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He did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD

1/23/2019

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In the nine and thirtieth year of Azariah king of Judah began Menahem the son of Gadi to reign over Israel, and reigned ten years in Samaria. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not all his days from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. And Pul the king of Assyria came against the land: and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand. And Menahem exacted the money of Israel, even of all the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and stayed not there in the land. And the rest of the acts of Menahem, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? And Menahem slept with his fathers; and Pekahiah his son reigned in his stead. (2 Kings 15:17-22)
     As the reign of Israel’s kings winds down to the end of Israel each of them got worse and worse. Here Menahem paid off the Assyrians in order to keep his kingdom, a kingdom God had already pronounced as under judgment for their evil acts and rebellion. Each of Menahem’s sons were just as bad or worse, and each had the epitaph that they did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD. They not only rebelled and disobeyed the Law of God personally, but either added to or continued the false worship which Jeroboam had begun in the northern kingdom. Israel’s days were numbered, and yet the kings continued to walk in the sinful ways of their fathers and further from the LORD.
 
     The examples given in the list of Israel’s kings, of short-lived reigns, of tributes given to those stronger and mightier, and of death and destruction, depict an earthly kingdom that is not following the ways of God. Israel had departed from God when it split from Judah and never looked back, even when God sent prophets to call the nation back to Himself, and now was nearing the end of its existence under the hand of judgment. God had put up with all He could from this rebellious nation and her disobedient idolatrous kings and leaders. The litany of kings who would not return to God, nor walk in His ways, would soon come to a close in the northern kingdom and the people would be scattered captives at the hands of the Assyrians.
 
     The people which God calls unto Himself are to reflect Him and not themselves. God calls all of His children to glorify Him, not because He is vain or capricious, but because He alone is worthy of all praise. Any glory we seek for ourselves, or any attempt by God’s people to go our own way or do our will, is sin before the LORD and though it is forgiven in Christ, we are not to continue to walk in our own ways but to repent and return to our God. May it never be said that our ministry, or our legacy, was our own but wholly the work and will of God. God’s grace will not be extended forever, but this church age will come to a close and God’s wrath will be poured out upon all who have rejected Him and upon this sinful and broken world until the last remnant has been saved and brought into His Kingdom. Before it is too late, whosoever will must repent and put their trust in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to receive His Salvation. Those of us who are His are to reach the lost, teach the nations, and preach the Word until He is done with us and comes to take us Home to be with Him.
 
     Until that day when God calls us Home or until He comes back to get us, God has commanded those of us who are His saints and know Him to go out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.

     God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.


In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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He did that which was right in the sight of the LORD

1/22/2019

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In the second year of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel reigned Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah. He was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, yet not like David his father: he did according to all things as Joash his father did. Howbeit the high places were not taken away: as yet the people did sacrifice and burnt incense on the high places. And it came to pass, as soon as the kingdom was confirmed in his hand, that he slew his servants which had slain the king his father. But the children of the murderers he slew not: according unto that which is written in the book of the Law of Moses, wherein the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall be put to death for his own sin. He slew of Edom in the valley of salt ten thousand, and took Selah by war, and called the name of it Joktheel unto this day. (2 Kings 14:1-7)
     Though Amaziah did not return the people completely back to the ways of the LORD and walk as David had walked with God, he did restore much of the proper worship and integrity of the people of Judah. He cleaned house of those who had murdered his father, but not the following generations, as he followed the Law of Moses in exacting punishment under the Law. He also came against Edom, yet his campaign against Israel for her sins was not successful and much of the treasury was lost to Israel as a result.
 
     God calls all leaders to not only serve those they lead but also lead them in His ways. The king of Judah sought to restore Judah to the ways of God but as the people resisted, he cleaned house and brought lawful justice but did not bring the people back to the worship God required. Amaziah led by example and with a servant’s heart, just as his ancestor David, but in worship only walked as his own father had walked. Leaving the high places for people to worship apart from the temple meant the people did not come together before the Lord as they were to do according the Law of Moses.
 
     Godly leaders are humble servants, not looking for their own vainglory or self-aggrandizement but to glory in the Lord. God wants leaders who will walk in His ways and do His will and calls all who are His to follow the example of Christ in drawing all men unto Himself. Jesus always did the Father’s will and pointed those who would hear back to the Word of God. We are to be like Christ and have the Word of Christ in our hearts and demonstrated in our submitted sacrificial lives. With the mind of Christ, we are to reach the lost with the Gospel, teach the nations all He has commanded, and preach the whole Word to the whole world, until all have heard or He is done with us.
 
