God teaches us a little at a time. He doesn’t want us to be overwhelmed by sorrow. Why sorrow? When God shines His light on our heart and we actually see what is in there, we are sorrowful. It’s a sorrow unto repentance. The pain we have because of sin, ours and the world’s, motivates us the action. When we are motivated to share the gospel, the world will react. They will fight back. We will be persecuted. Some of us will die. Jesus explained it in John 16. But Jesus said because I go to my Father, I will send the Comforter, the Spirit of God. He will lead us an guide us into all truth. Then we will see as God sees. This is the sorrow that the world will rejoice in.

Crain Blanchard

Www.joseph1637.com

The bible says that the Spirt is subject to the prophet. This means that the Holy Ghost doesn’t force His will on us. God has always given us a choice. We have a free will. We can choose to serve God or not. Even a believer has a choice to make. Wanting to serve doesn’t come naturally. We choose the path we walk on. When Jesus’s sayings got tuff, many of His disciples turned back. Jesus asked the 12 if they were going to leave also. Peter said, where can we go. You are the Christ. You have the words of everlasting life. So, what do you believe? Where can you go, just because things are getting tuff in you life? The saints of the first century believed and went to their deaths in the Roman colosseums. There has always been martyrs throughout the ages. It is always something to contemplate your mortality.

Crain Blanchard.

Www.joseph1637.com

I love Joseph1637 | condemnation, let’s play it!
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-7ggeb-a83dd9

It was the last few days before Jesus was crucified. He giving the disciples last minute instructions. After three years of teaching, Jesus was explaining who He was to the disciples. He wanted them to remember all that He said. Jesus explained that in heaven were many mansions. He said if I go away, I will come again and receive you to Myself. That’s when Jesus said, I am the way, the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father but by Me. Jesus wanted them to understand. It is unfortunate that we learn by tribulation. What the disciples went through in following days, shook everything they knew. It was done so God could set them in order. Peter had to betray Jesus. The disciples had to run in fear. What Jesus did, He had to do alone. It is the same with us, even though your church is behind you. You have to make the decision to step out in faith and follow God. This decision is for you alone.

Crain Blanchard

Www.joseph1637.com

I’ve talked about salvation, healing, deliverance and the baptism of the Holy Ghost. I’ve talked about what is required to walk in all these gifts of God. I’ve had many people help me walk in righteousness. They have taught, exhorted, encouraged and prayed for me. They believed the best for me. But whole time I had to make the decisions by myself. As much as they wanted, it only happens when I decide to follow Jesus and die to myself. The life that God calls us to is simple. When we begin God is there and goes before us to make the paths straight. When we walk into a situation, We allow God to move through us and He does the work. Then God gives us the reward. Although, other people are walking on this path, the journey is ours alone. We as an individual must make this journey by ourselves. It’s a journey of one.

Crain Blanchard.

Www.joseph1637.com

As you read in the bible, there were 2 things that Jesus did to start his ministry, confession of sins, though He had no sin, and baptism of water. This what every believing jew was doing before the day of atonement. Jesus did it as an example. It’s an ordinance of the church. But that’s not the only baptism we go through. The baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire is what we are called to. This is the power of God to live the life God wants us to. There is another baptism that God wants us to walk in. It’s the baptism of death. I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ who lives through me. How many people can say they are dead to themselves? To fulfill God’s plan in our lives, we have to die. As Paul said, I die daily. As we go about our life we live God’s life on this earth. Jesus baptism was death. He was the example to us. As He said, if they hated me, so they will His servants. Have you accepted your death yet? You will never see the life of God come to fruition if you don’t. This is the baptism of life for every believer.

Crain Blanchard

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

There are many things that other people can do for you, but not for asking for forgiveness from God. Or in other words, salvation, isn’t one of them. This is a personal journey that each person must take. It starts when you confess your sins and ask for forgiveness. It ends when you die and go home to heaven. What happens in between is the personal part. 4 days before Jesus died on Passover, He went to Bethany. He was visiting Lazarus, Mary and Martha. A few days before Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead. When Jesus entered their home, He sat for supper. Mary took an expensive ointment and annointed Jesus’s feet and wiped it with her hair. Jesus said she was doing this against the day of His burial. What you do in journey to heaven, isn’t up to me. It is strictly between you and God. It my seem odd to the world, but if God is in it, it is your personal plan for your salvation. But he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved (salvation). (Matt.24:14).

Jesus went to Bethany to see about Lazarus. He talked to his sisters, Martha and Mary. Lazarus had been dead for 4 days. Jesus went so that people would believe on Him. Lazarus’ sisters and many Jews followed Jesus to the graveyard. Jesus had them to remove the stone in front of the grave. Jesus prayed and called Lazarus arise. Lazarus walked out of his grave. Many believed but some went to the religious leaders. They made the decision to kill Jesus. Jesus didn’t walk openly among the Jews anymore. Passover was soon. The Jews looked for Jesus. Jesus had already made the decision to go to Jerusalem. He knew the time had come. To those who believe, you made the decision to die to yourself and follow Jesus. What about now? Are you still dead to yourself? Are you still following Jesus? Or have you gone your own way? Jesus is calling you again. Step out of the hole you are in and follow. Make that decision today.

Crain Blanchard

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

The Christians of the first century wanted to know about Jesus’s return. Paul tried to explain the best he could what will happen. People then thought that Jesus would return shortly. So much so that they stopped working and sat on their roofs to watch for His return. Paul had preached the immanent return of Jesus. And His return is immanent. Time to God is relative to His word. To Him, a 1000 years is as a day. Today, we are looking for that same return 2000 years later. Paul exhorted those Christians to occupy, to be about the work of God, until Jesus returns. It is the same for us. We live our lives as if it were our last day on earth. Jesus’s return isn’t our business. God alone knows when it is. For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as I am known.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

Jesus and the disciples left the temple. They went on the other side of Jordan where John had baptized Jesus. News came to Him that a dear friend was dying. They asked Jesus to come and heal him. Jesus said we will wait two days to work God’s will. By time they got to Bethany, Lazarus was died. His two sisters, Mary and Martha heard that Jesus was coming. Martha ran to meet him. She said if only you had been here. Jesus said Lazarus will rise again. Martha said yes, in the resurrection. Jesus said, I am the resurrection and the life; he that believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. Believeth thou this?

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com