Worship – Page 2 – Word for the Soul

Are You Glad?

September 4, 2025September 3, 2025 Loring Schultz

“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” Psalm 122:1 KJV

At the church my wife and I attended before we relocated, our pastor would start the morning service with David’s words from Psalm 122. “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.” (Ps.122:1 kjv) He said it enthusiastically and with meaning every week. Our pastor was truly glad to be in the house of the Lord every Sunday.

I often wondered then, as I do now, how many under the sound of his voice were as enthused as he was. Oh, I’m sure some were, maybe most were, but it may not have been one hundred percent of the congregation. We can say that for most Christian churches wherever they are in the world. Some people may be under the weather or not feeling well from the night before. Others may have their minds occupied with the afternoon festivities, especially now that football season has arrived in the United States. There are a host of things that will distract us on Sunday mornings to prevent the true joy of being in God’s house with other believers, Satan will see to that. He doesn’t want us experiencing joy and worshiping God in church, in fact he’d rather we not be there at all, not even streaming on-line.

With so many outside activities occurring on Sunday’s and increasingly morning activities, it causes us to pause and ask ourselves, what gives us the most joy. That’s a question each of us needs to answer honestly and let the truth fall where it may. Then comes the seriousness of soul searching based on our answer. How do we proceed when the truth is revealed? We pray and ask the Lord to lead us through this, so we can joyfully say, ‘I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord.’

Devotionals

Keep Away from Idols

May 8, 2025May 5, 2025 Loring Schultz

“Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.” 1 John 5:21 NIV

When we think of the word ‘idol’ in Biblical terms, a created image to be worshiped as a god comes to mind. “Idolatry’ is a term used frequently in Scripture meaning the worship of idols. Throughout Biblical history there are stories of people worshiping carved images of false gods. These man-made gods were the object of worship taking their hearts and minds off the true God who is the only God worthy of worship. This is true even today. In fact, anything that is put before the Lord God becomes an idol as we have pushed God to second place, or even worse, third or fourth place.

The apostle John in the closing verse to his readers in 1 John writes, “Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.” (1Jn.5:21 niv) It almost seems out of place and thrown in at the last minute, but it is far from that. John cared deeply for those to which he was writing, often calling them ‘little children’ and ‘dear children’ as in this last verse. He knew of the deceptiveness of false teachers of his day and how easy it is to become enamored with the things of this world even back then. If it was a problem two thousand years ago, it is sure a problem today.

The New Living Translation of the Bible interprets this verse, “Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.” (1Jn.5:21 nlt) A very good translation that gets to the point. We are to keep away from anything that causes us to put ourselves, others, or something else first and taking that place away from God. It may be something of enjoyment, work, even family. It’s not that can’t we have other priorities in our lives or find enjoyment in certain activities, but when they push God to second place, they have become an idol. So, those idols we need keep away from, but proper balance in our love for God and keeping Him first will help us keep in place all the things He has given in this life to enjoy.

Devotionals

Don’t miss out what God has for you

April 8, 2025April 7, 2025 Loring Schultz

“Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the LORD sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. So take this seriously. The LORD has chosen you to build a Temple as his sanctuary. Be strong and do the work.” 1 Chronicles 28:9-10 NLT

How do we serve God with a willing mind? It begins with worshiping Him with our whole heart. King David in his last instructions to his son Solomon, soon to be king, were words of encouragement, “And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind.” David knew the task of building God’s Temple was before his son, and he wanted to prepare him to be ready not miss out on what God had chosen him to do.

David also warned his son that if he forgets God and goes his own way, it will have severe consequences. The Lord would reject him forever, including his assignment to build the Temple. But isn’t God a God of mercy, you ask, yes, He is, but the one who rejects God, rejects all that God is, His love, His salvation plan, His grace, and yes, His mercy. David didn’t want his son to reject God. His desire for Solomon was for him to know God intimately through worship and serving. David stressed to Solomon to ‘take this seriously,’ and think about who God is and what He had chosen him to him to do above everyone else, build His Temple. I’m sure it was overwhelming for Solomon, but David wraps up by saying, ‘Be strong and do the work.’ The Lord would be with him.

