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The land that shall fall unto you for an inheritance

1/31/2018

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And Moses commanded the children of Israel, saying, This is the land which ye shall inherit by lot, which the LORD commanded to give unto the nine tribes, and to the half tribe: For the tribe of the children of Reuben according to the house of their fathers, and the tribe of the children of Gad according to the house of their fathers, have received their inheritance; and half the tribe of Manasseh have received their inheritance: The two tribes and the half tribe have received their inheritance on this side Jordan near Jericho eastward, toward the sunrising. (Num. 34:13-15)
     With Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh on the eastern side of Jordan, God outlined the borders of the land of Israel from the south wilderness to the western sea to the north and back down on the eastern side. God had set all the land apart and given it unto Abraham and here was confirming that promise with specific borders to those tribes which were going in to possess it. God also confirmed the settling of the lands east of Jordan by the tribes whose families were already settled into conquered lands and whose men would go over and fight with their brethren. God also confirmed the heads of each of the tribes as they prepared to cross over and possess the land which God promised to them.
 
     God had already promised this land through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob who is Israel to the children of Israel and was now preparing this generation to go in and possess it. He outlined the borders of the land which they were to conquer, and confirmed their leaders as the men He appointed over each tribe to lead the Israelites in the battles in the land. He confirmed the settling of the land to the east and prepared the people to go over and possess that which He has given unto them. As the Israelites concluded their forty years of wandering because of the faithlessness and rebellion of the previous generation, God prepared His people for their entry and possession of the land which He had promised unto Israel.
 
     In Christ we have the blessing and promise of a future with Him, but we also have His promise to always be with us. Our redemption is not a future by and by, though we look forward to that eternity, but a reality now which we experience daily with our Lord. Though there are battles to be won and our sin struggles are to be conquered daily through His Spirit and His Word, we can be assured of His power to do so. He has already given those of us who have a relationship with Him through repentance and faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary the victory over sin and death. He justifies those who surrender to Him on His terms and washes us through the Word. We must then continually die to ourselves and to sin that we, through the Spirit that is within us, may cast down every stronghold and take possession of that which He has given us for our growth in Him and His glory.
 
      While we are here God has sent those of us that know Him 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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At the commandment of the LORD

1/30/2018

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Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye are passed over Jordan into the land of Canaan; Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places: And ye shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land, and dwell therein: for I have given you the land to possess it. And ye shall divide the land by lot for an inheritance among your families: and to the more ye shall give the more inheritance, and to the fewer ye shall give the less inheritance: every man's inheritance shall be in the place where his lot falleth; according to the tribes of your fathers ye shall inherit. (Num. 33:51-54)
     As this account of the journeys of the children of Israel neared its end, the LORD told them of all they are to do when they pass over Jordan and take possession of the land which the LORD promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob who is Israel. These descendants of Israel were to go in and conquer the land which is theirs and drive out all the current inhabitants, overcoming their sinful practices and all that is associated with their idolatry and sin. They were to divide it according to their tribes and families until all have come into their inheritance of the land of Israel.
 
     Israel has come to the end of their wanderings in the wilderness and God had Moses, after recording all their journeys from Egypt to Jordan, prepare the people for the tasks before them. The LORD instructed the children of Israel to go in to the land and subdue it, conquer the peoples there, and drive out their sin, for their sin of idolatry and rebellion had polluted the land. They were to destroy all that pertained to the practices of sin which the inhabitants had set up and take possession, divide the land by tribe and family until each had their place, from the greatest to the least, and all had inherited that which God had promised to Abraham and the children of Israel. God promised to bring the judgment of these people upon Israel if they did not do as He commanded.
 
     Though Christians are strangers and pilgrims here, we are to conquer sin through the Spirit of God within and His power and victory through His Word. Our weapons are not of this world nor is our battle with those who are lost in sin, but against principalities and powers, and with the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. We are to possess that which God has given us: liberty to live in Christ, not license to sin, but power to live the life which He has for us to live; and freedom from the penalty and power of sin because of Jesus Christ and our faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. We do not destroy sinners in this age of grace, but we do stand against the works of the devil and judge with righteous judgment the sin which God has already condemned that those who are in sin may repent, turning from their sin and to God in faith and surrender to Him on His terms, that they might be reconciled with the Father.
 
