Do you remember when you were young and one of your parents call you home for supper? You heard that distinctive voice and responded to it. There was no mistaking that voice. You knew exactly who that was and responded accordingly. If it was your dad and he called several times. Each time with increasing volume, you ran as fast as you could until he saw you. All time knowing that there was an urgency about that call. Or if your mom or dad called your full name across a crowded room of people talking. You heard that voice clearly. This is the clarity of the call.

Most people don’t think that they hear God’s voice. But this isn’t true. God place in each of us His word or the bible from our birth. And we hear His voice to varying degrees accordingly to how we have responded to that voice. If we have ignored that voice and push it out of our consciousness, that voice begins to dim. And to that point, we can no longer hear the voice of God. It is a scary place to be, because at that point we don’t have any shame only guilt.

I won’t go into details about shame, but God put shame and fear into our hearts as tools to protect us against evil. And the understanding on how to use them correctly. So how many people can say that they hear the voice of God? And if you answer yes, then why aren’t you answering the call? God calls everyone. There isn’t one person on this earth that God doesn’t call home. God isn’t a respecter of persons. Everyone is equal in His eyes. You see, we are His children and He wants us to come home. It is because home is the only place that we will be safe forever. So the next time God calls your name, turn to Him and say, here I am.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

Anyone who is a believer knows that when you speak in the name of Jesus, people will object. The bible says that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and tongue confess that He is Lord of all. We all know that the devil hates this and prods people to object to the name of Jesus. It is unfortunate that we will receive objects from other believers. This is where persecution comes into play.

In the Beatitudes in Matthew 5, Jesus said that we will be persecuted. He said that we are blessed when we are. And that we are to bless and not curse the person when they do. So, Jesus is saying that we, as believers, will suffer persecution. And the converse is just as true. If we are not using the name of Jesus, which God commands us to, we will not be persecuted. The devil does not fight against anyone that is not living and doing God’s word. But that is a trap in itself. If you shy away from living out God’s word in your life, you will not succeed in the kingdom of heaven.

God said to follow Him wherever He led us. He says that we are to renew our minds and hearts through the His word. God’s word says that we are more than conquerors through Him who strengthens us. And that we are to take up His armor to protect ourselves against the wiles of the devil. God’s armor is the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, shod, shoes, with being prepared by reading the gospel, the bible. And lastly with the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

In Matthew 7:21-23, the bible says that Jesus will turn away people from heaven, who didn’t pursue Him even though they were believers in the church. The reason is that they never did get to know Him. Our relationship with Jesus is how we enter into Heaven. There is no other way. Follow Jesus and pursue Him with all your heart.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

Everybody hopes for things. We all want to have our needs met. We need to have food, clothing and shelter. Each of us has this drive in us to survive as our needs are met. It is to various degrees that our needs are met. Some people take it to the nth degree and say that there isn’t enough money in the world that will satisfy themselves. They become obsessed with greed. Then there are those who say that having their needs met are enough. They choose happiness with family and friends over wealth.

Then God says to follow Him and He will provide everything that we need. He ask us to trust Him with our lives and our families. God’s word is replete with everything that He will do. It starts in Genesis and ends in Revelation. Literally God repeats Himself throughout the bible. It literally says over 360 times in the bible not to be afraid and trust in Him. You think He’s trying to tell us something. That is about 1% of the bible.

It is funny, interesting, how people deal with the promises of God. Sometimes it is just sad how people don’t even want to hear what God is saying. But back someone into a corner they can’t get out of and they will pray to ask God for help. There is a famous story here in Louisiana, a mafia leader was walking up the steps of the federal courthouse in New Orleans. A preacher was walking with him and he turned to the preacher and ask him to pray for mercy.

It all comes down to what you see all around you. And whether you can see anything at all. Jesus walked on this earth for about 33 years. Everyone in Judah knew who He was and what He stood for. Anyone who wanted to meet Him did. Everyone heard what He said about how to live in the kingdom of God. The spectrum was from those that believed Jesus to those who didn’t and hated Him. The interesting part was that everyone understood what He was saying and how much it would cost them.

