Tag: Truth

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

Devotionals

Be Growing in Grace and Knowledge of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Loring Schultz

“I am warning you ahead of time, dear friends. Be on guard so that you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing. Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 3:17-18a NLT

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It is easy to be swayed one way or another on any subject with so many opinions floating around social media. You may take a firm stance on an issue, but slowly if you are not careful your stance will begin to develop some cracks of doubt. That could very well be a plus in your direction if your stance is found to be false or misrepresented. But it is disastrous if you succumb to pressure to soften your stance to please others when it is the truth. Jesus prayed on behalf of His disciples to His Father, “Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.” (Jn.17:17 nlt) Jesus confirms the truth of God’s Word. Our stance based on the Word of God must be firm for it is true.

Peter, in writing his second letter to Christians in Asia Minor, warned them to be aware of false teachers who were infiltrating the Christian church. Peter begins and ends his letter with the same words of encouragement, “May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.” (2Pt.1:2 nlt) The importance of growing in the knowledge of God was vital to their Christian Walk to recognize falsehood and stand against. Christians today face the same errors and outright distortion of Scripture being claimed as truth for our times.

Peter was aware was the social pressure put on Christians even in his day. “I am warning you ahead of time, dear friends. Be on guard so that you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing.” (2Pt.3:17 nlt) A sure way of growing in the grace and knowledge of God is to read and study His Word daily. Know for sure what God says in Scripture so you can stand securely on the truth. God’s truth is the Bible.

Get started today: https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/

A Christian Perspective

The One and Only Fact Checker with the Truth

Loring Schultz

“Our courts oppose the righteous, and justice is nowhere to be found. Truth stumbles in the streets, and honesty has been outlawed. Yes, truth is gone, and anyone who renounces evil is attacked. The LORD looked and was displeased to find there was no justice.” Isaiah 59:14-15 NLT

“For you are God, O Sovereign LORD. Your words are truth.” 2 Samuel 7:28 NLT

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What is your source to find honest reporting of the news? Where do you go to verify the news you have heard to be true? The radio airwaves, television networks, cable news channels, and all streaming devices have been spreading news about the U.S. Presidential election for months and will continue to do so for the next 31 days. Again, where do you go to verify what you have heard? Most of us will go to the news source we trust the most, and that is usually in line with our political biases. But can we be sure that our most trusted news networks are always telling us the truth. The truth is, no pun intended, the answer is no.

So, to be fair and balanced as we say, a fact checker system has been put in place to fact check news stories and political candidate’s statements. But, here again, can we trust the fact checker? Is the fact checker neutral? From what source are they retrieving the information they are using to verify a statement, and is it in the proper context? I’m afraid most fact checkers are not worth their weight in salt. So, where do we turn to find out if a candidate seeking political office is telling the truth or not? There is only one fact checker who will always tell us the truth, the God of heaven through His Word.

Now, before you stop reading this piece, I understand Scripture does not address current issues of our day directly, but they do have a lot to say about integrity, telling the truth, being a false witness, bribery, showing favoritism, honest wages and business practices, and the overall role of government to provide security and safety for the people.

When a candidate makes pledges and announces policies for their administration if elected, our job is to do our own fact checking and see how this lines up with Scripture. Is what they propose truthful and a goal that can be achieved fairly for all citizens? Do any of their polices violate God’s Laws found in Scripture? Many candidates quote the Bible during campaign speeches. Christians must determine if they are quoting correctly and is it in the right context with the whole of Scripture or are they trying to make a point that is contrary to God’s standards? Sadly, in today’s environment candidates will do or say just about anything to ensure a victory on election night.

The prophet Isaiah’s words ring true for the current conditions of the United States in 2024, “Truth stumbles in the streets, and honesty has been outlawed. Yes, truth is gone, and anyone who announces evil is attacked” (Is.59:14b-15a nlt) But Samuel tells us, “For you are God, O Sovereign LORD. Your words are truth.” (2Sam.7:28 nlt) We have a source we can turn to for the truth in this age of lies, falsehoods, and misinformation. It is the Lord God Himself through the words of Scripture. The one and only fact checker with the truth.

