In Romans 8:1-2, it says that because we are believers that we are free from the law of sin and death. I have heard many people say because of that the Old Testament is not relevant for today. The Old Testament is and will always be our school master. It taught us that we were separated from God and were dead in our sins. Now that we are forgiven by God through Jesus Christ, we have nothing to be concerned about the Old Testament. There is an exception. If we sin, we fall back under the law of sin and death. Do you know the penalty of the law for sin? The Bible says the penalty for sin is an eye for an eye, a tooth for tooth and a life for a life. If we sin, we fall back under the law. God said that the Word of God will not change under all things are fulfilled. That means the Word of God keep working in our lives under the end of the age. That is when Jesus returns to reign and rule over the earth. But the Bible says that we as children of God we have the opportunity to ask for forgiveness and God will do so. Just because we are believers does not mean that we are not subject to the law of sin and death. It says very plainly, when we were forgiven, we were set free from the law of sin and death. Being set free and falling under the law again because of sin, is two different things. That is why God says to sin not. But we as believers have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

            And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all. Luke 6:19.

            Jesus went about doing good and healing all that ask. It is a particularly important part of being a believer. God set up ways for the Israelites to stay as clean as possible to keep diseases away. If you read the laws about cleanliness, you see that the old saying cleanliness is next to godliness is very scriptural. God has the Israelites to bath as often as possible. He had them to wash their clothes, their dishes and their houses often. With the Covid pandemic, the number one precautionary measure is to wash your hands and wear a mask. It is scriptural and it works. God knew that with all the diseases in the world, precaution is the best remedy. But diseases came into this world because of sin. And people are affected with diseases even thought they may not be sinners. In Jesus’ day, there were no physicians that could heal. When Jesus began to heal people, the word spread. People came from all over to be healed. Jesus didn’t turn away anyone. Have you noticed that if people know you have a relationship with God and He answers your prayers, they will come to you and ask for healing. This is because healing is the children’s bread. It is how God uses us to reach people. A scripture says, if you want healing, pray for others. As the healing virtue flows through you, you will be healed. So, it is time for us to pray for people. As the bible says consistently for people’s needs. It may seem overwhelming, but it is God that heals not us. So, pray for all that need help and God will show Himself mighty.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Hebrews 11:1, it says that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. You can’t hold faith in your hands, but you can see the results of it. People hope for many things. They hope their life will turn out right. They hope their children will be successful. But where faith begins to develop is when we see it happening. Hebrews chapter 11 is about faith. There were so many people before Jesus that just believed God. And God counted their faith as righteousness. Which means that God accepted them into HIs family. Christians in the first century were persecuted by the Romans. Many were brought to the arena in Rome to be executed. As they were dying in the arena, they would begin to sing praises to God. People saw their faith in God and many would jump in the arena to die with them. The Romans had to stop executing the Christians because too many people were joining them. This is how faith works. You hope, then you see the results and believe. No one on this earth, except Jesus, is perfect. We will become perfect when we reach heaven. What God wants from us is faith and trust. When we believe we become part of the God’s family. This is the message. It is as simple as that. What God expects is faith in Him. And all along the way, we will see miracles, healings, deliverance, mountains moved and everything that God has. Because by faith we receive from God.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

I’m listening to Joseph1637 | Godly Grief on Podbean, check it out! https://www.podbean.com/ea/pb-3wpgn-1097df3

God has given each of us something to do. And it is up to us to fulfill that dream. As a small child, I always wanted to write, either books or articles. I didn’t know how to accomplish that dream and plainly forgot about it. But in my heart, it was always there. My heart was speaking to me all those years. But what I didn’t know it was God who was speaking to me. It was and has been His plan for me all of my life. I have written 5 books that I didn’t publish. It was a passion for me. Sometimes it took me several years to research the book. I did it as a hobby. Then God spoke to me to begin writing a blog about Christianity. The blog is about what I have learned about God and how it applies to my life. Now I have written a book about my experience with the Lord. It is about to be published. I am writing a second book. Hopefully, it will be published after this one. Then I will write a few children’s book in French and English. Then in Spanish and English. This is the something to do that God has given me. My wordcraft has improved dramatically. My syntax is old English because I have used the King James Version Bible all my life. I like the way the sentences are structured. It doesn’t always comply with the standard American English. But I don’t care. I am individual as they come. God made me this way and I am going to be the best I can be as God made me. It is because God has given each of us something to do.

