Blog

Author: Philip

  • Savior but not Lord

    Most People Want an Easy Faith, But That’s Not What Jesus Offers. They want salvation without sacrifice. They want heaven without holiness. They want Jesus as their Savior, but they don’t want Him as their Lord.

    This is the tragedy of modern Christianity: many want the benefits of Christ without the cost of discipleship. They love the idea of being saved from hell, but they don’t want to submit to the One who saves. They want a Jesus who forgives, but not a Jesus who commands.

    But Jesus never offered a comfortable, casual faith. He made it clear: following Him comes with a cost.

    A Faith Without Cost Is Not True Faith

    Too many people believe in a watered-down gospel, one that tells them they can live however they want as long as they “believe” in Jesus. But faith without obedience is dead (James 2:17). Jesus Himself asked,

    “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46)

    Calling Jesus Lord means He rules over your life. But many people don’t want that. They want the title of Christian, but they don’t want the lifestyle of a disciple.

    People Want Salvation Without Sacrifice

    Many want the assurance of salvation, but they don’t want the surrender that comes with it. But Jesus made it clear:

    “Whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10:38)

    The cross is not a decoration, it’s a symbol of death to self. If you follow Jesus, you must be willing to sacrifice:

    Your desires

    Your plans

    Your comfort

    Your sinful lifestyle

    But most people don’t want that. They want grace without change. They want to keep their sin and still claim salvation. But Jesus never offered that option.

    People Want Heaven Without Holiness

    Many say, “I believe in Jesus,” but they live no differently than the world. They ignore Hebrews 12:14:

    “Without holiness no one will see the Lord.”

    Holiness means being set apart. It means you don’t talk like the world, think like the world, or act like the world. It means you don’t compromise with sin. But too many people want to fit in with the world and still expect to enter heaven.

    But Jesus was clear:

    “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. But the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

    The way is hard because it requires holiness. It requires obedience. And most people are not willing to live that way.

    People Want Jesus as Savior, But Not as Lord

    Many love to talk about how Jesus forgives. But few want to talk about how Jesus commands. But Jesus doesn’t just say, “Come as you are.” He says, “Go and sin no more.” (John 8:11)

    Salvation is free, but following Jesus costs everything. That’s why He said:

    “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)

    That means you don’t get to pick and choose which parts of Jesus you want. If He is your Savior, He must also be your Lord.

    True Faith Requires Full Surrender

    The reason the road to eternal life is narrow is that few are willing to fully surrender. Many claim Christ with their mouths, but deny Him with their lives. But Jesus said:

    “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)

    True faith requires:

    Repentance (turning from sin)

    Obedience (following God’s commands)

    Holiness (living set apart)

    Sacrifice (denying yourself)

    Anything less is not true Christianity.

    Will You Take the Narrow Road?

    Most people will not pay the price. They will settle for a comfortable, compromised Christianity that costs them nothing. But Jesus is worth it. The cost of following Him is nothing compared to the cost of rejecting Him.

    So ask yourself today:

    Do I truly follow Jesus, or do I just claim His name?

    Do I live in obedience, or do I just expect forgiveness?

    Do I desire holiness, or do I just want heaven?

    Jesus wants all of you. Not just your words, but your life. The question is: Will you give it to Him?

  • Without God, I’m Nothing

    Without God, I am nothing. Without His presence in my life, I would crumble under the weight of my own weakness. I would be lost, wandering aimlessly through life, searching for meaning in things that could never satisfy me. Without Him, I would be like a ship without an anchor, tossed by the winds of uncertainty, drifting farther from the shore with no direction and no purpose.

    Don’t get me wrong, even with God, I am nothing. I am still broken. I am still flawed. I still fail daily. But the difference is, with Him, I have a foundation that holds me together. A rock that keeps me grounded when everything around me shakes. A love that surrounds me when I feel unworthy, a grace that covers me when I fall short.

    Without Him, my insecurities would drown me. My fears would consume me. My failures would define me. But because of Him, I have hope. I have a purpose. Even when I don’t see my worth, He does. Even when I feel empty, He fills me. Even when I think I’ve reached my breaking point, He reminds me that His strength is made perfect in my weakness.

    I don’t deserve His love, yet He gives it freely. I don’t always seek Him like I should, yet He never leaves me. I fail Him daily, yet His mercy is new every morning.

