Paul didn’t have much time with the Thessalonians. It was only about month. So he was writing a letter to them. The trouble Paul had in Philippi caught up with him in Thessolonica. So he had to leave. He wrote in Thessalonians 3,4, about having tribulation. That they shouldn’t be amazed that they would recieve tribulation. It is part and parcel with Christianity. The world hated Jesus. They will hate us for believing. Paul wrote to comfort them to be able to stand. Walking in the unknown is scary. And having the assurance that this the right way, we will go forward. Paul also wrote to them about the dead in Christ. He assured them the they will rise first when Jesus returns. Paul not only wrote to the Thessalonians, he wrote to us. That we can have assurance the God is in control and keeping us. And that the dead in Christ will rise first. Jesus will return with the voice of the archangel and the trump of God. And we will be caught with Him in clouds. And so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Crain Blanchard.

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Paul was in Corinth, when he wrote to the Thessalonians. Paul had a vision of a man praying that he would come to Macedonia. Paul started in Philippi. After the church was established and he was run out of town, he went to Thessalonica. Paul spent about a month there before he was forced to leave. He was writing to the church to encourage them. While Paul was there, he didn’t ask for an offering. He said he did that so no one could have anything against him. He said like a nurse cares for children. Anyone who preaches the gospel also lives by the gospel. But the church at Philippi had brought an offering to him twice. It was important enough to remind them of it. Like most places Paul had been, he was forced out of Thessolonica. He headed to Athens from there. God doesn’t require more than what we have in our hands. If we have some money to give to the gospels sake, then give. If it is 2 pennies, like the widow at the temple or 2 turtle doves like Mary and Joseph, it is enough. It is the act of giving with a whole heart that God is interested in.

Crain Blanchard.

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In Colossians 4, Paul wrote final instructions to the church. Colossians is about fighting heresy. And how you do that is with the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul told masters don’t defraud their servants. Because you have a master in heaven. Also, to continue in prayer and thanksgiving. Paul wanted them to pray for him. I could also use some prayer for myself. He said to walk in wisdom, redeeming the time. And let your speech be seasoned with grace and salt, to give an answer to anyone that ask why you believe. Then Paul recommended several fellow workers in the gospel to their church. Remember this is the first century and no one could go to another church unless their pastor wrote a letter recommending them. Then Paul closes the letter with a salutation and prayer. Even though this letter was written over 2000 years ago, it still is relevant for us today. There heresy in the church today. Everything that deviates from the gospel of Jesus Christ is heresy. The truth is before us.

Crain Blanchard.

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In Colossians 3, Paul talks about being risen with Jesus and dead to this world. He says if we are dead to this world, then why do you even want to go back to sin. Knowing that God will judge the children of disobedience. Then Paul warns them about anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy and filthy communication. The things that come out of our heart. We are to put off the old man with his deeds. We are renewed in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. When it comes to sin, God doesn’t make any difference. For God is no respecter of persons. God says we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. This is the bond of perfection. And the peace of God will keep our hearts and minds. Paul goes on talking about how love will treat people, especially the family. Remember that Colossians in about correcting heresy. Which can creep in if we aren’t diligent about our faith. How to prevent this? Read the word of God, pray and do what the word says. It is in thought, word, and deed, this is how we have our being in Christ Jesus.

Crain Blanchard.

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Paul writing to the Colossians warns them about straying from the gospel. The letter was for the church at Colossae and Laodicea. When people become Christians, there is a pull to go back to what they had. Because walking in the unknown is scary. Paul warns the church about this. When you gave your life to Jesus, He renewed you back to the way you are supposed to be. If you go back to the sin of the past, it will destroy what God has done in you. In Colossians, Paul is showing us how to fight heresy. It is by telling the truth in love. The truth is the gospel of Jesus Christ. God loves everyone and wants them to come home.

Crain Blanchard.

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Paul was writing to the church at Colossae. He had never been there, but had heard of their faith in Jesus. The book of Colossians is about fighting heresy. We don’t fight against flesh and blood. We fight against spiritual wickedness in high places. How do we fight, with the word of God. We speak the truth in love. Remember the word of God is a two edged sword that cuts both ways. Paul reminded the Colossians who they were in Christ. Also, he told them who Jesus is and what God did for all mankind. You have to remember that our bible wasn’t printed until 1543 AD. They could only use the old testament as a reference. So, Paul wrote letters to each church to explain, encourage and exhort saints to stay on the path of righteousness. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. As God had planned, these letters became the new testament. What we are to learn or remember is who we were, what God has done for us and where we are going. Colossians 1.

Crain Blanchard.

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Over the Easter weekend was my third son’s wedding. It has been raining in south Louisiana for weeks. Cold front have been coming through back to back. It has been unusual. Last Tuesday a front came through. We were praying for good weather for the wedding. We went to set up at her father’s house in the country. He has a beautiful home nestled on 35 acres in a forest. It’s a beautiful place. Thursday it poured down at his house. Friday we went to set up and it rained again. But before we left the sun came out. The ceremony Saturday was simple and beautiful, underneath a spreading oak tree. They said their vows to each. At the reception, which was on the covered deck on the back of the house, they serve boiled crawfish and all the fixings. They had cake and other sweets. My son was nervous and the bride was beautiful. I’ve known her for a year and I love her dearly. As they say, they are a cute couple and will do well together. God blessed us with a wonderful daughter-in-law. God bless my family.

Crain Blanchard.

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Paul wrote to the Ephesians about family values. He wrote about how the husband and wife are to treat each other. Then how children are to obey their parents. God says to tell people the truth in love. It’s the only way people respond. If you condemn them, they won’t listen. The church at Ephesus was like any church. It had problems that needed to be corrected. Paul talked about correcting problems in the family first, then how to deal with the world. He also talked about not fighting people, because they weren’t the problem. The problem is always spiritual. And that is where we do battle. He said that we are to pray always, asking God to correct all the problems. In reading Ephesians, I can see the problems they had and what it did to them. In 40 years that church lost everything. And the center of Christianity moved to Alexandria, Egypt. Reading, listening and doing the word of God is the only way to guarantee your success as a Christian. Otherwise you will lose everything you think you have. Read the word of God and listen to the Holy Ghost and do the word of God.

Crain Blanchard.

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Paul in chapter 5 of Ephesians, talked about being and walking in the Holy Ghost. He said when you do you will prove what is the good and acceptable will of God. Jesus and His disciples had crossed the Jordan river to escape the people hunting Jesus. They got word that a dear friend Lazarus was sick and dying. Jesus waited 2 days before going to see about his friend. Lazarus had died. When Jesus and His disciples arrived in Bethany, Lazarus was dead 4 days. His sister Martha came to meet Jesus. She told Him that Lazarus was dead. Jesus said he will rise again. Martha said, I know in the resurrection. Jesus said, I am the resurrection and the life, he that believes in Me, though he were dead yet shall he live: and whosoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Believeth thou this? Jesus rose from the dead as He said. He is the resurrection and the life.

Crain Blanchard.

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What happened when Jesus died on the cross? We know that Joseph of Arimathea buried Jesus in a tomb he owned. They had to do it quickly because Passover was about to begin. Jesus lay in the grave 3 days. So what happened on the second day? The bible is very clear about this. Because Jesus had not risen from the dead, He descended into hades. Hades and hell were both located in the same place. But hades was reserved for the faithful in God. Hell is for sinners and devils. Jesus descended into hades and took the keys of death and hell away from the devil, then led captivity captured. Jesus brought the saints home to heaven. Then on the third day, God raised Jesus from the dead, to make Him Lord of lords and King of kings. Ephesians 4.

Crain Blanchard.

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