Keep The Faith

Unity Series — The Language of the Kingdom Intro As I continue reflecting on the unity of Father God’s kingdom, I find myself drawn deeper into how communication truly works there. Not through the limits of human language, but through the Living Word Himself — Yeshua. This post follows the powerful realization that He is the Word of God, and therefore the very source of all true communication. The Word Who Communicates In one of my last posts, I wrote about The Word of God — Yeshua . Not just the written word, not just the spoken word, but the Living Word . The One through whom the Father communicates Himself. If Yeshua is the Word, and the Word is communication, then communication in Father God’s kingdom is not a system of grammar or vocabulary. It is a Person . Communication in the kingdom flows through Him, not around Him. It is shared life, shared heart, shared spirit, and shared presence. The Word is not a language; the Word is a Person. The Limits of Hu...

The Harmony of Heaven — Unity Series When we become One in the Kingdom, we are individually in harmony with each other. Scripture John 17:20‑23 NIV Jesus Prays for All Believers 20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” Reflection Unity Series The Harmony of Heaven When strings align, kingdoms shift. Harmony Is Not a Human Invention Before there was a first chord struck on earth, there was harmony in the nature of God Himself. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — distinct in Pers...

The Three in ONE — Perfect LOVE This morning my thoughts kept returning to Father God, Yeshua, and the Holy Spirit. There is something beautiful about pausing long enough to consider who They are — not just in doctrine, but in presence, in character, and in the way They reveal Themselves to us. Today felt like one of those moments where Their nearness was especially clear.

The Hammer Story By Wayne Koch (Pop Pop) Dedicated to my grandson Here is a story that I told my grandson when trying to get him to go to sleep. It began as a much simpler version, but over time it grew — and now reflects my own life and how God has shown Himself to me. The Story Once upon a time there was a hammer. Now, this hammer was a very special hammer. Its Creator gave it a brain. It could choose what project to work on and who would use it to build the project. There was just one problem: it often bent nails. At first, Hammer chose easy projects — step stools, tables, birdhouses, and treehouses. When it came to treehouses, he chose only the simplest ones or only wanted to do the ladder. As for who would use him, he would choose just anyone. Over time, he saw some of his projects turn out pretty good, some just so-so, and others really bad. When he bent a nail, the person using him would usually just bend the nail the rest of the way over to the ...

  How Should Israel Treat Those in the Land Today? A Biblical Look at Return, Neighbors, and Covenant Ethics When Scripture speaks about Israel returning to the Promised Land, it never frames the issue in political terms. It frames it in covenant terms — G-d’s character, G-d’s promises, and G-d’s expectations for how His people treat others. To understand how Israel is to treat those who live in the land now, we must look at the three biblical eras of return , because each one gives a different kind of instruction. 1. The First Entry Under Joshua — A Unique Moment in History The conquest under Joshua was a one‑time, unrepeatable event . G-d used Israel as an instrument of judgment on nations whose practices included child sacrifice, ritual prostitution, and violence. This was not: a model for future generations a permanent policy or a pattern for how Israel should treat neighbors After Joshua, G-d never again commanded Israel to conquer the land by force. This means modern returns...

  God Is Constantly Drawing Us to Himself There is a beautiful truth woven throughout the entire Bible: God is not distant, passive, or waiting for us to make the first move. From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture reveals a God who is continually reaching, calling, inviting, and drawing people to Himself. His heart has always been turned toward humanity. Even when we wander, He pursues. Even when we resist, He calls. Even when we fail, He draws us back with love that refuses to let go. Let’s look at the powerful ways Scripture shows this ongoing, relentless pursuit. 🌿 Drawn by Everlasting Love “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness.” — Jeremiah 31:3 God’s drawing begins with love — not judgment, not pressure, not fear. His love is everlasting , which means His drawing is continual. He doesn’t stop reaching for us because His love doesn’t stop. ✝️ Drawn to Christ Through the Cross Jesus made this promise: “No one can come to Me u...

Can We Trust God to Protect Us? Can we trust that God will protect us no matter what we're going through? I believe we absolutely can. Many of us are facing moments that feel uncertain and frightening. We worry about our future, our children, our neighbors, our nation, and even the world around us. But when we belong to God, we don't face these fears alone. We stand under the care of a Father who sees, knows, and guards His own. Think about what it truly means to be God's children. He is our Father — steadfast, present, and unchanging. No matter how old we become or how complicated life feels, His role as our Father never shifts. And because He is our Father, His protection is not fragile or occasional. It is rooted in His character, His promises, and His love. God’s Protection in Acts: A Foundation of Certainty These passages don’t just show isolated miracles — they reveal a pattern of God safeg...