God has a specific assignment for you and me to do. Will we have a willing mind when He reveals His plan to us? To be willing and ready we need to worship Him with our whole heart. The Lord sees and knows what’s in the deepest crevasses of our hearts, so we can’t fool Him. If we wholeheartedly seek God, we will find Him and won’t miss out what He has for us.

Bible Studies

“Godly Leaders Study and Teach God’s Word” Godly Leadership: the book of Nehemiah

November 3, 2024November 1, 2024 Loring Schultz

“For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.” Ezra 7:10 ESV

“They read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage.” Nehemiah 8:8 NLT

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash

A new character is introduced this week, Ezra the scribe. Ezra is first mentioned in the book of Nehemiah in chapter 8 after the completion of the walls, but he had returned from Babylon 14 years before Nehemiah. He had led the second return of exiles safely back to Jerusalem. Herbert Lockyer in his book ‘All the Men of the Bible’ describes Ezra as “A man of deep humility and self-denial. A man of great learning with a fervent zeal for God’s honor. A man of great trustworthiness. A man anxious to commend his cause to others. A man who knew how to pray. A man deeply grieved over the sins of his people. A man who spared no pain to bring the people to repentance.” (1) Ezra will lead the reading of Law but before we get there, we don’t want to overlook chapter 7.

Jerusalem at this time was scarcely populated. Nehemiah took immediate action to repopulate the city. Nehemiah found the genealogical record of the first exiles to return. This record was compiled by Ezra back in Babylon although he was not part of the first return. Nehemiah called the nobles, the leaders of the city, and all citizens to come and register with the genealogical record. This would ensure a pure ancestry in the city of Jerusalem. “So the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the Temple servants, and some of the common people settled near Jerusalem. The rest of the people returned to their own towns throughout Israel.” (Neh.7:73 nlt)

The repopulated city gathered on October 8, 444 B.C. New Years Day on the civil calendar known as the Feast of Trumpets. Ezra was asked to bring the book of the Law of Moses to be read for all who were assembled in the square. “Ezra stood on the platform in full view of all the people. When they saw him open the book, they all rose to their feet.” (Neh.8:5 nlt) The people stood in honor of God’s Word as Ezra read it. Some churches today observed that as well.

There are other godly leaders represented here in chapter 8 besides Ezra and Nehemiah, and that would be the Levites. The Levites were assistants to the priests and were also teachers of the Law. They helped explain the Law that was being read to the people for better understanding. The Levites also likely translated the words from Hebrew into Aramaic, the only language most of the people knew, due to being in Babylon for seventy years. There is a great need for godly leaders today to help others in understanding Scripture. The Holy Spirit will certainly guide you into all truth as you read the Bible, but we are all called to study Scripture for our own spiritual growth and be able to teach others. God doesn’t inspect us to be Pastors or teachers in a professional sense but to know enough to be able to give an answer for the hope you have inside you.

When the people began to fully understand the Scripture that was being read to them, there was much sorrow over their sin that they began to weep. They were truly convicted. “Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, ‘Don’t mourn or weep on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the LORD your God.’” (Neh.8:9 nlt) The people should be rejoicing that they know and understand God’s Word. The Lord had not destroyed them as a nation, and they are on the verge of a new beginning. This called for a celebration and Nehemiah led the way by encouraging them to celebrate with food, sweet drinks, and sharing with others. “And the Levites, too, quieted the people, telling them, ‘Hush! Don’t weep! For this is a sacred day.’” (Neh.8:11 nlt)

The reading of the God’s Word sparked a revival among all the people, but especially the priests, Levites and the family leaders. They met with Ezra for greater detail of the Law. It seems evident they were studying the Law and were concerned about the Feasts of Tabernacles that was approaching. Ezra explained what was to be done, and all the people did as they were instructed. It had been a long time since Israel as nation celebrated in accordance with the Law and great joy.

