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I shall come forth as gold

4/29/2016

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I would order my cause before Him, and fill my mouth with arguments. I would know the words which He would answer me, and understand what He would say unto me. Will He plead against me with His great power? No; but He would put strength in me. There the righteous might dispute with Him; so should I be delivered for ever from my Judge.
My foot hath held His steps, His way have I kept, and not declined. Neither have I gone back from the Commandment of His lips; I have esteemed the Words of His mouth more than my necessary food.
(Job 23:4-7, 11-12)
      Job once makes an impassioned plea to speak to GOD and make his case that he was righteous and that his sin was covered by the sacrifices GOD had required. Job knew that without his sin covered on GOD'S terms, he would be unrighteous and unable to stand before a Holy and Righteous GOD. He also knew that His Redeemer and Judge would deliver him, not only from this particular calamity, but from all that was not good, in His time.
 
     Job had remained in the way of GOD, and kept His Commandments as he had them at the time. He had kept the words which GOD had given Him and cherished them more than even food. They were precious to Him, for they were life. He would not turn back, not could he go away from GOD and try his own way, for then he would no longer be right in the sight of GOD and would not get his answer.

    The trials that come our way may not be pleasant at the time, nor are the consequences of sin, if we choose that for a season. GOD chastises those who are His own, and corrects His children that they may grow up into Him and be conformed, not to this world, but to the image of His Son. GOD allows events, evil, and calamities to occur in this sinful and broken world, because we rebelled against Him and our sin has corrupted every thing we once knew as perfect. GOD can direct events to transpire for our growth, to bring people to Himself, or show sinners their need for Him. Most of all He wants His people to be about our Father's business to take the Word of GOD to this lost and dying world that they may know Him and receive His great Salvation.

     We are here to serve, to love and minister, and to preach and proclaim His Word in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation. We are called to serve Him, as His ambassadors, with the Word of righteousness and reconciliation, rightly divided and fitly spoken, as we minister to those around us who are hurting and in need. We are commanded to love one another even as He loved us and gave Himself for us, and to disciple one another in His Word as we grow and are equipped, edified, and encouraged in the work of the ministry. We are commanded by our Lord to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ as we go in the power of the Holy Spirit to every one we meet and proclaim His Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe might have life in His Name.

     For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would 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 trust Him and what He has already done for you 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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Can a man be profitable unto GOD

4/28/2016

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Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee. Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart. If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles. Then shalt thou lay up gold as dust, and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brooks. Yea, the Almighty shall be thy defence, and thou shalt have plenty of silver. For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face unto God. (Job 22:21-26)
     Eliphaz tries to make an argument that contradicts what Job actually has said. Job was not trying to hide anything, and certainly knew that the Almighty could see his pain and suffering. His question was why it was happening and why GOD was, as he thought in his mind at the time, punishing him when as far as he knew he had done what was required to be righteous. GOD had called him His righteous and faithful servant, and allowed the test, but Job was not aware of that part of the conversation, and neither was Eliphaz. Eliphaz insisted that Job must be trying to hide his sin and rebellion from GOD and needed to return to GOD.

      Since this test was not punishment for egregious sin, nor was it the every day calamities that befall all of us who live in this broken and dying world, Eliphaz was in error and his admonishment to Job was misdirected. We would do well to take his words to heart if we are away from GOD or hiding from Him who sees and knows all.  For those that are secure in Christ and made righteous through repentance of our sin, and our faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, we are held in His hands and no matter what comes our way we are safe. That is not a license to sin, for sin is still a reproach and rebellion against GOD, but our sins are and continue to be forgiven, and we are at liberty to live in and through Him the life we were meant to live.

     That life is a life of service, love, and commitment to His will and His work in us and by us for His glory. We minister to those around us who are hurting and in need, as His ambassadors, with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, as He provides that we might be a blessing to others and they might see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. We love one another as members one of another and children of the King, and disciple one another in His Word that we may grow thereby until we are all grown into the full measure of Him who is our Head. We take the Gospel of Jesus Christ with us as we go in the power of the Holy Ghost that is within us, and proclaim His Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in Him that those who believe in Him might have life in His Name.

