Personal Thoughts and Ministry

By faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise

6/30/2014

Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah.
And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac. But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country. And these are the days of the years of Abraham's life which he lived, an hundred threescore and fifteen years. Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.
And it came to pass after the death of Abraham, that GOD blessed his son Isaac; and Isaac dwelt by the well Lahairoi. (Gen 25:1, 5-8, 11)

After Sarah, Abraham remarried, settled his affairs with Isaac and left the stage of the Historical narrative of Scripture until his death. GOD turns to Isaac, in the next chapter of His concerns with the affairs of men. Especially the men who are the inheriters of His blessing and His promises. He has already set in motion what to us is history, as He continues to prepare a people for Himself.

As one man passes from the pages of Scripture and GOD's plans for the ages, the next steps into the spotlight. But, not a spotlight of what and who the man is, but what GOD is doing in and for him. Isaac is now the leader and patriarch, and the account of his life and what GOD is doing reveals more of Him to us.

We must continue to tell our story, and His story, the account of what GOD has and is doing in our lives. We bless others lives as we recount the providence, promises, and peace that GOD brings into our lives because of our faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. We glorify GOD when we live His life, and He in us, as a testimony to who He is, and who we are in Him.

We are to be obedient to Him as we tell others of Him, proclaim His Word in love, and minister to all as He provides. We must be His hands and feet to minister to those who are in need, not to earn anything, but because of Him and what He has done for us, and as He blesses us to be a blessing to others in His Name. We must love one another and disciple those whom He puts in our care in the Word and through His Spirit to grow in Christ. We must go to this lost and dying world, and as we go, share His message of grace and mercy, and judgement too, to all who will hear and believe in Him.

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. Turn away from your sIn and unrighteousness and trust what He has already done on that cruel Roman cross. GOD, the Father has provided forgiveness and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, and is our Life. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing and obtaineth favour of the LORD

6/27/2014

And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh: And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the GOD of Heaven, and the GOD of the Earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell: But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.
The LORD GOD of Heaven, which took me from my father's house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; He shall send His angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence. And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again.
Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the LORD: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good. Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy master's son's wife, as the LORD hath spoken.
And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death. (Gen 24:2-4, 7-8, 50-51, 67)

Abraham now desires to find a wife for Isaac following his mother's death. Because of the promises from the Lord, he wants a wife from his own people and so he sends his servant back to Haran to find a wife from the people of Abraham that are there.
Under oath, the servant seeks the counsel of GOD and is led to Rebekah and her family. They recognize the hand of the Lord and are obedient to proceed with the arrangements. Rebekah is also obedient to the call of GOD to be Isaac's wife, and so she goes to him and becomes his wife.

While not a pattern for arranged marriages, or marriage without courtship and some agreement, this account does tell us that GOD can and does work in the affairs of men. He is not an uncaring and impersonal GOD who created and then ignores His creation. He shows us a little of what He is doing for His own Son, in calling a bride through His servant, and her obedience to trust Him. It also reveals to us something about what we call 'love' and marriage, that when both are following the will of the Lord, and understanding all aspects of love, that marriage is a commitment of one man and one woman for life not an arrangement based on feelings that change.

The Church, GOD's people, have lost sight of this in many ways, and become just like the world. We have based too many of our understandings, not on what GOD's says, but on how we feel, or what we want, or even the ways of the world instead of relying on the Word of GOD for our instructions. We should be trusting GOD for all aspects of our life, for it is no longer ours, but His, so that people will see GOD in us and want what we have. Then we have an opportunity to tell them the Gospel of Jesus Christ and that it is not what, but Who, and the Good News that comes from faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary that provides forgiveness and Salvation to all who believe.

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. Turn away from your sIn and unrighteousness and trust, as Rebekah and Isaac did, what He has already done on that cruel Roman cross. GOD, the Father has provided forgiveness and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, and is our Life. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, just as Rebekah responded to the call of Abraham to be the wife of Isaac.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints

6/26/2014

And Sarah was an hundred and seven and twenty years old: these were the years of the life of Sarah. And Sarah died in Kirjatharba; the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her. And Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spake unto the sons of Heth, saying, I am a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a buryingplace with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight. And the children of Heth answered Abraham, saying unto him, Hear us, my lord: thou art a mighty prince among us: in the choice of our sepulchres bury thy dead; none of us shall withhold from thee his sepulchre, but that thou mayest bury thy dead. (Gen 23:1-6)

Sarah comes to the end of her years having lived a long life and Abraham mourns her. It is right and proper that he does this, not only mourning her in practice, but with heartfelt tears he waters that which is to be sown in the earth. His love for her, despite her faults is displayed here in his emotions and his action to secure a proper resting place for his bride and the mother of his son Isaac.