Ezra, Nehemiah, and the Levites shown godly leadership in providing what the people needed most at this time, and that was the renewing of the covenant with God. God’s Word was given and explained convicting the hearts of the people to repentance. There was the repopulating of the Holy city and the reestablishing of worship. Godly leaders build a solid foundation with the Lord by prayer, studying His Word, living out that Word, and teaching it. The good hand of the Lord will always be upon them. It is noted that Ezra also had the good hand of the Lord on him as Nehemiah did as he traveled from Babylon to Jerusalem, “For on the first day of the first month he began to go up from Babylonia, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, for the good hand of his God was on him.” (Ezra7:9 esv) God’s good hand is on all leaders who are devoted to Him and lead in a godly way. May God raise up many more godly leaders in our day and in the days to come.

Read: Nehemiah 7:73-8:18 NLT – So the priests, the Levites, the – Bible Gateway

(1) Lockyer, Herbert. All the Men of the Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1958. Pg. 118

Devotionals

National Back to Church Sunday

September 13, 2024September 12, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 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.” Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT

This Sunday September 15, 2024, is the National Back to Church Sunday. It is scheduled every year on the third Sunday in September. The movement started 15 years ago to encourage the churches to act and put forth an invitation for everyone in their communities to come through the local church doors. Since its conception almost 4 million Christians have participated through over 40,000 churches.

The average adult Church attendance in the United States is around 30% down from 42% in 2004. It is projected to continue to drop as 35% of the 18-29 age group have no religious preference, and only 22% attend church services today. So, we can see the need is great for a National Back to Church Sunday.

This is not only an invitation to non-Christians who do not attend church, but for those who profess to know the Lord but have neglected meeting with other believers for worship each Sunday. The writer of Hebrews states we should be motivating one another to acts of love and good works. We can do this as part of our daily life, but it works best in church. We’re encouraged not to neglect meeting together but to continually encourage one another, especially in the days in which we are living.

It’s not too late to invite someone to church this Sunday. There are many non-church goers, perhaps some of your friends and acquaintances. Maybe even you. You might have to invite yourself first, then bring a friend. Everyone needs the peace, love, and forgiveness that only the Lord Jesus can supply for this life and eternal life. It’s time to get back in the game rather than sitting on the sidelines, and don’t worry, in most cases you’ll be home in time to see the opening kickoff.

About | Back to Church Sunday

Devotionals

Whole Heart and a Willing Mind

August 21, 2024August 20, 2024 Loring Schultz

“And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the LORD sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.” 1 Chronicles 28:9 NLT

It is not always easy to get motivated. There are times when you just don’t feel like doing anything. It could be caused by emotions or in my case the body won’t let me respond as it should, I think they call it ‘not being as young as I used to be.’ But once I get going, I’m good.

Not being motivated to worship and serve God has nothing to do with how old or young you are. It does happen, and there are many reasons for lack of motivation for God. There are many things that get in the way and distract us daily. We find ourselves picking and choosing what we have time for with what we enjoy most and pursuing those interests. After all, there are only twenty-four hours in a day. And some would say, life gets in the way. Yes, it is complicated, especially for young people with children. Life is hard enough, but trying to live life without a commitment to God is not going to work. You will find life even more frustrating, and you will begin to run around in circles losing motivation even in those things important to you.

Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, was instructed by his father King David to get to know God intimately. David told his son to worship and serve God with a whole heart and a willing mind. This is one hundred percent commitment. With every ounce of Solomon’s being he was to worship and serve his God. David let Solomon know that God saw his heart and would know every plan and thought he had. God knows each of our hearts and every thought in our minds. He knows us intimately and He wants us to know Him intimately and to worship and serve Him with our whole hearts and with a willing mind. So, let’s get motivated.

Devotionals

An Endless River of Righteous Living

May 2, 2024May 1, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Away with your noisy hymns of praise! I will not listen to the music of your harps. Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living.” Amos 5:23-24 NLT

There are many lessons in the pages of Scripture to learn from today. After all, God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He does not change. His love for us is the same. His laws do not change over time. All His holy attributes do not change as the attribute of the Immutability of God tells us. We can be confident God doesn’t change and His Word doesn’t change either. It is the same and valid for all eternity, including the year 2024.