     For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would 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 trust Him and what He has already done for you 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 shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty

4/27/2016

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Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power? Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes. Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of GOD upon them.
Therefore they say unto GOD, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of Thy ways. What is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto Him?
That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath. Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done? (Job 21:7-9, 14-15, 30-31)
      Job's question regarding those who live in such opposition to GOD and His ways is one we all have. GOD allows people time to come to themselves and repent, that they may turn to Him and live, not just a life pleasing to Him, but a life abundant and eternal by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. But GOD'S patience and long-suffering will not last forever, and those that die in their sins, even if they enjoyed a 'good' life here, will not be in His presence in their next existence. All those who refuse to surrender to GOD on His terms and be born again, living in Him the life we were meant to live, will suffer the wrath and Judgment of GOD. We are all guilty, and condemned by GOD, who is Holy and just, and must punish sin. Though many reject GOD and demand, in word or in practice, that He stay out of 'their' lives, when they stand before their Creator, there will be no more opportunity for grace and mercy.

      GOD'S grace and mercy are offered in this life, that we all may be in right relationship and fellowship with our Creator, Redeemer, and King. He made all of us, and has every right to reject those who will not receive Him on His terms through repentance of their sins and faith in Him and His Word. He has paid the price for our sins, even the wicked, and wants all to receive Him and have eternal life. He is coming back to judge this world and establish His Kingdom and He will bring the faithful unto Himself, but those that reject Him and His people will be cast out of His presence. If you don't know Him today, don't wait for a better time, or until you are better, to trust Him for Salvation.

       Those of us who are secure and resting in Him are called to be His servants and ambassadors, children of the King. We are to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need, as GOD provides, and with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Those of us who are in His family, the body of Christ, are commanded to love one another as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in His Word that His people might be edified, encouraged, and equipped to do the work of the ministry He has called us to do through Him. Those who have received Him and been made new creatures in Christ are to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, and as we go where He sends us, 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 in Him might have Life in His Name.

     For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would 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 trust Him and what He has already done for you 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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GOD shall cast the fury of His wrath upon him

4/26/2016

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He shall flee from the iron weapon, and the bow of steel shall strike him through. It is drawn, and cometh out of the body; yea, the glittering sword cometh out of his gall: terrors are upon him. All darkness shall be hid in his secret places: a fire not blown shall consume him; it shall go ill with him that is left in his tabernacle. The heaven shall reveal his iniquity; and the earth shall rise up against him. The increase of his house shall depart, and his goods shall flow away in the day of his wrath. This is the portion of a wicked man from GOD, and the heritage appointed unto him by GOD. (Job 20:24-29)
      Zophar responds to Job's pointed rejection of his counsel and advice by doubling down on his opinion that the wicked perish and do not prosper in this world, so Job must be wicked. He was totally incorrect in application of GOD'S Judgment of sin, and ignored the reality in his own world, as well as the timing of GOD'S patience and long-suffering that sinners may repent. Zophar condemned the wicked without mercy, rejected any idea that sinners often prosper in the sin for a season, that not every one is bothered or convicted by their sin, and failed to consider the testing and trials which GOD may put us through to make us stronger.

     Many things may come upon the wicked, those that have truly rejected GOD and the ardently opposed to Him, but even the most hardhearted person can be saved by the power of GOD, the Word of GOD, and the Spirit which convicts and points people to Christ. Many things also happen to His saints, as He allows, either because He is testing their faith, as in this case, or because He is drawing His people closer to Himself. This life is full of evil and calamities, and GOD can direct events because He is Sovereign,  but He also allows other events simply to happen in this world that is broken and dying because of our sin against Him. Death occurs because sin brings death and rebellion brings judgment. Sin occurs because we are sinners and our nature without the new life which Christ gives those who are His leads us to sin in this lost and sinful world.

     We who have repented of our sin, because we acknowledged our sin and its awful consequences before a righteous and Holy GOD, and received His forgiveness by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary were made a new creature in Him, with a new life and a new nature, and liberty to live in Him the life which we were all meant to live. That does not mean every thing will be perfect, just ask Job, but that GOD will be with us all the way, and He will carry us through whatever He directs and allows to come our way, for His honour and Glory and that we might be made more like Him until He is done with us and takes us Home to be with Him.

