Reasons to Believe

There is a quiet struggle happening in the lives of many Christians today. They love God. They believe the Bible. They attend church. Yet deep inside, something feels missing. It’s not faith they lack. It’s joy. Scripture tells us clearly:  “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” — Nehemiah 8:10 Not your circumstances. Not your success. Not your comfort. Your strength comes from joy — and that joy comes from the Lord. So why do so many believers live weighed down, exhausted, discouraged, and spiritually drained? Let’s talk honestly about it. 1. Many Confuse Joy With Happiness Happiness depends on what happens. Joy depends on Who reigns. Happiness says: “Things are going well.” Joy says: “God is still in control — even when things aren’t.” That’s why Paul could write:  “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.” — Philippians 4:4 Remember — he wrote that from prison. Joy is not tied to comfort. It is tied to confidence in God. 2. Sin Quietly Steals Joy One of the bi...

  There is something deeply beautiful about Resurrection Sunday. Believers gather, hearts full of joy, proclaiming, “He is risen!” and celebrating the victory of Jesus over sin and death. Yet when we step back into Scripture and the practices of the earliest followers of Jesus, we discover something even richer: the resurrection was not originally framed around a holiday called Easter, but within the biblical feast of Passover and the appointed times of the Lord. This is not about creating division or criticizing sincere believers. It is about rediscovering the fullness of truth and the depth of meaning God embedded in His appointed times. When we understand the resurrection through Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Firstfruits, the gospel story shines with breathtaking clarity. God’s Appointed Times — Not Man’s Traditions The feasts were never called Jewish holidays in Scripture. God Himself calls them His feasts: Leviticus 23:2 — “Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye sh...

There is a call that echoes from Genesis to Revelation—a call that has never changed and never will. It is the call of God to His people: holiness. In a generation filled with compromise, distraction, and lukewarm devotion, the Word of God still declares with clarity: “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” — 1 Peter 1:15–16 Holiness is not a suggestion for the Christian life. It is the very nature of the life God calls His people to live. God Himself is holy, and those who belong to Him are called to reflect that holiness in their lives. Scripture also gives a sober warning that many today prefer to ignore:  “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” — Hebrews 12:14 This truth should cause every believer to examine their heart. Holiness is not merely an outward form of religion or a list of rules. It is the evidence that a life has truly been t...

As I sit down to pen this article, my heart is heavy yet hopeful. We've journeyed through the shadows of history and doctrine in this blogsite, uncovering layers of tradition that often obscure the pure light of God's Word. Now, we turn our gaze to a beloved holiday that millions cherish: Christmas. The title of this chapter, "From Pagan to Christ: Baptizing Balaam," draws from the biblical figure of Balaam, a prophet who twisted truth for personal gain, attempting to mingle the holy with the profane (Numbers 22-24). In much the same way, many well-meaning Christians today seek to "baptize" ancient pagan customs, dipping them in the waters of Christendom to make them holy. But as we'll explore, sincerity alone doesn't sanctify what God has forbidden. This isn't an attack on joy or family gatherings; it's a loving plea to examine our practices against the unchanging standard of Scripture. Let's peel back the tinsel and lights to reveal the...

As I continue this journey in my blog, my heart swells with a mix of sorrow and excitement. In the previous chapter, we peeled back the layers of tradition surrounding Christmas, revealing its pagan roots and the well-intentioned but misguided attempts to "Christianize" them. Now, for those who may feel a void—those wondering, "If not Christmas or Easter, then how do we celebrate the birth and resurrection of our Lord?"—this chapter offers a beautiful alternative rooted not in human invention, but in the very Word of God. We're not abandoning celebration; we're reclaiming it in its purest form. The early church, comprised of both Jewish and Gentile believers, didn't need Roman holidays to honor Christ. Before Constantine's influence in the fourth century, they observed the biblical feast days outlined in Leviticus 23. These weren't mere "Jewish holidays"; they were God's holy convocations, designed as eternal signposts pointing to t...

One of the most sobering truths Jesus ever taught is this: if we refuse to forgive others, we place ourselves in a position where we cannot expect forgiveness from God. That is not a small matter — it is a direct warning tied to our relationship with the Father Himself. The principle is simple and deeply humbling: God will never ask us to do something He is unwilling to do. He forgives freely, repeatedly, and sacrificially — and He expects His children to reflect that same spirit. This truth is seen clearly when the disciples asked Jesus a very honest question: “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Peter likely thought he was being generous. But Jesus answered, “I do not say to you up to seven times, but seventy times seven.” The point was not about keeping a literal number — Jesus was teaching that forgiveness is not meant to have a limit. In other words, we are not to keep score. Forgiveness is meant to become a continual posture of ...

  Many today call themselves Christians simply because they bear the name of Christ. Yet there is a growing belief—even within the church—that loving someone means accepting them exactly as they are without warning them about sin or judgment. People say things like: “Everyone has a right to their beliefs.” “It’s not my place to judge.” “My life should speak louder than my words.” But these statements often become excuses to avoid a responsibility clearly commanded in Scripture. According to the Word of God, true love does not remain silent when someone is headed toward destruction. The Bible speaks directly to this issue:  “Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.” — Leviticus 19:17 (KJV) Notice the command carefully. God does not say rebuking someone is hatred. In fact, He says the opposite. If we refuse to warn someone about sin, we are allowing that sin to remain upon them. Silence, in this cas...