     Until that day when God calls us Home or until He comes back to get us, God has commanded those of us who are His saints and know Him to go out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.

     God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.


In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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The LORD is gracious and full of compassion

1/15/2019

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Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And Elisha said unto him, Take bow and arrows. And he took unto him bow and arrows. And he said to the king of Israel, Put thine hand upon the bow. And he put his hand upon it: and Elisha put his hands upon the king's hands. And he said, Open the window eastward. And he opened it. Then Elisha said, Shoot. And he shot. And he said, The arrow of the LORD'S deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria: for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek, till thou have consumed them. And he said, Take the arrows. And he took them. And he said unto the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground. And he smote thrice, and stayed. And the man of God was wroth with him, and said, Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice. (2 Kings 13:14-19)
     Though they did not depart from the sins of their fathers in Israel with the golden calves, they sought the LORD to deliver them from their Syrian oppressors. Elisha lay dying of a great sickness and gave the king of Israel a Word from the LORD. God would deliver them from Syria and the army of Israel would smite Syria three times and recovered many of the cities of Israel which Syria had conquered and taken for Syria.
 
     God is a God of deliverance and mercy, even in the midst of Israel’s sin and rebellion. When the people turned back to God, He delivered them, just as He had done all during the time of the judges and was now doing in the times of the kings of Judah and Israel. Because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and because of His great mercy and love, He did not consume Israel at this time but delivered them from their enemies.
 
     For the believer, we are to remember when we sin, and we sin way more often than we want to, we have an advocate with God, the mediator Jesus Christ. Our relationship with the Father and with the Son is not a license to sin, but the power to overcome sin and receive forgiveness and reconciliation when we sin. For those who do not know Christ by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, God’s mercy means while there is life there is opportunity for Salvation to whosoever will receive it. God extends grace to those who repent and call on the Name of the LORD because of His Son. We are delivered from our enemies, from sin, and from this world, not because we earn it or deserve it, but because of God’s grace, mercy, and love for us. All who are in Christ are to share His message of hope to this lost and dying world that whosoever will may come to God on His terms and be born again.
 
     While we are here on this earth as His ambassadors and ministers, God has commanded those of us who are His saints and know Him to go out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.

     God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.


In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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The workman is worthy of his hire

1/14/2019

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But Jehoiada the priest took a chest, and bored a hole in the lid of it, and set it beside the altar, on the right side as one cometh into the house of the LORD: and the priests that kept the door put therein all the money that was brought into the house of the LORD. And it was so, when they saw that there was much money in the chest, that the king's scribe and the high priest came up, and they put up in bags, and told the money that was found in the house of the LORD. And they gave the money, being told, into the hands of them that did the work, that had the oversight of the house of the LORD: and they laid it out to the carpenters and builders, that wrought upon the house of the LORD, And to masons, and hewers of stone, and to buy timber and hewed stone to repair the breaches of the house of the LORD, and for all that was laid out for the house to repair it. Howbeit there were not made for the house of the LORD bowls of silver, snuffers, basons, trumpets, any vessels of gold, or vessels of silver, of the money that was brought into the house of the LORD: But they gave that to the workmen, and repaired therewith the house of the LORD. (2 Kings 12:9-14)
     Joash had instructed the priests to collect for the repairing of the temple. When they did not accomplish this task Joash called them into account. The high priest then collected the monies where the priests could not get to them and they were distributed to the workmen who repaired the temple. No monies were spent on the utensils for the work of the temple until all had been repaired and the workmen were paid for their labor. Later, Joash would send what was left over to the king of Syria in an attempt to persuade him to not besiege Jerusalem, which only partially worked but led to the death of Joash.
 
     Joash was determined to repair the broken walls and gates of the temple of God. Though he had not broken down all the high places in Judah, he had removed the worship of baal and led the people in returning to the worship of God. A restored temple was important to his efforts, not only because the temple is where the people met God through the High priest, but also because of its central importance to the people and land of Judah. When the priests embezzled the provided funds, the high priest and the king arranged for the money to be collected in such a way that the priests could not get to the monies. The laborers were paid as they should have been and the temple was rebuilt. Sending the left over monies to Syria instead of buying the necessary vessels for the work may have delayed the siege of Jerusalem, but Joash still lost credibility in the sight of the people and lost to Syria.
 
