Tag: The Bible

Devotionals

Water to Quench Your Soul     

Loring Schultz

“Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, ‘Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink!’ For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” John 4:37-38 NLT

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It is springtime in Pennsylvania, and I once again started my weekly chore of mowing our lawn. I couldn’t help but notice the brown patches still part of our lawn from last year’s drought. In fact, we are not totally out of the woods yet, needing a few more healthy rain events. Water is essential for growth and life itself. The rain we had caused the grass to grow in areas not severely affected by lack of rain last summer. But much more water and sun are needed to bring the entire lawn back to complete health.

Our spiritual lives can become dry as a drought driven patch of grass. Just as water is essential for our very lives, so is the spiritual water Jesus offers us essential for our spiritual lives. We first need it to save our souls from spiritual death to eternal life. As Jesus told the woman at the well, “But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” (Jn.4:14 nlt) Jesus is the spiritual water we need for salvation and eternal life. He offers it to us freely. Jesus is authorized to do so for He paved the way by dying on the cross for our sins recognized this Good Friday and rising from the dead on Easter morning to secure our eternal life.

Spiritual water is also needed for our souls to be refreshed daily by Jesus through prayer and reading His Word. As Christians our eternal home may be secured, but we still need daily spiritual water to help us grow, be fruitful, and not become a dried-up patch of grass. It is easy to develop a thirst for the things of the world, but soon we find out it never satisfies, yet we keep drinking from the fountain without quenching our souls. The Lord Jesus has the water to guarantee our salvation and to quench our thirsty souls. Why not take a drink from Jesus’ fountain today.

Devotionals

The Perfect Dish  

Loring Schultz

“Every word of God proves true…. Do not add to his words, or he may rebuke you and expose you as a liar.” Proverbs 30:5-6 NLT

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Those who enjoy the art of cooking experiment by creating new recipes for whatever dish they are preparing. Always striving to make each dish better than the one before until one day they create the perfect dish, then the recipe becomes complete to be used and enjoyed by everyone. There is no need to add any other ingredients or take any out, it is finished.

The Bible is a lot like that perfect dish you have just created. The Holy Spirit was not experimenting when writing through the various authors over the years, but each one was adding to the overall message of the Bible. Each ingredient added enhanced the flavor causing the psalmist to say, “How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.” (Ps.119:103 nlt) And “Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!” (Ps.34:8 nlt)

The Bible is the perfect dish for all to enjoy. It provides nourishment for our souls and gives us strength needed in times of adversity. It is the dish that includes the perfect ingredients leading us to salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. Note the words written in the book of Proverbs, “Every word of God proves true……Do not add to his words, or he may rebuke you and expose you as a liar.” (30:5-6 nlt) Nothing needs to be added to the Bible, although many have tried over the years and are still trying, and nothing needs to be removed as some have recently advocated.

Just as you would not want anyone to add or subtract from your perfect dish, God does not want any words added or removed from His finished product. Those who do will lead others and themselves down a path of destruction. “And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the words of prophecy written in this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book. And if anyone removes any of the words from this book of prophecy, God will remove that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book.” (Rev.22:18-19 nlt)

God has created the perfect dish for us. Let’s enjoy it.

Devotionals

Don’t Forget the Inbounder

Loring Schultz

“But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” James 1:25 NLT

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The other evening, I was watching the final seconds of a NCAA men’s college basketball tournament game. Game tied, the inbounder put the ball in play then immediately set himself up to retrieve the ball under the basket for an easy dunk. Game over! The commentator cried out, ‘Don’t forget the inbounder.’ He wasn’t covered. Both squads had their final instructions for that final play from their coaches. The offense played it perfectly. The defense failed to execute, forgetting what they heard in the bench huddle, leaving the inbounder wide open.

Reading a verse from the book of James this morning, I realized how easy it is to forget something we just heard or read. James writes, “But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” (Ja.1:25 nlt) When things go wrong in my life most of the time it can be traced back to forgetting what I heard from Scripture. Obviously, there are no blessings when struggling with the results of disobedience. But after reading and hearing the Word preached, if we do what is heard and not forget, God promises blessings.

