How seriously do you take the Word of God? Some days, for me it can be very multifarious. There are two specific verses in the scriptures that I look at and try to figure out where my heart is in correlation to my relationship with God. I look at what is written in *Mark 12:30 And you shall love the Lord your God out of and with your whole heart and out of and with all your soul (your life) and out of and with all your mind (with your faculty of thought and your moral understanding) and out of and with all your strength…* and also written in *Matthew 6:33 But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right)…* I am ashamed to say that I have not fulfilled these scriptures as much as I should have or even could have since I began my walk with God. I have not made them a reflection of my life in Christ consistently. We are to have one great love and one great passion, the Lord Jesus, and yet for me, my devotion seems to waver and be distracted. My desire has been to live every aspect of my life to the glory of God and to be at His disposal, yet I have failed Him one way or another every day. There have been moments where I allowed fear, comfort, and worldly concerns to take a greater place in my heart than obedience to Christ. Yet even in my weakness, the mercy of God continues to call me back to repentance, humility, and surrender before Him. The Lord has shown me time and time again that He is worthy of complete devotion, not partial allegiance divided by the cares of this life. If we truly believe the Gospel, then our lives should reflect a holy urgency to pursue God wholeheartedly and to make Him known to a lost and dying world. I realize that in all reality that I never let God down because I was never the one holding Him up, He holds me up by His mighty, victorious right hand. My daily struggle is to set aside my own goals and desires to engage in the battle at hand. The kingdom of God is built by those who go out and fight, those who pray, proclaim the Gospel, and live with sacrificial love. As Christians, we are not called to live like the rest of the world, we are called to do the will of the Father. We are called to be warriors for the kingdom. We are called to advance the kingdom. I do not want earthly treasure, I want to fight for the souls of men, and for that I know there will be a cost. I have already had sufferings, struggles, and gone through many fiery trials and tribulations. Let me ask all who hear these words a question to take to heart, “What is a soul worth?” A soul is worth whatever it takes to save it. But I believe that investing “time” is what others need most and people guard most selfishly. Time is the most precious thing we have. We know it’s limited, and that’s why giving our time away is one of the greatest sacrifices we can make. Some read what I write or hear the words I speak and mock me or ignore what is shared. Some agree with it but have no conviction to live it out to the glory of God because it is easy to be “a professional Christian” in today’s world. But there are some, a few, who I believe that regardless of the mistakes made in the past are willing to take a stand and do what God is calling you to do today. What does our world need from us? Christlikeness and the obedience to follow Christ’s example in self-denial, showing unselfish love, honoring God by our words and deeds. We are not to put on a facade to entertain the audience from the stage, or perform in a way that draws attention to ourselves rather than the message of the cross. I often think about the words of Charles Spurgeon, he wrote: “If you have to give a carnival to get people to come to church, then you will have to keep giving carnivals to keep them coming back.” We are called to be genuine believers who equip the saints for the work of the ministry, and worship God from the altar of our heart, cultivating a deep, personal relationship with Him through prayer, praise, and seeking His guidance in daily life. By consistently practicing these principles, I know God can cultivate a heart that is a true “altar of worship,” a place where the Holy Spirit can meet and transform me as well as all who read or hear these words. From this point forward I am willing to submit to the Lordship of Jesus however that may be and boldly pursue whatever God calls me to do, even if it costs me dearly. My Friends, who is willing to Rise Up and answer the call and say, I will stand up next to you in the battle and lock shields? Let us no longer live as non combatants while darkness spreads around us, but let us stand firm in truth, holiness, and unwavering faith in Christ. The time for compromise is over, and the hour has come for believers to walk boldly in obedience, regardless of opposition or cost. May our lives be living testimonies of the power, love, and glory of Jesus Christ until the very end. And all of God’s people 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.