Word for the Soul

“I will return to you about this time next year, and your wife, Sarah, will have a son!” Genesis 18:10 NLT

Open Bible showing Genesis chapter 18 and surrounding pages on a wooden table with red ribbon bookmark

When we last left Abraham two weeks ago he was beginning to understand the meaning of his name. The Lord changed his name from Abram (Exalted Father) to Abraham (father of many nations). God promised Abraham that many nations would come forth from Ishmael but the covenant promise would be through a son yet to be born to Sarah his wife. The name Issac was already given to this son of promise. Abraham obeyed God by conducting the circumcision of every male the sign of the covenant. The Lord promise will be fulfilled and Abraham will have a son and become the father of many nations.

Shortly after Abraham followed God’s instructions for circumcision, the Lord appeared again to Abraham. It was a hot afternoon in the Midde East and Abraham was sitting at the entrance of his tent when three men approached him. Abraham’s life was characterized by living in tents. He was still a wanderer traveling through the land promised to him by the Lord. Two of these three men were angels and the third was a theophany, another presentation of Jesus in human form. It doesn’t seem Abraham recognized Him at first but later realizes who He is.

Abraham immediately offered the Near Eastern hospitality of the day. “When he saw them, he ran to meet them and welcomed them, bowing low to the ground. ‘My lord,’ he said, ‘if it pleases you, stop here for a while.’” (Gen.18:2-3 nlt) Abraham used the customary greeting of respect, ‘My lord’, when he addressed the Lord. There were no hotels or inns in that day and weary travelers would depend on the hospitality of others for food and rest. It was considered a good deed to feed and put up travelers to rest from their journey and Abraham was quick to do it.

Abraham had water brought to wash their feet as they rested in the shade under a tree while food was being prepared. Sarah used her best flour to bake fresh bread, and “Abraham ran out to the herd and chose a tender calf and gave it to his servant, who quickly prepared it.” (Gen.18:7 nlt) A choice calf was going over and above the normal standards for feeding travelers. Before Abraham brought out the roasted meat and fresh bread he got some yogurt and milk to complete the meal. Abraham was not only a man of great faith but a man of generosity. The New Testament instructions on showing hospitality is taken in part from Abraham’s example here in this passage. The writer of Hebrews admonishes us to “Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!” (Heb.13:2 nlt)

After the meal, the visitors asked where Sarah was. Abraham replied she was in the tent. “Then one of them (the Lord) said, ‘I will return to you about this time next year, and your wife, Sarah, will have a son!’” (Gen.18:10 nlt) Sarah overhearing the conversation from inside the tent laughed to herself. After all she was about ninety years old and Abraham would be one-hundred when Issac is to be born. Sarah said to herself, “How could a worn-out woman like me enjoy such pleasure, especially when my master—my husband—is also so old?” (Gen.18:12 nlt) It seemed an impossibility to have a child at her age. Although the lifespans in their day were much longer Sarah was way past the age of child-bearing. Of course the Lord heard Sarah’s response and said, “Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” (Gen.18:14 nlt)

Sarah denied laughing, even if it was only to herself, for she was afraid. But the Lord knew. A thought for us to take hold of. The Lord hears all we say, silently to ourselves, and even in our thoughts. The Lord heard Sarah and He hears us. There is nothing too difficult for the Lord; in hearing our thoughts to ourselves or promising Sarah will have a son in her old age.

Next week Abraham intercedes for Sodom and Gomorrah………..

God’s Word will never disappear; No Update Needed

April 25, 2026April 23, 2026 Loring Schultz

“Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.” Luke 21:33 NLT

Recently a presiding bishop aligned with a major Christian denomination stated there was a need for a third testament of the Bible because God’s Word has become problematic. In a recent message she says, “This a very dangerous thing that I’m about to say now… a bit dangerous. I’m of the opinion that we need a Third Testament. because the Bible has become problematic…… I am completely frustrated with the ways in which the text speaks to the kind of vitriolic God that makes those kinds of things. And people will say, ‘well, it’s in the book.’ And I said, then we need to pull that page out. And they said, well, you can’t do it. It’s the Word of God. I said, no, it’s words about God. Come on now. But is it the Word of God? No. It is not the Word of God.” (1)

I remember a pastor friend of mine saying to me many years ago, ‘you have two choices, you either believe the Bible is God’s Word or you don’t. I choose to believe it.’ with that said I believe it also. There is no in-between. Yes, it is a dangerous thing that the bishop said. Obviously the bishop’s choice is clear. The problem as I see it is that a new third testament, according to the bishop’s own words, would also be ‘words about God.’ I don’t think God is going to write another text to suit those who refuse His already written Word which is never going to disappear. You can tear some pages out, but there’s always another Bible around. It is not going away.