Devotionals

Standing Before Pilate           

Loring Schultz

‘“Don’t you hear all these charges they are bringing against you?’ Pilate demanded.” Matthew 27:13 NLT

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“But when you are arrested and stand trial, don’t worry in advance about what to say. Just say what God tells you at that time, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit.” Mark 13:11 NLT

When Jesus was finally brought before Pilate the second time after the various trials in front of the Jewish rulers and an appearance before Herod, He was all but officially condemned. Pilate was amazed by Jesus’ non-response to the charges against Him from the chief priests and the elders saying, “Don’t you hear all these charges they are bringing against you?” (Mt.27:13 nlt) Jesus did confirm He was the king of the Jews when Pilate had asked Him earlier. But he would not indulge His enemies in answering the false claims put forth from them.

Jesus’ enemies would do and say anything to condemn Him, and they had up to that point. They got Jesus in front of the one who had the authority to sentence Him to death. Jesus stood before Pilate in silence to the charges against Him, but He did speak with Him as recorded in the gospel of John chapters 18 and 19. Jesus did acknowledge He was a king, but His kingdom was not of this world, and told Pilate he would have no authority over Him if it wasn’t granted to him from the Father. Jesus spoke the truth from God’s Word and put Himself in His Fathers hands.  

Christians today can follow Jesus’ example when facing persecution by speaking the truth of God’s Word and relying on God in our time of need. There are all kinds of persecution in the world today. Most Christians are not facing life or death threats for their faith in Christ, but many are. Christians in the western part of the world are only starting to feel increased pressure to deny their faith as the culture is saturated with anti-God sentiment. Jesus told His disciples in Mark 13:11, “But when you are arrested and stand trial, don’t worry in advance about what to say. Just say what God tells you at that time, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit.” (nlt)

False charges will be brought against us as Christians according to the anti-God legislation on the books, but they will be true according to Scripture. Testifying that Jesus is the Christ the only way of salvation and completely obeying His Word will need no answer. We just need to stand and wait for the Holy Spirit to speak through us. So, will we the church, be ready when we hear the charges brought against us and stand before the Pilates of our day?

Read: Matthew 27:11-14 NLT – Jesus’ Trial before Pilate – Now – Bible Gateway

A Christian Perspective

No Disinformation Spoken in the Word of God       

Loring Schultz

“And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, ‘Have mercy on us, Son of David.’” Matthew 9:27 ESV

“And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, ‘Never was anything like this seen in Israel.’ But the Pharisees said, ‘He casts out demons by the prince of demons.’” Matthew 9:33-34 ESV

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Disinformation is a term that has gained great prominence in the past few years. Defined by Merriam-Webster as, “false information deliberately and often covertly spread (as by the planting of rumors) in order to influence public opinion or obscure the truth,” has been on display in full force in both social media and the news media. The purpose of each piece of disinformation that is dispensed is to enhance one’s agenda. There are those who will do whatever it takes to secure their position and see to it that their policies go forward.

We may be inclined to believe that disinformation is a 21st century phenomenon, but it can be seen far back in history. During Jesus’ days walking the earth He performed many miracles. Jesus healed the sick, calm storms, fed thousands of people with two fish and five loafs, caused the blind to see and the deaf to hear, and He even raised the dead. The crowds were astonished by what they were witnessing, could this be the Son of David they said? Two blind men had the faith that Jesus was indeed the Son of David, the Messiah, who had come. They also had the faith that Jesus would be willing and able to heal them. “Then he touched their eyes, saying, ‘According to your faith be it done to you.’ And their eyes were opened.” (Mt.9:29-30a esv) But this did not set well with the religious rulers of the day, the Pharisees. They had their own agenda and Jesus was getting in the way.

The Pharisees seized the opportunity to discredit Jesus after He had cast out a demon from a mute and demon-possessed man with a bit of disinformation. They claimed that Jesus casted out the demon by the supernatural power of the prince of demons, even though they knew very well who Jesus was. The crowds were not wrong in saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.” Matthew Henry notes in his commentary on the gospel of Matthew, “Because the people marveled, they must say something to diminish the miracle, and this was all they could say.”

