Despite what people think, a leader is cultivated as they grow up. The first thing they learn is understanding. Seeing what is really true. Not clouded by opinions or dogma. Then understanding what needs to be done. Able to have a clear objective in mind. Then seeing how the objective can be done. This comes with experience. Being able to complete a task successfully. Then what you have is wisdom. Wisdom is understanding plus experience. As a person learns from childhood. They develop wisdom. This wisdom can be applied to the next task at hand. As a person moves forward in this process, people will see the person developing confidence in themselves. As people see this person has the confidence and experience, they will allow the person to do the task for them. As a person develops leadership skills, as understanding and confidence, they need to learn how to influence people. A true mark of a leader is that a person can influence people. Getting people to follow you is key in a successful leader. That skill come by understanding who you are, by being an example and leading with wisdom. The best leaders are the ones that people will want to follow. It all comes back to understanding, knowledge, confidence, wisdom and leading by example. Then you will be a competent leader. Line upon line, precept upon precept.
Crain Blanchard.
Crainb52@juno.com
http://www.joseph1637.com

The fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness, temperance: against such is no law. I have heard many teachings on love, joy and peace. But hardly ever on longsuffering, gentleness, goodness and meekness. We are warriors. Why are we to have longsuffering or gentleness? My son served in Iraq during the shooting war. They always carried small kick balls and candy into battle. It wasn’t for them. It was for the children of Iraq. The war had improvised them. They had nothing. I have pictures of soldiers giving candy and the kick balls to children. A kind word turns away strife, but grievous words stir up anger. We are lambs led to the slaughter. As sheep we are dumb before our shearers. Jesus was our example on this earth. He went quietly with the people who were going to crucify Him. To trust someone with your life is a great level of trust. We trust and believe God for our salvation, but what about the rest of our life? God wants us to have all of the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
Crain Blanchard.
Crainb52@juno.com
http://www.joseph1637.com

The day you chose God, was a day that a great burden was lifted off of you. Everyone, including myself, where so excited about the new freedom God gave us. As I looked around and saw Christians, in church, that lost the excitement. I wondered how they got there. I didn’t want to lose the wonder God gave to me. As I studied and read the bible, I learned about God. I learned who He was and how to function in the kingdom of heaven. Also, I learned that I had to make a choice to live the life, God had for me, daily. God doesn’t have a big stick and wasn’t going to hit me if I didn’t choose Him. His word says that, His mercies are new every day. God loved us so much that He sent Jesus to pay the price for us. He loves us unconditionally. And God gives us the choice of following Him. We have to choose what we are going to do each day. I evaluate my position with God each day. I make my decision based on who I was and what God has done for me. My former life has nothing for me. My life with God has everything I want or need. So, I choose to serve God, each and every day. I am not perfect. I am forgiven.
Crain Blanchard.
Crainb52@juno.com
http://www.joseph1637.com

Everyone wants the things of God. In this instant generation, they want it now. What God says, is that now is the time and today is the day of salvation. Time is the only thing that God guarantees now. Everything else is learned line upon line and precept upon precept. So, if God only guarantees now, you had better get busy. God gives everyone the measure of faith, when we are born again. It is to be used throughout our life. Jesus took 12 men + on a 3-year walking bible school. They didn’t have a hand-held bible to refer to. Jesus taught them through practical application. One of these applications was when a man brought his son to the disciples to cast out a demon. The disciples couldn’t. The man brought the son to Jesus. Jesus rebuked his disciples because of their lack of faith. Then He cast the demon out. The disciples later ask Jesus why they couldn’t. Jesus said this kind doesn’t leave except by prayer and fasting. You want to get next to God, it is only by prayer and fasting. Then you will see your prayers answered. Now is the time for everyone to get next to God with prayer and fasting.
Crain Blanchard.
Crainb52@juno.com
http://www.joseph1637.com

I have been questioned why I am preaching the gospel and this is my answer.
1 Corinthians 9:18 “What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
23 And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.”
Crain Blanchard.
Crainb52@juno.com
http://www.joseph1637.com

