Blog

Category: Faith

  • 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.

  • I am What I am

    Proud to Be 100% Me

    Popeye said it best, I am what I am.

    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.

  • Obedience over Fear

    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.

  • American Funerals/Tough Pill to Swallow

    American funerals have always felt off to me. There’s something almost rehearsed about them, something that seems more about making people feel good than about truly reckoning with death and what it means. The biggest issue? The universal fast pass to heaven.

    I’ve never been to a funeral where the deceased wasn’t declared to be in heaven. No matter who they were, what kind of life they lived, or even how they died, they always seem to get a glowing eulogy, complete with assurances that they’re now “in a better place.” But let’s be honest, does that really make sense?

    If you believe in heaven and hell, then logically, some people are not making it to heaven. Yet, in American culture, we gloss over this entirely. We tell ourselves comforting lies instead of facing hard truths. If someone lived a cruel, selfish, or destructive life, why do we pretend otherwise when they die? And if their actions had real consequences in life, should we really be washing all of that away with a few feel-good words once they’re gone?

    Of course, this isn’t to say that funerals should be about dragging the deceased through the mud. But at the very least, they should be honest. Instead of false comfort, we should take funerals as moments of real reflection, on who the person was, on the impact they had, and on what we can learn from their life.

    American funerals feel more like performances than genuine acts of remembrance. We sanitize death, wrap it up in soft words, and avoid dealing with the real emotions and consequences of a life lived. But we don’t need more empty comfort, we need more honesty. Because if we can’t face death truthfully, how can we ever truly face life?

  • False Prophets and Fools Gold

    The Masters of Deception. Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing. Some people are nothing more than masters of deception, living double lives so convincingly that even those closest to them have no idea who they really are. They walk among us, wearing the perfect mask, charming, respected, and even admired. They play the role so well that no one questions them. But behind the carefully crafted façade, their true nature is something far more sinister.They disguise themselves as pastors, teachers, doctors, and community leaders, figures of trust and authority. They speak words of wisdom, offer guidance, and seem to embody righteousness, but it’s all an act. Behind closed doors, in the shadows where no one is looking, they indulge in the very sins they preach against. They manipulate, they deceive, and they prey on the very people who trust them the most.They thrive on control, feeding off the blind faith and admiration of those who never suspect a thing. Their kindness is calculated. Their words are rehearsed. Every move they make is designed to protect the lies they live by. They wear holiness like a costume, morality like a mask, and use their position as a shield to hide the darkness that lurks within.It’s chilling to realize that some of the most dangerous people in this world aren’t the ones who look the part. They don’t stand out in a crowd. They don’t wear their sins on their sleeves. Instead, they blend in perfectly, hiding in plain sight, fooling everyone, even their own families.These are the true fiends, the wolves in sheep’s clothing. They lead double lives without a second thought, lying with such ease that even they start to believe their own illusions. They are not who they pretend to be, and when the truth comes out, because it always does, it leaves devastation in its wake.Be careful who you trust. Not everyone is who they claim to be. And some? Some are far worse than you could ever imagine.

  • Church Hurt/perfect church exist?

    Church hurt is real. It’s not just a bad experience or a misunderstanding, it’s deep, painful, and often leaves scars that make people question their faith, their worth, and even God. When the place meant to be a refuge becomes a source of pain, it can feel like betrayal.

    Maybe it was judgment instead of grace. Maybe it was manipulation instead of love. Maybe it was rejection when you needed acceptance most.

    Whatever it was, your hurt is valid. And if you’ve walked away from church because of it, I get it.

    But hear this: God is not the church that hurt you. People fail, leaders fall short, and institutions get it wrong, but God is still good. Healing is possible. Safe spaces exist. You are seen, you are loved, and your pain matters.

    If you’re carrying church hurt, I’m praying you find healing, whether that’s through community, therapy, or simply time in God’s presence. You don’t have to go back to the place that broke you, but don’t let it keep you from the One who can heal you.

    If you’re looking for the perfect church, you won’t find it. Why? Because churches are made up of people, and people are imperfect. We make mistakes, we fall short, and sometimes we even hurt each other.

    But here’s the truth: A church doesn’t have to be perfect to be a place of growth, healing, and community. A healthy church isn’t one without flaws; it’s one that acknowledges them, seeks accountability, and pursues grace.

    If you’ve been hurt by church before, I get it. And if you’re hesitant to try again, that’s understandable. But don’t give up on finding a community where you can grow in faith, even if it’s messy sometimes. The church isn’t about perfection, it’s about Jesus, and He is worth it.

    I was proud to be a part of what I thought was the perfect church for imperfect people. A place where grace covered flaws, and love met you where you were.

    Turns out, it was actually the perfect church for perfect people. And I don’t qualify for that vibe.

    Because I’m the least of these, the broken, the messy, the one still figuring it out. But if I know anything about Jesus, He’s sitting at the table with people like me. And that’s the kind of church I want to be a part of.

    Church hurt is real. And if you’ve felt it, I see you. But don’t confuse people’s failures with God’s heart. Jesus is still for the broken, the outcast, the ones who don’t have it all together. And there’s still a place for us at His table.