Charles Spurgeon said many things that are as relevant today as the time that he spoke them, and he died in 1892. As I read over how God used him powerfully, I also see how greatly he was afflicted. Spurgeon spoke on some topics that have moved me to tears and caused me to be drawn closer to the Lord Jesus at the same time because of my similar struggles and the emotions associated with them. (1) “The Lord gets his best soldiers out of the highlands of affliction.” (2) “It was never designed by God, when he chose his people, that they should be an untried people. They were chosen in the furnace of affliction.” (3) “The furnace of affliction is a good place for you, Christian; it benefits you; it helps you to become more like Christ, and it is fitting you for heaven.” I do believe that for some, our suffering increases based on our impact for the kingdom. The enemy rarely wastes his greatest attacks on lives that pose no threat to his kingdom. That does not mean every trial is a direct attack from Satan, but I do believe the Lord often allows affliction to refine His children and display His glory through them. I often pray over what is written in *Acts 14:21 When they had preached the good news (Gospel) to that town and made disciples of many of the people, they went back to Lystra and Iconium and Antioch, 22 Establishing and strengthening the souls and the hearts of the disciples, urging and warning and encouraging them to stand firm in the faith, and [telling them] that it is through many hardships and tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.* Those words remind me that hardship is not evidence of God’s absence but often a testimony of His refining presence. I may not affect the world like Spurgeon, but my heart is to affect the world around me for the kingdom as much as possible for the glory of God. If my life points even one weary soul toward the cross, then every tear shed along the way will have eternal value. I am not sure exactly how my story will end, but I pray it will never be said that I gave up. I want the world around me to see that when my burdens are overwhelming, when life gives me more than I can handle, I cling even more tightly to Christ, reaching for the hem of His robe so that He can heal me, help me, restore my faith, and strengthen me to fulfill the purpose He has for me. I have come to understand that faith is not proven when the skies are clear but when we continue to trust Christ through the fiercest storms. The deeper my dependence upon Him becomes, the greater my confidence grows that His grace truly is sufficient for every trial I will ever face. I trust that He can take care of all things according to His good pleasure, and I know that nothing He allows into my life is without eternal purpose. My prayer is simple because I am a simple man: “Dear Heavenly Father, if my being afflicted brings even one person closer to Jesus, afflict me as much as need be. If it takes me being in the crucible to be purified, then turn up the heat. I am Your servant and willing to serve You wherever You want me, whether in the pulpit or in the pit. Let my life always point others to Christ, and may I never love comfort more than I love obedience. Keep me faithful until my race is finished and my work for Your kingdom is complete. In Jesus’ precious and powerful name, Amen.” My friends, stand firm in the faith, and when you become aware of the attacks of the enemy and feel like it is too much, call on me and we will fight them together. None of us were called to walk this difficult road alone, for God has given us one another to encourage, strengthen, and remind each other of His promises. Let us bear one another’s burdens, pray for one another without ceasing, and lift up those whose strength is failing, knowing that the body of Christ is strongest when it stands together in love. Together may we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, refusing to surrender even when the battle grows fierce. Let our lives declare with unwavering conviction that Christ is worthy of our trust in every season, whether in abundance or in affliction, until the day we stand before Him face to face and give Him all the glory, honor, and praise.

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.