In the Old Testament book of Amos, the prophet was called to issue a warning to the northern tribes of Israel. They were to repent of their social evils and pagan worship. Their only hope to prevent judgment from God was total repentance from the blasphemous worship of God they were performing and their lack justice among the people. The Lord wanted a complete change of mind and heart towards Him, the Lord their God, which in turn would result in ‘a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living.’ (Amos 5:24 nlt)

Christians today may not equate themselves with all the sins of ancient Israel, but there are similarities to be considered. Are we always just in our dealings with others? Are we more than fair in areas which are under our control? When we worship God are our hearts in the right place? Have we been living righteously throughout week as we enter to worship God on Sunday morning? No, none of us are righteous, but we can walk in step with God through the Holy Spirit. Are we doing that? As with nation of Israel in Amos’s day, the Lord wants to see justice and an endless river of righteous flowing in our lives when we come to worship Him along with our noisy hymns of praise!

Devotionals

Let us not neglect each other by our absence

December 29, 2023December 28, 2023 Loring Schultz

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:23-25 ESV

Most polling groups surveying church attendance over the past decade have come up with similar results, an overall decline in church attendance. The Covid-19 pandemic of 2020 certainly has contributed to the decline, but attendance has not rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. It is perceived by some the pandemic only enhanced what was already a steady disinterest in attending worship services. On-line streaming of church services have also helped to fuel the legitimate stay at home reason and watch it when convenient. I do thank the Lord for advances in technology to be able to bring church to shut-ins, those hospitalized, those serving overseas, and for those who find it impossible to attend for unforeseen reasons. But scripture is clear in instructing us not to neglect meeting with each other (and Zoom is no substitute) to encourage each other in the Lord.

The book of Acts records for us the spread of Christianity and the establishment of local churches in every city where the gospel was preached as converts came to know Christ. The training of pastors and elders were taking place to teach and shepherd the newly form flock. They warned against false teachers that distort the gospel, and Christians were instructed to love and care for one another. The early days of the church saw much persecution against them and encouraged each other as a family. All who have accepted Jesus Christ as their savior is part of the universal family of God. The local church serves as an assembly of brothers and sisters in Christ, a family intended to worship the Lord together and encourage each other in our faith.

The author of the book of Hebrews writes, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Heb. 10:24-25 ESV) The author in this text is instructing us to encourage each other by stirring up one another to love and good works for two very important reasons. 1. It was the habit of some to neglect meeting together for worship, and 2. The Day (return of Christ) is drawing near.

Today, it is safe to say, we have a lot more than some who are neglecting their brothers and sisters in Christ by their absence on Sunday morning-and we are two thousand years closer to the return of Christ than the early church. So our need is as urgent as theirs, even more so. If you make only one New Year’s Resolution this year may it be to join with our family in Christ in worship every week. Let us not neglect each other by our absence.

Bible Studies

“Leave Nothing Undone” Conquering New Territory: The Book of Joshua (….through faith, courage, obedience, and devotion to the Word of God)

December 10, 2023December 8, 2023 Loring Schultz

“Just as the LORD had commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did. He left nothing undone of all that the LORD had commanded Moses.” Joshua 11:15 ESV

There will come a time in your new surroundings of your new territory where you will reach a comfortability level, mine is usually around the three to four month range. I hesitate to use the word ‘completion’ for in reality we are never completely finish with anything as long as we have breath. But becoming comfortable in your new territory is a sign you have been faithful in obeying God in His leading. You will see how the Lord directed as you look back over your introduction period. It is also a time to review if there is anything you may have left on the table, anything left undone that God has instructed you to do during your settling in to your new place.

We look again to Joshua and the nation Israel as this study comes to a close. Israel had been led to the shores of the Jordan River after forty years of wandering in the wilderness. Leadership was passed down from Moses to Joshua to lead the people into the Promised Land. A side note here; the tribes of the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had already received their inheritance on the west side of the Jordan which is also part of the Promised Land. However, the fighting men from each tribe were to accompany their brothers in battle of conquering the new territory returning when the land was in control.

