“Forsaking All I Trust Him” while “Forwarding All Issues To Heaven.” In todays world Drug Overdose, Suicide, and Divorce are increasing at a record levels, and sad to say, inside the church just as much as outside of it. So many souls are silently battling anxiety, depression, loneliness, and hopelessness and wearing a smile as a facade while breaking apart their heart and spirit within. There are some that seek to fill a God-sized hole with the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life, not understanding that the only “thing” that can fill that hole is a genuine relationship with the Lord Jesus. The reason that I can say this with confidence and boldness is that I have tried to fill that hole, that emptiness, every way humanly possible without any success since I was a child. I chased temporary pleasure and worldly acceptance only to discover that every road apart from Christ eventually leads back to emptiness and despair. Because of a distorted reality caused by my own poor choices, I witnessed first hand the grace of God when I survived alcoholism, a drug overdose, and suicidal ideation when I didn’t use the bullet that had my name written on it. As I look back I can see that even in my darkest moments, when shame and regret tried to convince me that I was beyond saving, God’s mercy continued to reach for me. I learned over time that surrendering everything to God can be painful, but it is also the greatest freeing thing I ever did. Authentic love, comfort, and peace can only truly be found in the arms of the one true God. The world promises freedom while placing people in chains, but Jesus breaks chains and restores what sin has tried to destroy. I pray often about what is written in *John 3:16 For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.* Many “Christians” refer to Jesus as the Way, but do not follow Him. We know that He is the Light, but do not see Him. We call Him Teacher but aren’t intentional to learn from Him. He is the Most High, but we are not willing to serve Him. He is the Truth, but He is not trusted in. Jesus is the Prince of Peace in a world where people are looking everywhere else for their peace and not to Him. Jesus is the Redeemer, but there will be few who will actually be willing to be redeemed. There is a day coming when many who have confessed Jesus as Lord will be surprised when He says, “I don’t know you.” Far too many people want the promises of God without surrendering to the process of truly knowing Him and obeying His voice. My prayer is simple, “Dear Heavenly Father, I am sorry for not trusting You, clinging to You, relying on You, in the past, and more importantly in my present situation. I am sorry that I continue to fail You time and time again and need You to continue to rescue me from my sinful nature. Help me to surrender to Your will in thought, purpose, and action for my life. Please help me to love You more than I love the things of this world that fulfill my fleshly desires. By the power of the Holy Spirit please continue to do Your work in me by transforming me into the image of Your Son, to fulfill Your purpose for my life, in Jesus’ precious and powerful name, Amen.” No matter how far someone has fallen, the grace of God is still greater than their deepest failure. There is hope for the broken, healing for the hurting, and redemption for all who are willing to fully surrender their lives to Jesus Christ. May we encourage one another, pray for one another, and walk together in faith as we keep our eyes fixed on the only One who is able to save, restore, and lead us into everlasting life. Please pray for me as I pray for all who read these words.

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.