Living by faith sounds easy, when in reality it can be the most difficult thing a person can do day in and day out. There is a list of biblical heroes who did great things and received great blessings from God, and then there are the “others”, those who suffered, struggled, and despaired even to the death. Who were these poor souls? What did they do to deserve such punishment? They were the “others” who lived by faith, men and women of God who endured hardships that we in our present time cannot imagine. Their faith was not weaker, if anything, their faith was stronger because it enabled them to endure incredible suffering by the power of the Holy Spirit. They are not “lesser” saints because they found no miracle, if anything, they are “greater” saints because they were faithful even when things didn’t work out the way they may have wanted. I am convicted when I contemplate the severity of my challenges and then read what is written in  *Hebrews 11:35…Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented 38 of whom the world was not worthy…* My question to all who read these words are: How strong is your faith? Would you hold firm to your faith while standing face-to-face with your torturer who wants you to deny your love for the Lord Jesus? Would you refuse to concede, instead enduring years of excruciating pain and suffering?” If I ask the question: Does living by faith mean you will always receive a blessing or miracle? The answer according to scripture is most definitely “No.” Living or dying, being spared or being tortured, being delivered in this life or waiting till the next, is not an indicator of whether or not God loves us or even the measure of our faith. I know these truths, but there have been times that I have been discouraged that others have been blessed while I endure struggles and suffering which seem to be without end. I understand, I have to believe that my suffering is not a punishment. My struggles, your struggles are not because we didn’t pray the right way, or because we didn’t pray enough, or because we have weak faith or insufficient intercessors on our behalf. The truth is, it is because God is Sovereign and is using our suffering in ways that we may not understand until we go into glory. One day we will see how God used our affliction to prepare us for an incomparable weight of glory and also how it encouraged others to endure till the end. Think about how you will feel when you get to heaven and have someone come up to you and say that “because of you and all that they witnessed you go through and you still maintained your faith, that by seeing your faith lived out was the primary reason they are in heaven with you.” For some of us, the “others”, life doesn’t always end up the way we would like or always dreamed of, for we are called to endure more than we ever wanted for the glory of God. Leonard Ravenhill said, “The early church was married to poverty, prisons and persecutions. Today, the church is married to prosperity, personality, and popularity.” What kind of saint are you going to be, even if your plans don’t go your way, half-hearted or fully faithful? If your faith can be destroyed by suffering, you don’t have faith, you have Oprah. Faith doesn’t really mean that “we just win in the end.” Faith means that even at the end, no matter how bad it may be, we still have Jesus and He is our victory. Anything more than that is a form of idolatry. And with that said, there is room at the foot of the cross for every weary soul, every broken heart, and every believer who feels unseen in their suffering, because the family of God is not built on perfection or earthly success, but on steadfast faith in Christ. May we be a people marked not only by endurance, but also by a passion for the Lord Jesus and compassion for one another, encouraging all the “others” to stand firm in faith until the day we all enter His glory. Please pray for me to be one of the faithful “others” as I pray for all those 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.