We live our lives one day at a time. We can’t live in the future or the past. People try but it doesn’t work. Now is what God gives us to live in. This is where He is and wants us to be. With all the problems that we can collect, in one day, God shows us how to live today. We take courage and face our world head on. There have been times I had to lower my head and charge head-long into my day. It was the only way I was going to get through. Then God began to show me the world He built, the beauty that is hidden in plain sight. But you have to stop and look to see it. You can easily pass straight by it. I have found that the things of God are the things make life worth it. Food, clothing and shelter are necessities, but they aren’t what makes this life worthwhile. It is the intangible things that make our life rich. When you reach out with compassion and hospitality. When you give, not expecting in return. Having hope and showing mercy and kindness. When you rejoice with people who are blessed by God. When you know you have made a difference in your world today.
Crain Blanchard.
Crainb52@juno.com
http://www.joseph1637.com

It seems today, that obeying authority is passe’. All you have to do is watch the news. There is more killing then ever before. It is because there is no respect for life. Moses, a prince of Egypt, was arrested and put on trial because he killed a man. Throughout the ages, anyone who killed anyone was put to death. the exception has been in the last 70 years, where the laws have changed. Now it is fashionable to rehabilitate murders. People don’t trust or believe authority. It seems that our government has made laws that border on insanity, plastic straws. But God doesn’t excuse lawlessness. He is very specific about obeying authority. There is no scripture that says we can disobey authority, because they have gone crazy. God says to pray that we might lead a quiet and peaceable life. The power of prayer can reach any courtroom or congress. Our obedience isn’t about winning or losing any political race. It is about being right with God. God would rather that we obey than anything else on this earth. For God says, that our leaders are ministers of God for our good. We should pray and obey for our own sake.
Crain Blanchard.
Crainb52@juno.com
http://www.joseph1637.com

God has given us gifts according to our faith. God gave each of us the measure of faith to use on this earth. Some of these gifts are prophesy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, ruling and love. So many times, God has given me a love for someone, who was unlovable. And not the human type of love. The one that wont quit for a lifetime. As God says, we are to love one another freely and openly. So, people will see the love of God and have hope. In all of our business, God wants us to be busy and get the work done quickly. Also God wants us to be patient in tribulation. And God wants us to be instant in prayer. We are to bless and not curse. Also to rejoice, to be glad and to be mindful that all people are the children of God. God made everyone that has lived or ever will. Give no person evil for evil. But to do good to people who do evil to you. There is a real reason why God want us to be like God in our life. It is so people will see God and repentof their sins. As God says, it will heap coals of fire upon them. So people will come to the understanding of where they are with God.
Crain Blanchard.
Crainb52@juno.com
http://www.joseph1637.com

How do we serve God? What is reasonable service? Where do we serve God? We saw that God wrote His laws in our hearts and minds. He did that so we could know not only about Him, but to know God personally. How can we know Him if we were born in the sin of Adam? God wanted to give us the opportunity to come back from that sin. So, if we know that He exists and is there for us, we can have hope that God will help us. Did you know that the #1 selling book in the world is the bible? God wrote down His word, besides putting it into our hearts. He did that to confirm His word. As we read the word, God begins to work in our lives to make it better. It shows us that we aren’t alone. There are many members of the body of Christ. With that knowledge, we understand that we aren’t more important than any other member. So, God is first and foremost. Then we will find our place in God.

How do I know that God has called me? How do I know that God has equipped me to serve in the kingdom? I knew in my heart that I was called to be a teacher, since I was young. There wasn’t anything else that I wanted to be. I knew that was my calling in life. My heart searched for knowledge and understanding. I pursued this with all that I was. And I still do. I’ll will read to find knowledge, then seek the understanding. Understanding comes with experience. Knowledge and understanding equal wisdom. So, how do I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that God called me? We are made up of 3 parts, body, soul and spirit. Our physical body is made from the dust of the earth. Our soul is the life of God connecting body and spirit. Our spirit is who we are, mind, will and intellect. This is the part of us that is the image and likeness of God. It is also the part that is immortal. Our spirit or heart is how we communicate with God. Everyone hears God. When we were born, God wrote His laws in our heart. So, that we can know God. God has a plan for everyone’s life. His word tells us this plan through our heart. It is how we know things in the kingdom of God. This is how God reaffirms not only His plan for our life but gives us the wisdom we need in this world. So, our calling us affirmed by God through our heart. And manifest itself in our lives.
Crain Blanchard.
Crainb52@juno.com
http://www.joseph1637.com

I found that the world seemed more exciting than staying home. That is why I left home in the first place. The world seemed so bright and shiny. It looked so good, but I found out different. Once I was in the world, it became a bottomless pit. It would snare anyone out there, who didn’t know better. The bright and shiny wore off in a hurry. It wasn’t pretty. It became hard and hurtful. All I wanted was someone to love me. What I discovered later was I had that all along with my Father, God. The things of this world are bright and shiny, but it’s a trap. Without the protection that God provides, you wouldn’t make it. I live and work in this world. It isn’t perfect. But I am loved and protected. I am provided for both physically and spiritually. My needs are met in God. I have no need of what the world offers. My life is satisfying. I answered my Father’s call and came home a long time ago. So, if you hear your name called, answer your Father, God. Go Home! He misses you.
Crain Blanchard.
Crainb52@juno.com
http://www.joseph1637.com

God, our Father, is calling us to come home for supper. He wants us to listen, turn and come home before dark. He wants us to wash our hands of this world and run into His Arms. I heard that call for a long time before I answered. I was the prodigal son. I was so ashamed of what I had done. I didn’t believe I could go home. But God kept calling. He knew I had lost my way. And I was having a hard time finding my way home. But His love kept reaching out to me. I finally realized my place in my life was with my Father. This was the only person who loved me as I was. The road back wasn’t easy. But I didn’t believe that it could be. It took time, but I made it back home. I was so sorry how I had sinned against my Father. But He opened His arms and held me tight. I had come home. I wasn’t going to leave again.
Crain Blanchard.
Crainb52@juno.com
http://www.joseph1637.com

The one thing that drew me to God was His love. God loved me for no reason, other than I existed. I could hardly believe how much God loved me. The amount of preparation that God did to get me to the place where I saw His love, was amazing. He moved heaven and earth to get me to that place. I could never be happier than I am now. Then I began to see how far His love reaches. When He showed me how much He loves the people in hell as much as He loves the people in heaven. With God, there is no distinction in His love. God loves everyone the same. People may have thrown away their lives, but God still reaches out to them to come home. Being a Father, He knows who we are and what we will do. But He still reaches out for us. All that God gives us is the opportunity to let Him reach out to people. Everybody makes their own choices. God doesn’t send anyone to hell. You have to choose it. If you stop and listen, you will hear God calling your name. Wanting you to come home.
Crain Blanchard.
Crainb52@juno.com
http://www.joseph1637.com