We live in a time where disinformation is a way of life for many. Truth has become what it is said to be by those who proclaim it. If you desired true information there is only one true source for it, the Word of God. It is our instruction book on how to live from God Himself. “The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.” (Ps. 119:160 esv) No disinformation is ever spoken in the Word of God.

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A Christian Perspective

Hope for the Future begins with the Truth

Loring Schultz

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life…………An unreliable messenger stumbles into trouble, but a reliable messenger brings healing.” Proverbs 13:12, 17 NLT

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The 2024 election in the Untied States is the most divided in my lifetime and certainly most recently. One can debate if it is the most divided in the history of the country. The division has not been this strong since the Civil War era. The debate of “Make America Great Again” is driving one side and “Democracy Is at Stake” fueling the other. There seems to be no area where both sides can get together for the sake of those they govern. And that is just as well, because before that would happen both sides need the glue to fasten them together with the American people, the “Truth.”

The book of Proverbs says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick……(and)…. An unreliable messenger stumbles into trouble.” The message of ‘hope’ has been a part of several Presidential campaigns for years, and yet all hope seems to be lost. When “hope” keeps getting pushed back the hearts of the people sink. Every election cycle they hear the same thing with the same results, no hope but despair. The reason why they are in despair is due to the lies they have been told repeatedly. There is a desperate need for truth. King Solomon, who wrote most of the book Proverbs knew a thing or two about governing a nation. First, he had God as his king. Second, he understood unreliable messengers could not be trusted, but they stumbled into trouble. There are many unreliable messengers in government positions today, along with those seeking government positions, and of course the news media aiding and abetting the lies, or misinformation as some refer to it. Either way it is not the truth.

Hope for the future of America rests on whether truth will prevail wherever it leads. All in government, journalists, and every news media outlet must put aside partisan politics for the sake of the people and the safety of the United States. Then and only then reliable messengers will bring healing and people will have a dream fulfilled. Only time will tell.

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Devotionals

Continue to Do Good and Don’t Worry

Loring Schultz

“Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats.” 1 Peter 3:13-14 NLT

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It goes against logic that someone would suffer for doing good things or standing up for what is right, but it does happen. The sad truth is this is becoming more common in the days we live. However, in our broken world there have always been those who would denigrate those who strive to live godly lives. The apostle Peter in writing to the newly converted Gentiles scattered throughout the world told he them to “Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!” (1 Pt.3:17 nlt) Peter’s words were meant to encourage. It is a fact all Christians will suffer in one way or another during their lifetime by just living as God wants us to live. Peter’s words should encourage us today. Yes, it is better we suffer the consequences for obeying God than to suffer for doing wrong in the eyes of our neighbors.

Christians should not be surprised by the hatred towards those who speak the truth. Jesus, who is the essence of truth and always spoke it, said of those who follow Him, “And everyone will hate you because you are my followers.” (Mk.13:13a nlt) And “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.” (Jn.15:18 nlt) Peter, who walk with Jesus as His disciple, tells us not to worry or be afraid of their threats. Perhaps he remembers Jesus saying to him and the other disciples, “Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he’s the one to fear. I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels.” (Lk.12:4-5, 8 nlt)

The world will continue to despise anyone who attempts to tell the truth, especially those who claim the truth in Jesus’ name and according to Scripture. This should not discourage us from truth telling, for if all Christians are walking in unison as examples of Christ we are speaking the truth with our lives. Suffering for shining the light of hope in a dark world in the name of Christ will most likely escalate in the years to come, but let Peter’s words encourage us, ‘continue to do good and don’t worry.’  

A Christian Perspective

Unity in Our Faith

Loring Schultz

“This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.” Ephesians 4:13 NLT

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This past Monday millions of people across North America felt a sense of unity experiencing a once in a lifetime totality of a solar eclipse. Comments heard on social media, major news networks, and the NASA telecast all celebrated the coming together of humanity as the sun, the moon, and the earth all lined up. Sadly, in most cases, it didn’t last more than four minutes, and it will be years before it will be experienced again in this part of the world. People do have a longing to belong and to be a part of something bigger than themselves to be shared with others. How important it is to have that longing fulfilled not only for a matter of minutes, but for a lifetime and through all eternity.

