The last chapter of Proverbs is an two-part conclusion to the wisdom that Solomon (and others) collected and transmitted for us.  The second part on the virtuous women is well known; but this first section has some strong words to say to us about those in authority and their behavior.  Whether they are men, princes, kings, leaders or judges; they are warned not to pervert their integrity, their standing or their authority which ultimately comes from GOD.  They are not to surrender to the other gender, or those not in authority, or to anything which renders them incapable of doing what GOD has directed them to do.  The result if they do is misery, poverty and destruction.   And if we don't see it in this life, they will see it in the next.

GOD warns everyone, no matter what level of authority we exercise, that we are to do right and live in accordance with His law and His justice; and when we fail (and we all do) that He will recompense accordingly.

All of us have sinned against GOD and come short of His Glory.  We are all sinners.  If we stopped there, we would be like the dying in this warning; drinking our sorrows away is our only hope.  But the GOOD NEWS is that GOD doesn't want our destruction, He wants us to live and have a relationship restored with Him.  Jesus Christ, the GOD-Man who is GOD the Son made flesh; came to this earth as a man and put to death the flesh that we might have life, today and abundant.  A full, restored, godly life that He lives out in us through His grace and His Spirit. 

No matter where GOD has put you, or what authority you have; GOD wants you to use it for Him and His Glory.  Live for Him and Praise Him today.

In Christ,
Jefferson A. Sweet

This rhetorical question only has one answer: GOD.  Only He, who resides in Heaven has come from Heaven and gone back to Heaven.  Only He, who created all things, can control the wind and the waves.  And His name is Jehovah.  Jehovah Jashua (Our Saviour); Jesus Christ who while GOD and the Son of GOD became a man that we might have life through His Name.  He is the Word made flesh, that is pure and sinless, who was made sin for us that we might have His righteousness.  When we trust Him, He becomes our life, and health, and Peace; a shield to the fiery darts of the wicked one. 

Jesus calls us to Himself, that we might live in Him and He in us.   He commands us to repent and receive His free gift of salvation through His shed blood on the Cross.  If you don't know Him, don't reject Him.  Believe and Receive Him today.

And if you are one of His, tell someone of what Jesus has done for you.

In Christ,
Jefferson A. Sweet

GOD wants to bless those that do right, and obey.  We must mourn our own sIn.  We must agree with GOD, and truly understand the cost of sIn as He does.  There is judgement and condemnation on the wicked.  We may not see it in our day, but it will come.  Those that remain in their sIns will receive the reward for their evil works. 

Are you rejoicing today, or are you snared by your own deeds and the consequences thereof?
Do you know the provision of Peace that GOD Himself provided on the Cross of Calvary?
Is your relationship secure with the Master, or are you still working for the devil?

You must believe to see what GOD has planned for you.  You must trust Him to provide; for your salvation through Faith in Jesus Christ and for your needs through His riches in Glory. 

Receive Him today.  Come Home and be redeemed.  Come back and be blessed.

In Christ,
Jefferson A. Sweet

As we continue our journey through the wisdom of the Proverbs we see another series of contrasts.  This look is at those that are 'law-abiding' and are considered wise and upright, and those that reject GOD's law and are wicked and fools.  Those that 'obey' man's laws or those that are rich in this worlds goods are poor and destitute of real riches and real wisdom if they reject what GOD has commanded.  A relationship with Jesus Christ through FAITH in His Name is better no matter how much we 'own.'  Real riches and real wisdom come from GOD and He gives liberally to all who seek and ask, in truth and in humble submission to His will.

Complete and utter surrender to GOD may not be the way most folks think we should come to GOD, but it is the wisest and only true course we have before us.  We either do it GOD's way, or He will reject us (which makes us poor indeed) and cast us out from His presence.  The alternative of Hell and the Lake of Fire are very unpleasant destinations of the wicked and perverse that reject GOD and His wisdom, but that is everyone's choice.  

It is to our shame, that we (Christians) are afraid sometimes to tell this part of the Good News (because destruction itself is NOT good news.)  But without the punishment, the pardon is meaningless.  And GOD wants us to be delivered from sIn, and it's destructive hold on our life.  He wants in relationship and fellowship with Himself and other believers.  Not in the future, not 'by-and-by' but now and abundantly joyful here.

That is the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ and the Cross.  I urge you to repent and receive Him.  And if you know Him then tell someone else of His wonderful gift of eternal life.

In Christ,
Jefferson A. Sweet

We stand stronger together.  And reap the rewards  our labors.  Wise words about our habits, character and friendships.  We can either help each other when we walk and work together, or we can tear others down and use people to satisfy our own selfish desires.  GOD knows our hearts, and he knows our weaknesses as well.  But His desire is that we live, speak and think as He does.  When we encourage, challenge and equip each other and hold each other accountable to GOD's Word, then we all grow in the knowledge of Him.

But you can only do this if you know Him.  Until you are born again by the blood of Jesus Christ that was shed for you on the Cross of Calvary then all your righteousness, all your human effort, all your thoughts and desires are filthy rags, wasted time and only evil continuously.  If that disturbs you, then consider why.  GOD said it.  He means it.  And He cannot let sIn into His presence.  Like a good and honest Judge, He has to judge and condemn the guilty for their transgression.  He has already done that, but has given us all a measure of Grace in that we have time, and an opportunity to trust in Jesus Christ in our place.