    So yes, without God, I am nothing. But with Him, I am held. I am seen. I am loved. Not because of who I am, but because of who He is. And that is enough.

  • I Just Want to Do Well

    I Just Want to Love People and Do Well – It’s That Simple

    I’m not a complicated man. I don’t have some grand master plan. I don’t wake up every morning trying to manipulate the world, chase power, or impress people with things that don’t really matter. I just want to love people and do well. That’s it. That’s all.

    In a world that often feels chaotic, where people are constantly chasing more, more money, more status, more control, I find peace in keeping things simple. I want to be kind. I want to be honest. I want to treat people with respect, not because I have to, but because that’s what makes life worth living.

    I want to love the people around me in the purest way possible. Not just my family, not just my closest friends, but people in general. I want to be the guy who holds the door open for a stranger, who genuinely listens when someone needs to talk, who gives without expecting something in return. I want to be the guy who makes people feel seen, who makes them feel like they matter, because they do.

    I don’t need fancy titles. I don’t need to be the richest person in the room. I don’t need to prove myself to people who don’t care about me. What I need is to lay my head down at night knowing that I lived my day with integrity. That I did my best. That I gave love freely, even when the world made it hard. That I didn’t let bitterness win.

    I want to do well, not just in a financial sense, though stability is nice, but in a way that means I left something good behind. I want to work hard and do right by people. I want to be the kind of person who makes others feel safe, valued, and respected. I want to be remembered for my heart, not just my accomplishments.

    Some people overcomplicate life. They chase validation in all the wrong places, they play mind games, they lose themselves trying to be someone they’re not. That’s not me. I don’t need to impress anyone. I don’t need to be flashy. I don’t need to overthink it.

    I just want to love people. I just want to do well. And that’s enough for me.

  • Why Won’t You Just Quit

    Imagine the devil himself, sitting in the shadows, watching you with frustration in his eyes. He’s thrown everything at you, storms that should have drowned you, mountains you were never supposed to climb, burdens meant to break your back. He’s whispered doubts into your ear, dragged your worst fears into the light, and tried to turn your own mind against you.

    Yet, here you are. Still standing. Still fighting. Still refusing to quit.

    He clenches his fists. He’s seen people fall for less. He’s watched others crumble under the weight of pressure you’ve endured. He’s used the same tricks, the same temptations, and the same tactics, but they’re not working.

    He growls under his breath. Why won’t this guy just give up?

    Because you’re not fighting in your own strength. Because every time you get knocked down, Jesus picks you back up. Because even when you feel weak, His power is made perfect in you. Because you’re not walking this road alone, He’s the one carrying you forward.

    The devil throws another obstacle in your path. Another setback. Another betrayal. Another heartbreak. He waits for you to falter. But instead, you lift your eyes to the One who sustains you. You breathe deep, let go of the weight you were never meant to carry alone, and take another step, this time, not in your own power, but in His.

    And as you keep moving forward, you can almost hear the enemy sigh in defeat.

    Let him be frustrated. Let him know he picked the wrong one to mess with. Because as long as you have breath in your lungs, Jesus will be the one carrying you through. And in Him, quitting will never be an option.

    “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9

  • Sermons vs Scriptures

    Too many times, we rely on sermons to carry us, but sermons will only take you so far. They inspire, they encourage, and they give us guidance, but they are not a substitute for the Word of God. A sermon is like a meal someone prepares for you, but the Word is the kitchen itself. If you rely only on what someone else feeds you, what happens when they’re not around? What happens when the storm hits and no pastor, no bishop, no evangelist is there to hold your hand?

    Listen to me: I can’t save you. Your momma can’t save you. Your daddy can’t save you. No man or woman on this earth can secure your salvation. Only Jesus can. Only the Word of God has the power to transform, to renew, and to sustain you through every trial.

    Yet so many of us make excuses. “I don’t have time to read the Bible.” But let’s be real, there is always time for what we truly value. We scroll through social media for hours. We binge-watch shows. We make time for everything except the one thing that actually gives life.

    The Bible says in 2 Timothy 2:15, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” That means you are responsible for getting into the Word yourself. You can’t depend on a secondhand relationship with God. You can’t rely on someone else’s revelation when God has fresh manna waiting for you every single day.

