Personal Thoughts and Ministry

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding

7/31/2014

And the famine was sore in the land. And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, Go again, buy us a little food. And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.
And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, and also our little ones. I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever:
Take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man: And GOD Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved. And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.
And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there. And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread. (Gen 43:1-3, 8-9, 13-15, 30-31)

When the first supply of grain was exhausted, Israel was now in a position where he had to send his sons back to Egypt, despite Joseph's conditions. He was forced to send Benjamin, his youngest along this time, despite his reluctance. Judah offered to be surety for his brother, and the sons set off for Egypt and presented themselves before Joseph. Seeing all his brothers, but especially Benjamin was too much for Joseph, and he had to depart to weep.

Joseph is learning that his brothers have grown up a little themselves, just as he has, and they are learning that actions can have consequences even much later, especially when dealing with family. Reuben, Simeon, and Levi have forfeited the birthright, and Judah has placed his position in jeopardy as surety for Benjamin. Joseph is the 2nd most powerful man in the nation of Egypt, and the children of Israel stand before their own brother and have no idea. By the foreknowledge and direction of GOD, things continue to work out in GOD's plan to provide for Israel, the family, and Israel the nation.

No matter what the circumstances we may face, or where GOD puts us, we must trust His plan, and wisdom, for He knows all things, and cannot fail. All that He has promised to His people will come to pass, in His time and in according to His will. We must serve while we wait, surrender to His will, and stay in His Word that we might come to know Him better, and He will correct and conform us to the image of His dear Son.

Our service to Him, wherever He has put us, is to minister to those around us as GOD guides and directs, to disciple one another in the Word, and to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to everyone we meet. As we go, we are to show GOD to others as He lives His life in us, we are to equip and encourage one another for the ministries that GOD has given us, and we are to share the Gospel of Hope and Salvation through faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, so that those who hear 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. You must turn away from your sIn and unrighteousness and trust what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD with 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

Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them

7/30/2014

Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another? And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die. And Joseph's ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt. But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, Lest peradventure mischief befall him.
And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph's brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth. And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food. And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him.
(Gen 42:1-4, 6-8)

Joseph is 2nd in Egypt and is supervising the distribution of the grains stored during the seven years of plenty. His family back in Canaan hears about the grain, and Israel sends the boys to buy some, not knowing that it would be Joseph they would face. Joseph knew them, and remembering his dreams, tested their character and sought info on the family from them. They realize their sins have come home to roost, but have no idea just how things are coming full circle. GOD has prepared it this way, and the dreams were in fact a foretelling of this very time.

Nothing surprises GOD, He will never be caught unaware about us, or the events we are involved in. We must trust that He knows the end from the beginning, and even when we can't understand what is happening, if we are truly one of His, He holds us firmly in His hand and will not leave us or forsake us.

We have a message of hope to spread to the nations. We must start right in our communities, with our friends and neighbors. We must tell them of the Savior, Jesus Christ and the Salvation that He offers through faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. We must use every occasion to glorify and celebrate what GOD is doing, and to testify of Him. We must live our lives so that others see Him in us, the hope of Glory, and want what we have. We are commanded to minister to those who are hurting, as GOD gives the increase. We are committed to disciple one another in the Word and in love. We are commissioned to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to all, and as we go, tell all who will hear of His grace and forgiveness 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. You must turn away from your sIn and unrighteousness and trust what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. Just as He provided for Israel and his family through Joseph, He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD with 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

GOD hath shewed Pharaoh what He is about to do.

7/29/2014

And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.
And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh. Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day:
And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged. Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.
And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by GOD, and GOD will shortly bring it to pass. Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.
And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as GOD hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: (Gen 41:1, 8-9, 13-14, 32-33, 39)

Joseph is now brought before Pharaoh to interpret the dreams that have troubled Pharaoh's sleep. GOD has prepared Joseph, and now given the vision of what He is going to do to Pharaoh. Joseph interprets the two dreams about the lean cows that eat the fat ones, and the wasted ears that consumed the good corn, to warn Pharaoh about the seven years of plenty and seven years of famine that were coming to Egypt and Canaan. GOD continues to prepare for Himself a people and a nation, and now He is preparing events in Egypt so that Israel can come to Egypt during the famine.