     Until that day, all those who are secure in Him, not because of our righteousness, but because of His bestowed upon us, are to serve Him and do His will in this world and accomplish His work while we sojourn here. We are to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need, with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. We are to love one another in fellowship and ministry, and disciple one another in His Word that we may be equipped, encouraged, and edified to the work of the ministry and the exhortation of the saints. We are to go with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit which dwells within us, and as we go where He sends us, to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son that those who repent and believe in Him might have life in His Name.

     For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would 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 trust Him and what He has already done for you 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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That ye may know there is a judgment

4/25/2016

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Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; for the hand of GOD hath touched me. Why do ye persecute me as god, and are not satisfied with my flesh? Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever! For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see GOD: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. (Job 19:21-27)
    Job responds to his friends counsel with a well deserved tirade against them for their words of condemnation and rebuke. Job knew that more was going on here, even though he didn't recognize the test that was involved. He knew that GOD had brought this, even though the reality Job was not aware of is that GOD had allowed the testing of His servant. His friends were even worse in their misunderstanding of Job's test and of the nature and character of GOD. Job knew his condition and knew He would see His Lord, His Creator, Redeemer, and King.

      Job got his wish that his words be written down. History does not record who wrote them, but they were written for us to review and study that we might learn from Job. Can we say with the same certainty that we know Jesus lives, and that we shall see Him who has redeemed us from the curse and saved us from our sins and from ourselves. We have more of His revelation of Himself than Job had, and yet many still do not believe. We have His Word, which will not fail, and will never be wrong, and it leads to repentance of our sins and faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary for forgiveness and Salvation. Jesus is our Lord, our Creator, Redeemer, and King.

      GOD's mercy, even in the testing of Job, means we are not consumed. His grace offers unto us eternal life in Him. But, when His cup of wrath is full, there is coming a judgment and His justice will be rendered perfectly unto all who have rejected Him. Those who have never repented of their sins and acknowledged His Holiness and their need of Him will face Jesus Christ as their Judge. Those who have never received Jesus Christ and surrendered to Him on His terms will bow to GOD in His righteous anger and justice. Those who have never been forgiven and redeemed, not as a license to sin all we want, but as liberty to live in and through Him who is our life, will suffer the second death. GOD is long-suffering, but He is also righteous and Holy, and must punish sin by death. We can never pay for our own, but Christ has already paid the penalty for sin, the just for the unjust, that we might be made the righteousness of GOD in Him.

     The message of Hope we have is the only message which will save. Only Christ can redeem, only Jesus can deliver the lost, only GOD can forgive all sin and make us new creatures in Him, to have His abundant and everlasting life. The love of GOD constrains us to go and tell all who will hear of His love for all, commended to us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. We live in Him, to serve Him, and meet the needs of those around us who are hurting and in need, with the Word of righteousness and reconciliation, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. We are His workmanship, loving one another in fellowship as we disciple all believers in His Word, and do His will and accomplish His work in this broken and sinful world. We go with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, where He sends us to proclaim to this lost and dying world the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that He is the Christ, the Son of GOD, might have life in His Name.

     For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would 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 trust Him and what He has already done for you 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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How long will it be ere ye make an end of words?

4/22/2016

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Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine. The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him. The steps of his strength shall be straitened, and his own counsel shall cast him down. For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walketh upon a snare. (Job 18:5-8)
      Once again Bildad chimes in, and gives an incorrect application and horribly comfortless opinion of GOD'S judgment upon the wicked and concluding that Job must be wicked. He has no regard for GOD'S sovereignty or our free will, or the fact that often the wicked seem to prosper in this life, though that prosperity is temporary, and certainly does not extend into the next. Bildad, because he had no knowledge of the test and trial Job was undergoing, totally disregarded GOD's justice and timing, which is not ours, since His ways are above our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. GOD is Holy and Just, and will punish those who disobey Him, and often times will do so in while they are on the earth. He also chastises His own, to bring them closer or back to a right relationship with Him.

       Bildad was partially right in that, some who are wicked are judged and punished in this life. Often emotionally and psychologically, if their consciences aren't seared and scarred, they fear that judgment and punishment, not usually from GOD, but from the authorities, or from others more wicked than they are. It will come, but it may not happen while they are living. When they die in their trespasses and sins, having rejected their Creator who would have redeemed them from their sins if they had repented and believed in Jesus Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, they will face Him as their Judge and receive the recompense of their reward for their sins and iniquity. There will be no mercy or grace then, for the time of GOD's wrath will be at hand.