But, Abraham did not sorrow as one who had no hope. He knew that because of their faith in the Messiah, the One who as to come, they would see each other again. We too can take comfort with the loss of a loved one from this life, that for those who are secure in Christ, we will see them again. We also are urged to share this message of hope to this lost and dying world, that they too may believe in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary for forgiveness and Salvation and have the sure promise of hope in this life and the next.

While we are here, GOD commands us to carry on His work and will. To minister to the hurting as GOD provides, to disciple one another in love and His Word, and to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to all who will hear. GOD blesses and equips us show His love in action to those around us. He enables us to teach His Word so all His children may grow in grace. He commissions us to take the Gospel with us, and as we go share His message of mercy with those we meet that they might repent and believe, and believing 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. Turn away from your sIn and unrighteousness and trust, as Sarah did, what He has already done on that cruel Roman cross. Just as Sarah had the hope and security of eternal life, He has provided forgiveness and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son and is our Life. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

By faith Abraham offered Isaac accounting that GOD was able to raise him from the dead

6/25/2014

And it came to pass after these things, that GOD did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And He said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.
Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.
And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, GOD will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.
And the Angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And He said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest GOD, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from Me.
And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen. (Gen 22:1-2, 4-5, 7-8, 11-12, 14)

A familiar account, GOD tests the faith of Abraham by calling for the sacrifice of Isaac, the son of the promise. Abraham believed GOD, for he knew that GOD would provide the sacrifice. That was not an idle boast to dismiss his son's question but a proclamation of Abraham's faith in GOD. He had told his servants that they would return, and he believed they would, even if GOD had to raise Isaac from the dead. He told his son that GOD would provide Himself, and believed that He would, even if he didn't know how or understand yet the why. Abraham knew that where GOD guides, GOD provides and even named that mountain, "The place where you see the provision of GOD."

GOD may call each of us to things that at first may seem strange or unusual, but we must trust Him to know us and what He has for us to do, and be obedient to His Will and Word. Now that the canon of Scripture is complete, GOD will never tell you anything that is contrary to His Word, and if you are having trouble distinguishing between the voice of GOD and your own, you are in trouble at the heart of your Salvation. His Spirit does not speak of His own, but with the Word of GOD will speak the work and will of GOD to us. The more we know of His Word, the better we are able to discern the message of GOD to hear and obey just as Abraham did.

Those of us who are His have one command we don't have to question or study, for GOD has both commanded and commissioned us to go, and as we go proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to all we meet. His Church is to be on mission for the Gospel and everything we do must be about ministering to the hurting as GOD provides that they may know GOD through us, discipling one another in the Word of GOD that others may see GOD in us, and taking the Gospel of faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to this lost and dying world that they might believe in Him, and believing 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. Turn away from your sIn and unrighteousness and trust, as Abraham did, what He has already done on that cruel Roman cross. Just as He provided a substitute for Abraham, He has provided forgiveness and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Lamb of GOD slain for your sIn. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

Through faith Sarah received strength because she judged Him faithful who had promised

6/24/2014

And the LORD visited Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as He had spoken. For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which GOD had spoken to him. And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac. And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as GOD had commanded him. And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him. And Sarah said, GOD hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me. (Gen 21:1-6)

Now the time of the promise has come and Sarah has the child GOD had told her she would bear. Isaac, named because of Sarah's laughter, and the joy that both her and Abraham would have in their old age, is born in GOD's perfect timing. To Abraham and Sarah it seemed late, and most of the world would agree, but GOD's ways are above our ways, and His timing and will are perfect. GOD is faithful and will keep His promises to His people, even when they forget all His benefits, and are disobedient and rebellious.