What is needed are the Words of God from God and we already have them. “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2Pt.1:20-21 niv)

God gave us all we need to know on how to love our neighbors, how to treat each other with respect, how to find help through the Holy Spirit in the temptations of sin, how to live obedient to His Word, and most of all how to find salvation and eternal life through confession and repentance accepting Jesus Christ as our savior. There is no need for further revelation. God’s words will never disappear, and we can trust them with confidence.

(1) Bishop Says We Need a ‘Third Testament’ Because The First Two Are ‘problematic’ And ‘not the word of God’ – Protestia

Devotionals

Be Humble, Pray, and Seek the Lord

April 24, 2026April 23, 2026 Loring Schultz

Read: 2 Chronicles 7:12-16 NLT – Then one night the LORD appeared to – Bible Gateway

“Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

A few days ago Donald Trump, the president of the United States, read a portion of Scripture as part of a marathon reading of the Bible in an America 250-themed event. The United States will celebrate its 250^th anniversary of independence on July 4^th of this year. The passage he read from in 2 Chronicles was appropriate as the Lord promises to bless those who call on Him and He will restore their land. America sure needs it. The news media did not see it that way but criticized the reading as misrepresenting the Bible and not applicable to our time. Granted it was a different time and I will not make this a political piece (that is for our Saturday’s Christian Perspective each week) but this passage does apply. It applies as an example for the nation and for every person in the world today. The Bible is God’s living and breathing Word and it applies to everyone every day.

Christians can claim the words ‘Then if my people who are called by my name’ as applying to them, which I am one. When one accepts Christ as savior they have been drawn by the Holy Spirit unto salvation. We are called ‘Christians’ after Jesus Christ’s name and the Holy Spirit resides in every Chrisitan upon salvation. The Lord says when we humble ourselves, pray, and seek His face that He will hear us.

The Lord also demands that we turn from our wicked ways. Turning to God in prayer seeking Him with a humble attitude while still sinning against Him brings into question, how serious are we? Do we care about restoration or do we want to keep a couple of sins in our back pocket. The Lord God wants one-hundred percent commitment in our humility, prayer, seeking Him, and turning away from our sin. He then promises to forgive us and restore us. Yes, this passage applies today for everyone. Praise God that it does!

Devotionals

Twice a fool

April 23, 2026April 22, 2026 Loring Schultz

“As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness.” Proverbs 26:11 NLT

Have you ever done a foolish thing? Have you ever done a foolish thing twice? Do I dare say three times. Well I can say been there, done that! We are not perfect beings, but flawed creatures of habits, sometimes bad habits that get us into that same foolish thing with the same results. It won’t be different this time around if it is not in the will of God. But we fool ourselves into thinking that it will be.

The Lord is aware of our failures done in the pursuit of foolish things. Sometimes He waves a yellow flag warning us to slow down and think about what we are doing. When the red flag appears it’s time to stop if it is not late. Often times God allows us to go our way as He gives us free will, but He is always close by watching and providing warning signs. Will we trust God enough to heed His warning signs?

Some of us are innocently fooled to repeat a folly because of our desires. These desires may not be wrong in themselves but are we having conversations about them with God before we pursue them again. The Lord says, “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you.” (Ps.37:3-4 nlt)

Whatever reason we are drawn again into an act of foolishness we can learn from it if we are trusting in the Lord. He does not want to see us repeating our folly. God is a gracious and merciful God who wants nothing but the best for us and will give us the desires of our heart as it aligns with His will. So, if you are twice a fool, no worries, bring it to the Lord and ask Him to give you the desires of your heart and be a fool no more.

Devotionals

Our Guaranteed Inheritance

April 22, 2026April 21, 2026 Loring Schultz

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14 NIV

Engraved pocket watch, brass key, old letters, framed sepia photo, and vintage books on wooden table — Vintage keepsakes including an engraved pocket watch and old letters on a wooden table

It is a shame that in our world an inheritance is not guaranteed. The family fortune may not be handed down to you. A precious heirloom may be given to someone else. Your right as a child to inherent is not always guaranteed in this life. But as a child of God bought by the blood of Jesus Christ you are guaranteed an inheritance.

At the moment we receive Christ as our savior the Holy Spirit takes up residence within us. Not only is the Holy Spirit dwelling in us to guide us through this life, but He is the assurance of our salvation and eternal inheritance. The apostle Paul says we ‘were marked in Him with a seal.’ It is a seal of authenticity, authority, security, and ownership. We belong to Christ. Jesus purchased us and has given us His Holy Spirit as a pledge (deposit) guaranteeing our future inheritance.

There are not many guarantees in life that are 100% guaranteed, such as a product you may have purchased. The way you have treated or mistreated the item will determine if the guarantee is honored. Our salvation is guaranteed. There is nothing we can do to lose our salvation and our eternal inheritance. It does not depend on us as it did not depend on us when we trusted in Christ. It was the work of the Holy Spirit who led us and we are now sealed guaranteeing of our inheritance. Rejoice in that today!

