What is the meaning of life? What is my purpose? These are questions that many people contemplate every day, and I know I do. The answer is simple from a Biblical perspective as was spoken by the Lord Jesus in Luke 10:27: “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength…” I have been a follower of the Lord Jesus for 26 years, and for me, this is definitely easier said than done. So many things get in the way, and the biggest one for me is “life.” The responsibilities, distractions, and pressures of each day can quietly consume the time and attention that rightly belong to God if I am not careful. I know that I do not spend enough of my life loving God and spending time with Him as I think I should. I get so busy taking care of things and not taking the time to spend with the One that is taking care of me. How quickly I can forget that every blessing, every breath, and every opportunity I have comes from His gracious hand. At times I don’t take into consideration the truth about life as written in James 4:14: “…For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” As I get older and look around to see how many people I once knew have gone into glory, it causes me to reflect on how brief this earthly life truly is, it reminds me that investing in my relationship with God is never time wasted but time wisely spent. The simplest way to stay close to God is through prayer, and yet most days I am too busy to even do that except for a few minutes here and there. Prayer is not merely another task to complete; it is the privilege of communing with the One who knows us completely and loves us perfectly. There is a story: “One day, a young boy asked an old man, ‘Sir, which is the best day to pray?’ The wise old man replied, ‘My son, the best day to pray is the day before you die.’ The boy was astonished and replied, ‘Sir, how can I know the day of my death?’ And the old man answered, ‘No one knows the day of his death; that’s why we need to pray every day.’” There were people who were alive yesterday, looking forward to today, and did not make it through the night. There will be people who die today who have great plans for tomorrow and will not see those plans come to pass. None of us are promised another sunrise, which makes today the right day to seek the Lord with all of our hearts. I read, “Those who pursue God and His righteousness, who take seriously the command to love Him above all else, are those who are consumed with the things of God. They are eager to study God’s Word, eager to pray, eager to obey and honor God in all things, and eager to share Jesus Christ with others. It is through these spiritual disciplines that the love for God grows and matures to the glory of God.” My Friends, please pray for me as I pray for all who read these words to be eager to be intimate with God and wait expectantly to see how He will help us to be conformed to the image of His Son. Let us encourage one another daily, remembering that we are all fellow pilgrims who need God’s grace every step of the way. Whether your walk with the Lord is just beginning or has spanned many years, His invitation to draw near remains the same. May we all finish our race with unwavering faith, steadfast hope, and hearts wholly devoted to the glory of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 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.