Word for the Soul

“And the angel also said, “You are now pregnant and will give birth to a son. You are to name him Ishmael (which means ‘God hears’), for the LORD has heard your cry of distress.” Genesis 16:11 NLT

Plans made outside the will of God never work out. In fact most of the time they turn into a disaster. Abram and Sarai found this out the hard way when they planned Abram’s heir would come from a union between Sarai’s servant and Abram. Early evidence of the disaster to come was Hagar’s contempt for her mistress Sarai after she knew she had become pregnant. Their relationship was broken, not to mention the relationship between Sarai and her husband will be forever strained. Sarai blames Abram and Abram tells Sarai to work it out for herself. “Look, she is your servant, so deal with her as you see fit.” (Gen.16:6 nlt) Not exactly how a husband and wife should work out their problems, but Sarai did handle it her way. “Then Sarai treated Hagar so harshly that she finally ran away.” (Gen.16:6 nlt)

You may have heard the saying, ‘no one sins alone’ meaning the results of one’s sins affects others as much as the sinner. Innocent people often get hurt, and in this case Hagar was the innocent party. Yes, Hagar did flaunt the fact that she was carrying Abram’s child causing ill feelings for Sarai. Yet the situation she was in was not of her devise. Sin always has unforeseen consequences which surface after the deed is done. Abram and Sarai found this out.

Hagar was running away not knowing where she is going. Her direction indicates she was heading to her home country of Egypt but we cannot be sure. What we do know is that “The angel of the LORD found Hagar beside a spring of water in the wilderness, along the road to Shur.” (Gen.16:7 nlt) Shur was south of Palestine and east of Egypt where the angel met her. This is the first time ‘the angel of the LORD’ appears in Scripture and most scholars interpret this as the preincarnate manifestation of Christ. The angel of the LORD has a question and a message for Hagar. ‘“…..where have you come from, and where are you going?’ ‘I’m running away from my mistress, Sarai,’ she replied. The angel of the LORD said to her, ‘Return to your mistress, and submit to her authority.’” (Gen.16:8-9 nlt) Hagar confirmed she was only running away from Sarai with no pre-determined plan in mind. We may question why the Lord would instruct her to go back into an abusive relationship, but it is not as it looks. These instructions come with a promise.

The Lord then said to Hagar, “I will give you more descendants than you can count. You are now pregnant and will give birth to a son. You are to name him Ishmael (which means ‘God hears’), for the LORD has heard your cry of distress.” (Gen.16:10-11 nlt) Hagar is promised she will become the mother of many, even more descendants than she can count. Her son Ishmael would become the head of an important tribe. Ishmael became the father of the Arab people. The Lord gave Hagar a promise of protection when she returned to Sarai and a promise of great blessing in the multiple descendants that would come through Ishmael, for God hears.

The Angel of the LORD describes the character of Ishmael and the life he would live. Evidently God had a plan for Ishmael even though it wasn’t Abram’s or Sarai’s plan. Ishmael is the first person in the Bible to be given a name before he was born. His name means ‘God hears.’ The Lord God heard Hagar’s cry when she was on the run from her mistress. The Lord tells Hagar what the future holds for her son, “This son of yours will be a wild man, as untamed as a wild donkey! He will raise his fist against everyone, and everyone will be against him. Yes, he will live in open hostility against all his relatives.” (Gen.16:12 nlt) An untamable wild donkey in those days was considered a valuable animal. Ishmael’s descendants, the Ishmaelites were fierce and combative.

Hagar realized the angel of the LORD who spoke to her was God. She called Him ‘You are the God who sees me.’ She had confidence in His protection as she went back to Sarai and had faith in His promise for Ishmael and his descendants. She returned to Abram and Sarai. Hagar gave birth to a baby boy giving Abram a son. Abram named him Ishmael as the Angel of the LORD told Hagar. Abram would now become the father of two groups of people, Ishmaels descendants, the Arabs, and Issac’s descendants, the Jews. The hostility that started between Sarai and Hagar has lasted until our current day. The impatience of Abram and Sarai has bred trouble for thousands of years. No one sins alone, but may we thank the Lord that He still hears.

Next week Abram and Sarai get a name change………..

A Christian Perspective

Which Cross Are You On?