God’s Word is our lifeline in this world leading us to eternal life in the next. It is His game plan drawn up for us to follow in this game called life. Executing it will lead to a life full of blessings, and assurance of salvation. Forgetting what we hear will result in more than losing a game but losing our very souls.

A Christian Perspective

For it before you were against it

Loring Schultz

“Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.” Luke 11:23 NLT

 
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Advocating for something before speaking against is known in the political realm as being for something before being against it. The catch phrase dates to a presidential candidate in the 2004 presidential election who made the statement, ‘I voted for it before I voted against it’ in reference to a Senate bill. Ever since, the phrase has been used to display the on-going hypocrisy in politics. A prime example are the recent attacks on Tesla dealerships in the United States and now spreading to other countries. CBS News reports, “Graffiti on a Tesla dealership sign. Molotov cocktails thrown in another dealership’s lot. Tesla charging stations set on fire. Across the country, the electric vehicle company’s facilities and vehicles are being hit with protests and violence over Elon Musk’s role in the Trump administration.” (1) From the Associated Press, “Cybertrucks set ablaze. Bullets and Molotov cocktails aimed at Tesla showrooms. Attacks on property carrying the logo of Elon Musk’s electric-car company are cropping up across the U.S. and overseas.” (2)

What was once hailed as a great achievement and supported very passionately for the protection of the environment, is now being destroyed by the same people due to politics. On the other hand, those who adamantly oppose electric cars are now finding a change of heart due to their politics. Hypocrisy knows no boundaries. They were for it before they were against it and vice versa.

Some Christians today have the same mindset. Due to pressure from the culture, what they were once for based on a Biblical conviction and worldview they are now against. Finding it easier to go along with the crowd they are persuaded their beliefs do not reflect the norms of society, are outdated, not respectful of our time, and should be abandoned. A word of caution in support of that kind of thinking; society may have changed, but God never changes. His Word stands alone.

Jesus said, “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.” (Lk.11:23 nlt) When we start to move away from Scripture and Jesus’ words to adapt to the world we are working against Him. “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.” (2Tim.3:16 nlt) Jesus, God the Son, used Scripture throughout His ministry on earth to teach us right from wrong. Scripture has not changed, and just because Jesus while on earth did not address certain issues does not mean they are no longer relevant or weren’t relevant in Jesus’ day.

Opposing certain passages of Scripture due to our politics or changing culture is opposing Jesus. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Heb.13:8 nlt) May Jesus’ followers never be heard to say, ‘we were for it, before we were against it.’

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(1) https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tesla-violence-protest-elon-musk/

(2) https://apnews.com/article/tesla-vandalism-musk-trump-domestic-extremism-7576c03393a733eaf34b793e86ad1a6f

Devotionals

The Art of Persuasion

Loring Schultz

“My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them!” Proverbs 1:10 NLT

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Simply put, the art of persuasion is to convince someone or a group of people to change their thinking. There have been books published, classes taught, and videos produced explaining the techniques available to enhance your ability to master the art of persuasion. Persuading others can have both positive and negative effects. People can be persuaded to do good or bad, even Christians.  

Some of our best friends practice the art of persuasion. They may have the best of intentions in what they are trying to convince us to do or be part of, but it may not be the best thing, or worse contrary to Scripture. As Jesus says we are to ‘be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.’ (Mt.10:16) There has been a blending of the modern-day culture with the church and Christianity in general for the last few decades. Activities we would have never considered engaging in some time ago, we now accept and participate with a little persuasion.

Solomon says in the book of Proverbs, “My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them!” (Pr.1:10 nlt) It may be difficult referring to our friends as sinners, but the Bible says all are sinners, and that includes you and me. (Ro.3:23) Christians need to pray for discernment when tempted to participation in something the Lord would disapprove of. An old anti-drug slogan simply said, ‘just say no.’ An anti-enticement slogan could be ‘it’s OK to turn your back on them.’

There are many resources to teach us the art of persuasion including the Word of God. The Holy Spirit guiding us through the Bible will teach us the art of knowing right from wrong, convicting us of our sin and our need of a savior showing us the way of salvation. Then we too can use the art of persuasion on our friends.