      We who are born again from above, having been made new creatures in Christ by His blood and power, are no longer to live in our self-righteousness, but live the life in Him which He equips and empowers us to live. We are to glorify Him in all we say and do, and lift Him up before others that they might see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. We are not to seek our own way, or follow man's vision and the world's methods, but being transformed by the renewing of our mind through the Spirit and the Word of GOD, fully surrendered to Him who alone is worthy of our obedience and worship.

       We are called to serve Him in ministry, with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, as we minister to those around us who are hurting and serve those who are in need. We are commanded to love one another as He loved us and gave Himself for us, and we are to disciple one another in His Word, speaking the Truth in love, that we may grow up into Him in all things, which is the Head, even Christ. We are commissioned as witnesses unto Him who is our life to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Word of GOD to this lost and dying world, and as we go in the power of the Holy Spirit proclaiming the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that He is the Christ, the Son of GOD, might have life in His Name.

     For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would 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 trust Him and what He has already done for you 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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Where is now my hope?

4/21/2016

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Upright men shall be astonied at this, and the innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite. The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger. But as for you all, do ye return, and come now: for I cannot find one wise man among you. (Job 17:8-10)
      Job continues his lament against the counsel of his so-called friends. His reflection that much of what they say is neither true or wise in understanding or application. They truly do not know him or what GOD is doing. Job didn't understand what GOD was doing either, so he simply cried out to the Almighty for answers. Though He never got an answer to his why?, GOD did reveal Himself to Job and Job was wiser for it in the end. Job knew he didn't have any hope in this life, in his friends words, but his hope was in GOD.

      Those that are in Christ are righteous and upright, not in their own strength or power, for we are without any righteousness of our own, but through repentance and our faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. We are made new creatures in Him when we believe and receive eternal life, not just a future and hope in Heaven, but a new life hidden in Christ who makes us His own, and an abundant life that we now life in Him and through Him who is our life. Our hope is in Him who died for us that we might live.

       Because of our new life in Him, we are to live His life in this sinful and broken world, not of it or conformed to its ways, but transformed by His Word we serve Him in gratitude for all He is, our Creator, Redeemer, and King. We serve Him as He calls us to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need, with the Word of righteousness and reconciliation, rightly divided and fitly spoken, and with the blessings of GOD which He gives that we might give to others. We serve Him as He commands us to love one another, not in word or tongue, but in deed and in truth, and to disciple one another in His Word until we are all grown up into the full measure of Him who first loved us. We serve Him as commissioned to be His witnesses, with the Gospel of Jesus Christ from the Word of GOD, in the power of the Holy Spirit, and as we go proclaiming 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 might have life in His Name.

     For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would 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 trust Him and what He has already done for you 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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Mine eye poureth out tears unto GOD

4/20/2016

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Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest? I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you. But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief. Though I speak, my grief is not asswaged: and though I forbear, what am I eased? (Job 16:3-6)
      Because of his friends counsel, with its many theological and personal errors and misapplications, Job was not comforted in his suffering at all. As much as they thought they were helping, Job was getting tired of hearing their admonishments and theories. He pointed out that he could be like them and pile on with the tongue lashings, but he knew it was better to be kind and truly comforting with our words. He echoed the psalmist who wanted his words and the meditations of his heart which led to those words to be pleasing to GOD. His friends words were wounding him, making his grief worse, and had even added to his tears.

      Our speech ought to be seasoned with salt and full of truth, spoken in love. There may be times for plain and direct words which rebuke, reprove, or correct, but always in love and charity. When we speak the Oracles of GOD it ought to be rightly divided and fitly spoken that we may glorify GOD and edify the hearer. The example of Job's friends shows us that even when we are theologically correct, we can fail to comfort or instruct properly because our knowledge is incomplete, or our use of the Scripture is misapplied. Neither is pleasing to our LORD who has taught us to study His Word, not for knowledge sake, which puffs up, but that we might lovingly edify and encourage those around us even in correction, as we all grow up in Christ.