April 4, 2026March 31, 2026 Loring Schultz

Read: Luke 23:33-43 NLT – When they came to a place called The – Bible Gateway

“Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.’ And Jesus replied, ‘I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.’” Luke 23:42-43 NLT

On a spring morning outside Jerusalem three men are sentenced to death by crucifixion by the authority of the Roman government. Crucifixion was the most barbaric and tortuous form of execution known to man. The horrors of the pain involved is accompanied by shame and humiliation all in public view. Of the three crucified that morning, two were clearly guilty of crimes deserving of death. But the man in the middle, Jesus, clearly was not. Although Jesus was not deserving of death, as confirmed by Pontius Pilate, His being on Calvary’s Hill that day with the two criminals is a picture of God’s love, God’s mercy, God’s grace, and a picture of all of us.

We may not want to admit it, but the two criminals are a picture of each and every one of us. All of us are deserving of death due to our sin. Born with a sin nature, we are sinful creatures living in a fallen world and will die physically as a result. The Bible is clear, “And just as each person is destined to die once.” (Heb. 9:27a) We deserve to die physically due to our sin. The two criminals on the cross deserved to die physically for their sins and specifically on that day for actions committed against humanity for which they are guilty.

Another picture we see in the three crosses, pertaining to the two criminals, is a picture of the world in their acceptance or rejection of Christ. The two criminals each had a choice to make about Jesus. One wanted nothing but to escape from his present condition, the other acknowledging his sin, realizing his spiritual condition, called out to Jesus in his time of real need asking to be with Him in paradise. It is a true picture of the world today.

God’s love is on full display as He sent His Son to die undeservedly for those who deserve to die. The picture of His mercy and grace is evident by Jesus’s words to the one criminal, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” The choice is yours and mine. Which cross next to Jesus are you on?

Devotionals

Access to God

April 3, 2026March 31, 2026 Loring Schultz

Read: Matthew 27:33-54 ESV – And when they came to a place called – Bible Gateway

“And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.” Matthew 27:50-51 ESV

For the religious Jews of Jesus’s day the tearing of the curtain (veil) in the temple should have been a revelation of who Jesus is and His purpose in dying on the cross. Scripture says the curtain was torn at the moment Jesus died, yielding up His spirit. It was torn from top to bottom indicating no human could have done it, it was clearly an act of God. The curtain that was torn was the inner curtain that separated the holy place from the most holy place in the Temple. It separated God who is Holy from sinful man and it contained the Ark of the Covenant and the law of God.

Entrance into the most Holy place, the Holy of Holies, was only once a year on the Day of Atonement. This was the most solemn holy day of all the feasts and festivals on the Jewish calendar. The High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies after offering a bull sacrifice for his own sins. He would then enter and sprinkle some of the blood on the Ark of the Covenant to atone for the sins of the people. Forgiveness and covering of sin was only through a blood sacrifice and repeated every year on the Day of Atonement.

The events that took place on the first Good Friday are many. They started in the early morning hours past midnight with the unjust trials of Jesus, and after being condemned to die, mocked, beaten, he was finally nailed to a cross later in the morning. Darkness covered the earth from twelve noon until three in the afternoon, the time Jesus died. At that moment, the last event, access to God was made possible to all through Jesus’s sacrifice and shedding of His blood. The curtain was torn in two, no more need for a yearly animal sacrifice to cover sin. A permanent sacrifice for sin was provided. “For the death he died he died to sin, once for all.” (Ro.6:10 esv) We have access to God the Father through the blood of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Have you accepted the sacrifice of Jesus in not just covering your sins but in taking them away completely? Access to God, Salvation, and eternal life is only possible through the blood of Jesus Christ as we repent, confess our sins, and accept Him as our Savoir. This Good Friday make sure you have ‘Access to God.’

Devotionals

The Lord Turned and Looked

April 2, 2026March 31, 2026 Loring Schultz

Read: Mark 14:22-31 NLT – As they were eating, Jesus took some – Bible Gateway

“At that moment, the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: ‘Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.’” Luke 22:61 NLT

On the night before Jesus was to be crucified He celebrated the Passover with His closest companions, the twelve disciples. Jesus was anxious to participate with them this last time as His words make clear, “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins.” (Lk.22:15 nlt) He wanted to be with those closest to Him as His hour was approaching. Not only did He desire to share with them the Passover but also continue to teach them important lessons. He set an example for them in how to love one another by washing their feet and instituted the Lord’s Supper we commemorate today.

Jesus carefully laid out before them the significance of the bread he broke giving to them along with the sharing of the cup. The bread represented His body that would be broken and the cup His blood that would be shed for the forgiveness of sin. He then preceded to tell them that they will all desert Him as He is arrested later that evening in the garden. Following Peter’s lead they all said that would not happen as they were all ready to die with Him than to desert and deny Him.

