How seriously do you take your faith? Before you answer that question without much forethought, really take a few minutes and seriously pray over what I have asked. Have you made a conscious effort to live your life for the glory of God or are you just making it through the day not dying? I am not sure about you but I know for me that there are many parts of my life that distract me from the calling that God has given for me to accomplish His will. With all that is going on in the world, I believe that it is time for the church to remember its true mission. It is time for the saints of God to turn from a materialistic life, share their faith and restore focus on the value God places upon people. One of the hardest things about ministry for some is remembering what ministry is all about. It is about saving lost souls and encouraging the saints. I love the way the sinners spent time with Jesus, as is written about in *Mark 2:16… “Why does He eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 When Jesus heard this, He said to them, “Those who are healthy have no need of a physician, but [only] those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners [who recognize their sin and humbly seek forgiveness].”* They obviously felt comfortable with the Lord. They felt loved and accepted by Him as they were. They were attracted to His teachings. And Jesus was obviously glad to be with them. I see many people run from the sinners and not toward them. Jesus knew that the best way to call sinners to God is to spend time with them. By accepting one man, He could gain access to many because sinners know lots of other sinners. Jesus is a friend of sinners, but he is not a friend of sin. We come as sinners to Jesus for healing, and then He calls us to leave that sin behind. The real measure of effective ministry is transformed lives of godly fruitful disciples, not full pews in the building where the audience gathers for a stage show and inspirational lecture. Jesus didn’t die so that people would go to church, He died so that we would become the church and do the work God has called us to do. Charles Spurgeon said ”Every time you prefer the pleasures of this world to the joys of heaven, you spit in the face of Christ; every time when you gain in your business, you do an unrighteous thing, you are like Judas selling Him for thirty pieces of silver; every time you make a false profession of religion, you give Him a traitor’s kiss; every word you have spoken against Him, every hard thought you have had of Him, has helped to complete your complicity with the great crowd which gathered around the Cross of Calvary, to mock and jeer the Lord of life and glory.” Beloved, may God help us to seek His kingdom and not our own. My Brethren, may the grace of the Lord Jesus, and the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen. In Christ Love, douglas. HE>i. pastord.blog

Special Note: I want to thank those who read what I write and are encouraged to give either one time or have decided to give on a monthly basis in support of the different ministries God has entrusted to me. I am encouraged to see certain verses playing out before my eyes like what is written in *Philippians 4:16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.* 

To any who are interested, please feel free to reach out to me with prayer requests, questions, encouragement, or for information on how to come alongside me with financial support for the ministry activities that God has entrusted to me at  pastord.blog@gmail.com or I do have a Zelle account associated with my phone number, 5202720387 last name Blaser. Thank you my Beloved for your ongoing prayers and support.