    We have become a generation full of sermons but empty of scripture. And that’s why so many are weak, tossed back and forth by every wind of doctrine. The enemy knows scripture, and if you don’t, he will twist it and deceive you just as he did with Eve in the garden.

    Jesus Himself, when tempted in the wilderness, didn’t respond with emotions or opinions, He responded with scripture. “It is written.” That is the weapon you need. That is what gives you strength.

    So, my challenge to you today is this: Stop making excuses. Open your Bible. Read it for yourself. Meditate on it. Memorize it. Let it fill you up so that when the trials of life come, you aren’t just quoting what the pastor said last Sunday, you are standing firm on the unshakable truth of God’s Word.

    Sermons can inspire you, but only the Word can sustain you. Choose the Word. Choose life. Choose Jesus.

  • Peace of Peter

    Imagine this: You’re in prison, not for doing something wrong, but for boldly standing up for your faith. You’re shackled, chained between two guards, and you know that in just a few hours, your fate is sealed, execution awaits. Most people would be terrified, pacing the floor, crying out in desperation, begging God for deliverance. But not Peter. Peter was sound asleep.

    Not just lightly dozing off, but sleeping so well that when an angel came to rescue him, the angel had to strike him, give him a good old-fashioned shake, to wake him up! (Acts 12:7) Now, what kind of peace must Peter have had to sleep so deeply in such a dire situation? The kind of peace that only Jesus gives. The kind of peace that surpasses all understanding.

    The Source of Peter’s Peace

    Peter wasn’t sleeping because he was in denial. He wasn’t ignorant of the fact that James, one of Jesus’ closest disciples, had just been executed (Acts 12:2). He knew that Herod was on a mission to wipe out the leaders of the early church. Yet, even with the weight of this reality pressing on him, Peter had a peace that let him rest.

    That peace didn’t come from the absence of trouble; it came from the presence of Jesus. Peter had walked with Jesus. He had seen Him calm storms, heal the sick, raise the dead, and most importantly, rise from the dead Himself. Peter knew that no matter what happened, he belonged to Christ, and nothing, not even death, could separate him from the love of God.

    Jesus, the Giver of Unshakable Peace

    Jesus told His disciples in John 14:27:
    “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

    The world’s peace is fragile. It depends on circumstances. When things are going well, you feel peaceful. But the moment trouble comes, that peace shatters. Jesus offers something entirely different, an unshakable, immovable peace that remains firm even in the face of trials.

    Peter had that peace because he had Jesus. And that same peace is available to you today.

    Resting in Christ in the Midst of Your Chains

    We may not be chained between two guards like Peter, but life often puts us in situations where we feel trapped. Anxiety, fear, financial burdens, illness, betrayal, uncertainty, these are the chains that try to keep us up at night. But if Peter could sleep in the face of death, then surely, in Christ, we can rest in the midst of our struggles too.

    That doesn’t mean the problems will always go away instantly. But it does mean that we don’t have to carry the weight of them. 1 Peter 5:7 reminds us:
    “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”

    If Peter, the same man who once panicked and denied Jesus three times, could find this level of peace in Christ, then so can you. His peace is not reserved for the “super spiritual.” It’s for anyone who trusts in Him.

    How to Walk in the Peace of Jesus

    1. Remember Who God Is – Just like Peter, we need to remind ourselves of who God is and what He has already done. If He has been faithful before, He will be faithful again.
    2. Trust in His Sovereignty – Peter understood that whether he lived or died, he belonged to Christ. He rested in the truth that nothing could happen to him outside of God’s control.
    3. Stay in Prayer and Surrender – Philippians 4:6-7 tells us to bring everything to God in prayer, and His peace will guard our hearts and minds. That’s the key—taking everything to Him and leaving it there.
    4. Receive His Presence – Peace isn’t just a feeling; it’s a person. Jesus is our peace. The more we dwell in His presence through worship, prayer, and His Word, the more we’ll experience His unshakable peace.

    Wake Up to Your Deliverance

    The same angel that had to shake Peter awake was also the one who led him to freedom. Sometimes, we’re so deep in worry, fear, or just plain exhaustion from life’s battles that we don’t even realize our deliverance is already at the door. Just like Peter, we need to wake up to the fact that God is moving, even when we can’t see it yet.

    Whatever you’re facing today, let the peace of Jesus carry you. Rest in Him. Trust in Him. And when the time comes, wake up and walk in the freedom He has already secured for you.

