Jesus knew what man was like. When He came to earth, He understood how deceitful man was and came to help him change into what God intended man to be from the beginning. God understands how and what we think. There is nothing hid from Him. God also expects man to follow His rules. We can’t go to God in our own strength. There is a certain way that we must approach God. The Israelites were afraid to face God, because they knew they would die. It has not changed. If we face God, we will die, whether if it is to ourselves or physically, is up to us. Pray isn’t something to get us out of trouble. Pray is communication with God. It is the fellowship God planned from the beginning. How you approach God is up to you. But if your heart isn’t right, don’t expect that God will answer your prayer. God’s will is to love and fellowship with us. He will always love us, but not always fellowship with us. Just as man will beseech other man, God will beseech, earnestly request, us to follow Him (Revelation 22:17). The Bible says that we must believe that God is and is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). The prophet Daniel, before he was in the lion’s den, understood that God was his only refuge, and it makes no difference what man can do to you. You stand with God and He will answer and deliver you. So Daniel prayed. Let me know how effective your prayer is?

Crain Blanchard.

www.joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

When I began I would say all sorts of things. I’d speak in a deep voice or use my hands to express myself. I’d quote scripture because I thought God wanted to hear all that stuff. I laugh sometimes when I remember hearing preachers pray with a big blustery voice. As if God would be impressed with that. I found a secret that most people just pass by in the bible. Prayer is talking to God. I speak in English unless I am praying in the Spirit. I’ll talk about that later. If you speak French or German, use that language to speak to God. When I first seriously asked God to heal someone, all I said was Ok God do something. And guess what He did. You can talk to God about anything. It doesn’t have to be about something serious. I’d talk to God about going shopping with me. Or I’d ask Him what He wanted. Or how He feels today. Talking to God is getting to know Him. And that is what God has wanted all along. First you must believe that God is, and a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. When you believe that He is there and listening, talk to Him and ask Him about anything. Do not be surprised if he answers you. Most people hear God perfectly. They are always surprised that that was the voice of God. If you a waiting for the megaphones to boom in your ears, sorry. God doesn’t use a big voice or stick. He sometimes uses lightning to get my attention. His voice is a still small voice that comes from the depths of your heart. It is peaceable, not confusing, and guilt free. When I started God used the scriptures to talk to me. So I wouldn’t be confused. Begin to pray and let God answer you. Let me know what you hear.

Crain Blanchard.

http://www.joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

There are many kinds of prayer. God wrote about it from Genesis to Revelations. It depends on the circumstance as to what kind of prayer to use to speak to God. As Paul worked his way through Asia Minor, He left Timothy to be the first pastor of Ephesus. Paul wrote back to Timothy to encourage and teach him. Paul said “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;” So there are supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks to God. This is talking to God. Paul was trying to get Timothy to pray this way and teach the church to do the same. There are different types for different situations. I ask God about scriptures all the time. One day I was helping a friend move and I stopped to talk to God. I was sitting at the dining room table by myself. Their girls came in and asked what I was doing. I told them I had asked God a question and was waiting for the answer. The next question was you talk to God. I said yes and He answers. They looked at me like I came from Pluto. I told them that they hear from God also. I explained to them how and they began talking to God. Their lives turned around. God help them to accomplish what He had for them in life. Talking to God does make a big difference in anyone’s life. Begin to talk to God about anything. And watch what happens to you. Let me know what happens.

Crain Blanchard.

http://www.joseph1637@juno.com

joseph1637.com

We look at change as something different or difficult. Like most people, we really don’t care for change in our lives. I know people older than I am who think change is going to kill them. But the only thing that is constant in this world is change. We start as a baby and grow into adulthood. We learn as we grow what to do in this life. It is not by chance that soldiers are 18 to 35 years old. This is the apex of being able to change instantly. As we grow older, our ability to change is affected by our knowledge. I learned long ago that I am a student all my life. Which means that I learn as I grow. I have not reached the pinnacle of my knowledge. There are more things to learn and do in my life. God gave me an inquisitive mind. I learn and grow as I make the new knowledge part of my life. This is change. As the Bible says, there is nothing new under the sun. What was before shall be again. Which means that if we don’t learn from our mistakes, we are doomed to repeat them. Therefore there are so many wars. Change is inevitable. If you refuse to change, the world will leave you behind. Not every change is good. We have to pick and choose which one is for us. Ever since my days as a music director for a Christian radio station, I have liked and listen to Adult Contemporary Christian music. I like today’s Christian  music. The same music the young people listen to. I was saved in the middle of the birth of rock and roll. So, I was spared a lot of noise. God gives us a choice, to choose Him or not. This is change for the better. Learn and see what God has to offer. Embrace change with the knowledge of God.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com