Everyone has heard that Jesus is our example. But what about our own example? Who are we example to? We look at Jesus and think it’s too hard to be like Him. And He never did anything that we couldn’t do. What has God commanded us to do? God said preach the gospel to the whole world, starting at home and going outward. John the Baptist, Jesus’s cousin, was prepared to be high priest of Israel. God had other plans for him. John learned the bible so he could preach the gospel. John was a prophet of God. He was chosen by God to introduce Jesus to the world. In other words to preach the gospel. His ministry was no different than ours. We are to do the work of the evangelist and preach the gospel to the world. As we tell people about the gospel, we introduce Jesus to the world.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

Mary, Jesus and the disciples were at a family wedding. It was the third day of the feast. For the host to run out of food or drink was a disgrace. Mary found out that they ran out of wine. She went to Jesus for help. Mary what Jesus was capable of. Although, Jesus had not really begun His ministry, Mary wanted Jesus to help the family. Jesus was obedient to His mother and answered the prayer. He had the servants fill the water pots with water. And draw out some water turned into wine and bring it to the governor of the feast. The governor went to the host and asked why he keep the good wine for last. This is how God works. You ask in prayer, He tells you to do something and then answers your prayer. Because obedience is better than sacrifice.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

Joseph and Mary decided to stay in Bethlehem after Jesus was born. They began their life again. Joseph was a skilled carpenter. His services were needed everywhere. God came to Joseph in a dream and told him to flee to Egypt. King Herod wanted to kill Jesus. When Joseph woke up, he pack up everything and left for Egypt with his family. They lived there until another angel told him it was safe to go home. When they returned Herod’s son was ruling in Jerusalem. Joseph and Mary decided to return to Nazareth. To fulfill the scripture that says, He will be called a Nazarene. God orchestrated everything. His plan for Jesus was no difference than the one for your life. Because Jesus is our example. When you think all hell has broken loose, God’s plan is working. Open your eyes and see the hand of God working in your life.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

No one sees the hand of God working until it’s over. But God is always working in this world. He is accomplishing His will on this earth. What is God’s will? It’s to preach the gospel to the entire world. Joseph and Mary were living in Nazareth. Mary was about nine months pregnant with Jesus, when Ceasar declare a tax on the whole world. Everyone had to go to the city of their birth to be taxed. Joseph and Mary wouldn’t have gone to Bethlehem otherwise. This pregnant woman rode a donkey for 10 days to get to Bethlehem. She came to full term there and gave birth to Jesus. There were no highways and rest stops with restrooms. They carried their food and clothes. Their life in Nazareth was disturbed for years. How would you like to try that? God was working along. He directed their steps even into Egypt and back. Those gifts from the wise men, were not only because Jesus was king, but to pay for the trip to Egypt. But God doesn’t do the same thing twice. And He is working in your life to get you home. Ask God to open your eyes to see His hand.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

Hope is a very strong emotion. It’s what drives us to go on. Without it, we wouldn’t get out of bed. I just saw a picture of a friend’s new grandson. And I saw the hope of the future. What that child could become and the joyful experiences we could go through. Without that hope, we would never accomplish our dreams. I have seen what hopelessness can do to a person. I have gone through it myself. It is a belief in something. Believing will determine who you are. Then the next step is doing what you believe. But it all starts with hope. The Apostle Paul was in Ephesus and found some disciples. He ask them if the had recieved the Holy Ghost since they believed. They said, we haven’t even heard that was a Holy Ghost. Hope is also seeing the truth.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

There is a plan for our lives. What it doesn’t mean that it always goes right or perfectly. We have a direction in which were supposed to go. But knowing the plan doesn’t mean that it’s going to be all peaches and cream. We learn the truth and began to walk in the way. We know that our lives are not perfect. And there are things that we need to do to clean up our lives. With God’s help we can walk in this way and clean up our lives. So why be surprised when things go awry. As they say the best laid plans of mice and men go awry. But we know that we have someone who is there to help us and to keep us in the way. Jesus has never lied to me and I’ve trusted him. He has directed my path and I have progressed in this life. As the bible says, all things work together for good to them that love God and are called according to His purpose.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

Of the things that man needs is provisions, like food, clothing and shelter. But there are many other things that are needed. A few are knowledge, understanding, practical applications and wisdom. One thing Jesus said was, man shall not live by bread alone. But it is agreed that we need provisions. God did say to Adam, by the sweat of your brow shall you eat. We can’t get out of working for a living. But God has provided for His children. Through Jesus, we can receive God’s blessing. God does provide not only food, clothing and shelter, but wisdom, protection, salvation and healing. And God said, seek His kingdom first and all these this shall be added. These are some of the provisions of God, The Lord my provider.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

It’s interesting how people perceive Jesus. Those who have met Him, worship Him. Those who haven’t curse Him. There isn’t a one soul on this earth that doesn’t know who He is. The devil knows who Jesus is. But Jesus is the only hope humanity has of surviving. I watch how far man will go not to surrender to God. And see the disasters that happen because of it. Man believes that he is right and God is wrong. Do you know how absurd that is? No matter what man believes, the only truth is, we are sinners separated from God. And there is no relief for our grief and misery except through Jesus Christ. People have to face God and see their sin, before accepting the awful truth. When ask for forgiveness and accept Jesus into our lives, that awful truth becomes a fond memory.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

Jesus taught on the mountain side for 3 days straight. People came and stayed the whole time. The disciples came and spoke to Jesus about the people needing food. They said they only had a little bit of food. 5 loaves and 2 fish to be precise. Jesus told them to have everyone sit down. He blessed the food and began dividing it. Jesus gave to the disciples to distribute to the people. Over 5000 ate their fill. And there was 12 baskets of bread left over. Our church did something similar last night. We didn’t feed 5000, but more like 500. We had our annual Thanks for Christmas Dinner, where we give a Christmas dinner to our city. People from all over came and had dinner and fellowship. Although, our church is small, we had more than enough food. And people saw and heard Christianity in action. I praise God for this opportunity He gives us to shine the light of Jesus in our city. Preach the gospel in Jerusalem first and then to the utter most parts of the world.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

There isn’t any scripture about Jesus growing up. But Jesus followed the law all his life. The bible is filled with how to train up a child. Joseph, Jesus’s earthly father, was an orthodox practicing jew. He followed the law like Jesus did. Jesus was bar mitzvah the year He went to Jerusalem with His parents for Passover. It means to become a man. He would have started working with His father as a carpenter. And He went to Jewish school to become a rabbi. He led a pretty normal home life. Which all lead to Him becoming a man. Jesus was subject to Mary and Joseph, so He would have a normal life. At the marriage feast in Cana, all Mary had to do was to speak to Jesus and He complied. Because He was a man under authority and grew up the way God wanted Him to. This is becoming a man.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com