Keep The Faith

Welcome! Pull up a chair and grab a cup of coffee. Today, I want to share a reflection that hit me deeply during my morning quiet time—one that challenged the way I think about faith, everyday distractions, and how we love those around us. Scripture Matthew 25:40 (NIV) “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” Reflection I was drinking coffee this morning, as usual, when these words came to mind: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” As I thought about them, I wanted to go back and read the full parable in Scripture. I began reading through several chapters around this verse, and the weight of what Jesus was teaching hit me hard. Here is what stood out during my study: 1. The Immediate Context: Matthew 25 The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats serves as the climax of a three-part teaching on spiritual r...

Doing What Is Right in the Sight of God These are stressful days for many people. As I was thinking about everything happening around us, my thoughts turned toward Father God. God is still the all-powerful God. He doesn’t change. He is the God we can call Father — the One who loves us so much that He sent His Son, Yeshua (Jesus), into this world to take our punishment for the sins we’ve committed. Think about that. What amazing love. And think about what Yeshua did when He was here on earth with us. He had compassion for all those He met. Matthew 9:35–38 (NABRE) Jesus went around to all the towns and villages… curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, His heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd… “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few.” For me right now, I pray that His will be done, that the laborers will go out, and I trust Him for whatever happens. I also pray ...

The Kingdom Way: Giving, Not Taking Introduction This morning began with an unexpected thought — not about eating food, but about the long path food takes before it ever reaches our table. That simple thought opened a door into something deeper: how we receive, how we take, how we give, and how Yeshua teaches us to see provision in a completely different way. Scripture A passage that anchors the reflection. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” — Matthew 4:4 Reflection A personal moment that opens into spiritual insight. I woke up thinking about food — not the craving for it, but the whole process behind it. As white Americans, we go to grocery stores, buy in bulk, store things in pantries and refrigerators, and then choose what we want when we want it. And far too often, some of that food ends up in the trash. Perfectly good food that someone hungry could have eaten. It feels wasteful, and it says s...

Where Is God in All This? Our U.S. elections are coming up on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 . It’s possible that Donald J. Trump could be elected president again — and personally, I do not believe that would be good for our nation. Many observers have noted that Trump and his allies appear to be following a strategy reminiscent of authoritarian movements of the past: first securing enough popular support to win power, then working to weaken or eliminate opposition. Their Project 2025 blueprint outlines sweeping changes that could allow those in power to remove perceived threats, centralize control, and impose restrictions on freedoms — including the possibility of elevating a preferred national religion and tightening control over media and institutions. If you support him and his allies, you may be unknowingly helping advance this agenda. Right now, you may seem useful in their pursuit of power — but history shows that those who outlive their usefulness are ...

Unity Series: Love Moves Us Into Action I used to think compassion and love were the same thing. They felt similar—both warm, both tender, both stirred by seeing someone hurting. But lately, as I’ve looked honestly at my own life, I’ve realized something uncomfortable. I can feel compassion… yet stop there. I can ache for someone, but not move toward them. I can care, but not act. And that’s the difference. Compassion feels. Love does. When Scripture speaks of the Father and of Yeshua (Jesus), compassion is never passive. It always becomes movement, sacrifice, giving, healing, restoring. Divine compassion acts , and that action is what Scripture calls love . John 3:16 (NIV) “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Love gives . 1 John 3:16 (NIV) “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.” Love lays itself down . This is the pattern ...

Restoration A study of biblical restoration through covenant renewal, repentance, and God’s faithfulness. Something I like to do when I am studying a specific subject in the Bible is make a list of all the scriptures. This post goes with my earlier post: Forgiveness – Repentance – Restoration . Covenant Renewal & Restoration Deuteronomy 29:1 These are the words of the covenant that Yahweh commanded Moses to make with the Israelites in the land of Moab besides the covenant that he made with them at Horeb. Restoration of the Temple 2 Chronicles 24:13 So those doing the work labored, and the restoration for the work made progress under their hand. And they restored the house of God to its position and strengthened it. Restoration of the Wall 2 Chronicles 27:3 ...