In Matthew 7:7-12, if you are in need ask, or seek or knock on the door. If you do seek God and ask, He will answer you. Faith is a belief system. So, is doubt. It is just the opposite of faith. And can be as strong as faith. Doubt is the lack of hope. This is where fear comes in. Where faith is having hope in your life. And though you can be fearful, you still will press forward because of hope. Only God gives us hope. Then we can have faith in what He says and does. The word of God is a two-edged sword. He says it cuts both ways. Even to the dividing of both the life of God(soul) and our spirit. Which means it can kill. If you separate the life of God from our spirit, our body will die.(Rom.6:23). So, we are to seek God and ask for our needs. In the seeking, we will come alive and build our relationship with God. The word of God is complete, from Genesis to Revelations.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

How good are you at judging people? We learn from our youth how to judge people. Whether or not they are good or evil. I learned how to let people tell me who they are by listening to them. Within 10 minutes, people will tell you who they are. Then I’ll know who they are. Then I’ll judge them. God doesn’t look at people that way. He judges them according to their heart. Even then God gives us a chance to change. God says that we aren’t the judge and what we do to others we will recieve in turn. God alone is the judge of all. Only He can judge correctly. So, what are we supposed to do? We are to love our fellow man and show them who God is. It’s not the easiest way to live but it is the best way to. We go about our lives and exhibit Jesus. Then people will know that God is alive and working in this world. Of all the post on Facebook, I have only seen one that exhibited the love of God. They offered food to anyone that needed some. They would drop it off to them. Talking is cheap. Doing is the love of God.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In the past few weeks, I have had more food in my house and have eaten less. It’s funny how that had worked. Everyone is thinking about the virus. And trying to prepare as much as possible for disaster. The disaster isn’t the virus. The disaster is our relationship with God. In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus talked about taking care of our needs. He didn’t say to go stockpile food and supplies. Jesus said look at the birds or the flowers of the field. God provides for the birds, who don’t work for a living. And the flowers are more beautiful than anything on earth. Which are today and tomorrow are cut and burned. Jesus said are you not worth more than the birds or the flowers of the fields? He said, seek ye first the kingdom of heaven and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. So, it requires waiting on God and being in His presence. So, I asked you, a penny for your thoughts?

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

People think that they can get away with just about anything. That God isn’t listening or paying attention to you. God is all knowing and has all the power. If He didn’t have His attention on us, we would disappear. Which means that He keeps us alive. In Matthew 6:22-24, Jesus talks about a person’s eyes. He said if there is darkness in our eyes, how great is that darkness in us. But if there is light in our eyes, the whole body is full of the light of God. He goes on to say you can’t serve 2 master. You will hate the one and serve the other. You can’t serve God and material wealth. God sees every thought, word and deed. God won’t make you serve Him. You have to choose who you will serve. Then you will have light or darkness in your eyes.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

Knowledge + Understanding + Experience = Wisdom = Discretion.

Proverbs 18 King James Version (KJV)

It’s Sin to have respect for the Unrighteous.

Proverbs 18 King James Version (KJV)

Lesson #3.

17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

17 You may think you have won your case in court, until your opponent speaks.

Matthew 5:23-25 King James Version (KJV)

23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

Matthew 18:15 King James Version (KJV)

15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.

Exodus 28:30 King James Version (KJV)

30 And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron’s heart, when he goeth in before the Lord: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the Lord continually.

19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

19 Making up with a friend you have offended is harder than breaking
through a city wall.

Matthew 5:23-24 King James Version (KJV)

23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

20 A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.

20 Make your words good— you will be glad you did.

Eating Crow!!!!!

Ecclesiastes 5:2 King James Version (KJV)

2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

21 Words can bring death or life! Talk too much, and you will eat
everything you say.

James 3 King James Version (KJV)

5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.

A man’s greatest treasure is his wife—she is a gift from the Lord.

Proverbs 19:14 King James Version (KJV)

14 House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the Lord.

23 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.

23 The poor must beg for help, but the rich can give a harsh reply.

Proverbs 15:1 King James Version (KJV)

15 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

24 Some friends don’t help, but a true friend is closer than your own family.

Hebrews 13:5 King James Version (KJV)

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

We are in the middle of one of the greatest battles we will fight in our lifetime. The pressure of the battle can be felt physically. The fear and panic is everywhere. I see the panic subsiding every where. But the fear remains. Panic and fear are from the heart. I’m glad to see that the pastors have stepped up to meet the challenge. This isn’t an attack on the world. It’s an attack on Christianity and it is worldwide. This attack doesn’t depend on how much money you have. It depends on what is in your heart. In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus said don’t lay up treasures on earth, where they can be stolen. Lay up treasures in heaven, where they are safe. Because where your treasure is, there is your heart. Is your desire to help your neighbor or yourself? People are looking for answers and help. What is in your heart? God knows. Do you?

In Matthew 6:16-18, Jesus had just talked about prayer and forgiveness. He goes on to talk about fasting. Jesus is our example. When He talks about a subject, Jesus is showing us how to do something. Prayer isn’t just saying something repeatedly. It is entering into God’s throne room. We must go in with praise and Thanksgiving. Then when you do enter in, you must forgive those who have ought against you. And you must forgive yourself. Then you are ready to ask of God. Jesus shows us a better way. The better way is fasting. But He said not to make it known to anyone. When fast, you go out into the world like any other day. You clean up and look presentable. Never hinting that you are fasting. I went to a business meeting with some colleagues. After the meeting, we went to a steak house. I order tea. While everyone was eating steak, they asked me why I wasn’t eating. I wasn’t going to lie. So, I told them I was fasting. Then they asked why. And I was able to share the gospel. As you fast, God will place you where you can do the will of God. Fasting makes you more sensitive to the presence of God. It is part of praying. As you draw closer to God, your prayers are answered. And you get to see the results. This is prayer and fasting.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 6:7-15, the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray. He said not to use vain repetition. Thinking that you will be heard by talking a lot. Jesus said to enter your prayer closet. Then enter into the throne room with thanksgiving and praise. When you do, you can enter into the throne room. Jesus said to say thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. This verse change the way I prayed. When I saw what prayer meant. We ask God to do something for us. When we pray His will, God will bring His will down to earth and answer our prayer. If you don’t get before God and pray, your prayer is hit or miss. The Lord prayer isn’t rote or something to say repeatedly. It is an example of how to pray. Yes, we can use that prayer to pray, but mean it the first time. There is a second part to the pray. God says if we don’t forgive others, God will not forgive us. This means that you are in sin and God will not hear you. So, when you pray forgive others that your prayer may be heard by God. Your ability to reach God with prayer isn’t to be wasted on yourself. God says if we pray for others, He will heal us. God knows what you need before you ask. So, begin to pray for others and God will supply all of your needs. You first must believe that He is and is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. Seek God and pray with your heart for others and watch what God will do.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637. com