By Don Preiser

What You Believe Matters!

Let me challenge you to think about what you believe, not to entice you to change, but to encourage you to think critically. I believe God has given you an intelligence unrivaled in all His creation. An entire book of the Old Testament is devoted to wisdom. So, God is not opposed to thoughtful inquiry and rational consideration.

Here’s why- What you believe matters. Beliefs have consequences, and believing something incorrectly can have devastating, if not fatal, outcomes. Case in point: if I believe that gravity does not exist and choose to step off the roof of a ten-story building, my erroneous belief will result in my imminent demise, irrespective of the sincerity of that belief. Believing that ice cream is a health food may not have as immediate or catastrophic impact, but it will certainly negatively affect my long-term well-being.

Granted, not all beliefs have equal ramifications, but when it comes to your relationship to your Creator, I would suggest that those beliefs matter significantly in determining the trajectory of your life now, and possibly eternally. And given that we only get one shot at this life, any consideration that improves it is worth evaluating.

So, beliefs evolve over time. Think of all the scientific advances over the last few centuries that disprove previously held beliefs. Things we take for granted were once thought impossible. At the time of this country’s founding, nobody believed man could fly, let alone travel in outer space.

Conventional wisdom and the status quo are the enemies of progress. If some people had not been willing to think outside the box, we’d still be walking everywhere. So, if that’s true in culture, why isn’t it true in theology?

Is it realistic to think that our understanding of God has not improved since the first century? Should we believe that God has been effectively silent for the past 2000 years and has no intention of providing additional insight or understanding beyond what was recorded in the first century? My view of God is bigger and better than that.

But while our understanding of God should have evolved, there remain significant differences of opinion about Him and our connection to Him. Theological debate and varying beliefs have existed ever since the Garden. Cain and Abel disagreed about the best way to connect with God, and their different beliefs led to actions with consequences. Human history since that time has demonstrated that beliefs about God produce divisions of varying degrees, leading to wars and conflicts of every imaginable description. The fact that AI currently identifies over 40,000 different worldwide denominations suggests that a uniform understanding of God does not exist, even after 6000 or so years of trying to figure Him out! Theology, or the study of God, seems to have failed to reach a definitive conclusion about Him, proving that finite minds cannot fully comprehend an infinite God.

Here’s the problem- theological systems and beliefs are inherently subjective, and to suggest anything resembling dogmatism or infallibility is ludicrous and naive. I believe the Bible is useful and helpful in our understanding of God, but I also believe that His indwelling Spirit provides direction, revelation, and illumination to truth beyond what is recorded in Scripture.

Is there such a thing as objective truth? I think so. I would put gravity in that category, and your belief about it will affect your life. Some would say that the Bible is objectively true. And while that may be the case, our interpretation and understanding of it is very subjective. For that reason, I believe that religious dogmatism is unhelpful.

What you believe creates your reality, whether it is objectively true or not. That’s why critical thinking is necessary to arrive at the best possible beliefs. And since your belief about God can have eternal consequences, I would suggest that you be diligent in your search for truth. Pilate famously asked Jesus, “What is truth?” (John 18:38). How would you answer that question? Think about it, my friend. What you eventually believe matters.

Remember, this life is a journey, so keep moving forward and exploring your relationship with your wonderful Creator. Believe me, He’s worth it!

Don Preiser-Good Shepherd Ranch

Don Preiser is a retired pastor with over 40 years of vocational ministry experience serving churches in Pennsylvania and Florida. Beyond the pulpit, he also operated an educational ranch where children learned about God's creation through hands-on experience.

He now lives at Good Shepherd Ranch in Georgia with his wife and three of their grown children and their families, where he devotes his time to writing and speaking. Don's goal is to help readers move from legalism and religious pressure to the practical freedom, peace, and confidence that Jesus promised. He gives actionable tactics that result in real life change, believing that what has worked for him can work for you too.

Lifelong Journey of Service: Why You Need to Read these Books!

True leadership is born out of a lifetime of service. More than 40 years ago, I met a man who would profoundly impact my life and ministry: Don Preiser. When I was a teenager, Don was the youth pastor at my church. Later, when I served as a bus route captain, he was the faithful Sunday bus driver bringing local kids to hear the Gospel. On the streets of Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, Don was the mentor who taught me the ins and outs of evangelical work.

Through all these decades, one thing has never changed: Don loves the Lord, and he is entirely dedicated to encouraging people and helping them navigate the journey of life.

From Late-Night Journaling to Published Books

Don never expected to become an author. However, God had other plans. Don began waking up in the middle of the night with his mind racing with powerful new ideas. To capture these moments, he started journaling his thoughts.

Over time, a review of those late-night journals revealed an undeniable pattern. As he organized his realizations into distinct categories, a natural manuscript formed. That compilation led directly to his first book—and soon after, his second.

Real Truth for Real Challenges

What makes Don’s writing so impactful is that his insights do not come from abstract theory; they come from the actual application of truth. He openly includes his personal growth experiences in his writing. By sharing the raw challenges he has personally navigated, he provides a mirror for readers to identify with their own struggles and find practical, faith-based solutions.

Just as Don spent his life serving on the streets and in the pews, these books are an extension of his ministry. They are designed to uplift, challenge, and guide you closer to your true spiritual identity.

Grab Your Copy and Share Your Thoughts!

I highly encourage you to take a look at his work. Independent Christian authors rely heavily on word-of-mouth support from communities like ours, and Don's message deserves to be heard.

Please visit Don's Page to check out his titles, including What's Better Than the Bible?. I have not got to that one myself yet! Have plenty of questions already.

Thank you for supporting a great author and a dear friend,

Ron Bender
BenderBytes