      While we are here God has sent those of us that know Him 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 possession of our inheritance

1/29/2018

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And, behold, ye are risen up in your fathers' stead, an increase of sinful men, to augment yet the fierce anger of the LORD toward Israel. For if ye turn away from after Him, He will yet again leave them in the wilderness; and ye shall destroy all this people. And they came near unto him, and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones: But we ourselves will go ready armed before the children of Israel, until we have brought them unto their place: and our little ones shall dwell in the fenced cities because of the inhabitants of the land. We will not return unto our houses, until the children of Israel have inherited every man his inheritance. (Num. 32:14-18)
     The tribes of Reuben and Gad decided to remain on the eastern side of the Jordan river and settle the conquered land of Bashan and the Amorites. At first, Moses, thinking that they were as rebellious as their fathers in refusing to cross over into Canaan, was angry and derided their decision. He reminded the tribes of the cost of rebelling against the commandment of the LORD. The leadership of these tribes explained that the men would cross over and fight with their brethren while the rest stayed in the walled and fenced cities of the land until all the tribes have conquered and inherited the land which God had promised them. The men of these tribes would then return to their homes having kept the commandment of the LORD.
 
     Though at first these tribes seemed to be in rebellion as the previous generation, they had worked out this plan quite well. With the land to the east of Jordan subdued and habitable the wives and children of the tribes of Reuben and Gad could stay relatively safe on the eastern side while the men crossed over and obeyed God in conquering the land under Joshua. Knowing the judgment which God had brought on the previous generation, they were not seeking to repeat that mistake, but only sought to begin settling this good land which they had liberated and which was part of what was promised to Abraham. Once Moses understood that this was not compromise or disobedience but settling the already conquered land and that they would fight with their brethren when they crossed over Jordan, he saw the wisdom of the arrangement and agreed, adding half of the tribe of Manasseh to those who stayed on the eastern side.
 
     Wherever God takes us or whatever He has for us to do, as Christians we ought to stand with our brethren of the household of God. Those who are secure in Christ by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, while conquering that which God reveals to us, must also uphold and support one another. We may not all fight the same battles, and Jesus has already won the war over sin and death, but we must stand together in the Lord who equips us for His work. The Lord goes before us and we must go in His strength and in obedience to His Word where He sends us. God will conquer all that we surrender to Him on His terms and grow those who know Him into the image of His dear Son and enable us to both settle ourselves in Him and live as strangers in but not of this world until He takes us Home to be with Him.
 
      Until that glorious day, God has sent those of us that know Him 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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To make an atonement for our souls before the LORD

1/26/2018

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And Eleazar the priest said unto the men of war which went to the battle, This is the ordinance of the Law which the LORD commanded Moses; Only the gold, and the silver, the brass, the iron, the tin, and the lead, Every thing that may abide the fire, ye shall make it go through the fire, and it shall be clean: nevertheless it shall be purified with the water of separation: and all that abideth not the fire ye shall make go through the water. And ye shall wash your clothes on the seventh day, and ye shall be clean, and afterward ye shall come into the camp. (Num. 31:21-24)
     All that came in to the camp of Israel was to be clean and sanctified as God commanded. Following the battle with the Midianites and the victory which the men of Israel secured, the Israelites who went to war brought back the spoil they had gathered, some of which was not clean or pure. Moses and Eleazar had them clean and sanctify all that could be purified by the water of separation and by fire. Even in victory the Israelites were to be separate from the peoples around them and pure before the LORD. Much of what they brought back was offered to the LORD in oblation or given to the Levites for their upkeep and to atone for their sin of bringing back that which should not have been kept.
 
     The LORD had sent the Israelites to war against the Midianites who had attempted to corrupt the country with adultery and idolatry. The men who went to war were victorious and captured much spoil and captives. Moses gave command from the LORD concerning those things which could be purified and cleansed and that which must be destroyed. God was glorified in all and the Israelites offered much of the spoil to the LORD for the work of the temple, for a remembrance of His victory, and for the Levites. The captives which were pure were kept and those which were not were killed because they were not pure and could not be brought into the camp.
 