Pharaoh calls out Joseph as a man of GOD and sets him up as 2nd in the Kingdom. GOD has promoted him from Hebrew slave to Prime minister of Egypt by way of prison and even Pharaoh recognized him for the man he had become along the journey. GOD will use our circumstances to mold our character and make us into the person He wants us to be, conformed to the image of His dear Son.

While the journey may not always be as nice or pleasant as we would like, we should not be surprised at what GOD is doing, for He tells us in His Word. He doesn't give us all the details, but He does outline His purpose for His people. And along the way, He has commanded us to be His ministers to this lost and dying world. He has called us to reach out to those in need, not to earn points or gain favor, but to serve the hurting as He gives the increase. He has encouraged us to disciple one another in His Word in love and unity. He has commissioned us to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to all, and as we go, tell those who will hear of the Salvation that comes from faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary 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. Just as Joseph trusted GOD, You must turn away from your sIn and unrighteousness and trust what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. Just as He provided for Joseph, He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD with 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

In His time all things work together for His Glory and for His purpose

7/28/2014

And Pharaoh was wroth against two of his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers. And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound. And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward. And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, which were bound in the prison.
And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to GOD? tell me them, I pray you.
But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house:
And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand: But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them. Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him. (Gen 40:2-5, 8, 14, 20-23)

While Joseph was in prison, two particularly important prisons from Pharaoh were put in his charge. While there, these two were given a dream about their future, and Joseph correctly interpreted the dreams as a return in three days for the butler, and death for the baker. Joseph requested that when the butler returned to Pharaoh's service that He speak kindly to Pharaoh about him, so that he could be released from this unjust sentence. Because all things were working in GOD's timing, the butler forgot about Joseph, and Joseph remained in prison.

GOD was working things out, and had a precise plan and timing for Joseph and the people of Egypt and Israel. He was also teaching Joseph about His timing and patience. Joseph had arrogantly promoted his dreams and his status before his brothers, and now languished in an Egyptian prison. His obedience to Potiphar and his kindness to the Butler had simply resulted in jail and his continued sentence. But GOD was preparing Joseph for a much bigger assignment than Joseph could ever have imagined.

We must wait on GOD, serving where He has put us until He tells us otherwise, and continue to be obedient to His Will and His Word. In His time, He will accomplish in us all that He wants us to do for His glory and the Kingdom of GOD. He will tell us how, when, and where to serve if we ask Him, but has already told us what, in that we are to minister to those around us as He gives the increase, disciple one another in His Word so that we grow in Him, and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to all we meet, and as we go, tell them of Salvation that only comes from His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary that they might hear 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. Just as Joseph trusted GOD even in slavery and prison, You must turn away from your sIn and unrighteousness and trust what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. Just as He provided for Joseph during his trials, He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD with 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

The LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand

7/25/2014

And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither. And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.
And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against GOD?
And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled. And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. (Gen 39:1-3, 7-9, 19-22)

Joseph is sold as a slave, but promoted to head of all Potiphar owns. Falsely accused when he steadfastly refuses the advances of Potiphar's wife, he is sent to prison where he once again rises to the top of the trustees of the prison. Joseph was obedient and faithful throughout all he endured, and GOD blessed his obedience.

Not only was GOD teaching Joseph about humility in where he put Joseph, but also promoting him in the eyes of those he is serving so that they may appreciate him and the favor of the Lord. Though the short term seems to be for ill, GOD is bringing about a process, even in slavery and false imprisonment, to put Joseph right where he needs to be to accomplish the will of GOD for Egypt and for Israel.

GOD always has a plan and a way to accomplish His Will. Though some events during (especially from our point of view) the process may be 'evil' or cause suffering, He works all things for His good, and His glory. He draws people to Himself that they may be saved. He draws His children closer, and disciples them in His Word. He chastises and teaches that all may learn and glorify Him. He sends and equips His servants that they may minister to those around them.