     Bringing those who are lost and separated from God into His Kingdom through repentance and faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary is the ultimate work of God and the purpose for any ministry which we do. Anything which we do that takes away from that purpose is not worthy of God and God will not bless it because it does not bring people to saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. When God stirs God’s people to a work or a ministry, He will provide for it through His people. We are to be faithful and responsible stewards to give from what we have received and to manage what comes in for God’s Kingdom. Those who work for us, even if they are not of the body of Christ, are to be paid a fair and equitable wage for the work they do. We are not to keep that which God gives us for ourselves but use it to do the work which God has brought us to. That which God does allow us to have for our needs, is to be used in a godly way and to glorify Him that our ministry and our life may reflect God, His principles, and His ways, that others may see and want to know the God we serve. Our giving unto the LORD and our support for the work of God should reflect our faith in Him and our trust in those He has called to lead and direct His ministries while holding all accountable for that which God has given them until He comes again for His own.
 
     Until that day, while we are here on this earth as His ambassadors and ministers, God has commanded those of us who are His saints and know Him to go out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.

     God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.


In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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This is the thing that ye shall do

1/11/2019

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And he brought forth the king's son, and put the crown upon him, and gave him the testimony; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, God save the king. And when Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she came to the people into the temple of the LORD. And when she looked, behold, the king stood by a pillar, as the manner was, and the princes and the trumpeters by the king, and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew with trumpets: and Athaliah rent her clothes, and cried, Treason, Treason. But Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of the hundreds, the officers of the host, and said unto them, Have her forth without the ranges: and him that followeth her kill with the sword. For the priest had said, Let her not be slain in the house of the LORD. And they laid hands on her; and she went by the way by the which the horses came into the king's house: and there was she slain. And Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they should be the LORD'S people; between the king also and the people. (2 Kings 11:12-17)
     Joash was saved by his great-aunt from his grandmother’s treachery in trying to preserve the throne for herself by killing all her children. When the child was seven, the high priest who had been hiding the child in the temple, arranged the army to protect the child as he anointed him and deposed the usurper queen. At the priest’s direction, she was slain for her crimes outside the temple and the boy king was installed with a covenant promise before the Lord that they should return to God and be what they were meant to be, the people of the LORD. All the people agreed and there was much rejoicing and celebrating the covenant and the new king.
 
     God had promised David that his family would have a man on the throne of Judah. When Athaliah attempted to slay all the sons of her son and heirs who would sit on ‘her’ throne, God preserved Joash at the hands of his great-aunt, the sister of the queen. God hid him in the temple, which was reserved for the priests, under the protection of those priests until the right time. God stirred the high priest to instruct the army and overthrow the queen who had installed herself and replace her with the rightful heir, Joash. Despite his age when he came to the throne, Joash enjoyed peace and reigned for forty years. Because of the covenant which the people made and because they had removed many of the baal worship places and idols, the people were mostly obedient and great peace was upon Judah and Jerusalem.
 
     When crime, injustice, and immorality occurs, we as God’s people must do what is right, but also speak up and teach the nations the Godly principles outlined in Scripture. We are not to expect the ungodly and unholy who do not know God through repentance and faith to live a holy and righteous lifestyle or make ‘Christian’ choices, but we are called to be salt and light in this world, sharing the Gospel and making disciples to and with all we meet. Salt preserves, cures, and makes one thirsty, and we are to live the Gospel we preach so that our communities may be preserved, and our friends and neighbors should desire the living water of the Holy Spirit we possess. Light dispels darkness and shows the path and way before us, and we are to shine as His lights that our communities may see that Jesus alone is the path to the Father and only by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary can anyone be saved. If we preach the Gospel and people come to God on His terms He who makes us Holy will ‘clean up’ and make all who are in Him righteous before God and before man as we grow in Him and become more like Him until we are complete in Him and the final reconciliation with God is accomplished.
 
     Until that day, while we are here on this earth as His ambassadors and ministers, God has commanded those of us who are His saints and know Him to go out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.

     God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.


