In Hebrews 11:1, it says that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. You can’t hold faith in your hands, but you can see the results of it. People hope for many things. They hope their life will turn out right. They hope their children will be successful. But where faith begins to develop is when we see it happening. Hebrews chapter 11 is about faith. There were so many people before Jesus that just believed God. And God counted their faith as righteousness. Which means that God accepted them into HIs family. Christians in the first century were persecuted by the Romans. Many were brought to the arena in Rome to be executed. As they were dying in the arena, they would begin to sing praises to God. People saw their faith in God and many would jump in the arena to die with them. The Romans had to stop executing the Christians because too many people were joining them. This is how faith works. You hope, then you see the results and believe. No one on this earth, except Jesus, is perfect. We will become perfect when we reach heaven. What God wants from us is faith and trust. When we believe we become part of the God’s family. This is the message. It is as simple as that. What God expects is faith in Him. And all along the way, we will see miracles, healings, deliverance, mountains moved and everything that God has. Because by faith we receive from God.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

I’m listening to Joseph1637 | Godly Grief on Podbean, check it out! https://www.podbean.com/ea/pb-3wpgn-1097df3

God has given each of us something to do. And it is up to us to fulfill that dream. As a small child, I always wanted to write, either books or articles. I didn’t know how to accomplish that dream and plainly forgot about it. But in my heart, it was always there. My heart was speaking to me all those years. But what I didn’t know it was God who was speaking to me. It was and has been His plan for me all of my life. I have written 5 books that I didn’t publish. It was a passion for me. Sometimes it took me several years to research the book. I did it as a hobby. Then God spoke to me to begin writing a blog about Christianity. The blog is about what I have learned about God and how it applies to my life. Now I have written a book about my experience with the Lord. It is about to be published. I am writing a second book. Hopefully, it will be published after this one. Then I will write a few children’s book in French and English. Then in Spanish and English. This is the something to do that God has given me. My wordcraft has improved dramatically. My syntax is old English because I have used the King James Version Bible all my life. I like the way the sentences are structured. It doesn’t always comply with the standard American English. But I don’t care. I am individual as they come. God made me this way and I am going to be the best I can be as God made me. It is because God has given each of us something to do.

Crain Blanchard.

Joesph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

We look at our lives and say that we will live forever. The statement is partially true. Our flesh is finite and will die. But our spirit will live forever. God made us of three parts, body, soul and spirit. Our body is made of this cursed earth and will perish. Our soul is the life of God that joins our body to our spirit. Our spirit is who we are, our mind, will and intellect. This part of us will live forever. We are spiritual beings. We live our lives as best we can, all the while hoping that we will live forever. This world is not our home. Our home is heaven. We are just walking through the world. God knew what He was doing when He made man. Still the death of family member or friend is still a tragedy in our lives. Today a friend of some 40 years and mentor passed away. He had been suffering from cancer for at lest 2 years. He pastored a church of which I am a part of. His family has been around him all this time. It is like I lost my father. I loved this man. Melvin was always kind to me. He raised crops and would share them with me. I know that death is a part of life, but that does not seem to console me. I wanted to write about him so that people would know what God did in this man. His name is Melvin Finley and he is home with Jesus.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

Even an uncut diamond has multiple facets. When the stone is cut it glistens in the sun. Its multiple facets draw the eye in. Even when the stone is cut in the same pattern, it is never the same. Its color and clarity is always different. That is what makes a diamond so unique. When we look at a person and see the different jobs they can do, we say they wear many hats. We start out in life with one objective, to eat and sleep. People are fascinated when we began to talk. It was better than sliced bread. As we grew, our job description change over the years. We start school and our parents thought we were the smartest kid around. One grandson is in the second grade, a friend of his said something he did not like, and he popped her in the nose. Learning conflict resolution is an ongoing situation. Then we learned social interaction, being able to talk to people comfortably. Then we learned to work, play, drive a car, manage our money, marry, and have children. As we grow, our skills levels development and we are honed into a smooth running diamond. We have all seen what happens to a person who refuses to be honed and sharpened. Normally, we call that person a wild man. Their life is in disarray. Nothing works right. And until they are willing to surrender, they are not going to change and become a wasted life. There is no hope for them in their present life. We were all that wild man, until we choose to live a decent life. God draws man with His loving kindness and when we accept God begins to work on that diamond. And we are transformed into that beautiful cut diamond that people look at. There is only one way and that is Jesus. And we can become a multiple facets person.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