Devotionals

Guiding Light for Our Decisions       

Loring Schultz

Read: Psalm 119:129-136 NKJV – פ PE Your testimonies are wonderful; – Bible Gateway

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

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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 back lighting that is illuminating from outside the room. Turning on the light we can now move around and conduct our business.

There are many dark rooms we enter throughout our lives. Some are daily decisions that need to be made at the spur of the moment, and others are the major decisions made only occasionally in our lifetime. But all decisions have that uncertain shadow of what’s ahead. If only there was no shadow at all with enough light to enter each decision, 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 making our own decisions without His guidance. He has given us His Word in clarity for us to understand and 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

Jesus’ Parting Words

Loring Schultz

“Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.’” Matthew 28:18-19 NLT

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Do you own a ‘red-letter edition’ of the Bible? I have had several over the years. The red letters, of course, are the words spoken by Jesus. It is an excellent edition especially for a new Christian and those seeking to know more about the sayings of Christ, for Jesus’ words are easy to find. A bit of caution though to be aware of when reading a red-letter edition. There is a tendency to put more emphasis on Jesus’ words as being more important than the rest of Scripture. They are not. All Scripture is God’s Holy Word and equally important. What Jesus had to say is very important and should be lived out by every Christian. There is no greater example of living a godly lifestyle than the Lord Jesus. We should heed the words He spoke, all His words, and live accordingly.  

Throughout the four gospels Jesus tells us in His teaching why He came to earth. He came to redeem us and restore our broken relationship with God the Father due to our sin. Jesus proved He was God the Son by the miracles He perform, and His love and compassion He had for all. He lived a perfect sinless life and was the only one worthy to offer Himself as a sacrifice for our sins. Jesus taught His followers, including us, how we should live and care for others. Christians today are to be the hands and feet of Jesus in all He taught us by His words, His example, and His parting words which are His instructions for us to follow while He is away.  

Sadly, I’m afraid there are many Christians and churches who are weighing the importance of Jesus’ words against the rest of Scripture even within the red letters themselves. For example, Jesus taught us how to treat others, how to care for poor and the sick, how to look out for widows and orphans, and visit those in prison, along with loving the Lord our God with all our heart and loving our neighbor as ourselves. Jesus taught us many other things in Scripture, but those mentioned above seem to have priority over everything else Jesus said including, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (Jn.14:6 nblt) and His final instructions, His parting words as he ascended to heaven.

All of Jesus’ words have equal importance and it is not up to us to pick and choose, especially when we ignore the gospel message of salvation. Jesus told us to, ‘go and make disciples of all the nations.’ We are to preach the good news of saving grace and explain why Jesus came. He came to provide our greatest need, forgiveness of our sins and to save us from eternal separation from the Father.

And yes, taking care of social needs in Jesus’ name is also the work of Christians and the church. We should be quick to do this work and never neglect it. It only stands to reason if Jesus instructed us to care for the temporal needs of people on earth, He cares just as much for the more pressing need of saving their eternal souls. That is why Jesus gave us those parting words. Let’s do both!

Devotionals

Do Not Be Silent            

Loring Schultz

“It is a sin to be silent when it is your duty to protest.” Abraham Lincoln

“Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” James 4:17 NLT

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Today marks the 216th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday here in the United States. Born in a backwoods cabin in rural Kentucky, Lincoln became the 16th President of the United States during this country’s most turbulent times. Two months before Lincoln’s inauguration the first state to withdraw from the union took place paving the way for the start of the Civil War. Although Lincoln never joined a church or proclaimed association with any religion, he relied heavily on the truths of Scripture especially during his presidential years. Many of his quotes recorded for us in history stem from these truths.

Abraham Lincoln was not one to remain silent on the ills that plagued America during the mid-19th century. He is noted for saying, ‘It is a sin to be silent when it is your duty to protest.’ James wrote something similar, “Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” (Ja.4:17 nlt) President Lincoln’s greatest accomplishment was the Emancipation Proclamation that eventually ended the horror of slavery in the United States and put an end to the Civil War.

The United States still has horrors today that are afflicting the nation. Sadly, many Christians are standing on the sidelines and not engaging in the protest over evil by remaining silent. Our silence could be considered by some as agreeing with the current anti-God secular worldview. We could be considered as agreeing with the majority. Remember the majority accepted slavery in Lincoln’s time. Today, the majority accepts all kinds of evil as spelled out in God’s Word. Let us not be silent but confront the evils in our society knowing it is a sin not to do what we ought to do.

