When I get to heaven, after seeing God in His glory, meeting Jesus face to face, coming to an understanding of the working of the Holy Spirit and His power, there are a few people I want to meet and have some questions for. I want to ask Adam “Was it worth it?”. To Noah, “How was it on the ark for all that time with the animals?”. To Daniel, “Did you pet the lions?”. To the shepherds at the nativity, “How did this event change your lives?” As I read through the scriptures, one of the people I want to talk to the most is the Apostle Paul, because I relate to him a lot. My question to him would be, “What was your struggle?” Paul was a mighty man of God and yet he battled doing and not doing. His story reminds me that being used by God does not mean we will never struggle, but that God meets us right in the middle of our struggles. I reflect quite often over what is written in Romans 7:15 For I do not understand my own actions [I am baffled and bewildered by them]. I do not practice what I want to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate [and yielding to my human nature, my worldliness—my sinful capacity].19 For the good that I want to do, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.

Many people believe that they are “good people”. Paul realized how wretched he was compared to Jesus. The Bible says that we all have the same type of struggles. None of us are standing outside the need for God’s grace; every one of us comes to the foot of the cross with something we cannot overcome on our own. Paul makes a powerful statement about his own nature and then brings praise as it is written in Romans 7:24 Wretched and miserable man that I am! Who will [rescue me and] set me free from this body of death [this corrupt, mortal existence]? 25 Thanks be to God [for my deliverance] through Jesus Christ our Lord!…

Dear hearers, whatever your struggle, whatever you are battling with, praise God that you are struggling and battling, and not just giving in to it. I have learned to be thankful for the struggle because that is where I gained my strength. We need, I need, to put the 3 R’s of revival in my life, Remember, Repent, Repeat, because I need to be revived as well as renewed before God. There is room at the table of God’s grace for every person who is willing to turn toward Him, no matter where they have been or how far they feel they have fallen. We may not know till we get to heaven as to why we went through all that we have, but one thing is for sure, when we make it to heaven it will matter a whole lot less.

There is a song by Matthew West that I have had on replay, and the beginning lyrics encourage me to endure, “When I go to be with Jesus/It won’t break my heart to leave/All my worries and my troubles/Will be long gone memories/When that heavenly homecoming/One day comes for me/And I go to be with Jesus/It won’t break my heart to leave”. Jesus is my strength, my inspiration, my reason to live and never give up, and I pray that He is to all who read these words as well. If you are weary, hurting, confused, or simply struggling to make it through another day, I want you to know that you are not alone and you are not forgotten. There is still hope, there is still purpose, and there is still a God who loves you enough to meet you exactly where you are and walk with you toward where He is calling you to be. Please pray for me as I pray for all who read these words. 

Heavenly Father, fill our hearts with hope when we are weary, with courage when we are struggling, and with the assurance that Your love will never leave or forsake us. Help us to remember, repent, and repeat as You continually renew our hearts, strengthen our faith, and lead us closer to You and to one another in love. May every person who reads these words feel Your presence, discover renewed hope to make it through this day, and know deep within their soul that they are seen, loved, forgiven, and never alone. In Jesus’ precious and powerful 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.