Even with His mistakes and sIn, Abraham believed GOD and GOD kept His promise, and in doing so did for Abraham something only He could do. Sarah also believed, her faith and the power of GOD gave her power to conceive in her old age, and bare Isaac, a testimony of GOD and His power and faithfulness. We too can overcome obstacles, survive challenges, and perservere in this life, because of GOD and our faith in Him and what He has already done on the Cross of Calvary in our place and for our sIn. Many times that means waiting on GOD and His timing, and continuing in our service to Him while we wait so that He is glorified in what He does for us

We are commanded to proclaim the Good News that just as Sarah received strength in her old age to bear a son, so all that trust Him for Salvation can receive forgiveness of sIn, and power from GOD to life in Him and for Him as His own. We are commissioned to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ that all who hear may believe and believing 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. He calls you turn away from your sIn and unrighteousness, that you may receive His forgiveness through faith in what He has already done on that cruel Roman cross. Just as He gave Sarah the child of the promise, He offers you forgiveness and Salvation through Jesus Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith

6/23/2014

And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah. But GOD came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife. But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation? Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this.
So Abraham prayed unto GOD: and GOD healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children. For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife. (Gen 20:2-5,17-18)

Once again Abraham relies on human subterfuge (lying) instead of GOD's providence and safety. He evidently didn't learn from his sojourn in Egypt and tried again to hide the fact that Sarah was indeed his wife, not just his sister. GOD protected Abimelech and warned him of his danger in possessing another man's wife. Even before GOD gave the ceremonial Law to Moses, He was serious about His Divine law, including theft, adultery and false witness. When confronted Abraham confessed his lie, Abimelech restored Sarah, and GOD blessed them both for their repentance and obedience by faith.

GOD hates sIn, it is an affront to His holiness and character, as well as being rebellion and disobedience to His Word. He calls His own to a higher standard as a witness and testimony of Himself to this lost and dying world. Those without Christ are already guilty before GOD because of their sIn, just as we were, when we were dead in our trespasses and sIn. Only through trusting Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary can we be saved. That is the message of Hope that we are commanded to tell to all that they might believe and believing 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. He calls you turn away from your sIn and unrighteousness, that you may receive His forgiveness through faith in what He has already done on that cruel Roman cross. Our GOD has already judged sIn, but He offers you forgiveness and Salvation through Jesus Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:

6/20/2014

And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them. And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him, And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly. Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof. And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door. But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door. And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door. (Gen 19:5-11)

When the angels came to rescue Lot from Sodom they stayed under his roof, and therefore under his protection (not that angels would need that.) It was an expected part of hospitality in that day. It was so expected that when the men of Sodom came to rape the strangers, Lot offered his daughters to them. The men of Sodom were not interested in the daughters, and rebuked and mocked Lot for their judgment of their behavior, so they turned on him. The angels rescued Lot, and then blinded the men so that they could not find their way, or their targets.

This episode, not only shows us the depravity of the men of Sodom, but also the impact that living in this den of iniquity had on Lot. He offered his own daughters to these men in order to protect his visitors. The men could now mock this man who lived in their city, even though he opposed their behavior. It is also telling that even with Lot, his wife, his four daughters, and two sons-in-law, there are not ten righteous people in these four cities. Only when four of them escaped to Zoar does the number rise above ten, and so that city is spared, as Abraham had prayed. Lot still lost two daughters and their husbands because they rejected GOD.

The judgment on wickedness is a reminder that all of us are under the judgment of GOD because of sIn, and only through the grace of GOD can we be saved. It is only by faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary that anyone may receive forgiveness and the Salvation that reconciles us to GOD and eternal life with and in Him. This is the message of hope that we have and we are commanded to tell everyone we meet, and as we go share the Good News of the Gospel that they might believe, and believing 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. He calls you turn away from your sIn and unrighteousness, that you may receive His forgiveness through faith in what He has already done on that cruel Roman cross. Our GOD has already judged sIn, but He offers you forgiveness and Salvation through Jesus Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

Were they sinners above all men? No, except ye repent, ye shall likewise perish.

6/19/2014

And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the Way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which He hath spoken of him. And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sIn is very grievous; I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto Me; and if not, I will know. (Gen 18:17-21)

The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is now at hand. Their sIn was especially egregious to the Lord and cause for His immediate judgment upon the inhabitants. In the four cities that were destroyed there could not be found ten righteous people, and that included Lot and his family. Abraham pleaded for the lives of the people, knowing his brother was there, but also knowing the wrath of GOD. GOD in His mercy accounted that if ten were there it would be enough, but ten could not be found.

