Is Jesus Christ the Lord of your life or do you just think He is? As I go through different challenges in my own walk with God there are times that I feel the need to read those letters in RED, the words of the Lord Jesus. Recently, as I opened my Bible, it opened to Gospel of Matthew 7, and the words there made me really self-evaluate my relationship with Him. It is written in *Matthew 7:22 Many will say to Me on that day [when I judge them], ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, and driven out demons in Your name, and done many miracles in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them publicly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me [you are banished from My presence], you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands].’* There are lists in the Bible that clarify what “practicing lawlessness” is all about written in, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 as well as in Ephesians 5:4-5, and as we look around our congregations we find there are many so-called “Christians” who live in the manners described there. According to Matthew, there are many that are doing work for someone that doesn’t know them. For me, I feel the need to regularly evaluate my life as to why I do what I do, and I pray about the words spoken by Paul the Apostle in *Philippians 2:12…continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ]. 13 For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.* I like what Charles Spurgeon said, “O, there is nothing that can so advantage you, nothing can so prosper you, so assist you, so make you walk towards heaven rapidly, so keep your heads upwards toward the sky, and your eyes radiant with glory, like the imitation of Jesus Christ. It is when, by the power of the Holy Spirit, you are enabled to walk with Jesus in his very footsteps, and tread in his ways, you are most happy and you are most known to be sons and daughters of God. For your sake, Christ, I say, be like Christ. To draw him nearer to me, and myself nearer to him is the innermost longing of my soul.” Let this not be a passing thought but a daily pursuit that shapes every decision and every desire within us. We must stand firm in our commitment, refusing to be counted among those who only speak His name but do not follow His ways. As I examine my own heart, I ask that all those who read these words examine your own hearts as well with honesty and a genuine desire to find out what you may be doing that is displeasing to the Lord, and do not shrink back from the truth that God reveals to you. We all must press forward with unwavering focus, determined to live a life that reflects obedience rather than empty confession. I pray that you fix your eyes on Christ with purpose, and let your life testify that He is not just known by you, but that you are truly known by Him. Beloved Brethren, we all need to make a conscious decision who Jesus is to each of us, is He Lord of your life or is He just Jesus, He can’t be both. I confess and believe that Jesus is Lord, who else is with me?

My BeLoved, may the grace and peace of the Lord Jesus, 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 support the ministry God has entrusted to me either one time or have decided to give on a monthly basis. 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 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.