The Promise. We have promised things before, and have or haven’t kept those promises. We know that the promise is only as good as the person. Some will keep them and some just promise to get their way. When Adam and Eve sinned, God promised them a redeemer. 4000 years later, Jesus was born. But in the mean time, God was with man, encouraged and helped them. Until His redeemer came. Jesus fulfilled the promise God gave to man. Now the promise is unto you. Whether you choose to accept the promise or not is your choice. It’s life itself. How long will you remain dead in your sins? Choose life. All that God promised is before you. And all you have do is to ask God for forgiveness.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

Crucified. A word that meant a horrible death in Roman times. But it has come to mean something different amongst Christians. It still means death, but to oneself. Why was Jesus crucified? There are several reasons why. Jesus died to pay for our sins. But Jesus has always been our example, on how to live and walk in this world. His crucifixion was an example to us. As Jesus, in the garden of gethsemane, accepted God’s will in His life. So, we are to follow Jesus in accepting God’s will in our life. Which means crucifixion. Dying to oneself is the prerequisite to salvation. As you pray and ask Jesus into your heart, you give Him your life. Crucifixion is the Reality of Christianity.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

Decisions. It’s the time of year to make decisions. What resolutions am I going to make? How long do resolutions last? But decisions have to be made. I know I gained weight. I need to decide what to do. Jesus and his disciples had finished the passover supper. They were headed to the garden of gethsemane. Jesus had to make a decision, whether or not to accept God’s will. When He did, the soldiers led Him away to be crucified. Peter followed and had to make a decision to be identified as a follower of Jesus. It is the same decision we have to make every day. What will you do? Will you walk away crying? Decisions are the Reality of Christianity.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

Vigilant. God gave us a free will. We can do whatever we want. As a follower, we are instructed by the bible on which way to go. If we don’t read the bible to find out for ourselves what God has said, we can be decieved. But as we read and learn the ways of God, we are without excuse. God is very specific about what He wants us to do. You can never learn too much about God. So, as we read the bible, we begin to work in the kingdom. This is to fulfill God’s will on this earth. As we work in the kingdom, God’s plan for us is revealed. God said the the harvest is plentious. But there are few laborers. So, watch therefore and pray always. This is the Reality of Christianity.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

Without Spot or Blemish. In God’s economy starting with Adam and Eve, the shedding of blood was required. In every covenant there was always the shedding of blood. This practice was performed in the temple. The leaders would find a lamb without spot or blemish. It took 3 days to examine the sacrifice. Then the blood was poured on top of the Ark of the Covenant. So when God looked down, He would see the shed blood, not the sin. Jesus was examined by the leaders in the temple for 3 days. Without spot or blemish, He was sacrificed. His blood was shed for our sin. Jesus said, I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father, but my Me. This is the Reality of Christianity.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

Followers. Every creature that God has made has a free will. This makes us the image and likeness of God. God gave the angels a free will. But if they sin, there is no redemption for them. When God made us, He gave us a free will, then provided for a redeemer. What God wants is for us to follow Him freely. Because this glorifies God. When Jesus came to earth, He called many to follow. Some did and some didn’t. Man doesn’t have the power or discipline to lead. God knows which way is right and will lead us home. This is where we have to surrender our will and follow. It doesn’t matter how much knowledge or power or money we have. All that matters is that we surrender our will and follow God home. He is the only one who knows the way home. This is the Reality of Christianity.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com.

Being prepared. As Jesus talked about the kingdom of God, He told the people that you can’t see the kingdom with your eyes. He said as the lightning strikes and lights the sky, so will His returning be. It will come upon man suddenly. Jesus said prepare yourselves against that day. He said his followers will know Him. Because we will look like Him. How we prepare ourselves is by seeking the kingdom and His righteousness. As we learn from and about God, we will know Him. And the only way of entering into heaven is by knowing Jesus and Him crucified. This is the Reality of Christianity.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

Obedience. Growing up, we were taught to obey our parents. It was the first lesson in obedience. Some learned, some didn’t. As I grew, I had trouble obeying. It affected everything I did. We wanted to be adults, but I learned that without obedience my life would never be right. When I came to the Lord, I had a hard time obeying. I had to learn obedience. I still want to disobey. This is why I must die daily. I will follow God in love and obedience. After doing all, Jesus said in Luke 17, call yourself an unprofitable servant. Not thinking of yourself more highly than you ought. Obedience is the Reality of Christianity.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

Assurance. There are many places were we don’t belong. It’s not because we can’t go there. But that we aren’t wanted. This isn’t a particularly phenomena to Christianity. It happens to everyone. God said we are a peculiar people. We are different from the world. And if the world hated Jesus, how much more will they hate us, His children. But we have Assurance. That God loves us and can go home. Home calls to us. As Christians, we don’t belong here on earth. We are just walking through. We are here to show how people can come to God. Then when we are finished, we go home. Until that time, we have the Assurance of God. This is the Reality of Christianity.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

The Lord’s Day. On the 7th day, God rested from all His works. He declared it a holy day, that no man should work. Also in Israel, the 7th year was a year to let the earth rest from farming. When God made the sun and moon, He said the sun would rule the day and the moon night. The church in the 1st century, meet on Sunday to avoid conflicts with the Jews. We have kept it ever since. The bible also talks about the Day of the Lord. This is when Jesus will return to reign and rule on earth. It also refers to the judgement day. In 2 Corinthians, the bible says, now is th time, this is the day of salvation. This day is very important to God. Why, because gives us this day. He guarantees us now, this time, this day. This is the day the Lord has made and I will rejoice and glad in it. This day is the reality of Christianity.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com