When Jesus chose the 12 disciples, one was the leader of the church and another one betrayed Him to death. And both betrayed Him. But Jesus chose them anyway. The name of Judas is a curse word in Christianity. But Peter sinned the same as Judas. But Peter went out from the high priest home crying, seeking repentance. Judas went out counting his money. Judas realized what he had done. But he didn’t believe the God would forgive him. Peter knew that God could and would forgive him. Peter sought God for repentance until Jesus appeared to him after He rose from dead and forgave him. Jesus forgave him because he sought God. By that time Judas had hung himself. Judas didn’t believe what Jesus taught him. Jesus called everyone to come. Some believed and some didn’t. So what are you going to choose?

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

Jesus and the disciples were in Jerusalem. They were looking at the temple. Jesus told them that not one stone of the temple would remain. Later on the mount of Olives, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked Jesus when this would happen. Jesus began to explain what will happen. They became anxious. Jesus said it was the beginning of sorrows. Jesus had been teaching his disciples, which we are as followers, about seeking God and living in the kingdom. God had John write revalations to explain about the end. But isn’t what God wants us to think about. God wants us to walk each day seeking Him and living each day in the kingdom. Things are going to happen because it is God’s plan. But you aren’t to be concerned about that. We are to work the works of God for the people in front of us. We aren’t to be caught unaware if the thief comes in the night. But Seek ye first and His righteousness and all shall be added to you.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

It’s part of a scripture in 1 Thessalonians ch.4. It’s referring to the return of Jesus. It is actually called the day of the Lord. On that day, the earth as we know it ends. Jesus is returning to reign and rule over the earth. It’s to give hope to believers. They thought in the first century that the saints who died weren’t part of the resurrection in Christ. Paul wrote that the Lord will return in the clouds and the dead in Christ will rise first. And those who are alive will be caught up with Him in the clouds. And it is also referring to those who gave their hearts to God and died to themselves. Yes, I am part of those who are dead in Christ. I die daily. Where do you stand?

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

We all love stories of adversity. How people can overcome insurmountable odds. They did it through personal characteristics, help from others or just pulling yourself up by the boot straps. We love and enjoy super heroes. Because they exhibit the characteristics we should have. But there is one man most people don’t want to hear about His exploits. His mother was engaged to a young man in their community. It was a conservative group of people. She became pregnant. Went to her cousin Elizabeth’s house for six months. She went home to face her fiance. The angel Gabriel had spoken to Joseph. He took Mary as his wife. Then when she due, the Romans had everyone go to the city of their family and register and pay taxes. Mary rode 90 miles on a donkey to get to Bethlehem. Then when they got there, there was no room for them. All they had was a stable. This is winter in Israel. It’s the cold and rainy season. It rains from December to March. People complain about hardships. But Joseph and Mary succeeded against all odds.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

Before Jesus was crucified, He was in the temple teaching. The religious leaders had already made up their minds to kill Jesus. The religious leaders send certain scribes and pharisees to try and catch Jesus in His words. They would ask Him about the law. Jesus would answer their questions. But the scribes couldn’t catch Him. Because Jesus spoke the truth. One scribe marveled at His teachings. Jesus saw that he wasn’t far from accepting God and the kingdom. But Jesus told them that knowing was only half of it. If you know the truth and don’t do it, to you it is sin. A certain widow came to the temple to give her offering. She knew the truth and gave her 2 mites. Jesus marveled at this. She gave all she had. It takes faith to do the truth. The truth is the word of God.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

This is the me generation, me,myself and I. The thought of dying is so foreign, it’s unrealistic to most people. And what’s even sadder is it is what most of the church believes. Jesus was a man for a reason. He came to show us how to live and to die. Do you think Jesus wanted to go to the cross? He asked God 3 times in the garden of gethsemane don’t to die. But He knew that He had to die to fulfill God’s plan. Jesus taught that no man comes to the Father but through Him. Or more appropriately through His death. Which means that we as Christians must die to oneself. Only through our death can we achieve that relationship with God, our Father. This isn’t a onetime occurence. I die daily that I might achieve God’s plan for me. Most Christians today wouldn’t survive the first century. There was only one church and if you didn’t belong you were normally killed by the world. And guess what, its happening again. Dying to oneself is the only way to survive this world. It’s your choice.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

Being under authority has become a dirty word. It seems that no one wants to be under authority. It’s the generation of do your own thing. Man wants what he wants. Rebellion is bound up in the heart of a child. Man’s heart is the most deceitful thing on earth. It is also prevalent in the church. In Matthew, Jesus was in Capernaum. A centurion came up to Him. He asked Jesus to heal his servant. Jesus said I will go with you. The centurion said I am not worthy of you coming to my home. He said, I am a man under authority. I have servants, if I say go or come they will do it. He said to Jesus, just speak the word and my servant will be healed. Jesus said, I haven’t found so great a faith, no not in all Israel. It takes faith to be under authority. God said that He gives his children the measure of faith. It’s time to use it.

Crain Blanchard .

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

Wherever Jesus walked, He would watch the people. More than once, He had compassion on them. Because He saw them as sheep without a shepherd. People found out about Jesus’s healing of all types of diseases. They came from all over the region. They came because no one had ever helped them. They had hope and came. Also, the pharisees and scribes came to see for themselves. And to try to trap Jesus in His words. When Jesus answered their questions, it shut their mouths. Jesus percieved as a man and loves as God. It’s an interesting combination that we have also. If the pharisees and scribes would have opened their hearts to hear, they would have been amazed at Jesus’s teachings. So many understood what Jesus was saying. But they didn’t want to lose their power and position. Which they lost anyway in the end. The only time that they could use His words against Him was the night they condemned Him to the cross. But they condemned themselves. Because when they heard the truth and understood, they choose not to believe. You see, God doesn’t send anyone to hell. You have to choose hell over heaven.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

We are taught from an early age, that we must make our own way in this world. We must earn for ourselves a living. We look at the world and want the best of everything. We are not satisfied with the average. We must exceed in everything. Otherwise we are not worth anything. As they say, wealth is the best revenge. It’s so wrong are on so many levels. Life is never about the accumulation of money or things. One of the churches of Asia Minor was Laodicea. It was a wealthy church. There wealth had made them lukewarm toward God. Let me tell you what God said about that church. In Revelation 3:17, Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with good, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. The world isn’t what we are to gain. It is the kingdom of God and God, Himself.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

It’s one of the most under appreciated gifts of God. Because when it is used, it stings the person receiving. Sometimes to the point of the person crying out in pain and anger. Do you know why the prophets lived in the woods and not in the cities? The people were afraid of what the prophets had to say. When Samuel went to Bethlehem to anoint David king, the first thing they asked him was, did you come in peace. Because they knew if he came with a message from God, it could be hell fire and damnation. The life of an exhorter isn’t easy. People will not like him. But it is part and parcel of God’s plan for us. The person who has this gift, must have a thick hide to be able to perform their task. But it’s necessary for the kingdom of God.

Crain Blanchard

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com