Tag: The Bible

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

Devotionals

Hungry for knowledge?

Loring Schultz

“A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.” Proverbs 15:14 NLT

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Solomon wrote, ‘a wise person is hungry for knowledge.’ A desire to learn all you can is wise and beneficial in life. Educational institutions from pre-school through college must continually provide opportunities for those with an inquiring mind to advance and grab as much knowledge as possible. But they do not always succeed, and we have been seeing the results of their failure throughout society. When hunger for knowledge is not met or redirected by school administrators a failed education system is guaranteed.  Soloman also wrote, the opposite of the wise person who is hungry for knowledge is the fool who feeds on trash. Unfortunately, there is a lot of trash being passed off as education through schools and so-called educating the public venues through biased journalism and news broadcasts, and the ever-expanding social media.  

If anyone should be interested in increasing knowledge and having a complete understanding of the world it is every Christian. Christians should have the desire to increase learning and keep up with current events. The problem is where do we go to get current, trustworthy news and information. Which institutes of higher learning would provide the best non-biased education. These decisions will not come easily, but the place to start is with the Bible, the Word of God.

Our hunger for knowledge begins with our hunger for God. Psalm 42:1-2 says, “As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him?” (nlt) We can be sure what we learn from God is true knowledge and it is His holy agenda. The Bible is trustworthy, the very words of God Himself. Immersing ourselves in scripture daily will give us insight as we seek sources for our continued education. Looking for a reliable platform to research and learn more about the current events in our world will come through observing through God’s eyes. You’ll start to analyze and know the difference between true and false information. Satisfy your hunger for knowledge with the Lord through His Word. He will teach you through His Word and will guide you to make the right decisions in increasing your knowledge.

Devotionals

The Truth about Jesus     

Loring Schultz

Read: John 5:19-30 NLT – So Jesus explained, “I tell you the – Bible Gateway

“I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.” John 5:24 NLT

Photo by Roman Kraft on Unsplash

The truth about Jesus has been debated for centuries. Theologians for the past two thousand years have studied Scripture and the works of fellow scholars to know all they can about Jesus Christ. Each one produces their view with most of them are in agreement with what they discover. There are however differing opinions among some, especially in the last one hundred and fifty years, as to Jesus’ deity and His authority. When these subjects are in question, all hope of our salvation, eternal life, and coming judgment for unbelievers lie in the balance. The best way to understand the truth is to read Jesus’ words for ourselves and hear what He has to say.

Our reading for today will help clear up these issues concerning Jesus’ deity and authority. The religious Jewish leaders were criticizing Jesus and questioning His authority for breaking Sabbath rules and making Himself equal with God. Jesus claimed His deity when He said, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does..…For just as the Father gives life to those he raises from the dead, so the Son gives life to anyone he wants.”(Jn.5:19, 21 nlt) Yes, Jesus is making Himself equal with God the Father for He is God the Son.

Jesus then proves He has authority when He says, “In addition, the Father judges no one. Instead, he has given the Son absolute authority to judge…..And he has given him authority to judge everyone because he is the Son of Man.” (Jn.5:22, 27 nlt) Our culture today through some of the modern-day theologians and progressive leaning pastors are stripping away Jesus’ deity and His right to judge by preaching a watered-down version of Jesus taking away the true reason why He came. As today’s key verse indicates Jesus came to bring salvation and eternal life for all who hear His message and believe. That is the truth, the truth about Jesus.

Photo by Avery Evans on Unsplash
A Christian Perspective

Beware of Today’s Soft-Spoken Lambs

Loring Schultz

Read: Revelation 13:11-18 NLT – The Beast out of the Earth – Then I saw – Bible Gateway

“Then I saw another beast come up out of the earth. He had two horns like those of a lamb, but he spoke with the voice of a dragon.” Revelation 13:11 NLT

“Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.” Matthew 7:15 NLT

Photo by Philipp Pilz on Unsplash

I am going through the book of Revelation this month as part of my private devotions. As I read the first verse of the reading in the devotional for today (3/17/26) it struck me, this certainly applies to today. Now I’m not an expert in eschatology and do not claim to know all things pertaining to the last days, but what is predicted in Scripture is beginning to be seen in our day and age, at least from a symbolic point of view. It is easy to agree how some of the things that will occur during the tribulation period is a fact when we see examples of it in our generation.

Revelation 13 describes another beast rising up out of the earth. This is the final false prophet that will appear. He will have religious authority and will demand that the antichrist, the political and military leader, to be worshiped as God. The Bible says he will have two horns like a lamb. He will come as a harmless lamb speaking in a soft tone. His message will be smooth and attractive to many, but with the deception of Satan’s lies. Jesus warns us in His ‘Sermon on the Mount’ to beware of false prophets who disguise themselves as harmful sheep but are actually vicious wolves. This would indicate that false prophets are not reserved for the end times but are with us today.

All we need to do is scan the latest news headlines. Observe those who the media is focused on and listen to their words. Listen to their tone. Noticing their sincere smiling faces. Do some homework and fact-check what they are saying, both from history and the Word of God. An honest check, accepting the results you find, will lead you to realize they are who Jesus said they are, vicious wolves speaking as soft-spoken lambs. Our generation needs to understand this deception is all around us. Satan is not about to give up. His time is running short and he will use any smiling face he can find. Beware of today’s soft-spoken lambs.  

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

Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash

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.