, renewable and non-renewable resources.

Where would we be without the renewable resources God gave to each of us such as, plants, animals, freshwater, topsoil, and solar and wind energy created by the light of the sun and moving air currents. Not to forget coal, oil, and natural gas the non-renewable resources that has become a necessity in the 21st century. These natural resources were created by God for us to use and be able to live in and manage the earth. Without them we would not survive.

God has given us another natural resource that is vital to our physical lives, but more importantly vital for our spiritual lives, His Holy Word, the Bible. Neglecting the use water, vegetation, and all the other resources God has supplied us with will end in death. Neglecting God’s Word will end in spiritual death for those who refuse to accept God’s love for us through His Son. His Word was given to us to show us the way of salvation and how to live after accepting Christ as savior. The Bible continues to be a vital spiritual natural resource for every Christian. We cannot live without it. It was given to us for that purpose.

Devotionals

Stay Active and Keep Moving

Loring Schultz

Read: Hebrews 6:9-12 NKJV – A Better Estimate – But, beloved, we – Bible Gateway

“Do not become sluggish but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Hebrews 6:12 NKJV

People praying and exercising in a gym with Christian signs and a crucifix
A group engages in prayer and exercise at a gym emphasizing spiritual and physical strength.

The one piece of advice I received repeatedly before retiring was to ‘stay active and keep moving.’ I knew that to be true for in my working years as a retail store manager, I have spent more time on the floor than in the office, despite what others might say. A sudden stop in physical activity would not end well. For the most part I have maintained a regular schedule that keeps me moving physically. But I admit there are times when sluggishness sets in from missing the gym and the accumulation of late-night snacks. Thankfully, I recognize the need to stay active with frequent visits back to the gym to become sluggish free.

Staying active and moving is not only for our physical health, but also for our spiritual health. In fact the apostle Paul writes, “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” (1Tim.4:8 nlt)  When we let our spiritual life lay dormant and are absorbing the junk food of the world there is no other outcome but to become sluggish or spiritually unhealthy. Without a correction this will lead to all kinds of spiritual problems and create a chasm between you and God.

Just as physical exercise and staying active keeps us healthy and not in a sluggish state, spiritual exercise such as Bible reading, prayer, worship, sharing the gospel, helping others, and having Christian friends will keep us active and moving in our Christian life. Age does not matter. Young, old, and in-between, we all need spiritual exercise. If you’re feeling a bit sluggish, it’s time to hit ‘God’s Gym.’  

Devotionals

Maximum Effort  

Loring Schultz

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 NASB

Maximum Effort with 2 Timothy 2:15

There are various things in life that require our maximum effort. Rearing children to adulthood needs more than casual supervision. Working your way through medical school is a vast undertaking that shapes your priorities to maximize your efforts where they need to be. Going back to the moon and safely returning takes maximum effort from every individual involved in every step of the entire project. Doing anything that is vital for our quality of life will take maximum effort to be achieved successfully. Anything less will fail.

In the Christian life one of the most important things that require maximum effort is to present ourselves approved to God. What is meant by, ‘approved to God’? For starters it means are we being faithful to God through obedience? Are we applying maximum effort to live a life unblemished by the world? Our deeds should not put us in a spotlight of embarrassment before others, especially those outside the faith. If we are applying maximum effort to live pure lives before others it will bring good results and that will bring God’s approval.

There is one other vital aspect in presenting ourselves approved to God and that is  handling the word of truth, the Bible, accurately. This is not just for pastors, Bible teachers, and seminary professors. Every Christian needs to know Scripture well enough to handle the truth correctly. The truth of the gospel is the most important message you can convey to others. In a world where this truth gets distorted every day, it is vital for true Christians to understand salvation and be able to explain it through Scripture. It will take maximum effort but we have the Holy Spirit to help us with that extra boast we need to get us there. With His help we can accurately handle the word of truth.