GOD is a Holy and righteous Judge, and He is just and, having found us all guilty of sIn, has the right to carry out the sentence of destruction in His time, but because of His love and mercy, and His longsuffering toward us, He has put off that judgment in order for us to repent. But for some, and these cities were full of them, the sIn is so blatant and grievous that GOD acts in this life to affect judgment. But, as sinners we were no different, and our sIn no less guilty, than these. Only by the grace of our Lord were we, those of us who know Him and having received Him by faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary saved and born again to live in Him.

We are free from the penalty of sIn by the Grace of GOD, and have His strength to overcome the power of sIn. One day when He returns for His own, we will be free from the presence of sIn. Until that day, we are commanded to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to all who will hear. We are to go to this lost and dying world, and as we go, minister to the hurting, disciple one another, and spread the Gospel of Salvation to everyone we meet that they might believe and believing 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. He calls you turn away from your sIn and unrighteousness, that you may receive His forgiveness through faith in what He has already done on that cruel Roman cross. Our GOD is a righteous Judge, but His is also a GOD of mercy and He offers you forgiveness and Salvation through Jesus Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive

6/18/2014

And He said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind Him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son. Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And He said, Nay; but thou didst laugh. (Gen 18:10-15)

Abraham has matured in life and in his faith, and the time is right for GOD to manifest the next generation according to the promise. He visits Abraham and during the meal, promises that despite their advanced age, they will have a son. This so surprises and elates Sarah that she laughs. GOD who knows all, confronts her, not to condemn, but to grow her in her faith in Him. He then teaches both of them about Himself, and what He is going to do. Everything came to pass just as our Lord had promised.

We can trust that nothing is too hard for GOD to accomplish. His will, good, perfect, and acceptable will be done, in His time. He is able to do more than we can imagine, and the more we study about Him in His Word, the more we learn of Him, and the more we learn to trust and obey Him and His Word. Trust Him to prepare the hearts of those we meet and obey His command to preach the Gospel to every creature. Trust that He will be with us wherever we go and obey His command to go and tell, and as we go, proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary for forgiveness of sIn and Salvation.

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. Receive Him by faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. He calls you to surrender to Him on His terms, turning away from your sIn and unrighteousness, that you may receive the righteousness of GOD in Him through faith in what He has already done on that cruel Roman cross. Our GOD is Sovereign, all-powerful, and all-knowing, who keeps His promises, and He offers you forgiveness and Salvation through Jesus Christ. Trust and Obey Him today.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

In thy Seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed

6/17/2014

And Abram fell on his face: and GOD talked with him, saying, As for Me, behold, My covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. And I will establish My covenant between Me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a GOD unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their GOD. (Gen 17:3-8)

GOD once again pronounces the everlasting covenant He has established with His people. Not only will Abraham be the father of many nations because of all his descendants after the flesh, but through Israel the Messiah will come and all those who put their trust in Him will be spiritual children of Abraham. But that does not mean that the Church has replaced Israel in GOD's plan and covenant. GOD still cares about the Jews and will deliver them as a nation in His time.

GOD keeps His promises, and while some parts are conditional upon our belief and obedience, this covenant was established as an everlasting covenant based on Abraham's faith and GOD's unchanging plan for all those who would come to Him in faith. GOD has always had a plan for His people, first Israel and He has not abandoned them, then His Church until all who will come have come to Him and surrendered on His terms, and finally the saints and Israel of the Tribulation who will be delivered by their faith and endurance until the end.

But, until the time that GOD turns His attention back to Israel, when it is no longer the time of the Gentiles, we, GOD's Church, the body of Christ, are to be about our Father's business. We are to minister to the hurting as GOD gives the increase, disciple one another in the Word and in love, and proclaim the Good News of Salvation in Jesus Christ to all who will hear and obey. We are commanded to go and tell, and as we go, spread the Gospel to everyone we meet that they may believe and believing 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. Receive Him by faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. He calls you to surrender to Him on His terms, turning away from your sIn and unrighteousness, that you may receive the righteousness of GOD in Him through faith in what He has already done on that cruel Roman cross. GOD is Sovereign and keeps His promises, and He offers you forgiveness and Salvation through Jesus Christ.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

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