When God brought the Israelites out of Egypt and to the mountain of God, He wanted to meet them and talk to them. But they saw the power of God and refused. So only Moses walked and talked to God. Jesus came teaching how we could walk and talk to Him. We know the prayer as the Lord’s Prayer. If you take each line and look at it. You find that it is no big secret to be able to walk and talk to God. God didn’t make it difficult for man to reach God. Jesus opened the door for us to be able to have a personal relationship with God. But you see it is up to us to develop that relationship. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added. Those who come to God must believe that He is and a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. So, we have to go to God first, to get close to God. Then you can walk and talk with God all the time. (Mattthew 6:9-13, Matthew 6:33, Hebrews 11:6).

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

Prayer is talking to God. So, how does prayer work? God said that we must seek Him, for God to come to us. Then is it just saying whatever comes to mind? If we find God what is the next step? God said that He will only listen to the prayer of repentance first. He will not listen to anything else. So, then we ask for forgiveness and that’s it? God said to seek Him and then the rest will be added to us. So, we ask for forgiveness and seek Him, then what? Then we ask according to His will and God will answer. What is the will of God? God’s will is salvation, healing, deliverance and prosperity. So, if we seek God, he will add all of heaven to us. Prayer isn’t just talking, it’s doing the word of God. So, I guess I have to read the bible to find out how I’m suppose to live on this earth. Effective prayer is a lifestyle. It’s walking and talking with God. Then you know your prayers are answered.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Jeremiah 31, Israel had been taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar. God was speaking to Jeremiah about Israel return to the promised land. What God was saying was double edged. Just like the two-edged sword that is the word of God, it cuts both ways. It says if they repent, God will give them back the land. But God made a new covenant with us. He said, He would write His laws and commandments on our hearts and minds. So, we would know who He is from birth. And God said, he would forgive our sins and remember them no more, repentance, forgiveness and assurance. God’s plan has been in affect for 1000’s of years. All God needed was someone to pay the price for mankind. And God found that person, 500 years later, Jesus Christ the righteous. All of this is in Jeremiah 31. Jesus came preaching using the old testament, for all the promises of God are there, long before the new testament was written.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

Not everyone knows who Elijah was. But everyone knows who Jezebel was. Her name is a by word for corruption and depravity. She was queen of Israel with her husband, Ahab. She led Israel to worship every devil god she could find. Elijah prayed and it didn’t rain for 31/2 years. They were hunting for Elijah. But God hid him. Finally God sent him back and met Ahab on Mount Carmel to prove who really was God. After God performed a miracle and proved who He was. Elijah prayed and it rain again. Elijah had the people of Israel kill all the prophets of ba’al. Jezebel got angry at Elijah and said I will do the same to you. Elijah ran from Jezebel after all these things happened. His faith failed until he reached the mountain of God and talked with God. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17) (1Kings 18,19) (James 5:17).

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

People have written volumes on the bible. Many knew what it took to be a Christian. It’s unfortunate that more people don’t understand their role in this world. I look at my life and see many things. I see times that I wanted to manipulate God. It didn’t happen and God loved me anyway. There are times that God worked miracles through my hands. When I was distressed, He was right there comforting me. God was at my wedding and when my children were born. And when they were sick. The bible says that jesus, annointed by the Holy Ghost and power, went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil.(Acts10:38). He lived His life and did what God planned for Him. And we, who are annointed by the Holy Ghost and power, need to be doing good and healing all that are oppressed of the devil. Christianity is living you life before God and doing what Jesus did on this earth. It’s not anymore complicated than that. Surrender your life to God and let Him fulfill His promise to you. Then people will look at you and know what Christianity really is.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 1&2, it is the story of Joseph, Mary and Jesus. The bible says that Joseph was just man. So, when he found his espoused wife pregnant, he had to make a choice. God explained the situation and Joseph had to choose. Thank God, he made the right decision. But he had a free will just like us. Joseph wasn’t any different than we are. Then he had to take Mary, when she was very pregnant, to Bethlehem for the taxation. There Jesus was born. Then the wise men came bearing gifts, proclaiming Jesus king of the Jews. When they left God told Joseph to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt and stay there until He told them otherwise. Then God told Joseph to go back to Israel. Herod’s son ruled in Jerusalem, he took his family to Nazareth. All this happened in the first 4 years of Jesus’s life. Joseph was an ordinary man like us. He had the choice to believe God or not. Thank God, he chose God. I was saved in a revival 40 years ago. The pastor told me that he was the 5th choice of God. 4 men before him didn’t choose God’s plan. 1000’s of people were saved in that revival. How many times have you refused God? What would happen if you had accepted God’s plan in your life? Just like Joseph, we have a choice.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