We are to be obedient to His call, His commands, and His commission, to minister to the hurting as He provides, disciple one another in love and His Word, and to proclaim the Good News of Salvation through faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary that those that 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. Just as Joseph trusted GOD even in slavery and prison, You must turn away from your sIn and unrighteousness and trust what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. Just as He provided for Joseph during his trials, He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD with 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

Christ came into the world to save sinners

7/24/2014

And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar. And Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him. And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother's wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother. And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother. And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also.
And she put her widow's garments off from her, and covered her with a vail, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place, which is by the way to Timnath; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given unto him to wife. When Judah saw her, he thought her to be an harlot; because she had covered her face.
When she was brought forth, she sent to her father in law, saying, By the man, whose these are, am I with child: and she said, Discern, I pray thee, whose are these, the signet, and bracelets, and staff. And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more. (Gen 38:6-10, 14-15, 25-26)

In this portion of Genesis we have a sidebar explanation of part of the line of Judah, which of course leads to Mary and Joseph, and our Lord, Jesus Christ. This is included, not to excuse it, or condone the sIn of all those involved, but to identify the lineage and circumstances of the descendants of Judah, as well as the character and actions of those involved.

All Scripture speaks of Christ and our need of Him, and Genesis has been pointing us to the Messiah, both historically and His plan for His people. This sequences of events in the one who would bear the kingly line of the Jews, and from whence they get their name, bears out that none of us have anything to boast about, for we all sIn, and all are as guilty before GOD.

All have sinned, and the redemption that GOD Himself purchased for us in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary is the only way we can be reconciled and redeemed to the Father. That is the message of mercy and grace which the Jews were to proclaim to all peoples, since they had the Oracles of GOD. GOD's Church now, not replacing Israel in the promises and covenants that GOD made to that nation, but in this time of the Gentiles, carrying out the New Covenant He made with His own blood, are to take the same Gospel to this lost and dying world that they might hear 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. You must turn away from your sIn and unrighteousness and trust what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD with 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

GOD meant it unto good, to bring to pass, to save

7/23/2014

And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.
And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him. And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh. Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams. And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him.
And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood? Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content. Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.
And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood; And they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son's coat or no. And he knew it, and said, It is my son's coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces. (Gen 37:14, 18-21, 26-28, 31-33)

Israel sends his favorite son to check up on his brothers, who resent his arrogance and position with Israel. When he arrives they conspire to remove their 'problem'. After selling him into slavery, they cover up their misdeeds with a tale that Israel believes. This sequence, all foreseen and arranged or allowed by GOD, places Joseph in Egypt where he will be used by GOD to provide for His people, and sets up the brothers for the confrontation with GOD and with themselves because of their actions and character.

Actions have consequences. They sold Joseph, but they didn't kill him, and so he was now in slavery and humbled by GOD to learn about himself, and challenged to continue to believe during what seemed to him at the time as the 'worst' of circumstances. GOD can and does use what occurs to humble us when necessary, teach us always, and even chastise us as a good Father must. He also uses events He allows or directs for good and His glory and to accomplish His Will in and through us.

Tragedy, suffering, and 'evil' events exist in this world because of man and our sIn, but GOD is always faithful. He is never surprised by any of them, and will bring us through what He does not deliver us from. That is a message of hope we must tell to those of this world who do not know Jesus Christ and have no hope. We are commanded to go and tell the Good News of His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary for sIn and redemption to those that believe. And as we go, we are to minister to the hurting, disciple one another, and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all 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. You must turn away from your sIn and unrighteousness and trust what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. Just as He provided for Joseph, He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD with 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

And they hated him yet the more for his dreams

7/22/2014

Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him. And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.
For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.
And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me. And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth? (Gen 37:3-5, 7, 9-10)

Israel didn't learn from his father's mistake, and now compounds it because Joseph had 11 brothers. Playing favorites will always lead to trouble in the family. Resentment, hatred and conflict will always follow when one, or more, is favored by either parent, or in this case parents. Joseph doesn't do much for his likability within the family when he arrogantly shares his dreams of dominance over his family. Even his father rebuked him for that one.

GOD, however, was revealing something of His plan to the one whom He would use to deliver His people from the coming drought and famine. He would also use Joseph, though He humbled him for a time in Egypt, to move this family that would become the Nation of Israel to Egypt and allow them to grow in relative peace until the time of the bondage. But even that was part of His plan to deliver His people, not only from the bondage and slavery of Egypt, but also all people from their bondage to sIn through His Son, Jesus Christ.

