I’ve come to a place in my life where I want everything to do with God, but nothing to do with the Church of God. I don’t need a specific religion to define my faith, and I don’t need a building to tell me what I already know deep in my soul.
I believe in God. I seek Him. I want a real connection with Him. But what I don’t want is to be part of a place that hides the truth, a system that picks and chooses what to believe, a body that refuses to acknowledge anything that doesn’t fit within its own controlled narrative.
I’ve seen too much, questioned too much, and felt too much to pretend that the church always gets it right. Too often, it doesn’t. Too often, it silences instead of listens. It shames instead of loves. It protects what is convenient and ignores what is uncomfortable. And I refuse to be a part of something that puts its own image above the actual truth.
My faith is not about religion. It’s not about traditions. It’s not about following a set of rules created by people who think they’ve figured out God. My faith is about God Himself. It’s about the relationship I have with Him, the way He moves in my life, and the truth He reveals to me, not the truth someone else tells me I have to accept.
I don’t need a church to find God. I don’t need a title to have faith. And I don’t need approval to seek what I know is real. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about religion, it’s about Him.
That doesn’t mean I’ll never step foot in a church or find value in gathering with others who seek Him. Because I will go to church. But it does mean that my faith isn’t dependent on a building, a denomination, or a specific way of doing things. My relationship with God is not confined to Sunday mornings or dictated by traditions passed down without question. I refuse to let my spirituality be shaped by human expectations rather than divine truth. My faith is built on something far deeper, something unshakable, personal, and real.
Years ago, a prophecy was spoken over my life, one that I didn’t fully understand at the time.
“You think too small.”
I remember hearing those words and brushing them off. I didn’t see it. I thought I had dreams, I thought I had vision, I thought I was believing for big things. But looking back, I realize now that my mindset was limited. I was believing within the confines of what I thought was possible, what I thought I could handle, what made sense within my comfort zone.
But here’s the thing about prophecy: it doesn’t expire. It lingers. It waits. It follows you until the time is right.
And now, I can feel the winds shifting. Something is stirring deep within me. For the first time in my life, I am thinking big. But here’s the difference, this is not about me. This is not about my success, my comfort, or my ambitions.
This is about Jesus. Always Jesus.
I don’t want to dream bigger just so I can have more. I want to dream bigger so His name can be glorified. So His kingdom can expand. So His will can be done.
I refuse to live a life of small prayers when I serve a limitless God. I refuse to let fear, doubt, or insecurity keep me from walking in the fullness of what He has planned. I refuse to keep my hands closed when He is calling me to open them, to give more, to love deeper, to surrender fully.
So here I am, stepping out, believing for the impossible, walking boldly into the unknown. Because if I am going to think big, it will be for Him. If I am going to dream, it will be for His glory. If I am going to live, it will be for Jesus.
No more small thinking. No more safe prayers. No more limiting God to what I think is possible.
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 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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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:
Do we harbor hatred or unforgiveness?
Do we stir up division through gossip or conflict?
Do we live in jealousy, envy, or strife?
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.
It’s not always easy to be real in a world that constantly pushes people to fit a mold. But I refuse to be anything other than who I truly am. Difficult sometimes? Absolutely. A few screws loose? No doubt. But through it all, I remain unapologetically myself.
I carry no hate in my heart. I don’t have time for negativity, grudges, or tearing others down. I want to see people win. I want to see others reach their goals, find their purpose, and step into their greatness. If I can encourage, uplift, or inspire even one person, then I’m doing something right.
My biggest motivation is my family, I want to make them proud. I want them to look back and say, “He lived with purpose. He loved deeply. He never wavered in their faith.” More than anything, I want to leave a legacy that outlives me. A legacy of kindness, strength, and faith. A legacy that makes a real difference in people’s lives.
Above all, I want it known that God was always first in my life. Through every struggle, every success, every decision, I walked in faith. I trusted in His plan. I may not be perfect, but I’m perfectly committed to staying true to who He made me to be.
At the end of the day, I can rest easy knowing that I was never fake, never anything but me. And that? That’s something to be proud of.
Jesus Isn’t Concerned About Your Confidence, Only Your Obedience.So many times, we hesitate to follow God’s calling because we feel inadequate, afraid, or unsure of ourselves. We think, “If only I had more confidence, if only I weren’t so scared, then I’d obey.” But here’s the truth: Jesus isn’t concerned about whether you feel bold or fearful, He’s only concerned about whether you obey.
The Bible is full of people who obeyed God despite their fear, and one of the best examples of this is Ananias in Acts 9. His story is brief, but it teaches a powerful lesson about obedience in the face of fear.
Ananias: The Fearful Yet Faithful Servant
Ananias was a disciple in Damascus when Jesus appeared to him in a vision. The Lord told him to go to a man named Saul, lay hands on him, and restore his sight. Now, if you know anything about Saul, you know why Ananias was afraid. Saul was the chief persecutor of Christians, known for arresting and even approving the deaths of believers. To Ananias, this mission seemed dangerous, even suicidal.
Ananias had every reason to protest. In fact, he did:
“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” (Acts 9:13-14)
Ananias was scared, and understandably so. But here’s what’s important: his fear didn’t stop him from obeying.
Despite his apprehension, when Jesus said, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument” (Acts 9:15), Ananias obeyed. He went, found Saul, and laid hands on him. And because of his obedience, Saul—later known as Paul—received his sight, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and became one of the greatest apostles in history.
Fear is Not an Excuse to Disobey:
Ananias’ story teaches us that fear is not an excuse to ignore God’s calling. Nowhere in Scripture does Jesus say, “Obey me, but only if you feel comfortable.” Instead, He says, “Follow me” (Matthew 4:19), “Go and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19), and “Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me” (Luke 9:23).
Jesus isn’t looking for people who feel fearless—He’s looking for people who will follow Him despite their fear.
Think about it: what if Ananias had let fear stop him? What if he had refused to go to Saul? The story would have been completely different. But because he obeyed, the entire course of Christianity was impacted through Paul’s ministry.
Obedience Over Emotion:
We often think we need to feel confident before stepping out in faith. We wait until we “feel ready.” But faith isn’t about how you feel, it’s about what you do. If God calls you to something, your job isn’t to wait until you feel brave, but to step forward in obedience, even if your hands are shaking.
Consider:Moses was afraid to speak, but he obeyed (Exodus 4:10-12).
Gideon was full of doubt, but he obeyed (Judges 6:15-16).
Mary didn’t understand how she could bear the Son of God, but she obeyed (Luke 1:38).
God doesn’t need you to be fearless. He needs you to be faithful.
Will You Obey?What is God calling you to do today?
Is He leading you to step into ministry, speak to someone about Jesus, make a difficult decision, or trust Him in an uncertain situation? Whatever it is, don’t wait until you feel brave. Move forward in obedience, knowing that the same God who called Ananias, Moses, Gideon, and Mary is calling you, too.
Jesus isn’t looking for confidence, He’s looking for surrender. Say yes to Him, even when you’re afraid. You never know how your obedience might change the world.