That is the difference between God’s children and the world. Everyone knows who God is and what is required for them to return home. God’s children are willing to pay the cost of believing. Where the world isn’t willing to pay that cost. What is that cost? It is the same cost as Jesus paid. We have to die to ourselves and let God raise us from the dead. That doesn’t mean that you can pick up where you left off before Jesus. It means that you are dead to yourselves and follow Jesus wherever He leads. And unless you are willing to pay that price, you will not make it home. We can’t save ourselves from anything.

So what do you see? Is your life on track to go home to heaven or not? If your life is about you, you are on the wrong path. God’s word says that He directs our path and show us how to get home. Jesus said that it is a narrow gate to enter into the path home. Sadly, it also says that few find it. As long as you are breathing, you have a chance. I ask you to listen to what I am saying. Look and see the Lord is good.

Crain Blanchard

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

Since the beginning of time, God has said exactly what will happen on this earth. People has discounted God’s word because it has not happened now. People think that because God’s judgment is not immediate, it won’t happen at all. This is the furthest thing from the truth. Everything that God has said will happen, did happen. It is all in God’s time. God’s word says that mercy triumphs over judgment. God gives everyone able opportunity to hear the truth and turn to Him. The Promised Land that God gave to Abraham was lost on two different occasions because of sin. The Israelites returned to the Promised Land for a 3^th time in 1947. In God’s economy, the number 3 is the number of perfection. God is testing Israel to see if they will remain faithful to His word.

It is the same for the rest of the world. We are in the time of testing. God is seeing if we are going to be faithful to His word. Everything that is going to happen is written in God’s word. And God has already explained what He is going to do. So, the how does not need to be explained again. Now what God is wanting from us is to be ready for the when. He said He would come as a thief in the night. And only those who are ready will receive Him. God also said that when He comes those who look like Him will be able to see Him. And yes I am talking about Jesus Christ.

God talks about the signs of the times and recognizing them. The first sign that Jesus is returning that we can recognize is Israel returning to the Promised Land. So we are in the season of His return. Will I see Jesus return to reign and rule in Jerusalem? I don’t know. Only the Father knows when He will return.

The only time that God actually guarantees in now. The Bible says that today is the day of salvation and now is the time. This is the only time that everyone has is now. So, let me ask you a question. Are you ready to face God? If you are not ready, now is the time to get ready. It is very simple to get ready. God says to turn from your wicked ways and face God and ask for forgiveness. And God says that He will forgive. All of what I have said is in the Bible. God is willing to take all of us back home. Only if we are willing to go home to God. So, it is not how, but when.

Crain Blanchard

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

Ever since the time of Adam and Eve, man has struggled with being separated from God. When God was separated from man by his sin, God provided for man to return. God made a covenant to allow man to return. Since that time, man has tried to find every reason to say that he doesn’t need God. At the tower of Babel, man going to shoot an arrow at God to say that He didn’t need God. God scrambled their languages and scattered them across the world. With Noah, God had him preach to mankind that a flood was coming and they needed to choose. It took Noah 100 years to build the ark. When God closed the door on the ark, people realized that God wasn’t joking. Did you know that Abraham knew his 9^th great grandfather Shem, Noah’s son? By this time God was going to choose a people to represent Him on earth. God made a covenant with Abraham. Even Abraham at first didn’t believe and trust God. Finally he came to place where we all have to arrive, trusting in God. God speaks of Abraham and says that he was justified by faith. Then came Moses, then David, Solomon, then Isaiah, Ezekiel, and all the other prophets. Yet God’s people still didn’t follow after God. Then God sent His son, Jesus, to fulfill the Covenant with Abraham and mankind. And the promise is made unto you to enter into the kingdom of God by believing and trusting in Jesus Christ.

1John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Romans 3:10 “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”

1John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Crain Blanchard

joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com