There are many people that believe that God could never use them because of who they are, where they have come from, what they have been through, or especially because of what they have done. Yet the very places we try to hide are often the places where God chooses to display His mercy most clearly. As I read the Bible I can see that God used a motley crew of misfits, a bunch of wretched and broken sinners to minister to the world around them. Their stories are not polished accounts of perfection, but raw testimonies of grace meeting weakness in real time. When I look at specific individuals, I am encouraged because I have similar traits as many of them. Adam listened to his wife and not God, Noah was a drunk, Abraham was too old, Isaac was a daydreamer, Jacob was a liar, Leah was ugly, Joseph was abused, Gideon was afraid, Samson was a womanizer, Rahab was a prostitute, David was an adulterer (not to mention a murderer), Elijah was suicidal, Jonah ran from God, Job went bankrupt, John the Baptist was destitute, the Samaritan woman was divorced (more than once), Mary Magdalene was demon-possessed, Zacchaeus was too small, Peter denied Christ, all the disciples ran away when Jesus was arrested, Paul was a Christian-killer, Oh…and Lazarus was dead. If God could write redemption into lives like these, then no story is too far gone to be rewritten by His hand. As I contemplate my own unworthiness to serve the Lord Jesus I pray fervently over what is written in *1 Corinthians 1:26 Just look at your own calling, believers; not many [of you were considered] wise according to human standards, not many powerful or influential, not many of high and noble birth. 27 But God has selected [for His purpose] the foolish things of the world to shame the wise [revealing their ignorance], and God has selected [for His purpose] the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong [revealing their frailty].* Even in my doubts, I find a strange comfort knowing that my limitations do not limit God’s power. I like what Charles Spurgeon said, “When you feel yourself to be utterly unworthy, you have hit the truth.” It is in that truth that pride dies and surrender begins to take root in the heart. Knowing that God uses the imperfect, the weak, the ones who struggle with fitting in, those who can’t seem to feel that they will ever get it right, the people who know their own fallibility before God, this is right where I fit in the most. My friends, God doesn’t want perfect people; he wants humble people who are willing to serve a perfect God. He calls not the qualified, but qualifies those who are called and willing to say yes despite their fears and failures. I am reminded quite often that God uses broken people like me to help broken people like me, and that is why I do what I do in serving Him in the various ways that I do. I pray for the grace and peace of God to overflow my life and for Him to help me to serve Him whether in the pit or the pulpit. My prayer for all who read these words; Heavenly Father, we come before You with humble hearts, acknowledging our weakness and our deep need for Your grace. Lord, take our brokenness and shame and use it for Your glory, shaping us into vessels that reflect Your love and truth. Strengthen us where we are weary, restore us where we are wounded, and remind us daily that Your power is made perfect in our weakness. May our lives be a testimony of Your mercy, and may we walk boldly in Your calling, trusting not in ourselves, but in You alone. And all of God’ s children say, Amen. 

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.