Obedience. Growing up, we were taught to obey our parents. It was the first lesson in obedience. Some learned, some didn’t. As I grew, I had trouble obeying. It affected everything I did. We wanted to be adults, but I learned that without obedience my life would never be right. When I came to the Lord, I had a hard time obeying. I had to learn obedience. I still want to disobey. This is why I must die daily. I will follow God in love and obedience. After doing all, Jesus said in Luke 17, call yourself an unprofitable servant. Not thinking of yourself more highly than you ought. Obedience is the Reality of Christianity.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

Assurance. There are many places were we don’t belong. It’s not because we can’t go there. But that we aren’t wanted. This isn’t a particularly phenomena to Christianity. It happens to everyone. God said we are a peculiar people. We are different from the world. And if the world hated Jesus, how much more will they hate us, His children. But we have Assurance. That God loves us and can go home. Home calls to us. As Christians, we don’t belong here on earth. We are just walking through. We are here to show how people can come to God. Then when we are finished, we go home. Until that time, we have the Assurance of God. This is the Reality of Christianity.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

The Lord’s Day. On the 7th day, God rested from all His works. He declared it a holy day, that no man should work. Also in Israel, the 7th year was a year to let the earth rest from farming. When God made the sun and moon, He said the sun would rule the day and the moon night. The church in the 1st century, meet on Sunday to avoid conflicts with the Jews. We have kept it ever since. The bible also talks about the Day of the Lord. This is when Jesus will return to reign and rule on earth. It also refers to the judgement day. In 2 Corinthians, the bible says, now is th time, this is the day of salvation. This day is very important to God. Why, because gives us this day. He guarantees us now, this time, this day. This is the day the Lord has made and I will rejoice and glad in it. This day is the reality of Christianity.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

What do you have? In the Christmas season, the streets are filled with people shopping. Trying to get that last minute bargain for grandpa. It is the season of giving. But what do you have to give that is worthwhile? Why do we give during this season? God so loved the world, that He gave out of His heart to us. God being the example to us. We should give out of our heart. Do you think that a cellphone or toy is worthwhile? The man who started the Christmas tradition, Saint Nicholas, gave what he had. He never expecting anything in return. He saw the poor and needy and responded. This is the true meaning of Christmas. It’s also the real example of Christianity. Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life. This is the reality of Christianity.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

Works. What is works? Are we talking about earning our way into heaven? There is nothing that anyone can do to earn heaven. Bible talks about people who stand before and recount their works to Jesus. He said depart from Me because I never knew you. Works aren’t there to earn your way. They are there to show that you belong to God. You are His children. God says that He make us for good works. As we do our works in love, people will see God in us. As the bible says, faith without works is dead, being alone. Everything that God has given you is not for you. It is for the lost and dying. God says not to be weary in well doing. But to work until the end, where we shall receive our reward from Jesus, Himself. This is the reality of Christianity.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

Prayer. The disciples watched Jesus pray. He goes off somewhere to be with God. And Jesus came back in renewed power and strength. They wanted this and asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. The first thing He said was to enter into the presence of God with praise and Thanksgiving. Thanking God for all He has given us. You do this before you ask anything. Then you ask your petition. God wants us to be thankful for what we have. You may not think that you have anything. But that’s not true. You have your life and an opportunity to be with God. God said why worry about food, clothing or shelter. He provides all those things. Your focus is God alone. Then you know that your prayers are answered. This is the reality of Christianity.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

Devotion. The definition of devotion is loyalty and passion for a cause. Abraham Lincoln said this in his Gettysburg address, that from these honored dead we take increased devotion,  to which they gave the last full measure of devotion. We do our duty to God. But when was the last time we did it with passion? We are loyal to God. But if we sit on our works, where is the devotion? We all love to be in the presence of God.  So, why doesn’t that excitement travel from church to our home? The excitement of our salvation is what people see in our lives. It draws them to God. Devotion is part of our life with God. I die daily, that He will increase and I will decrease. And I do it with devotion, not like those that stand on the corners and make a show of it. This is the reality of Christianity. 

Crain Blanchard. 

Joseph1637@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com 

Commitment.  To varies degrees we all have some sort of commitment. We are committed to eat or wear the latest fashions.  Sometimes we have to make the hard choices and commit to things we don’t want.  But we all have to make a choice in life. And if it is something we want and make a commitment,  do we stick with it? I guess it is all in how much we want it. Jesus understood why He came  to this world. He knew He was going to died for the sins of the world.  The bible says He set His face towards Jerusalem.  When time came, Jesus and the disciples went to the garden of gethsemane to pray.  Jesus prayed 3 times not to die. But each time, He accepted God’s will and made the commitment.  Jesus didn’t want to die, but He knew that God’s will would only happen if He committed His life. Jesus is our example.  And God’s will can only take place for us if we commit our lives to Him. This is the Reality of Christianity. 

Crain Blanchard. 

Joseph1637@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com 

Compassion. You experience it every day. You look at something and your heart go out to it. And you want to help the situation.  It is a natural response from our humanity. It is because we are the image and likeness of God.  For God so loved that He gave. God looked upon Israel as sheep without a shepherd.  Jesus said that He came to seek and save that which was lost. We want to save the babies, the animals or the oceans. We are willing to fight to the end for this just cause. Compassion will compel you to do the impossible.  And you can succeed. There are many causes in this world.  Choosing the right one takes compassion and understanding.  We can’t save everyone, but we can start with ourselves.  Then go out into the world. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believed in Him shouldn’t perish, but have everlasting life.

Crain Blanchard. 

Www.joseph1637.com 

Joseph1637@juno.com

Surrender. One of the toughest things I have ever gone through was to give up and surrender. I always wanted to be my own person. To live my life my way. As smart and independent as I thought I was, I couldn’t find my way out of paper bag. Even now, I sometimes think I can do it myself, just to mess up anything. God had to convince me that only He knew the right way. I had and still do have to place my life in His hands. When I do, God shows me a better way, the right way. Many are the paths that lead to destruction,  but there is only one way to God. So, each day I surrender my life to God, because every day is new. I die daily, so God can live through me in a lost and dying world. Surrender is never easy, but is necessary for my survival.  This is the reality of Christianity. 

Crain Blanchard. 

Joseph1637@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com