In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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Who is on the Lord's side?

1/10/2019

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And Jehu went, and Jehonadab the son of Rechab, into the house of baal, and said unto the worshippers of baal, Search, and look that there be here with you none of the servants of the LORD, but the worshippers of baal only. And when they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings, Jehu appointed fourscore men without, and said, If any of the men whom I have brought into your hands escape, he that letteth him go, his life shall be for the life of him. And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the captains, Go in, and slay them; let none come forth. And they smote them with the edge of the sword; and the guard and the captains cast them out, and went to the city of the house of baal. And they brought forth the images out of the house of baal, and burned them.
(2 Kings 10:23-26)
     Jehu continued his house cleaning at the direction of God by encouraging the elders of those places where the sons of Ahab were ruling to overthrow them. After obtaining the heads of the seventy sons of Ahab at the hands of those who joined him, he turned his attention to the prophets and worshipers of the false god, baal and destroyed them and their idols and images. Jehu did not however, remove the golden calves from Israel and the worship of them which Jeroboam had instituted in place of the worship of God.
 
     God’s Law called for the Israelites to be holy and to obey all that He had commanded. The false worship of baal was no worse in its idolatry than the false worship of the golden calf, even if its actual practices were much worse. God had pronounced judgment upon the family of Ahab for their sin and worship of baal, but all who worshiped other gods were equally guilty of sin against the LORD and God did not bless Jehu or Israel because their cleansing and repentance was incomplete and they did not fully turn to Him and walk in His ways. Though Jehu’s descendants were on the throne of Israel for four generations, Jehu’s line did not continue because he was not fully committed to all that God had commanded.
 
     Those under the Law must keep all the Law and even then, the Law does not save anyone, but faith in the Lawgiver who redeems those who repent and put their trust in Him. All of us have broken all of God’s Laws and are guilty before Him. Only through the grace of God can we be saved by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. God calls everyone everywhere to repent and be saved, not only from willful sin but also from their sin nature which drives all who are not in Christ to sin against our Holy God. Jehu called the elders to stand up and strike for the Lord and today, God calls whosoever will to Himself for salvation, not just in the life to come but from the moment a repentant sinner humbles himself and surrenders unto God. Those in Christ are called to do the work of God, not incomplete as Jehu did but completely and obediently after the example of our Lord and at His command until He comes again to take us Home.
 
     Until that day, while we are here on this earth as His ambassadors and ministers, God has commanded those of us who are His saints and know Him to go out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.

     God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.


In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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Vengeance is Mine saith the LORD, I will repay

1/9/2019

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And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window. And as Jehu entered in at the gate, she said, Had Zimri peace, who slew his master? And he lifted up his face to the window, and said, Who is on my side? who? And there looked out to him two or three eunuchs. And he said, Throw her down. So they threw her down: and some of her blood was sprinkled on the wall, and on the horses: and he trode her under foot. And when he was come in, he did eat and drink, and said, Go, see now this cursed woman, and bury her: for she is a king's daughter. And they went to bury her: but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her hands. Wherefore they came again, and told him. And he said, This is the Word of the LORD, which He spake by His servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, In the portion of Jezreel shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel: And the carcase of Jezebel shall be as dung upon the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel; so that they shall not say, This is Jezebel. (2 Kings 9:30-37)
     The judgment God had pronounced upon Jezebel and her descendants came upon them just as God had said. Jehu was anointed as king of Israel and set about to remove those of the family of Ahab who reigned over Judah and Israel. When Jehu confronted Jezebel, she taunted him as a usurper and likened him to his predecessor Zimri who brought the palace down on his own head when caught overthrowing his own king. This time however, Jehu would remove Jezebel, with the help of those faithful to God within the palace who threw her out the window, and the dogs devoured most of her, just as the prophet had foretold.
 
     While God is gracious, and His mercy is undeserved and everlasting, His justice will be meted out in His time. Outright rebellion and willful sin against God which is not repented of will be met with punishment and judgment. Jezebel and Ahab and their children were idolatrous and unrepentant of their sin against the LORD and in His time their just reward came upon them. God anointed Jehu to rule over Israel and used him to remove them from Israel in just the manner He had foretold several years earlier. They could not escape the justice and judgment of God because they would not repent of their sin.
 
