Jesus and the disciples went to Jerusalem for the feast of passover. They camped out on the mount of olives. It was beautiful in Jerusalem at that time. They were in-and-out of the temple everyday. Jesus was teaching every day. The religious leaders had already wanted to kill Jesus but now they will listening carefully as he spoke in the temple. Jesus said that he was sent by God to do the things that God wanted him to do. The religious leaders now had something against Jesus saying that he was equal to God. Jesus began to teach and tell them that he couldn’t do anything except the father sent him. And what he saw the father do, he does. Then he spoke to the religious leaders directly. Jesus said you believe that you have life because you’re the sons of Abraham and you have the scriptures. What he said that Moses testifies against you because you don’t believe him. God sent many people (prophets) to you and you did not believe. Jesus said the only way that you’re going to be able to see is to believe.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

When Adam and Eve sinned, God cursed the earth. It didn’t produce food like before. Now, Adam had to work to eat. God said in Ecclesiastes that the satisfaction we get from work is a gift from God. Jesus and the disciples were in Jerusalem for a feast day. Near the pool of Bethesda, Jesus found a man lying on a bed. He asked the man if he wanted to be healed. Then healed him. This was on the sabbath. The religious leaders wanted to kill Jesus because He did this on the sabbath. Jesus told them that He must be about His Father’s work. They wanted to kill Him even more, because He said He was equal to God. The call to work in the kingdom of God is out there. God has been calling for a long time. The work is there. God said lift up your eyes and see the harvest is ready now. It is time to begin no matter where you are in life. Your age has nothing to do with the work. Answer the call and begin now.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

After the Magi had visited Jesus, the angel, Gabriel came to Joseph and told him to go to Egypt. Herod was seeking Jesus’s life. In the middle of the night, Joseph took his family to Egypt. Herod sent his army to Bethlehem and killed every child up to 2 years old. Joseph kept his family in Egypt until Herod died. On returning to Israel, Herod’s son, Antipater ruled in Jerusalem. Joseph went to Nazareth. How would you like to be responsible for Jesus, knowing people were trying to kill Him. When Jesus was 12, He was old enough to go to Passover in Jerusalem. When passover ended, Joseph and Mary packed everything and left with the caravan, believing that Jesus was with the other boys. After a days journey, He wasn’t there. They hurried back to Jerusalem to find Him in the temple. His mother let Him have it. Jesus answered His mother correctly. As the bible says that He submitted to His parents and went home with them. Why worry, because Herod’s son was still looking for Him. It wasn’t time for Jesus to start His ministry. So, against all odds, Jesus lived His life in Nazareth.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

Jesus’s ministry was progressing nicely. The pharisees and scribes were getting jealous and angry. People were beginning to follow and believe Him. Jesus was in Jerusalem and knew He needed to leave. They didn’t take the regular route to Galilee. They went through Samaria. Jews didn’t go through Samaria. They considered them half breeds, half jew and half heathen. So everyone took the road around. Jesus and the disciples went a days journey to Jacob’s well. The disciples went into the town to get food. A woman from Samaria came to get water. Jesus asked her to get Him some water. The amazed woman asked Him why being a jew. Jesus began to explain the gospel to her. At first she got all religious on Him. Then Jesus told her about her life. Then she began to believe. The disciples came and were amazed that Jesus was talking to a samaritan. The kingdom of God is for everyone, even the outcast and socially unacceptable. For God isn’t a respecter of persons. It is the heart of man that He judges.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

A simple statement of faith. In Nicodemus’s case, in John 3, it is a profession of faith. The religious leaders of the day sent Nicodemus, one he was willing and he believed, to Jesus. Sometimes you will find faith in the most unusual place. Nicodemus, a wealthy man and religious leader, was in the middle of the controversy surrounding Jesus. Do you know who else was a believer, Gamelial, Jesus’s professor at Jewish school. When you look at the bible and see people saying things, it is not by accident. God put exact what He wanted to say in the bible. Jesus had two other conversations with Nicodemus, one was how to be born again in the kingdom and to bury Jesus. Our lives are not our own. God is in charge of our lives, even if you don’t believe. But believe this, no one with make it to heaven except God be with him.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

Jesus and His mother, family and disciples went to Capernaum for a family wedding. As the bride prepared herself, the bridegroom was at the party with family and friends. They serve food and drink. Sometimes this party last for days. If the family runs out of food or drinks, it is a dishonor to the family. They ran out of wine. There were a lot of people. Mary went to Jesus and asked Him to do something. Jesus said to His mother, it’s not time for me to start. Mary told the servants to do whatever Jesus said. There were 6 water pots. Jesus said to fill them and take a ladle’s worth to the head steward. It was changed into wine. They were amazed why the bridegroom waited to serve his best wine last. 6 is the number of man and wine is the Holy Spirit. It is the transformation we go through. The steward said, why have you kept the good wine until now. So was the first miracle of Jesus.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

I was drinking something to fast. I begin to choke and cough. My cat ran to me as fast as she could. She was concerned there was something wrong with me. She brings such comfort to me. She was keeping faith with God and me. God wants us to keep faith with Him. As Jesus set us free to be able to come home. There are things that He wants us to do in the kingdom. God didn’t call us to set down on our rear end and vegetate. To be able to stay free, we must follow His commandments. Just as my cat ran to me, we are to run to the battle. Wherever it is. Having this confidence in our faith in God, that He will perform His word in any situation. This is what keeping the faith with God is about. Our weapons aren’t carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. Some of the strongest warriors I have ever seen were little old ladies in their kitchen. Keeping faith with God isn’t reserved for Sunday. Everything we learn is for the world. For faith without works is dead, being alone. This is keeping faith with God.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

There’s a recruiting station next door to my work. The marine recruits are outside drilling, both day and night. The marines are trained to be warriors. It is why they are sent into battle first. Did you know that Jesus trained the apostles to be warriors. All of them, expect John, were killed for their faith. God says to be ready to answer anyone who asks why you believe. This is training. God also says to live your life as if it was your last day. He also said to put on your whole armour to withstand the fiery darts of the devil. God says to take up your sword and use it, the word of God. The call has gone out, 2000 years ago, to gather and face the enemy. Only 300 out of 23,000 stayed with Gideon to face the enemy. I exhort you all to be part of our community.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

No soldier is ever ready for combat. They can train forever, but until they experience combat, they will never understand. It is the difference between knowledge and understanding. When my son went off to war, I tried to explain the best I could what he would experience. I told him he was going to see dead people. And how he came out of it was going to depend on his faith. It was and always will depend on what you believe and who you are trusting. The combat soldier is depicted in the bible. It talks about training, defensive and offensive weapons. It talks about armour. Yet there are few warriors among the brethren. In Ephesians 6:12-13, it says, For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God that ye may be able to withstand In the evil day and having done all to stand, stand therefore.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

Then Pilate said unto them, why, what evil has He done ? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify Him. After becoming a Christian, you wonder why anyone would do such a thing. Listen folks, there isn’t one person on this earth that has not cried out, Crucify Him. Yes, you and I have cried out against Jesus. Do you know what Jesus said on the cross? He said, Father forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing. The bible says there are none righteous, right before God, no not one. For the wages of sin are death. Jesus took all the sin and crucified it on the cross with Him. We layed hands on Jesus and transferred our sin to Him. He was the scapegoat for our sins. All this was God’s plan to give us the opportunity to come home to Him. Jesus descended into hell and lead captivity captive. And the saints followed Jesus home to heaven. And now it’s your turn. Ask and you shall receive, knock and it shall be opened and seek and you will find God and heaven.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com