Everyone has felt like a stranger, even amongst friends and family. It’s an odd feeling. You want to fit in. Sometimes you can, sometimes you can’t. People go to great lengths to fit in. Sometimes they lose themselves in process. It’s not always a good thing. If it’s the wrong road, it will destroy you. I wanted to fit in as much as the next guy. But when I found where I belonged, this world became the strange place. Because it wasn’t home anymore. My home is not of this world. When I became one of God’s sons, my home became heaven. Now, I am just walking through to reach the other side, home. You see, I was the Prodigal son. Now I am on my way home. This is where I belong. If you want to know where you belong, all you have to do is ask God. You see, heaven is our home. It’s where we all belong.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

When Jesus began his ministry and after a couple of times of preaching and praying for the people, He would turn aside and go and pray quietly. He had to restore His spiritual energy. Without that restoration, He knew He would run out of gas. When Jesus sent the disciples out 2 by 2, they were preaching and healing the people. As they returned, Jesus had them to withdraw from the crowds of people. They needed to be renewed and restored by God. But even as they were in boats, the crowds followed. When they reached shore, the crowd wasn’t as big, but Jesus went up into the mountains and taught. This is where He did the miracle of the loaves and fishes. Staying close to God is the key to restoration. This is what our Father has always wanted.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

Deliverance is part of the promises of God. It’s not a popular subject. To some it’s even scary. But God gave us dominion over this earth in Jesus name. God said our warfare isn’t fighting flesh and blood. Our warfare is against spiritual wickedness in high places. Facing the enemy is as natural as eating. When I was first saved, I was angry at the devil. He had led me by the nose for so many years. Now that I had the power to use against him and I was going to destroy him. I was casting out devils left and right. God let me go for about a month. Then He stopped me and asked what I was doing? I said I was casting out devils. God spoke to me and said, no you are still following the devil. Follow Me and when you come across a devil, then you cast him out. Jesus went about doing good. When a person possessed with a devil came before Him, then He cast it out. For whom the Son has set free, is free indeed.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

Jesus and the disciples crossed over the sea of Galilee. When they landed a person possessed by devils, came and bowed down and worshipped Jesus. They asked Him not to torment them. This area in Jordan was settled by Jews. There was a herd of 2000 pigs next to him. The devils asked to go into the pigs. Jesus said go. The herd ran violently down into the sea and drowned. The people there fled in fear. They told the men of the near by city what happened. When they came and met Jesus, the man possessed of the devils was clothed and in his right mind. They were afraid because they saw their sin. They asked Jesus to depart from them. The man who healed wanted to go with Jesus. But He said go back and tell everyone what God has done for you. Doing good as you walk through this world.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

Jesus spoke in parables, illustrating the word of God. But unless God gives you the understanding, you didn’t get it. Jesus explained the parables to the disciples. He wanted them to know the truth. It also was to confound the religious leaders listening to Him. Sometimes God gave them understanding and they hated Jesus for it. One parable was the sower of the seed. It’s an interesting parable. It’s talking about this world and our part in it. Jesus talked about what kind of person we are. It goes from the people who reject the gospel to those who complete God’s plan for there lives. In Mark chapter 4, you can read the parable and the explanation. And you can understand if you have ears to hear.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637@juno.com

What is a good name worth? In today’s world, a good name is more valuable than money. Why do you think people are trying to destroy other people’s integrity. The bible says, a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches. Jesus went about doing good. People responded to Him. So, the religious leaders tried to destroy His good name. They said He cast out devil by beelzebub, satan. Jesus said, if a house is divided against itself, that house can’t stand. Then He told the scribes and pharisees, if you blaspheme the Holy Spirit of God, there is no forgiveness and you are in danger of eternal damnation. They grumbled and walked off. Jesus didn’t stop and people believed. As they say your name is your bond. A good name is worth more than riches.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

Jesus and the disciples were in the mountains for several reasons. One was to call the 12 into the ministry. This assortment didn’t really understand what it was all about. But that’s how everyone starts. We have to learn and sometimes on the fly. The religious leaders were beginning to plot against Jesus. But teaching the 12 would take 3 years of work. Jesus could have gone to the cross right then. He said it Himself, it’s not the right time. No one was going to change what God had planned. So the religious leaders followed Jesus around. As you read the bible, you will see people asking Jesus questions to trap Him in His own words. But it never happened. He always told them the truth in love. Many of the religious leaders became believers. The head of His school in Nazareth, Gamaliel became a believer. Many people were healed and delivered by Jesus. Then Jesus gave the disciples the time and opportunity to pray for people. It is the same today. Jesus gives us the time and opportunity with the power of God to pray for people. Just like the disciples, we can rejoice at the victories against our enemy.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

As Jesus was growing up in Israel, He saw what the people went through. Every young person wants to change the world. Some accomplish it. Some don’t. But the drive is there. Jesus graduated from the yeshiva in Nazareth. He was hopeful that His ministry would be successful. As He began to preach, then as now, some people are not ready to change. Jesus wasn’t going to compromise the message of the gospel. He found out in a hurry how strongly people resist change. The first time He preached, they wanted to throw Him off a cliff. But there were people who believed. He went to Capernaum preaching, they began plotting to kill Him. Jesus knew He needed help. So, He called aside into the mountains, His chosen for the ministry. Jesus chose the leaders of the church. It was an odd assortment of people. From blue collar workers to professional people. And one was a thief and terrorist, Judas Iscariot, the zealot. God calls everyone to come home. It was the end of the beginning.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

Jesus entered into a synagogue to teach. People were waiting to hear this new pharisee. Yes, Jesus was a rabbi. In the eyes of the church leaders, when Jesus questioned the law or more precisely their traditions, he had to be watched. But when they heard Him preach, they understood who He was. Jesus asked the question, was the sabbath made for man or not. Now Jesus was threatening their power and position. Throughout the bible, the religious leaders said that Jesus spoke with authority. And many times, Jesus performed miracles to prove He had the authority. Jesus did signs and wonders to get their attention. Then He preached the gospel and they believed or not. But Jesus did the will of God not only to fulfill prophecy, but to accomplish God’s will on earth. Many people have heard God’s word and know what is required. And many times, they see the consequences. Then you have to make a decision. Will you follow God or not? There will always be consequences, good or bad. But it can’t stop you from doing God’s will.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

Andrew, Peter’s brother, was a disciple of John the Baptist. He worked with Peter, James and John in their business. They were fishermen. But he was with John the Baptist at the River Jordan, when Jesus came to be baptized. He watched as Jesus was baptized and God descended on Jesus and spoke. Andrew even talked to Jesus. He believed he had found the messiah. He went back and told Peter, James and John and anyone else who would listen. When Jesus returned home to Nazareth. He began His ministry. Jesus went to Capernaum and began preaching on the seashore. Peter, James and John had hoped when Andrew told them. But now they believed because they heard Jesus for themselves. Jesus called them and they followed. That is the difference.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com