We know what salt is. With salt domes all throughout Louisiana. Most of us have a problem with salt. We use to much of it in our food. People have used salt since the beginning of time. It used to season and preserve food. Jesus talk about this in His preachings. He said we are the salt of earth. But if the salt has lost its savour, it’s good for nothing. Except to be thrown out and to be trampled on. Our words are to be seasoned with salt so that our message is palatable. And that salt is the love of God. And if we lost that love for God, we are not worth anything but to be thrown out. Jesus was very clear about this message. We are the light of the world. And this world needs this message more than ever. And what is the message, that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whoever believes will not perish but have everlasting life.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 5:10,11,12, Jesus talks about being persecuted for righteousness sake. Jesus said if they hated Him, how much more shall they hate us. Jesus was persecuted for doing good. In the gospel of John, it says that men love darkness and don’t want the light of God. So they fight against the the truth of the gospel. We strive to show the world Jesus. We died to ourselves so that Jesus will live through us. So people can see God. But the reality of what lost people see in Jesus, is their death. In 2 Corinthians 4:8,9,10,11,12, it says that we carry the death of Jesus with us. And that is what lost people see. It means life for us, but death to them. So, we are persecuted. Jesus said, blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 5:9, blessed are the peacemakers for they will called the children of God. Peace is the one thing that we lack before we come to the Lord. No matter what we do we never have it. God warns us to make peace with our adversary while we are in the way. Before he hands us over to the court and are thrown in prison. The bible says where we will not be released until we repay everything.(Matthew 5:25). In Hebrews 12:14, pursue peace with all men, with holiness, without it no man shall see God. In James 3:17, it says that wisdom is pure, peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy, without partiality and hypocrisy. We all search for that peace of God that passes all understanding. Maybe if we extend that peace to others, we will find what God is talking about. And it will keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7).

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

What does God look like? When I started I had no idea. All I heard or saw was His voice. And that I wasn’t sure of. So I studied the word of God to find out what He did look like. It was like a puzzle. Piece by piece, I put the picture together. God revealed His presence first. I knew when He there. What happened as I studied, it change my heart. And as my heart cleared of all the junk, I began to see God as He is. I was surprised at the gentleness and softness of God heart. My Father loves me with all His being. And do what is necessary to get me home. He opened His heart to me and let me in. No one has ever loved me so completely. I can enter into His presence anytime I want to. And I want to live in His presence. I have gone to visit many times. But I will go home to stay one day. Everytime you reach out to help someone or say a kind word or a word of encouragement, open you eyes and see God. He is always there. You just need to open your eyes What does He look like? He looks like a Father who loves His children so much that He sent his oldest son to die for our sins. He standing next me and helping me to write this blog. God bless you.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com L

In Matthew 5:7, it says we will get mercy if we show mercy. Mercy is a love and forgiveness shown to another person. In Micah 6:8, it says to love mercy, to do justly and to walk humbly with God. In Matthew 7:12, it says do unto others as you would have others to do to you. In Mark 12:31, it says to love your neighbor as yourself. I guess you could call this a chain of events. If you do the first, then the second and the third and fourth, you would be in a place to recieve mercy. We all need mercy. We are human and will fall and sin against God. But if we love mercy and show it to everyone, guess what will happen to us? We will receive mercy from God. In Matthew 5:7, it says blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 5:5, it says that the meek shall inherit the earth. So, what is God talking about? God wants to impart one of His attributes to us. It’s an attitude of the heart and is contrary to everything we stand for. Most people think meekness is weakness. But this isn’t so. Meekness can only be displayed through strength. It takes a very strong willed person to be meek. This person must have a thick skin by the Holy Ghost. When Jesus set His face toward Jerusalem, nothing could change His mind. He didn’t fuss or cuss because of His choice. He took on His choice with faith and meekness. It takes more courage to be meek, than it does otherwise. People saw that meekness in Jesus. Which made Him approachable. People still see that meekness. This is the attribute that God wants us to have. So, they can see Jesus in us and come.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

Mourning is a type of prayer. It’s also grief. There is a time for every season. There is a season for mourning. When you look at a situation and see the consequences and your heart begins to ache. This is mourning. When a close relative dies and your heart aches. When you see the world and how it’s going wrong and your heart aches. This is mourning. Then you groan with pain. This is prayer. God sees everything. He doesn’t miss anything in our lives. He hears our heart all the time. Our heart talks to God. But sometimes the pain gets in the way of our voice. Then our heart will groan. The bible says that sometimes the Holy Ghost will pray by groaning that can’t be uttered. Also, it says that all creation groaneth for the revelation of the sons of God. Groaning is prayer and God says He will comfort us.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

Each of us has abilities that are God given. Those abilities literally work on their own. Because they are so ingrained in us, it’s like a second nature. We begin to believe that it’s our own abilities. But they were given by God to be used in His kingdom, not ours. So, what is the difference? On our own, we believe how great we are. Pride comes in and we lose God’s plan and help. We begin to walk alone. The bible says that all things, God’s will, work together for good to them that love God and are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28). The only way that you can ever reach God’s full potential is that you commit yourself to the work of God. And the only way you can get to God is to humble yourself. There is no place for pride in God’s economy. God throw 1/3 of all the angels out of heaven because of pride. God keeps showing man what to do. And He will until the end. In Micah 6:8, it says I have shown you how to walk with me, to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with Me. Humble yourself before the mighty hand of God and commit yourself to His work.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

After Jesus was baptized with the Holy Ghost, He began preaching the kingdom of heaven was at hand. He was preparing people for what was coming. In the Lord’s prayer, Jesus said, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. God was restoring what was lost in the beginning with Adam. We, as children of God, are restored to the place that God promised. Jesus preached an old doctrine that was from the beginning. People thought it was strange. But God had wanted man to do this from the beginning. Man has always thought that there should be a rule for everything. But God had two basic rules. The first is to love God with all that you are. The second is like the first, it is to love your neighbor as yourself. And who is your neighbor, everyone. Jesus said, how can you love God, who you haven’t seen, if you don’t love your fellow man, who you have seen. This is the kingdom of heaven.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

It’s a valid question. We start out as best we can to do what we believe that our lives are on the right track. Granted it’s a hit or miss proposition. Our parents try their best to help us get started. Sometimes it sticks. But we find out shortly what our limitations are. Sometimes we just believe we just can’t do it. It’s sad because the only thing that stop us is ourselves. God made us to succeed. But the only way it can happen is with God Himself. God made us with a missing piece. The missing piece is God Himself. But we have to accept Jesus into our hearts to become whole. Then we have the opportunity to succeed in this life. Just because we have accepted Jesus doesn’t mean we will succeed. It’s a walk with Jesus all the way home. God has made many promises, but unless we are willing to accept and believe them, they are just words. Assurance is God’s work in our hearts. The bible says, all things work together for good, to them that love God and are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28).

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com