      Those who have never received Christ by faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary by faith and repentance cannot receive the things of the Spirit of GOD which are spiritually discerned. GOD has called us, as ambassadors of Christ, to take the Word of reconciliation and righteousness and with the providence of GOD minister to those around us who are hurting and in need. Our Lord has commanded us to love one another as He first loved us and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD that we may all be conformed to the image of His dear Son. We are commissioned to His service and as His witnesses to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to this lost and dying world that they might be saved, and as we go in the power of the Holy Spirit proclaim the Good News of forgiveness of sin through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son that they might have life in His Name.

     For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would 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 trust Him and what He has already done for you 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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Are the consolations of GOD small with thee

4/19/2016

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Should a wise man utter vain knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind? Should he reason with unprofitable talk? or with speeches wherewith he can do no good?
What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?
How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water?
Let not him that is deceived trust in vanity: for vanity shall be his recompence. (Job 15:2-3, 14, 16, 31)
     Once again Eliphaz speaks against Job and utters the wisdom of man. Though there is some truth in what he speaks of, so much of what he has to say is in error, or misapplied because he is not aware or ignoring the possibility of the righteous testing of Job. Those that are safe and secure in the hand of GOD are not always delivered out of the fire or storm, but often carried through it. The fire purifies and the wind drives away the chaff, and so GOD uses or allows those things to occur to strengthen those of us who are in Him by faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. But, since the rain falls on the just and the unjust, we must be careful in trying to assign judgment or consequences to GOD without knowledge of what He is doing.

      Eliphaz didn't have it completely right about the ungodly either. Often in this world, those who oppose GOD and choose their own way, seem to be blessed and glorified. But their end is coming, their seeming success in this life will not last, and no can take anything with them into the next. Our idea of justice may be slow or somehow missing, but GOD is faithful and just and will exact punishment on all those who reject Him in His time. His wrath against sin will be poured out on all those who are still in their sins and have not been redeemed by His blood shed for all. We are all guilty and condemned because of sin, and GOD has provided His great Salvation by His mercy and grace, that those who receive it through repentance and faith are justified, not to continue to sin, but to live in and through Him a new life in Christ.

      GOD calls His people to His work of reconciliation and redemption, to ministry and missions, to do His will in this broken and dying world. We are strangers and pilgrims, sojourning here as ambassadors of Christ and His Kingdom, with the Word of GOD, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that we might serve those around us who are hurting and in need,both in word and in deed. GOD commands His children to love one another as He first loved us and to disciple one another in His Word that we might grow into the full measure of Him who is our life. GOD has commissioned His church to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Ghost which is within us, and as we go where He sends and directs, we 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 might have life in His Name.

     For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would 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 trust Him and what He has already done for you 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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Thou numberest my steps

4/18/2016

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Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.
Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with Thee, Thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;
O that Thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that Thou wouldest keep me secret, until Thy wrath be past, that Thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me! If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. (Job 14:1-2, 5, 13-14)
     While Job applied some of GOD'S wrath to his current situation, without a proper understanding of the testing and purifying which GOD accomplishes in those who are in a right relationship with Him, there are some things he got right in his lament. In this world of sin, which is broken and dying because of the fallen nature of man and all creation since Adam rebelled against his Creator, we experience a lot of trouble and woe. Our days are short compared to the eternal nature of GOD, and the nearly 6000 years or so since GOD created all things perfect and we messed it all up with our sin. But we also experience a lot of grace, and blessing. GOD'S mercy is renewed every morning and He cares for us.
 
      GOD knows the heart of men, often better than we know ourselves or our pride will allow us to admit, and He knows the number of our days, which are finite and short, on this earth. For those who are secure in Him by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, we are saved from sin through repentance, and delivered from this world and the wrath of GOD. That is not a license to continue in sin, but liberty in Christ to live for Him and rejoice in His redemption of us, justified, being sanctified, and one day when He returns, glorified and forever in His presence. That is the message of hope we have not only for our future with Christ, but the abundant and eternal life we already possess now in and through Jesus Christ who gave Himself for us that we might be made the righteousness of GOD in Him.

     Until that day when He returns for His own, GOD is accomplishing His work and will through His Church. He calls His people to ministry, to serve those around us who are hurting and in need with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that others might see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our Lord commands His disciples to love one another as He loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD that we might grow thereby and be conformed to the image of His dear Son. GOD has commissioned His saints to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and teach all nations as we go, and proclaiming the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith, that those who believe in Him might have life in His Name.

     For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would 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 trust Him and what He has already done for you 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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