Peter was among the first to be chosen by Jesus. Most people would look at Peter as a blue collar worker. But he owned his own business. He was in partnership with Zebedee, the father of John and James. After Jesus died, Peter pastored the church in Jerusalem. He was a man with a lot of common sense. But he had issues, he denied Jesus. He didn’t travel a lot. He went to Antioch to see what Paul was doing. But he stayed close to home until Paul was imprisoned. He had heard about the churches in Asia Minor being persecuted. So, he wrote to them to encourage them. Peter talked about the death and resurrection of Jesus. Then he talked about the fiery trials we go through. Then he talked about our salvation. The one that we have when we endure to the end. Peter wasn’t any different than we are. He believed and trusted Jesus with his life. It didn’t make him invincible. It made him a child of God.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

The bible uses many examples of courage and faithfulness. Paul used the example of the Roman soldier. A Roman soldier was trained for 5 years before he was put into battle. The Romans volunteered for duty in the army. When a soldier was trained, he could defend 6 feet of ground with his life. This is why the Roman’s were unstoppable. Paul talked about being a good soldier for Christ. When a Roman was at an outpost, he did his duty because he believed and trusted his training. We as Christians believe and trust Jesus and the word of God. Knowing that the word of God and the Holy Ghost will complete our training. The bible says, when we have done all, to stand, Stand therefore. Eph.6.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

No one wants to be corrected. Everyone believes they are doing the right thing. Bot God uses reproof and exhorting to correct our hearts. We hide deep in our hearts, things that we don’t want to see the light of day. But God knows they are there anyway. I worked at a Christian radio station years ago. One Saturday, I was on air and play a program from a church. The pastor was preaching hard. A little too hard for some people’s taste. I recieved a phone from an angry listener. This pastor has said something derogatory about his demonination. He called to complain. I began to talk to him. I said, blessed are they who aren’t offended in me, Jesus. I began to explain why the pastor was on the air. He was an exhortor. It was his job from God to get people riled up, so God could deal with them. I told him, it was because he was angry. That was the problem not the pastor. As I explained the gospel, he understood and I prayed with him. Exhortation and reproof are a valid ministry in the kingdom. You won’t win friends and influence people often. But God can bring about good results for our work in the kingdom.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

You get up and shower and shave. Then you have your coffee. If you have time,you sit and reflect on the day ahead. You get dressed and pack everything needed for the day. Then you open the front door and think did I forget something. And your off to work. Is this all? What does your life depend on? Is it coffee or your car? Is it your wardrobe? And of course matching shoes? As I drove into work, I began to think about what is important in my life. Everything I have didn’t seem so important as my relationship with God. I write blogs everyday. But without the wisdom and understanding that the Holy Spirit gives me, I am nothing. I can’t write coherently. I want to be in Jesus’s presence more than life itself. What does my life depend on? Jesus.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

Many people have different ideas. Before Jesus died, He preached that the kingdom of God was at hand. After Jesus’s death and resurrection, He said it is here. So what is it? Jesus spoke a parable about the kingdom. He said, it is like a mustard seed that is sown in the ground. And it grows big and the birds of the air come and find rest. The seed is sown in our heart and will grow big if allowed. Then the fruit isn’t for the plant, it’s for the master. Then the plant is for other people to find rest in. Never once did Jesus say it was for me, myself or I. We are part of the kingdom to serve God and fulfill not only God’s plan for us but for the people around us. The bible says that we were bought with price and we aren’t our own. But we are God’s children.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

After 2000 years, is Jesus coming back? The world is going to hell in a handbasket. Everything is turning dark. So, when is He coming? Paul wrote to the Colossians encouraging them to take heart. They were suffering heavy persecution. He told them to remember who they were and how God had brought though. He told them he couldn’t come at this time because he was in prison. Paul said remember how Jesus saved them out of that hell. He gave them faith and understanding. He said Jesus had circumcised their hearts. Their hearts were clean to serve God. And they are buried with Christ and are risen through faith. Being dead to sin you serve God with a pure heart. We know in our hearts that Jesus is returning and we can face this world, through faith in God. Remember what God has done for you and rejoice. Jesus is returning soon.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

I feel fine. I feel like a cold is coming on. I feel like dying. I feel, I feel, I feel. Feelings aren’t real. It is a temporary state of mind. It comes and goes. Reality isn’t shaped by feelings. It’s shape or formed by faith. What you believe becomes real in your life. Because as you believe so are you. It’s funny how many people trust in feelings. But their life isn’t what they want. We have a free will and decide what we are going to do. And you can’t blame anybody else for what you decide to do. Whether you are a Christian or not. You choice comes from your heart and not your feelings. It is fun to have good feelings, but like I said they are temporary and don’t last any time. So, you can feel good one moment and feel bad the next. Remember your heart rules. So make good choices with your life. And there is help in Jesus for any problems you run across. Now, I feel better.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In proverbs, Solomon wrote that a kind word turns away anger. But angry words stirs up trouble. If you wonder why people get angry when you speak, listen to what you are saying. I’m not suggesting that all you say is wrong. But speaking in anger never solves anything. Even if you are right. Solomon wrote a lot of proverbs about speaking and closing your mouth. He said a wise man knows when to keep his mouth shut. He also said a fool will not listen, no matter what you say. Both old and new testament say, don’t cast you perils before swine. It’s learning to keep your mouth shut. Now the only person who can control you tongue is the Holy Ghost. Our teacher that resides in every Christian. Now it is letting Him have His way in our lives. Then nothing comes out of your mouth that you will regret for years to come. Today, have a kind word for someone new. Open a door or hold the elevator door and pass on kindness.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

I was doing physical therapy for my inner ears today. If I close my eyes, I have difficulty maintaining my balance. It is because through my eyes, I perceive time and space. As I thought about it, I realized that the moon missions were about time and space. Man has solved enough of the problem to put a man on the moon. But venturing farther out into space, may take a few more years. Then I thought about how time and space started. God reminded me of Genesis ch.1. God created the heavens and the earth, space. Then He created night and day for signs and seasons and for days and years, time. God put this into motion to help man live his life. So, in the beginning God created. God created man last of all. As the bible says, the first shall be last and the last first.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

We have been talking about loving one another for the past two days. Now let’s talk about the love of God. How much does God love us? Does God love our sinful nature? No. God is righteous and turns from sin. Is it only because we are created by Him? No. But God had to do something to get us back from that sinful nature. God gave us His word to follow but that didn’t work. God destroyed mankind and started again. But that didn’t work. God chose a people to be the light of the world. But that didn’t work. Finally, God sent His son to be our example and to die for our sins. Now that is the plan that does work. As the bible says, I am crucified with Christ. This is the only way man can go back to heaven, if we die to ourselves. Why, because Jesus is our example of how to live and He did this because He loves us with His whole heart. (Galatians 2).

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com