Not sure if you can tell or not, but I am not a highly educated, skilled, or knowledgeable man. There are only one or two things that I have a deep passion for outside of knowing God and the salvation of others. The most significant thing I can think of is having the clarity and understanding of the Word of God. The Bible is the only thing I read with consistency and pour over as refreshing water in a vast wasteland. I have learned by outside influence that it is not the amount of knowledge we possess, but what we allow God to do with what He has given us. I don’t need to have all the answers, possess extraordinary abilities, or stand in the spotlight to be useful to the Kingdom of God. I simply need to remain willing, obedient, and surrendered to the One who can take an ordinary life and use it for His extraordinary purposes.
When I share what I do, I pray on a regular basis that when people read what I write, listen to what I speak, that they will be able to say, “Douglas walked with Jesus and that is why he is who he is and can do all that he does.”
My life always seems to be going in 10 different directions all at the same time on a regular basis. Recently I compared my life to a multi-ball pinball machine with the only time for me to pause is right before I hit the bumper that hurls my life in a different direction. There are some days when it seems that it is easier to surrender to the busyness than to fight for peace. Many days it just doesn’t seem fair, but then again life’s not really fair is it, at least for me it seems?
I fight for every piece of me on a regular basis. The harsh truth is, everything that I am dealing with today is because of choices that I made in my past, some good, but many more not so much. There have been lies that I have told, not so much to those around me, mostly to myself, and more regrettably to God. I share what I do because I never want it to be about me, it has to be all about the Lord Jesus, the Cross, and what He has done in my life and taken me through.
I reflect on His words written in Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
I would like to believe that because I share the struggles that I deal with, and how I am alive because of the Gospel, that when I talk to others about the Good news of the Lord Jesus that the lost and broken of the world around me are changed for the better. I pray that I am being a Beacon of Hope, a Light in the darkness, that I may encourage some to endure to the end. I pray that there will be a day when at least one individual says they didn’t give up because they knew that I knew God and that gave them hope, and they wanted to know Him as well.
I am emboldened by what Charles Spurgeon said, “The Bible is not the light of the world, it is the light of the Church. But the world does not read the Bible, the world reads Christians! “You are the light of the world.””
Dear Hearers, may we all shine bright today so the world may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven. But shining our light is not always about doing something extraordinary; sometimes it is simply showing patience when we are frustrated, extending grace when someone has fallen short, or offering encouragement when another person feels forgotten. It means being intentional about how we speak, how we treat others, and how we respond when life does not go according to our plans. We cannot expect others to see the love of Christ in us if we are unwilling to demonstrate that love in the everyday moments God places before us.
Let us remember that none of us has to walk this journey perfectly to be a light for someone else. We are all works in progress, dependent upon the same grace, mercy, and forgiveness that we so desperately need each day. Whether you are standing strong today or barely finding the strength to take another step, there is room for you among those of us who desire to follow Jesus with a sincere heart.
Please continue to pray for me as I continue to pray for those who read these words and offer support in the various ways that you do. May we never underestimate what God can accomplish through a willing heart, a surrendered life, and a simple act of obedience. Someone around you may be praying for the very encouragement that God has placed within your reach, so don’t hide your light, and don’t underestimate the difference your walk with Jesus can make in someone else. There is hope in Christ, there is grace for the struggling, and there is always room for another soul to come to know the saving love of our Lord and Savior.
Please pray this with me:
Heavenly Father, help us to surrender our busyness, our past mistakes, and our daily struggles to You, and teach us to walk in obedience rather than relying on our own strength. Let our words, actions, decisions, and relationships reflect the love of Jesus so that those who are hurting, lost, or discouraged may see Your light through us. Give us the courage to encourage someone who is struggling, the humility to extend grace, and the faith to keep shining even when our own circumstances are difficult by the power of the Holy Spirit. May our lives point others to the Cross, bring hope to those who feel forgotten, and ultimately bring all glory and honor to You, in the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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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.