Devotionals

Quick to Listen and Slow to Speak

Loring Schultz

Read: James 1:16-27 NLT – So don’t be misled, my dear brothers – Bible Gateway

“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.” James 1:19, 22 NLT

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Have you heard the expression ‘foot in mouth’? Perhaps you know the meaning of it all too well. For those who don’t, ‘foot in mouth’ is saying something embarrassing or inconsiderate at an inappropriate time. We must admit we have all been there. It is mostly unintentional, but it doesn’t relieve the awkwardness of the situation. One of biggest reasons for us putting our foot in our mouth is failing to listen. Our minds race ahead wanting to give a clever answer thinking we know it all, or we are totally oblivious not paying attention which will soon be found out by our response.

A slip of the tongue will happen accidentally from time to time, yet most can be prevented by following James’ advice to ‘be quick to listen and slow to speak.’ This is especially true in our spiritual conversations with others. Our attention is to be devoted to the person speaking to us at the time. Listening carefully and slowly preparing our thoughts on how to respond will avoid any embarrassment.

James is not only referring to how we listen to others in this passage, on the contrary, he is also referring to and more importantly, how we listen to God through His Word. He encourages us to humbly accept the Word of God planted in our hearts, being quick not only to listen, but to do all it says. To be careful when we do speak to others that we have an accurate understanding of what God’s Word says. The one who listens intently will progress in their spiritual growth and will be in a better position to help others understand the Word as we are quick to listen and slow to speak.

A Christian Perspective

The More Things Change the More They Stay the Same

Loring Schultz

“For you are God, O Sovereign LORD. Your words are truth, and you have promised these good things to your servant.” 2 Samuel 7:28 NLT

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Traditional news sources we have become accustomed to have come to an end. The Econo Times reported at the end of last year, “The media landscape in 2024 is undergoing seismic changes as traditional news outlets face dwindling audiences and staff layoffs. Networks like CNN, NBC, and Vox have been forced to reduce staff, while platforms like X have gained prominence as sources of news, bolstered by user interaction and a perception of greater control over the narrative. Consumers are increasingly seeking news that feels participatory and relevant to their lives, often turning to platforms like X and TikTok for real-time updates and direct engagement.” (1) A major factor in the decline of network news has been political bias by these organizations. With the rise of social media and independent journalists creating their own platforms, news seekers gravitated to the non-bias sources. But this is also becoming a problem.

The new media landscape is not much different than the old. Newly created news organizations and social media platforms are catering to a certain segment of society they see as profitable. The political biases have not disappeared but only changed locations. The more things change the more they stay the same. There may be more of a balance between different points of view in this ‘new’ versus the ‘old’ media. It’s become a point-counterpoint news media. Elon Musk’s ‘X’ formerly ‘Twitter’ is countered by ‘Bluesky’ founded by Jack Dorsey, the former CEO of ‘Twitter.’ Video hosting service ‘Rumble’ is countered by ‘Tik Tok’. ‘Facebook,’ a pioneer in social media platforms with its own problems, currently seems to be in the middle of the road. And then there are live stream news sources and podcasts from both sides of the aisle as we say in America. Well, you get the idea.

The bottom line is, can all or any of these news sources in the current media structure be trusted to tell us the truth. I’m sure there is plenty of honest reporting, and I have come upon a few I trust. But that doesn’t relieve us of our responsibility to make sure by doing our own fact checking and not letting personal biases we carry cloud our thinking and judgement. With that in mind, there is only one source we can go to get the truth every time, for it is the only source of truth in all history, and that is the Bible, God’s Word. Within its pages we will find how we are to live in treating other people, in conducting our business, in handling selfishness and pride, in applying true justice, in loving one another, and if you can name it, you’ll find an answer to that as well, and more importantly we will find how to love the Lord our God. We can be thankful the more things change in our world; the more God’s Word stays the same. You can factcheck it.

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(1) Legacy Media’s Collapse Leaves Millions Turning to Social Platforms for News – EconoTimes