when Solomon became king of Israel, he asked for wisdom to to rule over God’s people. Then God gave him money and power. He understood that wisdom was the only thing the he needed, especially God’s wisdom. In the book of James, it says, if we lack wisdom we can ask of God and He will give it freely. But what does it cost? Did you ever try to explain the wisdom of the gospel to a person who doesn’t want to hear? There is no amount of wisdom that will convince a person who hasn’t come to the end of himself and needs help. The heart of man is deceitful wicked above everything. It is unfortunate that man will not listen until he is trapped and persecuted. So what is the real cost of wisdom? It is our life. Until we surrender our life for God’s, there is no wisdom in us. A fool runs to wickedness and it is an abomination to the Lord. This is the real cost.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In the bible, it talks about 2 messiahs. The first is the Son of Joseph and the second in the Son of David. The first is to bring peace and restore the jewish kingdom. The second brings order to the world and suffering. Jesus said, I didn’t come to bring peace, but a sword. King David ruled by the sword. The peace that they had was relative to their obedience. Joseph, the son of Israel, after 7 years of turmoil, restored peace to the world. These are the 2 types of messiah, Christ. We are living in the days of turmoil and ruled by the sword. But the Son of Joseph, will return and restore peace to the world. We stand here and look into eternity and see the kingdom of heaven coming to this earth. Where Jesus will reign and rule from Jerusalem for 1000 years. We believe and know this will happen. Because the Son of David came and suffered and died for us. God raised Him from the dead and made Him Lord of lords and King of kings. Now the Son of Joseph will come. Come Lord Jesus.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

Listening seems to be a lost art in this age of self promotion. Growing up I learned how to listen to people. It was always amazing at what I heard. People will talk about anything. If you just listen and hear what they are saying. They will tell you their life history. Usually, with in 10 minutes, people will let you know you they are. As a Christian, it’s very important for us to listen. We don’t have to speak words if we are living the life of Jesus. People will see and begin to ask questions. I find that the people who strongly object to the gospel, are the ones closest to becoming Christians. That is why the bible says, we are to be swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger. If we are truly died in Christ, anything hurtful that people say will just roll off our back. And we can smile and bless them. People want to know that what we believe is true. And they will test it, to make sure. So, we will be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger. (James 1:18-19).

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

When I first came to the Lord, I found out that I was a servant of God. And I was happy to be that. Then I found out that I was a son. I was ecstatic. The bible says that a son is the same as a servant until he grows up.(Gal. 4:1). Unfortunately, most people look for a church that has a reputation to go to. People look for a preacher that can speak well. Charles Finney, a preacher who lead a revival in the late 1800s, read his prepared sermons. 1000s of people came to the altar crying and begging God to save them. He made himself of no reputation. All God wants us to do is take the first step in faith and let Him do the rest. In this world of self promotion, where does that leave you? Jesus came as a man of no reputation and was obedient to God, even until death. (Phil.2:7-9). Jesus is our example. Once you die to self, God can use you to accomplish His will on this earth. The world is watching to see what you are going to do. So what is your next step? (Gal.2:20).

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com