Another weekend is here and again this Sunday church doors will be opened. These doors will lead into all different structures to conduct worship services. From the little white church in the country, to major cathedrals across the world, to modern theater assemblies, to rented spaces in various buildings, to a house church around the corner, the church doors will be opened. If you are looking for something to fill the empty space in your life going through those doors this weekend is a good place to start. There will be others there to share in the experience of hearing of the love of Christ being preached.

The apostle Paul was very concerned about the unity of believers in their faith. He knew the only thing that would cement them in unity with others was sound teaching from the Word of God. Unity among believers is only possible when built on the strong foundation of biblical truth. In writing to the church at Ephesus Paul explains the gifts the Lord gave to the church was for their benefit, “Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.” (Eph. 4:11-13 nlt)

Unity is a wonderful and beautiful thing if held together by truth. Make sure as you make your way through the church doors that truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ is the foundation of their unity. If so, you have found a place to belong filling that empty space through Christ. You will be with others who also need a touch of God’s grace and you will not need to wait years to return, you can return next week.

Devotionals

Speaking the Truth from Sincere Hearts

Loring Schultz

 “……speaking the truth from sincere hearts”. Psalm 15:2b NLT

“Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. So, stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.” Ephesians 4:24-25 NLT

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            According to the ‘Bright Futures’ website; “an average person lies 1-2 times per day, 60% of people lie at least once in a thirty-minute conversation, men lie 6 times a day on average while women lie 3 times a day on average, and politicians lie on average once every 5 minutes during a debate.” (1)  There are many other key lying statistics, but you get the point. Speaking the truth is not always automatic, and most likely doesn’t always come from a sincere heart.

            The preceding statistics on truth-telling may not be surprising to some, but couple that with today’s muddy definition of ‘truth’ and one will wonder if anything they hear from anybody is absolute truth. The Bible says Satan is a liar, in fact he is the father of lies, and has been a liar from the beginning. I believe it is safe to say that when we lie, we are participating with Satan’s deceptive practices. So how can we separate ourselves from the temptation to ‘not exactly tell the truth’ in whatever the occasion or circumstance?

            David in Psalm 15, describing ethical integrity and moral responsibility said to speak the truth from a sincere heart. Paul, the apostle, said to the early Christians in Asia Minor, “Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.” (Eph. 4:24 NLT) Receiving Jesus Christ as your savior gives you a new nature, the old is gone. (2 Cor. 5:17) We also have changed hearts, perceiving the world through the eyes and mind of Christ, along with the Holy Scriptures enabling us to have love and compassion with a sincere heart. “So, stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.” (Eph. 4:25 NLT) And let us always be ‘speaking the truth from sincere hearts.’

Read: Psalm 15 NLT – Psalm 15 – A psalm of David. Who may – Bible Gateway

(1) 27+ Lying Statistics: The Truth About Lying (2023) (brightfuturesny.com)

Devotionals

Tell the truth

Loring Schultz

“But Paul said, ‘I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I utter words of sober truth.’” Acts 26:25 NASB

            When I was a young boy there were certain times I was afraid to tell the truth. These occasions were associated with something I had said or done wrong and telling the truth would have dire consequences for me in the form of punishment. Making up a good story was not an option; my parents would never buy it. They would know I wasn’t telling the truth. So out came the truth with the consequences of punishment along with it.   

            Today, many years later, telling the truth can still have consequences for me although not due to the same circumstances. The apostle Paul in his defense of the gospel said, “I am not out of my mind…….but I utter words of sober truth.” Today if we preach Jesus Christ, the true gospel message, even using His words we are sometimes accused of being irrational or “out of our minds.” We are accused of being insensitive, offensive, and narrow minded.

            One very important point to remember is that we are not making up a good story, we are telling a good story, the Greatest Story ever to be told. And we are commanded by Jesus Himself to tell the story (Mt.28:19-20.) Yes, there may be consequences, but Jesus promised never to leave us or forsake us (Heb.13:5.) Let us not be afraid of the consequences, Let us not be afraid to ‘Tell the Truth!’