Under Joshua’s leadership from the Lord’s commands Israel had great success as God opened up the Jordan River for them crossing over safely. They were led to victory over Jericho as the walls surrounding the city fell down flat. With the Lord’s miraculous help Joshua and the nation Israel continued clearing the land of their enemies until they had control of it. Overall, Israel was able to accomplish this as they followed God’s instructions of being strong, courageous, faithful and obedient to His commands.

Several insights from God’s Word, apart from being strong, courageous, faithful, and obedient, were noted throughout the last ten weeks to encourage us in conquering our new territory. We learned not to dismiss those in our lives God has placed there, such as Rahab, the harlot. They may very well be used in aiding us through the tough terrain. Being totally committed to following the Lord and His instructions is vital. Joshua and the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord were totally committed as they set their feet in the waters of the Jordan River during flood stage and the people followed. (Perhaps you are setting an example for others by stepping out into the impossible, but possible with God) Remembering what the Lord has done for us also serves as an example and encouragement to others as they witness our lives.

Our most important insight; Continual prayer and worshiping God is the foundation to our relationship with the one who is leading us in our move into our new territory. It is where we find the faith, strength, courage, and obedience to carry on, especially when things get tough as we saw last week with Israel faced with fighting a coalition of five armies. Above all, we have seen the faithfulness of God in supporting and fighting for Israel in entering the land that God had promised them they would be enter and would be theirs. We have also seen the forgiveness and restoration provided to us when we disobey and sin against God. It doesn’t alter His plans for us. It may set us back, but His plans still prevails

If you have already reached your comfortability level in your new territory, or still have a ways to go, one last insight for you to remember when getting there. Leave nothing undone. The Bible tells of Joshua leaving nothing undone. “Just as the LORD had commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did. He left nothing undone of all that the LORD had commanded Moses.” (Jos. 11:15 ESV) Joshua followed through on all he was commanded and led to do. We are to do the same. Look carefully, observe well, and notice anything that may have been put aside for later but now needs to be done. Leave nothing undone and settle peaceably in the new territory God has for you. He has placed you there. He has plans for you there.

“So Joshua took control of the entire land, just as the LORD had instructed Moses. He gave it to the people of Israel as their special possession, dividing the land among the tribes. So the land finally had rest from war.” (Jos. 15:23 NLT)

Read Joshua 11, Israel Defeats the Northern Armies: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua%2011&version=NLT

Devotionals

Angels Worship Him

December 4, 2023December 2, 2023 Loring Schultz

“And when he brought his supreme Son into the world, God said, ‘Let all of God’s angels worship him.’” Hebrews 1:6 NLT

“Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.’” Luke 2:13-14 NLT

Have you ever thought of the significance of the angels announcing Christ’s birth and preceding to worship Him in highest praise? We read the familiar story of the shepherds being the first to hear the news and quite spectacularly in the gospel of Luke. (Lk. 2) Angels are God’s ministering spirits to serve Him and on this particular night they were sent out to shout the good news of the Messiah’s birth. God’s created spirit beings, the angels, worshiped the Christ child because He was God the Son, the second person of the trinity. Hebrews 1:6 says, “And when he brought his supreme Son into the world, God said, ‘Let all of God’s angels worship him.’” (NLT) And they did.

This is of vital importance especially in our day as there are many who consider Jesus to be no more than an angel of higher rank. Others perceive Him to be a prophet, and still others believe He was just a man sent by God for good works and to act as a model on how we are to live our lives. Today’s world is filled with false religions that support these claims and sadly there are many (so called) Christian churches among them.

To understand Jesus’ deity, that He is truly the God-man, is everything. Our very salvation depends on a perfect, sinless, and blameless substitute sacrificed for the remission of sins. That substitute could only be Jesus Christ, the Son of God-the Messiah, whom the angels worshiped. Do you know Jesus as truly the Son of God and have you accepted Him as your Savior? Make this Christmas season be the year you accept Christ for even the ‘Angels Worship Him.’