In Peter’s case, Jesus was specific in telling Peter he would not only desert Him, but he would deny that he even knew Him three times. Jesus was more specific in answering Peter’s claim that “Even if everyone else deserts you, I never will.” (Mk.14:29 nlt) The Lord told Peter that he would in fact commit such an act before a rooster crows twice denying his Lord.

God’s Word has many simple phrases and statements that goes right to the heart where there is no need of a deep theological exposition. “The Lord turned and looked” is such a statement. Jesus looked right at Peter. Enough said. Imagine if you are Peter seeing the Lord glancing back at you after the second rooster crowed. Imagine if you are Peter and you heard the first rooster crow after your first denial. Would you continue to deny Him as Peter did? We need to be careful not to over criticize Peter in his actions. All of us are capable to deny our Lord and Savior under extreme pressure. But it need not be the case if we are walking in constant communion with Him. May we never see ‘The Lord turn and look’ at us!

Devotionals

The Lord said to my Lord

April 1, 2026March 30, 2026 Loring Schultz

Read: Psalm 110 ESV – Sit at My Right Hand – A Psalm of – Bible Gateway

“David himself, in the Holy Spirit, declared, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet.”’ Mark 12:36 ESV

‘The Lord said to my Lord.’ Does this statement sound confusing to you, perhaps even contradictory? Confusing to most of us without explanation, but it is certainly not contradictory. During Jesus’s final week before His crucifixion, known as Passion Week, He was in constant battles with the Jewish scribes and the Pharisees, the religious leaders of the day. Jesus taught in the temple every day before those who came to hear Him. Most were astonished at His teaching hanging on to every word. This obviously angered the religious leaders as they saw their power and influence eroding away from someone who claimed to be the Son of God, the Messiah. If these leaders had carefully studied the Old Testament, they would have known that Jesus was right, He is the Son of God, the Messiah.

They were constantly trying to trip up Jesus with their questions, but Jesus turns the tables on them and asks them a question. He asks a question from a familiar passage in Psalms explaining that Jesus existed before David, proving His deity, proving He is eternal, and proving He is the Son of God. Jewish teaching was and is correct that the Messiah would be the son of David, yet David refers to Him as his Lord. Jesus asks them, ‘“What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?’ They said to him, ‘The son of David.’ He said to them, ‘How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying, ‘The Lord said to my Lord’……..If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?”’ (Mt.22:42-45 esv) The point being that the Messiah is both divine and human. He is David’s son and He is David’s Lord.

Jesus Christ who died on Calvary’s cross was indeed the divine Son of God in human flesh. An ordinary man, no matter how good he was, or how well he taught, or how well he lived as an example to others with love and compassion could ever be an adequate substitute for our sin. It had to be a perfect man, without sin. The deity of Christ is vital to why He came. His purpose for coming was to reconcile us back to God due to our sin nature, God’s plan for Salvation for those who trust in Christ. As John the Baptist proclaimed, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (Jn.1:29 esv) Read Psalm 110, the Messianic Psalm of Christ the King:

Devotionals

Magnificent Buildings!

March 31, 2026March 30, 2026 Loring Schultz

Read: Mark 13 NIV – The Destruction of the Temple and Signs – Bible Gateway

“As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!” Mark 13:1 NIV

Throughout the centuries magnificent cathedrals have been built to worship and bring glory to God. Although you’ll find cathedrals in all parts of the world, the most famous are found in Europe. Some dating back to medieval days took at least fifty years to construct with many taking much longer. The building of a new cathedral involved generations of architects, stonemasons, skilled and unstilled workers, and an enormous amount of money.

The most notable of the European Cathedrals is Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, France. Built between the years of 1163-1345, its age, architectural structure, size, beauty, and its history makes this magnificent building attract 12 million visitors a year. Disaster stuck this magnificent building on April 15, 2019 as fire broke out underneath the roof during a renovation project. As a result there was significant damage to the cathedral. A full restoration was completed in December 2024 with visitors being welcomed back.

The Jewish temple during Jesus’s time on earth was also a magnificent building. It also took many years to complete; in fact it was not completed in Jesus’s day. One of Jesus’ disciples remarked, look what a marvelous structure, what massive stones, what a magnificent building. But Jesus’s response was not to concur with their assessment of the temple. It was of magnificent structure and the place to offer sacrifices and worship God, but it would be destroyed. Jesus answered by saying, “Do you see all these great buildings? Not one stone here will be left on another; everyone will be thrown down.” (Mk.13:2 niv)

Jesus then preceded to instruct the disciples concerning future events of the end times, and His second coming after the tribulation days. He wanted their focus to be not only on the present, but looking at the future and eternity. The day is coming where there will be no magnificent buildings as in these days to visit and worship in, for they will all be destroyed; but we will be worshiping at the feet of Jesus in the New Jerusalem. Let us be looking forward to the future as we remember the past events of our Lord and Savior during this week.