All Scripture points to Jesus Christ, The Word made flesh, who gave Himself to deliver all from sIn through His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. But, He didn't stay dead, for once He finished the payment for our sIn, He rose again and is alive forevermore, at the right hand of the Father. That is the Good News that we have to go and tell, and as we go, we minister to the hurting in this world as GOD provides, we disciple one another in love and in His Word, and we proclaim the Gospel of forgiveness and deliverance from sIn that comes from believing in Jesus Christ and trusting Him for Salvation and the new life we have 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. You must turn away from your sIn and unrighteousness and trust what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. Just as provided for Israel as a family and a Nation, He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD with 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

He is the faithful GOD, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments

7/21/2014

And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour. And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also. And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin. And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem.
And Jacob came unto Isaac his father unto Mamre, unto the city of Arbah, which is Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac sojourned. And the days of Isaac were an hundred and fourscore years. And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his people, being old and full of days: and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.
And Esau took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters, and all the persons of his house, and his cattle, and all his beasts, and all his substance, which he had got in the land of Canaan; and went into the country from the face of his brother Jacob. For their riches were more than that they might dwell together; and the land wherein they were strangers could not bear them because of their cattle. Thus dwelt Esau in mount Seir: Esau is Edom. (Gen 35:16-19, 27-29, 36:6-8)

Two deaths, a birth, and a new chapter in the lives of Jacob and Esau. Rachel, Jacob's beloved, dies during the birth of Benjamin, Jacob's youngest and last son. Isaac dies full of days and is mourned by both his sons. Esau realizing that the land cannot sustain all the flocks and herds, and knowing the promise of GOD, removes himself to Mount Seir in the land of Edom. They are now separated but not estranged, though the history between them will continue to cause conflict in future generations. But, even in the details of seemingly routine events, GOD is active and preparing for the future of His people.

Jacob lost his father and his beloved, but gained a son, and regained the land of the promise. The circumstances will set up what is to come when the family faces new trials in the future, but GOD is faithful, and GOD is with them. GOD has promised this land to Israel, as a family, and as a nation. They will possess it, and be protected and preserved in it, even when for a time, because of their disobedience they are not in the land. While GOD may have removed His hand of protection from time to time from the nation and people in Judgment, He has never abandoned Israel, nor will He fail in His promises to the chosen nation.

Neither will He abandon His Church, for we too are His people, though we do not replace Israel in the promises, nor in the mind of GOD. Those of us who are born again, adopted into the family of GOD, are the other flock which GOD has brought unto Himself by His mercy. We are bought with His precious blood, purchased by His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. It is our mission, by the command of GOD, to go and as we go, we are to tell the Good News of Jesus Christ, from Creation to Consummation, proclaiming from GOD's Word, the Gospel of forgiveness and redemption for all who will believe and receive, by faith in Him, the Salvation of GOD.

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. You must turn away from your sIn and unrighteousness and trust what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. Just as provided for Jacob and Esau, He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD with 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

Worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth

7/18/2014

Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments: And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto GOD, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.
And GOD said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and He called his name Israel. And GOD said unto him, I AM GOD Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins; And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land. (Gen 35:2-3, 10-12)

GOD called Jacob to separate himself and his family from the religion and practices of the Canaanites around him. GOD always wants a people who reflect His holiness and Majesty, and worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. He called Abraham out of Ur, He separated Isaac from the Hittites, and now He is calling Jacob. He also reiterates the promise He made to Abraham and Isaac, to give them the land, and make them a Nation. GOD has never rescinded this promise, nor the covenant He made with the people of Israel. He gave them this land, and He will preserve them as a people and bring them back to Himself just as He said.

The promises He has given are not for all people, or all time, so we must study to show ourselves approved unto GOD, and rightly divide the Word of Truth. Then we can understand why the promises were given, and to whom. Why different covenants and laws seem to be given to different people, and whom they apply to, as well as how we are to live and keep what He has entrusted to our obedience.

He has however, commanded all His people to be obedient in sharing His Word, living His Truth, and bearing one another's burdens. We are a family, those of us in Christ, and so must put up with one another and forgive, even while discipling one another in the Word, that we glorify GOD as His body and His workmanship. We are to minister to the hurting around us as He provides so that others see Christ in us, the Hope of Glory. And, we are to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ, and the forgiveness and Salvation that He has already paid for by His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. As we go, we are to tell this lost and dying world of GOD's love, and His Judgment, that they might hear and believe the Gospel, 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. Just as Jacob and his family trusted GOD, so you must turn away from your sIn and unrighteousness and trust what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD with 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

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