Each of us has abilities that are God given. Those abilities literally work on their own. Because they are so ingrained in us, it’s like a second nature. We begin to believe that it’s our own abilities. But they were given by God to be used in His kingdom, not ours. So, what is the difference? On our own, we believe how great we are. Pride comes in and we lose God’s plan and help. We begin to walk alone. The bible says that all things, God’s will, work together for good to them that love God and are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28). The only way that you can ever reach God’s full potential is that you commit yourself to the work of God. And the only way you can get to God is to humble yourself. There is no place for pride in God’s economy. God throw 1/3 of all the angels out of heaven because of pride. God keeps showing man what to do. And He will until the end. In Micah 6:8, it says I have shown you how to walk with me, to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with Me. Humble yourself before the mighty hand of God and commit yourself to His work.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

After Jesus was baptized with the Holy Ghost, He began preaching the kingdom of heaven was at hand. He was preparing people for what was coming. In the Lord’s prayer, Jesus said, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. God was restoring what was lost in the beginning with Adam. We, as children of God, are restored to the place that God promised. Jesus preached an old doctrine that was from the beginning. People thought it was strange. But God had wanted man to do this from the beginning. Man has always thought that there should be a rule for everything. But God had two basic rules. The first is to love God with all that you are. The second is like the first, it is to love your neighbor as yourself. And who is your neighbor, everyone. Jesus said, how can you love God, who you haven’t seen, if you don’t love your fellow man, who you have seen. This is the kingdom of heaven.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

It’s a valid question. We start out as best we can to do what we believe that our lives are on the right track. Granted it’s a hit or miss proposition. Our parents try their best to help us get started. Sometimes it sticks. But we find out shortly what our limitations are. Sometimes we just believe we just can’t do it. It’s sad because the only thing that stop us is ourselves. God made us to succeed. But the only way it can happen is with God Himself. God made us with a missing piece. The missing piece is God Himself. But we have to accept Jesus into our hearts to become whole. Then we have the opportunity to succeed in this life. Just because we have accepted Jesus doesn’t mean we will succeed. It’s a walk with Jesus all the way home. God has made many promises, but unless we are willing to accept and believe them, they are just words. Assurance is God’s work in our hearts. The bible says, all things work together for good, to them that love God and are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28).

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

You know the old expression, bite your tongue. Well, bite your tongue. Talking today seems to be the norm. With cell phones everyone can express themselves to anyone at any time. Except, it’s not always a good thing. The bible says that life and death are in the power of the tongue. It also says, it is a fire, set on fire by hell. Our tongue can be used for good, but God help someone that gets me angry. I used to be like that. God has done a lot of work in my heart, that I don’t get angry any time when someone rubs me the wrong way. My tongue is to be used for good, not complaining or criticizing. And it is easy to fall into that trap. Only by the Holy Ghost can we control our tongues. It’s yielding yourself to God. In Proverbs, it says even a fool when he keeps his mouth shut, seems to be wise.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

I was reading in Matthew 4, where Jesus was led into the wilderness. He didn’t chose His path in life, other than chosing to follow God. God led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil, after He had fasted for 40 days. I don’t know if you have ever fasted for any length of time. It is life changing. I have never attempted a 40 day fast. I’ve done Daniel’s fast, 21 days, on water. But I know this, after the fast everything wasn’t important, except God and my relationship. I could see the path God planned for me and I walked on it. God leads us where He will. And we are to follow with joy. As it says in Psalm 37:23, “the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and he delighted in the way.”

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

After Jesus came back from the wilderness, John was thrown into prison by Herod. Herod had taken his brother’s wife for his own. And John spoke against them. Jesus went back to Galilee. Knowing that persecution was going to follow them. Jesus settled in Capernaum and began calling His disciples. One of the things that Jesus spoke on, sermon on the mount, was persecution. He said, blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Jesus also said, if they hated Me, how much more will they hate us. It seems that persecution is part and parcel with Christianity. There is no getting out of it. If you are a Christian, you will be persecuted. Peter talked about the fiery trials we go through. God said, with the temptation He will make a way of escape. There are many examples of persecution in the bible. The thing is that you use your faith to walk through them all. So, prepare you faith and thicken your skin, not your heart. And you will find the way of escape that God has planned.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

It’s the orginal process of picking wheat. First, you cut and bundle stalks of wheat together. Then you beat the stalks of wheat against a wooden bar to separate the wheat and stalks. Then with a shovel you throw the wheat into the air as the wind separates the chaff from the wheat. The chaff was burned to get rid of it. And wheat is gathered to be used. God used this as a parable, to teach us the process He uses to cleanse us for His use. Wheat is mainly used for bread. Which is the staple of life. Jesus said I am the bread of life. The children of Israel were fed manna, bread from heaven, in the wilderness. Jesus, when tempted by the devil, said that man shall not live by bread alone. But by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. We are the wheat and need the be winnowed to be useful to God.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

What does this mean, “But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”(James 1:2 KJV) When we hear the Word of God taught, do we let God’s Word convict us, and let His Holy Spirit change us? If we let the Lord change us, then we will become more like Jesus. Then we will do the will of God from the heart. Our life then becomes more like Jesus’ life because He is living in us, and we are following the leading of His Spirit.

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