Devotionals

A False Impression

March 30, 2026March 29, 2026 Loring Schultz

“In the morning, as Jesus was returning to Jerusalem, he was hungry, and he noticed a fig tree beside the road. He went over to see if there were any figs, but there were only leaves. Then he said to it, ‘May you never bear fruit again!’ And immediately the fig tree withered up.” Matthew 21:18-19 NLT

An outward appearance can give a false impression. Examples can be found on realtor’s website listings, used auto sales lots, and even restaurant meus (it does not look like the picture!) I am not being critical of those in the auto industry, food service or in real estate, but we all know there are times when the product does not meet up to the standards that were presented once examine. Jesus found this to be true on His way back into Jerusalem on Monday morning after His arrival the day before.

Walking with His disciples on the road early in the morning, Jesus became hungry and noticed a fig tree up ahead. From a distance it looked green and full of leaves. It gave the appearance of being able to supply ample nourishment to one who is hungry. However when Jesus and His disciples got a closer look they found nothing but leaves, no figs. The tree gave a false impression that it contained fruit, but it did not!

Jesus’ reaction to this false claim was immediate judgment, He cursed the tree, ‘May you never bear fruit again!’ The result, the fig tree withered up. Some theologians see this as an illustration of the nation Israel, a nation that was unfruitful despite being God’s chosen people. Our application for today is for those of us who claim to be Jesus followers, Christians in the true sense of the word with all the external trimmings but showing no fruit. There are Christians who give a false impression of who they are until someone gets close enough to see otherwise.

Jesus became hungry on the road into Jerusalem and needed the fruit to sustain Him from the fig tree but found none. People today on life’s road need the fruit of Gospel, spiritual nourishment for this life and for eternity. When they see us up ahead and observe us as they move closer, will they find true followers of Jesus or a false impression.

Bible Studies

“The Birth of Ishmael part 1: Impatience Breeds Trouble” – The Story of Abraham

March 29, 2026March 27, 2026 Loring Schultz

Read: Genesis 16 NLT – The Birth of Ishmael – Now Sarai, – Bible Gateway

“So Sarai said to Abram, “The LORD has prevented me from having children. Go and sleep with my servant. Perhaps I can have children through her.” And Abram agreed with Sarai’s proposal. So Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian servant and gave her to Abram as a wife.” Genesis 16:2-3 NLT

Abram had received a promise from God sealed with a covenant that his descendants would outnumber the stars in the sky. The Lord said a son would be born to him and his wife Sarai in their old age. God also promised Abram that the land where he stood would be his descendants possession. Abram was called to leave his home country for this purpose. The Lord had watch over, protected and led Abram and Sarai since they first journeyed out from Ur and He was not about to leave them on their own now. Abram’s and Sarai’s timetable was causing them to become impatient, but God works on His schedule. Running ahead of God and taking matters into our own hands is never a good idea and Abram and Sarai will soon find that out.

Ten years after God’s call to Abram, Sarai still had not borne a child. We are not sure who was more impatient, Abram or Saria, but perhaps it was Sarai. The Bible says Sarai suggested to her husband to take her servant, Hagar, as a wife or concubine and she could have a child through her. Hagar, an Egyptian, was one of the servants Pharoah gave to Abram when he was told to leave Egypt. Hagar had become Sarai’s personal servant. Another custom in those ancient days, as we saw last week where Abram asked God if his servant Eliezer could be his heir, was a custom that a female servant in the home could a bear child for a couple. Even though this was the custom of the day, it was not God’s design and certainly not for Abram and Sarai.

Abram should have recalled that God said no to his request for his servant to be his heir. There was nothing wrong with Abram asking about Eliezer, but this action he was about to take with Sarai’s servant was definitely wrong. We do not read where Abram and Sarai asked God about this. The Lord would have said no to this request as well. Sometimes in our own lives we do not ask God because we know the answer is no. So, we just move ahead and Abram did just that. Scripture says, “So Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian servant and gave her to Abram as a wife. So Abram had sexual relations with Hagar, and she became pregnant. But when Hagar knew she was pregnant, she began to treat her mistress, Sarai, with contempt.” (Gen.16:3-4 nlt)

