The Church – Page 2 – Word for the Soul

“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

Tomorrow Sunday September 21^st 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

Meaningless Discussions: The Result of False Teaching

September 19, 2025September 16, 2025 Loring Schultz

Read: 1 Timothy 1:3-7 NLT – Warnings against False Teachings – When – Bible Gateway

Can you count how many meaningless discussions you have had in your lifetime? I’m not sure I can because there have been many. All meaningless discussions have one thing in common; they lead to nowhere. Another factor is one or both parties do not know what they are talking about, but they pursue in making the point that they do. This may seem like a little deal in most trivial discussions, but when it comes to the Word of God and the teachings of the church, it’s a big deal.

Paul, the apostle, needed to move on from the church in Ephesus he founded years before. While visiting Timothy, his child in the faith, Paul noticed the decline of sound doctrine in the church. False teaching had crept in and mostly by those who were elders in the church. This needed to stop. Paul instructed Timothy to stay behind in Ephesus to teach sound doctrine and prevent the spread of any more false teaching. Paul writes, “The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.” (1Tim.1:5 nlt) This would not be possible if the congregation was in confusion by teaching that focused on speculation and allegorical or fictious interpretations of the Word of God. They would be in meaningless discussions among themselves and with the so-called teachers of the word. Paul goes on to say these false teachers have missed the whole point by turning away from the Word.

Those of us sitting in the pews of our churches today need to have our ears perk up and our eyes kept on Scripture to see if these things are so. If we find ourselves having meaningless discussions and are confused, something is wrong. May we follow Paul’s instructions to Timothy and if need be, stop the false teaching.

Devotionals

Motivating One Another

September 5, 2025September 3, 2025 Loring Schultz

“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.” Hebrews 10:24 NLT

The United States has an estimated 40,000 motivational speakers. Speaking as a professional rakes in quite a bit of money. It is a very lucrative position if you possess the skills to enthuse and motivate people in your area of expertise. There are a variety of categories broken into business, entrepreneurship, leadership, health and fitness, athletics, education, among others. They are also broken down at times by age groups and gender within each category. Motivational speakers seek to inspire and courage people challenging them to establish goals and be the best they can be in a desired area. The speaker’s goal is to move you into action. To stir you up to accomplish your goal.

The writer of the book of Hebrews encourages every Christian to be a motivational speaker by stirring up one another to love and good works in Hebrews10:24. This takes thought on how to do this. We are to consider or think of ways to motivate our Christian brothers and sisters. First of all, we can’t motivate anyone if we don’t know anything about them. We need to get to know each other, and that comes from being with each other. The next verse says, “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” (Heb.10:25 esv) The more we meet together with other Christians the more we get to know each other and we’ll know how to motivate one another.

We may not get rich with our motivational speaking presentations in this life, but people will be changed for the better as Christ’s love and good works are on display by the church community. As a church family, each will be encouraged as we meet together in the presence of the Lord with plenty of opportunity to motivate one another.

Devotionals

A Family Affair

August 29, 2025August 27, 2025 Loring Schultz

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” Ephesians 6:18 NLT

Admittedly, one of the hardest things for Christians to do consistently is to pray. We can all rattle off every excuse we can think of for being laxed, but that is not the point of this devotional. First allow me to ask a question; how often do we pray for our families? The chances are we favor pretty well when it comes to praying for our loved ones, and that is how it should be. But how often do we pray for our church family, or do you ever considered those you worship with every week is your family. How about Christians worldwide, they’re our extended family. The point is our church is a family in every sense of the word as our biological family.

Below are a few Scripture verses for us to ponder over on the subject:

“But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him.” (Acts 12:5 nlt) – “The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other.” (1Pt.4:7-8 nlt) – “So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.” (Col.1:9 nlt)

“And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.” (2Cor.2:11 nlt) – “Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit.” (Ro.15:30 nlt) – “We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1Thess.1:2-3 nlt)

Additional verses: 2 Thess. 1:11-12; Col.4:2-4; 1 Thess. 3:9-13; John 17:9.

Devotionals

Do you have the gift? Yes, you do!

