Recently there have been many days where I feel like I am stuck in one place; every day is exactly the same as in the movie Groundhog Day. More times than not it seems like I get very little accomplished, and sad to say I feel like the things I do get done don’t really matter for the kingdom. There are many burdens upon my heart that weigh on my soul that cause me to lose peace during the day and sleep at night but have also increased my prayer life. I feel that I have been stretched beyond normal limitations, but by the grace of God, enduring. Some days it feels as though I am pouring out everything I have while seeing very little visible fruit in return. Yet I know that faithfulness is not measured by what I can see today, but by obedience to the One who called me. The Lord has never promised that every season would be fruitful in appearance, only that He would be with us through every season and bring fruit from our labor. Perhaps the greatest victories in the Christian life are won in quiet places where no one is watching. I am learning that hidden faithfulness today often becomes eternal fruit tomorrow. Recently due to unforeseen events I took a day to close down for spiritual maintenance. Looking back at it, even though it was painful, it was good for me. Over the years I have grown tired and feel weak from the challenging circumstances and spiritual warfare that is going on around me. My son-in-law, DJ, asked me recently how long do I think I can go on at the pace I do at my age. I said maybe another 10-15 years or until I die whichever comes first, lol. It seems like I am constantly at a crossroads in just about every situation that I could be in and think that they can swing one way or turn the other at any moment. There are moments when I wonder what is the point of it all and all I want to do is quit, quit everything. For many in our world they are continually chasing some meaningless worldly goal, and at times I chase after a life of comparison. For Christians, many of us would jump at the chance to do great things for God, but how many are actually willing and faithful to do the mundane, the grind of ministry to those deeply troubled in spirit? When I pray I ask God two main things: What does He want me to do and what does He not want me to do. Makes life a lot easier letting Him make the decisions. That is why I pray fervently over what is written in 1 Corinthians 15:58: “Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord [always doing your best and doing more than is needed], being continually aware that your labor [even to the point of exhaustion] in the Lord is not futile nor wasted [it is never without purpose].” If Paul had access to social media in his day, I think he would probably have simply summed up his life by posting: #graceforthegrind. When we endure the grind, when we are faithful to those lowly but necessary tasks that the Lord has given us, when life feels like it is a series of one thing after another without a lot of reason or meaning, we must ask ourselves: Are we servants of the Most High God or only of our flesh? In the midst of the battle I have come to believe that the war will be won in the dirt, in the pit of despair as we are obedient to the Lord. I ask you, who will join me in the trenches and fight to win lost souls for the kingdom? I believe that time is short and the truth found in scripture proves that we are closer to His return than ever before. If your heart has grown weary, do not lay down your armor—lift your eyes to Christ once again and remember why you first entered the battle. If you have drifted into comfort while souls around you are perishing, today is the day to return to the work the Lord has placed before you. Pray with me that God would give us strength to endure, courage to stand firm, and compassion to reach the broken no matter the cost. May we be found faithful when our King returns, having spent our lives not for ourselves but for His glory and the advancement of His kingdom. May all the followers of the Lord say with boldness, “Maranatha, come quickly Lord Jesus.”

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.