Immediately after Hagar became pregnant things started to fall apart. No doubt Abram sinned by taking Hagar as a wife and having relations with her. He also sinned by running ahead of God and not having faith in the covenant promise God gave him. This great man of faith had failed, and it will now have mass consequences for thousands of years. The first harsh reality was the broken relationship between Sarai and Hagar. Hagar began to despise her mistress. Sentiments of contempt by looking down on Sarai for not being able to become pregnant had become visible, causing problems in the home. Sarai turns to Abram and blames him for the crisis. “Then Sarai said to Abram, ‘This is all your fault! I put my servant into your arms, but now that she is pregnant she treats me with contempt. The LORD will show who’s wrong—you or me!’” (Gen.16:5 nlt)

Although Sarai is not innocent in all this, she does have a point. Abram being the spiritual head of the family and God’s servant should have refused his wife’s solution to her barrenness. Abram knew of God’s faithfulness and His ability to do what He had promised but gave into his wife’s wishes from his own impatience. Sarai wanted her husband to fix the problem. But Abram added to the problem by granting Sarai the freedom to oversee it herself by saying, ‘“Look, she is your servant, so deal with her as you see fit.’ Then Sarai treated Hagar so harshly that she finally ran away.” (Gen.16:6 nlt)

It is thought that Hagar was reduced back to her servant status or lower. Her harsh treatment she received could have been extremely hard, heavy burdened continual tasks. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary notes, “Passionate jealousy and bitterness set the two women against each other. And Abram was not much help to either of them. Conditions grew worse by the moment.” We will see how worse they get when we continue next week…….

A Christian Perspective

Are You in Rebellion?

March 28, 2026March 26, 2026 Loring Schultz

“If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:38 NLT

‘Rebellion’ carries with it a negative tone. The word is defined as, ‘armed resistance to one’s government, or defiance to any authority.’ A rebel is one who takes part in resisting authority. Certainly, this is not what a Christian should be involved in. I agree with that under most circumstances. But Christians have a higher authority to answer to, the Lord God creator of heaven and earth.

Christians are to be rebellious. We are to rebel against the sinful nature of our flesh and the evil Satanic ways of the world. Modern-day theologian David Guzik writes in his commentary, “ Most people think of following Jesus as conforming to the establishment. Actually, Jesus called us to rebel against the established order of this world. We are called to rebel against the tyranny of the flesh, against the fear and conformity of the world, against the traditions of man. Jesus encourages a slave rebellion, where the slaves of sin, Satan, and the world rebel against their masters.” (1)

The current world system is corrupt in every way. Flagrant immorality, thefts, murder, abortion, fraud, deception, and the list goes on. Many of these vices along with others are found in most governments, businesses, organizations, communities, families, and individuals who follow a secular worldview. Satan is influencing every social class and moving people away from the things of God and promoting his Satanic ideals. He is the prince and power of this world system. The apostle Paul makes that clear in Ephesians 2:2, “You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.” (nlt)

We are living in a world between good and evil. Jesus Himself declare this world as adulterous and evil days. It is time for all Christians to rebel against our sinful flesh and the urge to conform to the world system which is under the control of Satan.

(1) https://www.blueletterbible.org/comm/guzik_david/study-guide/mark/mark-8.cfm?a=965038

Devotionals

Fight the Good Fight of Faith

March 27, 2026March 25, 2026 Loring Schultz

Read: 1 Timothy 6:11-16 NLT – Paul’s Final Instructions – But you, – Bible Gateway

“Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:11-12 NLT

This morning I came across an interesting reading in my ‘Substack’ feed entitled ‘Prayer is Not Asking. It is Occupying.’ The thought being that is not merely asking, but it is reporting for duty. Afterall we are in a war. Paul tells Timothy to fight the good fight of faith. The Lord who called Timothy into service also called us. Our ministries may differ, but we have the same commander, the Lord God.

Our Lord is telling us to fight the good fight of faith in 2026. If you have been a Christian for any length of time you know that task is not easy. But we are to pursue righteousness while living a godly life having faith, love, with perseverance and gentleness. I do not know about you, but I cannot do that on my own. Paul also recognized this as he instructed Timothy to fight the good fight. The word Paul used for ‘fight’ is where we get our English word ‘agonize.’ It describes the attentiveness, discipline, and effort needed for victory in a military battle or an athletic contest.

The good fight of faith is a spiritual battle against the things of this world ruled by Satan. The Lord commands to us to fight the good fight by putting on the full armor of God and standing firm. (Eph.6:10-18) We are not left defenseless and are encouraged to remember our future promise of eternal life leading us to live with a heavenly perspective as we minister for the Lord. May we all eagerly report for duty each day as we fight the good fight of faith.