I pray that you will take advantage of His mercy and receive Him today, and if you are one of His, tell someone of His love and mercy today.

In Christ,
Jefferson A. Sweet

Those that reject GOD are called foolish, and even their thoughts are sIn and an abomination.  If we who are of GOD shy away and refuse to warn the unruly and scorner of his doom and destruction we are being not only disobedient to the Great Commission, but resigning lost souls to Hell without caring for them in direct opposition to the character and nature of the GOD we claim. 

All will stand before Jesus Christ for judgment.  As a Christian, we will stand and be judged not for sIn, but for what we have done for Christ and His Kingdom.  Foolish sinners that die in their sins will be judged according to their works, which won't measure up to GOD's standard and they will be rejected.  GOD doesn't want that, and neither should we.  We need to be bold and warn them of the destruction that is to come, no matter what the cost.

If you one of those that have lived a life without GOD, and are seeing how foolish and desolate that life is; Repent.  Admit your sIn, agree with GOD that it is an abomination to His righteous standard and believe He paid for your sIn on the Cross and receive Him today.

If you are already one of His; be bold, be a good soldier in the spiritual battle we face and warn the lost.  Tell them of the love of Jesus, that compels us and constrains us, tell them before it's too late of salvation and redemption.  Be strong in His might, be courageous in His Spirit, be equipped with His Word; and share the Good News today.

In Christ,
Jefferson A. Sweet

Solomon knew of and had seen many that woke up from an 'all-nighter' and couldn't remember everything that they did.  He knew the cause, and the result.  He wisely warns us of indulgences that open us to damage and the consequences of being out of control. 

And while this warning is true and applicable, it is just one sIn that sinful human beings do when they are searching for pleasure and fulfillment in something without seeking peace in the Prince of Peace.  Only a true, lasting, secure relationship with Jesus Christ can satisfy.  Everything else is temporary or damaging, even deadly. 

Whatever sIn you are involved in, repent and surrender to GOD, agreeing that it is wrong and offensive to a Holy GOD who loves you and wants better things for you.  Let Jesus deliver you today from whatever holds you back from serving Him.

Celebrate the freedom we have in Christ, and live in Him and for Him that others may know of His mighty works.

In Christ,
Jefferson A. Sweet

A good name, and favour with GOD and man is the way we should go.  Character matters, and so does our relationship with our Creator.  GOD's blessings are not necessarily in the yard, or bank account, or even in this life; but are more to be desired than anything we can 'get' here.  And the 'riches' of this life are only temporary anyway and distract many from the things of GOD. 

True life, and riches, and blessings come when we have a relationship with Jesus Christ; by faith in His finished work on the Cross, and repentance of our sins that separate us from GOD.

Since we shall all stand before GOD and receive either pardon in Christ, or judgment from Him; or choice is simple: either Admit our guilt and surrender, repent and believe on Jesus Christ or reject His Word, His Way and His Life for us to try and go our own way which is the way of death.

I pray you will receive Him today.  And if you already secure in Christ, tell someone of His love for them.

In Christ,
Jefferson A. Sweet

GOD knows our hearts.  He knows what we truly feel, and think, and desire.  He knows that deep down we want to do that which is sinful and in opposition to Him.

He also knows what motivates us, and to accomplish His Will He directs or allows it.   His greatest will and desire is for us to repent, surrender and receive Him and then do as He would; in every thought, word, and deed.

Our Lord Jesus knows that our hearts will deceive us, and unless we are led by the Spirit of GOD, through the Word of GOD we will be led astray and not do the Will of GOD.  GOD wants us instead to follow Him, do what's right, and be blessed.  We have the choice; life or death.  Much of the Proverbs has been about choices and contrasts.  GOD gives us life; for He is Life.  We, in Adam, chose death and now GOD calls everyone to Himself, to repent and surrender that we might be saved. 

If you don't know Him come to Him today,; and if you are one of His, tell someone of what Jesus is doing for you today.

In Christ,
Jefferson A. Sweet

What is the counsel of GOD?  Are we good?  Are we faithful?  Is there any of us that is truly just in all our doings?

When we are honest about ourselves and with GOD, agreeing with Him we know deep down that He is the only One who is truly faithful and just.  We all have sinned and come short of the Glory of GOD.  We don't measure up to GOD's standard.  But what of our own?  Do we have a standard?  Without the measure of GOD's Word to tell us, we would not have any sense of true Authority.  We might have temporary false authorities in this life; such as Majority, which changes as numbers change; Might/Power, which changes when someone stronger or bigger comes along; or Law, which is only as good or authoritative as the basis for that law.

We might proclaim ourselves as good, but when we walk with GOD and in agreement with His authority and righteousness, then we are truly blessed.  We have fellowship with our Creator.  We have forgiveness of sIn and His righteousness in us.  We have His Spirit living in us, and directing our steps that we might be truly pure in the sight of the King of Kings.

I pray that your life is hid with Jesus Christ today, and if not that today will be the day that you receive Him.

Tell somebody about what GOD is doing in your life today.

In Christ,
Jefferson A. Sweet