“Follow Hard, Finish Well,” is something that many Christians start off desiring to achieve, and then throughout the course of their walk, they fall away or become complacent in their relationship with the Lord Jesus. For the most part I have seen that the cares and concerns of the world become overwhelming, many times due to poor choices. The enemy never stops trying to distract us from our God-given purpose, but the Holy Spirit faithfully calls us back to wholehearted devotion. The Apostle Paul gave great encouragement to the believers in his day that I believe we should take to heart in our day as to how we live our lives for the Lord. Because of my own shortcomings and character defects I pray often over what is written in 1 Corinthians 9:24: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run [their very best to win], but only one receives the prize? Run [your race] in such a way that you may seize the prize and make it yours!” Every day presents a new opportunity to choose obedience over compromise and faith over fear. We cannot afford to treat our walk with Christ as something we will get serious about someday, because none of us is promised a tomorrow. There comes a time when we must stop making excuses, lay aside every weight that keeps us from running, and determine in our hearts that we are going all the way with Jesus. The finish line is closer than we think, and what we do with the time God has entrusted to us matters for eternity. For most of us, we will not affect the world like Billy Graham, Smith Wigglesworth, George Whitefield, or some of the other great evangelists have in times past. One thing that I know for sure is that no one can affect my world as much as I can for the Kingdom, and no one can affect your world as much as you can for the Kingdom. God has strategically placed each of us in families, workplaces, neighborhoods, and communities where our witness can shine brightly for Christ. Faithfulness in the places God has assigned to us is never small in His eyes. For some reason, the American church has been led to get their friends to church so the pastor can get them saved. The job of the Pastor/Teacher is found in Ephesians 4:12: “His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ’s body (the church).” We have all been called to be ambassadors for Christ, carrying the Gospel into the lives of those around us with boldness, love, and compassion. The responsibility of carrying the Gospel does not belong to the pastor alone; it belongs to every believer who has surrendered his or her life to Jesus Christ. Each of us has been given a race to run, a calling to fulfill, and people God has placed within our sphere of influence who need to see and hear the Gospel through our lives. As I have embraced this truth, I have come to understand more clearly the calling God has placed on my life and the responsibility I have to remain faithful to it. As I get older and closer to heaven, I reflect on the thoughts of Paul when he knew that his time was short here on earth. He made a statement that I want to be able to say as well that is written in 2 Timothy 4:7: “I have fought the good and worthy and noble fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith [firmly guarding the gospel against error].” My desire is not merely to have started well, but to remain faithful until the very end, bringing honor to the One who called me by His grace. I know what it is like to stumble and fall to the point of disqualification. I am continually working through my challenges of life. I also know the grace and forgiveness of God. Today is the day to renew your commitment to follow Jesus with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength. If you have been sitting on the sidelines, today is the day to get back in the race, because there is still Kingdom work for you to do. Whether you feel strong or weak, young or old, experienced or just beginning, there is a place for you in the purposes of God, and we need one another to help finish this race together. Do not wait for another moment to surrender fully, because the world desperately needs the light, truth, and hope that Christ has placed within His people. Refuse to allow yesterday’s failures or today’s distractions to determine tomorrow’s finish. Keep your eyes fixed on Christ, the Author and Finisher of our faith, and encourage someone else today to keep running, and live each day with eternity in view. My friends, no matter where you are in your race, I want to encourage you to keep going, and if you have stumbled or drifted off course, “Get Up” and get back on track, prepare to seize the prize to make it yours. God is with you, and so am I in prayer. May we all follow hard after the Lord and, by His grace, finish well so that when we stand before Him, we will hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” 

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.