Keep The Faith

The Life of John the Apostle A detailed look at the man through whom God gave us the Gospel of John, the Epistles, and the Revelation of Jesus Christ. 1. Early Life and Calling John was born around 6 AD in Bethsaida, a fishing village on the Sea of Galilee. He was the son of Zebedee and Salome, and the younger brother of James. Together they worked as fishermen and were partners with Peter and Andrew. Their family business was stable and respected, suggesting they were not poor but hardworking and established. Jesus called John while he was mending nets. Without hesitation, he left the boat, the nets, and the family business to follow the Messiah. This immediate obedience reveals the depth of his devotion from the very beginning. 2. A “Son of Thunder” Transformed Jesus gave John and his brother James the nickname “Boanerges,” meaning “sons of thunder.” This tells us John was originally fiery, bold, and intense. He once wanted to call down fire on a Samaritan vill...

Questions About the Messiah As a Christian who loves the Hebrew Scriptures, I’ve always been fascinated by the Jewish understanding of the Messiah. Judaism teaches that the Messiah will be a human male, a direct descendant of King David, who will accomplish great acts of restoration and establish a kingdom of peace. This kingdom is described in Scripture as everlasting. That raises an honest question for me: If the Messiah’s kingdom is everlasting, how is that understood within Judaism? Does the Messiah himself live forever, or is the “everlasting” nature of the kingdom understood in a different way? From a Christian perspective, the eternal nature of the Messiah’s reign is one of the reasons we believe Yeshua is the promised Messiah — His resurrection and eternal life align with the idea of an everlasting King. But I want to understand how Judaism interprets these same passages. Another question that often comes to mind is about the Torah itself. Rabbis st...

  What Does It Mean to “Fear the Lord”? A Journey Through Scripture, Restoration, and the Heart of the Father The phrase “fear the Lord” has puzzled believers for generations — and perhaps even the angels, especially the fallen ones. What kind of fear does Scripture call us to? Are we meant to be afraid of God, to shrink back from Him? When I reflect on the moments I’ve sensed His presence, I remember a calming peace. Yes, at first there was fear — the awe of encountering Someone infinitely greater — but that fear always gave way to rest. And in Scripture, whenever humans encounter God or His messengers, the first words are almost always: “Fear not.” So what kind of fear is God asking of us? Fear, Angels, and the Authority of Jesus Angels are powerful beings, and some have tragically fallen from grace. Whatever that fall entailed, they now use their power for harm rather than good. Yet when Jesus walked the earth, every demon He encountered trembled before Him. Their fear...

The Nicolaitans appear only twice in Scripture, yet Jesus says He hates their deeds and doctrines. This study explores what their name means, why their influence was so dangerous, and how their spirit still appears in religious systems today. It’s a call to discernment, repentance, and a return to direct communion with God. The Doctrines of the Nicolaitans In the past, I’ve stumbled across the name Nicolaitans in Scripture. It appears only twice—in Revelation chapter 2. Revelation 2:6 (LEB) “But you do have this: that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, things which I also hate.” Revelation 2:15–16 (LEB) “So likewise you also have those who hold fast to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore repent! But if you do not, I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war with them with the sword from my mouth.” This morning, while searching Revelation 2 again, that name caught my attention. I’ve looked before, trying to understand who the Nicolaitans wer...

I woke up this morning thinking about the forgiveness we have through what Yeshua accomplished on the cross. Some people seem to believe that forgiveness is automatic—that everyone is forgiven no matter what, and we can simply continue living as we always have. But when I reflect on what forgiveness truly is, I realize it calls for a deeper response. Before forgiveness can take root, there must first be repentance. Yeshua opened the door to forgiveness, but we still have to choose to walk through it. What Repentance Really Means Repentance is the wholehearted turning of a person back toward God—away from sin, self‑rule, and hardness of heart, and toward obedience, mercy, and truth. In Scripture, repentance is not merely feeling sorry; it is a change of direction, a returning to the path of life. The Hebrew teshuvah literally means “to return,” and the Greek metanoia means “a change of mind.” Together they reveal repentance as a transformatio...

The Lord’s Prayer and the Call to Forgive Opening Reflection If you’ve spent time in a Protestant church, you’ve likely prayed the Lord’s Prayer—often aloud, often in unison, and often without the space to slow down and absorb its depth. Recently, I opened my Bible study tools and began examining the prayer in the original Greek. Looking at the Greek often reveals layers of meaning that English alone doesn’t fully capture. This time, one part of the prayer stopped me. Verse 12. And then verses 14–15, which sharpen its meaning. These verses felt personal—direct, even. The Prayer Itself “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” ( Matthew 6:9–13 ) Jesus immediately adds: “If you forgive others, your Father w...