Blog

Tag: Love

  • Humbled At The Cross

    People are out here acting like they’re on a whole different level, like they breathe a rarer air than the rest of us. You see it everywhere, folks flexing their accomplishments, their wealth, their status, their influence, their intelligence, their righteousness, their struggle, their pain, like it somehow makes them more worthy than the next person. Like they’ve unlocked some divine cheat code that sets them apart from the rest of us mere mortals.

    But let’s be real, none of that matters when you’re standing at the foot of the cross.

    At the foot of the cross, titles disappear. Degrees don’t mean anything. Bank accounts are irrelevant. Social status is wiped clean. The pain you’ve endured, the success you’ve built, the mistakes you’ve made, none of it makes you more or less than the person standing next to you. Because in that moment, we are all reduced to the same truth: We are sinners in need of grace.

    The problem is, people forget that. They start believing their own hype. They think their talents, their looks, their hustle, or even their suffering puts them in a different category. Some people act like their pain makes them deeper, their wisdom makes them superior, or their righteousness makes them untouchable. Others flex their rebellion, as if their defiance makes them the realest person in the room.

    But the cross is the great equalizer. It doesn’t care how rich you are, how famous you are, how broken you are, or how wise you think you’ve become. It levels the playing field and exposes the truth, we are all the same.

    We are all guilty. We are all in need of grace. We are all offered the same mercy.

    So why walk around like you’re better than anyone else? Why carry yourself like your story makes you the main character and everyone else is just background noise? Why act like your success or your struggle elevates you above your neighbor?

    If Jesus, the only one who had every right to claim superiority, chose humility, if He, who was blameless, carried a cross meant for criminals, who are we to act like we are anything other than deeply loved sinners?

    So let’s stop the ego trips. Let’s stop the comparison games. Let’s stop measuring worth by things that don’t last. Because when we stand before God, none of that will matter.

    At the foot of the cross, we are all the same. And the only thing that will separate us is whether we chose to humble ourselves and accept His grace or not.

  • Best Kept Secret of Our Generation

    Before I ever keep God to myself again, I will be buried in my grave and go home to see my Lord. Because God was never meant to be hidden away, locked behind the walls of my own comfort, tucked into the quiet corners of my private life. He is not a secret to be safeguarded, He is the Light of the world, the Hope of the broken, the Answer to the hurting. And if I have found that Hope, how could I ever withhold it from a world drowning in despair?

    I look around and see pain in every direction, people crushed under the weight of their burdens, searching for meaning in empty places, grasping for peace in things that can never satisfy. And I have the answer. Not because I am better, not because I am stronger, but because I have been rescued. I was lost, I was broken, I was bound in chains until Jesus stepped in. He pulled me out of the pit, He placed my feet on solid ground, and He filled me with a love that cannot be contained.

    So how could I ever remain silent? How could I live a life that hoards the goodness of God as if it were mine alone? No, friend, before I ever do that again, I will breathe my last breath and step into eternity. Until then, I will proclaim His name. I will testify of His grace. I will speak of His mercy and His power to redeem.

    This world is dark, but I carry a light. This world is hurting, but I know the Healer. This world is lost, but I walk with the Way, the Truth, and the Life. And as long as there is breath in my lungs, I will not keep that to myself.

    Let them call me foolish. Let them say I’m too bold. Let them reject, let them doubt, let them turn away. But I will not stop. Because Jesus did not stop for me. He bore my shame, He carried my cross, He endured the weight of my sin so that I could know Him. And if He gave everything for me, how could I ever withhold Him from others?

    No, before I ever keep God to myself again, I will be laid to rest, my work on earth complete. Until that day, I will be His hands and feet. I will share His love. Because He is not a God to be hidden, He is a God to be shared, proclaimed, and lifted high for all to see.

    The world needs Him. And as long as I am here, I will make Him known.

  • Hospital For The Broken

    Church Should Be a Hospital, Not a Masquerade. Somewhere along the way, we started treating church like a performance rather than a place of healing. We started dressing up our brokenness instead of bringing it to Jesus. We got really good at saying “I’m fine” when we’re not. We convinced ourselves that if we’re struggling, we need to push it down, put on a smile, and pretend everything is okay. But that is not church. That is not what Jesus intended.

    Church is supposed to be a hospital for the sick, not a museum for the self-righteous. The moment we turn the sanctuary into a stage for perfection, we have lost the very heart of the gospel.

    Jesus said in Matthew 9:12-13, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick… For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

    So why do we act like we have to be whole before we can walk through the doors?

    What If We Were Honest?

    Imagine if, instead of brushing past people with shallow greetings, we actually asked, “How are you really?” And imagine if we allowed space for the truth to be spoken.

    What if someone walked into church and said:

    “I’m addicted, and I don’t know how to stop.”

    “I’m battling depression, and I don’t feel God anymore.”

    “My marriage is falling apart, and I don’t know what to do.”

    “I don’t know if I even believe in Jesus anymore.”

    Would we love them? Would we walk with them? Or would we look away, too uncomfortable to deal with their reality?

    Jesus met people in their mess. He sat with the outcasts, touched the lepers, and dined with sinners. He didn’t wait for people to clean up their act before offering them grace. So why do we?

    Stop Checking the Church Box

    For too many of us, church has become a ritual. We show up on Sundays, sing the songs, hear the sermon, and leave unchanged. We check “church” off our list like we’re fulfilling an obligation.

    But let me tell you something: You didn’t “see” Jesus just because you sat in a pew.

    If you walk out of church and your heart is still hardened, you didn’t meet Jesus.

    If you treat worship like a concert instead of surrender, you didn’t meet Jesus.

    If you ignore the person sitting next to you who is clearly hurting, you didn’t meet Jesus.

    Jesus is not impressed with attendance records. He’s after transformation. He’s after authenticity.

    Ask People Their Story

    One of the most dangerous things we can do is assume someone is okay just because they look okay. You don’t know the battles people are fighting. You don’t know what it took for someone to walk through those church doors.

    Before you write someone off, ask them, “What’s your story?”

    That addict you judged? Maybe he’s been clean for a week, and this is the first time he’s had hope in years.
    That single mom you whispered about? Maybe she left an abusive relationship, and church is the only safe place she knows.
    That person who seems distant? Maybe they’ve been crying out to God, wondering if He even hears them anymore.

    Don’t send someone to hell because you were too busy pretending to be holy.

    Be the Church, Not a Social Club

    If church isn’t a place where people can be real, then what is it? A social club? A gathering of people who have perfected their masks? That is not the church of Jesus Christ.

    The early church in Acts was a place where believers “shared everything they had” (Acts 2:44-45). They confessed their sins. They carried each other’s burdens. They did life together.

    Somewhere along the way, we lost that. We traded community for comfort. We traded vulnerability for appearances.

    But real healing requires real honesty.

    So let’s be different. Let’s be a church where the broken don’t have to hide. Let’s be a church where people can say, “I’m not okay”, and know they won’t be met with shame but with grace.

    Because that’s exactly what Jesus would do.

  • God Over Religion

    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.

  • 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.

  • 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.