     Thank God for His mercy, that we are not consumed as Ahab and Jezebel. His willingness to give whosoever will time to repent of their sin and put their trust in Him means that each of us has an opportunity (often more than one) to acknowledge Him for who He is and admit our need of His salvation. We can (and many have) gladly, yet humbly, come to Him who alone can save, in repentance and grief over our sin that has separated us from our Creator, Redeemer, and King, and receive His forgiveness because of His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. We believe His Word, trust His grace, and confess our sin and that He alone is Lord of all, not to continue doing our own will, as Jezebel did her entire wicked life, but to live a new life in Christ. A life of holiness which demonstrates the presence of Christ within; keeping His Word, and doing the will and work of our God until He comes for us again.
 
     Until that day, while we are here on this earth as His ambassadors and ministers, God has commanded those of us who are His saints and know Him to go out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.

     God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.


In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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Walk in the Way of the LORD

1/8/2019

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And in the fifth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel, Jehoshaphat being then king of Judah, Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah began to reign. Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab: for the daughter of Ahab was his wife: and he did evil in the sight of the LORD. Yet the LORD would not destroy Judah for David his servant's sake, as He promised him to give him alway a light, and to his children. In his days Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah, and made a king over themselves. So Joram went over to Zair, and all the chariots with him: and he rose by night, and smote the Edomites which compassed him about, and the captains of the chariots: and the people fled into their tents. Yet Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day. Then Libnah revolted at the same time. (2 Kings 8:16-22)
     Following the prophesy against Hazael and its fulfillment in his betrayal and murder of his king, Hazael became king of Syria. Joram during this time became king of Judah in his father’s place, but did not walk in the ways of the LORD as his father had done. This set the stage for the rebellion of Edom (and later Libnah, when Judah though victorious did not subjugate Edom again) and Joram’s death at the hand of Hazael. All this was going on during a time of great sin in Judah and Israel under Ahab and Jezebel and their descendants.
 
     Though God allowed it and even orchestrated some events to draw people back to Him, Judah and Israel spent most of the times of the kings in disobedience and rebellion against the LORD. They did not walk in His ways but in the ways of Ahab, idolatry and sin against God and against one another. God was waiting until their sin had reached His limit to pronounce judgment, even as He sent prophets to warn them of their wickedness. The litany of the kings of Judah and Israel, following the days of Solomon is not a chronicle of glory but a legacy of that once again reminds us of the days of Noah, when the thoughts and imaginations of the hearts of men were only evil continuously. The few kings of Judah who brought the people back to God lengthened the time before their judgment, but judgment did come to both Israel and Judah.
 
     God warns His people through the pages of Scripture to follow the example of those who walked in His ways and forsake the sin and disobedience of those who rebelled against the LORD. His grace is sufficient, and His mercy is everlasting but His wrath will come upon the children of disobedience. He calls whosoever will to repentance and reconciliation, but He will punish those who will not receive Him. As Creator, He has the right to pronounce judgment upon His creation. As Redeemer, He has given Himself for all sin and to forgive those who come to Him in faith. As King, He alone is LORD of all and over all, ruling those now who submit to Him and ruling all creation in His time and according to His ways. Since His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts, we often struggle with the seeming incongruity between His sovereignty and our free-will. Both are taught in the Scriptures and we must trust the Author of our salvation and His Word to know better than we how to reconcile His love and mercy with His judgment and justice while being free to choose a God who is Sovereign over all and is all powerful and all knowing. We ought not to confuse His fore-knowledge with His fore-action, but trust that He who knows all will do all that He has promised in His time.
 
     While we are here on this earth as His ambassadors and ministers, God has commanded those of us who are His saints and know Him to go out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.

     God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.


