When I began I would say all sorts of things. I’d speak in a deep voice or use my hands to express myself. I’d quote scripture because I thought God wanted to hear all that stuff. I laugh sometimes when I remember hearing preachers pray with a big blustery voice. As if God would be impressed with that. I found a secret that most people just pass by in the bible. Prayer is talking to God. I speak in English unless I am praying in the Spirit. I’ll talk about that later. If you speak French or German, use that language to speak to God. When I first seriously asked God to heal someone, all I said was Ok God do something. And guess what He did. You can talk to God about anything. It doesn’t have to be about something serious. I’d talk to God about going shopping with me. Or I’d ask Him what He wanted. Or how He feels today. Talking to God is getting to know Him. And that is what God has wanted all along. First you must believe that God is, and a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. When you believe that He is there and listening, talk to Him and ask Him about anything. Do not be surprised if he answers you. Most people hear God perfectly. They are always surprised that that was the voice of God. If you a waiting for the megaphones to boom in your ears, sorry. God doesn’t use a big voice or stick. He sometimes uses lightning to get my attention. His voice is a still small voice that comes from the depths of your heart. It is peaceable, not confusing, and guilt free. When I started God used the scriptures to talk to me. So I wouldn’t be confused. Begin to pray and let God answer you. Let me know what you hear.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

There are many kinds of prayer. God wrote about it from Genesis to Revelations. It depends on the circumstance as to what kind of prayer to use to speak to God. As Paul worked his way through Asia Minor, He left Timothy to be the first pastor of Ephesus. Paul wrote back to Timothy to encourage and teach him. Paul said “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;” So there are supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks to God. This is talking to God. Paul was trying to get Timothy to pray this way and teach the church to do the same. There are different types for different situations. I ask God about scriptures all the time. One day I was helping a friend move and I stopped to talk to God. I was sitting at the dining room table by myself. Their girls came in and asked what I was doing. I told them I had asked God a question and was waiting for the answer. The next question was, you talk to God? I said yes and He answers. They looked at me like I came from Pluto. I told them that they hear from God also. I explained to them how and they began talking to God. Their lives turned around. God help them to accomplish what He had for them in life. Talking to God does make a big difference in anyone’s life. Begin to talk to God about anything. And watch what happens to you. Let me know what happens.

Crain Blanchard.

www.joseph1637@juno.com

joseph1637@juno.com

In the writings of the Jews, there is a story of the prophet Elijah. He was a big burly man from the country. He was not a highly educated or sophisticated priest. There was no doubt in anyone’s mind that Elijah was a Prophet of the Lord. In these writings, two specific articles of clothing are spoken of, Elijah’s camel hair prayer shawl and his leather girdle. When Elisha had taken Elijah’s place, these two pieces were given to him by God. After Elisha’s death, the priest brought the camel hair prayer shawl and the leather girdle into the temple to ask God who was the next prophet. The Lord told them to place the prayer shawl and girdle at the Altar of Incense until He would show them the next prophet. In the economy of Israel, a man could be a priest and a prophet at the same time.  On the other hand, a prophet didn’t necessarily have to be a priest. Just before Jesus was born, Mary’s cousin husband, Zacharias was performing his duties as a priest. He was burning incense before the Lord, in the Temple. The Archangel Gabriel appeared to him in the Holy of Holies, and said to him that Elizabeth, his wife, would have a boy. He, John, would be a Prophet of the Most High God. “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair and a leather girdle about his loins: and his meat was locust and wild honey.” Matt.3:1-4. Now you know why Jesus said this of John the Baptist, “But I say unto you, that Elias(Elijah) is come already, and they knew him not.” Luke 17:12. John came before Jesus preaching repentance for sins, preparing the coming of Jesus in his ministry. Mark 1:1-4; Luke 3:1-6; John 1:23; Mal.3:1; Isa.40:3-5. ff

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

Everybody talks about love. There are many movies made about love, but not one of them actually knows what they are talking about. The drive for sex isn’t love. If people would know how they wreak their lives with unmarried sex, they would leave it alone. Love can be seen in this world. People don’t even know that when an act of kindness is done it is love. Showing gentleness toward a person is love. Being longsuffering toward an idiot is love. Giving a person a hand-up is love. Rejoicing with a person who has accomplish a goal is love. Weeping with a person who has suffered loss is love. Providing food, clothing or shelter for the poor is love. Doing for someone without expecting a return is love. Love doesn’t fail, it bears all things, believes for all things, hope for all things and endures all things. If you want a good example of love all you have to do is look at God. God loves man unconditionally. And man has done everything they could to destroy the love of God. Yet God still loves us. This is true love.
Crain Blanchard.
Joseph1637@juno.com
Joseph1637.com

Growing up I always had a secret place. We had cedar trees in our backyard. They were close to 100 feet tall. I would climb to the top of the tree and sit in the fork in the branches. It was above the roofline of our house. I could see all around. The breeze would blow, and I couldn’t hear anyone or any noises. The birds would fly by and chirp. It was just me and God. I climbed as often as I could. Because I wanted the peace and the presence of God. As I got older, I seemed to have lost what I had gained. I didn’t climb any more. I was too old or too big. After my parents died, we sold the property. And that was that. I missed the peace that I had found there. It wasn’t until I dedicated myself to God, that I found the peace again. My journey had been up and down with a wife and sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren. But I still have a place where I can go to be alone with God and the peace is still there. I go there often. That place is my prayer closet. And I am there when I close my eyes and pray.
Crain Blanchard.
Joseph1637@juno.com
http://www.joseph1637.com