Why Does God Allow Bad Things to Happen? Most of us have wondered at some point: “Why does God let bad things happen to good people? Why doesn’t He just get rid of those who do evil?” These questions are honest, human, and deeply spiritual. Years ago, I read The Shack by William P. Young and later watched the film. Both helped me see certain things from a different angle — not perfectly, but in ways that opened my heart to God’s perspective. In Chapter 10 , Mack asks Jesus why God doesn’t simply take control of the world to protect its beauty. Jesus explains that God refuses to impose His will because true relationships must be built on love, not force. Love cannot be coerced. “Here Come Da Judge” — A Deeper Look When Mack enters the cavern, he is still carrying unbearable grief and anger. The loss of his daughter has left him questioning everything — God’s goodness, justice, and love. He wants answers, but what he receives is something far de...

Can Someone Who Does Not Believe in God Love? Yes — I believe they can. Not because belief creates love, but because there is “that of God in everyone.” This is why even those who do not name God can still act with compassion, tenderness, and deep moral clarity. What Do Quakers Mean by the “Inner Light”? Quakers describe the Inner Light as the divine spark placed within every person — a quiet, guiding presence that nudges us toward truth, peace, and love. It is not a claim that humans are divine, but that God’s love reaches into every human heart. The Human Problem Imagine if we could love all the time — truly, consistently, without interruption. There would be peace. But that’s not how life works. You may have a close friend you cherish. Being with them feels peaceful and grounding. Then something happens — a misunderstanding, a wound, a moment of pride — and suddenly the peace is gone. Communication stops. Distance grows. The bond fractures. This is the human ...

I had an intriguing thought last Sunday morning about the contrast between Jewish and Christian teachings. In Judaism, there is a strong emphasis on knowing and obeying the law. Meanwhile, Christianity centers around love as the guiding principle. But this raises a thought-provoking question: If someone loves but does not know the laws, will that love naturally lead them to obedience? Conversely, if a person diligently follows the laws, does that process cultivate love within them? ChatGPT provided an insightful response on this topic, exploring both perspectives. Jewish Perspective: In Judaism, obeying the laws (mitzvot) is foundational. These commandments serve as a path to holiness, righteousness, and a deeper connection with God and others. However, the laws are not solely about strict adherence—they are meant to be observed with intention and love. The Torah reinforces this idea with commandments such as “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18). In this way, obedience i...

I woke up early this morning and I remembered that I was dreaming about LOVE. I was specifically dreaming about the medic, Desmond Doss, who is credited with saving more than 70 solders lives, even enemy soldiers', during one of the bloodiest battles of World War II in the Pacific. He did it without carrying any kind of protection for himself. He refused to carry a weapon or take a person's life. When he enlisted into the Army, he told them this and was almost rejected for service. They thought that he wouldn't make a good solder, but they took him anyway. He went through literal hell from his commanders and fellow soldiers, but he never quit/gave up. Click the link and go down to the 'Synopsis' of the movie. The movie, ' Hacksaw Ridge ', based on true events. It is well worth seeing if you haven't already. (maybe without children). His whole character was amazing, hard to believe, and is one example of LOVE (AGAPE LOVE). The kind of LOVE that Father God...

Why Do We Do Good Works? We talk often about faith, salvation, and obedience — but beneath all of it sits a deeper question: Why do we do good works at all? What motivates us? What shapes our understanding of righteousness, mercy, and love? Across different faith traditions, the answer varies. But Scripture invites us into something far more profound than duty, reward, or fear. Different Traditions, Different Motivations Many Muslims understand good works as part of the final judgment — where deeds are weighed, and reward or loss follows. Many Jews understand good works as obedience to Torah — a life shaped by covenant faithfulness. Christians, however, often find themselves caught between two strong scriptural currents: Salvation by grace through faith Faith proven genuine through works Both appear clearly in Scripture, and both must be held together. Saved by Grace — Not by Works Paul writes with unmistakable clarity: “For it is by grace you hav...

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 ...

What does it really mean when Scripture says that God is “one”? Across the Bible, the Tanakh, and the Qur’an, this oneness points not to isolation but to a divine unity rooted in perfect love. From the plural language of creation to Yeshua’s prayer in John 17, the story of God reveals a relationship of shared glory, purpose, and oneness—a unity we are invited to enter. God Is One: A Oneness Rooted in Love In the Christian Bible, the Jewish Tanakh, and the Islamic Qur’an, God—Yahweh—Allah—is described as one . We often interpret this to mean a single, solitary Deity. But I’ve come to believe that “one” means something deeper than numerical singularity. I believe “one” means perfect unity—perfect love. Let me explain. The Plural Language of Creation In the creation accounts of all three traditions, the Creator sometimes speaks in the plural: we , us , our . If “one” simply meant a solitary being, why not use I and my ? Consider the creation of humanity in Genesis: Genesis 1:26–27 (NIV)...

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 ...