Every believer has to figure out what hill they are willing to die on. There are two specific areas of scripture that challenge me as to how to handle what is going on in the world around us. As I read these verses I was a little perplexed until I looked a little deeper at the meaning behind them. Paul was in Damascus and escaped from a city governor who was trying to arrest him, shortly after he wrote in *Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.* After escaping from jail, where he had been imprisoned for breaking the law, Peter went on to write in *1 Peter 2:13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.* We must ask ourselves were Paul and Peter hypocrites, asking Christians to do as they say, but not as they do? In the New Testament Greek, to submit does not always mean to obey! They are two separate actions or postures. Though Paul and Peter as well as other followers of Jesus deliberately disobeyed laws that were in conflict with God’s commands, they still “submitted to the authorities” by accepting the legal consequences of their actions. We cannot allow the law to dictate our Christian ethics,  in actuality only God can. I’m proud to be friends with some serious Christian who are willing to pursue justice in sacrificial ways. Some are willing to go against laws that are wrong and unjust. For me personally, I will gladly submit to the legal consequences of my actions to do what I believe God has called me to do and at times not to do. Maybe I will be called to a prison ministry and if so I will go gladly. There will come a time when all followers of the Lord Jesus will be called upon to stand up with a holy ‘NO’ in the face of evil and injustice. And I believe that time is rapidly approaching with all that has happened in recent events. 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.