     The Lord Jesus Christ has secured our victory. His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary and His resurrection from the dead has conquered death and sin. Those who put their trust in Him and repent of their sins are made pure and brought into the camp, God’s Church, that we might have life and have it more abundantly. We who are born again are not delivered from our captivity to sin to continue in sin but to live lives of liberty in Christ as we grow in Him and continue the battle we are fighting. Today, the churches battle is not with weapons of the flesh or against others, but using God’s Word, the armour of God, and prayer, we fight against principalities and powers and every stronghold which wars against God. Jesus has already won the war and offers cleansing to whosoever will from sin and death and reconciliation unto Himself and to the Father. He is our atonement, our Victory, and the Commander of the Lord’s army, He is our Redeemer, our Saviour, and our King.
 
      God has sent those of us that know Him 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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These are the statutes which the LORD commanded

1/25/2018

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If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth. If a woman also vow a vow unto the LORD, and bind herself by a bond, being in her father's house in her youth; And her father hear her vow, and her bond wherewith she hath bound her soul, and her father shall hold his peace at her: then all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she hath bound her soul shall stand. But if her father disallow her in the day that he heareth; not any of her vows, or of her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul, shall stand: and the LORD shall forgive her, because her father disallowed her. (Num. 30:2-5)
     God commanded Moses and the leaders of the twelve tribes that the men of Israel were to keep their vows and affirm or null the vows of their daughters and wives. A man was to keep his word and do all that he had said he would do. Women, not because they were any less of a person, but because they are subject to their fathers and husbands, had to have their word confirmed before it stood. The word of women that were divorced or widowed would stand without needing confirmation.
 
     God takes oaths seriously. A vow or oath was to be kept if it was not made null by a higher authority. God having installed men as the head of the house held them to a higher standard of keeping their vows. Women at home were subject to the father either as daughters or as husbands and the head of the house would affirm or null the vow as the higher authority who stood for the family. It did not mean women were less of a person than men, since widowed and divorced women stood on their own, but that the father had the last word as he represented the family and could null those vows which did not portray the families position or intent.
 
     God still cares about our oaths and vows and tells us that we should let our yea be yea and our nay be nay. But when we take a vow or state an oath we should understand its importance and keep it. Our word does not have any power but our character will be reflected by our being true to our word. Though not part of the Law, since we are not subject to such laws as this anymore in Christ, the principle of keeping our word and affirming or nullifying the vows and oaths of our daughters and wives can still prevent some problems. For the Christian family, the father is still head of the household and can overturn a promise his wife or daughter makes which interferes with the family. The father should never do so lightly or capriciously but always prayerfully consider the vow and the intent of the family as a whole as well as the wife or daughter.
 
     Because of our faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary we have the freedom to live as He would have us live, freedom from sin (not to sin more but to live victoriously over sin), and freedom to do His will. Because Christ kept all His vows and did the will of the Father we can be born again and be made new and reconciled with the Father. That is a promise from God which He will keep for those who repent of their sin and put their trust in Him.
 
      God has sent those of us that know Him 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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All that the LORD commanded

1/24/2018

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And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: it is a day of blowing the trumpets unto you.
And ye shall have on the tenth day of this seventh month an holy convocation; and ye shall afflict your souls: ye shall not do any work therein:
And on the fifteenth day of the seventh month ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work, and ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days: (Num. 29:1, 7, 12)
     The feasts of the seventh month, Trumpets, Atonement, Tabernacles. God reminded this next generation of the feasts He had commanded to be observed each year to commemorate His work among His people. The civil year was announced with the blowing of trumpets and the worship of the LORD, the atoning sacrifice for the sin of the people and the nation was sacrificed and the blood poured out on the mercy seat for the propitiation of sin, and the people remembered their wandering and the provision of the Lord in the wilderness.
 
     The civil year is brought in with trumpets and the LORD is worshipped as redeemer, provider, and their God. The sin of the people and nation is covered by the atoning sacrifice which the priest takes into the Holy of Holies once a year. The people remember their wandering in booths and tents and look to the time when the Messiah will tabernacle or dwell with His people and rule Israel.
 
