There are many character defects and moral shortcomings that I have been working through since coming to Christ. My end goal for my life is to put my past behind me and be sanctified for the glory of God. I want to live a life that is holy, but I struggle just about every day. I pray often about what is written in *1 Peter 1:14 [Live] as obedient children [of God]; do not be conformed to the evil desires which governed you in your ignorance [before you knew the requirements and transforming power of the good news regarding salvation]. 15 But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves in all your conduct [be set apart from the world by your godly character and moral courage]; 16 because it is written, “You shall be holy (set apart), for I am holy.” To surrender oneself to God wholeheartedly is not easy, well, at least for me it’s not, and to let go of the cares and desires of this world is very difficult as well. Yet I am learning that the struggle itself does not mean that God has abandoned me; it reminds me that I desperately need His grace, His strength, and His transforming power every single day. Another one of my biggest failures is comparing myself and my life with others, realizing that my heart is deceitfully wicked. I believe we are all called to this same journey of holiness, not as people who have already arrived, but as children of God who are being changed by His love and called to walk faithfully with Him. I heard it said, “You can’t walk with God and hold hands with the devil” and yet there are times that it seems like it is exactly what I try to do at times. The apostle Paul did not have a perfect life according to what he shared. I would think that he had battles that only he and God knew about, but one thing that I can see through the Scriptures is that he knew what kind of life he was to lead, and that was one as an example to everyone who saw him. He wrote in *Philippians 3:17 Brothers and sisters, together follow my example and observe those who live by the pattern we gave you.* As well as what is written in *1 Corinthians 4:16 So I urge you, be imitators of me [just as a child imitates his father]. and 1 Corinthians 11:1 Imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.* This is not a call reserved for those who believe they have everything together; it is a call for everyone to follow Christ, to encourage one another to live a life pleasing to God, and to let our lives become a testimony of what God can do in a surrendered heart. Dear hearers, as we learn more every day of how God loves us, we must show that love to our world and to the people we encounter throughout our daily living. We must stop believing the lies of the enemy and stop telling ourselves that we are worthless, alone, and unloved. I know personally how dangerous those thoughts are because those are the words I use as I look at the man in the mirror. I feel like a failure and that causes me to feel defeated. We all need to remind ourselves that we are children of the Living God and He loves us and is working in us by the power of the Holy Spirit. There is room at the foot of the cross for everyone, regardless of our past, our failures, our weaknesses, or how many times we have fallen, because His invitation is always open to come to Him.  So today is the day to completely surrender, and follow Him. We do not have to pretend that we are perfect to belong to Him, but we must be willing to allow Him to change us, correct us, and make us more like Christ. And as we walk this road together, may we never use our struggles as a reason to condemn one another, but instead let them become opportunities to extend the same mercy and grace that God has so freely given us. May we stand together with conviction, not ashamed of our need for God, but boldly proclaiming that holiness is possible when we surrender our lives to the One who is holy. May our God help us live by Jesus’ example, by the Holy Spirit’s power, a life that is pleasing and glorifies God the Father. May all His children be able to say boldly, Follow me as I follow Jesus! Charles Spurgeon wrote, “Nearness to God brings likeness to God. The more you see God, the more of God will be seen in you”. I struggle to be holy, but I am still called to pursue holiness, and my imperfect life can still point others toward the perfect Christ. Everyone needs to see God’s example and reflection, and may it be seen in and through all of His children. My prayer is that it is evident in me more and more every day and I pray that same thing for all who read these words as well. Heavenly Father, we come before You humbled by our sin, our weakness, and our inability to make ourselves holy, and we ask You to break every stronghold, expose every lie, and give us the courage to surrender completely to You, holding nothing back. When we fall, keep us from running from You in shame; instead, draw us back to the cross, remind us that Your grace is greater than our failures, and give us the strength through Your Holy Spirit to rise, repent, and keep walking toward holiness. Lord, make our lives so transformed by the love of Christ that the world can see Him in us, and may we boldly follow Jesus, faithfully pursue holiness, extend grace to one another, and never lose hope because the God who called us is faithful to complete the work He has begun in us; in Jesus’ name, 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.