I wrote this to a person who was having a hard time believing. As I read it, I saw the hand of God in it. So, I wanted to share this with all those who are struggling this morning with their faith in God. You know, right before the dawn the sky is the darkest. It’s a strange phenomenon. But in our lives it is the same. God made it this way, to see what we believe. God says His mercy is new every day. And mercy triumphs over judgement. The dawn is coming and we need to believe and trust God that He knows what He is doing. There are a lot of people praying for you. Now is the time for you to stand. Reach out to believing friends and invite them over for coffee. Have a bible study in your home. In Philippians 4:8, it says to think on these things, whatsoever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report. Then we aren’t concerned with the world around us. So, be blessed in the doing and let God have His way, in Jesus name.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

            As we were growing up, we stretched our boundaries to see what we could do. Our parents were there to help us make decisions. They were there also to stop us from going to far. There are boundaries that we cannot cross without doing damage to ourselves. I was a teenager in the 1960s. Life changed in America. Everyone was convinced that they did not need God and His controlling laws. The 1960s become the generation of free sex. Then all the sexually transmitted diseases followed. Then in 1973, the supreme court voted to approved abortion. Do you know that this is the practice of worship to the god Moloch. This is idolatry and murder. It is curse on this nation and God will repay. Boundaries are there for a reason to prevent us from falling into a trap that we cannot get out of. This pit of sin that we cannot get out of leads to hell. There is only one person that can get us out of the pit of sin, that is Jesus the Christ. He was the only one that could pay the price for our forgiveness and redemption. Jesus paid that price because He loves us unconditionally. God raised Him from the dead to make Jesus the King of kings and Lord of lords. God’s boundaries are for our good. They protect us from the ravages of sin. Remember that God loves us unconditionally and wants the best for us. But we have to choose Him and live the life He has for us. Then we are safe in His boundaries.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

When Jesus walked on this earth, He taught His disciples about being in the kingdom of God. One lesson was abiding in Him. The disciples did not quite understand what was going on, but followed along. Abiding is a concept that can only be understand or practiced once a person has received Jesus in their heart. It is a spiritual practice. Jesus was telling the disciples in advance so they could practice this every day. Once Jesus had risen from the dead, everyone could receive Jesus in their heart. And the Holy Spirit will reside in us. Teaching and guiding us into all truth. The disciples came to understand that abiding was living in the presence of God. In reading the Acts of the Apostles and the Epistles, you can see why Jesus said for us to abide in Him. The apostles were hunted down and killed. God wanted to strengthen the church to be able to bear up against the persecution. In Hebrews 12:2, it says the Jesus endure the cross because of the joy in His heart that God gave to Him. When you abide in Jesus, it does not make any difference what the world can do to you. This is because the Joy of the Lord is my strength. For this reason I abide in Jesus all the way home.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

God chose a city to place His name in. Even before Abraham moved to Israel, God had chosen a City for Himself. God called this city the center of the earth. When Abraham arrived in the promise land, there was already a king in the city of Salem, the city of peace (righteousness). Abraham went to rescue his nephew Lot with his army. On the way back from the rescue, Abraham came to the city of Salem. There he found a king Melchizedek. Melchizedek came out to met Abraham and blessed him. Melchizedek said be blessed Abraham of the most high God (Genesis 14:18-20). Abraham tithed ten percent to Melchizedek of all that he had. In Hebrews 7, it says the Melchizedek had no beginning and no end. It also says that we are priest after the order of Melchizedek. Melchizedek was and is the king of righteousness. His Name is Jesus and Jerusalem is the city of our great king.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

            A small phrase that has such great meaning. Every person looks for that freedom in our lives. Some find it and some do not. Some people think the money will give you freedom. Some think that knowledge will give you freedom. There are so many ways that people think that they will acquire freedom. Have no doubt freedom is not free. We must earn our freedom and maintain it if we want to keep our freedom viable. Throughout the ages, people have acquired freedom and lost it because they did not keep it alive. America has come closest to attaining true freedom. But because its citizen are refusing to stand up and take on the responsibility for freedom, we may lose it. People from every part of this world see the opportunity for freedom in this country. That is why they come to America. Freedom is a choice only if you are willing to pay the price. That price is your commitment to freedom with your life. That means that you are more concerned with the welfare of others over yourself. With this commitment, you will obtain freedom. Without your commitment, all you have is nothing and slavery. Jesus said if you commit sin, you become the servant or slave of sin. And a servant does not abide in the house forever, but the Son does. And if the son sets the servant free, he is free indeed. Freedom is a choice and everyone has to make that choice. If you do not make any choice you have chosen. Freedom is a commitment that costs you your life. This is true freedom.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com