     We look back at all that God has done and remember, we look forward to what He will do when He returns. At His appointed time, He will return for His own and His ambassadors will be recalled at the sound of the trumpet and the voice of God. All those who are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb will rise to meet the Lord in the air. The perfect God who put on flesh and dwelt among His creation will come to judge His own, first the church and then the remnant, and will rule from Jerusalem as King of kings and Lord of lords for a thousand years. All those who have repented of their sins and put their faith and trust in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary have received the atonement of God through the shed blood of Jesus Christ and await His return. When the harvest is over, the trumpet will sound, and the redeemed of the Lord will be gathered in to enjoy the presence of the Lord.
 
      Until that great and glorious new Day, God has sent those of us that know Him 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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A sweet savour unto the LORD

1/23/2018

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And in the fourteenth day of the first month is the Passover of the LORD. And in the fifteenth day of this month is the feast: seven days shall unleavened bread be eaten. In the first day shall be an holy convocation; ye shall do no manner of servile work therein: (Num. 28:16-18)
     As the next generation neared the Promised Land, God reminded them of His feasts. The Passover, which commemorated the redemption of Israel and their deliverance from Egypt, was to be kept each year. Their bread was to be without leaven, or yeast, as it was when their forebears left Egypt. They were to worship and praise God who delivered them from bondage, not spending the time working. It was to be holy days which focused on God and what He had done for His people.
 
     Israel was to remember all that God had done in judging Egypt, delivering the children of Israel from their bondage, and redeeming them from death. The Passover day and following week were holy days unto the Lord which were to be without leaven, a picture of sin, without work, since they were free from bondage, and focused on God, who alone is worthy of worship. Israel was to keep this remembrance and the other feasts of the Lord each year as a remembrance and a celebration of all that God is and all that He had done for them.
 
     Looking back today, we can see that this passage also refers to Christ as our Passover. He was without sin and redeemed those who are in bondage to sin from sin and death by His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. He is our Passover lamb, sacrificed for sin and put to death that those who repent and believe in Him should have everlasting life and no longer be under condemnation. We worship God, our Redeemer, who passes over those who are His, not that they can continue in sin or sin more, but that they can enjoy the life which God has for all who will surrender to Him on His terms and be born again. God wants to deliver whosoever will from the bondage of sin and death and to give us the victory which He has already purchased. His resurrection celebrates that victory and we remember all that He has done for us not only when we celebrate the holy days of His sacrifice for us but each and every day which He has made and we will rejoice and be glad in Him.
 
      God has sent those of us that know Him 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 laid his hands upon him and gave him a charge

1/22/2018

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Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd. And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay thine hand upon him; And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient. (Num. 27:16-20)
     Moses declared the requirements of a godly, spiritual, mature man to lead the children of Israel. The LORD chose Joshua as the next leader of Israel, to be blessed and set apart by the priests and presented to the people. Moses was to hand off the mantle of leadership and Joshua was to be charged with his duties and responsibilities before the people as their civil and military leader under God that all the people might follow God and be obedient to His Laws and Commandments.
 
     As Israel approaches the Promised Land and the next generation is poised to go in and possess that which God has given them, the leadership too had to change. Moses implored God to choose whom He wished to succeed him in civil and military command of the people. Understanding the requirements of the position, Moses asked of God a mature, spiritual, leader of men and God chose Joshua who Moses had mentored and who had shown his qualifications many times as he worked with Moses, as one of the faithful spies, as second to Moses, and as a man of God. God had Moses and the high priest present Joshua to the people and charge Joshua with all that he was to do as he and the people followed God in the conquest of the land.
 
