There are hundreds of questions that we ask and are asked every day, many of which have no eternal value. Then there are some questions that people need to deal with in their hearts, in their very souls at this very moment before it’s too late. Is Jesus truly the Lord of your life or is He just some dead guy with no impact? What have you built your life upon? Have you truly forsaken all to be Jesus’ disciple? Did you really count the cost of following after the Lord? For me, these questions are not constant in my mind as I believe that they should be but are definitely becoming more prominent. I have seen many come to Christ, or at least to church, all excited and a little while later go back into the world and then have their friends make fun of Jesus because their devotion was so short-lived. There are some that try to live in both worlds and think that it is ok; somehow they are comfortable living in sin while taking communion. The call of Christ has never been to casual admiration but to complete transformation through sanctification. The narrow way has always required a surrendered heart, and yet it is the only path that leads to true life. We deceive ourselves if we believe we can cling to the world with one hand while reaching for Christ with the other. The Lord deserves far more than a portion of our lives; He is worthy of our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. I reflect quite often about what is written in *Luke 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? 33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.* There are many that make a verbal commitment to the Lord Jesus and yet make slow to no advances in the spiritual realm. The cost is simple: self-sacrifice, self-denial, your comfort and desires, coming to an end of ourselves, total surrender every day and forever. I am convicted that I must take my relationship with the Lord Jesus seriously; my eternity depends on it. To know and not do will lead us to be the most miserable people of all mankind. I like and dislike these words of Charles Spurgeon at the same time: “My hope lives not because I am not a sinner, but because I am a sinner for whom Christ died; my trust is not that I am holy, but that being unholy, HE is my righteousness. My faith rests not upon what I am or shall be or feel or know, but in what Christ is, in what He has done, and in what He is now doing for me. Hallelujah!” I understand that everything I do, say, think, watch, and listen to has consequences before God. I pray for myself as well as all who read these words, that we will be obedient to the words written in *1 Peter 1:13 “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.* May every one of us, regardless of where we are in our walk today, respond to His voice with humility, repentance, and unwavering faith. There is still room at the feet of Jesus for every heart willing to surrender, for His mercy continues to call sinners to Himself while there is breath in our lungs. Let us encourage one another daily to remain steadfast, to finish the race with conviction, and to bring glory to the One who alone is worthy of our complete devotion.

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.