In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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Hear ye the Word of the LORD and believe

10/5/2018

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So they came and called unto the porter of the city: and they told them, saying, We came to the camp of the Syrians, and, behold, there was no man there, neither voice of man, but horses tied, and asses tied, and the tents as they were. And he called the porters; and they told it to the king's house within. And the king arose in the night, and said unto his servants, I will now shew you what the Syrians have done to us. They know that we be hungry; therefore are they gone out of the camp to hide themselves in the field, saying, When they come out of the city, we shall catch them alive, and get into the city. And one of his servants answered and said, Let some take, I pray thee, five of the horses that remain, which are left in the city, (behold, they are as all the multitude of Israel that are left in it: behold, I say, they are even as all the multitude of the Israelites that are consumed:) and let us send and see. They took therefore two chariot horses; and the king sent after the host of the Syrians, saying, Go and see. And they went after them unto Jordan: and, lo, all the way was full of garments and vessels, which the Syrians had cast away in their haste. And the messengers returned, and told the king. (2 Kings 7:10-15)
     The Syrians laid siege of Samaria and drove the citizens near to starvation. What food and water they had was sold for great prices, yet Elisha told them that they would see a day that basics would sell for ridiculously low prices. One of the king’s men scoffed at the idea and was told that he would see it but not enjoy it. God later scared the Syrians away with the sounds of a great army and when it was discovered and told the king, all the city rushed out to see this marvel and miracle. The man who doubted was in charge of keeping order at the gate and was run over, so he saw what God had done, but did not enjoy it, just as Elisha had said.
 
     Doubt caused this man to miss out on the blessing and deliverance of God. God delivered the city from the siege of the Syrians with a mighty miracle but the man did not believe when Elisha told him of what God would do and so he died before he could partake of what he saw God do. The lepers who discovered the Syrians were gone collected many spoils, the people of the city recovered much food and other stuff, but the man who doubted only saw the work of God but never received it. He tried to keep people in order but the masses were too desirous of the bread and food to do so orderly and he would not get out of the way and so he died without receiving God’s gift.
 
     Many people miss the blessings God has for them because they do not believe. Whether it is denying miracles happen, or that they happen today, or just not believing that God could deliver them from their sin simply by faith in Jesus Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, their doubt leads to disbelief and they miss all that God has for them. Even Christians can miss out on God’s greater work and provision by doubting all that God can and will do for His people and the ministries, missions, and discipleship He has called us to do for Him. We fail to believe His Word and miss opportunities to reach the lost with the Gospel. We doubt His power today and are not teaching the nations all things whatsoever He has commanded. We determine for ourselves what preaching is and are not obedient to preach the whole Word to the whole World. God has commissioned, called, and commanded that all His people are to be about His Kingdom business and yet so many of us are on the bench or sidelines and not in the game. There is too much at stake for us to be run over at the gate of the kingdom trying to control hungry people from getting the bread of life according to our rules instead of obeying God and sharing His message of grace.
 
     While we are here on this earth as His ambassadors and ministers, God has commanded those of us who are His saints and know Him to go out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.

     God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.


In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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Open mine eyes that I may see your Truth

10/4/2018

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Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not shew me which of us is for the king of Israel? And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber. And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan. Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about. And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. (2 Kings 6:11-17)
     God revealed the secret plans of the king of Syria each time he made them. Learning of Elisha’s revealing his plans, he pursued him and attempted to surround him but was no match for the thousands sent by the LORD to protect His prophet. Their presence was revealed to the servant of Elisha even as the men of Syria were blinded and captured. Though the king of Israel wanted to kill the invading bands of Syria, Elisha instead returned them to their own country.
 
     The plans and thoughts of men are known unto the LORD and the king of Syria could not do that which God did not allow. Each time he made an encampment it was revealed, and learning the human agent, he sought to stop the revelations. Yet, he could not stop the Word of the LORD from going forth nor could he outmatch God and His agents and forces. God continued to work mightily through His prophet on behalf of Israel despite their idolatry and despite their sin and He was merciful to those around Israel as well.
 
     Those of us who have put our faith and trust in the LORD and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary for Salvation can also trust that He is greater than any of our enemies, our problems, or any crisis which may come our way. Not only is He God and ruler over all the earth, He has legions of angels who do His will and all His Church in which to accomplish His plans. Our God does not force anyone to believe but invites whosoever will come to receive His free gift through repentance and faith in Him, but He will prevail over the plans and purposes of this world and the victory which He has already won over sin and death will be ultimately consummated in His victory over all those who have rejected Him and all those who oppose our Creator, Redeemer, and King. He has called, commissioned, and commanded us to go out and reach the lost, teach the nations, and preach the Word and the missions, ministry, and discipleship of His Church are to be for that purpose until He is done with us and recalls His ambassadors Home to Himself.
 
     Until that day, God has commanded those of us who are His saints and know Him to go out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.

     God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.


In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
0 Comments
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