August 25, 2025August 24, 2025 Loring Schultz

“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies.” 1 Peter 4:10-11a NLT

Fear of not being qualified or talented enough has kept many Christians from serving the Lord in their local church. There are also other, not so legitimate, reasons for not serving and you most certainly cannot serve if you do not attend church, but that is for another day. Today, be encouraged the Lord God has gifted you to serve Him in His church. If you are a child of God you have been given a spiritual gift, maybe even a combination of serval gifts, but one in particular to serve God within His church.

The gifts that God bestows upon us at our conversion are spiritual gifts of a supernatural nature. They are gifts we did not possess before, nor could we achieve them on our own. They are also not to be confused with natural God given abilities which can and should be used to bring glory to God. These are gifts given to us by God to serve Him and our brothers and sisters in Christ where we gather together as a body of believers.

It is also important to note not everyone has the same gift. Oh, there may be others who have similar gifts, but a variety of gifts works best for the church to function orderly and for all to be taught, encouraged, cared for, and blessed. Whether you have the gift of teaching, administration, leadership, hospitality, serving, exhortation and caring, or a hands on where needed, used the gift God has given you for His glory. You are qualified and talented enough so do not fear. Do you have the gift? Yes, you do!

Devotionals

Having Continual Faith in God

August 15, 2025August 12, 2025 Loring Schultz

Read: Hebrews 11:4-12:2 NLT – It was by faith that Abel brought a – Bible Gateway

“And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” Hebrews 11: 6 NLT

The writer of the book of Hebrews says, ‘it is impossible to please God without faith.’ (Heb.11:6 nlt) We may think by just being good and behaving appropriately would be enough to please God, and He wouldn’t be disappointed in that, but there is more to it. First of all, we are to believe that He is, that He does indeed exist. Those of us who have accepted Christ as savior have come to faith in this manner, by believing in Him and by His grace through faith. (Eph.2:8-9) It is by God’s grace that we are saved. We had nothing to do with it. In the same way, if we want to please God we must have continual faith in Him and by His grace we will please Him.

Chapter 11 of the book of Hebrews is sometimes referred to as the ‘Hall of Faith.’ It lists various characters throughout the Old Testament who had accomplished great things for God through their faith. Some even suffered and died for their faith, but they are considered heroes of the faith just the same. They had continual faith in God. It was by God’s grace they were able to endure the sufferings and the hardships that came along with their faith in Him.

If we desire to do a great work for God individually or part of our church family, having a continual faith in Him is essential. The Lord God will give us the grace we need through faith to please Him and find His work being accomplished in and through us.

Devotionals

Safety in the House of God

July 17, 2025July 14, 2025 Loring Schultz

Read: Psalm 52 NLT – Psalm 52 – For the choir director: A – Bible Gateway

“But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God. I will always trust in God’s unfailing love.” Psalm 52:8 NLT

Churches across the globe have been considered sacred places of refuge for centuries. Most notable in times of war, churches were shelters for all who entered through their doors whosever side they were on. Sanctury churches today have a much more complicated task within the twists and turns of world culture. But the mission remains the same, to protect by providing refuge in the house of God.

When David was on the run from King Saul who was in pursuit to kill him, David penned Psalm 52. David describes the wickedness of his enemies and God’s judgement on them as he rests safely in God’s protection. David writes, “But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God. I will always trust in God’s unfailing love.” (Ps.52:8 nlt) Olive trees live a span of hundreds of years. David is putting his trust in the lasting mercy of God for protection. Olive trees also represent prosperity. Being in God’s presence (house of God) David would not only find safety but will grow in his knowledge of Him. David is filled with praise in the sanctuary of God, “I will praise you forever, O God, for what you have done. I will trust in your good name in the presence of your faithful people.” (Ps.52:9 nlt)

Psalm 52 is a picture of the reality of evil around us, but also of the justice of God in protecting His children while administrating judgment on the wicked of our day. Christians should take comfort that we are in the house of God, our place of refuge through the Holy Spirit, and are safe as we thrive in His presence praising Him!

Devotionals

Our Message of Unity

June 30, 2025June 25, 2025 Loring Schultz

“I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.” John 17:23 NLT

Have you ever given thought that Jesus has prayed for you? Jesus had a specific petition for all future Christians who would make up His church. Near the end of His “high priestly prayer” recorded in John’s gospel chapter 17, Jesus made His requests known soon before He was to go to the cross. He prayed that we would be with Him in eternity and see His Glory, but His specific request was that we all be one in complete unity. Imagine as Jesus was about to be crucified, His concern for us was for there to be unity. So how are we doing?