A Christian Perspective

Religious Intolerance and C. S. Lewis          

Loring Schultz

“Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.’” John 14:6 NLT

Photo by Eli Monjaras on Unsplash

Lately there has been a coordinated effort to discredit Jesus’ words in John 14:6. I am sure it is not by chance. Video clips are hitting social media on this same subject form various churches, pastors, and denominations. All interpretating their view of what Jesus said. They claim that verse has been misused as a ‘my way or the highway’ theology that excludes people not ‘in the club.’ Some are in and some are out! One pastor explained the meaning as ‘Jesus is the embodiment of God revealing particular expression of the divine that is fully present and dwelling with us.’ These are words of promise according to this pastor that do not drive people out but invites everyone in. The pastor goes on and says these are not words of exclusion but of promise in love and relationship. What this pastor is saying is that all religions are accepted because Jesus’ revealing that God is with us no manner what we believe. That is not what Jesus, God the Son, is saying.

Another Pastor condemns churches throughout history that used this verse as ‘a doctrinal statement requiring a belief in Jesus as a prerequisite into heaven.’ This pastor said it is not that but it is the life Jesus lived and the life we live of joy and sorrow. It is saying if you live a good life like Jesus of joy and sorrow you will get in. We all know none of us are able to live our lives like Jesus. So, that can’t be true. And as another pastor noted Jesus is not ‘a gate-keeper at the Celestial gates verifying your ID in order to get in.’ But I am sorry, yes He is, because He Himself said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (Jn.14:6 nlt)  

Christians who hold to Jesus’ words of truth in John 14:6 without wavering and believing them as He spoke them are criticized as being intolerant. That’s OK. We should expect that from a world under the influence of Satan, who is a master coordinator of influencing people away from God and adapting to a worldview of Holy Scripture. Well-known author C. S. Lewis commented on this verse by saying, if this isn’t true there are only three choices that can be made. They are either ‘Jesus was lying, or not in His right mind, or Jesus was telling the truth.’ The choice is yours to make. No deep philosophical reasoning is needed with fancy words to convey the truth. It’s simple. Just believe it. If you are called out for ‘religious intolerance’ in believing Jesus’ words as He spoke them do not fret, you are in good company. C. S. Lewis and Jesus said the same thing.

A Christian Perspective

God’s Word will never disappear; No Update Needed

Loring Schultz

“Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.” Luke 21:33 NLT

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

Recently a presiding bishop aligned with a major Christian denomination stated there was a need for a third testament of the Bible because God’s Word has become problematic. In a recent message she says, “This a very dangerous thing that I’m about to say now… a bit dangerous. I’m of the opinion that we need a Third Testament. because the Bible has become problematic…… I am completely frustrated with the ways in which the text speaks to the kind of vitriolic God that makes those kinds of things. And people will say, ‘well, it’s in the book.’ And I said, then we need to pull that page out. And they said, well, you can’t do it. It’s the Word of God. I said, no, it’s words about God. Come on now. But is it the Word of God? No. It is not the Word of God.” (1)

I remember a pastor friend of mine saying to me many years ago, ‘you have two choices, you either believe the Bible is God’s Word or you don’t. I choose to believe it.’ with that said I believe it also. There is no in-between. Yes, it is a dangerous thing that the bishop said. Obviously the bishop’s choice is clear. The problem as I see it is that a new third testament, according to the bishop’s own words, would also be ‘words about God.’ I don’t think God is going to write another text to suit those who refuse His already written Word which is never going to disappear. You can tear some pages out, but there’s always another Bible around. It is not going away.

What is needed are the Words of God from God and we already have them. “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2Pt.1:20-21 niv)

God gave us all we need to know on how to love our neighbors, how to treat each other with respect, how to find help through the Holy Spirit in the temptations of sin, how to live obedient to His Word, and most of all how to find salvation and eternal life through confession and repentance accepting Jesus Christ as our savior. There is no need for further revelation. God’s words will never disappear, and we can trust them with confidence.  

(1) Bishop Says We Need a ‘Third Testament’ Because The First Two Are ‘problematic’ And ‘not the word of God’ – Protestia