Devotionals

I believe in God, so I spoke

April 21, 2026April 20, 2026 Loring Schultz

“But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, ‘I believed in God, so I spoke.’” 2 Corinthians 4:13 NLT

What are you passionate about? How passionate are you in what you believe in? What does it take for others to know where your passions lie? If you are like me, my passions become clear to others as we engage in conversations about issues in life that are dear to me. Being somewhat of an introvert, it is obvious when hitting on a subject that I am passionate about it is hard not to notice.

The last few years been anything but normal across the globe, but particularly here in the United States. Individual passions have risen to a new level. One’s belief system is being assessed and demonstrated as never before. That is not to say that they are not legitimate. Expressing one’s beliefs and passions about right and wrong, justice and injustice, unjust war and just war and racial inequality is something all Christians need to be involved in. But with that being said, what is number one on your passion list, me included. What is the most important thing you believe in?

The apostle Paul quoting from the Old Testament to the church in Corinth, says “I believe in God, so I spoke.” This was Paul’s number one passion, presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ in a clear and understanding manner to those around him. This serves as an example for every Christian to make this the number one priority above everything else. Yes, we are to support the efforts to secure peace and justice, and it starts by sharing Jesus Christ with the world. All the world’s problems are due to sin. America has a sin problem. The world has a sin problem. It is due to the fact that ‘we the people’ are sinners. The world has a sin problem because, “…..all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3:23)

The overriding issue above all others in the world today is the need for individuals to acknowledge their sin before God confessing and repenting accepting His Son, Jesus Christ, for salvation. For those of us who have done this, it is time to live righteously and godly in every area of our life. Our lives in this world are but a vapor, soon to be gone. Let us do what we can while the vapor is still visible living by God’s standards. If we genuinely believe in God, then let us speak. It is the most important message you can speak today, and the world needs to hear it. Christians, if we believe in God, then let us speak.

Devotionals

Desires of Your heart; it’s a two-step process

April 20, 2026April 19, 2026 Loring Schultz

“Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.” Psalm 37:4-5 ESV

Fulfilling a desire of your heart sometimes takes a lifetime. Striving and working towards that goal seems less strenuous as you picture that coveted desire in your mind. Finally, you reach the end of that rainbow only to find out the desire didn’t fill your heart. But take heart, there’s a better way to ensure your desires will fill your heart before you set out on that long journey. The fulfillment of the desires of your heart is a two-step process.

Step1: Delight yourself in the Lord, and totally commit your life to follow Him, trusting Him to lead you in the right way. The Lord God knows what is best you, He created you and understands you better than you understand or know yourself. Delight yourself in getting to know God more intimately through prayer and a daily reading of His Word. Commit to be obedient of all you have learned through Scripture, and trust God to help you through the Holy Spirit.

Step 2: Make sure your desires are God’s desires. It is not as difficult as it sounds if you are willing to let go and let God direct you. Take a good hard look at your desires and ask, is this a desire God would have for me? If you have strong desires that center more on yourself hoping that these are also God’s desires, ask God to change your desires to match His and He will.

The Lord God promises to act on our behalf when it comes to obeying Him in desiring what He desires for us. Again, God knows how He made us and how we are wired for His service. He knows we can only have complete fulfillment in the desires of our hearts when our desires are His desires. If you haven’t yet begun the two-step process there is not a better time than right now, it is time to start to have the desires of your heart fulfilled.

Bible Studies

Sin; a hindrance to God’s blessings

April 19, 2026April 17, 2026 Loring Schultz

Biblical Insight’s ‘The Story of Abraham’ will pick up next week.

Read: Joshua 7 NLT – Ai Defeats the Israelites – But Israel – Bible Gateway

“That is why the Israelites are running from their enemies in defeat. For now Israel itself has been set apart for destruction. I will not remain with you any longer unless you destroy the things among you that were set apart for destruction.” Joshua 7:12 NLT

The Lord God has led Israel out of slavery in Egypt and into the Promised Land. Israel was assured of victory in every conquest. All they needed to do was to obey God. Christians today can also be certain of victory for it is the Lord who fights our battles. All we need to do is obey. When we fail to obey God, we will suffer defeat when we were assured of victory because sin became a hindrance as in story presented to us Joshua chapter 7.

After the successful battle of Jericho, Joshua sends men to spy out the city of Ai. The report is highly favorable concluding that a smaller number of warriors were needed to conquer it and not the entire fighting force. Ai was a town small in number and would easily be defeated. Without hesitation Joshua sent about 3,000 men on the mission only to be defeated being driven back and losing thirty-six men in the process. Distraught over the results, Joshua and the elders of Israel tore their clothes bowing down before the Ark of the Lord until evening. “Then Joshua cried out, ‘Oh, Sovereign LORD, why did you bring us across the Jordan River if you are going to let the Amorites kill us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side! Lord, what can I say now that Israel has fled from its enemies?’” (Jos.7:7-8 nlt) It sounds like Joshua is having buyer’s remorse for having bought in to the Lord’s plan for them to enter the Promised Land. The Lord would reveal to Joshua what he did not know on why Israel was defeated. Israel had sinned against the Lord.