    Because the same Jesus who gave Peter peace in chains is the same Jesus who gives you peace today.

  • Narrow Road

    The Narrow Road to Heaven: Many Will Be Shocked

    Many believe they are on the road to heaven, but Jesus warned us that it is narrow, and few will find it (Matthew 7:13-14). There will be thousands who feel they are secure in their salvation, only to discover they are not.

    One of the most overlooked truths in Scripture is that the way we treat others is a major indicator of whether we are truly walking with Christ. Many people call themselves Christians while harboring hate, stirring up division, and living in constant strife, all things that Jesus condemned.

    But here’s the reality: if we live in these sins, we may not be on the road to heaven at all.

    Many Ignore What Jesus Said About Hate and Strife

    Jesus did not only warn against obvious sins like adultery or drunkenness, He also spoke strongly against hatred, division, and discord.

    1. Hatred is equivalent to murder

    “Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.” (1 John 3:15)

    Many claim to be Christians but harbor unforgiveness, resentment, and hatred. But Scripture makes it clear: if you have hatred in your heart, you are not walking in eternal life.

    1. Sowing discord is an abomination

    “There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: … a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.” (Proverbs 6:16-19)

    Many who claim to love Jesus are constantly stirring up division, gossiping, or creating conflict. But God hates this behavior. If we live like this, are we really following Him?

    1. Strife and envy reveal a worldly heart

    “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.” (James 3:16)

    Many so-called Christians are filled with jealousy, competitiveness, and division, acting no differently than the world. But James warns that these things lead to evil.

    1. Unforgiveness will keep us from heaven

    “But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:15)

    Many live in bitterness and unforgiveness, thinking they can still enter heaven. But Jesus Himself said that if we do not forgive others, we will not be forgiven.

    Many Will Be Shocked on Judgment Day

    Many believe they are saved simply because they attend church, read the Bible, or say they believe in Jesus. But Jesus warned that on Judgment Day, many will be shocked to hear:

    “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” (Matthew 7:23)

    Who are these people? They are those who claimed to follow Christ but did not obey Him. They may have looked religious, but their hearts were far from Him.

    They caused division instead of making peace.

    They harbored bitterness instead of showing mercy.

    They gossiped and slandered instead of speaking life.

    They refused to forgive while expecting God to forgive them.

    They thought they were saved, but their lives proved otherwise.

    True Salvation Brings Transformation

    The Bible is clear: if we are truly in Christ, we will be changed. We will no longer walk in hatred, strife, gossip, and division. Instead, we will be marked by love, peace, and humility.

    ✔️ “Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness.” (1 John 2:9)
    ✔️ “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)
    ✔️ “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35)

    True faith in Christ produces love, not bitterness, strife, or division.

    Are We Truly on the Narrow Road?

    The Bible warns that many think they are on the road to heaven but are actually walking toward destruction.

    We must examine ourselves:

    1. Do we harbor hatred or unforgiveness?
    2. Do we stir up division through gossip or conflict?
    3. Do we live in jealousy, envy, or strife?
    4. Do we truly love others, or just tolerate them?

    If we find ourselves failing any of these tests, we must repent. It is not enough to simply believe in Jesus, we must obey Him and walk in love.

    Let us not be among those who assumed they were saved, only to hear “Depart from me” on Judgment Day. The road is narrow, but if we truly surrender to Christ, He will lead us safely home.

  • Honor your Parents

    Honor Your Parents, Honor God’s Promise

    God’s Word is clear: “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” – Exodus 20:12

    Too many grown adults today are disrespecting the very people who gave them life, forgetting that dishonoring your parents isn’t just disrespect, it’s disobedience to God. When you reject His command, you step out of His will and remove yourself from His divine protection and blessings.

    A long and prosperous life is connected to honoring those who raised you. If you’ve been neglecting or mistreating your parents, it’s time to repent and realign yourself with God’s Word. You can’t expect His favor while breaking one of His fundamental commandments.

    Honor your parents. Honor God. Walk in His promise.

  • The Power of the Present

    The Power of Living in the Present: Freeing Yourself from Depression and Anxiety

    Life is a delicate balance between the past, present, and future. The past holds our memories, lessons, and regrets. The future is filled with hopes, dreams, and uncertainties. But the present? The present is the only moment we truly have control over, the only place where real life happens.