When God gave Moses the 1st 5 books of The Bible, A mandatory sacrifice was written into the law. Everyone was required to give to this sacrifice during the year. It was for a sin Offering. Although this offering was mandatory God wanted people to give out of the abundance of their heart. So what God established was a free will offering. This was an offering that you could give at any time of the year. Just when you were moved by God and you felt that it was necessary to express Thanksgiving.  A free will offering is not given because you have to, it was given because you wanted to. This is the only offering where the priest could eat from. In psalms 100 and says to enter his gates with Thanksgiving into His courts with praise. This is how you to give a free will offering by wanting to give to God because he had blessed and kept you all year. And this is how God wants us to go to Him. This is our free will offering, A thankful heart.

Crain Blanchard 

Joseph1637@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com 

Did you ever notice that the Apostle Paul begins and ends all of his letters with prayers? Why do you think that Paul prayed so much? Also the majority of his letters were written from prison. The roman emperor imprisoned him for 2 years. I guess he had more time to write letters in prison. The letters I am talking about is the New Testament. He stayed in an attitude of prayer. What does that mean? It means that Paul stayed in God’s presence. Did you know that his prayers are still in effect some 2000 years later? Prayers don’t end until God says so (Rev.5:8). I mean that all the prayers of my family for 100’s of years still affect me today. There are prayers for your wellbeing or health, and prayers for your prosperity. These prayers are automatic. They work by themselves. Then there are prayers that require our participation. We have to personally get involved with the prayer. These prayers are for salvation or the baptism of the Holy Spirit. All the prayers of the saints will stop at the end of the world. How can we get into an attitude of prayer? I have a series on prayer on my blog. Starting with “Developing a skill” unto the last part “Where to begin, Part 11”. If you follow along and ask God to show and help you, you can get into an attitude of prayer. I hope and pray that you reach that point and stay there. Fellowship with God is the reason we are on this earth. I have wanted this more than anything God could give me. And I still do. Give God the opportunity He deserves and let Him bless your life. Let me know what happens.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

http://www.joseph1637.com

Although, from our youth, we hear the voice of God, there comes a time we must answer the call of God to come home. A lot of people pray all sorts of prayers. The first prayer that God will listen and respond to is the prayer of salvation. This is when you sincerely ask God to forgive your sins and live in your heart. This begins a relationship with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. The gospel has been preached for 6000 years. I am sure that Adam preached the gospel. Did you know that Adam wrote down the covenant he had with God, the gospel? In Egypt, the Levites taught from the book of Noah. They had dedicated themselves to the study and teaching of the gospel. This is why God chose them to carry the ark and tabernacle. There has always been a people who trusted and believed God. We love convenience. How many bibles do you have in your house? I have about 20, different versions. But the prayer of salvation is where you begin your journey with God.
Crain Blanchard.
Joseph1637@juno.com
http://www.joseph1637.com

The bible is quite specific about God listening to prayers. God doesn’t hear the sinner, except for the prayer for salvation. All God has ever wanted is fellowship with man. Adam walked with God in the garden of Eden. Cain and Abel both talked to God, until Cain killed Abel. When God chose the Israelites as a people, they could if they would, talk to God. Most people don’t want to talk to God. Because it means shining God’s light on our lives. This is where you see everything, including all the flaws. But God has had a people, who would talk to Him no matter what. These people, we would call prayer warriors, because they have God’s ear. The bible says that we first must believe that He is and a rewarder of them that diligently seek God. it also says that if we believe that He hears us, we have the petitions we ask of Him. But, if we harbor unforgiveness in our heart, it will block our prayers. The bible says that if you are going to church and your brother has ought against you, go to that brother and be reconciled. Then come to church and offer your prayers and gifts. It also says that if a husband is angry with his wife or the wife with the husband, it will cancel out their prayers. No one who is in sin can approach God with any prayer, unless it is the prayer asking for forgiveness. There are many ways to hinder your prayers, but only one for God to hear you. That is the prayer of repentance from sin.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

www.joseph1637.com

How many people do you know that are content, including yourself? Long time ago, God told me not to look at catalogs anymore. Because it leads to greed. And if I was greedy, I wouldn’t be content. How many things or actions in your life that you can identify that leads to greed.? Greed is the opposite of contentment. There are many other things that will rob you of contentment. Contentment is being able to enjoy who you are and what you have. It is one of the effects of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. If you don’t know what they are, let me tell you. They are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, faith, meekness, temperance and against such there is no law. This is one of the ways that people can tell you belong to God. Jesus said it, by your fruits you will be known. It sets you apart from the rest and people can see it. Contentment as the bible says is great gain. Isn’t that one of the goals in life, great gain. And now you see that God’s way isn’t our way. It is totally opposite to us. That is why God says we must turn from our wicked ways and seek Him. Then when we find God and accept Him, we can have contentment. Because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts. 1 Timothy 6:6 “Godliness with contentment is great gain.”

Crain Blanchard
Joseph1637@juno.com
joseph1637.com