The first insight for us to learn is the consequences of our sin does not affect us alone. The Lord tells Joshua, “Israel has sinned and broken my covenant!” (Jos.7:11 nlt) One man, Achan, had disobeyed God’s command in the previous battle of Jericho by coveting, stealing, hiding, and lying about the things that were to be set apart for the Lord. The sin led to his family to being complicit in helping cover up the disobedience to the Lord and breaking His covenant. Achan and his family were part of God’s chosen people Israel. Sin had been committed by having disregard for God’s commands and directly disobeying them. God is a holy God having instructed Joshua and the nation of Israel to have faith, courage, and to be obedient. Israel as a nation did not do so completely in the battle of Jericho. God had said, “Israel has sinned and broken my covenant!”

Our second insight; as God is holy, He cannot deal with sin in His presence. God will not deal with us as we go our own way but will put the brakes on us as He did with Israel’s defeat at Ai. The Lord told Joshua, “I will not remain with you any longer unless you destroy the things among you that were set apart for destruction.” (Jos.7:12 nlt) We must do the same. If we expect to see the Lord’s continued blessings we need to be obedient to Him and destroy (get rid of) any sin that is causing a major hindrance to that end.

Finally, the Lord’s blessings were seen by Achan and his family in the victory at Jericho. They witnessed the Lord fighting their battle and achieving victory; however, they were not content and wanted more. The Lord helps overcome major battles in our lives. His blessings continue to flow through our lives as we obey Him. If suddenly a small inconvenience becomes a major battle and wipes you out perhaps there is a ‘sin of Achan’ that needs to be destroyed. Being obedient to God and getting rid of that persistent sin will lead to God’s blessings.

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com

A Christian Perspective

True Justice

April 18, 2026April 17, 2026 Loring Schultz

“This is what the LORD Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.’” Zechariah 7:9 NIV

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 NIV

Are you an advocate for administering true justice with mercy and compassion? If so, where do you find the source for true justice, mercy, and compassion? There can only be one source, the creator God and His written word. The prophet Micah confirms this by saying ‘He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.’ (Mic.6:8 niv) Therefore by following the principles and guidelines found in Scripture we have a solid foundation to build upon in administering justice with mercy and compassion.

Every Christian is to be outspoken with the injustices committed in our society. Whether it is the neglect of the poor and homeless, or discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, or religion. Christians should be out front not only with calls for justice, but with the actions to back it up. The New Testament book of 1 John tells us, “If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” (3:17, 18 niv)

The key word in I John 3:18 is ‘truth.’ Our advocacy must be based on truth. The truth of God’s Word. There is a problem today for many Christians and it has made its way into many Christian churches. God’s justice (Biblical justice) is being intermingled with the world’s term of ‘social justice.’ They are not one and the same. It is true caring for the poor, the homeless, and standing against discrimination are tenets of “God’s justice’ as well as ‘social justice’, but not all the tenets of ‘social justice’ are tenets of ‘God’s justice.’

As Christians we are to be wise and discerning in what constitutes ‘social justice’ in our day. The cries of each injustice are to be examined in the light of Scripture to test and prove it is a Biblical principle that has been violated. It is to not contradict any other of God’s principles in Scripture when addressing it. If it passes the test then we are to be an advocate for the injustice by following what the Lord said in the book of Zechariah, “Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.” (Zech.7:9 niv)

Devotionals

Guard what has been entrusted to you

April 17, 2026April 15, 2026 Loring Schultz

“O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge”— which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. Grace be with you.” 1 Timothy 6:20-21 NASB

What treasures have you been entrusted with? Those of you blessed with children have those precious jewels placed in their trusting care from God. Those who work in financial institutions have large sums of money entrusted to them. Those who serve in law enforcement have the safety of the lives they protect and serve entrusted to them. And those of us who are Christians have the treasure of the Gospel entrusted to us.

The apostle Paul instructs his son in the faith, Timothy, to guard the treasure which had been entrusted to him, the life giving message of Salvation. Timothy was instructed to guard or keep watch over the presentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ against the false teachers of his day.

Just as Timothy had false teachers in his day, we also have false teachers in our day who distort the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are to guard and keep watch, “through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us” the True Gospel Message of Jesus Christ. And we can use Jesus’s own words:

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life……….I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (Jn.3:16, 14:6 nasb)

We have been entrusted with the most valuable treasure known to mankind. May we realize our responsibility and guard what has been entrusted to us!