Crain Blanchard.

Joesph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

We look at our lives and say that we will live forever. The statement is partially true. Our flesh is finite and will die. But our spirit will live forever. God made us of three parts, body, soul and spirit. Our body is made of this cursed earth and will perish. Our soul is the life of God that joins our body to our spirit. Our spirit is who we are, our mind, will and intellect. This part of us will live forever. We are spiritual beings. We live our lives as best we can, all the while hoping that we will live forever. This world is not our home. Our home is heaven. We are just walking through the world. God knew what He was doing when He made man. Still the death of family member or friend is still a tragedy in our lives. Today a friend of some 40 years and mentor passed away. He had been suffering from cancer for at lest 2 years. He pastored a church of which I am a part of. His family has been around him all this time. It is like I lost my father. I loved this man. Melvin was always kind to me. He raised crops and would share them with me. I know that death is a part of life, but that does not seem to console me. I wanted to write about him so that people would know what God did in this man. His name is Melvin Finley and he is home with Jesus.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

Even an uncut diamond has multiple facets. When the stone is cut it glistens in the sun. Its multiple facets draw the eye in. Even when the stone is cut in the same pattern, it is never the same. Its color and clarity is always different. That is what makes a diamond so unique. When we look at a person and see the different jobs they can do, we say they wear many hats. We start out in life with one objective, to eat and sleep. People are fascinated when we began to talk. It was better than sliced bread. As we grew, our job description change over the years. We start school and our parents thought we were the smartest kid around. One grandson is in the second grade, a friend of his said something he did not like, and he popped her in the nose. Learning conflict resolution is an ongoing situation. Then we learned social interaction, being able to talk to people comfortably. Then we learned to work, play, drive a car, manage our money, marry, and have children. As we grow, our skills levels development and we are honed into a smooth running diamond. We have all seen what happens to a person who refuses to be honed and sharpened. Normally, we call that person a wild man. Their life is in disarray. Nothing works right. And until they are willing to surrender, they are not going to change and become a wasted life. There is no hope for them in their present life. We were all that wild man, until we choose to live a decent life. God draws man with His loving kindness and when we accept God begins to work on that diamond. And we are transformed into that beautiful cut diamond that people look at. There is only one way and that is Jesus. And we can become a multiple facets person.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

I wrote this to a person who was having a hard time believing. As I read it, I saw the hand of God in it. So, I wanted to share this with all those who are struggling this morning with their faith in God. You know, right before the dawn the sky is the darkest. It’s a strange phenomenon. But in our lives it is the same. God made it this way, to see what we believe. God says His mercy is new every day. And mercy triumphs over judgement. The dawn is coming and we need to believe and trust God that He knows what He is doing. There are a lot of people praying for you. Now is the time for you to stand. Reach out to believing friends and invite them over for coffee. Have a bible study in your home. In Philippians 4:8, it says to think on these things, whatsoever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report. Then we aren’t concerned with the world around us. So, be blessed in the doing and let God have His way, in Jesus name.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

            As we were growing up, we stretched our boundaries to see what we could do. Our parents were there to help us make decisions. They were there also to stop us from going to far. There are boundaries that we cannot cross without doing damage to ourselves. I was a teenager in the 1960s. Life changed in America. Everyone was convinced that they did not need God and His controlling laws. The 1960s become the generation of free sex. Then all the sexually transmitted diseases followed. Then in 1973, the supreme court voted to approved abortion. Do you know that this is the practice of worship to the god Moloch. This is idolatry and murder. It is curse on this nation and God will repay. Boundaries are there for a reason to prevent us from falling into a trap that we cannot get out of. This pit of sin that we cannot get out of leads to hell. There is only one person that can get us out of the pit of sin, that is Jesus the Christ. He was the only one that could pay the price for our forgiveness and redemption. Jesus paid that price because He loves us unconditionally. God raised Him from the dead to make Jesus the King of kings and Lord of lords. God’s boundaries are for our good. They protect us from the ravages of sin. Remember that God loves us unconditionally and wants the best for us. But we have to choose Him and live the life He has for us. Then we are safe in His boundaries.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com