     The leaders of our congregations are to be godly men, following God, filled with the Spirit, seeking His glory and not their own, and leading the people as God directs them. The passing of leadership is not done lightly or rashly, but prayerfully seeking men after God’s own heart who will feed the flock, equip the congregation, and enable Christians that they might engage people to enjoy Jesus Christ. Once chosen and ordained Godly leaders are to lead the people as evangelists, pastors and teachers, preachers, and ministers until all who are lost should repent of their sins and place their faith in Jesus Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary for Salvation. Just as Joshua assumed command from Moses and led the people in battle, so must leaders today lead the people of God in the spiritual battle that is before us. Godly leaders are to be examples before and among the people of God, not separate or above the people, for we are all to be about our Father’s business, as we work together in the work of the Kingdom and accomplish all that He has for us to do.
 
      Led by the leadership God has installed in His Church, God has sent those of us that know Him 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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Take the sum of the people

1/19/2018

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Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, throughout their fathers' house, all that are able to go to war in Israel.
Unto these the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names. To many thou shalt give the more inheritance, and to few thou shalt give the less inheritance: to every one shall his inheritance be given according to those that were numbered of him. Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit. (Num. 26:2, 53-55)
     As Israel neared the end of their wandering in the wilderness and the generation which disobeyed Him forty years ago was gone, God had Moses count the people in preparation for their encounters in the Promised land. God had Moses count each tribe and gave specific instructions for the dividing of the people and the land when they came into Canaan according to their families and numbers.
 
     The LORD counted the children of Israel as a new generation was now approaching the Promised Land and the work which God had for them to do. The generation which rebelled after spying out the land was gone and now this generation would soon begin the task of conquering Canaan at the hand of the LORD. The numbering was not to show how mighty Israel was, for they were not a large kingdom nor a mighty people, but that God might show Himself strong on behalf of His people as they trusted in His strength and not their own. The counting was also that they might know the census and divide the land by tribes and families based on the population of the children of Israel.
 
     Numbers are not for our glory but for God’s. God already knows who are His and how many we are, but on occasion has us count numbers, not that we can say what we have done, but that we can glorify God in what He has done in and for us. Those who are His know that all we accomplish for God is to be by His direction and for His glory. We often forget and look to ourselves and what we have done, but our goal should be to praise and honour God for all He has done in and through us to add to His church those who repent of their sins and surrender to Him on His terms. God wants all to repent and be born again by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary and wants those who are to be about His Kingdom work. Any counting of numbers which we do should be to recognize the work of God through His church to accomplish His purposes and glorify Him.
 
      God has sent those of us that know Him 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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Zealously affected always in a good thing

1/18/2018

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Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned My wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for My sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in My jealousy. Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him My covenant of peace: And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel. (Num. 25:11-13)
     Phinehas stayed the hand of the LORD by his actions and the Lord was pleased with him. God declared the family of Phinehas as a perpetual priesthood and servants of God’s covenant of peace. His action atoned for Israel’s sin and softened the wrath of God for the false worship of baal which Balaam and the Midianites had led them into at Peor.
 
     When many Israelites joined in the worship of baal at Peor God was righteously angry and jealous of His people. He judged those who strayed from His commands and were involved in unrighteousness and immorality and brought a plague upon the people. Phinehas responded in zealous affection for the ways of the LORD and struck one who was those who not only sinned against the Lord, but his sin involved a Midianite woman brought into the camp. Balaam and the Midianites brought the temptation of lust and the worship of false gods as Israel came to Peor. God’s wrath was kindled against those who abandoned the ways of the LORD and many died in their trespasses. Phinehas’ action in slaying this couple involved in immorality and the worship of false gods stayed the hand of God and God blessed him and his family with an everlasting priesthood and the covenant of peace with God.
 
     God calls for His people, those who have put their faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, to live righteous lives in and for Christ. The Lord does not want people to repent of sin and be forgiven of their sins to live their own lives and to continue to sin, but that all who are His may live in Him the life we were meant to live as we turn from sin and continue to become more like Him each day. Those who are not in Christ are to see our righteous lives and our zealous affection for the ways of God that they might be convicted of their sin and come to the realization that their sin separates them from a righteous and holy God who desires all to repent and surrender to Him on His terms. Just as Jesus was always doing the work of the Father and as Phinehas was for Israel, God wants all His people to be zealous for Him and to be broken for the things which break His heart. He wants all who are His to be about His business and accomplishing the work which He has for us to do.
 
      God has sent those of us that know Him 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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