Obedience is better than sacrifice and also many times a lot more difficult. We as Christ followers need to stop with the excuses and using “God is still working on me” line so that we can continue to do things that we know are displeasing to God and be obedient to His word. One of the biggest signs of Spiritual Growth is being present in your personal development and understanding what is going on in the spiritual realm around you. We start off our lives in rebellion against God, thinking we are fully independent from Him. Spiritual maturity is the process of recognizing our complete dependence on God and learning to rely on Him rather than ourselves. As we grow and mature in our relationship with Him, we realize how much we need Him. As we grow, we learn to recognize God’s voice, even though He speaks in many different ways to people. Sometimes it is perfectly clear as to what He wants us to do, and other times we are nudged to do something, or we come to understand by someone else’s direction how to move forward in life. Jonah heard it clear as to what he was called to do and made a conscious decision not to obey and go completely the opposite direction and for that he suffered the consequences of his disobedience. It is written in *Jonah1:1 Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,2 “Go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim [judgment] against it, for their wickedness has come up before Me.” 3 But Jonah ran away to Tarshish to escape from the presence of the Lord [and his duty as His prophet].* I know that there have been times in my life that God spoke to me, not as a loud powerful voice that the world could hear, but a still small voice with clear direction. Sometimes I listened and other times I avoided what He had called me to do, even ran from it. At this point of my life, I desire to be obedient at all times and surrender to God’s plan, purpose, and timing of events for my life whether I want to or not and feel like I fail miserably. I will always wonder what blessings I may have missed by not doing the things that God had called me to do or by doing the things that He clearly told me not to do. Dear Lord, today, I give you all that I am. I invite You into the weak places of my life so that You can strengthen me to endure and be obedient. Heavenly Father, You know every decision I  need to make and every challenge I face on a regular basis. Please forgive me for the times that I try to figure this life out on my own and question everything I go through. I need You. I need your Holy Spirit to guide me, direct me, convict me, give me wisdom, and help me to be the Man of God that You have called me to be. My Brethren, may God help us all, by the power of His Holy Spirit to be obedient to the Father in all things, in Jesus 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.