Don’t have a blog today. I’m moving into new home and everything has caught up to me. I pray that you have a blessed day. For this is the day theLord has made, and I will rejoice and be glad in it.
Author Archives: joseph1637
What is your rightful place in this Universe?
It isn’t an unusual question. Actually, it is the correct question to ask any person. We aren’t just some random DNA that came together. The theory of evolution, and I do mean theory, an unproven scientific conjecture, says that we were caused or came into existence by chance. It is the stupidest theory that man has come up with yet. It is all because man wants to prove that there is no God. And that, he, man is actually God. You talk about the blind leading the blind. We were specifically and wonderfully made by God. Who loves us enough to make a life for us and a way to come home. God has a plan for each of us. What we have to do is to find God and what that plan is. You know God didn’t make finding Him to hard. God knew He was dealing with man and his limited understanding and knowledge. As smart as man claims to be, that is how much he doesn’t know. Usually, you can double or triple the unknown for man. But God, in His mercy, provided a way for us to come home. But what is really sad is that the majority of people will not choose God. They will go their own way and fail to find their rightful place in the universe. It all starts with seeking God and His kingdom. Then God will reveal Himself to you and show you. God has shown you, O man, what is good; and what the LORD requires of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.
Your Eyes are never full of Seeing
It is true, we are always looking at things. We love to look at sunsets, landscapes, wild animals, clouds or anything that capture our imagination. Things of beauty are especially satisfying to us. And of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Consider the lilies of the fields, how they are clothed with beauty beyond what any man can do. My favorite flower is the amaryllis. It only blooms once a year, but they are spectacular when they do. I look forward each year to see this bloom. Then there is a beauty that you can see without your eyes. And we are always looking for this beauty. It is called the eyes of your heart. You didn’t know that your heart had eyes. They do. And most of the time, your heart sees clearer than your physical eyes. Because your heart sees the truth through everything. It is funny how that it works so well. Now, your heart can be blocked with pain, grief or despair. But usually, if your heart is clouded with pain, it is looking even harder than normal. Your physical eyes can be deceived and sometimes aren’t to be trusted. Our eyes see reflections, not the real object. But our heart always sees the truth, even when we don’t want to see it. Our children see what is real and can cut through to the truth. They aren’t weighted down by the troubles of this world. Or should I say, the pain of reality. But God gave us this sight for a real reason. We can see clear the truth about Him. You see, our eyes aren’t full yet of seeing the truth, God Himself.
No Show or Parade
Prayer isn’t for show. It isn’t something that openly parade in front of people. The first time I prayed for someone, I was cornered and asked to pray for a person’s healing. I didn’t really know what to say. So, I just said, God do something. Guess what, He did. I didn’t make a pretense of praying or shout or cry. I just spoke to God and ask Him to do something. He heard me, because He was listening to me. Prayer isn’t for everyone to hear. It is talking to God on a one to one basis. The first step is to believe that He is. You can’t reach God without faith. Hope is the start of your journey. It has to turn into faith to reach God. Once you believe, then you can receive from God. The other part of that scripture says, that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. The reward is the answer to pray. It is as it says in the Lord’s prayer, that we are asking God to bring His will to this earth. God does the work and gives us the reward. When we pray, we must forgive anyone their transgressions. Because unforgiveness will block any pray to God. This is the beginning of our prayer life. There is much more than that.
Fervent Prayer
Everybody want to be effectual in their prayers. We all want our prayers to be answered. But there are requirements for our prayers to become effectual. So how do we become effectual? I have heard all kinds of prayer. Some were loud and boisterous. Some were quiet and low. But what I have found is that none of that is required. You don’t even have to say a word out loud to be heard by God. God is all-knowing. That means He knows everything that is said or done in advance. Not to chase a rabbit, but God will get us to pray so that He will perform a miracle in our life or someone else’s, then give us the reward for praying. God isn’t looking for you to put on a show. When you pray, it become personal and private. This is where you talk to God about a situation. He never made it complicated to talk to Him. It is man trying to control the situation that makes it complicated. Now, how do you know that God will hear you? One thing is the He doesn’t listen to anyone that isn’t one of His children. The only prayer that God will listen to from a non-believer is the prayer of salvation. So, you must be a believer for God to listen to your prayers. This is the starting point with any Christian. You must believe that He is and a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
The World
Is it time to sing a dirge? The world has changed. When man began with God, he had dominion over this earth. We could command the rain or a storm to stop. Things would grow at our command. Adam named all the animals, fish and birds. They would do what he said. Man would walk with God in the cool of the evening. Adam and Eve sinned against God and lost all rights and privileges to the earth. God casted them from the Garden of Eden. Man had to struggle for his existence. God said by the sweat of his brow shall he eat. Nothing grew except by man’s labor. But God didn’t give up on man. God offered a new covenant. Man accepted for a while but decided that the sewers were better. God kept coming back and trying to bring man back into the fold. There have been 5 covenants so far. The last one was the most important one yet. This is the covenant God made with the death and resurrection of Jesus. This was the fulfillment of the covenant with Abraham. And it is the last covenant that God is going to make with man. The bible always says that there is a point that God will walk away. We have to go a very long way to reach that point. But I’ll tell you a truth there is a point of no return and it is reachable. Is it time to sing a dirge yet?