    Yet, so many of us get trapped in the past or the future, and in doing so, we invite suffering into our lives.

    Living in the Past: The Road to Depression

    When you dwell on the past, you anchor yourself to moments that no longer exist. You replay mistakes, relive traumas, or long for “the good old days” that are gone. You might find yourself saying:

    • “I should have done this differently.”
    • “If only things had turned out another way.”
    • “I miss how things used to be.”

    This constant reflection can lead to deep sadness and regret. It becomes a weight on your shoulders, dragging you down into depression. The truth is, you cannot change what has already happened. No amount of overthinking will rewrite history. And yet, the more you live in the past, the more you disconnect from the possibilities of the present moment.

    Living in the Future: The Source of Anxiety

    On the other hand, living in the future means constantly worrying about what might happen. You overanalyze every decision, fear the unknown, and anticipate worst-case scenarios. Thoughts like:

    • “What if I fail?”
    • “What if things don’t work out?”
    • “What if something bad happens?”

    This mindset breeds anxiety. The future is uncertain, no matter how much we plan for it. The more we try to predict or control it, the more we stress ourselves out. We rob ourselves of peace by fixating on things that haven’t even happened yet.

    Living in the Present: The Path to True Happiness

    The only place where life actually happens is now. When you live in the present, you free yourself from the regrets of the past and the worries of the future. You become fully engaged in what’s happening in front of you, whether it’s enjoying a good meal, having a conversation, or feeling the warmth of the sun on your skin.

    Living in the present doesn’t mean ignoring the past or neglecting the future. It means accepting what has happened, learning from it, and planning wisely without letting fear dictate your life. It means embracing this moment, because it’s the only moment that truly belongs to you.

    How to Stay Present

    • Practice mindfulness – Focus on your breathing, your senses, and the world around you.
    • Let go of what you can’t control – Accept that the past is unchangeable and the future is unpredictable.
    • Express gratitude – Find joy in the small things, and appreciate what you have right now.
    • Engage fully in what you’re doing – Whether you’re eating, working, or spending time with loved ones, be fully there.

    Happiness isn’t something you chase in the future or retrieve from the past, it’s something you create in the present. The past may shape you, and the future may guide you, but the present is where you truly live.

    Choose to be here, now. That’s where happiness is waiting for you.

  • Winter’s revenge

    Listen, I’ve had my fair share of clumsy moments, tripping over air, knocking my own drink off the table, even managing to stub my toe on something soft. But nothing, I repeat nothing, could have prepared me for the icy betrayal that awaited me that fateful day.

    It all started innocently enough. The air was crisp, the world covered in a deceitfully beautiful blanket of ice. The kind of morning where you think, “Wow, winter is magical.” Spoiler alert: It’s not. Winter is out for blood. And on this day, it got mine.

    I approached the stairs with confidence, mistake #1. I even thought, “I’ll be fine, I’ve got good balance.” Mistake #2. The moment my foot touched that first step, physics decided to stop working in my favor and instead turned my existence into an Olympic-level slapstick routine.

    One second, I was upright. The next? I was airborne. Not in a graceful, slow-motion movie kind of way, but in a cartoon character slipping on a banana peel kind of way. My feet went sky-high, my dignity plummeted, and my spine? Well, it experienced things.

    The landing was… catastrophic. We’re talking one fractured disc, three herniated ones, and two that decided to take an unscheduled field trip to places they do not belong. My back sounded like a glowstick at a rave. If there had been a live audience, they would have gasped first and then immediately burst into laughter.

    I just lay there for a second, contemplating my life choices. Do I move? Do I call for help? I managed to make noises that I’ve never made before as I tried to get the air back into my lungs. Do I just accept that this is my life now, living on this cursed patch of ice? Eventually, I managed to peel myself off the ground with the grace of a newborn deer, my spine now resembling a stack of Jenga blocks mid-collapse.

    Of course, in true human fashion, the first thing I did was look around to see if anyone saw. Because let’s be honest, pride is more fragile than a spine. Fortunately, my neighbors did not see.

    So now, here I am. Walking (sort of). Sitting (painfully). And forever haunted by the sheer audacity of those icy steps. If you ever see me in winter, moving like a suspiciously cautious penguin, just know, I’ve learned my lesson. Ice wins. Always.

    P.S. If you were wondering, yes, I did go back and glare at the steps. No, they did not apologize.