This morning is short and sweet. I’m saved, filled with the Holy Ghost and going on with the Lord. I pray that God will bless your day. Thank God, His intervention in the affairs of man. God loves you.
Crain Blanchard.
Crainb52@juno.com
Www.joseph1637.com

Generation X dominants the retail market today. The word of the day is convenience. It is instant gratification. There is so much technology, it is hard to keep up with it. someone is always inventing something new. The cell phones companies are trying to keep up with the market. They add this or that and charge extra for it. Information has increased a 1000-fold. And sorrow and grief have increased just as fast. Solomon said this over 3000 years ago. And it is still true today. More information doesn’t make for a better life. If it is, why are there companies to stop thieves from stealing our info. Technology has made our and the criminal’s lives easier. God designed simplicity for our lives. It doesn’t mean that we can’t have convenience. It means that it can’t control us. If you don’t think so. Then why are there laws against texting and driving? And soon there will be laws against talking on the phones and driving. The simple life God wants for us, is that we are free to choose His life. Free from the condemnation of this world. God’s life is free from guilt, anger, condemnation and confusion. We become free to go about our lives as God plan it. This life is there for anyone to choose. It is as simple as turning to God and asking for forgiveness. This is for everyone.
Crain Blanchard.
Crainb52@juno.com
http://www.joseph1637.com

It is interesting how affluent we are in America. Our poor people are richer than most of the world. You ever wondered why so many people want to come to America? It is the American dream of a better life. The dream and pursuit of living the good life. What would you do to live the good life? What would you give up? There is a story in the bible about Jesus going to a dinner a pharisee’s home. Jesus and some of His disciples were seated at the table, when a prostitute came into the home. She went straight to Jesus and began washing His feet with her tears. She dried them with her hair. Then anointed them with ointment. The Pharisees got upset because they knew her biblically. Jesus told them that her sins, which were many, were forgiven. He said those which are forgiven much, love much. Those who are forgiven little, love little. The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts, so that we can love unconditionally. God gives us everything we need to make our way home. Being thankful for what God has given is how we approach God. It is with a grateful heart and praise that we enter into the courts of heaven.
Crain Blanchard.
Crainb52@juno.com
http://www.joseph1637.com

In the first century, Ephesus was the center of Christianity. Ephesus was a city of 100,000 people. Outside of Rome, it was the largest and richest city in the Roman Empire. When the church began, it became powerful and fruitful. 7 other churches were started in Asia Minor. There was only one church per city in the first century. If you were a Christian, you couldn’t leave and go join the 1st church down the street. And if you didn’t belong, it meant your life and your families. After 40 years in Ephesus, the church lost its way. Everybody was more concerned with money and the world than the things of God. God sent the Apostle John to pastor the church in Ephesus. Because the church was weak and had no power, John was arrested and put on the island of Patmos. God still had work for John. He wrote Revelations and the epistles of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John. His epistles were teaching basic Christianity. Because the church had lost its way, the teaching had to be simple. But God wants us to go on from basic teachings to warfare in the kingdom. Only you can decide what you will do for God. Step out for the shadows and use the faith God has given you. Learn of God and read the bible on a daily basis. Then you will know the truth and power of God in this world.
Crain Blanchard.
Crainb52@juno.com
http://www.joseph1637.com

Let us begin in the beginning with Adam and Eve. When they sinned against God, He promised them a redeemer. It didn’t happen in their lifetime. God chose Abraham to be the father of many nations. God made a covenant with Abraham for a redeemer. It didn’t happen in his lifetime. God chose Moses to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt. God made a covenant with Moses for a redeemer. But it didn’t happen in his lifetime. God chose David to be king over Israel. God made a covenant with him not only for a redeemer, but He would be a descendant. It didn’t happen in his lifetime. The Redeemer would arrive a 1000 years after King David. When the time came, Adam, Abraham, Moses, David and all the faithful of God lifted up their heads from hell and saw our Redeemer, Jesus, born. 33 years later, after His death, Jesus stormed hell and lead captivity out of hell and into heaven. Everything is answered in God’s time. It may be seconds or it may be years. But what we are to do is believe and trust that God will answer. For without faith it is impossible to please God.
Crain Blanchard.
Crainb52@juno.com
Www.joseph1637.com