Making Mistakes
When I first started walking with God, I had no responsibility in the kingdom except for myself. It was relatively easy to live up to expectations. God loved me and was protecting me from harm. I learned what God wanted me to do in this life and developed my skills in the kingdom. I began to read the bible like I had never done before. I had a bible at home, one in my car and one on my desk at work. I read everywhere I went. I was catching up for lost time. My mind is quick and I learn fast. I don’t remember everything, but just about. I could quote scriptures at any given time. The word of God became part of my life. As I learned I became more confident in my abilities that God gave me. I wanted to do what God was showing me. But the one thing that I didn’t want to do was make serious mistakes that would harm people. God had to walk me through this mine field. You can’t accomplish anything unless you get out there and do something. Doing something is always a risky business. God said He would lead me in the paths of righteousness for His namesake. Not everybody is going to like what you do. Some will even get belligerent about it. God showed me to keep on walking no matter what. I have spoken to people about serious matters. Things that they needed to do in their lives. Very few times has it blown up in my face. But it has happened. I asked God to forgive me and correct the situation. And He has. To where I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ and not afraid of sharing it. I have seen God do miracles in people’s lives. I have had people to return to me and say how much I help them through difficult times. God says learn of Me, for My yoke is easy and My burden is light. I don’t fear mistakes anymore. I have learned where to go for help in the time of need.
Believability
It is having the ability to believe in someone or something. As I have been keeping track of current events, I have noticed a shift in attitudes toward people. There has been an attack on believability. People have been making a pretense of telling the truth. Then turning around and calling everyone a liar. One event comes to mind of Dan Rather and the CBS evening news. All you have to do is follow the presidential race and the media says Republicans bad and Democrats good. There is very little news coverage that is worth wasting my time listening to. But you have to remember that anyone isn’t all bad or all good. There is a happy medium in there, somewhere. I want to be an optimist about our future. But I can’t find anything that man is doing that is righteous. When Paul traveled the world teaching about Jesus, he always encountered people who agreed and disagreed. It seemed that the people that disagreed were more vocal than the others. That is why they stoned him, imprisoned him and chased him out of every major city. Because he really spoke the truth which most people don’t want to hear? It hasn’t changed much in 2000 years. Man is still the same. He would rather believe a lie than have to deal with the truth. Believing takes faith and hope. If those parts are not there, there isn’t much believing going on. It takes faith that what is being said is true and will help you. The hope is wanting to change and be different or better than before. God says that if you want a person to change, you have to tell him the truth. Because with the truth, God can deal with the person.
Willingness
When I began to walk with the Lord. I didn’t know whether or not I could do what I saw and read. I would hear stories of Christians that had gone before me. They changed their world. Some loss their lives doing it. It always seemed so out of my reach to live the life God calls us to. I wanted to live that life but I didn’t know how I was going to do it. One day I was headed home. I was stopped by a train. There a lot of cars waiting for the train to pass. The Lord spoke to me and said, get out of your car and go and tell everyone that I love them. I broke down crying. I said I could not do it. The hand of God came off of me that fast. He would not speak to me. I cried all the way home. Finally after a while, God speak to me and said, I want you to be willing to follow me. I will do the rest. That was thirty five years ago. With a willing heart the whole world can be turned upside down. Be willing to follow God and your world will change.
Principle of Diminishing Returns
It states that at some point in time, everything will produce less and less return for its value. It is a principle that applies to economics. Unfortunately, it also applies to people. The effort you put into another person will produce less and less return. Or as the saying goes, no bang for the buck. It is a cynical attitude applied to people. And I must say a very common one. Where people are only interested in people who can help them and not in helping people who need help. Giving is a fundamental aspect of human life. When you give without expecting a return, it satisfies a basic need in our soul. In the south, we call it hospitality. It is extended to every person no matter who they are. I will open doors or help someone in need, no matter what. It doesn’t take a great effort, but produces a great result. The principle works in reverse, with a little effort, it has ripple effect upon humanity. My efforts aren’t earth shattering, but produce a lasting effect. And that is what is about. You know people like that. They have a great testimony and people remember them. And with the remembrance, your efforts are multiplied. As the saying goes, do unto others as you would have them do to you.
Joseph1637/Crain Blanchard 