Throughout my life I was never a very good student. Tests were challenging because most of the time I did not study and prepare for what I knew was coming. I have come to notice that my past study habits are commonplace activity for the modern day Christian. The exam, the true test of our faith is weighed out when we compare what we do on a daily basis, how we are living our lives to the ways of the Lord Jesus and the Word of God. I pray about what is written in * 2 Corinthians 13:5 Test and evaluate yourselves to see whether you are in the faith and living your lives as [committed] believers. Examine yourselves [not me]! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves [by an ongoing experience] that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test and are rejected as counterfeit?* Because of verses like these, different questions go through my mind regularly. Many days I question how committed of a believer, a follower of the Lord Jesus I genuinely am. How badly do I hate my sin? Do I see myself as God sees me or do you compare myself to others? I realize that others look to me as an example, and all I can think is, don’t look to me as your example, look unto the Lord Jesus. I think of the quote by John Newton and know that because of Christ in me, “I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I want to be, I am not what I hope to be in another world; but still I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God I am what I am”. As I strive to keep my focus on the Lord Jesus in a world that makes it so easy to get distracted, it takes all that I am to follow His example the best I can. I pray fervently that I will not fail the test or be counted as a counterfeit. This is my prayer for myself and for all those who read these words, in Jesus’ precious and powerful name, Amen. My BeLoved, 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.