Being under authority has become a dirty word. It seems that no one wants to be under authority. It’s the generation of do your own thing. Man wants what he wants. Rebellion is bound up in the heart of a child. Man’s heart is the most deceitful thing on earth. It is also prevalent in the church. In Matthew, Jesus was in Capernaum. A centurion came up to Him. He asked Jesus to heal his servant. Jesus said I will go with you. The centurion said I am not worthy of you coming to my home. He said, I am a man under authority. I have servants, if I say go or come they will do it. He said to Jesus, just speak the word and my servant will be healed. Jesus said, I haven’t found so great a faith, no not in all Israel. It takes faith to be under authority. God said that He gives his children the measure of faith. It’s time to use it.

Crain Blanchard .

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

Wherever Jesus walked, He would watch the people. More than once, He had compassion on them. Because He saw them as sheep without a shepherd. People found out about Jesus’s healing of all types of diseases. They came from all over the region. They came because no one had ever helped them. They had hope and came. Also, the pharisees and scribes came to see for themselves. And to try to trap Jesus in His words. When Jesus answered their questions, it shut their mouths. Jesus percieved as a man and loves as God. It’s an interesting combination that we have also. If the pharisees and scribes would have opened their hearts to hear, they would have been amazed at Jesus’s teachings. So many understood what Jesus was saying. But they didn’t want to lose their power and position. Which they lost anyway in the end. The only time that they could use His words against Him was the night they condemned Him to the cross. But they condemned themselves. Because when they heard the truth and understood, they choose not to believe. You see, God doesn’t send anyone to hell. You have to choose hell over heaven.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

We are taught from an early age, that we must make our own way in this world. We must earn for ourselves a living. We look at the world and want the best of everything. We are not satisfied with the average. We must exceed in everything. Otherwise we are not worth anything. As they say, wealth is the best revenge. It’s so wrong are on so many levels. Life is never about the accumulation of money or things. One of the churches of Asia Minor was Laodicea. It was a wealthy church. There wealth had made them lukewarm toward God. Let me tell you what God said about that church. In Revelation 3:17, Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with good, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. The world isn’t what we are to gain. It is the kingdom of God and God, Himself.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

It’s one of the most under appreciated gifts of God. Because when it is used, it stings the person receiving. Sometimes to the point of the person crying out in pain and anger. Do you know why the prophets lived in the woods and not in the cities? The people were afraid of what the prophets had to say. When Samuel went to Bethlehem to anoint David king, the first thing they asked him was, did you come in peace. Because they knew if he came with a message from God, it could be hell fire and damnation. The life of an exhorter isn’t easy. People will not like him. But it is part and parcel of God’s plan for us. The person who has this gift, must have a thick hide to be able to perform their task. But it’s necessary for the kingdom of God.

Crain Blanchard

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

Everyone has felt like a stranger, even amongst friends and family. It’s an odd feeling. You want to fit in. Sometimes you can, sometimes you can’t. People go to great lengths to fit in. Sometimes they lose themselves in process. It’s not always a good thing. If it’s the wrong road, it will destroy you. I wanted to fit in as much as the next guy. But when I found where I belonged, this world became the strange place. Because it wasn’t home anymore. My home is not of this world. When I became one of God’s sons, my home became heaven. Now, I am just walking through to reach the other side, home. You see, I was the Prodigal son. Now I am on my way home. This is where I belong. If you want to know where you belong, all you have to do is ask God. You see, heaven is our home. It’s where we all belong.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

When Jesus began his ministry and after a couple of times of preaching and praying for the people, He would turn aside and go and pray quietly. He had to restore His spiritual energy. Without that restoration, He knew He would run out of gas. When Jesus sent the disciples out 2 by 2, they were preaching and healing the people. As they returned, Jesus had them to withdraw from the crowds of people. They needed to be renewed and restored by God. But even as they were in boats, the crowds followed. When they reached shore, the crowd wasn’t as big, but Jesus went up into the mountains and taught. This is where He did the miracle of the loaves and fishes. Staying close to God is the key to restoration. This is what our Father has always wanted.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

Deliverance is part of the promises of God. It’s not a popular subject. To some it’s even scary. But God gave us dominion over this earth in Jesus name. God said our warfare isn’t fighting flesh and blood. Our warfare is against spiritual wickedness in high places. Facing the enemy is as natural as eating. When I was first saved, I was angry at the devil. He had led me by the nose for so many years. Now that I had the power to use against him and I was going to destroy him. I was casting out devils left and right. God let me go for about a month. Then He stopped me and asked what I was doing? I said I was casting out devils. God spoke to me and said, no you are still following the devil. Follow Me and when you come across a devil, then you cast him out. Jesus went about doing good. When a person possessed with a devil came before Him, then He cast it out. For whom the Son has set free, is free indeed.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

Jesus and the disciples crossed over the sea of Galilee. When they landed a person possessed by devils, came and bowed down and worshipped Jesus. They asked Him not to torment them. This area in Jordan was settled by Jews. There was a herd of 2000 pigs next to him. The devils asked to go into the pigs. Jesus said go. The herd ran violently down into the sea and drowned. The people there fled in fear. They told the men of the near by city what happened. When they came and met Jesus, the man possessed of the devils was clothed and in his right mind. They were afraid because they saw their sin. They asked Jesus to depart from them. The man who healed wanted to go with Jesus. But He said go back and tell everyone what God has done for you. Doing good as you walk through this world.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

Jesus spoke in parables, illustrating the word of God. But unless God gives you the understanding, you didn’t get it. Jesus explained the parables to the disciples. He wanted them to know the truth. It also was to confound the religious leaders listening to Him. Sometimes God gave them understanding and they hated Jesus for it. One parable was the sower of the seed. It’s an interesting parable. It’s talking about this world and our part in it. Jesus talked about what kind of person we are. It goes from the people who reject the gospel to those who complete God’s plan for there lives. In Mark chapter 4, you can read the parable and the explanation. And you can understand if you have ears to hear.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637@juno.com

What is a good name worth? In today’s world, a good name is more valuable than money. Why do you think people are trying to destroy other people’s integrity. The bible says, a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches. Jesus went about doing good. People responded to Him. So, the religious leaders tried to destroy His good name. They said He cast out devil by beelzebub, satan. Jesus said, if a house is divided against itself, that house can’t stand. Then He told the scribes and pharisees, if you blaspheme the Holy Spirit of God, there is no forgiveness and you are in danger of eternal damnation. They grumbled and walked off. Jesus didn’t stop and people believed. As they say your name is your bond. A good name is worth more than riches.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com