Before we answer, perhaps it would good for us to know why Jesus made this request. Jesus reasoned, ‘that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them.’ You made have heard the statement; ‘The only Christ the world will see, is the Christ they see in me.’ That is very true, and Jesus confirms it later in His prayer as He says, ‘O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you.’ (Jn.17:25 nlt) Indeed, most of the world does not know God. Many have heard of God and have somewhat of a knowledge of Him, but they do not know the true God and Jesus Christ His Son.

As the world looks at the church and individual Christians today, do they see unity? Do they see the love of Christ between us? Are we in a unifying fashion convincing the world that Jesus is God’s Son sent to save us from eternal damnation? Does the world see their spiritual need by observing authentic Christianity in unity, or is it muddled by in-fighting, pride, and disagreements in doctrine not essential to Salvation? There are legitimate differences of opinion in the teaching of scripture in churches today, but they should not be at the expense of alienating those outside of Christ from hearing the message of the Gospel. So how are we doing in displaying our message of unity?

A Christian Perspective

A Message to the Christian Church

June 28, 2025June 24, 2025 Loring Schultz

Read: Revelation 2:18-29 NLT – The Message to the Church in Thyatira – Bible Gateway

“Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.” 1 John 4:1 NLT

Our news feed has on-going stories about the corruption in the world. Corruption, defined as “evil, depraved, taking bribes, extortion, racketeering, etc.” is making the headlines revealing those involved in the corruption and those who are pursuing to end it. Corruption can be found in all walks of life, in business and industry, in governments, in professional sports, in colleges and universities, in medical institutions, in personal relationships, and yes even in the church.

The church in Thyatira is an example of some churches in our day. Jesus’ letter to this church can very well be written today to those who are following the same path as the Thyatira church. False teaching, as in Pergamum, the compromising church, is again being accepted. But unlike the Pergamum church where the faithful were still the majority, the faithful in Thyatira were small in number. Jesus says, “But I have this complaint against you. You are permitting that woman—that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet—to lead my servants astray. She teaches them to commit sexual sin and to eat food offered to idols.” (Rev.2:20 nlt)

Jezebel, probably not her real name, but a Jezebel type as in the Old Testament, was used by Satan to corrupt the church. A false prophetess, who was permitted to teach by spreading the lies of Satan, was corrupting the church of God. Many were led into sin buying into this persuasive and attractive teaching. Many members of churches today are also buying into and following teaching that is contrary to the Word of God, corrupting Christ’s church.

Wherever we attend church, let us follow the apostle John’s teaching to “not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.” (1Jn.4:1 nlt)

Devotionals

Act Like Men

June 11, 2025June 10, 2025 Loring Schultz

“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 ESV

The role of men in our society has greatly diminished over the years. This isn’t just a reality for the 21^st century but has been developing especially in the United States since the end of World War II. I was reminded of this last weekend with the anniversary of D-Day on June the 6^th. Our local regional airport also held their annual World War II Weekend by the Mid Atlantic Air Museum. These men who fought this war were known as the ‘greatest generation.’ That is not taking away anything from the many women who had a vital role, or the men and women in the Untied States who contributed to the war effort during this period in history.

We saw society change gradually in the years following World Warr II. Some for the good, and some for the not-so-good. The advancement of women in the workplace has been a good thing. Women’s presence in the workforce has been increasing in all fields, adding another dimension to the overall success of many companies and organizations with their expertise. The not-so-good effect is many men have downplayed their God given role within the family and in society itself. This has been filtering down for the last two generations and the family unit is suffering from it, not to mention the local church.

When the apostle Paul closed his letter the church in Corinth, he instructed the men to ‘act like men.’ Sounds like there may have been a problem. Men not acting like men is a problem in society, it is even a bigger problem when it occurs in the church. Paul told them to be watchful. Their eyes were to be trained on expecting the unexcepted, to always be ready to handle any situation. There were to stand firm in the faith and not compromise on any of the Lord’s Words in Scripture. They were to be strong, as men ought to be, and they were to do everything in love. That’s how real men act. Let’s act like men!